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Articles
by
Abdullah H. Al-Assaf |
Total Records (
3 ) for
Abdullah H. Al-Assaf |
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Abdullah H. Al-Assaf
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The aim of this study was to evaluate iron deficiency
anemia among adult healthy Saudi males and adult healthy non-pregnant
Saudi females in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. 234 healthy adults were
recruited of which, 102 were females and 132 were males. Male subjects
were reclassified to cigarette smokers (n = 52) and non-smokers (n = 80).
Anemia was assessed by dietary iron intake, hemoglobin and hematocrit
levels. Iron intake was measured by analyzing the intake of three
consecutive days. The results showed that iron intake, hemoglobin and
hematocrit levels were significantly higher in males compared to females.
Mean iron intake of males (13.6±3.1 mg/day) was adequate compared to DRI
recommendation. Mean concentrations of hemoglobin (15.89±0.95 g/dL) and
hematocrit (47.7±3.6%) for males were normal. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
levels were significantly higher in smokers compared to non-smokers, but
both were normal, which suggested that iron deficiency anemia is not found
among adult Saudi males. Mean iron intake of females (10.2±2.8 mg/day) was
inadequate compared to DRI recommendation. Mean hemoglobin level
(13.68±0.83 g/gL) and mean hematocrit level (38.9±3.2%) of females were
lower than cutoff values for determining iron deficiency anemia. Based on
hemoglobin and hematocrit values, 21.6% and 20.6% of female participants,
respectively were anemic. Based on iron intake, 95.1% of female
participants had intake lower than the recommendation. Results of this
study illustrated that iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent among
adult Saudi women in Riyadh City and suggests actions to eradicate iron
deficiency anemia. These actions include increasing nutritional awareness
and education for the purpose of changing inappropriate consumption
patterns as well as fortification of certain foods in combination with
additional intakes of iron from supplements. |
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Abdullah H. Al-Assaf
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Khalid S. Al-Numair
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The aim of this study was to investigate intake of
macronutrients and its relation to Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as intake
of selected micronutrients in urban and rural healthy adults in Riyadh
region-Saudi Arabia. 170 health adults were recruited, 85 of which were
urbans and 85 were rurals. Three consecutive days food records were
collected and dietary intakes were analyzed by the food processor and
other food composition tables. Results showed high intake of
macronutrients and prevalence of overweight and obesity in both groups
with no significant differences. Subjects of both groups also had high
intake of saturated fat. Results also showed inadequate intake of vitamin
D, calcium and folate. Few of the participants of both groups had
inadequate intake of vitamin C. Intakes of vitamin B1, vitamin
B3, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and
vitamin B2 was adequate. No significant differences between the
two groups were observed except for vitamin D, calcium and vitamin
B2 that their mean intakes were significantly higher in urban
group compared to rural group. Mean intake of vitamin B3 was
higher in rural group compared to urban group. These findings suggested
that overweight and obesity among adult Saudis are due to high intake of
macronutrients combined with inadequate intake of some micronutrients,
which are results of non-balanced diet and inappropriate consumption
patterns. The study also suggests that there is a need of increasing the
nutritional education and awareness among adult Saudi males. |
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Abdullah H. Al-Assaf
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The present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity
of corosolic acid in CCl4-induced hepatotoxic male albino rats and included
an assessment of the antihyperlipidemic properties. Liver necrosis was induced
by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1.25 mL/kg b.wt.). Hyperlipidemic agents,
such as lipid peroxidation, lipid profile and liver function markers were assessed.
The activities of the hepatic marker enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase
(AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma
glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were increased significantly in CCl4-treated
animals. In the serum, increased levels of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol
(VLDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreased high
density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed. Further, an increase
in the levels of total cholesterol (TC), phospholipids (PL), triglycerides (TG)
and free fatty acids (FFA) in serum and liver were observed in hepatotoxic rats,
whereas these hepatic marker enzymes and lipid profiles were significantly protected
in corosolic acid pretreated on CCl4-treated animals. These results indicate
that the corosolic acid can potentially ameliorate the lipids abnormalities
and protect hepatic damage against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity rats. |
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