The role of Pycnogenol in the control of inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic diseases: Molecular aspects.

The prevalence of chronic diseases has increased significantly with the rising trend of sedentary lifestyles, reduced physical activity, and dietary modifications in recent decades. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the pathophysiology of several chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hepatic conditions. Therefore, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of various chronic disorders. Since chronic diseases are not completely curable, various methods have been proposed for their control. Complementary therapies and the use of natural antioxidant and antiinflammatory compounds are among these novel approaches. Pycnogenol (PYC) is a natural compound that could control inflammation and oxidative stress. Furthermore, some previous studies have shown that PYC could effectively reduce inflammation through signaling the downstream of insulin receptors, inhibiting the phosphorylation of the serine residues of insulin receptor substrate-1, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indices through the stimulation of antioxidant pathways, increasing free radical scavenging activities, preventing lipid peroxidation, and protecting the erythrocytes in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient individuals, although these effects have not been fully proved. The present study aimed to comprehensively review the evidence concerning the positive physiological and pharmacological properties of PYC, with an emphasis on the therapeutic potential of this natural component for enhancing human health.

Dietary intakes of total polyphenol and its subclasses in association with the incidence of chronic kidney diseases: a prospective population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: As chronic kidney disease (CKD) is amongst the current global health challenges, this study is aiming to evaluate the long-term intake of total polyphenol and its subclasses in association with CKD incidence. METHODS: For the purpose of this study, a sample of 3021 Iranian adults (47 % men, aged 20-79 years) with no CKD diagnosis at baseline, were selected from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study population. The total intake of polyphenol and its major subclasses were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and categorized as flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and lignans. Although the morphological abnormalities of the kidneys or 3-month persistent urinalysis can distinctively define CKD, the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction is accepted as a more precise index of renal function. Therefore, eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2 was the exclusive index of CKD diagnosis in the current study. The eGFR was calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Cox-regression analysis was used to assess the hazard ratio and 95 % confidence intervals of CKD in quartiles of the total polyphenols. RESULTS: In this study, 355 CKD cases over 11,058.464 person-years was reported. The median (IQR) age of participants was 36 years (27-46) at baseline. Moderate intake of lignans (≤ 6.8 mg) was negatively associated with the incidence of CKD in the adjusted model. No significant associations were detected between higher amounts of lignin and total polyphenols (HR: 0.97, 95 % CI 0.67-1.40) and CKD incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current findings, moderate intake of lignin possess CKD-protective properties by approximately 32 %. No independent associations were observed between higher amounts of lignins and CKD incidence.

Characterization of the serum levels of Meteorin-like in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and its association with inflammatory cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Meteorin-like (Metrnl) is an adipokine with insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties that has been discovered recently. The relation among Metrnl, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and obesity has been unexplored yet. METHODS: The present study was conducted on 54 healthy control, 42 Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and 43 Crohn's disease (CD) patients who were diagnosed by pathological examination. In all participants, serum levels of adiponectin, Metrnl, interleukin (IL)-6, and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA kits. RESULTS: Metrnl concentration was considerably lower in both UC (85.25 ± 36.55 pg/mL) and CD (76.93 ± 27.92 pg/mL) patients in comparison to control (107.52 ± 35.33 pg/mL). In addition, it was seen that both patient groups have a decreased level of adiponectin compared to the controls. Besides that, the level of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly greater in the patient groups. Moreover, the result showed that the level of Metrnl is inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) in the controls and the patients. Metrnl levels are also inversely associated with IL-6, and TNF-α in both of the patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: The current study is the first one reporting the decreased levels of Metrnl in serum among patients with IBD, which is inversely related with BMI, TNF-α, and IL-6. These results suggested a possible relation of Metrnl with the pathogenesis of IBD, particularly through inflammatory process, although further studies are warranted to dissect the possible mechanism.

Dietary Inflammatory Index in Relation to Carotid Intima Media Thickness among Overweight or Obese Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade systematic inflammation triggers atrial wall thickening, which predisposes to several cardiovascular events. Since diet is a strong moderator of systematic inflammation, the literature review-based dietary inflammatory index (DII®) score has been recently introduced for evaluating inflammatory properties of an individual's diet. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of DII, with carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) among overweight or obese children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 339 children and adolescents (48% girls) aged from 6 to 13 years, with WHO body mass index z-score >1 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A valid and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intakes and calculate DII score. cIMT was measured in the common carotid artery with high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, the mean ± SD age of participants was 9.3 ± 1.7 years. Among participants, 68% were obese and 83% were in the pubertal stage. DII ranged from -5.43 to 4.42, with the mean of -2.83 in the lowest, and 1.25 in the highest tertile of DII. When fit as a continuous variable, DII score had no significant association with cIMT after adjusting for potential confounders. However, the participants in the highest DII score tertile compared to the lowest had 2.46-fold increased risk of high cIMT in the multivariable adjusted model (p for trend = 0.02). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Higher DII scores were associated with increased risk of high cIMT.

The effects of raspberry consumption on anthropometric indices and liver function tests in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In recent years, the therapeutic effects of raspberry have been the subject of several randomized control trials (RCTs). However, there is no consensus about the effect of raspberry consumption on anthropometric indices and liver function tests. So, the present review aims to investigate this effectiveness by conducting a meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched to identify eligible randomized control trials (RCTs) up to March 2024. The overall effect sizes were estimated using the random-effects model as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Nine studies (10 arms) with 355 participants were eligible for inclusion in this review. This meta-analysis showed that raspberry consumption did not lead to significant changes in anthropometric indices (weight, body mass index, and waist circumference) and liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase). Conclusion: This review revealed that raspberry consumption had no significant impact on anthropometric indices or liver function tests. However, more RCTs with a larger sample size and higher sensitivity are needed to draw definite conclusions.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=477568, PROSPERO ID: CRD42023477568.

