Waves of sumoylation support transcription dynamics during adipocyte differentiation.

Tight control of gene expression networks required for adipose tissue formation and plasticity is essential for adaptation to energy needs and environmental cues. However, the mechanisms that orchestrate the global and dramatic transcriptional changes leading to adipocyte differentiation remain to be fully unraveled. We investigated the regulation of nascent transcription by the sumoylation pathway during adipocyte differentiation using SLAMseq and ChIPseq. We discovered that the sumoylation pathway has a dual function in differentiation; it supports the initial downregulation of pre-adipocyte-specific genes, while it promotes the establishment of the mature adipocyte transcriptional program. By characterizing endogenous sumoylome dynamics in differentiating adipocytes by mass spectrometry, we found that sumoylation of specific transcription factors like PPARγ/RXR and their co-factors are associated with the transcription of adipogenic genes. Finally, using RXR as a model, we found that sumoylation may regulate adipogenic transcription by supporting the chromatin occurrence of transcription factors. Our data demonstrate that the sumoylation pathway supports the rewiring of transcriptional networks required for formation of functional adipocytes. This study also provides the scientists in the field of cellular differentiation and development with an in-depth resource of the dynamics of the SUMO-chromatin landscape, SUMO-regulated transcription and endogenous sumoylation sites during adipocyte differentiation.

The effect of lutein and Zeaxanthine on dyslipidemia: A meta-analysis study.

AIMS: The relationship between circulating Lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) concentrations, and plasma lipoproteins has been indicated by observational studies. However, the beneficial impact of L/Z administration on dyslipidemia are unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of oral intake of L/Z on circulating total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), as well as high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. METHODS: We electronically assessed all eligible interventional studies through different electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ISI -Web of Science, and Cochrane library until Jun 2021. After identifying the quality of each included randomized controlled trials, they were evaluated by assessing the risk-difference between treatment and control groups by pooling available data on net change of serum LDL-C, HDL-C, and Cholesterol. RESULTS: L/Z supplementation has null effect on circulating levels of TC (WMD: -3.82 95% CI: -13.83, 6.18; I-square: 85.2%), and LDL-C (WMD: -4.54; 95% CI: -11.5, 2.48; I-square: 83.9%). In contrast, L/Z treatment could significantly increase HDL-C levels in older adults (WMD: 4.06; 95% CI: 0.64, 7.48; I-square: 50.7%). CONCLUSION: L/Z administration could be an effective treatment for improving circulating HDL-C concentration in elderly adults.

Comparison of in vitro activities of newer triazoles and classic antifungal agents against dermatophyte species isolated from Iranian University Hospitals: a multi-central study.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytes have the ability to invade the keratin layer of humans and cause infections. The aims of this study were the accurate identification of dermatophytes by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method and sequencing and comparison between the in vitro activities of newer and established antifungal agents against them. METHODS: Clinical specimens of patients from five Iranian university laboratories were entered in this study. Samples were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar medium. For molecular identification, extracted DNAs were amplified by the universal fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4, and digested with MvaI enzymes. The antifungal susceptibility test for each isolate to terbinafine, griseofulvin, caspofungin, fluconazole, itraconazole, luliconazole, and isavuconazole was performed, according to the microdilution CLSI M38-A2 and CLSI M61 standard methods. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven fungi species similar to dermatophytes were isolated of which 198 (95.6%) were dermatophytes by molecular assay. The most commonly isolated were Trichophyton mentagrophytes (76/198), followed by Trichophyton interdigitale (57/198), Trichophyton rubrum (34/198), Trichophyton tonsurans (12/198), Microsporum canis (10/198), Trichophyton simii (3/198), Epidermophyton floccosum (3/198), Trichophyton violaceum (2/198), and Trichophyton benhamiae (1/198). The GM MIC and MIC90 values for all the isolates were as follows: terbinafine (0.091 and 1 µg/ml), griseofulvin (1.01 and 4 µg/ml), caspofungin (0.06 and 4 µg/ml), fluconazole (16.52 and 32 µg/ml), itraconazole (0.861 and 8 µg/ml), isavuconazole (0.074 and 2 µg/ml), and luliconazole (0.018 and 0.25 µg/ml). CONCLUSION: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton interdigitale, and Trichophyton rubrum were the most common fungal species isolated from the patients. luliconazole, terbinafine, and isavuconazole in vitro were revealed to be the most effective antifungal agents against all dermatophyte isolates.

