Evaluation of Beclin1 and mTOR genes and p62 protein expression in breast tumor tissues of Iranian patients.

Autophagy is a cellular process that plays a major role in the fate of tumor cells. Understanding the role of autophagy in cancer therapy is a major challenge, particularly for breast cancer as the sole top cause of mortality among women. In this study, we evaluated the gene expression of mTOR and Beclin1 and the levels of p62 protein, in breast tumors and compared them to a control condition. To explore the role of autophagy in breast cancer, we acquired tumor biopsies from 41 new cases of breast cancer patients. We extracted total RNA from each biopsy and used real-time PCR to quantify Beclin1 and mTOR-specific RNA expression. In addition, we evaluated the expression of the p62 protein in paraffin-embedded tumor tissue using the immunohistochemistry technique. The data revealed an upregulation of Beclin1 and a downregulation of mTOR in tumor tissues compared to the control condition. The correlation between p62 expression and Beclin1/mTOR showed a negative and positive correlation, respectively, confirming autophagy activation in the tumor tissues. However, there was no correlation between autophagy markers and tumor size, grade and stage. The findings revealed that autophagy activation was found in breast tumor tissues, suggesting that autophagy can be a target for breast cancer therapy.

Evaluating the Magnolol Anticancer Potential in MKN-45 Gastric Cancer Cells.

Background and Objectives: Combination therapy improves the effect of chemotherapy on tumor cells. Magnolol, used in treating gastrointestinal disorders, has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. We investigated the synergistic effect of cisplatin and magnolol on the viability and maintenance of MKN-45 gastric cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The toxicity of magnolol and/or cisplatin was determined using the MTT technique. The trypan blue method was used to test magnolol and/or cisplatin's effect on MKN-45 cell growth. Crystal violet staining was used to assess the treated cells' tendency for colony formation. The expression of genes linked to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cell migration was examined using the qPCR method. Results: According to MTT data, using magnolol and/or cisplatin significantly reduced cell viability. The ability of the treated cells to proliferate and form colonies was also reduced considerably. Magnolol and/or cisplatin treatment resulted in a considerable elevation in Bax expression. However, the level of Bcl2 expression was dramatically reduced. p21 and p53 expression levels were significantly increased in the treated cells, while MMP-9 expression was significantly reduced. Conclusions: These findings show that magnolol has a remarkable anti-tumor effect on MKN-45 cells. In combination with cisplatin, magnolol may be utilized to overcome cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer cells.

Serum Concentrations of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Triiodothyronine, and Thyroxine in Outpatients Infected with SARS-CoV2 in Khuzestan Province, Iran: A Disease Clinical Course Approach.

Background and Objectives: The virus SARS-CoV2, which causes COVID-19, affects the endocrine system. This study investigated serum concentrations of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) in 53 outpatients infected with SARS-CoV2 and 53 non-infected matched participants in Khuzestan Province, Iran. We also examined the possible association of clinical symptoms progression and disease severity with serum concentrations of TSH, T3, and T4. Materials and Methods: A checklist was applied to collect demographic and clinical data. Blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis of serum concentrations of TSH, T3, and T4. Clinical symptoms of the infected outpatients were monitored weekly for 28 days. Results: Our results indicated that, as the severity of the disease increased, the respiratory and pulse rates raised significantly. Additionally, disease severity was significantly different between genders. Specifically, 79.5% of the asymptomatic/mild, and 38.5% of moderate outpatients were men. We also found significantly lower serum T3 but higher T4 in infected outpatients, compared with controls. However, serum TSH did not significantly differ between the two groups. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis revealed no relationship between clinical symptoms progression and disease severity with serum concentrations of TSH, T3, and T4 in our study population. Additionally, GEE analysis showed that the odds ratio of neurological symptoms among women was 2.5 times that of men, the odds ratio of neurological symptoms in illiterates was 10 times higher than that of those without a high-school diploma, and the chance of developing pulmonary symptoms in those without high-school diploma was about 21 times higher than illiterates. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed that infected outpatients had significantly lower serum T3 but higher T4 than non-infected participants. There was no relation between symptom progression and disease severity with serum concentrations of TSH, T3, and T4, but educational status and sex significantly affected the chance of neurological and pulmonary symptoms occurring over 28 days. Our results may be used to develop potential therapies to treat COVID-19 disease.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Status in COVID-19 Outpatients: A Health Center-Based Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

