Larazotide acetate for treatment of celiac disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

The standard of care for treatment of celiac disease (CD) is a stringent lifetime gluten-free diet (GFD). Larazotide acetate (AT-1001) is an anti-zonulin which functions as a gut permeability regulator for treatment of CD. We endeavored to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which studied the efficacy and safety of AT-1001 in patients with CD.

METHODS

We examined four databases from inception to 20-August-2020. We pooled continuous outcomes as mean difference and dichotomous outcomes as risk ratio with 95% confidence interval under the fixed-effects meta-analysis model.

RESULTS

Four RCTs met our eligibility criteria, comprising 626 patients (AT-1001, n=465, placebo, n=161). Three and two RCTs reported outcomes of patients undergoing gluten challenge (intake of 2.4-2.7 grams of gluten/day) and GFD, respectively. For change in lactulose-to-mannitol ratio, the endpoint did not significantly differ between AT-1001 and placebo groups, irrespective of the gluten status. Subgroup analysis of patients undergoing gluten challenge showed AT-1001 treatment (compared with placebo) significantly correlated with better symptomatic improvement in the two endpoints of change in total gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (total GSRS) and CD-specific GSRS (CD-GSRS). However, no significant difference was noted among patients undergoing GFD for the abovementioned two efficacy endpoints. Compared with placebo, AT-1001 favorably reduced the adverse event (AE) of gluten-related diarrhea in patients who underwent gluten challenge. Other AEs were comparable between both AT-1001 and placebo groups.

CONCLUSIONS

AT-1001 is largely well-endured and seems somehow superior to placebo in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms among CD patients undergoing gluten challenge. Nevertheless, additional RCTs are warranted to validate these findings.

Association between body mass index and urinary tract infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Very few studies have investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and risk of urinary tract infection (UTI), and conclusions from these available studies have been inconsistent. To resolve this inconsistency, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to precisely examine the association between BMI and UTI.

METHODS

This meta-analysis was performed based on the PRISMA recommendations. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched for all published observational studies that reported the risk of UTI based on BMI categories up to March 2020.

RESULTS

Fourteen (n = 14) articles comprising 19 studies in different populations met our inclusion criteria. The overall analysis showed a significant increased risk of UTI in subjects affected by obesity vs. individuals without obesity (RR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.28 - 1.63; I² = 94%), and a non-significant increased risk of UTI in subjects who were overweight (RR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.98 - 1.10; I² = 49.6%) and underweight (RR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.81 - 21; I² = 0.0%) when compared to subjects who had normal weight. In the stratified analysis, we showed that obesity increased the risk of UTI in females (RR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.38 - 1.93) and in subjects below 60 years old (RR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.33 - 1.75).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis recognized a significant relationship between BMI and incidence of UTI in obese vs. non-obese subjects, as well as in females and in individuals below 60 years old.

Gut Hormones in Health and Obesity: The Upcoming Role of Short Chain Fatty Acids

We are currently facing an obesity pandemic, with worldwide obesity rates having tripled since 1975. Obesity is one of the main risk factors for the development of non-communicable diseases, which are now the leading cause of death worldwide. This calls for urgent action towards understanding the underlying mechanisms behind the development of obesity as well as developing more effective treatments and interventions. Appetite is carefully regulated in humans via the interaction between the central nervous system and peripheral hormones. This involves a delicate balance in external stimuli, circulating satiating and appetite stimulating hormones, and correct functioning of neuronal signals. Any changes in this equilibrium can lead to an imbalance in energy intake versus expenditure, which often leads to overeating, and potentially weight gain resulting in overweight or obesity. Several lines of research have shown imbalances in gut hormones are found in those who are overweight or obese, which may be contributing to their condition. Therefore, this review examines the evidence for targeting gut hormones in the treatment of obesity by discussing how their dysregulation influences food intake, the potential possibility of altering the circulating levels of these hormones for treating obesity, as well as the role of short chain fatty acids and protein as novel treatments.

A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on the efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Formulation of insulin analogs and its delivery are developed in over recent years but glycemic control in most patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is not adequate yet. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with type-1 DM. The MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science databases were searched up to Aug 2020 to identify the potential literature. Random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird method) was used to estimate the pooled effect size as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95 % confidence interval (CI). Five randomized placebo-controlled trials with 11 arms were included in the quantitative analysis. The pooled results suggested a significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C; WMD: -0.36 %, 95 % CI: -0.55, -0.18), body weight (WMD: -4.02 kg, 95 % CI: -4.78, -3.25), and total daily insulin dose (TDID; WMD: -10.36 %, 95 % CI: -13.42, -7.29), as well as an increase in 24-h urinary glucose excretion (24-h UGE; WMD: 90.02 g/24-h, 95 % CI: 72.96, 107.09) in dapagliflozin group compared to control group. Dose of dapagliflozin had a significant effect on body weight reduction (Coef = -3.7, p = 0.01) and 24-h UGE (coef = 0.85, p = 0.005). Pooled results of this meta-analysis identified a significant reduction in HbA1c levels, body weight, and TDID, and a substantial increase in 24-h UGE in patients who received dapagliflozin versus placebo.

