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Effect of garlic supplementation on serum C-reactive protein level: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
No full textThe present study was designed to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that report on the effects of garlic supplementation on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. We conducted a literature search of Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to January 2018. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were estimated for net change in serum CRP. Subgroup analyses were also performed by duration of study, dose of supplementation, baseline CRP level, and the quality of studies. From 438 articles found and screened in our initial search, nine RCTs with the sum of total sample size of 363 were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the controls, garlic intake significantly reduced the concentrations of serum CRP by 0.8 mg/L (95 CI �1.5, �0.1, p = 0.02) with the evidence of heterogeneity among studies. Subgroup analyses showed that garlic significantly lowered CRP by 0.82 mg/L (95% CI �1.02, �0.62, p < 0.001) among studies with a daily garlic dose �1,200 mg/day and by 2.44 mg/L (95% CI �4.02, �0.87, p = 0.002) among studies with baseline CRP �2 mg/L. Current data confirmed that garlic supplementation would reduce serum CRP levels. However, the changes were related to the supplemental doses and baseline levels of serum CRP. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Decreased Na + /K + -ATPase activity and altered susceptibility to peroxidation and lipid composition in the erythrocytes of metabolic syndrome patients with coronary artery disease
Get PDFBackground: The increased generation of reactive oxygen species that occurs in the case of a metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be responsible for the increased oxidative injury to erythrocyte membranes in coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, we studied the effects of MetS on both indexes of oxidative damage and biochemical properties of erythrocyte membranes in CAD patients. Methods: We analyzed the markers of oxidative stress, Na + /K + -ATPase activity, total cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes (CEM), and fatty acid compositions of the erythrocyte membrane in 82 patients with stable CAD and 39 non-CAD subjects. Results: The CAD patients had higher levels of CEM, membrane lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and Na + /K + -ATPase activity compared with non-CAD subjects. The Na + /K + -ATPase activity was correlated negatively with membrane lipid peroxidation, and positively with the CEM. In CAD patients with MetS compared with those without MetS, we found that the membrane lipid peroxidation and CEM were increased, whereas the n-3 fatty acids content, SOD activity, Na + /K + -ATPase activity were decreased. Conclusion: These findings suggest an impairment of erythrocyte membrane biochemical properties in stable CAD patients as a consequence of oxidative injury that may contribute to the development of CAD. In addition, MetS may be related to increased oxidative injury to erythrocyte membranes. © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel
Melatonin, a calpain inhibitor in the central nervous system: Current status and future perspectives
No full textDysregulation of neuronal Ca 2+ and oxidative stress plays an important role in the activation of cysteine proteases including calpains and caspases that contribute to neuronal death. In neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neuropathic pain calpain activities are markedly increased. Melatonin is a beneficial supplement in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and works as a free-radical scavenger to regulate a large number of molecular pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and cell death under different pathological conditions. However, limited studies have evaluated the inhibitory effect of melatonin on calpains. This review summarizes the current knowledge related to the effects of melatonin on calpains in some of the common CNS disorders. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Elevated blood pressure reduction after α-lipoic acid supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Get PDFThe aim of the comprehensive meta-analysis was to systematically explore the reductive effect of α-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The related records were selected from PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and Persian databases including SID and Magiran from earliest date 1980 until August 2018. The heterogeneities were assessed by I 2 test (I 2 < 50) and � 2 test on Cochrane�s Q statistic. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and their 95 confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for change in SBP and DBP. Subgroup analyses were also carried out by baseline BP, clinical condition, dosage of supplementation, and duration of study. As a result, a total of seven studies with 478 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to the controls, ALA supplementation significantly reduced both SBP (SMD = �0.81, 95 CI: �1.20, �0.41) and DBP (SMD = �1.50, 95 CI: �2.86, �0.15) with a reduction of 8.1 and 6.7 mmHg of the mean SBP and DBP, respectively. Significant heterogeneity was detected in SBP and DBP; however, subgroup analysis of baseline BP showed significant reduction in both SBP and DBP heterogeneities. Indeed, a statistically significant reduction in BP was observed in subsets of elevated BP as compared with hypertensive patients. In conclusion, the current meta-analysis revealed that ALA supplementation lowers BP in subjects, especially those with elevated BP. © 2019, Springer Nature Limited