The antioxidant system can be critical in reducing exacerbated inflammation in COVID-19. This study compared the antioxidant and inflammatory responses between COVID-19 outpatients and seemingly healthy individuals. This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 COVID-19 outpatients and 53 healthy individuals as controls. The serum concentrations of amyloid A (SAA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured and compared between COVID-19 patients and controls using the independent sample t-test before and after controlling for dietary supplement use. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression model, limited to COVID-19 patients, was used to evaluate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of disease symptoms on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after the disease onset. Serum concentrations of SOD (p ≤ 0.001) and GPx (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in controls before adjustment for dietary supplement use. GPx remained significantly higher among COVID-19 patients than in controls after adjustment for all dietary supplements (p = 0.005). Moreover, serum concentrations of GPx (p = 0.003), SOD (p = 0.022), and TAC (p = 0.028) remained significantly higher among COVID-19 patients than in controls after adjustment for vitamin D supplementation. This study showed higher GPx in COVID-19 outpatients than in controls after adjustment for dietary supplement use. Moreover, elevated SOD, GPx, and TAC concentrations were shown in COVID-19 outpatients compared to controls after adjusting for vitamin D supplementation. These results may provide a useful therapeutic target for treating oxidative stress in COVID-19 disease, which may help ameliorate the pandemic.

A Green Approach for the Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Cuminum cyminum L. Seed and Its Application for Pain Management in Rats.

Background: This study investigated the antinociceptive effect of cumin and its biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Methods: Cumin extract (E) and cumin-AuNPs (GN) were prepared and administered intraperitoneally at the concentrations of 200, 500, and 1000 mg/ml to 27 male rats. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were applied for AuNPs synthesis confirmation. The nociceptive behavior was assessed, and IL-6 serum levels were measured. Results: Cumin-AuNPs showed a peak absorption of 515 nm, and a size of about 40 nm. Three different concentrations of extract had no significant effect on acute and chronic nociceptive behavior. GN + E200 (46.00 ± 10.59) showed a significant acute anti-nociceptive effect compared to the control (98.66 ± 4.91; p = 0.029) and SS300 (98.33 ± 20.30; p = 0.029) groups. Also, GN + E500 (42.00 ± 11.84) significantly reduced acute nociceptive behavior compared to the control (98.66 ± 4.91; p = 0.019), SS300 (98.33 ± 20.30; p = 0.020), and GN + E1000 (91.00 ± 26.00; p = 0.040) groups. IL-6 serum levels reduced significantly in GN + E500 (24.65 ± 10.38; p = 0.002) and SS300 (33.08 ± 1.68; p = 0.039) compared to the controls (46.24 ± 3.02). Chronic nociceptive behavior was significantly lower in the SS300 (255.33 ± 26.30) compared to E200 (477.00 ± 47.29; p = 0.021), E500 (496.25 ± 46.29; p = 0.013), and GN + E500 (437.00 ± 118.03; p = 0.032) groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the potential effects of cumin-AuNPs on formalin-induced nociceptive behavior, which is independent of IL-6serum levels.

