BackgroundThere are multiple studies in different countries regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. These studies showed high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Asian countries. This study tries to elucidate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its influencing factors in population of Tehran.Methods1210 subjects 20–64 years old were randomly selected. 25 (OH) D serum levels were measured. Duration of exposure to sunlight, the type of clothing and level of calcium intake and BMI were quantified based on a questionnaire.ResultsA high percentage of vitamin D deficiency was defined in the study population. Prevalence of severe, moderate and mild Vitamin D deficiency was 9.5%, 57.6% and 14.2% respectively. Vitamin D serum levels had no significant statistical relation with the duration of exposure to sunlight, kind of clothing and BMI. Calcium intake in the normal vitamin D group was significantly higher than the other groups (714.67 ± 330.8 mg/day vs 503.39 ± 303.1, 577.93 ± 304.9,595.84 ± 313.6). Vitamin D serum levels in young and middle aged females were significantly lower than the older group.ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency has a high prevalence in Tehran. In order to avoid complications of vitamin D deficiency, supplemental dietary intake seems essential.

Objectives: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically in recent years. There are many different safe therapies used for diabetes and also number of natural supplements that can be used to manage diabetes.We assessed the effect of oral propolis supplementation on blood glucose, insulin resistance and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetes.Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial for 8-week. Sixty two patients with type 2 diabetes (30-55 years of age) were randomly assigned in two group, propolis (n = 31) and placebo (n = 31).Patients were given doses of 500 mg, three times a day (1500 mg), of propolis or placebo three time a day. The fasting blood sugar (FBS), two-hour postprandial glucose (2-hp), insulin, insulin resistance (IR), hemoglobin A(1)c (HbA(1)c), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: After two month, FBS, 2-hp, insulin, IR, HbA(1)c was significantly decreased in patients treated with propolis compared with placebo group (p < 0.05). Additionally intake of propolis significantly increased the blood levels of TAC and activity of GPx and SOD (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Propolis treatment can be helpful as a diet supplement in patients with type 2 diabetes through improvement in glycemic status, reduction in insulin resistance and amelioration in antioxidant status. This supplement without side effects can increase the effectiveness of prescribing drugs in diabetes.

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Vitamin D (Vit D) is an essential element for the regulation of serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase (Alk Ph). Because the Vit D serum level is not usually measured directly, Vit D deficiency is diagnosed indirectly by changes in serum calcium, phosphate, and Alk Ph leves. The current study assessed the status of these biochemical parameters in subjects with different degrees of Vit D deficiency. We selected 1,210 subjects, between 20 and 69 years old, randomly from the Tehran population. Subjects with diseases or medications that modified bone metabolism were excluded from the study. Serum 25(OH) D, calcium, phosphate, Alk Ph, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured and the status of these biochemical parameters was compared in subjects with different degrees of Vit D deficiency. Vit D deficiency was diagnosed in 79.6% of the subjects. Different degrees of Vit D deficiency were classified as follows: group 1, severe; group 2, moderate; and group 3, mild. Serum PTH levels in the Vit D-deficient groups were significantly higher than that in group 4 (normal Vit D). Serum calcium and phosphate levels in groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those in groups 3 and 4. No significant difference was seen in serum Alk Ph in the groups with different degrees of Vit D deficiency. The sensivity for at least one biochemical variable (calcium, phosphorus, or Alk Ph) for the detection of severe, moderate, and mild Vit D deficiency was 24.2%, 13.8%, and 6%, respectively. When the serum 25(OH) D level was reduced to less than 25 nmol/l (groups 1 and 2), the effects of Vit D deficiency on calcium and phosphate levels were obvious. Therefore, the usual biochemical parameters (calcium, phosphate, Alk Ph) alone do not have sufficient sensitivity to detect mild deficiency of Vit D.

Backgrounds:Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide, including Iran. It has been suggested that vitamin D deficiency is associated with non-specific musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this study is evaluation of the association of musculoskeletal pain with vitamin D deficiency and the response of the patients to vitamin D supplementation.Materials and Methods:sixty two adult patients with chief complaint of musculoskeletal pain were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, Calcium, Phosphate, Alkaline Phosphatase and PTH were determined. If there was vitamin D deficiency, oral vitamin D supplementation was given. Assessment of pain and its response to therapy was carried out using Visual Assessment Score (VAS). SPSS software version 15.0 was used for statistical analyses.Findings:Most of the patients (95.4%) had vitamin D deficiency. Pain in 53 patients (85.5%) with responded to the proposed treatment. In responder group post treatment vitamin D concentration was significantly higher than non responder group (60.6±27.6and 39.2±9.6 nmol/l respectively, p<0.01) pretreatment vitamin D and minerals concentrations and pain characteristics did not have significant differences in responder and non responder group.Conclusion:Treatment with vitamin D can relieve the pain in majority of the patients with vitamin D deficiency. Lack of response can be due to insufficient increase in serum vitamin D concentration. Physiologic differences of gastrointestinal vitamin D absorption, differences of body mass indexes, and noncompliance could be potential causes for this issue. Reassessment of serum 25(OH)D concentration is recommended in nonresponsive patients.