Association of dietary total antioxidant capacity, alternative healthy eating index, and dietary inflammatory index with semen quality in men seeking infertility treatment

BackgroundSince the association between dietary quality scores and semen quality remains unclear, we carried out a hospital-based cross-sectional study to investigate the association of Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity (dTAC), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), and Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) scores with semen quality in men seeking infertility treatment.MethodsThis study enrolled 210 men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility. Semen samples were collected and analyzed according to the WHO 2010 criteria. Dietary data was collected using a 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed for Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between dTAC, AHEI, and DII scores with abnormal semen in crude and adjusted models.ResultsThere were no significant differences across quartile categories of the dTAC, AHEI, and DII scores regarding semen parameters. There was a trend toward a significant direct association between DII and abnormal semen risk (p = 0.01). Infertile men in the highest quartile of DII had a 2.84 times higher risk of abnormal semen in the crude model (OR: 3.84; 95% CI: 1.64–8.95); such that remained after adjusting for several potential confounders. There was no significant association between dTAC or AHEI and the risk of abnormal semen in infertile men, either before or after adjusting for potential confounders. Total energy (p = 0.05), fat (p = 0.02), saturated fat (p = 0.02), mono-saturated fat (p = 0.009), Thiamine (Vitamin B1) (p = 0.02), Niacin (Vitamin B3) (p = 0.03), Calcium (p = 0.01), and Selenium (p = 0.01) were inversely associated with semen normality.DiscussionThe study suggests that certain dietary factors may affect semen quality, and the mechanisms underlying the observed associations are likely multifactorial, involving complex interactions between diet, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormone levels. Further research is required to confirm the results, fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying the associations, and identify specific dietary interventions that may improve male fertility outcomes

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on liver fibrogenic factors, vitamin D receptor and liver fibrogenic microRNAs in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients: an exploratory randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background and aims Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a global metabolic problem which can lead to irreversible liver fibrosis. It has been shown that vitamin D and its receptors contribute to fibrogenic pathways in the liver. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on liver fibrosis related factors have not been examined. This double blinded placebo controlled clinical trial was designed to investigate the effects on vitamin D supplementation on serum levels of VDR, fibrogenic factors and fibrogenic MicroRNAs in MASLD patients. Methods Forty six MASLD patients after block matching for sex and BMI were randomly assigned to receive 4000 IU/d vitamin D or placebo for 12 weeks. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Serum fibrogenic microRNAs, laminin, collagen type IV, hyaluronic acid, vitamin D, VDR, PTH, blood fasting glucose, serum fasting insulin, lipid profile, ALT and AST were determined at the baseline and at the end of the trial. Insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity were calculated using the HOMA-IR and QUICKI equation. Results Supplementation with vitamin D for 12 weeks led to the significant increases in serum 25(OH) vitamin D, VDR and HDL-C compared to placebo (P < 0.001, P = 0.008 and P < 0.001). There were significant decreases in ALT, AST, FBS and LDL-C levels in the vitamin D group as compared to the placebo (P < 0.05). Laminin and hyaluronic acid concentrations were significantly decreased in the vitamin D group as compared to the placebo group, by -10.6 and − 28.7 ng/mL, respectively. Supplementation with vitamin D for 12 weeks resulted in a significant lower MiR-21 and MiR-122 gene expressions compared to the placebo group (P = 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Discussion As the first randomized controlled trial on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum levels of VDR, fibrogenic factors and fibrogenic MicroRNAs in MASLD patients, we found a significant reduction in some liver fibrogenic factors, in liver transaminases and corresponding changes in some fibrosis-related MiRs and some metabolic factors. Further clinical trials with larger sample sizes and direct measures of liver fibrosis are needed to confirm these findings. Trial registration number (available at: http://www.irct.ir , identifier: IRCT201405251485N13), Registration date: 14-03-2017

Lower circulating levels of CTRP12 and CTRP13 in polycystic ovarian syndrome: Irrespective of obesity.