Role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients.

BACKGROUND: Invasive aspergillosis is one of the important causes of infection in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to evaluate the roles of biomarkers in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and their relationship with antifungal stewardship programs. METHODS: 190 sera from 52 immunocompromised patients and volunteer individuals were included in this study. 18 immunocompromised volunteers without IA and 34 patients with probable and proven aspergillosis according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group consensus definitions were entered in this study. The respective sera were evaluated for procalcitonin, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) levels; white blood cells count (WBC) count, C reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values. Demographic data and clinical characteristics of patients were extracted from their files. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio and mean age of patients were 22/12 and 38.9 years, respectively. The hematologic disorder was the most predisposing factor (29/34, 85.3%). Sensitivity of biomarkers for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis was 70.6% (cut off value > 190 pg/mL for sTREM-1, 71% (cut off value > 260 pg/mL) for PCT, 85.3% (cut off value > 193 U/L) for LDH, 94.1% (cut off value > 8 mg/l) for CRP, 64.7% (cut off value < 5200 cells/ml) for WBC, and 85.3% (cut off value > 23 mm/h) for ESR. Twelve patients died, with significantly increased sTREM-1 levels and decreased WBC count in them. CONCLUSION: According to our data, evaluation of the biomarkers can help in the diagnosis, management, and prediction of the severity of Aspergillus infection, and the rational use of antifungal agents in immunocompromised patients.

Suspended fine particulate matter (PM2.5), microplastics (MPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air: Their possible relationships and health implications.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and their associated microcontaminants have been linked to increased harmful effects on the human health. In this study, the possible relationships between PM2.5, microplastics (MPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in an urban area of Bushehr port, in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. Presence, sources, and health risks of MPs and PAHs in both normal and dusty days were also investigated. The median of PM2.5 and Æ©PAHs were 52.8 µg/m3 and 14.1 ng/m3, respectively, indicating high pollution levels especially in dusty days. The mean level of MPs in urban suspended PM2.5 was 5.2 items/m3. Fragments were the most abundant shape of identified MPs and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most plastic types in urban dust of Bushehr port. The results revealed that PM2.5 and MPs may possibly act as a carrier for airborne MPs and PAHs, respectively. In addition, the significant positive relationships between MPs, wind speed and wind direction, confirmed that the MPs transportation were highly controlled by atmospheric condition. Moreover, the source identification methods and trajectory analyses indicated that petrogenic sources from both proximal and distal origins play an important role in the level of PAHs. The results of chronic health risk evaluation via inhalation revealed that PM2.5-bound PAHs had high potential cancer risk in winter, while, the estimated risks for non-carcinogenic PAHs were not considerable. In the case of MPs, the assessment of human intake of MPs via inhalation highlighted the possible risks for habitants.

A study on women's health information needs in menopausal age.

Menopause is a natural event experienced by women in middle age. To help women manage this event, it is important to identify their health information needs. A study specific questionnaire was used to identify menopausal women's health information needs and the resources and challenges related to finding information about menopause. A total of 301 women aged 48-55 years completed the questionnaire. Data were analysed using negative binomial regression and chi-square tests. The most frequently sought information was that related to breast cancer (n = 209, 69.5%), hot flushes (n = 200, 66.5%), cervical cancer (n = 194, 64.5%), non-hormonal therapies for menopausal symptoms (n = 192, 64%), laboratory tests (n = 189, 63%) and joint and muscle pain (n = 188, 62.5%). The main sources of information were audiovisual media (n = 171, 57%), obstetricians (n = 165, 55%), friends (n = 157, 52%), family (n = 157, 52%) and the internet (n = 153, 51%). The two main challenges were not knowing how to correctly access information (n = 115, 38%) and not being aware of reliable sources of information (n = 108, 36%). Therefore, it is essential for policymakers and decision-makers to provide reliable and accurate information to increase awareness and reduce anxiety of women experiencing menopause.

