The effect of soy isoflavones supplementation on metabolic status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) accounts as a crucial health concern with a huge burden on health and economic systems. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of soy isoflavones supplementation on metabolic status in patients with NAFLD. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 50 patients with NAFLD were randomly allocated to either soy isoflavone or placebo groups for 12 weeks. The soy isoflavone group took 100 mg/d soy isoflavone and the placebo group took the similar tablets containing starch. Anthropometric indices, blood lipids, glycemic parameters and blood pressure were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. RESULTS: At the end of week 12 the level of serum triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) was significantly decreased only in soy isoflavone group compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Although waist circumference (WC) decreased significantly in both groups after 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.05), hip circumference (HC) decreased significantly only in soy isoflavone group (P = 0.001). No significant changes observed regarding high density lipoprotein (HDL) and blood pressure in both groups. At the end of the study, serum glucose level was significantly decreased in the placebo group compared to baseline (P = 0.047). No significant changes demonstrated in the soy isoflavone group in regard to glycemic parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that soy isoflavones could significantly reduce TG, LDL TC, WC and HC in NAFLD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Ethics committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences approved the protocol of the present clinical research (IR.AJUMS.REC.1401.155). The study was in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This study's registered number and date are IRCT20220801055597N1 and 20.09.2022, respectively at https://fa.irct.ir .

The effect of soy isoflavones on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the level of fibroblast growth factor-21 and fetuin A.

A two-arm randomized open labeled controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Subjects were randomized to either receive two tablets of soy isoflavone (100 mg/day) or placebo. At week 12, the serum levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score were significantly decreased only in the soy isoflavone group (P < 0.05). A significant decline in the gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) level was observed only in the placebo group (P = 0.017). A significant increase in the serum level of fetuin A was shown in both groups at the end of the trial with a significantly greater increment in the soy isoflavone group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). The changes in the serum level of FGF-21 were not significant in any of the two groups. Steatosis grade significantly improved only in the soy isoflavone group (P = 0.045). There was no significant change in the fibrosis grade in the groups. Soy isoflavone intake led to a decrease in ALT, AST, CAP score, steatosis grade and an increase in the level of fetuin A. However, no significant changes were observed in the fibrosis grade and serum levels of GGT and FGF-21.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulates adipogenesis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells dose-dependently.

PURPOSE: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may regulate adipogenesis in adipocytes in-vitro, but little is known about possible molecular mechanisms related to the inhibitory effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on adipogenesis in humans҆ adipose tissue. METHODOLOGY: In this study, human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) were cultured for 14 days in adipogenic differentiation media containing concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (10-10-10-8 M). The extent of adipogenic differentiation in ASCs was assessed by Oil Red O staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine expression levels of key adipogenic markers. RESULTS: Our results showed that vitamin D receptor (VDR), as a mediator of most actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, glucose trasporter-4 (GLUT4),and fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) was expressed in vitamin D-treated hASCs. However, the protein level of these markers was lower than the control group. Treatment of human preadipocytes with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 significantly altered expression of adipogenic markers and triglyceride accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 at concentration of 10-8 M enhanced expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-ß (C/EBPß), a mitotic clonal expansion, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FASN), a marker of de novo lipogenesis,and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may provoke adipocyte development in critical periods of adipogenesis at concentration of 10-8 M, thereby leading to a greater risk of obesity in adulthood and an augmented risk of obesity-related diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers.

Antioxidant vitamin intakes and risk of depression, anxiety and stress among female adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The relation of some antioxidant nutrients with psychological disorders has been studied previously. The aim of this study was to examine the association between antioxidant vitamin intakes and the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 263 Tehranian female adolescents. Dietary intakes of vitamin E, C, and ß-Carotene were determined using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were characterized by DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Score-21 items) questionnaire. The multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) of depression, anxiety, and stress across tertiles of antioxidant vitamin intakes. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of participants was 16.20 ± 0.97 years. Also, the mean ± SD depression, anxiety and stress scores of participants were 9.89 ± 4.15, 8.43 ± 4.39 and 14.00 ± 6.45, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, subjects in the highest tertile of ß-Carotene had a lower prevalence of depression (OR:0.46, 95%CI:0.23-0.95), anxiety (OR:0.40, 95%CI:0.20-0.81), and stress (OR:0.35, 95%CI:0.17-0.73) compared to the lowest tertile (P for trend<0.05). Moreover, individuals in the top tertile of vitamin E had a lower prevalence of stress, in comparison to the bottom tertile (OR:0.34, 95% CI:0.13-0.89), (P for trend<0.05). However, no significant associations were found between the intakes of vitamin E and C and other psychological disorders. CONCLUSION: In this study, higher intake of ß-Carotene was associated with lower prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress. Also, we found an inverse relationship between vitamin E intake and the risk of stress.

