Profiling inflammatory cytokines following zinc supplementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.

Chronic inflammation has been considered as the main cause of chronic diseases. Zn has anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing the expression of inflammatory markers. The present systematic review and meta-analysis study aims to evaluate the impact of Zn supplementation on inflammation. PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched up to 10 December 2020. Controlled trials which have investigated the effects of Zn supplementation on serum/plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in subjects aged >15 years were included. A pooled meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the robustness of the observed effect sizes. A total of twelve studies was included in meta-analysis. Zn could decrease IL-6 levels (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -0·76 pg/ml; 95 % CI -1·28, -0·24; P = 0·004). There was no significant change in TNF-α (SMD = 0·42 pg/ml; 95 % CI -0·31, 1·16; P = 0·257) and IL-2 levels (SMD = 1·64 pg/ml; 95 % CI -1·31, 4·59; P = 0·277) following Zn supplementation. However, Zn could increase IL-2 significantly after the deletion of one arm in sensitivity analysis (SMD = 2·96 pg/ml; 95 % CI 2·03, 3·88; P < 0·05). Conclusively, Zn supplementation can decrease the IL-6 level. Zn increased IL-2 level after the sensitivity analysis. Zn supplementation has not ameliorative effects on TNF-α.

Investigation the effect of oleoylethanolamide supplementation on the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila bacterium and the dietary intakes in people with obesity: A randomized clinical trial.

Akkermansia muciniphila bacterium is one of the inhabitant gut microbiota involving in the energy homeostasis and inhibition of the inflammations. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation on the abundance of A. muciniphila and the dietary intakes in obese people. In this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial, 60 eligible obese people were selected and divided randomly into two groups including OEA group (received two capsules containing 125 mg of OEA daily) and placebo group (received two capsules containing 125 mg of starch daily). The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. Dietary intakes were evaluated according to the three -day food record and, were analyzed by the Nutritionist 4 software. In order to evaluate the changes in the abundance of A. muciniphila bacterium, faeces samples were collected at baseline and at the end of study. The targeting of the 16S rRNA gene in A. muciniphila was measured by the quantitative real-time PCR analysis. For OEA group, the energy and carbohydrate intakes decreased significantly after adjusting for baseline values and confounder factors; (p = 0.035), the amount of carbohydrate was reported as 422.25 (SD = 103.11) gr and 368.44 (SD = 99.08) gr; (p = 0.042)), before and after the treatment, respectively. The abundance of A. muciniphila bacterium increased significantly in OEA group compared to placebo group (p < 0.001). Considering the accumulating evidence identified OEA as a novel, safe, and efficacious pharmaceutical agent increasing the abundance of A. muciniphila bacterium and modifying the energy balance, therefore it is suggested to use its supplement for treatment of the obese people. However, future studies are needed to confirm the positive results obtained in this study.

Effect of pomegranate seed oil supplementation on the GLUT-4 gene expression and glycemic control in obese people with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abnormality in glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4) function and insulin secretion are the main causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Due to adverse effects of antidiabetic drugs, nowadays, nutraceuticals have been of much interest to investigators. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) on the GLUT-4 gene expression and glycemic control in obese people with T2DM. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 52 obese type 2 diabetic patients for 8 weeks in Tabriz, Iran, in 2018. Patients were divided into the intervention group (n = 26; who consumed daily three capsules containing 1 g PSO) and the placebo group (n = 26; the same amounts paraffin). GLUT-4 gene expression and glycemic indices were evaluated by standard methods. GLUT-4 gene expression was increased significantly in the PSO group. Within-group changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index were significant in the PSO group. After adjusting the age, gender, and baseline values, FBS was significantly decreased. Insulin concentration, HbA1C, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-ß did not manifest significant changes. PSO increased the GLUT-4 gene expression in diabetic patients without any side effects. However, future clinical studies are needed to confirm the obtained results.

