Search

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between carbohydrate quality intake and menopausal symptoms.This is a cross-sectional study of 393 postmenopausal women attending municipality health houses and health centers in the south of Tehran, Iran, from September 2016 to January 2017.The dietary intake and menopausal symptoms of the participants were assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire and a menopause rating scale (MRS) carbohydrate quality index (CQI) was calculated using three indices: dietary fiber, glycemic index, and the ratio of solid carbohydrates to total carbohydrates. Linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between CQI and menopausal symptoms.After adjustment for age, education, time passed since menopause, body mass index, physical activity and energy intake, an inverse association was found between CQI and total MRS score (TMRSS) (β -0.61; p0.001), somatic score (SS) (β -0.27; p0.001) and psychological score (PS) (β -0.37; p0.001) in multivariable linear regression. In addition, logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with the lowest quartile of CQI, participants in the highest quartile of CQI had a lower TMRSS (odds ratio (OR) 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19-0.68). Moreover, CQI was inversely related to SS (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.17-0.68) and PS (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.16-0.61). However, there was no significant association between CQI and urogenital score (US).Higher-quality carbohydrate intake was found to be associated with lower somatic and psychological symptoms of menopause. These findings suggest that CQI may be an important basis for developing an effective dietary modification for reducing menopausal symptoms.

Background Dietary carbohydrate quality may play an important role in disease development. We evaluated the association between carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and the odds of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects in Ghana. Methods In this case-control study, we analyzed data using 124 T2DM subjects. We obtained dietary information using 2-day 24-h dietary recalls. We calculated CQI from dietary fiber, glycemic index, whole grains/total grains ratio, and solid carbohydrates/total carbohydrates ratio. Serum lipid profiles were measured after an overnight fast of 8–12 h. Results Upon adjustments for the effects of covariates, the CQI showed a positive association with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (beta coefficient (β) = 0.24; standard error (SE) = 0.20; P for trend = 0.01), and an inverse relationship with waist circumference (β = − 17.29; SE = 4.00; P for trend tertile 3 vs.1 0.05; 95% Confidence interval: 0.01–0.23; p-trend Conclusions The present results suggest an inverse association between the CQI of a diet and the odds of MetS. The CQI approach of dietary recommendation may be a useful strategy for dietary carbohydrate selection for the prevention of MetS.

Abstract. Background: This study aimed to examine the association between depression and dietary patterns via the intermediary role of erythrocytes polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Methods: In this individually matched case-control study, the dietary patterns were extracted for 330 individuals using factor analysis. Furthermore, erythrocyte PUFAs including n-3 and n-6 were assessed using a GC–Mass spectrometry analytical method for 84 people. Depression was diagnosed using the criteria mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The dietary patterns were also extracted using a valid and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Results: The findings showed that healthy dietary patterns were related to the risk of depression (P = 0.01, odds ratio (OR) = 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14-0.68) by the increase of ratio n-3 /n-6 PUFA (p ≤ 0.03) and decrease of ratio n-6 /n-3 PUFA (p ≤ 0.005). Moreover, the unhealthy dietary patterns were associated with the risk of depression (P = 0.02, OR = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.25-5.9) by the decrease of ratio n-3/n-6 PUFA (p ≤ 0.03) and increase of ratio n-6/n-3 PUFA (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results, the type of dietary pattern is related to the risk of depression considering the changes in n-3 and n-6 PUFA as well as the ratio of n-3 to n-6 as the mediator variables. Of course, further studies are required in this area.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are natural peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) ligands. Activated PPAR-γ protects the cardiovascular system against atherosclerotic lesion formation and exerts its anti-inflammatory role by suppressing cytokines induced by nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in endothelial cells (ECs), and it is hypothesized that apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by PPAR-γ ligands may be mediated by the p53-dependent pathway. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched fish oil supplement on PPAR-γ activity and mRNA expression levels of p53 and NF-κB.Fifty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) aged 30-70 years were randomly assigned to receive either 2400 mg/d DHA-rich fish oil or placebo for 8 weeks. Metabolic parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. PPAR-γ activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured using ELISA-based PPAR-γ Transcription Factor Assay Kit, and the gene expression levels of p53 and NF-κB were assessed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). On the basis of our finding, 8 weeks of treatment with DHA-rich fish oil increased PPAR-γ activity in PBMCs of subjects with T2DM (p 0.01) compared to that in placebo (p = 0.4). Between-group comparisons of mean PPAR-γ activity changes showed significant differences (p = 0.03), whereas mRNA expression levels of the p53 and NF-κB genes did not show significant differences between studied groups (p = 0.2 and p = 0.5, respectively).Our findings indicated that short-term DHA-rich fish oil supplementation may modulate PPAR-γ activity in PBMCs.

Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the associations between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, and its subgroups and menopausal symptoms along with its subtypes in postmenopausal women. Methods This cross-sectional study included 393 postmenopausal women in municipality health centers in the south of Tehran, Iran. Sociodemographic data, dietary intakes, and anthropometric measures were obtained from individuals. Menopause rating scale (MRS) questionnaire was employed to measure menopausal symptoms. The total MRS score (TMRSS) was the sum of the somatic score (SS), psychological score (PS), and urogenital score (US). Participants were divided into low and high total MRS and its domain scores. Results After adjustment for confounding variables, an inverse relationship was found between total FV with TMRSS (odds ratio [OR] 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.81) and SS (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.82). In addition, the consumption of total fruits was significantly related to lower SS (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10-0.71). Only intake of citrus fruits was inversely associated with TMRSS (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.71) and SS (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11-0.70). Likewise, intakes of total FV (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.37-4.41), total vegetables (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.10-5.88), green leafy vegetables (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.47-8.75), dark yellow vegetables (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.00-5.18), other vegetables (OR 5.23, 95% CI 1.17-15.39), and citrus fruits were linked to higher US (OR 4.35, 95% CI 1.77-10.71). Conclusion The results of the present study showed that some FV subgroups had inverse associations with climacteric symptoms, whereas higher intake of some subgroups of FV appeared to be associated with more urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Purpose Dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a new tool for assessing the inflammatory potential of diet. Since there is no study that has investigated the association of DII and benign breast diseases (BBD), the aim of our study was to compare DII scores in patients with and without BBD. Methods One hundred and eleven (111) subjects with BBD and 104 healthy women attending the Iranian Center for Breast Cancer affiliated with the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research were enrolled in a case-control study. Dietary data collected using a 168‑item validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Energy-adjusted DII was calculated based on FFQ. Socio demographic data were collected by interview. In addition, physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Weight, height and waist circumference were also measured. Results After adjustment for multiple confounding variables, participants at the highest tertile of DII had increased OR for BBD (OR=1.7, 95% CI=0.75-3.95) (P-trend =0.04). Conclusion The increased chance of BBD was suggested with a higher consumption of diets with inflammatory potential. However, this result should be interpreted with caution as OR was not statistically significant. Interventional studies are warranted to elucidate the role of inflammatory diets in the development of BBD.

