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Background and objectives: Lipid abnormalities, especially high serum Lp(a) concentration, is one of the major causes of cardiovascular diseases in peritoneal dialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of soy consumption on serum lipid and apoprotein levels in peritoneal dialysis patients. Materials and methods: The study was a randomized clinical trial in which 40 peritoneal dialysis patients (20 males and 20 females) were randomly assigned to either a soy or a control diet. The patients in the soy group received 28 g/d textured soy flour (containing 14 g soy protein) for 12 weeks, while the patients in the control group consumed their usual diet without any soy. At the baseline and at the end of the period, from each patient 5 ml blood were collected after a 12- to 14-hour fast and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoAI, apoB100, Lp(a), TNF-α, albumin, and phosphorus measured. Results: The serum Lp(a) concentration in more than 86% of the peritoneal dialysis patients was above the normal range. As compared to the baseline value, the mean serum Lp(a) concentration decreased significantly by 41% (P<0.01) in the soy group at the end of 8-week period, and the reduction was significant as compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mean serum Lp(a) concentration did not change significantly in the control group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to mean changes in the serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoB100, apoAI, TNF-α, albumin or phosphorus levels. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that soy consumption reduces serum Lp(a) concentration considerably in peritoneal dialysis patients. Therefore, it may be effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases in these patients.

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Background and objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the most important cause of death in patients with chronic renal failure, including hemodialysis patients. Systemic inflammatory factors, including serum amyloid A and vascular inflammatory factors, are two major risk factors for atherosclerosis in these patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine supplement on serum amyloid A and vascular inflammatory factors in hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods: The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Fourty-two hemodialysis patients (25 females and 17 males) were randomly assigned to either carnitine or a placebo group. The patients in the carnitine group received a vial containing 1000 mg oral L-carnitine daily for 12 weeks, while the placebo group received a corresponding placebo vial. At the baseline and the end of the 12th week of the study, 5 ml blood was collected from each patient and each control individual after a 12- to 14-hour fast before dialysis and serum amyloid A, free carnitine, sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin and ox-LDL levels were measured. Results: The mean serum free carnitine concentration increased by 150% in the carnitine group at the end of the 12th week as compared to the baseline value (P<0.001), while the serum amyloid A level decreased by 32% (P<0.001). No significant changes were observed in the serum concentrations of free carnitine or serum amyloid A in the control group. In addition, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the mean changes of serum sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin or ox-LDL concentrations. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that L-carnitine supplement can reduce serum amyloid A concentration, as a systemic inflammatory indicator, in hemodialysis patients and may play an effective role in preventing cardiovascular diseases in these patients, while it has no effect on the serum vascular inflammatory factors.

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Background and objectives: High serum concentrations of systemic and vascular inflammation markers are two major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary ω3-fatty acid supplementation on the serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers in these patients. Materials and methods: The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Forty hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to either an ω3-fatty acid supplement or a placebo group. The patients in the ω3-fatty acid supplement group received 2080 mg ω3-fatty acids as 4 capsules, each containing 310 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 210 mg docosahexaenoic acid, daily for 10 weeks, while the placebo group received 4 corresponding placebo capsules containing MCT oil. At baseline and the end of week 10 of the study, 7 ml blood was collected from each patient after a 12- to 14-hour fast before dialysis and serum sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, malondealdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Results: Serum sICAM-1 concentration decreased significantly in the ω3-fatty acid supplement group at the end of week 10, compared to the baseline value (P<0.05) the reduction was also significant in comparison with the decrease in placebo group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to the mean changes in the serum sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, and TAC concentrations. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that dietary ω3-fatty acid supplements can reduce serum sICAM-1 concentration in hemodialysis patients, but it has no effect on serum systemic inflammation markers and oxidative stress.

