Introduction: Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient in humans, and its deficiency is reported in many disorders, including tuberculosis (TB). The current study's goal is to evaluate the anti-TB effect of Zn supplementation among pulmonary tuberculosis patients.    Material and Methods: In this study, 74 newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients referred to Qom Health Center were distributed into two groups of receiving 50 mg of zinc sulfate and placebo. All patients in both groups received the same antituberculosis antibiotics. Before starting treatment and after two and six months of treatment with antituberculosis drugs, the serum levels of zinc and biochemical parameters were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and a RA1000 Auto Analyzer, respectively.      Results: After two months of treatment, the serum Zn concentration in the Zn receiving group was higher than the placebo group. After anti-TB treatment, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin were significantly higher than pretreatment in both groups. The serum alkaline phosphatase changes, uric acid, creatinine, and urea were not significantly different in both groups at different times. Conclusion: The supplementation of Zn micronutrient results in improved BMI, serum Zn, and other biochemical parameters compared to before treatment.

Introduction: Body weight gain in children and teenagers is one of the major challenges that cause undesirable health outcomes. Simultaneously with the prevalence of overweight and obesity, children and adolescents are diagnosed with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency in different sides of the world. The present study aimed to assess 25(OH)D status among Iranian volunteers aged 1-16 years and find the correlation between 25(OH)D status and body mass index (BMI) subjects.    Material and Methods: The total volunteers included 807 Iranian children aged 1 to 16 referred to the general and endocrinology clinics in Babol city, Mazandaran Province. A trained physician determined anthropometric characteristics. Serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), creatinine (Cr), urea, thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and 25(OH)D were assessed in all children.      Results: 25.27% of the children were 25(OH)D deficient, and 59.1% were insufficient. There was no significant difference in serum 25(OH)D level between girls and boys (P=0.13). A significant negative correlation was found in serum 25(OH)D level with weight (P=0.000, r=-0.12), BMI (P=0.000, r=-0.13), and age (P=0.000, r=-0.13). Conclusion: These data displayed that 25(OH)D insufficiency is highly prevalent among children in the north of Iran. Serum 25(OH)D levels are affected by age and BMI value. Improving vitamin D deficiency helps to maintain the health of children and adolescents during this critical period.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome includes a range of disorders that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. In this study, we examined the serum level of vitamin D3 in diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome compared with non-diabetic individuals without metabolic syndrome and the association of serum vitamin D3 levels with metabolic syndrome and atherogenic factor (LDL/HDL). Material and Methods: In a case-control study, we included 110 women with metabolic syndrome according to ATP III criteria and 127 healthy women as a control group. Serum concentration of total cholesterol, LDL-C, FBS, HDL-C and serum triglyceride determined by enzymatic method and colorimetric and, serum level 25-(OH) vitamin D determined by ELISA. Results: It was found that the two healthy and metabolic groups were significantly different in terms of total cholesterol levels, LDL and triglyceride levels, HDL, VLDL, FBS, atherogenic index (LDL/HDL) and vitamin D levels (p<0.05). All participants in the control group and the patient and the whole study population were divided into two categories of insufficient and sufficient based on their measured serum concentrations of 25-(OH) vitamin D. There was a significant difference between the group with insufficient levels of vitamin D in comparison with the group with sufficient levels of vitamin D in terms of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels, HDL, VLDL, FBS and atherogenic index (LDL/HDL) (p=0.000). Conclusion: The present results showed that there is a significant relationship between level 25-(OH) D and atherogenic index (LDL/HDL) and the incidence of metabolic syndrome.