The influence of omega-3 supplementation on vitamin D levels in humans: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Inconsistencies exist with regard to the influence of omega-3 supplementation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, which could be attributed to many factors, such as the duration and dose of omega-3 supplementation, and individuals' baseline 25(OH)D levels. Therefore, to address the inconsistencies, we conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis to accurately determine the effect of omega-3 supplementation on 25(OH)D levels in humans.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search in Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases from inception up to January 2020. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the influence of omega-3 supplementation on serum 25(OH)D levels using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

Our pooled results of 10 RCTs demonstrated an overall significant increase in 25(OH)D levels following omega-3 intake (WMD = 3.77 ng/ml, 95% CI: 1.29, 6.25). In addition, 25(OH)D levels were significantly increased when the intervention duration lasted >8 weeks and when the baseline serum 25(OH)D level was ˂20 ng/ml. Moreover, omega-3 intake ≤1000 mg/day resulted in higher 25(OH)D levels compared to omega-3 intake >1000 mg/day.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, omega-3 supplementation increased 25(OH)D concentrations, particularly with dosages ≤1000 mg/day and intervention durations >8 weeks.

Impact of orange juice consumption on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the greatest cause of premature death and disability globally. Numerous therapeutic strategies have been developed to improve and prevent the adverse cardiovascular events, including nutritional approaches. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the evidence on orange juice consumption on CVD risk factors. Four databases were searched up to September 2020. Ten randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis. Pooled results demonstrated a significant effect of orange juice on glucose (WMD: -2.92 mg/dl, 95% CI: -5.327, -0.530, p = 0.017), insulin (WMD: -1.229 μU/ml, 95% CI: -2.083, -0.374, p = 0.005), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.464, 95% CI: -0.747, -0.181, p = 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD: -9.84 mg/dl, 95% CI: -15.43, -4.24, p = 0.001), LDL-C (WMD: -9.14 mg/dl, 95% CI: -15.79, -2.49, p = 0.007), and CRP (WMD: -0.467 mg/l, 95% CI: -0.815, -0.120, p = 0.008) compared to control group. However, the effect of orange juice on body composition factors and other CVD risk factors was not significant compared to control group. These lowering effects of glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were robust in subgroups with orange juice consumption ≥500 ml/day. This meta-analysis suggests that orange juice may be beneficial in improving several CVD risk factors.

Gastroparesis With the Initiation of Liraglutide: A Case Report

Gastroparesis is a syndrome that is manifested by gastrointestinal symptoms and delayed gastric emptying without evidence of mechanical obstruction. Herein, we present the case of an 18-year-old diabetic female patient who developed clinical features suggestive of gastroparesis after initial doses of liraglutide. Although rare, drug-induced gastroparesis should be contemplated in diabetic patients with a history of recent commencement of liraglutide, particularly at higher doses. Management of drug-induced gastroparesis is largely symptomatic.

Increased colonic propionate reduces anticipatory reward responses in the human striatum to high-energy foods

BACKGROUND

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), metabolites produced through the microbial fermentation of nondigestible dietary components, have key roles in energy homeostasis. Animal research suggests that colon-derived SCFAs modulate feeding behavior via central mechanisms. In humans, increased colonic production of the SCFA propionate acutely reduces energy intake. However, evidence of an effect of colonic propionate on the human brain or reward-based eating behavior is currently unavailable.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effect of increased colonic propionate production on brain anticipatory reward responses during food picture evaluation. We hypothesized that elevated colonic propionate would reduce both reward responses and ad libitum energy intake via stimulation of anorexigenic gut hormone secretion.

DESIGN

In a randomized crossover design, 20 healthy nonobese men completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) food picture evaluation task after consumption of control inulin or inulin-propionate ester, a unique dietary compound that selectively augments colonic propionate production. The blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal was measured in a priori brain regions involved in reward processing, including the caudate, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, anterior insula, and orbitofrontal cortex (n = 18 had analyzable fMRI data).

RESULTS

Increasing colonic propionate production reduced BOLD signal during food picture evaluation in the caudate and nucleus accumbens. In the caudate, the reduction in BOLD signal was driven specifically by a lowering of the response to high-energy food. These central effects were partnered with a decrease in subjective appeal of high-energy food pictures and reduced energy intake during an ad libitum meal. These observations were not related to changes in blood peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose, or insulin concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that colonic propionate production may play an important role in attenuating reward-based eating behavior via striatal pathways, independent of changes in plasma PYY and GLP-1. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00750438.