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Background and Objective: Zinc is an essential ion for living and inter the body from different sources. Since Zn⁺⁺ interfere on many cellular process such as biological function such as calcium chanalls, this study was designed to investigate the effect of oral ZnCl₂ on glucose, Insulin, lipoproteins and liver enzymes in male Rats.

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 48 of Wistar-Albino male Rats randomly allocated into three exprimental and one control groups. Exprimental groups received 50 mg/l, 100 mg/l and 200 mg/l ZnCl₂ in drinking water daily for four weeks but the control group received tap water. After four weeks, animals were anesthetized, sacrificed and blood samples were collected. Glucose, insulin, lipoproteins, aspartat amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS-11, ANOVA and Tukey-tests.

Results: The mean±SD of Cholesterol in group D (85.7±3.2), HDL in groups B, C, D (66.1±2.7, 67±2.18, 68.83±2.69 mg/dl) and LDL in groups B, C, D (2.8±0.9, 14.6±6.3, 13.4±2.8 mg/dl) respectively were significantly decreased compared with Cholesterol (125.5±4.9 mg/dl), HDL (80.5±3 mg/dl) and LDL (30.3±3.2 mg/dl) in group A. Mean±SD of glucose, insulin, triglyceride and liver enzymes did not show any differences among the groups.

Conclusion: This study showed that ZnCl₂ added on drinking water reduce serum lipoproteins in male Rats.

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Background and Objective: Ghrelin is an acylated 28-amino-acid peptide that is the most recently identified adipocytokines, but its role in diabetes is poorly clarified. The objective of this study was to determine the relation between serum ghrelin and blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic obese males.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done on 45 adult obese males with type-2 diabetes in Saveh city, Iran during 2010. Fasting blood glucose, insulin and ghrelin concentrations and Glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1C were measured after overnight fasting. Multiple regression was used for determine ghrelin in relation to glucose, insulin and HbA1C.

Results: The multiple regression analyses revealed that HbA1C is not correlated with serum ghrelin levels, while, fasting blood glucose level had positive corrolation with serum ghrelin concentration (P<0.05). Serum ghrelin level had high negative correlation with insulin (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study indicated that elevated endogenous ghrelin led to hyperglycemia. Therefore, serum ghrelin is a precise index of blood glucose level in obese male patients with type-2 diabetes.

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Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common serious metabolic disorders. This study was done to determine the effect of 12-week yoga intervention on glucose, insulin and triglyceride serum levels in women with type II diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 26 women with Type II diabetes were divided into interventional (n=16) and control groups (n=10). Program of yoga exercise including: 75 minutes daily, three sessions in a week, and for 12 weeks. The level of glucose, insulin, leptin, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, total cholesterol were measured prior and post - training period. Results: The levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides in the interventional group significantly reduced compared to control group following the training period (P<0.05). The level of leptin, HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol was not significantly altered in intervention group in compare to controls. Conclusion: 12 weeks of yoga exercises can improve blood glucose, insulin and triglyceride in women with type II diabetes.

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Background and Objective: Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the factors affecting dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study was done to determine the association of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance with lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 72 patients with type 2 diabetes in Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran during 2011. Anthropometric indces, fasting serum glucose, serum insulin and lipid profiles were measured and IR index and atherogenic lipid parameters were calculated. The mean of lipid profiles and parameters were compared across the IR tertiles. The association of homeostasis model assessment and insulin resistance in each tertile with lipid profiles was determined. Results: The mean±SD of IR index was 0.9±0.3, 2.1±0.4 and 4.4±1.6 in the 1th, 2th and 3th tertiles, respectively. In the 3th tertile, serum triglyceride and atherogenic lipid parameters were significantly high and serum HDL-C level was non-significantly low than normal reference range. IR index in the 2th and 3th tertiles was significantly related to serum Triglyceride (P<0.05). IR index in level of >2.8, was inversely associated with HDL-C and directly associated with atherogenic lipid parameter. Conclusion: There is association between Insulin resistance with lipid metabolic abnormality in type 2 diabetic patients.

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Background and Objective: Accumulating evidence indicates a relation between aerobic capacity and glucose concentration, although the molecular mechanisms of this relationship are not fully known yet. This study was done to determine the effect of effect of 12 weeks aerobic exercise training on aerobic capacity and glucose concentration in obese men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, thirty two adult obese males were divided into interventional and control groups. Anthropometrical indexes, fasting blood glucose and insulin, resting heart rate and aerobic capacity (VO2max) were measured before and after a 12 weeks aerobic exercise in the interventional and control groups. Beta cell function was calculated by fasting glucose and insulin. Results: Long time aerobic exercise led to significant reduction in glucose (112±10 vs. 85±11 mg/dl), anthropometrical indces, BMI (28.44±2.29 vs. 33.24±5.14), increase in VO2max (26.12±4.11 vs. 32±6.41 ml/kg/min), beta cell function (83±23 vs. 181±35) and in interventional group in comparision with controls. A significant correlation was found between the changes in VO2max with changes in beta cell function and glucose level, these correlations were independent of BMI. There was no significant change in insulin level between intervention and control groups. Conclusion: Increased aerobic capacity or cardiovascular fitness by exercise training improve beta cell function of glucose concentration in obese men.

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Background and Objective: Modification of life style, nutrional regiment and insulin therapy is used for improvement of pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study was done to evaluate the effect of the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) eating plan on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 52 women with GDM were randomly divided into DASH and control groups for 4 weeks. The control diet contained 45-55% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein and 25-30% total fat. The DASH was rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, and contained lower amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol and refined grains with a total of 2400 mg/day sodium. The numbers of women whom commenced insulin therapy after dietary intervention, the mode of delivery and prevalence of polyhydramnios were assessed. The length, weight and head circumference of infants were measured during the first 24 h after birth. Results: 46.2% of women in the DASH group needed to have a cesarean section, this rate for the control group was 80.8% (P<0.05). The percentage of those who needed to commence insulin therapy after intervention was 23% for DASH group vs 73% for controls (P<0.05). Infants born to mothers on the DASH group had significantly lower body weight (3222.7 vs 3818.8 g, P<0.05), head circumference (34.2 vs 35.1 cm, P<0.05) and ponderal index (2.50 vs 2.87 kg/m3, P<0.05) compared to those born to mothers on the control diet. Conclusion: Consumption of dietary approaches to stop hypertension for 4 weeks among pregnant women with GDM resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.

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Background and Objective: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful biological antioxidant which is involved in metabolism and energy production as a co-factor in mitochondrial dehydrogenase enzyme complex. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise and alpha lipoic acid supplement on insulin resistance in females with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 44 females with type 2 diabetes divided into four groups including: control, supplementation, training and supplementation + training groups. Patients of supplementation and complex (supplementation + training) groups took three 100mg ALA capsules per day for eight weeks. The training program consisted of 8 weeks and three sessions per week. In each session, the subjects warmed up for 10-15 minutes, ran on a treadmill with the intensity of 40-50% of maximum heart rate for 30 minutes and then cooled down for 5-10 minutes. Blood samples were taken after 12-14 hours fasting in two stages - the beginning and the end of the eighth week. Results: Eight weeks of taking ALA supplements significantly reduced patients' insulin resistance (P<0.05). Eight weeks of running on a treadmill with an intensity of 40-50% of maximum heart rate non-significantly reduced insulin resistance in the training group compared to the controls. In the supplementation + training group a significant reduction of insulin resistance was observed (P<0.05). Conclusion: Alpha lipoic acid supplementation reduces insulin and insulin resistance. While, reduction in fasting blood glucose level causes reduction in insulin resistance in the combination of supplementation and training.

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Background and Objective: A few data is available about effect of exercise training on level of resistin and novel insulin resistance indices in underweight inactive men. This study was performed to determine the effect of a period of resistance training on serum level of resistin and insulin resistance indices in underweight inactive men. Methods: In this clinical trial study, nineteen underweight inactive men were randomly divided into resistance training (n=9, 20.9±3.6 yr) and controls (n=10, 21.4±2.7 yr). Resistance training protocol consisted of twelve weeks weight training, 3 sessions training per week, each session for 60 minutes. General characteristics of subjects, serum concentration of resistin, and indices adiponectin-resistin (AR), homeostasis model assessment - adiponectin ratio (HOMA-AD) and insulin resistance (IRAR) were assessed before and after the training. Results: HOMA-AD and IRAR were reduced in resistance training group compare to controls, while serum resistin and AR did not significant reduce. Pretest-posttest difference means of HOMA-AD and IRAR were different between resistance training and control groups, while no significant differences were observed in the case of serum resistin concentration and AR. These parameters were not significant in the control group. Conclusion: Resistance training is associated with improved insulin resistance (decrease of HOMA-AD and IRAR indices), while did not change resistin level in underweight inactive men.

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Background and Objective: Adiponectin is one of the adiposaitocines which secret from adipose tissue and is very effective in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated disorders, especially in elderly people who are at risk for cardiovascular disease. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of endurance and resistance training on adiponectin level, insulin resistance index in inactive elderly men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 24 inactive elderly men were non-randomly divided into interventional and control groups. The combined training included endurance training (with intensity of 60-70% of maximum heart rate reserve) and resistance training (with intensity of 70% one repetition maximum). The training performed 3 times per week (one hour session) for 8 weeks. Results: The eight weeks of combined training increased the adiponectin level in interventional group compared to the controls (P<0.05). Insulin and FBS levels, insulin resistance index, and body fat percentage significantly reduced in interventional group compared to the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: The eight weeks of combined training increases the adiponectin level and reduces insulin resistance in elderly men.

