Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Bone Health and Bone-related Parameters in HIV-infected Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: There is growing evidence that bone health is decreased in individuals with HIV infection. Vitamin D deficiency is also highly prevalent among HIV-infected patients. The literature was systematically reviewed to determine whether bone health and bone-related parameters may improve with vitamin D supplementation in HIV-infected individuals. METHODS: Four databases were systematically searched for randomized clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation in HIV infection, published from January 1990 to September 2021. No language or publication restrictions were applied. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% CIs are reported. A random-effects model was used to perform meta-analysis. FINDINGS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria (N = 733 participants at study completion). The mean ages of the patients in the included trials ranged from 10 to 49 years. The meta-analysis indicated that with vitamin D supplementation, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) level was significantly increased (SMD, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.70; I2 = 94.4%), but there were no significant effects on levels of serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25-[OH]2D) (SMD, 0.29; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.64; I2 = 67.4%), total bone mineral density (SMD, 0.07; 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.37; I2 = 00.0%), spine bone mineral density (SMD, 0.15; 95% CI, -0.19 to 0.49; I2 = 17.3%), and parathyroid hormone level (SMD, -0.18; 95% CI, -0.37 to 0.02; I2 = 1.2%) in HIV-infected patients. IMPLICATIONS: This study showed that vitamin D supplementation can improve serum 25(OH)D in HIV-infected patients. The effects of vitamin D supplementation on other bone health-related parameters such as bone mineral density and parathyroid hormone in HIV-infected patients need to be further investigated in larger-scale, well-designed randomized, controlled trials.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on adipokines: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Although a large body of literature reported the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) consumption on adipokines levels, but recent findings from clinical trials are not univocal. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FAs supplements on adipokines. METHODS: We searched Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to August 2020 without any particular language limitations. Outcomes were summarized as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated from Hedge's g and random effects modeling. RESULTS: Fifty-two trials involving 4,568 participants were included. Omega-3 FAs intake was associated with a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels (n = 43; 3,434 participants; SMD: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.37; p = 0.01; I2= 80.14%). This meta-analysis indicates that supplementing participants with omega-3 fatty acids more than 2000 mg daily and more than 10 weeks resulted in a significant and more favorable improvement in plasma adiponectin levels. However, omega-3 FAs intake had no significant effect on leptin levels (SMD: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.20, 0.17, I2= 54.13%). CONCLUSION: The evidence supports a beneficial effect of omega-3 FAs intake on serum adiponectin levels but does not appear to impact on leptin concentrations. Larger well-designed RCTs are still required to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FAs on leptin in specific diseases.

Effect of Perioperative Vitamin C Supplementation on Postoperative Pain and the Incidence of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative pain can contribute to increased risk for complications and lengthened hospital stays. The objective was to analyze the effects of perioperative vitamin C supplementation on postoperative pain and the development of complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS I) in patients undergoing surgical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of published literature was performed through April 2014. References from relevant studies were scanned for additional studies. Results were screened for relevance independently, and full-text studies were assessed for eligibility. Reporting quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 710 studies, of which 13 were included: 7 on postoperative pain and 6 on CRPS I. In the final analysis, 1 relevant study found a reduction in postoperative morphine utilization after preoperative vitamin C consumption, whereas another showed no difference in postoperative pain outcomes between the vitamin C and control groups. A meta-analysis of 3 applicable CRPS I studies showed a decrease in postoperative CRPS I after perioperative vitamin C supplementation (relative risk=2.25; τ²=0). DISCUSSION: There is moderate-level evidence supporting the use of a 2 g preoperative dose of vitamin C as an adjunct for reducing postoperative morphine consumption, and high-level evidence supporting perioperative vitamin C supplementation of 1 g/d for 50 days for CRPS I prevention after extremity surgery. Additional studies are necessary to increase the level of evidence to determine the overall effectiveness and optimum dosage of vitamin C.