Association between plant and animal proteins intake with lipid profile and anthropometric indices: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Results of studies on the effects of plant and animal proteins on lipid profile are controversial. So we aimed to assess the relationship between plant and animal protein intake with lipid profile and novel anthropometric indices in healthy individuals.

METHOD

In this cross-sectional study, 236 participants have selected from Shiraz medical centers (Iran) through random cluster sampling. Food intakes were assessed using a 168-items food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) were measured. Anthropometric indices including a body shape index (ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI), buddy roundness index (BRI), and conicity index (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

In the crude and fully adjusted models, more consumption of plant proteins was associated with TG levels (OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.95; P = 0.03 and OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.03, 5.15; P = 0.04). Also, there was a significant direct association between plant proteins and BRI in the curd model (OR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.32, 9.54; P = 0.01), and after adjusting for age and energy intake (OR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.21, 9.14; P = 0.01). More consumption of plant proteins was related to higher CI in the crude model (OR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.12, 8.31; P = 0.03), but not in the fully adjusted model.

CONCLUSION

We found that a higher intake of plant proteins was associated with a higher TG level, BRI, and CI index. However, more research is needed to confirm these relations and provide the evidence needed to exert these findings into clinical practice.

Effect of a plant-based diet on oxidative stress biomarkers in male footballers

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in modulating oxidative status. There is an increasing popularity of plant-based dietary patterns among athletes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the plant-based diet index (PDI) score among male footballers and their non-athlete controls, as well as its relationship with oxidative biomarkers by evaluating the urinary excretion of F2alpha-isoprostane (F2a-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). A group of footballers (n = 45) and a healthy non-athlete group (n = 45) were selected. The two groups were matched based on body mass index (BMI) and age. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of the subjects was 22.88 (2.41) years, and their BMI was 22.08 (1.35) kg/m2. Anthropometric indices were evaluated, and fasting morning urine samples were analyzed to measure oxidative biomarkers. The PDI, unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI), and healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI) were calculated using valid food frequency questionnaire data. Generalized estimating equation models were used for all analyses. Compared to the non-athlete group, the PDI score was significantly greater in the footballer group (β = 9.8; P < 0.001), while the differences between the two groups in uPDI and hPDI scores were not significant. Overall, footballers consumed more plant-based foods. By examining the relationship between dietary indices and oxidative biomarkers, only a negative association was observed between PDI score and F2a-IP level (β = -1.25; P = 0.03). Based on the results, footballers were more adherent to a plant-based diet than non-athletes. In addition, it seems that following plant-based diets (the higher PDI) may exert beneficial effects on lowering F2a-IP levels due to improving the body's antioxidant status.

Dietary and lifestyle indices for hyperinsulinemia and colorectal cancer risk: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased in Iran, and determining the dietary patterns that can contribute to reducing or increasing the risk of CRC will help better control this disease. Therefore, in the current study, we assessed the association between the empirical lifestyle index for hyperinsulinemia (ELIH) and the empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH) with the CRC odds.

METHODS

The present case (n = 71)-control (n = 142) study was carried out in several CRC surgical units of hospitals in Tehran, Iran. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire containing 168 items was used to assess participants' dietary intakes. The EDIH and ELIH scores were calculated by food groups and some variables such as body mass index and physical activity. Logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the association between the EDIH and ELIH scores with CRC odds.

RESULTS

According to baseline features of the study participants, there were significant differences between the controls and cases in ELIH score, fiber intake, taking aspirin, and family history of CRC in first- and second-degree relatives. Also, we found that the odds of CRC increased significantly in the last tertile compared to the first tertile in EDIH and ELIH in the adjusted model (odds ratio (OR) = 3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30-7.48 and OR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.15-19.39, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the result of this study indicated that CRC odds was significantly greater in subjects with higher EDIH and ELIH scores. Also, according to the results of this study, lifestyle and diet with insulinemic potential can influence the CRC risk.

The impact of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on sleep quality and duration after one year of follow-up

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Several studies have shown the association between obesity and sleep. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery may improve sleep disturbances in patients with obesity by influencing a variety of factors. This study aims to evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on sleep quality.

METHODS

Patients with severe obesity referred to the obesity clinic of a center from September 2019 to October 2021 were collected. The patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether they underwent RYGB surgery. Medical comorbidities and self-report questionnaires regarding sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were collected at baseline and 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

54 patients were included, including 25 in the bariatric surgery group and 29 in the control group. However, five patients in the RYGB surgery group and four patients in the control group were lost in the follow-up. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was decreased from a mean of 7.7 to 3.8 in the bariatric surgery group (p-value<0.001). In contrast to the control group, the number of patients with obstructive sleep apnea was significantly reduced in the bariatric surgery group.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed a significant improvement in sleep quality following RYGB surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea, obesity/overweight, and depressive symptoms significantly improved in our study. There is a lack of a better understanding of the association between these factors and sleep quality following surgery. Therefore, further studies are recommended regarding this issue.

Comparing the quality of life of endometriotic patients' before and after treatment with normal and infertile patients based on the EHP30 questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the quality of life (QOL), in patients with endometriosis ± infertility (B and C groups) and compare those to healthy women, and also infertile groups without endometriosis as a control groups (A and D), considering the fact that endometriosis and infertility reduces the quality of life in patients.

