IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM (IJEM)
Year:2012 | Volume:14 | Issue:1 (SN 61)|Papers Count:14

Introduction: Adolescence is an important stage in life for establishing dietary habits. There is little evidence on adolescent dietary patterns and related risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine food patterns among Tehranian adolescents and any associations to anthropometric measures and blood pressure.Materials and Methods: In this study, 507 adolescents, aged 10 to 19 years, were assessed. Dietary intakes were evaluated by means of a validated semi-quantitative questionnaire, and anthropometric indices (weight, height, and waist circumference) and blood pressure were measured and recorded. The Kriska physical activity questionnaire was used for determination of physical activity levels.Results: Using principal component analysis with varimax rotation for 21 food groups, two dietary patterns were derived. In the healthy dietary pattern, whole grain, low fat dairy and vegetables, and in the unhealthy pattern, sweetened drinks, fast food and refined cereal pattern were included. Significant differences were observed in the healthy dietary pattern between boys and girls, as well as, among different age groups. There was significant association between the unhealthy dietary pattern scores and physical activity (P<0.05). After adjustment of confounding factors, significant associations were found between unhealthy dietary pattern scores and body mass index and waist circumference (P<0.05). However, no significant association was observed between blood pressure and the two dietary patterns.Conclusion: Adherence to unhealthy dietary patterns was an important determinant in increase in body mass index and consequently in central obesity among adolescents.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the G360T polymorphism of apolipoprotein A-IV gene and MetS.Materials and Methods: For this crosssectional study, 782 individuals, aged >19 years, were selected randomly from among TLGS participants; these included 325 men (61 with MetS and 264 controls), and 457 women (131 with MetS and 326 controls). Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. The Apo A-IV gene polymorphism was studied using the PCR-RFLP method by Fnh4HI restriction enzyme.Results: Frequencies of the G and T alleles in men with MetS and those without were 85.2, 14.8, and 83.3, 16.7%, respectively, and in women with and without MetS these were 82.4, 17.6, and 85.9, 14.1%, respectively, values not significant. The GG and TT genotypes had the highest and lowest frequency, respectively (84.4% and 0.3%). Analyses of data showed that presence of T allele was significantly associated with lower levels of HDL-C (p<0.05) in women with MetS, and with lower apolipoprotein CIII levels (p<0.05) in normal women, and higher diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05) in men without MetS.Conclusion: The findings of the current study showed significant effects on HDL-C levels in women with MetS. Considering the association observed between the G360T polymorphism of Apo A-IV gene and lipid factors in women with MetS and the high prevalence of this syndrome in Iranian women, further studies recommended to assess the association of Apo AIV gene variation with lipids factors for prevention and treatment of the syndrome.

Introduction: Investigating problems of the elderly, as they age is very important, since any chronic disease can affect their quality of life. Diabetes is one of the diseases that affects the physical, mental and social aspects of such individuals.Materials and Methods: This descriptiveanalytical study was conducted on elderly diabetic residents of the Kahrizak Geriatric Nursing Home during 2011. A total of 93 individuals, selected randomly, completed demographic and the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS16 software, using t-test and ANOVA. Results: In this study, 34 men and 59 women, average age 74.2±8 years, were evaluated in different domains of quality of life. Based on data analysis, men earned higher scores in the physical domain (P=0.017). Social domain had a significant (P=0.009) relationship with marital status and married individuals had higher scores. There was a significant correlation between the income and quality of life in the mental domain (P=0.035), but no significant relationship was found between educational status and quality of life.Conclusion: The increasing rate of elderly diabetic populations among geriatrics groups, indicates the urgent need for strategic planning of interventions aimed at improving of environmental, social, physical and mental status of these age groups.

Introduction: Health care system barriers are major barriers to management and control of blood glucose level control. Documenting the viewpoints of patients, their families and the medical team, on these barriers is an important step towards correct planning and effective control of blood glucose. This study aimed to document and compare viewpoints of patients, their families and medical team about health care system barriers to control of glucose levels in diabetes centers of Isfahan city.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive- comparative, cross-sectional, one stage, study of three groups, in which a total of 938 subjects, including 420 type2 diabetic patients, 420 members of their families and 98 medical staff participated. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire that was completed by subjects. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods and SPSS software.Results: Results showed significant differences between viewpoints of the 3 groups, i.e. patients, their families and the medical team regarding barriers of the health care system to blood glucose control (Pvalue<0.001). The medical team gave the highest importance to these barriers, while patients gave the lowest.Conclusion: Regarding the significant differences between the viewpoints of these three groups, it can be concluded these differences account for lack of success in controlling patient glucose levels, because medical teams focus on barriers that are not so important to patients and their families, while barriers which are important to patients and their families are less considered by members of the medical team.

