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Strenuous aerobic exercise is associated with oxidative stress and tissue damage. Therefore, we have investigated the effects of exercise and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation, with or without vitamin E, on the plasma levels of vitamin C, E and A, IL-6, and glutathione peroxidase activity in basketball players. Thirty four male basketball players, enrolled in the study. Subjects received 2g EPA and/or 400 IU vitamin E or placebo depending on their groups. For 6 weeks, eight subjects took a daily EPA sup-plement together with vitamin E (group 1), nine received an EPA supplement together with placebo (group 2), nine were administered placebo along with vitamin E (group 3), and finally, eight subjects received placebo alone (group 4). As compared with group 4 (placebo), there were significant increases in vitamins C, E, and A in groups 1 and 3, but significant decreases in these parameters in group2 (P < 0.01). In addition, there were significant decreases in IL-6 in groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.01), whereas there were significant increases in glutathione peroxidase in groups1 and 3 (P < 0.01).There were significant differences in vitamin C between groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05), and in vitamin E between groups 1 and 2, and groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.01), and in vitamin A between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05), and groups 1 and 4, 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 (P < 0.01), and in IL-6 between groups1 and 2 (P < 0.05), groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.01), 2 and 3 (P < 0.01), 2 and 4 (P < 0.01), and 3 and 4 (P < 0.05).

In the present study we aimed to investigate the effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on gene expression and serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-β in migraine patients. Forty participants with episodic migraine were randomly allocated to receive 80 mg nano-curcumin (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) in a randomized double-blind clinical trial for two months. At the beginning and the end of the study, the interictal serum levels and gene expression of IL-4 and TGF-β in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from migraine patients were measured, using ELISA and real-time PCR methods, respectively. Intra-group assays showed a significant rise in the gene expression of both IL-4 and TGF-β (p < 0.05) in nano-curcumin group after two months of treatment, however the serum levels were only significantly changed for IL-4 (p < 0.05). On the contrast, inter-group assays revealed no statistical differences between nano-curcumin and placebo group in terms of IL-4 and TGF-β gene expression, while the serum levels of IL-4 was observed to be increased significantly (p = 0.03) following two month nano-curcumin supplementation. The findings of the present trial suggest that the treatment with nano-curcumin could induce significant levels of IL-4, in favour of anti-inflammatory effects, while has a minimal effects on the both gene expression and serum levels of TGF-β. Further studies are required to determine the exact mechanism of action of curcumin in patients with migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prevalence of migraine is higher in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Possible underlying mechanisms could be increased intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation. Probiotics may reduce gut permeability as well as inflammation, and therefore may improve the clinical features of migraine. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of probiotic supplementation on the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Magiran.com and Sid.ir to identify eligible studies published up to October 2019. A meta-analysis of eligible trials was performed using the random-effects model to estimate pooled effect size. Results: Three randomized controlled trials with 179 patients (probiotic group = 94, placebo group = 85) were included. Probiotic supplementation had no significant effect on frequency (weighted mean difference (WMD) = −2.54 attacks/month, 95%CI: −5.31–0.22, p = 0.071) and severity of migraine attacks (WMD = −1.23 visual analog scale (VAS) score, 95%CI = −3.37–0.92, p = 0.262) with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 98%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A pooled analysis of available randomized controlled clinical trials showed that probiotic supplementation had no significant effect on the frequency and severity of episodic migraine attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Axonal sensory peripheral neuropathy is the major dose-limiting side effect of paclitaxel.Omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on neurological disorders from their effects on neurons cells and inhibition of the formation of proinflammatory cytokines involved in peripheral neuropathy. Methods This study was a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing incidence and severity of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). Eligible patients with breast cancer randomly assigned to take omega-3 fatty acid pearls, 640 mg t.i.d during chemotherapy with paclitaxel and one month after the end of the treatment or placebo. Clinical and electrophysiological studies were performed before the onset of chemotherapy and one month after cessation of therapy to evaluate PIPN based on "reduced Total Neuropathy Score". Results Twenty one patients (70%) of the group taking omega-3 fatty acid supplement (n = 30) did not develop PN while it was 40.7%( 11 patients) in the placebo group(n = 27). A significant difference was seen in PN incidence (OR = 0.3, .95% CI = (0.10-0.88), p = 0.029). There was a non-significant trend for differences of PIPN severity between the two study groups but the frequencies of PN in all scoring categories were higher in the placebo group (0.95% CI = (−2.06 -0.02), p = 0.054). Conclusions Omega-3 fatty acids may be an efficient neuroprotective agent for prophylaxis against PIPN. Patients with breast cancer have a longer disease free survival rate with the aid of therapeutical agents. Finding a way to solve the disabling effects of PIPN would significantly improve the patients’ quality of life. Trial registration This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01049295)

