Synbiotic as an ameliorating factor in the health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There are complicated mechanisms that link the disruption of the gut microbiome to the symptoms and complications of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, an attempt was made to assess the effects of synbiotics on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with PCOS . METHODS: Fifty-six women with PCOS were enrolled in a triple-blind controlled trial for 12 weeks. They were randomly assigned to receive a daily 2-gram synbiotic sachets (containing Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30), Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and fructooligosaccharide) (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28). To evaluate the impact on the HRQoL, participants were required to fill 26-Item Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ-26), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) pre and post the intervention. RESULTS: Finally, statistical analyses were performed on 52 participants who finished the trial. Synbiotic supplementation improved the scores of emotional (P = 0.044), body hair (P = 0.016), weight (P = 0.033) and infertility domains (P = 0.027) of PCOSQ-26 compared to placebo group. The physical score within SF-12 also had a significant enhancement (P = 0.035). No significant improvement was seen in the PSS-10 score at the end of the trial. CONCLUSION: This study illustrated the advantageous effects of synbiotics on the health-related quality of life in women with PCOS. Further studies are required to confirm our findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.irct.ir : IRCT20211108053007N1; date of registration: 14/02/2023.

Effects of Synbiotic-Containing Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30) on the Cardiovascular Status of Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Triple-blinded, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study.

PURPOSE: Despite the high risk of cardiovascular diseases in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, fewer studies have addressed the improvement of cardiometabolic status of these patients. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of synbiotic-containing, spore-forming Bacillus coagulans on cardiometabolic indicators, including lipid profile, C-reactive protein, and atherogenic indexes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: In the present 12-week, triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 72 women with polycystic ovaries were randomized to receive either 2 g of synbiotic sachet (n = 36) or placebo (n = 36) plus lifestyle modification. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after the intervention. FINDINGS: Statistical analysis was performed in 60 participants with a mean (SD) age of 28.25 (5.98) years who completed the intervention (synbiotic group [n = 34] and placebo group [n = 26]). A significant mean (SD) decrease in C-reactive protein level was observed in the synbiotic group compared with the placebo group (-0.12 [9.57] v. -0.008 [4.69], P = 0.03). No significant differences in mean changes of lipid profile and atherogenic indexes were seen between the 2 groups. Although the estimated mean changes in atherogenic indexes in the synbiotic group indicates a greater reduction than the placebo group, no significant difference was detected. IMPLICATIONS: Our 12-week synbiotic intervention improved the inflammatory status in women with polycystic ovaries without affecting lipid profile or atherogenic indexes.

Does symbiotic supplementation which contains Bacillus Coagulans Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and fructooligosaccharide has favourite effects in patients with type-2 diabetes? A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

This study aimed to determine the effect of Bacillus Coagulans symbiotic supplementation on metabolic factors and inflammation in patients with type-2 diabetes. In this clinical trial, 50 patients with type-2 diabetes were randomly assigned to the symbiotic (containing Bacillus Coagulans + Lactobacillus rhamnosus + Lactobacillus acidophilus and fructooligosaccharide) or placebo groups to receive one sachet daily for 12 weeks. Glycaemic Index, lipid profile, and hs-CRP were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Analysis of covariance demonstrated that fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), ß-cell function (HOMA-ß) (p <.05) and hs-CRP (p <.05) significantly declined in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. So, the current study indicated that Bacillus Coagulans symbiotic supplementation could improve metabolic factors and inflammation in patients with type-2 diabetes.

Nigella sativa supplementation improves cardiometabolic indicators in population with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Nigella sativa (N. sativa) from the family Ranunculaceae has medicinal properties. Previous studies have reported promising findings showing that N. sativa may benefit cardiometabolic health; however, current evidence on its cardiometabolic effects on those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still unclear. Hence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of N. sativa on cardiometabolic parameters in population with prediabetes and T2DM. Methods: PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane library were systematically searched up to June 20, 2022. Meta-analyses using random-effects models were used. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. N. sativa intervention resulted in significant changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), c-reactive protein (CRP), and malondialdehyde (MDA), without overall changes in glucose levels after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and body mass index (BMI) when compared with the control group. In subgroup analyses, N. sativa supplementation enhanced serum levels of HDL-C in subjects with baseline HDL-C lower than 40 mg/dL. Furthermore, HOMA-IR and BMI values decreased in the N. sativa-supplemented group compared with the control group, when the length of follow-up was more than 8 weeks and the dose was more than 1 g/day for N. sativa supplementation, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that N. sativa supplementation may effectively improve cardiometabolic profiles in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM.

