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Introduction: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type 1 diabetes is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that caused by destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Etiology of this disease is still unknown. It is seen that genetic and environmental factors play an important role for susceptibility to develop type 1 diabetes. The relationship between HLA associated factors and susceptibility to IDDM disease, was reported by several investigators. Also, some studies show that dermatoglyphics is associated with type 1 diabetes. However, it is maybe there is an association between HLA and dermatoglyphics inpatients'with type 1 diabetes and these characteristics could be applied for diagnosis of disease.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the prevalence of HLA (with using standard microlymphocytotoxicity method) and dermatoglyphics determined in 30 Iranian patients with IDDM and 30 normal healthy controls with similar ethnic background and the same geographical area.
Results: A significantly higher frequency of HLA-DQ, A2, DR3 and DQ2 were found in IDDM cases compared to the controls. The results obtain from dermatoglyphics showed that line ab was reduced in male and female type 1 diabetes. The reciever operating chractristics curve showed that the positive point for lines ab in right and left hands were 34.7 and 35.25, respectively.
Discussion: There is no association between HLA and dermatoglyphics.
With considering of genes encoding of HLA separated from genes determining dermatoglyphics, HLA typing and dermatoglyphics seem to be interesting tools for genetic studies related to type 1 diabetes. Further studies are recommended in order to provide more insight into the susceptibility to this disorder.

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  Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, human leukocyte antigens

Introduction: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type 1 diabetes is created by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas in genetically susceptible individuals. The relationship between human leukocyte antigens (HLA) associated factors and susceptibility to IDDM disease, was reported by several investigators. Association with different HLA types depends also on the studied populations. The aim of the present study was to determine HLA antigens which represent a high susceptibility to develop the IDDM disease in this area. Materials and Methods: In this study, the prevalence of HLA class-I and II antigens has been determined in 31 Arakian patients with IDDM and 57 normal healthy controls with similar ethnic background and from the same geographical area. The typing of HLA antigens was carried out using standard microlymphocytotoxicity method. Results: A significantly higher frequency of HLA-A2, A3, B21, DR3 and DQ2 were found in IDDM cases compared to the controls. In contrast, HLA-DR2, DR7 and B53 were represented at a somewhat higher frequency in controls compared to the IDDM patients. Conclusion: These results indicate that HLA-A2, A3, B21, DR3 and DQ2 antigens contribute to susceptibility to IDDM independently and HLA-DR2, DR7 and B53 antigens maybe associated with prevention of IDDM in Arakian patients.

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Introduction: Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. Today there are 100 milion diabetics around the world and in Iran it is about 1.5 milion. The prevalence of symptomatic neuropathy is 15% but with NCV it will increase to 50%. Regarding the suffer produced by neuropathy and that there is no effective treatment for that, this is necessary to investigate new treatment options. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical trial study, done during a 3 months period in vali-e-asr hospital in year 2004. 100 diabetic patients were selected randomly and divided into two equal groups. A complete sensorimotor assessment was performed and a questionnaire consisting history and clinical symptoms including limb pain, murmur and paresthesia and examinations such as pin prink test, position and vibration assessment, was completed. NCV was also done and blood sugar and HbA1c was measured. In case group 2000 micrograms vit B12 was prescribed twice weekly and in control group 10mg nortiptiline every night was prescribed. After 3 months patients were assessed again. Data was analysed using mean and standard deviation and Chi square, K-S, Leven, T and Mann Whitney tests. Results: Based on visual analage scale the difference between pain number before and after treatment was decreased 3.66 (3.66-4.25) in case and 0.48 (0.54-1.13) in control group (P<0.001). Also the difference between paresthesia number before and after treatment was decreased 2.98 (2.51-3.44) in case and 1.06 (064-1.47) in control group (P<0.001). The difference between murmur number before and after treatmat was decreased 3.48 (2.93-4.02) in case and 3.48(2.93-4.02) in control group (P<0.001). There was no significaut difference between NCV, vibration, position and pin prink test results. Conclusion: Changes in clinical symptoms in case group in comparison to those in control group was significant, but changes in physical assessment findings (pin prink, Position, vibration and NCV) was not significamt.

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Introduction: Considering the increasing incidence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders in diabetes mellitus, this study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effect of two-month administration of Plantago Psyllium (PP) seed on the contractile reactivity of isolated aorta in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four control, PP-treated control, diabetic and PP-treated diabetic groups. To induce diabetes, Streptozotcin (STZ) was intraperitoneally administered (60mg/Kg). PP-treated groups received PP mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 6.25%. After 2 months, contractile reactivity of thoracic aortic rings to KCl and Noreadrenaline were determined using isolated tissue setup. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: Serum glucose level showed a significant increase in diabetic group after one and two months (p<0.001), but it,s decrease in PP-treated diabetic group was not significant in comparison to diabetic group. Also PP-treated diabetic group showed a lower contraction to KCl (p<0.05) and noreadrenaline (p<0.01) as compared to diabetic group. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between control and PP-treated control groups regarding contractile reactivity. Conclusion: It can be concluded that oral administration of PP for 2 months can decrease the contractile responsiveness of vascular system and this may prevent the development of hypertension in diabetic rats.

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Introduction: Kalleh-Pacheh is an Iranian food used in many part of Iran and many other countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. We found no information regarding the effect of this food on acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of this food, together with diabetes and smoking on myocardial infarction in Arak district. Materials and Methods: This was a case-cohort study which was performed in Arak district. In this study the data of Arak sub-cohort was taken from Isfahan healthy heart project which was performed in 2001. Cases were myocardial infracted hospitalized patients who were resident in Arak at the time of study. We showed the effect of different exposure, on myocardial infarction by estimating relative risk and population attributable fraction and 95% confidence interval. Results: In this study 150 cases were compared with 6339 sub-cohorts. The population attributable fraction for Kalleh-Pacheh was 19% (95% CI, 6 to 30%). This measure for diabetes and smoking was 31% (95% CI, 23 to 39%) and 41% (95% CI, 31 to 49%) respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of our study smoking, diabetes and using Kalleh-Pacheh has significant effect on myocardial infarction

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Introduction: Studies have shown that there is a relationship between metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease. Hypertension is a common risk factor of both cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome phenotypes in patients with hypertension in Isfahan and Markazi provinces in center areas of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was implemented in Isfahan and Markazi provinces in year 2001. Sampling method was random-clustering. 12514 people from both sexes who were above 19 years old were considered which based on ATP III, 1936 person of them had metabolic syndrome. Based on the definition, these people were those who at least had three of the following factors abnormally: HTN, FBS, TG, HDL and WC. Also hypertension was considered for all groups. Data was analyzed using Chi square test and Odds ratio. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 0.6% to 7.5% in central areas of Iran. The most prevalent of metabolic syndrome was in hypertensive women with high TG and WC and the least prevalent was in hypertensive men with these two phenotypes: 1-high FBS and WC, and 2-high FBS and low HDL (p<0.05). Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive people in the most of urban population was more than rural population. Conclusion: Results showed that hypertension is associated with different metabolic syndromes, especially in women with central obesity and dyslipidemia which necessitates more attention in preventing and treatment of the disease in this high risk group.

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Introduction: Use of medicinal plants for decreasing blood glucose and lipids to normal level is clinically important. In this respect, Silybum marianum (SM) is a plant that can lower lipid peroxidation and lipids in an experimental model of hyperlipidemia. Therefore, the effect of chronic oral administration of this plant on serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and HDL and LDL cholesterol level of diabetic rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, female rats (n=36) were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control, SM-treated control, diabetic, and SM-treated diabetic groups. The treatment groups received oral administration of plant-mixed pelleted food (6.25%) for 4 weeks. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were determined before the intervention, and at 2nd and 4th weeks after the intervention. Data was analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA, One way ANOVA, student and pairt T and Tukey tests. Results: Serum glucose level in diabetic group was increased in seond and 4th weeks after the intervention as compared to one week before that (p<0.001) and SM treated diabetic rats only had a mild non-significant effect. In addition, triglyceride level in diabetic group increased 4 weeks after the intervention in comparison to related data one week before that (p<0.05) and there was a significant lower level of triglyceride in SM-treated diabetic rats (p<0.05). Furthermore, a similar significant reduction was obtained for treated-diabetic group as compared to diabetic group regarding serum cholesterol level (p<0.05). On the other hand, HDL- and LDL- cholesterol levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) and lower (p<0.05) in SM-treated diabetic group as compared to untreated diabetic group respectively. Conclusion: Oral chronic administration of SM had no significant hypoglycemic effect and led to appropriate changes in blood lipid profile.