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Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with cardiovascular risk markers. Diabetic subjects with complications may have defective cellular antioxidant response to the oxidative stress generated by hyperglycemia. In this study we assessed the effects of omega-3 plus vitamin E and vitamin C plus zinc supplementations on serum lipids and lipoprotein profiles in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes and compared with control group values. Materials and methods: In this double blind placebo controlled clinical trial, 75 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes participated from Iranian Diabetes Association in Tehran. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups to take, daily, for 12 weeks, 1) 1.8 g omega-3 fatty acids plus 400 mg vitamin E (group 1), 2) five mg zinc plus 300 mg vitamin C (group 2), or 3) a placebo (group 3). The statistical tests used for data analysis were as follows: 1. analysis of variance for comparing the three groups at baseline and at the end of the period, and 2. repeated measure analysis of variance for adjustment of the other variables Results: The compliance rate was 92% (69 subjects). While at baseline there were no significant differences in lipid and lipoprotein profile among the three groups, after the intervention a significant difference in plasma triglyceride concentration was found between group 1 and group 2 (138.3±5.7 vs. 180.3±18.0 mg/dl, respectively)(p= 0.038). However, the intervention brought about no significant differences in other lipids and lipoprotein profiles among the three groups. Conclusion: The most pronounced effect of omega-3 plus vitamin E supplement was a reduction in plasma triglyceride as one of the most important metabolic syndrome components in group 1. Changes in the variables during intervention may be influenced by duration of diabetes.

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Background and objectives: Hypercoagulability is an important risk factor for thrombosis and its complications such as ischemic heart disease, stroke and arteriovenous fistula failure in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine supplement on plasma coagulation and anticoagulation factors in hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods: The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Fourty-two hemodialysis patients (25 females and 17 males) were randomly assigned to either a carnitine or a placebo group. The patients in the carnitine group received orally a vial containing 1000 mg L-carnitine daily for 12 weeks, while the placebo group received a corresponding placebo vial. At baseline and at the end of week 12 of the study, 8.5 ml blood was collected from each patient after a 12- to 14-hour fast before dialysis and plasma fibrinogen concentration, activity of plasma protein C, coagulation factors V, VII , IX, and serum concentrations of tPA, PAI-1, free carnitine and CRP were measured. Results: In the carnitine group the mean serum free carnitine concentration increased significantly 150%, while the plasma fibrinogen and the serum CRP decreased 98 mg/dl and 41%, respectively, at the end of week 12, as compared to the baseline value (P<0.001). The reductions were significant as compared to the placebo group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to mean changes in the activity of plasma protein C, coagulation factors V, VII, IX, and serum PAI-1-to-tPA ratio. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that L-carnitine supplement can reduce serum CRP, a systemic inflammatory indicator, and plasma fibrinogen, an inflammation-related coagulation factor, in hemodialysis patients, while it has no effect on coagulation and anticoagulation factors not related to inflammation.

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Background and objectives: Outcomes of diabetes mellitus play an essential role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its complications. Persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus have lower plasma vitamins E and C levels. Lower levels of these vitamins may increase the risk of oxidative stress. In this study we assessed the effects of omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin E and vitamin C plus zinc supplementations on glycemic control in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, compared with a control group. Materials and methods: In this 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 75 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes from among those consulting the Iranian Diabetes Association, Tehran, participated. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, to take, daily for 12 weeks, 1.8 g omega-3 fatty acids plus 400 mg vitamin E (group 1), 5 mg zinc plus 300 mg vitamin C (group 2), or a placebo (group 3). Analysis of variance and repeated measure analysis of variance were used for inter-group comparisons and the changes in the three groups and adjustment of the other variables, respectively. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences in glycemic parameters among the three groups. Changes in HOMA-IR in group 1 were significantly higher than those in group 2 and the placebo group (-0.9±0.6 vs. 0.9±0.5 and 0.4±0.4, respectively) (p=0.012). After intervention, changes in fasting plasma insulin (-1.6±1.3 vs. 0.6±0.8 and 1.6±0.7 mU/l, respectively) (p=0.038) were higher in group 1, while they were lower in the other 2 groups. The supplementation caused a significant decrease in the mean changes in fasting plasma glucose in group 1 and a significant increase in group 2 (-11.1±14.1 vs. 27.9±10.9 mg/dl, respectively)(p= 0.039). Conclusion: Simultaneous reductions in HOMA-IR and plasma insulin as the most important cardiovascular risk factors in group 1 taking daily 1.8 g omega-3 fatty acids plus 400 mg vitamin E is encouraging, because it can have practical clinical implications. Duration of diabetes may have influenced effectiveness of the treatments.

