Dietary inflammatory index in relation to the progression of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis: evaluation by elastography/Fibroscan.

One of the proposed mechanisms by which nutrition influences the progression of hepatic steatosis to fibrosis is inflammation. The study investigated how the inflammatory potential of the diet affects the risk of liver damage in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. This cross-sectional study included 170 outpatients with newly diagnosed NAFLD. This study used a device called Fibroscan® to measure the degree of liver fibrosis, which is the scarring of the liver tissue due to chronic inflammation. The study also used a tool called the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) to measure the inflammatory potential of the diet based on the intake of different foods and nutrients. In the findings of the study, patients with more severe fat accumulation in the liver (hepatic steatosis) had higher DII scores, meaning they had more inflammatory diets. The study also found that higher DII scores were associated with higher weight and body mass index (BMI). One standard deviation (SD) increase in DII scores was associated with a 0.29 kilopascal (95% CI: 0.10-0.44; P-value 0.001) increase in the mean liver stiffness, an indicator of liver fibrosis. The study concluded that patients with higher DII scores had a higher risk of developing liver fibrosis than those with lower DII scores, even after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio: 5.89; P-value: 0.001). The study suggested that eating less inflammatory foods may help prevent or slow down the progression of hepatic steatosis and liver in patients with NAFLD.

Association of Mediterranean diet pattern with disease activity in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study on Iranian patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes joint erosion, as well as damage to extra-articular organs. The aim of this study was the investigation of the association between the Mediterranean diet quality index with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study 184 females with rheumatoid arthritis were studied in Kermanshah, Iran. The American College of Rheumatology's 2010 criteria were used to diagnose RA. The biochemical tests including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid facto, anti-nuclear antibody titration, antibodies against cyclic citrulline peptide, disease activity score 28 and the food frequency questionnaire was used to assess rheumatoid arthritis activity and the Mediterranean diet quality index, respectively. To compare the dietary intakes of participants across tertiles of Mediterranean diet score, we used Analysis of Variance. Multinomial logistic regression with three adjusted models was used to investigate the association between Mediterranean diet score with disease activity. RESULTS: 184 eligible patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated in this study. The mean age and duration of disease, body mass index, waist circumference and percent body fat did not differ significantly among the tertiles of the Mediterranean diet score (P-value>0.05). Participants in the highest tertile of Mediterranean diet score had significantly greater intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish, legume, nuts and had lowest intake of grains (refrain grain) and red and process meats to white meat ratio (P-value<0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of variables related to disease activity among the tertiles of the Mediterranean score (P-value>0.05). In multi-adjusted models, the odds ratio of Mediterranean diet scores no significant different in the third as compared to the first tertile of Mediterranean diet score (P-value>0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings there is no association between the Mediterranean diet score and disease activity of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The Effect of Vit-D Supplementation on the Side Effect of BioNTech, Pfizer Vaccination and Immunoglobulin G Response Against SARS-CoV-2 in the Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Vitamin D participates in the biological function of the innate and adaptive immune system and inflammation. We aim to specify the effectiveness of the vitamin D supplementation on the side effects BioNTech, Pfizer vaccination, and immunoglobulin G response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in subjects tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: In this multi-center randomized clinical trial, 498 people tested positive for COVID-19 were divided into 2 groups, receiving vitamin D capsules or a placebo (1 capsule daily, each containing 600 IU of vitamin D) over 14-16 weeks. Anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were measured before and after the second dose of vaccination. Result: Fourteen to 16 weeks after supplementation, the intervention group had an immunoglobulin G (IgG) increase of 10.89 ± 1.2 g/L, while the control group had 8.89 ± 1.3 g/L, and the difference was significant between both groups (p = 0.001). After the second dose of vaccination, the supplement group significantly increased their 25-hydroxy vitamin D from initially 28.73 ± 15.6 ng/mL and increased to 46.48 ± 27.2 ng/mL, and the difference between them was significant. Those with a higher body mass index (BMI) had the most of symptoms, and the difference of side effects according to BMI level was significantly different. In 8 weeks after supplementation obese participants had the lowest IgG levels than overweight or normal subjects. The proportion of all types of side effects on the second dose was significantly diminished compared with the first dose in the intervention group. Conclusion: Supplementation of 600 IU of vitamin D3 can reduce post-vaccination side effects and increase IgG levels in participants who received BioNTech, Pfizer vaccine. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05851313.

