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Background: Osteoporosis, a prevalent bone malady, is prevalent in Iran. Several studies have represented the role of dietary antioxidants on osteoporosis. The dietary antioxidant index (DAI) is a valid and reliable index, which indicates a comprehensive view of dietary antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to survey the relationship of the DAI with the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Iran. This research aimed to examine the association between the DAI and the risk of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 440 postmenopausal women (220 cases and 220 controls) were enrolled. The dietary intake of contributors was evaluated using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire. To estimate the DAI, the amount of six antioxidant micronutrients such as Vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, manganese, and zinc was standardized. Then, the DAI was estimated by collecting the standardized consumption of these antioxidant micronutrients. Results: Our findings represented the participants in the first (crude odds ratio [OR] = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-2.85, P = 0.013) and second (crude OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01-2.55, P = 0.043) tertiles of the DAI scores had significantly higher odds of osteoporosis compared to those in the third one; while after modifying for confounding factors, this significant reverse relationship was observed just between women in the first and third tertiles of the DAI scores (adjusted OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.34-3.18, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The consequence of this study suggested that adherence to a diet rich in antioxidant compounds may have protective effects against osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The healthy diet is important to maintain immunity against infection. This study aimed to assess and compare the consumption of functional foods, some antioxidants, and dietary inflammatory index between Iranian COVID-19 patients and healthy persons. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted between 1000 (500 cases and 500 controls) adults aged 18–65years in Iran, that were sampling based on the snowball method and their information was collected electronically. The dietary intake was assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p = 0.044) in vitamin D consumption between healthy people and COVID-19 patients. Vitamin E intake in healthy participants was significantly (p = 0.041) more than COVID-19 patients. There was a significant difference in Zinc (p = 0.011), selenium (p = 0.021), and vitamin C (p = 0.023) between healthy persons and COVID-19 patients. Healthy participants' consumption of onion (56.5±7.82 g/day), garlic (4.32±0.01 g/day) and oat (6.32±0.71 g/day) was significantly (p≤0.05) more than COVID-19 patients. With the increase of each unit in the score of the dietary inflammatory index, the risk of COVID-19 incidence increased 1.63 times (OR = 1.63 95% CI: 1.54–1.72). There was an inverse association between the consumption of antioxidants and functional foods with the risk of COVID-19 incidence in the study population (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Healthy people consumption of antioxidants and functional foods was more than COVID-19 patients and there was a significant inverse association between the risk of COVID- 19 incidence with the consumption of functional foods and antioxidants. Increasing the dietary inflammatory index score increased the risk of COVID- 19 incidence. There is a need for further clinical trials to confirm the effect of consuming functional foods and antioxidants on the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study will evaluate the main hypothesis that supplementation with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E significantly improves the severity and mortality rate in ICU patients with COVID-19.Trial Design: This study is a randomized, single-blinded, two-arm (1:1 ratio) parallel group clinical trial.Participants: We are conducting this study in patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units at the Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran, Iran. The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) aged between 20 and 60 years, (2) both male and female patients with COVID-19, (3) clinical or definitive diagnosis (using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test), (4) patients have not participated in other clinical trials, and (5) no renal or hepatic abnormalities. The exclusion criteria are as follows: (1) patients with specific and rare viral diseases such as HIV and (2) patients who have been undergoing chemotherapy for the past month.Intervention and Comparator: Duration of intervention: 7 days from randomization Intervention in the treatment group: Vitamin A 25,000 IU daily Vitamin D 600,000 IU once during study Vitamin E 300 IU twice daily Vitamin C is taken four times per day B vitamins are taken as a daily Soluvit [which included thiamine nitrate 3.1 mg, sodium riboflavin phosphate 4.9 mg (corresponding to vitamin B2 3.6 mg), nicotinamide 40 mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride 4.9 mg (corresponding to vitamin B6 4.0 mg), sodium pantothenate 16.5 mg (corresponding to pantothenic acid 15 mg), sodium ascorbate 113 mg (corresponding to vitamin C 100 mg), biotin 60 μg, folic acid 400 μg, and cyanocobalamin 5 μg] The control group will not receive any supplements or placebo. All supplements are made in Iran except for Soluvit (from Fresenius Kabi, New Zealand).Main Outcomes: 1. Weight, height, and BMI 