Effect of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials

Oxidative stress (OS), the absence of equilibrium between prooxidants and antioxi dants in the body, has been shown to play a pivotal role in the initiation and pro gression of many diseases. Saffron has been noted for its antioxidant capacity and can be used to improve OS parameters in unhealthy patients. Our aim was to evalu ate the efficacy of saffron supplementation on OS parameters in unhealthy patients in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science without language restrictions for RCTs up until April 2021. Studies were included if they compared any form of saffron sup plementation to placebo or no supplementation on OS parameters in unhealthy pa tients. Using a random-effects model with calculated standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), we quantitatively synthesized the data. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane's I 2 values. Ten randomized controlled trials were eligible for this review. Seven were included in the meta-analysis and indicated an association between saffron intake and a statistically significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (SMD: −0.40; 95% CI: −0.63, −0.17; I 2 = 32.6%) and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC, SMD: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.42; I 2 = 00.0%). Saffron intake was shown to significantly impact MDA and TAC, indicating its beneficial properties in improving OS in unhealthy patients. However, additional RCTs are required to evaluate the effect on other OS parameters.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Correlation of liver enzymes and sonographic findings with pulsatile index of middle cerebral and basilar arteries in nonalcoholic fatty liver

Background: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is one of the most wide-spread human diseases that can impair liver function and sometimes progresses to cir-rhosis. Recently NAFLD has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardio-vascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of fatty liver disease and its sonographic severity on the resistance of the intracranial arteries. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of 55 patients referred from Gastroen-trology clinic with diagnosis of NAFLD to Sonodoppler department of Iranian Center of Neurological Research. Pulsaltile index as a Hemodynamic parameter of Middle Cerebral (MCA) and basilar Arteries of NAFLD Patients was measured by Trans Cra-nial Doppler (TCD) sonography and the measurements were compared with normal values. Also the association of these indices with serum liver enzymes and sonographic grading of liver involvement was assessed. The analysis was done by SPSS 16. Fre-quency distribution, mean and standard deviation were used in descriptive analysis and statistical test 2 to compare qualitative variables. Results: Pulsatile Index (PI) were normal (MCA, P= 0.166, Basilar, P= 0.053) and there was no significant difference with relation to severity of fatty liver based on so-nography findings (P= 0.789), but serum liver enzyme levels were inversely correlated with basilar artery PI (P= 0.014). Conclusion: Considering the increase of cerebral arteries PI in advanced liver disease, absence of increase in vascular PI of patients in the present study could be attributed to the short duration of disease from diagnosis to perform TCD, lack of advanced liver involvement (absence of liver dysfunction) and the response effect to treatment before the TCD. Therefore, to assess vascular changes over time, repeating the TCD with assess other parameters such as Fibroscan and K18 factor that has more compatibility of liver function, could help to understand the pathophysiology of liver diseases and its effect on vascular resistance

The effectiveness of walking exercise on the bowel preparation before colonoscopy: a single blind randomized clinical trial study

Abstract Background and Aim Bowel preparation is a crucial factor affecting the diagnostic accuracy of colonoscopy, and few randomized control trials evaluated enhancement in bowel preparation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of walking exercises on bowel preparation before a colonoscopy procedure. Methods The present study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 262 patients scheduled for colonoscopy procedures. These patients were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group (n = 131) and a control group (n = 131). In the intervention group, participants followed a predetermined plan that included the consumption of specific liquids and foods, bisacodyl pills, polyethylene glycol powder, and a regimen of walking exercises in preparation for their colonoscopy. Conversely, individuals in the control group followed the same regimen but were not instructed to engage in walking exercises. On the day of the colonoscopy, both groups were assessed for their level of physical activity using a foot counter. Additionally, an experienced gastroenterologist evaluated and compared the bowel preparation between the two groups using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Results The number of footsteps recorded in the two groups exhibited a significant difference (P < 0.001). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of mean BBPS scores (6.26 ± 1.9 vs. 6.29 ± 1.9, P = 0.416), individuals who took more than 6900 steps had significantly higher BBPS scores compared to those with fewer than 6900 footsteps (6.62 ± 1.8 vs. 5.92 ± 1.9, P = 0.003).In the univariate analysis, BBPS was found to be significantly associated with individuals under the age of 50 (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.30–4.61, P = 0.006) and smoking status (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17–0.94, P = 0.043). In the multivariate analysis, the relationship between BBPS and age below 50 and smoking remained significant (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.30–4.70, P = 0.005, and OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16–0.93, P = 0.034, respectively). Conclusion A higher number of footsteps taken especially more than 6900 can significantly enhance bowel preparation; however, walking exercise as an intervention before colonoscopy is not significantly associated with BBPS. Also, older people and smokers seem to have fewer benefits from walking exercises for bowel preparation. Trial registration ISRCTN32724024 (Registration date:22/08/2018)