A comparison of the portfolio low-carbohydrate diet and the ketogenic diet in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine disorders among women of fertile age. Women with PCOS manifest clinical symptoms like menstrual dysfunction, hirsutism, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia. As excessive amounts of insulin levels directly increase ovarian production of androgens, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are considered as the pathogenesis factors of PCOS. The portfolio low-carbohydrate diet (PLCD) is a plant-based diet with 40% carbohydrates combined with five cholesterol-lowering foods and nutrients. On the other hand, the ketogenic diet (KD) is a nutritional protocol with 10% carbohydrates. The purpose of this study is to determine whether PLCD or KD is more effective in alleviating PCOS symptoms. METHODS: Forty-six overweight or obese women diagnosed with PCOS will be randomly stratified to receive either PLCD or KD for 8 weeks. Measures related to anthropometric and body composition, glucose, and insulin level, HOMA-IR, sex hormones, lipid profile, quality of life, dietary intake, physical activity, and Ferriman-Gallwey score of all participants will be accessed before and after the intervention. DISCUSSION: Since the first line treatment of PCOS is lifestyle adjustment including diet control and exercise, there has not been determined the optimal diet for this population of women yet. Hence, the goal of conducting this study is to determine whether the PLCD or the KD could have more advantageous effects on attenuating PCOS manifestations. The result of this investigation will give us new insight into curing this disease and will provide evidence-based recommendations for prescribing an optimal diet for PCOS women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20200912048693N3, Trial registered 2022-12-14. https://www.irct.ir/trial/67548.

Association between dietary inflammatory index and infertility of women; Results from RaNCD Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, more and more attention has been paid to the influence of nutrition on reproductive health. Nevertheless, the imminent association between diet-related inflammation and the risk of infertility has not yet been established. The aim of the current study was to investigate the ability of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) to estimate infertility incidence in women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study on 4437 participants. The DII was calculated based on the reported consumption of up to 31 food parameters measured via a validated and reproducible 118-item food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the multivariable odds ratio (OR) adjusted for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Out of all participants, 411 women (9.26%) were infertile. The mean ± SD age and weight of infertile women were 43.67 ± 7.47 years and 72.86 ± 13.02 kg, respectively. Statistical analyses showed the odds ratio of infertility in the fourth quartile (pro-inflammatory diet) was 1.76 times higher than in the first quartile (anti-inflammatory diet) of DII (95% CI: 1.57-2.02). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide compelling evidence about the association between infertility and the quality of diet in women. Therefore, interventions and programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and using healthy diets can be considered as one of the effective approaches in the prevention and treatment of infertility in women.

The effects of vitamins and dietary pattern on epigenetic modification of non-communicable diseases.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have received more attention because of high prevalence and mortality rate. Besides genetic and environmental factors, the epigenetic abnormality is also involved in the pathogenesis of NCDs. Methylation of DNA, chromatin remodeling, modification of histone, and long non-coding RNAs are the main components of epigenetic phenomena. Methodology: In this review paper, the mechanistic role of vitamins and dietary patterns on epigenetic modification was discussed. All papers indexed in scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, and Elsevier were searched during 2000 - 2021 using, vitamins, diet, epigenetic repression, histones, methylation, acetylation, and NCDs as keywords. Results: The components of healthy dietary patterns like Mediterranean and dietary approaches to stop hypertension diets have a beneficial effect on epigenetic hemostasis. Both quality and quantity of dietary components influence epigenetic phenomena. A diet with calorie deficiency in protein content and methyl-donor agents in a long time, with a high level of fat, disrupts epigenetic hemostasis and finally, causes genome instability. Also, soluble and insoluble vitamins have an obvious role in epigenetic modifications. Most vitamins interact directly with methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation pathways of histone and DNA. However, numerous indirect functions related to the cell cycle stability and genome integrity have been recognized. Conclusion: Considering the crucial role of a healthy diet in epigenetic homeostasis, adherence to a healthy dietary pattern containing enough levels of vitamin and avoiding the western diet seems to be necessary. Having a healthy diet and consuming the recommended dietary level of vitamins can also contribute to epigenetic stability.