Novel Photonic Bio-Chip Sensor Based on Strained Graphene Sheets for Blood Cell Sorting.

A photonic biochip with a tunable response in the visible range is suggested for blood cell sorting applications. Multi-layers of ZnS and Ge slabs (as the main building blocks), hosting a cell in which bio-sample could be injected, are considered as the core of the sensor. In order to increase the sensitivity of the chip, the bio-cell is capsulated inside air slabs, and its walls are coated with graphene sheets. Paying special attention to white and red blood components, the optimum values for structural parameters are extracted first. Tunability of the sensor detectivity is then explored by finding the role of the probe light incident angle, as well as its polarization. The strain of the graphene layer and angle in which it is applied are also suggested to further improve the performance tunability. Results reflect that the biochip can effectively identify selected components through their induced different optical features, besides of the different figure of merit and sensitivity amounts that are recorded for them by the sensor.

Cerebral and pulmonary aspergillosis, treatment and diagnostic challenges of mixed breakthrough invasive fungal infections: case report study.

BACKGROUND: Breakthrough invasive fungal infections (bIFIs) are an area of concern in the scarcity of new antifungals. The mixed form of bIFIs is a rare phenomenon but could be potentially a troublesome challenge when caused by azole-resistant strains or non-Aspergillus fumigatus. To raise awareness and emphasize diagnostic challenges, we present a case of mixed bIFIs in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. CASE PRESENTATION: A newly diagnosed 18-month-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was complicated with prolonged severe neutropenia after induction chemotherapy. He experienced repeated episodes of fever due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli bloodstream infection and pulmonary invasive fungal infection with Aspergillus fumigatus (early-type bIFIs) while receiving antifungal prophylaxis. Shortly after pulmonary involvement, his condition aggravated by abnormal focal movement, loss of consciousness and seizure. Cerebral aspergillosis with Aspergillus niger diagnosed after brain tissue biopsy. The patient finally died despite 108-day antifungal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed bIFIs is a rare condition with high morbidity and mortality in the patients receiving immunosuppressants for hematological malignancies. This case highlights the clinical importance of Aspergillus identification at the species level in invasive fungal infections with multiple site involvement in the patients on antifungal prophylaxis.

Changing face of Candida colonization pattern in pediatric patients with hematological malignancy during repeated hospitalizations, results of a prospective observational study (2016-2017) in shiraz, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of current changes in the epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Diseases (IFDs) as an important component of the antifungal stewardship programs (ASP), requires careful regular monitoring, especially in high-risk settings such as oncology centers. This study aimed to examine Candida colonization status and corresponding current changes in children with malignancy during repeated admissions and also investigate the possible epidemiological shifts after the implementation of ASP. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, all eligible patients younger than 18 years were recruited during 2016-2017 at Amir Medical Oncology Center (AMOC) in Shiraz, Iran. Totally, 136 patients were enrolled and 482 samples were collected from different sites (oral/nasal discharges, urine and stool). Weekly regular sampling was carried out during hospitalization. Candida colonization status and epidemiological changes were monitored during repeated admissions. Samples were cultivated on Sabouraud Dextrose agar medium and identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction -Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Estimated Candida colonization incidence was 59.9% (82/136) in our patients. Candida colonization was found to be higher in oral cavity and rectum than that in nasal cavity. Among those long-term follow ups and repetitive hospitalizations, a significant number of patients exhibited changes in their colonization patterns (37.7%). Candida colonization did not reveal any significant relationship with age, sex, oncologic diseases and degree of neutropenia. C. albicans (72.0%) was found as the most common Candida species in colonized patients, followed by C. krusei, C. kefyr, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. CONCLUSION: Given the high incidence of Candida infections in children with cancers, close monitoring of epidemiologic changes is essential for judicious management, based on local surveillance data and improvement of overall quality of care in high risk patients.

