Short term effects of ginger on quality of life, disease activity index, inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in ulcerative colitis

Background: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are the two essential factors determining ulcerative colitis (UC) onset and severity status. In present study, we aimed to investigate short-term effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) as a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent on the quality of life, disease activity index and some of inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in patients with active mild to moderate UC. Methods: This study was a double blind placebo controlled randomized clinical trial conducted in nutrition and diet therapy clinic of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran, from October 2017 to June 2018. Forty-six patients with active mild to moderate UC daily consumed four capsules of 500 mg dried ginger powder or similar placebo through eating their meals for 6 weeks. Before and after intervention, we analyzed patient´s scores of disease activity index, by simple clinical colitis activity index questionnaire (SCCAIQ) as well as their quality of life using inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire-9 (IBDQ-9). We also measured serum concentrations of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), high sensitive (hs)-CRP and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in fasted blood samples of each participant. Additionally, anthropometric and dietary intake values of energy, mac-ro/micronutrients and minerals of all of participants were assessed at the same time. Results: While the mean of anthropometric measures and dietary intake values remained unchanged during the study, MDA level decreased in ginger group (P=0.04) compared with placebo group. Additionally, ginger supplementation successfully lowered serum levels of TNF-α and disease activity index after 6 weeks of intervention compared with baseline in ginger consumer group, however the increase of quality of life score was not statistically significant in mentioned group versus baseline values. No significant change in other study outcomes was observed at the end of 6 weeks within and between groups. Conclusion: Our data indicates that two grams per day supplementation with dried ginger powder can reduce oxidative stress level of patients with active mild to moderate UC. © 2019, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Calcium to magnesium intake ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development: a case-control study

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Adoption of sedentary life style and westernized diet are shown to be associated with development of NAFLD. Since previous studies suggested that calcium (Ca) to magnesium (Mg) ratio intake is associated with some chronic diseases including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, we designed this study to find any possible association between this ratio and NAFLD development. Methods: The NAFLD was diagnosed using Fibroscan according to a CAP cut-off value of 263 dB/m. Dietary intakes of one hundred and ninety-six patients with incident NAFLD diagnosis, and eight hundred and three controls without NAFLD were assessed using a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary nutrients were calculated using Nutritionist IV software. Results: Age of the study population (57 % female) was 43.2 ± 14.1 years. In addition, energy-adjusted daily calcium to magnesium intake ratio was 2.34 ± 0.57 and 2.73 ± 0.69 for control and case groups, respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted model, after adjustment for potential confounding variables; including, age, gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, physical activity, energy, dietary fiber, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes, participants in the third (Q3) and fourth (Q4) quartile of Ca/Mg ratio intake had a greater development of incidental NAFLD compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) [(OR = 2.86; 95 % CI: 1.20–6.81), (P-value = 0.017) and (OR = 5.97; 95 % CI: 2.54–14.01), (P-value < 0.001) for Q3 and Q4 compared to the Q1, respectively]. Moreover, energy-adjusted Ca to Mg intake ratio was positively correlated with plasma level of ALT (r = 0.18; P = 0.01); contrarily, it had no correlation with plasma levels of AST. Conclusions: The current study revealed that higher dietary Ca to Mg intake ratio is associated with a greater development of NAFLD. Further interventional studies are needed to confirm the causal relationship of the Ca/Mg ratio intake and development of NAFLD

Calcium to magnesium intake ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development: a case-control study

