■ AbstractBACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic, potentially debilitating, and often fatal disease. Dietary strategies to reduce postprandial glycemia are important in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Nuts are rich in mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may reduce hyperglycemia and improve metabolism. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of pistachio nut supplementation on glycemic and inflammatory measures in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled, crossover trial, 48 diabetic patients were equally assigned to groups A and B. Patients in group A received a snack of 25 g pistachio nuts twice a day for 12 weeks and group B received a control meal without nuts. After 12 weeks of intervention, the patients had an 8-week washout. Then the groups were displaced, and group B received the same amount of pistachios for 12 weeks. RESULTS: With respect to the total change in variables over both phases, there was a marked decrease in HbA1c (-0.4%) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations (-16 mg/dl) in the pistachio group compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.001 for both). There was no overall significant change in BMI, blood pressure, HOMA-IR, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. Analysis of the two phases separately showed a decrease in FBG by 14 mg/dl and in HbA1c by 0.45% in the treatment group (A) after 12 weeks, while no significant differences were seen in group B (control group). In the second phase, FBG decreased from 151.36 ± 39.22 to 137.28 ± 28.65 mg/dl (-14 mg/dl) and HbA1c decreased from 7.42 ± 0.97 to 7.15 ± 0.68 mg/dl (-0.28%, p = 0.013 and p = 0.033, respectively) in the pistachio group (B). Pistachio consumption reduced systolic blood pressure (p = 0.007), BMI (p = 0.011), and CRP (p = 0.002) in patients from the treatment groups, but not insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary consumption of pistachio nuts as a snack has beneficial effects on glycemic control, blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation markers in diabetic patients.

IRCT2016062710826N19.

Context:In most combat sports, athletes are classified according to their body weight, and many of them attempt to lose weight quickly. Objectives: Since the effects of rapid weight loss (RWL) on competitive performance are somewhat ambiguous, this study aims to review high-risk behaviors used for RWL, to assess food intake and anthropometric data in combat sports athletes, and to investigate the negative effects of RWL on physiological and health-related parameters. Methods: This systematic review study was conducted by searching the PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus databases using keywords, including (combat sports, RWL, high-risk behaviors) and (food intake, anthropometric measurements) from 2001 to 2017. After screening based on the title and abstract of identified studies, 17 articles met our inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Results:The results of the studies indicated a high prevalence of RWL among athletes, which was often due to reduced body fluids. At the same time, lower-level athletes often used more dangerous methods, such as fasting, skipping meal, and fluid restriction. This method can negatively affect athletes' mental status and athletic performance. Conclusions: Regarding the negative effects of short-term adjustment of weight on physiological and mental function, further studies suggest athletes to consume a balanced and varied diet including all food groups.

Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage can affect exercise performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Carnitine and Glutamine supplementation on markers of muscle damage and muscle soreness after physical exertion on football players.Materials and Methods: Twenty eight healthy male football players aged 21.1±0.7 were recruited in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on 3 weeks of supplementation. Before supplementation protocol, each participant had to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 75% VO2max. Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups: L-Carnitine, L- Glutamine, L-Carnitine plus L- Glutamine and placebo. Blood samples were obtained pre-exercise and immediately after exercise. Muscle soreness was assessed on both occasions and two days after each exercise.Results: L-Carnitine and L-Glutamine supplementation for 21 days significantly decreased Creatine Kinase activity as a marker of muscle’s damage before (P=0.014) and after exercise (P=0.047), and muscle soreness two days after physical exertion (P=0.057). However, Lactate Dehydrogenase activity was affected by Carnitine supplementation after exercise.Conclusion: Chronic oral supplementation of Carnitine and Glutamine before exercise can reduce chemical markers of muscle tissue damage after exercise. In addition, these supplements may reduce muscle pain after exercise and optimize the processes of muscle tissue repair.[GMJ. 2014;3(4):207-15]

Background: Spirulina is an interesting nutritional supplement that has attracted a lot of attention. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of spirulina supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammatory factors and plasma markers of exercise-induced muscle damage in male taekwondo athletes. Results: A total of 18 trained taekwondo male athletes took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Each subject received either spirulina (8 g/day) or placebo for 3 weeks. The study had two periods separated by a 14-day washout. Blood samples were taken after finishing a training checklist program (4 times in total). There were no significant carryover effects; therefore, the two-week washout period was adequate. Compared to the placebo, a dose of 8 g / d of spirulina supplement over 21 days resulted in a significant decrease in plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and interleukin 6 (IL6) and a significant increase in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (p<0.05). There was not any statistically significant change in the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (p>0.05). Conclusion: Due to the improvement of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory conditions as well as an appropriate protein content, spirulina supplementation can produce a preventive effect on exercise-induced muscle damage in taekwondo athletes. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20121110011421N4. Registered 12 July 2021 - Retrospectively registered, https://irct.ir/trial/11692.