Background The beneficial effects of n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on reducing cardiovascular risks are well documented. However, the relative effect on some markers of macrophage activation and ...vascular function is unclear. Objective The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched fish oil on the marker of monocyte/macrophage activation factor soluble CD163, asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 72 type 2 diabetic patients with an age between 30–70 years and body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 40 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to receive 2.4-g DHA-enriched fish oil or placebo per day for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical, and body composition analyses were assessed at baseline and end of study. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted by controlling for possible confounders to assess between-group differences. Results Serum levels of sCD163, triglycerides, waist circumference (WC), and weight to height ratio (WHtR) decreased significantly in the fish oil group when compared with the control group. Serum ADMA concentration decreased in the fish oil group with no significant between-group differences. Controlling for confounders revealed that the differences observed in sCD163, triglycerides, WC, and WHtR remained statistically significant. Conclusions Short-time fish oil supplementation decreased serum sCD163, triglycerides levels, WC, and WHtR in T2DM patients. Because of the positive relationship between sCD163 levels and some T2DM and obesity-related complications, it seems that DHA can be considered as a key intervention in obesity and T2DM.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging disease that was first reported in Wuhan city, the capital of Hubei province in China, and has subsequently spread worldwide. Risk factors for ...mortality have not been well summarized. Current meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies was done to summarize available findings on the association between age, gender, comorbidities and risk of death from COVID-19 infection.
Online databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google scholar were searched to detect relevant publications up to 1 May 2020, using relevant keywords. To pool data, random-effects model was used. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis and publication bias test were also done.
In total, 14 studies with 29,909 COVID-19 infected patients and 1445 cases of death were included in the current meta-analysis. Significant associations were found between older age (≥65 vs <65 years old) (pooled ORs = 4.59, 95%CIs = 2.61-8.04, p < .001), gender (male vs female) (pooled ORs = 1.50, 95%CIs = 1.06-2.12, p = .021) and risk of death from COVID-19 infection. In addition, hypertension (pooled ORs = 2.70, 95%CIs = 1.40-5.24, p = .003), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (pooled ORs = 3.72, 95%CIs = 1.77-7.83, p = .001), diabetes (pooled ORs = 2.41, 95%CIs = 1.05-5.51, p = .037), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (pooled ORs = 3.53, 95%CIs = 1.79-6.96, p < .001) and cancer (pooled ORs = 3.04, 95%CIs = 1.80-5.14, p < .001), were associated with higher risk of mortality.
Older age (≥65 years old), male gender, hypertension, CVDs, diabetes, COPD and malignancies were associated with greater risk of death from COVID-19 infection. These findings could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage.
Diabetes is a major cause of death. Oxidative stress mainly caused by hyperglycemia is the primary reason of related complications. Omega-3 fatty acids are prescribed in diabetes but the effect on ...antioxidant defense is controversial. This study investigated effects of omega-3 supplementation on antioxidant enzymes activity in type 2 diabetic patients.
A randomized, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial was performed on 90 type2 diabetic patients. The treatment group took, daily, three capsules of omega-3 for two mo, which totally provided 2714mg omega-3 (EPA=1548 mg, DHA=828 mg and 338 mg of other omega=3 fatty acids). Placebo contained 2100 mg sunflower oil (12% SFA, 65% linoleic acid, 23% MUFA), which is the main oil used in the study population. Food intakes, anthropometric and demographic characteristics, and therapeutic regimen data were recorded before and after the intervention. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after the intervention to measure super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity in erythrocytes.
A total of 81 subjects completed the study. Two study groups were similar as regards duration of diabetes, age and the enzymes at baseline. Energy and macro- and micronutrients intakes, weight and hypoglycemic agent consumption were similar in the two groups at baseline and did not change. Supplementation had no effect on antioxidant enzyme status. Glycated hemoglobin showed a significant reduction by supplementation.
Daily supplementation of 2714 mg mega-3 for two mo results in a significant reduction in HbA1c level in type2 diabetic patients with no effects on antioxidant enzymes activity.
