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  Background & Objectives: Preeclampsia is still one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite active researches over the past many years, the etiology of this disorder in human pregnancy is an enigma. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Essential nutrients such as vitamin C can scavenge free radicals inducing cellular damage. The present study was designed to investigate the plasma levels of vitamin C in patients with preeclampsia (case) and normotensive pregnant women (control).

  Methods: In this case-control study vitamin C as an antioxidant was estimated and compared spectrophotometrically in 40 preeclamptic and 80 normotensive pregnant women referring to Alavi Hospital of Ardabil province, Iran. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

  Results: The plasma levels of vitamin C were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia (0.147 ± 0.030 mg/dl) compared to controls who were normotensive pregnants (0.347 ± 0.119 mg/dl).

  Conclusion: Attempts at prevent preeclamsia are justified but since no reliable screening test has been offered as yet for women at risk, assessment of plasma level of vitamin C in patients prone to preeclampsia is strongly suggested.

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 Background & Objectives: Dysmenorrhea is a common complaint among women, which is occasionally accompanied by gastro-intestinal problems. This study was designed to consider the therapeutical effects of vitamin E on gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea due to primary dysmenorrhea.

 Methods: This was an experimental randomized study. A questionnaire was given to three hundred girl students suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. Then 128 girls who had gastro- intestinal symptoms accompyning dysmenorrhea entered the study. 69 subjects were assigned to case group and 59 to control group. From two days before the period until three days after it, four pills of vitamin E (400IU) daily were given to the case group and four chewing placebo were given to the control group as well, for four months. The data were analyzed by SPSS using Chi-square test.

 Results: The findings showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gastro-intestinal symptoms after two months of treatment. But after four months of treatment there was a significant difference in the gastro-intestinal symptoms between the two groups (p=0.001).

 Conclusions: Vitamin E is effective to be used after the second month of treatment to treat the gastro-intestinal symptoms in girls with primary dysmenorrhea.

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  Background & Objectives: With respect to the importance of diabetes mellitus prevalence and contradictory role of treatment with metformin on vitamin B12 and folic acid serum levels and this study was done in order to determine of Vitamin B12 and folic acid serum level in patients with diabetes mellitus under treatment with metformin. This research was performed in diabetes center of Kashan in 2004.

  Methods: Information about research method, target and conclusions were given to patients. Those who were under treatment with anti acids, and chemotherapy drugs and also those who were alcoholic and had gastrointestinal diseases and hepatic diseases were excluded among all samples of this research, then patients were divided in to 2 groups: The first group were under treatment with metformin, second group were with other drugs for diabetes treatment. All of people were under treatment for at least 6 months folic acid, vitamin B12 serum level of them were checked after 14 hours fasting and the findings were studied with SPSS software and X2 tests, T test fisher exact test.

  Results: there were 145 (84.31%) female and 27 male (15.69%) between 172 patients. Average age of patients was 52.1±12.7 years. Duration of disease was 5.42±9.1 and average Body Mass Index was 27.7±4.7 kg/m2. Folic acid average was 9.2±5.1 (ng/dl) in patients who consumed metformin and was 8.7±4.6 (ng/dl) in patients without consuming of metformin that did not show significant difference (p=0.557). B12 vitamin average was 5.43±342.54 (pg/dl) in patients under treatment with metformin and was 516±32.16 (pg/dl) in patients without consuming metformin in statistical findings between these 2 groups was not significant. (p=0.639). Significant correlation was observed between age of patients whom were studied and serum folic acid level of them. (p=0.07), But did not show significant correlation between age with serum B12 level (p=0.095). There was no significant correlation between age, length of disease, body mass index and level of B12 and folic acid.

  Conclusion: Correlation between reduction serum level of B12 and folic acid with consuming of metformin was not found. Difference between results of this study with other studies is likely because of more use of routine vitamin supplement that is consumed by patients without physician’s recommending, genetic differences or drugs composition.

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  Background & Objectives: It is estimated that one third of the world’s population is infected by M. tuberculosis. Because of differences in immune system activity against the invasive microorganisms, the disease is developed only among 10% of them. Vitamin D metabolism and its receptor activity are important factors in human native immune system against tuberculosis. In the present study we investigated ApaI polymorphism of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and association with susceptibility to tuberculosis.

  Method: This study was performed on 84 cases with tuberclosis (male =50, female =34) and 90 controls (male =49, female = 41). DNA was extracted from cases and controls leucocytes and elected sequences amplified in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure by using specific primers. ApaI polymorphism of VDR gene evaluated by RFLP technique on PCR products. Finally statistical analysis performed using Chi- square to compare genotype frequencies between cases and controls.

  Results: In case and control groups, AA genotype frequency were 34.5% and 33.3% respectively (OR₌0.905, 95% CI 0.469-1.747, p ₌ 0.766) and a genotype frequency in patients and control group were 15.47% and 13.3% respectively (OR₌0.808, 95% CI 0.333 –1.961, p₌0.637).

