Effect of a seven-strain probiotic on dietary intake, inflammatory markers, and T-cells in severe traumatic brain injury patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory processes are key factors in pathological events associated with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of probiotics on anthropometric measures, disease severity, inflammatory markers, and T cells in patients with STBI. METHODS: Forty adult patients with STBI were enrolled in this parallel randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Energy and protein status, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), T-helper 17 (Th17), and T- Regulator (T-reg) cells were assessed at baseline (day 1), and week 2 (day 14) for each patient. RESULTS: Probiotic supplementation led to a substantial reduction in the serum levels of TNF-α (from 10.15 ± 6.52 to 5.05 ± 3.27) (P = 0.034), IL-1ß (from 11.84 ± 7.74 to 5.87 ± 3.77) (P < 0.001), and Th17 cells (from 5.19 ± 1.69 to 2.67 ± 1.89) (P < 0.001) and a substantial increase in the serum levels of IL-10 (from 3.35 ± 1.45 to 6.17 ± 2.04) (P = 0.038), TGF-ß (from 30.5 ± 15.27 to 46.25 ± 21.05) (P < 0.001), and T-reg cells (from 2.83 ± 1.43 to 4.29 ± 1.89) (P < 0.001) compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, no notable changes were observed in energy and protein intake and also, terms of SOFA and APACHE II scores following probiotic treatment compared with the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics could reduce inflammation and improve cellular immunity and may be considered as an adjunctive therapy in STBI patients.

Association of neck circumference-related indices with metabolic, atherogenic and liver function biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to establish the association of neck circumference (NC)-related indices with metabolic, atherogenic and liver function biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Outpatient clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 175 adult patients with NAFLD diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography were included in this study. Sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measures and metabolic, atherogenic and liver function biomarkers were assessed. RESULTS: Results on 107 women and 68 men with NAFLD showed that 52%, 45.1% and 2.9% of patients had mild, moderate and severe NAFLD, respectively. There were significant differences in most of the anthropometric indices, serum levels of ferritin, creatinine and uric acid as well as liver enzymes, and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) between the genders (p<0.01). However, no significant differences were found in the glycaemic, lipid profile and atherogenic biomarkers. Both NC and neck-to-height ratio (NHtR) were significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) (p=0.018, p<0.001, respectively), waist circumference (WC) (p<0.001, p=0.044, respectively) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p<0.001, p=0.026, respectively) while results showed only a significant relationship between neck-to-waist ratio (NWR) with BMI (p<0.001) and WC (p<0.001). Among metabolic factors, there were significant and positive correlations between NC and serum haemoglobin A1c (r=0.198, p<0.001), AST (r=0.300, p<0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r=0.348, p<0.001), ferritin (r=0.403, p<0.001) and uric acid (r=0.347, p=0.003) while AST/ALT ratio was inversely related to NC (r=-0.226, p=0.003). APRI, Lipid Accumulation Product Index and also Hepatic Steatosis Index were significantly correlated with NC, NHtR and NWR (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: NC-related indices, particularly NC and NHtR, were correlated with some metabolic and liver function biomarkers (apart from lipid profile and atherogenic factors) in patients with NAFLD.

The association between food diversity and serum antioxidant indices in cataract patients compared to healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Cataract is a chronic disorder that is related to antioxidant-oxidant imbalance situation. We aimed to investigate the association between food diversity and serum antioxidant and oxidant indices in cataract patients compared to healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, ninety volunteers (aged > 50 years) were divided into the cataract (n = 45) and healthy control (n = 45) groups. Anthropometric variables, physical activity and stress levels, food diversity score, serum total oxidant capacity (TOC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measurements were done for all participants. RESULTS: Serum TAC, even after adjustment for stress level, was significantly higher in healthy people compared to cataract patients (P < 0.001). In addition, serum TOC was significantly lower in healthy controls compared to cataract patients (P < 0.002). In healthy group, there was a weak significant positive association between serum TAC and meats group diversity (r = 0.149, P = 0.047). In addition, there was a moderate negative association between meats group diversity and TOC in the healthy controls (r = -0.712, P = 0.041). In the cataract group, there was a significant negative association between serum TOC and diversity score of fruits (r = -0.811, P = 0.017) and meats group (r = -0.926, P = 0.046) as well as total score of food diversity (r = -0.466, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: It seems that increase in total dietary diversity and food groups' diversity can have a beneficial effect on oxidant situation among cataract patients.

