Iranian Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism
Year:2019 | Volume:21 | Issue:5|Papers Count:6

Introduction: Thyroid hormones play an important role in normal function of liver and hyperthyroidism can cause liver dysfunction. Thyroid hormones affect nitric oxide (NO)-producing enzymes in liver. The aim of this study is to investigate effects of hyperthyroidism on protein levels of three isoforms of NO synthase (NOS) enzymes, including endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) in the liver of male rats. Materials and Methods: Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into the hyperthyroid and the control groups. Hyperthyroidism was induced by administration of 12 mg/L of levothyroxine in the drinking water of rats for a period of 21 days. NO metabolites (i. e. nitrate+nitrite or NOx) concentrations in the serum and liver as well as iNOS, eNOS, and nNOS protein levels in the liver tissue were measured on day 21. Results: Serum levels of free thyroxine and total thyroxine were significantly higher, whereas that of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was significantly lower in rats with hyperthyroidism. Compared to controls, NOx levels were significantly higher in the serum (46%) and liver tissue (70%) of rats with hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism decreased protein levels of eNOS (31%, P=0. 006) and increased protein levels of iNOS (26%, P=0. 020) but had no effect on nNOS in the liver. Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism changed levels of NO-producing enzymes liver, indicating that dysfunction of NO system may contribute to the pathophysiology of hyperthyroidism.

Introduction: Control of blood pressure, fasting plasma sugar (FPS) and low-density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) reduces to vascular complications of diabetes. In this study we determined the prevalence of diabetic individuals with uncontrolled blood pressure, FPS and LDL-C. Materials and Methods: We used data from three national Surveys of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Disease (SuRFNCD) conducted in 2007, 2011 and 2016. Participants were 4493 adults, aged 25-65 years, who self-reported a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Logistic regression was used to determine pvalue for trends of prevalence rates. Results: From 2007 to 2016, significant reductions in the prevalence of individuals with high blood pressure from 48. 2 % to 40. 4 % (47. 3 % to 37. 4 % in men and 53. 0 % to 41. 5 % in women) and also in those with high LDL-C levels from 75. 4 % to 46. 7 % (73. 2 % to 45. 7 % in men and 77. 4 % to 48. 3 % in women) were observed. Only women showed a significant decrease in the prevalence of those with high FPS. Conclusion: Despite significant improvements during the last decade, achieving goals of these risk factors remains suboptimal among Iranian adults with diagnosed diabetes. Considerable further improvement is needed to control and reduce future vascular complications.

Introduction: The Pender’ s health promotion model is a framework used for determining healthpromoting lifestyle behaviors in people with chronic diseases. This study aims to investigate the effect of educational intervention based on the Pender’ s health promotion model on the lifestyles of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial conducted in 2019, 74 patients were selected based on inclusion criteria by convenience sampling and allocated into two groups, the intervention and control, using the randomized block method. Both groups completed the demographic characteristics-and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile Questionnaires. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 16, using descriptive & comparative statistical methods, including independent t-test, paired t-test and ANCOVA. Results: After the intervention, a significant increase was observed in the average score of the intervention group in all lifestyle dimensions (P<0. 001). Comparing the changes in the average scores of lifestyle and its dimensions in both groups 50 days after the intervention, an increase was observed in the average scores of lifestyle and its dimensions in the intervention group, compared to those in the control group (P<0. 001). Conclusion: Educational intervention based on the Pender’ s health promotion model can promote the lifestyles of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, results of which can be used in educational interventions aimed at patients with diabetic foot ulcers to change their lifestyles.

Introduction: The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is increasing worldwide, affecting people in all age groups, including adolescents. The objective of this study was to explore changes in IFG prevalence during a decade long follow-up in adolescent participants of a population-based cohort study from Iran. Materials and Methods: We included 2998 participants, aged 11-19 in study period 1 (1999-2005; 1415 boys, 1583 girls) and 946 participants in study period 2 (2011-2014; 477 boys, 469 girls). Multivariate binary logistic regression models were performed to examine the role of susceptible risk factors in the relationship between study periods with IFG. Results: A two-fold increase was observed in the prevalence of IFG, from 7% in study period 1 to 16. 6% in study period 2. Regarding non-modifiable risk factors, older age and female gender were associated with lower risk for IFG. Among modifiable risk factors in the fully adjusted model, being overweight and obese were significantly associated with IFG, whereas central obesity was not found to be an independent risk factor. Yet, adjusting for general and central obesity could not attenuate the increase in IFG over time. Conclusion: the prevalence of IFG among Iranian adolescents increased significantly and study period remained a significant factor after all adjustments. We propose the role of other potential risk factors be further investigated.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a disease of the veins characterized by the deposition of lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol on the inner wall of medium and large diameter arteries. The aim of this study was to compare the anti-sclerotic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of verbascum Thapsus, lemon juice, lemon peel and quinacrine on blood lipid concentration, C-reactive protein (CRP) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme activity in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 25 male wistar rats were randomly divided into the control (n=5) and high fat diet groups (n=20). After 2 months of a high fat diet, rats with hypercholesterolemia were divided into 4 groups: receiving 2. 5 ml/kg body weight lemon juice, 500 mg/kg body weight, lemon peel, 800 mg/kg body weight hydroalcoholic extract of verbascum thapsus and 6 mg/kg body weight Quinacrine and treated for one month. Finally, the effects of the drug and extracts on lipid profiles, PLA2 and CRP were evaluated in hypercholesterolemic rats. Results: The high-fat diet increased triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein. Administration of hydroalcoholic extract of verbascum thapsus, lemon peel and juiceand quinacrine improved lipid status and decreased phospholipaseA2, CRP activity (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of verbascum thapsus, lemon peel and juice and quinacrine can improve lipid concentrations, CRP and phospholipaseA2 activity.

Introduction: Obesity, one of the major growing problems of the present century is reaching pandemic proportions. Today, a large percentage of men and women of all ages suffer from obesity. The relationship between obesity and its effect on sexual dysfunction through different mechanisms has been documented. Obesity, a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases with impaired immune system and endocrine function through its effect on the vascular endothelium, can play a major role in the development of vascular defects in the reproductive system, causing sexual dysfunction especially in men. The mechanism of the effect of obesity on vascular epithelium is the origin of vascular endothelial dysfunction and consequently sexual dysfunction of men, viz. erectile dysfunction which has been well established. The association between obesity and increased insulin resistance has also led to molecular changes in the vasculature, especially in the context of reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide as a vasodilator, leading to dysfunction of the penis and clitoris, leading to sexual dysfunction in men and not achieving orgasm in women. In women, the role of obesity affects the development of sex hormones and the incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome and causes unpleasant changes in the appearance of the person such as acne and hair loss in women, affecting the body image and resulting in sexual dysfunction. The impact of obesity on sexual dysfunction from the immunological, endocrinological, psychogenic, and anatomical aspects has been reviewed in this study.