Risk factors associated with positional plagiocephaly in healthy Iranian infants: a case-control study

Abstract Objectives Deformation of the skull by external forces in the absence of synostosis has been defined as positional plagiocephaly. The aim of this investigation was to determine the risk factors of positional plagiocephaly (PP) in healthy Iranian infants. Materials & Methods This case-control study was performed on 300 healthy Iranian infants aged 8-12 weeks who referred to pediatric neurology clinic at Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan. Plagiocephaly evaluations were done by using Argenta’s scale. Results Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, there was significant association between PP and male gender (OR=2.26; P=0.002), head circumference (OR=1.22; P=0.006), multiple pregnancy (OR=2.55; P=0.03), abnormal presentation in uterine (OR=2.18; P=0.02), primiparity (OR=2.43; P=0.003), and supine sleep position (OR=2.97; P<0.001). But type of delivery, firmness of headrest, oligohydramnios, and prolonged labor were not correlated with PP. Conclusions The current investigation supports the idea that head circumference, male gender, primiparity, multiple pregnancy, supine sleep position, and abnormal presentation in uterine are correlated with a greater incidence of PP. Further investigations should be undertaken to fully understand PP and its related risk factors

Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Hormonal, Inflammatory, Genetic, and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin administration on clinical, hormonal, inflammatory, and genetic parameters in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Methods: The present randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 56 patients with PCOS, aged 18–40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated to take either 5 mg melatonin supplements (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28) twice a day for 12 weeks.Results: Melatonin administration significantly reduced hirsutism (β −0.47; 95% CI, −0.86, −0.09; P = 0.01), serum total testosterone (β −0.11 ng/mL; 95% CI, −0.21, −0.02; P = 0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β −0.61 mg/L; 95% CI, −0.95, −0.26; P = 0.001), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (β −0.25 μmol/L; 95% CI, −0.38, −0.11; P < 0.001), and significantly increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (β 106.07 mmol/L; 95% CI, 62.87, 149.28; P < 0.001) and total glutathione (GSH) (β 81.05 μmol/L; 95% CI, 36.08, 126.03; P = 0.001) compared with the placebo. Moreover, melatonin supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P = 0.03) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.01) compared with the placebo.Conclusions: Overall, melatonin administration for 12 weeks to women with PCOS significantly reduced hirsutism, total testosterone, hs-CRP, and MDA, while increasing TAC and GSH levels. In addition, melatonin administration reduced gene expression of IL-1 and TNF-α.Clinical Trial Registration:www.irct.ir, identifier IRCT2017082733941N9, Available online at: https://www.irct.ir/trial/2605

Vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation affects mental health, hormonal, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin D and probiotic co-administration on mental health, hormonal, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out on 60 subjects, aged 18–40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated to take either 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks plus 8 × 109 CFU/day probiotic (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Results Vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation, compared with the placebo, significantly improved beck depression inventory [β (difference in the mean of outcomes measures between treatment groups) − 0.58; 95% CI, − 1.15, − 0.02; P = 0.04], general health questionnaire scores (β − 0.93; 95% CI, − 1.78, − 0.08; P = 0.03) and depression, anxiety and stress scale scores (β − 0.90; 95% CI, − 1.67, − 0.13; P = 0.02). Vitamin D and probiotic co-supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in total testosterone (β − 0.19 ng/mL; 95% CI, − 0.28, − 0.10; P < 0.001), hirsutism (β − 0.95; 95% CI, − 1.39, − 0.51; P < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β − 0.67 mg/L; 95% CI, − 0.97, − 0.38; P < 0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (β − 0.25 μmol/L; 95% CI, − 0.40, − 0.10; P = 0.001), and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (β 82.81 mmol/L; 95% CI, 42.86, 122.75; P < 0.001) and total glutathione (GSH) levels (β 40.42 μmol/L; 95% CI, 4.69, 76.19; P = 0.02), compared with the placebo. Conclusions Overall, the co-administration of vitamin D and probiotic for 12 weeks to women with PCOS had beneficial effects on mental health parameters, serum total testosterone, hirsutism, hs-CRP, plasma TAC, GSH and MDA levels. Trial Registration This study was retrospectively registered in the Iranian website (www.irct.ir) for registration of clinical trials (IRCT20170513033941N37)

The effects of inositol supplementation on lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Background Several studies have evaluated the effect of inositol supplementation on lipid profiles among population with metabolic diseases; however, the findings are controversial. This review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to summarize the evidence of the effects of inositol supplementation on lipid profiles among population with metabolic diseases. Methods Relevant RCTs studies were searched in Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science until October 2017. Two researchers assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias of included primary studies, independently. To check for the heterogeneity among included studies Q-test and I2 statistics were used. Data were pooled by using the random-effect model and standardized mean difference (SMD) was considered as summary of the effect size. Results Overall, 14 RCTs were included into meta-analysis. Pooled results showed that inositol supplementation among patients with metabolic diseases significantly decreased triglycerides (SMD − 1.24; 95% CI, − 1.84, − 0.64; P < 0.001), total- (SMD − 1.09; 95% CI, − 1.83, − 0.55; P < 0.001), and LDL-cholesterol levels (SMD − 1.31; 95% CI, − 2.23, − 0.39; P = 0.005). There was no effect of inositol supplementation on HDL-cholesterol levels (SMD 0.20; 95% CI, − 0.27, 0.67; P = 0.40). Conclusions Inositol supplementation may result in reduction in triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol levels, but did not affect HDL-cholesterol levels among patients with metabolic diseases. Additional prospective studies regarding the effect of inositol supplementation on lipid profiles in patients with metabolic diseases are necessary

The effects of probiotic supplementation on metabolic status in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease

Abstract Background This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on metabolic profiles in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 60 diabetic patients with CHD, aged 40–85 years at a cardiology clinic in Kashan, Iran, from October 2017 through January 2018. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to take either probiotic supplements (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and after the 12-week intervention to determine related markers. Results After 12-week intervention, probiotic supplementation significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (β − 20.02 mg/dL; 95% CI − 33.86, − 6.17; P = 0.005), insulin (β − 2.09 µIU/mL; 95% CI − 3.77, − 0.41; P = 0.01), insulin resistance (β − 0.50; 95% CI − 0.96, − 0.03; P = 0.03) and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (β − 0.27; 95% CI − 0.52, − 0.03; P = 0.02), and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (β 0.008; 95% CI 0.001, 0.01; P = 0.02) and HDL-cholesterol levels (β 2.52 mg/dL; 95% CI 0.04, 5.00; P = 0.04) compared with the placebo. Moreover, probiotic supplementation led to a significant reduction in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (β − 0.88 mg/L; 95% CI − 1.39, − 0.38; P = 0.001), and a significant elevation in total antioxidant capacity (β 108.44 mmol/L; 95% CI 47.61, 169.27; P = 0.001) and total glutathione levels (β 45.15 µmol/L; 95% CI 5.82, 84.47; P = 0.02) compared with the placebo. Probiotic supplementation did not affect other metabolic profiles. Conclusions Overall, we found that probiotic supplementation for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on glycemic control, HDL-cholesterol, total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic patients with CHD. Trial registration Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir: IRCT2017082733941N

The effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on the inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders. Methods We searched the following databases until November 2017: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Three reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias of included primary studies. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I-square (I2) statistic. Data were pooled by using the random-effect model and standardized mean difference (SMD) was considered as the summary effect size. Results Eighteen trials out of 912 potential citations were found to be eligible for our meta-analysis. The findings indicated that ALA supplementation significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD = − 1.52; 95% CI, − 2.25, − 0.80; P < 0.001), interlokin-6 (IL-6) (SMD = − 1.96; 95% CI, − 2.60, − 1.32; P < 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels (TNF-α) (SMD = − 2.62; 95% CI, − 3.70, − 1.55; P < 0.001) in patients diagnosed with metabolic diseases. Conclusion In summary, the current meta-analysis demonstrated the promising impact of ALA administration on decreasing inflammatory markers such as CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α among patients with MetS and related disorders

The effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on the inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders. METHODS: We searched the following databases until November 2017: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Three reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias of included primary studies. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I-square (I2) statistic. Data were pooled by using the random-effect model and standardized mean difference (SMD) was considered as the summary effect size. RESULTS: Eighteen trials out of 912 potential citations were found to be eligible for our meta-analysis. The findings indicated that ALA supplementation significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD = − 1.52; 95% CI, − 2.25, − 0.80; P &lt; 0.001), interlokin-6 (IL-6) (SMD = − 1.96; 95% CI, − 2.60, − 1.32; P &lt; 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels (TNF-α) (SMD = − 2.62; 95% CI, − 3.70, − 1.55; P &lt; 0.001) in patients diagnosed with metabolic diseases. CONCLUSION: In summary, the current meta-analysis demonstrated the promising impact of ALA administration on decreasing inflammatory markers such as CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α among patients with MetS and related disorders