Anthropometric indices, nutrient intakes and health-related characteristics of patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is accompanied by many health-related issues. This study aimed to evaluate the anthropometric indices, nutrient intakes and health-related characteristics of MS patients as well as their possible correlations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 283 MS patients in Shiraz, Iran, during 2018-2019. Body mass index (BMI) and body composition were measured for each participant. A food frequency questionnaire was used to determine the patients' nutrient intakes. The level of fatigue, disability and quality of life of the individuals were assessed by the modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS), the expanded disability status scale and the multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: The results revealed that 43.11% of the patients were overweight or obese, and their %body fat (%BF) was 35.65 ± 7.63. Besides, intakes of vitamins A, E, D, folic acid, calcium, zinc and magnesium were significantly lower than recommendations in both genders, and sodium intake was significantly higher than the tolerable upper intake level in females. A significant positive linear correlation was observed between MFIS and BMI (r = 0.12, P = 0.045). Significant positive correlations were also found between psychosocial subscale of MFIS and both of %BF (r = 0.12, P = 0.049) and visceral fat area (r = 0.14, P = 0.02). Unexpectedly, the patients' quality of life showed significant negative correlations with fat free mass and skeletal muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Being overweight, having a high %BF and poor nutrient intakes are common among MS patients. Improving the patients' lifestyle and dietary intake is recommended to reduce fatigue and increase their life quality.

Osteoprotective effects of kefir fortified with omega-3 and vitamin C in ovariectomized rats.

Nutritional interventions can be valuable for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of kefir fortified with omega-3 and vitamin C on the bone and uterus parameters of ovariectomized rats. Seventy-seven female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated. The ovariectomized rats were assigned to six groups and received 1 ml/day of distilled water (OVX group), milk, kefir, kefir fortified with omega-3 fatty acids (kefir+ω3), kefir fortified with vitamin C (kefir+vit-C) or kefir fortified with omega-3 and vitamin C (kefir+ω3+vit-C) for 12 weeks. The sham group also received 1ml/day of distilled water. Subsequently, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of various bones were assessed. Femurs and uteri were harvested for bone ash analysis and histopathological examinations, respectively. Sera were analyzed for carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen, procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, calcium, phosphorous, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and total antioxidant capacity levels. Ovariectomy resulted in significant reduction in bone density (P<0.05). Kefir+ω3+vit-C significantly improved BMC of lumbar spine (0.699±0.027 g compared with 0.580±0.018 in the OVX group), and kefir, kefir+vit-C and kefir+ω3+vit-C significantly increased BMD of tibia (0.118±0.003 g/cm2, 0.119±0.001 and 0.120±0.004 compared with 0.102±0.005 in the OVX group). Moreover, ovariectomy markedly elevated TNF-α level, which was significantly reversed by kefir+ω3+vit-C. Significant atrophy of the uterus was observed following ovariectomy, although the uterus parameters did not change by any of the interventions. In conclusion, kefir fortified with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C may have protective effects against bone loss through suppressing inflammation.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 on glycaemic control, oxidative stress and adiponectin in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on glycaemic control, oxidative stress and adiponectin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in the city of Shiraz, Iran, in 2012 and comprised type 2 diabetes subjects recruited from various health facilities. Subjects and controls received 100mg Coenzyme Q10 or placebo twice a day for eight weeks respectively. A variety of measurements were made at baseline and at the end of the intervention. These included measuring markers of glycaemic control (fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin); a marker of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde); and an anti-inflammatory marker (adiponectin). SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 52 patients, 28(54%) were male and 24(46%) were female, with an overall mean age of 51.73±7.34 years. There were 16(62% male and 10(39%) females in the intervention group, and 12(46%) male and 14(54%) female subjects in the control group. Among the cases, Coenzyme Q10 resulted in a significant reduction in malondialdehyde levels (p=0.04). However, the difference within the controls for this factor was not significant (p>-0.05). Moreover, fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin and adiponectin levels showed no significant differences within or between the groups (p>0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: Coenzyme supplementation may reduce oxidative stress in type 2 diabetics. However, it may not have any effects on glycaemic control and adiponectin levels.

Nutrient intake and growth indices for children at kindergartens in Shiraz, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate energy and nutrient intake and determine growth indices for pre-school children in Iran. METHODS: The study was conducted from June to September 2010 and included 150 children aged between 3 and 5 years who attended kindergartens in Shiraz, Iran. Following a measurement of the participants' height and weight, three 24-hour dietary recalls were completed based on interviews with their parents. The data was entered into various computer softwares. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting, at-risk-of-overweight and overweight children was then calculated, and energy and nutrient intake was compared with the recommended values. RESULTS: The mean intake of energy, calcium and iron for the children were less than the recommended values. In contrast, the mean intakes of carbohydrate, protein, zinc and vitamin C were higher than the recommendations. Fat intake, however, was within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range. In addition, the rates of prevalence of the underweight, stunting, wasting, and overweight or at-risk-of-overweight were found to be 27 (18.6%), 37 (25.5%), 18 (12.4%) and 34 (23.4%), respectively. Finally, underweight children had lower intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, iron and zinc, while overweight or at-risk-of-overweight ones had higher intake of protein, calcium and zinc. CONCLUSION: There is a need for children in kindergartens of Shiraz to improve their mean intake of energy, calcium and iron. Moreover, about one-fourth of the children were stunted and about the same proportion were either overweight or at the risk of being so.

Acute or Short-term Effects of Whey Protein Alone or Along with Carbohydrate on Inflammation: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials:.

BACKGROUND: Excessive inflammatory response is associated with several diseases. Recently, there has been an increasing trend for investigation of the acute or short-term effects of whey protein alone or in combination with carbohydrates on inflammatory status, especially in athletes. This systematic review aimed to clarify these effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1990 to September 2021, without language restriction. Adult studies examining the effects of whey protein alone or together with carbohydrates on interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein levels with a maximum duration of 15 days and with at least one comparison group were included. The quality of studies was analyzed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Significant reductions in inflammatory markers was observed in seven out of 25 studies (28%). However, one out of 25 studies (4%) reported a significant increase in inflammatory status. Among those studies comparing the effects of whey protein alone with non-protein or protein-containing groups, 18.18% (two out of 11) and 10% (one out of ten) of the trials revealed a significant decrease in the markers, respectively. Moreover, of those studies comparing whey protein plus carbohydrate with non-protein or protein-containing groups, 33.33% (two out of six) and 40% (two out of five) of them showed a significant reduction in the inflammatory response, respectively. The quality of the majority of studies (84%) was poor. CONCLUSION: It seems that whey protein alone or the combination of it with carbohydrates may not affect the inflammatory markers in the short run (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021273915).[GMJ.2023;12:e2441].

The relationship between the Mediterranean diet and Axis I disorders: A systematic review of observational studies.

Axis I disorders are one of the major health burdens worldwide. Evidence suggests that Mediterranean diet has key biological factors associated with reducing the progression of these disorders. This systematic review aimed to clarify the relationship between Mediterranean diet and Axis I disorders. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from January 2016 up to June 2021. Those observational studies in English language that assessed the relationship between Mediterranean diet and Axis I disorders (such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, etc.) were included in this review. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of studies. Thirty-six studies (15 cohorts, 19 cross-sectional, and 2 case-control) met the inclusion criteria. The results revealed that more than two-thirds of the studies (25 studies, 69.44%) had significant protective relationship between receiving Mediterranean diet and reducing the symptoms or incidence of Axis I disorders. Most studies were performed on depression (29 studies measured depression at least as one of the Axis I disorders), of which 72.41% reported an inverse relationship. There were also 9 studies on anxiety (studies that measured anxiety at least as one of the Axis I disorders), that 77.77% of them observed protective association. Moreover, majority of the studies (25 studies, 69.44%) had high quality, of which 76% found an inverse relationship. In conclusion, it seems that the Mediterranean diet can reduce the symptoms or the occurrence of Axis I disorders (especially depression and anxiety). However, more extensive review studies, particularly with interventional designs, are necessary to prove the result.

Vitamin D, Adiponectin, Oxidative Stress, Lipid Profile, and Nutrient Intakes in the Females with Acne Vulgaris: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a dermatological disorder that is related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Recent studies have also suggested diet as a potential reason for acne. Considering the inconsistency of the few previous reports, the present study aimed to determine the levels of vitamin D, adiponectin, oxidative stress, lipid profile and nutrient intakes in females with acne. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty females with acne vulgaris and 40 age-matched healthy females were included in this study in Shiraz, Iran. Data on their sociodemographic status, acne history, and anthropometric indices were collected. Blood samples were taken to determine the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, adiponectin, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and lipid profile. Three 24-hour dietary recalls were also obtained from each of the individuals to evaluate nutrient intakes. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, and Logistic Regression. RESULTS: Patients with acne had a significantly higher family history of acne compared to controls (P=0.006). Serum level of malondialdehyde was significantly higher in cases (P=0.01), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower (P=0.02). Moreover, significantly lower fiber intake was observed in cases compared with controls (P=0.007). In the multivariate analysis, a family history of acne and increased malondialdehyde levels were risk factors for acne, whereas a higher fiber intake was protective. CONCLUSION: Family history of acne, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and lower dietary fiber intakes may play a role in acne pathogenesis. An early assessment of these parameters may be useful for planning treatment procedures.