Dosimetric Comparison of Four Different Techniques for Supraclavicular Irradiation in 3D-conformal Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer
Get PDFThis study aimed to compare and evaluated the dosimetric characteristics of esophagus, spinal cord, carotid artery, lungs, and brachial plexus in patients with breast cancer undergoing four various techniques of supraclavicular irradiation. By keeping unchanged the breast tangential radiotherapy fields, four different treatment field arrangements were created to irradiate the supraclavicular region as follows: (1) four field (4F; 1 anterior-posterior and 1 posterior-anterior), (2) six field (6F; 2 anterior-posterior and 2 posterior-anterior), (3) five field-1 (5F-1; 2 anterior-posterior and 1 posterior-anterior), and (4) five field-2 (5F-2; 1 anterior-posterior and 2 posterior-anterior). Then, the dosimetric parameters for the above-mentioned organs were evaluated. The mean dose (Dmean) of the esophagus had significant difference between 6F and 5F-2 techniques. For the spinal cord, the Dmean dosimetric parameter demonstrated significant difference between the 4F and 6F techniques, and between the 4F and 5F-1 techniques, with lower values for the 4F technique. There was no significant difference between the different irradiation techniques in all the dosimetric parameters for the carotid artery. The Dmean of the left lung significantly differed between the 4F and 5F-2 techniques, with lower values for the 5F-2 technique. Furthermore, the V20Gy dosimetric parameter had significant difference between the 4F and 6F, and also 4F and 5F-2, techniques with lower values for 5F-2. The maximum dose (Dmax) of the brachial plexus showed significant difference between the two techniques of 5F. The V45Gy dosimetric parameter of the brachial plexus revealed significant difference between the 4F and 6F techniques, and also between the 4F and 5F-1 techniques, with lower values for 5F-1. In general, these techniques had similar dosimetric results, with little differences. The dosimetric parameters for the esophagus and lung showed better results with the 5F-2 technique in comparison with other techniques. Dosimetric results for the brachial plexus and spinal cord improved with the 5F-1 and 4F techniques, respectively, against other techniques. Dose distribution for the carotid artery did not differ in the four irradiation techniques
Effects of magnesium supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness and metabolic profiles in diabetic haemodialysis patients: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
No full textThis study evaluated the effects of Mg administration on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), glycaemic control and markers of cardio-metabolic risk in diabetic haemodialysis (HD) patients. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in fifty-four diabetic HD patients. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to take either 250 mg/d Mg as magnesium oxide (n 27) or placebo (n 27) for 24 weeks. Mg supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in mean (P<0·001) and maximum levels of left CIMT (P=0·02) and mean levels of right CIMT (P=0·004) compared with the placebo. In addition, taking Mg supplements significantly reduced serum insulin levels (β=-9·42 pmol/l; 95 CI -14·94, -3·90; P=0·001), homoeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (β=-0·56; 95 CI -0·89, -0·24; P=0·001) and HbA1c (β=-0·74 ; 95 CI -1·10, -0·39; P<0·001) and significantly increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β=0·008; 95 CI 0·002, 0·01; P=0·002) compared with the placebo. In addition, Mg administration led to a significant reduction in serum total cholesterol (β=-0·30 mmol/l; 95 CI -0·56, -0·04; P=0·02), LDL-cholesterol (β=-0·29 mmol/l; 95 CI -0·52, -0·05; P=0·01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P<0·001) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (P=0·04) and a significant rise in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (P<0·001) compared with the placebo. Overall, we found that taking Mg for 24 weeks by diabetic HD patients significantly improved mean and maximum levels of left and mean levels of right CIMT, insulin metabolism, HbA1c, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, hs-CRP, TAC and MDA levels. © The Authors 2019
Effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supplementation on positive and negative syndrome scale in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
