Iranian Journal of Diabetes and Obesity
Volume:4 Issue: 3, Autumn 2012

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of diet measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI) between individuals with and without metabolic syndrome. This case-control study was performed in Tehran and consisted of 103 overweight and obese individuals (52 cases and 51 controls) within age range of 20 to 55 years. Case and control were matched for age and sex. The NCEP ATPIII criteria were used for identifying metabolic syndrome. Appropriate instruments were used for anthropometric measurement of weight, height and waist circumference. The participants were asked to record their food consumption of three days (two week days and one weekend day) and technical report was used to calculate HEI-2005. Independent t-test was used to compare Healthy Eating Index. There was no significant difference between case and control groups for mean of HEI (p-value=0.1). Mean score of whole fruit consumption in control group was significantly higher than case group (p-value=0.04). Mean score of oil consumption (p-value=0.03) and saturated fat consumption (p-value=0.05) in case group were significantly higher than control group. The comparison of HEI between overweight/obese individuals with and without metabolic syndrome in this study shows that the quality of diet in both groups needs to be improved.

Stress and cortisol increase blood glucose. Considering the role of central catecholaminergic pathways on hypothalamic-pituitary adrenocortical axis, and results of some studies that alprazolam (a benzodiazepine) has inhibitory effect on catecholamines, it seems that alprazolam may reduce blood glucose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alprazolam on serum insulin level in non-diabetic rats. This was an experimental study done on 20 male adult rats weighing 180-200g which were selected randomly and divided into three treatment and one control groups. Animals in test groups were administrated different alprazolam doses (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and blood insulin and glucose levels were assessed 0, 2, 4 and 6 hours following the treatment. General Linear Model was used to compare the alterations in serum insulin and glucose levels between four groups in different times. For comparison of mean serum glucose levels between two different times paired t-test and for insulin, Wilcoxon test was used. The serum insulin level alternations were significant in 2 mg/kg group (P=0.0001), with a peak at 4 hour. These alternations were not significant in 0.5 and 1 mg/kg groups, as well as controls. Our findings show thatblood insulin increases in response to alprazolam injection and this effect is dose-dependent. Maximum increase is induced by the dose of 2 mg/kg.

An association between high homocysteine levels and proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy has been shown. On the other hand, supplementation with folic acid lowers homocysteine concentration. We have studied the effects of folic acid supplementation on proteinuria in type 2 diabetic patients with overt proteinuria. Forty five (29 men and 16 women) type 2 diabetic patients with overt proteinuria were randomized into 2 groups. One group was treated with folic acid for 6 months (22 patients), and the other was not (control group, 23 patients). Twenty-four hours proteinuria, creatinine clearance, and serum homocysteine were measured at baseline and 6 months of treatment. In the treatment group, baseline proteinuria was 2927 ± 2858 mg/day, and after 6 months of folic acid treatment, there was a significant decrease in proteinuria to 2049 ± 1641 mg/day (P < 0.05). For the control group, there was no change of proteinuria after 6 months of follow-up (P = 0.9). Serum homocysteine levels were significantly decreased in subjects treated with folic acid, from 19.2 ± 9.46 µmol/L to 16 ± 5.6 µmol/L; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in creatinine clearance at the end of the study comparing the two groups. Supplementation with folic acid decreases proteinuria in type 2 diabetic patients with overt proteinuria and that this action may be mediated through reduced concentrations of serum homocysteine. However, for evaluation of the effect of folic acid on renal function, further studies with longer follow-up are needed.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a state characterized by atherosclerotic occlusive disease of lower extremities. Diabetes is the main risk factor for PAD. To assess the prevalence of PAD, a cross sectional study was performed on 352 diabetic patients who referred to Yazd diabetes research center from 2007 to 2010. Vascular assessment was done by measuring the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and Toe-Brachial Index (TBI). PAD was defined when ABI was less than 0.9 in each leg or ABI was more than 1.3 and TBI less than 0.6. The mean age of diabetic patients was 56.97±10.3 and the mean of diabetes duration was 12.6±7.5 years. Fifty-two percent of these subjects were women and 48% men. ABI less than 0.9 was found in 8.5%, ABI 0.9-1.3 in 84.5%,and ABI more than 1.3 in 7%of the patients. Prevalence of PAD was 9.8%.In this study the age of diabetic patients with ABI less than 0.9 was significantly more than other groups. The prevalence of PAD in type 2 diabetes is 9.8% and history of cerebrovascular disease significantly associated with PAD.

