Iranian Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism
Year:2013 | Volume:15 | Issue:2 (SN 68)|Papers Count:15

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome, defined as a combination of certain series of problems metabolic disorders, is a prevalent disease, significantly more common among women. One way to prevent this disease is to control the diet, which is affected by various intrapersonal, interpersonal and social factors. This research of aims at determining the association between patient consumption of macronutrients influencing metabolic syndrome and the perceived social support of their husbands.Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study, conducted using the correlation method on 329 patients, referred to medical centers of the oil industry. Information on perceived social support was measured by a researcher made, 24 hour questionnaire, with confirmed reliability and validity, to asserss nutritional behavior for three days. Data was analyzed by N4, SPSS and AMOS for the model constructed, using the least extended squares.Results: The averages of daily intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat were 2512.37, 70.95, 420 and 61.61 grams respectively. The average of perceived social support was 65.48. Correlation coefficient showed a significantly inverse relationship between perceived social support and macronutrients received in these women. The hight correlation between social support and fat was observed (b=-0.606).Conclusion: Intakes of energy, fat, carbohydrate and protein were higher than RDA and average levels of perceived social support, showing that social support is an effective framework to recognize and predict commitment level of nutritional self care behavior among patients suffering from metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic training and detraining periods on metabolic risk factors, BDNF and memory function.Materials and Methods: Forty-two middle-aged, sedentary males volunteers were randomly divided into four groups; MetS Exercise (ME), MetS Control (MC), Healthy Exercise (HE) and Healthy Controls (HC). Both the ME and HE groups participated in an exercise training (AT) program (6 weeks), followed by 6 weeks of detraining (DT). Midterm and Digit Span memory tests and blood sampling were conducted before and after training and also following detraining. Data were analyzed using Pearson coefficient, multivariate ANOVA and ANCOVA and repeated measure.Results: Most of the metabolic risk factors significantly improved after AT in the ME group; waist circumference and FBS however returned to baseline values following DT (P<0.05). Waist circumference and triglycerides in the HE group decreased significantly, but returned to baseline values after DT (P<0.05). Aerobic exercise training could ameliorate overall MetS Z scores in both the ME and HE, groups, effects that disappeared in the ME group, even following DT (P<0.05). Serum BDNF was significantly elevated in HE, but surprisingly decreased in ME, effects that both disappeared after DT (P<0.05). Only in HE, both the short-term and mid-term memory improved significantly after AT (P<0.05).Conclusion: These findings indicate that physical fitness training programs ameliorate metabolic risk factors and improve learning and memory ability.

Introduction: This study aimed at determining the association between cardiovascular fitness and physical activity with obesity and changes in their patterns among 12-16 year-old boys.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 275 boy students, 12-16 year-old; from Bardaskan city were investigated. Subjects were selected via random sampling. Underweight, overweight and obesity status were evaluated based on the 5th, 85th and 95th percentiles of body mass index (BMI) for age and sex based on the United States’ Center for Disease Control (CDC 2000) standards. Physical activity levels were estimated by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Cardiovascular fitness (VO2max) was assessed by a 20 m shuttle run test.Results: Overall prevalences of underweight, overweight and obesity among subjects were 3.6%, 10.5% and 4.7% respectively. There was significant positive correlation between physical activity level and cardiovascular fitness. Cardiovascular fitness and physical activity levels decreased significantly with aging. The overweight and obesity groups had lower levels of cardiovascular fitness than the normal and underweight groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the overweight-obese and the non overweight groups in physical activity levels.Moreover, There was a significant negative correlation between physical activity and cardiovascular fitness levels and subjects’ BMIs.Conclusion: Considering the in adequate levels of cardiovascular fitness and physical activity in overweight and obese boys, programs increasing physical activity (endurance exercise), and diet and weight control are recommended for these groups.

Introduction: Obestatin is a gastrointestinal-peptide hormone which influences glucose and lipid metabolism, body weight and energy homeostasis. Very little is known about the association between gut peptides and thyroid diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum concentrations of obestatin and thyroid function in subclinical hypothyroid and hyperthyroid subjects.Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 35 hypothyroid, 35 hyperthyroid and 35 euthyroid subjects (controls) who referred to the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. In all participants, serum levels of obestatin, TSH, FT3, FT4, insulin, glucose as well as BMI were assessed. Serum obestatin, FT3, FT4 and TSH were measured by ELISA, Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), respectively. Data were analyzed by T-test, One-Way ANOVA and Pearson correlation using SPSS 16.Results: Serum concentrations of obestatin in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism (0.04±0.01 and 0.05±0.02 ng/ml respectively) were significantly lower than in the control group (0.09±0.01 ng/ml), (P-value<0.001). No significant correlations were observed between serum levels of obestatin and FT3, FT4, and TSH.Conclusion: Our results indicated obestatin concentrations were significantly associated with thyroid function.

