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Background and Objective: Type-2 diabetes is a major metabolic disease with many signs and symptoms, such as hyperglycemia disorders in protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and partial or total insulin deficiency. It is accompanied with pancreatic beta-cell malfunction, reduced insulin sensitivity, and systemic inflammation. There is some evidence indicating a role of vitamin D in maintaining glucose tolerance and normal secretion of insulin. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of calcitriol on the plasma insulin and glucose levels in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. Materials and Methods: Seventy subjects (35 males and 35 female) with type-2 diabetes, aged 30-75 years old, were divided into 2 groups – an intervention and a control group. The intervention and control groups received, daily for 12 weeks, two 0.25-mcg calcitrio-capsules (0.5 mcg calcitriol) and 2 placebo capsules, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and at weeks 6 and 12 for measuring glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Results: The fasting plasma glucose level did not change noticeably at weeks 0, 6 or 12 in the intervention group, while it increased significantly (p = 0.03) in the control group. The insulin level increased significantly in both the experimental (p = 0.002) and control (p = 0.0002) groups. Similarly, there were increases in the HbA1C concentration in the experimental (p = 0.013) and control (p = 0.0004) groups at week 12, as compared to baseline values. Also there was an increase in insulin resistance in both groups (p= 0.023 and 0.0001 for experimental and control groups, respectively). Finally, HOMA-%β, which is an indicator of the activity of the pancreatic beta-cells, remained unchanged in the controls, while it increased significantly in the experimental group (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Calcitriol at a daily dose of 0.5 mcg has no lowering effect on blood glucose in type-2 diabetic patients, although it may prevent its elevation. The findings further show that calcitriol dose not bring about a reduction in insulin resistance however, it improves pancreatic beta-cell functioning, thereby increasing insulin secretion. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Calcitriol, Fasting glucose, Insulin resistance

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Background and Objective: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity, mortality and disability in the world and Iranian population. Inflammation and oxidative processes are major risk factors ofatherosclerosis. Some evidence demonstrated antinflammatory effect of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 fatty acids). So the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CLA and ω-3 fatty acids supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in atherosclerotic patients. Materials and Methods: In this study 90 volunteers who referred to Emam Reza Heart Clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Participants were classified into 3 groups receiving 3g/d CLA, 1920mg/d ω3 or placebo for 2 months. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin -6(IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured before and after supplementation. CRP measurement was done by a high sensitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and IL-6 assay was performed by Radioimmunoassay methods. GPx enzyme activity and MDA was measured byspectrophotometery. Data processing and statistical analysis were done using SPSS19 software and a p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: hs-CRP level decreased significantly in both the ω3 and CLA group during the study(4.43±4.13 vs 1.6±1.41 and 7.48±5.64 vs 5.95±5.87 )(p = 0.01). IL-6 reduced significantly in ω3 groupralative to control(18.59±11.12 vs 13.37 ± 9.44)(p=0.04) but in CLA group reduction in IL-6 levels was not significant(16.13±10.21 vs 12.95±8.1)(p=0.06). GPx increased in CLA and ω3 groups(144.57±56.89 vs 174.61±62.8 and 125±46.06 vs 171.4±68.90) (p=0.001). MDA level decreased significantly in both the ω3 and CLA group(3.98±1.50 vs 2.87±1.55 and 3.7±1.77 vs 2.4±0.8) (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Supplementation of diet with CLA and ω3 can have a beneficial effect on some indices of inflammatory and oxidative stress. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Conjugated linoleic acids