Profiling serum levels of glutathione reductase and interleukin-10 in positive and negative-PCR COVID-19 outpatients: A comparative study from southwestern Iran.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in China, it has rapidly spread across many other countries. We evaluated antioxidant defense systems and inflammatory status related to the SARS-CoV2 infection in a population from southwestern Iran. Comorbidities and clinical symptoms of 104 subjects (comprising negative and positive-PCR COVID-19 outpatients) were assessed. Serum concentrations of glutathione reductase (GR) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using ELISA. In the positive-PCR group, follow-ups on clinical symptoms were carried out for 28 days at 7-day intervals. In the positive-PCR group, hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, chronic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease were the most common comorbidities. In the general category of symptoms, we found a significant difference between negative and positive-PCR groups, except regarding runny noses. In the pulmonary category, there was a significant difference between the two groups except in terms of chest pain. We also determined a significant difference in neurologic symptoms, except for ear pain, between negative and positive-PCR groups. We also found significantly lower levels of GR but higher levels of IL-10 in the positive-PCR group (p = 0.000 for both). In the positive-PCR group, serum levels of IL-10 (odds ratio = 0.914, p = 0.012) decreased the chances of neurological symptoms occurring over time. The antioxidant defense systems of positive-PCR outpatients failed as demonstrated by a reduction in the serum levels of GR. We also indicated a dysregulation in the immune response against COVID-19, characterized by changes in serum IL-10 levels.

The Association between Vitamin D and Zinc Status and the Progression of Clinical Symptoms among Outpatients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 and Potentially Non-Infected Participants: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Vitamin D and zinc are important components of nutritional immunity. This study compared the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and zinc in COVID-19 outpatients with those of potentially non-infected participants. The association of clinical symptoms with vitamin D and zinc status was also examined. A checklist and laboratory examination were applied to collect data in a cross-sectional study conducted on 53 infected outpatients with COVID-19 and 53 potentially non-infected participants. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D were not significantly lower in patients with moderate illness (19 ± 12 ng/mL) than patients with asymptomatic or mild illness (29 ± 18 ng/mL), with a trend noted for a lower serum concentration of 25(OH)D in moderate than asymptomatic or mild illness patients (p = 0.054). Infected patients (101 ± 18 µg/dL) showed a lower serum concentration of zinc than potentially non-infected participants (114 ± 13 µg/dL) (p = 0.01). Patients with normal (odds ratio (OR), 0.19; p ≤ 0.001) and insufficient (OR, 0.3; p = 0.007) vitamin D status at the second to seventh days of disease had decreased OR of general symptoms compared to patients with vitamin D deficiency. This study revealed the importance of 25(OH)D measurement to predict the progression of general and pulmonary symptoms and showed that infected patients had significantly lower zinc concentrations than potentially non-infected participants.

Associations between traditional and non-traditional anthropometric indices and cardiometabolic risk factors among inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether traditional and non-traditional adiposity indicators are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study among 240 inpatients with type 2 DM, we determined traditional anthropometric indicators including body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio, and non-traditional anthropometric indicators including lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), deep abdominal adipose tissue (DAAT), and Després indices. Lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured to evaluate cardiometabolic parameters. RESULTS: In overweight patients, DAAT was positively correlated with total triglycerides. LAP was negatively correlated with serum HDL-C levels. WHR and DAAT were associated with total triglycerides, HbA1c, total cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL-C, and total triglycerides/HDL-C, after adjustment for age and duration of disease. VAI, DAAT, LAP, and Després index were significant determinants of lipid profile and SBP. CONCLUSION: Traditional and non-traditional anthropometric indices are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 DM.

Application of community-based nutrition education needs assessment in reviewing the course plan of medical and nursing students.

Background: Training needs assessment is the process of recognizing educational needs. This study aimed to apply a community-based nutrition education needs assessment to revise the nutrition course plan in the curriculum of the doctorate of medicine and that of the baccalaureate of nursing. Methods: The study was designed in 2 phases: (1) nutritional needs assessment; (2) community-based revision of nutrition course plan. In the first phase, 13 nutrition professionals working in the region set out 5 priorities of nutrition-related health problems in the community by a training need assessment based on a survey and scoring system. Then, an expert panel determined the priorities of behavioral and nonbehavioral causes of the nutrition-related health problems by the nominal group technique (NGT). The results of the first phase were used to review the topics of nutrition course plans up to 20%. Results: The priorities identified in Abadan, Khorramshahr, and Shadegan were obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults as well as anemia in pregnant women, respectively. Also, wrong eating habits and insufficient nutrition knowledge were among the most important behavioral causes of nutrition-related health problems in the target community. These results were applied to a community-based review of nutrition course plans for medical and nursing students. Conclusion: The use of nutritional needs assessment approaches by a survey and nominal group technique with a group of professionals provided an opportunity for a community-based review of the nutrition course plan for medical and nursing students as a first phase in the development of a community-based nutrition course plane.

