BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy is a serious microvascular disorder of the retina. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, induced by high glucose levels and hypoxia, is a main feature in retinopathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitreous and serum VEGF levels and control of diabetes and microalbuminuria in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.MethodsSixty-five patients were enrolled in this case-control study, comprising 30 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (cases) and 35 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (controls). The vitreous VEGF level was compared with the serum VEGF level in both groups. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), microalbuminuria, serum creatinine, and stage of nephropathy and retinopathy were also measured in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and the relationship between these parameters and serum and vitreous VEGF levels was investigated.ResultsMean vitreous and serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in cases compared with controls (P = 0.001, P = 0.011, respectively). There was also a significant correlation between vitreous and serum VEGF levels (P = 0.012, r = 0.453). VEGF levels in patients with well controlled blood glucose (P = 0.039), on drug treatment (P = 0.045) and at an early stage of nephropathy (P = 0.042) were significantly lower. There was a significant correlation between VEGF and albumin to creatinine ratio (P = 0.017, r = 0.432).ConclusionSerum and vitreous VEGF levels was significantly lower in patients on oral therapy, in those with well controlled glycemia, and in those with early-stage retinopathy. Administration of anti-VEGF had a good effect in reducing the progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Protein S100B is a biomarker that reflects brain injury after trauma. In traumatic brain injury definite prediction of outcome of the patients is an important goal. In this regard, our study focuses on the S100B protein value in predicting brain death after head trauma.

Introduction: Exercise has an important impact of health and is an inseparable way to managing diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study is to examine impact of the period of high-Intensity interval training and at the same time strength-endurance training on the levels of some adipokines associated with insulin resistance in diabetic women. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two overweight female type 2 diabetic patients (45-60 years old with fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l)) were assessed and based on glycosylated, Hb were assigned into the intense interval training group (N = 17), concurrent resistance-endurance training group (N = 17) and control group (N = 18). Strong-endurance group subjects did three sessions of endurance training with 60% maximum heart rate (MHR) and two sessions per week of resistance training with 70% repeat maximum (1-RM). Intensity interval training group did three sessions of 4 to 10 repetitions of a 30-minute Wingate test on the ergometer with maximum effort for eight weeks. The control group did not have any regular sports activities. At the end of experiment, 42 subjects completed the study and 10 subjects were excluded. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were measured 24 hours before and 48 hours after the last exercise session. Data were analyzed by t-test and covariance analysis. Results:The results showed that, levels of apelin in HIT and combine training group have no significant changes (P = 0.13 and P = 0.09, respectively), but visfatin in HIT Group (P = 0.003) and combine training group (P = 0.001) has significant changes. Also changes in IL-6 in intense interval training (P = 0.09) or combined training groups (P = 0.07) was not significant. Likewise TNF-α has no changes in extreme speed (P = 0.11) and combined (P = 0.23). But we observed significant differences in the levels of MCP-1 in high-intensity exercises in group training and concurrent training groups (P = 0.001, P = 0.045, respectively). Conclusions: HIT accompany with strength-endurance training can have positive effects on the levels of glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, MCP-1 and visfatin in women with diabetes mellitus.

Background: The decrease in bone mass in paraplegic spinal cord injured persons increases the risk factors for fractures. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of progressive locomotor treadmill training (LT) on muscle mass, bone mineral density, and bone remodeling in paraplegia patients.

Background and aims: There are many articles about the effects of different training methods on lipid profiles in the elderly. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of training on the lipid profile in the elderly. Methods: In this study, databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar were searched. Intervention effects were presented as mean difference (MD) with a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed to study heterogeneity, following the primary screening of the full text of the articles. Results: A total of 23 trials with 1654 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD = 0.47 mg/dL; P<0.001, SE = 0.08, V = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.31 0.63, Z = 5.73, 19 trials), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD = -0.46; P<0.001, SE = 0.11, V = 0.01, 95% CI = -0.68 -0.25, Z = -4.24), triglyceride (MD = -0.62; P=0.001, SE = 0.12, V = 0.01, 95% CI = -0.86 -0.38, Z = -5.03, 20 trials), and total cholesterol (TC) (MD = -0.33; P<0.001, SE = 0.09, V = 0.01, 95% CI = -0.52 -0.15, Z = -3.57, 16 trials) were investigated. Following sensitivity analysis and heterogeneity testing, the results were still strong and impressive. Conclusion: Lipid profiles improved in training groups, indicating higher levels of HDL-C and lower levels of LDL-C, TC, and triglyceride. Overall, training leads to a better lipid profile. However, closer scrutiny seems necessary.