Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:23 Issue: 96, 2015

The decline of bone mineral density (BMD) and prevalence of osteoporosis is a silent epidemic of the century. World Health Organization announced osteoporosis following cancer، heart attack and cerebral stroke as the fourth human enemy. The objective of the current study was to estimate the effect of vitamin C on BMD in menopausal women with balanced diet. The study was a randomized clinical trial in which 150 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were chosen based on convenience purposive sampling method. Using a randomized block design، subjects were divided into two groups: one group received vitamin C and the other group received placebo. After homogenizing groups، the experimental group was given vitamin C 1000 mg daily in two doses for 6 months and the control group received a placebo with the same method. After 6 months، bone densitometry was done and the results were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests and ANOVA. SPSS16 software was used to analyze the collected data. Significant level of 5% was considered. Comparison of index mean of femoral BMD in two groups (independent t-test) and inside the groups (paired t-test) did not show any significant difference before and after the treatment (p>0. 05). Comparison of the index mean of BMD in vertebral bones of trial and control groups (using independent t-test)، did not show any significant difference before and after the treatment (P= 0. 541 and P= 0. 499، respectively) but intra groups results (using paired t-test)، indicated a significant difference both in the test group (p=0. 001) and in the control (p=0. 001). Consumption of antioxidants can be effective for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) especially type2 is one of the main causes of morbidity in developing countries such as Iran. Recently، fenugreek seeds as medical plant have been considered for treatment of diabetes. Therefore، we conducted this study to evaluate the effects of fenugreek seeds on serum metabolic factors and ICAM-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients.

This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 88 T2DM patients. Subjects in fenugreek seeds (n=44) and placebo (n=44) groups consumed 10 g/d of powdered whole fenugreek seeds or 5 g/d of wheat starch before two meals for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements، dietary records and fasting blood samples were collected at the baseline and at the end of the trial.

BMI، energy and protein intake were significantly different between placebo and intervention groups at the beginning of the study. Fenugreek seeds significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (P=0. 007)، HbA1c (P=0. 0001)، serum levels of insulin (P=0. 03)، and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (P=0. 004) in trial group compared to the placebo group. No significant changes was seen in ICAM-1 levels (P=0. 64).

Fenugreek seeds improved glucose metabolism. There was no significant difference in ICAM-1 levels in our intervention، regarding dose and time. It seems that fenugreek seeds may be useful in controlling blood glucose and its complications in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aging like many complex traits is the result of interaction between genome and environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms as a central connector links these two markers. So far، investigations on age-related characteristics and biomarkers predicting survival and risk of death have been carried out، none of which led to an overall consensus among the researchers. Identical twins are good models to study epigenetic changes associated with senescence. MicroRNAs are small non-coding regulatory RNA molecules known as one of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the aging process. The aim of this study was to compare some of miRNAs expression associated with aging in pairs of identical twins. In this study، variations in expression of miR-106a، miR-24 and miR-107 whose target genes are associated with cell cycle regulation، in six pairs of identical twins within two age ranges of 15 - 17 and 45 - 50 years old were studied using qRT-PCR technique. There was a significant difference in expressions of miR-24، miR-106a and miR-107 (Fold change= 22 and 37) between two age ranges. Also، the level of discordance in expression of all three miRNAs between twins increased with aging (Fold change= 401 and 733). Increase in the expression of miR-106a، miR-24 and miR-107 may be considered as a marker of aging. A trend rising differences in expression levels related to aging may confirm the environmental effects on the identical twins.

Mobilization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) for transplantation and the importance of -adrenergic signals in induction of this process have been well investigated. However، little is known about the role of -adrenergic signals in mobilization of HSCs and factors influenced by these signals. The Chemokine Stromal Derived Factor -1 (SDF-1) which is expressed by human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)، has a key role in mobilization of HSCs. In addition، miR-886-3p and miR-23a can regulate the expression of SDF-1 in hMSCs. In this study، to investigate the role of miR-886-3p and miR-23a in mobilization process، expression of both miRNAs was evaluated in hMSCs treated by Isoproterenol (a -adrenergic agonist). hMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow and cultured. Following flowcytometric analysis، the cells were treated with 100 M isoproterenol. Total RNA was extracted at 12 and 48 hours post treatment، and also from untreated hMSCs as control. Then، miR-886-3p and miR-23a expression levels were quantified by quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR. The expression level of miR-886-3p increased significantly at 12 and 48 hours post treatment (P<0. 05). In addition، the expression level of miR-23a decreased at 12 hours post treatment and increased significantly at 48 hours post treatment (P<0. 05). Isoproterenol induces miR-886-3p in hMSCs. MiR-23a is primarily decreased، and then increased due to treating with isoproterenol. So both miRNAs can contribute to mobilization process. References 1- Horowitz MM، Gale RP، Sondel PM، et al. Graft-versus-leukemia reactions after bone marrow transplantation. Blood.

