effects of creatine and carnitine supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammation in athletes

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of creatine and carnitine supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammation in athletes. In this single-blind randomized clinical trial 45 sportsmen were studied selected from Velayat Sports Complex [in Shiraz] in this single-blind randomized clinical trial. Then they were randomly divided into four groups supplemented with: a] Creatine, b] Carnitine, c] Creatine and Carnitine and d] placebo for 28 days. Before and after the intervention, blood samples were taken for measurement of oxidative stress [MDA and GSHPx] and inflammation markers. Data were analyzed using SPSS/PC statistical package [version 18]. Paired t-test and ANOVA were used to compare mean values of each groups. No statistically significant difference were found between the IL-6 and MDA mean levels of the intervention groups and placebo group [P>0.05]. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was noted in GSHPx mean values before and after supplementation as well as in comparison to placebo group. Based on the defined dose and duration of supplementation in the present study, creatine and carnitine supplementation showed no effects on oxidative stress and inflammation conditions either separately or simultaneously. Furthermore, no negative and side effects were observed

[ effects of dietary supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E, individually and combined, on insulin resistance and lipid profile in hemodialysis patients]

Due to their antioxidant properties, vitamin E [VitE] and alpha-lipoic acid[ALA] may have a protective role against cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors, e.g., insulin resistance [IR] and dislipidemia, in hemodialysis patients.The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E, individually and combined, on insulin resistance and lipid profile in hemodialysis patients. This study was a randomized clinical placebo-controlled trial, including 85 patients [45 men and 40 women] from Shiraz hemodialysis centres.We examined the effects of a 2-month daily supplementation with VitE [400IU] and ALA [600mg], individually and combined, on fasting blood sugar [FBS], insulin, the HOMA index, and lipid profile [serum total, VLDL-, LDL- and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides]. A placebo group was also included in the study.At the beginning and at the end of the intervention weights and heights of the patients were measured, body mass index [BMI] was calculated, dietary intake assessed, and blood samples were taken for analysis. Significant reductions were observed in mean FBS [4.2], insulin [10.4] and the HOMA index [1.5] in theALA+VitE-supplemented group compared to the placebo group [P-values=0.02, 0.006, and 0.002, respectively]; changes in these parameters were not statistically significant in the groups supplemented with either one alone. Also, supplementation with VitE or ALA, either alone or combined, had no statstically significant effects on the lipid profile. Combined supplementation with vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid ALA canimprove insulin resistance in hemodialysis

[Effect of vitamin c supplementation on fasting and postprandial oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most wide spread endocrine disorders and among the most important developing health issues. This disease is associated with increased free radical production and decrease in antioxidant defense systems. In this study we evaluated the effect of vitamin C supplementation on fasting and postprandial oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients. Thirty patients with type 2 diabetes [age range 25 to 65 years] were randomly divided into two groups, 1] treatment with vitamin C [1000mg/d] and 2] the placebo group. They were supplemented for 6 weeks, after which we measured malondialdehyde, IL-6, hs-CRP and lipid profiles in fasting and postprandial state [after a breakfast containing 80g fat, the same as the first day of the study]. Data analysis was carried out using Mann Whitney U test, with P<0.05 being significant by SPSS software version 11. Results showed a significant decrease in fasting [p=0.006] and postprandial MDA [p<0.001] in the vitamin C group compared to controls but there were no significant changes in inflammatory markers and lipid profiles in the fasting and postprandial states. This study suggests that short term vitamin C supplementation can decrease fasting and postprandial oxidative stress, and thereby possibly prevent diabetes complications.

[ impact of vitamin E on glycemic control and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes patients]

Diabetic complications have been related to hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Alpha -tochoferol has antioxidant effects and can improve lipid profiles. We evaluated the effect of vitamin E supplementation on glucose, insulin and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients. In a randomized clinical trial, 31 patients included 14 men and 17 women [51.9 +/- 5.9 year] with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into treatment with vitamin E [800 mg/day] and placebo groups for 2 months. Plasma glucose, Insulin and lipid profiles were measured at the beginning and at the end of 3 months supplementation. The paired and independent t-test was used for analyzing of data. Anthropometric indexes were stable throughout the study. Vitamin E administration lowered fasting plasma insulin concentrations [28.25 +/- 2.37 and 27.8 +/- 2.56, p<0.016] plasma triglyceride concentration [279.41 +/- 194.99 and 212.48 +/- 85.18 p <0.03]. The plasma glucose and the other lipid profiles did not change after vitamin E consumption for 2 months. We need more research to establish beneficial effect of vitamin E intake in type 2 diabetic patients

[Effect of lecithin on blood lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic patients]

Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis that responded variably to dietary modification of fat and cholesterol. Previous studies in humans have shown that ingestion of lecithin can alter plasma cholesterol and triglyceride but results were different. The current study was designed to investigate the hypocholesterolemic properties of lecithin on patient with hypocholesterolemia. Sixty one subjects [27 Male, 34 Female] with mean ages 44 +/- 14 years old with hypercholesterolemia, was admitted to Mottahari Health Center[Shiraz], randomly assigned to the case [n=31] and control [n=30] groups. Case group received three lecithin capsules [1200 mg] which contain 420 mg Phosphatidylecoline, daily for six weeks. Subject's weight, Body Mass Index [BMI] and serum lipid concentration were measured at the beginning and the end of six weeks. No significant difference were found in mean weight in case group when compared to control group. Also no significant difference were found in mean BMI in case group when compared to control group. Significantly lower mean serum Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride and significantly higher HDL cholesterol were found in case group. In addition mean serum total cholesterol [P<0.05], LDL cholesterol [P<0.05] and TG [P<0.05] decreased and mean serum HDL-Cholesterol [P<0.05] increases significantly in case group vs. control group. This study showed that lecithin could be considered as effective nutrient useful in dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia