Iranian Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism
Year:2012 | Volume:13 | Issue:6 (SN 60)|Papers Count:10

Introduction: In the rapidly increasing elderly population of Iran, no prospective health studies have yet been undertaken. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors of survival time of elderly Tehranians, aged above 60 years.Materials and Methods: Individuals aged above 60 years old (n=929), recruited in the primary phase (1998-2001) of the ongoing Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), were followed up for 10 years and their vital statistics were documented (1998-2008). Age and sex mortality rates for age groups (60-69, 70-79, 80+) were calculated and the hazard rates were estimated using Cox proportional hazard model.Results: Of 929 males, 154 (17%) and out of 869 women 85(10%) died during the follow-up years. Cox model showed that diabetes, on an average, reduced 2.5 years and 4.4 years, while smoking reduced 6.6 and 5 years of females' and males' survival time, respectively. BMI>33Kg/m2 and dyslipoproteinemia reduced 4.5 years and 4 years of women's life spans, respectively. Native Tehranian males on an average, live 3 years less than other male residents; in addition, hypertension and history of MI, stroke or sudden death of father, brother or son reduced 3.3 years and 4.1 years of men's life time respectivly.Conclusion: Elderly women with BMI>33 Kg/m2 and/or smokers and/or with dyslipoproteinemia are more in need of health care, while among their male countery parts elderly diabetic men and/or smokers and/or those who have history of MI, stroke or sudden death of a father, brother or son also need more attention.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nettle (Urtica dioica) on the glycemic and insulin resistance indices in type 2 diabetes patients.Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 type 2 diabetes patients. After adjusting for age, sex and duration of diabetes, patients were randomly divided into two groups; Intervention group (25 patients) and the controls (25 patients) Patients, consumed 100 mg/kg hydro alcoholic extract of nettle or placebo (divided into 3 portions) daily, by dissolving the extract in a glass of water and taking it after their main meals. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), fasting Insulin concentration and insulin resistance index were measured at the beginning and end of the eighth week of the intervention. Student t test and paired sample t-test were used with SPSS software version 18.0 for statistical analyses, P<0.05 being considered significant.Results: FBS and HbA1C showed a significant decrease in the intervention group compared to controls at the end of the eighth week of study (P<0.05). No significant changes however in fasting Insulin concentration, and Insulin resistance index were seen at the end of the study (P>0.05).Conclusion: The hydro alcoholic extract of nettle reduced FBS and HbA1C after 8 weeks intervention in type 2 diabetic patients, and can hence be recommended as auxiliary therapy in these patients.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare GH, insulin resistance index, lipid profile, cardiorespiratory function and their associations to leptin levels in inactive obese and lean young men.Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight obese and lean young men were studied. After 12 h fasting (at 8 A.M.), blood samples were collected to determine blood parameters levels and maximal oxygen uptake (as indicators of cardiorespiratory function) of subjects was also assessed.Results: Leptin and insulin levels, HOMA-IR (insulin resistance index) were higher, and GH and maximal oxygen uptake levels were lower, in obese versus lean men. Serum leptin concentrations were positively correlated to body mass, body fat percent, body mass index, insulin and HOMA-IR, and negatively correlated to GH levels and maximal oxygen uptake. No significant correlations were observed between serum leptin concentrations and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles in any of the groups. Independent t-tests were used to compare characteristics between obese and underweight groups, and relationships were calculated by Pearson’s correlation analysis, P values<0.01 being considered statistically significant.Conclusion: Obese and lean inactive young men had different levels of leptin, GH, insulin, insulin resistance index, cardiorespiratory function and body fat percent, of which body fat percent, insulin, and GH appear to the be more important determinant factors for leptin levels.