Association of quality and quantity of macronutrients intake with obesity, new anthropometric indices, lipid accumulation, and blood lipid risk index in Tehranian women.

Background: This study examines the association between micronutrient intake, anthropometric indices, lipid accumulation, and blood lipid risk index among Tehranian women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 556 Tehranian women. Dietary intake was measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Biochemical assessment and anthropometric indices were measured, and demographic information and physical activity were collected. Results: Participants with the highest intake of carbohydrates were more prone to obesity. Conversely, those in the top tertile for protein intake had a lower likelihood of obesity and higher levels of lipid accumulation product (LAP). The highest fat consumers had a 63% decreased chance of having a high Castelli's Risk Index 1 (CRI-1). A higher glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) were linked to an increased probability of a high atherogenic coefficient (AC). Women in the top tertile of GL were significantly more likely to be obese and had lower odds for high LAP. Participants in the top tertile of aromatic amino acids/branched chain amino acids (AAA/BCAA) had significantly lower chances of high CRI-1 and a high atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Those in the highest tertile of monounsaturated fatty acids/polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA/PUFA) had lower odds of obesity and high AIP. Conclusions: The amount of carbohydrate (g) and protein intake (%), dietary GL, and the ratio of MUFA to PUFA were associated with obesity. The amount of fat intake (g) and AAA/BCAA indices were associated with CRI-1. LAP decreased with an increase in GL. AC increased with an increase in GI and GL. AAA/BCAA and MUFA/PUFA were associated with AIP.

Macronutrients and the state of happiness and mood in undergraduate youth of a military training course.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of mental disorders among military organizations. Depression and anxiety are among the most important mental disorders, and depression, suicidal ideation, and violence have been found to be negatively associated with happiness and social support. Therefore, improving mood and increasing happiness can reduce the prevalence of mental disorders in military centers. Diet can improve happiness through specific molecular mechanisms and change our mood by affecting the chemical composition of the brain. Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between the quality and quantity of macronutrients in soldiers' diets with their mood and happiness. METHODS: In the current cross-sectional study, 300 healthy soldiers were selected. Food intake data was collected using 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire during the last year of their military training 2-year period. Then, we calculated the quality and quantity of macronutrients. Mood was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and happiness with the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ). RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation of participants' age was 23.70 ± 1.76 years. A significant relationship was observed between mood score and carbohydrate quantity (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.12-0.88, P-value for trend = 0.03). This suggests that increasing carbohydrate intake improved the participants' mood. No association was found between mood score with protein quantity (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 0.80-5.75; P-value for trend = 0.12), and gram of fat intake (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.74-5.13; P-value for trend = 0.15). None of the indicators related to macronutrient quality were significantly associated with happiness and mood scores in young soldiers (P ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings presented in this study showed that increased carbohydrate intake was significantly associated with better mood. However, mood is not related to the amount of proteins and fats and none of the parameters of macronutrient quality. Also, there was no significant relationship between the quantity and quality of macronutrients with happiness score.

Comparing food consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of household income and expenditure survey data in Iran.

BACKGROUND: On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak of the infectious disease COVID-19 as a pandemic. The health strategies of nations lead to possible changes in lifestyle and increase poor eating habits. Hence, the purpose of this study is to compare food consumption during COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the Households Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) conducted annually by the Statistical Centre of Iran. Food cost data of HIES included the amount of all food items in household food baskets during the last month. Then, they were classified into six food groups to evaluate their energy intake. The consequence of food consumption was analyzed as a function of socioeconomic status (SES) variables and residence pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: In total, 75,885 households (83.5% male) were included in the study. Among the population of urban and rural areas as well as in different SES categories, people tended to increase the consumption of meat (P < 0.05) and fresh foods, especially vegetable groups (P < 0.001) and decrease the consumption of fruit (P < 0.001), fat and sweets groups (P < 0.05) and also in energy intake (P < 0.05). Macronutrient changes were different in the category of SES, urban and rural. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic had different effects on food groups, energy and macronutrients consumption, which could be due to possible changes in food patterns as a result of the pandemic.

Soluble Fiber Supplementation and Serum Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

To present a comprehensive synthesis of the effect of soluble fiber supplementation on blood lipid parameters in adults, a systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science of relevant articles published before November 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of soluble fibers on blood lipids in adults were included. We estimated the change in blood lipids for each 5 g/d increment in soluble fiber supplementation in each trial and then calculated the mean difference (MD) and 95% CI using a random-effects model. We estimated dose-dependent effects using a dose-response meta-analysis of differences in means. The risk of bias and certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology, respectively. A total of 181 RCTs with 220 treatment arms (14,505 participants: 7348 cases and 7157 controls) were included. There was a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol (MD: -8.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: -11.38, -5.18), total cholesterol (TC) (MD: -10.82 mg/dL, 95% CI: -12.98, -8.67), TGs (MD: -5.55 mg/dL, 95% CI: -10.31, -0.79), and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) (MD: -44.99 mg/L, 95% CI: -62.87, -27.12) after soluble fiber supplementation in the overall analysis. Each 5 g/d increase in soluble fiber supplementation had a significant reduction in TC (MD: -6.11 mg/dL, 95% CI: -7.61, -4.61) and LDL cholesterol (MD: -5.57 mg/dl, 95% CI: -7.44, -3.69). In a large meta-analysis of RCTs, results suggest that soluble fiber supplementation could contribute to the management of dyslipidemia and the reduction of cardiovascular disease risk.