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Summary: Background: Based on available data, acarbose may have an effect on body weight reduction. Nevertheless, the results were inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, the purpose of this review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) was to assess the existing data as thoroughly as possible. Methods: The relevant keywords were used to search the online databases to identify RCTs that examined the effect of acarbose on body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) up to April 2023. A random-effects model was applied to examine the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Seventy-one RCTs with 73 effect sizes were included in this meta-analytic work. The effect sizes for body weight, BMI, and WC were 45, 47, and 9, respectively. The pooled analysis demonstrated significant decrease in body weight (WMD = −1.21 kg; 95%CI, −1.67, −0.75; p

Abstract Aims L-carnitine plays a role related to cardiometabolic factors, but its effectiveness and safety in CVD are still unknown. We aim to assess the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on CVD risk factors. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until October 2022. The main outcomes were lipid profiles, anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, serum glucose levels, leptin, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers. The pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated using a random-effects model. Results We included the 21 RCTs (n = 2900) with 21 effect sizes in this study. L-carnitine supplementation had a significant effect on TG (WMD = − 13.50 mg/dl, p = 0.039), LDL (WMD = − 12.66 mg/dl, p

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent cause of ovulatory infertility and endocrine abnormalities in reproductive-age women. Although the MIND diet has been introduced to improve brain function, evidence shows that the MIND diet is rich in beneficial food groups that can have a preventive effect on other metabolic disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between adherence to the MIND diet and PCOS. Methods This age and BMI frequency-matched case-control study was conducted on 216 women between January 2018 and March 2019 in Yazd, Iran. PCOS was diagnosed based on Rotterdam criteria. Participants were selected by convenience sampling method. The validated 178-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the usual dietary intake. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between the MIND diet and PCOS. Results The findings of the present study showed a significant inverse association between adherence to the MIND diet and PCOS in the crude model (OR for T3 vs. T1: 0.12 (95% CI: 0.05–0.25), P-value

Acarbose (ACB) seems to be an effective drug in the management of cardiovascular risk factors. However, no previous meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has been done to evaluate the effects of ACB on cardiovascular risk factors on impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). We comprehensively searched electronic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for RCTs for related keywords up to September 2022. A random-effects model was used to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled analysis demonstrated that ACB treatment had a significant effect on fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD = −3.55 mg/dL; 95%CI: −6.29, −0.81; p = 0.011), fasting insulin (WMD = −6.73 pmoL/L; 95%CI: −10.37, −3.10; p 50 weeks, and 180 mg/day is more effective for the decrement of CRP. ACB can improve lipid profiles, glycemic indices, anthropometric indices, and inflammatory markers in T2D, T1D, and IGT patients.

Background: Oxidative stress is considered a major factor in the pathophysiology of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). A growing body of evidence indicates that oleoylethanolamide (OEA), a bioactive lipid mediator, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This trial investigated the effects of OEA administration on inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters of patients with NAFLD.Methods: The present randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 obese patients with NAFLD. The patients were treated with OEA (250 mg/day) or placebo along with a low-calorie diet for 12 weeks. Inflammatory markers and oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters were evaluated pre-and post-intervention.Results: At the end of the study, neither the between-group changes, nor the within-group differences were significant for serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis-factor α (TNF-α). Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly increased and serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) significantly decreased in the OEA group compared to placebo at study endpoint (p = 0.039, 0.018, 0.003 and 0.001, respectively). Although, no significant between-group alterations were found in glutathione peroxidase and catalase. There were significant correlations between percent of changes in serum oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters with percent of changes in some anthropometric indices in the intervention group.Conclusion: OEA supplementation could improve some oxidative stress/antioxidant biomarkers without any significant effect on inflammation in NAFLD patients. Further clinical trials with longer follow-up periods are demanded to verify profitable effects of OEA in these patients.Clinical Trial Registration:www.irct.ir, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20090609002017N32.

