فهرست مطالب seyed rafie arefhosseini

Cataract is a chronic disorder that is related to antioxidant–oxidant imbalance situation. We aimed to investigate the association between food diversity and serum antioxidant and oxidant indices in cataract patients compared to healthy subjects.

In this case–control study, ninety volunteers (aged > 50 years) were divided into the cataract (n = 45) and healthy control (n = 45) groups. Anthropometric variables, physical activity and stress levels, food diversity score, serum total oxidant capacity (TOC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measurements were done for all participants.

Serum TAC, even after adjustment for stress level, was significantly higher in healthy people compared to cataract patients (P < 0.001). In addition, serum TOC was significantly lower in healthy controls compared to cataract patients (P < 0.002). In healthy group, there was a weak significant positive association between serum TAC and meats group diversity (r = 0.149, P = 0.047). In addition, there was a moderate negative association between meats group diversity and TOC in the healthy controls (r = −0.712, P = 0.041). In the cataract group, there was a significant negative association between serum TOC and diversity score of fruits (r = −0.811, P = 0.017) and meats group (r = −0.926, P = 0.046) as well as total score of food diversity (r = −0.466, P = 0.003).

It seems that increase in total dietary diversity and food groups’ diversity can have a beneficial effect on oxidant situation among cataract patients.

Biological activity of Boswellia extract (BE) has been attributed to its main active ingredients; i.e. Boswellic acids (BAs). BE/BAs possess a promising therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders; including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The multifactorial nature of AD pathophysiology necessitates the development of the disease-modifying agents (DMA). Recent multi-targeting approaches for the DMAs development have brought more attention to the plant-derived compounds regarding their better human compatibility because of their biological origin. This review addresses the current knowledge on the anti-AD activity of BE/BAs based on the available in silico, in vitro, in vivo studies and clinical trials. The contribution of BE/BAs in inflammatory pathways, Tau and β-amyloid proteins, microtubule functions, oxidative stress, cholinesterase and diabetes/insulin pathways involved in AD have been discussed. BAs efficacy in different AD-related pathways has been confirmed in vitro and in vivo. They can be considered as valuable scaffold/lead compounds for multi-targeted DMAs in anti-AD drug discovery and development.

Beta-Boswellic acid (BBA) is a pentacyclic terpene which has been obtained from frankincense and its beneficial effects on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been addressed.

In the present study, thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of BBA interaction with Tau protein as one of the important proteins involved in AD in the absence and presence of glucose has been investigated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) method. Tau protein was immobilized onto the carboxy methyl dextran chip and its binding interactions with BBA were studied at physiological pH at various temperatures. Glucose interference with these interactions was also investigated.

Results showed that BBA forms a stable complex with Tau (KD=8.45×10-7 M) at 298 K. Molecular modeling analysis showed a hydrophobic interaction between BBA and HVPGGG segment of R2 and R4 repeated domains of Tau.

The binding affinity increased by temperature enhancement, while it decreased significantly in the presence of glucose. Both association and dissociation of the BBA-Tau complex were accompanied with an entropic activation barrier; however, positive enthalpy and entropy changes revealed that hydrophobic bonding is the main force involved in the interaction.

Adequate iodine intake by women in child-bearing age affects fetus neurodevelopment during pregnancy. A majority of previous studies has investigated iodine status among children, and there is limited data on female adolescents who are more exposed to consequences of iodine deficiency (ID) in their near-future pregnancies; thus, we aimed to assess iodine status, and knowledge on iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) among adolescent school girls (14-19 years old) in Shahriar, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 223 female students selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from 12 schools. Iodine and creatinine concentrations were measured in casual urine samples. Iodine content of household salts was also assessed.Data on intake of salt and iodine-rich food sources were collected applying a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and knowledge about iodine and IDDs were assessed by a questionnaire. Median and Mean (95% CI) concentrations of urinary iodine and creatinine were 129 µg/L, 137.62 µg/L (95% CI: 126.28, 148.95) and 1.72 g/L, 1.86 g/L (95% CI: 0.55-3.17),respectively. The frequency of mild, moderate and severe ID were 22.4%, 14.3% and 0%,respectively; 43.5% had adequate, and 3.1% had excessive urinary iodine levels. Mean saltiodine concentration was 21.69 (SD=10.56) ppm. Mean knowledge score was 12.7 (SD=3.44).About half of the students had a poor (25.1%) or fair (24.2%) knowledge about iodine deficiency.Adjusting for the confounders, no significant positive association was found between knowledge about iodine-rich food sources and goitrogens with urinary iodine excretion. Adolescent girls in Shahriar had relatively poor knowledge of iodine, and about one third of them suffered from ID.

