The effects of acarbose treatment on cardiovascular risk factors in impaired glucose tolerance and diabetic patients: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Acarbose (ACB) seems to be an effective drug in the management of cardiovascular risk factors. However, no previous meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has been done to evaluate the effects of ACB on cardiovascular risk factors on impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). We comprehensively searched electronic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for RCTs for related keywords up to September 2022. A random-effects model was used to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled analysis demonstrated that ACB treatment had a significant effect on fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD = −3.55 mg/dL; 95%CI: −6.29, −0.81; p = 0.011), fasting insulin (WMD = −6.73 pmoL/L; 95%CI: −10.37, −3.10; p < 0.001), HbA1c [WMD = −0.32%; 95%CI: −0.45, −0.20; p < 0.001], body weight (WMD = −1.25 kg; 95%CI: −1.79, −0.75; p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (WMD = −0.64 kg/m2; 95%CI: −0.92, −0.37; p < 0.001), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (WMD = −2.70 pg/mL, 95%CI: −5.25, −0.16; p = 0.037), leptin (WMD = −1.58 ng/mL; 95%CI: −2.82, −0.35; p = 0.012), alanine transaminase (ALT) (WMD = 0.71 U/L; 95%CI: −0.31, 1.85; p = 0.164), triglyceride (TG) (WMD = −13.89 mg/dL; 95%CI: −20.69, −7.09; p < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD = −2.26 mg/dL; 95%CI: −4.18, −0.34; p = 0.021), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = −1.29 mmHg; 95%CI: −2.44, −0.15; p = 0.027), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD = 0.02 mmHg; 95%CI: −0.41, 0.45; p = 0.925) in an intervention group, compared with a placebo group. The non-linear dose–response analysis showed that ACB reduces the TC in trial duration by >50 weeks, and 180 mg/day is more effective for the decrement of CRP. ACB can improve lipid profiles, glycemic indices, anthropometric indices, and inflammatory markers in T2D, T1D, and IGT patients

The effects of saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

IntroductionCardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world and is estimated to involve more people in the next years. It is said that alternative remedies such as herbs can be used to manage the complications of this disease. For this reason, we aimed to conduct this meta-analysis to systematically assess and summarize the effects of saffron supplementation as an important herb on cardiovascular risk factors in adults.MethodsA systematic search was done in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find eligible articles up to September 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of saffron on lipid profiles, glycemic control, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and inflammatory markers were included. In the meta-analysis, 32 studies were taken into account (n = 1674).ResultsConsumption of saffron significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) (WMD = −8.81 mg/dl, 95%CI: −14.33, −3.28; P = 0.002), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD = −6.87 mg/dl, 95%CI: −11.19, −2.56; P = 0.002), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (WMD = −6.71 mg/dl, 95%CI: −10.51, −2.91; P = 0.001), (P = 0.660), fasting blood glucose (FBG) level (WMD = −7.59 mg/dl, 95%CI: −11.88, −3.30; P = 0.001), HbA1c (WMD = −0.18%, 95%CI: −0.21, −0.07; P < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD = −0.49, 95%CI: −0.89, −0.09; P = 0.016), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = −3.42 mmHg, 95%CI: −5.80, −1.04; P = 0.005), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (WMD = −2.54 pg/ml, 95%CI: −4.43, −0.65; P = 0.008), waist circumference (WC) (WMD = −1.50 cm; 95%CI: −2.83, −0.18; P = 0.026), malondialdehyde (MDA) (WMD = −1.50 uM/L, 95%CI: −2.42, −0.57; P = 0.001), and alanine transferase (ALT) (WMD = −2.16 U/L, 95%CI: −4.10, −0.23; P = 0.028). Also, we observed that saffron had an increasing effect on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (WMD = 0.07 mM/L, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.13; P = 0.032). There was linear regression between FBG and the duration of saffron intake. Additionally, the non-linear dose-response analysis has shown a significant association of saffron intervention with HDL (P = 0.049), HOMA-IR (P = 0.002), weight (P = 0.036), ALP (P = 0.016), FBG (P = 0.011), HbA1c (P = 0.002), and TNF-α (P = 0.042). A non-linear association between the length of the intervention and the level of HDL and DBP was also found.DiscussionThat seems saffron could effectively improve TG, TC, LDL, FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, SBP, CRP, TNF-α, WC, MDA, TAC, and ALT

The effect of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults:A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: The favorable influences of saffron supplementation on metabolic diseases have previously been shown. We aimed to assess the effects of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults. Methods: A systematic search was performed in Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effect of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults up to March 2021. The primary search yielded 182 publications, of which eight RCTs were eligible. Results: Our results showed that saffron supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference (WMD): −0.65 mmHg; 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.18, p = 0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: −1.23 mmHg; 95% CI: −1.64 to −0.81, p p-nonlinearity = 0.008). Conclusions: Saffron supplementation may significantly improve both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults. It should be noted that the hypotensive effects of saffron supplementation were small and may not reach clinical importance

The effects of gradual vs. rapid weight loss on serum concentrations of myokines and body composition in overweight and obese females

Research has shown the modulations of Follistatin (FST) and Myostatin (MST) following weight loss. We evaluated the effects of gradual weight loss (GWL) and rapid weight loss (RWL) on serum MST, FST, and body composition in overweight and obese females. Thirty-six overweight and obese females successfully completed the study interventions: GWL (  = 18) or RWL (  = 18). Serum MST and FST concentrations, as well as anthropometric measurements, were collected at baseline and at the conclusion of each weight loss intervention. MST concentration significantly (  < .05) decreased in the GWL; while FST concentration, body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass significantly declined in both conditions. The loss in skeletal muscle mass was significantly greater in RWL relative to GWL. GWL was more effective than RWL in preserving skeletal muscle mass in overweight and obese females. Moreover, GWL leads to declines in MST concentrations

Effects of chromium supplementation on blood pressure, body mass index, liver function enzymes and malondialdehyde in patients with type 2 diabetes:A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Several studies reported beneficial effects of chromium supplementation for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aimed to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of chromium supplementation on blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), liver function enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with T2DM. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched up to 15 November 2020 with no language and time restriction. RCTs that reported the effects of chromium supplementation on blood pressure, BMI, liver function enzymes and MDA in patients with T2DM were included. A random-effects model was used to compute weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Between-study heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q test and quantified by I2 statistic. Results: Of 3586 publications, 15 RCTs were included for the meta-analysis. Pooled effect sizes indicated that chromium significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD): -2.36 mmHg, 95 % CI: −4.14, −0.60; P = 0.008), and MDA (WMD: −0.55 umol/l, 95 % CI: −0.96, −0.14; P = 0.008). However, chromium supplementation did not significantly affect BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Meta-regression analysis did not show significant linear relationship between dose of chromium and change in BMI (p = 0.412), SBP (p = 0. 319), DBP (p = 0.102), ALT (p = 0.923), AST (p = 0.986) and MDA (p = 0.055). Conclusion: The present systematic review and meta-analysis shows that supplementation with chromium at dose of 200–1000 μg/day may reduce DBP and MDA in T2DM patients