How probiotic bacteria influence the motor and mental behaviors as well as immunological and oxidative biomarkers in multiple sclerosis? A double blind clinical trial

Abstract Background and aims: This clinical trial was carried out to assess the effects of probiotic on mental and motor behaviors, metabolic profiles in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Forty-eight patients with MS were treated by probiotics or placebo for four months to determine clinical symptoms, mental health, and metabolic profiles. Results: Probiotic decreased expanded disability status scale (−0.52 ± 0.04 vs. + 0.16 ± 0.07, P < 0.001), beck depression inventory (−5.08 ± 0.71 vs. −2.62 ± 0.78, P = 0.026), general health questionnaire-28 (−6.7 ± 1.17 vs. −3.04 ± 1.13, P = 0.03) and depression anxiety and stress scale (−12.54 ± 1.81 vs. −3.33 ± 2.26, P = 0.003). Probiotic reduced malondialdehyde (P < 0.001) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (P < 0.001). Probiotic resulted in a significant reduction in IL-6 (P = 0.01) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = 0.03), and a significant increase in IL-10 (P < 0.001) and nitric oxide levels (P = 0.012). Conclusion: Through modulation of intestinal flora, the probiotic bacteria may improve clinical symptoms by balancing the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, and adjusting the oxidative biomarkers in the MS patients. Keywords: Clinical symptom Inflammation Multiple sclerosis Oxidative stress Probiotic

The effects of quercetin supplementation on lipid profiles and inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Aims: This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to determine the effect of quercetin administration on lipid profiles and inflammatory markers among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders. Methods: We searched systematically online databases including Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science to identify the relevant RCTs until November 2018. Q-test and I2 statistics were applied to assess heterogeneity among included studies. Data were combined using fixed- or random-effects model and presented as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 confidence interval (CI). Results: Out of 591 citations, 16 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled findings showed that quercetin consumption significantly decreased total-cholesterol (SMD = �0.98; 95 CI, �1.48, �0.49; p &lt; 0.001; I2: 94.0), LDL-cholesterol (SMD = �0.88; 95 CI, �1.35, �0.41; p &lt; 0.001; I2: 92.7) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (�0.64; 95 CI, �1.03, �0.25; p = 0.001; I2: 90.2). While, quercetin supplementation did not significantly affect triglycerides (TG) (SMD = �0.32; 95 CI, �0.68, 0.04; p = 0.08; I2: 84.8), HDL-cholesterol (SMD = 0.20; 95 CI, �0.20, 0.24; p = 0.84; I2: 70.6), interleukin 6 (IL-6) (SMD = �0.69; 95 CI, �1.69, 0.31; p = 0.17; I2: 94.5) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels (SMD = �0.06; 95 CI, �0.25, 0.14; p = 0.58; I2: 35.6) Conclusions: In summary, the current meta-analysis demonstrated that quercetin supplementation significantly reduced total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and CRP levels, yet did not affect triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, IL-6 and TNF-α among patients with MetS and related disorders. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Melatonin and Parkinson Disease: Current Status and Future Perspectives for Molecular Mechanisms

Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic and neurodegenerative disease with motor and nonmotor symptoms. Multiple pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of PD, including apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, inflammation, α-synuclein aggregation, and changes in the neurotransmitters. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that melatonin supplementation is an appropriate therapy for PD. Administration of melatonin leads to inhibition of some pathways related to apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, inflammation, α-synuclein aggregation, and dopamine loss in PD. In addition, melatonin improves some nonmotor symptom in patients with PD. Limited studies, however, have evaluated the role of melatonin on molecular mechanisms and clinical symptoms in PD. This review summarizes what is known regarding the impact of melatonin on PD in preclinical and clinical studies. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Therapeutic Potential of Berberine in the Treatment of Glioma: Insights into Its Regulatory Mechanisms

Glioma is known as one of the most common primary intracranial tumors accounting for four-fifths of malignant brain tumors. There are several biological pathways that play a synergistic, pathophysiological role in glioma, including apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, and cell cycle arrest. According to previous rese arches, the drugs used in the treatment of glioma have been associated with significant limitations. Therefore, improved and/or new therapeutic platforms are required. In this regard, multiple flavonoids and alkaloids have been extensively studied in the treatment of glioma. Berberine is a protoberberine alkaloid with wide range of pharmacological activities, applicable to various pathological conditions. Few studies have reported beneficial roles of berberine in glioma. Berberine exerts its pharmacological functions in glioma by controlling different molecular and cellular pathways. We reviewed the existing knowledge supporting the use of berberine in the treatment of glioma and its effects on molecular and cellular mechanisms. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on expanded disability status scale in people with multiple sclerosis: A critical, systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials

In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the scores for the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are assessed. The following databases were search up to January 2018: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The quality of the relevant extracted data was assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data were pooled by the use of the inverse variance method and expressed as mean difference with 95 Confidence Intervals (95 CI). Six studies were included in this meta-analysis. The findings demonstrated that supplementation with vitamin D alone and vitamin D plus calcium did not affect the EDSS score (WMD -0.11 (-0.33, 0.11); P = 0.32). In addition, subgroup analysis showed that vitamin D supplementation alone, when compared to the use of a placebo, and vitamin D plus calcium supplementation compared with the control did not affect EDSS (WMD -0.13 (-0.30, 0.11); P = 0.29) and (WMD -0.08 (-0.57, 0.41); P = 0.29), respectively. Overall, this meta-analysis indicated that taking vitamin D in people with MS had no significant effect on EDSS. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Increased serum levels of TNF-α and decreased serum levels of IL-27 in patients with Parkinson disease and their correlation with disease severity