Contamination of food producing animals by veterinary drug residues, particularly quinolones, is an essential issue in food safety that causes increasing concern in consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of enrofloxacin and its main metabolite, ciprofloxacin, in chicken tissue samples slaughtered in Tabriz, Iran. Totally 250 samples including liver, muscle, gizzard, heart and skin were studied. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique (DLLME) was used as a simple, high performance, low-cost and fast sample pre-treatment method that followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection for quantitative analysis. The residues of enrofloxacin were detected and quantified in 26 liver (52%) and 10 skin (20%) samples and ciprofloxacin residues were detected in 3 skin (6%) samples and accurately determined in 15 liver (30%) samples, however they were not detected in gizzard, heart and muscle samples. The results showed the accumulation of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin residues in chicken liver and skin.

Obesity is the main cause of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diet therapy is the cornerstone in the management of obesity and T2DM..
We evaluated the effects of calorie-restricted diet therapy on the circulating level of the serum lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and adiponectin in obese women with T2DM..
This randomized clinical controlled trial was performed for 10 weeks on 30 eligible obese T2DM women distributed to control (n = 15) and diet therapy (n = 15) groups. Demographic, nutritional, anthropometric, and laboratory data were obtained before and after the study. Data were analyzed by SPSS vs.15 and Nutritionist IV..
In addition to anthropometric measurements, diet therapy independently improved fasting blood sugar (P = 0.024, -69.37 to -5.57 mg/dL), 2-h postprandial blood sugar (P = 0.007, -123.34 to -22.3 mg/dL), serum total cholesterol (P = 0.005, -46.48 to -9.72 mg/dL), serum alanine transaminase (P = 0.001, -8.91 to -3.18 U/L), and increased circulating adiponectin (P = 0.038, 0.01 to 0.47 μg/mL)..
Improvement of biomarkers of insulin sensitivity, including adiponectin and lipid metabolism, is an important therapeutic effect of medical nutrition therapy in obese patients with T2DM..

MicroRNAs have recently been introduced as epigenetic regulators of glucose and lipid metabolic pathways, which are impaired in obesity and diabetes..
We evaluated the effects of calorie-restricted diet therapy on the circulating levels of miR-33b and miR-29a in relationship to glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)..
This randomized clinical controlled trial was performed on 30 eligible obese women with T2DM, randomly divided into two groups (control group, n = 15; diet therapy group, n = 15) for 10 weeks. Ten healthy women with normal weight were enrolled at the baseline of the study as controls. Demographic information, dietary intake, and anthropometric and biochemical indices were obtained before and after the study. Circulating miR-33b and miR-29a were assessed for all subjects using quantitative RT-PCR, and the fold change of each circulating miRNA was compared between groups..
The circulating levels of miR-29a and miR-33b in the diabetic women were higher (0.40-fold) and lower (1.43-fold), respectively, than normal levels. Diet therapy significantly increased the circulating level of miR-33b (P = 0.023, 0.97-fold upregulation) to normal levels. This increase was independently correlated with caloric restriction (95%CI: -0.004 to -0.0001, P = 0.022) and 2hPPBS (95%CI: -0.009 to -0.001, P = 0.035). No remarkable change was observed in circulating levels of miR-29a..
Our findings introduced a novel therapeutic effect of diet therapy on circulating miRNAs in obese patients with T2DM. MiR-33b is an important therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of T2DM and its complications..

The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine and glutamine and their synergistic effects on male soccer athletes.
28 male soccer players (21.1±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, athlete's performances and body composition were re-evaluated.
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.
Based on our findings, a three-week prescription of separate or combined glutamine and L-carnitine, had no effects on body composition or dietary intake in soccer players. But, the athlete's energy intake was more than the one reported in other studies. Although further studies are required to assess these effects on athletic performance.