Expression and hydroxyurea-triggered induction of EGFP upon CRISPR/Cas9-mediated integration into the γ-globin gene of K562 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To knock-in an EGFP cassette into the γ-globin genes of K562 cells via CRISPR/Cas9, and to assess expression and hydroxyurea (HU)-mediated induction of the targeted EGFP transgene. RESULTS: The EGFP cassettes were specifically knocked into the Gγ gene. EGFP expression was detected in the targeted cell population and isolated clones. Furthermore, EGFP transcript and fluorescence levels were significantly induced following HU-treatment. CONCLUSION: This system is readily utilizable for genome scale studies of cis-acting regulatory elements which are implicated in γ-globin expression or HU-mediated induction.

Self-purification of marine environments for heavy metals: a study on removal of lead(II) and copper(II) by cuttlebone.

The aim of this study was to determine adsorption properties of cuttlebone, cuttlefish bone as dead biomass, for lead(II) and copper(II) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption kinetic, isotherm and effect of pH (in the range of 2.0-7.0) were investigated in a single component batch system at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C). The heavy metal adsorption by cuttlebone was relatively rapid and reached equilibrium in 120 min in all the cases. The pseudo-second order rate equation described the adsorption kinetic of both the ions. The adsorption capacities of Pb2+ and Cu2+ were constantly increased by pH and the optimum condition of pH was determined to be 7.0. The Freundlich model was better fitted than other models with the isotherm data, indicating sorption of the metal ions in a heterogeneous surface. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacities of cuttlebone for Pb2+ and Cu2+ were determined to be 45.9 and 39.9 mg/g, respectively. The results indicated cuttlebone as a promising adsorbent for Pb2+ and Cu2+, which presents a high capacity of self-purification in marine environments and also can be used for removal of the metal ions from water and wastewater.

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and acoustic response techniques to discriminate healthy and cancerous breast tissues.

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and subsequent acoustic response during microplasma formation are employed to identify cancerous human breast tissues. The characteristic optical emissions identify Ca, Na, and Mg rich species in cancerous tissues compared to those of healthy ones. Furthermore, we show that the characteristic parameters of the microplasma, generated on the unhealthy tissues, are elevated. We report higher decibel audio signals emanating from laser induced microplasma and a subsequent audio blueshift for malignant tissues. The higher abundance of trace elements in cancerous tissues as well as higher plasma temperature and electron density in laser induced microplasma (leading to a stronger shockwave) intensify the acoustic signals.

Synthesis of walnut shell modified with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles for efficient removal of humic acid from aqueous solutions.

The main aim of this research was to study the efficiency of modified walnut shell with titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in the adsorption of humic acid from aqueous solutions. This experimental study was carried out in a batch condition to determine the effects of factors such as contact time, pH, humic acid concentration, dose of adsorbents (raw walnut shell, modified walnut shell with TiO2 and ZnO) on the removal efficiency of humic acid. pHzpc of raw walnut shell, walnut shell modified with TiO2 and walnut shell modified with ZnO were 7.6, 7.5, and 8, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of humic acid at concentration of 30 mg/L, contact time of 30 min at pH = 3 in an adsorbent dose of 0.02 g of walnut shell and ZnO and TiO2 modified walnut shell were found to be 35.2, 37.9, and 40.2 mg/g, respectively. The results showed that the studied adsorbents tended to fit with the Langmuir model. Walnut shell, due to its availability, cost-effectiveness, and also its high adsorption efficiency, can be proposed as a promising natural adsorbent in the removal of humic acid from aqueous solutions.

The impact of multidisciplinary rehabilitation on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients in Iran.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hemodialysis contributes to changes in lifestyle and the health status of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of participatory rehabilitation on the quality of life of patients. METHODS: This quasi-experimental before and after study was conducted on 30 patients in the hemodialysis center at Hazrat-e-Rasoul Hospital in Javanrood during 2013. The rehabilitation program was executed with participation of experts in the fields of nursing, physiotherapy, and clinical psychology for 8 weeks. The instrument used for data collection was the hemodialysis version of Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI) which was completed by the research assistant by interview before and after the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 55.8 ± 14.3 years, 60% were male, and 93.3% were married. The average duration of hemodialysis was 3 ± 2.4 years. The quality of life score of all patients before the intervention was between 10 and 19 (moderate level), which after intervention, improved to a good level in half of the patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation programs improve the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. By this finding, implementation of rehabilitation programs is recommended in hemodialysis centers with participation of experts from different fields including nurses, physiotherapists, and clinical psychologists.

