Effects of Pharmacologic Dose of Resveratrol Supplementation on Oxidative/Antioxidative Status Biomarkers in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Purpose: Despite a proposed role for oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), antioxidant approaches have not been sufficiently investigated in human NAFLD management. Resveratrol has been reported to possess a wide range of biological functions, including antioxidant activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol supplementation on oxidative/anti-oxidative status in patients with NAFLD. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with NAFLD (males and females) aged 20 to 60 years, and body mass index (BMI) of 25-35 kg/m2. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 600 mg resveratrol (2×300 mg pure trans-resveratrol capsules; n=30) or placebo capsules (n=30) for 12 wk. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and dietary intakes were collected for all patients at baseline and at the end of the trial. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measurement of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. Changes in the outcomes were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Resveratrol supplementation did not significantly affect neither serum MDA, ox-LDL, and TAC levels, nor erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities, compared to placebo group (All P>0.05). Moreover, changes in serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP) were not significant in neither of the study groups (All P>0.05). Conclusion: Resveratrol supplementation did not modify oxidative/anti-oxidative status in patients with NAFLD

Biomaterials in Valvular Heart Diseases

Valvular heart disease (VHD) occurs as the result of valvular malfunction, which can greatly reduce patient\u27s quality of life and if left untreated may lead to death. Different treatment regiments are available for management of this defect, which can be helpful in reducing the symptoms. The global commitment to reduce VHD-related mortality rates has enhanced the need for new therapeutic approaches. During the past decade, development of innovative pharmacological and surgical approaches have dramatically improved the quality of life for VHD patients, yet the search for low cost, more effective, and less invasive approaches is ongoing. The gold standard approach for VHD management is to replace or repair the injured valvular tissue with natural or synthetic biomaterials. Application of these biomaterials for cardiac valve regeneration and repair holds a great promise for treatment of this type of heart disease. The focus of the present review is the current use of different types of biomaterials in treatment of valvular heart diseases