Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on matrix metalloproteinases and DAS-28 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on serum matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and clinical parameters in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHOD: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 54 RA patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria (18-56 years, diagnosed at least 6 months ago, with DAS-28 > 3.2) were randomly assigned into two groups to receive 100 mg/day CoQ10 (n = 27) or placebo (n = 27) for 2 months. Serum MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels and clinical status using disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS-28) were assessed before and after supplementation. Data were analyzed using χ2, independent sample t test, paired t test, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: A significant reduction was observed in both CoQ10 and placebo groups in the medians of serum MMP-1 (0.2 to 0.16, P < 0.001), (0.18 to 0.15, P = 0.001); swollen joint count (2 to 0, P < 0.001), (2 to 0, P = 0.009); and the means of DAS-28 (5.01 ± 1.21 to 2.34 ± 0.68, P < 0.001), (4.88 ± 0.96 to 4.04 ± 1.36, P = 0.009) respectively. Serum MMP-3 level increased significantly in placebo group (2.26 to 2.57, P = 0.020), and the MMP-3 changes between groups were significant (P = 0.027). Furthermore, significant reductions were only observed in ESR, pain score, and tender joint count in CoQ10 group compared with baseline (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Significant differences were observed between two groups in DAS-28, pain score, and swollen and tender joint count after the intervention (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.012 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that CoQ10 may provide a new complementary approach for RA patients.Key Points• CoQ10 supplementation in RA patients attenuated serum MMP-3 level.• CoQ10 supplementation in RA patients improved clinical outcomes and ameliorated disease severity.• CoQ10 may provide a new complementary approach for patients with RA.

Effect of pomegranate seed oil supplementation on the GLUT-4 gene expression and glycemic control in obese people with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abnormality in glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4) function and insulin secretion are the main causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Due to adverse effects of antidiabetic drugs, nowadays, nutraceuticals have been of much interest to investigators. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) on the GLUT-4 gene expression and glycemic control in obese people with T2DM. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 52 obese type 2 diabetic patients for 8 weeks in Tabriz, Iran, in 2018. Patients were divided into the intervention group (n = 26; who consumed daily three capsules containing 1 g PSO) and the placebo group (n = 26; the same amounts paraffin). GLUT-4 gene expression and glycemic indices were evaluated by standard methods. GLUT-4 gene expression was increased significantly in the PSO group. Within-group changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index were significant in the PSO group. After adjusting the age, gender, and baseline values, FBS was significantly decreased. Insulin concentration, HbA1C, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-ß did not manifest significant changes. PSO increased the GLUT-4 gene expression in diabetic patients without any side effects. However, future clinical studies are needed to confirm the obtained results.

Punicic acid: A potential compound of pomegranate seed oil in Type 2 diabetes mellitus management.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the most common form of the disease, has become a serious threat to public health and is a growing burden on global economies. Due to the unexpected adverse effects of antidiabetic medicines, the use of nutraceuticals as a complementary therapy has drawn extensive attention by investigators. In this issue, a novel nutraceutical, Punicic acid (PA)-the main ingredient of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) that has potential therapeutic effects in T2DM-has been investigated. PA is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, and unlike synthetic ligands, such as thiazolidinediones, it has no side effects. PA exerts antidiabetic effects via various mechanisms, such as reducing inflammatory cytokines, modulating glucose homeostasis, and antioxidant properties. In this review, we discussed the potential therapeutic effects of PSO and PA and represented the related mechanisms involved in the management of T2DM.

Secretion metabolites of probiotic yeast, Pichia kudriavzevii AS-12, induces apoptosis pathways in human colorectal cancer cell lines.

There is a common agreement on the important role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in the etiology of cancer. Benign probiotic yeast strains are able to ameliorate intestinal microbiota and regulate the host metabolism, physiology, and immune system through anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anticancer effects. We hypothesized that Pichia kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites possess anticancer activity on human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29, Caco-2) via inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis. This study aimed to assess the anticancer effect of P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites and the underlying mechanisms. The cytotoxicity evaluations were performed via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining; and FACS-flow cytometry tests. Also, the effects of P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites on the expression level of 6 important genes (BAD, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Fas-R) involved in the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways were studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites showed significant (P < .0001) cytotoxic effects on HT-29 cells (57.5%) and Caco-2 (32.5%) compared to KDR/293 normal cells (25%). Moreover, the cytotoxic effects of examined yeast supernatant on HT-29 cells were comparable with 5-fluorouracil, as a positive control (57.5% versus 62.2% respectively). Flow cytometric results showed that the induction of apoptosis is the main mechanism of the anticancer effects. Also, according to the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction results, the expression level of proapoptotic genes (BAD, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, and Fas-R) in treated HT-29 and Caco-2 cells was higher than untreated and normal cells, whereas the antiapoptotic gene (Bcl-2) was downregulated. P. kudriavzevii AS-12 secretion metabolites exert its anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Cellular and molecular effects of yeast probiotics on cancer.