The control of parenchymal hemorrhage especially in liver parenchyma، despite improvements in surgical science، is still one of the challenges that surgeons are facing with. Therefore، introducing an effective method to control liver bleeding is of important research priority. This study aimed to compare the hemostatic effect of calcium sulfate and ferric chloride on controlling liver parenchymal tissue bleeding in rats. In this experimental study 70 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to seven groups. An incision، two centimeters (cm) long and half cm depth، was made on each rat’s liver and the hemostasis time was measured first using calcium sulfate and ferric chloride with different concentrations (15%، 25%، and 50%) and then using the control method (i. e. control bleeding by simple suturing). Then، liver tissue was examined for pathological changes. Finally، hemostasis time was entered into SPSS software and analyzed using one-way ANOVA، Post hoc and Mann Whitney tests. Hemostasis mean time in groups of calcium sulfate concentrations of 50%، 25% and 15%، were 8. 00±0. 94، 20. 70±1. 88،and 36. 10±2. 27 seconds، respectively، and in groups of ferric chloride concentrations of 50%، 25% and 15%، were 15. 50±1. 71، 29. 40±2. 06 and 49. 20±3. 32 seconds respectively. The hemostasis mean time in the control group (suture) was 91/30±7. 30 seconds. The haemostatic time for different concentrations of calcium sulfate and ferric chloride were significantly less than the control group (P=0. 004). There was a statistically significant difference between different concentrations of calcium sulfate and ferric chloride haemostatic time (P = 0. 009). The pathologic examination showed the highest frequency of low grade inflammation based on the defined pathological grading. Calcium sulfate and ferric chloride in comparison to the control method (i. e. control liver bleeding by simple suturing) need less time to control liver bleeding. Calcium sulfate was more effective hemostatic agent than ferric chloride in controlling liver bleeding in rats.

Breast cancer is a genetic and chronic inflammatory disease with an increasing incidence among Iranian women. Researchers have shown that regular exercise is presumed to have prophylactic effect and adjuvant therapy in inhibition of tumor growth. So the aim of this study was to assess the effect of endurance training on serum TNF-α in breast cancer bearing mice. Forty female Balb/C mice were used in this study. 20 mice performed continuous endurance exercises for 8 weeks، and then breast cancer cells were injected to all Balb/C mice. Following this، one group of each of the trained and non-trained mice performed endurance exercises 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Thus، this research contained 4 groups: Exercise-Tumor-Exercise (ETE)، Exercise-Tumor-Rest (ETR)، Rest-Tumor-Exercise (RTE) and Rest-Tumor-Rest (RTR) groups. Tumor volume was measured by a digital caliper weekly. Consequently، the mice were sacrificed; blood samples were taken and serum cytokine level was measured and quantified using ELISA. There was a significant difference in the level of TNF-α in the groups performing endurance exercises after malignancy (RTE and ETE) and groups not performing such exercises (ETR and RTR) pointing out an association with tumor growth rate. In the meantime، there was a strong correlation between levels of TNF-α and tumor growth rate. Endurance training reduces level of serum TNF-α and tumor growth rate and decreases level of inflammation markers. Thus، regular exercises as adjuvant therapy have beneficial effects on estrogen related breast cancer treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common bone-cartilage disease. It is well known that osteoarthritis is associated with obesity and various cardiovascular risk factors. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of cardiovascular risk factors. In this study، we assessed cardiovascular risk factors in patients with OA and their relationship with OA severity. This cross sectional study was conducted on 323 patients with OA in Zanjan، Iran، in 2010. Metabolic syndrome (Mets) was defined based on National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria. Information on waist circumference، blood pressure، levels of blood sugar، triglyceride and HDL levels was collected and the severity of osteoarthritis was examined using WOMAC questionnaire. The level of insulin was measured for 234 of patients. 93. 2% of the patients were female and 6. 8% were male. The mean age of the patients was 57. 2 ± 9. 4 year. The most prevalent site of osteoarthritis was knee (48. 6%). According to the NCEP-ATP III criteria، the prevalence of Mets in these patients was 46. 1%. The prevalence of Mets components was as follow: central obesity (53. 3%)، high triglyceride level (51. 4%)، hyperglycemia (33. 4%)، high blood pressure (61%)، and low HDL level (43%). The mean score of the Iranian WOMAC questionnaire for the patients with Mets was higher (53. 23) than that in the patients without Mets (41. 65، P=0. 003). The prevalence of Mets was also increased with increasing age. Insulin resistance was present for 35. 7% of the patients. The prevalence of Mets was high in this population regardless of the OA type. In addition، Mets was more prevalent in patients with severe OA. This may indicate a relationship between the prevalence of Mets and the severity of OA.

Chemerin and vaspin are adipose tissue-driven adipokines and appear to be associated with inflammation and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic interval training on chemerin، vaspin and insulin resistance index in overweight students. Twenty four male students voluntarily participated in this study and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n=12). The experimental group took part in an aerobic interval training program (3 days/wk، continued for 12 weeks، 40 minutes each session) and the control group continued their routine daily life. Before and after this intervention program، chemerin،vaspin and insulin resistance index were measured. Paired and independent t- tests and Pearson’s correlations were used for data analysis. Results showed a significant decrease in chemerin concentration (t= 5. 02، P= 0. 001) and insulin resistance index (t= 3. 73، P= 0. 003) in the experimental group after 12 weeks of aerobic interval training. The results did not show any significant change in the serum vaspin (t= 2. 04، P= 0. 06). Also، there was a significant relationship between insulin resistance index and both chemerin (P= 0. 007) and vaspin levels (P= 0. 04). In conclusion، aerobic interval training affects serum chemerin and insulin resistance and suggests that it can play a major role in reducing inflammatory responses caused by overweight and obesity.