2. Severity of pulmonary involvement according to CT scan 3. Respiratory support (invasive or non-invasive) 4. Percentage of oxygen saturation (SpO2 level) 5. Serum levels of WBC, CRP, ESR, IL6, IFN-G, and TNF-α 6. The patient's body temperature 7. The presence or absence of involvement of organs other than the lungs (e.g., heart, liver, kidneys) 8. Duration of hospitalization 9. Mortality rate RANDOMIZATION: At baseline, eligible patients were randomly assigned to a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups: intervention and control. Block randomization is used based on the gender of patients.Blinding (masking): Patients are unaware of being placed in the intervention or control groups after signing consent. All treatment staff will be aware of which group each of the patients is in due to the specific conditions of the ICU and the absence of placebo for the control group.Numbers To Be Randomized (sample Size): The researchers plan to include 60 patients in total, with 30 patients in each group.Trial Status: This is the first version of the protocol which started on April 2, 2020. Recruitment began April 2, 2020, and is expected to be complete by July 4, 2020.Trial Registration: The Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20200319046819N1 . Registered on April 4, 2020 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol (Fig. 1, Table 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder associated with pregnancy and is the leading cause of both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Recent reports suggest that free radical-induced endothelial cell injury might be an etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effects of vitamins C and E for the prevention of preeclampsia. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted in the year 2018 in the clinical centers of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. One hundred and sixty nulliparous women aged 18–38 years without any risk factors for preeclampsia were divided into two groups. The first group received a 400-IU/day dose of vitamin E orally and a 1000-mg/day dose of vitamin C with iron tablets during 20–24 weeks of pregnancy, while the control group received only iron tablets. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables. Results: The incidence of preeclampsia in the control group was 17.5% and in the intervention group was 5%, which was significantly different. The mean systolic pressures before and after intervention were 99.43 ± 7.8 and 12.44 ± 19.1, respectively, in the control group, and 99.3 ± 8.3 and 106.12 ± 13.25, respectively, in the intervention group (P < 0.001). The mean diastolic pressures before and after intervention in the control group were 62.7 ± 13.6 and 62.7 ± 4.7 (P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study show that vitamins C and E have protective effects against preeclampsia by alleviating the overall blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cupressus belonging to Cupressaceae family has twelve species worldwide. In Iran, Cupressus consists of only one species with two varieties C. sempervirens. var. horizentalis and C. sempervirens. var. sempervirens which has a cultivar namely C. sempervirens. cv. Cereiformis. In this study, the potential antioxidant activities of the oils of different parts of Cupressus sempervirens, C. sempervirens cv. Cereiformis and C. sempervirens var. horizentalis were examined.The qualitative and quantitative compositions of the oils were studied by GC/FID and GC/MS. Then the obtained essential oils, their main components as well as positive controls (Quercetin, DMSO, vitamin E and ascorbic acid) were subjected to different antioxidant tests including Rapid Thin-layer Chromatography method, diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, deoxyribose degradation test, and modified deoxyribose degradation test. While all the essential oils and pure compounds showed activity in rapid TLC screening, only the leaf oil of C. sempervirens var. sempervirens (38.4 %) and C. sempervirens cv. Cereiformis (77.9 %) exhibited moderate activity in DPPH assay. In deoxyribose degradation test, the low concentrations (0.05-0.2 μL/mL) of these two plants showed moderate activity while the fruit oil of C. sempervirens var. horizentalis showed the highest activity (17.7 %). These essential oils may be considered as natural preservatives in low concentrations provided that their organoleptic, cytotoxicity and allergic effects would be examined. Thus, complementary studies are recommended to be established. Moreover, it is suggested to examine the antioxidant activity of these oils by using non-polar or less polar solvent systems before any final conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited data on the role of nutrient patterns in development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of the study is to document the relationship between nutrient patterns and PCOS. Methods: In this study, 281 incident PCOS women and 472 controls were interviewed through the endocrine clinics between February 2013 and March 2015 in Tehran, Iran. Usual dietary intakes were obtained using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was conducted on the basis of 32 nutrients. Unconditional logistic regression was performed to ascertain odds ratios. The p<0.05 was considered for significance level. Results: In principal component analysis two nutrient patterns emerged. Factor 1 had high loadings for riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, thiamin, magnesium, pantothenic acid, cobalamin, vitamin C, folate, vitamin D, total fiber, selenium, phosphorus, vitamin E, manganese, vitamin K, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, potassium and vegetable protein. Factor 2 characterized by high loadings for carbohydrate, animal protein, fat, cholesterol, saturated fatty acid, sodium, biotin, copper, iron, fluoride, zinc, and calcium. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of PCOS was significantly higher in the highest tertile of factor 2 (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.69-3.21). Conversely, being in the highest tertile of factor 1 was associated with a lower risk of PCOS (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.21-0.82). Conclusion: Our results provide a possible new insight into the interactions between nutrient intakes and PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), as a way to assess the dietary intake in comparison with other methods, is easier to analyze and takes less time and is less costly. Our aim in this study was to develop and validate an FFQ for estimating the intakes of selected antioxidants in elderly Iranian people. Materials and Methods: A total of 185 elderly people were randomly selected. Three-day food records were completed by the subjects and collected every 2 months and dietary intake levels of zinc, selenium, carotenes and vitamins C and E were estimated. Based on the food records data, geographic location, and age, an FFQ was designed to estimate antioxidant intakes during 1 year. In addition, for controlling energy intake, 2-day food records were also collected with the food frequency questionnaire. To assess the reliability, 40 individuals were asked to complete the FFQ twice with an interval of 3 months in between. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the two FFQs for antioxidant C, antioxidant E, carotene, selenium, and zinc were 0.62, 0.47, 0.51, 0.54, and 0.58, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, Pearson correlation coefficients between the FFQ and the food records, after controlling energy for vitamin C, vitamin E, carotene, selenium, and zinc, were 0.46, 0.48, 0.38, 0.55, and 0.47 respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, considering the fact that the FFQ was designed for the elderly and the special conditions (patience, memory, etc.) and vulnerability of this age group, the questionnaire is relatively valid and reliable to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin E and C are well‑known antioxidant vitamins. Oxidative stress is common in chronic kidney diseases. We evaluated 43 dialysis subjects prospectively in a cross‑sectional survey. Serum vitamin E concentration was checked in all subjects; 37 cases underwent blood sampling for measurement of serum vitamin C. The enrolled subjects consisted of 12 (27.9%) peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 25 (58.1%) hemodialysis (HD) patients. Six (13.9%) patients were switched from PD to HD or vice versa. Serum concentration of vitamin E was normal, low and high in 9 (20.9%), 31 (72%) and 3 (7.1%) patients, respectively. There were no significant differences regarding age, gender, modality and duration of dialysis, and characteristics of dialysis sessions, mean serum blood urea nitrogen, and albumin levels between vitamin E deficient cases with those with normal serum vitamin E concentration (P > 0.05 for all). The serum vitamin C levels were low in 5 (13.5%) and normal in 32 (86.5%) patients. vitamin C deficiency was more prevalent in HD versus continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients (P = 0.128). Mean serum vitamin C concentration was higher in patients who were supplemented by vitamin C compared with those who didn't receive the vitamin supplement (P = 0.043). Vitamin E deficiency was a prevalent finding and supplementary vitamin C 30-60 mg/day was sufficient to prevent deficiency. Regular assessments of serum vitamin E level may be needed in dialysis centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of vitamins E and C on cognitive performance among the elderly in Iran. Methods: About 256 elderly with mild cognitive impairment, aged 60-75 years, received 300 mg of vitamin E plus 400 mg of vitamin C or placebo daily just for 1 year. Background: Demographic characteristics, anthropometric variables food consumption, cognitive function by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and some of the oxidative stress biomarkers were examined. Results: Antioxidant supplementation reduced malondialdehyde level ( P < 0.001) and raised total antioxidant capacity ( P < 0.001) and glutathione ( P < 0.01). The serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine remained unchanged ( P < 0.4). After adjusting for the covariates effects, MMSE scores following 6- (25.88 ± 0.17) and 12-month antioxidant supplementation (26.8 ± 0.17) did not differ from control group (25.86 ± 0.18 and 26.59 ± 0.18, respectively). Conclusion: Despite significant improvement in most of the oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidants' supplementation was not observed to enhance cognitive performance. A large number of kinetic and/or dynamic factors could be suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The nephroprotective effect of vitamins E and C or losartan against cisplatin (CP)- induced nephrotoxicity when they are accompanied by estrogen was investigated. Methods. The ovariectomized rats received estradiol valerate for two weeks. At the end of the first week, a single dose of CP (7 mg/kg, IP) was also administered, and they received placebo (group 1), vitamin E (group 2), vitamin C (group 3), or losartan (group 4) every day during the second week, and they were compared with another three control groups. Results. CP alone increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), and kidney tissue damage score (KTDS), significantly (P < 0.05), however at the presence of estradiol and CP, vitamin C, vitamin E, or losartan not only did not decrease these parameters, but also increased them significantly (P < 0.05). The serum level of superoxidase dismutase (SOD) was reduced by CP (P < 0.05), but it was increased when estradiol or estradiol plus vitamin C or losartan were added (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The particular pharmacological dose of estrogen used in this study abolish the nephroprotective effects vitamins C and E or losartan against CP-induced nephrotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s) Bone is a dynamic tissue that is continuously renewed throughout life by the process of bone remodeling. Antioxidant system might be involved in the pathogenesis of bone loss, so the aim of this study was to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitamin C and vitamin E levels of plasma besides measuring enzymatic antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes activity in Iranian osteoporotic women comparing to the control group. Materials and Methods Bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. The participants were divided into groups: a) total participants (-3.9 ≤ T-score ≤ 3.6) including 192 women, b) the control group (T-score ≥ -1) including 76 women, c) the total patients (T-score < -1) including 76 women. Then, plasma TAC, vitamin C levels, SOD and GR activities, erythrocyte CAT were measured using spectrophotometrical methods separately, and for vitamin E by HPLC analysis. Results Comparing the control group and osteoporotic women showed that: a) plasma levels for vitamin C and erythrocyte CAT were markedly lower in the patients than in the controls, but plasma activity of TAC, SOD and GR were significantly higher, respectively. b) the differences were higher between control and patients with severe disease (T-score <-1.7) comparing to patients in the group with milder disease (-1.7 ≤ T-score <-1). c) Femoral neck BMD adjusted with age and BMI showed a positive and significant correlation with plasma levels of vitamin C in all subjects, but this relation was reverse or negative for TAC, SOD and GR. Conclusion It seems that a physiologic increase in the amount of some antioxidants occurs in osteoporosis; even though this amount may not be sufficient for the human body requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of vitamins C and E administration on the outcome of therapy in patients with paraquat intoxication admitted in the Poisoning Emergency Department (PED) of Noor Teaching General Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Methods: We studied retrospectively medical records of 186 patients admitted to the PED in two different study periods: 157 patients were evaluated from 1985 to 2001 (first study period) in which patients received conventional treatment protocol consisting of fluid replacement, oral absorbents, haemodialysis, etc, Also, 29 other patients were assessed from 2001 to 2005 (second study period) in which vitamins C and E had been administered to the patients, in addition to the conventional protocol. The patients' mortality rate after the first study period was compared to that of the second one, with regard to the impact of the additional therapeutic intervention (use of antioxidant vitamins). Results: Most of the patients (40.5 %) had ingested more than 20 mL of 20 % paraquat solution and were admitted to the hospital during the first 4 h after exposure. Paraquat poisoning was more common in men (76.6 %), young adults in the age group 19 - 34 (47 %) and during summer (43.3 %). Mean (± SE) length of hospital stay was 62.6 ± 15.6 h. Overall mortality rates were 31 and 55.2 % in the first and second periods, respectively. Conclusion: Although the addition of antioxidants (vitamins C and E) to the conventional therapy did not reduce the mortality rate, other dependent variables including different doses of antioxidants may be considered for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. We assessed whether cosupplementation of vitamins C and E has additive beneficial effects on reducing the kidney damage and attenuation of the arterial pressure elevation compared to administration of either vitamin C or vitamin E alone in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertension. Materials and Methods. Forty rats were divided into 4 study groups and 1 sham-operated group. Unilateral nephrectomy was carried out in the study groups and hypertension was induced by deoxycorticosterone injection and 1% sodium chloride and 0.2% potassium chloride added to the drinking water. Vitamins C and E (200 mg/kg/day) or combination of them were administered with DOCA-salt for 4 weeks in 3 study groups. The effects of DOCA and salt and treatment with vitamins were compared in terms of blood pressure, urinary protein excretion, antioxidant activity of the kidneys, and renal histological changes. Results. Four weeks of supplementations of vitamins C, vitamin E, and both in the DOCA-salt-treated rats had comparable significant effects in decreasing systolic blood pressure. Urinary protein excretion and histological damage did not significantly change with the combination therapy of vitamins C and E compared to the vitamin C or E alone. The renal levels of glutathione and ferric reducing/antioxidant power in combination therapy group were similar to the two other treatment groups and were significantly higher than non-treated group. Conclusions. Co-administration of vitamin C and E does not have an additive beneficial effect on reducing the kidney damage and hypertension compared to either vitamin C or E alone in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]