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Protein gels are used for different purposes, such as providing good texture, serving as fat replacers, and enhancing the nutritional and functional characteristics of foods. They can also deliver controlled release agents for sensitive drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of κ-carrageenan (kcr) concentration (0, 1.5, 3, and 4.5 mg gWhen κ-carrageenan concentration increased from 0 to 1.5 and 3 mg.gOur study showed that κ-carrageenan/PBA gels had high entrapment efficiency and could protect curcumin in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The hydrogels are therefore very valuable for colon-targeting delivery purposes. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background There are growing interests in using dietary supplements to improve athletic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the food ration bar enriched with β‐alanine, L‐arginine, and Nigella sativa on athletic performance and inflammation following intense military training. Methods This double‐blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 54 new cadets. Eligible participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive food ration bars enriched with arginine (2 g/day), β‐alanine (2 g/day), and Nigella sativa (2 g/day) or nonenriched food ration bars during a 2‐week military training. Aerobic and anaerobic performances were evaluated by the Cooper and RAST tests, respectively. Results A significant increase in anaerobic powers (min, mean, and max) and a significant reduction in fatigue index were observed in the intervention group as compared to the control group, even after the adjustment for confounding factors. Also, increased levels of hs‐CRP and TNF‐α following military training were significantly lower in the intervention group as compared to the control group (hs‐CRP: 0.55 ± 0.1 versus 2.43 ± 0.1 mg/L; p‐value: 0.01; TNF‐α: 0.12 ± 0.04 versus 0.62 ± 0.04 pg/ml; p‐value: 0.03). No significant changes were observed in VO2 max in both groups. Conclusions Our results showed that the combination of β‐alanine, L‐arginine, and Nigella sativa can improve anaerobic performance and reduce inflammation following intense physical activities. Further studies with long‐term duration are needed to confirm the cumulative/synergic effects of these ingredients in trained and nontrained subjects., This clinical trial study shows that the combination of β‐alanine, L‐arginine, and Nigella sativa can improve anaerobic performance and reduce inflammation following intense physical activities. Further studies with long‐term duration are needed to confirm the cumulative/synergic effects of these ingredients in trained and non‐trained subjects. As far as we know, this is the first trial to evaluate the effect of the combination of β‐alanine, L‐arginine, and Nigella sativa on exercise performance. ​

Background Emerging evidence indicates that propolis as a novel potential antioxidant has unique benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of propolis on oxidative stress, inflammation, body composition, and athletic performance in healthy active subjects. Methods This clinical trial was conducted on 54 male military cadets. Eligible subjects were randomly allocated to receive a single dose of 450 mg propolis twice daily for four weeks or a matching placebo containing microcrystalline cellulose. Cooper 12‐min run test and running‐based anaerobic sprint test were performed to measure aerobic and anaerobic performance. Blood samples were obtained immediately after Cooper's test to evaluate oxidative stress and inflammation status. Fat mass and fat‐free mass were analyzed using bioelectrical impedance. Results Mean changes in fat mass, fat‐free mass, anaerobic powers, fatigue index, and VO2 max did not differ significantly between the two groups after the adjustment for baseline values (P‐value>0.05). A significant change was observed in plasma levels of IL‐6 (−1.43 ± 0.11pg/mL), total oxidant status (−3.9 ± 0.2µmol/L), total antioxidant capacity (164 ± 12 µmol/L), malondialdehyde (−0.52 ± 0.03µmol/L), oxidative stress index (−0.45 ± 0.04), and glutathione (48.72±2µmol/L) in the propolis group compared with the placebo group after the adjustment for baseline values and weight changes (P‐value, As far as we know, this is the first trial to evaluate the effect of propolis supplementation on exercise performance. This clinical trial study shows that propolis supplementation can significantly reduce plasma levels of total oxidants, IL‐6, malondialdehyde, oxidative stress index, and IL‐6/IL‐10 ratio and can significantly improve plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione following intense physical activity. However, our trial indicates that propolis intake had no significant effect on anaerobic and aerobic performance and body composition.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Nigella sativa oil extract on cardiometabolic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A randomized, controlled, clinical trial was conducted on 43 patients with T2D (23 women and 20 men; aged 53.5�±�7.4�years). The intervention group (N =�23) received two 500-mg per day soft gel capsules containing Nigella sativa oil extract and the control group (N =�20) received two identical placebo soft gel capsules containing sunflower oil per day for the same period, 8�weeks. Pre- and post-intervention cardiometabolic risk factors were measured. Compared with the placebo, the N. sativa oil significantly decreased FBS (p =�.03(, HbA1c (p =�.001), total cholesterol (p =�.04), TG (p =�.003), LDL-c (p =�.001), BMI (p \textless�.001), waist circumference (p \textless�.001), SBP (p =�.001), and DBP (p =�.002). HOMA-IR (p =�.51) and HDL-c (p =�.91) did not change significantly following Nigella sativa supplementation. Nigella sativa oil exerted beneficial effects on glycemic control, serum lipid profile, blood pressure, and body weight among people with T2D. Further long-term trials in the future may help confirm the current therapeutic benefits of Nigella sativa in T2D.

