The protective effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. hydroalcoholic extract on TNF-α production, oxidative stress, and insulin level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: Oxidative stress leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, which causes tissue injury in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Zataria multiflora extract on TNF-α, oxidative stress products, and insulin levels as well as lipid profile in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 10 animals. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Control and diabetic control rats orally received 1 mL/day of normal saline, whereas the other three groups received 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day of Z. multiflora extract, and one non-diabetic group orally received 1000 mg/kg/day Z. multiflora extract, for 28 days. At the end of the treatment course, rats were anesthetized and their serum samples were analyzed for TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), super oxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid profile, total plasma protein, blood glucose, insulin, and liver enzymes levels. Results: Our results showed that cholesterol, LDL, TG, MDA and TNF-α levels decreased, but HDL, SOD, TAC, and total protein increased significantly in the diabetic group receiving 1000 mg/kg Z. multiflora compared to the diabetic control group (

The Effect of Aromatherapy by Lavender Oil on Infant Vaccination Pain: a Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Exposure to noxious stimuli can cause pain in infants. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the lavender oil inhalation on the pain resulting from the pentavalent vaccination. Methods: This clinical trial consisted of two groups: the lavender oil group with 42 infants and the placebo group with 57 infants. The healthy infants without congenital abnormalities in need of pentavalent vaccine also participated in our study. The infants started the lavender oil or placebo aromatherapy one minute before injection. The pain was assessed three times, using the Neonatal Infant pain Scale (NIPS): before vaccination, 15 s, and 5 min after vaccination. Also, the duration of crying was measured in both groups. Results: At baseline, the two groups were similar in relation to the NIPS scores. While, after 5 minutes, the NIPS score was significantly lower in the lavender group. Based on the repeated measures analysis, the NIPS score changed over time totally. However, the two groups were significantly different in relation to the NIPS score over time. The duration of crying was 75.47 (60.675) second in the lavender group and 105.22 (75.739) s in the control group. The statistical test showed a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: A low concentration of the lavender oil inhalation can reduce the pain and improve soothing in the infants with the pentavalent vaccine injection

Prevalence of Obesity in Type 1 Diabetic Children in the South of Iran

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Congenital Limb Anomaly as a New Presentation of Arthrogryposis-Renal Problems-Cholestasis (ARC) Syndrome in an Iranian Infant: A Case Report

Background: Arthrogryposis-Renal Problems-Cholestasis (ARC) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease mostly presenting with arthrogryposis, renal problems and cholestasis. We present the first report of ARC syndrome in Iran manifested. Case Report: A 4-month-old male infant was admitted in our hospital with jaundice, poor feeding, tachypnea and lethargy. He has a history of congenital limb anomaly in his feet and jaundice on fifth day of birth. Laboratory and imaging studies revealed renal tubular acidosis, nephrocalcinosis and cholestasis. Despite antibiotic therapy, he died at the third day of hospitalization due to sepsis of pseudomonas aeroginosa and Escherichia coli co-infection and upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to coagulopathy of liver failure. Conclusion: ARC syndrome has various and rare clinical manifestations such as lower limb congenital anomaly, hypothyroidism, liver failure and nephrocalcinosis. [GMJ. 2015;4(3):117-21]</jats:p

prevalence of dyslipidemia in healthy children of kavar, fars province

Background: lipid profile disorders are important in children because they plays an important role in future cardiovascular atherosclerotic disorders. Lack of sufficient data in this regard in Fars province was the reason of performing this study. Methods: 500 healthy children were gathered from Kavar schools with systematic randomized method sampling. Body measurements and lipid profile were checked with standard methods. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: We find that 35% of children have at least one abnormal lipid profile tests. 34.7% had low HDL, 7% had high total cholesterol, 13.6% had high triglyceride and 10.6% had high non HDL cholesterol. Among these abnormalities, high total and high non HDL cholesterol were more prevalent in girls. The most associated factors were body weight, height and waist circumference. Conclusion: 35% of children have at least one abnormal lipid profile tests and cholesterol disorders were more prevalent in girls. We suggest early screening, early diagnosis and treatment of these abnormalities in children which need prevention of risk factors such as obesity and inactivity

Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance and Fatty Liver in Obese Iranian Children

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global epidemic and its morbidities such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and fatty liver leads to a spectrum of psycho-social and medical consequences. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fatty liver in obese Iranian children and its' association with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 102 obese Iranian children, referred to pediatric clinics from March 2011 to March 2012, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All the patients were visited by a pediatric endocrinologist, a pediatric gastroenterologist and an expert radiologist in the evaluation of fatty liver grading. RESULTS: The grade of fatty liver was higher in older children (P = 0.001). It was also more in taller and heavier children (P = 0.000). The more the BMI was, the more the fatty liver grade was (P = 0.002). Severity of fatty liver according to liver sonography in patient had a positive relationship with waist circumference, hip circumference, serum TG, serum FBS, serum fasting insulin, serum ALT, systolic blood pressure and HOMA index and had a negative correlation with the level of alkaline phosphatase. Severity of fatty liver also had a close relationship with the presence of acanthosis nigricans and HOMA index. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of fatty liver is high in our obese children. It was associated with criteria of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, so visceral fat may participate in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome or merely serve as a marker of increased risk for the metabolic complications of obesity

Association of Cord Blood Resistin with Neonatal Birth Weight and Gestational Age

Background Resistin is an adipocyte-secreted hormone with critical roles in energy, lipids, and glucose homeostasis. However, its specific role during fetal and neonatal period remains poorly understood. Methods This cross sectional study included 160 neonates in four groups of term-AGA, term-SGA, preterm-AGA, and preterm-SGA. Body measurements, blood sugar, and cord blood resistin were evaluated. Results In SGA-preterm neonates: Resistin had reverse correlation with birth weight (P = 0.006) and positive correlation with gestational age (P = 0.002). In SGA-term ones resistin had positive correlation with gestational age (P = 0.041). Conclusions Cord blood resistin has a positive correlation with gestational age and a reverse association with neonatal birth weight. We suggest that these two different associations might be the cause of conflicting results in previous reports