Association of Insulin Resistance with Lipid Profile, Metabolic Syndrome, and Hormonal Aberrations in Overweight or Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This cross-sectional study was aimed to better clarify the associations of insulin resistance (IR) with endocrinometabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Anthropometric measurements, endocrine and metabolic profiles, and the presence of IR and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were assessed in 63 overweight or obese PCOS patients subdivided into insulin-resistant (IR) and insulin-sensitive (IS) groups. Fasting insulin concentration and HOMA-IR were higher (p<0.001), and quantitative insulin check index (QUICKI), glucose-to-insulin ratio (p<0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p=0.012) were lower in IR group. MetS (p=0.034) and obesity (p=0.038) were more prevalent in IR group. For all PCOS patients, significant correlations of total cholesterol (TC) with dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) (r=-0.27, p=0.031), HDL-C with QUICKI (r=0.26, p=0.036) were found. Partial correlations also showed significant associations between TG and BS2h (r=0.30, p=0.026) as well as TC and LH/FSH ratio (r=0.30, p=0.032). When the patients were divided into IR and IS groups, significant correlations of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with luteinizing hormone (LH) (r=0.50, p=0.017) as well as TC (r=0.42, p=0.043) and LDL-C (r=0.50, p=0.016) with LH/FSH ratio were observed in IR group. However, partial correlation suggested significant associations of HDL-C with testosterone (r=-0.35, p=0.049) as well as serum LDL-C (r=0.38, p=0.033), HDL-C (r=-0.32, p=0.047), and TC (r=0.34, p=0.056) with progesterone level only in the IS group. The findings of this study indicated that lipid abnormalities may occur in PCOS, irrespective of IR

The Association of Dietary Patterns With Dietary Inflammatory Index, Systemic Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance, in Apparently Healthy Individuals With Obesity

Infammation is considered a key mechanism leading to obesity. Dietary patterns and certain food items infuence infammation. Few studies have investigated the contribution of major dietary patterns to biological measures of infammation. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the associations of diferent dietary patterns with dietary infammatory index (DII), systemic infammation, and insulin resistance (IR) in the apparently healthy obese. In this cross-sectional study, 151 abdominally obese subjects were recruited from the Northwest of Iran. Dietary intake, demographic data, anthropometric indices, and physical activity (PA) was assessed. DII scores were calculated based on a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Three dietary patterns were identifed, using principal component analysis. Basal blood samples were collected to determine biochemical parameters. Linear regression test with adjusted beta estimates was applied for data analysis. Three dietary patterns were extracted as Healthy, Western, and Traditional. Body mass index (BMI) (p\u3c 0.01) and fat mass (p\u3c 0.001) were directly associated with the Western dietary pattern. Conversely, serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) (b= − 0.1, p\u3c 0.04) was negatively associated with Healthy dietary pattern, after controlling for confounders. The Traditional pattern was found to be inversely related to DII (b= − 0.3, p\u3c 0.001). The association was also reveresed between Traditional pattern and IR (Odds Ratio: 0.3 (95% Confdence Interval 0.1–0.9)). The results suggested that the Western dietary pattern was related to higher BMI and fat mass. In addition, the Healthy pattern was associated with decreased levels of LBP. Adherence to the Traditional dietary pattern was inversely related to DII as well as IR

Nutritional Approach for Increasing Public Health During Pandemic of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review of Antiviral Nutrients and Nutraceuticals

