IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM (IJEM)
Year:2018 | Volume:20 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:7

Introduction: Higher prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported in the Middle-East compared to other regions. Subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been shown to be related with increased risk for CVD. We aimed to investigate the relation of subclinical thyroid dysfunction with the incidence of CVD among an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: After excluding patients with overt hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, a total of 3822 participants entered the study (44. 1% men). According to their thyrotropin and free thyroxin levels, they were categorized into 3 groups: Euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the relation of subclinical thyroid dysfunctions with incident CVD. Results: Mean age (SD) of the participants was 46. 4 (12. 0) years. At baseline, no significant difference was observed in the frequency of prevalent CVD cases (n=197) between all groups. Since there was no significant interaction between prevalent CVD and thyroid function states with outcomes, participants with prevalent CVD were not excluded. A total of 387 CVD events occurred during a median follow-up of 11. 2 years. Even in the age and sex adjusted model, no association was observed between different subclinical thyroid dysfunctions and incidence of CVD. The multivariable hazard ratios (95% CI) of subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism for CVD events as compared with euthyroid state were 1. 32 (0. 85– 2. 07) and 0. 89 (0. 51– 1. 55), respectively. Conclusion: Both at baseline and in follow-up, no relation was observed between different subclinical thyroid dysfunctions and the prevalence and incidence of CVD.

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine the possible effects of combined administration of a weight reducing diet and spirulina supplements on the anthropometric measures and glycemic markers in obese and overweight subjects. Materials and Methods: Fiftytwo subjects (25&BMI<40) were enrolled and randomly allocated to receive spirulina platensis (SP) (2 grams per day) or placebo tablets. Anthropometric measures and glycemic markers, including fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed before and after the study; participants also received a weight reduction diet during 12 weeks of intervention. Results: Thirty-eight individuals who completed the intervention, included 38 participants (7 males) with an average age of 40 years and BMI of 32. 9 kg/m2. Reduction of body weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in the SP group, compared to the placebo group (-3. 22± 1. 97 kg vs.-1. 45± 1. 86 kg, P=0. 008 and-1. 23± 0. 79 kg/m2 vs.-0. 63± 0. 68 kg/m2, P=0. 01). Body fat was also considerably reduced in the SP group, compared to the placebo group (-2. 28± 1. 74 vs.-1. 22± 1. 55, P=0. 01). In addition, HOMA-IR reduced marginally, significant in the SP group (P=0. 05). Conclusion: Consumption of spirulina plays a significant role in body weight and BMI reduction and also leads to a slightly ameliorated glucose metabolism, demonstrating possibly a synergistic effect of spirulina along with weight reduction diet on improving glucose metabolism and body weight.

Introduction: Although previous investigations have shown that some dietary components can be associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), few studies have investigated the association between fast food intake and this disease. The aim of this case-control study was to examine the relationship between fast food intake and NAFLD in male adults. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 100 NAFLD cases and 300 age-matched normal controls. Total data were collected using a 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and physical activity questionaire. Height and weight were measured by standard methods. Data were analyzed using chi-square, t tests and logistic regression model and P<0. 05 was considered significant. Total fast food consumption was obtained for sausage, pizza, hamburger. Results: Mean fast food consumption in cases were higher than controls (19. 5± 7. 3 vs 10. 5± 4. 2 gr/day, respectively). Higher intake of fast foods was significantly associated with higher intakes of energy, protein, total fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, cole, artificial juices and red meats and lower intakes of fruits, vegetables, legumes and diary products. A higher fast food intake was associated with a higher risk of NAFLD (OR, 3. 83; 95%, CI 1. 84-7. 97; P<0. 0001), an associations, that weakened slightly after adjusting for age, smoking, physical activity, body mass index and energy intake (OR, 3. 31; 95%, CI 1. 31-8. 38; P<0. 009). Conclusions: There was a significant positive relationship between fast food intake and NAFLD in males, emphasizing the need for raising more awareness among individuals on the possible complications of fast food consumption, to decrease their consumption and reduce risk of disease.

Introduction: Considering to the importance of the obesity pandemic, the purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of hypoxia intensities on responses of Acylated Ghrelin and appetite to interval exercise in overweight subjects. Materials and Methods: Subjects were eight healthy males (age, 22. 14± 2. 11 yrs; height, 175. 28± 7. 69 cm; weight, 87. 03± 5. 95 kg; BMI, 28. 4± 1. 5 kg/m2), who voluntarily participated in the study. The exercise protocol, conducted in a hypoxic chamber in a counterbalance manner, included 30 minutes interval exercise at 5 sets of 4 min exercise at 85% at maximal heart rate and 2 min active rest at 50% maximal heart rate at an elevation 2700 and 3300 meters equal to decrease of oxygen pressure to 14% and 15%. Blood platelet indices including acylated ghrelin and appetite index were measured 15 minutes before and at 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 minutes after exercise. Results: Hypoxic intensities had no significant influence on acylated ghrelin (p=0. 180) and appetite (p=0. 215) but interval exercise in hypoxia, irrespective of hypoxic intensity was effective on appetite (P=0. 046). Conclusion: Based on the results of present study, it could be concluded that interval exercise in hypoxia, irrespective of hypoxic intensity is effective on appetite, indicating that exercise at lower hypoxia that is accessible for overweight subjects, can be recommended for controlling apetite and weight reduction.

Introduction: Antagonist is a chemical substance or drug that has the ability to bind to the cell receptor by the ligand-receptor process, but is not able to trigger a response. Antagonists, pharmacologically, mimic the action of an agonist on the cell. It prevents, however, the attachment and function of the agonist or allows the binding but not the appropriate function by blocking the binding site of the agonist on the cell surface. In the past, antagonist production required much experimentation, trial and error whereas today, with advances in science and identification of molecular structure and signaling techniques, the possibilities of intelligent designs for antagonists in the shortest time possible have arisen. This process is based on two general viewpoints that include: Drug design based on target that can be a receptor or based on the structure of a small molecule as a drug that can block the signaling. The basic structure of an antagonist changes during drug design and hence there could be an antagonist with high levels of activity and minimal side effects. This review studied the new strategies of designing antagonists for cytokines and hormones (focusing on leptin and growth hormone). Since hormones play multiple roles in different physiological conditions and cytokines act as immune modulators, designing antagonists for them or their receptors can play an important role in the treatment of autoimmune-inflammatory-and neoplastic diseases.