Depression in patients with diabetes is associated with poor glycemic control and linked to an increased risk for diabetes complications such as neuropathy. Curcumin has shown potential antidepressant-like activities in some studies. The present study is the first randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of nano-curcumin supplementation on depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Eighty patients with diabetes were enrolled in this parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants were allocated randomly to the intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. They received 80 mg of nano-curcumin or placebo capsules daily for 8 weeks. At baseline and end of study, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, physical activity, glycemic indices, and severity of neuropathy were assessed. The depression, anxiety, and stress level were measured by Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21-items) questionnaire before and after the intervention. After intervention, there was a significant reduction in the mean score of depression in the nano-curcumin group (from 16.7 [3.1] to 15.3 [2.6]) compared with placebo group (17.5 [3.2] to 17.3 [3.1]; p = .02). In addition, a significant fall was found in the mean score of anxiety in the nano-curcumin group (from 22.4 [4.03] to 20.6 [3.4]) compared with the placebo group (21.9 [3.5] to 21.2 [3.5]; p = .009). Changes in stress score were not statistically significant between the two groups. These findings suggested that nano-curcumin supplementation for 8 weeks was effective in reducing depression and anxiety scores in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.

We tried to identify the interaction between dietary quality indices and apolipoprotein B Ins/Del and EcoR1 polymorphisms on biochemical and anthropometric factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This cross-sectional study recruited 700 adults with T2DM in Tehran. The genotypes of Ins/Del and EcoR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were explored via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Dietary quality index-international (DQI-I), healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015) and dietary phytochemical index (DPI) were calculated by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In both crude and adjusted model for confounding factors, we observed significant interactions between DQI-I and Ins/Del SNP on leptin in and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 α (8-iso-PGF2α), DPI and EcoR1 SNP on total cholesterol (TC) and between Ins/Del SNP and HEI-2015 on interleukin-18 (IL-18). Furthermore, in crude model there were close to meaningful interactions between EcoR1 SNP and DQI-I on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and between EcoR1 SNP and HEI-2015 on serum leptin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Our finding indicated that the association between DQI-I, HEI-2015 and DPI with IL-18, TC, leptin and 8-iso-PGF2α in patients with T2DM might be dependent on Ins/Del and EcoR1 variants in ApoB gene.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Both types and amounts of dietary carbohydrates have always been issues of discussion in diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and anthropometry, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). MATERIALS & METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 261 adults with T1DM aged 17–36 years who referred to the Iranian Diabetes Association or Diabetes Clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dietary data were collected using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The CQI was calculated from the three indices including dietary fiber, glycemic index (GI), and solid carbohydrates/total carbohydrates ratio. The weight, height, waist circumference, physical activity, HcA1c, SBP, DBP of all participants were measured. Biochemical assessment including serum lipids and FBG levels were analyzed on 81 individuals. RESULTS: Participants with a higher CQI had a lower body weight, GI, glycemic load, energy, and macronutrient intake (p

Several investigations revealed the association between ApoA2 concentration and lipid profile, inflammation and oxidative stress markers. Dietary habits also play a major role in the health status of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the interaction of ApoA2–256T > C with dietary indexes on ghrelin and leptin hormones together with biochemical markers among individuals with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 726 randomly selected individuals with T2DM. A validated FFQ was used to evaluate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI-I) and Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI). ApoA2–256T > C genotypes were detected by real-time-PCR. Ghrelin, leptin and biochemical markers were also assessed. ANCOVA was used for the interaction between the polymorphism and dietary indexes. A significant interaction was observed between ApoA2–256T > C and DQI-I on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Besides, the interaction of the SNP and DPI significantly affected hs-CRP and 8-isoprostane F2α (PGF2α) levels. CC in the second tertile of DPI had the lowest hs-CRP level, and it was elevated due to adhering to DQI-I (Pinteraction = 0·01 and 0·04, respectively). Moreover, T-allele (protective allele) carriers with the highest level of PGF2α and SOD activity were those in the second tertile of DPI and DQI-I, respectively (Pinteraction = 0·03 and 0·007, respectively). SOD activity, hs-CRP and PGF2α concentration may be modified in T-allele carriers and CC by the adherence to DPI and DQI-I, though additional studies are required to confirm these findings.

