The Possible Mediatory Role of Inflammatory Markers on the Association of Dietary Insulin Index and Insulin Load with Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Overweight and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased inflammation. Diet plays an important role in the prevention and management of MetS, while some dietary factors can also increase or decrease markers of systemic inflammation. In this study, we aimed to determine the mediated association of inflammatory markers induced by dietary insulin index (DII) and dietary insulin load (DIL) with MetS and its components. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 219 women aged 18-28 years. Dietary intake was assessed by a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DII and DIL were calculated using the standard formula. The guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III were used to define MetS. Biochemical parameters and anthropometric and blood pressure measures were evaluated by standard protocols. Results: After the adjustment for potential confounders, a marginally significant association was found between DII and MetS (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 0.93-4.82; P = 0.06). However, we did not find a significant association between DIL and MetS. Furthermore, DII was significantly associated with waist circumference (WC) (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.09- 4.03; P = 0.03) and marginally associated with triglyceride (TG) (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.92-2.33; P = 0.07) and systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 0.85-3.99; P = 0.07). Moreover, there was a significant association between DIL and SBP/DBP (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.54-5.61; P = 0.04). Also, we found that MCP-1 may have a mediatory role in the association between DII and DIL with MetS and several components of MetS. Hs-CRP did not have mediatory role in the association between DII and MetS. However, hs-CRP had a mediatory role in several MetS components. Furthermore, hs-CRP may have a mediatory role in the association of DIL with MetS and with some of its components. Conclusions: A higher DII score may increase the odds of MetS and its components. DIL was not significantly associated with the odds of MetS, but the association of DIL and SBP/DBP was significant. MCP-1 may have a mediatory role in associations between DII and DIL with MetS. In addition, hs-CRP may have a mediatory role in the association between DIL and MetS.

MDR1 gene C3435T polymorphism in chronic hepatitis C patients.

BACKGROUND: MDR1 is a highly polymorphic gene that encodes P-glycoprotein (P-gp). This protein anchor to the cell membrane and transports toxins, xenobiotic, chemicals, and drugs from the intracellular to extracellular and thus protect cells. Polymorphism of the MDR1 gene seems to be effective in gene expression and response to treatment. Since one of the main mechanisms of drug resistance is the removal of the drug from the cell by ATP-dependent efflux proteins, thus MDR1, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C3435T can be used as a predictor for treatment outcomes. METHODS: The peripheral blood-EDTA samples were collected from 71 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The total genomic DNA extraction was carried out. The PCR was performed for detection of the MDR1 gene in HCV patients and MDR1 gene polymorphism was genotyped by the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: Out of 71 patients 52 (73.3%) were male, 19 (26.7%) female with mean age-min-max; 41.17 ± 8.3-(26-59). The distribution of MDR1 genotype in 48(67.6%) responders were CC 13 (27%), CT 34 (71%) and TT 1(2%), while MDR1 genotypes in 8 (11.3%) non responders were CC 2(25%), CT 1(12.5%) TT 5(62.5%) and in 15(21.1%) recurrence were 5 (33%) CC, 6 (40%) CT and 4 (27%) TT genotype. The patients with heterozygous CT (C3435T) genotype 34/48(71%) were found better response than non-responders with TT 5/8(62.5%) genotype (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our result reveals that 71% of the responders were CT genotypes (C3435T) and 62.5% of non-responders were TT genotype (T3435T). With aforementioned results, determination of different forms of SNPs in MDR1 gene should be considered as a predictor in the treatment of all chronic HCV patients. The homozygous TT genotype and high prevalence of T allele may be related to low antiviral response during combined therapy in treatment of chronic HCV patients.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and the Risk of Bone Fracture: A Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE)-Assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis.

Researchers have examined the link between consuming fruit and vegetables and the incidence of fractures for many years. Nevertheless, their findings have been unclear. Furthermore, the dose-dependent relationship has not been examined, and the level of certainty in the evidence was not evaluated. We carried out a dose-dependent meta-analysis examining the relation between fruit and vegetables intake and fracture incidence. PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Scopus were searched until April 2023 for cohort studies evaluating the relation between fruit and vegetables and fracture incidence. Summary relative risks (RRs) were computed from complied data by applying random effects analysis. To examine the level of evidence, we utilized the approach called the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE). Ten cohort studies comprising 511,716 individuals were entered. There was a nonsignificant relation between fruit and vegetables, as well as only fruit intake and any fracture risk. In contrast, high versus low analysis presented that vegetables consumption was linked to a 16% decrease in any type of fracture incidence (RR 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 0.95; I 2 = 83.1%; n = 6). Also, per one serving/day (200 g/day) increments in vegetables consumption, there was a 14% decline in the fracture risk (RR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.97; I 2 = 84.7%; n = 5; GRADE = moderate). With moderate certainty, a greater consumption of only vegetables, but not total fruit and vegetables or only fruit, might reduce the risk of fracture. These associations were also evident in dose-response analysis. Large intervention trials are demanded to approve our findings. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Adjuvant pomegranate juice intake improves the inflammatory status of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A randomized and placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pomegranate juice intake on the inflammatory status and complete blood count in hospitalized Covid-19 patients. METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial included 48 patients with two parallel arms. In addition to the standard care provided at the hospital, the patients consumed 500 mL of whole pomegranate juice (PJ) daily or a placebo for 14 days. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)) and complete blood count were determined at baseline and after the 14 days of intervention. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention, a significant decreased was observed in primary outcomes [mean difference (95 %CI)] including IL-6 [5.24(0.87-9.61)], CRP [23.19(11.93-34.44)] and ESR [10.52(1.54-19.50)] in the PJ group vs. before the intervention. In addition, significant changes were also observed in the some of the secondary outcomes, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, platelets-to-lymphocyte(PLR) and neutrophils-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratios (p < 0.05) in the PJ group compared to before the intervention. At the end of the intervention period, the mean change of IL-6 [- 7.09(-12.21 to - 1.96)], white blood cells [- 3.09(- 6.14 to - 0.05)], neutrophils [- 9.12(-18.08 to -0.15)], lymphocyte [7.05(0.17-13.92)], platelets [- 94.54(- 139.33 to - 49.75)], PLR [- 15.99(- 29.31 to - 2.67)], blood oxygen saturation [1.75(0.13-3.37)] and MCV [0.31(- 0.25 to 0.88)] levels were significantly different between groups while no difference was observed between the two groups in other blood indices. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that pomegranate juice intake might slightly improve the inflammatory status and CBC outcomes of COVID-19 patients and it may be beneficial.