Background and aimsHyperglycemia and insulin resistance are concerns today worldwide. Recently, L-carnitine supplementation has been suggested as an effective adjunctive therapy in glycemic control. Therefore, it seems important to investigate its effect on glycemic markers.MethodsPubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane databases were searched in October 2022 for prospective studies on the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic markers. Inclusion criteria included adult participants and taking oral L-carnitine supplements for at least seven days. The pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated using a random-effects model.ResultsWe included the 41 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 2900) with 44 effect sizes in this study. In the pooled analysis; L-carnitine supplementation had a significant effect on fasting blood glucose (FBG) (mg/dl) [WMD = −3.22 mg/dl; 95% CI, −5.21 to −1.23; p = 0.002; I2 = 88.6%, p < 0.001], hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (%) [WMD = −0.27%; 95% CI, −0.47 to −0.07; p = 0.007; I2 = 90.1%, p < 0.001] and homeostasis model assessment-estimate insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) [WMD = −0.73; 95% CI, −1.21 to −0.25; p = 0.003; I2 = 98.2%, p < 0.001] in the intervention compared to the control group. L-carnitine supplementation had a reducing effect on baseline FBG ≥100 mg/dl, trial duration ≥12 weeks, intervention dose ≥2 g/day, participants with overweight and obesity (baseline BMI 25–29.9 and >30 kg/m2), and diabetic patients. Also, L-carnitine significantly affected insulin (pmol/l), HOMA-IR (%), and HbA1c (%) in trial duration ≥12 weeks, intervention dose ≥2 g/day, and participants with obesity (baseline BMI >30 kg/m2). It also had a reducing effect on HOMA-IR in diabetic patients, non-diabetic patients, and just diabetic patients for insulin, and HbA1c. There was a significant nonlinear relationship between the duration of intervention and changes in FBG, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR. In addition, there was a significant nonlinear relationship between dose (≥2 g/day) and changes in insulin, as well as a significant linear relationship between the duration (weeks) (coefficients = −16.45, p = 0.004) of intervention and changes in HbA1C.ConclusionsL-carnitine could reduce the levels of FBG, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022358692.

IntroductionCardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world and is estimated to involve more people in the next years. It is said that alternative remedies such as herbs can be used to manage the complications of this disease. For this reason, we aimed to conduct this meta-analysis to systematically assess and summarize the effects of saffron supplementation as an important herb on cardiovascular risk factors in adults.MethodsA systematic search was done in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find eligible articles up to September 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of saffron on lipid profiles, glycemic control, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and inflammatory markers were included. In the meta-analysis, 32 studies were taken into account (n = 1674).ResultsConsumption of saffron significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) (WMD = −8.81 mg/dl, 95%CI: −14.33, −3.28; P = 0.002), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD = −6.87 mg/dl, 95%CI: −11.19, −2.56; P = 0.002), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (WMD = −6.71 mg/dl, 95%CI: −10.51, −2.91; P = 0.001), (P = 0.660), fasting blood glucose (FBG) level (WMD = −7.59 mg/dl, 95%CI: −11.88, −3.30; P = 0.001), HbA1c (WMD = −0.18%, 95%CI: −0.21, −0.07; P < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD = −0.49, 95%CI: −0.89, −0.09; P = 0.016), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = −3.42 mmHg, 95%CI: −5.80, −1.04; P = 0.005), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (WMD = −2.54 pg/ml, 95%CI: −4.43, −0.65; P = 0.008), waist circumference (WC) (WMD = −1.50 cm; 95%CI: −2.83, −0.18; P = 0.026), malondialdehyde (MDA) (WMD = −1.50 uM/L, 95%CI: −2.42, −0.57; P = 0.001), and alanine transferase (ALT) (WMD = −2.16 U/L, 95%CI: −4.10, −0.23; P = 0.028). Also, we observed that saffron had an increasing effect on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (WMD = 0.07 mM/L, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.13; P = 0.032). There was linear regression between FBG and the duration of saffron intake. Additionally, the non-linear dose-response analysis has shown a significant association of saffron intervention with HDL (P = 0.049), HOMA-IR (P = 0.002), weight (P = 0.036), ALP (P = 0.016), FBG (P = 0.011), HbA1c (P = 0.002), and TNF-α (P = 0.042). A non-linear association between the length of the intervention and the level of HDL and DBP was also found.DiscussionThat seems saffron could effectively improve TG, TC, LDL, FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, SBP, CRP, TNF-α, WC, MDA, TAC, and ALT.