Introduction: Verbal memory and executive function might be disturbed in subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of levothyroxine treatment on the memory quotient of Anti-TPO-Ab positive subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism.Materials and Methods: Sixty Anti-Tpo-Ab positive subjects (51 female, 9 male) with subclinical hypothyroidism with a mean age of 34 were enrolled in this randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Subjects were randomized into two groups, i.e. the case (26 females- 4 males) and the controls (25 females, 5 males) groups. Using the Weschler memory test, memory quotient was assessed at the beginning and three months after initiation of levothyroxine treatment.Results: The mean age of subjects was 34.22±10.75 y and the mean TSH level was 8.25±3.64 mIU/l. There was no difference between two groups in relation to the memory quotient at the beginning of the study (10.5.70±11.66 vs 105.87±11.49, P=0.83). Following treatment the mean for the memory quotient rose by 9.9±8.01 in the cases and 3.23±7.63 in the controls (P=0.002). Conclusion: In this study we observed an increase in the memory quotient after treatment with levothyroxine in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism, demonstrating that levothyroxine treatment could be recommended to improve verbal memory and executive function in this group of subjects.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, has a prevalence of 6 to 7 percent. Previous studies have shown that depressive mood disorders in this group is more than other women of similar ages. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of depression in this group to women without the condition.Materials and Methods: In these cross-sectional analytic study, 71 patients with PCOS diagnosed by Rotterdam criteria, were selected after an initial survey conducted to determine demographic characteristic, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and reproductive status, following which the Beck 2 depression questionnaire was used to assess depression in both groups. The study of 134 of PCOS and controls. Results: The average Beck 2 score number in patients was 16.01(±10.8) and in the control group was 11.56 (±8.8), p-value=0.003, which was statistically significant. Frequency of moderate to severe depressed mood based on Beck 2 criteria in the patient group was 23 (32.4%) and in the control group was 19 (14.2%), difference statistically significant, p-value=0.002. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in patients with PCOS is more than in normal women, and should be kept in mind in the follow up of these patients.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare submaximal aerobic exercise with and without external loading on physical fitness, balance and blood lipids in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven volunteer osteoporotic postmenopausal women were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic (n=8), weighted vest (n=9), and control (n=10). Training consisted of 18 sessions of submaximal aerobic walking on the treadmill 30 min daily for 3 times a week. (3 min warm-up, 24 min training with 50-60 % Heart rate reserve (HRR), and 3 min cool down). In the weighted vest group, subjects wore a weighted vest (4-8% of body weight). Body composition, balance and, cardiovascular fitness parameters were measured before and after training and blood lipids and cortisol hormone levels were also assessed.Results: Fat decreased and lean mass increased significantly in the weighted vest group (P=0.027 and P=0.005 respectively). HRrest and BPrest significantly decreased in the weighted vest and aerobic groups, respectively. After training, balance criteria increased significantly in the weighted vest and aerobic groups, but decreased in the control group. Cortisol levels showed a significant decrease in training groups. Lipid level changes were not significant.Conclusion: Results of this study showed the weighted vest training is better to improve physical fitness and balance in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Cortisol depression after submaximal aerobic exercise may be effective in maintenance of bone mass in postmenoposal women.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate how exhaustion exercise affects testosterone levels and plasma lactates in road cyclists supplemented with oral zinc and selenium for 4 weeks.Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male road cyclists volunteers, were selected from the Tehran Traffic team, and based on BMI were divided into three groups; the selenium, zinc, and controls. The status of zinc and selenium in subjects was assessed at baseline. After 4 weeks of supplementation free, total testosterone, and lactate levels of all subjects were determined before and after exercise. Data was analyzed according to repeated measures ANOVA, and the Bonfferoni post hoc test, with a significance level of P<0.05.Results: Resting total, free testosterone, and lactate levels did not differ significantly between groups, and were increased by exercise (P>0.05). Total testosterone levels in the Zn group were higher than in the Se group after exercise (P<0.05). Free testosterone levels in the Zn group were higher than the other groups (P<0.05). There was an insignificant difference between levels of lactate in the three groups after exercise (P>0.05).Conclusion: According to this study, 4-week selenium and zinc supplementation had no significant effect on testosterone or lactate levels of subjects who had a zinc and selenium sufficient diet. Zinc supplementation increased levels of total testosterone in contrast with selenium group, and also increased free testosterone versus the other groups, whereas there was no change in the levels of lactate in the three groups post-test.

Introduction: Deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and some trace elements have been observed in hemodialysis patients, for which inadequate nutrient intake is considered to be one of the most important reasons. Correcting the micronutrient status of these patients will improve their quality of life. This study was performed to evaluate vitamin and mineral intakes and some related factors in hemodialysis patients referred to Imam Khomeini hospital in Tehran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 114 hemodialysis patients. To evaluate the patients’ diet, 24 hour recall for 3 days (two usual days and one holiday) was applied. Food Processor II (FP II) was utilized to calculate the amount of micronutrient intakes.Results: Low micronutrient intakes were highly prevalent in the hemodialysis patients studied (36-100%). There was a significant negative relationship between age and thiamine, vitamin E, iron and zinc (P<0.05). Means for thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, iron, magnesium and zinc intakes were significantly higher in men than in women (P<0.05). Moreover, mean vitamin E intake in the group with dialysis durations less than 3 years was higher than in the group with dialysis durations of over 3 years (P=0.009). Mean magnesium and folate intakes were higher in the group without comorbidity than the group with comorbidity (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the present study, low micronutrient intake had a very high prevalence in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Concurrent training or the simultaneous performance of several types of exercise (strength and endurance training), has more positive effects on body composition and cardiovascular system, than training with either mode alone The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three different training regimes (endurance, resistance and concurrent) on the hormone (cortisol & testosterone), lipid (LDL, HDL, TG, TC), and inflammatory (TNF-a) indexes of previously untrained subjects.Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine sedentary men students (age 24.89±1.21yrs, height 175.87±6.52 cm, weight 68.44±5.50 kg) were randomly divided into the Endurance (E; n=10), Strength (S; n=9), and the Concurrent (C; n=10) groups. The training programs were performed for 10 weeks, 3 times per week in the three groups.Results: Body mass decreased in E group. Significant increases in squat and bench press exercises 1RM occurred after training in the S and C groups (P≤0.01). Training regimes produced no significant differences in plasma levels of TNF-a. Basal testosterone concentrations showed no significant changes in any group. In contrast, resting cortisol levels showed a significant increase in the S group only. Lipid profiles improved in all three groups.Conclusion: Our results indicate that strenght training leads to increase in the plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-a) and cortisol in untrained men, immunomodulatory effects which may be related to the training load of the S training program. It appears that combining the E and S training (concurrent training), neutralized the single effects of this these training types. Concurrent training can also be used for normalization of lipid profiles.