Fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) rs9939609 (A/T) polymorphism and food preference in obese people with low-calorie intake and non-obese individuals with high-calorie intake.

The purpose of this study was to assess the connection between FTO rs9939609 (A/T) polymorphism and food preference. The study included 77 participants, 36 of whom were obese and had a low-calorie intake, and 41 non-obese participants with a high-calorie intake. Using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the researchers calculated sweet and fatty food propensity scores. Genomic DNA was extracted from a peripheral blood sample from all participants, and FTO rs9939609 (A/T) polymorphism was assessed using standard methods. The study found no significant differences between the two groups in terms of sweet food preference (15.64 ± 10.53 in obese groups vs. 14.72 ± 7.95 in the non-obese group, p = 0.711) and fatty food preference (16.81 ± 8.84 vs. 17.27 ± 8.75; p = 0.833). Additionally, the study did not find any significant correlation between FTO rs9939609 (A/T) polymorphism and sweet and fatty food preferences in the fully adjusted models (p > 0.05). Therefore, the results of this study do not support the hypothesis of different food preferences.

The association between skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and survival after gastrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: Low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) is frequently identified in gastric cancer patients but its association with patient survival rate is not clear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between SMI and overall survival in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from database inception until July 2021. Studies were eligible if they included gastric cancer patients, measured the SMI level, reported SMI before gastrectomy, defined sarcopenia according to SMI, and had a cohort or case-control design. Primary outcome was cancer survival rate. The risk of bias of individual studies was assessed using the Newcastle - Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Overall, 22 cohort studies including 7,203 participants were included. The quality of the included studies was moderate to high. A higher overall survival rate was associated with a higher SMI (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.42-1.85). Subgroup analysis suggested a stronger association in overweight or obese patients (RR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.13-5.09; I2 = 77%; heterogeneity P < 0.01). But no significant differences in the association based on the surgery type (curative surgery vs radical surgery) or the type of gastrectomy (total gastrectomy vs sub-total gastrectomy) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that SMI can be a prognostic indicator for overall survival in gastric cancer patients, especially in overweight and obese patients.

Dietary iron and the risk of lung cancer.

Animal models have suggested the carcinogenic effect of iron due to its oxidative potential. The lung is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. However, epidemiological studies investigating the association between dietary iron and the risk of lung cancer have reported inconclusive results. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify this association. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google scholar for eligible articles published through May 2023 reporting the Relative Risk (RR), Hazard Ratio (HR) or Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Case-control and cohort studies that examined the relationship between dietary iron and lung cancer risk were included and review and meta-analyses articles, experimental studies, abstracts, letters to editor and studies with insufficient data were excluded. Finally, three case-control studies and 6 cohort studies were included. Random effect models were used to calculate the pooled results. Results: Nine studies (cases n=21,943, participants n=1,542,993) were included. There were no significant associations between the highest dietary total iron (heme and non-heme) (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.51) or heme iron (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.38) intake compared to the lowest intake with lung cancer risk. Null-associations were also observed in the subgroup analysis based on smoking status and lung cancer histology. However, in the subgroup of women (cases n=5074), heme iron was associated with a 14% increase in the risk of lung cancer (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.29). Conclusions: The current results demonstrated that there is no significant relationship between dietary iron intake and the risk of lung cancer. However, a positive association was observed between dietary heme iron and the risk of lung cancer in women, which may require further investigation.

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.

Effects of decaffeinated green coffee extract supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood glucose, leptin, adiponectin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in breast cancer survivors: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of decaffeinated green coffee extract (DGCE) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood glucose, leptin, adiponectin, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in breast cancer survivors with obesity. Method: A total of 44 breast cancer survivors with obesity aged between 18 and 70 years and with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.62 ± 4.97 kg m-2 participated in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. Eligible patients were randomized to the intervention (n = 22) and control (n = 22) groups. They received two 400 mg capsules of DGCE or two identical placebos daily for 12 weeks. Serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, NPY, fasting blood sugar, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured at the baseline and after completion of the intervention. Also, weight, waist circumference, fat percentage, muscle percentage, and visceral fat were measured. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of changes of anthropometric indices and concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, NPY, and blood sugar between the two studied groups. Conclusion: Supplementation with DGCE in breast cancer survivors with obesity had no significant effect on anthropometric indices and blood glucose, leptin, adiponectin, and NPY levels.

