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Aim: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a predictor of atherosclerosis. However, the association of osteoprotegerin (OPG) with CAC is still controversial. Methods: Prospective cohort studies that provided odds ratios with 95% CIs were included from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus through July 2022. Results: Out of 14 studies included in the systematic review, three studies with 7642 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio indicated a significant association between higher OPG levels and accelerated risk of CAC (1.15; 95% CI: 1.03–1.30; p 2 = 0%; p = 0.43). Conclusion: The results indicated that increased concentrations of OPG are positively associated with a 15% elevated odds of CAC after adjustment of major covariates.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), one of the main mortality causes worldwide is considered to be affected by general oxidative stress and inadequacy antioxidant system. Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), a cytosolic antioxidant enzyme has a key role in neutralizing the excessive prooxidant by scavenging the super oxide anions. SOD1 polymorphic variants exhibit the altered activity properties. In the current study, we are aimed to investigate the association between the SOD1 polymorphism and CVD prevalence. A 6-years case control follow up study was designed to genotype the 526 participants (311 controls and 215 cases) for studying the 50 bp INS/DEL polymorphism at SOD1 promoter gene and analyze their blood lipid profile and anthropometric characteristics. Among the two possible alleles of the SOD1 gene (Wild [W] and Mutant [M]) the meaningful association was detected between the Mutants' frequency and the prevalence of CVD patients (p-value

Obesity is an important feature of the metabolic syndrome and is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between body fat percentage and an imbalance of the prooxidant/antioxidant balance (PAB), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and inflammation (serum hs-CRP) and increase risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. In this study, 9154 individuals were recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Association Disorder (MASHAD) study. Subjects were categorized into two groups according to body fat percentage as defined >25% in male and > 30% in female, according to gender. Biochemical factors, including serum PAB, SOD1, and hs-CRP were measured in all subjects. SPSS version 18 was used for statistical analyses for all. GraphPad Prism 6 for figures was used. Of total number of subjects (9154), 6748 (73.7%) were found to have a high body fat (BF) percentage. Serum hs-CRP and PAB were significantly higher in individuals with a high BF percentage (P 0.05). BF percentage, serum PAB and serum hs-CRP were significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome and diabetes versus those without metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05), however serum SOD1 was significantly lower in individuals with metabolic syndrome (P < 0.005). Oxidative stress and inflammation are two factors that may link the presence of high BF percentage with the development of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. © 2018 BioFactors, 45(1):35-42, 2019.

There is an increasing number of therapeutic agents being developed for the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) which is a condition characterized by raised pulmonary artery pressure and right heart failure. Despite our better understanding of the pathophysiology of PAH, the treatment outcomes are still suboptimal. There is growing evidence suggesting the role of increases in the levels of aldosterone, which is a mineralocorticoid hormone, in the pathophysiology of PAH; however, the extent to which hyperaldosteronism is associated with PAH in patients is unclear. There are also a few studies assessing the effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in PAH. MRAs are a recognized treatment for heart failure and hypertension. In this review, we focus on the relationship between aldosterone level in patients with PAH and right ventricular failure and the effect of MRAs on the PAH severity.

Anxiety disorders are the most universal psychiatric problems in the general population. Due to their chronic nature, these diseases are managed with a multi-drug regimen lasting for a long period of time. Medication discontinuation leads to 25% and 80% recurrence in the first month and the first year, respectively. Despite several treatment approaches, there is no specific and optimal method for patient management. Therefore, it is necessary to find some new therapeutic approaches with fewer side effects. Withania somnifera is a plant with GABAergic property responsible for its anxiolytic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of W. somnifera root extract as an alternative therapy to reduce standard Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms.Forty patients who met the inclusion criteria (with a confirmed diagnosis of GAD as stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) took part in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial and were randomly selected for participation in the treatment group (W. somnifera extract, 1g/day; n = 22) or the placebo group (n = 18). All patients were under treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and were prescribed one capsule of the extract or placebo per day for six weeks. The Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) was used to assess the severity of GAD symptoms at baseline as well as the second and sixth weeks of the trial.Comparison of the HAM-A scores during the course of the trial revealed a significant amelioration ofHAM-A score in the treatment group versus placebo (14 and 8 units reduction, respectively (P0.05)). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the reduction of GAD score between the second (P =0.04) and sixth week (P =0.02) in the treatment group. The extract was safe and no adverse effect was observed during the trial.W. somnifera extract offers some potential advantages as a safe and effective adjunctive therapy to SSRIs in GAD. The clinical trial protocol has been registered under the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20180615040105N1).