L-Carnitine supplementation reduces biomarkers of inflammatory and oxidative stress in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: l-Carnitine has been suggested as a potential nutrient that alleviates the oxidative and inflammatory damages of coronary artery disease (CAD), but the results of the previous studies of the importance of this supplementation remains unclear. This study attempts to evaluate the effects of l-carnitine (LC) supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with CAD. METHODS: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-trial was conducted on 75 CAD subjects. Patients were randomly assigned to receive LC (1000 mg/day) or placebo capsules over 3 months. Sera high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitrotyrosine (NT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assayed. RESULTS: A significant increase in serum TAC and a significant decrease in MPO, NT, and hs-CRP levels were detected following 12 weeks of LC supplementation, compared to the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that LC supplementation may exert beneficial effect on cardiovascular health through attenuate oxidative and inflammatory markers in CAD patients.

The association between self-reported mobile phone usage with blood pressure and heart rate: evidence from a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: With the advancement of technology, the rate of access and use of mobile phones in different communities has increased significantly. Mobile phones emit electromagnetic waves and therefore excessive use of them may have harmful effects on physical and mental health and especially on the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported mobile phone use duration and blood pressure and heart rate (HR) using data from Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was performed using the data of 8905 out of 10,065 participants in the RaNCD study in Iran. According to the mean self-reported duration of mobile phone usage (min/day) over the previous 12 months, all users were divided into four groups. The first and fourth groups had the least and most time using mobile phones respectively. The relationship between blood pressure and the duration of mobile phone use was determined using univariate and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Of 8905 participants aged 35-65 years, 1515 (17.0%) of them didn't use mobile phones. The minimum, maximum, and mean duration of self-reported mobile phone use between users were 3.4, 50.4, and 19.5 min/day, respectively. A decrease in women's systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and HR was observed by increasing the duration of mobile phone use. With adjustment for effective confounding factors, there was a significant negative association between SBP [-2.52 (-4.11, -0.94)], DBP [-1.86 (-2.83, -0.89)], and duration of mobile use. CONCLUSION: In this study, a significant decreasing trend was found between SBP, DBP, and HR and higher mobile phone usage in women. Based on regression analysis, SBP, DBP, and duration of mobile phone use were associated negatively in those who used their phones for at least 8 h.

Association of dietary inflammatory index with chronic kidney disease and kidney stones in Iranian adults: A cross-sectional study within the Ravansar non-communicable diseases cohort.

Chronic inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The association of dietary inflammatory index (DII) with CKD remains underexplored. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the association between the DII, risk of CKD, and kidney stone formation using the data from the Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study conducted in Kermanshah, Iran. The cross-sectional study was conducted using the recruitment phase data of the RaNCD cohort study comprising 9,824 individuals with an age range of 35-65 years. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were used to evaluate the association between diet and DII scores. Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (Cr) level. CKD was defined based on eGFR. The prevalence of kidney stones was evaluated by participants' self-report. A total of 1,791 participants (18.24%) had kidney stones, while a majority were in the first quartile (27.69%). Out of 9,824 subjects, 1,747 subjects (eGFR: 18.50 ml/min per 1.73 m2; 95% CI: 17.72-19.30) had CKD. A significant trend for eGFR across all quartiles (Qs) of DII was observed. The odds ratio of CKD in the fourth quartile (pro-inflammatory diet) was 4.38-times higher than in the first quartile (anti-inflammatory diet) of DII (95% CI = 3.58-5.36). Women were found to be more likely to have less eGFR than men in the DII Qs. Collectively, the findings indicated that consumption of a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with a high occurrence of CKD. As a matter of interest, the results also revealed that a pro-inflammatory diet had no significant correlation with kidney stone development.

Protective and therapeutic effectiveness of taurine supplementation plus low calorie diet on metabolic parameters and endothelial markers in patients with diabetes mellitus: a randomized, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Taurine supplementation as a sulfur-containing amino acid may attenuate and/or alleviate diabetes-induced complications and endothelial dysfunction via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of Taurine supplementation on endothelial dysfunction markers, oxidative stress, inflammation, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: In the current clinical trial, 120 patients with T2DM were randomly allocated to take either Taurine (containing 1 g Taurine, n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) three times per day for an eight-week period. Moreover, all patients were on a low-calorie diet. The primary outcome was fasting blood glucose (FBG) and endothelial markers including sera intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9). The secondary outcome was dietary intake, anthropometric indices, serum insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipid profile. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, Taurine-supplemented patients had a considerable decrease in serum insulin and HOMA-IR compared to placebo group. However, Taurine supplementation did not improve other metabolic parameters including lipid profiles, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting blood glucose (FBG). There was a significant decline in MDA, TNF, and hs-CRP levels after these eight-week period of Taurine supplementation. In addition, the Taurine group had fewer serum levels of endothelial dysfunction markers than the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from our study revealed that Taurine supplementation significantly reduced insulin and HOMA-IR, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial markers in individuals with T2DM. Trial registration The protocol of the study was recorded in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20180712040438N3).

A meta-analysis of dietary inflammatory index and bone health status.

Background: The inflammatory potential of diets is associated with several diseases and can affect bone health. We aimed to systematically review and pool the current evidence on the association of DII with bone health in observational studies. Methods: We searched PubMed and NLM Gateway (for Medline), Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE up to December 16, 2020 for studies that examined the relationship between DII score and bone mineral density (BMD) or fracture. All observational studies were included in this meta-analysis. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using Cochran Q-statistic and I2 statistics. Random effect meta-analysis method was used to pool the effect size. Stratified meta-analysis according to the type of study (cohort/ non-cohort) was performed to assess the relationship of DII with BMD and fracture. Results: In total, 13 articles were included in the present systematic review, including five cohorts, five cross-sectional, and three case-control studies. The total sample size of these studies was 211,938 individuals aged 5 to 85 years. According to random-effect meta-analysis, DII was associated with increased odds of fracture in non-cohort studies (pooled OR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.67), but this association was not statistically significant in cohort studies (pooled OR=1.03, 95%CI: 0.97, 1.09). Moreover, only in non-cohort studies, the mean of BMD in subjects in the highest DII category was significantly lower than those in the lowest DII category (SMD: -9.59, 95%CI: -10.84,-8.33). Conclusions: Our findings showed that high score of DII can have devastating effects on bone health. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm these findings among more diverse populations.

Probiotics Supplementation Improves Quality of Life, Clinical Symptoms, and Inflammatory Status in Patients With Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have proposed a link between psoriasis and imbalanced gut microbiome. Therefore, the modulation of the gut microbiota with probiotics may improve clinical outcomes, chronic inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, forty-six patients with psoriasis randomly assigned into probiotic capsules contains multi-strain at least 1.6× 109 CFU/g bacteria or placebo for two months. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), blood pressure, quality of life (QOL) pro-inflammatory cytokines (hs-CRP and IL1-β), and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were measured. RESULTS: Improvements in QOL was significant in patients taking probiotics supplementation comparing to the placebo group and PASI (-5.06±2.10 vs 0.30±1.80, P=0.049) as well. After the intervention, a considerable reduction in serum LPS levels (-7.21±10.33 vs -2.74±0.97 mmol/L, P=0.010), hs-CRP levels (-1.67±0.95 vs -0.70+ 0.38 mg/L, P=0.013), and IL1- β levels (-1.64±1.10 vs 0.17+ -0.20 mg/L, P=0.043) in the probiotics group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that probiotics significantly improved the quality of life and seriousness in psoriatic patients. Moreover, it enhances cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory/oxidative stress markers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial also was recorded in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (https://www.irct.ir) (code: IRCT20191124045483N1). J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(6):637-644. doi:10.36849/JDD.6237.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity and its association with renal function and kidney stones: Results of a RaNCD cohort study.

