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Introduction: The alteration in serum lipid profile; increase in total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TAG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); and reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are key factors in cardiovascular disease progression. The high prevalence and severity of cardiovascular diseases require new screening tools for better evaluation. Atherogenic index (AI) (LDL-C/HDL-C) and coronary risk index (CRI) (TC/HDL-C) can be strong markers for predicting the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease and disclose the presence of LDL or TAG in the serum of related patients. To implement this strategy, the AIs and CRIs in our population were assessed. In this study, a total of 5207 subjects were recruited and AIs and CRIs were calculated for all of them. According to our data, age, body mass index, sex, as well as CRI and AI had affirmative correlation with TC, LDL-C, TAG, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. By increasing these factors, AIs and CRIs were augmented. Moreover, in situations where all atherogenic parameters are normal, these parameters may be the alternative screening tool.

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Background: Recently herbs considered as biological and safe agents to treat, control and prevent of many health problems such as obesity and its complications.

Atherogenic dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with DM and characterized with high level of lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) and low level of adiponectin. Adiponectin serves as a regulator in glucose and lipid metabolism therefore is essential for maintaining response to insulin. Lp (a) is a cholesterol rich compound, so agents with hypoglycemic properties are suitable for treatment of diabetes that could improve atherogenic dyslipidemia. The major goal of this study was to investigate antioxidant capacity of natural honey as well as levels of adiponectin, Lp (a) and AIP (atherogenic index of plasma) in honey treated experimental diabetes. Twenty eight streptozotocin-induced diabetic male wistar rats were randomized into four groups (seven animals each) and administered distilled water, natural honey 1 and 2g/kg and glibenclamide. After three weeks treatment, adiponectin, Lp (a), MDA (malondialdehyde), FBS (fasting blood sugar), TG (triglyceride), cholesterol, HDL-C (high density lipoprotein) and LDL-C (low density lipoprotein) were measured. AIP also was calculated. Data analysis showed that honey significantly reduced serum level of triglycerides (0.72 ± 0.02 mmol/L) and FBS (7.8 ± 0.12 mmol/L) to normoglycemic levels in diabetic rats. Honey also significantly increased serum adiponectin (4.5 ± 0.26 mg/L) and HDL-C (0.72 ± 0.14 mmol/L) levels in diabetic rats. Serum level of LP (a) was declined in honey treated groups (25.5 ± 3.2 g/dL). Also honey supplementation decreased MDA level and AIP to normoglycemic control group. Our study supports the hypothesis that honey has beneficial effects in diabetes by its anti-atherogenic effect. Increased adiponectin level in honey treated groups might be associated with better glycemic control and improved lipid profile. Accordingly agents that increase adiponectin levels might be valuable targets for decreasing the atherogenic risk in diabetes.

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Little is known about the genotypes of Echinococcus spp. and their life cycles in eastern Iran. We analysed the partial sequences of the nad1 and cox1 genes from 17 isolates from hydatid cyst-infected patients (n=9), camels (n=5) and sheep (n=3) in Birjand, eastern Iran. A new primer pair was also used to amplify the long fragment (1180bp) of the cox1 gene. All camel and eight human isolates were G6 strains of Echinococcus canadensis while one human isolate and the three sheep isolates were G1 genotypes (sheep strain) of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.). Nad1 and cox1 sequence analyses showed high G6 genetic homogeneity, similar to previously reported G6 strains from southeast and central Iran, Sudan and Mauritania. Low nucleotide and haplotype diversity similar to G6 strains from Russia (Altai republic) and Kazakhstan was also found, consistent with a bottleneck effect. In this study, G6 was the most common Echinococcus genotype. Genetic homogeneity of east, southeast and central Iranian G6 and its low genetic diversity may be due limited mobility and contact between humans and camels from other regions because of large, inhospitable deserts.

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