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Background: A low-glycemic index diet is effective in blood glucose control of diabetic subjects, reduces insulin requirement in women with gestation diabetes mellitus (GDM) and improves pregnancy outcomes when used from beginning of the second trimester. However there are limited reports to examine the effect of low glycemic load (LGL) diet and fiber on blood glucose control and insulin requirement of women with GDM. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of low glycemic load diet with and without fiber on reducing the number of women with GDM requiring insulin. Materials and Methods: All GDM women (n = 31) were randomly allocated to consume either a LGL diet with Fiber or LGL diet. Results: We found that 7 (38.9%) of 18 women with GDM in Fiber group and 10 (76.9%) in "Without Fiber" group required insulin treatment. Conclusion: The LGL diet with added fiber for women with GDM dramatically reduced the number needing for insulin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One dietary strategy aimed at improving both diabetes control and control of cardiovascular risk factors is the use of low glycemic index diets. These diets have been reported to be beneficial in controlling diabetes, and also increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lower serum triglyceride, and reduce glycated protein. Aim: Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of a low glycemic index-low glycemic load (GL = 67-77) diet on lipids and blood glucose of poorly controlled diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: In an intervention study, 100 poorly controlled diabetic patients (age 52.8 ± 4.5 years) who were taking insulin or on oral medication underwent administration of low GL diet (GL = 67-77; energy = 1800--2200 kcal, total fat = 36%, fat derived from olive oil and nuts 15%, carbohydrate = 41%, protein = 22%) for 10 weeks. Patients were recommended to follow their regular lifestyle. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), HDL, triglyceride, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), weight, and body mass index (BMI) were measured before and 10 weeks after the intervention. Results: Before intervention, initial blood cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were 205.9 ± 21.6 and 181.5 ± 22.2, respectively, and were reduced to 182.6 ± 18.2 and 161.6 ± 16.7, respectively, after 10 weeks intervention (P < 0.001). LDL reduced and HDL increased significantly. The HbA1c percentage reduced by 12% (from 8.85 ± 0.22% to 7.81 ± 0.27%) (P < 0.001), and also their weight significantly reduced from 74.0 ± 5 kg to 70.7 ± 4.6 kg (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that low GL diet having lower carbohydrate amount and higher fat content is an appropriate strategy in blood lipid and glucose response control of poorly controlled diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consuming fruits and vegetables as low glycemic index (GI) foods are recommended in the weight loss and also diabetic management. Recognition of GI of fruits in different regions enables us to develop and cultivate low GI fruits. To determine the GI of variety of fruits which are exportable in Iran, groups of 8 healthy nondiabetics male volunteers aged 20-28 within School of Medicine, randomly assigned to each of fruits including: apricots, prunes, cherries, bluberries, Golab apples, Green apples, Golden no-seed grapes and Red sultanas. GIs were calculated as the ratios of the incremental areas under these response curves to those for glucose ingestion. GIs of fruits were compared using repeated measure ANOVA and a test of within subjects contrast to compare the mean GI of certain tested fruits. Mean GI of variety of fruits were 39 ± 5, 41 ± 6, 50 ± 6, 34 ± 7, 29 ± 4, 28 ± 6, 48 ± 6, 49 ± 7 respectively for Golab apple, Green apple, apricots, prunes, cherries, blueberries, Golden no-seed grapes and Red sultanas. The GIs were significantly different between the 8 tested fruits (P > 0.002 for overall effect). Serving size of blueberries, cherries, Golab apples, Green apples, prunes, and apricots were low glycemic load (GL) fruits while golden no-seed grapes considered medium (GL= 13) and Red sultans with GL = 23 had the highest GL among tested fruits. All tested fruits were low GIs. The tested fruits can be recommended for diabetics and weight loss management. Consumption of one serving size sultanas will have high GL and is not suitable for diabetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein Dr Atkins weight-reduction diet is popular worldwide. In addition to evidence of short-term efficacy for weight reduction, there are consistently reported side effects including constipation, halitosis, headache and fatigue. We examined the effect of the Atkins diet