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Background and Aims: Researchers have recently considered the impact of herbal supplements combined with exercise on weight control. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Spirulina platensis green-blue algae consumption, and circuit resistance training (CRT) on lipid profile in overweight and obese middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: This was a single-blind, quasi-experimental, and applied study. The study population included 60 overweight and obese men in the age range of 30-55 years with a body mass index of more than 25 (kg/m2). The participants were purposefully selected and randomly divided into four groups of training plus spirulina (N=15); training plus placebo; spirulina; and Placebo. The intervention and placebo groups took two 500 mg spirulina capsules, and placebo capsules daily for eight weeks, respectively. The CRT was performed for eight weeks and three sessions per week based on a flexible timing pattern, with the observation of the principle of overload with rest intervals between stations and sets. Results: There was a significant difference between the study groups in terms of the levels of triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of the participants (P

Introduction: In type 1 and type 2 diabetes, oxidative stress increases in the body. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free oxygen radicals and the antioxidant defense in the body. Hyperglycemia elevated the level of glucose oxidation in the several ways that leads to more radical production. Levels of some pro-oxidants such as ferritin and homocytine increase in diabetes. The increaed production of free oxygen radicals play an important role in the induction of vascular damages in the diabetic patients. Materials ad Methods:. The population of this cross-sectional study was the selected diabetic patients referred to Diabetes Clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Blood samples were collected from 81 patients and 35 healthy subjects. Levels of hemocysteine and total antioxidant serum were measured by EIA and FRAP methods, respectively. Results: The mean of hemocystein for the neprhropathy patients was 13.8 ± 10.9, retinopathy patients; 11.7 ± 4.9, diabetic paitients;16.6 ± 9.5;control group; 13.2 ± 7.4, p= 0.153. The mean of antioxidant levels in the nephropathy, retinopathy, diabetic, and control groups were 848.9 ± 2.22, 860.8± 150.51, 812.1 ± 171, 986 ± 260 respectively, p= 0.007. The results showed that there is a statistically significant difference between groups. Conclussion:This study showed that there is no relationship between homocysteine ​​level and type 2 diabetes, but the antioxidant level in type 2 diabetes is reduced.

Background and Aim: Due to the effects of herbs in the prevention of kidney stones, the present study aimed at assessing the effect of aqueous eryngium campestre on the prevention of pathologic alterations caused by calcium oxalate crystals induced by ethylene glycol in the cortex and medulla of rats’kidneys. Materials and Methods: To conduct the study 40 male Wistar rats, weighing 200 – 250 gr were randomly divided into 5 equal groups; i.e. the healthy control group that just received water, the negative control group receiving water with 1% ethylene glycol, the prevention groups, which in addition to 1% ethylene glycol in water were daily gavaged with 100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of the plant extract. After 30 days all rats were killed and slides from each one’s kidneys were prepared. The slides were stained applying H/E method and the number of their calcium oxalate crystals was checked. Results: It was found that there was a significant difference between the number of their calcium oxalate crystals in the control health and negative groups (P0.05). However, in the 200mg/kg prevention group compared to the negative control one there was a significant difference in reducing the number of the crystals (P0.05). Conclusion: It was discovered that aqueous extract of eryngium campestre is effective in preventing the accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney.

Background and Aim: Oxidative stress and atherogenic dyslipidemia are the main complications in type 2 diabetics. The present study aimed at comparing between serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and atherogenic index plasma (ARP) levels in type 2 diabetics and normal people. Materials and Methods: In this study the relevant data of 50 type 2 diabetics ,who had referred to Emam Reza educational hospital and serum samples of random 50 healthy subjects, aged 27-70 yrs, was collected. The levels of 8-OHdG, AIP, and MDA in type II diabetics were measured by means of ELISA and TBARS, respectively. Their lipid profiles and plasma autherogenic indices were assessed through an autoanalyser. Results: The case and control groups were homogenized regarding some demographic components such as age and gender .It was found that serum levels of 8OHdG,MDA, and AIP were significantly higher in the patients compared to the healthy controls ,aged 27-70 yrs (P

Background and Aim: Along with the development of cardiac diagnostic procedures, new risk factors ,such as homocysteine role in cardiovascular disease, have been proposed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of homocysteine and total antioxidant capacity in patients with acute myocardial infarction compared with the control group. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 45 patients with myocardial infarction admitted to Vali-e-asr hospital in Birjand and 45 healthy people matched with the case group.Total antioxidant capacity applying FRAP method and homocysteine levels were measured using ELISA The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software at the significant level P

Background and Aim: Kombucha tea is made through fermentation of sweet tea by Kombucha fungus. It has beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of many diseases. The present study aimed at examining the effect of Kombucha tea extract on blood sugar and blood lipid profiles in diabetes. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight Wistar rats weighing about 250g were divided into 4 equal groups and then injected intraperitoneally (IP) with alloxan to induce diabetes. The administered concentrations were 20 and 80 mg/kg of Kombucha tea and 20 mg/kg of black ordinary tea for one month. The rats’ blood sugar and weight were tested before and after the intervention period but blood lipid parameters per either administration were also assessed at the end of the period. Results: Mean blood sugar in the diabetic rats receiving Kombucha tea was reduced. Maximum reduction in blood sugar was observed in the group receiving Kombucha tea with concentration of 80 mg/kg. However, black tea significantly reduced blood sugar. Conclusion: Kombucha tea consumption for a month only reduced blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. But increased the weight and not have favorable effects on lipid profile.

