The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Herbal medicines are used by patients with IBD despite limited evidence. We present a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating treatment with herbal medicines in active ulcerative colitis (UC). A search query designed by a library informationist was used to identify potential articles for inclusion. Articles were screened and data were extracted by at least two investigators. Outcomes of interest included clinical response, clinical remission, endoscopic response, endoscopic remission, and safety. We identified 28 RCTs for 18 herbs. In pooled analyses, when compared with placebo, clinical response rates were significantly higher for Indigo naturalis (IN) (RR 3.70, 95% CI 1.97-6.95), but not for Curcuma longa (CL) (RR 1.60, 95% CI 0.99-2.58) or Andrographis paniculata (AP) (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.71-1.26). There was a significantly higher rate of clinical remission for CL (RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.18-5.63), but not for AP (RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.86-2.01). Higher rates of endoscopic response (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.08-2.26) and remission (RR 19.37, 95% CI 2.71-138.42) were significant for CL. CL has evidence supporting its use as an adjuvant therapy in active UC. Research with larger scale and well-designed RCTs, manufacturing regulations, and education are needed.

Shedding light on the impacts of Spirulina platensis on gut microbiota and related health benefits

Spirulina (S.) platensis is a blue-green algae with reported nutritional and health-promoting properties, such as immunomodulating, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering properties, and beneficial effects on inflammatory diseases. Spirulina platensis can improve the function and composition of the gut microbiota and exert systemic beneficial effects. Gut dysbiosis is characterized by an imbalance in the composition and function of gut microbiota and is associated with several diseases. Some dietary bioactive compounds can restore the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota and improve health-related parameters. This review proposes to gather relevant information on the effects of S. platensis supplementation on the modulation of the function and composition of gut microbiota and local and systemic measures related to gut health, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and glucose and lipid metabolism. The body of evidence conducted with animals and clinical studies shows that S. platensis supplementation increased gut microbiota diversity and improved gut microbiota composition, as reported by a decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio, increase in the relative abundance of Prevotella and Lactobacillaceae, increase in short-chain fatty acid production and decrease of gut permeability. Improvements in gut microbiota have been associated with host health benefits such as anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-lipemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.

The possible effect of lycopene in ameliorating experimentally induced ulcerative colitis in adult male albino rats (A histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study)

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is considered a long-term inflammatory disorder worldwide. Its pathogenesis is associated with reduced antioxidant capacity. Lycopene (LYC) is a powerful antioxidant with strong free radical scavenging property. The present work has done to assess changes of colonic mucosa in induced UC and the possible ameliorative effects of LYC. Forty-five adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: group I (control), group II was given 5 mg/kg/day (LYC) by oral gavage for 3 weeks. Group III (UC) was received single intra-rectal injection of acetic acid. Group IV (LYC+UC) received LYC in same dose and duration as before and acetic acid on 14th day of the experiment. UC group showed loss of surface epithelium with destructed crypts. Congested blood vessels with heavy cellular infiltration were observed. Significant decrease in goblet cell numbers and the mean area percentage of ZO-1 immunoexpression were noticed. Significant increase in the mean area percentage of collagen and the mean area percentage of COX-2 were also noticed. Ultrastructural changes were matched with light microscopic results that showed abnormal destructive columnar and goblet cells. Histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings in group IV supported the ameliorative role of LYC against destructive changes induced by UC.

Systematic review: Individual-level factors and social determinants of health impacting sleep health in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease

AIM

To examine the individual-level factors and social determinants of health (SDOH) linked to sleep health among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

DESIGN

Systematic review without meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched in February 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

Databases were searched with keywords related to IBD and sleep. The review was conducted per the PRISMA protocol. The checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies published by the Joanna Briggs Institute was used for quality appraisal. Factors were organized by individual, social and societal levels according to the social-ecological model of sleep health.

RESULTS

In the review, 45 studies were identified and synthesized. All studies examined individual-level factors with sleep, with age being the most common factor studied. Only nine studies considered a social determinant of health which included marital status, number of children, education level, annual income, employment status, work tenure, type of employment, area of residence, minority status/ethnicity and COVID-19. However, the source of information for the social determinant of health was not clearly defined for more than half of these studies.

CONCLUSION

Although IBD sleep research has explored individual-level factors (i.e. age) that impact sleep health, there is a lack of information on the SDOH that can contribute to sleep health.

IMPACT

This review provides insight into the different factors that have been examined in IBD sleep research. By determining the SDOH that impact sleep, nursing research can inform sustainable and tailored interventions that focus on changing behaviour and improving sleep of individuals of varying backgrounds and life experiences. There is a continued need for nurses in practice and research to explore the SDOH that influence health outcomes and the daily lives of those with IBD.

