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Background and purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by articular destruction and systemic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bromocriptine on clinical and laboratory findings of rheumatoid arthritis.
Materials and methods: Ïn this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial, 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited. Âlthough these patients had consumed modifying anti rheumatoid drugs (DMÂRDs) and prednisolone, they did not show a satisfying response to the drugs. The patients randomly received bromocriptine or placebo for three months and after two weeks as a washout period during which none of the treatments were done, the second course of treatment was started with the alternative drug. Serum level of prolactin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and clinical criteria of disease activity including the number of swollen and tendered joints, morning stiffness and consumption of analgesics were measured at the beginning and at the end of each course of the treatment.
Results: Âmong the patients enrolled in the study, two did not continue because of the side effects of bromocriptine. Ïn comparison with the placebo, bromocriptine was significantly more effective in reducing the severity of disease (P<0.05) and the use of analgesics (P<0.05). However, no clear decrease was observed in prolactin level and other clinical parameters.
Çonclusion: This study showed relative improvement in the laboratory and clinical findings of rheumatoid arthritis with bromocriptine. Thus, more studies on this and other prolactin inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis are recommended.

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Background and purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder in the world. Genetic factors are believed to be associated with development of NAFLD. This research aimed at studying the effect of eight weeks of compound exercises (aerobic and resistance) on human body with three genotypes (TT, CT, CC) of C677T polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene.
Materials and methods: In this semi-experimental study, human body of grade 1 NAFLD subjects (N=60) were studied in six groups (3 control groups and 3 experimental groups) with three genotypes (TT, CT, CC) for eight weeks. The participants were obese males aged 30-40 years old (BMI= 30-35 kg/m2). Data analysis was carried out in SPSS V19 applying repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results: The study showed significant decrease in BMI at the end of 8 weeks of training protocol in TT genotype group compared to those with CT (P= 0.031) and CC (P= 0.023) genotypes. Also, visceral fat showed significant decrease in group with TT genotype compared to the groups with CT genotype (P= 0.039) and CC genotype (P= 0.034) and in CT genotype group compared to CC genotype group (P= 0.046). A decreasing trend was observed in all groups in waist to hip ratio, although the decrease was not significant among the genotypic groups.

Conclusion: Training protocol resulted in BMI reduction which was found to be higher in TT genotype compared to CT and CC genotypes. Reduced visceral fat after these exercises along with lower BMI could cause improvements in liver function in patients with NAFLD.