Iranian Journal of

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Introduction: The human being is part of its surrounding socio-economic framework. He is affected by the environment and actively affects it. Ignoring the socio-economic dimensions of health leads to the failure of health promotion programs and widens the inequity in the health status of different groups in the society. The aim of this study is to identify the socio-economic and demographic status of the inhabitants in 17th zone of Tehran Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was used in this study. A crosssectional descriptive study was carried out in population research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) with a sample containing 1121 households. They were chosen by random cluster sampling. Data was gathered using the World Health Survey questionnaire of WHO. Construct validity, and test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaires were already approved. The SEAGA tools, which are classified as Rapid Appraisal (RA) methods were used to complete the community profile .Techniques such as direct observation, Semi-structured interview with key informants, field notes, social map, and trend line were devised to identify community profile. The method of triangulation was used to validate the data. Results: Data analysis showed means of age was 27/9 years. The average size of the household was 4.23. 47.5% of the respondents were unmarried. The Majority of participants (30/7%) have been qualified at high school level. The dominant ethnic group was Azari (57/8%). All of them were Moslems. The majority are self-employed (11/9%). The qualitative studies showed that district one is the economic core of the area. Economical heterogeneity in three districts of 17th zone was evident. Social problems were reported as unemployment, drug abuse, violence and aggressive behavior and so on. Conclusion: The variety of socio-economic problems among inhabitants in 17th zone of Tehran represents this area as a problematic community. Capacity building and providing proper background for community participation in solving its own health problems can be an effective approach towards sustainable development. Total reliance on the health sector to solve the numerous problems of this area will not be successful as inter-sectoral collaboration and community participation are mandatory requirements of this process

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Cardiovascular disorders are responsible of nearly fifty percent of deaths in industrial and developing countries. However numerous studies have revealed considerable differences in distribution of cardiovascular risk factors at the national, regional and ethnic levels. There is a necessity to elucidate the status of all recognized risk factors in any population to attribute these differences in the incidence of cardiovascular events to the changes in some risk factors or natural history of the disease in that society. The study of cardiovascular risk factors in the 17th zone of Tehran is performed according to the model of MONICA project of WHO. In this project the trend of cardiovascular events and their association with changes in risk factors is monitored in more than twenty countries and 35 centers. In this article we describe some aspects of the statistical design and sampling procedure of our aformentioned study such as sampling framework, sampling methods and its rationale, best size of clusters, sample size and sample selection in each cluster.

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Introduction: Urbanization, establishment of sedentary life style and unhealthy diet in association with environmental stress has led the cardiovascular risk factors to prevail in the metropolitan city of Tehran. Survey of lifestyle related cardiovascular risk factors is one of the priorities of Tehran university population laboratory in the 17th zone of Tehran.
Methods:1573 inhabitants of 17th zone of Tehran were recruited by one stage cluster random sampling according to the model of WHO MONICA project.
Results: 58.6% of men and 64% of women had BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. 41.7% of men and 37.6% of women had hypertension. 8.9% of men and 12.2% of women had diabetes. 34.4% of men and 44.6% of women had total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dl. 34.1% of men and 32.6% of women had triglyceride ≥ 200 mg/dl. 34.7% of men and 4.2% of women were regular smokers. 21% of participants had positive family history of cardiovascular disorders.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension in this region is high, that of dyslipidemia relatively lower than the other studies performed in Iran. The prevalence of Diabetes and overweight /obesity is high and comparable to other Iranian studies. It seems that the population of this zone is at high risk for stroke and then coronary heart disease. This fact must be considered in the future interventional programs to control cardiovascular risk factors in the region.