There is evidence to support the hypothesis that dietary antioxidants have shown protective effects against chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC), renal function, and development of CKD and kidney stones in Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort study, Kermanshah, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the recruitment baseline data of the RaNCD cohort study on 9,777 individuals aged 35-65 years. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was performed to assess diet. DTAC scores were calculated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of selected foods. Renal function was assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine concentration. Prevalent CKD was based on an eGFR less than <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Incidence of kidney stones was also assessed by self-reporting. Out of 9,777 participants, 1,747 subjects (eGFR: 18.50 ml/min per 1.73 m2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 17.72-19.30) had CKD. The mean DTAC score in this study was 0.24 ± 0.16 µmol TE/100 g (micromole of Trolox Equivalents). We showed a significant trend for eGFR across quartiles of DTAC, i.e., participants in the fourth quartile had a higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than those in the first one (DTAC Q4 vs Q1 = 82.20 versus 72.20 ml/min per 1.73 m2, p < .001). Another finding is that high DTAC scores were not associated with having kidney stones after adjusting for confounders. We revealed that higher DTAC scores have positive effects on the renal function. Interestingly, our findings showed that a high DTAC score had nonsignificant correlation with odds of kidney stones.

Worldwide prevalence of fungal coinfections among COVID-19 patients: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Microbial coinfections can increase the morbidity and mortality rates of viral respiratory diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of fungal coinfections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Embase were searched without language restrictions to identify the related research on COVID-19 patients with fungal coinfections from December 1, 2019, to December 30, 2020. A random-effects model was used for analysis. The sample size included 2,246 patients from 8 studies. The pooled prevalence of fungal coinfections was 12.60%. The frequency of fungal subtype coinfections was 3.71% for Aspergillus, 2.39% for Candida, and 0.39% for other. The World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe and Regional Office for Southeast Asia had the highest (23.28%) and lowest (4.53%) estimated prevalence of fungal coinfection, respectively. Our findings showed a high prevalence of fungal coinfections in COVID-19 cases, which is a likely contributor to mortality in COVID-19 patients. Early identification of fungal pathogens in the laboratory for COVID-19 patients can lead to timely treatment and prevention of further damage by this hidden infection.

Impact of Melatonin and Branched-Chain Amino Acids Cosupplementation on Quality of Life, Fatigue, and Nutritional Status in Cachectic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cardiac cachexia (CC) adversely affects the lifestyle of heart failure (HF) patients. The current study examined the impact of melatonin cosupplementation and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on quality of life (QoL), fatigue, and nutritional status in cachectic HF patients. Methods: In this trial, 84 CC patients were randomized to melatonin, BCAAs, or coadministration (both) as intervention groups and a control group over 8 weeks. At baseline and postintervention, QoL, fatigue, and nutritional status were assessed. Results: After intervention, improvement in the overall and physical dimensions of QoL and appetite score were found to be statistically significant in the BCAAs (P < .001) and the melatonin+BCAAs (P < .001) groups compared with the placebo group. The emotional dimension score was significantly lower in the BCAAs group compared with the placebo group (P = .001). There was a statistically significant improvement in fatigue severity in all 3 intervention groups compared with the placebo group. The nutrition risk index (NRI) score increased significantly only in the melatonin group (P = .015), and there was no significant difference between the other groups (P = .804). Conclusions: Cosupplementation with BCAAs and melatonin improved QoL, fatigue status, and appetite in cachectic HF patients but did not affect NRI.

Is there any association between dietary inflammatory index and quality of life? A systematic review.