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Introduction: Depression is one of the most common affective disorders, and in addition to different neurotransmitters and life events, various internal stressors such as blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and other factors are responsible for it. Considering hyperglycemia as a possible risk factor of this disorder and inconsistency in results of previous studies, we decided to assess the relationship between different levels of HbA1C and major depression. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional analythical study that is carried out on 134 samples. They were chosen randomly among patients with type2 diabetes reffering to Vali-e-Asr hospital. The patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of their HbA1C test results patients with HbA1C less than 7% (group A), consisting 55 persons and patients with HbA1C more than 7% and equal to it (group B), including 79 persons. Participants were assessed by Hamilton scale of depression. The relation between HbA1C levels and major depression in these 2 groups was assessed using Chi square and Mann Whitney U tests. Results: We found that 40% of depressed patients had HbA1C level lower than 7% and 60% of them had HbA1C level higher than 7%. No significant correlation was found between HbA1C and major depression. But the duration of disease, using Insulin and being hypertensive simultaneously was correlated to major depression in this study. Conclusion: This study indicates that uncontrolled diabetes and high level of blood glucose is cosidered of less importance as an undelying mechanism of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes.

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Introduction: Diabetes is the most important metabolic disease in human. The prevalence of both types of diabetes is rapidly increasing ocross the world. Diabetes causes many complications including End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Diabetes is responsible for 30% of ESRD. The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in Iran is also high. Many of these patients are becoming dialysis dependent. Many studies have shown the changes of trace metals’ levels in diabetic patients including Copper, Zinc, Manganese and Chromium. This study evaluates the correlation between urinary Copper and diabetic nephropathy Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study. Samples were selected among type 2 diabetic patients attending to diabetes clinic in Vali-e-Asr hospital in Arak. Diabetic patients were divided in two groups based on microalbuminuria, 42 patients in case and 40 patients in control group. Then the patients were classified based on duration of diabetes into 4 groups and based on the HbA1c into two groups. Then urinary Copper was determined with atomic absorption spectophotometry and compared. Independent t-test was used to analyze data. Results: Patients were 28.1% male and 69.9% female in case group and 37.5% male and 62.5% female in control group. The mean Copper level was 36.14µg /L (14.54-57.74) in case group and 14.77% µg /L (10.17-19.37) in control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.003). Conclusion: The results show a positive relation between urinary Copper and diabetic nephropathy and confirmed the results of other studies that reported the elevation of Copper in microalbuminuria. This study also showed that age, gender, duration of diabetes and HbA1c level have no effect on urinary Copper.

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Introduction: Quality of life (QOL) has become an important concept in medical research. Some research has shown a curvilinear relationship between QOL and glycemic control, but some did not so. The aim of this study is to investigate different aspects of QOL and also assess the hypothesis in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a random sample of adult diabetic outpatients (n=110) were selected and completed the WHO-QOL assessment instruments. In addition HbA1c was measured in these patients by calorimetric method. Patients were divided in to 3 groups: 1-good control (HbA1c<7), 2-fair control (7≥HbA1c<9) and 3-poor control (HbA1c≥9). QOL was assessed by measuring physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Data were analyzed with one way ANOVA (Tukey as post hoc), Chi2 and Mann-Whitney, and correlation tests. Results: A significant correlation was seen between BMI and glycemic control, physical and social aspects, physical and environmental aspects, psychological and environmental aspects, and social and psychological aspects. No significant difference was seen between mean score of different dimensions of QOL in relation to HbA1c changes. The mean score of each dimension in relation to glycemic control showed that, better score of psychological, environmental and social dimensions is seen in patients with fair glycemic control. But regarding the overall score of QOL this is completely reverse. The mean score of physical dimension is decreased with increasing HbA1c. There was no correlation between other domains of QOL and glycemic control. Conclusion: In this survey higher quality of life was seen in fair glycemic control in social, environmental and psychological dimensions, but physical dimension in patients was decreased when HbA1c was increased. Regarding the overall score of QOL it can be seen that the lowest score of QOL is in patients with fair glycemic control which is in contrast with curvilinear hypothesis.

