No beneficial effects of resveratrol supplementation on atherogenic risk factors in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts as a major cause of mortality among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol compound, is known for its antioxidant and antiatherogenic properties and is purported to be beneficial in decreasing CVD risk factors in NAFLD patients. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol on atherogenic risk factors in patients with NAFLD. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 50 patients with NAFLD aged 20-60 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 600 mg resveratrol (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) for 12 wk. Serum liver enzymes, lipid profile and atherogenic indices, blood pressure and anthropometric values were assessed pre and post-treatment. Results: Resveratrol supplementation reduced body weight (from 88.75 ± 11.41 to 87.54 ± 11.18 kg, P = 0.005) and BMI (from 31.00 ± 3.16 to 30.60 ± 3.26 kg/m², P = 0.01) significantly compared to the placebo group. A significant reduction in waist circumference was observed within resveratrol group (from 102.70 ± 7.68 to 101.39 ± 7.62 cm, P = 0.02). There were no significant changes in lipid profile (ox-LDL, ApoA1 and ApoB), serum atherogenic indices (LDL-C/HDL-C, ApoB/ApoA1, ox-LDL/ApoB, LDL-C/ox-LDL and AIP), liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and GGT), hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure in either group (P > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: These findings indicated that resveratrol supplementation in dose and duration used in this study did not affect most of the CVD risk factors in NAFLD patients. Further studies are warranted to explain more effects of resveratrol on CVD complications of NAFLD. Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT201511233664N16.

Effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic training on serum inflammatory parameters in healthy obese women

AIM

Obesity is an important worldwide public health problem and considered a disease of chronic low-grade inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in comparison with moderate aerobic exercise training on serum inflammatory parameters in healthy obese women.

METHODS

In this double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 44 obese women were randomly assigned to 4 groups (N.=11) as follows: 1: L-carnitine supplementation (2 g/day) (CAR), 2: aerobic training + placebo (EXR+PLA), 3: L-carnitine supplementation + aerobic training (CAR+EXR) and 4: placebo (PLA). All intervention periods were eight weeks and subjects of aerobic training groups underwent 8-week aerobic training protocol (3 sessions a week [24 sessions]). Body Mass Index, daily dietary intake and serum free L-carnitine, IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and IL-10 levels of subjects were measured before and after interventions.

RESULTS

Interventions had no significant effects on body weight, BMI, daily dietary intake and serum IL-10 levels of subjects in all groups. Serum free L-carnitine concentration increased significantly after interventions in CAR and CAR+EXR groups. Significant decreases of IL-6 were observed in EXR+PLA and CAR+EXR groups compared with placebo group. L-carnitine supplementation plus aerobic training led to significant decrease of serum Hs-CRP levels in CAR+EXR group compared with baseline values.

CONCLUSION

L-carnitine supplementation did not affect serum IL-6, Hs-CRP and IL-10 levels in obese women. Aerobic training alone or in combination with L-carnitine had favorable effect on serum Il-6 and Hs-CRP levels as markers of inflammation in studied subjects.

Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS

This study aimed at assessing the effects of chamomile tea consumption on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 individuals with T2DM (males and females) aged between 30 and 60 years. The intervention group (n = 32) consumed chamomile tea (3 g/150 mL hot water) three times per day immediately after meals for 8 weeks. The control group (n = 32) followed a water regimen for the same intervention period. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and 3-day, 24-h dietary recalls were collected at the baseline and at the end of the trial. Data were analyzed by independent t test, paired t test, Pearson correlation test, and analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

Chamomile tea significantly decreased concentration of HbA1C (p = 0.03), serum insulin levels (p < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p = 0.001), triglyceride (p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.05) compared with control group. No significant changes were shown in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Chamomile tea has some beneficial effects on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in T2DM patients.

Effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on metabolic factors in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on some metabolic factors in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients with NAFLD (33 males and 39 females) aged 23 to 63 yr. Subjects in the intervention group (n=36) consumed 300 g/d of probiotic yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 and those in the control group (n=36) consumed 300 g/d of conventional yogurt for 8 wk. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and dietary records (24h/d for 3 d) were collected at baseline and at the end of the trial. Probiotic yogurt consumption resulted in reductions of 4.67, 5.42, 4.1, and 6.92% in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, respectively, compared with control group. No significant changes were observed in levels of serum glucose, triglycerides, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in either group. Probiotic yogurt consumption improved hepatic enzymes, serum total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in studied subjects and might be useful in management of NAFLD risk factors.