Control of weight gain is an important strategy in reducing the diabetes incidence. Recently, herbal drugs have been used as a complementary and alternative medicinal care. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Ferula asafoetida on weight gain, fat accumulation, liver steatosis and leptin level. All rats of control and treatment groups received daily tap water (P.O) as vehicle mixed with fructose 10%. Two treatment groups received FAF oleo-gum resin at doses of 25 or 50 mg/kg (P.O). Normal rats received only tap water and standard chow food. Body weights, abdominal fat, size of epididymal adipocyte and serum leptin were recorded. Administration of Ferula asafoetida significantly decreased body weights, abdominal fat and size of epididymal adipocyte compared to untreated rats (P<0.05). Levels of serum leptin were significantly decreased in treated rats (P<0.05). This study showed that Ferula asafoetida extract has anti-obesity, fat lowering effects and can prevent liver steatosis in type 2 diabetic rats. Reduction of serum leptin is associated with protective effects of Ferula asafoetida in obese diabetic rats.

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) analysis is the most importantmethod for detection and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Due to difficulty and problems of this method for determination of glycemia in diabetic patients, recently the use of Fasting Salivary Glucoseas a simple and non-invasive method to evaluate FPGhas came into significant considerationof specialists. The aim of this study was the presentation of a new method to evaluate FPG by salivary glucose measurement This was a cross-sectional study which was done on 52 diabetic patients (test group) and 47 non diabetic patients (control group). After collection of saliva and blood samples, The FPG level was measured by GOD-PAP method and FSGlevel was measured by Glucose oxidase/peroxidase method. The statistical significance was calculated by T-Test and regression test for quantitative variables and Chi-square test for qualitative variables. The average FSG in diabetic and non-diabetic groups were 11.43mg/dl and 5.2mg/dl, respectively. Also the correlation coefficients between FPG and FSG in diabetic and non-diabetic groups were 0.835 and 0.583 respectively (p-value=0.0001). This study showed that there is a significant linear relationship between FPG and FSG. Therefore, FSG amounts can be used as a non-invasive method to detect FPG.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent disorders in human. During recent years the rate of diabetes had been increased in the world and it will be increased by 122% from 1995 to 2025. The aim of this study was to determine the self-care of diabetic patients referred to Rahmatabad health care center in Yazd city, Iran. This was a descriptive study done on 152 diabetic patients referred to Rahmatabad health care center, Yazd, Iran in 2011. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of demographic data (age, sex, level of education, job, and types of diabetes) and also the questions about self-care. The questionnaire was developed in consultation with three health educators and three questionnaire validation experts. After entering into SPSS, data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. Their behavior about using the rate of the insulin, physical activity, using weekly food plan and using food was not suitable, but they used their oralantidiabetic drugs and insulin suitably. Results showed there was significant relation between self- care and job of participants (P=0.02). Results of our study and also other studies revealed that self- care in diabetic patients is very important and can decrease the cost of treatment and complication of diseases. More than 75% of diabetic patients are type 2, and their self-efficacy is not suitable, there is need to stress on type 2 patients in education program.

The rise in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and an increase in the prevalence of obesity in parallel in the recent years is a great concern. CKD increases the rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and development of end-stage renal disease, and leads to premature death. Although no direct causality link between obesity and CKD can yet be established, this appears highly probable. CKD should be regarded as a major complication of overweight and obesity, regardless of whether the association was independent or through the influence of diabetes, hypertension, CVD and metabolic syndrome. We review the literature on the complex but positive association between obesity and CKD, the pathological effect of excess adiposity in kidney injury and the potential role of weight reduction therapy in reducing the CKD.