The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum aminotransferases, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers in adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fifty-three patients with NAFLD were enrolled in a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either one oral pearl consisting of 50,000 IU vitamin D3 (n = 27) or a placebo (n = 26), every 14 days for 4 months. Serum aminotransferases, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor α, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, transforming growth factor β1, as well as grade of hepatic steatosis and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were assessed pre- and post-intervention. In patients who received vitamin D supplement compared to the controls, the median of serum 25(OH)D3 significantly increased (16.2 vs. 1.6 ng/ml, P < 0.001). This increase accompanied by significant decrease in serum MDA (-2.09 vs. -1.23 ng/ml, P = 0.03) and near significant changes in serum hs-CRP (-0.25 vs. 0.22 mg/l, P = 0.06). These between-group differences remained significant even after controlling for baseline covariates. Other variables showed no significant changes. Improved vitamin D status led to amelioration in serum hs-CRP and MDA in patients with NAFLD. This might be considered as an adjunctive therapy to attenuate systemic inflammation and lipid peroxidation alongside other treatments for NAFLD patients.

BackgroundBlood transfusion is considered a potential risk factor for transmission of life-threatening viral infections, including HIV, HCV and HBV infections. This study was performed to find out the prevalence and trends of these infections among blood donors in Southern Iran.MethodsThe blood donor data recorded in twelve regional blood transfusion centers from 2004 to 2014 were analyzed in an anonymous way with respect to the results of serological screening for HBV, HCV, and HIV infections. Overall, 293454 donors were screened for viral infections.ResultsMost of the donors were male, married, aged between 20–40 years, educated, and regular donors. The overall seroprevalence rates of HBV, HCV and HIV were 0.15%, 0.1% and 0.004%, respectively. The highest seroprevalence was found for HBV, followed by HCV and HIV. These infections were more prevalent in male, low educated and first time donors. The highest HCV seroprevalence was observed among donors aged 20 to 40 years, while HBV seroprevalence increased with age. The seroprevalence rates of HBV and HCV from 2004 to 2014 showed significant decreasing trends from 0.460% to 0.060% (P < 0.001) and 0.329% to 0.045% (P < 0.001), respectively. Whereas HIV infection had a slight but not significant decline from 0.0173% in 2004 to 0.0028% in 2014 (P = 0.087).ConclusionsThe decreasing trends of transfusion-transmissible viral infections in blood donations indicate that the attempts of IBTO were successful in improving the safety of the blood supply, since the prevalence rates of viral infections have been reduced to very low levels in blood donations over the years. However, still more effective techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are needed to guarantee blood safety.

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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.

Taken together, our study demonstrated that CoQ10 supplementation for 12 weeks among DN patients had favorable effects on glucose metabolism, MDA, and AGEs levels, but unchanged FPG, lipid profiles, and MMP-2 concentrations.