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Introduction: Disorders in intestinal permeability have been reported in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that may be compensated by complementary therapies through modifying the composition of the intestinal microflora. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of probiotic yogurt on intestinal permeability in patients with IBD. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 86 patients in the probiotic yogurt group (intervention patient), 90 patients in the plain yogurt group (control patient) and 84 volunteers in healthy control group receiving 250 g of commercial probiotic/plain yogurt daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the eighth week, a lactulose/mannitol ratio (LMR) test was used to assess intestinal permeability. Results: The mean age of participants in the study was 37.7 years and the mean body mass index in all subjects was 24.17 ± 2.65 kg/ m2. There was no significant difference in the LMR of the intervention group and control patient group at the beginning of the study (P=0.08) However, at the end of the period, this ratio decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control patient group (P=0.023). Importantly, this indicator in the healthy control group in comparison with intervention group was significantly lower at the beginning and at the end of the study. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that probiotics consumption via diet such as its use in dairy products such as yogurt can be a good way to improve gastrointestinal damage, including improving the permeability of the intestine and prevent or repair mucosal damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several investigations have been reported the beneficial effects of synbiotic in participants with obesity, but these findings have been inconsistent. Therefore, we systematically reviewed available randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to elucidate the overall effects of synbiotic supplementation on anthropometric indices among participants with overweight or obesity. Five electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched up to October 2018. All RCTs using synbiotic supplements to treat obesity included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was pooled using a random-effects model. The present meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials indicated that supplementation with synbiotic can decrease body weight (WMD: -0.80 kg; 95% CI: -1.56 to -0.03, p = 0.04) and WC (WMD: -2.07 cm; 95% CI: -3.11 to -1.03, p < 0.001). In contrast, synbiotic did not have favorite effects on BMI (WMD: -0.12 kg/m2; 95% CI: -0.40 to 0.16, p = 0.39) and body fat (WMD: 0.02%; 95% CI: -1.27 to 1.87, p = 0.74) compared with the placebo group. Meta-regression analyses revealed that the dosage of probiotic did not have any effect on anthropometric measures. Based on our findings, modulation of gut microbiota composition through synbiotic supplementation might have modest effects on body weight and waist circumference. In this field, however, our knowledge is progressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current evidence about the feasible effects of probiotic consumption on the metabolic status of athletes including lipid profile, fecal zonulin, and cortisol is debatable. Therefore, the present systematic reviewed and meta-analysis was aimed to clarify this inconclusiveness. Online databases (PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane's library) were searched until May 2020. The overall effect was presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) or standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects meta-analysis model. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's and Begg's statistics. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool was used for quality assessment. Eleven RCTs (n = 398 participants) were considered as eligible. Probiotic consumption significantly decreased fecal zonulin (SMD = -0.63; 95% CI, -1.17 to -0.08; P = .02) with significant heterogeneity (I² = 79.4%, P = .008). Also, serum triglyceride (WMD = -32.26 mg/dL; 95% CI, -60.44 to -4.08; P = .02) was reduced with high heterogeneity across the studies (I² = 93.0%, P < .001). Subgroup analysis revealed that probiotic consumption did increase HDL-C among non-Asian studies. Also, serum triglyceride was higher when probiotics were consumed as food, among non-Asian population, and for less than 4 weeks. Probiotics may be beneficial to improve metabolic markers in athletes including fecal zonulin and serum triglyceride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body of evidence is increasing about the importance of Vitamin D (VD) for normal development of the fetus and for maternal health. As limited data are available regarding the association between maternal VD level and pregnancy-related complications and neonatal anthropometric measures, the present study aimed to evaluate the neonatal anthropometric measures including weight, high, and head circumference and pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia, blood pressure, gestational diabetes mellitus, and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy with 25(OH)VD level. Methods: The current prospective observational study was conducted among 812 Iranian pregnant women during the first trimester in Isfahan, Iran. Needed data were collected using validated questionnaires and biochemical examinations. Results: Overall, this study demonstrated an inverse significant association between VD level and chance of having low-weight infant in the adjusted model (odds ratio [OR]: 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004-0.26, P < 0.001) in the first VD assessment. The same results were obtained in the second VD assessment (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01-0.40, P < 0.01). However, such associations were not seen about other neonatal measures and pregnancy-related