Iranian Journal of

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Introduction: In order to determine the relationship between serum lipid profile and diabetes mellitus as well as other cardiovascular risk factors, we carried out a cross-sectional study of 1255 oil industry workers at the Kharg Island oil terminal.
Methods: Increased levels of total cholesterol (TC≥200mg/dl), triglyceride (TG≥200mg/dl), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL≥130mg/dl) were seen in 32.7%, 39.5% and 18.5% of the workers, respectively. Decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL<40mg/dl) were seen in 13.1% of workers. 61.3% of the workers had a body mass index (BMI) ≥25kg/m2. Visceral obesity (waist circumference >100cm) was seen 32.4% of workers.
Results: There was a direct and significant relationship between TC levels and BMI (p<0.001), and between TG levels and BMI (p<0.0001). The same correlation existed between waist circumference and both TC (p<0.02) and TG (p<0.06). There was also a direct correlation between LDL levels and waist circumference (p<0.04). 10.6% of workers had some disorder of glucose metabolism. There was a direct correlation between diabetes and both TC and HDL levels (p<0.04 and p<0.05, respectively). 42.4% of workers smoked and 57.4% had a sedentary lifestyle. There was a trend toward lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels as the level of physical activity increased (p=0.1 and p=0.08, respectively). There was a significant difference between blue- and white-collar workers in the prevalence of excess weight, visceral obesity, diastolic hypertension, diabetes and cigarette smoking, but not serum lipid profile and level of physical activity.
Conclusion: The significant prevalence of dyslipidaemia and other cardiovascular risk factors in the oil workers of Kharg Island requires systematic preventive interventions to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in this population.

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Background: We estimated the prevalence of angina pectoris (AP) and myocardial infarction (MI) in the hyperlipidaemic population of Bushehr using the ROSE questionnaire and ECG changes using the Minnesota code.
Methods: 1036 residents of Bushehr (in southern Iran), aged 30-64 years, were enrolled as part of a 2-year cross-sectional prevalence study of diabetes mellitus and other risk factors for coronary heart disease. All participants completed a ROSE questionnaire and underwent 12-lead electrocardiography. ECG strips were interpreted according to the Minnesota code. The criteria for diagnosing AP was grade 1 or 2 on the angina pectoris diagnostic scale, and for MI, code 1.1 of the Minnesota code or a history of myocardial infarction. Results: The crude prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia was 47.6%, and its age-adjusted prevalence 50.3% in women and 43.9% in men. Mean serum cholesterol was 204.2±49.5mg/dl in women and 195.0±46.1 in men (p=0.003). The prevalence of AP was 4.9%, which, after adjustment for age, came to 5.6% in men and 4.6% in women. The prevalence of AP was 6.3% in subjects with high cholesterol and 3.6% in subjects with normal cholesterol levels (p<0.05). There was a strong association between AP and hypercholesterolaemia in men (p<0.0005). The crude prevalence of MI was 4.1% in subjects with hypercholesterolaemia and 0.9% in subjects with normal cholesterol (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, MI was correlated with hypercholesterolaemia in both sexes (p<0.05). Similarly, MI in both men and women was associated with diabetes, and in men alone with hypertension (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is imperative to reduce the average cholesterol level of the population of Bushehr in order to decrease the incidence of AP and, ultimately, MI. Interventions to improve people s lifestyle are of one of the effective measures that may be used in this regard.

