Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Year:2020 | Volume:8 | Issue:2|Papers Count:9

Inflammation of pancreatic parenchyma is said to be pancreatitis. It can be acute, presenting as emergency with short history or chronic as a continuation of acute with a long history. Autodigestion is responsible for pancreatitis on background of premature activation of pancreatic enzymes within the pancreas. Acute Pancreatitis is acute inflammation of the pancrease which can be mild to moderate requiring hospital admission or severe leading to distressing outcomes such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome or multi organ failure...

Oxidative stress after major surgeries is associated with poor clinical outcomes, such as delayed wound healing and increased length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit. Due to the growth and development phase in childhood, changes in the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation are of paramount importance in pediatric patients. Acute metabolic stress is correlated with the rate of oxidative stress and is believed to increase after major surgeries in pediatric patients. Therefore, it has been suggested that the presence of selenium in various selenoenzymes and selenoproteins may be largely involved in the antioxidative defense system in surgical inflammation through the regulation of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, insulin transport pathways, gene expression of inflammatory mediators, and other functions of lymphocytes B and T, natural killer, and lymphokine activated killer cells. In acute metabolic stress, selenium requirement following major surgeries is considered essential in pediatric patients, and selenium supplementation in these patients may be helpful and cost-effective in the long run. Further clinical studies are required to clarify the potential beneficial effects of selenium supplementation, as well as its dose safety and efficacy rate.

Introduction: Oxygenated water intake could increase cell death markers through increasing the free radicals. However, sport activities and antioxidant substances may prevent some of the symptoms caused by free radical production. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training (ET) and purslane (Portulaca oleracea; PO) seed consumption on cytochrome-C and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the heart tissues of rats poisoned with H2O2. Methods: In total, 45 male rats were randomly divided into nine groups of five, including control, 50 mg/kg of PO, 200 mg/kg of PO, 400 mg/kg of PO, ET, ET with 50 mg/kg of PO, ET with 200 mg/kg of PO, ET with 400 mg/kg of PO, and healthy control. During eight weeks, groups 1-8 received H2O2 (1 mmol/kg) intraperitoneally three times per week, and groups 5-8 ran on treadmill three days per week. Results: ET and PO significantly reduced cytochrome-C and MDA (P=0. 001), while the interactive effects of ET and PO on the reduction of cytochrome-C (P=0. 52) and MDA (P=0. 08) were not considered significant. In addition, the administration of 200 mg/kg (P=0. 01) and 400 mg/kg of PO (P=0. 001) significantly decreased cytochrome-C, while 400 mg/kg of PO had more significant effects on the reduction of cytochrome-C compared to 200 mg/kg of the substance (P=0. 01). Moreover, 400 mg/kg of PO significantly reduced MDA (P=0. 001). Conclusion: According to the results, ET and PO could improve cytochrome-C and MDA in the heart tissues of the rats poisoned with H2O2.

Introduction: Doxorubicin has been reported to cause liver damage, while physical exercise and crocin consumption could improve antioxidant defense. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant effects of continuous training with crocin consumption on the liver tissues of doxorubicin-poisoned rats. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 40 rats, which were divided into five groups of eight, including unhealthy control (Dox), crocin consumption, continuous training, continuous training with crocin consumption, and healthy control (saline). For eight weeks, groups 1-4 received 2 mg/kg of doxorubicin peritoneally seven times every Friday throughout the study period. Groups 1-4 received 10 mg/kg of crocin peritoneally every day, groups three and four performed five sessions of continuous training per week, and group five were only injected with 0. 9% normal saline. Results: Doxorubicin induction could significantly decrease superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while increasing malondialdehyde (MDA). Continuous training and crocin consumption could significantly increase SOD and CAT in the doxorubicin-poisoned rats (P˂ 0. 05). However, continuous training with crocin consumption had no interactive effects on the increasing of SOD and CAT in the doxorubicin-poisoned rats (P˃ 0. 05), while continuous training and crocin consumption could significantly reduce MDA in the doxorubicin-poisoned rats. Moreover, continuous training with crocin consumption had interactive effects on the reduction of MDA in the liver tissues of the doxorubicin-poisoned rats (P˂ 0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, continuous training with crocin consumption had interactive effects on the reduction of MDA in the liver tissues of doxorubicin-poisoned rats, while it had no interactive effects on the increasing of SOD and CAT.

The present study aimed to compare the inhibitory effects of alginate coatings containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZMEO) in the forms of coarse emulsion and nano-emulsion on the growth of inoculated Escherichia coliO157: H7in beef fillet during 16 days of refrigeration at the temperature of 4℃ . Alginate solutions (3%) with various concentrations of ZMEO (0. 25%, 0. 5%, and 1%) were prepared, and the coarse emulsion and nano-emulsion forms were also prepared. The beef fillets were inoculated with E. coliO157: H7(1. 5×105 log CFU/g) and immersed in various alginate treatments, and the bacterial count was performed during refrigeration on days zero, four, eight, 12, and 16. The obtained results indicated that the alginate coating containing ZMEO in both forms (coarse/nano-emulsion) was a proper candidate to control E. coliO157: H7at the temperature of 4° C. However, the antibacterial effects were more significant on the samples treated by the nano-emulsion form compared to the coarse emulsion form and controls. In addition, the lowest bacterial growth was observed in the samples coated with the alginate nano-emulsion containing 1% ZMEO (5. 3± 0. 24 log CFU/g) at the end of storage. Therefore, it could be concluded that the use of alginate coatings containing ZMEO (particularly in the nano-emulsion form) could effectively decrease the growth of E. coliO157: H7 during storage, and this natural additive could be applied in the food industry, especially the meat industry.