Background
Both obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with hypovitaminosis D. The aims of this study were to investigate the association of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D) and parathyroid ...hormone (PTH) concentration with body mass index (BMI) in type 2 diabetic patients compared to control subjects and their predicting role in obesity.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 subjects (100 type 2 diabetics and 100 healthy controls). Concentration of 25(OH) D, calcium, phosphorous, parathyroid hormone (PTH), fasting blood glucose, HbA
1
c, serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined in the fasting samples. Anthropometric measurements including body mass index (BMI) were also measured.
Results
Eighty-five percent of type 2 diabetics and 79% of healthy subjects were suffering from vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Serum concentration of 25(OH) D (22.08 ± 15.20 ng/ml) (r = −0.11
,
P = 0.04) and calcium (8.94 ± 0.59 mg/dl) (r = −2.25
,
P = 0.04) has significant statistically with BMI in type 2 diabetic patients. Serum concentration of PTH has non-significantly associated with BMI in diabetic patients and healthy subjects.
Conclusion
Serum levels of vitamin D inversely and PTH positively are associated with BMI after adjusted for age, gender and serum calcium in both type 2 diabetic patients and healthy subjects. These associations were statistically significant for serum concentration of vitamin D and calcium only in diabetic patients. So the status of vitamin D is considered as an important factor in type 2 diabetic patients.
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) study was carried out to assess effects of omega-3 supplementation alone and in combination with vitamin E on gene expressions of SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT6, FOXO1, ...FOXO3 and UCP-2 in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Participants of this RCT included 60 male CAD patients who classified into three study groups using block randomization, including 1) OE receiving omega-3 fatty acids (EPA: 720 mg, DHA: 480 mg) and vitamin E (400 IU); 2) OP receiving omega3 fatty acids (EPA: 720 mg, DHA: 480 mg) and vitamin E placebo; and 3) PP receiving omega-3 and vitamin E placebos for two months.
In compared to PP group, gene expression of SIRT1 increased significantly in OE group (P = 0.037) while this group experienced significant decrease in gene expression of UCP-2 (P = 0.035). The expression of FOXO1 increased significantly in both OE and OP groups in compared to PP group (P = 0.021 and P = 0.035, respectively). However, gene expressions of SIRT3, SIRT6 and FOXO3 were not different between study groups.
The current study has shown that omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E supplementation can increase gene expressions of SIRT1, FOXO1 while it can decrease gene expression of UCP-2 in CAD patients.
Little information about the effects of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) on inflammation and immune function in humans is available. This study investigated the effects of CLAs, with and without ...Vitamin E on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
In a double-blind clinical trial, 78 patients were randomly divided into four groups, each group receiving one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; group C: 2.5 g CLAs, group E: 400 mg Vitamin E, group CE: CLAs plus Vitamin E, group P: Placebo. Cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and citrullinated antibody (CCP-A) were measured by ELISA method and Vitamin E by high-performance liquid chromatography.
Consider statistical methods there were no significant differences between groups in cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-2/IL-4, CCP-A white blood cells and neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils numbers. TNF-α decreased in all groups, but its reduction was significant in group CE. IL-1β increased in groups P (P = 0.004) and E (P = 0.041) but the difference between group P and CE was significant. IL-4 decreased in groups C, CE and E (P = 0.03, P = 0.03, P = 0.07 respectively). IL2 did not change significantly within groups. CCP-A increased in groups P (P = 0.035) and E (P = 0.05), while it decreased in groups CE (P = 0.034). CCP-A and MMP-3 decrease were significant between groups P and CE. MMP-3 reduction was significant in group CE.
Co-supplementation CLAs and Vitamin E may be effective in the level of inflammatory markers in RA patients.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on glucose metabolism, as well as the expression of five key genes involved in the development of diabetes complications in liver ...tissue of diabetic rats.
Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (8 rats in each group). The first group served as control and the other two groups received an intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin to develop diabetes. Groups were treated for four weeks either with placebo or vitamin D (two injections of 20000 IU/kg). Thereafter, serum levels of glucose, insulin and HbA1c were assessed. Liver tissue was examined for the level of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the gene expression of AGE cellular receptor (AGER), glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1), aldose reductase (AR), O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) and glutamine/ fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (GFAT).