Background and Aim: Free living amoebae (FLA) are amphizoic protozoa that are widely found in various environmental sources. They are known to cause serious infections in human and animal nervous systems. . The aim of the current study was to determine the presence of Acanthamoeba spp in surface water sources in Birjand city employing microscopic culture analysis based on morphology features of the amoebae. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 samples of surface water sources in Birjand city. including . parks pools, public squares, waterfronts, and water stations were collected and .transferred to the laboratory and were passed through nitrocellulose filter paper. The remained elements in the filters were cultured on non-nutrient agar (NNA) with 100μl Escherichia coli suspension. After a few weeks of using morphological features,the amoeba grown were identified. Results: Out of the total of 50 samples cultured on non-nutrient agar (NNA), 19 (38%) samples.were morphologically polluted with Acanthamoeba spp,. In 2 samples (4%) a colony of Vahlkampfiidae were observed. Conclusion: The results indicated that a significant percentage of surface water sources in Birjand city was contaminated with Acanthamoeba spp. It is necessary for physicians, therefore, to take into account the diseases caused by these infectious agents. Besides, local regional health professionals should take into consideration the potential role of surface stagnant water sources in transferring these infectious agents. Placing warning signs in areas contaminated with these infectious agents seems a useful measure.

Background and Aim: Animal solid lipids contain considerable saturated and trans acids fats which are the risk factors for lipidemia and as a result, predispose men to cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the present study aimed at.determining the fatty acid profiles of tallow and meat of the cattle in different places of South Khorasan Province and assessing their decisive effects. on the occurrence of cadovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study. 5 samples of meat and tallow from the cattles’ abattoirs in Birjand, Boshroyeh, Ferdows, Ghaen, and Nehbandan cities (i.e. from50 samples of 25 oxen .) were gatheredd and frozen. The samples were frozen at -80oc . Then, the fats were separated from the samples, hydolized, and methylated. Then, the type and percent of each fatty acid were designated taking their respective retention time and standard peak into account. Atherogenesity and thrombogenisity features of the samples were accounted. based on the fatty acid profile. Finally, statistical analysis of the obtained data was done by SAS software. Results: Analysis of the gathered data . revealed that the levels of saturated fatty acids were not differet between meat and tallow except for stearic acid. The percent of this acid was 18.2% higher in tallow in comparison with meat. The higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acid was observed in the meat than tallow (p

Background and Aim: Regarding the multi-dimensional activity of medicinal herbs in complex disorders like diabetes, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of freezed and dried extract of black grapes juice on serum glucose and lipid profile of alloxan induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: The present study was performed on 48 male Wistar rats which included 6 groups, i.e. the control group and five alloxan-induced diabetics. The other five groups were the following: 1.The control diabetic group, which only received normal saline, 2.The diabetic group, which received glibenclamide and lovastatin, 3.4., and 5 At first, diabetes was induced in 40 cases through intraperitoneally injection of alloxan. After 2 days, fasting blood sugar (FBS) greater than 200 mg/dl was considered as diabetic condition. Diabetic rats were divided into 5 groups (group2to6) randomly. Groups1was included nondiabetic control. Group1and 2(diabetic control) gavaged by normal saline. Group 3 by glibenclamide and lovastatin, group's 4, 5and 6 received 100, 200, 300mg/kg black grapes juice extract, respectively for four weeks. Then, blood samples of the anesthetized rats were collected and blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were measured, using standard kits and by of Shimatzu Autanalyzer. Results: Black grapes juice extract at higher doses decreased weight loss of diabetic rats. Moreover, this extract reduced blood glucose level and the effect was dose-dependent. The extract increased the level of cholesterol and triglyceride (TG), but by increasing the dose, the level of TG decreased. No effects on HDL-C and LDL-C were observed. Conclusion: Black grapes juice extract can improve diabetes and its complications.

Background and Aim: Studies in the recent decade indicate that a high percent of cis and trans –fatty acids and omega 6 in man’s food sources increase the incidence of cardiovascular and atherosclerosis diseases One of animal protein sources used in human diet is the camel meat. Therefore, fatty acid profiles of the camel hump and meat in Birjand and Nehbandan cities, as two main camel meat sources of the South Khorasan province, were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 5 samples of local camels were randomly selected, and after being slaughtered, five samples of their respective thigh meat, fillet

Background and Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in childhood, which due to an inapproto determine the common bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility in children with urinary tract infection. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical and prospective study was done in 2009-2010 on urine samples of all children under 13 years who had been referred to Emmam-Reza hospital laboratory in Birjand and had positive urine culture. Sex and age of children, the kind of isolated bacteria in urine culture, susceptibility and resistance of these bacteria to current antibiotics were studied.The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS using Fisher exact- test. Results: 100 children (84 girls and 16 boys) with positive urine culture were studied. The most common age of urinary tract infection was under two years. In all ages the rate of urinary tract infection in females was more than males. E.coli was the most common cause in both sexes. There was a significant relationship between kind of microorganism and age of infection. The most prevalent cause of urinary tract infection in all ages was E.coli (75%) ,infection by Proteus was 11%, and other microorganism caused 14% of the cases. E.coli had the most susceptibility to ceftriaxone and ceftazidime and the most resistance to cephalexin and co-trimoxazol. Not taking the type of microorganism into consideration, the most sensitive antibiotics were ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefexim and nalidixic acid and the most resistance was against co-trimoxasol and cefalexin. Conclusion: Regarding the results, it is recommended to use cefexime and nalidixic acid for outpatient treatment of urinary infection , and ceftazidime and ceftriaxon for inpatient treatment.Selecting of antibiotics for urinary infection therapy should be based on the local prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic sensitivities rather than on a universal guideline.