Introduction: Differences in prevalences of metabolic and cardiovascular disease (CVD) between men and women could be a result of differences in their hormonal profiles. In this study we aimed to examine the association between hormonal profiles and metabolic syndrome parameters in reproductive aged women.Materials and Methods: From 1126 non-menopause women, aged between 18-45 years, using the stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling method, 423 reproductive aged women, living in urban areas of four selected provinces (Golestan, Hormozgan, Kermanshah and Qazvin), without any hormonal disorder, were enrolled for this study. Clinical examinations, and antropometric, biochemical and hormonal parameters were assessed to determine associations between the hormonal profiles and metabolic syndrome parameters, using Spearman and Pearson correlation tests and Logistic regression.Results: Our analysis revealed that diastolic blood pressure, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and waist circumference were differed significantly between quartiles 1 and 4 of thyroid stimulating hormone concentration. Also, fasting blood sugar and waist circumference differed in the two groups of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin concentration values. Central obesity was associated with reduced Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, a relationship observed after adjustment for age and body mass index.Conclusions: Hormonal variation even with normal limits could be associated with metabolic syndrome parameters and cardiovascular disease, making it necessary to identify individuals in high risk categories.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder, characterized by anovulation, hirsutism, acne, hyperandrogenism, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and obesity. Life style modifications are recommended to prevent and treat obese and over weight women with PCOS. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of aerobic exercise program on concentrations of LH, FSH, TST and DHEA in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Materials and Methods: Seventeen obese female volunteers who were diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (age: 15-30 y and BMI=29.35±2.88 Kg/m2) were selected. An aerobic exercise program was performed for 12-weeks, three sessions week). Anthropometric characteristics, metabolic and hormonal profiles were measured at base line and after 12-week exercises or (36th session). Data were analyzed by Paired-Samples T Test (t-student), P values <0.05 being considered significant.Results: After the 12-week exercise program, subjects showed a significant reduction in body weight, body fat percent, waist circumference, luteinizing hormone and an increase in Vo2-peak(P<0.05); changes however in body mass index, FSH, TST and DHEA were not significant.Conclusion: These results suggest that aerobic exercise training affects some of anthropometric characteristics and metabolic and hormonal profiles and also improves metabolic status and ovulation disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome.

Introduction: Adiponectin is involved in breast cancer development, and data available suggest that exercise increases plasma adiponectin, but little is known about the effect of exercise on plasma adiponectin in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. The purpose of this study therefore was to examine the effects of 12 weeks of walking on plasma adiponectin in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.Materials and Methods: Nineteen postmenopausal women with breast cancer (aged 55±2.7 years; mean±SD) who had undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with hormone therapy by letrozol, were divided into the training (n=11) and control (n=8) groups. Subjects in the experimental group walked 25 to 45 minutes with intensity of 45 to 65% of target heart rate, 4 days for 12 weeks.Results: The results showed that maximum oxygen uptake increased and fasting insulin decreased significantly after 12 weeks in the training group, as compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, after 12 weeks walking no significant differences were observed in the plasma adiponectin, fasting glucose and insulin resistance between the two groups.Conclusion: Although 12 weeks walking improves aerobic capacity, it does not affect plasma adiponectin concentration in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Introduction: Although breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women worldwide, only a few investigations have addressed the role of dietary patterns. Our main objective, was to identify the relationship of major dietary patterns and breast cancer.Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 100 patients, 30-65 years old, with breast cancer, and 174 controls from the Shohada hospital in Tehran, were sampled. Dietary intake was measured with a food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity, demographic factors and health status were questioned. The questionnaires were completed by an interviewers. Factor analysis was used to identify major dietary patterns. The association between major dietary patterns and breast cancer risk were examined by logistic regression analysis.Result: Two dietary patterns were identified. The healthy food pattern was characterized by the consumption of vegetables, fruits, low fat dairy, legumes, olive and liquid oils, Condiments, fish, organic meat, poultry, pickles, soya, and whole grains and the unhealthy food pattern was characterized by consumption of colas, sugar, tea, coffee, potato chips, fried potatoes, salt, sweets, desserts, hydrogenated fats, nuts, commercial fruit juice, refined grains, and red and processed meat. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, women in the highest tertile of the healthy dietary pattern scores, had a 66% decreased risk of breast cancer compared to those in the lowest (OR: 0.34 CI: 0.11-1.05); the unhealthy dietary pattern significantly increased the risk of breast cancer (OR: 5.17 CI: 1.56-17.14).Conclusion: The healthy dietary pattern was inversely, and the unhealthy dietary pattern was directly associated with breast cancer risk.