Exercise-induced muscle damage can affect exercise performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Carnitine and Glutamine supplementation on markers of muscle damage and muscle soreness after physical exertion on football players. Twenty eight healthy male football players aged 21.1±0.7 were recruited in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 3 weeks of supplementation. Before supplementation protocol, each participant had to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 75% VO2max. Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups: L-Carnitine, L- Glutamine, L-Carnitine plus L- Glutamine and placebo. Blood samples were obtained pre-exercise and immediately after exercise. Muscle soreness was assessed on both occasions and two days after each exercise. L-Carnitine and L-Glutamine supplementation for 21 days significantly decreased Creatine Kinase activity as a marker of muscle’s damage before (P=0.014) and after exercise (P=0.047), and muscle soreness two days after physical exertion (P=0.057). However, Lactate Dehydrogenase activity was affected by Carnitine supplementation after exercise. Chronic oral supplementation of Carnitine and Glutamine before exercise can reduce chemical markers of muscle tissue damage after exercise. In addition, these supplements may reduce muscle pain after exercise and optimize the processes of muscle tissue repair.[GMJ. 2014;3(4):207-15]

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is more common worldwide and no certain treatment apart from lifestyle modification has been established yet. Available data consistently show that energy intake is significantly higher in patients with NAFLD than in individuals with no evidence of fatty liver. Changing nutritional behaviors seems to be the primary approach for treatment, simultaneously addressing all the clinical and biochemical defects. This study was aimed to examine the effects of two different composition of low energy diet (diet I vs. diet II) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 44 ultrasonography-proven overweight non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients were divided into two groups and received two low-energy diets (-500 kcal less than energy requirement individually) inc. diet I (Carbohydrate: Fat: Protein: 55:25:20) and diet II (Carbohydrate: Fat: Protein: 40:40:20) for six weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical measures as well as liver enzymes were assessed after 12 hours fasting. After diet I and diet II, weight decreased significantly (%1.82 and %2.45, respectively). Liver enzymes and echogenicity decreased significantly by both diet I and diet II. Mean of triglyceride concentration decreased (%18.09) after diet II (P=0.023), while there was no significant change after diet I. Significant correlations were found between changes in aspartate aminotransferase with triglyceride and LDL-C diet I. Low energy diets can decrease liver enzymes regardless of their composition, while diet II seems to be more effective than diet I in reduction of weight and triglyceridelevel.

Leptin is a peptide hormone and product of obesity gene which has effects on the food intake, regulation of the body adipose tissue and action of insulin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between leptin and indicators of the obesity, lipid profile, energy and macronutrients intake among apparently healthy and young subjects.

In this cross-sectional study seventy eight subjects (37 males and 41 females) aged 20 to 32 years old were evaluated with respect to the anthropometric indices (waist circumference, body mass index, waist to hip ratio and waist to stature ratio), energy and macronutrients intake (by means of 3-day food record), fasting lipid profiles and blood sugar, leptin and insulin levels.

Females had significantly higher level of circulating leptin than the males (P<0.001); however circulating insulin (P=0.001) and insulin resistance (P=0.019) were higher in males. There was significant relationship between obesity indicators and leptin levels. However, after adjusting for confounders, only waist circumference, body mass index and total cholesterol had significant relationship with serum leptin level. There were no significant differences for energy intake from the macronutrients between the both genders. Conclusion Circulating leptin levels elevate with obesity in males and the body mass index is the best predictor of leptin.

According to WHO recommendation on importance of breastfeeding on infants` health and growth and also with regards to the effect of maternal nutritional status on quality and quantity of milk production, this study was carried out to investigate the nutritional pattern of lactating mothers and its effect on infant's growth status.

Mother's and infant's general characteristics and anthropometric measurements were collected from 182 urban and rural lactating mothers who were exclusively breast feeding their infants aged 90-120 days. Information on mother's dietary intake was collected using 24-hour recall method and the results compared with RDA. Multiple Regression model was performed to analyze the association between dietary intake of mothers and anthropometric measurements of infants.

The mean daily energy intake of mothers (2390±405 kcal/d) was significantly lower than RDA (2733 kcal), but it was close to calculated energy values (2458±258kcal). The mean energy intake of urban mothers was significantly lower than mothers in rural areas (P<0.05). The mean intake of bread, vegetables and cheese was higher in rural mothers, while the mean intake of rice, milk, yogurt and meat was significantly higher in urban mothers (P<0.05). The mean weight of infants was significantly correlated with BMI of nursing mothers (P<0.05, = ß 0.49). In group of mothers who were consuming more than 2500 Kcal, the mean weight of infants was significantly higher than the other group (P<0.03).

The observed positive effects of maternal dietary intake on infants` growth rate indicate the need for implementing proper nutritional educational programs in order to improve dietary intake of lactating mothers.