Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is one of the important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction and increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) result in cardiovascular complications. Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are two adhesion molecules that are markers of early atherosclerosis and play a significant role in developing atherosclerosis. Aim:To evaluate CIMT and its association with the levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in children and adolescents with T1DM. Materials and Methods:In this descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between April 2013 and September 2014, 29 children aged 7-20 years with T1DM for at least two years and 29 age and sex-matched, healthy individuals were evaluated.Plasma level of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was measured by ELISA, and CIMT via Doppler ultrasound was also assessed. The data were analysed by t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient in SPSS 16.0 (p≤0.05).Results: Independent t-test indicated that there is a significant difference in ICAM-1 level between the patients and controls (p<0.001). Further, CIMT was significantly higher in diabetic subject (p<0.001). CIMT was not significantly associated with the level of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the patients (p>0.5). Conclusion:ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were not associated with CIMT but, CIMT and level of ICAM-1 were significantly, higher in diabetic patients, and therefore could be used as useful tools for identification of early atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with T1DM.Noushin Rostampour et al., Vascular Endothelial Markers and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness www.jcdr.net

Many pregnant Muslim women fast during Ramadan. Leptin has an important role in the reproductive system and hormones. In this study, FSH, LH, oestrogen, progesterone and leptin were measured in the first, second and fourth week of Ramadan and the second week post-Ramadan, in 30 fasting pregnant women. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA by SPSS. The weight and BMI did not change during the study. A significant change in FSH, oestrogen, progesterone and leptin was observed (p < 0.05). The lowest value of FSH was in the second week of Ramadan. Progesterone increased at the end of Ramadan and the second week after. Oestrogen increased significantly during Ramadan and decreased after Ramadan. A decreasing trend was seen in LH during the Ramadan and 2 weeks after (p < 0.1). Leptin decreased significantly 2 weeks after Ramadan. We found poor weight gain and hypoleptinaemia in pregnant fasted women during the study. Food restriction in pregnant fasted women during Ramadan may induce poor weight gain during pregnancy. These data confirm that Ramadan fasting by pregnant women may have potential risks during pregnancy. We recommend further study to evaluate long-term effects of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy in different countries with different food habits and traditions, to obtain reliable and documented data.

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Obesity is one of the major health issues in developed and developing countries, which has been increasing in recent decades. Obesity is one of the important risk factors for type 2 diabetes by developing insulin resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on insulin resistance in overweight and obese children and adolescents with vitamin D deficiency. In this interventional study, 53 overweight and obese children and adolescents with vitamin D deficiency referred to the Endocrinology Clinic of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences were included. The height and weight of participants were measured, and their Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. To participants, 50,000 units of vitamin D were administered weekly for 8 weeks, and then 1000 units were orally administered daily for 3 months. Before and after the intervention, levels of vitamin D, insulin, and fasting blood sugar were measured. The HOMAIR was also calculated as an indicator of insulin resistance. After the intervention, serum vitamin D significantly increased, and BMI and fasting blood sugar significantly decreased (P<0.05). The insulin resistance index did not change significantly during the intervention (P>0.05). After the intervention, HOMA-IR had a significant direct correlation with body mass index, insulin, and fasting blood sugar and a significant inverse correlation with vitamin D (P<0.05). Vitamin D had a significant inverse correlation with BMI, insulin, and fasting blood sugar after the intervention (P<0.05). Oral treatment with vitamin D significantly increased serum vitamin D levels and significantly decreased BMI and fasting blood sugar in obese and overweight children.

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