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Introduction: Hypertension is the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Hypertension is the leading global risk factor for mortality and as the third leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease burden. This survey has been conducted to determine the prevalence of hypertension among the inhabitants of 25-64 aged in 17th zone of Tehran, selected as Population Lab Region.
Methods: In a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted based on MONICA/WHO project, blood pressure measured with standard sphygmomanometer in sitting position after 10 minutes of resting in 1573 people. Blood samples collected in Venoject tubes for laboratory evaluation. Analysis was performed using the more conservative threshold of SBP ≥ 160 mm Hg and/or DBP≥ 95 mm Hg according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Results: A total of 1573 persons (615 men and 958 women) were evaluated. Hypertension prevalence (SBP≥160 or DBP≥95 or using antihypertensive drugs) was 29% in men and 34.8 in women. There was a significant correlation between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and BMI (p<0/0001). 58% of men and 55.8% of women with hypertension were obese (35>BMI>27).The mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure had meaningful correlation with cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG and homocysteine.
Conclusion: These results revealed that the prevalence of hypertension among this population was greater than supposed. The hypertension trend from 1992 is rising. Obesity is one of the most important associated risk factors of hypertension. High prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors is a matter of concern to this population.

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Background: Obesity and overweight, as the most common metabolic disorders, are great health problem during recent decades. Obesity takes a role as independent or concordant risk factor for many diseases. So, it has a considerable share in burden of morbidities and mortalities. Urbanization and its consequences in increasing of incomes and per capita energy uptake, besides the notable reduction in physical activities are the main causes of increased rates of obesity in developing countries. This survey has been conducted to evaluate the obesity and overweight status and their pattern among the inhabitants of 25-64 aged in 17th zone of Tehran, selected as Population Lab region.
Methods: This study is a part of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors Survey in the Population Lab region. This survey has been designed and conducted based on MONICA/WHO project. A total of 1573 people have been recruited and assessed on age, weight, height, waist and hip circumferences. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were determined for comparing between groups.
Results: There was a significant difference in mean BMI between two sexes (26.13 kg/m2 in men vs. 28.86 kg/m2 in women). As well, WC and WHR were diverse between men and women (WC: 91.70 cm vs. 89.15 cm WHR: 0.91 vs. 0.85, respectively). Obesity prevalence was 18.6% among men and 38.3% among women. Prevalence of high WC and abnormal WHR were higher among women than men.
Conclusion: These results revealed that prevalence of obesity among adults was very high. The prevalence in women was more than two times than in men. This finding may be in part because of little physical activity and high proportions of carbohydrates intake instead of protein in daily energy uptake and also because of physiological differences among women. Proper and effective planning to achieve applied strategies for improving the social knowledge and awareness and also improving the life style and nutrition status of the people is highly necessiated.

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Introduction: Metabolic syndrome includes obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, glucose intolerance, hypertension and lipid profile abnormalities. The risk of cardiovascular diseases with this syndrome is higher than every components alone. In view of its burden and high mortality rate, this syndrome should be noted.
Methods: The 25-64 aged individuals in 17th zone of Tehran were studied. It was designed according to the WHO MONICA (Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) project using the ATP III criteria. The parameters have been used for the risk analysis were Waist Circumference (WC), fasting serum triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), blood pressure (BP) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).
Results: The crude prevalence rate of the metabolic syndrome was 29.9% and the age-adjusted prevalence was 27.5%. The prevalence increased with age. The highest prevalence among different age-groups was seen in women aged 55-64 years. In the whole population, the most metabolic abnormalities were hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension that were present in more than half of the population. The people with metabolic syndrome had higher BMI than rest.
Conclusion: Results demonstrate high metabolic syndrome rate among target population specially in women. In view. of correlation between metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, it must be the priority of interventional preventive measures. Improving the diet, changing the lifestyle and increasing physical activity can be helpful.

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Introduction: Cigarette smoking is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and it has been identified as the single most important cause of cardiovascular accident related deaths in most countries.
Methods: 1573 people who lives in 17th zone of Tehran (Population Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences) were investigated by a cross- sectional study. A group of trained persons collected data by the standard questionnaire that contained demographic and smoking status characteristics. Furthermore the fasting blood samples were taken for more evaluation. Data were analyzed with SPSS software.
Results: According to this study 37/4% of men and 4/2% of women were smoker. There were relationship between cigarette smoking and serum level of homocysteine, Folic Acid, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Uric Acid, hypertension and BMI (P<0/05). But it was no significant with vitamin B12 and TG statistically.
Conclusion: There were relationship between cigarette smoking and male gender, age, unmarried status and the level of education. So public education should be accomplished in society specially among families for prevention of cardiovascular risk factors.