Simvastatin prevents morphine antinociceptive tolerance and withdrawal symptoms in rats.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Long-term exposure to opiates induces tolerance to the analgesic effect and dependence. In recent years, several studies have been conducted to find agents that can prevent the development of these two phenomena. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, on morphine-induced tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. METHODS: Groups of male rats received daily morphine [for induction of tolerance (10 mg/kg) and for induction of dependence (additive doses: 5 mg/kg/12 h, 10 mg/kg/12 h, 15 mg/kg/12 h, 20 mg/kg/12 h, and 25 mg/kg/12 h)] in combination with propylene glycol or simvastatin [5 mg/kg, per os (p.o.), 10 mg/kg, p.o., and 20 mg/kg, p.o.]. Next, the nociception was assessed by the plantar test apparatus. The latency was recorded when the animal responded to the light stimulus. The animals received additional doses of morphine for 9 days in order to induce dependency. One hour after the last dose of the morphine injection, naloxone was administered and withdrawal symptoms were recorded for 1 hour. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that chronic morphine administration induced tolerance to the analgesic effect for 19 days, whereas simvastatin (20 mg/kg, p.o.) delayed the day of the established tolerance by 5 days. The administration of simvastatin also prevented the morphine-induced shift to the right of the 50% effective dose (ED50) in the dose-response curve. Furthermore, the results showed that simvastatin decreased the total withdrawal score significantly. CONCLUSION: We found that simvastatin attenuated morphine-induced tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

Non-destructive test-based assessment of uniaxial compressive strength and elasticity modulus of intact carbonate rocks using stacking ensemble models.

The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and elasticity modulus (E) of intact rock are two fundamental requirements in engineering applications. These parameters can be measured either directly from the uniaxial compressive strength test or indirectly by using soft computing predictive models. In the present research, the UCS and E of intact carbonate rocks have been predicted by introducing two stacking ensemble learning models from non-destructive simple laboratory test results. For this purpose, dry unit weight, porosity, P-wave velocity, Brinell surface harnesses, UCS, and static E were measured for 70 carbonate rock samples. Then, two stacking ensemble learning models were developed for estimating the UCS and E of the rocks. The applied stacking ensemble learning method integrates the advantages of two base models in the first level, where base models are multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and random forest (RF) for predicting UCS, and support vector regressor (SVR) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) for predicting E. Grid search integrating k-fold cross validation is applied to tune the parameters of both base models and meta-learner. The results demonstrate the generalization ability of the stacking ensemble method in the comparison of base models in the terms of common performance measures. The values of coefficient of determination (R2) obtained from the stacking ensemble are 0.909 and 0.831 for predicting UCS and E, respectively. Similarly, the stacking ensemble yielded Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values of 1.967 and 0.621 for the prediction of UCS and E, respectively. Accordingly, the proposed models have superiority in the comparison of SVR and MLP as single models and RF and XGBoost as two representative ensemble models. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the impact of input parameters.

Understanding the performance of RHO type zeolite membrane for CH4/N2 separation based on molecular dynamics and deep neural network methods.

