Association between major dietary patterns and Parkinson's disease risk: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

There has been emerging attention to investigate the possible role of some dietary factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD); however, evidence about the relationship between dietary components and the risk of PD is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the association between major dietary patterns and the risk of PD.

METHODS

This case-control study was performed on 105 patients with newly diagnosed PD and 215 healthy controls. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease was made based on the UK Brain Bank criteria. Usual dietary intakes were collected by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were detected by principal component analysis.

RESULTS

Four dietary patterns, including traditional, healthy, western, and light dietary patterns, were identified. After considering all potential confounders, individuals with the highest tertile of traditional dietary pattern scores had a lower risk of PD than those with the lowest tertile (OR: 0.002; 95% CI: 0.000-0.016). A similar inverse association between the healthy pattern (OR: 0.314; 95% CI: 0.131-0.750) and light pattern (OR: 0.282; 95% CI: 0.121-0.654) and risk of PD was revealed. In contrast, adherence to the western dietary pattern was associated with PD incidence (OR: 7.26; 95% CI: 2.76-19.09).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that adherence to western dietary pattern could increase the risk of PD by approximately seven times. However, the traditional, healthy, and light dietary patterns had an inverse relationship with PD risk.

Efficacy of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems in type 1 diabetes: protocol of a systematic review and network meta-analysis of outpatient randomised controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Automated insulin delivery (AID), also known as artificial pancreas system or 'closed-loop system', represents a novel option for current treatments for type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of AID systems in comparison with current intensified insulin therapy for glycaemic control and patient-reported outcomes in individuals with T1D.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Studies will be eligible if they are randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in people with T1D of all ages, and if they compare an AID system for self-administration during the day and night period with any other type of insulin therapy for at least 3 weeks. The primary outcome will be time in the glucose target range of 70-180 mg/dL. A systematic review will be conducted in the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov registries from their inception dates. Two authors will independently screen all references based on titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria. For data extraction, standard forms will be developed and tested before extraction. All information will be assessed independently by at least two reviewers. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. The data synthesis will include a random-effects pairwise and network meta-analysis (NMA) in a frequentist framework. Where applicable and if sufficient RCTs are available, sensitivity analyses will be performed, and heterogeneity and publication bias will be assessed. The certainty of evidence from the NMA will be evaluated following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation working group guidance.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical approval is needed. The results will be reported to the funder, presented in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and at conferences, and disseminated via press release, social media and public events.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023395492.

Association between maternal plasma total antioxidant capacity and dietary antioxidants intake with birth size outcomes

BACKGROUND

Maternal antioxidants intake and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentration during pregnancy might influence on birth outcomes. This study was conducted to determine the association between dietary antioxidants intake and plasma TAC during pregnancy with birth outcomes.

METHODS

Overall, 220 mother-infant pairs were recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy. Maternal whole blood was collected and TAC was determined by the ELISA kit. Food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information regarding usual dietary intake. Birth size measurements including birth weight, length and head circumference were measured according to standardized protocols.

RESULTS

Energy-adjusted intake of beta-carotene in the first trimester of gestation [beta (SE) = 0.0002 (0.00008); p = 0.016] and energy-adjusted intake of vitamin E in third trimester of pregnancy [beta (SE) = -0.31 (0.15); p = 0.046] had significantly positive and negative associations with birth length, respectively. The maternal plasma TAC was positively correlated with birth weight in both unadjusted and adjusted models [beta (SE) = 2.75 (1.35); p = 0.043 and beta (SE) = 3.43 (1.50); p = 0.023, respectively]. In addition, the adjusted model showed a significant positive relationship between the maternal plasma TAC and birth length [beta (SE) = 0.023 (0.009); p = 0.01].

CONCLUSION

This study showed the positive association of maternal plasma TAC with birth weight and length. Moreover, maternal dietary intake of beta-carotene in the first trimester and vitamin E in the third trimester of pregnancy had significant positive and negative correlations with birth length, respectively.

The beneficial therapeutic effects of plant-derived natural products for the treatment of sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is an age-related muscle disorder typically associated with a poor quality of life. Its definition has evolved over time, and several underlying causes of sarcopenia in the elderly have been proposed. However, the exact mechanisms involved in sarcopenia, as well as effective treatments for this condition, are not fully understood. The purpose of this article was to conduct a comprehensive review of previous evidence regarding the definition, diagnosis, risk factors, and efficacy of plant-derived natural products for sarcopenia. The methodological approach for the current narrative review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as Google Scholar (up to March 2021) in order to satisfy our objectives. The substantial beneficial effects along with the safety of some plant-derived natural products including curcumin, resveratrol, catechin, soy protein, and ginseng on sarcopenia are reported in this review. Based on clinical studies, nutraceuticals and functional foods may have beneficial effects on physical performance, including handgrip and knee-extension strength, weight-lifting capacity, time or distance travelled before feeling fatigued, mitochondrial function, muscle fatigue, mean muscle fibre area, and total number of myonuclei. In preclinical studies, supplementation with herbs and natural bioactive compounds resulted in beneficial effects including increased plantaris mass, skeletal muscle mass and strength production, increased expression of anabolic factors myogenin, Myf5 and MyoD, enhanced mitochondrial capacity, and inhibition of muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. We found that several risk factors such as nutritional status, physical inactivity, inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine system dysfunction, insulin resistance, history of chronic disease, mental health, and genetic factors are linked or associated with sarcopenia. The substantial beneficial effects of some nutraceuticals and functional foods on sarcopenia, including curcumin, resveratrol, catechin, soy protein, and ginseng, without any significant side effects, are reported in this review. Plant-derived natural products might have a beneficial effect on various components of sarcopenia. Nevertheless, due to limited human trials, the clinical benefits of plant-derived natural products remain inconclusive. It is suggested that comprehensive longitudinal clinical studies to better understand risk factors over time, as well as identifying a treatment strategy for sarcopenia that is based on its pathophysiology, be undertaken in future investigations.

The Association Between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and Risk of Hypertension: A Case-Control Study

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension (HTN) is a common risk factor for various medical diseases. Recently, there is growing evidence focusing on the potential inflammatory properties of food in the developing HTN risk. However, limited data are indicating the link between the dietary inflammatory index score (DII) and HTN risk.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DII score and HTN risk in middle-aged people.

METHODS

This case-control study was performed on 945 middle-aged participants (376 subjects with HTN and 569 control group). Usual dietary intakes were collected using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) for each participant was calculated with a standardized procedure, and the relationship between the risk of HTN and the DII score was investigated.

RESULTS

The multi-adjusted regression analysis showed that subjects with the higher DII score had a 1.61 times greater chance of developing HTN than individuals in the lowest ones (95% CI 1.07-2.65). Interestingly, after conducting a sex-based analysis, there was no significant relationship between DII score and risk of HTN in middle-aged women (95% CI 0.38-1.61). However, middle-aged men in the highest quartile of DII had greater (2.91 times) odds of HTN compared to the lowest quarter of DII (95% CI 1.52-5.23).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggested that adherence to a diet with a high inflammatory index could increase the risk of HTN in middle-aged men by approximately 2.9 times. However, following a diet with a high DII score had no significant relationship with HTN risk in middle-aged women.

Is it time to reconsider the administration of thiamine alone or in combination with vitamin C in critically ill patients? A meta-analysis of clinical trial studies

Background

Although the effect of thiamine alone or in combination with vitamin C has been studied in multiple trials (RCT and interventional studies), their results are inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to assess impact of thiamine administration alone, thiamine in combination with vitamin C, and co-administration of low-dose hydrocortisone, vitamin C and thiamine (HVT) on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

Methods and materials

After electronic searches on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, initially 3367 papers were found, and 20 interventional studies were included in our analysis. We assessed the risk-difference between treatment and control (standard treatment) groups by pooling available data on ICU length of stay, number of ventilator free days, mortality, and changes in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores.

