The effect of pomegranate on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Pomegranate contains remarkable amounts of phenolic ingredients and it has been related to the antioxidant capacity of this fruit. Several primary studies show that pomegranate intake can improve antioxidant status. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis consisted in investigating the effect of pomegranate on oxidative stress (OS) parameters. Methods: A comprehensive electronic database search in Scopus, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane library and Medline was performed to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis of included studies was performed on selected variables using a random-effects model. Quality assessment was conducted by means of Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Results: Systematic search yielded 575 references. A total of 11 RCTs reporting data from 484 participants included. Meta-analysis of data from 11 included RCTs did not support convincing evidence as to a significant increasing effect of pomegranate intake in TAC (SMD: 0.43 ; 95 %CI: -0.19, 1.06), Gpx (SMD: 0.18, 95 % CI: -0.25, 0.62, p = 0.4) and paraxonase (SMD: 0.36, 95 % CI: -0.50, 1.22, p= 0.41) as well as not significant decrease in Malondialdehyde (MDA) (SMD: -0.81, 95 % CI: -1.79, 0.09, P = 0.08). Conclusion: Future well-designed clinical trials are needed before definite conclusive claims can be made about the effect of pomegranate on OS parameters. Keywords: Pomegranate, Oxidative stress, Antioxidant, Randomized clinical trial

The association of Carbohydrate Quality Index with cardiovascular disease risk factors among women with overweight and obesity:A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: Diet is one of the most important factors influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The negative relationship between carbohydrate intake with lipid profiles and body weight has been previously investigated. However, this is the first study seeking to assess the association of carbohydrate quality index (CQI) with CVD risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 291 Iranian overweight and obese women, with a body mass index (BMI) ranging between 25 and 40 kg/m(2), and aged 18–48 years. CQI scores were calculated by using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Biochemical and anthropometric measures were assessed using standard methods, and bioelectrical impedance was used to measure body composition. RESULTS: We observed that fruits (P < 0.001), vegetables (P < 0.001), and protein (P = 0.002) intake were higher in participants with a higher score of the CQI. When we adjusted for potential confounders, we observed that the CQI was negatively related to systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β = −6.10; 95% CI = −10.11, −2.10; P = 0.003) and DBP (β = −3.11; 95% CI = −6.15, −0.08; P = 0.04). Also, greater adherence to a high CQI dietary pattern, compared to the reference group, was negatively related to HOMA-IR (β = −0.53; 95% CI = −0.94, −0.12) (P for trend = 0.01), WC (β = −3.18; 95% CI = −6.26, −0.10) (P for trend = 0.04), BMI (β = −1.21; 95% CI = −2.50, 0.07) (P for trend = 0.06), and BF (β = −2.06; 95% CI = −3.82, −0.30) (P for trend = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In line with previous studies, the CQI was inversely associated with blood pressure, WC, BMI, and BF. Further prospective and clinical trial studies are suggested to confirm these data

The Association between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Liver Enzymes (Aspartate and Alanine Transaminases) in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND: Intake of fiber and antioxidants and following hypocaloric diets has beneficial effects on reduction of the liver enzymes. Fruits and vegetables are low in calorie and rich in fiber and antioxidants. There are few studies about special dietary effects on liver function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fruit and vegetables intake and liver function enzymes.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 265 Tehrani healthy adults. Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed by a 147-items semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Serum glucose, lipids, liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), hs-Crp and body composition were measured in a fasting state.RESULTS: The mean age (± SD) of the participants was 35 ± 8.78. In the higher quartiles of vegetable intake, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) serum and total cholesterol (TC) levels were lower after adjusting for confounders (p = 0.03 and 0.02 respectively). Individuals in the upper quartile of vegetable intake were less likely to have elevated ALT (OR=0.21; 95% CI =0.08-0.49) and AST (OR=0.33; 95% CI =0.15-0.75) levels before adjusting for confounders. After controlling for potential confounders, only the association between vegetable intake and ALT level remained significant (OR=0.32; 95% CI =0.12-0.90). Liver enzymes had no significant relationship with the quartiles of fruit intake. In the higher quartiles of fruit intake, the visceral fat rating was lower after adjustment (p = 0.04) but not in the higher vegetable intake (p = 0.50).CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that vegetable intake is reversely associated with LDL, TC and ALT level in Tehrani healthy adults, whereas fruit intake is only associated with lower visceral fat rating.KEYWORDS: AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), fruit, vegetables, Anthropometric status, Biochemical teste

