Effect of conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin E and their combination on lipid profiles and blood pressure of Iranian adults with active rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), vitamin E, and combination of these nutrients on serum lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 87 patients with active RA were divided into four groups receiving one of the following daily supplements for three months: Group C: CLAs 2.5 g equivalent to 2 g mixture of cis 9-trans 11 and trans 10-cis12 CLAs in a rate of 50/50; Group E: vitamin E: 400 mg; Group CE: CLAs and vitamin E at above doses: Group P: placebo. After supplementation, SBP levels decreased significantly in the group C in comparison with groups E and P and mean arterial pressure reduced significantly in groups C and CE. There weren’t significant differences in the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL/HDL, cholesterol/HDL, fasting blood sugar, C-reactive protein (CRP), arylestrase activity, platelet count and body mass index between groups. CRP dropped nonsignificantly in groups P, C, E and CE (19%, 24%, 55%, and 39%, respectively). Erythrocytes sedimentation rate levels decreased in groups C, E and CE (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.001, respectively). It is concluded that supplementation of CLAs decreased BP and vitamin E decreased CRP. Therefore cosupplementation of CLAs and vitamin E might be profitable for heart disease prevention in RA patients

THE RELATIONSHIP OF BODY IRON STORES AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS RELATED TO ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN WOMEN OF REPRO-DUCTIVE AGE

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: Elevated body iron stores have been suggested to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined whether elevated plasma ferritin concentrations as an indicator of iron stores would affect the oxidative stress markers in women of reproductive age. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: One hundred sixty, women, aged20-45 years, were selected randomly. Samples had no proven heart disease. Demographic data were gathered using check lists and face-to-face interviews. We investigated body iron stores by measuring the concentrations of plasma ferritin. Furthermore, we assessed oxidative stress markers by measuring the concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of erythrocyte cytoprotective enzymes. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: Subjects in the highest tertile of plasma ferritin presented the highest levels of plasma MDA (p&lt;0.05). Those in the highest tertile of plasma ferritin had also the highest mean values of CAT activity (p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, Subjects in the highest tertile of plasma ferritin presented the lowest levels of CuZn-SOD activity (p&lt;0.05). Those in the highest tertile of plasma ferritin had also the lowest GPX activity but differences were not statistically significant. Plasma ferritin was significantly directly associated with plasma MDA levels and inversely associated with CuZn-SOD activity. Plasma ferritin levels was positively correlated with MDA levels and inversely correlated with CuZn-SOD activity. No associations were found between the tertile of plasma ferritin in GPX activity.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed an association between body iron stores and oxidative stress markers linked to atherosclerosis process. The results are also in agreement with the concept that iron overload would elevate the risk of coronary artery disease by promoting the lipid peroxidation. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: iron stores, ferritin, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, women.</p

BODY IRON STORES AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE: IS IT RELATED TO ATHEROSCLEROSIS?

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: Elevated body iron stores have been suggested to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined whether elevated plasma ferritin concentrations as indicator of iron stores, affect the oxidative stress markers in a reproductive age women population. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHOD: One hundred sixty, 20-45-year-old women were randomly selected. We investigated body iron stores by measuring the concentrations of plasma ferritin. Furthermore, we assessed oxidative stress markers by measuring the concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of erythrocyte cytoprotective enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in a random sample of cardiovascular disease-free women in reproductive age. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: Subjects in the highest tertile of plasma ferritin presented the highest levels of plasma MDA (p&lt;0.001) and CAT activity (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, these Subjects presented the lowest levels of CuZn-SOD activity (P &lt; 0.01). No significant associations were found between the tertile of plasma ferritin in GPX activity. Plasma ferritin was significantly directly associated with plasma MDA levels and inversely associated with CuZn-SOD activity. Using multiple regression, Plasma ferritin levels was positively correlated with MDA levels and inversely correlated with CuZn-SOD activity. &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed an association between body iron stores and oxidative stress markers linked to atherosclerosis process. The results emphasize that iron overload would elevate the risk of coronary artery disease by promoting the lipid peroxidation. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Iron stores, ferritin, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, women, reproductive age. &nbsp;</p

بررسی پراکسیداسیون چربیها و فعالیت آنزیمهای آنتی اکسیدانی در گویچه های سرخ زنان مبتلا به کم خونی فقر آهن Assessment of lipid peroxidation and activities of erythrocyte cytoprotective enzymes in women with iron deficiency anemia

