Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by indicators of hypertension, abdominal obesity, abnormal lipid profile, and hyperglycaemia. Few studies have investigated the association between serum calcium and MetS. Thus, this study examined prospectively the association between serum calcium in Iranian women with onset of MetS, and key components of MetS. Methods: A total of 460 subjects were recruited, comprising 232 with MetS and 228 as a control group. Waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure (BP) were measured and fasting blood samples were obtained for determination of glucose, insulin, total triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and serum calcium. Results: Compared to the control group, women with MetS had significantly higher WC, BP, TG, glucose, and LDL-C levels but lower HDL-C levels with 97.1±8.4 cm, 123.2±16 mmHg, 219.9±88.7 mg/ dl, 119.208.8 mg/di, 121.3±201 mg/dl, and 38.8±4.9 mg/dl, respectively. Serum concentrations of calcium were significantly higher in women with MetS (9.9±0.3 mg/dl) compared to the control group (9.1±0.7 mg/dl). Serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus are predictors of MetS. Serum calcium level had a positive association with the risk of having high levels of glucose, TG, BP and WC. Conclusion: Serum calcium level showed a positive association with the risk of having high levels of parameters associated with MetS in the Iranian women studied. More studies on MetS are suggested to include measuring serum calcium as well to verify the present findings.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by indicators of hypertension, abdominal obesity, abnormal lipid profile, and hyperglycaemia. Few studies have investigated the association between serum calcium and MetS. Thus, this study examined prospectively the association between serum calcium in Iranian women with onset of MetS, and key components of MetS. Methods: A total of 460 subjects were recruited, comprising 232 with MetS and 228 as a control group. Waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure (BP) were measured and fasting blood samples were obtained for determination of glucose, insulin, total triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and serum calcium. Results: Compared to the control group, women with MetS had significantly higher WC, BP, TG, glucose, and LDL-C levels but lower HDL-C levels with 97.1±8.4 cm, 123.2±16 mmHg, 219.9±88.7 mg/ dl, 119.208.8 mg/di, 121.3±201 mg/dl, and 38.8±4.9 mg/dl, respectively. Serum concentrations of calcium were significantly higher in women with MetS (9.9±0.3 mg/dl) compared to the control group (9.1±0.7 mg/dl). Serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus are predictors of MetS. Serum calcium level had a positive association with the risk of having high levels of glucose, TG, BP and WC. Conclusion: Serum calcium level showed a positive association with the risk of having high levels of parameters associated with MetS in the Iranian women studied. More studies on MetS are suggested to include measuring serum calcium as well to verify the present findings.

Background/Aims: Global incidence of hypertension is estimated to be, in excess of, one billion people, and given the efficacy of soluble dietary fibers, in particular, Psyllium, to positively impact blood pressure in patients with hypertension, it is of clinical importance that consensus on its supplementation be established. Therefore, the aim of the study was systematically review and meta-analyze the effect of psyllium supplementation on blood pressure of hypertensive patients in randomized controlled trials. Methods: We searched six universal databases including; Pubmed/Medline, Ovid, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus until November 2018. Both combined and stratified analyzes were conducted. A fixed-effects or random- effects model was used to assess the mean effect sizes. Results: An eventual 11 trials with 592 participants were considered as eligible for inclusion in the present meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction of 2.04 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference, –2.04; 95% confidence interval, –2.82 to –1.63; p < 0.001). Whilst meta-regression highlighted that the hypotensive effect of psyllium was stronger in subjects with higher baseline blood pressure. Conclusions Given the overarching benefits and lack of reported side effects, particularly for hypertensive patients, health care providers and clinicians should consider the use of psyllium supplementation for the treatment or abatement of hypertension, or hypertensive symptoms.