Sepsis and septic shock are still a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in intensive care units worldwide. Sepsis is an uncontrolled and excessive response of the innate immune system toward the invading infectious microbes, characterized by the hyper-production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). In severe sepsis, the overwhelming production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species may compromise organ function and lead to the induction of abnormal apoptosis in different organs, resulting in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. Hence, compounds that are able to attenuate inflammatory responses may have therapeutic potential for sepsis treatment. Understanding the pathophysiology and underlying molecular mechanisms of sepsis may provide useful insights in the discovery and development of new effective therapeutics. Therefore, numerous studies have invested much effort into elucidating the mechanisms involved with the onset and development of sepsis. The present review mainly focuses on the molecules and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenicity of sepsis. Additionally, several well-known natural bioactive herbal compounds and phytochemicals, which have shown protective and therapeutic effects with regard to sepsis, as well as their mechanisms of action, are presented. This review suggests that these phytochemicals are able to attenuate the overwhelming inflammatory responses developed during sepsis by modulating different signaling pathways. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities of phytochemicals make them potent compounds to be included as complementary therapeutic agents in the diets of patients suffering from sepsis in an effort to alleviate sepsis and its life-threatening complications, such as multi-organ failure.

Mitochondrial dysfunction can be a major cause of a wide range of age‐related diseases. Maintaining the normal homeostasis of mitochondria population plays an important role in ensuring people's health, which is done through the mitophagy process. Among the various stimuli for the onset of mitophagy, caloric restriction (CR) is one of the strongest non‐genetic triggers for initiating the mitophagy process. The primary objective of this paper is to review the literature assessing the effect of CR on mitophagy. Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was searched from inception to 1 August 2019. Reference lists from all selected articles were also examined for additional relevant studies. The evidence regarding the effect of fasting or CR on mitophagy is still limited. In addition, the methodological approaches of the studies are too heterogeneous in terms of types of food restriction, study duration, and targeted tissues. Most of the studies showed that fasting or CR induced mitophagy and mitophagy‐related markers such as Binp3 and Parkin. However, some studies demonstrated that mitophagy occurred both in fasting and fed state with no significant differences or may be induced in fed state. Study on the muscle tissue of subjects after exercise showed that mitophagy was upregulated in the fed state. It has been demonstrated that mitophagy in the muscle was lowered in the absence of AMP‐dependent kinase and fibroblast growth factor 21 genes, both in fasted and fed conditions. Current evidence overwhelmingly suggests that CR and fasting induce mitophagy and mitophagy‐related markers. Based on the current evidence that we reviewed here, it could be concluded that fasting or CR has a promising role as a novel and practical approach in the prevention of age‐related diseases without any side effects by inducing mitophagy in different organs of the body. More studies will be required in future to clarify the relationship between food deprivation and mitophagy. Further studies using a variety of different types of CR and fasting states are also warranted to determine the best approach for inducing mitophagy and improving health.

Hypothyroidism and obesity are two highly prevalent conditions that appear to be closely related. Hypothyroidism is correlated with weight gain, loss of appetite, constipation, and a higher incidence of obesity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of synbiotic supplementation on anthropometric indices, appetite, and constipation in subjects with hypothyroidism. Sixty subjects with hypothyroidism were assigned into two groups to receive either 500 mg/day of synbiotic (n = 30) or a placebo (n = 30) per day for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices, appetite, and constipation were assessed at study baseline and end of the trial. At the end of trial, waist-to-hip ratio was significantly decreased in the synbiotic group (p = .030), whereas there were no significant differences between groups. We did not observe any statistically significant change in appetite or other anthropometric indices (p > .05). Compared with the placebo synbiotic supplementation led to a significant reduction in constipation (p = .048). The results of the present trial indicated that synbiotic supplementation may have favorable results in constipation among subjects with hypothyroidism for 8 weeks. Further studies with larger sample size and longer duration are needed to confirm our findings.

Vacuum-packed broccoli stems and florets were subjected to heat treatment (60-99 °C) for various time intervals. The activity of peroxidase was measured after processing. Thermally processed samples were then stored at 4 °C for 35 days, and the color of the samples was measured every 7 days. Effects of parameters (heating temperature and duration, storage time) on the color of broccoli were modeled and simulated by an artificial neural network (ANN).; Results: Simulations confirmed that stems were predicted to be more prone to changes than florets. More color loss was observed with longer processing or storage combinations. The simulations also confirmed that higher temperatures during heat processing could retard color changes during storage. For stems treated at 80 °C for short durations, color loss was more predominant than both 65 and 99 °C, probably due to the incomplete inactivation of enzymes besides more tissue damage, with increased enzyme access to the substrate.; Conclusion: The greenness of both stems and florets during storage can be better preserved at higher temperatures (99 °C) and short times. The simulation results revealed that the ANN method could be used as an effective tool for predicting and analyzing the color values of heat-treated broccoli. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Coagulation is one of the most important phenomena in thermal processing of egg. In this study, along with experimental investigations, a coupled numerical model based on finite volume method was developed to simulate heat transfer, coagulation, and fluid flow during the heating process of liquid egg white. Egg white, filled in a copper cubic container, was heated in a water bath, and the temperature history and coagulated phase front were recorded during the process. The experiments and simulations were repeated for water and coagulated egg as model systems with no phase change and/or convective flow and the results were compared to that of fresh eggs. Results showed that the modeling procedure was successful in predicting the temperature profile and coagulated phase front in liquid egg white during conventional thermal processing and can be employed as a tool in optimization of the process in the industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: By application of the proposed approach, egg processing industries can optimize the thermal process of intact egg. The goal of thermal processing of intact egg is achieving the maximum reduction in microbial load either on the surface or inside the egg. Therefore, by simulating the target process and incorporating the coagulation phenomenon into the process modeling, process conditions can be optimized in a way that maximum reduction in microbial load be achieved while preventing the coagulation in the egg.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem. Although many aspects of NAFLD pathogenesis have been understood, there is a paucity of effective treatments to be used as the second line when lifestyle modification is insufficient. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol from turmeric, has been shown to be effective against development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis, yet these beneficial effects have not been explored in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on hepatic fat content as well as biochemical and anthropometric features of patients with NAFLD. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, patients with ultrasonographic evidence of NAFLD were randomly assigned to receive an amorphous dispersion curcumin formulation (500 mg/day equivalent to 70-mg curcumin) or matched placebo for a period of 8 weeks. Liver fat content (assessed through ultrasonography), glycemic and lipid profile, transaminase levels, and anthropometric indices were evaluated at baseline and at the end of follow-up period. The clinical trial protocol was registered under the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ID: IRCT2014110511763N18. Compared with placebo, curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in liver fat content (78.9% improvement in the curcumin vs 27.5% improvement in the placebo group). There were also significant reductions in body mass index and serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin compared with the placebo group. Curcumin was safe and well tolerated during the course of trial. Findings of the present proof-of-concept trial suggested improvement of different features of NAFLD after a short-term supplementation with curcumin. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

SummaryBackground Omega-3 fatty acids have attracted researchers for their effect on circulatory hormone-like peptides affecting weight control. Objective Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the effects of omega-3 supplementation on serum leptin concentration and to find the possible sources of heterogeneity in their results. Methods We searched PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Ovid, SCOPUS and ISI web of science up to April 2014. RCTs conducted among human adults, examined the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on serum leptin concentrations as an outcome variable were included. The mean difference and standard deviation (SD) of changes in serum leptin levels were used as effect size for the meta-analysis. Summary mean estimates with their corresponding SDs were derived using random effects model. Results Totally 14 RCTs were eligible to be included in the systematic review, and the meta-analysis was performed on 13 articles. Our analysis showed that omega-3 supplementation significantly reduces leptin levels (mean difference (MD) = −1·71 ng/ml 95% confidence interval (CI): −3·17 to −0·24, P = 0·022). Subgroup analysis based on BMI status showed that the omega-3 supplementation reduces leptin when used for nonobese subjects (MD = −3·60 ng/ml; 95% CI −6·23 to −0·90; P = 0·011); however, this was not true for obese participants (MD = −0·86 ng/ml; 95% CI: −2·63 to −0·90; P = 0·296). Subgroup analysis based on omega-3 source also showed that omega-3 from marine sources may significantly reduce leptin levels (MD = −1·73 ng/ml; 95% CI −3·25 to −0·2; P = 0·026), but plant sources do not significantly affect serum leptin levels (MD = −1·48 ng/ml; 95% CI −6·78 to 3·23; P = 0·585). Our results were highly sensitive to one study. Conclusions Omega-3 supplementation might moderately decrease circulatory leptin levels only among nonobese adults. RCTs with longer follow-up period, using higher doses for obese adults and exploring the effect in different genders, are needed to replicate our results.

Tomatoes were pretreated with osmotic solutions (NaCl and sucrose) at different concentrations and then dried using hot air (75C, 1.5 m/s), a vacuum (55C, 75 kPa) or hot-air drying followed by microwave treatment (400 W, 10 s). The effects of pretreatment and drying method on the drying kinetics were examined. A puncture test and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the effects of these processes on texture and microstructure. Hunter values (L, a, b) were used to measure color. Measurements showed that two osmotic solutions, S3 (40% sucrose, 5% NaCl) and S4 (40% sucrose, 10% NaCl), performed better, reducing drying times and having a positive effect on microstructure, but an adverse effect on hardness. Apart from the type of process, dehydration reduced firmness and collapsed the structure of tomato halves. The subsequent microwave treatment then caused further damage, especially on the surface of the dried samples, but enhanced their color when combined with appropriate osmotic treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study shows that the color and structural changes of tomato during drying can be reduced using appropriate procedure. This may find application in the production of dried tomato with better appearance and lower drying cost.