METHODS

The present prospective comparative study was carried out between January 2018 and September 2020. A total of 400 women were included (100 women in each group). The participants filled in a validated questionnaire of quality of life, Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30), and a visual analog scale of pain used, at the first visit, and 3 months after the medical or surgical treatment in the endometriosis group without infertility, additionally.

RESULTS

The majority of the patients were married, categorized in the middle-class of socio-economic state and housewives. They were of Persian descent. BMI was high in the infertile groups; however, the time of infertility was not different between the two groups of B and C (P = 0.054). The mean score of QOL was significantly lower in B, C, and D groups in comparison to the healthy women as the control group (A) (P < 0.001). Moreover, the infertile group (B), in comparison to endometriosis ± infertility groups (C and D), had the lowest mean score of QOL (P < 0.001). In each group, those who were older and had better educational level reported a better quality of life than other participants in that group. Social support plays a very important role in reducing the endometriosis related pain symptoms both before and after treatment. Three months after the treatment of endometriosis (D), a significant improvement was observed in all the aspects of QOL-related endometriosis. Nonetheless, the improvement of the quality of life in the surgical group was significantly higher than that in the medical treatment. The mean visual analog score of pain decreased from 62.22 ± 22.78, to 5.15 ± 2.73 following the surgical treatment (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The lowest quality of life belonged to the infertile group, followed by the endometriosis group. The quality of life of the endometriosis group improved after the treatment. Thus, endometriotic patients' treatment in terms of improvement of quality of life should be considered by all professional health care teams.

The association between healthy eating index score with semen parameters in infertile men: A cross-sectional study

Background

Infertility has been a major problem for young couples in recent years. One way to assay the diet quality is the healthy eating index (HEI), related to infertility.

Objective

This study aims to assess the association between the HEI score with semen parameters in Iranian infertile men.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred and sixty eligible men (18-55 yr), were referred to the major infertility clinic in the summer of 2018 and entered this cross-sectional study. Based on the 5 th edition of the world health organization laboratory manual, semen parameters including sperm concentration, volume, motility, and morphology were analyzed, and to specify the dietary intake of individuals a 168-item questionnaire was used. Also, to calculate the total HEI score, all 13 components based on HEI-2015 components and scoring standards were summed up.

Results

Participants in the highest tertile, had no difference in mean sperm parameters with those in the lowest tertile in the crude model. No significant association was found between sperm parameters and HEI score tertiles in the crude model, even after adjustment for potential confounders, except for concentration (OR: 0.39 and CI: 0.15, 0.99, p = 0.04). Participants in the highest tertile had a lower risk of abnormal concentration and motility in the crude model. The risk of abnormal concentration decreased, and motility increased in the adjusted model.

Conclusion

In this cross-sectional study, there was no significant relationship between HEI and sperm indexes, except for sperm concentration. Therefore, more studies need to be done in the future.

The Relationship between Plant-Based Diet Index and Semen Parameters of Men with Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Infertility is a major clinical problem that affects people psychologically and medically. For the past 40 years, studies have linked nearly 50% of childlessness to male infertility. It is worth noting that unlike other factors contributing to infertility, diet is a tunable factor and can be applied in counseling infertile men. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between plant diet index (PDI) and semen parameters in Iranian infertile men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, dietary intake was determined by a valid 168-item questionnaire (FFQ). In this study, four dependent semen parameters, including total sperm motility (TSM), sperm concentration (SC), normal sperm morphology (NSM), and semen volume (SV) were measured.

RESULTS

Results of this study stated that greater adherence to the healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), can significantly increase sperm density and motility in men, as well as greater adherence to the PDI dietary pattern is related to a lower risk of sperm volume deficiency, and ultimately more adherence to the unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI), can reduce the risk of sperm motility.

CONCLUSION

In this study, for the first time, the relationship between PDI, hPDI, uPDI and male infertility was evaluated. Altogether, this study demonstrated that nutrition has an impact on semen quality and fertility of men.

Adverse effects of conjugated linoleic acids supplementation on circulating lipoprotein (a) levels in overweight and obese individuals: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA) may have beneficial effects on the prevention of atherosclerosis, but their net effects on circulating levels of lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] are unclear. The present study aimed to systematically review and analyze the Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of CLA on circulating Lp (a) concentrations. A literature search of SCOPUS, PubMed-Medline, ISI, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases was conducted for the relevant RCTs investigating the effects of CLA supplementation on circulating Lp (a) levels, which had been published up to 20 August 2020. Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were reported as the summary statistics. Statistical analysis were done with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V2 software (Biostat, NJ). Totally, six studies with 13 treatment arms including 752 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed a significant increase in circulating Lp (a) levels after CLA supplementation (WMD: 16.68 mg/L, 95% CI: 5.43-27.93; P=0.004) with no evidence of heterogeneity across the studies. In the subgroup analysis, a more significant elevation of Lp (a) levels was observed in the trials lasting for six months or more (WMD: 21.61 mg/L, 95% CI: 9.85-33.37, P<0.001) as well as in those with a supplementation dosage of ≥3.5 g/d (WMD: 26.13 mg/L, 95% CI: 7.02-45.24, P=0.007). These findings were sensitive to one study. It can be concluded that CLA supplementation with a dose of ≥3.5 g/d over a six-month period might significantly increase the circulating Lp (a) concentrations.