A Mediterranean diet is associated with improved total antioxidant content of human breast milk and infant urine

Background: The composition of breast milk (BM) is dynamic and can be influenced by maternal variables that include the diet and nutritional status. This study examined the association between maternal adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and total antioxidant content of BM and infant urine. Methods: We collected 350 BM samples from mothers and urine samples from their infants. The dietary intakes of the mothers were recorded using a validated 65 items-food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The total antioxidant status of the samples was assessed using the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and thiol quantification assays. Milk protein, calcium, and triglyceride (TG) were also determined using standard biochemical kits. Results: Subjects with the highest MedDiet scores were among the women in the highest tertile (T3) for consumption of dietary fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and seeds, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and the lowest consumption of red meat, sweetened beverages, and sodium, compared to women in the first tertile (T1) with the lowest MedDiet scores. After adjustment for potential confounders, the individuals in the highest tertile for MedDiet score had a significantly higher level of milk DPPH, and infant urinary DPPH than the lowest tertile and had a significantly higher level of milk protein, FRAP and infant urinary FRAP compared to the T2 (P < 0.05). In addition, the mothers in the T3 for the MedDiet pattern had a significantly lower level of milk TG compared to those within the T1 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show that a high maternal adherence to a MedDiet can affect BM composition and their infants' urine

THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION ON LIPID PROFILE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia and oxidative stress are thought to be important mechanisms in pathogenesis of disease in hemodialysis patients. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of oral vitamin E supplementation on lipid profile and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: The study group consisted of 26 uremic patients (10 women and 16 men), 16-68 years of age undergoing maintenance hemodialysis three times a week (12&nbsp;hours/week), lasting a range of 6-108 months, at Vali-e-Asre Hospital in Birjand (Iran). Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels were determined before and after oral vitamin E supplementation, 400&nbsp;mg/d for 90 days. RESULTS: Vitamin E supplementation caused a significant decrease in ThioBarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) level as a marker for lipid peroxidation (2.97&plusmn;0.52 vs. 2.55&plusmn;0.44, P&lt;0.001) and a significant increase in plasma TAC (1252&plusmn;348 vs. 1398&plusmn;372, P&lt;0.01). Although there was a decrease in the level of lipid profile, there were no statistically significant differences in the means of cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein before and after vitamin E supplementation among patients. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that oral vitamin E supplementation might be able to modify oxidative stress by an increase in TAC, and a decrease in lipid peroxidation; that could be considered as a preventive strategy in hemodialysis patients &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, lipid profile, vitamin E, hemodialysis. &nbsp;</p

Effect of a 10 week high intensity interval training supplemented with green tea on lipid profiles and body composition in overweight women

Background and Aim: Increasing the intensity of physical activity along with regular consumption of green tea can be effective on energy metabolism, weight, and body fat content. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a 10 week. .high intensity interval training supplemented with consuming green tea .on lipid profiles and body composition in overweight women. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 overweight women were purposefully and randomly chosen and divided into 3 equal groups. Training group performed training programs including 3 sessions per week at maximum intensity of 85-95% heart rate and the supplement group consumed 3 tablets of green tea (500 mg) daily for 10 weeks High intensity interval training and the supplement group both underwent intervention. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention in fasting state. Finally,the obtained data was fed into SPSS software (V. 19) and analyzed using paired t test, covariance analysis, one way-variance analysis, and Bonferroni post- hoc tests at the significant level of P<0.05. Results: After the period of high intensity interval training and green tea supplementation triglycerides (P=0.001), LDL (P=0.02), weight (P=0.0001), body mass index (P=0.0001), and body fat percentage (P=0.0001) in all the groups and total cholesterol (P=0.01) decreased ,but&nbsp; HDL (P=0.01) increased in high intensity interval training plus supplements and high intensity interval training plus placebo groups. However, these two indicators did not differ significantly in the supplement group (P=0.23 and P=0.06, respectively). Furthermore, systolic (P= 0.55) and diastolic (P= 0.15) blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio (P= 0.08) did not change after intervention in all the groups. Conclusion: It was found that consumption of green tea along with performing of high intensity interval training can be effective in improving of cardiovascular risk factors in overweight women