&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;مقدمه و هدف: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;هدف از مطالعه حاضر بررسی وضعیت&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;پراکسیداسیون چربیها و فعالیت آنزیمهای آنتی اکسیدانی در گویچه های سرخ زنان مبتلا به کم خونی فقر آهن بود.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;مواد و روشها: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;در این مطالعه مقطعی، 43 زن مبتلا به کم خونی فقر آهن &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;(IDA)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; و 43 زن سالم به عنوان گروه کنترل انتخاب شدند. همچنین، یک گروه از زنان (43 نفر) دچار فقر آهن &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;(ID)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; نیز انتخاب گردید. سطح پراکسیداسیون چربیها با اندازه گیری غلظت پلاسمایی مالون دی آلدئید &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;(MDA)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; و میزان فعالیت&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;آنزیمهای آنتی اکسیدانی در گویچه های سرخ با اندازه گیری فعالیت آنزیمهای سوپراکسید دیسموتاز &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;(CuZn-SOD)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;، گلوتاتیون پراکسیداز &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;(GPX)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; و کاتالاز &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;(CAT)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; ارزیابی شد. جهت مقایسه متغیرهای کمی مورد مطالعه بین گروهها از آزمون آنالیز واریانس یکطرفه &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;(ANOVA)&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; استفاده شد. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;نتایج:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; میانگین غلظت پلاسمایی &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;MDA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; در گروه زنان &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;IDA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; بطور معنی داری بیشتر از گروه زنان &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;ID&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; و زنان سالم بود (01/0&lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&amp;gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;p&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;. اما تفاوتی بین زنان گروه &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;ID&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; و گروه سالم از نظر غلظت پلاسمایی &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;MDA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; مشاهده نشد. میانگین فعالیت آنزیم &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;CuZn-SOD&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;در گویچه های سرخ زنان گروه &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;IDA&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; بطور معنی داری کمتر از زنان سالم بود&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/span&gt;(01/0&lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&amp;gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;p&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;. علاوه بر این، میانگین فعالیت آنزیم &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;CAT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; در زنان مبتلا به کم خونی فقر آهن بطور معنی داری کمتر از زنان گروه &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;ID&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; (01/0&lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&amp;gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;p&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; و زنان سالم (001/0&lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&amp;gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;p&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;) &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;بود.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;میانگین فعالیت آنزیم &lt;/span&gt;&lt;font face="Times New Roman"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt"&gt;GPX&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt; بین گروههای مورد مطالعه تفاوت آماری معنی داری نداشت.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;نتیجه گیری: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'B Mitra'"&gt;یافته های مطالعه حاضر نشان می دهد که میزان پراکسیداسیون چربیها در زنان مبتلا به کم خونی فقر آهن افزایش و میزان فعالیت آنزیمهای آنتی اکسیدانی در گویچه های سرخ کاهش می یابد. پیامد کاهش فعالیت آنزیمهای آنتی اکسیدانی در انسان پیشرفت تخریب بافتی است که ممکن است زمینه ساز بروز بیماریهای دژنراتیو از جمله تصلب شرائین در آنها باشد.&amp;nbsp;&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;BACKGROUND&lt;/strong&gt;: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the lipid peroxidation levels and activities of erythrocytecytoprotective enzymes can be affected by iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in menstruating women.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;METHODS&lt;/strong&gt;: In this case-control study, 43 women with IDA, 43 women with iron deficiency (ID) and 43 healthy controls were included. Lipid peroxidation levels were assessed by measuring the concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (as byproduct of lipid peroxidation). We also evaluated the activities of erythrocyte cytoprotective enzymes by measuring activities of copper zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) in selected groups. Furthermore, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of&amp;nbsp; plasma was assessed for each subject.Comparisons between continuous variables across groups were performed by the calculation of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESULTS&lt;/strong&gt;: Mean plasma concentration of MDA was significantly higher in IDA group than that in ID group (3.49 &amp;plusmn; 0.84 vs. 2.76 &amp;plusmn; 0.59, ?mol/L, respectively, p &lt; 0.01) and healthy group women (3.49 &amp;plusmn; 0.84 vs. 2.94 &amp;plusmn; 0.71 ?mol/L, respectively, p &lt; 0.01). No significant difference was observed between ID and healthy groups in plasma MDA concentration (2.76 &amp;plusmn; 0.59 vs. 2.94 &amp;plusmn; 0.71, respectively). The mean erythrocyte CuZn-SOD activity in IDA group was significantly lower than that in healthy group women (674 &amp;plusmn; 89 vs. 796 &amp;plusmn; 82, respectively, p &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, erythrocyte CAT activity was significantly lower in IDA group compared to both ID (162 &amp;plusmn; 52 vs. 193 &amp;plusmn; 72, respectively, p &lt; 0.01) and healthy women groups (162 &amp;plusmn; 52 vs. 234 &amp;plusmn; 68, respectively, p &lt; 0.001). No significant difference was observed between study groups in erythrocyte GPX activity. In addition, plasma TAC levels were significantly lower in IDA and ID groups compared to healthy women group (1.97 &amp;plusmn; 0.42 and 2.16 &amp;plusmn; 0.64 vs. 3.76 &amp;plusmn; 0.86, respectively, p &lt; 0.01).&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONCLUSIONS&lt;/strong&gt;: Our findings showed that activities of erythrocyte cytoprotective enzymes decrease and lipid peroxidation increases in women with IDA. The consequence of the low activity of the cytoprotective enzymes in human is progressive tissue damage, which may eventually lead to atherosclerosis and other degenerative diseases.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;KEYWORDS&lt;/strong&gt;: Lipid peroxidation, iron deficiency anemia, cytoprotective enzymes, women.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt

Comparison of Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood Selenium Levels in Low and Normal Birth Weight Neonates

Objective:To compare the maternal and umbilical cord serum selenium concentrations in Low and normal birth weight neonates. Materials and methods:A case-control study was carried out in Vali-Asr and Akbarabadi Hospitals (Jan. to Dec. 2013). Two groups; case group; 91 mothers who delivered a low birth weight (LBW) neonate and control group; 86 subjects who delivered a normal birth weight neonate were selected. Immediately after birth, 5 ml of maternal blood and umbilical cord blood were collected, and sent to laboratory to assay Se concentrations. To compare both groups' blood Se concentration, data were analyzed in SPSS 16.0. Results:Eighty six (48.6%) mothers with normal birth weight neonates and 91 (51.4%) mothers with low birth weight infants entered the study. Mean maternal mothers' age and mean maternal blood Se were 28.55+5.90 years and 79.3756+26.46915. A significant association was seen between maternal blood and cord blood Se level in control and case group (P value<0.0001, r = 0.69) and (P value<0.001, r = 0.79). On the other hand no differences were seen between 2 groups' maternal blood Se level (P Value = 0.65). Umbilical Cord blood Se concentration was not also different between case and control group (P value = 0.46). Conclusion:We found that maternal and umbilical cord blood Se concentrations were not different in low and adequate birth weight infants, however; umbilical cord Se concentrations were positively correlated with maternal blood Se concentrations

AGE-RELATED ALTERATIONS IN LIPID PEROXIDATION AND ACTIVITIES OF ERYTHROCYTE CYTOPROTECTIVE ENZYMES IN WOMEN

&nbsp; Abstract INTRODUCTION: The incidence of atherosclerosis increases with age, as do various indices of free-radical-mediated damage, e.g. lipid peroxidation. Because Antioxidant enzymes are the major defense system of cells in normal aerobic reactions, we aimed to assess the age-related alterations in the activity of erythrocyte cytoprotective enzymes among women. methods: One hundred sixty 20-45-year-old women were randomly selected among women receiving the services of rural health centers of Kerman Province, Iran. Data were gathered by using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. We assessed lipid peroxidation by measuring the concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activities of erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT). results: Those individuals in the highest quartiles of age and number of pregnancies presented the highest levels of plasma MDA (P&lt;0.001). We also observed an inverse relationship between age and erythrocyte CuZn-SOD and GPX activities. Although we found no significant difference between age groups in respect of erythrocyte CAT activity and/or plasma TAC levels, erythrocyte GPX activity was negatively correlated with the number of pregnancies (P&lt;0.001) . No significant difference was found between age groups and/or between quartiles of number of pregnancies for either energy or nutrient intake. Plasma MDA levels were positively related to age (r=0.307; P&lt;0.0001), number of pregnancies (r=0.250; P&lt;0.001), fat intake (r=0.281; P&lt;0.05) and Vitamin E intake (r=0.356; P&lt;0.01). Furthermore, there were negative correlations both between age and GPX activity (r= -0.280; P&lt;0.0001) as well as with CuZn-SOD(r= -0.228; P&lt;0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were affected by age. Erythrocyte cytoprotective enzymes have an important role in detoxification of free radicals in the body; the age-related decrease in the activities of these enzymes might contribute to atherogenesis, along with classic risk factors.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Keywords: Age, lipid peroxidation, cytoprotective enzymes, oxidative stress, women.</div

IS OBESITY ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED PLASMA LIPID PEROXIDATION AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN WOMEN?