Background We aimed to examine the association of dietary acid load and prediabetes in a case–control study. Methods This study recruited 297 subjects including 147 prediabetic subjects and 150 controls referred to diabetes screening center in Shahreza, Iran. Participants were frequency-matched by sex and age. Blood pressure, anthropometric measures and blood glucose levels were measured. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-items food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The dietary acid load scores including the potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) were calculated based on nutrients intake. NEAP and PRAL scores were categorized by quartiles based on the distribution of controls. Logistic regression models were used to estimate multivariable odds ratio (OR) of prediabetes across the energy-adjusted and sex-specific quartiles of NEAP and PRAL scores. Results Participants of control group in the higher quartiles of NEAP and PRAL tended to have higher body weight compared to the lower quartiles (P-trend

Background Cardamom has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which may help to remedy diseases. Studies on the health benefits of cardamom in diabetic patients are very limited. Thus, this study is designed to determine the effect of cardamom supplementation on blood lipids and glycemic indices in type 2 diabetic patients. To investigate the mechanism of cardamom effect on blood glucose and lipid levels, serum sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) was assessed. Results In a parallel, double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 83 overweight or obese type 2 diabetic patients were randomly allocated into an intervention (n = 41) or a control group (n = 42). The intervention and the placebo group received 3 g of green cardamom or rusk powder, respectively for 10 weeks. Physical activity level, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumference), glycemic indices [glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)], blood lipids [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c)] and SIRT1 levels were measured. Body mass index and homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated before and after intervention. Compared to the control group, a significant decrease in serum HbA1C (-0.4%), insulin (-2.8 µIU dL-1 ), HOMA-IR (-1.7) and TG (-39.9 mg dL-1 ), and an increase in SIRT1 (2.3 ng mL-1 ) was observed in cardamom group. There were no significant changes in serum TC, HDL-c and LDL-c levels between the two groups before and after adjustment for potential confounders including glyclaside dose, duration of disease and weight. Conclusion Our results showed that cardamom can decrease HbA1c, insulin level, HOMA-IR and TG level via increase in SIRT1 concentration in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

IntroductionRotational shift work has a considerable effect on immune function and cause inflammation. In addition, it may lead to unhealthy dietary intake. No earlier study has examined the association between dietary patterns and inflammation in rotational shift workers. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the association between dietary patterns and circulating proinflammatory cytokines among shift workers.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 257 male shift workers. Dietary intake of participants was examined using the semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured using suitable commercial kits.ResultsThree main dietary patterns included green vegetables, yellow vegetables and cruciferous vegetables (VEG), liquid oils and mayonnaise, fast food and eggs (LFE), as well as tea and coffee, refined grains and spice (TRS). Subjects with the highest adherence to VEG dietary pattern had a significantly lower concentration of IL-6 (pConclusionAdherence to VEG and LFE dietary patterns was inversely and directly associated to serum IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations in shift workers, respectively. However, no significant association was found between adherence to these two dietary patterns and serum hs-CRP concentrations and between TRS dietary pattern and any of the inflammatory cytokines.

Background and objectiveFew studies have examined the relationship between dietary patterns and antioxidant status. We aimed to explore the association between major dietary patterns and oxidative stress biomarkers including serum protein carbonyl (PC), ceruloplasmin and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).MethodIn this cross-sectional study, we randomly selected 320 female nurses aged 20–45 years. General information of participants was collected by trained interviewers. Their weight and height were measured and dietary intakes were determined by the 147-food-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis of yielding 25 food groups. In this study, 90 subjects were randomly selected from all participants with serum levels of PC, ceruloplasmin and TAC measured further. To determine the association between dietary patterns’ score and oxidative stress biomarkers, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted.ResultsThree dietary patterns were derived: healthy, unhealthy and traditional. After adjusting for several confounding factors, the unhealthy dietary pattern was inversely related to the serum concentration of ceruloplasmin and PC (pConclusionsAccording to the results of this study, unhealthy dietary patterns may have an adverse effect on serum ceruloplasmin.

This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary fat quality and menopausal symptoms.We carried out a cross-sectional study with 393 Iranian postmenopausal women. Dietary intakes and menopausal symptoms were assessed, using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a menopausal rating scale (MRS) questionnaire, respectively. Participants were divided into low and high total MRS and its domain scores.Women in the highest quartiles of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) had higher somatic symptoms compared with women in the lowest quartile (odds ratio [OR] 3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-9.95). Women in the highest quartiles of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.32-1.05), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.37-1.20), and n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25-0.97) had lower somatic symptoms compared to the lowest quartiles. The OR for psychological symptoms decreased from the lowest to the highest quartiles of n-3 PUFA (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.20-1.11) and n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.86). Higher intakes of EPA (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.29-0.99) and docosahexaenoic acid (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.27-0.95) were found to be related with fewer urogenital symptoms.Consuming diets low in MUFA intake, but high in n-3 PUFA, and with a more favorable ratio of n-3:n-6 PUFA may be helpful for improving menopausal symptoms.

We tried to identify the interaction between dietary quality indices and apolipoprotein B Ins/Del and EcoR1 polymorphisms on cardio-metabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This cross-sectional study recruited 700 adults with T2DM in Tehran. The genotypes of Ins/Del and EcoR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were explored via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Dietary quality index-international (DQI-I), healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015) and dietary phytochemical index (DPI) were calculated by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In both crude and adjusted model for confounding factors, we observed significant interactions between DQI-I and Ins/Del SNP on leptin in and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 α (8-iso-PGF2α), DPI and EcoR1 SNP on total cholesterol (TC) and between Ins/Del SNP and HEI-2015 on interleukin-18 (IL-18). Furthermore, in crude model there were close to meaningful interactions between EcoR1 SNP and DQI-I on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and between EcoR1 SNP and HEI-2015 on serum leptin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Our finding indicated that the association between DQI-I, HEI-2015 and DPI with IL-18, TC, leptin and 8-iso-PGF2α in patients with T2DM might be dependent on Ins/Del and EcoR1 variants in ApoB gene.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the interaction between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and apolipoproteinA2 265T > C (ApoA2 â��265T > C) polymorphism on inflammatory and oxidative markers and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 157 patients with T2DM were recruited. A food-frequency questionnaire was used for DII calculation. Inflammatory, oxidative and lipid biomarkers were measured. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used for ApoA2 genotyping determination. Results: In the current study, serum 8-iso-PGF2I± and CRP were significantly higher, and serum SOD activity was significantly lower in subjects with CC genotype than TT homozygous in both crude and adjusted (for DII and AAs intake) models. Also, C-allele carriers compared with people with TT genotype had lower PTX3 in both models. In addition, serum TG level was significantly higher in TC genotype than TT homozygous in adjusted model. Moreover, subjects with CC homozygous and high DII level had significantly higher 8-iso-PGF2I± level compared to those with TT genotype and low DII (reference group) in adjusted (for BMI, age, sexuality and AAs intake) model. Our results also showed that in TC genotypes with low DII and CC homozygous with both low and high DII, PTX3 concentrations were significantly lower than the reference group. In addition, CC carriers with low DII had significantly higher CRP level compared to the reference group. Moreover, our results reported significant higher TG in TC genotype with low DII and also higher total cholesterol level in CC genotype with low DII than the reference group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that CC genotype might predict higher inflammatory and oxidative status level compared to T allele carriers. An inflammatory diet may accelerate oxidative stress in subjects with CC genotype. However, the association between APOA2 â��265T > C polymorphism and inflammation and lipid profile is presented less modifiable by DII. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