Combining ablative radiotherapy and anti CD47 monoclonal antibody improves infiltration of immune cells in tumor microenvironments.

Radiotherapy as an anti-tumor treatment can stimulate the immune system. However, irradiated tumor cells express CD47 to escape the anti-tumor immune response. Anti- CD47 Immunotherapy is a possible way to tackle this problem. This study evaluated the effect of single high dose radiotherapy combined with an anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody (αCD47 mAb) in CT26 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. We assessed the tumors volume and survival in mice 60 days after tumor implantation. Also, immune cell changes were analyzed by flow cytometry in tumors, lymph nodes, and spleen. Combination therapy enhanced the anti-tumor response in treated mice by increasing CD8+ T cells and M1 macrophages and decreasing M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Also, our results showed that combination therapy increased survival time in mice compared to other groups. Furthermore, tumor volumes remarkably decreased in mice that received a single high dose RT plus αCD47 mAb. In conclusion, we showed that combining RT and αCD47 mAb improved the immune cell population in TME, regressed tumor growth, and increased survival in tumor-bearing mice.

Dietary diversity score (DDS) and odds of colorectal cancer and adenoma: a case-control study.

Despite mounting evidence that dietary factors might have a protective role against risk of cancer, few studies have assessed the relationship between diet diversity with colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA). Thus, we examined the relationship between dietary diversity score (DDS) and the odds of CRC and CRA. Overall, 129 CRC diagnosed patients, 130 CRA diagnosed cases and 240 healthy hospitalised controls were studied. DDS was calculated based on information on the usual diet that was assessed by a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between DDS and odds of colorectal cancer and adenoma. After adjusting for potential confounders, the diversity of grains is associated with the increased odds of CRC (ORgrains: 2·96 (1·05-8·32); P = 0·032), while the diversity of vegetables and fruits are associated with decreased odds of CRC (ORvegetables: 0·31 (0·16-0·62); P = 0·001, ORfruits: 0·37 (0·23-0·61); P < 0·001). The diversity of vegetables, fruits and dairy are inversely associated with odds of CRA (ORvegetables: 0·41 (0·21-0·78); P = 0·007, ORfruits: 0·58 (0·36-0·93); P = 0·021, ORdairies: 0·56 (0·37-0·83); P = 0·004). Also, higher DDS was related to decreased odds of both CRC (OR: 0·41 (0·23-0·72); P for trend = 0·002) and CRA (OR: 0·36 (0·21-0·65); P for trend = 0·001). Our results indicated that higher dietary diversity and particularly a diet varied in fruits and vegetables may reduce the odds of CRC and CRA. Also, the consumption of dairy products may decrease the odds of CRC, whereas the consumption of grains may increase the odds of CRC.

Dietary acid load and the risk of cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.

AIMS: Recent evidence suggests the link between adherence to an acidogenic diet and the risk of some types of cancers, such as colorectal and breast cancers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between dietary acid load and cancer risk. DATA SEARCH AND SYNTHESIS: Online databases ( PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Scholar Google and ISI web of sciences ) were searched between January 1990 and May 2021. The risk ratio (RR) was extracted from eligible studies and random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled RR of studies. Nine studies (three cohorts, six case-control) were included. Higher dietary acid load scores [including potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP)] were associated with the increased risk of cancer [RRPRAL, 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-2.46; n = 8; RRNEAP, 1.58, 95% CI: 1.20-2.09, n = 7). Dose-response analysis suggested that a 20-score increase in dietary PRAL and NEAP was associated with 27 and 8% higher risk of cancer, respectively (RRPRAL, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02-1.60; nonlinearity P = 0.12; RRNEAP, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13, nonlinearity P = 0.06). A significant positive relationship between dietary PRAL and risk of cancer was only observed in the subgroup of women. Associations were significant in both men and women for dietary NEAP. Subgroup analyses based on cancer type were only possible for breast cancer. There was no significant association between dietary acid load (PRAL and NEAP) and breast cancer risk. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that high adherence to an acidogenic diet is associated with an increased risk of cancer. The protocol for this meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019146460.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the risk of lung cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.

