Parent-child correlation in energy and macronutrient intakes: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

In the current study, we aimed to review the evidence from twin and family-based studies that have assessed the familial similarity in intakes of energy and macronutrients among various parent-child pairs. The online literature databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, were searched up to December 2022 to find potentially eligible studies. We converted Pearson's, Spearman's, or intra-class correlation coefficients to z's using Fisher's z transformation to obtain approximate normality and then calculated a mean and standard error (SE) of transformed correlation weighted by the sample sizes in the studies. We reported pooled r and 95% CI as our final results in five groups, including parent-child, mother-daughter, mother-son, father-daughter, and father-son. Twenty-one eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis, in which the sample size ranged from 33 and 4310. Our analysis showed that family resemblance in the intake of energy and macronutrients in various parent-offspring pairs was weak to moderate which could be different based on family pairs, nutrients, and studies. The highest similarity in dietary intakes was observed among the mother-daughter pair, which was for carbohydrate and protein intake, respectively. The lowest correlations in dietary intakes were found between mother-son or father-son pairs. Our meta-analysis suggested that family similarity for intakes of energy and macronutrients was not strong in parent-child pairs. The highest correlation in dietary intake was mostly found in mother-daughter pairs. The weak similarities in dietary intake among parent-child pairs indicate the noticeable effect of the environment outside the family on individuals' dietary choices.

Macronutrients quality indices and risk of metabolic syndrome and its components in Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Evidence from recent studies suggested that the quality of dietary macronutrients can play a possible role in predicting the risk of metabolic disorders. In the current study, we aimed to assess the association of carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and protein score with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Iranian adults. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study on 1738 individuals aged between 40 and 70 years old, who were followed up for a mean of 6.1 years. A food frequency questionnaire was used to determine CQI and protein scores. The multivariable adjusted Cox regression model was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) of MetS across quartiles of protein score and CQI, and its components. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age and body mass index of the study population (42.5% men) were 49.3 ± 7.5 years and 27.0 ± 4.0 kg/m2, respectively. Mean ± SD scores of CQI and protein for all participants were 12.6 ± 2.4 and 10.3 ± 3.5, respectively. During the study follow-up, 834(48.0%) new cases of MetS were ascertained. In the multivariable-adjusted model, the risk of MetS was decreased across quartiles of CQI (HR = 0.83;95%CI:0.69-1.00, Ptrend=0.025) and protein score (HR = 0.75; 95% CI:0.60-0.94, Ptrend=0.041). Also, Of CQI components, the whole grain/total grains ratio showed a significant inverse association with the risk of MetS (HR = 0.75;95%CI:0.60-0.94, Ptrend=0.012). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that a dietary pattern with higher CQI and protein score may be related to a reduced risk of MetS in adults.

High-protein diet scores, macronutrient substitution, and breast cancer risk: insights from substitution analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from recent studies suggested that variation in the quantity and quality of macronutrients in the diet may potentially play a role in predicting the risk of breast cancer (BC). In the current study, we aimed to assess the association of different high-protein diet scores and replacing fats and carbohydrate (CHO) with protein in the diet with the BC risk among Iranian women. METHODS: The current hospital-based case-control study was conducted on 401 participants, aged ≥ 30 years old, including 134 women in the case group who had been diagnosed with histologically confirmed BC and 267 women in the control group. Dietary intake data was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and high protein diet scores were determined. Logistic regression models were used to determine the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of BC across tertiles of high protein diet scores. Also, we assessed how substituting protein with other macronutrients affected BC odds while adjusting for the various confounding variables. RESULTS: Participants' mean ± SD of age and body mass index were 47.9 ± 10.3 years and 29.4 ± 5.5 kg/m2, respectively. The scores of high-protein-low-CHO and fat diet, high-protein and CHO-low-fat diet, and high-protein and fat-low-CHO diet in participants were 16.5 ± 3.8, 16.5 ± 6.7, and 16.4 ± 5.9, respectively. In the multivariable model, individuals in the highest tertile of high-protein-low-CHO and fat diet score (OR:0.71;95%CI:0.56-0.90) and high-protein and CHO-low-fat diet (OR:0.76;95%CI:0.60-0.97) had lower odds of BC compared to those in the lowest tertile (P < 0.05). However, no significant association was found between high-protein and fat-low-CHO diet and BC risk. Our results showed that replacing fat by protein (ORdifferences:-0.40;95%CI:-0.73,-0.07) and also replacing refined-CHO by plant protein (ORdifferences:-0.66;95%CI:-1.26,-0.07) in the diet are associated inversely with risk of BC(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggested that higher adherence to a high-protein-low-CHO and fat diet, characterized by a higher intake of plant proteins and a lower intake of refined grains and saturated fat can play a protective role against the odds of BC.