BacKGrOUnd: adolescence is a critical period with respect to mental and psychological issues. the role of nutrients is well known in health condition in adolescents, but little emphasis is placed on total diet quality. dietary diversity score (dds) is often used to assess diet quality. the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between dds and general health in girl students. MetHOds: the present research is a cross-sectional study which used descriptive-analytical approach. a total of 384 high-school female students selected using proportional stratified sampling. Physical activity level, diet and general health information collected using international Physical activity Questionnaire (iPaQ), dietary diversity Questionnaire (FaO-2013) and 28-item self-reported general health questionnaire (GHQ-28), respectively. in addition, weight, height and waist circumference (Wc) measured. data analyzed using chi-square test, one-way anOva and Multinomial Logistic regression. resULts: Mean dds was 4.43±1.09. after adjustment for confounders of age, body mass index, physical activity, socioeconomic status and nutritional supplement intake, students with higher dds were less prone to general health disorders (P�0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These finding implicate higher DDS in adolescents may associate with better general health. © 2016 Edizioni Minerva Medica.

Background: We investigated the interaction between PPAR-γ Pro12Ala polymorphism and Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI-I) and Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 diabetic patients. PPAR-γ Pro12Ala was genotyped by PCR-RFLP method. Biochemical markers including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), pentraxin-3 (PTX3), isoprostaneF2α (PGF2α) were measured by standard protocol. FFQ was used for dietary indices (DQI, DPI, HEI) calculation. Results: There was no significant relationship between PPAR-γ Pro12Ala polymorphism and CVD risk factors. The rs1801282-DQI interactions were significant on WC (P= 0.01). Thus, C-allele carriers in the higher tertile of DQI had higher WC compared to GG homozygous. Further, an interaction was observed between PPAR rs1801282 polymorphism and DQI on serum IL-18 level (P = 0.03). Besides, a significant rs1801282-DPI interaction was shown on HDL concentration (P Interaction= 0.04), G allele carriers who were in the highest tertile of DPI, had lower HDL. Moreover, there were significant rs1801282-HEI interactions on ghrelin (P= 0.04) in the crude model and serum leptin (P = 0.02) in the adjusted model. Individuals with (CC, CG) genotypes in the higher tertile of HEI, had lower leptin and ghrelin concentration. Conclusions: Higher dietary indices (DQI, DPI, HEI) may affect the relationship between PPAR-γ Pro12Ala polymorphism and waist circumference and ghrelin, leptin, HDL-c, IL-18 concentration in patients with T2DM. To date, studies on this polymorphism have been shown that this gene can interact with diabetes and different nutritional factors. For the first time, this study provides information on the interaction of dietary indices (DQI, DPI, HEI) and PPAR-γ gene which is functionally effective in nutrient metabolism.

Background Depression is a major contributor to disability-adjusted life years (DALY) lost in the world. Dietary patterns are widely used to investigate diet–disease relations. In the current study, the relationship between dietary patterns and depression was investigated. Besides, the role of serum vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and total antioxidant capacity as potential mediatory variables was studied. Methods It was an individually matched case–control study in which 330 depressed and healthy subjects were recruited for the extraction of dietary patterns; psychiatrists diagnosed major depressive disorder, using the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Serum vitamin D and aforementioned biomarkers were measured for a number of randomly selected depressed and healthy individuals. We conducted mediatory analysis by regression models. Results Healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns were associated with the lower and higher odds of depression (OR 0.39, CI 0.17–0.92 and OR 2.6, CI 1.04–6.08), respectively. A significant relationship between serum vitamin D with depression after adjusting for potential confounders was observed as well (OR 0.93, CI 0.87–0.99). According to the mediatory analysis the unhealthy dietary patterns were related to depression via altering the serum vitamin D concentration. Conclusion This study showed that vitamin D deficiency mediates the relationship between unhealthy dietary patterns and depression. However, to get a clearer result further prospective studies are required.

Context The association of dietary inflammatory index (DII®), as an index of inflammatory quality of diet, with cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) and risk factors (CMRFs) has been inconsistent in previous studies. Objective The current systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association of the DII score with CMDs and CMRFs. Data Sources All published observational studies (cohort, case–control and cross-sectional) using PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were retrieved from inception through November 2019. Data extraction Two reviewers independently extracted the data from included studies. Data analysis Pooled hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) were calculated by using a random-effects model. Results Ten prospective cohort studies (total n = 291,968) with 31,069 CMDs-specific mortality, six prospective cohort studies (total n = 43,340) with 1311 CMDs-specific morbidity, two case–control studies with 2140 cases and 6246 controls and one cross-sectional study (total n = 15,613) with 1734 CMDs-specific morbidity were identified for CMDs. Meta-analyses of published observational studies demonstrated that the highest DII score category versus the lowest DII score category was associated with 29% increased risk of CMDs mortality (HR = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18, 1.41). Moreover, there was a significant association between the DII score and risk of CMDs in cohort studies (HR = 1.35; 95% CI 1.13, 1.61) and non-cohort study (HR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.18, 1.57). We found a significant association between the DII score and metabolic syndrome (MetS) (OR: 1.13; 95% CI 1.03, 1.25), hyperglycemia and hypertension. None-linear dose response meta-analysis showed that there was a significant association between the DII score and risk of CMDs mortality (Pnonlinearity Conclusions Adherence to pro-inflammatory diet was associated with increased risk of CMDs, mortality and MetS.