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Background and objectives: Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of kidney failure. High serum concentrations of advanced glycated end products, oxidative stress, and hypertension are three important risk factors for diabetic nephropathy. As individual administration of lipoic acid or pyridoxine is not effective in improving diabetic nephropathy, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of combined administration of lipoic acid and pyridoxine on albuminuria, oxidative stress, blood pressure, serum advanced glycated end products, nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Materials and methods: The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial, in which 38 patients with diabetic nephropathy (23 females and 15 males) were randomly assigned to either a supplement-taking group or a placebo group. The patients in the supplement group received 800 mg lipoic acid and 80 mg pyridoxine daily for 12 weeks, while the placebo group received placebos. At baseline and at the end of week 12, a urine sample and 8 ml blood were collected from each patient after a 12- to 14-hour fast and serum pentosidine, carboxymethyl lysine, malondialdehyde, endothelin-1, nitric oxide, glucose, urinary albumin, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. Results: The serum concentrations of pentosidine and carboxymethyl lysine decreased significantly in the supplement-taking group at the end of week 12 as compared to the baseline values (P<0.05). The combined supplement also brought about significant reductions in the serum malondialdehyde (25%), systolic blood pressure (2 mmHg) and urinary albumin concentration (74 mg/g creatinine) the reductions were significantly different from the placebo group values (P<0.05). On the other hand, the serum nitric oxide concentration increased significantly in the supplement-taking group as compared to the placebo group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the mean changes of serum endothelin-1, glucose or diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: The results indicate that combined administration of lipoic acid and pyridoxine reduces significantly serum pentosidine, carboxymethyl lysine, malondialdehyde, systolic blood pressure and urinary albumin concentration, and increases serum nitric oxide. This treatment may, thus, have an effective role in retarding the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

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Background and objectives: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is common in hemodialysis patients. So far, no comprehensive study has been performed on prevalence of PEM in various areas of Iran, including Tehran with the largest number of hemodialysis patients in the country. Furthermore, according to the available literature, there is no report on prevalence of various types of PEM in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate prevalence of PEM and its various types in Tehran hemodialysis patients in 2008. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, using systematic sampling, 291 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected from among 2302 eligible adult hemodialysis patients in Tehran hospitals. The nutritional status of the patients was determined by subjective global assessment (SGA) and their dietary intakes were assessed using a 4-day dietary recall (2 dialysis and 2 non-dialysis days). At the end of the first dialysis session, patients' heights and weights were recorded. Finally, after a 12- to 14- hour fast, 4 mL of blood were obtained from each patient before dialysis and analyzed for the serum urea, creatinine, albumin and CRP. Results: The prevalence of mild-to-moderate and severe PEM based on SGA was 60.5% and 1% in Tehran hemodialysis patients, respectively. The distribution of the malnourished hemodialysis patients according to type of PEM was as follows: 20.5%, type I (inadequate energy or protein intake, without inflammation) 65.5%, type IIa (inadequate energy or protein intake, with inflammation) and 14% type IIb (adequate energy and protein intake, with inflammation). The distribution of those hemodialysis patients who did not suffer from PEM was as follows: 3.5%, type Ia normal nutritional status (adequate energy and protein intake, without inflammation) 34% type Ib normal nutritional status (inadequate energy or protein intake, without inflammation) 55.5% type IIa normal nutritional status (inadequate energy or protein intake, with inflammation) and 7% type IIb normal nutritional status (adequate energy and protein intake, with inflammation). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that PEM in Tehran hemodialysis patients is considerably prevalent and type IIa is the most common type. In addition, hemodialysis patients with no PEM based on SGA should also be paid attention to because they may have inadequate intake‎ of energy and/or protein and inflammation. Keywords: Subjective global assessment, Protein-energy malnutrition, Inflammation, Hemodialysis

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Background and Objectives: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced due to prolong and intensive exercises, such as intense swimming training, leading to cell injury. Antioxidant supplementation seems to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of antioxidant ─ vitamin-mineral ─ supplementation on oxidative stress and muscle injury indices after a strenuous training period in elite female swimmers. Subject and Methods: Twenty-four elite female swimmers (aged 12.931.22 years, weight 45.8010.39 Kg, height 153.112.9 cm), members of Tehran and Karaj Swimmimg Clubs, volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups: a vitamin-mineral-supplemented (n=12) and a control (n=12) group. Both groups participated in streneous swimming sessions for a period of 4 weeks (3 times a week, each time swimming 3.5 to 4 km). Blood samples were taken before and after the period to determine muscle injury indices, such as aspartat aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase, and myoglobin, as well as malon dialdehyde (MDA). In addition, 100m crawl records were determined at the beginning and at the end of the period. Paired sample and independent t- tests were used for data analysis. Results: Results showed that some of the muscle injury indices, namely, CK and AST, decreased significantly in the vitamin-mineral-supplemented group (p=0.011 and 0.04, respectively). The decrease in MDA was not statistically significant. Inter-group comparisons showed a difference only with regard to CK (p=0.021). No significant differences (intra- and inter-group comparisons) were observed in swimming performance. Conclusion: ROS affects exercise-induced muscle injury indices. Vitamin-mineral supplementation can have a beneficial role in such injury. Keywords: Cell injury, Oxidative stress, Swimmers, Antioxidant supplementation

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Background and Objectives: Hyperlipedemia is a health problem in type-2 diabetes patients. This study was designed to investigate the effects of carrot juice fortified with ß-carotene on the blood lipids in these patients. Subject and Methods: This controlled randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed on 44 patients with type 2 diabetes. They were randomly divided into two groups receiving, daily for 8 weeks, either 200 ml carrot juice fortified with 10 mg ß-carotene (group A) or 200 ml ordinary carrot juice (group B). All the subjects would drink the juice (exchanged for one serving of bread) at lunch. Twenty-four hour dietary recalls were done on 3 consecutive days and 6 alternate days by a nutritionist at the beginning and the end of the period. Initial and final fasting blood glucose, ß-carotene, and lipids were also measured. The dietary data were analyzed using Nutritionist IV and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 11.5. Results: The serum level of ß-carotene increased and that of total cholesterol and triglyceride, as well as the LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios, decreased significantly in group A as compared to group B. The treatments did not affect HDL-C or glucose concentrations in either group. Conclusion: Daily consumption of both 200 ml carrot juice fortified with 10 mg ß-carotene and ordinary carrot juice for 8 weeks brings about desirable changes in some of the blood lipids in type-2 diabetic subjects without any change in the serum glucose level, although fortified carrot juice is more effective. Such an intervention may prevent hyperlipedemia in these patients. Keywords: Type-2 diabetes, Carrot juice, ß-carotene, Blood lipids

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Background and Objectives: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is prevalent among hemodialysis patients. So far, no study has compared various methods for determination of PEM, including subjective global assessment (SGA), dialysis malnutrition score (DMS), malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), and body mass index (BMI), in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to determine sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, as well as positive and negative likelihood ratios of DMS, MIS and BMI in comparison with SGA as the most common method for determination of PEM inhemodialysis patients. Subject and Methods: A total of 291 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected by systematic sampling from among 2302 eligible adult hemodialysis patients in Tehran hospitals. The nutritional status of the patients was assessed by completing SGA, DMS and MIS forms and determining BMI. In addition, after a 12- to 14-hour fast, 4-mL blood samples were obtained from each patient before dialysis for measurement of serum urea, creatinine, albumin and total iron binding capacity. Results: Based on SGA, DMS, MIS, and BMI, the prevalence of mild-to-moderate PEM in Tehrani hemodialysis patients was, respectively, 60.5%, 61.5%, 54%, and 16.5%, and that of severe PEM 1%, 1.5%, 1%, and 1%. In comparison with SGA, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were, respectively, 94%, 88%, 92%, 97%, 93%, 92%, 7.8, and 0.07 for DMS 87%, 96%, 91%, 97%, 97%, 83%, 22.0, and 0.13 for MIS and 23%, 91%, 50%, 64%, 80%, 43%, 2.5, and 0.85 for BMI. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that the DMS and MIS are almost similar to SGA, in identifying malnutrition in hemodialysis patients, while BMI is not an appropriate index in this regard. In addition, it appears that the DMS is a more appropriate alternative method for SGA in routine hospital assessments. Keywords: Protein-energy malnutrition, Hemodialysis, Subjective global assessment, Dialysis malnutrition score, Malnutrition inflammation score

