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Irisin, a novel adipomyokine, has been proposed to be a therapeutic agent against obesity‐related metabolic disease. Royal Jelly (RJ) and tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) are suggested to promote obesity and its related problems through potential mutual mechanistic pathways. This investigation intended to evaluate the glycemic and inflammation‐promoting effects of RJ, TRF, and their combinations to evaluate their synergic effects through irisin action in obese rats induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) that underwent a calorie restriction diet (CRD). Fifty HFD‐fed obese rats received the following interventions: RJ, TRF, or RJ + TRF in combination with a CRD for eight consecutive weeks. After the investigation, body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), irisin, insulin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), leptin, adiponectin, and insulin resistance (IR) were assessed. After 8 weeks of treatment, significant weight reduction was noticed in rats that received RJ and RJ + TRF related to the CRD rats (p <.001), although this reduction was not considerable in TRF‐treated rats. RJ and RJ + TRF supplementation markedly elevated irisin concentrations in CRD rats (p <.05), but TRF did not. Glycemic indices, inflammatory indices including IL‐1β and CRP levels, and leptin concentrations were significantly decreased after RJ, TRF, and their combinations were added to CRD (p <.05). According to the mediational analysis results, irisin mediated the promoting effects of RJ on glycemic hemostasis. Based on the results of this investigation, RJ and TRF are novel nutrients that have the potential to improve obesity‐related disorders. This research suggests that RJ exerts its beneficial glycemic regulatory effects through irisin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: COVID‐19 can lead to encephalopathy and loss of consciousness. This double‐blinded randomized clinical trial conducted in Tehran, Iran, aimed to assess the potential effectiveness of modafinil in patients with COVID‐19‐related encephalopathy. Methods: Nineteen non‐intubated COVID‐19 patients with encephalopathy were randomized into two groups: a treatment group receiving crushed modafinil tablets and a placebo group receiving starch powder. Modafinil was administered at a dose of 100 mg every 2 h, reaching a peak dosage of 400 mg. The level of consciousness was assessed using the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) at multiple time points on the day of medication administration. The trial was registered under IRCT20170903036041N3 on 23/5/2021. Results: The average age in the modafinil and placebo groups was 75.33 and 70 years, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of chronic conditions, clinical symptoms, or laboratory data. GCS scores were similar between the groups at baseline (p‐value = 0.699). After four doses of modafinil, GCS scores were slightly higher in the treatment group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p‐value = 0.581). GCS scores after each round of drug administration didn't significantly differ between the treatment and placebo groups (p‐value = 0.908). Conclusion: Modafinil exhibited a slight improvement in the level of consciousness among COVID‐19 patients with encephalopathy, although this improvement did not reach statistical significance when compared to the control group. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer treatment durations is recommended to explore modafinil's potential benefits in managing altered consciousness in COVID‐19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition is a significant concern reported in adult critically ill patients, yet there is no gold standard to assess nutritional status in this population. This study examines the association between nutritional status and clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients using nutritional risk assessment tools and aims to look for the best tool. Method: In a single-center prospective cohort study among 165 patients, the predictive performance of high or low malnutrition risk assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS), Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (m-NUTRIC), Mini-Nutritional-Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF), Controlling Nutritional status (CONUT), and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) were evaluated and compared for mortality, organ failure, length of hospitalization, and mechanical ventilation (MV). Results: Different assessment tools showed various nutritional statuses. m-NUTRIC and NRS-2002 were found to be associated more strongly relative to other tools with mortality (RR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.42–2.08) and (RR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.08–1.72), organ failure (RR = 1.69; 95% CI, 1.44–1.96) and (RR = 1.22; 95% CI, 0.99–1.48), MV (RR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.27–1.65) and (RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04–1.39) respectively. There was no correlation between malnutrition levels assessed by mentioned tools except for NRS-2002 and length of hospitalization. In predicting mortality or illness severity, the cut points were different for some tools like NUTRIC-score and all assessed outcomes (3.5), MNA-SF and mortality (6.5), CONUT with mortality, and MV (6.5). Conclusions: A considerable proportion of patients admitted to the ICU are at high risk for malnutrition. Compared to other tools, m-NUTRIC and NRS-2002 proved superior in predicting clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Other tools overestimated the risk of malnutrition in the ICU so couldn't predict clinical outcomes correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the well-known positive effects of fruits and vegetables, their consumption in many countries is lower than those recommended. This study aims to systematically examine the effects of community-based interventions on fruits and vegetables consumption in