complications. Conclusions: We found that low maternal VD level might be associated with risk of low-weight infant. Such findings could be considered to implement informative interventional programs to control newborn adverse outcomes. Further studies are required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most pregnancy-related complications are associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes for mother and her infant. Although, relations between diet and pregnancy's complications indicate that there may be some benefits of nutritional factors to prevent such disorders, there are rare studies regarding the associations of dietary patterns and mentioned complications. So, the aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between dietary patterns and risk of pregnancy-related complications. Methods: The current prospective observational study was based on the data collected from 812 pregnant women. Dietary data was collected using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Results: Three major dietary patterns identified according to the results from the factor loading matrix were: (i) 'western dietary pattern'; (ii) 'traditional dietary pattern'; (iii) 'healthy dietary pattern'. Overall, this study demonstrated a marginal significant inverse association between high adherence to healthy dietary pattern and chance of having pre-eclampsia. Also, a high chance of pre-eclampsia was observed among women with the most adherence to western dietary pattern. Conclusion: We found that dietary patterns might be associated with the risk of pregnancy-related complications. Further studies are required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the leading cause of about 8.8 million deaths in the world. Tims, preventive strategies such as healthy diets are important in cancer control plan. The aim of current review is to investigate the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and cancer risk. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, 151 and Google before February 2017. Human studies were considered to be eligible fo r inclusion i f they were of any design and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and cancer risk was assessed among adults. From the total number of 152 articles obtained at the initial search, 13 publications consisting of 7 cohorts and 6 case-control studies were eligible. Although, 2 of cohort and 2 of case-control studies revealed a significant association between sugar-sweetened beverages and cancer risk, others could not show the adverse effects of such beverages on cancer risk. Overall, the current findings are not sufficient to assess the mentioned risk. Consequently, more prospective cohort studies with adequate sample size are necessary in developed and developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brewer's yeast may have beneficial effects on insulin receptors because of itsglucose tolerance factor in diabetic patients. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of brewer's yeast supplementation on glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: In a randomized double blind controlled clinical trial, 84 adults (21 men and 63 women) aged 46.3 ± 6.1 years old with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited and divided randomly into two groups: Supplement group receiving brewer's yeast (six 300mg tablets/day, total 1800 mg) and control group receiving placebo (six 300mg tablets/day) for 12 weeks. Body weight, height, body mass index, food consumption (based on 24h food record), fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin sensitivity, and insulin resistance were measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 18.0). Results: The changes in FBS, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin sensitivity were significantly different between the two groups during the study (respectively P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.02 independent sample t test). There was a significant difference in FBS, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin sensitivity at the end of the study between the two groups after removing the effects of baseline values (respectively P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.02, analysis of covariance). Changes in body mass index, 24h food record, insulin resistance were not significant. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with brewe>s yeast besides the usual treatment of diabetes can ameliorate blood glucose variables in type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visfatin is a new adipocytokine which is largely secreted by visceral adipose tissue and its effects in the development of diabetes and inflammatory reactions are similar to insulin. It acts synergistically with insulin in increasing glucose cellular uptake, stimulating glucose transfer to the muscle and adipose tissue, as well as in preventing hepatic glucose production. Its insulin-like effects are mediated through direct connection and activation of insulin receptors without any change or competition with the insulin. Methods: This case-control study was conducted among 64 women consisting of 32 diabetic patients, and 32 age-matched healthy controls. The case group consisted of 32 post-menopausal diabetic women, aged 45-65 years. Those patients were eligible who had a history of at least five years of type II diabetes, without any complications of diabetes, and who were treated only by oral glucose-lowering medications. Those individuals with C-reactive protein (CRP) test of 3+ and above were excluded from the study. Results were compared with age- and sex- matched controls. Results: Average visfatin level was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls (4.3 ± 1.06ng/dl vs. 3.15 ± 0.74ng/dl, respectively< 0.001). The mean values of anthropometric indexes and lipid profile were not significantly different between diabetic patients and controls. Conclusion: This study documented an inverse relationship