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The present study aimed to investigate blood heavy metals toxicity for asthmatic children and their nutritional status. One hundred children suffering asthma attending the Al-Galaa Teaching Hospital during winter were enrolled in the study. Data was collected by personal interview with their mothers to fill a special questionnaire sheet (socioeconomic and clinical characteristics, anthropometric measurements and 24h dietary recall). Results showed most parents had (10–12 years) of education levels. The majority of fathers were smoking at the same room with their children. All children had high blood levels of lead (B-Pb) and cadmium (B-Cd). Most children were intake less than 50% of DRI from fiber, vitamins (A, D, B1 and B2) and minerals (K and Mg). There were a negative significant correlation between B-Pb and both Hb and animal protein (r = 0.312 and r = 278, P ˂0.05, respectively). There were a significant correlation between B-Cd and bilirubin (r = -0.381, P ˂0.05). Also, there were adverse significant correlation between plasma K and both urea and creatinine (P ˂0.01). It is concluded preventing heavy metals poisoning in early childhood is an essential component of strategy to improve the health success.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding on virgin olive oil (VOO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) at 50% and 100% with or without thyme leaves at 1% and 2.5% on pregnancy and lactation periods. Methods: One hundred and twenty adult female rats (120 ±5g) were randomly divided into 15 groups (n=8) for month before mating. On 19th day of pregnancy, half of pregnant rats were weighted, killed and their fetuses take off with uterus. Another half of pregnant rats were left to evaluate the lactation period. Biochemical assays, bone measurements and fertility hormones were evaluated. Results: Generally, the VOO groups were improved the health status of pregnant and lactating rats more than EVOO groups. The pregnant rats in VOO and thyme leaves powder groups were lower of body weight gain (BWG) without their fetuses than EVOO and thyme leaves powder groups. The mean weight of fetuses in VOO and thyme leaves powder groups were higher than EVOO combined with thyme leaves groups. Also, the feeding on olive oils with thyme leaves had an increase of number of fetuses and bone Ca and P contents. The results showed that, in an increasing of number of fetuses caused decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). Pregnant and lactating rats fed on 100% olive oils had TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C lower than the rats fed on 50% olive oils. Also, the rats fed on olive oils and thyme leaves powder had increase in both E2 and progesterone levels before mating and at the end of lactation period compared to control group. Meanwhile, the prolactin hormone levels for rats at the end of lactation period were lower than on 19th day of pregnancy period. Conclusion: Diet which containing with olive oil improved the health status, especially during pregnancy and lactation periods. Consumption of olive oil and olive oil and thyme leaves could be reduce the risk of infertility in females.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding rats on virgin olive oil (VOO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with or without thyme powder on health status of their first generation. Outcome of pregnancy in each group (pregnant and lactating rats fed on olive oils and thyme which randomly divided into 15 groups) were divided into 2 subgroups (male and female) and feeding a month later (till 8 weeks aged). The babies were weighted, blood was collected and scarified. Organs were removed and weighted. Biochemical assays and bone measurements were evaluated. Generally, the groups fed on VOO had a high number of babies, a low body weight and high of liver weight compared to groups fed on EVOO. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C and risk factor of male fed on olive oils (100%) had higher values than groups fed on olive oils (50%). Female groups showed observed that, which groups fed on olive oils (100%) had higher of TC, LDL-C and risk factor than groups fed on (50%). Creatinine and urea were increased in male rats fed on olive oils while decreased in the female rats compared to control group. Male groups fed on VOO and thyme were higher of AST, ALT and ALP than groups fed on EVOO. Concerning female babies, there are a high differences between groups. In groups (male and female) were high levels of Ca and P content of bone were observed in rats fed on VOO and thyme leaves powder compared to groups fed on EVOO and thyme powder diets. In conclusion, the feeding on olive oils (VOO and EVOO) with or without thyme leaves powder diets caused to increasing of fertility, improved lipid profile and increasing Ca and P of bone contents.