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Objective: Prolonged diabetes mellitus causes impairments of cognition and attentional dysfunctions. Diosgenin belongs to a group of steroidal saponins with reported anti-diabetic and numerous protective properties. This research aimed to assess the effect of diosgenin on beneficially ameliorating learning and memory decline in a rat model of type 1 diabetes caused by streptozotocin (STZ) and to explore its modes of action including involvement in oxidative stress and inflammation.Methods:Rats were assigned to one of four experimental groups, comprising control, control under treatment with diosgenin, diabetic, and diabetic under treatment with diosgenin. Diosgenin was given daily p.o. (40 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. Results: The administration of diosgenin to the diabetic group reduced the deficits of functional performance in behavioral tests, consisting of Y-maze, passive avoidance, radial arm maze, and novel object discrimination tasks (recognitive). Furthermore, diosgenin treatment attenuated hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity and malon­dialdehyde, along with improvement of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Meanwhile, the hippocampal levels of inflammatory indicators, namely interleukin 6, nuclear factor-κB, toll-like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor α, and astrocyte-specific biomarker glial fibrillary acidic protein, were lower and, on the other hand, tissue levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 were elevated upon diosgenin administration. Besides, the mushroom-like spines of the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 area decreased in the diabetic group, and this was alleviated following diosgenin medication. Conclusions: Taken together, diosgenin is capable of ameliorating cognitive deficits in STZ-diabetic animals, partly due to its amelioration of oxidative stress, inflammation, astrogliosis, and possibly improvement of cholinergic function in addition to its neuroprotective potential.

In this work, a quenching-free peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence method for ranking the antioxidant activity and determination of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic antioxidants is introduced. A highly fluorescent furan derivative, diethyl-2-(cyclohexylamino)-5-[(E)-2-phenyl-1-ethenyl]-3,4-furandicarboxylate, (L2), with protected functional groups is used as fluorophore to prevent the interaction between excited fluorophore and antioxidant molecule and hence, removing the quenching effect in the calculated antioxidant capacities. In addition, new aminophenol derivative, 4-(((2-amino-5-nitrophenyl)imino)methyl)-2-methoxy phenol, (MNMP), with strong antioxidant activity is introduced for inhibition of AAPH-induced membrane peroxidation of the red blood cells and determination of H2O2 in aqueous solutions. Based on the proposed method the ascorbic equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) values for ascorbic acid, MNMP, BHT and caffeine were found to be 1, 7.19, 23.10 and 30.54, respectively. The IC50 values for ascorbic acid, MNMP, BHT and caffeine were obtained as 2.96 × 10−5 M, 2.13 × 10−4 M, 6.86 × 10−4 M and 9.04 × 10−4 M, respectively. The obtained antioxidant activity order is in agreement with the structural interpretation of the interaction between antioxidants and dioxetanedione intermediates. The detection limits for determination of ascorbic acid, BHT, caffeine and H2O2 were 1.38 × 10−6 M, 1.25 × 10−6 M, 1.30 × 10−6 M and 1.32 × 10−5 M, respectively. The cytotoxicity experiments performed on the human fibroblast skin cells showed that MNMP has no toxic effects on the tested cells.

Objective Fatty acid composition of Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle is an effective factor in LDL oxidation and atherosclerotic plaques formation. This study evaluates the relationship between LDL fatty acid composition and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods 42 men with coronary artery disease (CAD-group) and 40 men without coronary artery disease (non-CAD-group) were selected. LDL fatty acid composition of blood samples was measured by gas chromatography. Results Ox-LDL was significantly high in CAD-group. Poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and PUFA/MUFA (Mono unsaturated fatty acids), linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were significantly higher in CAD-group than in non-CAD-group. In CAD-group, a reverse correlation was observed between oleic acid concentrations and ox-LDL levels and a direct correlation was seen between arachidonic acid concentrations and ox-LDL levels. Conclusion Composition of LDL is related to atherosclerosis and CAD. High levels of arachidonic and linoleic acids could increase LDL oxidation and atherosclerotic plaques formation. In addition, LDL arachidonic acid levels could be a better predictor of CAD.

Antioxidant and anti-glycation properties of essential oils from branchlets of male (BMT) and female (BFT) trees and fruits of Juniperus sabina were investigated. Essential oils were obtained using steam distillation method and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method. Antioxidant effects were evaluated using low-density lipoprotein oxidation, linoleic acid peroxidation and red blood cell hemolysis assays. Overall, all tested oils possessed antioxidant properties and showed different degrees of inhibitory activity. In addition, promising effects were observed from the tested oils against hemoglobin (39.7–79.6%) and insulin (56.9–89.2%) glycation. The observed effects were not found to be dependent on the essential oil concentration. These findings provide additional evidence with respect to the biological activities of essential oils and may serve as a base for future studies to investigate the potential benefits of J. sabina oils in the prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular dis...

