Effects of low-carbohydrate diets, with and without caloric restriction, on inflammatory markers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs) have gained interest due to their favorable effects on health outcomes, such as inflammation. However, further research is needed to ascertain the overall effects of LCDs on inflammatory parameters, but at the same time considering weight loss and calorie intake. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was performed to investigate the effects of LCDs compared with low-fat diets (LFDs), with and without caloric restriction, on inflammatory markers in adults. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through March 2022 to select intervention studies addressing LCDs vs. LFDs, in which the following circulating inflammatory markers were used: C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL-6). Analyses were conducted comparing LCDs vs. LFDs through weighted mean differences (WMD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) using random effects models. The systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of 51 studies with a total sample of 4,164 adults, with or without other chronic diseases. Intervention durations ranged from 2-144 weeks. LCDs, compared with LFDs, significantly decreased body weight [WMD = -1.35%, p = 0.001], CRP [SMD = -0.1, p = 0.03], and IL-6 [SMD = -0.15, p = 0.09]. However, LCDs did not significantly decrease TNF-α [SMD = -0.02, p = 0.7] compared to LFDs. In conclusion, LCDs have a beneficial effect on markers of inflammation by decreasing CRP and IL-6; this effect has an association with weight loss. However, LCDs were not more effective than LFDs in decreasing TNF-α.

The effects of exercise training on insulin resistance in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: The aim of present meta-analysis was to determine the effects of exercise training (Exe) on insulin resistance (IR) and body weight in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for original articles, published through October 2022 that included exercise versus control interventions on fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and body weight outcomes in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. Standardized mean differences (SMD) for fasting insulin, and weighted mean differences (WMD) for fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, body weight (BW), and 95% confidence intervals were determined using random effects models. Results: Thirty-five studies comprising 1,550 children and adolescents with overweight and obesity were included in the present meta-analysis. Exercise training reduced fasting glucose (WMD=-2.52 mg/dL, p=0.001), fasting insulin (SMD=-0.77, p=0.001), HOMA-IR (WMD=-0.82, p=0.001), and BW (WMD=-1.51 kg, p=0.001), as compared to a control. Subgroup analyses showed that biological sex, intervention duration, type of exercise training, BMI percentile, and health status (with or without diagnosed condition), were sources of heterogeneity. Conclusion: Exercise training is effective for lowering fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and BW in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity and could provide an important strategy for controlling IR and related factors. With clear evidence for the effectiveness of exercise interventions in this vulnerable population, it is important to determine effective approaches for increasing exercise training in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity.

Ultra-processed food consumption and adult obesity risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate observational studies assessing the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and the risk of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in the general population. We searched the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and ISI Web of Science from inception until December 2020. Data were extracted from 12 studies (nine cross-sectional and three cohort studies). Odds ratio (OR) were pooled using a random-effects model. UPF consumption was associated with an increased risk of obesity (OR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.36, 1.77; I2 = 55%), overweight (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.63; I2 = 73%), and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.68; I2 = 62%). Furthermore, every 10% increase of UPF consumption in daily calorie intake was associated with a 7%, a 6%, and a 5% higher risk of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity, respectively. Dose-response meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed a positive linear association between UPF consumption and abdominal obesity. There was also a positive linear association between UPF consumption and risk of overweight/obesity in the analysis of cross-sectional studies and a positive monotonic association in the analysis of cohort studies. Our study suggests that UPF consumption is associated with an increased risk of excess weight or abdominal obesity.

The effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on Th2/tregulatory axis in migraine patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

AIM: In the present study we aimed to investigate the effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on gene expression and serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-ß in migraine patients. METHODS: Forty participants with episodic migraine were randomly allocated to receive 80 mg nano-curcumin (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) in a randomized double-blind clinical trial for two months. At the beginning and the end of the study, the interictal serum levels and gene expression of IL-4 and TGF-ß in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from migraine patients were measured, using ELISA and real-time PCR methods, respectively. RESULTS: Intra-group assays showed a significant rise in the gene expression of both IL-4 and TGF-ß (p < 0.05) in nano-curcumin group after two months of treatment, however the serum levels were only significantly changed for IL-4 (p < 0.05). On the contrast, inter-group assays revealed no statistical differences between nano-curcumin and placebo group in terms of IL-4 and TGF-ß gene expression, while the serum levels of IL-4 was observed to be increased significantly (p = 0.03) following two month nano-curcumin supplementation. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present trial suggest that the treatment with nano-curcumin could induce significant levels of IL-4, in favour of anti-inflammatory effects, while has a minimal effects on the both gene expression and serum levels of TGF-ß. Further studies are required to determine the exact mechanism of action of curcumin in patients with migraine.

The effects of oral magnesium supplementation on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials.

The current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of oral Mg supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Related articles were found by searching the PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase and Web of Science databases (from inception to 30 February 2020). A one-stage robust error meta-regression model based on inverse variance weighted least squares regression and cluster robust error variances was used for the dose-response analysis between Mg supplementation and duration of intervention and glycaemic control factors. Eighteen eligible randomised clinical trials were included in our final analysis. The dose-response testing indicated that the estimated mean difference in HbA1c at 500 mg/d was -0·73 % (95 % CI: -1·25, -0·22) suggesting modest improvement in HbA1c with strong evidence (P value: 0·004). And in fasting blood sugar (FBS) at 360 mg/d was -7·11 mg/dl (95 % CI: -14·03, -0·19) suggesting minimal amelioration in FBS with weak evidence (P value: 0·092) against the model hypothesis at this sample size. The estimated mean difference in FBS and HbA1c at 24 weeks was -15·58 mg/dl (95 % CI: -24·67, -6·49) and -0·48 (95 % CI: -0·77, -0·19), respectively, suggesting modest improvement in FBS (P value: 0·034) and HbA1c (P value: 0·001) with strong evidence against the model hypothesis at this sample size. Oral Mg supplementation could have an effect on glycaemic control in T2DM patients. However, the clinical trials so far are not sufficient to make guidelines for clinical practice.

The effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta­analysis of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: The present systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the efficacy of zinc supplementation on clinical symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. METHODS: Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI web of science, and Google Scholar were searched until January 2021. Results were reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) using Hedges's adjusted g method. RESULTS: six randomized clinical trials with 489 school-aged children were identified for the meta-analysis. Our findings showed a significant effect of zinc supplementation on ADHD total scores (SMD: -0.62 Hedges' g; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.002, p = 0.04) but not in hyperactivity scores (SMD: -0.93 Hedges' g; 95% CI: -3.31 to 1.45, p = 0.44) and inattention scores (SMD: 0.21 Hedges' g; 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.51, p = 0.17) compared to the control group. Besides, the dose-response analysis did not find any significant non-linear association between zinc supplementation dosage or duration on ADHD total scores. The certainty of the evidence was rated moderate to very low for all outcomes. CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation may have beneficial effects in improving ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD. Future well-designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the benefit of zinc supplementation for ADHD.

The Effect of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

This is a comprehensive systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis evaluating the effects of oral magnesium supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) among adults. The major databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications until December 14, 2020, using appropriate keywords. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the quality of each study. We also performed a subgroup analysis to identify probable sources of heterogeneity. A total of 18 studies with 927 participants fulfilled the eligibility criteria and included in this meta-analysis. Our results indicate that the supplementation with magnesium had no statistically significant effect on serum concentrations of CRP (WMD, - 0.49; 95% CI, - 1.72 to 0.75 mg/L; P = 0.44), IL-6 (WMD, - 0.03; 95% CI, - 0.40 to 0.33 pg/mL; P = 0.86), and TNF-α (WMD, 0.12; 95% CI, - 0.08 to 0.31 pg/mL; P = 0.24) compared with controls. In addition, based on dose-response assessment, no significant non-linear association was found between magnesium supplementation dosage or duration on serum CRP and IL-6 concentrations. The findings of the present systematic review and meta-analysis did not support the notion that oral magnesium supplementation could have favorable effects on CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the adult population.

The effect of almond intake on glycemic control: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Number trials have evaluated the effect of almond intake on glycemic control in adults; however, the results remain equivocal. Therefore, the present meta-analysis aims to examine the effectiveness of almond intake on glycemic parameters. Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI web of science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched up to August 2021 for trials that examined the effect of almond intake on glycemic control parameters including fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1C. Treatment effects were expressed as mean difference (MD) and the standard deviation (SD) of outcomes. To estimate the overall effect of almond intake, we used the random-effects model. In total, 24 studies with 31 arms were included in our analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that almond intake did not significantly change the concentrations of FBS, HbA1c, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR. In conclusion, there is currently no convincing evidence that almonds have a clear beneficial effect on glycemic control. Future studies are needed before any confirmed conclusion could be drowned.