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Introduction: Elevated plasma total homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a sensitive marker of vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency. Folate and vitamin B12 have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease. This effect may be partly explained by mechanisms independent of homocysteine. This survey is the first population based study to evaluate the plasma total homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in 1214 healthy Iranian persons.
Methods: This study which was a part of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors Survey in the Population Lab region, has been designed and conducted based on MONICA/WHO project. A total of 1214 people have been recruited and assessed on serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 with interview, questionnaires, examination and blood sampling. Blood samples were gathered in Venoject tubes and analyzed according to standard methods.
Results: The variables were assessed in 1214 participants include 428 men (35.3%) and 786 women (64.7%). Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 96.4% in men and 83.3% in women (p<0.0001). Geometric mean of serum homocysteine was 19.02 ± 1.46 µmol/l in men and 14.05± 1.45 µmol/l in women (p<0.004) and increased with age. Folic acid deficiency was seen in 527 (98.9% )men and 833 women (98.0%). 161 (30.1%)men and 232(27.2%) women had vitamin B12 deficiency.
Conclusion: These results revealed that the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency was higher than other communities considerably. Preventive interventions as food fortification with folic acid is necessary.

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Background: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. The number of diabetic patients in Iran is estimated 1.5 million. This survey has been conducted to evaluate diabetes and impaired fasting glucose status among 25-64 aged inhabitants of 17th zone of Tehran, selected as Population Lab region.
Methods: This study is a part of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors Survey in the Population Lab region. This survey has been designed and conducted based on MONICA/WHO project. A total of 1573 people have been recruited and assessed on age, weight, height, waist and hip circumferences. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were determined for comparing between groups. The known diabetic cases were found as history of taking antihyperglycemic agents or report of their family physician and new cases were diagnosed as FPG≥126mg/dl according to the ADA 2004criteria.IFG was determined by 100≤FPG≤126.Adjusted prevalences are calculated according to the 1375 census data.
Results: type 2 diabetes prevalence was 10.9% and the prevalence of IFG was 5% in this population. The age adjusted prevalences were 9.3% and 4.5% respectively. prevalences were higher in women than men in all age groups. people with diabetes had higher body mass index, waist, waist to hip ratio, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure(p<0.05).9/8% of diabetic patients were unaware of their disease.
Conclusion: These results revealed that the prevalence of diabetes among women was higher than men. This finding may be in part because of little physical activity .Proper and effective planning to achieve the applied strategies for improving the social knowledge and awareness and also improving the life style of the people is highly necessiated.

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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the commonest cause of renal failure, blindness and non traumatic amputation. According to ADA, prevention of DM complications is possible through monitoring and control of blood glucose levels.
Methods: The Betachek strip, produced in Australia, is able to determine biood glucose level with no need for electronic glucometer devices.
Results: In this study, we compared venous and capillary blood glucose levels as determined by lest strips with measurements of enzymatic method (the standard laboratory kit). The mean capillary and venous blood glucose measured by the strip test was 21.85 mg/dl (P< 0.0001) and 17.9 mg/dl (P< 0.002) respectively that was 11.13% more than the standard method.
Conclusion: In this study, standard method had higher correlation with venous samples glucose level, than capillary samples (as measured by Betachek) (0.84 vs. 0.824). This difference was statistically significant (P< 0.0001).
Good correlation between the Betachek strip and the standard enzymatic method of blood glucose measurements, advocate its usage in home setting.

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Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A hundred and sixty six people die each day due to cardiovascular diseases in Iran which accounts for 12500 annual deaths. Several studies have revealed that changes in lifestyle are keys to the prevention of CVDs. This urges the role of continuous and comprehensive educational programs, which should be designed and performed by medical staff specially education nurses.In this study the effect of patient education thorough group discussion or an educational booklet is
compared on knowledge and practice of patients with hyerlipidemia.
Methods: This was an interventional study. Participants were randomly assigned to the "interactive discussion" group or "booklet" group. Knowledge and practice of participants in both groups were assessed before and after intervention using a standardized questionnaire. A total number of 304 patients with hyperlipidemia were studied which were equally divided into "booklet" or "Interactive
discussion" groups.
Results: "Interactive discussion" group showed %27 rise in knowledge and practice. This figure was %26 in the "booklet" group and no significant difference was observable.
Conclusion: It was concluded that interventional sessions and educational booklets had comparable efficacies. We suggest that these sessions be held on regular Intervals so as to achieve better results.

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Background: Diabetic Neuropathy is the most common and troublesome complication of Diabetes Mellitus, leading to the greatest morbidity and mortality and resulting in a huge economic burden for diabetes care. Early diagnosis of distal symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy, a common complication of diabetes, may decrease morbidity by allowing potential therapeutic interventions.
Methods: In 68 diabetic patients after neuropathy screening by U.K and Michigan scores, Bilateral sural nerve conduction parameters as nerve conduction velocity, latency and amplitude were determined and analysed.
Results: 54.4% of patients had Rt sural abnormal response, 50% had abnormality in left side and 39.7% had bilateral abnormality. There was significant statistical correlation between Michigan physical score and electrophysiologic finding (P-value < 0.003) but no correlation with U.K score (P-value > 0.3). The most prevalent abnormal electrophysiologic finding was amplitude decrement of sural response. Conclusion: Sural nerve response is one of the simplest and most sensitive peripheral sensory nerves for electrophysiologic study of diabetic neuropathy and its evaluation is recommended in all diabetic patients in spite of normal physical examination and history for detection of subclinical neuropathic cases. For increment of sensitivity, amplitude measurement of sensory response is highly recommended.

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Background:Obesity is a serious public health problem in developing countries due to its association with the cardiovascular risk factors. Childhood obesity is responsible for a number of different complications both during childhood and adulthood. The aim of the present study was to determine the cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese Iranian children.
Methods: We screened 13086 children aged 7-12 years by measuring waist circumference. Those with a waist circumference ≥61 cm were selected for further evaluation. Anthropometric measurements were done and blood samples were taken from 563 enrolled overweight/obese children (284 boys and 279 girls). We determined cardiovascular risk factors (including fasting total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, blood pressure). In addition we measured the fasting blood sugar, insulin, apo-A , apo-B and leptin levels.
Results: Only 2.7% of overweight or obese children had no risk factors. While, 20.6% had one and 70.85% had two or more risk factors. The prevalence of high total Cholestrol levels was 42.6%. HDL-C showed an acceptable level in 92.4%of children .There were strong correlations between BMI and serum apoB and leptin levels (p<0.005).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese Iranian children emphasizes the need for prevention and control of childhood obesity from early childhood in our country.

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Background: Previous clinical and experimental studies suggest the valuable effect of antioxidants on lipids status. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of silymarin treatment as an antioxidants on lipids profile in type II diabetic hyperlipidemic patients. Methods: A 4-month randomized double blind clinical trial was conducted in 54 non-insulin dependent diabetic hyperlipidemic patients in a two well – matched groups. First group (n=29) received 200mg silymarin tablet 3 times a day plus standard therapy, while the control group (n=25) received placebo tablet 3 times a day plus standard therapy. The patients were visited monthly and fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, SGOT and SGPT were determined at the beginning and at the end of the study after four months.
Results: Results revealed that in silymarin treated patients, fasting blood glucose, LDL and total cholesterol, triglycerid, SGOT, SGPT and glucose level at the end of the study were significantly decreased as compared to beginning of the study. In placebo treated patients fasting blood glucose level at the end of the study were significantly increased as compared to beginning of the study.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the silymarin as an herbal antioxidant have beneficial effects on reducing glucose and lipids profile in type II diabetic patients

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Background: Cardiovascular disease is one of the major leading cause of death in Iran. There is a strong association between parental history of cardiovascular disease clustering of risk factors in the offspring. Detection and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors since childhood is essential to reduce the incidence of disease in adulthood. This study was performed to identify major cardiovascular risk factors in middle school-aged children and their parents in high risk compared to control families.
Methods: The middle schools of the 6th of Tehran were divided randomly into two groups. A total of 169 high-risk children with their families were recruited from the first group while 105 control children with their families were recruited from the second group of schools. Coronary risk factor survey was performed in the participants.
Results: Prevalence of increased total- and LDL-cholesterol and high FBS were higher in high-risk parents and children. Prevalence of increased BMI was higher in fathers and children of high-risk families. More fathers in high-risk families were smoker. The means of waist circumference and WHR were significantly higher in high-risk fathers. The means of total- and LDL- cholesterol were significantly higher both in parents and children of high-risk group. The means of FBS were significantly higher in fathers and offspring of high-risk families. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent and clustered in high-risk families. Screening of these families is essential to prevent progression of cardiovascular disease since childhood and reduce its burden in adulthood.