Dietary Branched Chain Amino Acids Association with Cancer and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

The present study aimed to investigate the association of dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and its components with cancer, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality in a meta-analysis of observational studies. A comprehensive search was conducted between electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) until September 2022. Odds ratios (OR), hazard ratios (HR), and relative risks (RR) were extracted. Eight articles (six studies on breast cancer (BC) and digestive cancers risk, and three studies on both BC and digestive cancers mortality, and all-cause mortality) were included. The present study showed no statistically significant association between dietary BCAAs and its components with BC and digestive cancers (RRBCAA: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.68-1.10, RRLeucine: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.52-1.04, RRIsoleucine: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.93-1.04, RRValine: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.55-1.05). Also, no statistically significant relationship between dietary BCAAs and its components with both BC and digestive cancers mortality (RRBCAA: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.68-1.33, RRLeucine: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.79-1.15, RRIsoleucine: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.79-1.14, RRValine: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.84-1.21) and all-cause mortality (RRBCAA: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.73-1.32, RRLeucine: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.81-1.29, RRIsoleucine: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.73-1.27, RRValine: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.79-1.32) were observed. Our findings showed no significant association between dietary BCAAs and its components with BC and digestive cancers, BC and digestive cancers mortality, and all-cause mortality.

Dietary advanced glycation end products are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND: Dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can play an important role in increasing inflammatory factors and oxidative stress as risk factors for cancers. In the present study, we aimed to assess the relationship between dietary AGEs and the risk of breast cancer (BC) in Iranian adult women. METHODS: This hospital-based case-control study includes 401 participants aged ≥ 30 years old. The cases group consisted of 134 women diagnosed with histologically confirmed BC. The control group included 267 women enrolled randomly from patients admitted to the same hospitals. Dietary intake information was determined using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary AGEs intake was computed for all participants. Logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to determine the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of BC across tertiles of dietary AGEs. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age and body mass index of the study population were 47.92 ± 10.33 years and 29.43 ± 5.51 kg/m2, respectively. The median (interquartile) of dietary AGEs in all individuals was 9251(7450, 11,818) kU/day. After adjusting for age, first pregnancy age, and energy intake, participants in the highest tertile of dietary AGEs intakes had higher odds of BC compared to those in the lowest tertile of dietary AGEs (OR:2.29;95%CI:1.19-4.39, Ptrend:0.012). Additionally, in the multivariable model, after adjusting for age, age at first pregnancy, energy, menopausal status, family history of cancer, anti-inflammatory drug use, Vitamin D supplementation, physical activity, body mass index, number of childbirths, and history of abortion, breastfeeding, and oral contraceptive pills use, the odds of BC were increased across tertiles of dietary AGEs intake (OR: 2.33; 95%CI: 1.18-4.60, Ptrend: 0.017). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that a diet with high AGEs is associated with a higher likelihood of BC in adult women.

