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We aimed to investigate the association between an empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), empirical dietary index for insulin resistance (EDIR), and MetS and its components in an adult Iranian population. In this cross‐sectional study, a total of 6482 participants aged 35–65 years were recruited as part of the MASHAD cohort study. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used to define MetS. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine the association between EDIH, EDIR, and MetS and its components. The mean age and BMI of participants were 48.44±8.20 years, and 27.98±4.73 kg/m2, respectively. Around 59% of the population was female. Of the total population, 35.4% had MetS. According to the full‐adjusted model, there was no significant association between higher quartiles of EDIH and EDIR and odds of MetS (Q4 EDIH; OR (95%CI):0.93 (0.74‐1.18), Q4 EDIR; OR (95%CI):1.14 (0.92‐1.40). Regarding MetS components, EDIR was associated with increased odds of hypertension and diabetes (Q4 EDIR; OR (95%CI):1.22 (1.04‐1.44) and 1.22 (1.01‐1.47), respectively). EDIH was also associated with decreased odds of hypertriglyceridemia (Q4 EDIH; OR (95%CI): 0.72 (0.60‐0.87)). This study showed no significant association between hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance potential of diet and odds of MetS among Iranian adults. However, EDIR was significantly associated with increased odds of hypertension and diabetes as MetS components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study assessed the effects of Aloe vera supplementation on serum inflammatory factors, blood sugar and lipid profiles in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: Totally, 50 hemodialysis patients were allocated randomly to either Aloe vera or placebo groups. The Aloe vera group received 2 Aloe vera capsules daily for 8 weeks (500 mg/day). Serum C-reactive protein (hs- CRP), Fasting blood glucose (FBS), and lipid profiles levels were evaluated at the baseline and the end of the eighth week. Results: Aloe vera supplementation for 8 weeks was associated with a significant reduction of serum hs- CRP (p=0.004), total cholesterol (p=0.01), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (p=0.02) leves and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) (p=0.002) concentration in the hemodialysis patients. Conclusion: Aloe vera supplementation is beneficial in improvement of cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glycative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of various degenerative disorders. This study sought to determine the effect of age-related changes in amino acids on serum levels of pentosidine and carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) in healthy individuals. Methods: The subjects were 78 healthy individuals categorized into three age groups. The ages of the groups were as follows: 26 young adults (20-30 y, 25 .2± 3.03), 26 middle-aged adults (35-50 y, 39 .46 ± 6.97 ) and 26 older adults (60 y or older, 69.80± 10.01). Serum levels of pentosidine and CML were measured by ELISA and levels of plasma amino acids were determined using HPLC. Results: Serum levels of pentosidine and CML in the youngest group were higher than in the oldest group (p =0.026, 0.029, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the serum levels of pentosidine and CML and the levels of plasma Tyrosine (p =0.032, r=0.211 and p =0.037, r=0.224), Valine (p =0.037, r=0.224 and p = 0.021, r=0.247) and Isoleucine (p = 0.041, r=0.203 and p =0.021, r=0.247), respectively. Serum levels of pentosidine and CML may be modulated by the plasma levels of selected amino acids. Conclusions: Better understanding of the role of these selective amino acids might provide new perception of how glycation pathways may be altered and pave the way for new therapeutic principles.