Comparison of components of metabolic syndrome in premature myocardial infarction in an iranian population: A case -control study

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim: Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with premature myocardial infarction (before 50 years of age). Methods: In this case-control study, we compared 98 consecutive patients who were hospitalized in Birjand with acute first myocardial infarction before the age of 50 years and 98 age- and sex-matched healthy controls without a history of coronary artery disease. The case and control groups were categorized according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) metabolic syndrome criteria [presence of ≥3 of the following: Fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL, triglyceride (TG) level ≥150 mg/dL, low high density lipoprotein (HDL; <40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women), blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg, and waist circumference >102 cm in men or 88 cm in women]. The data were collected and analyzed by t-test, χ΂, and logistic regression in SPSS software 11.5. Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in cases than in control group (34.7% in cases, 16.3% in controls, P=0.003). All components of metabolic syndrome except high waist circumstance in the cases group were significantly higher than in control. The most common component of metabolic syndrome was high TG and the least common component was low HDL. Conclusion: We conclude that prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with premature myocardial infarction is high; high TG is the most common component of metabolic syndrome

Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency in Elementary School Children of South Khorasan Province (East Iran)

Objective: Zinc deficiency is common in developing countries and can affect growth of children. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency and its effect on growth in elementary school children of South Khorasan province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 908 9-11 year-old school children of South Khorasan province (East Iran) from October to December 2007. The subjects were chosen by multi-stage cluster random sampling method from urban and rural areas. Anthropometric measurements were made following standard techniques. Children were considered Stunting, underweight and wasting as height-for-age and weight-for-age and weight-for-height Z-score below or equal -2 standard deviation using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference population. Serum zinc level was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS statistical package using t-test, Chi-square and ANOVA. Findings: Totally, 474 subjects (52.2%) were girls and 697 subjects (76.8%) resided in city. The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting was 13.2%, 6.8% and 5.5%, respectively. The mean value of zinc plasma level was 87.7 (±32.7) μg/dl; it was significantly higher in girls and in urban areas. There were no significant differences in mean serum zinc in school children with normal growth and subjects that were stunted, underweight or wasted. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 28.1% and it was significantly higher in rural areas. The prevalence of zinc-deficiency was significantly higher in stunted school children than non-stunted children. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency is common in elementary school children of South Khorasan province, so searching studies for underlying factors of zinc deficiency and supplementation of zinc, especially in stunted students is recommended

Rosa damascena decreased mortality in adult Drosophila.

The effects of a rose-flower extract, Rosa damascena, on the mortality rate of Drosophila melanogaster was evaluated in this study. R. damascena is a potent antioxidant that has many therapeutic uses in addition to its perfuming effects. Supplementing Drosophila with this rose extract resulted in a statistically significant decrease in mortality rate in male and female flies. Moreover, the observed anti-aging effects were not associated with common confounds of anti-aging properties, such as a decrease in fecundity or metabolic rate

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on rumination and glucose index of type 2 diabetic patients

Background and Aim: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is from third-wave therapies that their effectiveness has been tested in a range of different psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive therapy based on mind-awareness on rumination and glucose index of type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design. From among all type 2 diabetic patients referring to Birjand Diabetes Center in the second six months of 2017, 40 diabetic patients (20 experimental groups, 20 in the control group) were selected samples as available. Data were collected by Nalen-Huxma and Marrow rumination questionnaire and also by performing HbA1c (hemoglobin glycosylated) and FBS (fasting blood glucose) tests. For the experimental group, cognitive therapy based on mindfulness was conducted by Segal et al. Method in 8 sessions of 60 minutes, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Finally, descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation were used to describe the data and statistical analysis of covariance, Levin and Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis was used to analyze the data. The significance level was considered 0.05. Results: The results showed a significant difference in mean scores of rumination and fasting blood sugar (FBS) in the experimental group before and after the intervention were(P<0.05) but the changes in mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) view failed and changes in the control group were not significant. Conclusion: The use of cognitive therapy based on Mindfulness, as an effective educational intervention, will be effective in decreasing the rumination and FBS in patients with type 2 diabetes and however, it is probably not effective in reducing hemoglobin glycosylated (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes

A Comparative in-vitro study between the interaction of aqueous extracts of Ephedra, Nepeta, and Hymenocrater with histone proteins

Background and Aim: Ephedra, Nepeta, and Hymenocrater herbs have long been used in the treatment of many diseases, but their interactions with cellular components, especially nuclear proteins, are still unknown. On the other hand, in the eukaryotic cell nucleus histone proteins play a main role in the packaging of the genetic material as chromatin. The present study aimed at comparing the in-vitro interactions of aqueous extracts of Ephedra, Nepeta, and Hymonocarater with histone proteins. Materials and Methods: Histone proteins type 2A were purchased from Sigma company and aqueous extract of Ephedra, Nepeta and Hymenocrater were prepared in the research laboratory of Birjand University of Medical sciences. Different concentrations of the aqueous extracts were incubated with histone proteins, then analyzed by UV-Spectroscopy and Circular dichroism. Results: Aqueous extract of Nepeta increased maximum absorbance of histone proteins at 210 nm, but the reduction in absorbance was shown at its high concentration. The absorbance of histone proteins also changed in the presence of the aqueous extract of Ephedra and Hymenocrater and it decreased to zero at higher concentration of Ephedra. Circular Dichroism studies demonstrated that the structure of histone proteins changed in the presence of mentioned aqueous extract; the observed effect of the aqueous extract of ephedra was higher than Nepeta and Hymenocrater. Conclusion: The aqueous extracts of ephedra, Nepeta,and Hymenocrated interacted with histone proteins and changed their structure. The effect of ephedra was higher than others

Assessment of antioxidant properties of berberis vulgarris syrup and their protective effects on hepatic damages induced by CCI4 in the rat

Background and Aim: Today, it is known that some natural and synthetic compounds possess antioxidant properties and as a result, have gained a lot of significance in food industry. Many of these compounds have got important roles in protecting the liver against destructive factors.. The present study is an attempt to survey the antioxidant properties of berberis vulgarris syrup and its liver preserving effects in the rat damaged by carbon tetrachloride. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, total antioxidant capacity of berberis vulgarris syrup was assessed at first using FRAP method and phenolic compound content was tested through FolinCiocalteumethod. Then, radicals neutralizing effects of berberis syrup were examined by means of DPPH method. Our subjects,i.e. 66 rats, were randomly divided into 6 equal groups. Then, they were fed with Berberis vulgarris syrup at different doses (1%, 4%, and 20%) for four weeksFinally. serum content of aminotransferase (SGPT and SGOT), alkaline phosphatase,and bilirubin were measured .The obtained data was analyzed using variance analysis and Tukey test through SPSS software (V:15). Results: BerberisVulgarris syrup has high antioxidant properties as indicated by FRAP method. Results obtained from DPPH method showed that DPPH radicals are better controlled by reducing their production to the consumption interval. FolinCiocalteu test demonstrated that with an increase in the polyphenol combination, through reducing production to consumption time, a significant increase in polyphenol combination occurred. Tetrachloride carbon treatment significantly increased serum level of alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transferas of the sample (P≤0.01). But the syrup had no effect in reducing these parameters. Conclusion: As suggested by the results, BerberisVulgarris syrup failed to preserve the liver of the rat against oxidative damages caused by carbon tetrachloride but iteven showed a proxidative effect