The impact of vitamin D3 intake on inflammatory markers in multiple sclerosis patients and their first-degree relatives.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In our previous study, a Seesaw model was proposed for the fluctuation of crucial anti- (IL-10) and pro-inflammatory (Il-6 & IL-17A) cytokines through vitamin D3. In this paper, however, it is intended to extend the mentioned model by assessing the expression mRNA levels of IL-27 and TGF-ß1 as well as the changes of plasma levels of IL-27, TGF-ß1, IL-17A, IL-10, and IL-6 after treatment by vitamin D3. METHOD: Venous blood samples were drawn from Healthy Participants (HP, n = 25) and First-Degree Relative Participants (FDRP, n = 25) as control groups and Multiple Sclerosis Participants (MSP, n = 25) before and after eight weeks of supplementation with 50000 IU vitamin D3. The mRNA expression and plasma concentrations were gauged by using Real-Time PCR and ELISA assay, respectively. RESULTS: The mRNA surfaces of IL-27, as well as TGF-ß1, were up-regulated. However, the plasma levels of TGF-ß1, IL-17A, and IL-6 were significantly different among the three groups. In addition, the plasma levels of IL-27, TGF-ß1, IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-6 significantly changed following the administration of vitamin D3. CONCLUSION: The findings of this paper illustrate that anti-inflammatory cytokines could have a key role in immunomodulatory functions due to their anti-inflammatory functions. To conclude, this might contribute to preventing the pathophysiological process of MS. Also, the proposed model could be used as a preventive way on disposed people to multiple sclerosis, particularly in first degree relatives of these patients.

Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in combination with weight loss diet on glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, and matrix metalloproteinases in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

As there is limited and inconsistent evidence in potential role of vitamin D on insulin resistance and matrix metalloproteinases, this study aimed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, and matrix metalloproteinases in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency. A total of 44 participants with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level ≤ 50 nmol/L and body mass index (BMI) 30-40 kg/m2 were randomly allocated into receiving weight reduction diet with either 50 000 IU vitamin D3 pearl (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) once weekly for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were changes in fasting serum glucose (FSG), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Secondary outcomes were changes in weight, BMI, 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorous and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Sun exposure and dietary intakes were also assessed. Serum levels of 25(OH)D3 increased significantly with a simultaneous decrease in serum concentration of PTH in the vitamin D group. Weight, BMI, FSG, and MMP-9 decreased significantly in both groups, and there were significant differences in changes in weight, serum 25(OH)D3, PTH, and MMP-9 levels between the groups. Within- and between-groups analysis revealed no significant differences in serum calcium, phosphorous, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and MMP-2 after intervention. Our results indicated that improvement in vitamin D status resulted in greater reductions in weight and MMP-9 during weight loss. These preliminary results are sufficient to warrant a bigger study group.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation in combination with weight loss diet on lipid profile and sirtuin 1 in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency: a double blind randomized clinical trial.

Background: Due to inconsistent evidence regarding the potential role of vitamin D on lipid profile and sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1), this study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in combination with weight loss diet on lipid profile and SIRT-1 in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency. Methods: Forty-four obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency were randomly assigned in a randomized clinical trial to receive either a weight reduction diet supplemented with 50000IU vitamin D3 pearl (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) once weekly for 12 weeks. Changes in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and SIRT-1 were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were changes in body mass index (BMI), 25(OH) D and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Physical activity and dietary intakes were also assessed. Results: During the intervention, PTH (mean difference, -33.36; 95% CI: -49.15 to -17.57;P<0.001) and LDL-C (mean difference, -15.91; 95% CI: -21.76 to -10.07; P<0.001) decreased and 25(OH) D (mean difference, 36.44; 95% CI: 29.05 to 43.83; P<0.001) increased significantly in the vitamin D group. BMI (mean differences: -2.40; 95% CI: [-2.92 to-1.88] in vitamin D group and mean differences: -1.90; 95% CI [-6.58 to -3.01] in placebo group, P<0.05 for both groups), TC (mean difference,-21.31; 95% CI: -27.24 to -15.38; P<0.001 in vitamin D group and mean difference, -12.54; 95% CI: -19.02 to -6.06; P<0.001 in placebo group) and TG (mean difference,-21.31; 95% CI: -27.24 to -15.38; P<0.001in vitamin D group and mean difference, -12.54; 95% CI: -19.02 to -6.06; P<0.001 in placebo group) decreased and SIRT-1(mean difference, 3.95; 95% CI: 1.18 to 6.73; P=0.007in vitamin D group and mean difference,1.91; 95% CI: 0.31 to 3.63 in placebo group, P=0.022) increase significantly in both group. At end of the study, 25(OH) D and PTH showed significant differences in between-group analyses(P<0.05). No significant difference was detected for HDL-C in within and between groups. Conclusion: This study gives no support for any beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation on lipid profile and SIRT-1 in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency.

Household food security status and its associated factors in Baft-Kerman, IRAN: a cross-sectional study.