The cancer is one of the main causes of human deaths worldwide. The exact mechanisms of initiation and progression of malignancies are not clear yet, but there is a common agreement about the role of colonic microbiota in the etiology of different cancers. Probiotics have been examined for their anti-cancer effects, and different mechanisms have been suggested about their antitumor functions. Nonpathogenic yeasts, as members of probiotics family, can be effective on gut microbiota dysbiosis. Generally safe yeasts have shown so many beneficial effects on human health. Probiotic yeasts influence physiology, metabolism, and immune homeostasis in the colon and contribute to cancer treatment due to possessing anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-cancer properties. This study reviews some of the health-beneficial effects of probiotic yeasts and their biological substances like folic acid and ß-glucan on cancer and focuses on the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of probiotic yeasts such as influencing pathogenic bacteria, inactivation of carcinogenic compounds, especially those derived from food, improvement of intestinal barrier function, modulation of immune responses, antitoxic function, apoptosis, and anti-proliferative effects.

Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Inflammatory Cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and Oxidative Stress in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines is a main trait of rheumatoid arthritis. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an endogenous antioxidant, has shown anti-inflammatory effects in some diseases. In this study we aimed to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on cytokines generation and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, 44 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited. Twenty two patients received 100 mg/day capsules of CoQ10 and 22 patients took placebo for 2 months. At the beginning and the end of the intervention, 7 mL of fasting blood was taken from patients to measure malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). RESULTS: At the end of the study, serum MDA significantly decreased in supplemented group (mean difference = -1.47 nmol/mL; 95% confidence interval (CI), -2.52 to -0.43; p = 0.008). CoQ10 also suppressed overexpression of TNF-α (difference in median was +1.1 in placebo vs. +0.03 in CoQ10 group; p = 0.033). There was no significant difference in TAC and IL-6 levels between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed beneficial effects of CoQ10 supplementation on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Influence of Anthropometric Measurements in Lung Function in Patients With Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is commonly regarded as a risk factor for asthma development, poor asthma control, and poor response to asthma therapy. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 85 asthmatics (37 male and 48 female) participated. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and anthropometric parameters were measured for each patient. RESULTS: Mean age and median duration were 43.9 ± 10.61 and 6 (3-14) years, respectively. Among anthropometric parameters, only waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) indicated significant correlation with PFTs in both sex (P < 0.05). There were negative associations between waist circumference, hip circumference and WHR with PFTs only in overweight and obese women (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Some anthropometric parameters affected lung function, and it seems that gender differentially contributes to this effect.

Effect of inulin and stevia on some physical properties of chocolate milk.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess physical properties of dietetic chocolate milk produced by stevia as a sugar replacer and inulin. Along with having prebiotic effect, inulin can also participate in enhancing textural properties of beverages. Therefore, this novel food will be useful for all people especially for diabetics. METHODS: This study was carried out in Quality Control Laboratory of Food Science and Technology Department, Health and Nutrition Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Science, during 2011-2012. The assay was performed on nine treatments with three replications. Sugar was substituted with stevia in two proportions of sucrose to stevia; 50:50 and 0:100. Inulin, in four levels of 0%, 2%, 4% and 6%, was added to the treatments of 50% and 100% stevia. The control sample contained no stevia and no inulin, such as commercial ones. Precipitation amount and viscosity were measured 24 hours after production. Data analyzed by one-way ANOVA, at the significant level of 0.05, using SPSS software ver. 17. RESULTS: Sugar replacement with stevia caused significant increase in precipitation and significant decrease in viscosity (P<0.05), whereas using inulin in formulation significantly decreased precipitation and increased viscosity (P<0.05). The sample containing 100% stevia and 6% inulin revealed a viscosity with a non-significant difference with the control (P>0.05). The sample containing 50% stevia and 6% inulin had the lowest precipitation while having a non-significantly difference with the control. Conclusion A thickener agent, such as inulin, should be used in the chocolate milk sweetened by stevia to improve physical properties of the product.