Introduction: Migraine is a disabling neurovascular disorder characterized by increasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers. Curcumin and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can exert neuroprotective effects through modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combined effects of nano-curcumin and CoQ10 supplementation on migraine symptoms and quality of life in migraine patients. Methods: One-hundred men and women (mean age 32 years) with episodic migraine based on the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into four groups as (1) combination of nano-curcumin (80 mg) plus CoQ10 (300 mg), (2) nano-curcumin (80 mg), (3) CoQ10 (300 mg) and (4) the control (nano-curcumin and CoQ10 placebo included oral paraffin oil) beside usual prophylactic drugs for 8 weeks. Frequency, severity, duration of headache attacks, the headache diary results (HDR) and headache disability based on migraine-specific questionnaires were assessed at the baseline and end of the study. Results: Ninety-one of 100 patients completed the study. The results showed a significant effect of nano-curcumin and CoQ10 supplementation on frequency, severity, duration of migraine attacks and HDR compared to other groups (All P < 0.001). Nano-curcumin and CoQ10 group also had better scores in migraine-specific questionnaires at the end of the study compared to other groups (All P < 0.001). There were no side effects reported by the participants. Conclusions: These findings suggest a possible synergistic effect of nano-curcumin and CoQ10 on clinical features of migraine. Trial registration number: IRCT2017080135444N1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although vitamin D deficiency has been associated with diabetes complications, the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified in human studies yet. This clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum levels and gene expression of some polyols and hexamine pathway enzymes, which play pivotal roles in the incidence of diabetes complications. Seventy-four patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups as receiving vitamin D (100 μg/d equal to 4000 IU/d) or placebo for a 3-month period. Moreover, serum levels of insulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), vitamin D, HbA1c, aldose reductase (AR), O-linked N-acetyl glucosamine transferase (OGT), and glutamine fructose ‐6‐phosphate aminotransferase (GFPT), as well as the gene expression of mentioned enzymes in PBMCs were measured before and after the intervention. After 3-months intervention, 25 (OH) vitamin D level significantly increased in the vitamin D group. The expression of AR and GFPT genes significantly decreased and some significant differences were observed regarding the serum level of AR enzyme. Additionally, insulin showed significant increase following vitamin D intake. Our result show that, receiving 100 μg/d vitamin D in type 2 diabetes patients, for a 3-month period might be helpful for ameliorating diabetes complications not only by improving insulin level, but also by suppressing AR and GFPT gene expressions in PBMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various studies have shown that diabetes and its complications are associated with vitamin D deficiency. Due to the possible role of vitamin D in reducing the complications of diabetes and the high prevalence of its deficiency in Iran, this study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on anthropometric indices and dietary intake of patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This randomized clinical trial (RCT) study was performed on 74 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients randomly divided into two groups to receive vitamin D (VD) supplementation (100 μg or 4000 IU/day) or placebo for three months, randomization was based on the permutated-block method. Anthropometric indices including body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and physical activity, dietary intake were assessed by validated methods at the beginning and end of the trial. Results: VD supplementation had not any significant differences in anthropometric indices, dietary intake and physical activity between the two groups. Conclusions: Finally, it can be concluded, receiving 100 micrograms/day of VD for three months had no favourable effects on patients with T2DM.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging disease that was first reported in Wuhan city, the capital of Hubei province in China, and has subsequently spread worldwide. Risk factors for mortality have not been well summarized. Current meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies was done to summarize available findings on the association between age, gender, comorbidities and risk of death from COVID-19 infection.Methods: Online databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google scholar were searched to detect relevant publications up to 1 May 2020, using relevant keywords. To pool data, random-effects model was used. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis and publication bias test were also done.Results: In total, 14 studies with 29,909 COVID-19 infected patients and 1445 cases of death were included in the current meta-analysis. Significant associations were found between older age (≥65 vs <65 years old) (pooled ORs = 4.59, 95%CIs = 2.61-8.04, p < .001), gender (male vs female) (pooled ORs = 1.50, 95%CIs = 1.06-2.12, p = .021) and risk of death from COVID-19 infection. In addition, hypertension (pooled ORs = 2.70, 95%CIs = 1.40-5.24, p = .003), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (pooled ORs = 3.72, 95%CIs = 1.77-7.83, p = .001), diabetes (pooled ORs = 2.41, 95%CIs = 1.05-5.51, p = .037), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (pooled ORs = 3.53, 95%CIs = 1.79-6.96, p < .001) and cancer (pooled ORs = 3.04, 95%CIs = 1.80-5.14, p < .001), were associated with higher risk of mortality.Conclusions: Older age (≥65 years old), male gender, hypertension, CVDs, diabetes, COPD and malignancies were associated with greater risk of death from COVID-19 infection. These findings could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant and an essential mitochondrial cofactor which has been suggested to improve the clinical features of migraine. Several randomized clinical trials have examined the effects of Coenzyme Q10 on migraine with inconclusive results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane library and Scopus to identify eligible studies up to April 2018. Studies included were randomized clinical trials of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation that reported the frequency, severity, or duration of migraine attacks as a primary outcome. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed using the fixed effects model or the random effects model to estimate pooled effect size. Results: Four randomized clinical trials with 221 participants were included. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks (weighted mean difference: −1.87 attacks/month, 95% CI: −2.69 to −1.05, p < 0.001) without significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 36.6%, p = 0.192). Coenzyme Q10 supplementation had no significant effect on severity (weighted mean difference: −2.35 visual analog scale score, 95% CI: −5.19 to 0.49, p = 0.105) and duration of migraine attacks (weighted mean difference: −6.14 h, 95% CI: −13.14 to 0.87, p = 0.086) with high heterogeneity. Conclusion: Pooled analyses of available randomized clinical trials suggest that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks per month without affecting the severity or duration of migraine attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]