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Background & Objectives: Previous studies demonstrated that selected probiotic bacteria elicit beneficial effects in animals. Probiotic bacteria inhibit pathogens growth in the gut, improve lipid metabolism and activate immune system of animals. In the present study Enterococcus spp were isolated from Iranian traditional cheese and their effects on intestine pathogens (Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium) growth, serum lipids level and activation of immune systems in mice were studied.

  Methods: Iranian cheese samples were collected from Ardabil province. Enterococci spp were isolated using selective culture mediums and identified using API kites. Inhibitory effects of isolated Enterococci on growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and intestine pathogens (Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) were tested using agar well method . In order to study probiotic activities of isolated bacteria in live animals, NMRI mice were divided into different groups and Enterococci was administrated orally (1 ML/mouse) with doses equal to 2 (6×10⁸ cfu/ml) 3 (9×10⁸ cfu/ml) and 4 (12×10⁸ cfu/ml) MacFarland standard for 2 weeks. After two weeks continues treatment, blood samples were collected from retroorbital sinus and serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL measured using enzymatic method. Interleukins (IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10) levels were measured using ELISA kites.

  Results: Results of this study demonstrated that treatment with faecium species decreases serum cholesterol and increases serum IL-10 level, while it has not showed significant effects on serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, IL-2 and IL-6 (p<0.05). Administration of faecalis species have no significant effects on lipid levels of serum ( p <0.05). Moreover, results revealed that treatment with faecalis species increased IL-6 and IL-10 ( p <0.05). None of the species affected pathogens growth significantly ( p <0.05).

  Conclusion: The results obtained from current study demonstrate that continues treatment with both species can affect immune functions of animal by altering the cytokines profile and treatment with faecium species decreases serum level of cholesterol.

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  Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder resulting from insulin deficiency or resistance. One of the most common problem in diabetic patients is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease which induced by hyperlipidemia. Primary strategies for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are lowering of the lipids level by food and drugs. Zinc as an essential trace element may affect plasma lipid status . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc on the levels of plasma lipids in patients with type II diabetes.

  Methods: In this clinical trial study, 60 diabetic patients were divided in�two groups. The first group received 25 mg/kg/day zinc and second group received 50 mg/kg/day zinc for 8 week. The levels of fasting serum lipids, lipoproteins and zinc were evaluated in each group before and after administration of zinc. SPSS software (V.11.5) and t-test were used for statistical analysis.

  Results: In the study procedure in each group 8 patients were excluded and 22 patients completed the study. There were not significant changes in the levels of zinc and serum lipids between before and after zinc treatment in the first group (25 mg/kg/day). The serum levels of zinc significantly increased after administration of 50 mg/kg/day zinc in the second group (160 ± 30 μg/dL vs 140 ± 30, p = 0.002). There also were significant changes in the levels of LDL-Cholesterol, total cholesterol before and after zinc supplementation in the second group (50 mg/kg/day). LDL significantly reduced after supplementation (123.9±33.53 vs 96.5±32.50, p=0.001), cholesterol reduced (226.68±31.40 vs 199.8 ±37.8 p=0.001), HbA1C reduced after zinc supplementation (9.7±1.86 vs8.9±1.5, p=0.02).

  Conclusion: It seems that Zinc at higher doses (50 mg/kg/day) is effective to decrease the levels of serum lipids and glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic patients.