Effects of Soy Bread on Cardiovascular Risk Factor, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Women With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disorder with widespread synovitis. Isoflavones, the main active component of soy, have been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory effects; the previous RA animal models showed the promising effect of soy supplementation. We aimed to evaluate the effect of soy bread on inflammatory markers and lipid profiles in RA patients. The present study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. RA patients were randomly allocated to obtain soy bread (n = 22) or placebo bread (n = 22) for 8 weeks. Fasting serum levels of lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and DAS28 were checked. Findings showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in physical activity and dietary intake at the beginning of the study and the end of the study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in measured lipid profile markers, including high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and very low-density lipoprotein, at the end of the trial. In addition, TAC and CRP also were not significant at the end of the trial between the 2 groups (0.66 and 0.12, respectively). However, the serum levels of TNF-α reduced significantly in the soy bread group at the end of the intervention (p < 0.000) and compared with the control group (p < 0.019). Soy bread consumption only decreased circulating TNF-α serum concentration. Other outcome measures were not changed following supplementation. Future long-term, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT20181021041396N1.

Probiotic effects on sperm parameters, oxidative stress index, inflammatory factors and sex hormones in infertile men.

Decreased sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on semen quality, seminal oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory factors and reproductive hormones. In this randomised, double-blind controlled clinical trial, 52 men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia attending a urology clinic, were randomly assigned to either an intervention or placebo (n = 26) group. This investigation was registered by the identification code of IRCT20141025019669N7 in the clinical trials registry of Iran. The Intervention group took 500 mg of Probiotics daily and the placebo group took a daily placebo for 10 weeks. Semen parameters, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, inflammatory factors and reproductive hormones were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. After the intervention, ejaculate volume, number, concentration and the percentage of motile sperm, total antioxidant capacity of plasma significantly increased and the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde and inflammatory markers significantly decreased in the intervention group. Probiotic supplementation in infertile men lead to a significant increase in sperm concentration and motility and a significant reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Therefore, oral intake of probiotics has the potential to be one of the ways to deal with oxidative damage of sperm.

The synergic effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation and electrical isotonic contraction on anthropometric measurements and the serum levels of VEGF, NO, sirtuin-1, and PGC1-α in obese people undergoing a weight loss diet.

Background: The anti-obesity effects of Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) and isotonic contraction has been reported. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 1200 mg/day α-LA supplementation and 3 sessions per week of Faradic (an electrical stimulating system) on anthropometric parameters, body composition, VEGF, Sirtuin-1, nitric oxide (NO), and PGC1-α in obese people undergoing a weight loss regime.Methods: This randomised clinical trial was carried out on 100 obese adults. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups of 25 subjects including Faradic, α-LA, α-LA + Faradic, and control. A Bio Impedance Analyser (BIA) was used to estimate anthropometric measurements including weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and fat free mass. The serum levels of Sirtuin-1, PGC1-α, VEGF, and NO levels were measured. All measurements were done at baseline and after 8 weeks of the intervention.Results: A significant weight reduction was observed in all four groups compared to baseline (p<.01). The placebo group had significantly higher weight, BMI, weight circumstance (WC), and body fat (BF) compared with the other groups. The α-LA + Faradic group had significantly lower weight, BMI, BF, WC than control, faradic, and α-LA groups and higher, Sirtuin and PGC than the control group (all p < .05).Conclusions: The findings indicated that the α-LA and Faradic interventions may have a synergistic effect on weight, BMI, BF, WC, and SLM, possibly through changes in serum level of VEGF, NO, and PGC. Further studies are warranted to clarify the mutual effects of -α-LA and Faradic on obesity and its molecular mechanisms. Name of the registry: Iranian Registry of Clinical TrialsTrial registration number: IRCT20131117015424N2Date of registration: 04/04/2018URL of trial registry record: https://www.irct.ir/search/result?query=IRCT20131117015424N2.

Curcumin Nanomicelle Improves Lipid Profile, Stress Oxidative Factors and Inflammatory Markers in Patients Undergoing Coronary Elective Angioplasty; A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin has demonstrated many pharmacological effects including antioxidants, anti-inflammation, eliminating free radicals, anti-tumor, lipid regulation, and anti-coagulation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess and compare the effects of curcumin and nano-curcumin on lipid profile, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors related to patient's heart. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients undergoing coronary elective angioplasty who were randomly divided into 3 groups. The doses administered for 8 weeks were a 500 mg capsule of curcumin daily for the first group and an 80 mg capsule of nano-curcumin for the second group. However, the placebo group received capsules like curcumin. Lipid profile, oxidative stress factors, and inflammatory markers were measured at the baseline and end of the experiment. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were observed in the total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the intervention groups to the control group (p<0.05). Curcumin and nano-curcumin supplementation also exhibited significant changes in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs- CRP), Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in comparison to the placebo (p<0.05). Furthermore, the nano-curcumin group compared to the curcumin group demonstrated significant changes (p<0.05) in TC, TG, SOD, MDA and TNF-α levels. CONCLUSION: The effects of curcumin on nano formula may be better for cardiac patients due to its high bioavailability.

The effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation and electrical isotonic contraction on anthropometric parameters, body composition and angiogenesis factor, sirtunin-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α in obese people under a weight loss regime: A study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is defined as a chronic disease, and is known as a public health problem in developed and developing countries. Several studies have shown the effects of anti-obesity of α-lactalbumin. AIM: This study was designed to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation and electrical isotonic contraction on anthropometric parameters, body composition and angiogenesis factor, sirtunin-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC1α) in obese people under a weight loss regime. METHODS: Obese people who meet the inclusion criteria are included. Participants are randomly divided into four groups (alpha-lipoic (1200 mg) +weight loss regime group; Faradic (three 1 hour sessions) + weight loss regime group; alpha-lipoic (1200 mg) + Faradic (three 1 hour sessions) + weight loss regime group; control group (1200 mg placebo) for 2 months. At the beginning and the end of the study, demographic information, dietary intake, anthropometric parameters, body composition and serum levels of the angiogenesis factor (sirtunin-1, PGC1α and nitric oxide) are measured. CONCLUSION: Recent studies reported the anti-obesity effects of alpha-lipoic acid. This study is novel, since a similar study has not yet been carried out. This study evaluates the effect of 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation or having three sessions of 1 hour per week electrical isotonic contraction induced by Faradic for 2 months alone or in combination in obese people that are undergoing a weight loss regime. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iran Clinical Trials Registry, ID: IRCT20131117015424N2. Registered 2018-04-02.

Combined cranberry supplementation and weight loss diet in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial was conducted on 41 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Participants were randomly allocated to receive either a cranberry supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks. Both groups were assigned to follow a weight loss diet. At the end of the study, alanine aminotransferase and insulin decreased significantly in both groups (p < .05); however, this reduction was significantly greater in the cranberry group than in the placebo group (p < .05). Significant improvements in insulin resistance were observed in the cranberry group and between the two groups (p < .001 and p = .020, respectively). Also, there was an improvement in steatosis grade and anthropometric measurements in both groups (p < .05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups in regard to these factors (p > .05). It seems that 288 mg of cranberry extract might improve managing NAFLD, which is equivalent to 26 g of dried cranberry.

Effect of chlorella supplementation on systematic symptoms and serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most commonly reported disorders for women that have unfavorable effects on patient's quality of life. Based on the evidences that suggest the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of chlorella, this double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of Chlorella supplementation on the severity of menstrual pain in a group of young women with primary dysmenorrhea. STUDY DESIGN: In this clinical trial, 44 girls with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group received 1500 mg/day of chlorella as 5 soft gel and the control group received placebo soft gels for eight weeks. Menstrual and food information were collected using a previously validated and published questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), ProstaglandinF2a (PGF2a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed at baseline and end of week eight. RESULTS: In chlorella supplemented group the PGE2, PGF2a, hs-CRP and MDA decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea (fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, lack of energy) decreased in the chlorella group (p < 0.05). The mean of menstrual characteristics, anthropometric indices and daily energy and macronutrient intake in both intervention and control groups were not changed significantly. CONCLUSION: This study showed that chlorella supplementation could decrease the severity of pain and systemic symptoms and improve serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.