Relationship Between Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal/Peri-Implant Disease: A Contemporaneous Review.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a major chronic disease and a leading cause of death and disability around the world, is rising. According to the latest data, the global prevalence of DM has increased to 463 million (9.3% of adults) in 2019 and is estimated to reach 700 million by 2045. Periodontal disease, result of periodontium inflammation, is a common, chronic disease and has long been considered one of the complications of DM. Moreover, literature reflects a spectrum of conflicting viewpoints on the effect of diabetic conditions on the implant treatment strategies. The current review aims to update the recent epidemiologic evidence regarding the relationship between DM and periodontal/peri-implant disease, emphasising the effects of glycaemic control on the severity of these diseases and describing the pathobiological mechanisms underlying this association. This review's findings indicate a bidirectional relationship between DM and periodontal/peri-implant disease and that this relationship seems causal, implying that controlling these two diseases might help prevent each other's incidence. Additionally, the severity of periodontal/peri-implant disease is directly related to metabolic control. Although patients with diabetes can obtain implant success similar to those in systemically healthy individuals, an increased risk of peri-implantitis has been reported in DM patients. Therefore, the importance of glycaemic control and maintaining proper oral hygiene cannot be overstated.

The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and clinical outcomes in critically Ill patients with sepsis: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a host's dysregulated response to infection with an inflammatory process, becomes a real challenge for the healthcare systems. L-carnitine (LC) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as in previous studies. Thus, we aimed to determine the effects of LC on inflammation, oxidative stress, and clinical parameters in critically ill septic patients. METHODS: A randomized double-blinded controlled trial was conducted. A total of 60 patients were randomized to receive LC (3 g/day, n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 7 days. Inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters (C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 28-day mortality rate, and some monitoring variables were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between study arms in baseline characteristics and disease severity scores. CRP (p < 0.001) and ESR (p: 0.004) significantly reduced, and SOD (p < 0.001) and TAC (p < 0.001) significantly improved in the LC group after 7 days. Between-group analysis revealed a significant reduction in CRP (p: 0.001) and serum chloride (p: 0.032), an increase in serum albumin (p: 0.036) and platelet (p: 0.004) significantly, and an increase in SOD marginally (p: 0.073). The 28-day mortality rate was also lower in the LC group compared with placebo (7 persons vs. 15 persons) significantly (odds ratio: 0.233, p: 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: L-carnitine ameliorated inflammation, enhanced antioxidant defense, reduced mortality, and improved some clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20201129049534N1; May 2021.

Effect of polyphenols against complications of COVID-19: current evidence and potential efficacy.

The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2019 and resulted in significant morbidity and mortality continues to be a significant global health challenge, characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune system dysfunction.. Developing therapies for preventing or treating COVID-19 remains an important goal for pharmacology and drug development research. Polyphenols are effective against various viral infections and can be extracted and isolated from plants without losing their therapeutic potential. Researchers have developed methods for separating and isolating polyphenols from complex matrices. Polyphenols are effective in treating common viral infections, including COVID-19, and can also boost immunity. Polyphenolic-based antiviral medications can mitigate SARS-CoV-2 enzymes vital to virus replication and infection. Individual polyphenolic triterpenoids, flavonoids, anthraquinonoids, and tannins may also inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 protease. Polyphenol pharmacophore structures identified to date can explain their action and lead to the design of novel anti-COVID-19 compounds. Polyphenol-containing mixtures offer the advantages of a well-recognized safety profile with few known severe side effects. However, studies to date are limited, and further animal studies and randomized controlled trials are needed in future studies. The purpose of this study was to review and present the latest findings on the therapeutic impact of plant-derived polyphenols on COVID-19 infection and its complications. Exploring alternative approaches to traditional therapies could aid in developing novel drugs and remedies against coronavirus infection.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation in burn patients: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Burn injuries are important medical problems that, aside from skin damage, cause a systemic response including inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disorders, immune response, and hypermetabolic and catabolic responses which affect all the organs in the body. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and clinical outcomes in burn patients. METHODS: In a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 60 burn patients were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg CoQ10 three times a day (total 300 mg/day) or a placebo for 10 days. Inflammatory markers including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), oxidative stress markers including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, white blood cells (WBC), and body temperature were assessed as primary outcomes and albumin, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), international normalized ratio (INR), other hematological parameters, blood pressure, O2 saturation, ICU duration, and 28-mortality rate were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-two participants completed the trial. CRP and ESR levels were not significantly different between CoQ10 and placebo groups at the end of the study (P = 0.550 and P = 0.306, respectively). No significant differences between groups were observed for TAC (P = 0.865), MDA (P = 0.692), and SOD activity (P = 0.633) as well. Administration of CoQ10 resulted in a significant increase in albumin levels compared to placebo (P = 0.031). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in other measured outcomes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results showed that in patients with burn injury, CoQ10 administration had no effect on inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, although serum albumin levels were improved after supplementation. Further studies with albumin as the primary outcome are needed to confirm this finding.

Therapeutic effects of saffron and its components on neurodegenerative diseases.

Due to an increase in the number of older people in recent years, neurodegenerative diseases as the most important age-related neurological disorders are considered as a great threat to human health. The treatment strategies for these disorders are symptomatic and there is no known definitive treatment; however, recently, several studies have investigated the effectiveness of some herbs and their components in limiting the progression and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we searched Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords used in the search were: saffron [title/abstract] or (saffron compound [title/abstract]) and (neurological disorders [title/abstract]), publication date range (2010-2023), and language (English). After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles remained. Of the 30 articles included in the study, six studies on the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders by saffron and its components were in the clinical trial phase, and 24 studies were in the preclinical phase. Saffron and its compounds can play an important role in inhibiting neuroinflammation and excitotoxic pathways, modulating autophagy and apoptosis, attenuating oxidative damage, and activating defensive antioxidant enzymes, resulting in neuroprotection against neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to review the studies on the effects of saffron and its compounds on the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

The relation of dietary protein intake before and during the pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies investigated the relation of protein intake and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), their findings were controversial. Therefore, we aimed to summarize this association, through a comprehensive systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. METHODS: Electronic databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), ISI Web of Science, Scopus and motor engineering of Google Scholar were systematically searched up to April 2023. Observational studies which investigated odds of GDM in relation to protein intake were included. RESULTS: A total of 31,005 participants with 3451 cases of GDM from 13 eligible investigations were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Comparing the highest and lowest intakes of total, animal, and plant proteins revealed the summary RRs of 1.82 (95% CI: 1.42, 2.33), 1.79 (95% CI: 1.50, 2.14), and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.81, 1.20), respectively, indicating a significant positive association between total and animal protein intake and GDM. In the dose-response analyses, each 5% increment in energy intake from total protein during pregnancy was related to 20% increased odds of GDM (RR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.33). In the non-linear dose-response analyses, we found a non-linear association for animal protein intake during pregnancy (P for non-linearity <0.001); so that, a risk increase was seen from zero to 10% of energy intake from animal proteins, however, a risk reduction was seen after 10% of energy intake. However, there was not any significant non-linear trend between plant protein intake during pregnancy and risk of GDM. Based on the GRADE assessment, the quality of evidence for total, animal and plant protein was rated as "moderate", "moderate" and "very low", respectively. CONCLUSION: We found a significant positive association between total protein intake and GDM; however, the associations of animal and plant protein intake with GDM were dose-dependent.

Curcumin supplementation effect on liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Clinical evidence from investigations of the effects of curcumin on liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have led to inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the overall effects of curcumin and curcumin plus piperine supplementation on liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in patients with NAFLD. DATA SOURCES: The Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception through July 2023, using search terms representing NAFLD and liver enzymes. Articles were screened independently by 2 researchers based on PICOS inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: The following data were extracted: first author's name, study location, year of publication, mean age, study duration, study design, participants' sex, number of participants in each group, dose of curcumin supplementation, and ALT, ALP, and AST concentrations. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's modified risk-of-bias tool. DATA ANALYSIS: Fixed- or random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the effects of curcumin on liver enzymes, considering heterogeneity across studies. The I2 and Cochran's Q tests were used to assess heterogeneity between studies. RESULTS: Overall, 15 randomized controlled trials comprising 905 participants were eligible for this meta-analysis. Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced ALT (weighted mean difference [WMD], -4.10, 95%CI, -7.16 to -1.04) and AST (WMD, -3.27; 95%CI, -5.16 to -1.39), but not ALP (WMD, -0.49; 95%CI, -1.79 to 0.82). Curcumin plus piperine supplementation had no significant effect on ALT (WMD, -3.79; 95%CI, -13.30 to 5.72), and AST (WMD, -1.1; 95%CI, -3.32 to 1.09). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin supplementation improved AST and ALT levels compared with the control group. However, better-designed randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and of higher quality are needed to assess the effects of curcumin on ALP. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023448231.

