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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly related to cardiovascular disorders risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation on cardiovascular disorders risk factors in patients with NAFLD. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 patients with NAFLD. Participants were assigned to receive a lifestyle modification plus 2 g/day of either N. sativa or placebo for 12 weeks. Compared with the placebo, N. sativa supplementation led to significant reductions in serum glucose (−7.95 vs. −1.22; p = .041), serum insulin (−3.87 vs. −1.07; p = .027), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (−1.02 vs. −0.28; p = .021), and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (0.03 vs. 0.006; p = .002). All of these changes were remained significant after adjusting for known confounding variables; however, there was no significant difference in lipid profile changes between the two groups (p = .05). N. sativa supplementation significantly decreased hepatic steatosis percentage compared with the placebo after adjustment for confounding variables (p = .005). In conclusion, our results indicate that daily intake of 2‐g N. sativa plus lifestyle modification is superior to lifestyle modification alone in amelioration of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD.

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Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with potentially fatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of l‐carnitine (LC) on secreted frizzled‐related protein‐5 (SFRP5), omentin, visfatin, and glycemic indices in PV patients under corticosteroid treatment. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 52 patients with PV were divided randomly into two groups to receive 2 g of LC or a placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of SFRP5, omentin, visfatin, and also glycemic indices were evaluated at the baseline and end of the study. LC supplementation significantly decreased the serum level of visfatin (95% CI [−14.718, −0.877], p = .05) and increased the serum levels of SFRP5 (95%CI [1.637, 11.380], p < .006) and omentin (95% CI [9.014, 65.286], p < .01). However, LC supplementation had no significant effects on the serum levels of glycemic factors such as insulin (95% CI [−1.125, 3.056], p = .426), fasting blood sugar (95% CI [−4.743, 3.642], p = .894), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (95% CI [−0.305, 0.528], p = .729), and quantitative insulin‐sensitivity check index (95% CI [−0.016, −0.010], p = .81). LC supplementation decreased visfatin serum level and increased omentin‐1 and SFRP5 serum levels in patients with PV. However, it has no significant effect on the serum levels of insulin and glycemic indices.

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