Role of the mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue in changing the rate of breast cancer cell proliferation and autophagy, in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system of damaged proteins and organelles; however, the role of autophagy in the progression of cancer remains unclear. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based approaches have attracted considerable attention for anti-cancer therapy. The present study aimed to examine the interaction of MSCs with the breast cancer cells under autophagy-induced conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, MSCs isolated from human adipose tissue were co-cultured with MDA-MB 231, a breast cancer cell line, and the autophagy process was induced by tunicamycin treatment. The cell viability was monitored by the MTT assay, and the cells were recovered at different time intervals (24 or 48 hours) to determine autophagy markers such as Beclin, mTOR and the ratio of LC3II/I expression. Additionally, the animal study was conducted using a mouse model of breast cancer treated with isogenic adipose-derived MSCs, and the expression of Beclin and Ki67 was determined using immunohistochemistry in breast tumor tissue. RESULTS: In cancer cells co-cultured with MSCs, the cell proliferation was increased, the Beclin expression and the LC3II/I protein ratio were decreased, and the mTOR expression was increased in MDA-MB 231 upon co-cultured with MSCs. Direct injection of MSCs to a mouse model of breast cancer showed an increase in tumor volume, an increase in the accumulation of Ki67 and a decrease in the Beclin expression in tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: The data may suggest that suppressed autophagy in breast cancer cells is probably a mechanism by which MSCs can induce cancer cell proliferation.

Cuminum cyminum L.-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Their Characterization and Effect on Formalin-Induced Nociceptive Response in Male Rats.

In this study, a simple, low-cost, rapid, and eco-friendly approach for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) seed (CcAgNPs) was developed. Also, the anti-nociceptive properties of these synthesized AgNPs were evaluated in vivo. The CcAgNPs characterized using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analysis of phytochemical components in the aqueous extract of cumin seeds showed high concentrations of total phenols and ascorbic acid and low concentrations of total flavonoids. The analysis of phytochemical components and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups responsible for the bioreduction of Ag+ to AgNPs. The UV-Vis absorbance spectrum of CcAgNPs showed a maximum wavelength at 442 nm. The analysis of TEM images showed a spherical shape with a size of less than 50 nm, while XRD spectra revealed the crystallinity of CcAgNPs. The analysis of anti-nociceptive properties of CcAgNPs showed that the first phase of formalin-induced pain was significantly reduced in the groups receiving 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CcAgNPs compared with the controls and the group receiving 300 mg/kg of sodium salicylate (SS300). The second phase of formalin pain was also significantly reduced in the groups receiving 200 and 500 mg/kg CcAgNPs compared to the controls and SS300 group. Overall, we introduced a new AgNPs synthesized from cumin seeds (CcAgNPs) and showed their anti-nociceptive properties in the formalin-induced pain.

Determinants of nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practice among southwestern Iranian households: A community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is generally due to a lack of nutritional information rather than food deficiency. Therefore, the current knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of the target audience should be evaluated to eliminate malnutrition. However, KAP varies across demographic status and socioeconomic status (SES). AIM: The associations of nutritional KAP with demographic and socioeconomic variables were evaluated among households living in urban and rural areas of southwestern Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted on 842 household heads (492 urban and 350 rural) using a standardized NUTRIKAP Household Questionnaire. The data evaluating nutritional KAP as well as demographic and socioeconomic information were obtained using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. SES score was also computed. RESULTS: Urban households had a higher level of nutritional knowledge (p < 0.05) but a lower level of nutritional attitude (p < 0.001) and practice (p < 0.001) compared with the rural ones. Rural households with the poorest quintiles of SES were 0.4 times less likely to have good nutritional knowledge (adjusted odds ratio = 0.4, confidence interval: 0.2, 0.9; p < 0.05), compared with higher quintiles. Households with an over-60-years-old household head had significantly higher nutritional attitude (p < 0.05) and practice (p <0.01) scores than households with younger ones. Households with male household heads had a higher nutritional practice score compared with households with female ones. CONCLUSIONS: These results can indicate the role of demographic and socioeconomic determinants in KAP of Iranian households towards the principle of nutrition and can be effective in prioritizing the implementation of nutritional interventions including nutrition education for them.