Background Although relationships between obesity and total fat and fat types have been widely examined, the associations between the relative proportions of fatty acids calculated in the form of indices and obesity/overweight are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess associations between dietary fat quality indices and odds of obesity/overweight in women from Ghana. Methods In this cross-sectional study, dietary information was obtained using 24-h dietary recall. The odds of obesity were evaluated across quintiles of specific DFQ indices [atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), hypo- and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids ratio (h/H), omega-3 to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (∑ω-3/∑ω-6), polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio (PSR), dietary lipophilic index (LI) and percentage of energy from total fat (TF)]. Results After adjustment for covariates, general obesity and overweight were inversely associated with ∑ω-3/∑ω-6 ratio (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.24–1.63; P for trend (P) = 0.005) and positively with TI (4.14; 95% CI: 1.78–9.66; P = 0.01) and LI (2.49; 95% CI: 1.14–5.43; P = 0.01). The odds of abdominal obesity based on waist circumference (WC) were significantly higher among participants in the fifth quintile (Q) compared with those in the first Q of AI (1.24; 95% CI: 0.56–2.74; P = 0.01), TI (4.14; 95% CI: 1.78–9.66; P = 0.009), LI (2.11; 95% CI: 0.98–4.55; P = 0.02) and TF (1.59; 95% CI: (0.73–3.46; P = 0.003). Similarly, waist to height ratio (WHtR) was positively associated with AI (2.89; 95% CI: 1.32–6.31; P = 0.04), TI (2.65; 95% CI: 1.22–5.76; P = 0.03), LI (3.32; 95% CI: 1.52–7.28; P = 0.007) and TF (1.83; 95% CI: 0.85–3.93; P = 0.009). Conclusion There was an inverse association between ∑ω-3/∑ω-6 ratio and general obesity and WC. We also found positive associations between abdominal obesity and AI and TF. Furthermore, TI and LI showed positive relationships with both general and abdominal obesity. Therefore, intake of dietary fatty acids in favor of higher ratios of ∑ω-3/∑ω-6 may be important in obesity prevention.

BackgroundThe relationship between anxiety and dietary fat quality (DFQ) has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety disorder and fatty acids’ intake in women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 300 women aged 18–49 attending healthcare centers. Dietary exposure was measured by a 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). To determine the status of anxiety, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) questionnaire was used. Based on the total score of anxiety, the participants were divided into two groups of without anxiety (ResultsAbout 37.7% of individuals reported anxiety. After adjustment for covariates, an increase in the OR for anxiety was observed across the quintuples of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.43–7.00;p-trend = 0.005). In addition, higher intakes of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) (OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.05–0.44;p-trend = 0.001), oleic acid (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.09–0.67;p-trend = 0.002), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (OR 0.07; 95% CI 0.02–0.23;p-trend n-3:n-6 poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.24–1.03;p-trend = 0.02) were found to be related with lower OR of anxiety.ConclusionIntake of SFAs was positively related to anxiety disorder, whereas MUFAs, oleic acid, ALA, andn-3:n-6 PUFAs intake were inversely related to anxiety score. For investigating the association of fat intake and anxiety disorder, DFQ may be a useful measure.

Background: The prevalence of diseases associated with chronic inflammation is higher in postmenopausal women. The dietary inflammatory index (DII®) was developed to evaluate the diet-associated inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the DII score and levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, and inflammatory biomarkers.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 175 postmenopausal women referred to the southern health centers and health clinics affiliated to the southern municipality of Tehran, Iran. The DII score was calculated using dietary intakes derived from a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Concentrations of FBS, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined. Using linear regression models, we evaluated the association between the DII score and blood biomarkers. Results: After adjustment for covariates, the highest DII score category was associated with higher TG value (bDIIt3vs1= 0.08, p=0.03), TG/HDL-C ratio (bDIIt3vs1= 0.10, p=0.04), and IL-6 concentration (bDIIt3vs1= 0.06, p=0.01) compared to the first category of the DII score. Conclusions: We found a positive association between pro-inflammatory diet and unfavorable biomarkers in postmenopausal women.

Objectives No previous study has evaluated the association of the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and dietary energy density (DED) with menopausal symptoms and its subclasses in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of DII score and DED with menopausal symptoms and its subtypes in Iranian postmenopausal women. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 postmenopausal women who attended health centers in the south of Tehran, Iran. The DII score was calculated using dietary factors obtained by a validated food frequency questionnaire. DED was defined as average daily energy intake (kcal) per gram of food. The Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire was used to evaluate the menopausal symptoms. The total Menopause Rating Scale score (TMRSS) was the sum of the somatic score (SS), psychological score (PS), and urogenital score. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association of the DII score and DED with menopausal symptoms. Results After adjusting for covariates, participants in the highest tertile of DII score had greater SS compared to those in the lowest tertile (βDIIt3vs1= 0.032, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.004-0.068, P = 0.04). No significant relationship was found between DII score and PS, urogenital score or TMRSS. Furthermore, higher DED was associated with greater SS (βDIIt3vs1 = 0.071, 95% CI: 0.028-0.115, P = 0.001), PS (βDIIt3vs1 = 0.065, 95% CI: 0.012-0.121, P = 0.01) and TMRSS (βDIIt3vs1 = 0.053, 95% CI: 0.017-0.088, P = 0.004). Conclusion A proinflammatory diet was associated with higher menopause-specific somatic symptoms and higher DED was positively associated with menopausal symptoms.

