The effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) on glycemic indices: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Although several studies have revealed the benefits of purslane on glycemic indices, the results of some studies reject such effect. Therefore, aim of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to assess the effects of purslane supplementation on glycemic indices. Scientific international databases as Scopus, Web of Sciences, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched up to December 2022. For net changes in glycemic indices, weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. Purslane supplementation had a statistically significant reduction in fasting blood glucose [FBG, WMD: -6.37; 95% CI: -9.34, -3.40, p < 0.001]. In addition, purslane did not significant effect on serum levels of insulin [WMD: -0.74; 95% CI: -2.58, 1.10; p = 0.430], homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR, WMD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.88, 0.37, p = 0.429], and QUICKI [WMD: -0.01; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.03, p = 0.317] compared with the control group. The results of our meta-analysis revealed a beneficial effect of purslane supplementation as a tool to decrease FBG levels, but not to HOMA-IR, insulin, and QUICKI levels. However, future high-quality, long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm our results.

Alleviating effects of coenzyme Q10 supplements on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: results from an umbrella meta-analysis.

Introduction: Although several meta-analyses support the positive effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, the results of some other studies reject such effects. Methods: Therefore, in this umbrella meta-analysis, we performed a comprehensive systematic search in such databases as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar up to January 2023. Results: Based on standardized mean difference analysis, CoQ10 supplementation significantly decreased serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (ESSMD = -0.39; 95% CI: 0.77, -0.01, p = 0.042) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (ESSMD = -1.17; 95% CI: 1.55, -0.79, p < 0.001), while it increased the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (ESSMD = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.81, p < 0.001) and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (ESSMD = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.37, 1.79, p = 0.003). However, CoQ10 supplementation had no significant reducing effect on tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) (ESSMD = -0.70; 95% CI: 2.09, 0.68, p = 0.320) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (ESSMD = -0.85; 95% CI: 1.71, 0.01, p = 0.053). Based on weighted mean difference analysis, CoQ10 supplementation considerably decreased TNF-α (ESWMD = -0.46, 95% CI: 0.65, -0.27; p < 0.001), IL-6 (ESWMD = -0.92, 95% CI: 1.40, -0.45; p < 0.001), and CRP levels (effect sizes WMD = -0.28, 95% CI: 0.47, -0.09; p < 0.001). Discussion: The results of our meta-analysis supported the alleviating effects of CoQ10 on markers of inflammation cautiously. However, CoQ10 had antioxidant effects regarding the improvement of all the studied antioxidant and oxidative stress biomarkers. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=323861, identifier CRD42022323861.

Antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa supplementation: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Clinical studies have suggested that Nigella Sativa (N. sativa) supplementation may effectively reduce blood pressure, but the findings are controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of N. sativa on blood pressure in adults. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase databases, and Google Scholar were searched till August 2022. To analyze weighted mean differences (WMDs), a random-effects model was utilized. Nonlinear dose-response analysis and a meta-regression were conducted. N. sativa supplementation was effective in reducing both systolic (WMD: -3.06 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.89 to -2.22, p < 0.001; I2 = 84.7%, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (WMD = -2.69 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.72, -1.66, p < 0.001; I2 = 97.3%, p < 0.001). The current meta-analysis suggests that N. sativa supplementation can improve blood pressure and claims that N. sativa could be used as an effective approach to blood pressure management.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An umbrella systematic review and meta-analysis.

There has been conflicting evidence from meta-analyses on the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, in this umbrella meta-analysis, we are evaluating whether omega-3 PUFA supplementation has any benefit in treating NAFLD. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar were assessed to October 2022. This meta-analysis included all meta-analyses that examined the effect of PUFAs on liver fat and liver function tests [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)]. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed. In total, eight articles involving 6,561 participants met the eligibility criteria. Advantageous impacts PUFA supplementation were observed on ALT (ESWMD  = -6.72 IU/L; 95% CI: -8.61, -4.84; p < 0.001, and ESSMD  = -0.52 IU/L; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.20, p < 0.001), AST (ESWMD  = -3.73 IU/L, 95% CI: -5.93, -1.53, p < 0.001, and ESSMD  = -0.65 IU/L; 95% CI: -1.08, -0.22, p = 0.003), GGT levels (ESWMD  = -4.20 IU/L, 95% CI: -6.85, -1.55, p = 0.002), and liver fat (ESWMD  = -5.16; 95% CI: -8.49, -1.82, p < 0.001). Intervention with omega-3 PUFAs improves ALT, AST, GGT, and liver fat in patients with NAFLD. Thus, omega-3 PUFAs could be considered as a therapeutic option in the treatment of NAFLD.

Effect of Probiotics on Liver Enzymes in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Umbrella of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become prevalent in recent decades, especially in developed countries; yet the approaches for preventing and treating NAFLD are not clear. This study aimed to summarize meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of probiotics on NAFLD. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Library databases up to August 2021. All Meta-analysis studies assessing the effect of probiotics on liver function tests [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)] were included. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also performed. The umbrella study covered ten eligible studies involving 5,162 individuals. Beneficial effects of probiotics supplementation were revealed on ALT (ES = -10.54 IU/L; 95% CI: -12.70, -8.39; p < 0.001; I 2 = 60.9%, p = 0.006), AST (ES = -10.19 IU/L, 95%CI: -13.08, -7.29, p < 0.001; I 2 = 79.8%, p < 0.001), and GGT (ES = -5.88 IU/L, 95% CI: -7.09, -4.67, p = 0.009; I 2 = 0.0%, p = 0.591) levels. Probiotics have ameliorating effects on ALT, AST, and GGT levels in patients with NAFLD. Overall, Probiotics could be recommended as an adjuvant therapeutic method for the management of NAFLD.

Anti-obesity properties of probiotics; a considerable medical nutrition intervention: Findings from an umbrella meta-analysis.

Although several studies have indicated that consumption of probiotics is effective in the treatment of obesity, the results in this regard have yielded controversial findings. The current umbrella meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of probiotics supplementation on obesity indices in adults. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies published till November 2021. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed. In total, 29 meta-analyses with 14,366 participants, including 112, 78, and 38 unique trials for body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), and waist circumference (WC), were included in the study, respectively. The findings demonstrated that the probiotics supplementation was significantly effective on decreasing of BMI (ES = -0.21; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.13, p < 0.001; I2 = 83.0%, p < 0.001), BW (ES = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.60, -0.16; p < 0.001; I2 = 81.8%, p < 0.001), and WC (ES = -0.60; 95% CI: -0.89, -0.31; p < 0.001; I2 = 89.1%, p < 0.001). Greater effects on BW were observed when intervention duration was >8 weeks and on obese individuals. BMI was also greatly modified in participants with metabolic syndrome and when intervention duration lasted for ≥12 weeks. The methodological quality (AMSTAR2) was moderate in 83%, low in 10%, and critically low in 7% of included studies. The current umbrella meta-analysis indicated that supplementation of probiotics in adults led to a meaningful reduction in BW, BMI, and WC. Therefore, our findings strongly recommend supplementation with probiotics as a potent intervention in the management of obesity.