Introduction. Cardioprotective effect of high density lipoprotein (HDL) is, in part, dependent on its related enzyme, paraoxonase 1 (PON1). Fatty acid composition of HDL could affect its size and structure. On the other hand, PON1 activity is directly related to the structure of HDL. This study was designed to investigate the association between serum PON1 activity and fatty acid composition of HDL in healthy men.Methods. One hundred and forty healthy men participated in this research. HDL was separated by sequential ultracentrifugation, and its fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography. PON1 activity was measured spectrophotometrically using paraxon as substrate.Results. Serum PON1 activity was directly correlated with the amount of stearic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). PON1/HDL-C was directly correlated with the amount of miristic acid, stearic acid, and DGLA and was inversely correlated with total amount ofω6 fatty acids of HDL.Conclusion. The fatty acid composition of HDL could affect the activity of its associated enzyme, PON1. As dietary fats are the major determinants of serum lipids and lipoprotein composition, consuming some special dietary fatty acids may improve the activity of PON1 and thereby have beneficial effects on health.

The prevalence of drug abuse has been reported to be up to 17.0% in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of two frequently abused substances—cannabis and opium—in samples of the young population in Isfahan, Iran. In a survey done from January 2005 to December 2006, 537 individuals aged 13–20 years were recruited using a multistage probability sampling method. Demographic and clinical data were recorded through face-to-face interviews, physical examinations, and reviews of the patients’ medical records by trained interviewers. Morphine and cannabis were detected by Enzyme–Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) on each blood sample. The rates of morphine and cannabis abuse were 2.2% and 3.2%, respectively. They were abused in 0.5% and 15.3% of cigarette smokers as well. Male-to-female ratio in addicts was 4:1, and the mean age of addicts was 17.54 ± 1.86 years old. There was a significant relationship between male gender and addiction (P = 0.002). The prevalence of substance abuse in ur...

The effect of chronic daidzein, a soybean isoflavone, on aortic reactivity of streptozotocin-diabetic rats was studied. Male diabetic rats received daidzein for 7 weeks a week after diabetes induction. Contractile responses to KCl and phenylephrine (PE) and relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) were obtained from aortic rings. Maximum contractile response of endothelium-intact rings to PE was significantly lower in daidzein-treated diabetic rats relative to untreated diabetic rats, and endothelium removal abolished this difference. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh was significantly higher in daidzein-treated diabetic rats as compared with diabetic rats and pretreatment of rings with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and/or indomethacin attenuated it. Two-month diabetes also resulted in an elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and daidzein treatment significantly reversed the increased MDA content and reduced activity of SOD. Therefore, chronic treatment of diabetic rats with daidzein could prevent some abnormal changes in vascular reactivity in diabetic rats through nitric oxide and prostaglandin-related pathways, and via attenuation of oxidative stress in aortic tissue and endothelium integrity seems essential for this effect.

The antioxidant effects of the essential oils from the fruit and leaves of Platycladus orientalis Franco (Cupressacae) were studied. Accordingly, their ability to inhibit (i) LDL oxidation, (ii) red blood cells hemolysis, (iii) insulin and hemoglobin glycosylation, and (iv) linoleic acid peroxidation were assessed. The results showed that (a) the antioxidant effect of the leaf oil was significantly higher than the fruit oil in all oxidative systems employed in the present investigation, except LDL oxidation, (b) a greater effect was observed in glycosylation system with more than 60% antioxidant properties, and (c) in linoleic acid peroxidation system, a greater antioxidant effect was observed after 2 h incubation (about 45%).

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is the most important underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which recently has been classified as an inflammatory disorder. Accumulation of large amounts of oxidized LDL in the intima during local inflammation reaction led to increase several factors such as C -reactive protein (CRP). It has also been reported that CRP is able to bind with modified forms of LDL as well as oxidized LDL. These findings suggest possible positive or negative involvement of this protein in atherogenesis. The main objective of the present study was to assess the influence of CRP on LDL oxidation and the possible physical \changes of LDL in the presence of CRP in vitro. METHODS: In this study, the susceptibility of purified LDL to oxidation was assayed by monitoring of formation of conjugated dienes in different physiological concentrations of CRP (0 - 0.5 -2 µg/ml) using a shimadzu spectrophotometer. Electrophoresis was used to determine the electrophoretic mobility of LDL in those conditions. RESULTS: CRP significantly reduced the susceptibility of Cu++ -induced LDL oxidation through increasing the lag timeand there was positive relationship between these findings and CRP concentration (P < 0.05). CRP caused a significant reduction in the electrophotretic mobility of LDL compared to native LDL (n-LDL) (P CONCLUSION: A considerable reduction was shown in LDL oxidation, in higher concentration of CRP, via an unknown mechanism. The electrophoretic mobility of LDL, in the oxidative condition, decreases in the presence of CRP compared to n-LDL, which can be indicative of the effect of this protein on the physical and chemical properties of LDL. It seems that, other pathway than LDL oxidation is responsible for the effect of CRP on the atherogenesis processes. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Creactive protein, Low-density lipoprotein, Inflammation. &nbsp