adults. Design/methodology/approach: To collect relevant publications, the authors searched electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science from January 2000 to July 2021. Considering random models, this study analyzed the data using weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Findings: Among 1,621 retrieved publications, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. The overall effect size demonstrated that, at the end of the trials, the educational interventions increased the consumption of aggregated fruits and vegetables (WMD: 0.55 serving/day, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.77), and vegetables (WMD: 0.15, 95%CI: 0.09, 0.21, I2: 33.2%; p = 0.103) in the intervention groups, compared to the control groups. Practical implications: The subgroup analyses that were based on the type of interventions (face-to-face education compared to online interventions), location (home-based compared to the other types of interventions) and duration (24 weeks and higher) of interventions, and accompanied financial support reduced between-group heterogeneity. An efficient interventional program on increasing fruits and vegetables consumption should be part of a multi-component project. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, no systematic review and meta-analysis has provided a summary of the effects of community-based interventions on fruits and vegetables consumption in adult populations, and there is no fixed conclusion that could be drawn in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traffic Light Labeling (TLL) system is a simple tool to communicate information regarding the nutrients content of food products and has been widely applied to promote public health. However, evidence on the effectiveness of the TLL system on consumers' choices is conflicting. The present study aims to systematically summarize the effects of TLL on consumers' point of purchase behaviors. Methods: Five electronic databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of knowledge, the Cochrane library, and Science direct were searched from 2000/01/01 to 2021/11/01. Randomized-controlled trials, in English or Farsi languages, investigating the effects of TLL on choosing healthier foodstuffs or beverages were examined for eligibility and included in the review. Of 6408 potentially relevant publications (including 1255 duplicates), five clinical trials were finally included in the study. Results: The duration of the interventions ranged from 4 to 12 weeks and all studies except one had high methodological quality. Out of 5, three clinical trials did not show positive effects of TLL on customers' choices to purchase healthier food products. Conclusions: The present review showed that TLL without other public health-promoting interventions may have no substantial effects on consumer’s food choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), having potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties, has recently been shown to be a safe and promising agent in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis (UC). This trial was, therefore, designed to determine CoQ10 efficacy on inflammation and antioxidant status, antimicrobial peptides, and microRNA-146a expression in UC patients. Methods: In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, 88 mild-to-moderate UC patients were randomly allocated to receive CoQ10 (200 mg/day) or placebo (rice flour) for 2 months. At the baseline and at an 8-week follow-up, serum levels of Nrf2, cathelicidin LL-37, β-defensin 2, IL-10, IL-17, NF-κB p65 activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), simple clinical colitis activity index questionnaire (SCCAIQ), and quality of life (IBDQ-32 score), as well as an expression rate of microRNA-146a were measured. Results: A significant reduction was detected in the serum IL-17 level, activity of NF-κB p65 in PBMCs, and also SCCAI score in the CoQ10 group compared to the placebo group, whereas IL-10 serum concentrations and IBDQ-32 score of the CoQ10 group considerably increased versus the control group; the changes of these variables were also significantly different within and between groups at the end of the study. Furthermore, CoQ10 remarkably increased serum levels of cathelicidin LL-37. A significant change in serum cathelicidin LL-37 levels was also observed between the two groups. No statistical difference, however, was seen between the two groups in terms of the serum levels of Nrf2 and β-defensin 2 and the relative expression of microRNA-146a. Conclusions: Our results indicate that CoQ10 supplementation, along with drug therapy, appears to be an efficient reducer of inflammation in patients with mild-to-moderate UC at a remission phase. Trial Registration: The research has also been registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20090822002365N17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the effect of co‐supplementation of selenium with zinc on weight control and the inflammatory and oxidative status in relation to obesity. Male Wistar rats (N = 32) were randomly divided into four groups after induction of obesity model: 1) "Zn" was supplemented with zinc sulfate (15 mg/kg BW), 2) "Se" supplemented with selenium as sodium selenate (0.5 mg/kg BW), 3) "Zn + Se" which received Zn (15 mg/kg BW) + Se (0.5 mg/kg BW), and 4) "HFD" as the control group. The intervention was done for eight weeks. At the end of treatment, serum and tissue level of Zn, Se, SOD, GSH‐Px, MDA, leptin, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 was evaluated. Weight and food intake were significantly reduced in the Se group(p <.001), while in the Zn group, weight gain due to obesity was prevented compared to the control group (p =.48). There was a significant and stronger increase in SOD, GSH‐Px levels and a remarkable decrease in MDA, leptin, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 in the group receiving the combination of two supplements than either alone(p <.001). Leptin had a positive correlation with inflammatory factors and lipid peroxidation marker and