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Background and Objectives: A deficiency of folate or vitamin B12, particularly in tissues with a high cell replication rate, could inhibit RNA and DNA synthesis, DNA methylation, as well as cell maturation. Therefore, a sufficient intake of these vitamins in childhood is of vital importance. Since there are no published reports on the status of folic acid and vitamin B12 in Iranian children, the present study was conducted to assess serum and red blood cells concentrations and some related factors in healthy 3-6 year-old children in Tehran, Iran, 2010. Subject and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, in which 228 children, 3-6 year old (105 girls and 123 boys), were selected by random systematic cluster sampling from 20 (out of 270) day-care centers in Tehran. A 2-ml non-fasting blood sample was drawn from each child and analyzed for serum and red blood cell folate and vitaminB12 by the RIA method. SPSS.16 was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being t-test, Chi-square and ANOVA. Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 sexes with regard to age, weight, height, BMI, RBC folate, or serum folate and vitamin B12 levels. Based on the serum folate level, 9.6% and 37.8% of the children suffered from severe and mild deficiency, respectively 52.6% had normal folate serum levels. The data also showed that 97.4% of the children had a normal serum vitamin B12 level, only 2.6% being mildly deficient. As judged by the RBC folate level, of 105 children (60 boys and 45 girls), 1% and 37% had severe and mild deficiency, respectively, an absolute majority (62%) having normal levels. The distributions of serum folate, serum vitaminB12, and RBC folate levels were not statistically different between boys and girls. Similarly, no associations were observed between the RBC folate level, serum folate level, or serum vitamin B12 level and age, weight, height, family size, birth order, or head of the family. There were positive significant correlations between serum folate on the one hand and RBC folate (r=0.4 , p<0.001) and serum vitamin B12 (r=0.8 , p<0.001) on the other hand. Furthermore, folate, RBC folate, and serum vitamin B12 were all positively related to father’s education (p=0.01), mother's education (p=0.008) and father’s job status (p<0.027). In addition, the vitamin levels were higher in children of the working mothers, as compared to those of non-working mothers (p<0.036). There were no differences between the 2 groups with regard to other variables. Conclusion: Folate deficiency is highly prevalent, while the deficiency of vitamin B12 is low, among Tehrani preschoolers. It is recommended to design and implement suitable intervention programs. Major components of such programs should be mothers’ nutrition education and improving family food consumption patterns with particular emphasis on optimum utilization of folate sources, particularly vegetables. Keywords: Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Preschoolers

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Background and Objective: The risk of cardiovascular diseases among hemodialysis patients with energy-protein malnutrition (PEM) is higher compared to well-nourished hemodialysis patients. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as a high body mass index and serum total cholesterol cannot explain the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients with PEM. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the association of PEM with nontraditional risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 291 hemodialysis patients were selected with systematic randoml sampling from among 2302 eligible adult hemodialysis patients in Tehran hospitals. The nutritional status of the patients was determined by subjective global assessment (SGA). In addition, dialysis malnutrition score (DMS) and malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) of the patients were determined and their dietary intakes assessed using a 4-day dietary recall including 2 dialysis days and 2 non-dialysis days. Also, after a 12- to 14-hour fast, an 8 mL- sample of blood was taken from each patient before dialysis and serum urea, creatinine, albumin, CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, MDA, NO, endothelin-1, and Lp(a) were measured. Results: The serum concentrations of CRP and sICAM-1 were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients with PEM as compared to those without PEM (p<0.01), whereas there were no significant differences in serum concentrations of sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, MDA, NO, endothelin-1 or Lp(a) between the two groups. In addition, compared to hemodialysis patients with PEM types IIa or IIb, those with PEM type I had significantly lower serum CRP and sICAM-1 levels (p <0.01). There were significant direct correlations between DMS and MIS, as two PEM indicators, with serum CRP and sICAM-1 (P <0.01). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that nontraditional risk factors of cardiovascular diseases do not increase in hemodialysis patients with PEM type I, whereas serum CRP and sICAM-1, two risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, increase in PEM type II, which is accompanied with inflammation. Keywords: Protein-energy malnutrition, Hemodialysis, Cardiovascular risk factors