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered as the most life-threatening pandemic disease during the last decade. The individual nutritional status, though usually ignored in the management of COVID-19, plays a critical role in the immune function and pathogenesis of infection. Accordingly, the present review article aimed to report the effects of nutrients and nutraceuticals on respiratory viral infections including COVID-19, with a focus on their mechanisms of action. Methods: Studies were identified via systematic searches of the databases including PubMed/ MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2000 until April 2020, using keywords. All relevant clinical and experimental studies published in English were included. Results: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is common in severe respiratory infections and should be considered in the management of COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, obesity can be accompanied by decreasing the host immunity. Therefore, increasing physical activity at home and a slight caloric restriction with adequate intake of micronutrients and nutraceuticals are simple aids to boost host immunity and decrease the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Conclusion: The most important nutrients which can be considered for COVID-19 management are vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, zinc, and probiotics. Their adequacy should be provided through dietary intake or appropriate supplementation. Moreover, adequate intake of some other dietary agents including vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, alpha linolenic acid and phytochemicals are required to maintain the host immunity

Role of Physical Activity and Fitness in the Characterization and Prognosis of the Metabolically Healthy Obesity Phenotype: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aims of the present article are to systematically review and meta-analyze the existing evidence on: 1) differences in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular strength (MST) between metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO); and 2) the prognosis of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality/morbidity in MHO individuals, compared with the best scenario possible, i.e., metabolically healthy normal-weight (MHNW), after adjusting for PA, SB, CRF or MST. Our systematic review identified 67 cross-sectional studies to address aim 1, and 11 longitudinal studies to address aim 2. The major findings and conclusions from the current meta-analysis are: 1) MHO individuals are more active, spend less time in SB, and have a higher level of CRF (yet no differences in MST) than MUO individuals, suggesting that their healthier metabolic profile could be at least partially due to these healthier lifestyle factors and attributes. 2) The meta-analysis of cohort studies which accounted for PA (N = 10 unique cohorts, 100% scored as high-quality) support the notion that MHO individuals have a 24-33% higher risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality/morbidity compared to MHNW individuals. This risk was borderline significant/non-significant, independent of the length of the follow-up and lower than that reported in previous meta-analyses in this topic including all type of studies, which could be indicating a modest reduction in the risk estimates as a consequence of accounting for PA. 3) Only one study has examined the role of CRF in the prognosis of MHO individuals. This study suggests that the differences in the risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality/morbidity between MHO and MHNW are largely explained by differences in CRF between these two phenotypes

Correction: Factors influencing weight management behavior among college students: An application of the Health Belief Model.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228058.]

Factors influencing weight management behavior among college students: An application of the Health Belief Model.

BackgroundOverweight and obesity have become a significant public health concern in both developing and developed countries. Due to the health implications of weight-reduction behaviors, it is important to explore the factors that predict their occurrence. Therefore, the present study was performed to examine factors affecting the behavioral intention of weight management as well as assess the predictive power of the Health Belief Model (HBM) for body mass index (BMI).MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 336 female students recruited from dormitories of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, using quota sampling technique. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire in seven parts (including perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, cue to action, self-efficacy in dieting and physical activity, and behavioral intention of weight management), based on the HBM. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to identify the relationship between HBM constructs and behavioral intention of weight management. Linear regression model was performed to test the ability of the HBM to predict students' BMIs.ResultsHigher level of perceived threats (sum of perceived susceptibility and severity) (β = 0.41, PConclusionsThese findings suggest that health education programs based on the HBM needs to be integrated in preventive health programs and health interventions strategies to ensure adherence and well-being of the participants

The effects of Spirulina Platensis on anthropometric indices, appetite, lipid profile and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in obese individuals: a randomized double blinded placebo controlled trial