CONTEXT: The literature supports the protective role of the Mediterranean diet (MD) in the prevention of some types of cancer, such as colorectal and liver cancer. The link between the MD and lung cancer, however, is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between the MD and risk of lung cancer. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) were searched up to May 2021. STUDY SELECTION: Case-control and cohort studies reporting the association between intake of the MD and risk of lung cancer and with accessible full texts published in English were included. Review articles, laboratory and animal studies, abstracts, letters to the editor, and studies lacking sufficient data were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: The risk ratio (RR) was extracted from eligible studies, and meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled RR of the included studies. RESULTS: Nine studies (8 cohort, 1 case-control) were included in the meta-analysis. High adherence to the MD was associated with a lower likelihood of lung cancer compared with low adherence (RR = 0.84; 95%CI, 0.77-0.91; I2 = 52%, heterogeneity P = 0.03). Dose-response analysis showed that a 2-score increment in MD adherence was associated with a 6% lower risk of lung cancer (RR = 0.94; 95%CI, 0.91-0.96; nonlinearity P = 0.97). Subgroup analyses showed a protective association between MD adherence and risk of lung cancer among former smokers (n = 3 studies) (RR = 0.81; 95%CI, 0.74-0.89), but no significant association was observed for never smokers (n = 3 studies) (RR = 0.78; 95%CI, 0.29-2.07) or current smokers (n = 3 studies) (RR = 0.82; 95%CI, 0.58-1.16). In addition, an inverse association between the MD and lung cancer was observed in both males (RR = 0.84; 95%CI, 0.74-0.96) and females (RR = 0.87; 95%CI, 0.77-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: High adherence to the MD is associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, especially in former smokers. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019146460.

Dietary acid load and mortality from all causes, CVD and cancer: results from the Golestan Cohort Study.

Given the limited studies and controversial results on association between dietary acid load and mortality from CVD and cancers, we aimed to investigate this association in a large population cohort study in Middle East, with a wide range of dietary acid load. The study was conducted on the platform of the Golestan Cohort Study (GCS), which enrolled 50 045 participants in 2004-2008. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. Dietary potential renal acid load (PRAL) score was calculated from nutrient intake. Death and its causes were identified and confirmed by two or three physicians. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % CI for total and cause-specific mortalities. Then, the associations were modelled using restricted cubic splines. PRAL range was -57·36 to +53·81 mEq/d for men and -76·70 to +49·08 for women. During 555 142 person-years of follow-up, we documented 6830 deaths, including 3070 cardiovascular deaths, 1502 cancer deaths and 2258 deaths from other causes. For overall deaths, in final model after adjustment for confounders, participants in the first and fifth quintiles of PRAL had a higher risk of mortality compared with the second quintile of PRAL (HR: 1·08; 95 % CI1·01, 1·16 and HR: 1·07; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·15, respectively); Pfor trend < 0·05). Participants in the first and fifth quintiles of PRAL had a 12 % higher risk of CVD mortality compared with the Q2 of PRAL (HR: 1·12; 95 % CI 1·01-1·25 and HR: 1·12; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·26, respectively; Pfor trend < 0·05). We found that all-cause and CVD mortality rates were higher in the lowest and highest PRAL values, in an approximately U-shaped relation (P-values for the overall association and the non-linear association of energy-adjusted PRAL with total mortality were < 0·001 and < 0·001, and with CVD mortality were 0·008 and 0·003, respectively). Our results highlight unfavourable associations of high acidity and alkalinity of diet with the increased total and CVD mortality risk. It may be important to consider a balanced acid-base diet as a protective strategy to prevent pre-mature death, especially from CVD.

Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Commercial Cereal-based Baby Foods in Iran: A Probabilistic Risk Assessment to Health.