Low plasma vitamin D is associated with increased 28-day mortality and worse clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Patients in the intensive care unit have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD). In the present study, clinical outcomes in the ICU were analyzed with vitamin D status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter study, sampling was conducted on seven ICUs in three hospitals. Within the first 24 h of ICU admission, patient's serum vitamin D levels were measured, and their disease severity was monitored using the scores of acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill (mNUTRIC) score. RESULTS: A total of 236 patients were enrolled in this study, of which 163 (69.1%) had lower vitamin D levels than 20 ng/ml upon ICU admission. The patients with VDD had higher APACHE II scores)P = 0.02), SOFA scores (P < 0.001), and mNUTRIC scores (P = 0.01). Patients with sufficient levels of vitamin D (> 30 ng/ml) had a shorter stay at ICU (P < 0.001). VDD was independently associated with 28-day mortality (OR: 4.83; 95% CI: 1.63-14.27; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The data showed that VDD was common among the critically ill and was related to a more severe course of illness and a higher mortality rate.

Synthetic Curcumin Analogs in the Treatment of Cancer: A Literature Review.

Treatment of cancer, one of the most fatal diseases in the present century, has become a topic of global concern. Unfavorable unintentional effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments have been the main reasons for the research on the discovery of drugs with a broader spectrum of effectiveness and efficiency, with minimal side effects. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a naturally occurring phenolic structure with anticancer properties through its inhibition of cell multiplication, metastasis, and prolongation of cell cycle suppression of apoptosis in various tumor cells. The primary restriction regarding the use of curcumin in cancer treatment is related to poor bioavailability and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles of curcumin due to its poor absorption rate, fast metabolism, and systemic elimination. A variety of ways have been proposed to overcome these limitations. With this background, the present study focuses on providing a comprehensive overview of the anticancer properties of curcumin derivatives and the synthesis of curcumin analogs with application to different types of cancers. The regulation of various target and signaling pathways is considered in various cancers, including breast, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, prostate, skin, and lung cancers. A review of the literature indicates that modifying the structure of curcumin through the substitution of the phenyl group and unsaturated carbon branch around the two main sites of oxygen can result in the improvement of physical and chemical properties, as well as the enhancement of physiological activities of the curcumin molecule and the anti-cancer activities of this polyphenol. Curcumin analogs demonstrate anticancer properties at multiple targets at different cell stages and by various signaling biochemical pathways. These include cytokines, transcription factors, growth factors, and modulation of genes involved in cellular proliferation and apoptosis in breast, gastrointestinal, skin, prostate, and lung cancers, thereby mitigating tumor progression.

Effects of therapeutic lifestyle change diets on blood lipids, lipoproteins, glycemic parameters, and blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

CONTEXT: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Low-calorie, low-fat therapeutic diets (TDs) developed by the US National Cholesterol Education Program, ie, the Step I and II diets and the therapeutic lifestyle changes diet, are approximately similar and are the initial therapeutic interventional approaches for lifestyle modification. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review with meta-analysis was undertaken to evaluate the effects of TDs diet on blood lipids, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and insulin. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases until October 2022 was performed to identify clinical trials investigating the effects of TDs on the aforementioned parameters. DATA EXTRACTION: One investigator screened the records and extracted data, and another reviewed the extracted data. DATA ANALYSIS: A total of 910 records were retrieved. After records were screened for eligibility, 34 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis from the random-effects model revealed a significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, and apolipoprotein B in the TD intervention group vs the control group. The overall effects of TDs on fasting blood glucose, insulin, and blood pressure were not significant, but the results of subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose with the Step II diet and an intervention duration of more than 24 weeks. For blood pressure, the Step I diet and an intervention duration of more than 24 weeks resulted in significant reduction. There was no evidence of publication bias, but strong heterogeneity was observed. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic diets have promising effects on lipid profile parameters, glycemic indexes, and blood pressure, which can promote cardiovascular health. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021259355.

