Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Volume:7 Issue: 1, Winter 2019

Growing evidence suggests that antipsychotic drugs affect the level of cytokines and metabolic syndrome parameters in schizophrenic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the serum markers of metabolic syndrome, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS),total cholesterol, and insulin, and interleukin-27 (IL-27) in the patients with schizophrenia and compared the levels with healthy subjects.  In this cross-sectional study, the serum level of IL-27 was measured in 45 patients with schizophrenia and 45 healthy subjects using the ELISA. In addition, the markers of metabolic syndrome were measured in Dr. Salehi Laboratory in Yasouj, Iran. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21.  A significant increase was observed in IL-27 in the patients with schizophrenia (P= 0.043) compared to the healthy controls. Evaluation of the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients compared to the controls indicated no significant differences in the body mass index (P=0.764), systolic blood pressure (P=0.670), diastolic blood pressure (P=0.216), total cholesterol (P=0.103), TG (P=0.097), and LDL (P=0.255). However, the serum levels of HDL (P=0.012) and insulin (P=0.001) significantly decreased and increased, respectively in schizophrenic patients compared to the controls. Moreover, a strong, positive correlation was observed between the levels of insulin and LDL andIL-27, with the correlation-coefficients of 0.312 and 0.641, respectively. A negative correlation was also denoted between IL-27 and HDL with the correlation-coefficient of -0.413 (P=0.005). The associations between IL-27 and the other markers of metabolic syndrome were not considered significant.  According to the results, changes in IL-27 may affect the Pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Antipsychotic therapy has been reported to increase the serum levels of IL-27, which in turn exacerbate and increase the incidence of metabolic disorders.

The adverse effects of underweight, overweight, and obesity on health could increase the risk of chronic, non-communicable diseases and disability among the youth. Self-care plays a pivotal role in lifestyle management. The present study aimed to evaluate the associations of underweight, overweight, and obesity with self-care history in the youth.  This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,140 young participants aged18-29 years in Aqqala city, located in the north of Iran. Data were collected using the self-care measuring scale, which is commonly applied by the Iranian Ministry of Health. A case-control study had been designed in which the participants with normal weight were considered as controls, and the underweight, overweight, and obese subjects were considered as the case groups to evaluate the associations with self-care history.  The prevalence of obesity, overweight, normal weight, and underweight among the youth was estimated at 8.8%, 23.6%, 58.4%, and 9.2%, respectively. The frequency of self-care history based on the self-care measuring scale was considered to be inadequate, moderate, and favorable in 2.4%, 69.3%, and 28.3% of the participants, respectively. A significant association was observed between underweight and self-care history (OR: 4.46; 95%CI: 1.54-12.20; P<0.001). In addition, factors such as gender (P=0.001), education level (P=0.002), marital status (P=0.001), and self-care history (P=0.038) had significant correlations with the weight classifications in the participants.  According to the results, the underweight individuals had an inadequate self-care history and were at a higher risk of diseases. Therefore, they required proper planning for self-care.

Type II diabetes is currently considered to be health priority in Iran. Recent studies have confirmed the high prevalence of food insecurity in various regions in Iran. The present study aimed to investigate the association of food insecurity and some of its influential factors in the diabetic patients in the villages in Abadan, Iran.  This case-control study was conducted on 110 diabetic patients (case) and 107 non-diabetic individuals (control), who were selected randomly. Demographic characteristics and food insecurity status were evaluated using a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16 using Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression analysis.  The prevalence of food insecurity in the case and control groups was 85.3% and 67.1%, respectively. Several risk factors were considered to be effective in the high prevalence of food insecurity, such as poor socioeconomic status, body mass index, education level, and number of family members in the household. Moreover, the odds ratio (OR) for diabetes was significantly higher in the individuals with food insecurity (OR: 3.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-7.5).  Considering the higher prevalence of food insecurity in the patients with type II diabetes compared to the control group, it is presumed that food insecurity may be associated with type II diabetes or its risk factors.

Millions of Muslims across the globe fast during the holy month of Ramadan, as well as on the other specific dates of the lunar calendar. Although the Islamic law exempts patients from fasting, more than 50 million Muslim patients with diabetes mellitus fast during Ramadan. Ramadan fasting in diabetic patients may increase the risk of various complications, such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypovolemia, and thrombosis. This study aimed to review the safe management of blood glucose in the diabetic patients willing to fast during Ramadan.  This literature review was conducted via searching in databases such as Medline, PubMed, PMC, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and the reference lists of relevant articles.  The diabetic patients who are willing to fast during Ramadan should be prepared within at least 1-2 months prior to the beginning of Ramadan through Ramadan-focused advice, medical assessment before Ramadan, modifications in their medication protocol, balanced diet, physical activity plans, and advice on the self-monitoring of blood glucose.  According to the results, safe Ramadan fasting in diabetic patients could be achieved with the help of healthcare providers, including physicians and pharmacists.

