---

Background and Objective: The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders that are associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases and type-II diabetes. This study investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adolescents population in Gorgan, Northern Iran - 2009.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 450 adolescents 15-17 years, selected through 2 stage cluster randomized sampling from high schools. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were assessed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NHANES III criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software, Chi-Square and logestic regration.

Results: The overall metabolic syndrome prevalence was 3.3% (CI 95%:1.8–5.4). More than half of cases (54.6%) had at least 1 or 2 components. High triglyceride level was the most common disorder in both genders (boys 27.6%, girls 52.4%) and then low HDL cholesterol level (17.3%) and central obesity (7.6%) were common among boys and girls respectively. Where as abdominal obesity in boys (0.9%) and hypertension in girls (3.1%) were less common.

Conclusion: This study showed that the rate of metabolic syndrome is slightly lower but the obsity in adolescents is higher than other parts of country.

---

Background and Objective: Limited studies on the relation between the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors and dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) are available. This study was done to determine the association between glycemic index, glycemic load and cardiovascular risk factors in adults. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 2284 subjects (1327 males, 957 females) with 19-84 age in Tehran, Iran during 2005-08. Dietary GI and GL were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Blood pressure, Anthropometric, fasting blood of glucose and lipid profiles including total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) as a CVDs risk factors were measured. The mean intake of nutrient, adjusted for energy production, gender, age, according to GI and GL, using general linear model analysis covariance test was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15, one-way analysis variance, Chi-Square, partial correlation and Linear regression. Results: The mean intakes of glycemic index and glycemic load were 68.3 and 244.8, respectively. Dietary GI and GL was inversely associated with whole grain and positively associated with refined grained, fruits, dairy products and simple sugar. After adjustment for lifestyle and dietary variables, dietary GI was inversely associated with triglyceride and HDL cholesterol concentrations among obese subjects. Dietary GL was inversely associated with fasting and 2-h blood glucose among non-obese subjects after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion: GI in obese men associated with serum increase triglyceride and reduced HDL-C. Glycemic load in a non-obese man is correlated with reducing fasting blood glucose.

---

Background and Objective: Hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia are the prevalent risk factors associated with diabetes and their attenuation in diabetic patients with medicinal plants has great significance. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Salvia officinalis (SO) administration on serum glucose, lipids and tissue level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups including: control, SO-treated control, diabetic, and SO-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.) was used. SO powder was mixed with standard rat chow. Serum glucose and triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels were determined on the first day and at 3rd and 6th weeks after the intervention. Finally, liver level of MDA and protein were determined in liver homogenate. Results: At 6th week, serum glucose level was significantly higher in diabetic and SO-treated diabetic groups (P<0.001) in compare to controls. Oral consumption of SO did not significantly reduce serum glucose level. Serum triglyceride level significantly reduced in SO-treated diabetic group in compare to diabetic group (P<0.05). There was not significant difference between SO-treated diabetic and diabetic groups. Serum level of cholesterol, HDL, LDL and tissue MDA level in SO-treated diabetic group in compare to diabetic group. Conclusion: Chronic administration of Salvia officinalis reduces serum triglyceride level in diabetic rats, with no significant effect on glucose level and Malondialdehyde.

---

Background and Objective: Flax seed has been shown to play a role in the prevention and treatment of dislipidemia and inflammation, which may enhance the benefits of training. This study was done to determine the effect of 10 weeks of aerobic training with flax seed supplementation on blood lipids profile and C-reactive protein in obese women.

Methods: In this clinical trail study, 45 obese middle-age women were randomly divided into 3 groups. Aerobic training program was performed 50-60 min/d, 3d/wk, for 10 weeks. Subjects in aerobic training with flax seed supplementation were received 6-9 garms, daily of flax seed. Body composition and metabolic parameters were assessed before and after the training period.

Results: Flax seed supplementation significantly improved triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol TC/HDL, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and fat mass (P<0.05). Flax seed supplementation in combination  with aerobic training significantly improved adiposity indices body weight,body mass index, waist circumference , fat mass, triglyceride, HDL- cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, LDL/HDL and TC/HDL (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Flax seed is safe and effective for improvement of cardiometabolic health in obse women and combination of flax seed can enhance beneficial effect of training over a ten-week period.

---

Background and Objective: Homocysteine and atherogenic index are significant and independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This study was done to determine the effect of 10 weeks endurance swimming training on serum homocysteine level and atherogenic index in rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 20 adult male Wistar rats (180±20 g) were randomly allocated into control (n=10) and experimental (n=10) groups. Animals in experimental group swam ten weeks of endurance training (5 days a week, for 60 minutes a day) with a 5% body weight load attached to the tail. At the end of 10 weeks and after the last of training session and 12 hours of fasting animals were sacrificed. Blood samples were taken and serum homocysteine level, atherogenic index and
NON-HDL-cholesterol were measured.

Results: Serum homocysteine level, atherogenic index and NON-HDL-cholesterol of animals significantly reduced in the experimental group compared to the controls (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Ten weeks of endurance swimming training with low to moderate intensity improves homocysteine level and atherogenic index in animal model.