Evaluation of the effectiveness of curcumin and piperine co-supplementation on inflammatory factors, cardiac biomarkers, atrial fibrillation, and clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is one of the preferred treatments for patients with heart problems, especially in individuals with other comorbidities and when multiple arteries are narrowed. This study aimed to assess the effects of administrating curcumin-piperine on patients who underwent CABG surgery. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, in which 80 eligible adults who underwent CABG surgery, were randomized into 4 groups. Patients received 3 tablets daily for 5 days after the surgery, which contained curcumin-piperine (each tablet contained 500 mg curcumin +5 mg piperine) or a placebo (each tablet contained 505 mg maltodextrin). Group A received 3 placebo tablets, group B received 2 placebos and one curcumin-piperine tablet, group C received 1 placebo and 2 curcumin-piperine tablets, and group D received 3 curcumin-piperine tablets. Before and after the intervention, C-reactive protein (CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), cardiometabolic factors, clinical outcomes, and 28-day mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Between-group analysis showed that CRP significantly decreased (P = 0.028), and TAC significantly increased (P = 0.033) after the intervention (Post hoc analysis showed that for CRP, the difference was between group B and D, and for TAC was between group C and D). Between-group analysis also showed that creatine kinase mono-phosphate (CK-MB) marginally reduced (P = 0.077); however, changes for troponin I (P = 0.692), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P = 0.668), ejection fraction (P = 0.340), and arterial fibrillation (P = 0.99) were not significant. Blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.820) and serum creatinine (P = 0.244) did not show notable changes between groups. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with curcumin-piperine had a promising effect on serum CRP and TAC. It also had a favorable impact on CK-MB among patients who underwent CABG surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20201129049534N4, available on https://en.irct.ir/trial/56930.

The effects of apple cider vinegar on cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a set of metabolic abnormalities that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been used in several studies as a natural agent to improve CMS risk factors. The present study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of ACV consumption on lipid and glycemic parameters. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases were systematically searched to find clinical trials evaluating the effects of ACV consumption on CMS risk factors. RESULTS: Overall, 25 clinical trials (33 arms) comprising 1320 adults were entered in this study. ACV consumption could significantly improve the levels of FBG (-21.20 mg/dl; 95% CI: -32.31 to -2.21; I2: 95.8%), HbA1c (-0.91mg/dl; 95% CI: -1.62 to -0.21; I2: 98.9%), and TC (-6.72 mg/dl; 95% CI: -12.91 to -0.53; I2:50.8%). No significant results were observed for BMI, HOMA-IR, serum insulin, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Subgroup analysis showed a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1c, TC, and TG in diabetic patients. In this type of analysis, ACV consumption significantly reduced FBG levels when administered for both duration subgroups (≥12 and <12 weeks). Moreover, in the subgroup analysis based on duration, TG concentration was significantly decreased following ACV consumption for ≥ 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that consumption of ACV has a favorable effect in decreasing some CMS risk factors including FBG, HbA1c, and TC.