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Background and Objective: There is evidence suggesting an association between insomnia and obesity and probable beneficial effects of magnesium supplementation on insomnia. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary magnesium supplementation on the energy intake and weight reduction of insomniac overweight or obese elderly subjects. Materials and Methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 46 overweight or obese subjects randomly allocated into the magnesium or the placebo group, receiving, daily for 8 weeks, either 500 mg magnesium or a placebo, respectively. Using appropriate questionnaires, data were collected on insomnia (insomnia severity index = ISI), physical activity, and sleep-log at baseline and at the end of the intervention period. In addition, information was obtained on anthropometric confounding factors and daily intakes of magnesium, calcium, potassium, caffeine, energy form carbohydrates, fat and protein, and total daily energy intake using the 24-hr dietary recall questionnaire for 3 days. The N4 and SPSS software version 16 were used for data analysis, the level of significance being a p-value < 0.05. Results: No significant differences were observed in the assessed variables between the two groups at baseline. As compared to the placebo group, in the experimental group diatery magnesium supplementation brought about statistically significantl increases in sleep duration and sleep efficiency, as well as significant decreases in the total energy intake and energy from carbohydrate and fat. The total length of time in bed, morning awakening time, energy from protein, serum magnesium concentration, or body weight were not different between the experimental and the placebo groups. Conclusion: In this study diatery magnesium supplementation resulted in improvements in sleep indices and a decrease in energy intake in elderly subjects. However, it had no beneficial effect on their body weight. Keywords: Magnesium, Obesity, Energy intake, Insomnia, Elderly

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Background and Objectives: Nowadays, diverse methods are used for  protection and increasing the shelf life of aquatic products and thermal drying is one of them. In the present study chemical indices and fatty acid composition of Grass Carp is investigated as affected by thermal drying.

Materials & Methods: The samples were dried within 4-24 hrs in a laboratory dryer at 65^°C and stored under Air-pack conditions at 4°C. Temperature and time were recorded until moisture reduced to 40%. Changes of Nutritional value and qualitative indices such as TVB-N, PV, TBA, FFA and Fatty acids profile were studied.

Results: Due to moisture loss, amounts of protein (16.01 to 31.15 %), ash (1.60 to 6.41%) and lipid (4.30 to 13.62%) were increased in the dried product (P<0.05). In addition, amounts of pH 6.21 to 6.61, TVB-N 3.21 to 27.27 mg/100g, PV 0.86 to 6.37 meqO₂/Kg and TBA 0.045 to 1.256 mgMDA/Kg and FFA 0.45 to 1.79 % were increased in the dried fish (P<0.05). Omega-3 (2.29 to 2.15 g/100g), Omega-6 (13.24 to 16.18 g/100g) and sum of EPA+DHA fatty acids (1.78 to 1.06 g/100g) were changed.

Conclusion: All of qualitative chemical indices were changed during storage in cold- storage but dried products had acceptable quality during 30 days storage at 4°C.

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Background and Objectives: Considering the significance of mitochondrial biogenesis in physiological processes and the role of antioxidants thereof, the effect of saffron supplement on mitochondrial biogenesis with regard to high-intensity training has not be investigated so far. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the effect of eight weeks of sprint interval training with consuming saffron extract on the amounts of PGC-1α and SIRT3 in elderly male rats.
Materials and Methods: 32 male rats (Wistar strain) were categorized into four groups as follows: sprint interval training, saffron supplement, control, and sprint interval training and saffron supplement. The training protocol consisted of eight weeks of sprint interval training on treadmill with four sessions per week. It is to be noted that saffron supplement was utilized as an antioxidant. The given saffron supplement was equal to 30 grams per kilogram of daily body weight for eight weeks. PGC-1α and SIRT3 levels were measured in gastrocnemius muscle by using ELISA method. The statistical method used was one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) for independent groups with significance level of ‘α > 0.05’.
Results: Although PGC-1α and SIRT3 levels appeared to rise in all experimental groups in response to consuming saffron and having sprint interval training, the only significant increase happened was in PGC-1α amounts in the sprint interval training group in comparison with the control group (P=0.000). 
Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that consuming saffron supplement decreases the compatibility of sprint interval training. Consequently, consumption of saffron supplement during this training protocol must be avoided.

