Does Turmeric/curcumin Supplementation Change Anthropometric Indices in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Curcumin is the principal polylphenol of turmeric that has been used to treat various disorders. However, its anti-obesity effects in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain controversial. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis on the effects of supplementation with turmeric/curcumin on body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in these patients. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science were searched until January 2019, without any restrictions. Clinical trials that reported body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD were included. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Eight studies (449 participants) fulfilled the eligibility criteria of the present meta-analysis. Overall, meta-analysis could not show any beneficial effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on body weight (WMD, −0.54 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.40, 1.31; p = 0.56; I² = 0.0%), BMI (WMD, −0.21 kg/m²; 95% CI, −0.71, 0.28; p = 0.39; I² = 0.0%) and WC (WMD, −0.88 cm; 95% CI, −3.76, 2.00; p = 0.54; I² = 0.0%). Subgroup analysis based on participants' baseline BMI, type of intervention, and study duration did not show any significant association in all subgroups. The results showed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation had no significant effect on body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD. Further studies with large-scale are needed to find out possible anti-obesity effects of turmeric/curcumin.

effect of vitamin A supplementation on disease progression, cytokine levels and gene expression in multiple sclerotic patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to degeneration of the brain and spinal tissue. Imbalances of CD4+ T cells including Thelper1 [Th1]/Thelper2 [Th2] and Thelper17 [Th17]/Tregulatory [Treg], their secreted cytokines and gene expressions, are important aspects of in immunopathogenesis of MS. Vitamin A and its metabolites can regulate the immune system and appears to be effective in preventing progression of the autoimmune disease such as MS. Disease progression was evaluated By Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI], Expanded Disability States Scale [EDSS] and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite [MSFC] tests. Cytokine levels were measured using ELISA kits and gene expression was quantified by Real time PCR [RT-PCR] system. According to the difference between the epidemiological and clinical data on the relationship between vitamin A and immune system regulation, this study of the first time assesses Immune function as well as gene expression and progression of the disease following administration of vitamin A supplement