The effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid co-supplementation on glycemic control and lipid concentrations in patients with gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations in gestational diabetes (GDM) patients. METHODS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was done among 140 GDM patients. Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups to receive: (1) 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids containing 360 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 240 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) twice a day + vitamin D placebo (n = 35); (2) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 35); (3) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids twice a day (n = 35), and (4) vitamin D placebo + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 35) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of intervention, patients who received combined vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids supplements compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and placebo had significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (-7.3 ± 7.8, -6.9 ± 6.6, -4.0 ± 2.5, and +1.0 ± 11.4 mg/dL, respectively, P < .001), serum insulin levels (-1.9 ± 1.9, -1.3 ± 6.3, -0.4 ± 6.3, and +2.6 ± 6.5 µIU/mL, respectively, P = .005), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (-0.7 ± 0.6, -0.5 ± 1.4, -0.2 ± 1.5, and +0.6 ± 1.5, respectively, P < .001) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01, +0.008 ± 0.02, +0.002 ± 0.02, and -0.005 ± 0.02, respectively, P = .001). In addition, changes in serum triglycerides (-8.2 ± 41.0, +7.6 ± 31.5, +3.6 ± 29.9, and +20.1 ± 29.6 mg/dL, respectively, P = .006) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-1.6 ± 8.2, +1.5 ± 6.3, +0.8 ± 6.0, and +4.0 ± 5.9 mg/dL, respectively, P = .006) in the vitamin D plus omega-3 fatty acids group were significantly different from the changes in these indicators in the vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: Overall, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation for 6 weeks among GDM patients had beneficial effects on fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin levels, homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, serum triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Effect of the omega-3 fatty acid plus vitamin E supplementation on subjective global assessment score, glucose metabolism, and lipid concentrations in chronic hemodialysis patients.

SCOPE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid plus vitamin E supplementation on subjective global assessment (SGA) score and metabolic profiles in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 120 chronic HD patients. Participants were randomly divided into four groups to receive: (i) 1250 mg/day omega-3 fatty acid containing 600 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 300 mg docosahexaenoic acid + vitamin E placebo (n = 30), (ii) 400 IU/day vitamin E + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30), (iii) 1250 mg omega-3 fatty acids/day + 400 IU/day vitamin E (n = 30), and (iv) omega-3 fatty acids placebo + vitamin E placebo (n = 30) for 12 wk. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 12-wk intervention to measure metabolic profiles. Patients who received combined omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E supplements compared with vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and placebo had significantly decreased SGA score (p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.01), serum insulin levels (p = 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment insulin resistance (p = 0.002), and improved quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin E supplementation for 12 wk among HD patients had beneficial effects on SGA score and metabolic profiles.

Zinc supplementation and the effects on metabolic status in gestational diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To the best of our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of zinc supplementation on metabolic status in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). This study was designed to determine the effects of zinc supplementation on glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid concentrations in GDM women. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 58 women diagnosed with GDM, primigravida and aged 18-40years old. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive 233mg zinc gluconate (containing 30mg zinc) supplements (n=29) or placebo (n=29) per day for 6weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the trial to quantify glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Patients who received zinc supplements had significantly higher serum zinc concentrations (+6.9±13.2 vs. -1.5±16.5mg/dL, P=0.03) than those received the placebo. In addition, zinc-supplemented patients had reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (-6.6±11.2 vs. +0.6±6.7mg/dL, P=0.005), serum insulin levels (-1.3±6.6 vs. +6.6±12.2µIU/mL, P=0.003), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.5±1.6 vs. +1.5±2.7, P=0.001), homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B) (-0.7±25.0 vs. +26.5±49.5, P=0.01) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01±0.01 vs. -0.01±0.02, P=0.004) compared with the placebo. Additionally, significant differences in serum triglycerides (+13.6±61.4 vs. +45.9±36.5mg/dL, P=0.01) and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (+2.7±12.3 vs. +9.2±7.3mg/dL, P=0.01) were observed following the administration of zinc supplements compared with the placebo.We did not observe any significant effects of taking zinc supplements on other lipid profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, 30mg zinc supplementation per day for 6weeks among GDM women had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.

Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation affects glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations in overweight and obese vitamin D deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Few studies have examined the effects of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations in overweight and obese vitamin D deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was conducted to determine the effects of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations among overweight and obese vitamin D deficient women with PCOS. METHODS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 104 overweight and obese vitamin D deficient women diagnosed with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned into four groups to receive: 1) 1000 mg/d calcium + vitamin D placebo (n = 26); 2) 50,000 IU/wk vitamin D + calcium placebo (n = 26); 3) 1000 mg calcium/d + 50,000 IU/wk vitamin D (n = 26) and 4) calcium placebo + vitamin D placebo (n = 26) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks' intervention to measure glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation resulted in higher levels of serum calcium (P = 0.002) and vitamin D (P < 0.001) compared with other groups. Co-supplementation, compared with other groups, led to decreased serum insulin levels (P = 0.03), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score (P = 0.04) and a significant rise in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (P = 0.001). Furthermore, a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (P = 0.02) and VLDL-cholesterol levels (P = 0.02) was seen following the administration of calcium plus vitamin D supplements compared with the other groups. Co-supplementation with calcium and vitamin D had no significant effects on FPG, total-, LDL-, HDL-, and non-HDL-cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, calcium plus vitamin D supplementation for eight weeks among vitamin D deficient women with PCOS had beneficial effects on serum insulin levels, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, serum triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol levels, but it did not affect FPG and other lipid profiles. Clinical registration numberwww.irct.ir: IRCT201309275623N10.

Metabolic response to folate supplementation in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

SCOPE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of folate supplementation on metabolic profiles in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS AND RESULTS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 81 obese women (weight range: 65-110 kg) aged 18-40 year old diagnosed with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups receiving: (1) Folate-1: 1 mg/day folate supplements (n = 27); (2) Folate-5: 5 mg/day folate supplements (n = 27), and (3) placebo (n = 27) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks' intervention to quantify glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations. Folate supplementation (5 mg), compared with folate-1 and placebo, resulted in reduced plasma homocysteine (p-interaction = 0.009), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance score (p-interaction = 0.01), and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (p-interaction = 0.01). Furthermore, we found a significant difference in mean change of serum total cholesterol (p-interaction = 0.01), LDL- (p-interaction = 0.007), and non-HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.01) in the folate-5 group compared with folate-1 and placebo. CONCLUSION: 5 mg/day folate supplementation for 8 weeks among women with PCOS had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.

Grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera) partially reverses high fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice

The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-obesity effects of grape seed extract (GSE) supplement in C57BL/6J mice. Thirty mice were divided into three groups; normal diet control group (ND), high fat diet control group (HD) and high fat diet plus grape seed extract supplemented group (HD+GSE). Results were as follows: 1. GSE supplement reduced the weight gain in mice fed high fat diets; epididymal and back fat weights were lower compared to non-supplemented HD group. 2. Blood lipid concentrations were lower in the HD+GSE group than in the HD group. Serum HDL-C concentrations were higher in the HD+GSE group compared with the other groups. 3. The concentrations of acid-insoluble acylcarnitines (AIAC) in serum and liver were higher in the HD+GSE group than in the HD group. 4. GSE supplementation increased mRNA levels of lipolytic genes such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and decreased mRNA levels of lipogenic genes such as acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC). These findings suggest that grape seed extract supplements in high fat diet might normalize body weight, epididymal and back fat weights, lipid concentrations, and carnitine levels through controlling lipid metabolism.