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Background: Homocysteine is regarded as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. It is of great importance to determine exact risk factors of these disorders because of their high prevalence.
Methods: The 25-64 year old individuals in 17th district of Tehran were studied. It was designed according to the WHO MONICA (Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) project using the ATP III criteria. Homocysteine levels higher than 15 µmol/l and Folate and vitamin B12 lower than 11 nmol/l and 185 pmol/l, respectively were considered as abnormal.
Results: Of the whole population, prevalence of abnormal homocysteine, Folic acid and vitamin B12 was 54.5%, 98.2% and 27%, respectively. Homocysteine levels were higher in men than women (P= 0.026). None of the differences between the means of these three risk factors were statistically significant in people with and without the metabolic syndrome. The only significant difference was higher homocysteine levels in women with metabolic syndrome (P= 0.010).
Conclusions: According to this study, hyperhomocysteinemia and Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency are more prevalent in our population. But there was no correlation between these factors and risk of metabolic syndrome. Because of the controversy about this issue and high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in our country, further studies are suggested.

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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is the most endocrinopathy in women and the most common causes of anovulatory infertility. Women with this disorder moreover the common manifestations such as,irregular menses, hirsutism and infertility, are susceptible to serious consequences like increase risk of endometrial carcinoma, dyslipidemia, hypertention, glocose intolerance, diabetes, cardiovascular problems and probably breast cancer. This study was conducted to demostrate the demographic, clinical,metabolic and hormonal conditions of the PCOS patients. Methods: A case-control study was performed on females with PCOS age group 15-40 years referring to endocrine and gynecology clinics. A control healthy woman was selected for each patient. The diagnosis of PCOS was made based upon the prescence of chronic anovolation and hyperandrogenemia .Other causes of hyperandrogenism were excluded by appropriate clinical and laboratory evalution .In all patients with PCOS and control women, appropriate medical history was taken and physical examination was done.Blood pressure ,body weight, height ,BMI,waist/hip ratio,score of hirsotism,acne, and other signs of androgen excess were determined.A venous blood sample were obtained at morning after 12_14hours fasting for measuring FBS, TG, Chol., LDL, HDL and hormonal profile,souch as:PROL,17_OH Progestrone,Te,DHEA-S and TSH.Case of late onset adrenal hyperplasia ,hypotyroidism and pituitary prolactinoma were excluded.The diagnosis of dyslipidemia was made upon the base of NCEP guidelines.Data was analyzed with Mann_Whitney U,T tests and Fisher’s and Chi_Square Tests with SPSS-11. Results: Mean age were similar in both patients and controls.Mean of BMI and diastolic pressure were significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls . Hirsutism and oligomenorrhea were the most frequent clinical features(72.7% and 69.1% respectively). SerumTG level was significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls.There were no significant difference in FBS,Chol,LDL and HDL between patients and controls. The prevalence of high triglyceride ,high cholesterol and high LDL levels were significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls,but there were no significant difference in the prevalence of IFG and low HDL levels. The prevalence of high TG and high Chol level were significantly higher in obese PCOS women in comparison with non obese patients.There was no significant difference in the prevalence of high LDL and low HDL levels between obese and nonobese patients. Serum level of total Testostrone was significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls.There were no significant difference in serum levels of DHEA-S,17-OH Progestrone, Prolactine and TSH between patients and controls. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia were higher in PCOS women in comparison with healthy women. For obese women with PCOS ,behevioral weight management is the main component of overall treatment strategy and these patients counseling about the importance of life style management ,diet and exercise shoud be emphasized. The patients should screened for dyslipidemia, diabetes and hypertension. In this study there was no significant difference in FBS between two groups and IGT and DM may be better detected by OGTT. In all PCOS women for detecting dyslipidemia a fasting lipid profile is indicated