Background Smoking is one of most important problems of health situation in the entire world. Oxidant materials in cigarette have a positive role in increasing risk of atherosclerosis and other maleffects of such ingredients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of cigarette smoking on lipid peroxidation, values of HbA1C, quantitative CRP and conjugated CRP and conjugated dienes (CDs) in smoker and non-smoker men. Methods In this descriptive analytical study, fifty healthy male smokers and fifty male non-smokers were selected by a convenient sampling method. The smokers had history of at least 6 pack/year cigarette (about 10-20 cigarette/day) uses. Measurement of fasting plasma glucose, quantitative CRP, HbA1C, lipid peroxidants, conjugated dienes, cholesterol and triglyceride were done for all patients. Findings Study showed the values of the HbA1C, Lipid oxidants and CRP were significantly higher in the smokers than non-smokers. There was a positive relation between duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day and HbA1C. There was also correlation between fasting blood sugar and the number of smoked cigarette per day and this correlation was significant. Conclusion Our results confirm the effects of smoking on lipid oxidation, hemoglobulin glycation and CRP as possible contributor of atherosclerosis, although further studies are recommended to verify the exact mechanisms. Key words: Cigarette Smoking, Lipid peroxidation, HbA1C, CRP, Conjugated dienes

Objectives: The anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory nature of HDL is mainly associated with paraoxonase-1 (PON1). Previous studies have revealed an inverse correlation between Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and P ...

The Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme (IHHP) is a five to six year comprehensive integrated community-based programme for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) prevention and control via reducing CVD risk factors and improvement of cardiovascular healthy behaviour in a target population. IHHP started late in 1999 and will be finished in 2005-2006. A primary survey was done to collect baseline data from interventional (Isfahan and Najaf-Abad) and reference (Arak) communities. In a two-stage sampling method, we randomly selected 5 to 10 percent of households from randomly selected clusters. Then individuals aged > or = 19 years were selected for the survey. This way, data from 12,600 individuals (6300 in interventional counties and 6300 in the reference county) was collected and stratified according to living area (urban vs. rural) and different age and sex groups. The samples underwent a 30-minute interview to complete validated questionnaires containing questions on demography, socioeconomic status, smoking behaviour, physical activity, nutritional habits and other behaviour regarding CVD. Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) measurements were done and fasting blood samples were taken for two hours post load plasma glucose (2 hpp), serum (total, HDL and LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A twelve-lead electrocardiogram was recorded in all persons above 35 years of age. Community-wide surveillance of deaths, hospital discharges, myocardial infarction and stroke registry was carried out in the intervention and control areas. Four to five years of interventions based on different categories such as mass media, community partnerships, health system involvement and policy and legislation have started in the intervention area while Arak will be followed without intervention. Considering the results of the baseline surveys, (assessments needed, the objectives, existing resources and the possibility of national implementation) the interventions were planned. They were set based on specific target groups like school children, women, work-site, health personnel, high-risk persons, and community leaders were actively engaged as decision makers. A series of teams was arranged for planning and implementation of the intervention strategies. Monitoring will be done on small samples to assess the effect of different interventions in the intervention area. While four periodic surveys will be conducted on independent samples to assess health behaviours related to CVD risk factors in the intervention and reference areas, the original pre-intervention subjects aged more than 35 years will be followed in both areas to assess the individual effect of interventions and outcomes like sudden death, fatal and nonfatal MI and stroke. The whole baseline survey will be repeated on the original and an independent sample in both communities at the end of the study.

OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation levels and Na/K-ATPase activity in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) documented by coronary angiography. DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 144 patients who had undergone coronary angiography were divided into a CAD group (n=82) and a non-CAD group (control group, n=62) according to the results of coronary angiography. Lipid peroxide levels in plasma and the erythrocyte membrane were measured using a fluorimetric method. Total antioxidant status and Na/K-ATPase activity in plasma were determined using spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS Lipid peroxidation levels were significantly higher in the erythrocyte membrane of CAD patients compared with controls, whereas Na/K-ATPase activity was significantly lower in the erythrocyte membrane of CAD patients compared with controls. The coronary artery scores were correlated positively with membrane lipid peroxidation (r=0.324, P