Healthy Dietary Pattern Reduces Risk of Gallstones: Results of a Case-Control Study in Iran.

Background: Nutrition-related factors have been of great interest as one of risk factors of biliary stones. This study evaluated the association of dietary patterns with biliary stone among Iranians. Methods: This is a hospital-based case-control study, which was conducted in a general hospital in Tehran, Iran. A total of 110 patients with gallstone or common bile duct (CBD) stone confirmed by Ultrasonography within the last 6 months before collecting data were recruited. Controls were age-matched patients admitted to the other wards of the same hospital for a broad spectrum of disorders including traumas and orthopedic conditions, or elective surgeries, or throat/ear/nose disease and had no gallbladder disorders, participated in this study. We used a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes of participants. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis. Results: By design, age was similar in both groups (57.66 ± 16.39 years vs. 56.00 ± 10.64 years in cases and controls, respectively). Two dietary patterns were extracted; "Unhealthy" (high consumption of artificial juice, processed meats, refined grains, sweets and desserts, pickles, snacks, and red meats), and "Healthy" (high consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt). Participants in the highest tertile of "Healthy" dietary pattern were significantly less likely to have the gallstones disease (OR: 0.33, 95% CI = 0.120.89) compared to the reference group (low tertile of "Healthy" dietary pattern) (P = 0.02). Conclusions: High consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt in context of healthy dietary pattern are inversely associated with risk of gallstones.

The effects of Bacillus coagulans supplementation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with 109 spores of Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30) plus inulin in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, fifty three patients with NAFLD were randomly assigned to receive either a synbiotic or a placebo capsule for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was reduction in steatosis score in Fibroscan exam. RESULTS: At the end of study, serum alanine aminotransferase and γ glutamine transaminase decreased significantly more in synbiotic group compared to placebo group (p = 0.001, and p = 0.004, respectively). Synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum tumor necrosis factor-α (p = 0.03) and nuclear factor-κB activity (p = 0.04). Moreover, hepatic steatosis reduced significantly more in synbiotic group compared to placebo group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that 12 weeks supplementation with B. coagulans plus inulin is beneficial for treatment of NAFLD and its related inflammation without any significant effects on related cardiovascular risk factors. CLINICAL TRIALS: This trial was registered at irct.ir with number of IRCT20100524004010N23.

Alternative extraction techniques to obtain, isolate and purify proteins and bioactive from aquaculture and by-products.

Oceans cover more than 70% of the earth's surface and provide a great ecosystem for habitat of a large divers of marine species. The marine species are rich sources of bioactive compound that can be applied in medicine, pharmacology and food industry. Besides the marine species, fish processing industry also produces substantial volumes of by-products that can be used for a variety of purposes. Thus, it is important to find approaches to access to these valuable compounds. Nowadays, more factors have been considered in selecting an appropriate method for extraction of bioactive compounds such as consume less time and solvent, to be fast and ecofriendly. Concerns regarding entering the pollutions to the environment resulted to invest on the methods practicable with less chemical solvents and even green ones, however, implementation of stricter regulations and policies is required to encourage researchers to set up the procedures with reduced toxic agents to guarantee the environmental safety. In the current chapter the most common marine derived compounds and innovative methods for their extraction will be discussed.

The combined effects of ultrasound and lactic acid in inactivating microorganisms on fresh radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus): Microbiological and quality changes.

In order to reduce the risk of microbial contamination in fresh radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and ensure its safety, combined effects of ultrasound and lactic acid in inactivating microorganisms and quality changes of radish were studied. Fresh radish samples were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella sonnei separately and were treated with lactic acid (L) 1% and 2%, ultrasound (U) with the amplitude of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% for 15 and 30 min and their combination. The quality parameters, including total phenol content, firmness, and total color change, were evaluated on the day of the experiment and after 24 hr of cold storage. Results showed that both applied treatments and their combinations had significant (p < .05) inhibitory effect on all of the studied bacteria. Total phenolic content of the ultrasound treated samples led to higher amounts comparing to other samples. Results showed that using ultrasound power (75%), for 30 min significantly (p < .05) decreased the firmness of samples after 24 hr of cold storage. In conclusion, the application of ultrasound and lactic acid can extend the shelf life of fresh radish.

