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Background and purpose: Okra plant has different properties and some studies reported that this plant can lower the complications of diabetes. Herein, we studied the effects of okra powder on histomorphometry and histochemitry of the thyroid gland, lipid profile, as well as T3 and T4 hormones in HDF/STZ diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study twenty-five adult male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into five groups of control group, healthy rats without any treatment (G1), control group receiving 200 mg/kg of okra daily for four weeks (G2), diabetic rats without any treatment (G3), diabetic rats receiving 200 mg/kg of metformin daily for four weeks (G4), and diabetic rats receiving 200 mg/kg of okra daily for four weeks (G5). For inducing diabetes, the rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for four weeks. Then, streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) was injected intravenously. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken for measurement of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), as well as T3, and T4 hormones levels. The animals were euthanized and the thyroid glands were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. 5-6 μ slices were made from paraffin section and stained by H&E and aldehyde fuchsin. Results: Compared to the control group, the number and size of large follicles of the thyroid gland decreased significantly in the diabetic group, while the number of small follicles increased significantly (P<0.05). There were significant reductions in concentrations of T3 and T4, whereas triglyceride and LDL-c levels elevated in the diabetic group (P<0.05). These changes were improved using metformin and okra compared to the diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Okra powder can be effective in preventing, managing, and attenuating the complications of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) have been investigated as carrier systems for many applications. SLNs consist of pure solid lipids, while NLCs are made of a solid matrix that entraps liquid lipid nano-compartments. These systems revealed several advantages compared to other colloidal carrier systems. They provide a controlled drug release and an increase in chemical stability of the incorporated drugs. Moreover, they are safe carriers which can be produced easily in a large scale. This paper reviews the commonly used materials, production techniques, characterization, and physical stability of these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Preeclampsia is a medical condition in pregnancy that is determined by hypertension and proteinuria. Among many predisposing factors in pathophysiology of preeclampsia, the role of lipid peroxides is recently emphasized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of preeclampsia with maternal plasma and umbilical cord lipid concentration. Materials and methods: A case-control study was done on pregnant women referring to Babol Yahyanejad Hospital, during 2008-2009. Case group included 31 term preeclamptic pregnant women and for control group 31 term normal pregnant women were recruited. All women were 20-30 years of age and were gravida 1 or 2. Total TG, cholesterol, HDL and LDL for plasma and umbilical cord were measured by enzymatic and calorimetric methods. Results: No significant differences were found between women with preeclampsia and normal subjects according to the mean level of triglyceride (291.1 ± 102.8 VS 309.4 ± 114.4), cholesterol (226.3 ± 48.8 VS 234.9 ± 40.6), LDL (119 ± 38.3 VS 123 ± 33.1), HDL (50.1 ± 10.6 VS 51.5 ± 8.1) and VLDL (59.2 ± 20.8 VS 61.5 ± 22.6). Level of lipids in umbilical cord showed abnormal triglyceride level in only one case in the control group. Moreover, the mean level of umbilical cord triglyceride (56.3 ± 32 VS 50.1 ± 54), umbilical cord cholesterol (70.9 ± 22.8 VS 64.4 ± 20.8), umbilical cord LDL (30.9 ± 12.7 VS 26.1 ± 10), umbilical cord HDL (28.7 ± 10.7 VS 30.7 ± 8.6) and umbilical cord VLDL (11.6 ± 6.8 VS 9.9 ± 10.7) were not significantly different between preeclampsia and normal groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Results showed that there was no association between lipid concentration of mothers and umbilical cord lipids with preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder with lipid disturbances, is associated with increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease and central obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the postparandial lipid level with waist-to-hip ratio and insulin in women with PCOS in comparison with a control group. Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted at Fatemat Zahra Infertility Center in Babol on 20 women with PCOS and 20 healthy women as controls who were matched according to age and had a body mass index between 20 to 23 kg/m². Waist-to-hip ratio, insulin, glucose tolerance test, the levels of fasting and postparandial triglyceride, cholestrol and HDL-cholestrol were all measured and compared between the two groups. Results: In comparison with the control group, women with PCOS had higher levels of postparandial triglyceride (203.6±121.5 mg/dl VS 117.7±41.5 mg/dl, P=0.018), postparandial cholestrol (210.1±36.9 mg/dl VS 169.9±29 mg/dl, P=0.001), FBS (91.6±11.7 mg/dl VS 81.8±14.2 mg/dl, P=0.023), insulin (131.7±25.2 IU/dl VS 75.2±18 IU/dl, P=0.033) and waist-to-hip ratio (0.87±0.06 VS 0.74±0.14, P=0.001). The levels of fasting triglyceride (158.1±68.9 mg/dl VS 118±35.9 mg/dl, P=0.029) and cholesterol (189.9±32.6 mg/dl VS 154±25 mg/dl, P=0.000) in PCOS women were higher than that of the control group. There was no relationship between the level of lipids with insulin level and waist-to-hip ratio. Conclusion: The levels of insulin, fasting and postparandial triglyceride and cholesterol in women with PCOS were higher than the healthy group. It seems that waist-to-hip ratio and insulin level had no effect on this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]