The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The findings of trials investigating the effect of L-carnitine administration on glycemic control are controversial. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to explore the effects of L-carnitine intake on glycemic control. Two authors independently searched electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed and Google scholar from 1990 until February 2019, in order to find relevant RCTs. 37 studies with 44 effect sizes met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for the meta-analysis. L-carnitine supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (WMD: -4.57; 95 % CI: -6.88, -2.25), insulin (WMD: -1.21; 95 % CI: -1.85, -0.57), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: -0.67; 95 % CI: -0.90, -0.44) and HbA1C concentrations (WMD: -0.30; 95 % CI: -0.47, -0.13). L-Carnitine supplementation significantly reduced FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c levels

Magnesium supplementation beneficially affects depression in adults with depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BackgroundThe findings from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining the effect of magnesium supplementation on depression are inconsistent. We decided to conduct a meta-analysis that summarizes all the evidence on the impact of magnesium supplementation on depression scores in adults with depressive disorder.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search in the online databases using all related keywords up to July 2023. We included all randomized clinical trials examining the effect of magnesium, in contrast to placebo, on depression scores.ResultsFinally, seven clinical trials were included in this systematic review, building up a total sample size of 325 individuals with ages ranging from 20 to 60 years on average. These RCTs resulted in eight effect sizes. Our findings from the meta-analysis showed a significant decline in depression scores due to intervention with magnesium supplements [standardized mean difference (SMD): −0.919, 95% CI: −1.443 to −0.396, p = 0.001].ConclusionOur review suggests that magnesium supplementation can have a beneficial effect on depression. Future high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes must be run to interpret this effect of magnesium on depression in clinical settings.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=447909

The Bulletin, Annual Catalogue, Academic Year 1952-1953, Series 48, Number 1, August (1952)

https://red.mnstate.edu/bulletins/1032/thumbnail.jp

Effects of propolis supplementation on glycemic status, lipid profiles, inflammation and oxidative stress, liver enzymes, and body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

The aim of meta-analysis was to assess the effects of propolis on markers of oxidative stress, lipid profiles, inflammation and glycemic control, liver enzymes, and weight control. The heterogeneity between the included studies was indicated using the Cochrane’s Q test and I-square (I2 ) statistic. 14 trials were included in this meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis indicated a significant reduction in fating glucose (WMD: -17.00; 95% CI: −30.88, −3.11), HbA1C (WMD: -0.42; 95% CI: −0.75, −0.10), and insulin (WMD: -1.75; 95% CI: −3.24, −0.26) and a marginally significant reduction in insulin resistance (WMD: -0.60; 95% CI: −1.20, 0.00) following propolis supplementation in 10, 8, 6, and 5 studies, respectively. Pooling 5 effect sizes, a significant reduction was seen in ALT (WMD: -5.63; 95% CI: −10.59, −0.67) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD: -3.09; 95% CI: −5.15, −1.03) following propolis. A significant beneficial effect was observed for CRP (WMD: -1.11; 95% CI: −1.92, −0.29), TNF-α (WMD: -6.71; 95% CI: −9.44, −3.98) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD: -17.99; 95% CI: −35.56, −0.42) concentrations after propolis supplementation. This study demonstrated the beneficial effects of propolis on FPG, HbA1c, insulin, CRP, TNF-α and liver enzymes levels

Higher Adherence to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Inversely Associated With Severity of COVID-19 and Related Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and AimsAdherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with a decreased risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases that are comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. However, its association to the severity and symptoms of COVID-19 are still unknown. This study aimed to examine the association between adherence to the MD pattern and COVID-19 severity and symptoms in Iranian hospitalized patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 250 COVID-19 patients aged 18 to 65 were examined. We employed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to obtain data on dietary intake of participants in the year prior to their COVID-19 diagnosis. COVID-19 severity was determined using the National Institutes of Health's Coronavirus Disease 2019 report. Additionally, symptoms associated with COVID-19, inflammatory markers, and other variables were evaluated. The scoring method proposed by Trichopoulou et al. was used to assess adherence to the MD.ResultsThe participants' mean age was 44.1 ± 12.1 years, and 46% of them had severe COVID-19. Patients who adhered more closely to the MD had lower serum C-reactive protein levels (7.80 vs. 37.36 mg/l) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (14.08 vs. 42.65 mm/h). Those with the highest MD score were 77% less likely to have severe COVID-19 after controlling for confounding variables. The MD score was also found to be inversely associated with COVID-19 symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, fever, chills, weakness, myalgia, nausea and vomiting, and sore throat.ConclusionHigher adherence to the MD was associated with a decreased likelihood of COVID-19 severity and symptoms, as well as a shorter duration of hospitalization and convalescence, and inflammatory biomarkers