Association of 6q loci، where IGF2R gene is located، with insulin resistance has been well established. In this study، relationship between 3''UTR and type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance indices in non diabetic subjects was investigated. 350 participants (175 diabetic type 2 patient and 175 non-diabetic individuals) were entered in this study. Demographic data were collected. BMI and serum levels of glucose، lipid profiles and IGF2 of all participants were measured. Genotype polymorphism of studied participants was determined by PCR-RFLP method. Then، the relationship between genotypes and insulin resistance indices was measured and analyzed using statistical procedures of ANOVA and post hoc analysis. The genotypes frequency comprised CC (6. 85%)، AA (33. 45%)، and CA (59. 55%)، indicating that the frequency of carrier with CA genotype polymorphism was significantly (P<0. 05) higher in type 2 diabetic patients (80. 6%) than in non-diabetic participants. Serum FBS levels of CA carriers were significantly (P=0. 001) higher than carriers of other two genotypes (CC and AA). The mean levels of serum IGF2 in participants carrying CC and CA genotypes were significantly (P= 0. 001) more than other participants carrying genotype AA. (C>A) IGF2R3′UTR polymorphism was associated with type 2 diabetes and some insulin resistance indices especially FBS. However، the A allele may have a protective effect on developing type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidants have been widely used as food additives to provide protection against oxidative degradation of foods. Because of undesirable side effects of synthetic antioxidants، there is a growing interest in searching for powerful but non-toxic antioxidants from natural resources، especially edible or medicinal plants. Although، several studies have shown that Salvia genus is one of the valuable sources of potent antioxidants، but there is not any study about antioxidant potentials of Salvia viridis. Methanolic extract of Salvia viridis was analyzed for its total phenols، anthocyanins and flavonoids contents using spectrophotometric methods. Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to evaluate its antioxidant properties. The results demonstrated that the methanolic extract of Salvia viridis has high contents of total phenols (272. 2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight)، flavonoid (187. 3 mg quercetin equivalent/g dry weight) and anthocyanin (0. 94 mg cyaniding-3-glycosid equivalent/g dry weight). Free radical-scavenging capacity of the methanolic extract was less (IC50:35. 7± 1. 45 μg/ml) than synthetic antioxidant Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) (IC50:18. 7± 0. 23 μg/ml). On the basis of the results obtained، Salvia viridis could be valuable as a rich source of natural antioxidants for culinary purposes after passing proper toxicity test.

In recent decade cardiovascular diseases have been one of the main causes of death in the world. One of its insidious forms is coronary heart disease. There are number of factors that may contribute to incidence of coronary heart disease and physical and its psychological side effects. The present study investigates whether type D personality، emotional intelligence، stress and coping styles could predict psychopathology in coronary heart disease patients. Following this، we discuss the importance of psychotherapy in treatment of patients with heart disease. Participants (n=180) filled out the questionnaires of Type D personality، Coping Style، the Perceived Stress Scale، the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and Psychopathology Scale. Regression analysis was used to test if each one of these factors could significantly predict psychopathology in coronary heart disease patients. The results indicated the predictors had the potential to account for 73% of the variance (R2 =. 737، F=68. 18، p<. 01). Moreover، the results pointed out to low scores of psychopathology among coronary heart disease patients in Type D personality، stress and emotional coping style while high scores related to emotional intelligence and problem solving coping style. The findings of the present study showed that the psychological factors have prominent role in predisposing to heart disease as well as its intensification along with its side effects. Psychotherapy application in pre and post episode of disease has important role in treatment and decreasing of psychological side effects and improving the quality of life. Therefore، trainings on stress management، adaptive coping styles and EQ education can reduce coronary heart disease and subsequent mortality as well as psychopathology.

Infancy period has an essential role in future health of individuals due to development of human body structure over this period of life. Sufficient nutrition and correct nutritional patterns have great impact on infancy health. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of training on awareness، attitude and practice of mothers who had infants. This study was a quasi experimental (before and after the intervention) study without a control group. Study sample included 110 mothers referring to health houses of Abhar city who had at least one infant under 1 year old. Before the intervention، knowledge، attitude and practice of mothers concerning complementary feeding were evaluated using a standard questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire was tested. Intervention program included training sessions with group discussions and role playing، and social worker as facilitator of the group. Training sessions were held twice a week for 6 weeks. One month after the intervention، knowledge، attitude and practice of mothers were measured. Scores of knowledge and attitude showed a significant improvement after the intervention as compared to before the intervention (p<0. 001). In practice domain، mothers had significant changes in choosing of type of complementary feeding، sufficient number of feeding their infants during the day، and proper storage of complementary food after training (p<0. 001). Training in supplementary nutrition by health workers through group discussion and role play has an important effect in improving knowledge، attitude and practice of mothers.