Results

The results of present studies revealed no significant effect of thiamine in combination with vitamin C, and HVT on number of free days of ventilation. Thiamine alone supplementation was associated with high mortality percentage (WMD: 5.17%; 95% CI: 2.67, 7.67). Thiamine in combination with vitamin C had no significant impact on mortality rate. In contrast, HVT could decrease mortality rate (WMD: − 7.23%; 95% CI: − 10.31, − 4.16; I-square: 0.0%). There was no significant effect of thiamine alone, co-administration of thiamine and vitamin C, and HVT on ICU length of stay. The results of the meta-analysis showed that thiamine alone and HVT supplementation had no significant effect on SOFA score. Interestingly, co-supplementation of thiamine and vitamin C had a significant decreasing effect on SOFA score (WMD: − 0.73; 95% CI: − 1.29, − 0.17; I-square: 0.0%).

Conclusion

In contrast to HVT, thiamine supplementation alone was associated with increased mortality rate in ICU. However, co-supplementation of thiamine and vitamin C had a significant decreasing effect on SOFA score.

Thiamine, co-supplementation of thiamine and vitamin C and co-administration of hydrocortisone, vitamin C and thiamine (HVT) had no significant effect on free days of ventilation and ICU length of stay.

HVT could decrease and thiamine supplementation could increase mortality rate in ICU.

Co-supplementation of thiamine and vitamin C could decrease SOFA score.

Comment on "The association between carotenoids and subjects with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis" by N. Yao, S. Yan, Y. Guo, H. Wang, X. Li, L. Wang, W. Hu, B. Li and W. Cui, Food Funct., 2021, 12, 4768

The association between carotenoids and subjects with overweight or obesity: reanalysis is needed.

25-Hydroxy vitamin D and body composition are associated with pulmonary function in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have emphasized the effects of vitamin D on the lung function of cystic fibrosis (CF) adult patients. The main aim of the present study sought to determine the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) concentration and clinical outcomes in non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis subjects. Secondary, we assessed the possible relationship between body composition and respiratory dysfunction in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-two non-CF bronchiectasis patients (24 male/38 female), aged 18-72, were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric indices, lung function tests, and bronchiectasis severity valuations were determined. Body composition, including Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC, cm) was calculated using triceps skinfold (TSF,mm) and mid-arm circumference (MAC,cm) under the reference formula. Then serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and C-reactive protein level were measured. The correlation between vitamin D level and pulmonary function and disease exacerbation tests was primarily assessed. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between body composition and lung function tests.

RESULTS

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D status positively was correlated with lung function tests, including FEV₁ (r = 0.30, p value = 0.035) and FVC (r = 0.36, p value = 0.011), and also be associated with the extent of pulmonary involvement (r = -0.34, p value = 0.03). There was a significant negative correlation between percentage body fat and respiratory function, FEV₁/FVC ratio (r = -0.43, p value < 0.001). In contrast, there was a strong correlation between skeletal muscle mass and pulmonary function tests (r = 0.26, p value = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

There is a positive association between low 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and lung dysfunction in participants with non-CF bronchiectasis. The pulmonary dysfunction also correlated with more percentage body fat and low skeletal muscle mass in these patients. Therefore, the evaluation of body composition and serum vitamin D are suggested in the disease management of the patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. However, these associations should be interpreted with caution due to the likelihood of reverse causation. More high-quality prospective studies are warranted to confirm our observations and determine the mechanisms underlying these findings.

The effects of Cynara scolymus L. supplementation on liver enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to summarise studies conducted on the effects of artichoke supplementation on liver enzymes.

METHODS

Suitable studies were detected by searching online databases, including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases, until 05 June 2021. As liver enzymes were reported in different units, standardised mean differences (SMD) were used and data were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were also assessed.