between circulating level of visfatin and fasting blood glucose. This finding may suggest the role of increased visfatin level and increase in synthesis and secretion of the cytokines from adipocytes. These findings may be useful for primary and secondary preventive issues in diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a condition normally detected in people with type II diabetes. It eventually leads to cardiovascular diseases in the patient. Visfatin is an adipocytokine which is secreted from adipose tissue and can affect the inflammatory reaction and also serum lipid levels. Additionally, omega-3 inhibits the accumulation of fat and formation of insulin resistance. The current study tried to investigate the effects of omega-3 on blood pressure compared to placebo and the relationship between serum visfatin levels and blood pressure. METHODS: A total number of 71 women with type II diabetes were randomly assigned to 2 groups to receive either omega-3 capsules or placebo capsules. In the first step, a questionnaire consisting age, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure was filled out for each subject. Blood samples were then collected for laboratory tests. The next step was to conduct 8 weeks of intervention. All variables, except age, were measured again after the intervention. Hip circumference was considered as the maximum circumference of the buttocks. Waist circumference was measured by placing a tape horizontally across the abdomen at the end of a normal exhalation. Laboratory tests included the assessment of visfatin, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations. Lipid profile, i.e. low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol, was also assessed. Using SPSS18, data obtained from the study was analyzed by a variety of appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: There was a significant change in mean differences of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure showed a significant reduction in the omega-3 group compared to the placebo group. However, no significant changes were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and after the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, a daily consumption of omega-3 is suggested for patients with type II diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Studies showed paraoxonase activity, and vitamin C and A levels are decreased in diabetes. The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on serum paraoxonase activity and vitamins A, E, C in patients with type 2 diabetes is not fully understood. This study aimed to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on paraoxonase activity, vitamins C, A and E levels in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo controlled trial, 80 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly enrolled into the study. Study subjects received daily 2714 mg of omega-3 fatty acids or placebo for 8 weeks. Ten milliliter fasting blood was collected before and after treatments. Serum paraoxonase activity and vitamin C levels were measured by spectrophotometry. Vitamin A and vitamin E were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Nutrient intake was estimated using 24-hours dietary recall questionnaire (for 2 days) before and after treatments. Dietary data were analyzed using FPII. To compare the means of variables between the two groups, independent t-test was employed. Differences between variables before and after interventions were calculated using paired t-test. RESULTS: Serum levels of paraoxonase activity were significantly increased after omega-3 intake (126.47 IU/ml vs. 180.13 IU/ml). However, omega-3 intake caused no significant change in serum vitamin A, C, and E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Visfatin is an adipocytokine which is secreted from adipose tissue and can affect on the diabetes inflammatory reaction and also serum lipids level. On the other hand, Omega-3 can also prevent formation of insulin resistance. In the present study, the effect of Omega-3 on the serum visfatin concentration was evaluated. METHODS: 71 women with type II diabetes were randomly assigned to the group that took Omega-3 capsules or control group with placebo capsules. In the first step, study subjects filled a questionnaire collecting their age, height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Also their blood samples were taken for blood tests. In the second step, the intervention was done for 8 weeks and in the third step the aforementioned were collected again. In the blood samples visfatin and lipid profiles (low density lipoprotein [LDL], high density lipoprotein [HDL], triglyceride [TG], and cholesterol), glucose and HbA1c were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in serum visfatin level between Omega-3 and placebo groups before the intervention (p = 0.14), while after the intervention, the mean serum visfatin level in the Omega-3 group was significantly higher (p < 0.001). In addition, the mean difference between the serum visfatin level before and after the intervention in both groups was significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an increase in visfatin level following consuming Omega-3 fats but according to controversial issues on insulin-like function of visfatin, the effects of Omega-3 on diabetes should be studied more in further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, which increases health-care costs. It has been reported that some dietary components such as aged garlic, one of the garlic preparations with no strong odor and harsh irritating taste, exhibits anticancer effects. This review summarizes the potential beneficial effects of aged garlic on cancer incidences as well as prevention and improvement of factors related to malignancy. Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched. All study designs which were focused on cancer incidence, or indices related to malignancy as outcomes in human, animal, and human cells studies, and aged garlic and its ingredients as exposures were reviewed in accordance to the items for systematic reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. Initially, 304 articles were identified. Then, 25 articles which met the inclusion criteria were selected. Based on the evaluation, overall quality score of human studies was well. Although there were inconsistent evidence from human studies, results of the animal and laboratory results were mostly consistent. The overall findings may suggest that intakes of aged garlic are inversely associated with cancer. In this regard, the studies have shortcomings. Therefore, more precise investigations will be necessary to decide whether aged garlic consumption is recommendable as a part of cancer prevention or control programs. However, due to anticancer properties of aged garlic, its consumption along with healthy diet may have beneficial effects on cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-specific musculoskeletal pains (CNMP) are common problem with unknown etiology which has become a major concern because of their negative impact on health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain scores, quality of life, self-rated health and sexual satisfaction among CNMP patients with vitamin D deficiency. In this clinical trial study, sixty-six patients (18-50 years in both sex) with CNMP and vitamin D deficiency were randomly assigned to consume 50000 IU vitamin D, once every week for 8 weeks in the intervention group or placebo in the control condition. Clinical examination, pain scores, quality of life (QoL), self-rated health and sexual satisfaction were measured at the beginning and at the end of study. Patients in the vitamin D group had a significant pain relief after 8 weeks compared to the placebo group (p = 0.04 vs. p = 0.42). Also, they had increased QoL scores and sexual satisfaction compared with placebo (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.01, respectively). We observed a significant effect on improvement of quality of life, sexual satisfaction and pain in patients with CNMP after administration of therapeutic doses of vitamin D. Such findings could be considered to implement informative interventional programs to control CNMP complications and develop practical policies to improve the diet quality among CNMP patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation lead to significant modifications in CNMP complications with consideration of confounding factors in different population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in which antioxidant capacity changes. Omega-3 fatty acids have extensive biological effects including their advantage on lipoprotein metabolism, platelet function, cytokine production, clotting, fibrinolysis, and inflammatory factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on antioxidant capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes., Methods: This clinical trial enrolled 71 women with type 2 diabetes in two case (treated with omega-3 capsules) and control (treated with placebo) groups. In the first stage, participants filled out a demographics questionnaire including age, height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference.Their blood sample was taken to evaluate glycosylated hemoglobin and antioxidant capacity. Then the case group received intervention for 8 weeks and weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured and a blood sample was taken again. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software., Results: The mean difference of antioxidant capacity before and after intervention was significant (P < 0.001). Antioxidant capacity increased in the case group and reduced in the control group., Conclusions: With regard to the results of the present study, patients with type 2 diabetes increase their antioxidant capacity, enhance their antioxidant defense system, and probably prevent diabetes complications and related disease progress by taking omega-3 supplements.

Background: Hypertension is a condition normally detected in people with type II diabetes.It eventually leads to cardiovascular diseases in the patient. Visfatin is an adipocytokine which issecreted from adipose tissue and can affect the inflammatory reaction and also serum lipidlevels. Additionally, omega-3 inhibits the accumulation of fat and formation of insulinresistance. The current study tried to investigate the effects of omega-3 on blood pressurecompared to placebo and the relationship between serum visfatin levels and blood pressure., Methods: A total number of 71 women with type II diabetes were randomly assigned to2 groups to receive either omega-3 capsules or placebo capsules. In the first step, aquestionnaire consisting age, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, and systolic anddiastolic blood pressure was filled out for each subject. Blood samples were then collected forlaboratory tests. The next step was to conduct 8 weeks of intervention. All variables, except age,were measured again after the intervention. Hip circumference was considered as the maximumcircumference of the buttocks. Waist circumference was measured by placing a tape horizontallyacross the abdomen at the end of a normal exhalation. Laboratory tests included the assessmentof visfatin, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations. Lipid profile, i.e. lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol,was also assessed. Using SPSS18, data obtained from the study was analyzed by a variety ofappropriate statistical tests., Results: There was a significant change in mean differences of systolic and diastolic bloodpressure. Blood pressure showed a significant reduction in the omega-3 group compared to theplacebo group. However, no significant changes were observed in systolic and diastolic bloodpressure before and after the intervention (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, a daily consumption of omega-3 is suggestedfor patients with type II diabetes.