Effect of Coenzyme-Q10 Supplementation on Blood Pressure and Inflammatory Markers (Homocysteine and hs-CRP) in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses a cluster of coronary heart disease risk factors, including abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia and elevated blood pressure that is associated with increased inflammatory markers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) blood pressure and inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome. Method: Design of This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial and the duration was three months of supplementation. CoQ10 (100 mg twice daily) or placebo was administrated to 50 subjects with the metabolic syndrome for 12 weeks. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; placebo and treatment groups. Blood pressure, homocysteine and hs-CRP as inflammatory markers were measured before and after twelve weeks of the intervention. Results: Forty five participants with MetS completed the study. CoQ10 supplementation significantly decrease systolic blood pressure by 0.66cm Hg (p=0.04) and diastolic blood pressure by 0.31 cm Hg (p=0.001). Although there was a significant difference between groups in diastolic blood pressure after supplementation, comparing mean changes of two groups showed no significant differences. homocysteine concentration in the intervention group decreased from 11.97&plusmn;2.09 to 10.31&plusmn;1.93 u/ml (p<0.005) and hs-CRP declined from 4.40&plusmn;3.46 to 3.64&plusmn;3.25 u/ml (p=0.037). Conclusion: CoQ10 supplementation at a dosage of 200 mg appears to decrease inflammatory markers, systolic and somehow diastolic blood pressure in patients with MetS

The association between dietary antioxidant intake and semen quality in infertile men

Background: Oxidative stress is detrimental to semen quality and has a significant role in the etiology of male subfertility. Methods: Dietary intake of antioxidants were compared between thirty two men with oligolastheno/ teratazoospermic (cases) and 32 normospermic volunteers (controls) attending fertility clinic in Mirza Koochak-khan Hospital in Tehran, Iran. All participants were nonsmokers and matched according their age and Body Mass Index (BMI). Nutrient consumption was calculated using a semi- quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Semen samples were collected and were assessed by measuring volume, concentration, motility and morphology. Results: infertile subjects had a significantly lower intake of zinc and folate compare to control ones (p<0.001). Dietary intake of vitamin C and E was lower than recommended values in 59.4 of case group that was significantly different from control ones (p<0.05). In control group, 36.4 and 40.9 of participants had insufficient dietary intake of vitamin C and E, respectively. Significant correlations were found between folate (r=0.5, p<0.001), zinc (r=0.6, p<0.001) and percentage of motility and also between vitamin E and morphology (r=0.3, p=0.03), zinc and concentration (r=0.4, p=0.004) in all participants. Conclusion: In summary, a low intake of folate, zinc, and vitamin E were related to poor sperm concentration and motility

The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Powder Supplement on Pain in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: There is limited evidence that ginger (Zingiber Officinale) powder consumption is effective to relieve the pain and inflammation due to special phytichemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ginger powder supplementation in pain improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 120 outpatients with knee osteoarthritis of moderate pain. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: receiving ginger powder supplement and placebo. Ginger and placebo groups received two identical capsules per day for 12 weeks. Each capsule contained 500 mg ginger powder or starch. Pain severity was measured by VAS (Visual Analog Scale) at first and after 3 months. A responder was defined as a reduction in pain of > 1.5 cm on a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Before intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in severity of pain. However, after ginger supplementation, pain score decreased in ginger group. After 12 weeks, Pain reduction was more significant in ginger group than placebo. Response to intervention was 88% and 14% in ginger and placebo groups, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between both groups in response to intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that ginger powder supplementation was effective in reducing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, therefore it is recommended as a safe supplement for these patient

Effects of Low Caloric Diet with and without Vitamin D Supplementation on Anthropometric Parameters in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver

Introduction: There are evidences that show the effect of vitamin D on obesity. The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is under review. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation along with a low caloric diet on liver enzymes and anthropometric parameters in NAFLD patients. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial involved 80 NAFLD patients with vitamin D deficiency. Both groups used vitamin D or placebo for 12 weeks, one time a week. Liver enzymes, ultrasound of the liver and bile ducts and anthropometric parameters were measured before and after intervention. Results: The study was completed by 73 subjects. After 12 weeks, liver enzymes and the degree of fatty liver in the intervention group compared with the placebo group were significantly decreased (P<0.005). About 9 kg of body weight in the intervention group compared to the beginning of the intervention decreased (P<0.005). Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation along with a low calorie diet in NAFLD patients with hypovitaminosis D significantly effect on anthropometric factors decrease and liver enzymes and the degree fatty liver improvement