Changes in the Gut Microbiota after the Use of Herbal Medicines in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Herbal medicine is a low-cost treatment and has been increasingly applied in obesity treatment. Gut microbiota (GM) is strongly associated with obesity pathogenesis. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review guided by the question: "Does the use of herbal medicine change the GM composition in obese individuals?" Randomized clinical trials with obese individuals assessing the effects of herbal medicine intervention in GM were retrieved from the Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, including the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Two reviewers independently extracted data using standardized piloted data extraction forms and assessed the study-level risk of bias using an Excel template of the Cochrane "Risk of bias" tool 2-RoB 2. RESULTS: We identified 1094 articles in the databases. After removing duplicates and reading the title and abstract, 14 publications were fully evaluated, of which seven publications from six studies were considered eligible. The herbs analyzed were Moringa oleifera, Punica granatum, Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis, W-LHIT and WCBE. The analysis showed that Schisandra chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis had significant effects on weight loss herbal intervention therapy composed by five Chinese herbal medicines Ganoderma lucidum, Coptis chinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Nelumbo nucifera gaertn, and Fructus aurantii (W-LHIT) and white common bean extract (WCBE) on GM, but no significant changes in anthropometry and laboratory biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Herbal medicine modulates GM and is associated with increased genera in obese individuals.

Association of l-Arginine Supplementation with Markers of Endothelial Function in Patients with Cardiovascular or Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

l-Arginine supplementation is a potential therapy for treating cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the use of distinct l-arginine sources, intervened populations, and treatment regimens may have yielded confusion about their efficacy. This research constitutes a systematic review and meta-analysis summarizing the effects of l-arginine supplementation compared to placebo in individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, or diabetes. Eligibility criteria included randomized clinical trials and interventions based on oral supplementation of l-arginine with a minimum duration of three days; comparison groups consisted of individuals with the same disease condition receiving an oral placebo substance. The primary outcome was flow-mediated dilation, and secondary outcomes were nitrite/nitrate (NOx) rate and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Statistical heterogeneity among studies included in the meta-analyses was assessed using the inconsistency index (I2). Fifty-four full-text articles from 3761 retrieved references were assessed for eligibility. After exclusions, 13 studies were included for data extraction. There was no difference in blood flow after post-ischemic hyperemia between the supplementation of l-arginine and placebo groups before and after the intervention period (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.30; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = -0.85 to 1.46; I2 = 96%). Sensitivity analysis showed decreased heterogeneity when the studies that most favor arginine and placebo were removed, and positive results in favor of arginine supplementation were found (SMD = 0.59; 95% CIs = 0.10 to 1.08; I2 = 75%). No difference was found in meta-analytical estimates of NOx and ADMA responses between arginine or placebo treatments. Overall, the results indicated that oral l-arginine supplementation was not associated with improvements on selected variables in these patients (PROSPERO Registration: CRD42017077289).

Associação do (Asociación entre el) estado nutricional com a qualidade (y la calidad) de vida de pacientes oncológicos em tratamento quimioterápico / Association between nutritional status and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Introduction: The number of new cancer cases has increased over the years, placing this disease among the most prevalent worldwide. Studies show that the quality of life of cancer patients is impaired and that there is an association between malnutrition and reduced quality of life (QoL). Objective: To investigate the association between nutritional status and quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 45 cancer patients from the outpatient chemotherapy service at a university hospital in Northeast Brazil. Anthropometric measurements and QoL were assessed by applying the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: There was a high percentage of malnutrition, ranging from 15.6% according to body mass index, to 43.9%, according to the muscular circumference of the arm. Median score was verified at 50.0 (Q1 = 41.7; Q3, 50.0) on the scale of general QoL. There were no significant correlations between nutritional status and QoL scores. Only the cognitive performance scale showed inverse correlation with triceps skinfold (TSF) (p = 0.033) and arm circumference (p = 0.011). Regarding the level of symptoms, diarrhea correlated directly with PCT (p = 0.025). Conclusion: There was impairment of QoL in the aspect of overall health. Although many studies have shown association between malnutrition and low QoL, this relationship was not observed in this investigation

Introdução: Os números de novos casos de câncer vêm aumentando ao longo dos anos (La cantidad de nuevos casos de cáncer está aumentando a lo largo de los años), fazendo com que esta doença esteja entre uma das mais prevalentes no (provocando que esta enfermedad sea una de las más prevalentes en el) mundo. Estudos evidenciam que a qualidade de vida dos pacientes oncológicos está prejudicada e que há associação (está deteriorada y que existe una asociación) entre desnutrição e redução da qualidade de vida (QV). Objetivo: Verificar a associação do estado nutricional com a qualidade de vida de pacientes oncológicos em tratamento quimioterápico. Métodos: Estudo transversal envolvendo 45 pacientes oncológicos captados do serviço ambulatorial de quimioterapia de um hospital universitário localizado no Nordeste brasileiro. Foram avaliadas (Fueron evaluadas) medidas antropométricas e a QV, a partir da aplicação do Quality of life Questionnaire. Resultados: Observou-se elevado percentual de desnutrição, variando de 15.6%, segundo o (según el) índice de massa corporal, a 43.9%, segundo a circunferência muscular do braço (del brazo). Foi verificada uma pontuação mediana de 50.0 (Q1 = 41.7; Q3 = 50.0) para a escala de estado geral de QV. Não foram observadas importantes correlações entre os estado nutricional e os escores (puntajes) de QV. Apenas escala de desempenho cognitivo apresentou correlação inversa com a prega cutânea tricipital (el pliegue cutáneo del tríceps) (PCT) (p = 0.033) e circunferência do braço (p = 0.011). Em relação à escala de sintomas, a diarréia se correlacionou diretamente a PCT (p = 0.025). Conclusão: Verificou-se comprometimento da (compromiso de la) QV no aspecto de saúde global. Embora muitos estudos demonstrem associação entre a desnutrição e baixa (Aunque muchos estudios demuestren la asociación entre desnutrición y baja) QV, essa relação não foi evidenciada nessa (no fue probada en esta) investigação