---

Background and Objectives: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is considered as a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory functions. Moreover, a number of studies have revealed its lipid lowering properties. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of ALA on serum lipids in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who have high mortality rate mainly due to accelerated atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods: In the present study a total of 70 RA patients were randomly assigned into two groups (1:1) to receive either ALA (1200 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after the intervention to analyze serum lipid profile including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was assessed at baseline and final. Between-group comparisons were done using Student’s t-test and ANCOVA at baseline and after 8 weeks, respectively. Paired t-test was used for within-group comparisons. Sign test and Mann-Whitney’s test were used for intra- and inter-group comparisons of qualitative variables, respectively. P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Finally, 65 RA patients completed the trial. No statistically significant differences were observed in serum lipid levels within and between the groups before and after the study. There were no significant intra- and inter-group differences in physical activity levels at the beginning and in the end of the study. Conclusions: In the present study, serum lipid profile was not significantly affected by ALA intervention. However, ALA supplementation aiming at prevention or treatment of dyslipidemia in RA patients should be further investigated. Keywords: Lipoic acid, Supplementation, Rheumatoid arthritis, Women, Lipid profile

---

Background and Objectives: Exercise and nutrition are two effective factors in controlling diabetes-induced metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess effects of aloe vera and swimming training on lipid profile of the diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 diabetic rats were selected and divided into nine groups of eight rats, including 1) four weeks of aloe vera consumption (FAV), 2) six weeks of aloe vera consumption (SAV), 3) four weeks of swimming (FS), 4) six weeks of swimming (SS), 5) four weeks of aloe vera consumption with swimming (FAVS), 6) six weeks of aloe vera consumption with swimming (SAVS), 7) Week-1 diabetic control (DC), 8) Week-4 diabetic control (FDC), and 9) Week-6 diabetic control (SDC). Groups 1, 2, 5 and 6 received 100 mg kg^-1 of aloe vera daily. Furthermore, Groups 3 and 5 swam for four weeks and Groups 4 and 6 for six weeks, five sessions per week and 30 minutes each session. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests (P≤0.05).
Results: Results showed that training, aloe vera and aloe vera with training significantly decreased levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (P≤0.05); four and six weeks of swimming trainings decreased TG, TC, LDL and VLDL (P≤0.05); and six weeks of aloe vera consumption decreased TG, TC, LDL and VLDL (P≤0.05).
Conclusions: Four and six weeks of aloe vera consumption and swimming training include interactive lipid lowering effects in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

---

Background and Objectives: Capparis decidua is a plant used in herbal medicine. This study was carried out to assess effects of C. decidua hydroalcoholic extract on blood glucose, lipid profile and leptin in male rats with high-cholesterol diets.
Materials and Methods: Totally, 40 Wistar-albino male rats with 200–250 g weight were equally divided into one control (C) and three experimental groups of high-cholesterol diet (HCD), high-cholesterol diet and lovastatin (HCDL) and high-cholesterol diet and C. decidua hydroalcoholic extract (HCDCD). At the end of the intervention, animals were sacrificed using deep anesthesia. Blood samples were collected and fasting blood sugar (FBS), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and leptin were assessed. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was calculated using Friedewald formula. Results were expressed as mean ±SE (standard error). The P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Serum TG in HCDCD group significantly decreased, compared to C and HCD groups (71.33±3.55 (mg dl^-1) instead of 97.55±7.09 (mg dl^-1) and 94 ±7.01(mg dl^-1) respectively, P=0.003) and TC in HCDCD group significantly decreased, compared to HCD group (67.66±2.65 (mg dl^-1) instead of 83.11±5.25 (mg dl^-1), P=0.021). Moreover, TC in HCDL group significantly decreased, compared to HCD group (68.33 ±1.88 (mg dl^-1) instead of 83.11 ±5.25 (mg dl^-1), P = 0.04). Leptin included the lowest value in HCDL group, compared to other groups (P<0.0001). Other parameters did not include significant differences within the groups.
Conclusions: The current findings have demonstrated that hydroalcoholic extracts from C. decidua leaves and thin stems decreased serum TG and TC in HCDCD male rats.