Functional foods-based diet as a novel dietary approach for management of type 2 diabetes and its complications: A review

Type 2 diabetes is a complicated metabolic disorder with both short- and long-term undesirable complications. In recent years, there has been growing evidence that functional foods and their bioactive compounds, due to their biological properties, may be used as complementary treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this review, we have highlighted various functional foods as missing part of medical nutrition therapy in diabetic patients. Several in vitro, animal models and some human studies, have demonstrated that functional foods and nutraceuticals may improve postprandial hyperglycemia and adipose tissue metabolism modulatecarbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Functional foods may also improve dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, and attenuate oxidative stress and inflammatory processes and subsequently could prevent the development of long-term diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. In conclusion available data indicate that a functional foods-based diet may be a novel and comprehensive dietary approach for management of type 2 diabetes.

Nitrate-nitrite-nitrosamines exposure and the risk of type 1 diabetes: A review of current data

The potential toxic effects of nitrate-nitrite-nitrosamine on pancreatic β cell have remained a controversial issue over the past two decades. In this study, we reviewed epidemiological studies investigated the associations between nitrate-nitrite-nitrosamines exposure, from both diet and drinking water to ascertain whether these compounds may contribute to development of type 1 diabetes. To identify relevant studies, a systematic search strategy of Pub Med, Scopus, and Science Direct was conducted using queries including the key words "nitrate", "nitrite", "nitrosamine" with "type 1 diabetes" or "insulin dependent diabetes mellitus". All searches were limited to studies published in English. Ecologic surveys, case-control and cohort studies have indicated conflicting results in relation to nitrate-nitrite exposure from drinking water and the risk of type 1 diabetes. A null, sometimes even negative association has been mainly reported in regions with a mean nitrate levels < 25 mg/L in drinking water, while increased risk of type 1 diabetes was observed in those with a maximum nitrate levels > 40-80 mg/L. Limited data are available regarding the potential diabetogenic effect of nitrite from drinking water, although there is evidence indicating dietary nitrite could be a risk factor for development of type 1 diabetes, an effect however that seems to be significant in a higher range of acceptable limit for nitrate/nitrite. Current data regarding dietary exposure of nitrosamine and development of type 1 diabetes is also inconsistent. Considering to an increasing trend of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM) along with an elevated nitrate-nitrite exposure, additional research is critical to clarify potential harmful effects of nitrate-nitritenitrosamine exposure on β-cell autoimmunity and the risk of T1DM.

A New Diterpene Extracted from Daphne Mucronata, Effects on Human K562 and CCRF-CEM Cell Lines

Background: Daphne Mucronata extract has a decreasing effect on the size of breast adenocarcinoma in rats. So in this study, the effect of Daphne Mucronata purified diterpene were investigated on co culture of human monocytes and two human leukemia cell lines (K562, CCRF-CEM). Materials and Methods: Each cell line mono-layer culture, in log phase growth, was treated with 10 to 160 μL of the extract (1 g/ml leave powder) and purified compound (0.94 nM). For a comparative study, Taxol (5 to 40 μM) was used in the presence and absence of LPS. Human monocytes were isolated by adhesion method. TNF-α in cultured media were measured by sensitive biotin-streptoavidin ELISA method. Results: Fifty percent of growth inhibition was shown by 160 μL (1:100 dilution, 0.5 g of the powdered leaves/ml) of the extract and 0.94 nM of the purified component, and there was more inhibition in K562 cells (P < 0.05). Four fold increases in growth inhibition was shown in co culture of isolated human monocytes and leukemia cell lines. There was a direct relationship between monocytes TNF-α secretion and growth inhibition degree. Conclusion: Daphne Mucronata extract and its purified diterpene through increasing monocytes TNF-α releasing, potentially inhibit Leukemia cell line.

Prospective study of total and various types of vegetables and the risk of metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents

BACKGROUND Data available on the association between consumption of various types of vegetables and metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain inconsistent. AIM To investigate the association between the intake of various types of vegetables and MetS among children and adolescents and MetS. METHODS The Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study cohort included 424 children and adolescents initially free of MetS. At the 3.6 year follow-up, 47 new cases of MetS were identified. A 168-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to collect information about total and various types of vegetables consumed, including allium-, green leafy-, fruity-, root-, stalk-, starchy-, potatoes, and cabbage. MetS was defined according to the Cook et al[32] criteria. RESULTS The median (interquartile range) of total vegetable consumption was 217 (146- 344) g/d. After adjustment for demographic characteristics and dietary intake, higher total-(≥ 350 g/d) and higher allium vegetable consumption (≥ 30 g/d) in the fourth quartile were significantly and inversely associated with risk of MetS compared to the first quartile. Consumption of green leafy vegetables in the third (21.4-38.3 g/d) versus the first quartile (≤ 13.5 g/d) demonstrated a significant inverse association with lower risk of MetS in children and adolescents;associations for other types of vegetables consumed were not significant. CONCLUSION Consumption of vegetables, especially allium and green leafy vegetables, in sufficient amounts may be beneficial in reducing the risk of MetS among children and adolescents.

Diet quality and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and comprises a wide range of clinical symptoms from nonalcoholic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),advanced fibrosis,and cirrhosis(1).Obesity is the major risk factor of NAFLD and its main treatment is lifestyle modifications,including weight management,dietary changes and physical activity(2).