A survey of the incidence of dyslipidemia and its components in people over 20 years old in Ahvaz: A cohort study 2009-2014

INTRODUCTION

Dyslipidemia is one of the major risk factors for atherosclerosis and the main cause of death in the developing and developed countries. In this cohort study, the incidence of dyslipidemia and its components have been studied among individuals over 20 years old in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Phase 1 of this study was conducted on the prevalence of Metabolic syndrome and its related factors by Diabetes Research Center in 2009. The target population included individuals over 20 years old who were selected using cluster sampling in Ahvaz health centers. In the second phase of the study, 5 years later in 2014, subjects were again recalled by health centers. Questionnaires, anthropometric indices and measurements were repeated similar to Phase 1. The blood sample was taken from everyone after 12h of fasting and then the factors (Chol, TG, HDL) were measured.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of dyslipidemia obtained 60.7% (males 56.7% and females 64.8%). lipid profile {HDL, Triglycerides and Cholesterol had changes in their means(a significant reduction in the mean about 10, 22.25 and 13 units respectively) between baseline and 5 years later. Waist circumference here associated with incidence of high LDL and high chol, also sex and High LDL 'educational level and daily consumption of vegetables were associated with incidence of low HDL and dyslipidemia respectively.

CONCLUSION

Age, educational level and daily intake of fruits and vegetables were effective variables on incidence of dyslipidemia. According to various studies, LDL and HDL levels in different regions of Iran, seems to be influenced by factors such as climate, nutrition and activity levels.

The effect of nitric oxide releasing cream on healing pressure ulcers

BACKGROUND

Pressure ulcer is one of the main concerns of nurses in medical centers around the world, which, if untreated, causes irreparable problems for patients. In recent years, nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed as an effective method for wound healing. This study was conducted to determine the effect of nitric oxide on pressure ulcer healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this clinical trial, 58 patients with pressure ulcer at hospitals affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences were homogenized and later divided randomly into two groups of treatment (nitric oxide cream; n = 29) and control (placebo cream; n = 29). In this research, the data collection tool was the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH). At the outset of the study (before using the cream), the patients' ulcers were examined weekly in terms of size, amount of exudates, and tissue type using the PUSH tool for 3 weeks. By integrating these three factors, wound healing was determined. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Although no significant difference was found in terms of the mean of score size, the amount of exudates, and the tissue type between the two groups, the mean of total score (healing) between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Nitric oxide cream seems to accelerate wound healing. Therefore, considering its easy availability and cost-effectiveness, it can be used for treating pressure ulcers in the future.

Prevalence, awareness and risk factors of diabetes in Ahvaz (South West of Iran)

INTRODUCTION

This study was designed to assess the prevalence of diabetes in people aged over 20 years in Ahvaz, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population was chosen by cluster sampling. A checklist included: age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, waist circumference, educational level, smoking status and previous history of diabetes was completed for each patient. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) ≥126mg/dl and/or oral hypoglycemic treatment and/or insulin consumption was defined as diabetes, FPG=100-125mg/dl as Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) and FPG <100mg/dl as normal.

RESULTS

Study population was 944 persons. Mean age of population was 42.2±14 years. Diabetes was detected in 15.1% of population. Only 40.4% of cases were aware of their disease. Diabetes was detected in 14.7% of female and 15.7% of male participants. Diabetes was related to age, waist circumference, family history of diabetes, hypertension, waist to hip ratio, educational level, marital status, serum triglyceride, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) in both genders. But by using logistic regression analysis, age, family history of diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and marital status had significant effect on diabetes.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that using FPG criteria or current medication 15.1% of this population had diabetes and about 60% of patients were unaware of their disease. Age, hypertension, family history of diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and marital status are the risk factors of diabetes in Ahvaz population. IFG have high prevalence and diabetes screening should be intensified in this population.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of zinc sulfate vs. placebo in the treatment of pruritus of hemodialytic patients: a pilot randomized, triple-blind study

AIM

Improvement of uremic pruritus has been reported under short-term administration of oral zinc sulfate. Objective of the study was to confirm efficacy and safety of oral zinc sulfate in pruritus of hemodialytic patients

METHODS

A pilot randomized, triple-blind study was conducted to evaluate the pruritus of hemodialytic patients. Forty eligible patients were screened and assigned to receive either zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) or matched placebo for a 4-week trial. Pruritus scale was evaluated at the initiation of the study and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the treatment. We used a modified score proposed by Duo assessing pruritus severity, distribution of pruritus, and frequency of pruritus-related sleep disturbance.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients completed the study. The mean pruritus score decreased in both groups during the first and the second weeks of trial; however, it was more prominent in zinc group than placebo one. In the zinc group, 4 (20%) patients showed pruritus discontinuation during treatment period whereas, in the placebo group, the number was only 1 (5%) patient. Nonetheless, T-test revealed no statistically significant difference between the zinc and placebo groups (P=0.88 and P=0.56, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated that oral zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) during four weeks treatment might be safe and effective in discontinuation of uremic pruritus, but it was not significant. This could be because of the small number of patients; therefore, we suggest conducting more studies with larger sample size.

Comparison of changes in postprandial serum leptin between healthy and type 2 diabetic individuals

INTRODUCTION

Leptin resistance may be intensified by insulin resistance. This vicious cycle between insulin resistance and leptin resistance may increase feelings of hunger and reduce energy expenditure and ultimately increase obesity. In this study, postprandial changes in leptin, insulin and glucose were compared between healthy subjects and patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

Six men with Type 2 DM and seven healthy men (matched for age and body mass index), after 12 hours of fasting, ate the same Iranian meal (chelo kebab kobibeh) consisting of 46% carbohydrate, 21% protein, 33% fat and 743 kcal energy. Blood samples were obtained before and 1, 2 and 4 hours after the meal, and serum leptin, insulin and glucose levels were measured. The area under incremental curve (AUIC) computed using the Trapezoidal method with fasting values was deducted from each time point, yielding net postprandial changes.

RESULTS

Leptin levels at the first hour were significantly reduced in both groups and then increased at the second and fourth hours after the meal, although not reaching fasting values in the diabetic group at the 4th hour. AUIC for leptin was significantly lower in the diabetic group (p = 0.023). Despite high levels before the meal, the early increase in insulin in the diabetic group was lower and declined more slowly than in the healthy group. The incremental area under the insulin curve was significantly lower in the control group than in the diabetic group (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

It appears that an increased leptin level two hours after the meal is due to increased serum insulin and glucose levels. Leptin AUIC after meals in people with Type 2 DM is lower than in healthy people and may be due to decreased responsiveness to insulin in adipocytes because of insulin resistance.

Prevalence of cryptosporidium infection in immunocompromised patients, in South-west of iran, 2009-10

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection by antigen detection in faeces among immunocompromised patients referred to educational hospitals of Ahvaz City, South-West of Iran, 2009-2010.

METHODS

Fecal samples from 176 immunocompromised patients were collected and Cryptosporidium coproantigen test was performed using ELISA method (DRG kit, Germany). A questionnaire was completed for each case and the results were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-Square tests, by SPSS statistical software (15(th) version).

RESULTS

Our study indicated 5.1% Cryptosporidium infection prevalence in the immunocompromised participated population. Furthermore, 4.2 %, 4 %, 4.5 % and 9.1 % infection rates were identified in children suffered from hematopoietic malignancy, adult cancer patients, renal transplant recipients, and HIV(+) cases, respectively. There was not significant correlation between the infection and age and gender (P>0.05). Infection was most frequent among HIV(+) patients.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirmed the high prevalence of Cryptosporidium antigen in fecal samples of immunocompromised patients in the region. As no chemotherapeutic agents have yet proven, especially in immunosuppressed patients, therefore our results highlight the importance of preventive intervention in these groups.

Apple cider vinegar attenuates lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats

In this study, the effect of apple cider vinegar on Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats was investigated. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats (300+/-30 g) by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg kg(-1) of body weight). Both normal and diabetic animals were fed with standard animal food containing apple cider vinegar (6% w/w) for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose did not change, while HbA1c significantly decreased by apple cider vinegar in diabetic group (p<0.05). In normal rats fed with vinegar, significant reduction of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) (p<0.005) and significant increase of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels (p<0.005) were observed. Apple cider vinegar also reduced serum triglyceride (TG) levels (p<0.005) and increased HDL-c (p<0.005) in diabetic animals. These results indicate that apple cider vinegar improved the serum lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats by decreasing serum TG, LDL-c and increasing serum HDL-c and may be of great value in managing the diabetic complications.

The genotoxicity study of garlic and pasipy herbal drops by peripheral blood micronucleus test

The in vivo rodent micronucleus test is widely used as a genotoxic assay to detect the clastogenic activity of chemicals. In this research the genotoxic effects of herbal drops of garlic and pasipy were evaluated using the micronucleus test. Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) was determined by a dose-response test. For each medicine three treatment groups were considered with doses of MTD, 1/2 MTD and 1/4 MTD according to the CSGMT protocol (1995 Japan). Drugs were administered orally to mice (test groups). Mitomicin C was used as a known genotoxic agent in positive control group. The peripheral blood samples before treatment (zero time samples) were considered as negative control. The appearance of a micronucleus is used as an index for genotoxic potential. The results obtained indicated that the herbal drops showed genotoxicity effect and it was dose-dependent compared to the negative control group. This genotoxicity was significant (p < 0.05) but the genotoxic effects of garlic and pasipy were "not significant" compared to the historical negative control group (p > 0.05). Therefore our results if compared to the negative control group is significant and it is worthy of consideration.