Effects of zinc supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Current evidence is debatable regarding the feasible effects of zinc supplementation on the inflammation and oxidative stress status of adults. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify this inconclusiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature search was conducted via online databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar until June 2020. The overall effect was presented as the weighted mean difference (WMD) at 95 % confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects meta-analysis model. Publication bias was also assessed using Egger's and Begg's statistics. RESULTS: In total, 25 clinical trials (n = 1428) were reviewed, which indicated that zinc supplementation significantly affects the concentration of C- reactive protein (WMD: -0.03 mg/l; 95 % CI: -0.06, 0.0; P = 0.029), interlukin-6 (WMD: -3.81 pg/mL; 95 % CI: -6.87, -0.76; P = 0.014), malondialdehyde (WMD: -0.78 µmol/l; 95 % CI: -1.14, -0.42; P < 0.001), and total antioxidant capacity (WMD: 95.96 mmol/l; 95 % CI: 22.47, 169.44; P = 0.010). In addition, a significant between-study heterogeneity and a non-significant increment was reported in nitric oxide (WMD: 1.47 µmol/l; 95 % CI: -2.45, 5.40; P = 0.461) and glutathione (WMD: 34.84 µmol/l; 95 % CI: -5.12, 74.80; P = 0.087). CONCLUSION: According to the results, zinc supplementation may have beneficial anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in adults.

The effect of grapes/grape products on glycemic response: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to examine the effect of grapes/grape products supplementation on glycemic indices in adults. Our systematic search to find relevant RCTs was performed up to February 2020 using PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Based on the heterogeneity between included studies, a random effects or a fixed model was applied in the meta-analysis, and results were expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Twenty-nine clinical trials (1,297 participants) fulfilled the eligibility criteria of the present meta-analysis. Overall, the grapes/grape products supplementation significantly reduced homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: -0.54, 95% CI: -0.91, -0.17, p = . 004) but did not affect fasting insulin levels (WMD: -0.90 µIU/ml, 95% CI: -1.04, 2.84, p = .362) and hemoglobin A1C (Hb1Ac) percentage (WMD: 0.00%, 95% CI: -0.10, 0.11, p = . 916) in the main analyses. In addition, changes to fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were in favor of the control group (WMD: 1.19 mg/dl, 95% CI: 0.05, 2.34, p = .041). We found that giving grapes/grape products to adults might have beneficial effects on the HOMA-IR. Further, large-scale RCTs with longer duration are required to confirm these results.

The effect of almond intake on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

A number of clinical trials have examined the effect of almond intake on lipid profile in recent years; however, the results remain equivocal. Therefore, the present study aims to summarize and quantitatively examine the available evidence on the effectiveness of almond intake on lipid parameters by employing a systematic review and meta-analytic approach. Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched up to September 2020 for randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of almond intake on lipid profile in adults. Treatment effects were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and the corresponding standard error (SE) in the concentrations of serum lipids. To estimate the overall effect of almond intake, we employed the random-effect model. In total, 27 studies with 36 effect sizes were included in our analysis (1154 cases and 904 control subjects). The meta-analysis revealed that almond intake significantly changed the concentrations of triglycerides (WMD = -6.68 mg dL-1; 95% CI: -11.62, -1.75, p = 0.008), total cholesterol (WMD = -4.92 mg dL-1; 95% CI: -7.81, -2.03, p = 0.001), and low-density lipoproteins (WMD = -5.65 mg dL-1; 95% CI: -8.75, -2.55, p < 0.001); however it did not have a significant effect on high-density lipoprotein (WMD = -0.21 mg dL-1; 95% CI: -1.26, 0.84, p = 0.697) levels. Meta-regression analysis indicated a linear relationship between the dose of almond and change in TG (P = 0.021). This meta-analysis concludes that almond intake can significantly reduce lipid parameters. To draw straightforward conclusions regarding generalized recommendations for almond intake for improving lipid profile, there is a need for more well-controlled trials exclusively targeting patients with dyslipidaemia.

Dietary patterns and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is a modifiable risk factor that plays an important role in the prevention or delaying of the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previous studies have focused on NAFLD and individual nutrients, which does not take into account combinations of food that are consumed. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between major dietary patterns and NAFLD. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 225 newly diagnosed NAFLD patients and 450 healthy controls. Usual dietary intake over the preceding year was assessed using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Major dietary patterns were determined by exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: Three dietary patterns, including "western dietary pattern", "healthy dietary pattern", and "traditional dietary pattern" were identified. Subjects in the highest tertile of healthy dietary pattern scores had a lower odds ratio for NAFLD than those in the lowest tertile. Compared with those in the lowest tertile, people in the highest tertile of "western dietary pattern" scores had greater odds for NAFLD. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, "western dietary pattern" had a positive significant effect on NAFLD occurrence. In contrast, "healthy dietary pattern" was associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD. Furthermore, Higher consumption of the "traditional dietary pattern" was significantly associated with NAFLD, albeit in the crude model only. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that healthy and western dietary patterns may be associated with the risk of NAFLD. The results can be used for developing interventions in order to promote healthy eating for the prevention of NAFLD.