Abstract Background In recent years, a great attention has been focused on Spirulina platensis as a source of potential valuable nutrients for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of Spirulina platensis on anthropometric parameters, serum lipids, appetite and serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in obese individuals. Methods In the current study sixty four obese individuals aged 20–50 years were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and placebo. Intervention group (n = 29) received each 500 mg of the Spirulina platensis a twice-daily dosage while the control group (n = 27) received two pills daily starch for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters and serum VEGF and lipid profile were measured in fasting blood samples at the beginning and end of the study period. Dietary intakes were assessed by a 24-h recall method and appetite was measured using standard visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Body weight and body mass index (BMI) were decreased in intervention and placebo treated groups although the mean reduction in Spirulina platensis-treated group was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol (TC) significantly reduced in intervention group (P < 0.05). Also, treatment with Spirulina platensis significantly reduced appetite (P = 0.008). Mean serum VEGF, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides did not change significantly after intervention. Serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations (HDL-c) significantly increased in both groups while no difference in mean difference of this change has been observed. Conclusion Spirulina supplementation at a dose of 1 g/d for 12 weeks is effective in modulating body weight and appetite and partly modifies serum lipids. This can further confirm the efficacy of this herbal supplement in control and prevention of obesity and obesity- related disorders. Trial registration Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT registration number: IRCT2015071219082N7 ; Date registered: September 12, 2015)

The effects of sodium butyrate supplementation on the expression levels of PGC-1α, PPARα, and UCP-1 genes, serum level of GLP-1, metabolic parameters, and anthropometric indices in obese individuals on weight loss diet: a study protocol for a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract Background Obesity is a multifaceted disease characterized by an abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue. Growing evidence has proposed microbiota-derived metabolites as a potential factor in the pathophysiology of obesity and related metabolic conditions over the last decade. As one of the essential metabolites, butyrate affects several host cellular mechanisms related to appetite sensations and weight control. However, the effects of butyrate on obesity in humans have yet to be studied. Thus, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator activated-receptor (PPAR) gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), PPARα and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) genes, serum level of glucagon-like peptide (GLP1), and metabolic parameters, as well as anthropometric indices in obese individuals on a weight loss diet. Methods This triple-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) will include 50 eligible obese subjects aged between 18 and 60 years. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: 8 weeks of SB (600 mg/day) + hypo-caloric diet or placebo (600 mg/day) + hypo-caloric diet. At weeks 0 and 8, distinct objectives will be pursued: (1) PGC-1α, PPARα, and UCP1 genes expression will be evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction; (2) biochemical parameters will be assayed using enzymatic methods; and (3) insulin and GLP1 serum level will be assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Discussion New evidence from this trial may help fill the knowledge gap in this realm and facilitate multi-center clinical trials with a substantially larger sample size. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20190303042905N2 . Registered on 31 January 2021

Formulation and Design of Probiotic Supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms with immune-regulatory properties and may be useful for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune inflammatory disorder. The aim of the present study was to formulate L. casei 01 capsules at laboratory scale, and evaluate its effects on the proportion of T-helper type 2 (Th2) anti-inflammatory cytokines to T-helper type 1 (Th1) pro-inflammatory cytokines (Th2/Th1), in RA patients. Methods: After blending the probiotic and excipient (maltodextrin) based on the relevant calculations, the content uniformity of the mixture was evaluated. Furthermore, viability of the probiotic bacteria was assessed during capsules production and throughout three months of storage. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 46 RA patients were supplemented with either the capsules (containing at least 108 CFU of Lactobacillus. casei 01) or placebo (maltodextrin), for eight weeks; DAS28 (Disease activity score 28) as well as serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12) were measured at baseline and the end of study. IL-10/IL-1β, IL-10/IL-6, IL-10/IL-12, IL10/TNF-α and IL-10/(IL-1β+ IL-6+ IL-12+ TNF-α) were calculated, the latter being expressed as IL-10/total Th1, and compared for the groups. Paired samples t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test and ANCOVA tests were applied. Results: Probiotic powder had been uniformly mixed with the excipient and the bacteria had acceptable viability throughout the study course. Supplementation of RA patients with the capsules resulted in a significant decrease in disease activity (DAS28, P=0.039) and increase in IL-10/TNF-α, IL-10/IL-12 and IL-10/total Th1 (P=0.039, P=0.012 and P=0.014, respectively). At the end of the study, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of IL-10/IL-12 and IL-10/total Th1 (P= 0.038 and P= 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: L. casei 01 supplements may have the expected desired anti-inflammatory effects in RA patients. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these results