Background: In recent decades, consumption of simple sugars has increased dramatically. This consumption contributes to development of health problems including insulin resistance and obesity. In this study, we investigated the effects of high concentrations of white sugar (WS) and brown sugar (BS) on serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin resistance, and body weight in albino rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, a group treated with 15% WS, and a group treated with 15% BS. Rats were given WS and BS by gavage (daily) for 42 days. At the end of the intervention period, serum level of BDNF, insulin resistance, and body weight were measured. Results: Body weight and insulin resistance were significantly increased in both WS and BS groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). In the WS-treated rats, serum level of BDNF decreased compared to that in BS-treated and control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Due to the adverse effects of consuming high levels of WS and BS on serum level of BDNF, insulin resistance, and body weight, high intakes of these sweeteners are not recommended.

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Maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) may have persistent effects on offspring obesity and be risk factors for both mother and child. Studies have reported that asprosin concentration is associated with metabolism and weight changes during pregnancy. This study therefore evaluated the association of maternal and newborn asprosin with normal weight gain and EGWG and nutritional intake in pregnancy. The study included 30 pregnant women with normal weight gain and 30 women with EGWG referred to Ali ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan, Iran, September 2020 to June 2021. A demographic questionnaire and neonatal complications checklist were completed. Asprosin concentrations at the time of delivery in maternal venous blood samples and umbilical vein blood samples were measured by ELISA technique. Macronutrient and energy intake were assessed by a 24-h dietary recall questionnaire and compared with standard Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and Dietary References Intake (DRI) values. Asprosin levels were significantly higher in the EGWG group's umbilical cord blood than in the control group but there was no difference in maternal asprosin concentrations between the two groups. The Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration (Apgar) score was significantly lower in the EGWG group than in the control group, although there was no difference in birthweight between the groups. Weight gain during pregnancy, energy intake and protein and carbohydrate consumption were significantly higher in the EGWG group than in the control group (p < 0.05). It seems that differences in asprosin secretion do not mediate an imbalance in energy intake and other macronutrients during pregnancy that affect pregnancy weight gain and birthweight. However, excessive gestational weight gain was associated with neonatal asprosin levels and newborn Apgar scores.

Aims: To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the effect of curcumin (CUR) on galectin 3 (Gal3) as a factor associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CUR on serum Gal3 and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in rat models with AD. Methods: In this study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were utilized as test subjects. The animals were randomly divided into four groups with eight rats in each group as follows: (1) Sham (animals that received normal saline (NS)), (2) streptozotocin (STZ), (3) CUR, and (4) CUR -STZ. Animals were treated for 56 consecutive days and finally the level of Gal3, TAC and cognitive function were evaluated. Results: The result of study showed that a significant effect of CUR intake on the reduction of serum Gal3 in the CUR-STZ as compared to the STZ group (P = < 0.001). There was a markedly effect of CUR intake on the TAC in the CUR-STZ as compared to the STZ group (P = < 0.001). Additionally, it was markedly lower in the STZ group than in controls (P = < 0.05) Conclusions: The present study found that CUR consumption improved TAC and reduced Gal3 in rat models of AD. However, more studies are needed to elucidate CUR’s neuroprotective mechanisms.

Background Changes that occur during pregnancy and after that during breastfeeding induce some symptoms similar to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. This study aims to determine the relationship between pregnancy, as well as the duration of breastfeeding and MetS controlling the effect of other risk factors like hypertension, glucose intolerance, triglyceride, central obesity, and reduction of high-density lipoprotein in women of Fasa Persian Cohort Study. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study, 5015 women aged 35–70 years were investigated in the Sheshdeh region from 2016 to 2021, and the information related to the disease symptoms was collected through questionnaires, examinations, and laboratory tests. MetS was calculated based on two guidelines according to adult treatment panel III (ATP III) and international diabetes federation (IDF) methods. For reporting the data, the odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used. In order to eliminate the effect of confounders, logistic regression was used. Results Prevalence of MetS showed a descending trend in women with up to two pregnancies and it reached 22.6% and 22.4% using ATPIII and IDF methods respectively, while with an increase in the number of pregnancies of more than two, MetS prevalence was ascending. The prevalence of MetS did not have any specific trend across various breastfeeding duration groups. Multivariate analysis approved that the odds ratio of developing MetS in comparison with women who had two pregnancies was significantly increasing trend when the pregnancy counts increased. Conclusion The chance of developing MetS based on both IDF and ATP III methods after adjustment for confounding effects would grow with an increase in the number of pregnancies to more than two and breast-feeding of more than seven years. It is recommended that women with more than two pregnancies or the long duration of breast-feeding women undergo a specialized examination to investigate and control MetS problems so that future diseases could be prevented.