Shonaz Ahmadi Khatir; Ayatollah Bayatian; Abolfazl Barzegari; Neda Roshanravan; Abdolrasoul Safaiyan; Graciela Pavon- Djavid; Alireza Ostadrahimi
Volume 20, Issue 10 , 2018, Pages 1-11
Abstract
Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous gene expression regulators, which are involved in the physiopathology of dis- eases, and potentially make biomarkers in diseases, such as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).Objectives: Since miR-21 is a robust regulator in plaque formation, this study aimed at ...
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Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous gene expression regulators, which are involved in the physiopathology of dis- eases, and potentially make biomarkers in diseases, such as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).Objectives: Since miR-21 is a robust regulator in plaque formation, this study aimed at identifying the effect of saffron as a functional food and traditional food additive antioxidant in fighting against the progress of atherosclerosis, by modulation of miR-21, as a new circulating marker of inflammation. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 63 subjects with atherosclerosis were recruited from Emam Sajjad Hospi- tal, Valiasr Hospital, and Zafaranieyh Clinic in Tehran, Iran, and divided randomly to two groups. They received 100 mg/d saffron ora placebo capsule for six weeks. The expression levels of miR-21 were quantified by real-time quantitative-PCR (RT-qPCR) in the blood of patients. Furthermore, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and anthropometric index of participants were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the expression level of miR-21 between atherosclerosis patients, who received placebo, and those, who consumed saffron (P value = 0.02). Moreover, a significant decrease was seen in hip circumference after saffron supplementation (P = 0.049, P = 0.006). Nevertheless, consumption of saffron did not significantly influence other anthropometric indexes and blood biochemical parameters, such as FBS and lipid profile. Conclusions: In the
Seyed Haydeh Mousavi; Seyfeddin Mehrara; Abolfazl Barzegari; Alireza Ostadrahimi
Volume 20, Issue 4 , 2018, Pages 1-6
Abstract
Background: The correlation between gut microbiota with body mass index is controversial. This study aimed to explore the corre- lation between gut microbiota profiles, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, with a body mass index in 7 - 12- year- old school aged children, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional ...
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Background: The correlation between gut microbiota with body mass index is controversial. This study aimed to explore the corre- lation between gut microbiota profiles, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, with a body mass index in 7 - 12- year- old school aged children, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on school-age children. A total of 188 elementary school children were selected through cluster sampling frame. Data collection tool was the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), therefore, we checked the anthropometric characteristics. Fecal sampling was obtained from all study samples, Langround, Iran. Obese (BMI = 25.8 ± 3.40 kg/m2), normal-weight (BMI = 15.54 ± 1.19 kg/m2), and lean (BMI = 12.79 ± 1.8 kg/m2) among Langroud children aged 7 - 12 years. The total stool bacterial genomic DNA was extracted by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) to determine the colony forming units (CFU) of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Q_PCR data were analyzed by using SPSS version 19.0, and analyzed interpretedstatistical exams such as Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Kruskal Wallis test. Since data was not normal, P <0.05 was set as a significant level. Results: Gut microbiota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes CFU, and so bact/firm ratio were significantly different among the three group fecal samples (P < 0.0001, P = 0.025, P = 0.004). Bacteroidetes and bact/firm ratio had a significant difference among girls (P = 0.037, P = 0 0013); however, there is no significant difference among boys. The results indicate that there is a significant negative correlation between bact/firm ratio with BMI and waist circumference (r = -176, P = 0.016, r = -151, P = -0.3). Conclusions: The amount of Bacteroidetes and so bact/firm ratio were decreased among obese children; however; Firmicutes in- creased. It was suggested that obesity in children might be associated with the imbalance of gut microbes.
Elnaz Faramarzi; Alireza Ostadrahimi; Zeinab Nikniaz; Mohamad Asgari Jafarabadi; Ali Fakhari; Mohammadhossein Somi
Volume 20, Issue 3 , 2018, Pages 1-7
Abstract
Background: Identification of reliable predictors of hypertension and prehypertension in each population is essential for early detection of at-risk people and also planning preventive strategies. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the abilities of different indices of general and central ...