This study shows a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study on the performance of the RHO zeolite membrane for separating nitrogen from methane/nitrogen gas mixtures. The contamination of natural gas, predominantly composed of methane, with nitrogen diminishes its value. Zeolite membranes offer promising prospects for gas separation due to their stability, rigid pore structure, and molecular sieving properties. The study investigates the impact of pressure difference (up to 30 MPa), feed composition, and membrane thickness on the separation rate at a system temperature of 298 K. Results demonstrate that the RHO zeolite membrane exhibits high permeability and selectivity for N2 separation, surpassing the upper limit defined by Robson with a maximum permeability of 2.14 × 105 GPU (Gas Permeation Units). Exceptional selectivity of N2 over CH4 molecules is observed. Additionally, altering the feed composition and membrane thickness positively influences the membrane's separation performance, thereby enhancing its efficiency. The findings contribute to the advancement of separation technologies, providing valuable insights into the potential application of zeolite membranes for efficient N2 separation from CH4/N2 gas mixtures in natural gas processing. Furthermore, the study explores the use of Deep Neural Network (DNN) models to predict the membrane's performance under diverse operating conditions. The DNN models, trained using simulation data from MD simulations, exhibit high accuracy with a coefficient of determination (R2) exceeding 0.9, ensuring reliable predictions. The integration of DNN models facilitates the optimization of zeolite membrane-based gas separation systems, improving their design and operation.

Falling and rising in the vortex of cancer: children's adaptation with cancer: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a considerable health problem worldwide and the second leading cause of death in children. It has many physical, psychological, and social consequences for children and their families. The ability to adapt to cancer plays a vital role in the recovery and quality of life of affected children. This study aimed to explain the adaptation of children with cancer to their disease. METHODS: This qualitative study adopted the directed content analysis approach based on the Roy nursing model. The participants were nine children with cancer aged 6-18 years old, five family members, four nurses, one doctor, one teacher, and two charity association members, recruited by purposive sampling method. The information was collected via individual semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and field notes. The data were analyzed simultaneously with data collection using the Elo and Kyngäs method. The study rigor was ensured based on the Guba and Lincoln criteria. FINDINGS: Of the four categories of physical challenges, fragile self-concept, the difficulty of role transition, and disruption of the path to independence, the theme of Falling and rising in the cancer vortex was abstracted. CONCLUSION: Based on the Roy model, the children in the present study were at the compensatory level of adaptation. This research demonstrates that the adaptation of children being treated for cancer is fragile and not constant. With each hospitalization and exacerbation of the disease, they made efforts to adapt to their disease using regulatory and cognitive subsystems. Paying attention to different stimulants and the effects of support systems on physical challenges, fragile self-concept, difficult role transition, and disruption of the path to independence for each child, as well as providing individualized care for these children, can help their adaptation to and healthy transition from the vortex of cancer. The Roy adaptation model was helpful and efficient for elucidating the adaptation of children with cancer. Providing care for children by healthcare specialists, especially nurses, should be theory-based and individualized.

Effects of Satureja Khuzestanica supplementation on glycemic indices and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes patients: a randomized controlled clinical-trial.

BACKGROUND: Several studies showed the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Satureja Khuzestanica (SK) in animal models. This study aimed to determine the effect of SK supplementation on glycemic and lipid outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The study was designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial using block randomization. Seventy-eight T2DM patients were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 39) or placebo (n = 39) groups. They received SK or placebo in 500 mg capsules daily for 12 weeks. Anthropometric, blood pressure, liver enzymes, glycemic, and lipid outcomes were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences in age, sex, or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between the groups. SK supplementation led to a significant decrease in FBS (-12.6 ± 20.7 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 3.5 ± 31.9 mg/dl; p = 0.007), HbA1c (-0.28 ± 0.45 in the intervention group versus 0.11 ± 0.54% in the placebo group; p = < 0.001), insulin (-1.65 ± 6.18 in the intervention group versus 2.09 ± 5.90 mIU/L in the placebo group; p = 0.03), total cholesterol (-14.6 ± 21.1 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 8.2 ± 30.9 mg/dl in the placebo group; p < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (-4.6 ± 15.2 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 5.8 ± 14.6 mg/dl in placebo group; p < 0.001) levels, and significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (3.9 ± 4.9 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 0.9 ± 5.2 mg/dl in placebo group; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Based on the study results, SK supplementation may improve glycemic indices and lipid profile of patients with T2DM. Our findings may provide novel complementary treatments without adverse effects for diabetes complications. These results need to be further confirmed in clinical trials. REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT ID: IRCT20190715044214N1, registration date: 21/02/2021).