Vitamin D injection resulted in a significant increase in plasma level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, which could improve hyperglycemia about 11% compared to placebo-receiving diabetic rats (
=0.005). Insulin level increased as a result of vitamin D treatment compared to control (3.31±0.65 vs. 2.15±0.79;
= 0.01). Serum HbA1c and liver AGE concentrations had a slight but insignificant reduction following vitamin D intake. Moreover, a significant decline was observed in gene expression of AGER and OGT in liver tissue (
=0.04 and
<0.001 respectively).
Vitamin D might contribute in ameliorating diabetes complications not only by improving blood glucose and insulin levels, but also by suppressing AGER and OGT gene expression in the liver.
Nonmelanoma skin cancers are the most frequently occurring skin cancers. Vitamin A is involved in epithelial cell differentiation and may control skin tumor development. Vitamin E is a powerful ...lipophilic antioxidant that can quench and scavenge reactive oxygen species. However, there is little consistent evidence considering micronutrients and the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the possible difference between retinol and α-tocopherol in BCC patients and controls in Iranian population.
This case-control study was conducted on adults with newly diagnosed BCC referred to Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2015. Serum and subcutaneous fat tissue retinol and α-tochopherol were measured by HPLC method.
Overall, serum retinol level was lower significantly in BCC patients (0.237±0.01 μg/ml) in comparison with control group (0.27±0.02 μg/ml,
-value: 0.038). However serum α-tocopherol level was not significantly different between BCC patients (4.41±0.33 μg/ml) and control subjects (4.06±0.35 μg/ml,
-value=0.18). Sub-cutaneous adipose tissue retinol was lower significantly in BCC patients (38.60±3.30 ng/mg) compared with control group (54.78±3.49 ng/mg,
-value=0.002). Furthermore, results revealed lower subcutaneous adipose tissue α-tocopherol in BCC patients (4.41±0.33 μg/ml) in comparison with control group (4.06±0.35 μg/ml,
-value=0.18).
Skin tissue concentration of retinol and α-tocopherol and serum retinol level was lower in BCC patients in comparison with control group but serum α-tocopherol was not different between groups.
Smoking may modify the appetite, and consequently affect nutrient intake and serum micronutrients. The effect of smoking on vitamin B12 status has been considered in several studies. The research ...proposed that organic nitrites, nitro oxide, cyanides, and isocyanides of cigarette smoke interfere with vitamin B12 metabolism, and convert it to inactive forms. This research was carried out to determine the serum level of active and inactive forms of vitamin B12 in male smokers in comparison with male nonsmokers. This is a case-control study, in which the participants were 85 male smokers and 85 male nonsmokers. The serum levels of total and active form of vitamin B12 were measured. Dietary intake was recorded by a quantitative food frequency questionnaire and one-day 24-hour dietary recall method. Independent two sample T test was used to compare quantitative variables between the case and control groups. The serum level of total vitamin B12 was not significantly different between two groups, but serum level of active form of vitamin B12 in the smoking group was significantly lower than non-smoking group (P<0.001). This is one of the first studies that evaluated the serum level of active form of vitamin B12 in smokers in the Iranian community. The results of this study identified that serum level of total vitamin B12 might be not different between smoking and non-smoking people, but the function of this vitamin is disturbed in the body of smokers through the reduction of serum level of active form of vitamin B12.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with depressive symptoms, which affect prognosis and quality of life. We investigated the antidepressant effects of n-3 fatty acids (n-3FAs) ...monotherapy (without conventional antidepressants) for T2DM patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms.
A 10-wk, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group (1:1 ratio) randomized trial of n-3FAs (2700 mg/day EPA: DHA ratio=2) versus placebo in 88 Iranian diabetic patients with mild to moderate depression based on Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II-PERSIAN) was conducted. This study started from July 2014 to January 2015 in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The primary event was defined as worsened, non-changed, or inconsiderably improved depression (<5 unit decrease in BDI-II-PERSIAN depression scores after treatment) (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02261545).
Randomly, 44 T2DM patients were treated with n-3FAs supplements and 44 cases received placebo (three patients discontinued). n-3FAs could significantly protect patients against the aforesaid event and exhibit satisfactory prevention (number needed to treat with 95% confidence interval: 2.52, 1.71-4.74). No serious adverse reactions were reported.
n-3FAs supplementation had significant antidepressant effects in T2DM patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms, not confounded by metabolic factors and disease duration.
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