Abstract Objectives: Immunological basis of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer and Parkinson disease (PD) has some important roles in their pathogenesis. There are conflicting studies to serum level of TNF-α in PD. Also, according to our finding there is no report evaluating serum level of IL-27 in PD. This study correlates the serum level of those factors with severity of PD. Patients and methods: In this case-control study, 83 patients with PD and 83 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The diagnosis was fulfilled in accordance with clinical diagnostic criteria of the UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank by two neurologists. The modified Hoehn and Yahr (H and Y) scale was used to evaluate the severity of PD. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-27 were measured by Elisa. Correlation of H and Y scale with serum levels of these cytokines was evaluated. Results: The serum levels of TNF-α were increased and serum levels of IL-27 were decreased in patients with PD compared to those in healthy subjects (P < 0.0001). There was a significant correlation between serum levels of TNF-α and IL-27 with H and Y scale. Conclusion: Our study showed that the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-27 may be important prognostic biomarkers of PD. Keywords TNF-α IL-27 Parkinson disease H and

PIWI-interacting RNAs and PIWI proteins in glioma: molecular pathogenesis and role as biomarkers

Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor, and is a major health problem throughout the world. Today, researchers have discovered many risk factors that are associated with the initiation and progression of gliomas. Studies have shown that PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and PIWI proteins are involved in tumorigenesis by epigenetic mechanisms. Hence, it seems that piRNAs and PIWI proteins may be potential prognostic, diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers in the treatment of glioma. Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between piRNAs and PIWI proteins and some of the molecular and cellular pathways in glioma. Here, we summarize recent evidence and evaluate the molecular mechanisms by which piRNAs and PIWI proteins are involved in glioma. MediaObject not available: see fulltext. © 2020, The Author(s)

The effects of resveratrol supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

There are several current trials investigating the effect of resveratrol supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, their findings are controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to summarize the existing evidence and collectively determine the effects of resveratrol supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among patients with MetS and related disorders. Two authors independently searched electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, until May 2018 in order to find relevant RCTs. The quality of the selected RCTs was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Cochran's Q test and I-square (I2) statistic were used to determine whether heterogeneity exists across included trials. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95 CI between two intervention groups were used to determine pooled effect sizes. Out of 317 potential citations selected based on keywords, 24 RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for the current meta-analysis. The pooled results obtained by using the random-effects model showed that resveratrol supplementation significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD = -0.55; 95 CI, -0.84, -0.26; P < 0.001; I2: 84.0) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (SMD = -0.68; 95 CI, -1.08, -0.28; P = 0.001; I2: 81.3) concentrations among patients with MetS and related disorders. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) (SMD = 0.05; 95 CI, -0.31, 0.41; P = 0.79; I2: 85.0) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (SMD = 0.21; 95 CI, -3.16, 3.59; P = 0.90; I2: 97.7) concentrations did not significantly change following resveratrol supplementation. Resveratrol supplementation showed a promising lowering effect on some of the inflammatory markers among patients with MetS and related disorders. Additional prospective studies regarding the effect of resveratrol supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress by using higher doses of resveratrol and longer duration of supplementation are necessary

The effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin and lipid in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin and lipid in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients and methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 40 subjects with PD. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 1000 mg/day of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil plus 400 IU/day of vitamin E supplements or placebo (n = 20 each group) for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to inflammation, insulin and lipid were quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of PD patients with RT-PCR method. Results: After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation downregulated gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.002) in PBMC of subjects with PD. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (P = 0.03), and downregulated oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) (P = 0.002) in PBMC of subjects with PD compared with the placebo. We did not observe any significant effect of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-8 in PBMC of patients with PD. Conclusions: Overall, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation for 12 weeks in PD patients significantly improved gene expression of TNF-α PPAR-γ and LDLR, but did not affect IL-1 and IL-8. © 2018 Elsevier B.V

The effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin and lipid in patients with Parkinson�s disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin and lipid in patients with Parkinson�s disease (PD).Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 50 patients with PD as a pilot study. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 8�109 CFU/day probiotic supplements or placebo (n = 25 each group, one capsule daily) for 12 weeks. Gene expression related to inflammation, insulin, and lipid was quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of PD patients, with RT-PCR method. Results: After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, probiotic intake downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P = 0.03), IL-8 (P < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P=0.04) in PBMC of subjects with PD. In addition, probiotic supplementation upregulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (P = 0.02) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (P = 0.03) in PBMC of subjects with PD compared with the placebo. We did not observe any significant effect of probiotic intake on gene expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in PBMC of patients with PD. Conclusion: Overall, probiotics supplementation for 12 weeks in PD patients significantly improved gene expression of IL-1, IL-8, TNF-α, TGF-β and PPAR-γ, but did not affect gene expression of VEGF and LDLR, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. © 2018 The Author(s)