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Adoption of sedentary life style and westernized diet are shown to be associated with development of NAFLD. Since previous studies suggested that calcium (Ca) to magnesium (Mg) ratio intake is associated with some chronic diseases including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, we designed this study to find any possible association between this ratio and NAFLD development. Methods: The NAFLD was diagnosed using Fibroscan according to a CAP cut-off value of 263 dB/m. Dietary intakes of one hundred and ninety-six patients with incident NAFLD diagnosis, and eight hundred and three controls without NAFLD were assessed using a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary nutrients were calculated using Nutritionist IV software. Results: Age of the study population (57 female) was 43.2 ± 14.1 years. In addition, energy-adjusted daily calcium to magnesium intake ratio was 2.34 ± 0.57 and 2.73 ± 0.69 for control and case groups, respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted model, after adjustment for potential confounding variables; including, age, gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, physical activity, energy, dietary fiber, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes, participants in the third (Q3) and fourth (Q4) quartile of Ca/Mg ratio intake had a greater development of incidental NAFLD compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) (OR = 2.86; 95 % CI: 1.20�6.81), (P-value = 0.017) and (OR = 5.97; 95 % CI: 2.54�14.01), (P-value < 0.001) for Q3 and Q4 compared to the Q1, respectively. Moreover, energy-adjusted Ca to Mg intake ratio was positively correlated with plasma level of ALT (r = 0.18; P = 0.01); contrarily, it had no correlation with plasma levels of AST. Conclusions: The current study revealed that higher dietary Ca to Mg intake ratio is associated with a greater development of NAFLD. Further interventional studies are needed to confirm the causal relationship of the Ca/Mg ratio intake and development of NAFLD. © 2021, The Author(s)

Inflammatory markers response to citrulline supplementation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of citrulline (Cit) supplementation on inflammatory markers and liver histopathology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this clinical trial, fifty NAFLD patients were assigned to receive 2 g/day Cit or placebo for 3 months. Results: At the end of study, serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were reduced in Cit group significantly more than placebo group (P-value = 0.02 and < 0.01 respectively). Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was reduced in Cit group significantly more than placebo after adjusting for levels of baseline (P-value < 0.001). Moreover, Cit supplementation decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatic steatosis significantly (P = 0.04). Anthropometric measurements and hepatic enzymes did not change significantly in any group (P � 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that 12 weeks supplementation with 2 g/day Cit improved inflammatory markers in patients with NAFLD. Further studies with longer period of supplementation and different dosages of Cit are needed to be able to conclude. Trial registration IRCT201703194010N18 on 2017-10-13 © 2019 The Author(s)

Inflammatory markers response to citrulline supplementation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of citrulline (Cit) supplementation on inflammatory markers and liver histopathology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this clinical trial, fifty NAFLD patients were assigned to receive 2 g/day Cit or placebo for 3 months. Results: At the end of study, serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were reduced in Cit group significantly more than placebo group (P-value = 0.02 and < 0.01 respectively). Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was reduced in Cit group significantly more than placebo after adjusting for levels of baseline (P-value < 0.001). Moreover, Cit supplementation decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatic steatosis significantly (P = 0.04). Anthropometric measurements and hepatic enzymes did not change significantly in any group (P � 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that 12 weeks supplementation with 2 g/day Cit improved inflammatory markers in patients with NAFLD. Further studies with longer period of supplementation and different dosages of Cit are needed to be able to conclude. Trial registration IRCT201703194010N18 on 2017-10-13 © 2019 The Author(s)

Liver, spleen, pancreas and kidney involvement by human fascioliasis: imaging findings

BACKGROUND: Fasciola hepatica primarily involves the liver, however in some exceptional situations other organs have been reported to be involved. The ectopic involvement is either a result of Parasite migration or perhaps eosinophilic reaction. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a known case of multiple myeloma who was under treatment with prednisolone and melphalan. He was infected by Fasciola hepatica, which involved many organs and the lesions were mistaken with metastatic ones. DISCUSSION: Presented here is a very unusual case of the disease, likely the first case involving the pancreas, spleen, and kidney, as well as the liver

Zona pellucida-binding protein 2 (ZPBP2) and several proteins containing BX7B motifs in human sperm may have hyaluronic acid binding or recognition properties