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Background and Objective: Dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin may be associated with reduce the risk of insulin resistance, due to their antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin and the risk of insulin resistance in adults.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 938 (421 men and 517 women), aged between 19 to 82 years were selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study in Iran. Dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were determined using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Fasting serum glucose and insulin were measured at base line and again after a 3-year of follow up. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the occurrence of insulin resistance across tetiles of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin with adjustment for potential confounding variables.

Results: The mean age of participants was 40.7±12.1 years. β-carotene was inversely associated with insulin resistance after adjustment for confounder variables (95% CI= 0.25–0.72, OR= 0.42, P-value for trend=0.01). Also, an inverse association was found between dietary intake of β-cryptoxanthin and insulin resistance risk (95% CI= 0.30-0.84, OR= 0.51, P-value for trend=0.01).

Conclusion: There was inverse association between dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin and risk of insulin resistance in adults.

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Background and Objective: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is considered as a metabolic disorder and it is one of the most common endocrine and heterogeneous disorders with complex pathogenesis among women in reproductive ages. This study was done to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosis of lipid accumulate product index (LAP), insulin resistance, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Methods: In this case control study, antropometrics, biochemical parameters, LAP and insulin resistance in 43 women suffering from PCOS as case and 40 healthy women as control were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) was determined for each subject. LAP was defined as [WC (cm)-58´TG (m mol/L)]. PCOS was diagnosed according to Roterdam standard .Insulin resistance was defined based on Homeostatic model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
Results: The mean age, BMI, WHR and LAP index, among PCOS women were 24.06±5.86, 26.61±4.34, 0.81±0.061 and 47.13±4.13, respectively. There was a direct and significant correlation between HOMA-IR index and BMI, WC and LAP in case group (P<0.05). Statistical analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of LAP, BMI, WC and WHR were 46.93, 27.91, 93 and 0.81 respectively.
Conclusion: The WC, BMI and LAP indices are useful in screening the insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.

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Background and Objective: Insulin resistance (IR) is common in hypothyroidism. IR is one of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Insulin clamp is the gold standard method for evaluation of IR but it is not routine in clinical usage. The triglyceride- glucose (TyG) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) indices are non-invasive surrogate of IR. This study was done to determine the IR using the TyG and HOMA indices in hypothyroid patients.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was done on 23 hypothyroid patients including 15 overt and 8 subclinical hypothyroid patients. All patients were new cases and were matched for age, sex, and high. TSH, FT4, TG, LDL, FBS and fasting plasma insulin level were measured twice at time of diagnosis and after treatment and the changes of TyG and HOMA indices were recorded.
Results: In two groups IR based on HOMA was more than TyG index. IR in overt hypothyroidism based on HOMA index was more than two times in comparison with TyG index at the first time and more than three times (10:3) at the second time. IR in subclinical hypothyroidism based on HOMA index was more than four times in comparison with TyG index at the first time and more than three times (7:2) at the second time. A significant difference was found in IR based on HOMA before and after treatment (P<0.05). There were not any significant differences in IR indices of overt hypothyroidism group.
Conclusion: The eight weeks treatment of hypothyroidism and reducing TSH level is probably having no effect on HOMA and TyG in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism.

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Background and Objective: Eotaxin is a pre-inflammatory adipokinin secreted from adipose tissue that plays an important role in function regulating of adipose tissue. This study was done to determine the effect of high-intensity interval training on the gene expression of eotaxin in visceral adipose tissue and insulin resistance following metabolic syndrome in rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (weight 180±20 gr) were selected and after 12 weeks of high-fat diet and the creation of the metabolic syndrome model were randomly divided into four groups including  control, metabolic syndrome, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and metabolic syndrome with HIIT. Rats in the high-fat diet were subjected to a special diet (30 to 40% fat) for 12 weeks to develop a model of metabolic syndrome. HIIT consisted of 5 to 10 interval 1-minute intensive running on treadmill at 80 to 95% of maximum speed and in slow alternations at 55% of maximum speed for 8 weeks. Insulin resistance using HOMA-IR mode is considered as a basic factor for determining metabolic syndrome.
Results: The gene expression of eotaxin and insulin resistance in the metabolic syndrome group were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Gene expression of eotaxin and insulin resistance was significantly lower in HIIT and metabolic syndrome with HIIT groups than the metabolic syndrome group (P<0.05). Also, the gene expression of eotaxin and insulin resistance was significantly lower in HIIT group than the metabolic syndrome with HIIT group.
Conclusion: It seems that HIIT may be an important factor in down-regulating eotaxin and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome.