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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have both anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects through inducing the expression and production of adipokines. Adipokines such as apelin, have been observed to play a protective role in the incidence and progression of CVD. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on the serum apelin levels in patients with cardiovascular disease.Forty-six male patients with CVD participated in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups receiving either omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo. Participants received 4 g of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA: 720 mg, DHA: 480 mg) or a placebo (edible paraffin) for 8 weeks. Serum apelin levels, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipid profiles were measured. Dietary intake, anthropometric parameters, body composition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were evaluated before and after the 8 weeks of intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.Two participants from the placebo group withdrew from the study. Prior to the intervention, no significant differences were present between the two groups in age, body mass index, body composition, dietary intakes, lipid profiles and blood pressure. Compared to placebo, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids increased serum apelin levels (p= 0.018), decreased the levels of LDL cholesterol, and decreased serum hs-CRP concentrations (p= 0.007, p= 0.011 respectively). Additionally, the concentrations of VLDL, TG and hs-CRP (p= 0.037, p= 0.037 and p= 0.016 respectively) declined compared to baseline and final values in the omega-3 fatty acids group.Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increases serum apelin and HDL concentrations, while decreasing serum LDL-C and hs-CRP levels.

Background: Omega 3 and vitamin E are two critical nutrients which include beneficial effects in coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of omega 3 alone supplementation or in combination with vitamin E on serum glucose and lipid levels and insulin resistance in CAD patients. Methods: Participants of this clinical trial included 60 male patients with CAD who selected from Tehran Heart Center in Tehran, Iran in 2014. They received 4 g/day omega 3 plus 400 IU/day vitamin E (OE), 4 g/day omega 3 with vitamin E placebo (OP), or omega 3 and vitamin E placebo (PP) for two months. Serum glucose, lipids and insulin were assessed and HOMA-IR was calculated before and after the trial and effects of these nutrients on the highlighted parameters were compared within the study groups. Results: Serum glucose level increased significantly in OP group (P=0.004), but not in OE group. OE and OP groups showed a significant decrease in fasting serum TG (P=0.020 and P=0.001, respectively). Serum insulin and HOMA-IR decreased significantly in OE group (P=0.044 and P=0.039, respectively) but did not change significantly in OP group. Conclusion: Although, omega 3 supplementation may include adverse effects on serum glucose level, co-administration of omega 3 and vitamin E can beneficially decrease serum insulin and insulin resistance in CAD patients.

"nBackground: Many studies have investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species in the etiology and patho­gene­sis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to investigate the activities of some antioxidants in RA patients."nMethods: In this case-control study, 59 RA patients and 60 healthy sex and age-matched controls were selected. Vitamin E and Beta-carotene were determined using HPLC. Erythrocytes glutathione reductase (GR) activity was meas­ured spec­trophotometrically, and malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined by colorimetric method. Aryles­terase activity (AEA) was measured by Phenylacetate. The clinical data were determined by a rheumatologist, medical history and filling the questionnaire by interview. Statistical analyses were carried out using the SPSS software."nResults: In patients with RA, serum MDA level was significantly higher and plasma concentration of vitamin E, Beta-carotene and GR activity, were significantly lower than healthy control (P

BACKGROUND: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the principal ω-3 fatty acids in marine oils. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c and some of the plasma lipids and lipoproteins has been negatively related to the intake of ω-3 fatty acids and ascorbic acid, in some studies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of EPA and/or vitamin C on glycemic indices, blood pressure, and plasma lipids in type 2 diabetic Iranian males. METHODS: Sixty five men with type 2 diabetes were enrolled into the study between April 2 and June 27, 2008. Venous blood samples were obtained from all participants after 10 hours of fasting, at the baseline and after the intervention. Subjects received 500 mg EPA and/or 200 mg vitamin C and/or placebo depending on their groups. For eight weeks, 15 participants received EPA supplements with vitamin C (group 1), 16 took EPA supplements and vitamin C placebo (group 2), 17 took EPA placebo and vitamin C (group 3), and 17 received EPA placebo and vitamin C placebo (group 4), daily. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in FBS, HbA1C, LDL-C and TG in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 (p < 0.01), but significant decreases in TC were shown only in groups 1, 2 and 3 (p < 0.01). There was a significant increase in HDL-C in all groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, it is concluded that, eight weeks of taking EPA + vitamin C supplementation improved the plasma levels of cardiovascular markers but didn’t reduce BP.