STUDY QUESTION Are there novel hyaladherins in human sperm? SUMMARY ANSWER Zona pellucida-binding protein 2 (ZPBP2), containing a Link-like hyaluronic acid (HA)-binding domain, and several other proteins containing BX7B motifs, such as ADAM32 and Midkine, may be novel hyaladherins with HA-binding properties. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY HA-binding proteins (hyaladherins), which can bind HA surrounding the cumulus-oophorus complex, are distinct from hyases such as PH 20 (SPAM1) and are expressed by mature spermatozoa. Although HABP1 and CD44 are reasonably well characterized hyaladherins and the former has been implicated in sperm-oocyte interactions, the overall significance of sperm hyaladherins for male fertility is still poorly understood. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a laboratory-based investigation into human sperm hyaladherins undertaken as part of a three year PhD programme sponsored by the EU Marie Curie Training network, Reprotrain. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Protein homogenates of sperm obtained from young men of unknown fertility (N = 4) were partitioned into HA-binding and non-binding fractions by a protein affinity ‘panning’ method; their subsequent characterization was by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) and partitioning behaviour was confirmed by western blotting. Sequences of proteins from both fractions were submitted to PDBsum to look for orthologous entries (PDB codes) and all returned codes were queried against the matching protein using SAS (Sequences Annotated by Structure) looking for structural similarities between them. A systematic search for other common features of hyaladherins was also undertaken. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The presence of BX7B sequence motifs found in several well-described hyaladherins including RHAMM was used to assess efficacy of potential hyaladherin partitioning by the HA substrate. The data showed that 50% (14/28) and 34.5% (28/81) of proteins in the bound and unbound fractions, respectively, contained these motifs (one-tailed Z-score = 1.45; P = 0.074), indicating weak discrimination by the substrate. Querying PDBsum with sequences for all bound proteins returned several PDB codes matching ZPBP2 with the HA-binding Link domain of the hyaladherin, CD44. Western blot analysis confirmed the affinity partitioning of proteins indicated by the LC-MS/MS results, with ADAM32 (containing two BX7B motifs) and ZPBP2 (containing a Link-like HA-binding domain) present only in the binding fraction. There remains the possibility that the putative hyaladherins uncovered by this study were coincidentally enriched by HA-binding. LARGE SCALE DATA The full proteomics data set is available on request. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The protein extraction methods or the HA substrate used to pan them in this study were probably not ideal, as hyaladherins expected to be present in sperm homogenates (such as CD44 and RHAMM) were not detected. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results provide evidence that ZPBP2, found only in the bound fraction, may have hyaladherin-like properties, which could reflect the evolutionary background context of contemporary sperm-oocyte interaction mechanisms. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) An EU Marie Curie Sklodowska Initial Training Network Scholarship, supporting Ms Torabi, is gratefully acknowledged. This project was also supported and funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme, a UK MRC and NIHR partnership (Grant No 11/14/ 34). There is no conflict of interest in relation to this work

Antioxidant vitamin intakes and risk of depression, anxiety and stress among female adolescents

Background and aim: The relation of some antioxidant nutrients with psychological disorders has been studied previously. The aim of this study was to examine the association between antioxidant vitamin intakes and the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 263 Tehranian female adolescents. Dietary intakes of vitamin E, C, and β-Carotene were determined using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were characterized by DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Score-21 items) questionnaire. The multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and 95 confidence intervals (95CIs) of depression, anxiety, and stress across tertiles of antioxidant vitamin intakes. Results: The mean ± SD age of participants was 16.20 ± 0.97 years. Also, the mean ± SD depression, anxiety and stress scores of participants were 9.89 ± 4.15, 8.43 ± 4.39 and 14.00 ± 6.45, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, subjects in the highest tertile of β-Carotene had a lower prevalence of depression (OR:0.46, 95CI:0.23�0.95), anxiety (OR:0.40, 95CI:0.20�0.81), and stress (OR:0.35, 95CI:0.17�0.73) compared to the lowest tertile (P for trend<0.05). Moreover, individuals in the top tertile of vitamin E had a lower prevalence of stress, in comparison to the bottom tertile (OR:0.34, 95 CI:0.13�0.89), (P for trend<0.05). However, no significant associations were found between the intakes of vitamin E and C and other psychological disorders. Conclusion: In this study, higher intake of β-Carotene was associated with lower prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress. Also, we found an inverse relationship between vitamin E intake and the risk of stress. © 2020 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolis