Effect of conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin E, alone or combined on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Little information about the effects of conjugated linoleic acids [CLAs] on inflammation and immune function in humans is available. This study investigated the effects of CLAs, with and without Vitamin E on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. In a double-blind clinical trial, 78 patients were randomly divided into four groups, each group receiving one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; group C: 2.5 g CLAs, group E: 400 mg Vitamin E, group CE: CLAs plus Vitamin E, group P: Placebo. Cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase 3 [MMP-3] and citrullinated antibody [CCP-A] were measured by ELISA method and Vitamin E by high-performance liquid chromatography. Consider statistical methods there were no significant differences between groups in cytokines interleukin-2 [IL-2], IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha[TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2/IL-4, CCP-A white blood cells and neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils numbers. TNF-alpha decreased in all groups, but its reduction was significant in group CE. IL-1beta increased in groups P [P = 0.004] and E [P = 0.041] but the difference between group P and CE was significant. IL-4 decreased in groups C, CE and E [P = 0.03, P =0.03P = 0.07 respectively]. IL2 did not change significantly within groups. CCP-A increased in groups P [P = 0.035] and E [P = 0.05], while it decreased in groups CE [P = 0.034]. CCP-A and MMP-3 decrease were significant between groups P and CE. MMP-3 reduction was significant in group CE. Co-supplementation CLAs and Vitamin E may be effective in the level of inflammatory markers in RA patients

Brewer's yeast improves blood pressure in type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Brewer's yeast supplementation on serum lipoproteins and blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 90 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited, and divided randomly into 2 groups, trial group received brewer's yeast [1800 mg/day] and control group received placebo for 12 weeks. Weight, BMI, food consumption [based on 24 hour food recall], fasting serum lipoproteins [Cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL-c, HDL-c], systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and after the intervention. Data analyses were performed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 18.0, and the statistical tests included Independent t-test, Paired t-test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and analysis of covariance. This trial was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials [IRCT], No.IRCT138807062513N1. Eighty-four subjects [21 men and 63 women] aged 46.3 +/- 6.1 years completed the study. After 12 weeks supplementation, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were decreased in the group receiving brewer's yeast [4.1 +/- 1.5, P = 0.007 and 5.7 +/- 0.6, P = 0.001 respectively]. No-significant changes in LDL-c, HDL-c, Triglyceride and Cholesterol were shown. Supplementation with Brewer's yeast besides the usual treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressures in diabetic patients