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Background: Leptin is an adipocyte- derived hormone that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Insulin resistance is one of the factors which have been suggested to affect leptin serum levels. There are few studies evaluating the relation between leptin level and insulin resistance in childhood and adolescence obesity. The aim of the present study is to investigate this relationship in Iranian obese children. Methods: We screened 13089 primary school students aged 7-12 years. Children were divided to overweight and normal based on the recently published National Center for Health Statistics growth charts. The number of children which were overweight was 498, of whom 347 subjects particiated in the study. Fasting blood glucose, insulin and leptin levels were measured and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting glucose to insulin ratio (FGIR) were calculated and compared between two groups. Results: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in overweight compared to normal group. (11.58±8.1 and 8.1±5.2 respectively p<0.05). Before adjustment for BMI, there was a significant correlation between leptin and fasting insulin, HOMA –IR index and FGIR. (r=0.1, p< 0.05, r=0.1 , p<0.01, r=0.07, p<0.05 respectively). After adjustment for BMI, no significant correlation was found (r=0.097, p=0.20). Conclusion: The relation between leptin and insulin resistance was weak and disappeared after adjustment for BMI. It seems that many other factors including BMI and total fat amount may affect this relationship. Further studies in this field are required.

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Background: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis, can cause endothelial dysfunction and augment lipid accumulation within the arterial wall. Increased oxidative stress in diabetes contributes to this process. Ox-LDL is a highly immunogenic molecule and it is not clear whether anti oxidized LDL antibodies (OLAB) are pathogenic or protective in atherosclerosis? The aim of this study was to evaluate Ox-LDL and its antibody in type 2 diabetes and healthy subjects.
Methods: As a case-control study we evaluated 81 type 2 diabetic patients and 69 non-diabetic healthy persons aged 40 to 65 years. Controls were sex and BMI matched with diabetic patients. Patients with history of cigarette smoking, antioxidant or antihyperlipidemic drugs consumption, coronary heart disease, hypertension , and renal impairment were excluded. We measured serum level of Ox-LDL(two monoclonal antibody of Mercodia co.) and OLAB by ELISA. Lipid profile, serum electrolytes, and HbA1c (HPLC) were also determined. Ox-LDL and its antibody were compared between diabetic patients and controls and the correlation with lipid profile, HbA1c and BMI were assessed.
Results: Serum Ox-LDL concentration and Ox-LDL to LDL ratio were distinctively higher in controls (15.7+-6.9 vs. 11.8+-5.6, P < 0.005). Ox-LDL concentrations were correlated with LDL-C (rs=0.36, P<0.0005) and total cholesterol (rs=0.31, P<0.0005) in both groups but not with age and HbA1c. In diabetic patients, Ox-LDL and its antibody were positively correlated (rs=0.26, P<0.05). Obese diabetic patients (BMI > 30) had higher Ox-LDL concentrations in comparison with diabetic patients with BMI less than 30.
Conclusion: In diabetic patients Ox-LDL level is lower than non-diabetics and is correlated with its antibodies. Based on previous findings, we suppose that the pattern of LDL oxidation enhances Ox-LDL recognition by macrophage via specific legends. This results in low serum Ox-LDL concentrations in diabetes.

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Background: Homocysteine is one of the novel cardiovascular risk factors. We know most of the cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors are accompanied. The aim of this study was to determine the role of homocysteine in diabetes.
Methods: The study was performed in 25-64 year old individuals of the 17th district of Tehran according to WHO MONICA project. Homocysteine levels higher than 15 µmol/l was considered as abnormal. According to ADA 2004 criteria, fasting glucose levels of 100 to 125 mg/dl were considered as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), while levels higher than 125 mg/dl included diabetes.
Results: Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 54.5% in the whole population. Prevalence of IGT and diabetes were 3.5% and 10.1%, respectively. There was no difference between prevalence of IGT and diabetes in both hyperhomocysteinemic and normal group (P= 0.365). The difference was also not significant in each genders, but mean glucose levels were significantly lower in people with hyperhomocysteinemia (P= 0.003).
Conclusion: This study emphasizes that an inverse relation between glucose and homocysteine levels. Some studies indicate an opposite result and there is controversy on it. More researches may determine the exact role of homocysteine in diabetes.