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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: 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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Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a major cardiovascular risk factor. This survey has been performed to determine the prevalence of hyperlipidemia in the 17th zone of Tehran.
Methods: 1573 individuals 25-64 aged were recruited from the inhabitants of the 17th zone of Tehran through one stage cluster sampling. Standard questionnaires were filled out for all of the participants. Lipid profile was categorized according to the NCEP:ATP III criteria.
Results: 59% had ideal cholesterol levels, 27.1% borderline and 13.9% had high cholesterol levels. Hypercholesterolemia was more prevalent in women than men. 55% had ideal LDL-cholesterol level. Prevalence of hyper-LDL (>160mg/dl) was 2.3%. Hyper LDL was more prevalent in women than men (p<0.001). Prevalence of hypo-HDL was 13.8% and it was more common in men than women (p<0.001). 33.4% had high triglyceride levels.
Conclusion: Prevalence of dyslipidemia in this area of Tehran is not as high as that obtained from other urban studies. This fact should be considered in the future interventional programs which focus on noncommunicable disease management.

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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: Nutrition plays an important role in the protection and promotion of health. To plan and implement programs aiming at improving community nutritional status, a knowledge of the existing situation is essential. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine food and nutrient intakes of the inhabitants in Tehran University of Medical Sciences population laboratory.
Methods: In a sample of 310 women and 185 men, selected by clustered random sampling, food intake was determined using the 24-hour dietary recall (on two non-consecutive days). Weights and heights were also measured on the first visit. For analysis of data, Dorosti Food Processor, Diet Analysis plus and SPSS software were used.
Results: The average (mean ± SD) intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, vitamin A, B2 ,B6 ,B12, folic acid, zinc, iron, and calcium were 2902±336cal, 88±15gr, 461±69gr, 80±19gr, 27±7gr, 272±112mg, 943±319µgr RE, 1.2±.35mgr, 1.2± .37mg, 2.9±2.67µgr, 294±73.7µgr, 10.48± 2.25mg, 28.90±5.81mg, and 537±123mg in men, and 2226±234cal , 66±11gr, 344±41gr, 70±14gr, 22±6gr , 205±85mgr ,882±291µgr RE, .88±.22mg, 1.14± .24mg, 2.2±2.07µgr, 270±60.7µgr, 8.65±1.62mg, 22.66±4.27mg, and 433±113mg in women, respectively. The average (mean +SD) daily numbers of servings of the food guide pyramid main groups, namely, grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat were 12.74±3.80 ,1.52±1.44, 4.30±2.74, .97±.72 , and .9±.98 in men, and 9.8±3.3, 2.87±2.06, 2.88±2.40, .82±.60, and .86±.84 in women, respectively. Most of these intakes are under current recommendations. Thirty eight percent of the men and 23% of the women had a daily cholesterol intake of at least 300 mg. In addition, the proportions of the men and women with a daily total fat intake of at least 75 gram was 43% and 35%, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings show that while the intake of most micronutrients is lower than respective RDAs, the intake of fat and cholesterol are higher than the current recommendations. This indicates that the community is undergoing nutrition transition. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to identify more comprehensively nutritional problems of the community in question, so that appropriate programs can be prepared and implemented.

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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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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: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: 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.

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Background: It is well recognized that an increased body weight is often associated with increased blood pressure. Moreover, leptin an adipocyte-derived hormone is strongly suggested to have an important role in pathogenesis of the obesity. We aimed to evaluate the levels of serum leptin in association with obesity and hypertension in a sample of Iranian obese children.
Methods: Children from all the primary schools of a distinct of Tehran were screened for obesity. Children with a waist circumference equal to or above 90th percentile for their age and height were invited for the study. Anthropometric measurements were done and blood samples for fasting serum leptin levels were collected from 563 enrolled obese children. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate relationship of various factors with obesity.
Results: Mean Serum leptin levels were 8.65 ±2.18 (ng/ml). Serum Leptin levels were higher in girls than boys (P=0.009). There were significant correlations between body mass index (BMI) and serum Leptin levels, child age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure lost their association with serum Leptin level in multivariate linear regression analysis.
Conclusion: BMI is independently associated with Leptin levels among obese children. This may affirm a role for this hormone in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity. It seems unlikely that plasma Leptin be a major mediator of association between obesity and hypertension. However, severe hyperleptinemia may act as a risk factor for increased blood pressure.