Background: Several meta-analyses reported glycemic-lowering effects of cinnamon, while others reported conflicting findings. In the present study, we aimed to perform an umbrella meta-analysis of previous interventional meta-analyses on the effects of cinnamon on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to June 2022. Meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of cinnamon on glycemic indices including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), insulin, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) were included. Random-effects models were used to perform the umbrella meta-analysis and pool the weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Overall, 11 meta-analyses of RCTs were included. Cinnamon supplementation was effective in reducing serum FPG (WMD: -10.93 mg/dL; 95%CI: -16.22, -5.65; SMD: -0.86; 95%CI: -1.19, -0.52), insulin (WMD: -2.01 IU/mL; 95%CI: -3.96, -0.07; SMD: -0.61; 95%CI: -0.93, -0.30), HOMA-IR levels (WMD: -0.61; 95%CI: -0.91, -0.31; SMD: -0.78; 95%CI: -1.26, -0.30), and HbA1c (WMD: -0.10%; 95%CI: -0.17, -0.03). Conclusion: Cinnamon can be used as an anti-diabetic agent and an add-on treatment to control glycemic indices among patients with T2D or PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current randomized control trial (RCT) study was to investigate the effects of fenugreek seed extract on memory, depression, quality of life, blood pressure, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in adult AD patients. This randomized clinical trial was conducted in geriatric homes in Iran. The study participants included 82 AD patients with mild-to-moderate memory deficit. Patients in the intervention group received 5 cc of fenugreek seed extract for 4 months and subjects in the control group received a placebo. Memory, depression, quality of life, and BP levels, as well as serum MDA and TAC, were assessed before and after the intervention. There was a significant increase in serum levels of TAC (p < 0.001) and a reduction in serum MDA status (p < 0.001) after 4 months of fenugreek seed extract supplementation. In addition, increasing levels of memory (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p < 0.001), as well as reduction of depression (p = 0.002), systolic BP (p < 0.001), and diastolic BP (p < 0.001) levels were detected in the intervention group compared with baseline. Fenugreek seed extract supplementation in AD patients shows promising positive effects on memory, quality of life, BP, and selective oxidative indices levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) lead to chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn augment diabetes complications. Resveratrol plays a potential role in relation to diabetes due to improving of hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the scientific literature to identify the impacts of resveratrol on the accumulation of AGEs. The literature was searched in the online databases, viz. PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, ProQuest, and Google Scholar until May 2019. From a total of 338 retrieved articles, 10 papers were eligible for the present analysis. Except one clinical trial, all studies were conducted on animals. All the included studies, except one, showed inhibitory effects of resveratrol on the accumulation of AGE or receptor for AGEs. The findings indicate that resveratrol is a potential protective agent against the accumulation of AGEs. There is, however, the need for future studies to investigate this effect on human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and overweight are associated with the burden of chronic diseases. The aim of the present meta‐analysis is to determine the efficacy of spirulina in reducing of obesity indices. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases were searched up to November 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing spirulina supplementation with a placebo or no treatment for anthropometric indices were included. Meta‐analysis was performed using random‐effects model. Subgroup analysis and meta‐regression were carried out. Publication bias was evaluated using standard methods. Spirulina had ameliorative effects on weight (WMD = −1.85 Kg; 95% CI: −2.44, −1.26; p <.001; I2 = 82.4%, p <.001), and waist circumference (WMD = −1.09 cm; 95% CI: −2.16, −0.01; p =.046; I2 = 0.0%, p =.757) while no significant effect was shown on body mass index, even after sensitivity analysis (SMD = −0.53 Kg/m2; 95% CI: −1.25, 0.19; p =.149; I2 = 92.9%, p <.001); however, spirulina was effective in studies lasted for at least 12 weeks (SMD = −1.25 Kg/m2; 95% CI: −2.21, −0.28; p =.011; I2 = 90.8%, p <.001). Spirulina supplementation exerts beneficial effects on weight and waist circumference. The ameliorative effect of spirulina on body mass index was revealed in longer duration of supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Lifestyle modification and adherence to healthy diet is crucial in the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Aim: The aim of the current study was to identify factors affecting healthy nutritional behaviors among patients with MetS. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 322 adults with a mean age of 40.55 ± 5.97 years were included. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the criteria suggested by the International Diabetes Federation. Nutritional attitudes, subjective norms, intention, and nutritional behaviors were assessed through a questionnaire designed by researchers. Results: The finding indicated that nutritional attitude and gender of participants were predicting factors of behavioral intention. Furthermore, nutritional attitude, behavioral intention, gender, and level of education could predict nutritional behavior in patients. However, subjective norm was a weak predictor of behavioral intention and nutritional behavior. Conclusions: The findings suggest that attitude and intention, but not subjective norms, along with some sociodemographic variables were able to predict the nutritional behavior of MetS patients that could be a basis for designing educational interventions for health promotion among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]