The skeleton is the framework and in charge of body configuration preservation. As a living tissue, bones are constantly being formed and absorbed. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are the main bone cells ...and balance between their activities indicates bone health. Several mechanisms influence the bone turnover and RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway is one of them. This system, whose components are part of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, exists in many organs and could play a role in bone modeling and remodeling. RANKL/RANK pathway controls osteoclasts activity and formation. In addition, they are identified as key factors on bone turnover in different pathological situations. At the same time, OPG (RANKL’s decoy receptor) plays role as a bone-protective factor by binding to RANKL and prevention of extra resorption. The lack of balance between RANKL and OPG could result in excessive bone resorption. Probiotics, the beneficial microorganisms for human health, entail bones in their advantages. Recent studies suggest that probiotics could reduce inflammatory factors (for example TNF-α and IL-1β) and increase bone OPG expression. In addition, probiotics have shown to maintain bones in various ways. Although current evidence is not enough for definitive approval of probiotics’ efficacy on RANKL/RANK/OPG, its positive responses from conducted studies are significant. Understanding of the probiotics’ effects on RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway will help focus future studies, and assist in developing efficient treatment strategies.
Objective. This trial aims to examine the effects of a Probiotic Mixture (VSL#3) on glycemic status and inflammatory markers, in women with GDM. Materials and Methods. Over a period of 8 weeks, 82 ...women with gestational diabetes were randomly assigned to either an intervention group ( n = 41 ) which were given VSL#3 capsule or to a control group which were given placebo capsule ( n = 41 ). Fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, glycosylated hemoglobin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, Interferon gamma, and interleukin-10 were measured before and after the intervention. Results. After 8 wk of supplementation FPG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and insulin levels remained unchanged in the probiotic and placebo groups. The comparison between the two groups showed no significant differences with FPG and HbA1c, but there were significant differences in insulin levels and HOMA-IR ( 16.6 ± 5.9 ; 3.7 ± 1.5 , resp.). Unlike the levels of IFN-g ( 19.21 ± 16.6 ), there was a significant decrease in levels of IL-6 ( 3.81 ± 0.7 ), TNF-α ( 3.10 ± 1.1 ), and hs-CRP ( 4927.4 ± 924.6 ). No significant increase was observed in IL-10 ( 3.11 ± 5.7 ) in the intervention group as compared with the control group. Conclusions. In women with GDM, supplementation with probiotics (VSL#3) may help to modulate some inflammatory markers and may have benefits on glycemic control.
Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) as a chronic disease, is on rise in parallel with other non-communicable diseases. Several studies have shown that probiotics and prebiotics might exert beneficial effects in ...chronic diseases including diabetes. Because of controversial results from different trials, the present study aims to assess the effects of prebiotic/synbiotic consumption on metabolic parameters in patients with type2 diabetes.
A systematic literature search was performed on randomized controlled trial published in PubMed/Medline, SciVerse Scopus, Google scholar, SID and Magiran up to March 2018. Of a total number of 255 studies found in initial literature search, ten randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled mean net change were calculated in fasting blood-glucose FBG, Hemoglobin A1c HbA1c and lipid markers (total cholesterol TC, triglyceride TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-C). The meta-analyses was conducted using Revman Software (v5.3).
The pooled estimate indicated a significant difference for the mean change in FBG, HbA1c and HDL in treatment group in comparison with control group. Subgroup analysis by intervention showed a significant difference in TG, LDL and HDL (synbiotic group) and in TG, TC, FBG, HDL and HbA1c (prebiotic group) compared with placebo. In another subgroup analysis, high quality studies showed significant reductions in TG, TC, FBG and HbA1c in intervention group compared with placebo group.
In summary, diets supplemented with either prebiotics or synbiotics can result in improvements in lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetic patients.
Sleep disturbances are common in nearly one-third of adults. Both low quality of sleep and sleep time could be related to increased obesity. An increase in visceral adipose tissue can result in the ...secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammatory cytokines can lead to a disturbance of the sleep-wake rhythm. Therefore, weight loss may improve sleep quality and duration. Intermittent fasting diet as a popular diet reduces body weight and improves anthropometric indices. This study is performed to further investigate the effect of a modified intermittent fasting diet on sleep quality and anthropometric indices.