  Conclusion: In the present study we could not find any significant relationship between genotype frequency of ApaI (A/a) polymorphism in VDR gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis.

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Background & objectives: exposure to lead has a wide range side effects on fertility. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins required for the body. This study was conducted to determine the effect of vitamin D on spermatogenesis in male rats treated with lead nitrate.
Methods: In this experimental study, 25 adult male Wistar rats (250-300 gr) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=5). Control group without any treatment, the group receiving lead by gavage and experimental groups receiving lead plus vitamin D at doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight by gavage  for 28 days. At the end of the study, after anesthetizing the rats, blood samples were collected directly from heart and serum levels of testosterone hormone, Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) andLuteinizing Hormone (LH) were measured. Histological studies were performed to count the spermatocyte and examine the diameter of the seminal tube. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using one-way ANOVA, at significance level of p>0.05.
Results: Compared to the control group,  the mean serum testosterone level in the lead group significantly decreased (p<0.001) and the mean LH and FSH serum levels significantly increased (p<0.001) . Also, spermatocytes and seminiferous tubule diameter significantly decreased (p<0.001). Vitamin D consumption reduced the effects of lead intake, and  this effectiveness was completely dose-dependent.
Conclusion: Our data showed that vitamin D has a significant effect on serum testosterone levels and gonadotropins.

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Background & objectives: In the pathogenesis of endometriosis, a variety of genes are involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the GATA2 gene expression changes in endometriosis rat model following a period of aerobic exercise and vitamin B6 intake.
Methods: For this purpose, 25 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including: healthy control, patient control, patient+training, patient+vitamin, patient+vitamin+ training. In order to create an endometriosis model, rats were first anesthetized and after opening abdominal muscle, ovarian tissue and part of uterine tissue were removed and were inserted into a sterile container with one cc of PBS and sliced. Tissue fragments were transplanted into the abdominal and ovarian areas. The amount of vitamin intake was 60mg/kg and swimming program lasted 8 weeks, 30 minutes a day, five days a week. One-way ANOVA test and Tukey post hoc test were used for data analysis.
Result: The results showed that a period of swimming exercise program in the patient + training group significantly increased the GATA2 level compared to the patient control group (p≤0.001). Also, the GATA2 gene expression level was significantly increased in the patient + training + vitamin group compared to the patient control group (p=0.002). However, its level in the patient group was significantly lower than that of the healthy control group (p≤0.001).
Conclusion: Regular aerobic exercise combined with intake of vitamin B6 may decrease GATA2 gene expression level in endometrial rat model.
 

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Background & objectives: Vitamin D deficiency and poor sleep quality are important factors in health disorders and are common among women. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity on vitamin D levels and improving sleep quality in women.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on active and inactive women (85 individuals in each group), aged 30-48 years that were selected using convenience randomized sampling. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire was used to assess sleep quality and a score higher than 5 was determined as poor sleep quality. For analysis of data, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests and Spearman coefficient were used at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The results showed that 54.12% and 28.82% of women had a deficiency and insufficient levels of vitamin D, respectively, and 61.8% had poor sleep quality. Active women had higher levels of vitamin D and better sleep quality compared to inactive women (p<0.05). There was also a direct relationship between vitamin D levels and sleep quality in active and inactive women. However, this association was significant in active women with vitamin D deficiency and inactive women with different vitamin D status.
Conclusion: It seems that physical activity can increase vitamin D levels and improve sleep quality in women. But vitamin D status, especially its deficiency, may be one of the most important determinants of sleep quality in active and inactive women.

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Background & objectives: Obesity and vitamin D (VD) deficiency is associated with poor sleep quality (SQ), and lifestyle changes can effectively improve SQ. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high- intensity interval running training (HIIRT) with VD intake on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and SQ in young women with VD deficiency.
Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 52 women with an average age of 25.98±1.95 years, body mass index of 27.54±1.13 kg/m2 and low VD status. After being selected by the available sampling method, the subjects were randomly divided into control, running training, VD and combined groups. HIIT performed in 12x1-min running bouts at 80-90% HRmax interspersed with one minute of active recovery. VD was consumed weekly with a dose of 50,000 units. SQ was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with repeated measures, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and paired t- test (p<0.05).
Results: After 8 weeks, the levels of BDNF in the experimental groups increased and the SQ score decreased significantly (p<0.05). But the combined intervention had more effect on the change of SQ scales (p<0.05) and BDNF (p<0.001) compared to the other two interventions (p<0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the changes in the SQ score of the running training and VD groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Lifestyle changes such as HIIT, VD intake, and combined intervention can lead to improvement of SQ through the up-regulation of BDNF in women with overweight and VD deficiency. Also combined intervention may have more potent effects on improving these variables.