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.

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Vitamin D seems to be an effective and safe option to improve QoL and symptoms of IBS. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02579902).

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It has been suggested that mood disorders and depressive status may be accompanied by lowered zinc status in the body, and adequate consumption of zinc increases a general perceived well-being. The main objective of this study was to assess the correlation between serum zinc concentrations and dietary zinc intakes with depression scores in university female students. In the first phase, Beck's depression questionnaire was applied in a random sampling of 308 selected 20-25-year-old female students (one third of total students in Ahvaz Jondi-Shapour University of Medical Sciences Golestan dormitories) to assess the major depressive disorder (MDD) scales. Then, in the second phase, 23 students who identified as having moderate and severe depression were selected as the case group, and 23 healthy age matched were chosen as the controls. Each of them completed a 12-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire containing the main food sources of zinc in the usual dietary patterns and also a 24-h food recall questionnaire to assure the daily zinc intakes. Daily zinc intakes were obtained by multiplying each portion size by its zinc content using food tables. A 5-ml blood sample was taken for further serum zinc status using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. Pearson's r was used to show the correlation between quantitative variables. Both daily zinc intake and serum zinc concentrations of MDD group were about two thirds of healthy index (p < 0.01). Depressed individuals used to eat lower servings of red meats and chicken as the main food sources of zinc in students' usual diets (p < 0.001). Consumption of other foods as the sources of zinc was not significantly different in two groups. A linear significant correlation between dietary zinc intakes and its serum levels was seen in samples (r = 0.62; p < 0.001) and MDD students (r = 0.55; p < 0.001). There was a linear inverse correlation between Beck questionnaire scores and serum zinc concentrations in all of the investigated students(r = -0.65; p < 0.001) and MDD girls (r = -0.71; p < 0.001). Beck questionnaire scores and diatary zinc intakes were also inversly correlated (r = -0.58; p < 0.001). However, no statistical correlation was seen between these two variables in MDD cases. In depressed female students, dietary zinc intake is correlated to its serum concentrations; however, the serum zinc levels are inversely correlated to depression scales. Consumption of the main dietary sources of zinc such as red meats and chicken should be encouraged in young depressed girls.

The conformational changes required for activation and K+ conduction in inward-rectifier K+ (Kir) channels are still debated. These structural changes are brought about by lipid binding. It is unclear how this process relates to fast gating or if the intracellular and extracellular regions of the protein are coupled. Here, we examine the structural details of KirBac1.1 reconstituted into both POPC and an activating lipid mixture of 3:2 POPC:POPG (wt/wt). KirBac1.1 is a prokaryotic Kir channel that shares homology with human Kir channels. We establish that KirBac1.1 is in a constitutively active state in POPC:POPG bilayers through the use of real-time fluorescence quenching assays and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) distance measurements. Multidimensional solid-state NMR (SSNMR) spectroscopy experiments reveal two different conformers within the transmembrane regions of the protein in this activating lipid environment, which are distinct from the conformation of the channel in POPC bilayers. The differences between these three distinct channel states highlight conformational changes associated with an open activation gate and suggest a unique allosteric pathway that ties the selectivity filter to the activation gate through interactions between both transmembrane helices, the turret, selectivity filter loop, and the pore helix. We also identify specific residues involved in this conformational exchange that are highly conserved among human Kir channels.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that manifested as hyperglycemia due to the defect in secretion or function of insulin. Studies have shown that saffron and its derivatives cause a significant reduction in plasma glucose levels in experimental models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the saffron extract on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c), lipid profile, liver enzymes, and renal function tests in type 2 diabetic patients. In this double‐blind randomized clinical trial, 64 type 2 diabetic patients who were on oral anti‐diabetic drugs were examined. Participants received either 15 mg of saffron or placebo capsules (two pills per day) for 3 months. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake, FPG, HbA1c, lipid profiles, liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), and renal function (BUN, Cr.) tests were measured pre and post intervention after 3 months. Independent t test and paired t test were used for data analysis. After 3‐months intervention, mean difference of FPG, Cholesterol, LDL‐c, and LDL/HDL ratio between two groups showed significant reduction(p < 0.0001), but HbA1c, HDL‐C, API, TG showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). In saffron group, FPG, HbA1c, cholesterol, LDL‐c, and LDL/HDL ratio decreased significantly after 3‐months intervention compare with baseline (p < 0.0001).