compared to a control mixed diet on sleepiness, mood, fatigue and related symptoms. Fourteen, healthy subjects (18-35 y, BMI= 23.2 ± 1.9 kg.m-2) were maintained on a control diet followed by the Atkins diet for 48 h. Subjects' daytime mood, fatigue intensity and sleepiness on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were assessed before the evening test meals. Symptoms that developed during the Atkins diet were scored using a modified Atkins diet symptom questionnaire. The number of subjects with dream recall was recorded on awakening after each polysomnographic night. Subjects developed ketosis and mild hypoglycemia 48 h after consuming the Atkins diet with significant increase in daytime symptoms of fatigue, sleepiness, depressed mood and impaired cognition. The findings indicate that macronutrients in food can significantly influence behavioral symptoms and dream recall in response to resultant biochemical changes. Thus mild hypoglycemia resulting from the diet may mediate the subjective responses of daytime sleepiness, depressed mood and intense fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of ethyl acetate extract of S. striata on pro-inflammatory production by macrophages. Methods: Mouse peritoneal macrophages were cultured in solvent either alone or with 2 μg/ml lipopolysaccaride (LPS) with/without different doses of ethyl acetate extract of S. striata. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor - α (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were examined using ELISA. Results: Ethyl acetate fraction of S. striata in doses of 10, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, TNF-a, and PGE2) production by LPS stimulated peritoneal macrophages. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory effect of the extract on pro-inflammatory cytokines may ameliorate inflammatory diseases, possibly via an immunomodulatory mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In order to detect nephropathy, measurement of total (24 hrs) urinary albumin or albumin/creatinin ratio in random urine samples is being recommended. But methods of albumin measurement are not available in all laboratories and also cost about 6 times more than that of urinary total protein measurement., Objectives: This Study was performed to determine appropriate cut off point in 24 hours urine total protein to diagnose micro- and macroalbuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus., Patients and Methods: In this study, 204 patients with diabetes mellitus type I and II were selected. In collected 24 hours urine from patients, protein and albumin were measured by using Pyrogallol and Immunoturbidimetry methods, respectively., Results: Normoalbuminuri (albumin < 30 mg/24 hrs urine), microalbuminuri (albumin = 30-300 mg/24 hrs urine), and macroalbuminuri (albumin > 300 mg/24 hrs urine) were detected in 130, 51, and 23 patients, respectively. In 24 hrs urine collections, amounts of protein and albumin were compared to calculate cut off point of exerted protein for nephropathy diagnosis. cut off point of 73 mg/day for urinary total protein had appropriate sensitivity (94.5 %, CI = 91.4 % -97.6 %) and specificity (77.9 %, CI = 72.8 % -82.9 %) for microalbuminuria, while cut off point of 514 mg/day (sensitivity 95.7 %; specificity 98.9 %) was detected for diagnosis macroalbuminuria. Urine protein exertion of 150 mg/day that is currently considered as a normal value in most laboratory kits had a sensitivity of 73.1 % by which 30 % of microalbuminuric cases remained undiagnosed., Conclusions: Urinary total protein cut-off points of 73 mg/day and 514 mg/day were diagnostic for micro- and macroalbuminuria, respectively.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of high and low glycaemic index drinks on children's sleep pattern., Methods: Eight children underwent 3 nights of full polysomnography study, one familiarization and two test nights consecutively. On the test nights, 1 hour before bedtime, the children had a milk drink of either low or high GI in a random order. The glycaemic loads (GL) were 7.4 and 52.8 for low and high GI drink respectively., Results: The mean of total arousal index in the first half of night after the high GI was greater than that of low GI drink. (12.9 +/- 4.6 vs. 9.9 +/- 2.2, P = 0.03). NREM arousal index in the first half of night after the high GI was also higher than that of low GI drink. (12.7 +/- 4.8 vs. 9.6 +/- 2.3, P = 0.05). Other sleep parameters did not show any significant difference in low GI and high GI diets., Conclusion: NREM and total arousal indices were higher in those who consumed high GI drinks compared with low GI, one hour before sleep. It seems that the high quantity consumption of carbohydrates close to the bedtime is accompanied by frequent arousals and may affect the sleep quality.