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Aflatoxins (AFs) including B1, B2, G1 and G2 in commercial cereal-based baby foods by HPLC-FLD method in Iran and related risk assessment in three baby age groups (6-12, 12-18, and 18-24 months) using Monte Carlo simulation approach. Results showed an occurrence ranging from 20% to 60% for B1, B2, and G2 aflatoxins, while AFG1 was not detected in any assessed samples. Exposure and risk assessment was estimated to be two groups (aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins). The highest estimated dietary exposure to both AFB1 and total AFs was estimated for 6-12 months aged babies, representing 5.81 ng/kg BW/day and 8.55 ng/kg BW/day, respectively. Overall, the margin of exposures to AFB1 and total AFs were lower than 10,000 in all age groups, indicating a health concern about AFB1 and total AFs exposure through cereal-based baby food consumption. High cancer risk for high consumers (P95) of baby food was also estimated in all age groups, calling for immediate intervention due to serious claims that AFB1, is a highly carcinogenic component, causes hepatocellular carcinoma. Risk ranking results indicated the presence of AFB1 is classified as high risk for babies who consume cereal-based foods, which demands the attention of risk managers to reduce or eliminate this risk for the most vulnerable sector of society, whose aged <24 months.

A case-control study of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets, colorectal cancer and adenomas among Iranian population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer, worldwide. Recently, much attention has been given to the association between Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and CRC, however, data on colorectal adenomas (CRAs) as its precursor are scarce. Thus, the purpose of this case-control study was to investigate the association of DASH score with the risk of CRC and CRA in Iranian adults. METHOD: A total of 499 participants, including 129 CRC and 130 CRA cases, along with 240 controls, were asked about their dietary intake via a validated questionnaire. The DASH score was then calculated based on a priori methods and categorized in quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association of DASH score and the risk of CRC and CRA. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, adherence to the DASH diet was associated with a reduction in the risk of CRC and CRA, respectively (OR of 4th versus 1st quartile = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.11, OR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04-0.22). Also, subgroup analysis based on gender showed that women and men with a higher DASH score had a significantly lower risk of CRC and CRAs. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that adherence to a DASH dietary pattern could reduce the risk of CRC and CRA in men and women. Promoting a DASH eating plan can be helpful in reducing the risk of CRC.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity and colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomatous polyps: a case-control study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and the third most deadly cancer worldwide. In Iran, CRC is the third and fifth most common cancer in females and males, respectively. Chronic oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of CRC and its precursor, colorectal adenomatous polyps (CAP). While there were a few studies that suggested a favorable role of individuals antioxidants on the CRC risk, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of diet has been less investigated. Consequently, the aim of this study is to investigate the association of TAC with the odds of CRC and CAP. This is a case-control study. The participants were 130 cases with incident, histologically confirmed CRC, 134 cases with incident of CAP and 243 hospital-based controls. TAC has been assessed with dietary ferric-reducing antioxidant potential and oxygen radical absorbance capacity method based on collected dietary intake data through a reproducible and valid food frequency questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between the TAC and CRC and CAP odds were estimated by multiple logistic regression. After controlling for potential confounders, TAC was significantly associated with CRC and CAP odds. (ORQ3-Q1 for CRC = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.13-0.46, Ptrend = 0.001. ORQ3-Q1 for CAP = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.85, Ptrend = 0.01). The findings of this study suggested an inverse association between TAC and CRC and CAP risk.

Dietary nutrient patterns and the risk of colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomas: a case-control study.

Although the association between food patterns and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenomas (CRA) has been explored previously, a distinct paucity of studies has evaluated the association of nutrient pattern and the risk of CRC and CRA as precursors of CRC. Thus, the purpose of this case-control study was to investigate nutrient patterns and their relationship with CRC and CRA in Iran. Two hundred forty hospital control, 129 newly diagnosed CRC and 130 newly diagnosed CRA patients were asked about their dietary intakes using validated questionnaires. To define the major nutrient patterns, principal component analysis was applied based on preselected nutrients, and four explainable nutrient patterns were obtained: Factor 1 (mixed), factor 2 (the antioxidant), factor 3 (dairy) and factor 4 (the high fat). Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of CRC and CRA according to categories of nutrient patterns. After adjusting for confounders, factor 2 was significantly associated with lower risk for the CRC and CRA in the second category compared with the first, respectively (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.12-0.34, OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.21-0.56). Participants in the highest category of factor 4 showed an increase in the risk of CRC and CRA, respectively, than those in the low category, in both crude and multivariate analysis (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.57-2.95, OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13-3.02). Among derived nutrient patterns, 'the antioxidant pattern' was inversely associated with CRC/CRA, whilst 'high fat pattern' showed a direct association with these diseases.

Glutamine Supplementation Enhances the Effects of a Low FODMAP Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Management.

