Effect of celery extract on thyroid function; is herbal therapy safe in obesity?

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a popular medicinal herb that used conventionally for the treatment of different diseases. This report aimed to demonstrate celery would induce hyperthyroidism after oral celery extract consumption for weight loss. A 36-year-old female patient came to our clinic with blurred vision, palpitation, and nausea. Dietary history showed that she used 8 g/day of celery extract in powder form for weight reduction. Weight loss during 78 days of celery extract consumption was 26 kg. Thyroid function test showed that serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 were 0.001 mIU/L and 23 ng/dl, respectively). Grave�s and thyrotoxicosis ruled out by other laboratory evaluations. Methimazole 10 mg/day was prescribed. Serum level of TSH was evaluated. The celery extraction intake was discontinued when started treatment with methimazole. Not found any thyroid stimulator (thyroxin and other) in celery extraction. We concluded that observed hyperthyroidism and allergic reaction may be induced by celery extract consumption. Therefore, it is possible that hyperthyroidism may be a side effect of frequent celery extract consumption. © 2019 International Journal of Preventive Medicine | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

The effects of curcumin supplementation on liver function, metabolic profile and body composition in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. Curcumin is the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and also anti-hyperlipidemia agent and uses as herbal medicine for treating liver diseases. Objective: The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation on metabolic markers and anthropometric parameters in patients with (NAFLD). Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of curcumin supplementation on the arms of this study in patients with NAFLD up to September 2019. Mean difference (MD) was pooled using a random effects model. Potential publication bias was assessed using Egger's weighted regression tests. Results: After excluding irrelevant records, 9 RCTs included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results of included studies indicated a significant reduction in alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), fasting blood sugar (FBS), HOMA-IR, serum insulin and waist circumference (WC), but not in serum triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), HbA1c, body weight and body mass index (BMI) following curcumin supplementation. Additionally, age- and baseline TC-based subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduction in TG and also duration- and dosage-based showed a significant change in BMI. Conclusion: The current study revealed that curcumin supplementation has favorable effect on metabolic markers and anthropometric parameters in patients with NAFLD. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

The effects of metformin administration on liver enzymes and body composition in non-diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and/or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: An up-to date systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. One treatment is the use of metformin but its efficacy remains to be established. Objective: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a more robust examination of the evidence for the effectiveness of metformin for treating non-diabetic NAFLD patients. Methods: An extensive literature search was undertaken using online databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) to detect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of metformin administration on liver enzymes and body composition in non-diabetic NAFLD patients up to 10 December 2019. A random-effects or fixed-effect models were performed to pool weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 confidence intervals (CI). Results: Six RCTs involving 307 individuals were included to the present meta-analysis. Compared to controls, metformin significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.77 kg/m2, 95 CI = -1.46, -0.07, P = 0.03, I2 = 0.0 %) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD: -5.94 U/L, 95 % CI = -11.51, -0.38, P = 0.03, I2 = 67.6 %). Also, body weight (WMD: -2.70 kg, 95 % CI = -5.49, 0.09, P = 0.05, I2 = 33.7%) was marginally significant and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) (WMD: -5.04 U/L, 95 % CI = -13.92, 3.84, P = 0.26, I2 = 60.9 %) was not statistically significant affected by metformin administration. There was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusion: In summary, the present study emphasizes the clinical importance of metformin administration for improving liver function and body composition in non-diabetic NAFLD patients. Moreover, the further large-scale and well-designed RCTs are required to confirm these findings. © 2020 Elsevier Lt