Introduction: A number of papers have reported an association between diet and myopia. This study compared the nutritional intake and some simple body measurements in a group of children who were myopic to those of a group, who were not myopic. Materials and Methods: The nutritional data for 169 subjects who developed myopia between the ages of 7 and 9 years were compared with data for 180 subjects who were not myopic. Dietary intake was assessed by a semiquantitative 67-item food frequency questionnaire. T-test was used for data analysis.Results: Weight, height and BMI were 31.6±8.1 (mean±SD), 132.3±7.5 and 17.8±3.2, respectively of the myopic children 54 (54%), and of the controls, 45 (45.5%) were overweight. Children who developed myopia had a generally higher intake of many of the food components than children who were not myopic. Differences were statistically significant for energy intake, protein, fat, and carbohydrate (p<0.05). Myopic children consumed more sugar, fruit, rice, pasta, egg, dry fruit and snackes than did the subjects who were not myopic (p<0.05).Conclusions: Children with myopia were more obese than the control group and consumed high carbohydrate foods such as pasta, sugar and dry fruits.

Introduction: Glutamine plays a key role in cell protection following stress, by causing a simultaneous increase in hsp72 expression, which is dependent on glutamine metabolism and its relation with cortisol levels and gluconeogenesis.Materials and Methods: To assess the effect of glutamine supplement ingestion on hsp72, cortisol and glucose plasma changes after exercise, 28 soccer players were divided in four groups; the control, supplement, supplement-exercise and the exercise groups.0.5 g/kgBw supplement and placebo consumed 5ml/kgBw volume of water one hour prior to the exercise protocol, which included 3 stages of 20 minutes running (80% HRmax intensity) with 5 minute rest periods between each stage. Baseline, and pre, post and 90 minutes after exercise, blood sampling was done and cortisol, glucose and hsp72 levels were measured using RIA, Enzymatic, and Elisa tests respectively. Data was analyzed with MANOVA and Bonferoni post hoc tests, P≤0.05 values being considered significant.Results: Plasma cortisol and plasma glucose levels showed no significant changes in the groups, hsp72 while expression in the supplement and the supplement exercise groups was increased.Conclusion: Role of glutamine, independent of its relation with cortisol and glocostatic is a stimulator of hsp72 expression which is further increased by combining the supplement with exercise, suggesting that athletes may want to use glutamine prior to taking part in matches or intense exercises.

Introduction: Too much fat in the diet can cause insulin resistance. This study was conducted to provide a suitable experimental model of type 2 diabetes and to compare the potency of olive and rump oils in the induction of insulin resistance.Materials and Methods: The study was done in three phases, each with 15 male Sprague dawley rats. The control, olive oil, and rump oil, groups were fed the commercial diet, and diets supplemented by 31% olive or rump oils for three weeks, respectively (first stage), and then diabetes was induced by IP injection of 35 mg/kg STZ (stages 2 and 3).Results: The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed glucose intolerance in both oil groups, compared to the control group (p<0.05), in stage 1, but increases in blood glucose levels were higher in the olive oil group in the second stage. TC and LDL-C levels increased by both the oils, especially olive oil. Insulin level was higher in the rump oil groups, especially after diabetes induction. Insulin sensitivity, as shown by the insulin tolerance test (ITT) and HOMA-IR, were decreased by both oils, especially rump oil.Conclusion: Although both oils had significant effects on metabolism, olive oil use was accompanied by more dyslipidemia, whereas rump oil increased insulin resistance more effectively. It seems that rump oil may be a more appropriate model for studies investigating disorders of carbohydrate metabolism of type 2 diabetes and olive oil, for induction of dyslipidemia and probably the metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in persons with type 1 diabetes. Although physical activity has been associated with a reduction in cardiovascular mortality in type 1 diabetes patients, there is limited information available regarding physical activity, resistance in particular, resistance training on the lipid profiles and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 weeks resistance training on serum lipid profiles and apoA-I levels in type 1 diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Wister rats (290±20 g) were randomly divided into four groups: Healthy control (C), diabetic controls (DC), diabetic, trained with 50% body mass (DT1), and diabetic, trained with 100% body mass (DT2). Resistance training consisted of climbing a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail. After 4 weeks of resistance training, serum lipid profiles, glucose and apoA-I concentrations were measured.Results: At the end of study, we found no significant differences in serum lipid profiles and glucose concentrations between the diabetic groups. In the DT2 group, serum apoA-I levels significantly increased, compared with the C and DC groups (P<0.001 and P=0.023, respectively).Conclusion: Serum apoA-I concentrations, in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, are increased by resistance training, the alterations being affected by its intensity, without any significant changes in their lipid profiles.