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Background: Diabetic patients face many challenges related to their illness and treatment in their life. So they need to use coping strategies for adjustment. The purpose of this study was determined the coping styles among diabetic Iranian patients. Methods and Materials: In a case-control study, 100 consecutive diabetic patients admitted to Amin and Sedigheh Taherah Medical Centers, Isfahan, were selected based on the inclusive and exclusive criteria and compared with one hundred normal people who selected from general population. Data collected by using demographic questionnaire, the Jalowiec Coping Scale, then MANCOVA and co-variance were used to analyze the data. Results: Difference between two groups in coping styles were significant (F=2.835, p=0.005). Significant differences was in supportant coping style (F=11.204, p=0.001). There was no significant difference in other coping styles between two groups. Conclusion: It seems that the diabetic patients likely differ from normal people only in supportant coping style when deal with daily stress. But they are similar to normal people in other coping styles. In addition, both groups use problem solving styles when deal with daily stress. The findings emphasis the role of illness representation to determine coping styles.

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Abstract Background: Oxidative stress is strongly related to diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of experimental diabetes on oxidative stress indexes in the heart tissue and effect of regular swimming on it. Materials and Methods: In experimental-practical study, 40 male Wister rats divided to four groups (n=10): control, control with exercise, diabetic, diabetic with exercise. Diabetes was induced by a single dose injection of Streptozotocin (50mg/Kg, i.p). Study time was 8 weeks. At the end of period, rats were anesthetized by Sodium Pentobarbital (50mg/Kg, i.p) and left ventricle dissociated and maintenance in -80 ºC. Super oxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxides (GPX), Glutathione Reductase (GR) and Catalase (CAT) activities as enzymatic antioxidant status and Malonyl Dealdehyde (MDA) level as index of lipid peroxidation of the tissue in superior layer of tissue homogenization were measured. Results: Diabetes induction significantly reduced CAT and GR activities in heart tissue of diabetic rats compared with control. Also MDA level increased significantly in diabetic-non exercised rats compared with control. Total Glutathione level was similar in all groups. Conclusion: Swimming by preventing in reduction of CAT and GR activities and MDA level of heart tissue has beneficial effects in prevention of cardiovascular complications caused by oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus.

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Background: Maternal diabetes is associated with an increased risk of several complications in the offspring, such as the growth of congenital disturbances and malformations. In the present study, we examined the effects of maternal hyperglycemia on the volume of brain and lateral ventricle in newborn Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, on the 7th day of pregnancy, hyperglycemia was induced by a single injection (i.p.) of streptozotocin (55 mg kg-1) and the animals in control group were given an equal volume of citrate buffer. After parturition on the first day of birth, a litter was randomly selected from each mother, their brains dissected and fixed in 10% formalin. Then they were sectioned with 7μm thickness and stained by H.E. Through the use of stereological techniques and systematic random sampling scheme, the volume of the brain and lateral ventricles were estimated. Results: Statistical analyses showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the volume of the brains and lateral ventricles in the experiment group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: By affecting blood brain barrier permeability in newborn rats, maternal diabetes can generate a large amount of CSF. These effects can bring about brain disorders such as hydrocephalus.

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  Background: Considering some evidence on anti-diabetic potential of Allium ursinum (AU) , this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of AU on contractile responsiveness of thoracic aorta in diabetic rats.

  Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into control, AU-treated control, diabetic, glibenclamide-treated, and AU-treated diabetic groups. For inducing diabetes, streptozotcin (STZ) was administered (60 mg/Kg). AU-treated group received AU mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 1% for 2 months. Serum glucose level was measured at weeks 4 and 8. Eventually, contractile responsiveness of thoracic aortic rings to KCl and noradrenaline (NA) was evaluated .

  Results: Serum glucose level, at weeks 4 and 8, in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly lower than that in the diabetics group (p<0.01 and p<0.005, respectively). In addition, the maximum thoracic aorta contractile responsiveness to NA in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly less than the diabetic group (p<0.05) however, such a significant reduction was not observed for KCl.

Conclusion: Oral administration of AU for 2 months is of a moderate hypoglycemic effect and attenuates the contractile responsiveness of the vascular system in diabetic rats. Background: Considering some evidence on anti-diabetic potential of Allium ursinum (AU), this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of AU on contractile responsiveness of thoracic aorta in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into control, AU-treated control, diabetic, glibenclamide-treated, and AU-treated diabetic groups. For inducing diabetes, streptozotcin (STZ) was administered (60 mg/Kg). AU-treated group received AU mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 1% for 2 months. Serum glucose level was measured at weeks 4 and 8. Eventually, contractile responsiveness of thoracic aortic rings to KCl and noradrenaline (NA) was evaluated. Results: Serum glucose level, at weeks 4 and 8, in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly lower than that in the diabetics group (p<0.01 and p<0.005, respectively). In addition, the maximum thoracic aorta contractile responsiveness to NA in the AU-treated diabetic group was significantly less than the diabetic group (p<0.05) however, such a significant reduction was not observed for KCl. Conclusion: Oral administration of AU for 2 months is of a moderate hypoglycemic effect and attenuates the contractile responsiveness of the vascular system in diabetic rats.

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Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a heterogeneous group of different metabolic disorders that are characterized by chronic increase of blood glucose and proteins, lipids and carbohydrates metabolism disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise on metabolic factors, quality of life and mental health of women with type II diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental investigation, 18 women with type П diabetes referring to Arak Petroleum Company Clinic were selected and divided into two groups: aerobic (10 participants) and control (8 participants). Aerobic group performed selected exercises in 8 weeks (three 30-50 min sessions per week). In this investigation, we used metabolic factors (such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL, LDL, FBS, HbA1c and Insulin serum) and SF-36 quality of life (QOL) and GHQ mental health (MH) questionnaires. The level of significance was considered to be 95% (P<0/05). Results: There were significant differences between the means of pre-test and post-test measures of FBS, HbA1C, Insulin serum, QOL and MH in aerobic group. There were no significant differences between the means of pre-test and post-test measures of TC, HDL, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides in aerobic group and all factors in the control group (P<0/05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise affects metabolic factors, QOL and MH in type П diabetic patients and it results in their improvement.

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Background: Diabetes is the sixth main cause of mortality in the world, and its both types are accompanied with eye complications in a way that the risk of blindness in diabetic patients is 25 times more than normal people. Hence, this study was conducted to determine diabetic patients’ awareness of the eye complications associated with this disease. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 200 diabetic patients referring to the eye clinic of Amir Kabir Hospital of Arak in 2008 were evaluated. Data collection was done through questionnaire and referral interviews. Then some of the factors affecting patients’ awareness of eye complications associated with diabetes were analyzed. Results: The level of awareness of eye complications associated with diabetes in 40% of the patients was average. Also, significant relationships were observed between the level of awareness and age, job, education, type of retinopathy, type of treatment, and the history of referring to ophthalmologist (p<0.001), whereas no significant relationships were observed between the level of awareness and gender, familial history of diabetes, and controlling the diet (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that a higher level of awareness in diabetic patients does not necessitate that they observe a proper diet, but it can lead to patients’ greater care in preventing the development of diabetes

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Background: In the last few decades, quality of life (QOL) has become known as an important concept in medical research. In this study, two standard QOL questionnaires were chosen for evaluation of patients’ personality characteristics: 1) World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) and 2) Iranian Diabetics Quality of Life (IRDQOL). The main aim of this study was to compare two standard quality of life questionnaires for evaluation of the relationship between personality characteristics and glycemic control in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 256 type 2 diabetic patients with a history of diabetes for more than one year. Validity and reliability measures were determined for the two questionnaires. HbA1c was measured through calorimetric method. Results: The mean of physical dimension scores on IRDQOL questionnaire was significantly lower than that on the WHOQOL questionnaire. No significant differences were observed between the other dimensions of the two questionnaires. Positive correlations were seen between different dimensions of each questionnaire. There was a high correlation between the different dimensions of each questionnaire and its related QOL. The two questionnaires did not indicate any correlations between glycemic control and different dimensions of QOL. Conclusion: The two questionnaires have reliability for the total QOL however, the distribution of questions in IRDQOL is not equal. The quality of the evaluation of patients’ personality characteristics by IRDQOL is less than that of WHOQOL. None of the questionnaires indicated any relationship between personal characteristics and glycemic control.

