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Previous studies have reported that melatonin intake is inversely associated with reduced markers of atherosclerosis development such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).This study was designed to assess the effects of melatonin administration on CIMT and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN).This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 32 DN patients. Subjects were assigned to receive melatonin or placebo (starch) for 24 weeks. Individuals in the melatonin group (n = 19) received 10 mg/day. CIMT and PWV levels were taken at the study baseline and after 24 weeks of intervention.After 24 weeks of intervention, melatonin intake did not affect mean levels of left (P = 0.51) and right (P = 0.16) CIMT and maximum levels of left (P = 0.76) and right (P = 0.15) CIMT, and PWV (P = 0.55) compared with the placebo. In addition, within-group difference demonstrated a significant reduction in mean levels of right CIMT (P = 0.01) in the melatonin group. We did not observe any significant change in C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations after melatonin intake (P = 0.81).Melatonin intake did not affect mean levels of left and right CIMT and maximum levels of left and right CIMT, PWV, CRP levels compared with the placebo. In addition, within-group difference demonstrated a significant reduction in mean levels of right CIMT in the melatonin group. This trial was registered at www.irct.ir as http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20200527047584N2.

Article history: Objective: To investigate the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in important endemic focus of Kashan district, central of Iran during 2007-2008. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and 5 098 individuals were selected from thirteen rural and urban districts of Kashan city. Information of positive cases including age, sex, job, number and sites of ulcers or scars, date and place of the ulcer, and results of clinical examination and laboratory tests were recorded. Diagnoses of affected cases were based on clinical examination and microscopic observation of the ulcer parasite. The results were analyzed with statistical Chi-square test. Results: An infection prevalence rate of 6.4% was obtained among 5 098 individuals. Regarding to 326 affected cases, 103 (2.0%) and 223 (4.4%) persons were observed with active lesion and scars, respectively. The highest frequency of active ulcer rate (23.3%) was associated with age group of 20-29 years old, while the lowest rate was related to age group of 0-9 years old with 7.8% infection. About 49.5% of the infected cases were under 30 years old. This study showed 64.1% of cases with one and the rest of them with two or more ulcers. Hands (46.6%) were the most affected parts of body. Conclusions: There is a progressive increasing of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kashan district and this is a warning to local health workers to provide prevention as well as control program of the disease.