Is Bacillus coagulans supplementation plus low FODMAP diet superior to low FODMAP diet in irritable bowel syndrome management?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the superiority of low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) diet plus Bacillus coagulans supplementation to low FODMAP diet alone in the reduction of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, fifty IBS patients who met Rome IV criteria for IBS were randomly assigned to receive a low FODMAP diet plus either a probiotic or a placebo capsule for 8 weeks. Probiotic capsules contained 109B. coagulans spores and 400 mg inulin, while placebo capsules consisted of 500 mg rice starch. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in abdominal pain intensity and frequency, abdominal distension, satisfaction with bowel habits, quality of life, defecation consistency, and patient-reported severity score in both groups; however, only improvement in severity score was significantly higher in probiotic group compared with placebo group (P = 0.001). Moreover, the frequency of patients with clinical improvement in IBS-symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) was significantly more in probiotic group compared to placebo group (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the addition of probiotic supplement containing B. coagulans to the low FODMAP diet might be superior to low FODMAP diet in alleviating IBS symptoms.

The effects of orally administered Bacillus coagulans and inulin on prevention and progression of rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have been considered as an approach to addressing the consequences of different inflammatory disorders. The spore-forming probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects in both animals and humans. The prebiotic inulin also potentially affects the immune system as a result of the change in the composition or fermentation profile of the gastrointestinal microbiota. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, an in vivo model was conducted to investigate the possible influences of probiotic B. coagulans and prebiotic inulin, both in combination and/or separately, on the downregulation of immune responses and the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), using arthritis-induced rat model. DESIGN: Forty-eight healthy male Wistar rats were randomly categorized into six experimental groups as follows: 1) control: normal healthy rats fed with standard diet, 2) disease control (RA): arthritis-induced rats fed with standard diet, 3) prebiotic (PRE): RA+ 5% w/w long-chain inulin, 4) probiotic (PRO): RA+ 10(9) spores/day B. coagulans by orogastric gavage, 5) synbiotic (SYN): RA+ 5% w/w long-chain inulin and 10(9) spores/day B. coagulans, and 6) treatment control: (INDO): RA+ 3 mg/kg/day indomethacin by orogastric gavage. Feeding with the listed diets started on day 0 and continued to the end of study. On day 14, rats were injected with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to induce arthritis. Arthritis activity was evaluated by the biochemical parameters and paw thickness. Biochemical assay for fibrinogen (Fn), serum amyloid A (SAA), and TNF-α and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α1AGp) was performed on day 21, 28, and 35 (7, 14 and 21 days post RA induction), respectively. RESULTS: Pretreatment with PRE, PRO, and SYN diets significantly inhibits SAA and Fn production in arthritic rats (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, was seen in the PRE, PRO, and SYN groups (P < 0.001), which was similar to the anti-inflammatory effect of indomethacin. Furthermore, no significant anti-inflammatory effects were observed following different treatments using α1 AGp as an RA indicator. Pretreatment with all supplied diets significantly inhibited the development of paw swelling induced by CFA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the oral intake of probiotic B. coagulans and prebiotic inulin can improve the biochemical and clinical parameters of induced RA in rat.

Drying method effects on the antioxidant activity of quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) tea.

BACKGROUND: Quince has many health benefits. Dried quince has been used as a tea for centuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of two drying methods on the antioxidant activity of the quince. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty two fresh Iranian quinces (Cydonia oblonga) were obtained from different parts of Shiraz. Half of the quinces were peeled and both peel and flesh immediately frozen at -20°C individually. The remainder was divided in two groups, and dried with sun and oven drying methods. Proximate analysis, caloric, mineral and vitamin C contents were determined in the fresh quinces. The total phenolic, DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power analysis were done on flesh, peel, sun-dried and oven-dried quinces. RESULTS: The proximate and nutritional composition of the fresh quinces was similar to those reported by other researchers. Oven-dried and quince peel contained higher amounts of phenolics than the sun-dried and flesh quinces, respectively. Sun-dried and flesh samples showed lower radical scavenging effect and reducing antioxidant capacity than oven-dried and quince peel, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, oven drying can better preserve the antioxidative activity of the quince.