Effects of Anthocyanin Supplementation on Reduction of Obesity Criteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Anthocyanins, water-soluble flavonoids that produce red-to-blue pigment in plants, have antioxidant properties and have been developed as a functional food to fight obesity. In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a systematic review with meta-analysis (SR-MA) was used to investigate these anti-obesity effects. Using search engines (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane-library, and CINAHL) and keywords (anthocyanins, BMI, WC, WHR, and inflammatory biomarkers), 11 out of 642 RCTs (28.3-500 mg/day of anthocyanins for 4 to 24 weeks) were included. The results showed a significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) (MD = -0.36, 95% CI = -0.58 to -0.13), but body weight (BW) and waist circumference (WC) did not change. Anthocyanins decreased BMI in the non-obese (non-OB) group in five RCTs (BMI ≤ 25; MD = -0.40 kg/m2; 95% CI = -0.64 to -0.16;) but did not affect BMI in the obese (OB) group. A subgroup analysis of six RCTs showed that fewer than 300 mg/day reduced BMI (MD = -0.37; 95% CI = -0.06 to -0.14), but ≥300 mg/day did not. A treatment duration of four weeks for four RCTs was sufficient to decrease the BMI (MD = -0.41; 95% CI = -0.66 to -0.16) as opposed to a longer treatment (6-8 or ≥12 weeks). An analysis of the effect of anthocyanins on the BMI showed a significant fall among those from the Middle East compared to those from Asia, Europe, South America, or Oceania. In conclusion, the anthocyanin supplementation of 300 mg/day or less for four weeks was sufficient to reduce the BMI and BW compared to the higher-dose and longer-treatment RCTs. However, further studies might be conducted regarding the dose- or period-dependent responses on various obese biomarkers.

L-Carnitine's Effect on the Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was carried out to assess L-carnitine supplements' influence on the biomarkers of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and CINAHL were used to collect RCT studies published prior to February 2020. RCT studies were included if they had at least one of the following biomarker outcome measurements: waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), or high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLc). Nine of twenty studies with adequate methodological quality were included in this meta-analysis. The dose of L-carnitine supplementation administered varied between 0.75 and 3 g/day for durations of 8-24 weeks. L-carnitine supplementation significantly reduced WC and systolic BP (SBP), with no significant effects on FBS, TG, and HDLc. We found that L-carnitine supplementation at a dose of more than 1 g/d significantly reduced FBS and TG and increased HDLc. In conclusion, L-carnitine supplementation is correlated with a significant reduction of WC and BP. A dose of 1-3 g/d could improve the biomarkers of MetSyn by reducing FBS and TG and increasing HDLc.

Dissociation between the growing opioid demands and drug policy directions among the U.S. older adults with degenerative joint diseases.

We aim to examine temporal trends of orthopedic operations and opioid-related hospital stays among seniors in the nation and states of Oregon and Washington where marijuana legalization was accepted earlier than any others.As aging society advances in the United States (U.S.), orthopedic operations and opioid-related hospital stays among seniors increase in the nation.A serial cross-sectional cohort study using the healthcare cost and utilization project fast stats from 2006 through 2015 measured annual rate per 100,000 populations of orthopedic operations by age groups (45-64 vs 65 and older) as well as annual rate per 100,000 populations of opioid-related hospital stays among 65 and older in the nation, Oregon and Washington states from 2008 through 2017. Orthopedic operations (knee arthroplasty, total or partial hip replacement, spinal fusion or laminectomy) and opioid-related hospital stays were measured. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was used to quantify temporal trends of orthopedic operations by age groups as well as opioid-related hospital stays and was tested by Rao-Scott correction of χ for categorical variables.The CAGR (4.06%) of orthopedic operations among age 65 and older increased (P < .001) unlike the unchanged rate among age 45 to 64. The CAGRs of opioid-related hospital stays among age 65 and older were upward trends among seniors in general (6.79%) and in Oregon (10.32%) and Washington (15.48%) in particular (all P < .001).Orthopedic operations and opioid-related hospital stays among seniors increased over time in the U.S. Marijuana legalization might have played a role of gateway drug to opioid among seniors.

Effects of supplementing Barodon, Bacillus subtilis, and Ampbio on growth performance, biochemical metabolites, and hormone levels in Korean native heifers.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing feed additives of Barodon®, effective microorganism® (Bacillus (B.) subtilis), and Ampbio® on the growth performance, blood metabolites, stress, and reproductive hormone levels of Korean native heifers. A total of 48 Korean native heifers were assigned to four groups with 6 heifers in each group. The groups were control, Barodon (0.2%), beneficial microorganism (1%), and Ampbio (1%). Animals in all groups were fed a basal diet composed of selected feed additives and water ad libitum for 99 days. Results showed that there are significant changes in body weight and daily gain in the Ampbio-supplemented group as compared with the control and other feed additives groups (p < 0.05). The increased level of feed intake (7.30 ± 0.03 kg) and feed requirements (10.81 ± 0.52 kg) was observed in the Ampbio-fed group followed by the effective microorganism (EM), Barodon, and control groups. There were no significant changes in albumin, glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and total protein level, but the decreased levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides and the increased level of blood urea nitrogen were noted in the Ampbio-fed group as compared with the control and other feed additive groups. The reduced level of cortisol (p < 0.05) and elevated levels of progesterone and estradiol (p > 0.05) were noted in the Ampbio-fed group as compared to the other feed additive groups. It is therefore concluded that incorporation of Barodon, EM (B. subtilis), and Ampbio in the recommended diet improved the growth and health performance of Korean native heifers.