The regulation of T helper (Th)1- and Th2-type cytokine patterns is important in the final outcome of leishmaniasis in human and murine models. We examined the efficacy of garlic therapy or a combination of garlic and an antimonial drug (glucantime) in promoting healing and regulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns in highly susceptible BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. Separate groups of infected mice received 20 mg/kg/day garlic, 60 mg/kg/day glucantime or a combination of the two, from day 30 after infection for 2 weeks. An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) was performed on spleen cell culture supernatants for interferon(IFN)-gamma interleukin(IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-10. The results indicate that garlic therapy is more effective than the usual antileishmanial drug in curing the infection. Garlic-treated mice developed Th1-type cytokine responses. In contrast, glucantime therapy led to a Th2-type response in the control group with a lower level of IL-2. However, a combination of garlic and glucantime treatment was more effective than either treatment alone, and resulted in a Th1-type response similar to that which developed with garlic treatment. These results suggest that garlic extract in combination with an antimonial drug, may provide effective therapy against L. major. The immunomodulatory properties of garlic were elucidated in terms of shifting the cytokine response to a Th1-type pattern and therefore causing the protective response.

Aim: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles are heterogeneous in their composition, structure and size and may differ in conferring protection against coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between HDL size and its fatty acid composition. Patients & methods: HDL mean particle size from 140 healthy men was detected by dynamic light scattering methodology and fatty acid composition of HDL was determined by gas chromatography. Results: HDL with smaller size had a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids and lower proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. HDL mean size indicated a negative correlation with palmitic acid (r = -0.17; p < 0.05) and a positive correlation with palmitoleic acid (r = 0.17; p < 0.05), oleic acid (r = 0.23; p < 0.01), arachidonic acid (r = 0.17; p < 0.05) and dihomogamalinoleic acid (r = -0.18; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Saturated fatty acids of HDL are inversely assocaited and unsaturated fatty acids are directly associated with HDL mean size.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-reported and serum cotinine based prevalence rates of smoking among Iranian men, women and adolescents. The study was carried out on 2626 men and women aged 19 years and above and 836 high school students aged 14-18 years, randomly selected from different clusters and schools in Isfahan. The WHO smoking standard questionnaire was completed for all samples and serum cotinine level was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography in 10% and 20% of the original adult and adolescent samples, respectively. The prevalence of self-reported smoking among Iranian men and women aged 19 years and above was 18.7% and 1.3%, respectively, compared to 21.2% and 6.7% based on serum cotinine level. Nearly 10.6% and 14.6% of claimed nonsmoker girls and boys were classified as current smokers by serum cotinine level. More than 80% of male smokers started the habit before the age of 20 years and the effect of smoker friends was the most important factor for smoking initiation among smokers. Using self-reported prevalence data for smoking among women or adolescents in special populations like Iranians can give invalid measurements, therefore, data based on biochemical tests are suggested.

Safe and effective antioxidants are regarded as a cornerstone for the prevention and treatment of several types of disorders.The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-glycation properties of branchlet and fruit oils of Cupressus sempervirens L. var. horizontalis (Mill.) Gord. (Cupressaceae).Essential oils were extracted from the branchlets and fruits of C. sempervirens var. horizontalis using the steam distillation method. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was employed for the compositional analysis of essential oils. In order to evaluate antioxidant activities of oils at different concentrations (180, 220 and 260 μg mL(-1)), linoleic acid peroxidation test and peroxyl radical mediated hemolysis of red blood cells (RBC) assay were used. Linoleic acid peroxidation was monitored for 4 h and determined during each hour of incubation. Antiglycation effects of oils at 200, 400 and 600 μg mL(-1) were assessed using hemoglobin and insulin glycation assays.Overall, 10 volatile components were identified, amounting for 88.2 and 93.2% of branchlet and fruit oils, respectively. α-Pinene and δ-3-carene were major components of both branchlet (46.2 and 22.7%) and fruit (59.2 and 14.9%) oils. Hemoglobin glycation was inhibited by both branchlet (44.8, 62.6 and 54.0% at 200, 400 and 600 μg mL(-1), respectively) and fruit (41.0, 62.8 and 48.5%) oils. As for the insulin glycation, inhibitory rates were 66.1, 69.2 and 73.8% for branchlet oil, and 80.0, 76.9 and 81.5% for fruit oil (at 200, 400 and 600 μg mL(-1), respectively). RBC hemolysis was also inhibited by both branchlet (49.9, 38.5 and 15.0% at 180, 220 and 260 μg mL(-1), respectively) and fruit (45.9, 38.6 and 25.0%) oil. Finally, the oils mitigated linoleic acid peroxidation which was peaked after 4 h for both branchlet (39.5, 35.6 and 53.4% at 180, 220 and 260 μg mL(-1), respectively) and fruit (47.5, 58.6 and 59.8%) oil.The present findings suggest that essential oils obtained from the branchlets and fruits of C. sempervirens var. horizontalis possess antioxidant and, in particular, antiglycation properties. These activities may find implication in the prevention of diabetic and cardiovascular complications. However, further investigations are required to justify the traditional medical applications of the plant.

The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of essential oils obtained from branchlets of male and female trees as well as fruits of Juniperus foetidissima Willd., Cupressaceae, from Iran. For this purpose, essential oils of J. foetidissima were phytochemically analyzed and different concentrations of them were tested in five oxidative systems: 1) low-density lipoprotein oxidation; 2) linoleic acid peroxidation; 3) red blood cell hemolysis; 4) hemoglobin glycation; and 5) insulin glycation assays. In all employed systems, antioxidant effects were observed from the three tested oils though in varying degrees. The most promising activities of the oils were observed against hemoglobin and insulin glycation. Antioxidant activities of the oils did not appear to be dose-dependent. In addition, no consistent superiority in antioxidant effects was observed from a single oil in different assays. In view of the current results, J. foetidissima branchlet and fruit oils could be regarded as effective natural products with anti-glycation activity.

INTRODUCTION: Female carpet-weavers are vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency due to cultural, occupational and economic reasons. This case-control study was conducted to compare the frequency coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors in relation with the serum vitamin D level in 260 female carpet-wearers and non-carpet-weavers in the villages across Isfahan Province in the centre of Iran. METHODS: All postmenopausal women aged over 50 were matched for cultural and socioeconomic status. The participants underwent clinical examinations. Blood samples were obtained and electrocardiography was performed. When necessary, echocardiography and exercise test were also administered to diagnose heart disease. Dietary intake of vitamin D was determined by completing a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A questionnaire obtaining personal data and length of daily exposure to sunlight was also completed. The existence of CAD was determined using standardized WHO Rose questionnaire and/or the Minnesota electrocardiography coding system. Blood lipids and vitamin D levels were measured using an ELAN-2000 auto analyzer and radioimmunoassay, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that only the frequency percentage of myocardial infarction (MI) in non-carpet-weavers was significantly higher than in female carpet weavers (P=0.001). The differences of age, serum vitamin D level, blood lipids, blood pressure and other variables were not significant (P>0.05). Neither was there any statistical association between serum vitamin D level and CAD risk factors, however, after adjustment for confounders (age, etc.), a direct relationship was observed between abdominal obesity as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (WHR>1) and serum vitamin D level (OR=0.99, P>0.05). Carpet weaving had no effect on CAD risk factors (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal no association between vitamin D and CAD. Further research is recommended into the possible relationship between CAD and vitamin D, as well as vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms responsible for genetic differences in vitamin D uptake by the bone. Keywords: Vitamin D, carpet-weaver women, coronary artery disease (CAD), risk factors, post-menopause, angina pectoris, ischemia, blood lipids, blood pressure, Iran.

BACKGROUND: The oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is believed to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Thus, measurement of plasma oxidized LDL (OX-LDL) is essential for atherosclerotic diseases, for investigating its relevance to atherosclerotic diseases. We aimed to assess the oxidized LDL in patients with coronary artery disease and correlation between serum oxidized low density lipoprotein and in vitro susceptibility of LDL to oxidation. METHODS: Subjects of the study were selected from patients who undergone angiography (42 patients with coronary artery disease and 40 controls without any evidence of CAD). The susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation was assessed with the addition of a Cuso4 solution. The lag time, propagation rate and maximal diene calculated from the oxidation curve. Biochemical factors (FBS, total cholesterol, TG, LDL, and HDL) were measured in these subjects. SPSS version 15.5 was used to analyze the data, P- value under 0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: The results indicated that the serum OX-LDL concentration was significantly elevated in CAD patients and the lag time was significantly shorter than controls (P < 0.05). These results clearly confirm that LDL from persons with CAD is more susceptible to oxidative modification in vitro than LDL from healthy subjects. The other measured biochemical factors were not significantly different between CAD patients and controls (P > 0.05). Correlation between serum OX-LDL and susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation did not show significant association (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: our findings suggest that a high OX-LDL concentration and a short LDL oxidation lag time might be independent risk factors for CAD. Keywords: OX-LDL; Lag time; Maximal Diene; Propagation Rate; Susceptibility. &nbsp

