Iranian Journal of

---

New studies have introduced atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disorder. Usage of anti-inflammatory drugs thus can be useful in preventing atherosclerosis and anti-inflammatory herbal medicines without side effects seem desirable in this view.
Amirkahiria Odorutissima (AO) (umbelliferae) is an Iranian flora being traditionally used a:> an anti‌inflammatory drug. This study assessed the effects of this plant on the development and progression of fatty streaks.
Methods: Twenty male rabbits were obtained from Iran Pasture institute and were kept under standard condition for two weeks, then randomly divided into four groups with different diets. Groups 1 were fed on rabbit chow (normal cholesterol), group 2 were fed on a high cholesterol diet. group 3 were fed on normal cholesterol diet supplemented with AO, group 4 were fed on high cholesterol diet supplemented with AO. After 12 weeks, the animals were killed and biopsied for their aortas and right and left branches of coronary arteries. Biochemical factors were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Levels of cholesterol, LDL, HDL. triglyceride and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were determined by enzymatic methods, and quantitative CRP were determined with turbidometrie methods, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant capacity were determined with spectrophotometry.
Results: The results indicated that there was a significant difference between AO supplemented group compared with other groups (p<0.05) in terms of mean grade o"' fatty streak o"' right and left coronary arteries and aorta. At the end of the 12 weeks period, cholesterol. LDL and CRP were significantly reduced in the groups 3 and 4 (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study suggests a protective role for Amirkahiria odoratissima Mozaffahan against the development of fatty streak the mechanism of which should be investigated in future studies.

---

Background: During extrinsic coagulation pathway, a complex is developed between factor VII, calcium and tissue factor (a cell membrane lipoprotein that is exposed after cell injury). Factor VII needs calcium and vitamin K for its biologic activation. Coronary artery disease can be induced by increased level and activity of the coagulation factors VII, VIII and IX. In postmenopausal period, estrogen can decrease blood lipids and thereby decreases risk of coronary artery disease. However, the exact effects of the estrogen on the other predisposing factors of the coronary artery diseases are unknown. Our objective in this study was to evaluate the effects of oral hormone therapy regimen on fibrinogen and other coagulation factors.
Methods: 60 menopause women with history of hysterectomy were randomly allocated in 2 groups. One group was treated with conjugated estrogen 0.625mg/day and the other group was treated with conjugated estrogen 0.625mg/day and medroxy progesterone 2.5mg/day. Serum fibrinogen level and activity of coagulation factors VII, VIII and IX and blood lipids level were checked before and 3 months after treatment.
Results: In the estrogen alone treated group, mean of factor VII activity showed significant elevation 3 months after treatment as compared with prior to hormone therapy(p<0.05). There were no significant changes in means of coagulation factors VIII, IX activities and serum fibrinogen level in estrogen  medroxy progesterone treated patients before and after treatment (p>0.05). In both groups, honi1one therapy significantly decreased serum cholesterol level and LDL-C and increased HDL-C (p>0.00) but the serum triglyceride level was increased in the estrogen alone treated group.
Conclusion: Significant elevation of coagulation factors VII with significant elevation of serum triglyceride in estrogen treated patients is explainable. This study confirms that hormone therapy with this protocol does not change serum fibrinogen mean and activity of coagulation factor VIII and IX. This finding may be real or may be related to inadequacy of samples regarding the wide normal range of coagulation factors and serum fibrinogen. Studies with more prolonged follow-up or more samples are suggested.

---

Background: Atherosclrosis is a process that initiated with hypercholestrolemia and fatty streak formation. Previous studies showed oxidative modification of LDL render immunogenic and autoantibodies to epitopes of oxidized LDL. Oxidized LDL (OX-LDL), has antigenic properties. Antibodies against oxidized LDL have been proposed to be independent predictors of atherosclerosis development. The main aims of the current study were to compare antibody titers to different types of oxidized LDL (Cu+2-LDL, Malondialdehyde-LDL) and Native-LDL between angiographically documented coronary patients, non-documented patients and healthy subjects. Correlation between autoantibodies against oxidized LDL and increased risks of cardiovascular diseases has been shown. Methods: As a case-control study, we evaluated angiographically documented coronary patients, non-documented patients and healthy subjects to measure anti-OX-LDL autoantibody levels. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure anti-OX-LDL autoantibodies. ANOVA test used for statistical analysis. Results: Titers of anti-Malondialdehydo-LDL autoantibodies were 3.55±0.415, 0.361±0.20, 0.093±0.078 respectively in each group (P<0.005). There was not statistically meaningful difference, between native-LDL and Cu+2-LDL antibodies. Conclusion: It seems the titre of autoantibodies against OX-LDL considered as a predictor of progression of atherosclerosis. Our data provide further support for a role of oxidatively modified LDL in atherogenesis.

---

Background: Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death necessitates more research to find better solutions to this general concern. Due to the side effects of chemical compounds, more attention has been paid to herbal remedies. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Nigella sativa, on atherosclerosis and its risk factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Methods: Fifteen rabbits were randomly distributed into three groups of five each.( Normal diet group, hypercholesterolemic diet group (1% cholesterol) and group that received hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with 5% nigella sativa). Animal groups received their own diets and water for a period of 8 weeks. At the beginning of the treatment period, blood samples were taken from all animals to measure biochemical factors. Same procedure was performed at the end of the period then the left and right coronary arteries and the aorta of each animal were dissected to study fatty streak formation (FSF).

Results: Dietary use of Nigella sativa significantly decreased cardiovascular FSF as well as blood cholesterol and LDL in hypercholesterolemic animals. Though not significant but blood HDL was increased and reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG) and oxidized LDL was observed in the same animals.

Conclusion: The results indicate that Nigella sativa inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. This may be related to the effect of Nigella sativa on plasma lipoproteins in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

---

Background: Several studies were pointed to oxidized LDL (OX-LDL) as one of the main immunogenic agents which have important roles in primary lesions of atherosclerosis. In this study, via immunization against OX-LDL with two different antigens in an animal model (rabbit) we tried to clear relation between immune system and atherosclerosis. 

Methods: LDL was isolated from healthy human plasma and oxidized with MDA or Cu⁺⁺. Rabbits were divided to three groups and after 2 weeks (under basic diet) immunized with MDA-LDL or Cu-LDL. In control group Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was used. Immunization was repeated with these materials again the weeks of 2, 4, 6, and 8 and concentration of OX-LDL antibody was measured in each stage. At the end of 8^th week, rabbits fed normal or high cholesterol regimens. Biochemical factors were measured at the beginning and end of study, also Fatty streaks in aorta and left and right coronary arteries was evaluated.

Results: Immunization with Cu -LDL and MDA-LDL induced adequate antibody formation (IgG) at the end of 8^th weeks. Immunization with MDA-LDL significantly decreased the level of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P= 0.04). Also a significant decrease in fatty streak lesions was detected in aorta and right and left coronary arteries as compared with non-immunized high-cholesterol group (P= 0.04). Immunization with Cu -LDL significantly decreased Triglyceride, FBS and cholesterol as compared with non-immunized high cholesterol. No differences were detected in the fatty streak lesions in this group as compared with non-immunized high-cholesterol diet cu⁺²-LDL immunized group, shown significant decrease in CRP as compared with both non-immunized group and high cholesterol diet.

Conclusion: We conclude the protective effects of immune responses on atherosclerosis depend to what kind of antibody, so MDA-LDL and CU-LDL prevent atherosclerosis with different mechanism.

---

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the major cause of premature death and disability due to diseased globally, imposing a heavy burden on the health systems. Four main categories of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. Iran, the second greatest country in the Middle East Region, has been through an important transition period of communicable diseases toward NCDs in the last decades. One of the effective approaches to control NCDs is implementation of population-based studies and interventions, trying to reduce risk factors and incidence of NCDs through investigations in the populations. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) and Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center (NCDRC) are the pioneers trying to study and control various NCDs during the last decades in Iran. In this review, we are going to inspect some of the major completed and ongoing projects of this research institute to highlight valuable efforts to reduce burden of NCDs in Iran, and make a successful example for national and regional public health policy makers and authorities.

---

Background: This review study aims to shade light on the effects of carrying out interventions and policies in order to reduce the incidence and prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their behavioral risk factors (i.e., unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity and smoking) and strategies and approaches to reduce their attributed burden.
Method: In this research, the documents and reports available in the Ministry of Health, developed action plans, recommendations of national and international organizations, evidence gathered from monitoring and evaluations and the "National Action Plan and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and Related Risk Factors in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2015-2025" were investigated with respect to  each of the three main risk factors of NCDs, including unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, and smoking (harmful consumption of alcohol has been reviewed in another article). Each risk factor has been discussed separately in the sections describing the current situation, policies and implemented interventions, findings, and future plans.
Results: The implemented interventions and policies to achieve the goals stated in the "National Action Plan and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and Related Risk Factors in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2015-2025" in the field of unhealthy nutrition, resulted in revising the food standards. Interventions in the field of physical activity have caused a 1.5% reduction in the relative prevalence of sedentary behavior in the society. Our research also revealed that interventions in the field of tobacco consumption have led a total decrease of 7.44% among Iranian people over 18 years of age, but a decrease in the use of hookah is not recorded, and its consumption has increased by 28% in 2021 compared to 2011.
Conclusion: According to the findings, the goals stated in the aforementioned document have not been fully achieved, so new interventions and policies should be used by those involved.