Oral Palatability and Owners' Perception of the Effect of Increasing Amounts of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) in the Diet of a Cohort of Healthy Dogs and Cats

The nutraceutical supplementation of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) in dogs and cats has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the dietary supplementation of increasing amounts of Spirulina for 6 weeks is palatable to pets and to assess the owner's perception of such supplementation. The owners of the 60 dogs and 30 cats that participated in this study were instructed to daily provide Spirulina tablets starting with a daily amount of 0.4 g, 0.8 g, and 1.2 g for cats as well as small dogs, medium dogs, and large dogs, respectively, and allowing a dose escalation of 2× and 3× every 2 weeks. The daily amount (g/kg BW) of Spirulina ranged from 0.08 to 0.25 for cats, from 0.06 to 0.19 for small-sized dogs, from 0.05 to 0.15 for medium-sized dogs, and from 0.04 to 0.12 for large-sized dogs. Each owner completed a questionnaire at the time of recruitment and the end of each 2-week period. No significant effect on the fecal score, defecation frequency, vomiting, scratching, lacrimation, general health status, and behavioral attitudes was detected by the owners' reported evaluations. Most animals accepted Spirulina tablets either administrated alone or mixed with food in the bowl. Daily supplementation of Spirulina for 6 weeks in the amounts provided in this study is therefore palatable and well tolerated by dogs and cats.

Impact of the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota on Cardiovascular Health and Pathophysiology

ABSTRACT

The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an extremely diverse community of microorganisms, and their collective genomes (microbiome) provide a vast arsenal of biological activities, in particular enzymatic ones, which are far from being fully elucidated. The study of the microbiota (and the microbiome) is receiving great interest from the biomedical community as it carries the potential to improve risk-prediction models, refine primary and secondary prevention efforts, and also design more appropriate and personalized therapies, including pharmacological ones. A growing body of evidence, though sometimes impaired by the limited number of subjects involved in the studies, suggests that GIT dysbiosis, i.e. the altered microbial composition, has an important role in causing and/or worsening cardiovascular disease (CVD). Bacterial translocation as well as the alteration of levels of microbe-derived metabolites can thus be important to monitor and modulate, because they may lead to initiation and progression of CVD, as well as to its establishment as chronic state. We hereby aim to provide readers with details on available resources and experimental approaches that are used in this fascinating field of biomedical research, and on some novelties on the impact of GIT microbiota on CVD.

Poor Sleep Quality and Factors Among Reproductive-Age Women in Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Adequate sleep is vital for physical and mental wellbeing. Sleep-related problems including poor quality of sleep have been increasing throughout the world among reproductive-aged women. Poor sleep quality has been related with number of diseases and health problems However, evidences are scarce regarding poor sleep quality and its associated factors among women of the reproductive age group in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

To assess sleep quality and associated factors among women of reproductive age group in Mizan Aman town, Southwest Ethiopia.

METHOD

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 606 reproductive-aged women from 06 November to 20 December 2020, in Mizan Aman town. Data were collected using structured interview administered questionnaires. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Multivariable logistic regression was applied using an adjusted odds ratio with a corresponding 95% confidence interval to evaluate the statistical significance of associated factors.

RESULT

The overall prevalence of poor sleep quality was 71.3%. The late age group of 42-49 (AOR, 95% CI; 1.21 (1.08-5.76), palpable/visible thyroid gland (AOR, 95% CI; 2. 12 (1.08-3.82), current substance use (AOR, 95% CI; 1.76 (1.11-6.10) and having premenstrual syndrome (AOR, 95% CI; 1.86 (1.38-3.12) were significantly associated with poor sleep quality among reproductive age group women.

CONCLUSION

Significant majority of reproductive age group women faced poor sleep quality. Therefore, screening of sleep patterns among this particular age group is warranted. Moreover, education about sleep hygiene needs to be given considering the identified factors to improve sleep quality.

Sleep quality and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2020: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Sleep is a natural physiological process vital for the physical and mental wellbeing of pregnant women and their fetuses. Even though poor sleep quality is a common problem among pregnant women, it is not studied in developing countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the poor sleep quality and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Jimma medical center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2020.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 415 pregnant women at Jimma Medical Center (JMC). The study subjects were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality using face-to-face interviews. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were done to identify factors related to sleep quality. In multivariable logistic regression variables with a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant and, adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI was used to present the strength of the association.

RESULTS

The prevalence of poor sleep quality among pregnant women was found to be 30.8% (95% CI (26.5, 35.2). In multivariable analysis, age ≥ 30 years old (AOR = 1.94;95%CI:1.03,3.66), Multigravida (AOR = 1.90;95%CI:1.90,3.32),depression (AOR = 4.26;95%CI:2.54,7.14),stress (AOR = 1.85;95%CI:1.20,3.02) were variables significantly associated with poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSION

This study found a high prevalence of poor sleep quality among pregnant women. Older age, gravidity, depression, and stress were associated with poor sleep quality. It is better to have routine sleep pattern screening and teach sleep hygiene practice for pregnant women.

Effect of Spirulina Supplementation on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Spirulina is a microalga that presents various important pro-health properties, for instance lowering blood pressure in the research. The study aims to appraise the efficacy of Spirulina administration on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved by a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to June 2021 according to a standardized protocol. The effect size of each study was counted from mean and standard deviation before and after the intervention and shown as Un-standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Meta-analysis on 5 RCTs with 230 subjects was eligible. The amount of Spirulina ranged from 1 to 8 g per day, and intervention durations ranged from 2 to 12 weeks. Data analysis indicated that Spirulina supplementation led to a significant lowering of SBP (Mean Difference (MD): -4.59 mmHg, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -8.20 to -0.99, I square statistic (I²) = 65%) and significant lowering of DBP (MD: -7.02 mmHg, CI: -8.86 to -5.18, I² = 11%), particularly in a subgroup of hypertensive patients. Spirulina administration might have a supportive effect on the prevention and treatment of hypertension. More exact randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the effect of Spirulina supplementation on blood pressure.