Background: The inflammatory potential of unhealthy diets can lead to the development of chronic diseases and also exacerbating their complications. Therefore, the present systematic review aimed to evaluate the association of dietary inflammatory index (DII) and quality of life (QOL) in human subjects. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, using the combination of all search terms related to DII and QOL until May 2022. All eligible human studies published in English were included. Results: Three hundred twenty-seven studies were obtained from the first systematic search of the databases although, only eight studies were eligible for the evaluation. Seven studies reported that there was a significant reverse association between DII scores and overall QOL and/or its subscales in different populations including patients with asthma, osteoarthritis, hemodialysis patients, multiple sclerosis, obese women, and also in healthy subjects. While, one study on postmenopausal women found no evidence of this association. Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated that an anti-inflammatory diet might be associated with better QOL. However, future well-designed clinical trials can provide better conclusions especially regarding the quantifying of this relationship.

The relationship between Dietary Inflammatory Index and disease severity and inflammatory status: a case-control study of COVID-19 patients.

Numerous studies have revealed strong relationships between COVID-19 and inflammation. However, the imminent link between diet-related inflammation and the COVID-19 risk has not been addressed before. So, we explored the capability of the Energy-Adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) to predict the inflammatory markers, incidence and severity of COVID-19. We conducted a case-control study consisting of 120 adults; they had been admitted for COVID-19 at hospital during June and July, 2020. The E-DII score was calculated based on the dietary intake, which was evaluated by a 138-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Serum levels of inflammatory markers including the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and White blood cells (WBCs) differential were measured. Severity of disease was assessed by chest radiology criteria. Patients with the maximum pro-inflammatory energy adjusted E-DII score had 7·26 times greater odds of developing COVID-19, as compared to those in tertiles 1 (E-DII T3v. E-DII T1: OR = 7·26; 95 % CI 2·64 to 9·94, P < 0·001). Also, a positive association between E-DII and C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed (BE-DII = 1·37, 95 % CI 0·72, 2·02), such that with each unit increase in E-E-DII, the CRP levels were increased by 1·37 units. Furthermore, a significant association was found between E-DII and the severity of disease (BE-DII = 0·03, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·06. 0·024). Patients consuming a diet with a higher pro-inflammatory potential were at a greater risk of COVID-19 occurrence; also, the severity of disease was elevated with a high score inflammatory diet.

The effects of co-administration of probiotics and prebiotics on chronic inflammation, and depression symptoms in patients with coronary artery diseases: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that dysbiosis might have a role in developing of chronic inflammation and depression. In this study, we are interested in exploring of anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus G (LGG), a probiotic strain, alone or in combination with a prebiotic, Inulin, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was held on 96 patients with CAD. Patients were randomly allocated into four different groups: LGG [a capsule/day, contained 1.9 × 109 colony-forming unit of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus G], inulin (15 g/day), co-supplemented (LGG and inulin), and placebo. Participants consumed the supplements for two months. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), MacNew questionnaire and Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-Y) were used to assess depression, quality of life and anxiety, respectively. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and Interleukin (IL)-10 were also measured. RESULTS: Probiotic-Inulin Co-supplementation significantly decreased BDI (-11.52 ± 0+3.20 vs. +2.97 ± 0.39, P = 0.001), STAI-state (-17.63 ± 3.22 vs. -0.60 ± 0.33, P = 0.021), and STAI-trait (-24.31 ± 7.41 vs. -1.45 ± 0.66, P = 0.020) scores, hs-CRP (-1.69 ± 0+66 vs. +0.82 ± 0.39 mg/dL, P = 0.020), LPS (-22.02 ± 5.40 vs. +0.31 ± 0.18 (EU/L), P = 0.047), and TNF-α (-25.05 ± 7.41 vs. +0.79 ± 0.71 (ng/L), P = 0.032) in comparison to placebo. CONCLUSION: Co-supplementation of probiotics and inulin in CAD subjects for eight weeks had beneficial effects on depression, anxiety, and inflammatory biomarkers. Adding inulin to probiotic supplements improved psychological outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers more effectively than two supplements separately.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20180712040438N4..