Background: Few studies that have investigated hypertension have considered a state of oxidative stress that can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and other hypertension induced organ damage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre-hypertension and hypertension status is associated with activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in a random sample of cardiovascular disease-free women. Methods: In this case-control study, 53 pre-hypertensive women, 32 hypertensive women and 75 healthy controls were included. General information was gathered using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were measured for each subject. Venous blood samples were drawn from subjects and plasma was separated. Activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were also evaluated by measuring activities of copper zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) in selected subjects. Results: Fifty-three (33.1%) and 32 (20%) participants were pre-hypertensive and hypertensive, respectively. The hypertensive and pre-hypertensive women had lower CuZn-SOD (p < 0.001) and GPX (p < 0.01) activities compared to normotensives. Furthermore, hypertensive women had lower CAT activity compared to pre-hypertensive and normotensive women (p < 0.001). Moreover, significant differences were also observed between hypertensive and pre-hypertensive women in erythrocyte CAT activity (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The present findings show that activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes decrease in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive women, which may eventually lead to atherosclerosis and other high blood pressure related health problems.

Background: Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic protein that has a protective effect against athero­sclero­sis and diabetes. It is exclusively secreted by adipose tissue. Serum adiponectin levels are inversely associated with pa­rame­ters of overall adiposity including body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and percentage of body fat. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 76 women we sought to evaluate if adiponectin is associated primarily with central adi­pos­ity rather than overall adiposity. We also assessed adiponectin changes after weight loss in a subgroup of 42 obese sub­jects.Results: Waist to hip ratio (WHR), an index of central obesity, was the only variable independently associated to adi­ponectin (Beta= 0.25, P< 0.05). A mean increase of 8.2±24.2% in adiponectin concentration was observed in response to the dietary restriction and weight loss (P= 0.03). Our findings provide evidence for association of serum adiponectin level with visceral fat, represented by waist to hip ratio index.Conclusion: Moderate weight loss result in significant improvements in adiponectin concentration and provide another bio­logi­cal explanation for the beneficial effect of body weight loss on reducing cardiovascular and diabetes risks in obese pa­tients.

The human erythrocyte is a rich raw material for the purification of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD). We applied a simple and rapid procedure for the purification of SOD from human erythrocytes by ion exchange chromatography. The purified SOD had a specific activity of 2285.6 u/mg protein and gave a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and each of its to subunit has a molecular weight about 18600 daltons (SOD molecular weight is 37200 daltons).The physicochemical properties of the enzyme obtained by this method are identical to those of the native protein.This procedure appears, therefore, to be a convenient and easily method for isolating this enzyme.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in diabetes type 2 and this vitamin may be related to insulin action. This randomized controlled trial study was done to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glucose control and insulin resistance in patients with diabetes type 2. Methods: Participants of this randomized clinical trial study consisted of 28 patients with type 2 diabetes who received 100 microgram (4000 IU) vitamin D and 30 diabetic patients who received placebo for 2 months between September 2012 and February 2013. The effect of vitamin D on glucose control was assessed by measuring HbA1c and insulin resistance as HOMA-IR at the baseline and the end of the intervention. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in HbA1c (from 7.29 ± 0.22 % to 6.76 ± 0.18 %, P