Due to loss of the antioxidant effect of estrogen and decline in competence of the antioxidants system with aging, menopausal women are highly exposed to free radicals. Oxidative stress appears to be implicated in the pathological process linked to menopausal symptoms, and remarkable reduction of antioxidants status and elevated lipid peroxidation have been observed in the presence of severe climacteric symptoms. In this sense, modifying antioxidant protection through the intake of dietary supplements or following diets with high antioxidant content are suggested to be related to alleviation of symptoms. The existing clinical data on efficacy of antioxidant supplementation has been mixed, but evidence from observational studies has shown that adherence to diets with increased antioxidant content was related to fewer vasomotor symptoms and better psychological well-being in menopausal women. This review is focused on interaction of oxidative stress and menopause-associated symptoms and ability of dietary antioxidants or their supplements in counteracting it.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the association between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and menopausal symptoms (MS) in postmenopausal middle-aged women. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 postmenopausal women who referred to municipality health houses and health centers in south Tehran, Iran. Sociodemographic data and anthropometric measures such as body weight, height, and waist circumference were determined. Dietary intake was assessed using a 147-item validated food frequency questionnaire. Energy-adjusted DTAC was calculated using the US Department of Agriculture database. Individual MS was measured by the Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire. Results Multivariable linear regression analyses indicated that DTAC was negatively associated with total Menopause Rating Scale score, somatic and psychological score, which was independent of confounding variables such as age, education, waist circumference, total physical activity, dietary intake of fiber, tea and coffee intake, total energy intake, and dietary supplement use ( P P trend = 0.002). Logistic regression for each symptom indicated that higher DTAC was associated with reduction in hot flashes and sweating, sleep problems, anxiety, exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating. However, a significant positive association was observed between DTAC and sexual problems. Conclusion DTAC is inversely associated with MS, which could be of particular significance for somatic and psychological symptoms. These findings indicate that DTAC could be an important basis for developing an effective dietary measure for reducing MS.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome. Despite the beneficial health effects of cardamom on dyslipidemia, hepatomegaly, and fasting hyperglycemia, no previous human study has been conducted on the efficacy of cardamom in NAFLD. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of green cardamom (GC) on serum Sirtuin-1 (Sirt1), inflammatory factors, and liver enzymes in overweight or obese NAFLD patients. METHODS: The recruitment of subjects was conducted at the polyclinic of the central hospital of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Tehran. Eighty-seven patients who participated were divided randomly into two groups according to the ultrasonography and eligibility criteria as cardamom (n = 43) or placebo (n = 44). The intervention involves taking two 500 mg capsules three times per day with meals for 3 months. General characteristics, dietary intake and physical activity status, weight and height were determined. In addition, serum Sirt1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), high sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were measured. The degree of fatty liver was determined at beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: In comparison with placebo, GC significantly increased Sirt1 and decreased hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, ALT, and the degree of fatty liver (P 0.05). CONCLUSION: GC supplementation could improve some biomarkers related to fatty liver including inflammation, ALT, and Sirt1 in overweight/obese NAFLD patients. Further trials on cardamom’s potential are suggested. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2015121317254N4. Registered 27/12/2015.

Introduction Major depressive disorder is among main worldwide causes of disability. The low medication compliance rates in depressed patients as well as the high recurrence rate of the disease can bring up the nutrition-related factors as a potential preventive or treatment agent for depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression via the intermediary role of the serum folate and vitamin B12, total homocysteine, tryptophan, and tryptophan/competing amino acids ratio. Methods This was an individually matched case-control study in which 110 patients with depression and 220 healthy individuals, who completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were recruited. In addition, to measure the serum biomarkers 43 patients with depression and 43 healthy people were randomly selected from the study population. To diagnose depression the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, were utilized. Results The findings suggest that the healthy dietary pattern was significantly associated with a reduced odds of depression (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61-0.93) whereas the unhealthy dietary pattern increased it (OR: 1.382, CI: 1.116–1.71). The mediation analysis showed that the healthy dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of depression via increased serum levels of the folate and vitamin B12; however, the unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with increased risk of depression via decreased serum levels of folate and vitamin B12, based on tree adjusted logistic regression models. Conclusion Dietary patterns may be associated with depression by changing the serum levels of folate and vitamin B12. Further studies are required to confirm the mechanism.

Summary Objective The present study investigated the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched fish oil supplement on telomerase activity, mRNA expression of P16 INK , IL-6, and TNF-α considering Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPARγ gene. Methods/Design In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 72 PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism genotyped type 2 diabetic patients aged 30–70 years were randomly assigned to receive 2.4 gr of DHA-enriched fish oil or a placebo for 8 weeks. Genotyping of the Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPARγ gene was assessed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), telomerase activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was measured using PCR-ELISA based on the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP), and changes in the mRNA expression of P16, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results In the DHA group, telomerase activity was decreased (p = 0.001) during the intervention. In addition, between-group comparisons showed significant differences in the changes in telomerase activity (p = 0.003) and P16 mRNA expression (p = 0.028) and non-significant differences in TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression. The gene*DHA interaction could not affect changes in P16, IL-6, or TNF-α mRNA expression or in telomerase activity in PBMC. Discussion Short-time DHA-enriched fish oil supplementation caused increased levels of P16 expression and a decline in telomerase activity compared with the control group without modulating the effects of Pro12Ala polymorphism on the PPARγ gene. Because of the positive correlation between P16 activity and cellular senescence, the possibility of senescence stimulation by DHA is proposed.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) has been proposed as a tool for assessing the intake of antioxidants. The relationship between DTAC and blood glucose levels has been investigated mostly in healthy people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between DTAC and prediabetes morbidity in a case-control study.We examined 300 individuals with and without prediabetes (n = 150/group) who attended a Diabetes Screening Center in Shahreza, Iran. The anthropometric measures, physical activity, and blood glucose levels of all participants were measured. Food intake over the previous year was determined using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, and sex-specific, energy-adjusted DTAC was calculated using the U.S. Department of Agriculture's database. Logistic reg/ression was used to model the relationship between DTAC and prediabetes morbidity.The mean DTAC was significantly lower in individuals with prediabetes than in the control group (P 0.001). Across increasing DTAC quartiles, the participants had lower fasting blood glucose and 2-h postchallenge plasma glucose (PThe DTAC score appears useful when assessing the antioxidant capacity of diet and to better understand the relationship between diet and prediabetes morbidity. Future studies are needed to confirm the findings from the present study in other populations.

We aimed to study whether macronutrient intake could modify the association between ApoB Ins/Del and lipid profile, and serum leptin and ghrelin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. In this study, 700 T2DM patients were recruited. Anthropometric, biochemical and molecular data were collected, and Diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The interactions were tested using ANCOVA. Del-allele carriers with high-MUFA and carbohydrate (≥ 12 and ≥ 54% of energy, respectively) had significantly higher TG (P = 0.04) and LDL-C (P = 0.02) compared to Ins/Ins homozygotes, and these were not significant in subjects with low-MUFA and -carbohydrate (

Few studies have evaluated the association of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and pre-diabetes. However, these studies are very limited and incomplete. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare FV consumption and their subgroups between pre-diabetic and control subjects. This case–control study included 300 individuals, 150 subjects with normal fasting blood glucose (FBG), and 150 pre-diabetic subjects who were matched for sex and age. We collected the participants’ anthropometric and physical activity data and measured their blood glucose level. A 168 items semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used for estimating the FV intake. After adjustment for confounding variables, participants in the lower quartiles of FV and total fruit intake were more likely to experience pre-diabetes compared with those in the higher quartiles (p trend

Several preclinical studies have shown that spices may decrease the risk of chronic diseases. However, it has been suggested that more clinical trials be carried out to strengthen this preclinical evidence. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) supplementation on inflammation and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic, overweight, and obese pre-diabetic women.; Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 80 pre-diabetic subjects. They randomly received the cardamom supplement (n = 40, 3 g d-1 ) or identical inert placebo (n = 40) for 8 weeks. Serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor α, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activity were analyzed at the baseline and after intervention.; Results: After the adjustment of some covariates, cardamom supplementation significantly decreased serum hs-CRP (P = 0.02), hs-CRP:IL-6 ratio (P = 0.008), and MDA (P = 0.009) compared with the placebo group.; Conclusion: Cardamom could improve some parameters of inflammation and oxidative stress in pre-diabetic subjects. Thus it may be useful in reducing complications associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in these patients. Copyright © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Objectives: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common cyclic disorder in women, which is characterized by multiple emotional or physical symptoms. The protective effect of vegetable intake against PMS was not completely investigated. Thus, in the current study, we compared vegetable intake in nurses with and without PMS. Methods: In this case-control study, 307 female nurses with PMS (n = 156) and without PMS (n = 151) were participated from eight hospitals affiliated to the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. This study was performed from March to October 2014. Anthropometric measurements were performed for all nurses using standard methods. International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was used for the physical activity assessment. The premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST) was applied to identify women who suffer from PMS. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used for dietary intake measurement during the past years. Results: Across increasing total vegetable quartiles, individuals had a significantly higher energy intake (P < 0.001). A significant difference was found in job duration, working shift, and physical activity, according to quartiles of total vegetable intakes (P < 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the mean intake of cruciferous vegetables between cases and controls (P = 0.001). Healthy women had significantly more cruciferous vegetable intakes compared to PMS women (6.8 ± 3.9 vs 4.0 ± 3.3). After adjusting for the confounders such as total vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, green leafy vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, and other vegetables, subjects in the highest quartile of cruciferous vegetables had lower odds (ratio OR) of PMS compared with those in the lowest-quartile (P = 0.002; OR = 0.33; CI = 0.16 - 0.67). Conclusions: Our findings showed that higher consumption of cruciferous vegetables might be associated with a lower OR of PMS.

Background: Dietary phytochemical index (DPI) is an inexpensive method for estimating the amounts of phytochemicals in foods. No study has investigated the association of DPI and benign breast dise...

Background The optimal vitamin D intake for nursing mothers with overweight or obesity has not been defined. Vitamin D concentrations are associated with body composition indices, particularly body fat mass. Few studies have investigated the relationship between hypovitaminosis D, obesity, anthropometric status, and body composition in nursing women. Thus, the present study aims to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation during lactation will improve vitamin D status, reduce body fat mass, and improve body composition. Methods/design In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, after term delivery, 90 healthy women with overweight or obesity will be selected and randomly allocated into three groups to receive 2000 IU/d cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), 4000 IU/d cholecalciferol, or placebo (lactose) for 12 weeks while nursing. Measurements of height, weight, waist circumference, and body composition (fat mass (kg), lean mass (kg), body fat (%), fat mass index, and relative fat mass index) will be taken for all subjects at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. In addition, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus will be measured. Discussion This study is the first investigating the effect of different amounts of vitamin D supplementation on serum calcidiol, anthropometric status, and body composition in nursing women with overweight or obesity. Our findings will contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding the role of vitamin D supplementation in obesity, anthropometric status, and body composition in nursing women. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20140413017254N6. Registered on 11 April 2018. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3622-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Major depressive disorder is among main worldwide causes of disability. The low medication compliance rates in depressed patients as well as the high recurrence rate of the disease can bring up the nutrition-related factors as a potential preventive or treatment agent for depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression via the intermediary role of the serum folate and vitamin B12, total homocysteine, tryptophan, and tryptophan/competing amino acids ratio. Methods This was an individually matched case-control study in which 110 patients with depression and 220 healthy individuals, who completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were recruited. We selected the depressed patients from three districts in Tehran through non-probable convenience sampling from which healthy individuals were selected, as well. The samples selection and data collection were performed during October 2012 to June 2013. In addition, to measure the serum biomarkers 43 patients with depression and 43 healthy people were randomly selected from the study population. To diagnose depression the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, were utilized. Results The findings suggest that the healthy dietary pattern was significantly associated with a reduced odds of depression (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61–0.93) whereas the unhealthy dietary pattern increased it (OR: 1.382, CI: 1.116–1.71). The mediation analysis showed that the healthy dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of depression via increased serum levels of the folate and vitamin B12; however, the unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with increased risk of depression via decreased serum levels of folate and vitamin B12, based on tree adjusted logistic regression models. Conclusion Dietary patterns may be associated with depression by changing the serum levels of folate and vitamin B12. Further studies are required to confirm the mechanism.