showed an inverse relationship with Zn and Se levels and anti‐oxidative enzymes(p <.05). The analysis showed the mediating role of leptin in the effects of zinc. Co‐supplementation of selenium and zinc may have a synergistic effect in reduction of oxidative and inflammatory markers. Regarding the effect of zinc on inflammatory factors and lipid peroxidation, leptin can play a mediating role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Studies addressing the impact of timing initiating enteral or parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients. Following the stress in critically ill patients two acute and chronic phases have occurred. The Acute phase includes the early and a late period which progress to the chronic inflammatory phase. In fact, we can divide them into catabolism and rehabilitation or anabolism phases. The latest scientific insights and guidelines on nutrition management in ICU have recommended that the basic nutritional situation is a highly prominent factor in the timing of starting nutrition delivery in the ICU in different phases. In the early phase of critical illness, because of the inflammation, a catabolic response happens by enhancing energy expenditure. Insulin resistance is one of the major pathways in this phase which activates releasing of energy from hepatic glycogen and muscle protein. Early feeding couldn't stop the aforementioned endogenous energy preparation and triggers overfeeding and its related complications. During the inflammatory phase, the patients are faced with a swift muscle loss reaching 1 kg/day which can suppress the weaning process and increase infection and mortality rate. On the other hand, deficiency of a substantial macronutrient early during critical illness leads to activation of autophagic quality control on different organs. Early high dose Proteins and feeding suppress autophagy, as a main intracellular cleaning mechanism. Autophagy is so important in the acute inflammatory phase due to reducing the misfolded protein. Conclusion: Although late feeding may improve potentially important recovery processes in critical illness, it comes at the price of wasting muscle mass. So, avoiding early full calorie and protein delivery and progressive administration during 3 and 4 days for protein and calorie is recommended. It can be enhanced in recovery and post-ICU phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcomes of the earlier trials are controversial concerning the effect of Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids on thermogenesis. We carried out this systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids on thermogenesis indices including resting metabolic rate (RMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) in healthy adults. An electronic literature search was conducted between 1990 and 2019, using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE. Placebo-controlled clinical trials were considered as eligible papers. Effect sizes were pooled using weighted mean difference (WMD), with a random-effects model. Of the 4,092 articles, 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled effect sizes revealed that compared with placebo, Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids significantly increased RMR (WMD: 33.99 Kcal/day, 95% CI: 15.95, 52.03; I2 : 0%, p = .94), energy expenditure, and fat oxidation. It also significantly lessened RQ (WMD: -0.01, 95% CI: -0.02, -0.01; I2 : 5.4%, p = .39) and carbohydrate oxidation. Moreover, intervention in capsule form for longer duration had a more considerable influence on RMR than comparative groups. We observed moderate improvement in RMR, RQ, and fat oxidation following supplementation with Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids. However, further high-quality studies are required to clarify the thermogenic properties of Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is one of the important problems concerning the staffs' health and productivity in the workplace. Nutritional status and consumption of some foods are also among the determining factors of MSD. So, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation of diet and consumed food groups with MSD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 office workers. The participants' anthropometric parameters and their dietary information were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The findings were categorized into nine levels. The total scores were calculated for all the items per food group and per person. Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was also administered to evaluate the MSD symptoms in nine parts of body. Results: The score of consumed food groups was compared between individuals "with pain" and "without pain" in nine parts of the body. The scores of fruit intake in individuals "with pain" and "without pain" were 2.94 ± 1.27 vs. 3.29 ± 1.16 and 2.81 ± 1.10 vs. 3.49 ± 1.38 in terms of neck and wrists, respectively. The difference between the two groups were significant (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the participants with pain in the neck consumed significantly lower amounts of cereals and nuts (P = 0.03, 0.04). In the case of the shoulder pain, consuming legumes and nuts in the "without pain" group was higher than the group of participants who had pain (P = 0.01, P = 0.03). Fat intake was higher in the patients who had pain in their hips (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Less pain was reported in the musculoskeletal system by higher consumption of fruits, nuts, and legumes. It seems that plant-based dietary pattern is more effective in musculoskeletal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of royal jelly (RJ) and tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) on obesity‐induced glucose intolerance and inflammation were assessed in the current study. Regarding irisin as an important adipomyokine that attenuates obesity‐induced disorders, we evaluated whether RJ and TRF could exert their metabolism regulatory effects through irisin. Obese rats were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) with