INTRODUCTION: Opioid peptides and exogenous opioids such as morphine have important effects on the cardiovascular system. Today, the opioid system is being considered as a therapeutic target receptor for reducing myocardial ischemia through inhibiting the G protein. Opioid addiction, on the other hand, is one of the major challenges facing humanity and the truth about the effects of opium use on the cardiovascular system is often misted by wrong beliefs. The effect of an exogenous opioid (morphine) on the development and progression of fatty streaks in hypercholesterolemic rabbits was investigated in this study. METHODS: The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (five in each group): normal, normal + morphine, high-cholesterol, and high-cholesterol + morphine. Biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde, triglyceride (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), quantitative chronic reactive protein (CRP), coagulation factor VII, fibrinogen, platelet count, RBC count, WBC count and hemoglobin were measured at the start and end of the study. Pathological studies were conducted on the right and left coronary arteries of the animals to look for evidence of fatty streak formation. RESULTS: The results showed that morphine administration along with a normal diet led to a significant increase in levels of cholesterol, coagulation factor VII, and fibrinogen, while enhancing fatty streak formation in the right and left coronary arteries (P CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that morphine use with both normal and hypercholesterolemic diet increases the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis, although it accelerates the development of early atherosclerotic lesions only when administered with normal diet. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Morphine, High Cholesterol Diet, Animal Study.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Peroxidation of blood lipoproteins is regarded as a key event in the development of atherosclerosis. Evidence suggests that oxidative modification of amino acids in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles leads to its convert into an atherogenic form, which is taken up by macrophages. Therefore the reduction of oxidative modification of lipoproteins by increasing plasma antioxidant capacity may prevent cardiovascular disease. methods: In this study, the antioxidant and anti-fatty streak effects of L-serine were investigated in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups which were fed high-cholesterol diet (hypercholesterolemic control group), high-cholesterol + L-serine diet (treatment group), and normal diet (control) for twelve weeks and then blood samples were obtained to measure plasma cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), antioxidant capacity (AC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and conjugated dienes (CDS). Right and left coronary arteries were also obtained for histological evaluation. results: No significant difference was observed in plasma cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL and CDS levels between treatment and hypercholesterolemic control groups (P>0.05). The levels of plasma MDA and AC were 0.29‌ µM and 56%, respectively in the treatment group which showed a significant change in comparison with hypercholesterolemic control groups (P CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that L-serine has antioxidant and anti-fatty streak effects without any influence on plasma lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, cholesterol, L-serine, antioxidant, lipids, fatty streak.

BACKGROUND: Dietary polyphenols have been shown to possess cardio protective effects. Recently, dietary citrus flavonoids have been associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease in epidemiological studies. So, this study was designed to determine the effects of Citrus limon Burm. f. juice and peel on cardiovascular risk factors in male rabbits with atherogenic diet. METHODS: Forty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups and treated 2 months as follows: 1: Hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD), 2 and 3: HCD + lemon juice (5cc daily) and lemon dried peel (1g daily), respectively and 4: normal diet. At the baseline and the end of the study in addition to weight, biochemical factors (FBS, TC, TG, ApoA1, ApoB100, LDL, HDL) were measured in the rabbits. Blood pressure measurements were conducted directly after the intervention. RESULTS: Compared with 4th group total cholesterol was significantly increased during the study in 3 first groups (p = 0.00). Results for HDL and LDL cholesterol were the same (p = 0.00). But compared with control group (first group), only LDL cholesterol mean value was significantly increased in group 2 (lemon juice consumer) after intervention (p Weight and FBS have not been significantly changed between the groups after interventions. Also, blood pressures did not show any significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that opposite to high amount of antioxidants in sore lemon, it not only was able to control the hyperlipidemic effects of an atherogenic diet but also increased serum LDL level and Apo B. But decision about antiatherogenic effect of this fruit, will be made after defining pathologic results. Keywords: lipid profile, risk factor, flavonoid, rabbit, atherogenic diet, blood pressure. &nbsp

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to develop reference data for the Iranian population for anthropometric values and cardiometabolic data in comparison with those in Americans, as representative of a Western population.DesignThe present cross-sectional survey, conducted as part of the baseline survey of a community-based interventional study (the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme), used a two-stage clustering design and was conducted in 12 600 randomly selected adults (≥19 years of age) and 2000 adolescents (aged 11–18 years) living in three cities in the central part of Iran. For comparison with a Western population, comparable data for Americans were derived from the data sets of the Second and Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES II and NHANES III).ResultsIranian women had significantly higher mean BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist:hip ratio (WHR) than Iranian men and American women; but the mean BMI of Iranian men was lower than that of American men. The mean serum TAG level of Iranian men was significantly higher than that of Iranian women, whereas the mean serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly higher in Iranian women than in men. The Iranian population had lower mean TC, LDL-C and TAG levels than the Americans, but such difference was not documented for HDL-C. Iranian adolescents had significantly lower mean BMI and higher mean TAG than did American adolescents.ConclusionsOur findings provide serious evidence for health professionals and policy makers about the very high prevalence of generalized and abdominal obesity in Iran. Controlling this emerging health problem, notably in women, should become a national priority in Iran and necessitates comprehensive public health programmes.