Introduction: In many cultures, fasting is recommended for health protection and promotion. However, few studies have been focused on the effects of fasting on organ function and resistance to toxic agents (e. g., drugs). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term periodic fasting on the hepatotoxic effects induced by acetaminophen in mice. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on female BALB/c mice to assess the effects of short-term periodic fasting (three consecutive days every two weeks for 10weeks) on the serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT)and hepatotoxic effects induced by acetaminophen. After 10weeksof periodic fasting, the mice were administered with 500 mg/kg of acetaminophen via intra peritoneal injection. After 24 hours, the AST and ALT levels were measured, and the mice were sacrificed to evaluate their liver injury severity using the pathological method as the gold standard. Results: The AST and ALT enzymes increased in the control group (P=0. 0098 and P=0. 0004, respectively; Mann-Whitney U test), which was associated with high-grade liver injury (P=0. 001; Fisher’ s exact test). In contrast, the fasting mice had slight changes in the levels of AST and ALT enzymes associated with low-grade liver injury. Conclusion: Acetaminophen is a common cause of drug-induced liver injury. According to the results of the study, fasting could protect important organs (e. g., liver) against the toxic effects of drugs. Further investigations in this regard could provide insight into human states.

Introduction: Metabolic dyslipidemia could lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and its secondary consequence is the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of aerobic interval exercise with variable volumes on the cardiovascular risk factors and liver enzymes of the women with dyslipidemia. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 middle-aged women with high blood lipids. The patients were selected and divided into three groups of low-volume training (three sessions per week; n=10; LVT), high-volume training (four sessions per week; n=10; HVT), and control (n=10; C). The exercise program was implemented in eight weeks 3-4 sessions per week for 45-60 minutes with the intensity of 65-75% of the maximal heart rate. The inter-group and intra-group comparison were performed using student's t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the differences between the groups. Results: In the training groups, a significant reduction was observed in weight (LVT: 72. 01 vs. 67. 26, HVT: 72. 80 vs. 68. 06), body mass index (LVT: 28. 19 vs. 26. 31, HVT: 27. 85 vs. 26. 04), body fat (LVT: 26. 86 vs. 25. 69, HVT: 27. 21 vs. 25. 91), waist-to-hip ratio (LVT: 1. 05 vs. 1. 03, HVT: 1. 07 vs. 1. 05), alanine transaminase(LVT: 46. 60 vs. 39. 60, HVT: 43. 80 vs. 38. 50), aspartate transaminase(LVT: 36. 50 vs. 31. 00, HVT: 33. 50 vs. 29. 40), and triglyceride (LVT: 171. 80 vs. 163. 60, HVT: 176. 90 vs. 161. 40). However, the maximum oxygen uptake increased significantly after the intervention in both the training groups (LVT: 32. 17 vs. 35. 93, HVT: 30. 93 vs. 35. 98). The levels of total cholesterol (211. 20 vs. 204. 90) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (134. 13 vs. 126. 68) significantly decreased only in the LVT group, while no such changes were observed in the HVT group. In addition, the systolic blood pressure (LVT: 135. 40 vs. 128. 60, HVT: 137. 00 vs. 129. 60) decreased significantly in both groups, while no significant change was observed in the diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: According to the results, eight weeks of aerobic interval exercise could improve the cardiovascular risk factors, liver enzymes, and body composition of the women with dyslipidemia. Therefore, it is recommended that some cardiovascular risk factors and liver enzymes of women with dyslipidemia be used for the improvement of these patients.

Introduction: Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood, which occurs within the age range of 10-19 years. The present study aimed to assess the nutritional status and influential factors in the adolescent students of Finote Selam town in Ethiopia in 2018. Methods: This school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 437 adolescent students, who were selected via stratified simple random sampling. Data analysis was performed in the EPI Info version 7 and SPSS version 20 using binary logistic regression to identify the influential factors in the underweight students. In addition, crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% significance level were used to measure the strength of the associations, and statistical significance was considered at the P-value of less than 0. 05. Results: The total prevalence of underweight, normal weight, and overweight in the adolescent students in Finote Selam town was 46. 2%, 51. 0%, and 2. 7%, respectively. Significant associations were observed between underweight and the male gender, living in rural areas, having illiterate fathers and uneducated mothers, and the family size of larger than or equal to five (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, underweight was the most prevalent issue in the study area. The most influential factors in this regard were gender, place of residence, parental education level, family size, and occupation status of the father. Therefore, the impact of these factors should be further investigated to develop strategies for the reduction of malnutrition in Finote Selam town.

Introduction: Bread is frequently used worldwide and provides a significant portion of the energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins needed by the body. The present study aimed to determine the pH, salt, sodium, and potassium content in the traditional breads in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted on 451 traditional bread samples of various types, which were randomly collected by the bakery health inspectors in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in 2016. The pH, salt, sodium, and potassium content of the samples were measured using a pH metric and potentiometric and flame photometric methods at the Food Control Laboratory of Shahrekourd University of Medical Sciences. Results: The mean pH, salt, sodium, and potassium content of the bread samples were 5. 85, 1. 95%, 765, and 108 mg/100 g, respectively. At least 7. 7% of the bread samples were positive for sodium bicarbonate use, and 54% had higher levels than the recommended maximum of salt content. In addition, the ratio of sodium to potassium was 12. 07. Conclusion: According to the results, salt use was high in bread production, and a significant portion of the bread samples were positive for sodium bicarbonate use. This could be a major health threat to the community. Therefore, strong control and proper supervision are essential in bread production units.