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Introduction: There have been various clinical studies on the effect of Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on blood pressure (BP), but the findings from these are contradictory. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis to summarize the relation of ALA supplementation and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), Embase, Scopus, and ProQuest up to July 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of ALA on SBP and DBP were included. The pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) of included trials was estimated using a random-effects model. The dose-dependent effect was also assessed. Results and discussion: A total of 11 RCTs with the participation of 674 patients were included. The result of the meta-analysis indicated that using ALA supplementation significantly reduced the SBP (WMD = -5.46â mmHg; 95% CI: -9.27, -1.65; p < 0.001) and DBP (WMD = -3.36â mmHg, 95% CI: -4.99, -1.74; p < 0.001). The ALA administrations significantly reduced SBP and DBP at the dosages of <800â mg/day, when administered for ≤12 weeks. The present meta-analysis revealed that ALA supplementation could exert favorable effects on SBP and DBP. Further well-designed studies with larger samples are needed to ascertain the long-term effects of ALA on BP. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=447658, identifier PROSPERO: CRD42023447658.
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Inconsistent data are available about the effect of royal jelly supplementation on anthropometric indices in humans. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to summarize data from available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of royal jelly supplementation on anthropometric indices such as body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and fat mass (FM) in adults. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to March 2023. All RCTs assessing the effect of royal jelly on anthropometric indices were included. Data were pooled using the random-effects method and were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also performed. Out of 1,492 records, 10 studies that enrolled 512 participants were included. There was no significant effect on BW (WMD: -0.29 kg, 95% CI: -1.24, 0.65, p = 0.543), BMI (WMD: 0.11 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.29, 0.52, p = 0.583), and FM (WMD: 0.02%, 95% CI: -0.41, 0.46, p = 0.84). However, we observed a reduction in BW and BMI following royal jelly intake in subgroup of royal jelly dosage <3,000 mg/day. Although the royal jelly supplementation significantly reduced BW and BMI at the dosages <3,000 mg/day, until additional trials have been conducted to assess the effects on obesity measures, it is best to prescribe royal jelly with caution.
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Method: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing inflammatory biomarkers and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stays. PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Embase, and Google Scholar databases up to July 2021 were searched. The meta-analysis was carried out using random-effect analysis. To determine the sources of heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were performed. In case of the presence of publication bias, trim and fill analysis was carried out. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used for checking the quality assessment. We hypothesized that probiotics would improve inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) and the length of ICU stay in traumatic brain injury and multiple trauma patients. Results: The present meta-analysis, which includes a total of seven studies, showed that there were no significant effects of probiotics supplementation on interleukin (IL)-6 (Hedges's g = -2.46 pg/ml; 95% CI: -12.16, 7.25; P=0.39), C-reactive protein (CRP) (Hedges's g = -1.10 mg/L; 95% CI: -2.27, 0.06; P=0.06), and the length of staying in ICU. The overall number of RCTs included in the analysis and the total sample size were insufficient to make firm conclusions. Conclusion: As a result, more carefully designed RCTs are needed to investigate the effect of probiotics on inflammatory biomarkers and the length of ICU stay in traumatic brain injuries and multiple trauma patients in greater detail.
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is globally the leading cause of hepatic dysfunction. Garlic has many physiological benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and antidiabetes effects. The present study aimed to systematically review the effects of garlic (Allium sativum) and its mechanisms of function in managing NAFLD and its associated complications. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements were applied to perform the study (CRD42021289348). The Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched until February 2022. According to the inclusion criteria, finally, 12 studies were entered into the study. The evidence provided in the study revealed that garlic could regulate the development of NAFLD via several mechanisms of action, such as lowering body weight, modulating lipid and glucose metabolism, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress (OS). Overall, the beneficial effects of garlic in the treatment of NAFLD make it a potential therapeutic and efficient agent in managing NAFLD and its related risk factors. There is an insufficient number of clinical trials addressing the effects of garlic in humans; therefore, conducting more human research in the future is recommended.