A multitude of factors are involved in regulating the blood coagulation homeostatic processes in the body, which may ultimately lead to thromboemboli and thrombosis. The resolution of blood clots after healing is as important as clot formation at the site of a vascular lesion. This is accomplished by fibrinolytic drugs such as streptokinase (SK) and urokinase.It must be noted that administration of SK may be accompanied by the lysis of blood clots in unwanted sites, and complications such as general lytic conditions, severe hemorrhaging, reduced serum fibrinogen and allergies can occur. Anti-SK antibodies neutralize the effects of SK. Studies on natural compounds and medicinal herbs with fewer side effects have been ongoing. In the present study, the fibrinolytic effect of Ginkgo biloba, an herb grown in Iran, was investigated.A polyphenolic method was used to obtain Ginkgo extract from its leaves. The fibrinolytic effects of SK (positive control) were compared with those of Ginkgo extract using a fluorometry method.In producing a labelled clot, fibrinogen was labelled with the fluorescent agent fluorescein isothiocyanate and precipitated in the presence of Ca(2+). SK (100 U/mL to 1000 U/mL) and Ginkgo extract were added to labelled fibrin in a plasma environment at dilutions of 1, 1:10, 1:100 and 1:1000 (volume/volume). The fluorescence of the solution was measured between 15 min and 60 min later.A linear relationship was observed between the fluorescence measured and SK concentrations ranging from 300 U/mL to 700 U/mL. Ginkgo extract displayed a remarkable effect in resolving the clot. As Ginkgo extract remained in the environment, fluorescence increased notably, showing a time-dependent relationship.Overall, the results indicate that the effects of Ginkgo extract on the fibrinolytic system are similar to those of SK; hence, this herbal extract can be used as a complement to or a substitute for SK. Additionally, it is proposed that the effects of the active ingredients of Ginkgo extract should be studied in animals. Further studies are warranted for evaluating the possible side effects and toxicity of Ginkgo extract in human subjects.

Phytoestrogens with a biological activity like estradiol are naturally found in many plants. This study was designed to investigate the effect of red clover, a phytoestrogen-rich member of the legume family (Trifolium pratense) on the development of atherosclerosis in male hyperlipidemic rabbits. Twenty rabbits were semi-randomly distributed into four groups of five each. Two groups received either normal diet or normal diet supplemented with red clover. Two other groups received similar diets to both of which 1% cholesterol was added. Dietary use of red clover (RC) in hyperlipidemic rabbits significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) whereas, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased in those animals (p < 0.05). Fatty streak formation was also significantly lower in aorta and left and right coronary arteries in the same animals due to use of dietary RC supplementation. These findings suggest that dietary RC may reduce cardiovascular risk factors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Extensive research has shown that a high plasma concentration and oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) has an important role in atherogenesis. The affinity of LDL to its classic receptor is reduced due to oxidation. Instead, it is taken up by scavenger molecules in macrophages, as a result of which foam cells are formed that have a major role in increasing the subendothelial fat layers of the blood vessels. In the present study the antioxidant effect of eight volatile compounds in plant essences, namely, anethol, eugenol, limonen, linalool, p-cymol, pulegon, thymol, and geraniol, and their effect on the affinities of intact and oxidized (with Cu(+2)) LDL for LDL receptor in sheep adrenal tissue cells in the presence of labeled LDL with fluorescein isothiocynate (FITC) were investigated. The results obtained show that eugenol and thymol have the highest antioxidant effect, on the uptake of LDL (intact and oxidized) by the adrenal cells. The order of the compounds studied with regard to their antioxidant effect on intact and oxidized LDL is as follows: On intact LDL: eugenol > or = thymol > linalool > p-cymol > limonen > geraniol > anethol; on oxidized LDL: thymol > or = eugenol > geraniol > p-cymol > linalool > pulegon. Our findings also show that the compounds, particularly thymol and eugenol, have an antioxidant property and can change the affinity of the LDL particles for the LDL receptor probably due to their lipophylic property. Further research may prove that these compounds can be used clinically, especially in atherosclerotic and hypercholesterolemic cases.

Non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins is the major cause of diabetic complications, such as cardiovascular disorders, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. It seems that protein glycosylation can be inhibited effectively by antioxidants. Several flavonoids, such as rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin, naringin, morin and biochanin A were selected to determine their antioxidant effects on in vitro insulin, hemoglobin and albumin glycosylation. The optimal glucose concentration and incubation time were obtained for each protein. Then, the inhibition percentage of protein glycosylation was measured in the presence of three different concentrations (0.5, 5, 10 microg/ml) of each flavonoids by a colorimetric method. The results demonstrated that biochanin A, the best inhibitor of insulin and hemoglobin glycosylation, inhibits their glycosylation 100% and 60%, respectively. Glycosylation of albumin was inhibited 100% by both biochanin A and apigenin. Therefore, it seems probable that plants containing flavonoids may have preventive effects in diabetic complications.