Background Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disorder of the skin or mucosa. Since low vitamin D status has been linked to many immune disorders, we designed this study to compare the vitamin D status in PV patients with healthy controls. Methods In this case-control study, vitamin D status of 32 newly diagnosed PV patients was compared with 36 healthy control subjects. All patients were selected from the specialized dermatology departments of Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in a 2-year period (2009–2010). The severity of the disease was estimated according to Harman’s scores. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D was measured by Roche Elecsys System. Data were analyzed by independent t-test. Results Both groups were similar based on sex, age and body mass index. The mean duration of disease was 5.57±0.93 months. The mean oral and skin severities were 1.81±0.20 and 2.31±0.17 respectively, based on Harman’s scores. Serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in PV patients compared to controls (-8.90; 95% CI, 2.29-15.51 and P = 0.009). There was a negative correlation between vitamin D level and the oral severity of disease (r = -0.39 and P = 0.02). Conclusion PV patients had significantly lower serum level of 25(OH)D compared to healthy subjects which might contribute to worsen the disease. These data indicate the importance of improving vitamin D level in pemphigus patients.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris is a life threatening, blistering skin disease. It is an autoimmune abnormality. Due to involvement of oral cavity and pharynx, patients are at risk of nutrients deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of selenium, copper, and zinc in these patients. Methods: In a case-control study, 43 newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris patients were compared with 58 healthy people from 2009 to 2010. The severity of the disease was estimated according to Harman’s scores. Serum selenium was measured with atomic absorption but serum zinc and copper concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically. Data were compared with independent t test. Correlations were evaluated by Pearson correlation test. Results: Both groups were the same based on sex, age, and weight and body mass index. The mean duration of disease was 5.6 month. The oral and skin severities were 1.79 and 2.3 respectively, based on Harman’s scores. Serum selenium of pemphigus patients was significantly less than that of healthy people (P

Background: This study aimed to determine red blood cell (RBC) and serum folate and vitamin B12 levels as well as their intake in schizophrenic patients. Methods: The folate and cobalamin status of 60 schizophrenic patients (15-55 years) was compared to 60 matched healthy controls using Radio Isotope Dilution Assay (RIDA). Results: Serum and RBC folate in schizophrenic patients was significantly lower than the control group. Mean serum cobalamin levels in the schizophrenic group were higher than controls. Conclusions: This study showed that folate deficiency is common in schizophrenic patients; therefore, it is important to pay attention to folate levels in these patients.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The role of obesity in diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, colon cancer, sudden death and other cardiovascular diseases has been confirmed by many studies. In this study, it was hypothesized that obesity is an independent risk factor for lipid peroxidation and decreased activity of cytoprotective enzymes in humans. methods: To test the study hypothesis, we assessed lipid peroxidation by measuring the concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) in 25 obese women (BMI=30-40 Kg/m2) and 25 women with healthy BMI (19-25Kg/m2). results: The concentration of plasma MDA was significantly higher (P CONCLUSIONS: From these observations, it is concluded that obesity even in the absence of smoking, diabetes, renal or liver disease can decrease the activities of body’s protective antioxidants, and can enhance the systemic oxidative stress. Keywords: Obesity, Lipid peroxidation, Cytoprotective enzymes, Oxidative stress, Women.

"nIron is a pro-oxidant cofactor that may be linked to atherosclerosis progression. Free iron catalyzes the generation of free radicals and free radicals promote the oxidation of lipids. Reduction of body iron stores secondary to blood donation has been hypothesized to reduce lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between blood donation and antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA). We investigated hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, MDA level, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the whole blood of 150 male volunteer blood donors aged from 30 to 60 years attending Tehran Blood Transfusion Center. Subjects were divided into 5 groups according to the frequency of blood donation per year. With increasing the number of blood donation in a year, the body iron stores, GPX activities and serum MDA were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) but SOD was significantly increased (P < 0.05). High-frequency blood donors had evidence of decreased body iron stores, decreased lipid peroxidation and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes when compared with low-frequency donors

Background: Increased level of serum homocysteine is one of the risk factor of atherosclerosis. Its production related in some sulfur amino acids such as methionine. Some important cofactors that are involved in metabolic pathways of this amino acid are folate and vitamin B12. We have assessed the status of methionine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 in some coronary atherosclerotic male patients.Methods: In this case-control study, 46 cases of coronary atherosclerosis were selected from male patients aged 37 to 66 years undergoing coronary angiography. Of these, 21 had history of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in previous 3 to 36 months and 25 had angina pectoris. The controls were selected from male healthy volunteers. Inclusion criteria for all study participants required that they had no history of diabetes, hypertension, renal, hepatic, or gastrointestinal dis­ease, endocrinal disorders, or psychiatric illness. Nutritional status was assessed using biochemistry methods and estima­tion of nutrient intake. Serum methionine was determined by HPLC methods.Results: Mean serum levels of vitamin B12, and folate, also erythrocyte folate concentration are significantly lower in these patients than in control subjects, but not for methionine. The ratios of serum methionine to vitamin B12 and folate were higher in patients than controls. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, both, were higher in patients than controls.Conclusion: In summary, it is concluded that, despite normal level of serum methionine, coenzymes deficiencies may be one of the factors accounting for atherosclerosis.

Background: To assess the effect of supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation in strepto¬zotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Methods: Sixty four male wistar rats weighting 250g were divided into four groups as normal control, diabetic control, dia¬betic with vitamin A, E as well as C supplementation and diabetic with ω-3 fatty acids supplementation. After four weeks of treat¬ment the rats were anesthetized and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated in blood samples, liver and heart ho¬mogenate. Results: In diabetic rats MDA level in plasma, liver and heart was significantly more elevated than normal control rats (P< 0.05). Vitamin A, E and C supplementation caused significant decrease in plasma, liver and heart MDA (P< 0.05). A signifi¬cant decrease in heart MDA (P< 0.05) was observed in diabetic rats with ω-3 fatty acids supplementation. Conclusion: Supplementation of vitamin A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids was found to decrease lipid peroxidation to some ex¬tent in diabetic rats and they can be valuable candidates in the treatment of the complications of diabetes.

Antigenicity of proteins found in cow's milk is age dependent. This is primarily due to infants possessing a more permeable intestinal wall than that in adults. Thus infants may acquire cow's milk allergy during their first year of life. While milk antigen specific IgE may cause allergy in susceptible subjects, there is some evidence indicating that milk antigen specific IgG may play some role in chronic disease development. The puropose of this study was to determine the antigenicity of cow's milk proteins in two animal models and to recommend the more sensitivie one, as an evaluation tool, to assess the antigenicity of a poteintial hypoallergenic formula. A crude extract of cow's milk was injected either to young male rabbits or BALB/C mice in four doses. Pure standard proteins of cow's milk were also injected to separate groups of animals to use their anti sera in later stages. The polyclonal pooled serum was then used to evaluate the antigenicity of the extract by indirect enzyme-linked immunossorbeni assay (LEISA). and Western blotting. Both the rabbit and BALB/C murine mode! demonstrated strong ELISA titres against casein and BSA proteins. However, the rabbit model also had a high antibody response against beta-lactoglobulin (/Mg). The lowest antibody response was found against alpha-kictalbumin («-la) in both animal models and no response against immunoglobulins (Igs) in either model. In Western blotting, rabbit antiserum showed four bands («-la, /Mg, caseins and BSA) compared to two bands (caseins and BSA) for mouse antiserum. Considering the allergenicity of these proteins in genetically prone subjects, it may be wise to exclude food sources of caseins as well as major whey proteins (BSA), from the diet of infants with a family history of atopy during the first year of life. The rabbit hyperimmunization model was more sensitive than the murine mode! in detecting antibodies against milk proteins. Thus, the rabbii model should be employed when evaluating the antigenicity of a hydro lysate formula.