Introduction: Nowadays, diabetes and its related methbolic disorders are the main cause of end stage renal disease. The present study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of Launaea acanthodes hydro-alcoholic extract administration on the serum and urine albumin and bilirubin levels in hyperglycemic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups; the control, hyperglycemic (STZ; 55 mg/kg), hyperglycemia+ insulin (STZ+Ins; 5 IU/kg/day) and hyperglycemia+extract (STZ+Ext; 150 mg/kg/day). Blood and urine samples were taken at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks of experiment and serum and urine albumin and bilirubin levels were assessed.Results: Although compared to the control group in the 2nd week samples in which the serum levels of bilirubin in STZ and STZ+Ext groups were significantly increased, in the 4th week only STZ group samples showed significant differences. In the 4th week urine samples the level of albumin was remarkably increased in STZ and STZ+Ins while there was no significant difference in the STZ+Ext group samples.Conclusion: These results clearly indicate the beneficial effect of L.acanthodes extract adiminstration in prevention of albumin loss through urine in hyperglycemic status. Therefore it may be concluded that L.acanthodes could be effective in the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that atorvastatin inhibits oxidative stress in different tissues of body during certain pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of atorvastatin treatment as an antioxidant to prevent pancreatic oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Method: The experiment was performed in four groups of rats (n=5 each) normal, normal treated, diabetic and diabetic treated, who were made diabetic by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). After 30 days of treatment, pancreas tissue was removed under deep anesthesia. After tissue homogenization, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by biochemical methods.Results: In addition to increased blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (78%), enzymes activities of SOD and CAT were significantly increased, compared to the normal rats. Also, induction of diabetes significantly decreased the GSH content of pancreas by 40%, and increased MDA level by 53%. Finally treatment with atorvastatin significantly increased the content of GSH and prevented augmentation of SOD activity.Conclusion: Based on findings of this study, diabetic-induced hyperglycemia provokes the production of pancreas free radicals that lead to oxidative stress. Also, treatment with atorvastatin may prevent hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in the pancreas tissue of these animals.

Introduction: Previous studies have investigated the effects and importance of orexin and estradiol on food intake. In this study the effects of orexin on estradiol release by the ventromedial hypothalamus (satiety center) and lateral hypothalamus (feeding center) have been investigated.Forty adult male rats, divided to two groups, the control group (consisting of 10 rats) and an experimental group (consisting of 30 rats), were canulated in the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus steriotaxically. After two days recovery, 1, 2 and 4 micrograms of orexin were injected into the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus. After two hours, tissue of the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus were removed and concentrations of estradiol and aromatase were measured by radio-immuno assay and RT-PCR, respectively. Results of RT-PCR showed that orexin-A (1, 2, 4 mg) augmented aromatase gene expression in the VMH and LH.17-b estradiol measurement showed that 1, 2 and 4mg orexin infusion increased estradiol levels significantly in VMH and LH, especially the 2 and 4mg doses, observations suggesting that the neurons secreting estradiol exist in the VMH and LH.

Introduction: Melatonin, a hormone that exists in most living organisms, is produced in the pineal gland, retina, alimentary tract and various other tissues of the body and secreted by the pineal gland. It can be said this hormone exists in most living organisms. Production of this hormone is affected by different factors like age, light and other environmental and physiological agents. Considering its vast effects, the aim of this review article is to provide an update of current data available on the production, metabolism and clinical effects of this hormone in humans and its roles in different diseases like obesity, some cancers and diseases affecting brain function.Materials and Methods: This article is the result of reviewing 60 articles, of which 34 are directly referred to.Results: Based on the articles investigated, several environmental factors participate in the regulation and synthesis of this hormone which acts as a protective agent against chronic and degenerative diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, metabolic and behavioral disorders. Additionally, Melatonin intake improves some pathological conditions.Conclusion: Considering the positive effects of melatonin and the fact that no side effects of melatonin supplementation, have been documented it can be said that should, for any reason its synthesis and secretion cease in individuals taking a suitable physician-prescribed dose of this hormone would be beneficial, preventing increase in disease.