The toxicity of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its constituents against normal and cancer cells

Background and aims: Saffron is a spice with preventive and curative effects. This study aimed to review the toxicity of saffron extract and its constituents on normal and cancer cells. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Science direct, SID and Magiran databases up to November 2015 using the following key words: toxicity, saffron, crocin, crocetin, safranal, cancer. Finally, 73 English and 5 Persian articles were selected to be recruited to be reviewed. Results: Saffron has selective toxicity against cancer cells, through inhibition of RNA and DNA synthesis and increasing apoptosis. Crocin has been considered as the most important anticancer agent of saffron that plays a role in gene expression and apoptosis in cancer cells. Crocetin has an inhibitory effect on the cancer cells growth that may be due to reduced synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in neoplastic cells, RNA polymerase II inhibition, and interaction with histone H1 and H1-DNA structures. Saffron and its crocin and crocetin have also shown anticancer and cancer-preventive effects in animal models of cancer. Safranal also has shown antitumor activity with low toxicity. On the other hand, the lethal dose of 50% (LD50) for the saffron and its constituents against normal cells can be very high. Conclusion: In conclusion, emerging evidence suggests that saffron extract and its crocin, crocetin and safranal have a selective toxicity effects against cancer cells and also may have cancer preventive functions. However, Saffron and its constituent's toxicity against normal cells is negligible and they are even non-toxic in oral administration

The Relationship of Dietary Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background and Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic intestinal disorder, which is characterized by irritating pain during defecation or alteration of the bowel habits. In the curent study, the association of dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with the risk of this syndrome, was investigated in a large population of Iranian adults.   Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 3363 adults in Isfahan. To assess GI and GL, a diet was used. The presence of IBS was evaluated using a modified Persian version of the ROME III questionnaire. General characteristics and dietary intakes of the participants across quintiles of dietary GI and GL, were investigated using one-way ANOVA, Chi square, and logistic regression in different models.   Results: In total, 748 subjects (22.2%) had IBS. The participants with the highest dietary GI had higher risk for IBS compared to those in the lowest category (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03-1.75). However, this association was not significant after adjusting for potential confounders (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.81-1.61). A positive significant relationship was found between dietary GI and odds of IBS-constipation predominant (IBS-C) (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.09-3.52), but was not observed for IBS-diarrhea predominant (IBS-D) (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.43-1.40). There was no significant association between dietary GL and risk of total IBS or its subtypes. No significant association was found between dietary GI and GL and severity of IBS.   Conclusion: The results of this study showed a significant association between dietary GI and risk of IBS and IBS-D as well as severity of IBS. However, a significant positive association was found between dietary GI and IBS-C, and no significant association was found between dietary GL and risk of total IBS or its subtypes as well as IBS severity

Relationship between Dietary Acid Load and Glioma: A Case-Control Study

Background and Objectives: Limited data are available on the relationship between dietary factors and risk of glioma. The current study was conducted to investigate the association between dietary acid load (DAL) and risk of glioma in Iranian adults.   Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 128 patients with glioma and 256 healthy subjects (Matched for age and sex) in Tehran, Iran. A validated detailed food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intakes of the participants. DAL was estimated using the protein to potassium ratio (Pro/K) and Glioma was diagnosed based on pathological tests. A detailed questionnaire including several non-dietary confounders was also completed.   Results: In this study, the participants in the highest tertile of DAL score had a non-significant higher risk of developing glioma as compared to those in the lowest tertile (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 0.88-2.57). After adjusting the confounding factors, those in the highest tertile of DAL score, were significantly more likely to develop glioma than those in the lowest tertile (OR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.02-3.45). No significant effect was observed after further adjustment for dietary intakes of meats and processed meats, grains and nuts, fruits, tea, and coffee (OR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.65; p=0.03) and body mass index (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.64; p=0.03).   Conclusion: The results of this study was indicative of a significant positive association between dietary acid load, as estimated by Pro / K ratio, and risk of developing glioma among adults. Further studies, especially prospective cohorts with long-term follow up, are required to confirm these findings