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Overall, the results of this study indicated that taking probiotic supplements for 8 weeks among patients with RA had beneficial effects on DAS-28, insulin levels, HOMA-B and hs-CRP levels.

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The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on weight loss, glycaemia and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 women with PCOS were randomized to receive probiotic capsule (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Consumption of probiotic supplements resulted in a significant reduction in weight (-0.5 ± 0.4 vs. +0.1 ± 1.0 kg, p = 0.004) and BMI (-0.2 ± 0.2 vs. +0.03 ± 0.4 kg/m, p = 0.004) compared with the placebo. In addition, compared with the placebo, probiotic administration was associated with a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose (-2.4 ± 8.4 vs. +2.1 ± 7.0 mg/dL, p = 0.02), serum insulin concentrations (-2.0 ± 5.8 vs. +1.6 ± 5.0 μIU/mL, p = 0.01), homoeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (-0.5 ± 1.4 vs. +0.3 ± 1.1, p = 0.01), homoeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (-7.5 ± 22.3 vs. +6.3 ± 21.7, p = 0.01), serum triglycerides (-13.3 ± 51.3 vs. +13.6 ± 37.1 mg/dL, p= 0.02) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.006 ± 0.01 vs. -0.005 ± 0.02, p = 0.01). When we adjusted the analysis for baseline values of biochemical parameters, age and baseline BMI, except for QUICKI (p = 0.08), other findings did not alter. We found that probiotic supplementation among PCOS women for 12 weeks had favourable effects on weight loss, markers of insulin resistance, triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Background: The current study was performed to determine the effects of cumin cyminum L. intake on weight loss and metabolic profiles among overweight subjects. Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 78 overweight subjects (male, n = 18; female, n = 60) aged 18-60 years old. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups to receive: (1) cumin cyminum L. capsule (n = 26); (2) orlistat120 capsule (n = 26) and (3) placebo (n = 26) three times a day for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measures and fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Results: Consumption of the Cuminum cyminum L. and orlistat120 resulted in a similar significant decrease in weight (-1.1 ± 1.2 and -0.9 ± 1.5 vs. 0.2 ± 1.5 kg, respectively, p = 0.002) and BMI (-0.4 ± 0.5 and -0.4 ± 0.6 vs. 0.1 ± 0.6 kg/m², respectively, p = 0.003) compared with placebo. In addition, taking Cuminum cyminum L., compared with orlistat and placebo, led to a significant reduction in serum insulin levels (-1.4 ± 4.5 vs. 1.3 ± 3.3 and 0.3 ± 2.2 µIU/ml, respectively, p = 0.02), HOMA-B (-5.4 ± 18.9 vs. 5.8 ± 13.3 and 1.0 ± 11.0, respectively, p = 0.02) and a significant rise in QUICKI (0.01 ± 0.01 vs. -0.005 ± 0.01 and -0.004 ± 0.01, respectively, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Taking cumin cyminum L. for eight weeks among overweight subjects had the same effects of orlistat120 on weight and BMI and beneficial effects on insulin metabolism compared with orlistat120 and placebo.

BackgroundOnly limited data are available for evaluating the effects of the administration of grape seed extract (GSE) on the metabolic status of female volleyball players.ObjectivesThis study was conducted to determine the effects of GSE administration on the metabolic status of female volleyball players.MethodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 40 female volleyball players. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, with members of the test group (n = 20) taking 300 mg of GSE twice a day for eight weeks and members of the control group (n = 20) taking a placebo pearl for the same period. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after the eight-week intervention period in order to determine the related variables.ResultsSupplementation with GSE resulted in a significant rise in the plasma glutathione (GSH) level (+265.5 ± 344.2 vs. +2.2 ± 378.2 µmol/L, P = 0.02), as well as a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level (-1.4 ± 2.0 vs. -0.2 ± 1.2 µmol/L, P = 0.01) when compared to the placebo group. In addition, when compared to the group that received the placebo, the subjects who received GSE had significantly decreased serum insulin concentrations (-23.4 ± 23.4 vs. +1.8 ± 25.2 pmol/L, P = 0.002), a decreased homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.7 ± 0.7 vs. +0.2 ± 0.9, P = 0.002), and an increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. -0.01 ± 0.02, P = 0.03). The administration of GSE had no significant effects on creatine phosphokinase (CPK), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and lipid concentrations when compared with the administration of the placebo. However, after controlling for baseline NO levels, age, and baseline BMI, the changes in the plasma NO concentrations were significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsIn conclusion, taking GSE for eight weeks had beneficial effects on the plasma GSH, MDA levels, and markers of insulin metabolism of female volleyball players.

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