Obesity is an important feature of the metabolic syndrome and is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between body fat percentage and an imbalance of the prooxidant/antioxidant balance (PAB), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and inflammation (serum hs-CRP) and increase risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. In this study, 9154 individuals were recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Association Disorder (MASHAD) study. Subjects were categorized into two groups according to body fat percentage as defined25% in male and30% in female, according to gender. Biochemical factors, including serum PAB, SOD1, and hs-CRP were measured in all subjects. SPSS version 18 was used for statistical analyses for all. GraphPad Prism 6 for figures was used. Of total number of subjects (9154), 6748 (73.7%) were found to have a high body fat (BF) percentage. Serum hs-CRP and PAB were significantly higher in individuals with a high BF percentage (P0.05) but SOD1 was not significantly different between the two groups (P0.05). BF percentage, serum PAB and serum hs-CRP were significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome and diabetes versus those without metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus (P0.05), however serum SOD1 was significantly lower in individuals with metabolic syndrome (P0.005). Oxidative stress and inflammation are two factors that may link the presence of high BF percentage with the development of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. © 2018 BioFactors, 45(1):35-42, 2019.

Background: Arrhythmia is the foremost cause of sudden death after myocardial infarction (MI). Animal models have recently shown that erythropoietin (EPO) can reduce the incidence of arrhythmia after MI. Methods: We investigated the effects of administrating 33,000 IU EPO on the occurrence of post-MI arrhythmia in 40 patients with ST-elevation MI who were randomly assigned in either EPO or placebo groups. Arrhythmias were blindly documented using full 12-lead configuration during 24 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by a cardiologist. Afterward, CK-MB, hematologic, and hemodynamic data were examined within 2 weeks after MI. Results: A comparison made between the 2 groups showed significant differences in the incidence of arrhythmias (20% in EPO group and 35% in placebo group, P = 0.043). However, no significant differences in type of arrhythmias were observed between the groups. There was no significant difference between levels of CK-MB in the 2 groups during 24 hours (P = 0.186). Hematologic and hemodynamic data showed no significant changes 2 weeks after PCI. Conclusion: High-dose administration of EPO in patients with ST-elevation MI who have been treated by primary PCI and standard antiplatelet therapy reduces the occurrence of arrhythmias. For clinical interpretation of the results, further well-designed trials are required.

Background and aims. Standard treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP) includes topical or systemic corticosteroids that have many adverse effects. A trend toward alternative natural or herbal drugs has attended recently. This study was con-ducted to evaluate the effect of quercetin in treatment of erosive-atrophic OLP. Materials and methods. Thirty patients participated in this randomized clinical trial from April 2010 to June 2010 (Trial Registration Number: NCT01375101). Patients were randomly allocated in two groups. Both groups received the standard treatment (dexamethasone mouthwash and nystatin suspension). Experimental group received oral 250 mg quercetin hydrate capsules (bid) and the control group received placebo capsules. The pain and severity of the lesions were recorded at the initial visit and the follow-ups. All recorded data were analyzed with chi-square, Mann-Whitney, t-test, Wilcoxon and Friedman tests using SPSS 11.5. Results. There were no significant differences between the two groups in severity of the lesions and pain in the follow-ups.According to the Friedman test, there was a significant reduction in pain (P = 0.01) and severity indices (P = 0.00) in the case group. These differences were not observed in the control group (P = 0.26, SI; and P = 0.86, PI). No adverse effect of quercetin was reported. Conclusion. According to the results, no significant therapeutic effect can be considered for quercetin in treatment of OLP.