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The associations between components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance (IR), and several malignancies have been reported. However, the possible link between IR and dermal malignancies, including non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), has not been investigated to date. In this study, we aimed to examine the possible association between components of MetS, IR, adhesion molecules, and NMSC for the first time. This was a case-control study comprising 73 confirmed cases of NMSC and 72 unrelated healthy controls. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments including fasting blood lipid profile, glucose and insulin assays were performed. To evaluate IR, HOMA-IR formula was used. Though fasting serum glucose showed no significant between-group difference, serum concentrations of insulin (p = 0.048) as well as HOMA-IR (p = 0.037) were both significantly higher in NMSC group than in controls. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between waist circumference (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.007-1.080, p = 0.018), percent of visceral fat (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.024-1.190, p = 0.01), HOMA-IR (OR: 1.169, 95% CI: 1.004-1.360, p = 0.044), circulating VCAM-1 concentrations (OR: 1.005, 95% CI: 1.003-1.007, p < 0.001) and NMSC risk. Interestingly, the occurrence of MetS was significantly higher in subjects with NMSC than in healthy controls (p = 0.038). MetS and its components were associated with increased NMSC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of present study is to investigate the effects of walk training with and without blood flow restriction (BFR and no-BFR) on lipid profiles, inflammatory and haematological factors in over-weighed men. Participants were divided into BFR (n = 9) or no-BFR (n = 9) groups. Both groups were exposed to 8-week walk training on a treadmill: 3 sessions/week at a speed of 50 m/min, 5 sets × 2 min/session. There were differences in pre- to post-levels of (TG) and fibrinogen in the BFR group (p ≤ 0.05) that were accompanied by changes in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB) and haematocrit (HCT) levels (p ≤ 0.05). RBC levels were increased in the BFR group (p ≤ 0.05). The groups differed in their mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These findings suggest the efficiency of BFR walk training in individuals exposed to chronic diseases associated with overweight, such as metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capparis spinosa, Rosa canina, Securidaca securigera,Silybum marianum, Urtica dioica, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Vaccinium arctostaphylos are used traditionally as an herbal combination for treatment of diabetic patients in Iran. Despite the clinical evidence supporting their use in solitary form, no controlled human study has determined the efficacy and safety of their combination in treatment of diabetic patients. A total 150 type II diabetic patients of both sexes under the oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs treatment (maximum 10 mg glyburide and 1000 mg metformin daily) were randomly assigned to three groups. The patients in each group received either herbal combination or placebo or metformin capsule daily for three months, without any change in their previous oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs dosage. Herbal combination, placebo and metformin capsules matched by shape and color were prepared in the Institute of Medicinal Plants Karaj, Iran. To assess the efficacy and safety of the treatments, the patients fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver enzymes and renal function were determined at the beginning of the study and after three months. Results showed that after three months, the fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and cholesterol levels in herbal combination were decreased significantly as compared to placebo group (20% and 12% respectively) and also compared to base line (25% and 15% respectively). The herbal combination was as effective as metformin in reduction of FPG (p = 0.001, p = 0.001) and HbA1c (p = 0.028 and p = 0.050 respectively) compared to placebo. No notable hepatic, renal and gastrointestinal side effects were observed in the trial groups. The results suggest that traditional herbal combination may safely improve glycemic control in type II diabetic patients with no significant adverse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aimThis study was conducted to investigate the association between serum nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsWe recruited 3462 and 2504 participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), for a cross-sectional and prospective analysis, respectively. Serum NOx concentrations were measured at baseline (2006–2008), and demographics, anthropometrics and biochemical variables were evaluated at baseline and again after 3 years (2009–2011). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and CKD were defined. Association between serum NOx and CKD in the cross-sectional phase and the predictability of NOx in CKD occurrence were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models with adjustment for confounders.ResultsMean age of participants was 45.0 ± 15.9 years at baseline and 40.5% were male. The prevalence of CKD was 17.9% (13.4% in men, 21.0% in women) at baseline, at which point, marginally significant odds of CKD in the highest tertile of serum NOx in men (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 0.96–2.45,pfor trend = 0.047) and a significant odds of CKD in women (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.76–3.49,pfor trend = 0.001) were observed. After a 3-year follow-up, in women, risk of CKD was higher in the highest compared to the lowest NOx tertiles (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.10–3.14,pfor trend = 0.032) but no significant association was observed in men.ConclusionSerum NOx level was found to be an independent predictor of CKD in women; it could be a valuable surrogate for prediction of renal dysfunction in women and help to identify high-risk subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of dietary phytochemical index (DPI) with insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and insulin sensitivity.Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted on 1141 participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Dietary data were collected using a validated semi-quantitative FFQ with 168 food items at baseline and DPI was calculated. Fasting serum insulin and glucose were measured at baseline and again after a 3-year of follow-up.Results: After 3-years of follow-up, the risk of hyperinsulinemia significantly decreased by 65 (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.21-0.60) and 86% (OR = 0.14, 0.07-0.29), in the third and fourth quartile categories of DPI, respectively. The occurrence of insulin resistance and insulin insensitivity in participants with higher DPI was significantly lower than the others (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.25-0.93 and OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.05-0.24, respectively).Conclusion: Higher consumption of phytochemical-rich foods may have protective effects against development of insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to examine the relationship between total dairy and dairy subtypes with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in an Asian population. A nested case–control study of 178 cases of incident T2DM and 520 matched controls was conducted within the Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS). A 27% lower risk of T2DM was found per 100 g/d total dairy consumption that tend to be significant (95% CI: 0.52–1.02). Milk intake was inversely associated with diabetes after adjustment for confounders (p-trend: 0.042). Milk intake was associated with decreased T2DM risk in men (p-trend: 0.025), but not in women (p-trend: 0.527). Each 100 g/d increase in milk intake corresponded to 41% lower T2DM risk in fully adjusted model (95% CI: 0.39–0.89) in men. In conclusion, there is no significant association between diabetes and total dairy intake in the present study, but high intake of milk may reduce T2DM risk among men. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective.The aim of the present study was to provide further evidence of (1) metabolic syndrome and blood lipid profile differences between suicide attempting and non-attempting patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) I and to assess these differences (2) as a function of acute depressive or manic phase.Methods.Fifty inpatients (mean age: 36.14 years 48% males) with BPD I took part in the study. After recruitment, patients were clustered in four groups: 13 suicide attempters (SAs) assessed during a manic phase, 12 SAs assessed during a depressive phase, 15 non-SAs assessed during a manic phase, and 10 non-SAs assessed during a depressive phase. Body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, blood lipids (cholesterol, high- and low-density lipids, and triglyceride), and fasting blood sugar were assessed.Results.Neither metabolic syndrome, blood lipid values, fasting blood sugar, nor BMI or blood pressure differed between the SAs and non-SAs, or between patients in an acute manic phase and those in a depressed phase. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 26.0%.Conclusion. Among patients with BPD I neither the occurrence of metabolic syndrome nor lipid values or fasting blood sugar are reliable biomarkers of suicidal behavior during either acute depressive or manic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To assess the relationship between lifetime suicide attempts (SAs), serum lipid values, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with bipolar disorders (BPD). Methods. Eighty patients with BPD took part in the study (M = 40.60 years). After psychiatric diagnosis, demographic data, SAs, and serum lipids were measured and MetS was calculated. Results. 70% reported at least one suicide attempt. 52.5% suffered from MetS. Suicide attempters had higher cholesterol values. SAs were associated with a family history of suicide, current mood state, and lower educational level. SAs were unrelated to MetS. Conclusions. In patients with BPD, against expectations, the occurrence of SAs was associated with higher cholesterol values. Serum lipid values are not suitable as a biological trait marker to predict SAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pistachio white leaf borer, Ocneria terebinthina Strg., is a minor pest of pistachio trees in the pistachio-producing zone of Rafsanjan, Iran, where it overwinters as fourth larval instar. In this study, the quantities of several metabolites including trehalose, glycogen and lipids were measured each month from October 2009 to March 2010. Physiological changes in relation to ambient temperature were also investigated in field-collected overwintering larvae. The glycogen content decreased as ambient temperature decreased; this decline was proportional to increases in trehalose content. In January, which has a mean ambient temperature of 8.0°C, the glycogen content of the larvae was at its lowest level (17.98 mg/g fresh body weight) whereas trehalose was at its highest level (23.99 mg/g fresh body weight). Total body lipids decreased during overwintering and reached the lowest level at the onset of spring. In conclusion, trehalose may be involved in winter survival and the adaptation of the pistachio white leaf borer to cold, by providing cryoprotection. Larvae of the pistachio white leaf borer may have the ability to reserve energy in the form of lipids and utilize it during overwintering. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) is a triacylglycerol hydrolase and cholesterol esterase that is essential for male fertility. The aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of C-60G polymorphism of HSL gene and alleles in fertile and infertile males living in Hamadan, Iran. In addition, lipase activity was determined in these two groups. The HSL genotype was determined by PCR-RFLP and the lipase activity was detected by turbidometery in 164 fertile and 169 infertile males. A significant difference in HSL genotype distribution was observed between groups ( χ2  ==  8.1, df  ==  2, p  == 0.017). Infertile males showed a higher percentage of CC as well as a lower percentage of CG and GG genotype compared with fertile individuals. The presence of CC to CG ++ GG genotype conferred a 2.4-fold risk for male infertility (odds ratio == 2.4 (1.3 - 4.5), p == 0.006). In addition, lipase activity was remarkably higher ( p < 0.001) in fertile males (94  ±  66 U//L) compared to the infertile subjects (50.6  ±  49 U//L). This suggests that genetic variation of HSL may be a risk factor for male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]