The present study aimed to assess the effects of Pediococcus acidilactici as a dietary supplement on some oxidation parameters and intestinal microbiota in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).  In this study, 60 carps (weight: 75±5 g) were randomly divided into two groups of 30. In the first group (control), the fish received a basic dietary plan, and the second group (treatment) received a basic dietary plan supplemented with 0.9×107 CFU of Pediococcus acidilactici per gram of diet for 30 days. At the end of the trial and after blood sampling, the fish were dissected, and muscle and intestinal samples were obtained. Some oxidative status biomarkers were measured in the blood samples (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione) and muscle samples (malondialdehyde [MDA], protein carbonyls, and total antioxidant status) using validated spectrophotometric methods. Moreover, the microbial culture of the intestinal samples was performed.  Measurement of the erythrocytic antioxidants showed no significant difference between the treatment and control groups. However, muscle MDA levels significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to the control group (P<0.05). In addition, muscle protein carbonyls significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to control group. Total antioxidant status was evaluated based on ferric-reducing antioxidant power and increased significantly in the treatment group compared to the control group. Microbial culture also indicated that the level of lactic acid bacteria increased in the intestinal microbiota of the probiotic group.  According to the results, supplementation with 5% Pediococcus acidilactici was effective in enhancing the antioxidant system against oxidative stress, while it also had remarkable effects on the intestinal microbiota of common carp.

As physical education and nutrition are two effective factors in management of diabetes, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate intensity endurance training and genistein on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in diabetic rats.  In this experimental study, 40 diabetic rats were selected and divided into five groups: (1) control; (2) moderate intensity endurance training; (3) genistein consumption; (4) moderate intensity endurance training with genistein and (5) sham. Rats in groups 2 and 4 ran on treadmill for eight weeks, three sessions per week, and each session for 60 minutes at speeds of 10- 17 m/min, and rats in groups 3 and 4 received daily 30 mg/kg genistein intraperitoneal injection. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent sample t- test and two-way ANOVA were used to analyze the findings (p≤0.05). Endurance training had a significant effect on increasing BDNF (P=0.002 and effect size, 0.34) and reducing TNF-α (p = 0.003 and effect size, 0.31), genistein consumption had a significant effect on increasing BDNF (p = 0.01 and effect size, 0.24) and reducing TNF-α (p = 0.001 and effect size, 0.37); also, endurance training with genistein consumption had interactive effects on increasing BDNF (p = 0.04 and effect size, 0.15) and decreasing TNF-α (P = 0.019 and effect size, 0.20).  It seems that moderate intensity training and genistein consumption alone can improve the BDNF and TNF-α in diabetic rats; nevertheless simultaneous consumption of genistein can accelerate the effects of moderate intensity training on improvement of BDNF and TNF-α in diabetic rats.

Malnutrition is one of the main reasons for child deaths in developing countries. More than 90% of children suffering from malnutrition live in developing countries. The present study was carried out to assess the effects of nutritional intervention based on a cooked meal for120 days on malnutrition status among 2-6 years old children of Iranshahr’s rural nurseries.  In this interventional study, 1115 children; including 603 girls and 512 boys aged from 24 to 72 months, were studied in rural nurseries. The growth status of children, including weights, heights, and body mass index (BMI), were measured  before and after giving a cooked meal, which included 250 Kcal of energy per meal, 15 grams of protein, 25 grams of carbohydrates and 10 grams of fat. After 120 days; the weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age of the children were measured and compared before and after the intervention, based on the WHO standard and the z-score, using Chi-square and paired t-test.  The prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age), stunting (height-for-age), and wasting (BMI-for-age ) before the intervention were 63%, 58.5%, and 29.6%, respectively, , and after the intervention were 58%, 58.8%, and 22.9%, respectively. The prevalence of underweight and wasting reduced significantly (P <0.05) but, there was not improvement in height for age of children (short stature) (P <0.05).  Nutritional intervention had a significant effect on weight-for-age and body mass index-for -age in the growth process of children, but there was no significant effect on height-for-age index.

Nitrate and nitrite contamination is a major concern in most water supplies in Iran, as well as other countries. The present study aimed to determine the concentrations of nitrate and nitrite in the drinking water of Mashhad distribution network and examine the possible health risks.  In this study, 72 water samples were collected from five regions in Mashhad city in spring and summer during March-September 2017.Chemical analysis and in-situ measurement were conducted to determine the nitrate and nitrite concentrations using a standard, validated methodology.  Mean concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were 16.63±10.88 and 0.02±0.01 mg/l, respectively. The average daily dose (ADD) of nitrate through the ingestion pathway was within the range of 2.87-0.32 mg/kg/day in children, while it varied within the range of 1.423-0.16 mg/kg/day in adults. The ADD of nitrite changed from 0.0022 mg/kg/day to 0.0005 mg/kg/day in children and from 0.0011 mg/kg/day to 0.0003 mg/kg/day in adults. However, the hazard quotient (HQ) values for nitrate and nitrite in drinking water through ingestion exposure did not exceed the threshold of the HQ for adult, while this value was higher than one in children in some of the studied regions, including stations 11, 13, 14, 21, 28, and 33.  According to the results, the health risks associated with nitrate and nitrite contamination were higher than the threshold of the HQ for children in some areas of the water distribution network in Mashhad city. Therefore, it is critical to adopt specific strategies to reduce the nitrate concentration in the water distribution network in Mashhad.