O efeito da ingestão de cromo nos parâmetros de estresse oxidativo: Revisão sistemática e meta-análise

Background: Trivalent chromium is a trace element thought to have a beneficial effect on oxidative stress (OS) parameters and inflammation. This review aimed to investigate the dose-response of chromium and summarize the effects of chromium supplementation on OS parameters in the literature. Methods: MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched for RCTs published from inception to January 2021 evaluating the effect of chromium supplementation on OS parameters, namely MDA, TBARS, SOD, TAS, CAT, GPx, and GSH. A random-effects model was used to pool data and calculated standard mean difference and 95 % confidence intervals. Quantified heterogeneity among studies was assessed through Cochrane’s I 2 values. Results: Nine studies enrolling 550 participants met the inclusion criteria. The obtained results indicate that chromium supplementation significantly increases TAC (SMD: 0.46; 95 % CI: 0.08, 0.84; I 2 = 00.0 % n = 2) and significantly decreases MDA levels (SMD: − 0.46; 95 % CI: − 0.86, -0.07; I 2 = 52.4 % n = 5). Supplementation did not significantly change CAT, GPx, GSH, SOD, TAS, and TBARS. Conclusion: Chromium supplementation may improve OS parameters, however, due to high heterogeneity observed in the included studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Large RCTs on various patient groups evaluating the impact of chromium supplementation are needed to allow an adequate generalization of the benefits of chromium on human health.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on adipokines: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Although a large body of literature reported the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) consumption on adipokines levels, but recent findings from clinical trials are not univocal. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FAs supplements on adipokines. Methods We searched Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to August 2020 without any particular language limitations. Outcomes were summarized as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated from Hedge's g and random effects modeling. Results Fifty-two trials involving 4,568 participants were included. Omega-3 FAs intake was associated with a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels (n = 43; 3,434 participants; SMD: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.37; p = 0.01; I-2= 80.14%). This meta-analysis indicates that supplementing participants with omega-3 fatty acids more than 2000 mg daily and more than 10 weeks resulted in a significant and more favorable improvement in plasma adiponectin levels. However, omega-3 FAs intake had no significant effect on leptin levels (SMD: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.20, 0.17, I-2= 54.13%). Conclusion The evidence supports a beneficial effect of omega-3 FAs intake on serum adiponectin levels but does not appear to impact on leptin concentrations. Larger well-designed RCTs are still required to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FAs on leptin in specific diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and bone-related parameters in HIV-infected patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: There is growing evidence that bone health is decreased in individuals with HIV infection. Vitamin D deficiency is also highly prevalent among HIV-infected patients. The literature was systematically reviewed to determine whether bone health and bone-related parameters may improve with vitamin D supplementation in HIV-infected individuals. Methods: Four databases were systematically searched for randomized clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation in HIV infection, published from January 1990 to September 2021. No language or publication restrictions were applied. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% CIs are reported. A random-effects model was used to perform meta-analysis. Findings: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria (N = 733 participants at study completion). The mean ages of the patients in the included trials ranged from 10 to 49 years. The meta-analysis indicated that with vitamin D supplementation, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) level was significantly increased (SMD, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.70; I-2 = 94.4%), but there were no significant effects on levels of serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25-[OH](2)D) (SMD, 0.29; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.64; I-2 = 67.4%), total bone mineral density (SMD, 0.07; 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.37; I-2 = 00.0%), spine bone mineral density (SMD, 0.15; 95% CI, -0.19 to 0.49; I-2 = 17.3%), and parathyroid hormone level (SMD, -0.18; 95% CI, -0.37 to 0.02; I-2 = 1.2%) in HIV-infected patients. (C) 2022 Elsevier Inc.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of saffron supplementation on liver enzymes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and aims: Possible protective effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L) have been reported in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Current systematic review was performed to summarize the efficacy of saffron intake on liver enzymes. Methods: An electronic database search was conducted on PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane for RCTs comparing effect of saffron and placebo on liver enzymes from inception to July 2021. There was no restriction in language of included studies and we calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for each variable. Random-effect model was used to calculate effect size. Results: Eight studies (n = 463 participants) were included in the systematic review. The saffron intake was associated with a statistically significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SMD: -0.18; 95% CI: -0.34, -0.02; I-2 = 0%) in comparison to placebo intake. Our results also indicated that saffron consumption did not have a significant effect on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SMD: -0.14; 95% CI: -0.36, 0.09; I-2 = 47.0%) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (SMD: 0.14; 95% CI: -0.18, 0.46; I-2 = 42.9%) compared to placebo. Conclusions: Saffron intake showed beneficial impacts on circulating AST levels. However, larger well-designed RCTs are still needed to clarify the effect of saffron intake on these and other liver enzymes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio