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Background and Objective: Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease that characterized by reduced bone strength. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of effective factors in decreased bone density and secondary causes of osteoporosis.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was done on 105 patients (76 female and 29 male) suffering from osteoporosis, evaluated in the endocrinology Department of Sina hospital, Tabriz- Iran from March 2003 to March 2006. Past medical history clinical symptoms and biochemical results were of patients. Data analyzed using SPSS-14  and chi square test.

Results: Osteoporosis and osteopenia were seen in 55% and 45% of patients with reduced bone density, respectively. Daily calcium intake in patients with less than 400 mg, between 400-1000 mg and more than 1000 mg were 63.8%, 31.9% and 3.4%, respectively. The mean±SD of sera calcium and vitamin D level were 9.5±0.6 mg/dl, 45±37.1 nmol/l respectively. 61.2% of patients had vitamin D deficiency. 33% of patients had secondry osteoprosis. Among the patient with primary osteoprosis 11.3% afflicted to hyper claciuria.

Conclusion: This study showed that decresing bone density was more prominate in women. The rate of daily calcium intake among patients were low. It is sugested these patients osteoprosis could be prevented by consumption food nutrient rich in calcium and vitamin D suplementation.

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Background and Objective: Compression or sciatic axotomy induces neuronal death in spinal cord alpha motor neuron. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Nigella sativa seed alcoholic extract on spinal motor neuron density in anterior horn after sciatic nerve compression in rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 24 wistar rats were divided into four groups A: control, B: compression, C: compression+treatment with 75 mg/kg alcoholic extract, D: compression+treatment with 50 mg/kg alcoholic extract. In control group muscle was exposed without any injury to sciatic nerve. In compression and treatment group, the right leg sciatic nerve compressed for 60 sec. After four weeks of post operation, L2-L4 and S1, S2 and S3 segments of spinal cord were sampled, processed, serially sectioned and stained with toluidine blue. The number of alpha motor neurons was counted using dissector method. Results: Neuronal density in compression group (650±32) significantly decreased in comparison with control group (1803±24). Neuronal density in C treated group (1581±47) and D treated group (1543±49) significantly increased compare to compression group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed increased the density of alpha motor neurons in spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression in rats.

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Background and Objective: Paraoxonase-1 is an important factor in preventing lipid oxidation and formation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. There are conflicting reports on the impact of physical activity on serum level of Paraoxonase-1. This study was done to determine the effect of four weeks of endurance training on serum level of Paraoxonase-1 and lipid profile in non-athlete obese men. Method: In this clinical trial study, sixteen obese healthy non-athletic men randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Subjects in interventional group were practiced endurance running periodic for four weeks, three sessions a week with 65-80% of maximum heart rate. Blood samples collected 48 hours perior the first and 48 hours following the final training. Serum level of Paraoxonase-1 and lipid profile including cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein were measured by ELISA method. Results: At the end of the training, the serum level of of paraoxonase -1 increased 15.57% (P<0.05) in interventional group and non-significantly reduced in control group (19.25%). The serum level of serum Paraoxonase-1 in interventional group significantly increased compared to controls (P<0.05). The serum level of low-density lipoprotein in interventional group significantly reduced in comparision with controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: 4 weeks of endurance training increased serum level of paraoxonase -1 and decreased low-density lipoprotein in non-athlete obese men.

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Background and Objective: Hypertension in long time can cause cardiovascular disorders and increase chance of stroke. This study was done to determine the association between some dietary factors and risk of hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the fourth phase (2008-11) of Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS). In this study 6089 subjects (2807 males and 3282 females), aged 19-70 years, were participated and dietary, demographic, anthropometric and blood pressure of each subject were collected. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire with 147-items. Odds ratio for hypertension according to quartiles of dietary factors was determined using logistic regression with adjustment for confounder variables. Results: The rate of hypertension was 29.8%. Mean of weight, body mass index, waist circumference, prevalence of abdominal obesity and alliteration in the hypertensive subjects were significantly higher than normotensive subjects (P<0.05). There was a non significant direct relationship between energy density, total fat and saturated fat. Higher consumption of fiber was associated with lower risk of hypertension (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.37-0.97). The risk of hypertension increased in the highest quartiles of dietary protein (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02-1.43). Odds ratio for hypertension was higher among subjects whom consumed lower fruits and nuts than those subjects with higher fruits consumption (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15-1.85) and nuts (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02-1.42). Conclusion: High consumption of fiber could protect against hypertension while some dietary factors such as high consumption of protein could increase risk of hypertension.

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Background and Objective: Brain is not able to produce new neurons by neurogenesis after maturity. Neurogenesis after the maturity was reported in Hippocampus and subventricular areas in the brain. Rosa canina L has various vitamins and other valuable compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoid, carbohydrates and fatty acids. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the alcoholic extract of the fruit of Rosa canina L plant on neuronal density of the hippocampus in animal model.
Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups including: control and three treatent groups. Animals in treatment groups 1, 2 and 3 were received the alcoholic extract with extract with a dose of 25, 50, 75 mg/kg/bw intraperitoneally (IP), for 21 day continuously with an invertal of 24 hours, respectively. Animals in control group were received normal saline injection. One month after the first injection, the animals were anesthetized and brain gently was out of the skull. After processing, seven-micron serial sections were stained with blue toluidine and erythrosine. Different regions of the hippocampus were photographed and neuronal density was evaluated by stereological methods and was compared with control group.
Results: The mean neuronal density of CA1 area of hippocampus in control and the treated group with a dose of 25, 50, 75 mg/kg/bw was 55±2, 70±3, 65±3 and 61±2, respectively. Neuronal density significantly increased in treatment group with dosage of 25 mg/kg/bw in compared to control group (P<0.05). The mean neuronal density of CA2 and CA3 area of hippocampus in treated group with a dose of 25, 50, 75 mg/kg/bw was not significant in compared to controls.
Conclusion: This study showed that the alcoholic extract of the fruit of Rosa canina L plant with dosage of 25 mg/kg/bw increase neurons of the mice hippocampus.