Yafteh

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is currently the leading cause of death among people around the world. The main cause of CAD is atherosclerosis or vascular arrest. In the etiology of this disease, various factors, including genetic factors, are involved. In this study, the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) as a risk factor was evaluated. Increasing ACE activity by enhancing the synthesis of angiotensin II is likely to contribute to the risk of atherosclerosis.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 145 healthy individuals and 154 patients were selected from among patients referred to the Shahid Madani Hospital. Absorption of atherosclerosis in healthy individuals and atherosclerosis in patients with standardized angiography was confirmed. The case and control groups were matched for age and gender. A 5 ml sample of blood was taken from each person, and the serum was isolated. ACE activity was measured using HHL substrate and HPLC techniques.
Results: The results showed that the level of ACE activity in patients with atherosclerosis was higher than those in the control group and this increase was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results, increased ACE activity can be an independent factor in the incidence of CAD and can be used to assess the risk of disease.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is one of the main causes of death and its treatment is one of the clinical priorities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SKEO) and carvacrol on lipid peroxidation index (MDA), plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and also the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Materials and Methods: The study was experimental in nature. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of 70 mg/kg alloxan. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10. After the treatment period (20 days), the indices of lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were measured in the hemolysates of all groups. SKEO was analyzed by the GC-Mass method. Data analysis was performed in SPSS 23 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests.
Results: The results of our study showed that the average values ​​of glutathione and TAC of the diabetic groups under treatment in both doses increased compared to the diabetic control group, while the MDA level decreased compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05). The activity of antioxidant enzymes in the treated groups showed a significant increase compared to the group of diabetic rats (P<0.05). SKEO analysis by GC-Mass method showed that carvacrol (percentage) constituted the main compound of this extract.
Conclusion: According to the results, the main compound of SKEO is carvacrol and it has antioxidant properties. The groups treated with SKEO and carvacrol both showed a significant decrease in the amount of MDA and an increase in its antioxidant defense indices.