Value of carotid intimal–medial thickness as independent predictor of endothelial dysfunction in uremic patients

Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Fatigue Effects of an Oral Food Supplement in Long COVID Patients

Long coronavirus disease (COVID) syndrome leads to chronic inflammatory state onset that can have a multisystem impact and compromise organ function. Moreover, long COVID syndrome is often characterized by the presence of chronic fatigue, which affects subjects' daily activities and worsens their quality of life. The aim of our double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial (protocol code RS 150.21, approved on 4 November 2021) was to evaluate the beneficial effects of the consumption of 2 cps/day, for two months, of an oral food supplement (OFS), based on Echinacea angustifolia, rosehip, propolis, royal jelly and zinc, in long COVID patients, compared to a two-month placebo period. The OFS's vitamin C content was equal to 22.17 mg/g (8.87 mg/capsule). The OFS's total polyphenol content was 43.98 mg/g gallic acid equivalents. At the end of the in vivo study, we highlighted a significant decrease in the inflammatory parameters in the OFS period, compared to the placebo period (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, p = 0.0455; monocyte to-lymphocyte ratio, p = 0.0005; C-reactive protein, p = 0.0145). Our study also highlighted a significant increase in vitamin D serum values (p = 0.0005) and, at the same time, an improvement in patients' life quality and a reduction in fatigue, monitored by the fatigue severity scale. This study showed the OFS's beneficial effects on the inflammatory state, fatigue and quality of life in long COVID patients.

Cardiovascular Protection of Nephropathic Male Patients by Oral Food Supplements

Nephropathic patients show elevated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. In order to delve deeper into the understanding of this phenomenon, it is necessary to recognize risk factors that are distinctive to the uremic state, such as oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation. Moreover, gender differences have been reported in nephrology, as it has been observed that chronic kidney disease has higher prevalence in males than in females. The use of an oral food supplement (OFS) containing natural active compounds from Capsicum annuum L., Garcinia cambogia, Centella asiatica L., artichoke, and Aesculus hippocastanum L. which are virtually devoid from side effects, but rich in antioxidant and antiradical properties, could represent a valid therapeutic adjunct in the clinical management of nephropathic patients. Moreover, quantitative analysis performed in vitro on such compounds showed that they expressed good total antioxidant (7.28 gallic acid equivalents) and antiradical activity (above 80%). In this study, 23 male nephropathic patients and 10 age and body composition parameter matched healthy males (control group) were enrolled and took 3 cps/day of OFS for 5 weeks. At the end of the study, the nephropathic patient group showed a statistically significant reduction in the following laboratory parameters: total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.044), atherogenic index TC/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.010), inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein, p = 0.048, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, p = 0.019), systolic (p = 0.044), and diastolic arterial blood pressure (p = 0.003). Regarding body composition, there was an increase in total body water % (p = 0.035) with redistribution of extracellular water % (p = 0.030) and intracellular water % (p = 0.049). In the control group, there was a reduction in fat mass % (p = 0.017) and extracellular water % (p = 0.047). Therefore, this OFS may represent a valid adjunct therapy to counteract comorbidities related to uremia.