Background: The prevalence of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is approximately twice as much as healthy people. This study was designed to determine the effect of L-arginine supplementation on blood pressure in patients with T2D. Methods: In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 75 T2D were randomly divided into three groups (3 g/d and 6g/d of L-arginine and placebo) for 3 months. Height, weight, waist circumference, dietary intake, and blood pressure (BP) were measured before and after intervention. Results: In patients who received 3g/d L-arginine, no significant difference was observed between BP before and after the intervention, however, subgroup analysis among patients with high BP showed significant reduction in systolic (P = 0.036) and diastolic BP (P = 0.027) after L-arginine supplementation. After 3 months of intervention, systolic and diastolic BP were significantly different compared to the baseline values and also with placebo value in patients receiving 6g/d of L-arginine (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The daily intake of 6g of L-arginine for 3 months in T2D may improve BP. Taking 3g/d of this supplement may help to improve BP only in patients with hypertension.

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine and glutamine and their synergistic effects on male soccer athletes. Methods: 28 male soccer players (21.1±0.7 y) were enrolled in a randomized pre and post intervention, double-blind design. Before the intervention, their performances were assessed by Bruce protocol, and their body composition was measured with the body composition analyzer. Then, athletes were randomly allocated into four groups: 2g L-glutamine, 2g L-carnitine, 2g L-carnitine + 2g L-glutamine and placebo. Supplements were prescribed for 21 days and after three weeks, athletes performances and body composition were re-evaluated. Results: The results showed that body weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and dietary intake made no significant changes in different groups of athletes. In between groups comparison, results did not significantly change in any performance indices. However, in L-carnitine supplement group, the results of pre and post intervention showed that the running distance and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) increased significantly while the subjective sense of fatigue decreased significantly. Conclusions: Based on our findings, a three-week prescription of separateor combined glutamine and L-carnitine, had no effects on body composition or dietary intake in soccer players. But, the athletes energy intake was more than the one reported in other studies. Although further studies are required to assess these effects on athletic performance.

Background: Consumption of dark chocolate has been often hypothesized to have a role in the prevention of chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of consumption of dark chocolate (DC) on serum oxidative stress and blood pressure (BP) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: An 8-week parallel randomized clinical trial involving 114 patients with MetS was conducted on stable medication in 2014. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: 1) consume 40 g/d DC (40G), 2) consume 20 g/d DC (20G), and 3) consume no DC as the control group (CG). BP, radical scavenging activity of 1 dipheny l-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Results: Mean age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of participants were 51.38±6.95 y, 77.34±12.86 kg, and 28.65±4.4 kg/m2, respectively. No significant differences were found among the three groups in relation to these variables after the intervention. The mean change of systolic blood pressure in 40G, 20G, and CG were 0.31±1.81, 0.37±1.65, and 0.26±1.56 mmHg (P=0.3), respectively. These figures for diastolic blood pressure were obtained as 0.08±1.03, -0.02±1.12, and 0.22±1.03 mmHg. No significant changes were observed in MDA and DPPH between three groups. Conclusion: Even daily intake of 40 g of DC with 76% purity for an 8-week period had no effect on body weight, BMI, BP and oxidative stress in patients with MetS.

Background: The current study tried to investigate the antioxidant and anti-bacterial effects of green tea and grape seed extract (with a volume of 2%) on durability of Tilapia packed inpolyethylene bags, which were kept in cool temperature of 4 ± 1 °C. Methods: Prepared fish were divided into 3 batches: 2 batches were treated by dipping for 30 min in ethanolic of green tea extract (2% v/v) and grape seed (2% v/v), respectively, while the third batch was dipped in distilled water as a control sample. The control and treated fish samples were analyzed for microbiological such as total volatile count and psychrotrophic count, and chemical such as thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and free fatty acid (FFA) values. The sensory characteristic was over a period of 20 days. Results: The results indicated that the two extracts treatments delayed significantly (P < 0.05). Lipid oxidation and process of spoilage in comparison with the psychrotrophic bacteria and total viable count control also remained lower than the proposed acceptable limit (7 log CFU/g). According to sensory, chemical, and microbiological analyses results, the treatment of grape seed extract had high quality and enhanced the beneficial effects on sensory characteristics in comparison with other treatments. Conclusions: the present study showed that the grape seed extract and green tea were very effective in extending the shelf life of Tilapia during refrigerated storage