We have analyzed mtDNA HVI sequences and Y chromosome haplogroups based on 11 binary markers in 371 individuals, from 11 populations in the Caucasus and the neighbouring countries of Turkey and Iran. Y chromosome haplogroup diversity in the Caucasus was almost as high as in Central Asia and the Near East, and significantly higher than in Europe. More than 27% of the variance in Y-haplogroups can be attributed to differences between populations, whereas mtDNA showed much lower heterogeneity between populations (less then 5%), suggesting a strong influence of patrilocal social structure. Several groups from the highland region of the Caucasus exhibited low diversity and high differentiation for either or both genetic systems, reflecting enhanced genetic drift in these small, isolated populations. Overall, the Caucasus groups showed greater similarity with West Asian than with European groups for both genetic systems, although this similarity was much more pronounced for the Y chromosome than for mtDNA, suggesting that male-mediated migrations from West Asia have influenced the genetic structure of Caucasus populations.

The antioxidant effect of three different extracts of Morus nigra fruit (fruit juice, hydroalcoholic and polyphenolic) on haemoglobin glycosylation, peroxidative damage to human erythrocytes, liver hepatooytes of rats and human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were studied. The results show that all three extracts inhibited haemoglobin glycosylation induced by glucose to differing degrees. The haemolysis of human erythrocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide was also inhibited. The production of malondialdehyde (MDA) during peroxidative damage to plasma membranes of isolated rat hepatocytes induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH) was also inhibited. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation of LDL induced by copper (II) ion was achieved during the study. The results suggest that Morus nigra fruit has a protective action against peroxidative damage to biomembranes and biomolecules.

In vitro studies have demonstrated increased atherogenicity of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) compared to native LDL. Oxidative modification of LDL alters its structure allowing LDL to be taken up by scavenger receptors on macrophage, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells, leading to the formation of lipid-laden foam cells, the hallmark of early atherosclerotic lesions. The susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation was assessed essentially by the technique described by Esterbauer et al. LDL oxidation were monitored by change in 234-absorbance in the presence and absence of pure flavonoids. Morin, genistein, apigenin and biochanin A, naringin and quercetin were used at different concentration. These flavonoids significantly inhibit in vitro LDL oxidation, genistein, morin and naringin have stronger inhibitory activity against LDL oxidation than biochanin A or apigenin. This study show that flavonoids prevent in vitro LDL oxidation and probably would be important to prevent atherosclerosis.

Proposal: Studies of the potential effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on cardiovascular function have provided some evidence of a possible association. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) modifications are an early step in the promotion and progression of atherosclerosis; the most causes of death in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients .This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields on LDL physicochemical modifications. Methods: LDL was separated by sequential ultracentrifugation and its susceptibility to oxidation was evaluated by continuous monitoring of conjugated dienes formation, using a spectrophotometer. LDL size and zeta potential is determined by zetasizer instrument. Results: The results indicated that moderate ELF-EMFs of 2-4 mT can induce the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation and aggregation. Weak ELF-EMFs of 0.125-0.5 mT cause to decrease in LDL zeta potential in a time and dose dependent manner while in moderate ELF-EMFs of 1-4 mT LDL zeta potential was started to increase after the initial decrease at the first hour of exposure. Conclusions: With regard to the effects of ELF-EMFs on LDL oxidation and aggregation as two important modifications of LDL that involved in the promotion and progression of atherosclerosis, EMFs can be considered as a risk factor in CVD and atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidants play an important role in scavenging of free radicals and protection against degenerative diseases. Previous studies have reported high antioxidant activity in some amino acids. In this study, the effect of L- Arginine (L-Arg) on serum lipid levels and serum lipid peroxidation were investigated in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. METHODS: A number of 15 rabbits (0.5-1.5 kg) were randomly divided into three groups (n=5) fed high-cholesterol diet (hypercholesterolemic control group), high-cholesterol diet + L-Arg (treatment group), and normal diet (normal control) for twelve weeks and then blood samples were obtained at the end of the experiment to analysis of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), antioxidant capacity (AC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and conjugated diens (CDS). Antioxidant effects of L-Arg were investigated by use of erythrocyte and hepatocyte systems. FINDINGS: Significant differences were found in serum levels of TC, TG, LDL, AC, MDA, and CDs between L-Arg treatment group and hypercholesterolemic control group. HDL level in treatment group showed no significant difference in comparison to hypercholesterolemic control group. The results of In vitro studies also showed increasing L-Arg antioxidant effects with increasing its concentration and the most antioxidant capacity was seen in 250 µmol/L. This finding confirms the observed antioxidant effects of L-Arg in animal studies. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that L-Arg has reduced effect on serum lipid levels and antioxidant activity in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. KEY WORDS: Hypercholesterolemia, antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation, L-Arginine