Prevalence of food addiction among Iranian children and adolescents: Associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric indices.

Background: Food addiction has been defined as consuming palatable foods leading to addictive-like behaviors. Little studies have assayed food addiction in children and adolescents. Thus, we aimed at identifying the prevalence of food addiction and the relationship between food addiction, sociodemographic and anthropometric indicators among children and adolescents in southwestern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 222 elementary school students aged 7 to 13 years in Ahvaz, Iran, using a random sampling method. Sociodemographic and anthropometric indicators were obtained. The 25-item child version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS-C) was applied to provide food addiction diagnosis and symptoms. A nonparametric analysis was used for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of food addiction was 17.3%. Also, the most common symptoms associated with food addiction were (1) inability to cut down, (2) withdrawal, and (3) tolerance. The students with food addiction diagnosis were older than the undiagnosed (p=0.04). The males and students older than 8 years showed a higher food addiction score than females and students under 8 years (p<0.05). In females, significant positive correlations were found between anthropometric indicators, including body mass index and body mass index z-score, with food addiction score (p<0.01). Conclusion: Food addiction diagnosis was more prevalent in males and students over 8 years. Females with higher YFAS-C scores had elevated body mass index z-scores, suggesting that food addiction may be a remarkable problem in childhood and early adolescence and may also be related to a risk of overweight/obesity in Iranian students.

Update on riboflavin and multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Riboflavin plays an important role in myelin formation, and its deficiency is implicated as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis. Here, we systematically reviewed the literature concerning the health benefits of riboflavin on MS. The literature recorded within four main databases, including relevant clinical trials, experimental, and case-control studies from 1976 to 2017 were considered. Both human and animal studies were included for review, with no restrictions on age, gender, or ethnicity. Experimental studies demonstrated that riboflavin deficiency triggers neurologic abnormalities related to peripheral neuropathies such as demyelinating neuropathy. Moreover, randomized controlled trials (RCT) and case-control studies in which MS patients received riboflavin supplementation or had higher dietary riboflavin intake showed improvements in neurological motor disability. Riboflavin is a cofactor of xanthine oxidase and its deficiency exacerbates low uric acid caused by high copper levels, leading to myelin degeneration. The vitamin additionally plays a significant role in the normal functioning of glutathione reductase (GR) as an antioxidant enzyme, and conditions of riboflavin deficiency lead to oxidative damage. Riboflavin promotes the gene and protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the CNS of an animal model of MS, suggesting that BDNF mediates the beneficial effect of riboflavin on neurological motor disability. Research to date generally supports the role of riboflavin in MS outcomes. However, further observational and interventional studies on human populations are warranted to validate the effects of riboflavin.

Brain-derived neurotrophic and immunologic factors: beneficial effects of riboflavin on motor disability in murine model of multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, C57BL/6 female mice (n=56) were used to explore the neuroprotective effects of riboflavin in motor disability of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of multiple sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animals were assigned into 7 groups: sham-operated 1 (SO1), healthy mice receiving PBS (phosphate buffer saline); sham-operated 2 (SO2), healthy mice receiving PBS and riboflavin; sham treatment 1 (ST1), EAE mice receiving water; sham treatment 2 (ST2), EAE mice receiving sodium acetate buffer; treatment 1 (T1), EAE mice receiving interferon beta-1a (INFß-1a); treatment 2 (T2), EAE mice receiving riboflavin; treatment 3 (T3), EAE mice receiving INFß-1a and riboflavin. After EAE induction, scoring was performed based on clinical signs. Upon detecting score 0.5, riboflavin at 10 mg/kg of body weight and/or INFß-1a at 150 IU/g of body weight administration was started for two weeks. The brain and spinal cord levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were studied using real-time PCR and ELISA methods. RESULTS: BDNF expression and protein levels were increased in the brain and spinal cord of the T3 group compared with the other groups (P<0.01). IL-6 and IL-17A expressions were increased in the brains of the T3 and T1 groups, respectively, compared to the other groups (P<0.01). The daily clinical score was reduced significantly by riboflavin in both effector and chronic phases of the disease compared with that of the controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that riboflavin is capable of suppressing the neurological disability mediated by BDNF and IL-6.

Nutrition education based on health belief model improves dietary calcium intake among female students of junior high schools.

This study examined the effects of a nutrition education programme based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of dietary calcium in female students. In this interventional study, 188 students were placed into intervention (95) and control (93) groups. The intervention group participated in a nutrition education programme. Students in both the groups completed KAP and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline and after two and three months of follow-up respectively. The data were analyzed by independent and paired t-tests. Those who received the intervention were found to have better attitude (p=0.049) and practice (p=0.005) scores compared to the controls. The HBM constructs, including perceived susceptibility (p=0.006), perceived severity (p=0.001), perceived benefits (p=0.002), perceived barriers (p=0.001), and taking health action (p=0.02) scores, were also significantly higher. The findings support the effectiveness of nutrition education based on the HBM in improving the knowledge, attitude, and practice relating to calcium intake among adolescent students.

Riboflavin supplementation to patients with multiple sclerosis does not improve disability status nor is riboflavin supplementation correlated to homocysteine.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Riboflavin is involved in myelin formation in nerve cells. Riboflavin is a precursor of flavin adenine D-nucleotide (FAD), which is a coenzyme of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), which is an important enzyme for remethylation of homocysteine. Riboflavin supplementation has been shown to affect the serum levels of homocysteine in healthy volunteers. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of riboflavin supplementation on the status and disability of patients with MS and whether this effect could be mediated by serum homocysteine levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial in which 29 MS patients with a mean age of 33 were tested with riboflavin, and the placebo group, with a mean age of 31, received either riboflavin supplementation (10 mg) or the placebo daily for six months. Disability, measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC), and serum homocysteine levels were measured before and after the study. RESULTS: The mean ± SD of EDSS score was significantly decreased in both groups over the six months of the study (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.6 for the riboflavin group and 2.8 ± 1.1 vs. 2.3 ± 1.3 for the placebo groups. The comparison across both groups yielded a non-significant change (P = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of EGRAC, riboflavin deficiency levels by EGRAC category, and serum homocysteine levels before and after the study. CONCLUSION: Riboflavin supplementation (10 mg/day) to patients with MS does not improve disability status. It appears that this effect is not related to serum homocysteine levels.

Riboflavin status and its association with serum hs-CRP levels among clinical nurses with depression.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of present study was to assess the relationship between the dietary intake and blood status of riboflavin and the prevalence of systemic inflammation among both depressed and nondepressed nurses. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 98 female clinical nurses (45 depressed and 53 nondepressed subjects). Depression status was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. We assessed dietary intake of riboflavin using 3-day 24-hour recalls. The serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured. Riboflavin status was assessed as the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC). RESULTS: Marginal riboflavin deficiency was more prevalent in depressed subjects (P = 0.028). The results of the dietary intake and status of riboflavin were classified to 3 tertiles of serum hs-CRP levels. In both nondepressed and depressed subjects, there was no significant difference between hs-CRP tertiles in dietary intakes of riboflavin, EGRAC, or riboflavin deficiencies. CONCLUSION: This study showed a higher prevalence of marginal riboflavin deficiency in depressed subjects. We found no association between dietary intake and status of riboflavin with low-grade systematic inflammation in nondepressed and depressed clinical nurses.