A comparison between the effects of flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation on cardiovascular health in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

This study compared the effects of flaxseed and fish oil supplementation on cardiovascular risk parameters in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease. Participants were randomly allocated into three intervention groups to receive either 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil or 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil or placebo (n = 30 each group) twice a day for 12 weeks. A significant reduction in insulin levels (.04) was observed following flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation compared with the placebo. In addition, a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (.02) was seen after flaxseed oil supplementation compared with the placebo and a significant increase in total nitrite (.001) was seen after flaxseed oil and fish oil intake compared with placebo. Additionally, a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (p < .001) after consuming flaxseed oil and fish oil compared with placebo and glutathione levels (.001) after consuming fish oil compared with flaxseed oil and placebo was observed. Overall, our study revealed the beneficial effects of flaxseed oil and fish oil supplementation on few metabolic profiles. This study suggests that the effect of flaxseed oil in reducing insulin and increasing total nitrite and total antioxidant capacity is similar to fish oil.

The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This research was conducted to assess the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) intake on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 40 subjects diagnosed with PCOS. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either 100 mg CoQ10 (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) per day for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation were quantified in blood samples of PCOS women with RT-PCR method. RESULTS: Results of RT-PCR shown that compared with the placebo, CoQ10 intake downregulated gene expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LDLR) (p < 0.001) and upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (p = 0.01) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS. In addition, compared to the placebo group, CoQ10 supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (p = 0.03), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p = 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p < 0.001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, CoQ10 intake for 12 weeks in PCOS women significantly improved gene expression of LDLR, PPAR-γ, IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-α.

The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Gene Expression Related to Inflammation, Insulin, and Lipids in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available assessing the effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVES: The current study was conducted to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids in patients with MS. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 40 patients with MS. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either a probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 109 colony-forming units/g each; n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipids was quantified in blood samples of patients with MS with the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. RESULTS: We found that compared with placebo, probiotic supplementation down-regulated gene expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8; p < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA (p < .001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with MS. We did not observe any significant effect of probiotic supplementation on gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), or oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with MS. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, probiotic supplementation for 12 weeks in patients with MS significantly improved gene expression of IL-8 and TNF-α but did not influence IL-1, PPAR-γ, or LDLR.

Flaxseed Oil Supplementation Improve Gene Expression Levels of PPAR-γ, LP(a), IL-1 and TNF-α in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Coronary Heart Disease.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of flaxseed oil administration on gene expression levels related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in overweight diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 diabetic patients with CHD. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either 1000 mg n-3 fatty acid from flaxseed oil containing 400 mg α-Linolenic acid [ALA (18:3n-3)] (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) twice a day for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation were quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of diabetic patients with CHD with RT-PCR method. Results of RT-PCR demonstrated that after the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, flaxseed oil supplementation could up-regulate gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (P = 0.02) in PBMC of diabetic patients with CHD. In addition, compared with the placebo, taking flaxseed oil supplements down-regulated gene expression levels of lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] (P = 0.001), interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P = 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.02) in PBMC of diabetic patients with CHD. We did not observe any significant effect of flaxseed oil supplementation on gene expression levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), IL-8 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) in PBMC of diabetic patients with CHD. Overall, flaxseed oil supplementation for 12 weeks in diabetic patients with CHD significantly improved gene expression levels of PPAR-γ, LP(a), IL-1 and TNF-α, but did not influence LDLR, IL-8 and TGF-ß.

Clinical and metabolic response to probiotic supplementation in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This trial was performed to evaluate the effects of probiotic intake on disability, mental health and metabolic condition in subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 60 MS patients. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either a probiotic capsule (n = 30) or placebo containing starch (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scoring and parameters of mental health were recorded at the baseline and 12 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo, probiotic intake improved EDSS (-0.3 ± 0.6 vs. +0.1 ± 0.3, P = 0.001), beck depression inventory (-5.6 ± 4.9 vs. -1.1 ± 3.4, P < 0.001), general health questionnaire (-9.1 ± 6.2 vs. -2.6 ± 6.4, P < 0.001) and depression anxiety and stress scale (-16.5 ± 12.9 vs. -6.2 ± 11.0, P = 0.001). In addition, changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-1.3 ± 3.5 vs. +0.4 ± 1.4 µg/mL, P = 0.01), plasma nitric oxide metabolites (+1.0 ± 7.9 vs. -6.0 ± 8.3 µmol/L, P = 0.002) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (+0.009 ± 0.4 vs. +0.3 ± 0.5 µmol/L, P = 0.04) in the probiotic group were significantly different from the changes in these parameters in the placebo group. Additionally, the consumption of probiotic capsule significantly decreased serum insulin (-2.9 ± 3.7 vs. +1.1 ± 4.8 µIU/mL, P < 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (-0.6 ± 0.8 vs.+0.2 ± 1.0, P = 0.001), Beta cell function (-12.1 ± 15.5 vs. +4.4 ± 17.5, P < 0.001) and total-/HDL-cholesterol (-0.1 ± 0.3 vs.0.1 ± 0.3, P = 0.02), and significantly increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.02 vs. -0.005 ± 0.01, P < 0.001) and HDL-cholesterol levels (2.7 ± 3.4 vs. 0.9 ± 2.9 mg/dL, P = 0.02) compared with the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the use of probiotic capsule for 12 weeks among subjects with MS had favorable effects on EDSS, parameters of mental health, inflammatory factors, markers of insulin resistance, HDL-, total-/HDL-cholesterol and MDA levels.