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Background: Identification of reliable predictors of hypertension and prehypertension in each population is essential for early detection of at-risk people and also planning preventive strategies. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the abilities of different indices of general and central obesity in the prediction of incident prehypertension and hypertension in a large population-based study in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the anthropometric and blood pressure measurements in 10,137 subjects (35 - 70 years) from Azar- Cohort study, north-west of Iran. Blood pressure was measured twice, with 10 minutes apart, from both upper extremities. Height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences measured according to the NIH guidelines. Hypertension considered as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or current use of antihypertensive medication for manage- ment of hypertension. Results: The mean BMI (kg/m2), WC (cm), waist- to- hip ratio (WHR), and waist- to- height ratio (WHtR) were 28.75 ± 4.83, 94.69 ± 11.23, 0.90 ± 0.07, and 0.58 ± 0.07, respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension were 16.3% and 23.3%, respectively. There was a significant association between prehypertension and hypertension with all included anthropometric indices in both men and women (All P < 0.001). In men, obesity increased the risk of prehypertension and hypertension by 3.13 (95% CI: 2.48 - 3.94) and 4.06 (95% CI: 3.23 - 5.10), respectively. In women with WHtR > 0.5 cm, the risk of hypertension increased by 6.27 (95% CI: 4.39 - 8.95) times. Conclusions: According to the result of this large population-based study, BMI is the best predictor of prehypertension and hyper-tension in men and also the waist- to- hip ratio combined with BMI were the best predictors of prehypertension and hypertension in women. These findings may have significant implications in using the most useful screening index for predicting hypertension in Iranian adults and also using waist- to- hip ratio for early detection of pre-hypertension
Nasim Abedimanesh; Alireza Ostadrahimi; S Zahra Bathaie; Saeed Abedimanesh; Behrooz Motlagh; Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi
Volume 19, Issue 9 , September 2017, , Pages 1-8
Abstract
Background: Depression and sexual problems are common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and can influence their quality of life.Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of saffron and its main constituent, crocin, in improving mental and sexual health and ultimately ...
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Background: Depression and sexual problems are common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and can influence their quality of life.Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of saffron and its main constituent, crocin, in improving mental and sexual health and ultimately quality of life in CAD patients.Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was carried out during 8 weeks in 3 groups, including 1 placebo and 2 intervention groups. The study sample included 58 CAD patients within the age range of 40 - 65 years, referred to Shahid Madani cardiovascular hospital, Tabriz, Iran, from April 2015 to November 2016. The intervention groups received saffron aqueous extract (SAE; 30 mg; n, 20) or crocin (30 mg; n, 19). All the groups completed the demographic questionnaire, Beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II), Hulbert index of sexual desire (HISD), and MacNew health-related quality of life questionnaire.Results: The BDI-II score significantly decreased in the SAE (pre- and post test scores, 26.10 ± 11.98 and 21.05 ± 9.93, respectively) and crocin (pre- and post test scores, 27.89 ± 8.46 and 22.68 ± 8.01, respectively) groups (P < 0.001). After adjustments for age, sex, and diagnosis time, similar results were obtained. There was no significant difference between the crocin and SAE groups in terms of total BDI-II score at the end of the study (P = 0.999). SAE and crocin had no significant effects on HISD scores (P = 0.148 and 0.317, respectively). However, they could significantly improve the total quality of life and its subscales (P < 0.001).Conclusions: SAE and crocin could improve depression and health-related quality of life in patients with CAD, whereas they had no significant effects on sexual desire.
Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili; Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh; Ahad Farshbaf-Khalili; Fatemeh Mohammadi; Alireza Ostadrahimi
Volume 19, Issue 1 , January 2017, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fish oil supplementation on antenatal and postpartum depression score.Methods: This was a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. We enrolled 150 eligible pregnant women with Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) score ...
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Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fish oil supplementation on antenatal and postpartum depression score.Methods: This was a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. We enrolled 150 eligible pregnant women with Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) score of less than 20, aged 18 to 35 from Feburary 2014 to April 2015 in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1000 mg of fish oil supplements or placebo from 16 - 20 weeks of gestation to one month after giving birth. Participants completed the EPDS at baseline, 26 - 30 weeks, 35 - 37 weeks, and 30 - 45 days after birth. Primary outcome measures were the mean depression score at 26 - 30 weeks, 35-37 weeks, and postpartum period. The statistical analysis was intent-to-treat.Results: A total of 150 females were included, and no one was lost to follow up. There were significant differences between the two groups in the mean score of depression only at 35 - 37 (adjusted mean difference = -1.4; [95% CI -2.6 to -0.25]). The mean score of depression during pregnancy and postpartum period significantly decreased within the fish oil group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the baseline docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaneoic acid (EPA) serum levels.Conclusions: Fish oil supplements significantly decreased the mean score of EPDS at weeks 35 to 37. It seems that females may benefit from daily fish oil supplements during pregnancy especially in countries with low intake of fish yet further studies are needed to confirm these results.