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide. Limited data are available trying to compare different definitions suggested to identify MetS. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of MetS and its components based on currently available international and Iranian national definitions. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 amongfemale teachers residing in Yazd city. Demographic data and information on physical activity, participants, education, economic statusand number of deliveries were gathered using self-administered questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and serum lipid profile were assessed according to standard procedures. MetS was defined based on international diabetes federation (IDF), national cholesterol education program; adult treatment panel III (NCEP, ATPIII), and Iranian national definition. Results: A total number of 450 participants aged 40.60 ± 8.25 y were included in this analysis. Prevalence of MetS based on ATPIII definition, IDF definition, and Iranian modified definition were 39.11%, 40.89%, and 31.11%, respectively. Prevalence of MetS among women aged over 50 y was more than those aged 20-50 y (P < 0.001). Based on different definitions, women with higher physical activity had lower prevalence of MetS (base on ATPIII, P = 0.036). Prevalence of MetS also was higher in women with more deliveries (for three definitions, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS was high in female teachers living in central province of Iran. It seems that ATPIII and Iranian national criteria can better represent the differences in the prevalence of MetS. Large scale prospective studies are recommended to confirm our results.

Background: In recent decades, studies on type 2 diabetes (T2D), have adopted a new approach to the field of a more complete collection of variables related to the lifestyles and diet of people. Diet is an important factor in increasing the rate of T2D among individuals. Considering the consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet, little attention has been paid to the type of carbohydrates consumed in the incidence of T2D. The present study aimed to review the literature on the relationship between the glycemic index (GI), the glycemic load, (GL) and T2D, it also targets at evaluating and comparing the results of similar studies in other countries Methods: Using search engines, including PubMed, Science Direct, Embase and Scopus, and key words such as GI, GL, diabetes; articles with cross-sectional, clinical trial, Prospective and retrospective cohort designs between 2000 to 2016 were selected. Moreover, non-English language articles were not investigate. Results: The results of these studies showed that a diet containing low GI and GL has beneficial effects on the metabolism of glucose in the body and is also considered as a factor to protect the body against T2D and its complications. Conclusions: Monitoring eating habits of people with T2D can have beneficial effects on T2D and its associated risk factors

Background: Metabolically obese normal-weight (MONW) children and adolescents are characterized by body mass index (BMI) lower than +1SD with metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and/or hypertension. This study wants to determineprevalence of MONW, metabolically benign normal weight (MBNW), metabolically abnormality obese (MAO) and comparethe components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in some Iranian normal-weight children and adolescents in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1124 boys and 1128 girls, aged 10–18 y, Ahvaz, Khuzestan.Participants were selected from 6 health centers in Ahvaz by a multistage cluster random sampling method. The Mets was defined according to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were measured according to standard protocols. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical assessment. Results: MetS prevalence in normal weight group was 5.4% and 1.45% in boys and girls, respectively (P = 0.001) showing a significant difference. Triglyceride abnormality percentages (MBNW = 23.9%, MAO = 88.8%, MONW = 91%) and high density lipoprotein (MBNW = 19.2%, MAO = 73.8% and MONW = 67.2%) were higher than other MetS components in these groups. Conclusions: Since BMI in children and adolescents with metabolically obese-normal weight is normal‚ the continuous measurements and treatment of MetS components especially in boys are important from public health view. The components mean of MetS was higher in MONW and MAO individuals compared with MBNW.

Background: According to the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in developing countries as well as high treatment expenses for patients and health-care systems, CVDs prevention in such societies has a great importance. One of the most effective strategies is improvement of knowledge and attitude towards the CVDs risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of females on CVDs risk factors and also the relationship between knowledge and attitude with obesity indices and biochemical parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 89 women with the age range of 11 to 67 y old and body mass index (BMI) of 24 to 51 kg/m2. Participants were interviewed face to face using a valid questionnaire in order to evaluate their knowledge and attitude on CVDs risk factors. Blood sampling was implemented after 12 h of overnight fasting. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile were assessed by enzymatic methods. Anthropometric measurements were performed and obesity indices were calculated. Results: More than 70% of participants had moderate or good knowledge and attitude about CVDs risk factors. Participant s knowledge and attitude had a significant positive association with educational level and a significant reverse relationship with age, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and obesity indices. Conclusions: Results of this study indicated that knowledge and attitude levels on CVDs risk factors affect the obesity indices and metabolic profile. Hence, knowledge and attitude enhancement is the main target and initial step in improving life quality and preventing cardiovascular diseases.

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