No full textObjective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomised controlled trials on the efficacy of NAC supplementation on positive and negative syndrome scale in schizophrenia. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted, and studies were identified by a search of electronic databases from inception to May 2018. Combined and stratified analyses were used. Results: Seven trials were identified, and data from n = 447 participants were included. Pooled analysis showed improvement of positive and negative syndrome scale following NAC treatment compared with placebo, for total (SMB = � 0.96) 95% CI � 1.69, � 0.24; P = 0.009, general (SMB = � 1.04) 95% CI � 1.80, � 0.27; P = 0.008 and negative (SMB = � 0.73) 95% CI � 1.29, � 0.17; P = 0.01 scores, respectively. Significant heterogeneity was found, and subgroup analysis showed significant reductions in studies with a treatment duration of � 24 weeks, with a considerable effect size on total, general, and negative scores (Total SMD = � 0.83; General SMD = � 0.67; Negative SMD = � 1.09) following NAC. Conclusions: NAC improved all aspects of positive and negative syndrome scale in schizophrenic populations and may be more efficacious with treatment durations up to 24 weeks. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
The impact of the particle size of curcumin nanocarriers and the ethanol on beta1-integrin overexpression in fibroblasts: A regenerative pharmaceutical approach in skin repair and anti-aging formulations
No full textBackground: Since women pay more attention to their skin�s health, pharmaceutical companies invest heavily on skin care product development. Further, the success of drug nano-carriers in passing through the skin justifies the need to conduct studies at the nano-scale. β1-integrin down regulation has been proposed as a sign of skin aging. Methods: Six drug nano-carriers (50 and 75 nm) were prepared at three ethanol concentrations (0, 3,and 5) and different temperatures. Then, the impact of Nanocarriers on fibroblasts were investigated. Results: DLS showed that increasing ethanol concentration decreased the surface tension that caused a decrease in the particle size in non-temperature formulations while increasing the temperature to 60 °C to lower Gibbs free energy increased the particle size. Ethanol addition decreased β1-integrin over-expression, whereas larger nano-carriers induced an over-expression of β1-integrin, Bcl2/Bax ratio, and an increase in live cell number. β1-integrin over-expression did not correlate with the rate of fibroblast proliferation and NFκB expression. An increase in fibroblast mortality in relation to smaller nano-carriers was not only due to the increase in Bax ratio, but was related to NFκB over-expression. Conclusion: The development of a regenerative pharmaceutical approach in skin repair was based on the effect of particle size and ethanol concentration of the drug nano-carriers on the expression of β1-integrin in fibroblasts. A curcumin nanoformulation sized 77 nm and containing of 3 ethanol was more effective in increasing β1-integrin gene over-expression, anti-apoptosis of fibroblast cells (Bcl2/Bax ratio), and in decreasing Bax and NFκB gene expression than that with a particle size of 50 nm. Such a formulation may be considered a valuable candidate in anti-aging and wound-healing formulations. Figure not available: see fulltext.. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The investigation of relevancy between PIAS1 and PIAS2 gene expression and disease severity of multiple sclerosis
Get PDFIntroduction: PIAS1 and PIAS2 (protein inhibitor of activated STAT 1,2) play key roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the gene expression of these factors in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared to healthy individuals and correlate them with the severity of MS. Materials and methods: Sixty participants, including 30 patients with MS and 30 healthy controls were studied. The expression of PIAS1 and PIAS2 genes in peripheral blood samples of all participants was measured by real-time PCR. The severity of MS was evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Finally, we evaluated the correlation between the expression of PIAS1 and PIAS2 genes with disease severity. Results: The expression of PIAS1 gene was increased in patients with MS compared to healthy subjects (P value<.001). Also, there was a significant correlation between the expression of PIAS1 and PIAS2 genes with disease severity according to EDSS. Conclusion: Our study suggests the expression of PIAS1 and PIAS2 genes as a prognostic and diagnostic marker in MS disease. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis
Relation between sperm protamine transcripts with global sperm DNA methylation and sperm DNA methyltransferases mRNA in men with severe sperm abnormalities
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) such as DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B mRNA and sperm global DNA methylation with protamine transcripts in the sperm from men with severe sperm abnormalities. Sperm from each semen sample were isolated using a standard gradient isolation procedure by layering 1 mL of 40 (v/v) density gradient medium over 1 mL of 80 (v/v). A total of 30 oligoasthenoteratozoospermic ejaculates (OAT) and 30 normozoospermic ejaculates as controls were compared using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for mRNA expression of DNMT1, 3A, 3B, protamine1 (P1) and protamine2 (P2). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect global DNA methylation in sperm. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In OAT ejaculates, the increased level of DNMT3A, 3B mRNA, sperm global methylation, P1 plus P2 mRNA and decrease of P1�P2 ratio were significantly different. Also the content of protamine transcript was not correlated with sperm parameters. The increased total protamine transcript levels were associated with increased mRNA methyltransferases. The increase of DNMT1 may lead to an increased level of global methylation. © 2019, © 2019 The British Fertility Society