Altered production of adipokines is suggested to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). C1q/TNF-related proteins (CTRPs) play diverse roles in regulation of metabolism in physiologic and pathologic conditions. In the present study, we assessed serum concentrations of adiponectin, CTRP12, and CTRP13 in individuals with PCOS and those without PCOS. We also evaluated the possible association of these adipokines with metabolic and hormonal variables. A total of 171 premenopausal women (86 with PCOS and 85 without PCOS) enrolled in this study. Serum levels of adiponectin, CTRP12, and CTRP13 were measured. The results showed significantly lower serum concentrations of adiponectin, CTRP12, and CTRP13 in PCOS women compared to non-PCOS women. This difference remained significant after controlling for age, body mass index (BMI), and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). However, we did not observe any significant differences in serum levels of adiponectin, CTRP12, and CTRP13 between the overweight/obese and normal weight subgroups in PCOS and non-PCOS women. Multiple linear regression analysis showed associations of CTRP12 with adiponectin and BMI with CTRP13 in both the PCOS and non-PCOS groups. CTRP12 was significantly associated with BMI and adiponectin in the non-PCOS group, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and CTRP13 in the PCOS group. Our results indicated that decreased adiponectin, CTRP12, and CTRP13 levels, regardless of obesity, could independently predict PCOS. This finding suggested a novel link between adipokines and PCOS

Effects of L-serine on oxidative stress indices and histopathological changes of pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with an increasing global prevalence that can lead to premature death. High blood glucose is the main lab. abnormality in diabetes mellitus which occurs as a consequence of disorder in pancreatic insulin secretion or function. L -Serine supplementation regarded as safe by the FDA can improve glucose homeostasis and reduce homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L-serine intake on oxidative stress indices and histopathologic changes in the pancreas of diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: In order to conduct this study, 18 c57bl/6 male mice were purchased and divided into 3 groups (control, diabetic control and diabetic mice treated by L-serine(. Diabetes induced by chemical method (streptozotocin, 200 mg/kg). After four weeks of oral administration of L-Serine (approximately 280 mg/day/mouse), animals were euthanized by guillotine and blood samples and pancreas tissues were obtained to determine biochemical parameters, oxidative stress indices and pathological changes. Results: The results of this study showed that oral administration of the supplement of L-Serine in diabetic mice could help to lower blood sugar levels and could lead to increased catalase enzyme activity (P<0.05) but had no significant effect on the levels of MDA, cholesterol, and triglyceride. On the other hand, histopathological changes showed a slight reduction in diabetes-induced pancreas damage in mice treated with L-serine. Conclusions: These findings showed that the supplement of L-Serine may have a protective effect against diabetes-induced pancreas damage by lowering blood sugar and improving oxidative stress status

Additional file 1 of Effects of vitamin D supplementation on liver fibrogenic factors, vitamin D receptor and liver fibrogenic microRNAs in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients: an exploratory randomized clinical trial

Supplementary Material

Serum levels of CTRP3 in diabetic nephropathy and its relationship with insulin resistance and kidney function.

BackgroundC1q TNF related protein 3 (CTRP3) is an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue. Previous studies have suggested that CTRP3 improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation. Human studies have evaluated circulating levels of this adipokine in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic retinopathy, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery diseases. However, circulating levels of this adipokine in patients with diabetic nephropathy have not been evaluated. The present study aimed to assess serum levels of CTRP3 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (T2DM-NP) and its relationship with metabolic and inflammatory markers.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 55 controls, 54 patients with T2DM, and 55 patients with T2DM-NP. Serum levels of CTRP3, adiponectin, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured by ELISA technique.ResultsSerum levels of CTRP3 were significantly lower in patients with T2DM (257.61 ± 69.79 ng/mL, p ConclusionDecreased serum levels of CTRP3 in patients with T2DM and diabetic nephropathy and its association with pathologic mechanism in these patients suggested a possible role for CTRP3 in pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy; nevertheless, further studies are required in this regard