The association between continuous metabolic syndrome score and its components with electrocardiographic abnormalities in community-dwelling older adults: the Bushehr elderly health (BEH) program.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) known as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has developed into a major source of health issue, especially for the elderly. In the present study, we investigated the association between continuous MetS (cMetS) score and its components with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities in the community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is derived from the second phase of BEH cohort study which is conducted on individuals aged over 60 years old. Standard 12-lead ECGs were recorded and coded by qualified physicians and continuous values of metabolic syndrome risk scores (cMetS) were measured. Data regarding socio-demographic, medical history, and lifestyle variables were collected by trained interviewers. The multinomial regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between cMetS and its components with ECG abnormalities in the included participants. RESULTS: 2426 individuals (mean age ± standard deviation: 69.30 ± 6.33 years) were included in the final analysis. Overall, 22.5% of the participants showed ECG abnormalities. Among these, 8.0% (n = 139) of participants had minor and 14.6% (n = 354) had major ECG abnormalities. In the final models, cMetS (OR = 1.04), mean arterial pressure (MAP((OR = 1.01), and higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) (OR = 1.01) increased the risk of ECG abnormalities (p < 0.05). Also, cMetS (OR = 1.05) and MAP (OR = 1.02) were associated with an increased risk of major ECG abnormalities (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MetS and MAP were significantly associated with ECG abnormalities. The results of the present study suggest that ECG screening in the older population with MetS could potentially help to detect those at the higher risk of CVDs.

The association between the visceral to subcutaneous abdominal fat ratio and the risk of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary cause of mortality globally. The prevalence of obesity is rising worldwide; there seems to be a significant positive association between obesity and CVDs. The distribution of fat in the abdominal area in the form of visceral (VAT) or subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) affects the risk of CVDs. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of the available literature regarding the association between the VAT-to-SAT ratio and CVDs. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was used to retrieve all human observational studies indexed in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases/search engines (from Jan 2000 up to Oct 2023). The VAT-to-SAT or SAT-to-VAT ratio was an independent variable and various cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and heart failure, were considered as outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Out of 1173 initial studies, 910 papers were screened. Based on the inclusion criteria, 883 papers were excluded. Finally, 27 papers (18 cross-sectional and 9 cohort studies) published between 2010 and 2023 which met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of abdominal fat seems to be associated with the risk of CVDs; the majority of the evidence suggests that a higher abdominal VAT-to-SAT ratio is associated with the development of CVDs. Therefore, this ratio can be used as a prognostic indicator for CVDs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

The effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review of in vivo interventional studies.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder in which excess fat accumulates in hepatocytes and can lead to serious complications. Oxidative stress is one of the leading causes of NAFLD. Pomegranates are considered antioxidant-rich fruit. This systematic review study was aimed to investigate the impact of pomegranate on NAFLD. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases/search engines (from inception up to July 2023) were searched for interventional studies (human and animal) that examined the effects of supplementation with different parts of pomegranate including fruits, peels, seeds, or flower on NAFLD outcomes. A total of 222 articles were retrieved following the initial search. After excluding duplicates, the title and abstract of 114 articles were screened. Afterward, irrelevant articles were removed and the full texts of the remaining 27 articles were reviewed. Eventually, 19 articles (16 animal and three human interventional studies) that met the inclusion criteria, published between 2009 and 2023, were included in this systematic review. Our study indicates the potential beneficial effects of different parts of pomegranate on the improvement of NAFLD. However, given that the majority of the included articles were animal studies, further investigations in the form of human clinical trials are warranted to suggest a clinical indication of such interventions.

Dietary advanced glycation end products are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND: Dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can play an important role in increasing inflammatory factors and oxidative stress as risk factors for cancers. In the present study, we aimed to assess the relationship between dietary AGEs and the risk of breast cancer (BC) in Iranian adult women. METHODS: This hospital-based case-control study includes 401 participants aged ≥ 30 years old. The cases group consisted of 134 women diagnosed with histologically confirmed BC. The control group included 267 women enrolled randomly from patients admitted to the same hospitals. Dietary intake information was determined using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary AGEs intake was computed for all participants. Logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to determine the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of BC across tertiles of dietary AGEs. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age and body mass index of the study population were 47.92 ± 10.33 years and 29.43 ± 5.51 kg/m2, respectively. The median (interquartile) of dietary AGEs in all individuals was 9251(7450, 11,818) kU/day. After adjusting for age, first pregnancy age, and energy intake, participants in the highest tertile of dietary AGEs intakes had higher odds of BC compared to those in the lowest tertile of dietary AGEs (OR:2.29;95%CI:1.19-4.39, Ptrend:0.012). Additionally, in the multivariable model, after adjusting for age, age at first pregnancy, energy, menopausal status, family history of cancer, anti-inflammatory drug use, Vitamin D supplementation, physical activity, body mass index, number of childbirths, and history of abortion, breastfeeding, and oral contraceptive pills use, the odds of BC were increased across tertiles of dietary AGEs intake (OR: 2.33; 95%CI: 1.18-4.60, Ptrend: 0.017). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that a diet with high AGEs is associated with a higher likelihood of BC in adult women.

The association of body composition and fat distribution with hypertension in community-dwelling older adults: the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of the global burden of disability and premature mortality has caused by hypertension. It seems that the relationship between obesity and hypertension is not only associated with excessive body fat mass (FM) but also with body adipose distribution patterns. The present study investigated the association between regional fat distribution using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and hypertension in older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed using the data from Bushehr Elderly Health Program (BEH) on a total of 2419 participants aged 60 and over. Hypertension was defined as SBP of at least 140 mmHg and/or DBP of at least 90 mmHg. SBP between 120 and 139 mmHg and/or a DBP between 80 and 89 mmHg were considered prehypertension. Participants underwent body composition measurement by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to analyze FM, fat-free mass (FFM) in trunk and extremities composition. RESULTS: The results showed that 460 (19.02%) of participants had prehypertension, and 1,818 (75.15% ) had hypertension. The odds of having prehypertension (OR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01-1.12) and hypertension (OR: 1.08, 95%CI: 1.03-1.13) increased with a rise in total body FM percentage. Moreover, people with a higher FM to FFM ratio had increased odds of being prehypertensive (OR: 9.93, 95%CI: 1.28-76.99) and hypertensive (OR: 16.15, 95%CI: 2.47-105.52). Having a higher android to gynoid FM ratio was related to increased odds of being prehypertensive and hypertensive. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a higher body FM, particularly in the android region, is associated with higher odds of having hypertension in older adults.

The association of body composition and fat distribution with dysmobility syndrome in community-dwelling older adults: Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dysmobility Syndrome (DS) is characterized as an accumulation of clinical risk factors for functional disability, such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and obesity. Neurological disorders that affect the motor and sensory systems can also contribute to the condition, resulting in gait and muscle strength disturbances, as well as a history of falls and fractures. The study aimed to determine the association between fat distribution in different body areas and the odds of older adults developing DS, as there is still uncertainty about the accumulation of fat in which area is most closely linked to the condition. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted according to the data from the second phase of the Bushehr Elderly Health Cohort (BEH). Dysmobility Syndrome was defined based on the co-occurrence of at least three outcomes of its criteria. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometric studies. For evaluating the relationship, multivariate logistic regression and adjusted univariate linear regression were used. RESULTS: Of 2,359 who were recruited in the study, 1,277 participants (54.13%) had DS. According to the final logistic regression model in the limb region, FM and FM to FFM ratios were significantly associated with DS [OR (95%CI) = 1.04 (1.02 to 1.05), and 3.42 (1.95 to 5.99), respectively]. Also, In the trunk region, the FM and FM to FFM ratio were significantly related to the odds of DS, although this relationship was weaker than in the limbs region [OR (95%CI) = 1.02 (1.00 to 1.03), and 2.45 (1.36 to 4.39), respectively]. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that a higher regional and whole-body amount of fat mass rather than fat-free mass is closely linked to an increased risk of DS, particularly in the elderly population. Notably, higher fat mass in the limbs (especially in the legs) is associated with greater odds of DS, while a higher android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio is associated with lower DS risk. Screening fat mass distribution in older individuals can be a valuable strategy for promptly diagnosing DS, implementing interventions to prevent disabilities, and improving their quality of life.

The effects of flaxseed or its oil supplementations on polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review of clinical trials.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders around the world that can endanger reproductive, metabolic, and psychological health in women. Flaxseed is considered as a functional food which provides remarkable amounts of α-linolenic acid (ALA), phytosterogenic lignans, and dietary fibers. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of flaxseed or its oil supplementation on PCOS patients. We systematically searched all published randomized clinical trials indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases from inception up to May 2022. Intended exposure and outcome were flaxseed or its oil and metabolic, anthropometric, and hormonal status of women with PCOS, respectively. Initial search via related keywords revealed 69 articles. After excluding duplicates, title and abstract of 55 remaining papers were screened. Fourteen papers were obtained for full text screening. Finally, nine clinical trials published between 2011 and 2021 were included in qualitative synthesis. Based on the results of the present systematic review, we suggest that flaxseed supplementation has the potential to improve metabolic, hormonal, and anthropometric parameters in women with PCOS. However, we also deduce that due to the scarcity of high-quality studies, additional studies need to be conducted in order to derive a solid conclusion.

Association of dietary acid load with metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese women.

Background: There is increasing evidence supporting the association between dietary acid load and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are rare and inconsistent studies to examine the association of dietary acid load and MetS score. The aim of this research was to assess dietary acid loads as measured by potential renal acid load (PRAL) in relation to MetS. Methods: The current study involved 246 overweight or obese women. Dietary assessment was performed using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Remer's equation was used to calculate PRAL score. MetS was defined as the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)/Adult Treatment Panel ΙΙΙ (ATP). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to find the association between PRAL score and MetS. Results: The mean age and BMI of participants were 36.49±8.38 years old and 31.04±4.31 kg/m2, respectively. Overall, 32 percent of participants had MetS. According to the final model, although not statistically significant, there was a trend which suggested that being in the highest quartile of adherence to dietary acid load, evaluated by PRAL score, compared to the lowest quartile was associated with higher odds of MetS [(OR: 2.80; 95% CI: 0.95-8.26), (P=0.06)]. Conclusions: Our study shows a borderline non-significant association between PRAL and odds of MetS in overweight or obese women. However, definitive clarification of this relationship requires future intervention studies.

The association between dietary acid load and odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A case-control study.

Background: Data on the association between dietary acid load and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are scarce and controversial. Aim: This study aimed to assess the association between dietary acid-base loads and odds of NAFLD. Methods: In the current study, 196 cases of NAFLD (proven by a gastroenterologist using Fibroscan) and 803 age-matched controls were enrolled from the same clinic. Dietary intakes of patients with NAFLD and controls without hepatic steatosis were evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Dietary acid load was estimated using the validated potential renal acid load (PRAL) algorithm. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds of NAFLD across quintiles of PRAL. Results: The mean ± SD age of the study population (43% male) was 43.28 ± 14.02 years. The mean ± SD of PRAL was -1.90 ± 7.12 for all participants. After adjustment for all known confounders, subjects in the third quintile of PRAL (nearly with neutral PRAL) had a 54% lower odds of NAFLD compared with those in the lowest quintiles of the PRAL [(OR: 0.46; 95%CI: 0.24-0.89), (P = 0.021)]. However, the odds of NAFLD in the highest quintiles of PRAL was not different in comparison to the lowest quintiles (OR: 0.90; 95%CI: 0.41-1.57). Conclusion: In conclusion, our results have shown a modest U shaped relationship between PRAL and NAFLD. Further studies with acid-base biomarkers are needed to confirm the role of dietary acid load in the development of NAFLD and its potential mechanisms.

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Serum Anti-Inflammatory Factors in the Survivors of Breast Cancer with Lymphedema following a Low Calorie Diet: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a treatment-related inflammatory complication in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of synbiotic supplementation on serum concentrations of IL-10, TGF-ß, VEGF, adiponectin, and edema volume among overweight or obese BCSs with lymphedema following a low-calorie diet (LCD). METHOD: In a randomized double-blind, controlled clinical trial, 88 obese and overweight BCSs women were randomized to synbiotic supplement (n = 44) or placebo (n = 44) groups and both groups followed an LCD for 10 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were made regarding the anti-inflammatory markers which included IL-10, TGF-ß, VEGF, adiponectin, edema volume, and anthropometric measurements. Also, the same factors were analyzed to find inter-group disparities. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among participants in the baseline, except for IL-10 and adiponectin. Post-intervention, no significant differences were observed regarding the anti-inflammatory markers, including IL-10, VEGF, adiponectin, and TGF-ß between the groups. After 10 weeks of intervention edema volume significantly decreased in the synbiotic group; additionally, anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI, body fat percent, and WC) decreased in both groups significantly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.005; respectively). CONCLUSION: Synbiotic supplementation coupled with an LCD in a 10-week intervention had beneficial effects on increasing the serum TGF-ß, IL-10, and adiponectin levels in women with BCRL. It also reduced arm lymphedema volume. Therefore, synbiotic supplementation can be effective in improving health status in BCRL patients.

Dietary acid load and mortality from all causes, CVD and cancer: results from the Golestan Cohort Study.

Given the limited studies and controversial results on association between dietary acid load and mortality from CVD and cancers, we aimed to investigate this association in a large population cohort study in Middle East, with a wide range of dietary acid load. The study was conducted on the platform of the Golestan Cohort Study (GCS), which enrolled 50 045 participants in 2004-2008. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. Dietary potential renal acid load (PRAL) score was calculated from nutrient intake. Death and its causes were identified and confirmed by two or three physicians. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % CI for total and cause-specific mortalities. Then, the associations were modelled using restricted cubic splines. PRAL range was -57·36 to +53·81 mEq/d for men and -76·70 to +49·08 for women. During 555 142 person-years of follow-up, we documented 6830 deaths, including 3070 cardiovascular deaths, 1502 cancer deaths and 2258 deaths from other causes. For overall deaths, in final model after adjustment for confounders, participants in the first and fifth quintiles of PRAL had a higher risk of mortality compared with the second quintile of PRAL (HR: 1·08; 95 % CI1·01, 1·16 and HR: 1·07; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·15, respectively); Pfor trend < 0·05). Participants in the first and fifth quintiles of PRAL had a 12 % higher risk of CVD mortality compared with the Q2 of PRAL (HR: 1·12; 95 % CI 1·01-1·25 and HR: 1·12; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·26, respectively; Pfor trend < 0·05). We found that all-cause and CVD mortality rates were higher in the lowest and highest PRAL values, in an approximately U-shaped relation (P-values for the overall association and the non-linear association of energy-adjusted PRAL with total mortality were < 0·001 and < 0·001, and with CVD mortality were 0·008 and 0·003, respectively). Our results highlight unfavourable associations of high acidity and alkalinity of diet with the increased total and CVD mortality risk. It may be important to consider a balanced acid-base diet as a protective strategy to prevent pre-mature death, especially from CVD.

The effect of Nigella sativa oil on vascular dysfunction assessed by flow-mediated dilation and vascular-related biomarkers in subject with cardiovascular disease risk factors: A randomized controlled trial.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a marker of vascular function. Beneficial cardiometabolic effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) have been observed. We evaluated the effect of N. sativa oil on FMD, plasma nitrite, and nitrate (NOx) as nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, and inflammatory markers in subjects with CVD risk factors. Fifty participants were randomly assigned to either the N. sativa (two capsules of 500 mg N. sativa oil) or the placebo group (two capsules of 500 mg mineral oil), for 2 months. The brachial FMD, plasma NOx, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured. FMD and plasma NOx levels was significantly increased in the N. sativa group compared to the placebo group (changes: 2.97 ± 2.11% vs. 0.71 ± 3.19%, p < 0.001 for FMD and 4.73 ± 7.25 µmol/L vs. 0.99 ± 5.37 µmol/L, p = 0.036 for plasma NOx). However, there was no significant difference in ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels between groups. Therefore, N. sativa oil improves vascular NO and FMD in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors. However, more studies are warranted to confirm the beneficial impacts of the N. sativa oil on vascular inflammation.

Association of Dietary Diabetes Risk Reduction Score With Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Iranian Population: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

BACKGROUND: There are no data available regarding the association of dietary diabetes risk reduction score (DDRRS) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. We aimed to investigate the association of the DDRRS with the risk of CVD outcomes in a prospective population-based study. METHOD: Individuals without CVD (n=2,195) were recruited from participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2006-2008) and followed for a mean of 6.7 years. The DDRRS was determined on the basis of eight components using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to estimate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) of CVD across quartiles of DDRRS. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of participants (44.8% male) was 38.8±13.0 years at baseline. Median DDRRS for all patients was 23 (intequartile range 20-26). During follow-up, 77 (3.5%) new cases of CVD were identified. After adjustment for confounding variables, including age, sex, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, energy intake, diabetes, and hypertension, no association was found between DDRRS and risk of CVD (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.36-1.37 [p-value for trend=0.351]). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that higher DDRRS is not associated with risk of CVD events.

Calcium to magnesium intake ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Adoption of sedentary life style and westernized diet are shown to be associated with development of NAFLD. Since previous studies suggested that calcium (Ca) to magnesium (Mg) ratio intake is associated with some chronic diseases including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, we designed this study to find any possible association between this ratio and NAFLD development. METHODS: The NAFLD was diagnosed using Fibroscan according to a CAP cut-off value of 263 dB/m. Dietary intakes of one hundred and ninety-six patients with incident NAFLD diagnosis, and eight hundred and three controls without NAFLD were assessed using a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary nutrients were calculated using Nutritionist IV software. RESULTS: Age of the study population (57 % female) was 43.2 ± 14.1 years. In addition, energy-adjusted daily calcium to magnesium intake ratio was 2.34 ± 0.57 and 2.73 ± 0.69 for control and case groups, respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted model, after adjustment for potential confounding variables; including, age, gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, physical activity, energy, dietary fiber, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes, participants in the third (Q3) and fourth (Q4) quartile of Ca/Mg ratio intake had a greater development of incidental NAFLD compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) [(OR = 2.86; 95 % CI: 1.20-6.81), (P-value = 0.017) and (OR = 5.97; 95 % CI: 2.54-14.01), (P-value < 0.001) for Q3 and Q4 compared to the Q1, respectively]. Moreover, energy-adjusted Ca to Mg intake ratio was positively correlated with plasma level of ALT (r = 0.18; P = 0.01); contrarily, it had no correlation with plasma levels of AST. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed that higher dietary Ca to Mg intake ratio is associated with a greater development of NAFLD. Further interventional studies are needed to confirm the causal relationship of the Ca/Mg ratio intake and development of NAFLD.

The effect of barberry (Berberis vulgaris) consumption on flow-mediated dilation and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial.

Hypertension is considered as an important cardiovascular risk factor and evidence suggests that hypertension and endothelial dysfunction reinforce each other. Polyphenol-rich foods, such as barberry can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to investigate the effects of barberry consumption on vascular function and inflammatory markers in hypertensive subject. In this randomized controlled parallel trial, 84 hypertensive subjects of both genders (aged 54.06 ± 10.19 years; body mass index 28.02 ± 2.18 kg/m2 ) were randomly allocated to consume barberry (10 g/day dried barberry) or placebo for 8 weeks. Before and after the intervention, changes in brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma macrophage/monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Compared to placebo (n = 42), barberry consumption (n = 42) improved FMD (B [95% CI] was 6.54% [4.39, 8.70]; p < .001) and decreased plasma ICAM-1 (B [95% CI] was -1.61 ng/ml [-2.74, -0.48]; p = .006). MCP-1 was significantly lower in the barberry group compared with the placebo group (B [95% CI] was -37.62 pg/ml [-72.07, -3.17]; p = .033). Our results indicate that barberry consumption improves FMD and has a beneficial effect on plasma ICAM-1 and MCP-1 in hypertensive patients. This trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (IRCT) with number IRCT20160702028742N8.

Effects of quercetin supplementation on inflammatory factors and quality of life in post-myocardial infarction patients: A double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Epidemiological studies have shown that dietary flavonoids are inversely related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to determine whether quercetin supplementation can improve inflammatory factors, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and quality of life (QOL) in patients following MI. This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 88 post-MI patients. Participants were randomly assigned into quercetin (n = 44) and placebo groups (n = 44) receiving 500 mg/day quercetin or placebo tablets for 8 weeks. Quercetin supplementation significantly increased serum TAC compared to placebo (Difference: 0.24 (0.01) mmol/L and 0.00 (0.00) mmol/L respectively; p < .001). TNF-α levels significantly decreased in the quercetin group (p = .009); this was not, however, significant compared to the placebo group. As for QOL dimensions, quercetin significantly lowered the scores of insecurity (Difference: -0.66 (12.5) and 0.00 (5.55) respectively; p < .001). No significant changes in IL-6, hs-CRP, blood pressure and other QOL dimensions were observed between the two groups. Quercetin supplementation (500 mg/day) in post-MI patients for 8 weeks significantly elevated TAC and improved the insecurity dimension of QOL, but failed to show any significant effect on inflammatory factors, blood pressure and other QOL dimensions.

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Antioxidant Capacity and Arm Volumes in Survivors of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Background and Aims: Synbiotics found to be beneficial in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) through its antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of synbiotic supplementation on edema volume and some oxidative markers among obese and overweight patients with BCRL.Method: This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 88 overweight and obese BCSs aged 18-65 years. All the subjects were given a specified low-calorie diet (LCD) and were randomly assigned into two groups to intake 109 CFU/day synbiotic supplement (n = 44) or placebo (n = 44) for 10 wk. Edema volume and serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration were measured at baseline and after the 10-wk intervention.Results: Ten-wk supplementation with synbiotics leads to a significant reduction in serum MDA levels (P = 0.001) and an increase in serum SOD concentration (P = 0.007) compared to placebo. No significant changes were observed in serum GPx, TAC, and edema volume between groups.Conclusion: Our findings reveal that 10-wk synbiotic supplementation along with a LCD program-reduced serum MDA levels and elevate the activity of SOD in overweight and obese patients with BCRL. However, its effect on serum GPx, TAC, and edema volume was not significant.

Efficacy of vitamin D fortified foods on bone mineral density and serum bone biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies.

Vitamin D fortified foods (VDFs) were taken into consideration due to the high prevalence of osteoporosis worldwide. However, the efficacy of VDFs on bone health has not been fully examined. The current meta-analysis was conducted in order to summarize the impacts of VDFs on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone turnover markers (BTM). A systematic search up to October 2017 was done via PubMed and Scopus search engines. To pool mean differences, random-effects model (the DerSimonian-Laird estimator) was used. Heterogeneity among studies was examined by Cochrane Q test. 20 trials involving 1786 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. Based on random effect model, there were significant effects of VDFs on serum 25(OH)D (MD:16.94 nmol/L 95% CI: 13.38, 20.50; p < 0.001, I2 = 99.0%), BMD (MD: 0.03 gr/cm2; 95% CI: (0.02, 0.05); p < 0.001, I2 = 58.8%) and paratormone hormone (PTH; MD:-9.22; 95% CI: (-14.97, -3.46); p = 0.002, I2 = 98.8%). VDFs may increase serum 25(OH)D and BMD while decrease serum PTH levels. We did not find any beneficial effect of VDFs on BTM.

The Effect of Resveratrol on Cellular Senescence in Normal and Cancer Cells: Focusing on Cancer and Age-Related Diseases.

Cellular senescence is generally defined as irreversible cell-cycle arrest and loss of replicative capacity in virtually all cell types which can have effects on tissues and possibly play a significant role in promoting age-related chronic diseases and cancers. Recently, use of natural bioactive substances such as resveratrol to modify the process of cellular senescence in tissue cells based on specific context has opened an interesting therapeutic perspective in aging and chronic diseases such as cancers. This natural polyphenol is currently being evaluated as a promising anticancer and anti-age-related disease agent. Resveratrol modulates cell cycles and multiple pathways involved in cell growth, apoptosis, senescence, and inflammation, which has mostly observed in laboratory models. In vitro studies indicate that biological effects of resveratrol on cellular senescence or other cell processes may vary depending on cell types and certain contexts. This review aims to discuss the current body of knowledge on the effects of resveratrol on cellular senescence in cancerous and normal cells and its possible effect on prevention of cancers and aging based on in vitro and in vivo studies. It also deals with the putative mechanisms underlying these effects of resveratrol and propounds the controversy on this topic.

Low-Carbohydrate High-Protein Diet is Associated With Increased Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Diseases Among Tehranian Adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to assess the association between low-carbohydrate high-protein (LCHP) diet score and the risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN AND METHODS: This cohort study was conducted on 1,797 Iranian participants, aged ≥20 years, followed-up for a mean of 6.1 years. Using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire at baseline, LCHP diet score between 0 and 12 points were determined. Anthropometric measures and biochemical indicators were assessed. Participants were classified based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels using the National Kidney Foundation guidelines; eGFR ≥ 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 as not having CKD and eGFR < 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 as having CKD. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio for the occurrence of CKD according to the tertiles of LCHP diet score. RESULTS: Mean (standard) age of participants (48% male) was 37.7 (12.2) years at baseline. The median (25-75 interquartile range) of LCHP diet for all subjects was 7 (4-8), and incidence of CKD was 14.1%. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, physical activity, total calorie intake, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, and baseline eGFR, participants in the highest tertile of LCHP diet had greater risk of incident CKD (odds ratio: 1.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-2.15), in comparison to those in the lowest one (P for trend = .027). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate the hypothesis that higher score of LCHP diet may have adverse effects on incidence and development of CKD.