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Background: Chronic diabetes mellitus is accompanied with disturbances in learning, memory, and cognitive skills. Noticing the existing evidence regarding the anti-diabetic potential of hesperetin, the effect of its chronic administration on learning and memory in diabetic rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into control, hesperetin-treated control, diabetic, and hesperetin/glibenclamide-treated diabetic groups. For evaluation of learning and memory, initial (IL) and step-through latencies (STL) were determined at the end of the study using passive avoidance test, and the alternation behavior percentage was obtained using Y maze. Results: STL significantly decreased in the diabetic (p<0.01) and hesperetin-treated diabetic (p<0.05) groups in comparison to the control group however, the difference between these two groups was not significant. Alternation percentage in the diabetic group was significantly lower in comparison to the control group (p<0.05), but the hesperetin-treated diabetic group revealed a significant difference in comparison to the diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although long-term treatment with hesperetin does not enhance the capability of retention and recall in diabetic animals on the passive avoidance test, it can improve the short-term spatial memory in diabetic animals.

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Background: Different studies have shown that vitamin D may play a functional role in insulin secretion and sensitivity. This study evaluates the effect of vitamin D on insulin resistance. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was done on 100 patients with type II diabetes mellitus that aged 30-70 years. The patients were randomly selected and different examinations were done on them. They received 50000 units of oral vitamin D daily for four weeks. Insulin resistance was measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was done by paired t-test and Wilcoxon test using SPSS software version 17. Results: The participants consisted of 70 women and 30 men. Mean vitamin D was 43.03±19.28 ng/ml and 24% of the participants were vitamin D deficient based on the cut-off 25(OH) D <20 ng/ml. At the beginning and the end of the study, the mean levels for FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR were 138.48±36.74 and 131.02±39 mg/dl (P=0.05), 10.76±9.46 and 8.6±8.25 µIu/ml (P= 0.02), and 3.57±3.18 and 2.89±3.28 (P= 0.008), respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that vitamin D causes significant improvements in FPG, insulin, and insulin resistance, that was evaluated by HOMA-IR. It was also indicated that adding vitamin D supplements can improve glucose control in type II diabetes mellitus.

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Background: Launaea acanthodes is used as a common medicinal plant in central regions of Iran. To investigate the probable hypoglycemic activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of L. acanthodes as well as its effects on serum level of insulin and biochemical factors in normal and hyperglycemic rats, the present study was carried out. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 24 male albino Wistar rats, weighting 250-300 g were randomly allocated into four groups (n=6) control, type 1 diabetic rats (STZ 55 mg/kg), type 1 diabetic rats treated by subcutaneous injection of 5 IU/kg insulin (STZ+insulin) and type 1 diabetic rats treated by injection (i.p) of 150 mg/kg hydro-alcoholic extract of L. Acanthodes (STZ+extract). The injection of insulin and extract were done every day from day 1 to day 21 of experiment. After that, all animals were kept up to day 30. Blood serum were collected and analyzed for the levels of glucose and biochemical factors (cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL) measurements, in the 15th and 30th day of experiment. Results: The results showed significant decrease (p<0.001) in glucose level and significant increase (p<0.05) in insulin level in STZ+extract group, when compared with other hyperglycemic groups in 30th day of experiment. Conclusion: These results indicate that the hydro- alcoholic extract of L.acanthodes could be effective in the treatment of diabetes. It can be concluded that extract administration somehow induce insulin secretion probably through stimulation of remaining β cells or their hyperplasia in Langerhans islets. This effect can also be referred to flavonoides constituent and antioxidant property of extract, too.