Punicic acid: A potential compound of pomegranate seed oil in Type 2 diabetes mellitus management.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the most common form of the disease, has become a serious threat to public health and is a growing burden on global economies. Due to the unexpected adverse effects of antidiabetic medicines, the use of nutraceuticals as a complementary therapy has drawn extensive attention by investigators. In this issue, a novel nutraceutical, Punicic acid (PA)-the main ingredient of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) that has potential therapeutic effects in T2DM-has been investigated. PA is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, and unlike synthetic ligands, such as thiazolidinediones, it has no side effects. PA exerts antidiabetic effects via various mechanisms, such as reducing inflammatory cytokines, modulating glucose homeostasis, and antioxidant properties. In this review, we discussed the potential therapeutic effects of PSO and PA and represented the related mechanisms involved in the management of T2DM.

Role of vitamin D deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus incidence and aggravation.

Vitamin D is one of the main groups of sterols; playing an important role in phospho-calcic metabolism. The conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to pre- vitamin D3 in the skin, through solar ultraviolet B radiation, is the main source of vitamin D. Since lupus patients are usually photosensitive, the risk of developing vitamin D deficiency in is high in this population. Although evidences showed the connotation between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and vitamin D through which SLE can lead to lower vitamin D levels, it is also important to consider the possibility that vitamin D deficiency may have a causative role in SLE etiology. This paper analyzes existing data from various studies to highlight the role of vitamin D deficiency in SLE occurrence and aggravation and the probable efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on SLE patients. We searched "Science Direct" and "Pub Med" using "Vitamin D" and "SLE" for finding the studies focusing on the association between vitamin D deficiency and SLE incidence and consequences. Evidences show that vitamin D plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of SLE and vitamin D supplementation seems to ameliorate inflammatory and hemostatic markers; so, can improve clinical subsequent.

Effects of zinc supplementation on the anthropometric measurements, lipid profiles and fasting blood glucose in the healthy obese adults.

UNLABELLED: Purpose : The aim of this study was to assess the effects of zinc supplementation on anthropometric measures, improving lipid profile biomarkers, and fasting blood glucose level in obese people. METHODS: This randomized, double- blind clinical trial was carried out on 60 obese participants in the 18-45 age range for one month. The participants were randomly divided into the intervention group, who received 30 mg/d zinc gluconate, and the placebo group who received 30mg/d starch. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index (BMI), weight and waist circumference) were recorded before and at the end of study. Lipid profile biomarkers and fasting blood glucose were determined using enzymatic procedure. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) test was run to compare the post-treatment values of the two groups, and t-test was conducted to compare within group changes. RESULTS: Serum zinc concentration was increased significantly in intervention group (p=0.024). BMI and body weight was significantly decreased (p=0.030 and p=0.020, respectively). Lipid profile biomarkers and fating blood glucose did not change significantly but triglyceride level was significantly decreased (p=0.006) in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicate that zinc supplementation improves BMI, body weight, and triglyceride concentration without considerable effects on lipid profile and glucose level. Zinc can be suggested as a suitable supplementation therapy for obese people, but more studies are needed to verify the results.

Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on plasma glucose level, HbA1c and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Zingiber officinale on some biochemical parameters in type 2 diabetic (DM2) patients. In a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial, 64 patients with DM2 were assigned to ginger or placebo groups (receiving 2 g/d of each). A 3 d diet record, anthropometric measurements and concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FPG), HbA1c, lipid profile (including total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein) and also the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were determined before and after 2 months of intervention. Ginger supplementation significantly lowered the levels of insulin (11.0 ± 2.3 versus 12.1 ± 3.3; p = 0.001), LDL-C (67.8 ± 27.2 versus 89.2 ± 24.9; p = 0.04), TG (127.7 ± 43.7 versus 128.2 ± 37.7; p = 0.03) and the HOMA index (3.9 ± 1.09 versus 4.5 ± 1.8; p = 0.002) and increased the QUICKI index (0.313 ± 0.012 versus 0.308 ± 0.012; p = 0.005) in comparison to the control group; while, there were no significant changes in FPG, TC, HDL-C and HbA1c (p > 0.05). In summary, ginger supplementation improved insulin sensitivity and some fractions of lipid profile in DM2 patients. Therefore it may be considered as a useful remedy to reduce the secondary complications of DM2.