Food insecurity is prevalent in both developed and developing countries, which has considerable health impacts on the social, physical, and psychological status. This study aimed to examine the food security status and its related sociodemographic factors among the households living in Baft city of Iran. A sample of 702 households was selected by a simple random sampling method from January to March 2017. Using U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Security questionnaire, 34.3% of households showed some degree of food insecurity. Lower household size (OR = 0.84, CI: 0.73-0.97, P = .02), higher welfare facilities (OR = 1.55, CI: 1.32-1.81, P < .001), educational levels of the mothers and their spouse (being diploma as compared to under-diploma) (OR = 1.57, CI: 0.98-2.53, P = .04 and OR = 1.65, CI: 1.05-2.57, P = .02), governmental employment as compared to unemployment of the spouse (OR = 1.85, CI: 1.14-2.99, P = .01), and house ownership (rent compared to owner house; OR = 0.41, CI: 0.21-0.81, P = .01) were significantly associated with food security. The findings showed food insecurity was associated with some sociodemographic factors among households in Baft. These findings demonstrate that the government needs to continue its efforts to provide appropriate funding for population-based programs and policies, to enhance food security of the people living in this city.

Iodine status, and knowledge about iodine deficiency disorders in adolescent school girls aged 14-19 years, 2016.

Background: Adequate iodine intake by women in child-bearing age affects fetus neurodevelopment during pregnancy. A majority of previous studies has investigated iodine status among children, and there is limited data on female adolescents who are more exposed to consequences of iodine deficiency (ID) in their near-future pregnancies; thus, we aimed to assess iodine status, and knowledge on iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) among adolescent school girls (14-19 years old) in Shahriar, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 223 female students selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from 12 schools. Iodine and creatinine concentrations were measured in casual urine samples. Iodine content of household salts was also assessed.Data on intake of salt and iodine-rich food sources were collected applying a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and knowledge about iodine and IDDs were assessed by a questionnaire. Results: Median and Mean (95% CI) concentrations of urinary iodine and creatinine were 129 µg/L, 137.62 µg/L (95% CI: 126.28, 148.95) and 1.72 g/L, 1.86 g/L (95% CI: 0.55-3.17),respectively. The frequency of mild, moderate and severe ID were 22.4%, 14.3% and 0%,respectively; 43.5% had adequate, and 3.1% had excessive urinary iodine levels. Mean saltiodine concentration was 21.69 (SD=10.56) ppm. Mean knowledge score was 12.7 (SD=3.44).About half of the students had a poor (25.1%) or fair (24.2%) knowledge about iodine deficiency.Adjusting for the confounders, no significant positive association was found between knowledge about iodine-rich food sources and goitrogens with urinary iodine excretion. Conclusion: Adolescent girls in Shahriar had relatively poor knowledge of iodine, and about one third of them suffered from ID.

Determination of Enrofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin Residues in Five Different Kinds of Chicken Tissues by Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Coupled with HPLC.

Contamination of food producing animals by veterinary drug residues, particularly quinolones, is an essential issue in food safety that causes increasing concern in consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of enrofloxacin and its main metabolite, ciprofloxacin, in chicken tissue samples slaughtered in Tabriz, Iran. Totally 250 samples including liver, muscle, gizzard, heart, and skin were studied. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction technique (DLLME) was used as a simple, high performance, low-cost, and fast sample pre-treatment method followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection for quantitative analysis. The residues of enrofloxacin were detected and quantified in 26 liver (52%) and 10 skin (20%) samples and ciprofloxacin residues were detected in 3 skin (6%) samples and accurately determined in 15 liver (30%) samples; however they were not detected in gizzard, heart, and muscle samples. The results showed the accumulation of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin residues in chicken liver and skin.

Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with prooxidant-antioxidant balance: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are significantly associated with systemic inflammation. Moreover, oxidative stress resulting from a disturbance in the prooxidant-antioxidant balance is linked to inflammation-related conditions. Therefore, depression/anxiety symptoms may also be associated with oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between depression/anxiety symptoms and serum prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in adults who participated in a large population-based, cross-sectional study. METHODS: Serum PAB values were measured in 7516 participants (62% females and 38% males) aged 35-65 years, enrolled in a population-based cohort study. beck depression and anxiety inventories were used to evaluate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the effect of confounders on the status of serum PAB change. RESULTS: Among men, serum PAB values were increased incrementally from 1.55 ±â€¯0.47 to 1.59 ±â€¯0.47, 1.69 ±â€¯0.38, and 1.68 ±â€¯0.38 in the no or minimal, mild, moderate and severe depression groups, respectively (Ptrend < 0.001). Serum PAB values also increased significantly across these four corresponding groups among women [1.70 ±â€¯0.45, 1.73 ±â€¯0.44, 1.75 ±â€¯0.44, and 1.76 ±â€¯0.40, (Ptrend = 0.005)]. About anxiety, serum PAB values increased significantly across the four groups in men (Ptrend = 0.02) but not in women (Ptrend = 0.2). The adjusted odds ratios for serum PAB values among men with severe depression and anxiety symptoms were 1.75 and 1.27, respectively. Moreover, the adjusted odds ratios for serum PAB values among women with severe depression and anxiety symptoms were 1.40 and 1.17, respectively. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of depression and anxiety appear to be associated with higher degrees of oxidative stress, expressed by higher serum PAB values.