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Background and Objectives: Few studies have examined so far the effect of adenosine receptors’ injection and its downstream pathway on the liver’s fat metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the type of aerobic exercise and adenosine on the expression of sterol regulatory binding protein 1c SREBP-1c and the adenosine receptor A1 in the liver in the rats fed with high-fat foods.
Materials and Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control of standard diet, high fat diet, high fat diet and placebo, high fat diet and Adenosine injection, high fat diet+high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and adenosine injection, high fat diet+HIIT and placebo, high fat diet+aerobic training and adenosine injection, high fat diet+aerobic training, and placebo. The subjects received 13 weeks of high-fat diet in the first stage. In the second stage, they trained for 12 weeks each week for 5 sessions. An analysis of one-way independent variance was used to analyze the data in the diet groups, and two-way analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of exercise interaction and adenosine. Real time PCR was used to determine the expression of genes.
Results: SREBP1-c and A1 gene increased significantly in fatty diet (P = 0.016, and P = 0.019, respectively), HIIT and aerobic training had a significant effect on the reduction of SREBP1-c and A1 gene expression (P = 0.003, and P = 0.001, respectively). SREBP1-c and A1 in the adenosine injection group had a significant decrease (P = 0.004, and P = 0.002, respectively). The interaction of endurance training-adenosine had a significant decrease in the expression of A1 (P = 0.004) comparing to HIIT-Adenosine training (P = 0.019).
Conclusion: Regardless of the intensity of exercise as an effective factor in the expression of lipogenesis genes, the adenosine dosage with increasing or decreasing its receptor (A1) following consumption of a high fat diet may have a significant role in the lipogenic expression of genes.

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Background and Objectives: The P53 is one of the genes involved in weight management. This study investigated associations of dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and insulin resistance with relative P53 gene expressions.
 Materials & Methods: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were collected from 151 individuals, aging nearly 40 years, who underwent elective abdominal surgeries. The participants were grouped based on their body mass index (BMI) as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI = 18.5–30 kg/m2). Relative P53 mRNA expressions in VAT and SAT were studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Before the surgery, dietary intake, BMI, waist and hip circumference and HOMA-IR were measured.
Results: Relative P53 mRNA expressions of the obese participants were significantly higher than those of non-obese participants only for VAT (p = 0.008). In VAT of obese participants, positively significant associations were seen between P53 gene expression and body weight (β = 0.909, p = 0.018) and the body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.262, p = 0.014). Positively significant associations were observed between the energy intake and relative P53 gene expression in VAT (β = 3.230, p = 0.020) and SAT (β = 3.336, p = 0.014) of obese participants.
Conclusion: Results demonstrated that higher body weight, BMI and calorie intake might be effective in creating stressful conditions, which might include associations with the induction of relative p53 gene expression.

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Background and Objectives: Use of appropriate pretreatments before drying process can greatly improve quality characteristics of the final dried products. In this study, effects of UV-B irradiation and lime juice as pretreatments on the quality characteristics of dried kiwifruit slices was investigated using hot-air method.
 Materials & Methods: Spray machine was used to spray lime juice at time intervals (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 min) and UV-B pretreatment was used at various time intervals (zero, 60, 120 min).
Results: Results showed that use of UV-B and lime juice as pretreatments significantly decreased shrinkage, color change and firmness and increased rehydration. Total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and acidity in samples pretreated with UV-B and lime juice increased, compared to the control sample. Simultaneous use of lime juice and UV-B caused significant increases in vitamin C of the samples, which increased from 4.51 mg/100 g in the control sample to 36.01 mg/100 g in the treated sample for 7 min with lime juice and 1 h for UV-B. Results of the sensory evaluation showed that use of UV-B and lime juice as pretreatments resulted in significant improvement in acceptability of the sensory characteristics of dried kiwifruit slices.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, UV-B and lime juice as pretreatments included favorable effects on the quality characteristics of dried kiwifruit samples, which could be used as appropriate pretreatments for hot-air drying fruits.