Animal protein intake is directly associated with serum level of pentraxin 3 in hemodialysis patients.

Inflammation plays an important role in Cardiovascular disease (CVD) pathogenesis as the main cause of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Despite the relevance of nutrition and dietary intakes for inflammation status, the role of dietary protein sources remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the different types of dietary protein and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels in HD patients. In this multi-center cross-sectional study, 227 adult patients undergoing HD for a minimum 90 days were recruited. A validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes. Also, 5 ml blood samples were collected from each patient to measure the concentration of serum PTX3. Overall, 227 patients, including 63 women and 164 men, with a mean age of 58 years, participated in this study. There was a greater intake of animal protein per kilogram dry weight among patients with higher levels of PTX3 (0.46 vs. 0.54 g/kg; P = 0.035). In contrast, consumption of total protein and plant protein per kilogram dry weight was not different across PTX3 levels. Moreover, the chance of increased PTX3 concentration was directly associated with a one-unit increase in animal protein intake per kilogram dry weight, after adjusting for confounders. We did not observe any association between one-unit increases in plant protein intake per kilogram dry weight and chance of increased PTX3. In conclusion, animal protein intake was directly associated with circulating PTX3.

The effects of oral trehalose on glycaemia, inflammation, and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide of 2 glucose molecules, which has been suggested as a potential therapeutic agent to reduce blood glucose and ameliorate diabetes-related complications in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to determine the efficacy of medium-term trehalose treatment in patients with T2D. Material and methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 40 patients with T2D was undertaken; 20 ingested trehalose 3.3 g/day and 20 placebo (sucrose), for 3 months. Parameters of glycaemic indices, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), mood status, and quality of life were measured. Results: CRP was significantly lower with trehalose treatment (-0.62 ±0.3 mg/l, p = 0.02); however, no differences in glycaemic indices of fasting blood glucose (FBG) (-7.1 ±10.7 mg/dl, p = 0.15), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (-0.1 ±0.4%, p = 0.73), insulin (0.73 ±0.8 µU/ml, p = 0.39), or insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (0.19 ±0.33, p = 0.56) were seen between groups after 12 weeks. Depression and stress scores were lower with trehalose compared to the placebo group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.05, respectively), whilst the quality-of-life score was higher with trehalose compared to placebo (p = 0.03) at the end of study. Between-group differences in these indices did not reach statistical significance (-2.36 ±1.20, -2.21 ±1.39 and 3.00 ±1.76 for depression, stress, and quality-of-life score, respectively) (p > 0.05). The pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) did not differ between groups (-4.6 ±12.8, p = 0.72). Conclusions: 12 weeks of treatment with 3.3 g/day of oral trehalose significantly improves CRP as a marker of inflammation, with potential favourable effects on quality of life, depression, and stress levels, but overall glycaemic control and pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance were unaltered during this time frame.

The effects of curcumin-piperine supplementation on inflammatory, oxidative stress and metabolic indices in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation phase: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide, which is associated with a heavy economic and social burden. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with curcumin-piperine combination in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation stage. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 66 patients with stroke were randomized into two groups receiving curcumin-piperine tablets (500 mg curcumin + 5 mg piperine) and matched placebo tablets for 12 weeks. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), thrombosis, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid profile, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS22 software. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients with a mean age of 59.80 ± 4.25 years completed the trial. Based on ANCOVA test, adjusted for baseline values, curcumin-piperine supplementation for 12 weeks resulted in significant reductions in serum levels of hs-CRP (p = 0.026), total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.009), triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.001), CIMT (p = 0.002), weight (P = 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.024), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and a significant increase in TAC (p < 0.001) in comparison to the placebo. Pain score significantly increased in both groups; however, its increase was significantly higher in the placebo group compared with the intervention group (p = 0.007). No significant changes were observed between the two groups in terms of serum fibrinogen, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and quality of life indices. CONCLUSION: Curcumin-piperine supplementation had beneficial effects on CIMT, serum hs-CRP, TC, TG, TAC, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with ischemic stroke in the rehabilitation stage.

Dietary inflammatory index in relation to severe coronary artery disease in Iranian adults.