The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Lipid Profile Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on the lipid profile in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched to infinity until 30 January 2020. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were reported using standard methods. The pooled analysis of 12 randomized controlled trial s indicated that Mg administration led to significant reduction of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p = 0.006). However, our results revealed that Mg supplementation did not have any effect on triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) serum concentrations among T2DM patients in comparison with the control group. Subgroup analysis based on duration of study suggested that more than 12 weeks of Mg supplementation significantly decreased the serum TC levels (p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis comparing the dose of intervention indicated that Mg supplementation less than 300 mg significantly decreased the serum LDL concentrations (p < 0.001), while more than 300 mg of Mg supplementation significantly increased the serum HDL levels (p = 0.026). In a subgroup analysis comparing the type of intervention, it displayed that inorganic Mg supplementation decreased the LDL (p < 0.001) and TC (p = 0.003) levels, while organic Mg supplementation showed no difference. Mg supplementation has a beneficial effect on lowering LDL level in T2DM patients. However, we have to note that any research performed so far is not sufficient for making robust guidelines to use Mg supplementation in clinical practice.

Association of serum and follicular fluid leptin and in vitro Fertilization/ ICSI outcome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There are conflicting reports regarding circulating leptin and its relationship between pregnancy outcomes in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between serum or follicular fluid (FF) leptin concentrations reported for infertile women and their IVF outcome. A systematic search was undertaken in available databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Embase) to find studies published up to Aug 2020 and the standardized mean difference with 95 % confidence interval was taken from 14 eligible studies. Both graphical (funnel plots) and test methods (Egger's regression test and the Begg) assessed the presence of publication bias. Subgroup analysis was used to investigate the source of heterogeneity. Pooled effect sizes based on the eligible papers indicated that of there is no statistically significant correlation between leptin levels in follicular fluid and serum on the day of ovum pick-up (OPU) and day of HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) administration in pregnant and non-pregnant women who underwent IVF/ICSI cycles. However, combination of leptin in serum and/or FF with other parameters may be a useful marker to predict IVF outcome.

The effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on Th1/Th17 balance in migraine patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study was aimed to evaluate the nano-curcumin supplementation on Th1/Th17 balance by assessment of gene expression and serum level of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in migraine patients. METHODS: Forty participants with episodic migraine were randomly allocated to receive 80 mg nano-curcumin (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) in a randomized double-blind clinical trial for two months. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-17 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and IFN-γ and IL-17 serum levels were measured, using a real-time PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to placebo group, two month nano-curcumin supplementation led to a significant reduction in serum levels and expression of IL-17 mRNA (P = 0.006 & 0.04, respectively), while there was no statistical difference regarding serum levels and expression of IFN-γ mRNA. CONCLUSION: Nano-curcumin supplementation in migraine patients led to a significant reduction in gene expression and plasma levels of IL-17 compared to control group.

Effects of Cynara scolymus L. on glycemic indices:A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: Cynara scolymus L. (common artichoke) and its products have been considered as potential phytotherapeutic agents for various conditions, such as cardiovascular, hepatic and gastric diseases, among others. Until now, the effects of artichoke and artichoke products administration on glycemic indices have not been sufficiently appraised. The present study evaluated the effects of artichoke and artichoke products administration on the glycemic indices. METHODS: Clinical trials were identified in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases; to infinity until 15 March 2020. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were reported using standard methods. RESULTS: Pooled analysis of nine Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), demonstrated that the administration of artichoke and artichoke products led to a significant reduced fasting blood sugar (FBS) (WMD: -5.28 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -8.95, -1.61; p = 0.005). However, other glycemic indeces including fasting insulin (WMD: -0.45 µIU/dL, 95 % CI: -1.14, 0.25; p = 0.20), HOMA-IR (MD: -0.25, 95 % CI: -0.57, 0.07; p = 0.12) or Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (WMD: -0.09, 95 % CI: -0.20, 0.02; p = 0.09) did not alter after the administration of artichoke and artichoke products. A subgroup analysis comparing the kind of intervention, revealed that just the supplementation of artichoke and artichoke products, in a noco-supplementation form, was efficacy for the reduction of Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: -0.52, 95 % CI: -0.85, -0.19; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The supplementation of artichoke and artichoke products can significantly reduce the FBS concentrations in humans. Moreover, these outcomes suggested that just the supplementation of artichoke and artichoke products is more effective in the reduction of HOMA-IR levels than the co-supplementation form. However, additional clinical trials with longer study periods are necessitated to obtain a robust conclusion for producing new guidelines as part of a healthy diet.