Familial resemblance and family-based heritability of nutrients intake in Iranian population: Tehran cardiometabolic genetic study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the familial resemblance of dietary intakes, including energy and nutrients, and the family-based heritability of dietary intake in different age-sex dyads of the Tehran cardiometabolic genetic study. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 9,798 participants, aged ≥ 18 years, with complete data in each of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth surveys of the Tehran Cardiometabolic Genetic study, who were eligible to enter the current study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Nutrient intake was determined using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). FCOR command of the S.A.G.E. software was used to estimate the intra-class correlation coefficients of all relative pairs to verify the family resemblance of dietary nutrient intakes. Classical likelihood-based is used to assess the family-based heritability of dietary nutrient traits. RESULTS: There were 4338 families with a mean family size of 3.20 ± 2.89, including 1 to 32 members (2567 constituent pedigrees and 1572 singletons) and 3627 sibships. The mean ± SD age of participants was 42.0 ± 15.2 years, and 44.5% were males. The heritability of nutrient intake ranged from 3 to 21%. The resemblance degree of energy intake and most nutrients between spouses or between parents and children is weak to moderate; however, a high resemblance of intake was observed for some food components, especially among spouses, including trans fatty acids (TFAs) (r:0.70), chromium (r:0.44), fiber(r:0.35), pantothenic acid (r:0.31), and vitamin C(r:0.31). Based on our findings, the resemblance of nutrient intake in spouses was greater than in parent-offspring. The similarity in parent-offspring nutrient intake was different, and the correlation in mother-girls nutrient intakes was greater than other parent-child correlations. Also, the lowest resemblance in nutrient intake was observed among siblings. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested a weak-to-moderate similarity between the nutrient intakes of parents and offspring. The resemblance degree in nutrient intake varied between different family pairs; the strongest correlation of nutrients was observed between spouses, which includes TFAs, chromium, fiber, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C. The lowest correlation of nutrients was between siblings, such as carbohydrates, thiamine, niacin, and vitamin K. An individual's nutrient intake can somewhat be influenced by genetics, family relationships, and the effects of parents, although the significant influence of environmental factors should not be ignored.

Serum branched amino acids and the risk of all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Recently, the serum levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been considered as an indicator to evaluate health status and predict chronic diseases risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between Serum BCAAs and the risk of all-cause mortality. We carried out a comprehensive and systematic search in various important databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to find the relevant studies published up to October 2022 with no language, design, or time limitation. We extracted the reported hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and odds ratio (OR) with 95%CI in cohorts and case-control studies, respectively, and computed the log HR or OR and its standard error. Then, we used the random-effects model with inverse variance weighting method for the present meta-analysis, to calculate the pooled effect size. Ten observational studies, including nine cohort studies and one case-control study, were included in the present meta-analysis. The number of participants ranges from 53 to 26,711, with an age range of 18-99 years. During 6 months to 24 years of follow-up, 3599 deaths were ascertained. The pooled results indicated that there was no significant association between serum BCAAs (RR: 1.17; 95% CI 0.85-1.60), isoleucine (RR: 1.41; 95%CI 0.92-2.17), leucine (RR: 1.13; 95% CI 0.94-1.36), and valine (RR: 1.02; 95%CI 0.86-1.22) and all-cause mortality. Also, there was significant heterogeneity between studies for serum BCAAs (I2 = 74.1% and P-heterogeneity = 0.021), isoleucine (I2 = 89.4% and P-heterogeneity < 0.001), leucine (I2 = 87.8% and P-heterogeneity < 0.001), and valine (I2 = 86.6% and P-heterogeneity < 0.001). Our results suggested that the serum BCAAs and its components, including isoleucine, leucine, and valine, were not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality.

The association of serum C-peptide with the risk of cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: C-peptide is considered a peptide with active function in the body, which can affect people's health. However, the results of previous studies on the possible association of C-peptide with the risk of cardiometabolic disorders have not been fully understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between serum C-peptide level and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. METHODS: The various important databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched comprehensively to November 2022 to identify the relevant studies. The HR(95% CI) or OR(95% CI) for observational studies were extracted and converted into log HR or log OR and their standard deviation(SD) was computed. A random-effects model with an inverse variance weighting method was conducted, to calculate the pooled effect size. RESULTS: Sixteen observational studies, including one case-control study, eight cohort studies, and seven cross-sectional studies were included in the current meta-analysis. The sample size ranged from 90 to 7030, with an age range from 12 to 85 years. During the follow-up time (ranging from 5 to 17 years), 4852 CVD events occurred. Based on cohort and case-control studies, the pooled results showed no significant association between serum C-peptide with CVD events risk (RR = 1.02;95%CI:0.91-1.15, I2 = 34.7%; P-heterogeneity = 0.140). For cross-sectional studies, the pooled results indicated a positive association between serum C-peptide and the odds of CVD outcomes (OR = 1.35;95%CI:1.04-1.76, I2 = 83.6%; P-heterogeneity < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The pooled results of the current study suggested that C-peptide level was not related to the risk of CVD events in cohort studies, however, the meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies showed a significant association between C-peptide and an increased risk of CVD events.

Serum C-peptide level and the risk of cardiovascular diseases mortality and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Aims and background: Recently, the serum of C-peptide has been the focus of researchers as a possible predictor of mortality. However, the possible association of serum C-peptide with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) mortality and all-cause mortality has not been clearly identified. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between serum C-peptide and the risk of CVDs mortality and all-cause mortality. Methods: A comprehensive and systematic search was performed in various important databases, including the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to find relevant studies up to November 2022. The reported hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for all studies was converted into log HR, and their SD was calculated. Then to compute the pooled HR, the random-effects model with inverse variance weighting method was performed. Results: Twenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. Fourteen studies reported HR for all-cause mortality, and nine studies for CVDs-related mortality. The pooled results indicate a significant association between serum C-peptide and the risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.12-1.32, I2 = 76.8%; P-value < 0.001). Also, higher serum C-peptide was related to the increased risk of CVDs mortality (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.08-1.77, I2 = 81.8%; P-value = 0.012). Conclusions: Our investigation suggested that an increased level of serum C-peptide is associated with a higher risk of both CVDs and all-cause mortality. Further, large-scale studies and sufficient samples are recommended to present a convincing link between C-peptide and the risk of CVDs and all-cause mortality. Systematic Review Registration: identifier, CRD42022364842.

Evidence of familial resemblance and family-based heritability of food intakes derived from a longitudinal cohort study.

We sought to investigate the familial aggregation and family-based heritability of dietary intakes among adults in a population-based longitudinal study of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLSG). Total of 4359 males and 5439 females entered our study. We categorized foods into main groups based on the literature on main food groups and their subgroups among the Iranian dietary habits and food culture as follows: grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, legume, nuts, beverages, snacks, and fats. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) are estimated to verify familial resemblance of dietary habits for all relative pairs and spouses. Family-based heritability is obtained using a mixed effect framework with likelihood-based approach. For almost all food groups, the correlation between parents and offsprings tended to be larger than those of siblings. Family-based heritability of food groups varies from the lowest 6.36% for snacks to the highest 25.67% for fruits, and 25.66% for legume. Our findings indicated weak-to-moderate similarities between parents' and offspring's food intakes; however, the similarity in parent-child food intakes was different, and the correlation in mother-daughter food intakes was stronger than other parent-child correlations, and almost all of dietary components showed strong family-based heritability.

The Association of Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia with the Risk of Cancer and Cancer Mortality: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between the empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH) and cancer mortality risk. We performed a comprehensive search across the online literature up to November 2022 databases. Then, hazard ratio (H.R.) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were extracted. A total of 14 and seven cohort studies that reported H.R. for the risk of cancer incidence and cancer mortality respectively were included. The pooled H.R. (95% CI) of the association between EDIH and cancer incidence was 1.13 (1.05-1.23) in overall meta-analyses, 1.15 (1.08-1.22) in female subgroups, 1.27 (1.14-1.41) in digestive cancer subgroups, and 1.15 (1.07-1.24) in breast cancer subgroups. Also, the pooled H.R. (95% CI) of the association between EDIH and incidence of cancer mortality was 1.19 (1.13-1.26) in overall meta-analyses, 1.23 (1.13-1.34) in males, 1.18(1.10-1.28) in females, and 1.20 (1.13-1.27) in studies conducted on all cancers as an outcome. Our findings revealed that a higher EDIH was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer incidence, particularly in females, digestive cancers, and breast cancer. Also, a higher EDIH score was related to a higher risk of cancer mortality overall in both male and female subgroups and with all cancers.

Dietary advanced glycation end products are associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND: Dietary advanced glycation end products(AGEs) may contribute to increased inflammation and oxidative stress as risk factors for chronic diseases such as liver disease. In the current study, we aimed to examine the possible association of dietary AGEs with the odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Iranian adults. METHODS: A total of 675 participants (225 newly diagnosed NAFLD cases and 450 controls), aged 20-60 years, were recruited for this case-control study. Nutritional data were measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary AGEs were determined for all participants. An ultrasound scan of the liver performed the detection of NAFLD in participants of the case group without alcohol consumption and other causes of hepatic disorders. We used logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, to estimate the odds ratios(ORs) and 95% confidence interval(CI) of NAFLD across tertiles of dietary AGEs. RESULTS: Mean ± SD age and body mass index of the participants were 38.13 ± 8.85 years and 26.85 ± 4.31 kg/m2, respectively. The median(IQR) of dietary AGEs in participants was 3262(2472-4301). In the sex and age-adjusted model, the odds of NAFLD were increased across tertiles of dietary AGEs intake(OR:16.48;95%CI:9.57-28.40, Ptrend<0.001). Also, in the final model, after controlling for confounding effects of BMI, smoking, physical activity, marital status, socio-economic status, and energy intake, the odds of NAFLD were increased across tertiles of dietary AGEs intake(OR:12.16; 95%CI:6.06-24.39, Ptrend<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that greater adherence to dietary pattern with high dietary AGEs intake was significantly related to increased odds of NAFLD.

The association of dietary and lifestyle indices for insulin resistance with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases among Iranian adults.

The current study aimed to examine the possible association of the dietary index for insulin resistance (DIR) and the lifestyle index for insulin resistance (LIR), determined by dietary components, body mass index, and physical activity, with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, including insulin resistance (IR), hypertension (HTN), diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). This prospective cohort study was performed on 2717 individuals aged ≥ 19 years in the framework of the Tehran Lipid-Glucose Study. Data on nutritional intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to determine the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (ORs and 95% CIs) of cardiometabolic diseases across tertiles of DIR and LIR scores. During 3-years of follow-up, the incidence rate of diabetes, IR, HTN, and MetS was 3%, 13%, 13.9%, and 17%, respectively. In the multi-variables model, after controlling all potential confounders, the risk of IR(OR: 1.65, 95% CI 1.01-2.69, P-trend = 0.047), diabetes (OR: 1.95, 95% CI 1.02-3.74, P-trend = 0.058), and HTN(OR: 1.52, 95% CI 1.07-2.15, P-trend = 0.016) was increased across tertiles of DIR score. Also, the risk of IR (OR: 2.85, 95% CI 1.72-4.73, P-trend < 0.001), diabetes(OR: 2.44, 95% CI 1.24-4.78, P-trend = 0.004), HTN(OR: 1.95, 95% CI 1.35-2.81, P-trend < 0.001), and MetS (OR: 2.87, 95% CI 1.96-4.18, P-trend < 0.001) were increased across tertiles of LIR score. Our findings reported that a dietary pattern with a higher DIR score and a lifestyle with a higher LIR score might be related to increased cardiometabolic disorders, including diabetes, HTN, Mets, and IR in Iranian adults.

Dietary protein score and carbohydrate quality index with the risk of chronic kidney disease: Findings from a prospective cohort study.

Background/Aim: This study aimed to examine the associations between dietary protein score and carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Iranian adults. Methods: This population-based cohort study was performed within the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study framework on 6,044 subjects aged ≥18 years old, who were followed up for a mean of 7.7 years. Dietary protein score and CQI were determined using a food frequency questionnaire. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the risk of CKD across tertiles of protein score and CQI. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of age and body mass index of participants were 37.9 (12.8) years and 26.8 (4.7) kg/m2, respectively. During the 7.7 ± 2.7 years of follow-up, 1,216 cases (20.1%) of CKD were ascertained. In the final adjusted model, individuals in the highest tertile of protein score had decreased risk of CKD (HR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.98, P trend = 0.033). Also, there is a significant association between total carbohydrate score (HR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73-0.99, P trend = 0.016), the ratio of whole grain/total grains (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94, P trend = 0.004), and glycemic index (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12-1.51, P trend < 0.001) and risk of CKD. However, no significant association was found between total protein intakes, plant-to-animal ratio, and solid carbohydrate/total carbohydrate with the risk of CKD. Conclusion: Our results revealed a diet with a high protein score and high quality of carbohydrates, characterized by higher intakes of plant proteins, low glycaemic index (GI) carbohydrates, whole grain, fibers, and lower intakes of animal proteins, can be related to reduced CKD risk.

The association between dietary amino acids and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among Tehranian adults: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Amino acids (AAs) are important bioactive components in the diet that can be involved in various underlying biological processes that contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study investigates the association between dietary intake of amino acids and NAFLD in Iranian adults. METHODS: This study was conducted among 225 newly diagnosed cases of NAFLD and 450 controls. A valid and reliable 168-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect participants' dietary intakes. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between tertiles of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), aromatic amino acids (AAAs), and sulfuric amino acids (SAAs) intake with the odds of NAFLD among the study participants. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation of age and BMI of participants (53% male) were 38.1 ± 8.8 years and 26.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2, respectively. In the final models, the OR and 95% CI of NAFLD among participants in the highest tertiles of BCAAs, AAAs, and SAAs intake compared with those in the lowest tertiles were (OR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.50-5.30), (OR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.50-5.30), (OR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.49-5.48), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated a direct association between the intake of AAs groups, including BCAAs, AAAs, SAAs, and the odds of NAFLD. We suggest that other researchers examine the association between AAs groups and NAFLD in large cohort studies.

Nutrient patterns and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Iranian Adul: A case-control study.

Backgrounds: The current literature boasts the importance of diet in preventing or managing liver complications. However, there is limited evidence on the association of nutrient patterns (NP) with these complications. In this case-control study, we aimed to examine the possible relationship between nutrient patterns and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) amongst the adult Iranian population. Methods: This case-control study is being conducted at the Metabolic Liver Disease Research Center at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. The study included 225 newly diagnosed cases of NAFLD and 450 controls. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) assessed dietary intake. Principal component analysis using Varimax rotation obtained nutrient patterns. Logistic regression was performed to estimate NAFLD risk. Results: We identified four major nutrient patterns. The first nutrient pattern was high in consumption of lactose, animal protein, vitamin D, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. The second nutrient pattern included fiber, plant protein, vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, copper, and selenium, while the third featured plant protein, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, chromium, and selenium. The fourth was characterized by fructose, vitamin A, pyridoxine, vitamin C, and potassium. After adjusting for confounders, individuals in the highest tertile of NP4 had lower odds of NAFLD (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.98, P_trend = 0.042); compared to those who were in the lowest tertile. Conclusion: High compliance to a nutrient pattern characterized by fructose, vitamin C, vitamin A, pyridoxine, and potassium mainly supplied from fruits, vegetables, and nuts is inversely proportional to the odds of NAFLD. Also our findings indicate a very high fiber intake, a relatively optimal dietary fat profile, and a pretty low sugar intake for cases and controls, unseen in western countries. However, these initial findings need to be approved with further studies to confirm the relationship between nutrient patterns and NAFLD.