Background: Limited findings are available on the relationship between dietary inflammation index (DII) and severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Considering the high prevalence of CAD and its complications, we examined the relationship between DII and CAD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 275 adults who underwent elective angiography. Severe coronary artery disease was measured by the gensini scoring system. DII was measured by a valid semi-quantitative 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Blood samples were collected after 12 h of fasting to measure serum lipid profile and quantitative C-reactive protein (q-CRP) levels. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate the odds (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: People in the last tertile of the DII had a higher chance of suffering from severe coronary artery disease (OR: 3.71; 95% CI: 1.97-6.98), hypercholesterolemia (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 5.03-1.48), reduced HDL-cholesterol levels (OR: 3.77; 95% CI: 9.34-1.52), and hypertension (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 3.49-1.06) compared to people in the first tertile. After adjusting for confounding factors, the relationship remained significant. A direct and significant relationship was observed between the DII and increased q-CRP levels, which disappeared after adjusting for confounding factors in the adjusted model (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 0.86-4.73). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study showed a direct and linear relationship between following an anti-inflammatory diet and decreasing the chance of severe CAD. Therefore, it seems necessary to implement community-based educational programs to promote healthy nutrition in order to prevent CADs.

Effects of marine-derived n-3 PUFA supplementation on soluble adhesion molecules: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Long-chain n-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects but their effects on serum levels of adhesion molecules are inconsistent and contradictory. In this updated systematic review and meta-analysis, marine sources of omega-3 fatty acids were pooled up to determine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on adhesion molecules. PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases (from inception to April 2023) were searched and all RCTs investigating the effects of marine sources of omega-3, on blood concentrations of adhesion molecules were included and a meta-analysis undertaken. Forty-two RCTs were included involving 3555 participants aged from 18 to 75 years. Meta-analysis of 38 arms from 30 RCTs reporting serum concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) showed a significant reduction after omega-3 supplementation (WMD: -1.26, 95% CI: -1.88 to -0.64 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Meta-analysis of 40 arms from 30 RCTs reporting serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) revealed a reduction following omega-3 supplementation, although it was not significant (WMD: -1.76, 95%CI: -3.68 to 0.16 ng/mL, P = 0.07). Meta-analysis of 27 arms from 21 trials showed no effect on E-selectin (WMD: 0.01, 95%CI: -0.02 to 0.04 ng/mL, P = 0.62). Pooling 15 arms from 11 RCTs showed a marginally significant reducing effect on P-selectin concentrations (WMD: -2.67, 95%CI: -5.53 to 0.19 ng/mL, P = 0.06). A considerable decrease in VCAM concentration was observed after omega-3 supplementation in this meta-analysis with a trend to decreases in both ICAM and P-selectin levels, with effects that may be significant depending on study design, and there was no effect on E-selectin.

The effects of low-fat dairy products fortified with 1500 IU vitamin D3 on serum liver function biomarkers in adults with abdominal obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported to affect liver function biomarkers. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of consuming vitamin D fortified low-fat dairy products on liver function tests in adults with abdominal obesity. METHODS: This total blinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken on otherwise healthy abdominally obese adults living in Mashhad, Iran. Milk and yogurt were fortified with 1500 IU vitamin D3 nano-capsules. Participants were randomized to receive fortified milk (n = 73), plain milk (n = 73), fortified yogurt (n = 69), and plain yogurt (n = 74) for 10 weeks. Blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of the study to assess serum levels of vitamin D, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Gamma glutamyl transferase. RESULTS: A total of 289 participants completed the study (54% female). The groups were homogenous in terms of age, sex, weight, energy intake, and physical activity level (p-value > 0.05). After the trial, vitamin D serum levels were significantly increased in both groups receiving fortified products (both p < 0.001). There was a significant time*group effect only in serum ALP (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Consumption of dairy products fortified by 1500 IU vitamin D3 might have detrimental effects on serum levels of some liver enzymes in individuals with abdominal obesity. Further studies needed to determine these effects and underlying mechanisms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20101130005280N27 .