The effect of almond intake on anthropometric indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to summarize the effect of almond intake on anthropometric indices in adult subjects. We searched PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases until January 2020 to identify relevant RCTs. Data were reported as weighted mean differences (WMDs) and standard deviations (SDs) to show the magnitude of effects of almond on body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM). Out of 2983 reports, 28 RCTs (37 arms) were eligible for including in our meta-analysis. The pooled results, obtained using a random-effects model, showed that almond intake significantly decreased BW (WMD: -0.38 kg, 95% CI: -0.65, -0.10, p = 0.007, I2 = 30.5%) and FM (WMD: -0.58 kg, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.28, p < 0.001, I2 = 4.9%). However, we found no significant effect of almond administration on BMI (WMD: -0.30 kg m-2, 95% CI: -0.67, 0.06, p = 0.101, I2 = 62.6%), WC (WMD: -0.60 cm, 95% CI: -1.28, 0.06, p = 0.078, I2 = 0.0%), and FFM (WMD: 0.23 kg, 95% CI: -0.04, 0.50, p = 0.097, I2 = 49.5%). Overall, the current meta-analysis demonstrated that resveratrol almond intake significantly reduced weight and FM, but did not affect BMI, WC, and FFM. Further studies are still required to confirm our results.

Effect of lifestyle modification education based on health belief model in overweight/obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A parallel randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common emerging liver disease worldwide. Lifestyle modification is the most emphasized method on management of this disease. METHODS: In order to conduct this parallel, randomized controlled trial study, eighty-two NAFLD patients recruited and allocated to intervention group or the control. RESULTS: After two months of intervention, significant improvements in all health belief model (HBM) variables and knowledge were seen within the intervention group (p < 0.001) and also the improvements were significantly superior between two groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, prominent significant reduction for liver enzyme was observed in the intervention group compared to the controls. Similarly, ultra-sonographic findings revealed a significant improvement in the intervention group versus control. CONCLUSIONS: This HBM-based lifestyle modification education could be effective not only in the HBM domains but also in the improvement of NAFLD parameters. Therefore, it could be useful to use this educational program for NAFLD patients in order to impact on their beliefs and body together. REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2014101811763N17).

Efficacy of insulin targeted gene therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent studies.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major worldwide public health challenge, for which gene therapy offers a potential therapeutic approach. To date, no systematic review or meta-analysis has been published in this area, so we examined all relevant published studies on rodents to elucidate the overall effects of gene therapy on bodyweight, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), fasting blood glucose, and insulin in animals with type 1 DM. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for potentially relevant studies. Mean±standard deviation (SD) was pooled using a random-effects model. After the primary search, out of 528 studies identified, 16 studies were in concordance with predefined criteria and selected for the final assessment. Of these, 12 studies used viral manipulation, and 4 employed non-viral vectors for gene delivery. The meta-analysis showed gene therapy with a viral vector decreased mean IPGTT (-12.69 mmol/l, P<0.001), fasting blood glucose (-13.51 mmol/l, P<0.001), insulin (398.28 pmol/l, P<0.001), and bodyweight (24.22 g, P<0.001), whereas non-viral vectors reduced fasting glucose (-29.95 mmol/l, P<0.001) and elevated insulin (114.92 pmol/l, P<0.001). Gene therapy has favorable effects on alleviating type 1 DM related factors in diabetic rodents.

The effect of almond intake on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed determine the efficacy of almond intake on blood pressure (BP). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane library and Google Scholar were comprehensively searched to infinity until December 2019. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting effects of almond intake on aortic and brachial BP were included. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Standard methods were used for assessment of heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 16 RCTs (1128 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis suggested that almond intake can reduced diastolic BP (DBP) (WMD = -1.30 mmHg; 95 % CI: -2.31,-0.30, p = 0.01, I2 = 0.0 %). However, there was not any impact of almond intake on systolic BP (SBP) (WMD = -0.83 mmHg; 95 % CI: -2.55, 0.89, p = 0.34, I2 = 58.9 %). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in SBP levels in subjects with lower SBP and lower dose of almonds. CONCLUSION: We found that almonds might have a considerable favorite effect in BP and especially in DBP, and it could be encouraged as part of a healthy diet; however due to the high calorie content, the intake should be part of healthy diet.