The Effect of Walnut (<i>Juglans regia</i>) Leaf Extract on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Numerous clinical trials have examined the beneficial effects of Juglans regia leaf extract (JRLE) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the results of these studies are inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted the current systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of JRLE on glycemic control and lipid profile in T2DM patients. We searched online databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science for randomized controlled clinical trials that examined the effect of JRLE on glycemic and lipid indices in T2DM patients. Data were pooled using both fixed and random-effect models and weighted mean difference (WMD) was considered as the overall effect size. Of the total records, 4 eligible studies, with a total sample size of 195 subjects, were included. The meta-analysis revealed that JRLE supplementation significantly reduces fasting blood glucose (WMD, −18.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], −32.88 mg/dL, −3.21 mg/dL; p = 0.017) and significantly increases fasting insulin level (WMD, 1.93; 95% CI, 0.40 U/L, 3.45 U/L; p = 0.014). Although the overall effect of JRLE supplementation on hemoglobin A1c was not significant, a significant reduction was seen in studies with an intervention duration of > 8 weeks (WMD, −0.64; 95% CI, −1.16%, −0.11%; p = 0.018). Moreover, we also found no significant change in lipid parameters. Our findings revealed a beneficial effect of JRLE supplementation on glycemic indices in T2DM patients, but no significant improvement was found for lipid profile parameters

Variants of the cry 1 gene may influence the effect of fat intake on resting metabolic rate in women with overweight of obesity:a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that the minor allele (C allele) for Cry 1 rs2287161, may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Low resting metabolic rate (RMR) caused by the diet has been shown to have, potentially, unfavorable effects on obesity. This study sought to investigate the interactions between the Cry 1 Gene and fat intake on RMR in women with overweight of obesity. Methods This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 377 Iranian women with overweight of obesity. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), with 147 items, was used to assess dietary intake. Individuals were categorized into two groups based on the rs2287161 genotype. Body composition, dietary intake, and RMR were assessed for all participants. Results There was a significant difference between genotypes for fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.04), fat free mass (FFM) (P = 0.0009), RMR per FFM (P = 0.05), RMR per body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.02), and RMR deviation (P = 0.01). Our findings also showed significant interactions between total fat and C allele carrier group on RMR per kg body weight, RMR per body surface area (BSA), RMR per FFM, and RMR deviation (P for interaction < 0.1), in addition to a significant interaction between CC + CG group genotype and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake on RMR per BMI (P for interaction =0.00) and RMR per kg (P for interaction = 0.02) and RMR per BSA (P = 0.07), compared to the GG group, after control for confounder factors. Conclusion These results highlight that dietary compositions, gene variants, and their interaction, should be acutely considered in lower RMR

Association between dietary satisfaction and depression, anxiety and stress in obese and overweight patients during the coronavirus pandemic

Background & aim: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health threat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between D-Sat and depression, anxiety and stress in obese patients during the coronavirus pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 228 obese and overweight women on a weight loss diet was conducted through the use of two questionnaires. General characteristics, anthropometric indices, D-Sat and mental status were assessed in these patients. Results: The greatest weight loss (WL) and waist circumference (WC) change was associated with the highest tertile of the D-Sat score in the first four months of the coronavirus pandemic (P < 0.05). Participants with the highest tertile of all D-sat score compared to those with the lowest had an 84 decrease in odds of depression. The highest tertile was also associated with decreased odds of anxiety (OR: 0.32 95CI: 0.14; 0.68) The adjusted odds of stress score were negatively associated to the highest tertile of the D-Sat score (OR: 0.09, 95CI (0.03, 0.23). WL was inversely related to stress (P < 0.05). Participants with higher WL and WC reduction had fewer depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). Sleep time and family income were associated with obesity. Conclusions: D-Sat and positive personal and family dynamics can improve the mental status of obese and overweight patients during quarantine