Background: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a dangerous process that results in tissue damages and imposes heavy costs on societies. Therefore, finding a parameter for CVA prognosis and a way for its treatment is important. Considering some contradictory findings regarding the relationship between the highly sensitive – C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and ischemic CVA, this study aimed to evaluate the level of hs-CRP in patients with stroke.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 40 patients (case) with acute ischemia (age range, 45-80 years) referred to Kashan Shahid-Beheshti hospital during 2009-2012 and 40 healthy subjects (control). Two groups were matched for age and gender they did not have the underlying diseases increasing the level of hs-CRP. The hs-CRP was measured in the patients and then compared. Moreover, the patients' clinical status was evaluated on admission using the Scandinavian Neurologic Stroke Scale.

Results: Each group consisted of 22 women and 18 men. In both groups, the mean hs-CRP value in women was significantly higher than the men. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean hs-CRP value.

Conclusion: There is no direct relationship between hs-CRP level and ischemic cerebral stroke.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the favorable effects of multi mineral-vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles, serum hs-CRP and biomarkers of oxidative stress among Iranian pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia.

Materials and Methods: This randomized single-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted among 48 pregnant women, primigravida, at risk for pre-eclampsia aged 18-40 years at their third trimester. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive either the multi mineral-vitamin D supplements (n=24) or the placebo (n=24) for 9 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 9 weeks of intervention to measure metabolic profiles, hs-CRP and oxidative stress parameters.

Results: Consumption of multi mineral-vitamin D supplements as compared to the placebo resulted in a significant decrease in FPG (-11.7 vs. -2 mg/dL, P=0.01), serum insulin levels (-0.96 vs. 2.65 µIU/ml, P=0.04) and a marginally significant decrease in HOMA-IR (-0.34 vs.0.6, P=0.06). Also, multi mineral-vitamin D supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum hs-CRP levels as compared to the placebo (-1411.7 vs. 1503 ng/ml, P=0.01). Moreover, the mean changes for plasma TAC (151.94 vs. -19.69 mmol/l, P=0.002) and total GSH levels (205.82 vs. -32.3 µmol/l, P=0.02) were significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion: In conclusion, consumption of multi mineral-vitamin D supplements for 9 weeks during pregnancy among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia resulted in a significant decrease in FPG, serum insulin, hs-CRP and increased levels of plasma TAC and total GSH as compared to the placebo group.

Background: Recent studies on cardiovascular risk factors have been focused on the new markers of inflammatory diseases such as C-reactive protein (CRP). This study aimed to examine the effect of aerobic activities such as running on CRP level in overweight female students.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 26 moderately obese female students (mean body weight 82.5±5.6 kg, height 166±6.4cm, age 21.2±2.1 years and BMI ≥ 28.4 kg/m2) were selected purposefully. Participants were divided into the experimental and control groups. Training program which was performed in two sessions per week for eight consecutive weeks was consisted of incremental aerobic exercise with determined heart rate monitored by a polar watch. Post-test blood sample and anthropometric measures were repeated 48 hours after the last training session similar to the pretest conditions.

Results: Results indicated that 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training had a significant effect on decreasing the CRP level in obese girls (P=0.0001). Moreover, a significant difference was seen between the control and experimental groups in mean CPR values (P=0.047), while no significant difference was seen between the pre and post tests in the control group (P=0.28).

Conclusion: Considering the strong association between the inflammatory indices and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, every factor that decreases these indices can reduce the cardiovascular complications.

Background: There are a few studies about the positive effects of exercise and polyphenols supplementation on reduction of cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation on lipid profile and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels after an aerobic exercise in non-athlete men.

Materials and Methods: In a randomized double-blind study, 20 non-athlete men (age range, 19±1 years, body fat 12.20%±3%, body mass index 22.22±2, and VO2max 39.28±2 ml.kg-1.min-1) were allocated into two equal groups (n=10): the GSE supplementation (200 mg/day) and placebo groups. The hs-CRP, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were measured before and after the supplementation and after an aerobic exercise protocol with 75% VO2max on the motorized treadmill for 30 minutes.

Results: The results showed a significant reduction in TG and a significant increase in hs-CRP after the exercise in both groups (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between groups in HDL-C, LDL-C, and TC levels (P>0.05). In addition, there was a significant decrease in TC levels subsequent GSE supplementation (P<0.05).

Conclusion: A single session of aerobic exercise has no significant effect on lipid profiles except TG and can lead to an increase in the hs-CRP concentration. However, the short-term GSE supplementation can just improve the TC of lipid profile.