The effect of propolis supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in women with rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind, placebo, controlled randomized clinical trial.

Propolis has gained popularity in recent years because of its beneficial properties, which make it a possible preventative and therapeutic agent as well as a valuable food and cosmetic ingredient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of propolis supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in women with rheumatoid arthritis. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 48 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects were randomly assigned to placebo and intervention groups, supplemented with 1000 mg/day of propolis for 12 weeks. Cardiovascular risk factors including, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), Nitric oxide, blood pressure, and lipid profile were assessed pre-and post-intervention. The atherogenic index of plasma value, as well as total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride/HDL-C, and non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratios, were significantly reduced in the intervention group, compared with the placebo group post-intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the serum level of hs-CRP in the intervention group when compared with the placebo group (p = 0.001). Furthermore, propolis supplementation could marginally reduce MCP-1 (p = 0.051). These data indicate that propolis supplementation may be a promising treatment strategy for cardiovascular complications among rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Interval training and Crataegus persica ameliorate diabetic nephropathy via miR-126/Nrf-2 mediated inhibition of stress oxidative in rats with diabetes after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Myocardial disorders are the most common cause of renal failure and mortality in diabetic patients, but the molecular mechanism of this process is not yet clear. The reduction of nuclear Erythroid2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and positive regulators of Nrf-2 proteins, such as DJ-1 and microRNA-126 (miR-126), after hypoxia and the promotion of reactive oxygen species, might be an intervention indicator in renal failure after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Therefore, this study evaluates the renoprotective effect of exercise training and Crataegus persica extract (CE) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced kidney injury in diabetic rats. Fifty rats were divided into five groups: healthy sedentary control (Con), sedentary diabetic (D), interval trained diabetic (TD), diabetic plus Crataegus persica extract treatment (CD), and interval trained diabetic plus Crataegus persica extract treatment (TCD) groups. The rats in the exercise groups were subjected to moderate-intensity interval training five days per week for ten weeks. The rats in CD and TCD groups received 300 mg/kg of Crataegus persica through gavage for ten weeks. Then, the subjects underwent 30 min of myocardial ischemia and subsequently reperfusion for 24 h. At the end of the experiment, insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, renal function, histopathology of the kidney, Nrf-2, miR-126, and DJ-1 gene expression levels were evaluated. The results show that the treatments decreased elevated levels of renal oxidative stress, glomerular filtration rate, insulin sensitivity, and pathological score in diabetic rats. Also, the expression of Nrf-2 and miR-126, unlike DJ-1, decreased in diabetic rats due to interval training. Due to the results, diabetes aggravates acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced kidney injury, while moderate-intensity interval training and Crataegus persica treatment simultaneously ameliorate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury via miR-126/Nrf-2 pathway and improve insulin sensitivity and renal function in type 1 diabetic rats.

Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid accumulation product and cardiovascular indices in women with overweight/obesity who have knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is associated with obesity, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. It has been hypothesized that L-carnitine can improve cardiovascular risk factors. We aimed to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid accumulation product (LAP) and atherogenic indices in women with overweight/obesity who have knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, seventy-six women with overweight/obesity who had knee osteoarthritis were assigned into the intervention group and control group for 12 weeks. The intervention group received 1000 mg/day L-carnitine as capsule, and the control group received placebo. The primary outcomes were LAP, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC) and Castelli risk index II (CRI-II). RESULTS: We found no significant difference between the groups in baseline values of LAP, AIP, AC and CRI-II. After the intervention, a significant reduction in LAP was observed in intervention group compared to the control group (- 11.05 (- 28.24 to 0.40) vs. - 5.82 (- 24.44 to 2.68); P = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference between two groups in AIP (- 0.05 ± 0.16 vs. - 0.01 ± 0.13; P = 0.19), AC (- 0.40 ± 0.81 vs. - 0.30 ± 0.67; P = 0.67) and CRI-II (- 0.20 ± 0.76 vs. - 0.21 ± 0.47; P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: L-carnitine supplementation for 12 weeks can improve LAP, but it has no effect on cardiovascular outcomes. To reach a definitive conclusion, further clinical trials with larger sample sizes and higher dosages of L-carnitine are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on 27/4/2017 at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017011932026N2.

Does propolis have any effect on rheumatoid arthritis? A review study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in its pathophysiology. Complementary therapies along with medications may be effective in the control of RA. Propolis is a natural substance extracted from beehives, which have confirmed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to review the possible effects of propolis on inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid profile in patients with RA. English articles in online databases such as PubMed­Medline, AMED, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Pieces of evidence show that supplementation with propolis may have therapeutic effects on RA patients. Due to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the affected joints of RA patients, propolis could inhibit the inflammatory cascades by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B pathway and reducing reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and interleukin-17 by increasing some antioxidants. Therefore, inflammation and pain reduce, helping improve and control RA in patients. Further investigations are required with larger sample sizes and different doses of propolis to demonstrate the definite effects of propolis on various aspects of RA.

Anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects of memantine injected into the ventral hippocampus in male stressed mice.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of intra-ventral hippocampal memantine administration in male NMRI stressed mice were studied. METHODS: Two stainless steel gauge 23 guide cannulas were placed in the middle part of the mice ventral hippocampus using stereotaxic coordination. Seven days later, the animals were undergone to the stress protocol as follows: They experience four consecutive electro-foot shock stress sessions lasting for 10 min. Five or 30 min before each stress session, the animals received intra-ventral hippocampal (0.1, 1 and, 5 µg/mouse) or intraperitoneal (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) memantine respectively. Eight days after stress termination, the animals were tested either for the maintenance of either anxiety (elevated plus maze) or depression (forced swimming test). RESULTS: Animals show anxiety eight days after stress termination. Intra-ventral hippocampal infusion of memantine (5 µg/mouse) 5 min before stress inhibited the anxiety-like behaviors. However, other doses of the drug exacerbate the stress effect. The drug, when injected peripherally exacerbated the stress effect in all doses. The drug by itself had no effect. In addition, animals also show depression nine days after stress termination and memantine (0.1, 1, and 5 µg/mouse) reduced the stress effect. The drug (0.1 µg/mouse) by itself induced depression in the animals. However, the drug when injected peripherally reduced the stress effect in all doses. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that NMDA glutamate receptors in the ventral hippocampus may play a pivotal role in the mediation of maintenance of anxiety and depression induced by stress in the mice.

Biological and pharmacological effects and nutritional impact of phytosterols: A comprehensive review.

Phytosterols (PSs), classified into plant sterols and stanols, are bioactive compounds found in foods of plant origin. PSs have been proposed to exert a wide number of pharmacological properties, including the potential to reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Other health-promoting effects of PSs include anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Also, anticancer effects have been strongly suggested, as phytosterol-rich diets may reduce the risk of cancer by 20%. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the available evidence regarding the beneficial physiological and pharmacological activities of PSs, with special emphasis on their therapeutic potential for human health and safety. Also, we will explore the factors that influence the physiologic response to PSs.

The effect of acupressure on cancer-related fatigue among school-aged children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is the most common side effect of chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Acupressure is one of the most popular non-pharmacologic methods used to reduce fatigue in other settings. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of acupressure on reducing fatigue among children with ALL compared with a placebo treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 120 hospitalized school-aged children with ALL, 24 h after chemotherapy, they were randomly divided into experimental (n = 60) and placebo groups (n = 60). Intensity of fatigue was rated using the Visual Analog Scale. The intervention (finger acupressure) was applied on ST36 (true points) in the experimental group and on LI12 (sham points) in the placebo group. We evaluated the symptoms of fatigue intensity immediately and 1 h after intervention. Fatigue was also measured 24 h after intervention by Fatigue Scale-Child (FS-C). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the intensity of fatigue 1 h after intervention (P < 0.001). But there was no significant difference between them regarding fatigue 24 h after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Applying one time acupressure may reduce the intensity of fatigue at 1 h post-treatment. Therefore, acupressure could be recommended as an effective, non-pharmacologic method for some CRF control. Applying one time acupressure did not have a long-term effect.

Vitamin B12 supplementation in end stage renal diseases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease particularly in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Vitamin B12 supplementation on its own still remains as a controversial issue for clinicians in decreasing the level of homcysteine in this group of patients. METHODS: Using all randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical trials and pre-post-trial studies found during January 1999 to March 2014, we conducted a systematic review which assessed the effects of vitamin B12 in decreasing homocysteine levels in patients with ESRD. RESULTS: The findings of this study revealed that, overall, the greatest effect of B12 supplementation on decreasing homocysteine levels in patients with ESRDs occurred when it was combined with folate supplementation. It was also demonstrated that injection treatments might be more beneficial than oral intake treatments. CONCLUSION: More rigorous studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion about B12 therapy and the level of homocyteine in patients with ESRD.

Design and conduct of 'Xtreme Alps': a double-blind, randomised controlled study of the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on acclimatisation to high altitude.

The study of healthy human volunteers ascending to high altitude provides a robust model of the complex physiological interplay that emulates human adaptation to hypoxaemia in clinical conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) metabolism may play an important role in both adaptation to high altitude and response to hypoxaemia during critical illness at sea level. Circulating nitrate and nitrite concentrations can be augmented by dietary supplementation and this is associated with improved exercise performance and mitochondrial efficiency. We hypothesised that the administration of a dietary substance (beetroot juice) rich in nitrate would improve oxygen efficiency during exercise at high altitude by enhancing tissue microcirculatory blood flow and oxygenation. Furthermore, nitrate supplementation would lead to measurable increases in NO bioactivity throughout the body. This methodological manuscript describes the design and conduct of the 'Xtreme Alps' expedition, a double-blind randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on acclimatisation to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude in healthy human volunteers. The primary outcome measure was the change in oxygen efficiency during exercise at high altitude between participants allocated to receive nitrate supplementation and those receiving a placebo. A number of secondary measures were recorded, including exercise capacity, peripheral and microcirculatory blood flow and tissue oxygenation. Results from this study will further elucidate the role of NO in adaption to hypoxaemia and guide clinical trials in critically ill patients. Improved understanding of hypoxaemia in critical illness may provide new therapeutic avenues for interventions that will improve survival in critically ill patients.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) aqueous extract and its constituent crocin reduces stress-induced anorexia in mice.

In the present study, the effects of an ethanol and aqueous extract of saffron Crocus sativus and its constituents safranal and crocin on the stress-induced reduction in food intake, weight gain and anorexic time in mice were investigated. Male albino mice (20-25 g) were irregularly exposed to a trial of electroshock stress for 7 days. Then, the anorexic time as well as the animal's food intake and weight were recorded. In addition, blood samples were obtained on days 1 and 7 for corticosterone determination. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of the aqueous but not the ethanol extract (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the anorexic time. The results were similar for crocin (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg; i.p.). In addition, a reduction in weight gain was observed in the controls as well as in the groups that received alcohol extract or safranal. However, this was not observed in animals treated with aqueous extract or crocin. The plasma corticosterone level did not increase in the aqueous extract and crocin treated animals. It can be concluded that the saffron aqueous extract and its constituent crocin reduce side effects of electroshock stress in mice.