The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of synbiotic administration on metabolic profiles in overweight diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done among 60 diabetic patients with CHD. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n=30) received synbiotic supplements containing 3 probiotic bacteria spices 2×10, 2×10, 2×10 CFU/g plus 800 mg inulin and group B (n=30) received placebo for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 12-week intervention to determine metabolic profiles. After 12 weeks of intervention, patients who consumed synbiotic capsule had significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (- 19.6±74.6 vs.+19.2±66.9 mg/dL, P=0.03), serum insulin concentrations (- 0.7±5.1 vs.+3.3±6.3 µIU/mL, P=0.01), the homeostasis model of assessment-estimated b cell function (- 3.4±19.5 vs.+11.5±21.0, P=0.006) and increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+ 0.002±0.01 vs.-0.01±0.02, P=0.03) compared with the placebo. In addition, changes in HLDL-cholesterol levels (+ 1.8±5.7 vs.-2.2±6.0 mg/dL, P=0.01) in supplemented patients were significantly different from those of patients in the placebo group. Synbiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among diabetic patients with CHD had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism and HDL-cholesterol levels.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to determine the influence of curcumin intake on glycemic status and lipid profiles of patients with metabolic diseases. We searched the following databases up until January 2018: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The relevant data were extracted and evaluated for quality of the studies in accordance with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data were pooled using the inverse variance method and expressed as standardized mean difference (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Twenty-six trials with 1890 participants were included in the current meta-analysis. The findings demonstrated the significant association between curcumin intake and reduced fasting glucose levels (SMD -0.78; 95% CI, -1.20, -0.37; P<0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (SMD -0.91; 95% CI, -1.52, -0.31; P=0.003) and HbA1c (SMD -0.92; 95% CI, -1.37, -0.47; P<0.001). In addition, curcumin supplementation was significantly associated with triglyceride (SMD -1.21; 95 % CI, -1.78, -0.65; P<0.001) and total cholesterol reduction (SMD -0.73; 95 % CI,-1.32, -0.13; P= 0.01). However, curcumin intake significantly increased insulin levels (SMD 0.92; 95% CI, 0.06, 1.78; P=0.036). We found no significant effect of curcumin supplementation on LDL- (SMD -0.52; 95% CI, -1.14, 0.11; P=0.10) and HDL-cholesterol levels (SMD 0.28; 95% CI, -0.22, 0.77; P=0.27). Overall, curcumin consumption was associated with a significant reduction in fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels among patients with metabolic diseases, but did not affect LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels.

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of folate supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and metabolic status among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. They were all overweight in the age range 40-85 years. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 30) received 5 mg folate supplements and group B (n = 30) received placebo for 12 weeks. Results: Folate supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in maximum levels of left CIMT (-0.05 ± 0.13 vs. +0.02 ± 0.11 mm, p = 0.01) compared with the placebo. Changes in fasting plasma glucose (-2.2 ± 37.5 vs. +30.2 ± 65.8 mg/dl, p = 0.02), serum insulin concentration (-2.0 ± 10.7 vs. +3.0 ± 7.6 µIU/ml, p = 0.04) and homeostasis of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (-0.6 ± 2.3 vs. +0.9 ± 2.3, p = 0.01) in supplemented patients were significantly different from those of patients in the placebo group. Changes in serum triglycerides (p = 0.04), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.001), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.01) and plasma nitric oxide concentrations (p < 0.001) were significantly different between the supplemented patients and placebo group. Conclusions: Overall, 5 mg/day folate supplementation for 12 weeks among patients with MetS had beneficial effects on CIMT and the metabolic status.

Background: This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplements containing green tea, capsaicin and ginger extracts on weight loss and metabolic profiles among overweight women. Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was implemented among 50 overweight women. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A received dietary supplements containing 125 mg green tea, 25 mg capsaicin and 50 mg ginger extracts (n = 25) group B received placebos (n = 25) twice with lunch and twice with dinner daily for 8 weeks. Results: Compared with placebo, taking dietary supplements containing green tea, capsaicin and ginger resulted in a significant decrease in weight (-1.8 ± 1.5 vs. +0.4 ± 1.2 kg, respectively, p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI; -0.7 ± 0.5 vs. +0.1 ± 0.5 kg/m², respectively, p < 0.001). In addition, subjects who received green tea, capsaicin and ginger co-supplements had significantly decreased serum insulin concentrations (-2.6 ± 3.9 vs. -0.6 ± 2.0 µIU/mL, p = 0.02), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (-0.5 ± 0.8 vs. -0.05 ± 0.6, p = 0.01), and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. +0.001 ± 0.01, p = 0.008) and plasma glutathione (GSH) levels (+73.8 ± 120.6 vs. -28.3 ± 193.4 µmol/L, p = 0.03) compared with the placebo. Conclusions: Our study indicated that taking green tea, capsaicin and ginger co-supplements for 8 weeks among overweight women had beneficial effects on weight, BMI, markers of insulin metabolism and plasma GSH levels.