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Theobromine may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to find molecular effects of theobromine on lipid profile, glycemic status, inflammatory factors, and vascular function through a comprehensive assessment of all in vitro and in vivo studies. The search process was started at 18 July 2022. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to find all articles published up to 18 July 2022. Nineteen studies were included in this study. In vitro studies showed the improving effects of theobromine on inflammatory markers. Of four animal studies assessing the effect of theobromine on inflammatory markers, two reported favorable effects. Among five animal studies assessing the effects of theobromine on lipid profile, three reported improving effects on either triglyceride, total cholesterol, low‐ or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Of the three human studies, two revealed that theobromine had improving effects on lipid profile. A favorable effect of theobromine on augmentation index was also reported in two RCTs. The results for other outcomes were inconclusive. Theobromine may have favorable effects on inflammatory factors, lipid profile, and vascular function markers. However, studies with a longer duration and lower, dietary‐relevant doses are required for future confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of carotenoids on selected inflammatory parameters. PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of science were searched from inception until April 2021. The random-effect model was used to analyze data and the overall effect size was computed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and corresponding 95% of confidence interval (CI). A total of 26 trials with 35 effect sizes were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated significant effects of carotenoids on C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: ‒0.54 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.71, ‒0.37, P < 0.001), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD: ‒0.54 pg/mL, 95% CI: ‒1.01, ‒0.06, P = 0.025), however the effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was not significant (WMD: ‒0.97 pg/ml, 95% CI: ‒1.98, 0.03, P = 0.0.059). For the individual carotenoids, astaxanthin, (WMD: ‒0.30 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.51, ‒0.09, P = 0.005), lutein/zeaxanthin (WMD: ‒0.30 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.45, ‒0.15, P < 0.001), and β-cryptoxanthin (WMD: ‒0.35 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.54, ‒0.15, P < 0.001) significantly decreased CRP level. Also, only lycopene (WMD: ‒1.08 pg/ml, 95%CI: ‒2.03, ‒0.12, P = 0.027) led to a significant decrease in IL-6. The overall results supported possible protective effects of carotenoids on inflammatory biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whey protein (WP) has been heavily appreciated as a rich source of bioactive peptides, with potential benefits for cardiovascular health. This study constitutes a systematic review and meta-analysis summarising the effects of WP consumption on vascular reactivity, arterial stiffness and circulatory biomarkers of vascular function. We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of science for relevant articles from inception to July 2020. Original clinical trials published in English-language journals that investigated the effects of WP on vascular function were eligible. A total of 720 records were identified in the initial search; from these, sixteen were included in our systematic review and thirteen in meta-analysis. The pooled analysis of six studies showed a significant increase in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after WP consumption (weighted mean differences (WMD): 1·09 %, 95 % CI: 0·17, 2·01, P= 0·01). Meta-analysis of available data did not show any significant reduction in arterial stiffness measures including augmentation index (effect sizes: 7, WMD: −0·29 %, 95 % CI: −1·58, 0·98, P= 0·64) and pulse wave velocity (effect sizes: 4, WMD: −0·72 m/s, 95 % CI: −1·47, 0·03, P= 0·06). Moreover, the pooled analysis of six effect sizes showed no significant effects on plasma levels of nitric oxide following WP supplementation (WMD: 0·42 μmol/l, 95 % CI: −0·52, 1·36, P= 0·38). The overall results provided evidence supporting a protective effect of WP on endothelial function measured by FMD, but not for arterial stiffness measures and circulatory biomarker of vascular function. Further research is required to substantiate the benefits of WP on vascular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and chlorella vulgaris (CV) on body composition and mitochondrial biogenesis have been shown in some mechanistic studies. This study aimed to determine the effects of CV and/or HIIT on mitochondrial biogenesis, performance and body composition among overweight/obese women. There was a significant reduction in the fat mass (FM) of the CV + HIIT group, as compared with the placebo group (P = 0·005). A marginal significant increase in body water (P = 0·050) and PPAR-γ coactivator-1α (P = 0·050) was also found only in the CV + HIIT group, as compared with the placebo. Relative (P < 0·001) and absolute (P < 0·001) VO2max, as well as Bruce MET (P < 0·001), were significantly increased in the HIIT and HIIT + CV groups. Besides, the synergistic effect of CV and HIIT on the Bruce MET increment was found (interaction P-value = 0·029). No significant changes were observed in BMI, fat-free mass, visceral fat, silent information regulator 1 and fibroblast growth factor-21. In this randomised clinical trial, forty-six overweight/obese women were assigned to four groups including CV + HIIT and HIIT + placebo groups that received three capsules of CV (300 mg capsules, three times a day) or corn starch, in combination with three sessions/week of HIIT. CV and placebo groups only received 900 mg of CV or corn starch, daily, for 8 weeks. Biochemical assessments, performance assessment and body composition were obtained at the beginning and end of the intervention. HIIT may be, therefore, effective in improving mitochondrial biogenesis, performance and body composition in overweight/obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has long been the focus of interest due to its promising effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize findings from existing human intervention studies evaluating the effect of ALA on vascular function. We performed a systematic search in the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of science electronic databases from inception until 1 July 2020. A total of 1106 records were identified from the database search, of which 12 were eligible: nine addressed chronic effects and three measured acute effects of ALA on vascular function. Of 11 trials that evaluated endothelial function by methods such as flow-mediated dilation (n = 7), reactive hyperemia (n = 2) and ACh-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation (n = 2), 10 reported a significant improvement in endothelial function. In contrast, none of six trials examining the response of endothelium-independent vasodilation reported the favorable impact. The effect of ALA on arterial stiffness measures has been poorly studied. ALA appears to improve endothelial function through increasing the bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide as well as decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. In conclusion, these results suggest improvement of endothelial function, but not endothelium-independent vasodilation as a potential mechanism by which ALA attenuates cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) lead to chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn augment diabetes complications. Resveratrol plays a potential role in relation to diabetes due to improving of hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the scientific literature to identify the impacts of resveratrol on the accumulation of AGEs. The literature was searched in the online databases, viz. PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, ProQuest, and Google Scholar until May 2019. From a total of 338 retrieved articles, 10 papers were eligible for the present analysis. Except one clinical trial, all studies were conducted on animals. All the included studies, except one, showed inhibitory effects of resveratrol on the accumulation of AGE or receptor for AGEs. The findings indicate that resveratrol is a potential protective agent against the accumulation of AGEs. There is, however, the need for future studies to investigate this effect on human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lutein is considered as a major biologically active carotenoid, with potential benefits for obesity and cardiometabolic health. This double-blind, randomised controlled trial aimed to assess whether the consumption of lutein along with a low-calorie diet (LCD) can influence anthropometric indices, body composition and metabolic parameters in obese middle-aged individuals. After a 2-week run-in period with an LCD, forty-eight participants aged 45–65 years were randomly assigned to consume 20 mg/d lutein or placebo along with the LCD for 10 weeks. Dietary intake, anthropometric indices, body composition, lipid profile, glucose homoeostasis parameters, NEFA and appetite sensations were assessed at the beginning and end of the study. After 10 weeks, body weight and waist circumference significantly decreased in both groups, although between-group differences were not significant. There was more of a decrease in the percentage of body fat in the lutein group v. the placebo group. Moreover, the placebo group experienced a significant reduction in fat-free mass (FFM), whereas the lutein group preserved FFM during calorie restriction, although the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance. Visceral fat and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased only in the lutein group, with a statistically significant difference between the two arms only for TC. No significant changes were observed in the TAG, HDL-cholesterol, glucose homoeostasis parameters, NEFA and appetite sensations. Lutein supplementation in combination with an LCD could improve body composition and lipid profile in obese middle-aged individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of evidence indicates the association of dietary advanced glycation end‐products (dAGEs) with the risk of cancer. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to assess the overall association between dAGEs and cancer incidence. An extensive search was carried out through online databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to June 2024. All reported HRs and their 95% CIs for risk of cancer were used to estimate log HRs and their standard errors (SEs). The overall risk estimate was obtained using a random effects model. Inter‐study heterogeneity was determined using Cochrane's Q test and I‐squared. Five prospective cohort studies with a total of 1,220,096 participants and 23,229 incident cancer cases (2193 pancreatic cancers, 11,443 breast cancers, 6162 colorectal cancers, and 3431 total cancers) were included in this meta‐analysis. Compared with the lowest category of dAGEs, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall cancers was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.15; I2 = 67.9%) for the highest category of dAGEs. Pooled estimates for different types of