Bisphenol A enhances adipogenic signaling pathways in human mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: The endocrine disruptor Bisphenol-A (BPA), has been involved in dysregulating adipose tissue development and increasing the risk of obesity. The objective of this experiment was to investigate whether treatment of human mesenchymal stem cells with BPA could modulate adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation. METHODS: In this experimental study, the human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) were cultured for 2 weeks with continuous exposure to 10- 10 M or 10- 8 M concentrations of BPA. The extent of triglyceride accumulation was visualized by Oil Red O staining. To evaluate BPA effect on the expression levels of key adipogenic trascripotion factors and proteins, we used Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and ELISA. RESULTS: The results presented a dose-dependent triglyceride accumulation in treated cells with BPA. Additionally, we observed that BPA induced transcription of the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBPα), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-beta (C/EBPß), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c), Fatty acid synthase (FASN), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL); BPA suppressed the expression of Fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) and Estrogen receptor-beta (ERß). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings supported the hypothesis that BPA enhances adipogenic differentiation thereby may play a role in development of obesity and dysregulation of metabolic homoeostasis.

The association between nutrition knowledge and adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern in Iranian female adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) has been reported to decrease chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the association between nutrition knowledge (NK) and adherence to MDP in Iranian female adolescents. SUBJECTS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 297 female adolescents aged 15-18 years. METHODS: The participants were interviewed using a valid and structured questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric variables. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated 168-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Adherence to MDP was measured by the Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS). Each participant's NK was determined using a 20-item NK questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age and body mass index (BMI) of participants were 16.1 ± 0.9 years and 22.3 ± 4.6 kg/m2, respectively. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] of the NK score and the MSDPS were 80.0 (68.0-87.0) and 15.2 (11.9-19.5), respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of higher adherence to MDP in the highest tertile of the NK score was 2.19 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-3.95; p for trend = 0.009], compared to the lowest tertile after adjusting for age and energy intake. In a multivariable-adjusted model, after further adjustment for BMI, mother's/father's education level, mother's/father's employment status, parent's marital status and physical activity, the subjects in the highest tertile of the NK score had higher adherence to MDP compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.09-3.83; p for trend = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the hypothesis that a higher NK score is significantly associated with a higher MDP adherence score in Iranian female adolescents.

A Pro-Inflammatory Diet Is Associated With an Increased Odds of Depression Symptoms Among Iranian Female Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The relation between dietary inflammation and risk of depression has not been widely explored. We examined the association between the inflammatory effect of the diet and the odds of depression among Iranian female adolescents. Methods: Using a stratified cluster sampling technique, 300 female adolescents aged 15-18 years were recruited from schools in Tehran between years 2014-2015. Depression was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)- a 21-point scale. The dietary inflammatory index (DII®) was used to evaluate the inflammatory potential of the diet. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. In addition to descriptive statistics, multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to calculate confounder-adjusted beta estimates and odds ratios. Results: In total, 88 females (30%) had at least a moderate level of depressive symptoms (DASS > 6). Females with the most pro-inflammatory diet had higher DASS depression score (ß = 1.67; 95% CI = 0.03, 3.31) and were at 3.96 (95% CI = 1.12, 13.97) times higher odds of having at least moderate depressive symptoms, compared to females with the least anti-inflammatory diets. Conclusion: These data suggest that Iranian adolescent females eating a pro-inflammatory diet, as indicated by higher DII scores, had greater odds of having at least moderate depressive symptoms.