Introduction: In this study we aimed to determine factors related to the etiology of cancer in children.Materials and Methods: We investigated this issue in a case control study of 300 patients, aged 2±14 years, with acute leukemia, and 300 controls, individually matched to cases for age and sex, and place of residence. Children were enrolled after selection by a continuous sampling method. Information regarding breast-feeding was obtained through face to face interviews with mothers.Results: Breastfeeding for durations less than one month increased the risk for childhood acute leukemia. Also, results showed that children 18-13 months and 24-19 months were breast fed, respectively, 2.45 and 3.54 times less than had been breastfed children under 1 year were diagnosed with acute leukemia. (P<0.05). Higher number of children (OR=1.42, CI 1.03-1.96) and low family income (OR=0.6, CI 0.38-1.01) increased the risk for childhood acute leukemia (p<0.05).Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that childhood acute leukemia may be associated with breast-feeding, economic status, and number of children. Further cohort studies on factors causing acute Leukemia in children are recommended.

Introduction: Vaspin is a novel adipokine that potentially improves insulin sensitivity. However, there is limited information available regarding the effect of exercise training on serum vaspin concentrations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on serum vaspin levels and some inflammatory markers in diabetic status.Materials and Methods: Thirty six male Wister rats (288±22 g) were randomly divided into four groups: Non-diabetic control, non-diabetic trained, diabetic control and diabetic trained. The exercise groups were subjected to a resistance training program with the use of a ladder (3 days/wk, for 4 wk). Body weight, serum vaspin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and fasting glucose were measured.Results: Four weeks resistance exercise training in nondiabetic rats decreased serum vaspin levels significantly, while in the trained diabetic group, serum vaspin levels increased significantly when compared with the diabetic sedentary group. The resistance training programme did not however change TNF-a, IL-6 and glucose concentrations. A decrease in CRP was observed in both the resistance trained groups when compared with their control groups.Conclusion: We found that resistance training exercise programmes affected the serum vaspin response of diabetic and non-diabetic groups of rats differently. However further research is warranted in order to unravel the molecular mechanism for the range of responses and the role of serum vaspin. Decreased levels of CRP may also be indicative of the possible effect of resistance training to modulate pro-inflammatory parameters linked to diabetes.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute treadmill exercise on Hsp72 and TAC in the hippocampus of diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Forty male rats, weight 165±1 g, were assigned randomly into 4 groups: Diabetic control group, and 3 diabetic+acute training groups, including groups 1, 2 and 3, the animals of which were sacrificed 30 minutes, 4 hours and 24 hours postexercise respectively. Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin (STZ; 0.5 mg/kg dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 4.5) into the abdominal cavity. Rats were subjected to treadmill exercise, (treadmill speed 10 m/min, gradually increased to 18 m/min, grade 0%, duration exercise 60 min). Data were analysed with one-way Anova and tukey post hoc, P≤0.05.Results: Acute exercise training increased the hippocampal HSP72 in all groups, but a significant increase took place only in the group 2, compared with the control group (1.82 mg/ml, P=0.043). TAC level increased significantly in group 1 (P=0.036) compared with the controls. but increase in group 2 and 3 was not significant.Conclusion: These results show that acute treadmill exercise improved HSP72 and TAC levels in the hippocampus of diabetic subjects and can have beneficial effects, and can hence be recommended as a therapeutic strategy for diabetes.

Introduction: It has been established that multiple neuroendocrine factors such as orexin operate as metabolic signals for the reproductive tract. Since the effects of testosterone and growth hormone on concentration of orexin in rams have not been studied, the goal of this study was to determine the effect of testosterone and growth hormone on mean plasma concentrations of orexin in rams fed restricted diets.Materials and Methods: Rams were randomly divided into 2 groups. Animals in first group were fed 100% of their required daily food and those in the second group were fed 50% of food fed to the first group for 10 days. Consequently, the rams in all groups received 6mg /Kg BW testosterone on days 7 and 8 and 6mg /Kg BW Testosterone and 5 mg /Kg BW growth hormone on days 9 and 10 of the experiment. Blood samples were collected from the jugular veins at -120 and +120 minutes of infusions. for orexin assay, Plasma orexin were measured by a homologous double-antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA).Results: Injection of different dosages of testosterone and combination of testosterone and growth hormone in the 50%-diet, significantly (P<0.05*) increased the mean plasma concentrations of orexin, while in the 100%-diet this had no effect.Conclusion: Results indicate that testosterone and growth hormone may increase mean concentrations of orexin in animals fed lower than their daily food requirement.