Comparative effects of carbohydrate versus fat restriction on metabolic profiles, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in overweight patients with Type 2 diabetic and coronary heart disease: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to establish the comparative effects of carbohydrate versus fat restriction on metabolic indices in Type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: This randomized, clinical trial was done among 56 overweight persons with T2D and CHD aged 40-85 years old. The patients were randomly allocated to take either a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet (60-65% carbohydrates and 20-25% fats) (n = 28) or a restricted carbohydrate (RC) diet (43-49% carbohydrate and 36-40% fats) (n = 28) for 8 weeks to determine metabolic status. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, RC diet decreased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (-11.5 ± 28.3 vs. +7.0 ± 26.9 mg/dl, P = 0.010) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-564.3 ± 1280.1 vs. +286.1 ± 1789.2 ng/ml, P = 0.040) compared with a HC diet. Moreover, compared with a HC diet, RC diet increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+274.8 ± 111.5 vs. +20.2 ± 82.5 mmol/l, P < 0.001) and glutathione (GSH) levels (+51.6 ± 111.5 vs. -32.6 ± 88.5 µmol/l, P = 0.003). No significant alterations between the two groups were found in terms of their effect on other metabolic profiles. CONCLUSION: RC diet in overweight T2D with CHD had beneficial effects on FPG, hs-CRP, TAC, and GSH values.

Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Metabolic Status in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind and Controlled Trial.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with severe cognitive impairments as well as some metabolic defects. Scant studies in animal models indicate a link between probiotics and cognitive function. This randomized, double-blind, and controlled clinical trial was conducted among 60 AD patients to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on cognitive function and metabolic status. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 30 in each group) treating with either milk (control group) or a mixture of probiotics (probiotic group). The probiotic supplemented group took 200 ml/day probiotic milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 109 CFU/g for each) for 12 weeks. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score was recorded in all subjects before and after the treatment. Pre- and post-treatment fasting blood samples were obtained to determine the related markers. After 12 weeks intervention, compared with the control group (-5.03% ± 3.00), the probiotic treated (+27.90% ± 8.07) patients showed a significant improvement in the MMSE score (P <0.001). In addition, changes in plasma malondialdehyde (-22.01% ± 4.84 vs. +2.67% ± 3.86 µmol/L, P <0.001), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-17.61% ± 3.70 vs. +45.26% ± 3.50 µg/mL, P <0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (+28.84% ± 13.34 vs. +76.95% ± 24.60, P = 0.002), Beta cell function (+3.45% ± 10.91 vs. +75.62% ± 23.18, P = 0.001), serum triglycerides (-20.29% ± 4.49 vs. -0.16% ± 5.24 mg/dL, P = 0.003), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (-1.83 ± 1.26 vs. -4.66 ± 1.70, P = 0.006) in the probiotic group were significantly varied compared to the control group. We found that the probiotic treatment had no considerable effect on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, fasting plasma glucose, and other lipid profiles. Overall, the current study demonstrated that probiotic consumption for 12 weeks positively affects cognitive function and some metabolic statuses in the AD patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.irct.ir/, IRCT201511305623N60.

Epidemiology of mental health problems in female students: a questionnaire survey.

Mental health as a state of well-being can be affected by gender. The present work aims to examine the mental health status in female students and recognize its affecting factors. A cross-sectional study on female students of Payame-Noor University in West Azerbaijan, Iran, was conducted among 1632 students. Data collection tools were the demographic data and the General Health Questionnaires (GHQ-28). The results show that 51.5% of the population under study were healthy and 48.5% have had mental disorders. Based on the social effects on the mental health of students, the correlations between age (p=0.15), location (p=0.29) and parental education (p=0.34) with general health status were assessed and there were no significant differences between them. However, birth order (p<0.002), marital status (p<0.001) and family income (p<0.000) had significant differences with regard to mental health status. This study indicates that 43.6% of students are suspected to have mental and physical disorders, and the most effective factor is the socioeconomic condition. The strong correlation between birth order, marital status, and family income and mental health disorders suggests the necessity to pay more attention to all these issues in all at-risk students.