RESULTS

Pooled analysis, of eight clinical trials, revealed that artichoke supplementation significantly reduced the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = .001) and alanine transaminase (ALT) (P = .016), in comparison with placebo. Subgroup analysis suggested that artichoke administration significantly reduces AST and ALT in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (P = .003 for AST and P < .001 for ALT), and ALT among overweight/obese subjects (P = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

Artichoke supplementation elicited significant reductions in liver enzymes, especially among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Risk Factors for the Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Brief Report

The cumulative rate of death of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has necessitated better recognizing the risk factors of the disease and the COVID-19-induced mortality. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the potential risk factors that predict COVID-19-related mortality concentrating on the initial recorded laboratory tests. We extracted admission's medical records of a total of 136 deaths related to COVID-19 and 272 discharged adult inpatients (≥18 years old) related to four referral centers from February 24th to April 12th, 2020, in Isfahan, Iran, to figure out the relationship between the laboratory findings and mortality beyond demographic and clinical findings. We applied the independent sample t test and a chichi square test with SPSS software to compare the differences between the survivor and non-survivor patients. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Our results showed that greater length of hospitalization (P≤0.001), pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P≤0.001), high pulse rate, hypoxia (P≤0.001), and high computed tomography scan score (P<0.001), in addition to high values of some laboratory parameters, increase the risk of mortality. Moreover, high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (OR, 1.890; 95% CI, 1.074-3.325, P=0.027), increased creatinine levels (OR, 15.488; 95% CI, 0.801-299.479, P=0.07), and elevated potassium levels (OR, 13.400; 95% CI, 1.084-165.618, P=0.043) independently predicted in-hospital death related to COVID-19 infection. These results emphasized the potential role of impaired laboratory parameters for the prognosis of fatal outcomes in adult inpatients.

Association between neck circumference and lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

AIMS

Previous studies suggested that neck circumference (NC) as a new, simple, and valuable tool for the measuring obesity. However, the results of studies regarding the relationship between blood lipids and neck circumference were inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the association between NC and lipid profiles in adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PubMed and Scopus electronic databases were searched until 30 June 2018 to find articles that reported the association between NC and blood lipids. Mean serum lipids and variables contributed to heterogeneity were extracted. Sources of inter-study heterogeneity were determined by subgroup analysis. Of 2490 publications identified, 33 studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. We found an inverse correlation between NC and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C; overall Fisher's Z = -0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.21, -0.15]. Furthermore, we found positive associations between NC and total cholesterol (TC; overall Fisher's Z = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.16), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; overall Fisher's Z = 0.1; 95% CI = -0.04, 0.16), and triglyceride (TG; overall Fisher's Z = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.25) in men. Neck circumference was directly correlated to TC (overall Fisher's Z = 0.1; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.19) and LDL-C (overall Fisher's Z = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.12, 0.20) in healthy and unhealthy women, respectively. There was no correlation between NC and serum concentration of TC (overall Fisher's Z = 0.01; 95% CI = -0.02, 0.03) and LDL-C (overall Fisher's Z = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.16) in unhealthy and healthy women, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Higher NC in unhealthy men was strongly indirectly associated with HDL-C, and directly related to LDL-C, TG, and TC. In unhealthy women, higher NC was inversely associated with HDL and directly related to LDL-C.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin supplementation on the expression of miR-146a and miR-126 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with chronic oxidative stress and inflammation. It is well known that the expression of some miRNAs such as miRNA-146a is upregulated in diabetic and hyperglycaemic patients, whereas circulating miRNA-126 is reduced. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of astaxanthin (AST) supplementation on the circulating malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels, and the expression of miR-146a and miR-126 in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 44 patients with T2DM randomly receiving 8 mg/d of oral AST (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

We observed that AST supplementation could decrease plasma levels of MDA and IL-6 (P < .05) and decrease the expression level of miR-146a over time (fold change: -1/388) (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

AST supplementation might be beneficial for improving circulating MDA and IL-6 and the down-regulation of miR-146a. However, future investigations are suggested to confirm these results.