Effects of pomegranate juice (Punica Granatum) on inflammatory biomarkers and complete blood count in patients with COVID-19: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study is conducted to investigate efficacy of pomegranate juice on inflammatory biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6(IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and complete blood count (CBC) in hospitalized patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19). TRIAL DESIGN: This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel 2-arm (1:1 ratio) clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals in Yasuj City, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Informed consent Patients 18 years of age or older Diagnosis of COVID-19 based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Pregnancy or lactation Immunoglobulin A (IgA) level <61 mg/dl Disseminated intravascular coagulation or any other types of coagulopathy Severe congestive heart failure Participation in any clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrollment in this RCT Other contraindications determined by the specialist. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Intervention: 500 ml pomegranate juice and standard of care hospital treatment for COVID-19 Comparator: matching placebo containing 500 ml of red water and standard of care hospital treatment for COVID-19 Both intervention and comparator to be taken twice a day, after lunch and dinner, for 14 days. CRITERIA FOR DISCONTINUING: Transfer of patients to intensive care unit (ICU) Death Unwillingness to continue participating in the study MAIN OUTCOMES: The main outcomes of this study are levels of inflammatory biomarkers, CRP, IL-6, ESR, and CBC after 14 days of treatment. RANDOMIZATION: Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Randomization will be performed based on 8 permuted blocks with block sizes of 6 and they will be stratified according to sex and age categories. Randomization sequences will be prepared by the trial's pharmacist using computer-generated random numbers. BLINDING (MASKING): This study is a double-blind clinical trial (participant, researcher). The pomegranate juice and placebo juice are packaged in identical bottles, and the researcher and all the patients will be unaware of the study assignment until the end of the study. To ensure blinding, the randomization sequences will be kept in identical, opaque, sealed, and sequentially numbered envelopes. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMIZED (SAMPLE SIZE): The calculated total sample size is 48 patients, with 24 patients assigned into each group. TRIAL STATUS: The protocol is Version 1.0, on March 3, 2021. Recruitment started on February 28, 2021, and is anticipated to be completed by May 21, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Name of registering trial Effects of Pomegranate Juice (Punica Granatum) on Inflammatory Biomarkers and CBC in Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT) Registration Number: IRCT20150711023153N2 Date of Trial Registration February 28, 2021, retrospectively registered FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials҆ website (Additional file 1). In the interest of expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Green tea intake and its effect on laboratory parameters and disease symptoms in hospitalised patients with Covid 19: a structured protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The current randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to assess the effect of green tea intake on disease symptoms and laboratory parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and complete blood count (CBC) in patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 infection. TRIAL DESIGN: Randomized, double-blinded, parallel (1:1 ratio) clinical trial exploratory study PARTICIPANTS: We will recruit patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to Yasuj Shahid Jalil Hospital in Yasuj City, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. Participants' inclusion criteria are as follows: Inclusion Criteria Patients aged ≥18 years COVID-19 diagnosis according to real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Exclusion Criteria Pregnancy or lactation Disseminated intravascular coagulation or any other types of coagulopathy Severe congestive kidney failure Having a history of participating in a clinical trial during the last 30 days INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Intervention: Two capsules containing 450 mg green tea extract along with routine treatment for COVID-19 patients in the intervention group. Two capsules containing placebo plus routine treatment for patients with COVID-19 infection. Capsules will be taken twice a day, after lunch and dinner, for 14 days. MAIN OUTCOMES: Changes in disease symptoms and laboratory parameters including CRP, ESR, and CBC after 14 days of the intervention compared to control group. RANDOMISATION: Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Randomization will be performed based on 8 permuted blocks with block sizes of 10, and patients in the intervention and control groups will be matched according to sex and age categories. Randomization will be done using computer-generated random numbers ( Randomization.com ) BLINDING (MASKING): The appearance of placebo and green tea capsules will be similar in terms of shape and color, and they will be packed in the same bags that will be prepared by the company. Also, the researcher and all participants will not be aware of the divisions until the end of the study. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): The total sample was determined based on CRP MCID in which high CRP levels were considered >2.6 mg/L. Accordingly, a total sample size of 37 patients for each intervention group was required. TRIAL STATUS: The protocol is Version 1.0, on June 5, 2021. Recruitment will start on July 11, 2021, which is anticipated to be completed by September 21, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20150711023153N3 ( https://www.irct.ir/trial/55948 ) retrospectively registered on June 4, 2021 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting was eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.