ABSTRACT
Obesity is a major health problem across the world, but there are few ways to effectively treat or manage it in the long term. Researchers are searching for more convenient, cost-effective and noninvasive therapies for overweight and obese people. Recent studies have illustrated that the microbiome of the body's different organs can be used as a vehicle for in-situ gene therapy. We suggest that the recombinant form of "Pichia pastoris" yeast expressing the hybrid protein of "irisin-furin-transferrin" under the control of the enolase 1 promoter is a new nutraceutical strategy to absorb fewer calories from intestinal nutrients, and induce a higher metabolic rate to expend more calories, similar to that from engaging in physical activity. By comparison, this method can be a long-term, noninvasive treatment and can be used for obese patients who have movement limitations.
Subject(s)
Humans , Fibronectins , Genetics , Furin , Genetics , Genetic Therapy , Obesity , Therapeutics , Pichia , Genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins , Genetics , Transferrin , Genetics , Weight LossABSTRACT
Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is one of the common gastrointestinal disorders with unknown etiology. In experimental models, it is proposed that soy isoflavones may suppress the clinical and psychological symptoms of IBS by alteration of gut barrier tight junctions. We conducted this study to evaluate the effects of soy isoflavones on IBS symptoms and patients' quality of life. In a randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 67 patients with IBS were allocated to consume either soy isoflavones capsules or a placebo for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was a significant reduction in symptoms severity score and the secondary outcome was a significant improvement in quality of life. 45 participants completed the study. There was no significant changes in mean differences of symptoms severity score between the two groups; however soy isoflavone supplementation could significantly improve the quality of life scores [p=0.009]. Soy isoflavones supplementation could improve the quality of life in patients with IBS; however it did not suppress the symptoms seventy in 6 weeks. Further research with a longer duration is needed to determine the sustained clinical efficacy. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02026518
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Isoflavones , Quality of Life , Double-Blind MethodABSTRACT
Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of antioxidants supplement on clinical outcomes and antioxidant parameters in rheumatoid arthritis [RA]
Methods: The pre post study was conducted on 40 female patients with RA in 12 weeks that taken daily one "Selenplus" capsule contained 50 microg selenium, 8 mg zinc, 400 microg vitamin A, 125 mg vitamin C, and 40 mg vitamin E. About 5 mL venous blood sample was taken from all participants and disease activity score [DAS] was determined by DAS 28 formula and high sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]. Glutathione peroxidase [GPX] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] were measured by spectrophotometric kit and catalase [CAT] was measured by Abei method. Total antioxidant capacity [TAC] was determined by spectrophotometric kit. Distribution of the variables was assessed using histogram with normal curve as well as Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and data were analyzed with paired t-test for differences between pre-post data using SPSS software version 13.5
Results: Out of 40 patients, 39 completed the study. DAS-28 score and hs-CRP have changed [P < 0.01 for both], while the number of swollen and painful joints did not reduce significantly. TAC, GPX, SOD, and CAT increased significantly [P < 0.01 for all variables]
Conclusions: Our findings showed that antioxidants may improve disease activity significantly, but it did not affect the number of painful and swollen joints and increased erythrocyte antioxidant levels. Antioxidants may be useful for controlling of clinical outcomes and oxidative stress in RA