&nbsp; Abstract INTRODUCTION: The role of obesity in diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, colon cancer, sudden death and other cardiovascular diseases has been confirmed by many studies. In this study, it was hypothesized that obesity is an independent risk factor for lipid peroxidation and decreased activity of cytoprotective enzymes in humans. methods: To test the study hypothesis, we assessed lipid peroxidation by measuring the concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) in 25 obese women (BMI=30-40 Kg/m2) and 25 women with healthy BMI (19-25Kg/m2). results: The concentration of plasma MDA was significantly higher (P&lt;0.001) in obese women (3.4&plusmn; 0.7 &micro;mol/L) compared to women with healthy BMI (1.4&plusmn; 0.3 &micro;mol/L). Furthermore, there was a significantly positive correlation (r =0.75, P&lt;0.0001) between BMI and plasma MDA. On the other hand, women with healthy BMI had significantly higher (P&lt;0.001) erythrocyte CuZn-SOD (873&plusmn; 52 U/g Hb) and GPX (64.7&plusmn; 14.2 U/g Hb) activity than obese women (660&plusmn; 39 U/g Hb) and (48.5&plusmn; 13.1 U/g Hb), respectively. Furthermore, erythrocyte CuZn-SOD and GPX activity were negatively correlated with BMI (r =-0.52, P&lt;0.0001 and r =-0.42, P&lt;0.001), respectively. No significant difference was observed between two groups in erythrocyte CAT activity. CONCLUSIONS: From these observations, it is concluded that obesity even in the absence of smoking, diabetes, renal or liver disease can decrease the activities of body&rsquo;s protective antioxidants, and can enhance the systemic oxidative stress. &nbsp; &nbsp; Keywords: Obesity, Lipid peroxidation, Cytoprotective enzymes, Oxidative stress, Women.</div

Survey of Synergistic Effect of L-carnitine with Glutamine on Body Composition and Dietary Intake in Soccer Players: A Double-blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine and glutamine and their synergistic effects on male soccer athletes. Methods: 28 male soccer players (21.1 &plusmn; 0.7 y) were enrolled in a randomized pre and post intervention, double-blind design. Before the intervention, their performances were assessed by Bruce protocol, and their body composition was measured with the body composition analyzer. Then, athletes were randomly allocated into four groups: 2 g L-glutamine, 2 g L-carnitine, 2 g L-carnitine + 2 g L-glutamine and placebo. Supplements were prescribed for 21 days and after three weeks, athletes' performances and body composition were re-evaluated. Results: The results showed that body weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and dietary intake made no significant changes in different groups of athletes. In between groups comparison, results did not significantly change in any performance indices. However, in L-carnitine supplement group, the results of pre and post intervention showed that the running distance and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) increased significantly while the subjective sense of fatigue decreased significantly. Conclusions: Based on our findings, a three-week prescription of separateor combined glutamine and L-carnitine, had no effects on body composition or dietary intake in soccer players. But, the athletes' energy intake was more than the one reported in other studies. Although further studies are required to assess these effects on athletic performance

The Effects of Maternal Passive Smoking on Maternal Milk Lipid

Passive smoking was long overlooked by those in the medical and legal professions as being harmful to one's health, but in recent years the negative effect of passive smoking has come to the fore in the media and laws have been changed so that less people are obliged to unwillingly suffer from passive smoking, particularly in the workplace and in indoor settings. To study the effects of environmental tobacco smoking exposure during the breast-feeding period on maternal milk lipids. This cohort study was conducted on 45 mothers environmental tobacco smoking exposure and 40 non-exposed post-partum mothers referred to the Shahid Ayat health center, Tehran, Iran. Socioeconomic conditions and the demographic characteristics of exposed and non-exposed groups were recorded. Milk samples were collected twice--at baseline (5-7 days after delivery) and four months after delivery. The samples were reserved at -20°C until assay. Milk lipids including cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were evaluated. Dietary intake assessment was performed by means of the 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire both times. Maternal occupation status and education levels were significantly different between the two groups. Lipids profiles of milk were significantly higher 5-7 days after delivery in the non-exposed group and four months after delivery. Dietary intake was not significantly different between the two groups. Maternal environmental tobacco smoking exposure affects milk lipids which are essential for infant growth