Background and Aims: Although irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders presented to gastroenterologists, therapeutic strategies are not yet well-established. Accordingly, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial to evaluate the possible superiority of adding glutamine supplement to low fermentable oligo- di- monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: Eligible adults were randomized to receive a low FODMAP diet either with glutamine (15 g/day) or a placebo for 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was a significant reduction in IBS-symptom severity score (IBS-SSS). Secondary endpoints were changes in IBS symptoms, stool frequency, consistency, and quality of life. Results: The study group enrolled 50 patients, among which 22 participants from each group completed the study protocol. The glutamine group had significant changes in total IBS-severity score, dissatisfaction of bowel habit and interference with community function (58% reduction; P < 0.001, 57% reduction; P < 0.001, 51% reduction; P = 0.043, respectively). Improvement in IBS-severity score of more than 45% was observed in 22 of 25 participants (88%) in the glutamine group, while it was only 15 of 25 participants (60%) in the control group (p = 0.015). No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Our findings indicated the superiority of adding glutamine supplementation to a low FODMAP diet in amelioration of IBS symptoms while confirming the beneficial effects of a low FODMAP diet in IBS management.

Diet-dependent acid load and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third and second most prevalent cancer in men and women, respectively. Various epidemiological studies indicated that dietary factors are implicated in the aetiology of CRC and its precursor, colorectal adenomas (CRA). Recently, much attention has been given to the role of acid-base balance in the development of chronic diseases including cancers. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to examine the association of diet-dependent acid load and the risk of CRC and CRA. DESIGN: In this case-control study, potential renal acid load (PRAL) was computed based on dietary intake of participants assessed via a validated FFQ. Negative PRAL values indicated a base-forming potential, while positive values of PRAL implied acid-forming potential of diet. Logistic regression was used to derive OR and 95 % CI after adjusting for confounders. SETTING: Tehran, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 499 participants aged 30-70 years were included in the study (240 hospital controls, 129 newly diagnosed CRC and 130 newly diagnosed CRA). The current study was conducted between December 2016 and September 2018. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, a higher PRAL was associated with increased odds of CRC and CRA. The highest v. the lowest tertile of PRAL for CRC and CRA was OR 4·82 (95 % CI 2·51-9·25) and OR 2·47 (95 % CI 1·38-4·42), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study suggested that higher diet-dependent acid load is associated with higher risk of CRC and CRA.

A review of fasting effects on the response of cancer to chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Studies suggest that fasting before or during chemotherapy may induce differential stress resistance, reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy and enhancing the efficacy of drugs. In this article, we review the effects of fasting, including intermittent, periodic, water-only short-term fasting, and caloric restriction on the responsiveness of tumor cells to cytotoxic drugs, their protective effect on normal cells, and possible mechanisms of action. METHODS: We could not perform a systematic review due to the wide variation in the study population, design, dependent measures, and outcomes (eg, type of cancer, treatment variation, experimental setting, etc.). However, a systematic approach to search and review literature was used. The electronic databases PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Embase were searched up to July 2020. RESULTS: Fasting potentially improves the response of tumor cells to chemotherapy by (1) repairing DNA damage in normal tissues (but not tumor cells); (2) upregulating autophagy flux as a protection against damage to organelles and some cancer cells; (3) altering apoptosis and increasing tumor cells' sensitivity to the apoptotic stimuli, and preventing apoptosis-mediated damage to normal cells; (4) depleting regulatory T cells and improving the stimulation of CD8 cells; and (5) accumulating unfolded proteins and protecting cancer cells from immune surveillance. We also discuss how 'fasting-mimicking diet' as a modified form of fasting enables patients to eat a low calorie, low protein, and low sugar diet while achieving similar metabolic outcomes of fasting. CONCLUSION: This review suggests the potential benefits of fasting in combination with chemotherapy to reduce tumor progression and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. However, with limited human trials, it is not possible to generalize the findings from animal and in vitro studies. More human studies with adequate sample size and follow-ups are required to confirm these findings.