Abstract. Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) Pro12Ala polymorphism (rs1801282) has been associated with metabolic syndrome components in some studies. Moreover, the PPARγ gene may mediate the physiological response to dietary fat intake in a ligand-dependent manner. Methods: Metabolic syndrome components (body mass index, waist circumference, and lipid profile) were determined in 290 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a cross-sectional study. DNA genotyping for determining PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism method. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the participants’ dietary intakes in the previous year. Results: There were significant differences between the two genotype groups of PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism, Ala carriers (Pro/Ala + Ala/Ala) versus non-Ala carriers (Pro/Pro), in terms of mean body mass index (p = 0.04) and waist circumference (p = 0.02). Below the median percentage of energy from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, Ala carriers had a higher body mass index (p = 0.01) compared to non-Ala carriers. Furthermore, a significant interaction between this single-nucleotide polymorphism and polyunsaturated fatty acids intake on serum triglyceride levels (p = 0.01) was seen, and in higher polyunsaturated fatty acids intake (≥ median) Ala carriers had lower triglyceride levels than non-Ala carriers (p = 0.007). Conclusions: The findings of the current study support a significant association between PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism and metabolic syndrome components, and they suggest that this polymorphism can modulate the biological response of dietary fat intake on body mass index and triglyceride levels.

Background: In recent years, the prevalence of depression has grown dramatically in the world. According to WHO reports, about 350 million people suffer from depression. In addition to the side effects of antidepressants, many patients are resistant to treatment with these drugs. One of the most important effective factors in the pathology of depression is the role of nutrition in controlling and preventing this disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the macronutrient and micronutrient status in depressed patients and compare them with healthy people. Methods: In this case-control study, 110 depressed patients were matched with 220 healthy controls based on their age, gender, and area of residence. Patients were selected by simple sampling method. In the case group, unipolar major depressive disorder was diagnosed by a psychiatrist using the DSM-IV criteria. Food intakes of all participants were obtained using reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires and analyzed with Nutritionist4 software. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and waist circumference were calculated for all participants. Results: The participants included 260 women and 71 men. The two groups had a statistically significant difference in terms of occupation, history of depression, childhood traumatic experiences, and family history of depression (P < 0.05). Regarding the macronutrients and micronutrients, a significant difference was observed between the case and control groups in terms of vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber intake, which were lower in depressed patients. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that intake of some micronutrients such as vitamins C, K, and dietary fiber may be associated with an increased risk of depression. Consumption of some micronutrients, mainly fruits and vegetables may be effective to control or prevent the risk of depression.

Background Postmenopausal women are at higher risk of mental disorders. Oxidative stress has implication in the development of these disorders. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) has been proposed as a tool for assessing dietary antioxidants intake. The relationship between DTAC with depression, anxiety and stress has not been investigated in postmenopausal women. Thus, we aimed to assess the association between DTAC and depression, stress and anxiety as well as oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on 175 postmenopausal women. Data on dietary intake and mental health were collected by 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-42), respectively. Dietary and serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized-LDL, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. ANOVA test was applied to compare the mean of variables across the tertiles of DTAC. The relationship between DTAC and oxidative stress biomarkers was determined through ANCOVA method. Simple and multivariate linear regression tests were performed to measure the relationship between DTAC and mental health. Results Serum MDA level was significantly lower in the subjects at the highest tertiles of DTAC (P-value

Background Despite the reported health effects of cardamom on dyslipidemia, hepatomegaly, and fasting hyperglycemia, no human research has studied its potency in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the hepatic part of metabolic syndrome. Our aim was determining the effects of green cardamom (GC) on serum glucose indices, lipids, and irisin level among overweight or obese NAFLD patients. Methods The place of participant recruitment was the polyclinic of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) central hospital in Tehran. Based on the ultrasonography and eligibility criteria, 87 participants were randomly divided into two groups as cardamom (n = 43) or placebo (n = 44). The supplementation was two 500 mg capsules 3 times/day with meals for 3 months. Serum irisin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin (FBI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were measured. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were also calculated. Results In comparison with placebo, GC significantly increased irisin, HDL-c, and QUICKI and decreased FBI, TG, LDL-c, HOMA-IR, and the grade of fatty liver (P 0.05). Conclusion GC supplement improved the grade of fatty liver, serum glucose indices, lipids, and irisin level among overweight or obese NAFLD patients. The changes in these biomarkers may yield beneficial effects on NAFLD. Further trials on the efficacy of GC for clinical practice are suggested. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2015121317254N4. Registered 27/12/2015, Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2465-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background & aim In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), endothelial dysfunction appears to be a common condition. Given the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of dried fruits of Elettaria cardamom, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of green cardamom supplementation on serum inflammatory markers and adhesion molecules in patients with T2DM. Materials & methods In a parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, eighty-three overweight or obese type 2 diabetic patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-34.9 kg/m² were randomly allocated into an intervention (n = 41) or a control group (n = 42). The intervention and the placebo groups received 3 g of ground green cardamom’s fruit or rusk powder for 10 weeks, respectively. Physical activity level, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, inflammatory markers [Interleukin 6 (Il-6), and Cluster of Differentiation 163 (CD163)] and serum adhesion molecules levels [intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM), CD62 antigen-like family member (E-selectin) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9)] were measured. Results In per-protocol (PP) analysis, after adjustment for confounders (gliclazide dose and duration of disease), the serum levels of VCAM (-244.5 ng/ml), ICAM (-72.3 ng/ml), E-selectin (-1.92 ng/ml) and IL-6 (-0.41 Pg/ml); (p Conclusions In conclusion, the results suggested that cardamom supplementation improved serum levels of adhesion molecules and reduced some inflammatory biomarkers in T2DM patients.