This is an open-label randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of daily calorie restriction (control) and modified intermittent fasting (intervention) on sleep quality, anthropometric data, and body composition in women with obesity or overweight for 8 weeks. Fifty-six participants will be classified using stratified randomization based on body mass index (BMI) and age. Then, participants will be assigned to one of the two groups of intervention or control using the random numbers table. The sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia will be evaluated by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Insomnia Severity Index respectively. The primary outcomes chosen for the study were as follows: the difference in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, BMI, fat-free mass (FFM), body fat mass, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio from baseline to 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes chosen for the study were as follows: the difference in hip circumference, the visceral fat area, percent body fat, soft lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, extracellular water ratio, and total body water from baseline to 8 weeks.
This study will investigate the effect of intermittent fasting intervention compared with daily calorie restriction on sleep quality and anthropometric indices. The information gained will enhance our understanding of fasting interventions, which can be used to improve clinical dietary recommendations. The findings will help to disclose as yet the unknown relationship between diet and sleep quality.
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20220522054958N3. Registered on 8 July 2022. https://www.irct.ir/trial/64510 .
IntroductionPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes a range of physical, behavioural and psychological symptoms and decreases women’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It has been proposed that ...increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with menstrual problems and decreased HRQoL. The body fat amount plays a role in menstrual cycles by altering the oestrogen/progesterone ratio. Alternate day fasting as an unusual diet results in the improvement of anthropometric indices and reduction of body weight. This study aims to investigate the effect of a daily calorie restriction diet and a modified alternate day fasting diet on PMS and HRQoL.Methods and analysisThis 8-week open-label parallel randomised controlled trial examines the impact of a modified alternate-day fasting diet and daily caloric restriction on the severity of PMS and HRQoL in obese or overweight women. Using simple random sampling, women between the ages of 18 years and 50 years and 25 ≤ BMI ˂ 40 who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be chosen from the Kashan University of Medical Sciences Centre. Patients will be randomised, based on BMI and age through stratified randomisation. Then by the random numbers table, they are allocated to fasting (intervention) or daily calorie restriction (control) groups. Outcomes are chosen for the trial: the difference in the severity of PMS, HRQoL, BMI, body fat mass, fat-free mass, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, hip circumference, per cent body fat, skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat area from baseline to 8 weeks.Ethics and disseminationThe Kashan University of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee has approved the trial (IR.KAUMS.MEDNT.REC.1401.003) (17 April 2022). Results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and the participants will be informed via phone calls.Trial registration numberIRCT20220522054958N1.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the autoimmune diseases characterized by the lack of self-tolerance and the formation of immune complexes and nuclear autoantigens resulting in ...inflammation in multiple organs. Nowadays, the major aim of SLE therapy is the control of disease activity. However, the biological heterogeneity between patients and the absence of safe and specific targeted treatments complicate the lupus management. Therefore, the potential prophylactic effects of natural therapy considering the potential side effects of classical pharmacology, also the role of diet therapy in decreasing co-morbidities and improving quality of life in SLE patients could be a promising approach to SLE disease. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) are one of the agents that are considered for their preventive and therapeutic properties in disease activity of SLE and the related complications. The intake of omega-3 PUFAs likely has a direct relationship with improvements in inflammatory, cardiovascular, depressive, and neuromotor symptoms of the patients. The current review summarizes clinical and preclinical studies with comprehensive insights into the mechanisms of action of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus to provide an update on the negative and positive aspects of the intake of omega-3 FAs in SLE patients.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Both sleep time and quality can be associated with overweight or obesity. In obese people, visceral fat tissue develops, which results in an increment in the production of cytokines. The increased ...production of inflammatory cytokines can disturb the sleep/wake cycle. Therefore, weight loss by reducing fat tissue can improve sleep disorders. Intermittent fasting diets are popular and effective diets that can decrease body weight and improve anthropometric data and body composition. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Alternate-day Modified Fasting (ADMF) on sleep quality, body weight, and daytime sleepiness.
Classification of 56 obese or overweight women, based on age and body mass index (BMI), was done using stratified randomization. Then individuals were assigned to the ADMF group (intervention) or Daily Calorie Restriction (CR) group (control) using the random numbers table for 8 weeks. We measured the Pittsburgh sleep quality Index (PSQI), weight, BMI, and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) as primary outcomes and assessed subjective sleep quality (SSQ), sleep latency, sleep disturbances, habitual sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, and sleep duration as secondary outcomes at baseline and after the study.
Following an ADMF diet resulted in a greater decrease in weight (kg) -5.23 (1.73) vs. -3.15 (0.88);
< 0.001 and BMI (kg/m
) -2.05 (0.66) vs. -1.17 (0.34);
< 0.001 compared to CR. No significant differences were found in the changes of PSQI -0.39 (1.43) vs. -0.45 (1.88);
= 0.73 and ESS -0.22 (1.24) vs. -0.54 (1.67);
= 0.43 between two groups. Also, following the ADMF diet led to significant changes in SSQ -0.69 (0.47) vs. -0.08 (0.40);
= <0.001, and daytime dysfunction -0.65 (0.57) vs. 0.04 (0.75);
: 0.001 in compare with CR diet.
These results suggested that an ADMF could be a beneficial diet for controlling body weight and BMI. The ADMF diet didn't affect PSQI and ESS in women with overweight or obesity but significantly improved SSQ and daytime dysfunction.
The Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20220522054958N3), https://www.irct.ir/trial/64510.
Purpose of Review
The effect of cocoa consumption on blood pressure (BP) has been investigated in previous studies; however, to date, no meta-analysis has been conducted specific to middle-aged and ...elderly subjects. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cocoa consumption on indices of blood pressure, in middle-aged and elderly subjects.
Recent Findings
Pubmed/Medline™, Cochrane Library™, Google Scholar™, and Scopus™ were searched until March 2019. The quantitative Jadad scale was used as the systematic assessment of bias in the included trials. We used a random effects model to estimate the pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We further conducted sensitivity analysis and stratified analysis by baseline blood pressure, follow-up duration, and mean age. Thirteen studies with 758 total participants were included in the present meta-analysis. A significant reduction in SBP by 2.77 (95% CI − 5.28, − 0.27,
P
= 0.03,
I
2
= 89%) and DBP by 1.47 mm/Hg (− 95% CI − 2.40, − 0.55,
P
= 0.001,
I
2
= 45%) were observed after cocoa consumption. Stratified analyses showed BP-lowering effects of cocoa consumption in longer-term duration and hypertensive subgroups.
Summary
Our meta-analysis showed a significant inverse association between cocoa consumption and SBP/DBP. However, the analysis could not conclude any beneficial effect of cocoa consumption on blood pressure in normotensive/elevated blood pressure subjects. Therefore, further studies are warranted to affirm the efficacy of cocoa consumption for the improvement of blood pressure in elderly subjects.
Background and Aims
Food security is a complex and multidimensional issue that has been recognized as a serious public health problem all over the world for the past two decades. The present study ...was designed and conducted to determine the prevalence of food insecurity among college students at the Kashan University of Medical Sciences and some related factors including socioeconomic and mental health determinants.
Methods
The present study is a cross‐sectional study conducted on 358 students who were currently studying at the Kashan University of Medical Sciences. The students who were pregnant or had a special diet to follow were excluded. Samples were selected by the systematic method. Food security was measured using United States Department of Agriculture. Food Frequency Questionnaire, 21‐items Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, and Socioeconomic Questionnaire were used to investigate the nutrients intake, depression/anxiety status, and socioeconomic factors, respectively. Chi‐square, independent t‐test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.
Results
Based on the findings of the present study, 16.8% of students experienced different levels of food insecurity, and 83.2% of participants were categorized as food secure. Gender, financial assistance, health insurance, depression, and students' occupation are associated with food insecurity (P < .05). Additionally, the results of the logistic regression analysis showed that depression (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01‐1.07), and students' jobs (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.23‐0.80) have the greatest impact on students' food insecurity.
Conclusion
The findings of the present study show that economic factors and gender have a significant impact on students' food security. Moreover, the association of food insecurity with mental disorders such as depression was demonstrated in the current study. However, we could not detect any significant association between daily energy intake and macronutrients which indicates the requirement for more detailed studies.
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