Modified Mediterranean diet v. traditional Iranian diet: efficacy of dietary interventions on dietary inflammatory index score, fatigue severity and disability in multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence suggests that adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeD) can reduce inflammation in chronic diseases; however, studies pertaining to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the modified MeD (mMeD) in improving Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores, disability and fatigue severity, compared with traditional Iranian diet (TID), in RRMS patients. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients enrolled, 147 participants were included in the final analysis (n of mMeD = 68; n of TID = 79). Self-reported adherence was good (˜81 %). Dietary intakes of forty-five food parameters were assessed through the FFQ. The mMeD significantly reduced DII scores after 6 months (2·38 ± 0·21 to -1·87 ± 0·86, P < 0·001), but TID did not elicit any changes (2·21 ± 0·44 to 2·14 ± 1·01, P = 0·771). Additionally, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) total score decreased significantly (72·4 ± 17·2 to 63·9 ± 14·2, P < 0·001), whereas there was no considerable improvement for Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in the mMeD group. METHODS: After initial screening (n 261), 180 RRMS patients were randomised to receive mMeD or TID (as control) for 6 months. DII score, EDSS and twenty-one-item MFIS were evaluated at baseline and trial cessation. Multivariate ANCOVA was conducted and adjusted for age, gender, body weight, BMI, education level, supplement use, family history and duration of MS. CONCLUSION: Adherence to mMeD, for 6 months, improved dietary inflammatory status and fatigue severity in RRMS patients; however, the TID did not positively impact dietary inflammation and MFIS score.

Can Probiotics Supplementation Improve Glycemic and Renal Status in Diabetic Nephropathy? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND & AIM: This meta-analysis was performed to quantify the effects of probiotics on renal and glycemic biomarkers among patients with Diabetic Nephropathy (DN). METHODS: Electronic databases were searched on May 10, 2020. All trials that investigated the effect of probiotics on serum glycemic markers (Fasting Plasma Glucose [FPG], Hemoglobin A1C, Insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR], and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index [QUICKI]), and renal status markers (Creatinine [Cr], Blood Urea Nitrogen [BUN], and Glomerular Filtration Rate [GFR]) were included. RESULTS: Seven trials that included 340 patients were identified for analysis. The results indicated that probiotics significantly reduced FPG (WMD= -19.08 mg/dl; 95% CI= -32.16, -5.99; P=0.004), HOMA-IR (WMD= -1.88; 95% CI= -3.63, -0.12; P=0.036), and Cr (WMD= -0.18 mg/dl; 95% CI= -0.26, -0.09; P<0.001) levels in DN patients; however, there was no statistically significant change in Hemoglobin A1C, Insulin, QUICKI, BUN, and GFR. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis supports the potential use of probiotics in the improvement of some glycemic and renal biomarkers in patients with DN.

Effect of probiotics on oxidative stress and inflammatory status in diabetic nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of probiotics on serum high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and oxidative stress biomarkers among patients with Diabetic Nephropathy (DN). Electronic databases were searched through May 10, 2020. Seven trials that included 340 patients were identified for analysis. Meta-analysis indicated that probiotics significantly reduced hs-CRP (WMD = -1.53 mg/L; 95% CI = -2.38, -0.69; P < 0.001) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) (WMD = -0.62 ɥmol/L; 95% CI = -1.18, -0.06; P = 0.030) levels in DN patients, whereas they increased Glutathione (GSH) (WMD = 73.84 ɥmol/L; 95% CI = 24.3, 123.29; P = 0.003) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) (WMD = 26.54 mmol/L; 95% CI = 6.23, 46.85; P = 0.010). Therefore, probiotics may improve hs-CRP and oxidative stress biomarkers in DN population.

The Relationship Between Antioxidants and Inflammation in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have identified Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an inflammatory condition associated with immunological and oxidative responses. Therefore, it is necessary to examine these processes in these patients. The present study aimed at investigating the relationship between the dietary intake of antioxidants, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, and the serum levels of inflammatory factors in ADHD students. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was conducted on 64 ADHD children aged 6 - 13 years. The demographic questionnaire, Food Frequency Questionnaire, and Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire were used for data collection. SOD activity and the serum level of inflammatory factors (homocysteine, interleukin-6, and C-reactive Protein (CRP)) were measured in all patients. According to the CRP values, 32 patients were included in the case group (CRP≥1 mg/L) and 32 patients in the control group (0≤CRP<1 mg/L). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index. In the case group, the mean SOD activity (P=0.034), the physical activity (P=0.04), zinc intake (P=0.02), and homocysteine levels were higher than the control group (P=0.001). Of all studied variables, the best predictors were homocysteine (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.082-1.670, P=0.029) and physical activity (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.761-0.952, P=0.022) respectively, whereas other variables were not significant predictors. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the level of inflammatory factors in the case group was significantly higher than the control group. Homocysteine and physical activity can predict the inflammation status induced by CRP.

Effect of Celery Extract on Thyroid Function; Is Herbal Therapy Safe in Obesity?

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a popular medicinal herb that used conventionally for the treatment of different diseases. This report aimed to demonstrate celery would induce hyperthyroidism after oral celery extract consumption for weight loss. A 36-year-old female patient came to our clinic with blurred vision, palpitation, and nausea. Dietary history showed that she used 8 g/day of celery extract in powder form for weight reduction. Weight loss during 78 days of celery extract consumption was 26 kg. Thyroid function test showed that serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 were 0.001 mIU/L and 23 ng/dl, respectively). Grave's and thyrotoxicosis ruled out by other laboratory evaluations. Methimazole 10 mg/day was prescribed. Serum level of TSH was evaluated. The celery extraction intake was discontinued when started treatment with methimazole. Not found any thyroid stimulator (thyroxin and other) in celery extraction. We concluded that observed hyperthyroidism and allergic reaction may be induced by celery extract consumption. Therefore, it is possible that hyperthyroidism may be a side effect of frequent celery extract consumption.

Elevated liver enzymes and cardiovascular mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of more than one million participants.

Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are commonly used liver function markers. We performed a dose-response meta-analysis to investigate the association between liver enzymes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in prospective cohort studies. We conducted a systematic search up to April 2018 in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Combined hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects model as described by DerSimonian and Laird. Dose-response analysis was also carried out. Twenty-three studies with 1 067 922 participants reported association between GGT and CVD mortality and were included in our analysis. Pooled results showed a significant association between GGT and risk of CVD mortality (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.47-1.78, P=0.001, P-heterogeneity=0.001) and it was HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.73-1.07; P=0.221, P-heterogeneity=0.028, for ALT. There was a direct association between baseline levels of ALP and AST/ALT ratio with CVD mortality (HR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.11-1.89; P=0.005, P-heterogeneity=0.026, and HR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.60-3.04; P=0.001, P-heterogeneity=0.540, respectively). Pooled results did not show any significant association between AST and the risk of CVD mortality (HR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.83-1.73; P=0.313, P-heterogeneity=0.024). Moreover, there was a significant nonlinear association between GGT and ALP levels and the risk of CVD mortality (P=0.008 and 0.016, respectively). Our dose-response meta-analysis revealed a direct relationship between GGT and ALP levels and the risk of CVD mortality. High levels of GGT, ALP and AST/ALT were associated with an increased CVD mortality rate.