BackgroundFood security is a fundamental human right that must be upheld to preserve excellent general welfare, and mental, physical, and social health. However, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report in 2020, the level of food insecurity in the world is increasing.ObjectiveDetermining the prevalence of food insecurity in Iran will be beneficial for Iran and other low-middle-income countries.MethodsWe searched both English and Persian (Iranian) databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID, Irandoc, Magiran, Civilica, and Iranian Medical Sciences Theses System from 01 January 1990 to 01 February 2022. Observational studies that reported the prevalence of household food insecurity among a healthy Iranian population and assessed food insecurity at the individual or household level using validated questionnaires were included.ResultsOne hundred six studies and/or theses with a total of 152, 300 participants met the review criteria. Our analyses demonstrated that the prevalence of food insecurity among the healthy Iranian population was 55.9% (95% CI: 52.6–59.2%) and the highest prevalence of food insecurity was in the western regions with 64.8% (95% CI: 57.7–72.0%). Subgroup analyses showed that food insecurity among women at 51.3% (95% CI: 45.1–57.6%) and rural inhabitants at 66.1% (95% CI: 58.8–73.4%) was significantly higher than men at 47.8% (95% CI: 41.8–53.8%) and urban residents at 47.1% (95% CI: 44.1–50.0%), respectively. Among the age groups, the highest prevalence of food insecurity was in adults at 56.5% (95% CI: 51.7–61.2%).ConclusionThe prevalence of food insecurity in a healthy Iranian population was higher than the global average. Women, rural residents, and residents of the western regions of Iran had a higher prevalence of food insecurity. These groups should be prioritized in programs to reduce the prevalence of food insecurity in Iran.Systematic review registrationwww.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42022328473.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major concern today. Herbal medicine is one helping way to control CVD risks. One conclusive of herbal medicine is Berberine (BBR) and converse about it still exists, to clarify this issue, this meta-analysis was performed. PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for RCTs in adults on the effect of BBR supplementation on CVD risk factors up to July 2022. The pooled results showed BBR significantly reduced triglyceride (WMD = −23.70 mg/dl; 95%CI −30.16, −17.25; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD = −20.64 mg/dl; 95%CI −23.65, −17.63; P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein WMD = −9.63 mg/dl; 95%CI, −13.87, −5.39; P < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD = −7.74 mg/dl; 95%CI −10.79, −4.70; P < 0.001), insulin (WMD = −3.27 mg/dl; 95%CI −4.46,−2.07; P < 0.001), HbA1c (WMD = −0.45%; 95%CI −0.68, −0.23; P < 0.001), HOMA-IR (WMD = −1.04; 95%CI −1.55, −0.52; P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (WMD = −5.46 mmHg; 95%CI −8.17, −2.76; P < 0.001), weight (WMD = −0.84; 95%CI −1.34,−0.34; P < 0.001), body mass index (WMD = −0.25 kg/m2; 95%CI −0.46, −0.04; P = 0.020), while increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (WMD = 1.37 mg/dl; 95%CI 0.41,2.23; P = 0.005). The optimal dose of BBR was 1 g/day for TG, TC, and weight, 1.8 g/day for insulin and HOMA-IR, and 5 g/day for HDL. FBG's most efficient time frame was 40 weeks from the beginning of supplementation, whereas DBP and waist circumference was 50 weeks. In conclusion, the lipid profile, FBG balance, obesity parameters, and SBP were improved with BBR supplementation.Systematic review registrationCRD42022347004.