Role of BDNF signaling in the neuroprotective and memory-enhancing effects of flavonoids in Alzheimer's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Foods rich in flavonoids are associated with a reduced risk of various chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In fact, growing evidence suggests that consuming flavonoid-rich foods can beneficially affect normal cognitive function. Animal models have shown that many flavonoids prevent the development of AD-like pathology and improve cognitive deficits. RESULT: Flavonoid-rich foods, such as green tea and blueberries, must exert their effect through the direct interaction of absorbed flavonoids and their metabolites with cellular and molecular targets. CONCLUSION: Based on the most recent scientific literature, this review article critically examines the therapeutic role of dietary flavonoids in ameliorating and preventing the progression of AD and focuses on the role of the BDNF signaling pathway in the neuroprotective effects of flavonoids.

The effects of propolis supplementation on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, testosterone hormone, and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

One of the most prevalent ovulation disorders is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). According to the anti-inflammatory and beneficial effects of propolis, this triple-blind controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effect of propolis on metabolic factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and testosterone in women with PCOS. Recruited patients from the gynecologist clinic were randomized based on a stratified permuted four-block randomization procedure to supplement with propolis tablets, two tablets/day (500 mg propolis/day) (n = 30) or identical placebo tablets (n = 30) for 12 weeks in 2021 until 2022. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, blood samples, and a checklist to record the measured parameters. A total of 57 patients completed the trial. ANCOVA test showed that hip circumference (HC)) p = 0.03), fasting insulin (p = 0.007), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (p = 0.004), testosterone (p = 0.004), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p = 0.02) were significantly decreased in the propolis versus the placebo group after adjustment for confounders. Although fasting blood glucose (p = 0.04) decreased significantly in the propolis group compared to the placebo, after adjusting for confounders, significance was lost (p = 0.09). Supplementation with propolis elicited positive effects on fasting insulin and insulin resistance, in addition to reducing the testosterone level, LDL/HDL, and HC, in PCOS women.

The effects of apple cider vinegar on cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a set of metabolic abnormalities that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been used in several studies as a natural agent to improve CMS risk factors. The present study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of ACV consumption on lipid and glycemic parameters. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases were systematically searched to find clinical trials evaluating the effects of ACV consumption on CMS risk factors. RESULTS: Overall, 25 clinical trials (33 arms) comprising 1320 adults were entered in this study. ACV consumption could significantly improve the levels of FBG (-21.20 mg/dl; 95% CI: -32.31 to -2.21; I2: 95.8%), HbA1c (-0.91mg/dl; 95% CI: -1.62 to -0.21; I2: 98.9%), and TC (-6.72 mg/dl; 95% CI: -12.91 to -0.53; I2:50.8%). No significant results were observed for BMI, HOMA-IR, serum insulin, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Subgroup analysis showed a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1c, TC, and TG in diabetic patients. In this type of analysis, ACV consumption significantly reduced FBG levels when administered for both duration subgroups (≥12 and <12 weeks). Moreover, in the subgroup analysis based on duration, TG concentration was significantly decreased following ACV consumption for ≥ 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that consumption of ACV has a favorable effect in decreasing some CMS risk factors including FBG, HbA1c, and TC.

The effect of probiotics on oxidized LDL levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: It has been widely reported that the use of probiotics has beneficial effects on the prevention and treatment of a wide range of human diseases. Previous clinical trials have investigated the effect of probiotics on oxLDL, but the results are controversial. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials to assess the effect of probiotic consumption on oxLDL levels. METHOD: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus using the appropriate search strategy. After the screening, seven studies comparing the effects of probiotic consumption with the control were included in the analysis. A random-effects analysis was used to estimate the overall effect size. RESULTS: Probiotic supplementation significantly reduced oxLDL (Hedge's: -1.18; 95% CI:-1.85, -0.52) compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis showed that reduction was greater in the unhealthy group compared to healthy subjects (-2.05 vs. -0.84). The results also showed that probiotic supplementation reduced TC by -14.77 mg/dl (95% CI: -24.46, -5.08), LDL-C by -10.03 mg/dl (95% CI: -16.05, -4.001), LDL-C/HDL-C ratio by -0.37 (95% CI: -0.66, 0.07), and TG by -14.86 mg/dl (95% CI: -23.45, -6.28) but the effects on HDL-C and glucose were not significant. CONCLUSION: In this study, probiotic supplementation was found to improve oxLDL concentrations and have favorable effects on lipid profiles, but no significant positive effect on HDL-C and glucose was reported. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the low number of included studies.