or without supplementation of RJ, TRF, or both, for 8 weeks. At the end of the intervention, weight, irisin, glycemic, and inflammatory indices were measured. The weight of the rats did not remarkably reduce in any of the groups. Glucose homeostasis and inflammation were improved when we added RJ and TRF to HFD. RJ elevated irisin concentration, but the effect of TRF on irisin was not noticeable. Our results indicated that, despite the lack of significant weight loss, RJ and TRF promoted healthy obesity. This improvement was mediated by irisin in RJ consuming rats. Practical applications: Obesity is a public health concern associated with several chronic disorders. The beneficial effects of irisin on obesity‐related disorders are well‐established. It is the first study assessing the effect of RJ and TRF as functional foods, with pharmacological and nutritional activities on obesity complications, through irisin mediation. Our study demonstrated that RJ exerts its metabolic regulatory effects by irisin as a mediator. Our investigation makes a remarkable contribution to the literature, because it suggests a new mechanism for the anti‐obesity properties of RJ and TRF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major types of non-communicable diseases with increasing prevalence worldwide. Oil consumption is an important part of the modifiable nutritional risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. The present study aims to examine the effects of grape seed oil consumption against sunflower oil on lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and weight management among overweight and obese females. In the current randomized clinical trial, 39 overweight or obese women were randomly allocated into the grape seed oil and sunflower oil groups and completed the study successfully. Anthropometric parameters were measured every two weeks. Fasting serum lipid profiles and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Dietary data were collected using 3 days of 24-hours dietary recall. The changes in anthropometric measures and nutrient intakes at the end of the study were not significant between the groups. Although lipid profiles improved significantly in both groups, only the changes of the low-density lipoprotein (25.9 ± 6.6 mg/dL vs. 8.63 ± 6.87 mg/dL) and high-density lipoprotein (5.35 ± 2.56 mg/dL vs. 1.73 ± 1.14 mg/dL) were significantly different between the grape seed oil and sunflower oil groups. The changes in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level in the grape seed oil vs. sunflower oil group were statistically significant (P = 0.03). Grape seed oil consumption seems to improve lipid biomarkers and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in overweight and/or obese females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of probiotics fermented milk (PFM) supplementation on blood pressure (BP) is conflicting. This review aimed to summarize available evidence from human trials evaluating the effects of PFM supplementation on BP in adults. Online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochran were searched for relevant studies published up to December 2019, using relevant keywords. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the PFM supplementation on BP were included. The quality of this study was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Assessment tool. Meta-analysis was done using the random-effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed in selected studies. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to examine potential heterogeneity. Meta-analysis of 24 (31 arms) randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 2102 participants showed that PFM supplementation did not change in systolic BP (SBP) (WMD: -2.17 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.5, 0.16, P = .068) as well in diastolic BP (DBP) (WMD: -1.04, 95% CI: -2.51 to 0.44, P = .167) subgroup analyses based on baseline SBP and DBP, duration of intervention, baseline BMI, mean age, and health status suggested a large significant decreasing effect on systolic and diastolic BP in prehypertensive (pre-HTN) and hypertensive (HTN) subset (P < .05). Our study concludes that PFM supplementation may have beneficial effects on systolic and diastolic BP in pre-HTN and HTN subjects. Future investigations on the clinical efficacy and safety of PFM supplementation are warranted to elucidate these beneficial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical trials have indicated conflicting results on the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on obesity. The present study aimed to systematically review controlled clinical trials examining the effects of CLA on anthropometric indices and body composition in overweight and obese subjects. Pubmed, Scopus, Web of science, and Cochrane databases were searched between 2000 and December 2017 with no language restriction. Placebo-controlled clinical trials that reported anthropometric indices and body composition in overweight and obese subjects were included. Random-effect model was used to pool the effect estimates. Of 4032 publications, 13 trials were included for the meta-analysis. Pooled effect sizes indicated that CLA significantly reduced body weight (WMD: -0.52 kg, 95% CI: -0.83, -0.21; I2: 48.0%, p = 0.01), BMI (WMD: -0.23 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.39, - 0.06; I2: 64.7%, p = 0.0001), FM (WMD: -0.61 kg, 95% CI: -0.98, -0.24; I2: 53.8%, p = 0.01) and increased LBM (WMD: 0.19 kg, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.34; I2: 81.4%, p = 0.0001) compared to the placebo group. However, the effects of CLA on WC (WMD: 0.05 cm, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.1; I2: 0%, p = 0.93) was not significant. Additionally, its impact on body weight in subjects older than 44 year (WMD: -1.05 kg, 95% CI: -1.75, -0.35; I2: 57.0%, p = 0.01), with longer duration (more than 12 weeks) (WMD: -1.29 kg, 95% CI: -2.29, -0.29; I2: 70.3%, p = 0.003) and dosage more than 3.4 g/day (WMD: -0.77 kg, 95% CI: -1.28, -0.25; I2: 62.7%, p = 0.004) were