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Background: Elevated total plasma Homocysteine, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Folate and vitamin B12 have not only a protective effect on cardiovascular disease but also an essential effect on total Homocysteine concentrations (tHcy). This survey has been conducted to evaluate the determinants of tHcy in 1191 healthy Iranian adults.
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 1191 people have been recruited and assessed on serum Homocysteine, Folic acid and vitamin B12, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, FBS, BMI, BP and smoking, with interview, questionnaires, examination and blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed according to standard methods.
Results: The variables were assessed in 1191 participants include 416 men (34.9%) and 775 women (65.1%). Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was correlated significantly with male sex and aging. Hcy levels were inversely related to serum Folate and vitamin B12 concentrations. After further adjustments, we detected a positive correlation between tHcy and age, male sex, smoking and BMI, and a negative one with LDL-C and diabetes. Although there was a correlation between tHcy and blood pressure, after age, sex, BMI and smoking adjustment, it just remained significant in women and with systolic blood pressure.
Conclusion: We found that dietary and lifestyle parameters such as Folate intake and smoking habit are the main determinants of distribution of plasma Homocysteine in an apparently healthy population. We assumed that lifestyle changes could have considerable subsequences in public health. Our findings confirm the potential advantages of dietary improvements and increased intake of nutrients along with smoking cessation in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases in high-risk patients.

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Background: Cardiovascular diseases are described as the most important health problems in developing countries which are developed in parallel with industrialization of communities. Based on the high morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease, this study was performed for examining the population lab inhabitants’ knowledge and practice.
Methods: In this cross – sectional study, 1576 inhabitants of the Population Lab Region were studied by cluster random sampling in 2002. 181 persons were selected from this population. The frequency of each cardio- vascular diseases risk factor such as hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, hypertension, Diabetes, family history of heart attack, being man, stress and excitement, sedentary life style, salty food, vegetables fruits, fatty food and red meat consumption, were assessed. In addition, the population study's practice regarding controlling the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases was determined, as well. Moreover, specific questionnaire and direct interview were used for collecting data and then the gathering data was analyzed by SPSS and EPI – Info soft wares.
Results: In this study, 71.8% of people were women while 28.2% of them were men. Besides, there was a significant relationship between the people’s knowledge about cardiovascular disease and the level of their education (P < 0.001). According to the results, 65.2% of population believed that heart attack was the most prevalent cause of death in comparison with 44% of them considered car accident and 13.3% agreed with cancers. On the other hand, 74% of people used liquid oil in their food and 77.9% of them knew the side effects of unhealthy foods such as salty food as one of the cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusion: The inhabitants' knowledge regarding to the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases was approximately acceptable. However, there was a significant different between their knowledge and practice. Therefore, providing suitable educational programs for improving people’s nutrition, physical activity and the other relevant factors for preventing cardiovascular risk factors would be mentioned.

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Background: Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2), one of the mitochondrial transporter memborane protiens, is suggested as a contributor gene for obesity. A common G/A polymorphism in the UCP2 promoter region is associated with obesity and diabetes.
Methods: As a cross-sectional study, 75 healthy 25-64 years volunteers were randomly selected from Tehran University of Medical Sciences population Lab. DNA was exracted from blood samples then polymorphism and A & G Allel frequencies were determined via PCR and RFLP. The correlation between genotype and such clinical and biochemical parameters as BMI, serum cholesterol and TG was investigated. Results were compared with other similar surveys.
Results: The frequencies of the UCP2 -866G/A genotypes in 75 Iranian normal population were AA: 7 (9.4%), GA: 41 (54.6%), and GG: 27 (36%).
Conclusion: Significantly higher HDL cholesterol was detected in people with GG allele (P=0.02) as compared with GA and AA alleles. 866 UCP2 G/A genotype frequencies in our study were significantly different as compared with Japanese population but no with European studies that may emphasize on genetical similarity between Iranian and European Caucasians populations.