Dietary intake of polyphenols and total antioxidant capacity and risk of prostate cancer: A case-control study in Iranian men.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes, globally, of cancer-related mortality. Previous studies have reported an inverse relationship between some food items or dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk. Polyphenols, as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory dietary components, have been associated with a reduced risk of PCa, whilst dietary indices such as total antioxidant capacity are good predictors of PCa risk. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a case-control study on the association between polyphenol intake and DTAC (dietary total antioxidant capacity) and PCa risk in men. METHOD: 205 hospital-based controls and 97 newly diagnosed PCa patients were asked about their dietary intakes using a validated questionnaire. The polyphenol contents (flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes and phenolic acids) of foods and beverages were calculated. TAC was obtained using a comprehensive database consisting of the total antioxidant content of more than 3000 food and beverages. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI), of PCa according to categories of polyphenol intake and TAC. RESULTS: When comparing the highest and the lowest tertile of total polyphenol (OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03-0.41), lignans (OR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.04-0.41), phenolic acids (OR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.05-0.57) and some flavonoid subgroups intake including flavan-3-ols (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.67), flavanones (OR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.03-0.31) and flavones (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.12-0.87), we observed a significant decreasing trend in the risk of PCa (p for trend<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the consumption of some polyphenols can significantly reduce the risk of PCa.

Habitual dietary intake of flavonoids and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: Golestan cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Flavonoids are the most important group of polyphenols with well-known beneficial effects on health. However; the association of intake of total flavonoid or their subclasses with all-cause or cause-specific mortality is not fully understood. The present study aims to evaluate the association between intake of total flavonoid, flavonoid subclasses, and total and cause-specific mortality in a developing country. METHODS: A total number of 49,173 participants from the Golestan cohort study, who completed a validated food frequency questionnaire at recruitment, were followed from 2004 till 2018. Phenol-Explorer database was applied to estimate dietary intakes of total flavonoid and different flavonoid subclasses. Associations were examined using adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 10.63 years, 5104 deaths were reported. After adjusting for several potential confounders, the hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality for the highest versus the lowest quintile of dietary flavanones, flavones, isoflavonoids, and dihydrochalcones were 0.81 (95% confidence interval = 0.73-0.89), 0.83(0.76-0.92), 0.88(0.80-0.96) and 0.83(0.77-0.90), respectively. However, there was no association between total flavonoid intake or other flavonoid subclasses with all-cause mortality. In cause-specific mortality analyses, flavanones and flavones intakes were inversely associated with CVD mortality [HRs: 0.86(0.73-1.00) and 0.85(0.72-1.00)] and isoflavonoids and dihydrochalcones were the only flavonoid subclasses that showed a protective association against cancer mortality [HR: 0.82(0.68-0.98)]. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that certain subclasses of flavonoids can reduce all-cause mortality and mortality rate from CVD and cancer.

The relationship between the index of nutritional quality and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma : a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, whereas dietary factors are its most modifiable risk factors. The index of nutritional quality is considered as a general overview of the nutrient content of diet. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the index of nutritional quality and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenomas. METHODS: Overall, 129 colorectal cancer and 130 colorectal adenoma cases and 240 healthy controls were studied in three major general hospitals in Tehran province, Iran. Index of nutritional quality scores were calculated based on information on the usual diet that was assessed by a valid and reliable Food Frequency Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between the index of nutritional quality scores and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma. RESULTS: After controlling for several confounding factors, the index of nutritional quality of calcium, vitamin C, riboflavin, folate and fiber were associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer [ORcalcium: 0.21 (0.08-0.52), ORvitC: 0.16 (0.09-0.28), ORvitB2: 0.35 (0.18-0.65), ORfolate: 0.33 (0.16-0.65), ORfiber: 0.35 (0.21-0.58)]. Also, the inverse association were observed between risk of CRA and the index of nutritional quality of calcium, vitamin C, riboflavin, folate and fiber [OR calcium: 0.32 (0.14-0.74), ORvitC: 0.51 (0.34-0.73), ORvitB2: 0.48 (0.28-0.82), OR folate: 0.44 (0.23-0.81), OR fiber: 0.62 (0.42-0.92)]. CONCLUSION: This study showed that individuals who have a healthier diet, high in calcium, vitamin C, riboflavin, folate and fiber and food groups like fruits, vegetables and whole-grain and less in sweets and red or process meats are at a lower risk of colorectal cancer and CRA than those with unhealthy and poor diet.