greater than comparative groups. Supplementation with CLA can slightly reduce body weight and FM and increase LBM in overweight and obese subjects. However, its efficacy was not clinically considerable. Further studies with high methodological quality are needed to shed light on the effects of CLA on anthropometric indices in overweight and obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Definition of the energy expenditure (EE) and the precise amount of calories and protein in critically ill patients is difficult and depends on various parameters including the nutritional status of the patient, significant weight loss before admission, and so on. However, it is necessary to mention that reaching the target over time is one of the major problems in the Intensive care unit (ICU). To approach a reasonable recommendation, indirect calorimetry is the best method for EE estimation. Although providing adequate nutritional support is vital in elevating weaning chance, reducing infection, and ICU length of stay, many times it is not feasible because of unstable hemodynamics, sepsis, enteral feeding intolerance, and enteral feeding-related complications such as diarrhea, and parenteral-related complication like refeeding syndrome. We aimed to review what is the true number of calories and protein and how we should manage nutrition in critical patients in different situations. A growing body of evidence rejects previous approaches about stopping nutritional support during sepsis. In sepsis, many studies recommend trophic feeding (defined as 10-20 kcal/h, up to 500 kcal/d) advancing as tolerated after the stability of hemodynamics in 24 to 48 hours. Starting supplementary parenteral nutrition (SPN) is another challenging area which is a great agreement in using SPN after a week in non-malnourished patients. Conclusion: defining adequate amounts of calories and protein in critically ill patients is necessary but managing it for the best nutritional support is so challenging matter. Then adequate nutritional support in critical situations is highly prominent in ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Inflammation, as a critical factor, can cause numerous chronic diseases by creating various proinflammatory cytokines. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can potentially exert an anti-inflammatory agent; in turn, this agent can reduce the systemic inflammatory response. The aims of this study are to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and a meta-analysis for the determination of the CoQ10 efficacy on the changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) levels in unhealthy subjects. Method and analysis We will conduct an electronic search for articles published between January 1990 and January 2017 using a prespecified search strategy in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Web of Science. Our search will focus only on randomised controlled clinical trials in unhealthy subjects that employ either a parallel or a crossover design; this search will involve concurrent control groups. The primary outcomes of the literature are to determine the CoQ10 efficacy on the changes in the serum IL-6 and the TNF-a levels in unhealthy subjects. Secondary outcomes such as body mass index, serum adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, lipid profile and the heterogeneity assessment of the primary studies will be evaluated. The stages of screen articles, the extracts of relevant data and the assessment of study quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool will be conducted independently by the two reviewers. Any disagreement will be resolved by discussion with a third person. If the number of eligible studies is sufficient, we will carry out a meta-analysis according to both outcomes. Ethics and dissemination This study is the protocol for a systematic review and no ethics approval is needed. The findings from the full systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and they will also be exhibited at national/international academic and clinical conferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape seed oil (GSO) is reported to improve oxidative stress and lipid profile. However, the ameliorating effect of GSO on inflammation and insulin resistance has not being noticed so far. We aimed to examine the effects of GSO consumption on inflammation and insulin resistance in overweight or obese females. The subjects (n = 44) were randomly assigned into intervention group as "GSO" (consuming 15% of energy from GSO) and control group as sunflower oil "SFO" (consuming 15% of energy from SFO) through a weight loss diet for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, dietary recall and fasting serum glucose, insulin, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were assessed before and after the intervention. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores, hs-CRP and TNF-α decreased in the GSO group. The hs-CRP was lower in GSO than the SFO group (p < 0.03). GSO consumption seems to improve inflammatory condition and insulin resistance in overweight/obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that is caused by immune and inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species overproduction-related oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) could act as a helpful agent for maintaining the remission of UC. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on inflammatory markers, antioxidant status, disease severity, quality of life, and microRNA-146a expression rate in UC patients. Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on patients with mild to moderate UC, who were referred to Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital. Eligible patients were randomly divided into the CoQ10 (200 mg/daily) and placebo (200 mg rice flour) groups for 8 weeks. Inflammatory status, antimicrobial peptides, disease severity using SCCAI questionnaire, and IBDQ-32 scores were assessed during the intervention period. Results: Overall, 86 patients could complete the intervention period. CoQ10 supplementation for 8 weeks significantly decreased plasma levels of IL-17, the nuclear activity of NF-κB p65, severity of disease activity over the placebo group. Also, serum levels of IL-10, cathelicidin LL-37 and the IBDQ-32 scores increased significantly in the CoQ10 group over the placebo group. While, there was not seen a significant difference between the two groups in serum Nrf2, β-defensin-2, and the relative rate of miR-146a expression. Conclusion: our results indicated that CoQ10 supplementation along with drug therapy appears to have beneficial effects on lowering inflammation, improving quality of life, and reducing clinical activity severity of disease in patients with mild-to-moderate UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the poor micronutrient status in critical illness as well as the remarkable importance of the role of micronutrients, it remains unclear how to optimize supplementation of vitamins, appropriate dose, and duration of vitamin administration in critically ill patients. Higher stress and critical situations result in a severe depletion of vitamins due to a combination of raised utilization, poor absorption, and altered metabolism. Methods: We reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses of vitamins C, D, and thiamine supplementation in critically ill patients. An electronic literature search was conducted between 2010 and 2021, using PubMed, Web of Sciences and Scopus. Systematic reviews and metaanalyses were considered eligible papers. Result: After the initial search we screened 483 articles; a total of 41 systematic reviews and metaanalyses were eventually included and evaluated. Included studies contain studies ranging from 4-29 randomized clinical trials. Studies on vitamin C (n= 18) and vitamin D (n=17) assessed the effect of it on pancreatitis, postoperative atrial fibrillation, the outcome associated with critical illness, sepsis, pulmonary diseases as well as Covid-19. Thiamin administration improved ICU delirium and outcomes related to sepsis in combination with vitamin C (n = 6). Conclusion: There is a controversy between studies and meta-analyses assessing the effect of vitamins on critical care and more studies for determining the dose and duration of vitamin supplementation in critical care are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is specified by a chronic mucosal inflammation that has a deleterious impact on the quality of life (QoL). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) appears to influence disease activity by its obvious properties. Therefore, the current research intends to assess the impacts of CoQ10 on QoL, disease activity, and blood pressure in UC patients. Methods: This clinical trial performed on men and women with UC in 2017 who were attended the gastrointestinal center of Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital and private clinic. Eighty-eight UC patients were randomly allocated to receive either CoQ10 (200 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire-32 (IBDQ-32) score, and the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) score were measured pre and post-intervention. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 24. Results: Eighty-six UC patients (44 males) with a mean age of 39.29 (10.19) years completed the trial. The results of between- and within-group analysis revealed that the SCCAI score (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.025 and p=0.001, respectively), and systolic blood pressure (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) decremented significantly; while, the mean IBDQ-32 (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) increased substantially in the CoQ10 group; whereas there was no significant difference in anthropometric indices in both groups. Conclusion: Findings suggest that CoQ10 can be used as a potential intervention for diminishing the disease severity and blood pressure and may improve QoL and UC patients. IRCT number: IRCT20090822002365N17., (© 2021 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Introduction: Inflammation, as a critical factor, can cause numerous chronic diseases by creating various proinflammatory cytokines. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can potentially exert an anti-inflammatory agent; in turn, this agent can reduce the systemic inflammatory response. The aims of this study are to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and a meta-analysis for the determination of the CoQ10 efficacy on the changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in unhealthy subjects., Method and Analysis: We will conduct an electronic search for articles published between January 1990 and January 2017 using a prespecified search strategy in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Web of Science.Our search will focus only on randomised controlled clinical trials in unhealthy subjects that employ either a parallel or a crossover design; this search will involve concurrent control groups. The primary outcomes of the literature are to determine the CoQ10 efficacy on the changes in the serum IL-6 and the TNF-α levels in unhealthy subjects. Secondary outcomes such as body mass index, serum adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, lipid profile and the heterogeneity assessment of the primary studies will be evaluated. The stages of screen articles, the extracts of relevant data and the assessment of study quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool will be conducted independently by the two reviewers. Any disagreement will be resolved by discussion with a third person. If the number of eligible studies is sufficient, we will carry out a meta-analysis according to both outcomes., Ethics and Dissemination: This study is the protocol for a systematic review and no ethics approval is needed. The findings from the full systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and they will also be exhibited at national/international academic and clinical conferences., Trial Registration Number: CRD42016052200., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)