Effects of select dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been recognized as a global public health burden. Despite current theories about their effectiveness, the true benefits of dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs remain elusive, due to contradictory reports. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary supplements on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs.Areas covered: We systematically searched databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar through 4 March 2020, to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of consuming selected dietary supplements on the prevention or treatment of viral RTIs.Expert opinion: Thirty-nine randomized controlled trials (n = 16,797 participants) were eligible and included. Namely, vitamin D supplementation appeared to improve viral RTIs across cohorts particulate in those with vitamin D deficiency. Among the evaluated dietary supplements, specific lactobacillus strains were used most commonly with selected prebiotics that showed potentially positive effects on the prevention and treatment of viral RTIs. Further, ginseng extract supplementation may effectively prevent viral RTIs as adjuvant therapy. However, longitudinal research is required to confirm these observations and address the optimal dose, duration, and safety of dietary supplements being publicly recommended.

Association of circulating C-reactive protein and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with components of sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia, a multi-faceted skeletal muscle disorder in the older population, has poor health outcomes. Some previous observational studies investigated the association between circulating inflammatory markers and sarcopenia components to evaluate chronic inflammation as a risk factor for sarcopenia in the elderly population. Nevertheless, the association between circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) and hs-CRP, as the recognized markers of systemic inflammation and components of sarcopenia, is unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association of muscle strength, muscle mass, and muscle function with two serum inflammatory markers, circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP).

METHODS

We assessed all observational studies across different electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using keywords such as "muscle strength", "muscle mass", "muscle function", CRP and hs-CRP from inception until the 30th of July 2019. Only studies that investigated the association between components of sarcopenia and CRP or hs-CRP levels were included. Participants' country, age, sex, BMI, and screening tool for sarcopenia were retrieved. The correlations between muscle strength, muscle mass, and muscle function with CRP, and hs-CRP were expressed as the correlation coefficient (r) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Begg's test and Egger's test were conducted to evaluate risk of publication bias in this study.

RESULTS

Initially, we found fifty-nine studies for the qualitative synthesis. Ultimately, nineteen adult cross-sectional studies comprising 14,650 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Of them, fourteen studies measured the correlation between CRP or hs-CRP and muscle strength. There were significant inverse correlation between CRP and hs-CRP concentrations with muscle strength (ES (z) = -0.22; 95% CI = -0.34 to -0.09; P < 0.001), (ES (z) = -0.22; 95% CI = -0.34 to -0.09; P < 0.001), respectively. No publication bias was found between muscle strength and CRP (P = 0.53) or hs-CRP (P = 0.62) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Among diagnostic components of sarcopenia, impairment of muscle strength was independently associated with both inflammatory biomarkers. However, future cohort studies are essential to clarify the causal correlation.

Potential factors related to post-COVID-19 persistent symptoms; Khorshid COVID cohort study

Introduction: Recently, a high percentage of post-discharge patients have reported persistent symptoms after COVID-19 recovery. However, there is limited comprehensive information regarding nature’s symptoms and association with potential factors. Objectives: We aimed to assess the inpatients’ characteristics and the prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms at admission and four weeks after recovery to recognize the potential factors related to the persistent symptoms. Patients and Methods: We assessed the medical information of 262 severe and 546 non-severe COVID-19 inpatients at admission, and during the first and four weeks after post-discharge from the Khorshid COVID Cohort (KCC) study. Results: Cough, dyspnea, and fatigue were the most reported symptoms at admission, and continuously were declined over the time (all P<0.01). However, the complaint of weight loss was increased during follow-up (P=0.01). Older age (P<0.0001), male gender (P=0.02), administration of hydroxychloroquine (P=0.017), and the interval time from illness onset to visit hospital (P<0.0001) augmented the remaining respiratory symptoms risk. Additionally, more length of hospital stay correlated to the lower risk of persistent constitutional symptoms (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study points out the greater rehabilitation needs and management of persistent symptoms, in particular cough, dyspnea, fatigue and weight loss, and their related factors.