BackgroundThe objectives of study were to investigate the effects of cinnamon supplementation on antioxidant status and serum lipids in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsThis double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 overweight or obese PCOS patients; aged 20–38 years. Subjects in cinnamon (n = 42) and placebo (n = 42) groups were given 3 cinnamon capsules (each one contained 500 mg cinnamon) or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements and dietary intake data were gathered at the beginning and at the end of the study. Independent t test, paired t test and analysis of covariance were used to analyze of data.ResultsCinnamon significantly increased serum total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.005). Malondialdehyde was significantly decreased compared with placebo (P = 0.014). Cinnamon supplementation significantly improved serum level of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P < 0.05). No significant effect was detected on serum triglyceride level.ConclusionsCinnamon supplementation improved antioxidant status and serum lipid profile in women with PCOS and may be applicable for reducing PCOS risk factors.

BackgroundSpice consumption helps the treatment of diseases due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents. Cardamom is one of this spices; therefore, this study is designed to determine the effect of cardamom supplementation on serum lipids, glycemic indices, and blood pressure in pre-diabetic women.MethodsEighty overweight or obese pre-diabetic women were randomly allocated to two groups. The intervention group received 3 g of green cardamom and the placebo group received 3 g of rusk powder for 2 months. The physical activity level, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, Blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), insulin, body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, and insulin sensitivity were measured before and after intervention.ResultsAfter intervention, mean TC (p = 0.02) and LDL-C (p = 0.01) significantly decreased and insulin sensitivity (p = 0.03) increased in the cardamom group. In the control group, mean HDL-C (p = 0.02) significantly decreased after the study. We observed no significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycemic indices, and serum lipids values in the cardamom group compared to the placebo group.ConclusionsGreen cardamom supplementation may have a protective effect on HDL-C level in pre-diabetic subjects. It improves some blood parameters in these subjects; however, its effects are not different from placebo.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2014060817254N2. Registered 2 September 2014.

APOA II polymorphism may influence the saturated fatty acid intake required to prevent dyslipidemia in the type 2 diabetic population.

A B S T R A C TBackground: Iron overload and accelerated oxidative stress are main factors in the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia major. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of green tea consumption on serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation (TS) and antioxidant status in β-thalassemia patients. Methods: This study conducted on 52 subjects with β-thalassemia major (males and females) ≥18 y. The intervention group (n= 26) consumed green tea (2.5 g /150 mL hot water) 3 times per day for 8 wk and the control group (n= 26) followed a water regimen. Anthropometric measurements, blood samples and 24-h dietary recalls were gathered at the baseline and at the end of the trial. Independent t test, paired t test and analysis of covariance were used for data analysis. Results: Mean of serum iron, ferritin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were 234.7±49.3 μg/dL, 2776.07±533.4 ng/dl, 3.01±0.64 nmol/ml and 2.2665±0.77 nmol/l in green tea group and 298.19±66.87 μg/dL, 3070.23±643.6 ng/dl, 298.19±66.87 nmol/ml and 2.0862 ±0.35 nmol/l in control group at baseline, respectively. Green tea significantly decreased serum levels of iron, ferritin and MDA and increased TAC compared with control group (all, P < 0.05). No significant changes were seen in TS value in both groups. Conclusions: Green tea consumption had favorable effects on iron status and oxidative stress in studied subjects and may be useful in management of these risk factors in patients with β-thalassemia major.

Purpose: Methotrexate (MTX) is prescribed in many diseases and can result in oxidative stress (OS) followed by injuries in some tissues. Antioxidants administration are effective in reducing OS. Pomegranate exhibits high anti-oxidant capacities. This study investigated whether pomegranate seed and peel methanolic extracts (PSE and PPE) could protect against MTX-induced OS and lipid profile changes in rats.Methods: Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (normal salin), PSE group (500 mg/kg, orally), PPE group (500 mg/kg, orally), MTX group (10 mg/kg, IM), MTX and PSE group, and MTX and PPE group. Blood samples were taken for analysis in the end of the procedure.Results: The findings showed a significant reduction in Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and an enhancement in malondialdehyde (MDA) values after MTX treatment (p < 0.05). SOD and GPx levels reached the levels of the control group in MTX+SPE and MTX+PPE groups. No significant differences were observed in catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels between groups. The results showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the MTX treated group (p < 0.01). The values of TC, HDL, and LDL became elevated to the normal control levels in the MTX+PSE and MTX+PPE treated groups.Conclusion: The results showed the OS induced by MTX and the protective effects of PSE and PPE against MTX-induced serum oxidative stress and lipid profile changes in rats.