cancer showed no significant relationship between dAGEs and risk of breast cancer (HR: 1.119; 95% CI: 0.868, 1.444; I2 = 77.6%; N = 2 studies), pancreatic cancer (HR: 1.242; 95% CI: 0.971, 1.588; I2 = 0.0%; N = 2 studies), colon cancer (HR: 10.985; 95% CI: 0.887, 1.094; I2 = 0.0%; N = 2 studies) and rectal cancer (HR: 0.940; 95% CI: 0.616, 1.433; I2 = 57.7%; N = 2 studies). Dietary AGEs had no significant link with cancer risk. More well‐designed prospective studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, is recognized by hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. Selenium (Se) potentially possesses therapeutic effects on PCOS due to antioxidant and insulin-like properties. This systematic review evaluates the potential role of Se in the complications of PCOS. A systematic review was performed on published studies reporting the effects of Se on PCOS. Three major databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched until December 2018. A total of 7 human studies and two in vitro studies met the inclusion criteria. Two out of three case-control studies showed that serum Se levels tend to decrease in patients with PCOS. Of four studies that evaluated the impact of Se supplementation on insulin resistance, only one study showed protective effects of Se against insulin resistance. Two out of three studies reported the antioxidant effect of Se. Few studies investigating anti-androgenic effect of Se presented controversial results. There were three studies that evaluated the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Se, of which two surveys indicated the lowering effects of Se on VLDL and LDL-cholesterol. The reviewed studies confirmed inverse relationships between serum Se levels and some androgenic hormones in PCOS. Se is able to attenuate insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. The available data are currently insufficient to support the protective effects of Se on PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: lutein is one of the xanthophyll carotenoids with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may be effective in controlling obesity and chronic diseases. This study aimed to determine the effect of lutein on body composition, inflammation, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), nitric oxide (NO), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the obese individuals on a low-calorie diet (LCD). Materials and Methods: in this 10-week doubleblind clinical trial, after a 2-week run-in period, 48 participants aged 45-65 y were randomly assigned to consume lutein (20 mg/d) plus lowcalorie diet (LCD) or placebo plus LCD. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: the mean age, body weight and body mass index of participants were 53.82 ± 4.98 years, 88.49 ± 11.98 kg and 34.11 ± 3.51 kg/m2, respectively. There was a more decrease in the body fat percentage in lutein group vs. placebo group (-8.36% vs - 4.78%, p=0.047). Also, the percentage of body water in the lutein group showed a significant increase compared to the placebo group (2.90% vs 0.91%, p= 0.018). No significant changes were observed in serum levels of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6, PAI-1, NO and ET-1. Serum level of SIRT1 significantly increased in lutein group compared to the placebo group, but after adjusting for baseline values and confounders, the between-group difference was not significant. Conclusion: lutein supplementation could improve body composition in the obese middleaged individuals. It appears that lutein can be considered in a weight-loss program for the obese older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Vit D-Ca co-supplementation had a significant reducing effect on serum CRP concentrations. • The greatest effect of vit D-Ca intake was seen at the dosages of ≥700–500 IU-mg/d. • Vit D-Ca co-supplementation had no beneficial effect on IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Data on the effect of vitamin d -calcium co-supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers, compared to placebo or intake of calcium and vitamin D supplements alone, are conflicting. The current systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to summarize available findings on the effect of vitamin d -calcium co-supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers in adults. Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched using relevant keywords up to June 2019. We included RCTs investigating the effect of vitamin d -calcium co-supplementation, compared to placebo or intake of calcium and vitamin D supplements alone, on inflammatory biomarkers. In total, 8 RCTs that enrolled 706 participants, aged ≥18 years, were included. Pooling 9 effect sizes from 8 RCTs on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels revealed a significant reducing effect of vitamin d -calcium co-supplementation on serum CRP concentrations compared to placebo intake (WMD: −0.82, 95% CI: −1.56, −0.07 mg/L, P = 0.03). However, this beneficial effect became non-significant when compared to the intake of calcium and vitamin D supplements alone. Also, we found that the associations of vitamin d -calcium dosages and duration of intervention with the reduction in CRP concentrations were in a non-linear fashion. Combining 5 effect sizes for IL-6 and 3 effect sizes for TNF-α, we found no significant effect of joint calcium and vitamin D supplementation on serum concentrations of IL-6 (WMD: −1.45, 95% CI: −5.31, 2.41 pg/mL, P = 0.46) and TNF-α (WMD: −0.79, 95% CI: −2.19, 0.61 pg/mL, P = 0.26). We found a beneficial effect of vitamin d -calcium co-supplementation on serum CRP concentrations. However, such a beneficial effect was not seen for IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]