---

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.

---

Background: Menopause being the most critical period, the unfavorable changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters associated with CVD risk. Metabolic syndrome is the key factor for cardiovascular disease and has become major problem in many countries. With the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, especially in women after menopause, this study was performed to investigate the relationship between the menopausal age and metabolic syndrome in non-obese postmenopausal women.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study on 140 healthy non-obese postmenopausal women who had a BMI less than30 Kg/m2, at 2009 in Ahvaz the data were contained demographic information, menopausal age, BMI, values of HDL-C, FBS, TG serum after 12 houres fasting, blood pressure and waist circumference. We used the Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis by SPSS15 software.

Results: Menopausal age with FBS (p=0.04) was negatively significant. But there was not any correlation between menopausal age with other Components of metabolic syndrome. [triglycerides (p=0.28), systolic blood pressure (p=0.80) diastolic blood pressure (p=0.48), waist circumference (p=0.08), HDL-C(p=0.65)].

Conclusion: Late menopause has favourable effect on fasting glucose.

---

Background: Menopause is a critical period in the women life which is associated with different neurophysiological and cognitive changes. This study aimed to determine the relationship between menopausal symptoms with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was conducted on 165 postmenopausal women referred to health centers in Ahvaz. Data collection tools were standardized questionnaire menopausal rating symptoms (MRS), questionnaire to record demographic information and the results of experiments and measurements (blood pressure, Waist circumference). The data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficients, Mann-Whitny in by SPSS version 19.

Results: The results showed that the overall mean of MRS in this study was 11.85±5.4. The mean of metabolic syndrome was 36±4.8 percent and we found significant association between blood pressure (p=0.04), blood sugar (p=0.02),HDL-C(p=0.02) and urogenital symptoms. But there werent significant relationship between other metabolic syndrome components and other menopausal symptoms (somatic and psychological Dimensions).

Conclusion: The relationship was observed between metabolic syndrome and urogenital symptoms, therefore, as a preventative health strategy women with urogenital complaints should examin for metabolic syndrome.

---

Background: Metabolic syndrome, a concurrence of overweight and abdominal fat distribution, disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism, mild dyslipidemia and hypertension is among the most important issues that man deals with, in today's world. Probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, can confer a health benefit on the host. The aim of the present study was to review the clinical evidence available regarding the role of probiotics in improvement of disorders associated with metabolic syndrome.

Materials and Methods: In this research, clinical trials performed between 2000-2014 were searched in two databases, Pubmed and ScienceDirect. In both databases “Probiotics”, “metabolic syndrome” and each of its elements were used as the key words.

Results: Probiotics may reduce body weight through manipulating the gut flora. Through reducing inflammation and immune-regulation, probiotics decrease insulin resistance. They also improve lipid profile through reducing cholesterol absorption and producing short chain fatty acids, as well as deconjugating bile acids and converting cholesterol to coprostanol. Moreover, probiotics have been suggested to have a hypotensive effect through release of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides, through proteolytic action. 

Conclusion: Although some clinical trials have failed to obtain beneficial effects of probiotics on metabolic syndrome related situations, a majority of the studies have shown positive results for these microorganisms in this regard. Thus, probiotics can be looked upon as a novel approach when either prevention or alleviation of metabolic syndrome is aimed.

---