Background and objectives: NF-kB, SIRT1 and systemic inflammation factors including hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α accelerate atherosclerosis pathogenesis. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of daily supplementation of threegram cinnamon on plasma levels of NF-kB, SIRT, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α among type 2 diabetes patients. Subjects and methods: A randomized, double blind, and controlled clinical trial was performed with 44 adult patients who were 25 to 70 years old with type 2 diabetes, randomized to two intervention (n = 22) and control (n = 22) groups differing by daily three grams cinnamon supplementation and placebo for 8 weeks, respectively. The plasma levels of NF-kB, SIRT, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA assay at the beginning and end of the study. Results: After 8-week intervention, 39 subjects (n = 20 in the cinnamon and n = 19 in the placebo groups) ended up the trial. It was not observed significant difference in levels of hs-CRP (P = 0.29), TNF-α (P = 0.27), IL-6 (P = 0.52), and Sirtuin-1 (P = 0.51) in between group comparison. While, the result showed significant difference in levels of NF-kB (P = 0.02) between groups. As well as, in among group comparison, there was not observed significant differences except in hs-CRP (P = 0.008) in placebo group. Conclusions: This study elucidated that cinnamon supplementation has no beneficial effects in reduction of NF-kB, SIRT1, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in type 2 diabetes patients which have a considerable role in development of atherogenesis.

Objective Evidence indicates that probiotic supplements may improve or prevent depression. Little is known about the effects of probiotic supplementation on symptoms of depression and quality of life (QOL) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods This randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 44 patients with a recent diagnosis of MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either capsules containing 1.6 × 109 colony-forming units of Lactobacillus rhamnosus capsules with their lunch (the active intervention group) or capsules that contained maltodextrin (the placebo control group) for 12 weeks. The Beck Depression Inventory, QOL, and biomarkers of oxidative stress (serum total antioxidant capacity), and malondialdehyde), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as inflammation marker were assessed. These measures were obtained at baseline and at 12 weeks’ follow-up. Results The total Beck Depression Inventory score decreased significantly in patients who received probiotic supplements compared with the placebo group (−5.57 [6.1] versus −0.51 [2.8], p = .045). Improvements in the mean QOL score were also stronger in the probiotic versus the placebo group (23.6 [39.1] versus 0.44 [42.6], p = .023). In addition, increases in total antioxidant capacity (93.7 [88.4] versus 27.54 [64.7] mmol/l, p = .009) and decreases in malondialdehyde (−40.7 [63.73] versus −4.2 [67.6] nmol/ml, p = .033) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (−1.74 [0.70] versus 0.67 [1.27] mg/l, p = .040) levels were stronger in patients receiving probiotic supplementation than the placebo group. Conclusion These data provide preliminary evidence that probiotic supplementation in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention post-MI has beneficial effects on depressive symptoms and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are needed to replicate these findings and identify patient subgroups with the most benefit from probiotic supplementation. Trial Registration: www.irct.ir identifier: IRCT20121028011288N15.

No abstract

Introduction Structural and functional changes that occur post myocardial infraction (MI) lead to the syndrome of heart failure (HF). However, their pathogenesis is poorly understood. Recently, alteration of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis) has emerged as a new candidate that may be correlated with risk of HF development. We hypothesized that selective gut modulation by probiotic administration may improve metabolic dysfunction and attenuate cardiac remodeling (CR) in MI subjects. Methods /Design: This article is presented in two sections: First, we provided a review of recent findings related to gut microbiota and CR and their association with probiotic supplementation. Secondly, we will conduct a randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial in 46 Iranian patients with MI after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The participants (age: ≥ 30 years; ejection fraction (EF) greater than 30) will be selected by a simple random sampling method and will be assigned to 3 months of 1.6* 10 9 CFU probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus), or placebo groups (maltodextrin). The primary outcome is development of CR. The secondary outcomes measures include gut microbiota profile, biochemical variables and the safety of the probiotics supplementation. Also, echocardiography will be measured at baseline and following treatment. The data will be compared within and between groups using appropriate statistical methods. Discussion The results of this trial will provide evidence about the efficacy and safety of gut microbiota manipulation by probiotics in post-MI cardiac remodeling prevention. Ethical issues Present study protocol was approved by the regional committee of ethics in international branch of Tabriz University of Medical sciences (TBZMED) as a thesis proposal for PhD degree in Nutrition Sciences ( IR.TBZMED.REC.1397.184 ). Trial registration The Clinical trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20121028011288N15).

Background: Urticaria is one of the most commonly diagnosed pediatric skin disorders. Limited studies have been carried out to investigate acute urticaria-related allergens in Iranian children. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prick test findings in Iranian pediatric patients with acute urticaria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on pediatric patients with acute urticaria September 2012 to 2017. Background data, such as age, gender, and history of other allergic diseases, were recorded. The subjects experienced the skin prick test to assess allergy to 45 aeroallergens, food, contact and insect allergens. Results: One-hundred twenty-nine children (male to female ratio: 1.22) with a mean age of 5.93 ± 4.29 years were studied. The most common food allergens were pepper (21.7%), egg white (20.9%), and walnut (17.8%). The most common aeroallergens were Salsola kali (37.5%), Dermatophagoides farinae (33.6%) and trees (32.6%). The mean age of patients with a positive reaction to sesame, pepper, Chenopodiaceae, Salsola kali, grass, Ash, and trees was higher than subjects with negative results, whereas sensitization to milk, beef, and lamb was common in younger children. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, the most common food allergens in Iranian pediatric patients with acute urticaria currently appear to be pepper, egg white, walnut and egg yolk.

Background Taurine supplementation as a sulfur-containing amino acid may attenuate and/or alleviate diabetes-induced complications and endothelial dysfunction via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of Taurine supplementation on endothelial dysfunction markers, oxidative stress, inflammation, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods In the current clinical trial, 120 patients with T2DM were randomly allocated to take either Taurine (containing 1 g Taurine, n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) three times per day for an eight-week period. Moreover, all patients were on a low-calorie diet. The primary outcome was fasting blood glucose (FBG) and endothelial markers including sera intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9). The secondary outcome was dietary intake, anthropometric indices, serum insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipid profile. Results After 8 weeks, Taurine-supplemented patients had a considerable decrease in serum insulin and HOMA-IR compared to placebo group. However, Taurine supplementation did not improve other metabolic parameters including lipid profiles, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting blood glucose (FBG). There was a significant decline in MDA, TNF, and hs-CRP levels after these eight-week period of Taurine supplementation. In addition, the Taurine group had fewer serum levels of endothelial dysfunction markers than the placebo group. Conclusions The evidence from our study revealed that Taurine supplementation significantly reduced insulin and HOMA-IR, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial markers in individuals with T2DM. Trial registration The protocol of the study was recorded in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20180712040438N3).

No abstract