The effects of nutrition bio-shield superfood powder on immune system function: A clinical trial study among patients with COVID-19.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Nutrition Bio-shield Superfood (NBS) powder on the immune system function and clinical manifestations in patients with COVID-19. We compare the effects of NBS powder on the immune system function and clinical manifestations among two different groups: 1) intervention group receiving standard treatment scheduled according to treatment guidelines plus NBS powder, and 2) control group receiving only the same standard treatment. The serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, IFNγ, and TNFα were determined after four weeks of treatment by specific ELISA kits according to the manufacturer's instructions. Finally, the level of immune system stimulation and inflammatory markers were compared at baseline and after intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22). A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was set as significant. A total of 47 patients with COVID-19 (24 patients in the intervention group and 23 patients in the control group) were included in this study. Results showed that the differences in the mean decrease of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in the intervention group in comparison to the control group were 0.93, 10.28, and 8.11 pg/ml, respectively (P<0.001). On the other hand, there was no difference in IL-17, IFNγ, monocytes, eosinophil, and other inflammatory indices between the intervention and control groups. Although NBS powder was able to significantly decrease the levels of some proinflammatory cytokines in patients with COVID-19, however, it is noteworthy that the course of the disease was to large part unaffected by NBS power and there was a reduction independent of treatment. The present study indicates that NBS powder could provide a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect in patients with COVID-19. Hence, NBS in treating patients with COVID-19 shows promise as an adjuvant to the current standard antiviral treatment of such patients. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.irct.ir, identifier IRCT20200426047206N1.

Inadequate achievement of ABC goals (HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-C) among patients with type 2 diabetes in an Iranian population, 2012-2017.

AIMS: This study was designed to evaluate the meeting of ABC goals in patients with type 2 diabetes. The ABC goals were defined as meeting the HbA1c <7%, systolic blood pressure <130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <80 mmHg, and LDL-C <100 mg/dL. We also determined the associated factors with meeting the ABC goals, as well as the effectiveness of statin therapy. METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional study of 2008 type 2 diabetes patients attending the diabetes clinics of Valiasr Hospital of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex. Meeting ABC goals and their associated factors were analyzed from the registered data. RESULTS: At the end of the year 2014, 61.3% of patients met the HbA1c goal, which increased to 77.8% in 2017. Blood pressure of 79.5% of patients met the ADA recommendations by the end of the year 2014, reaching 86.6% in 2017. Moreover, 84.5% and 93.8% could reach the LDL-C goal in 2014 and 2017, respectively. The proportion for the patients meeting all three ABC goals were 23.2% and 42.1% in 2014 and 2017, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The level of achievement of ABC goals in Iran is lower than expected and it requires a lot of programming effort and follow-up. As patients are followed over the years, controlling ABC becomes much more favorable.

Protective effect of naringin against BPA-induced cardiotoxicity through prevention of oxidative stress in male Wistar rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA), which is an applied endocrine disrupting chemical in industry for producing epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics and naringin, is an active flavanone glycoside of grapefruit and many citrus fruits. The present study evaluated the protective effect of naringin against cardiotoxicity induced by BPA. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Control group received oral olive oil; and BPA group orally were administrated 50 mg/kg of BPA for 30 d consecutively to induce toxicity. 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg of naringin were orally administered for 30 consecutive, along with BPA. Naringin group orally received 160 mg/kg of naringin for 30 d consecutively. Animals were sacrificed and their biochemical, histological, and oxidative stress parameters were measured 24 h after the last treatment. Heart injury was induced by BPA as an evidence with a significant increase in levels of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, triglyceride, lipid peroxidation, and a significant decrease in levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and triggered myocardial disorganization, myofibrillar loss, congestion of red blood cells, and the inflammation. However, there were not any changes in the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and alanine aminotransferase. Moreover, our results indicated that administering 80 and 160 mg/kg of naringin significantly altered all examined endpoints that were induced by BPA. Both concentrations of 80 and 160 mg/kg of naringin were more effective than 40 mg/kg. These findings indicated that naringin had a protective effect against cardiotoxicity induced by BPA through lipid-lowering properties, antioxidant activity, and suppressed lipid peroxidation.

Efficiency of naringin against reproductive toxicity and testicular damages induced by bisphenol A in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Bisphenol A (BPA) as a synthetic compound is applied in many plastic industries. BPA has been reported to have endocrine-disrupting feature with cytotoxic effects. The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Naringin against testicular toxicity induced by BPA in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animals were assigned into six groups of control, BPA-treated (50 mg/kg), BPA+Naringin-administrated (40, 80, 160 mg/kg) and Naringin-treated (160 mg/kg) for 30 days. At the end of experiments, testicular weight, total testicular protein, epididymal sperm count, testicular enzymes, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and estradiol, testicular enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and histopathology of testis tissue were evaluated by their own methods. RESULTS: The results showed a reduction in testicular weight, total testicular protein, epididymal sperm count, testicular enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase) and decrease in the serum TSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol in BPA-administrated rats. Furthermore, BPA reduced the enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in testis tissue. Also, BPA caused an induction in lipid peroxidation and increase in reactive oxygen species levels, whereas it decreased the glutathione content of testis tissue. Histological findings exhibited seminiferous tubules vacuoles, atrophy and separation of the germinal epithelium in BPA-administrated rats. Oral administration of Naringin along with BPA normalized the biochemical, morphological and histological changes and reduced the testicular toxic condition. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that Naringin significantly managed male reproductive toxicity by antioxidant capabilities, preventing morphological modifications and escalating defense mechanism, thereby reducing oxidative stress from BPA-induced damage.

The ameliorative effect of quercetin on bisphenol A-induced toxicity in mitochondria isolated from rats.

Recent studies have demonstrated that bisphenol A (BPA) has an adverse or toxic effect on the kidney. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of quercetin (QUER) to prevent BPA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Thirty-two healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, as follows: control group (olive oil), BPA group (250 mg/kg), BPA þ QUER group (250 mg/kg + 75 mg/kg), and QUER group (75 mg/kg). All treatments were orally administered for 14 days. Kidney mitochondria were isolated by administration of the different centrifugation method. Uric acid and creatinine were considered to be biomarkers of nephrotoxicity. The ameliorative effects of QUER on BPA toxicity were evaluated by determining the glutathione (GSH) content, CAT, the damage to the mitochondrial membrane, the reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Administration of BPA significantly decreased kidney weight. In the kidney, BPA can deplete GSH content and CAT activity, increase the mitochondrial ROS formation, and enhances LPO and mitochondrial membrane damage. The pretreatment of mitochondria with QUER has the ability to reduce the toxic effects of BPA in isolated mitochondria. These findings suggest a potential role for QUER in protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage in kidney tissue.

Protective Effect of Naringin on Bisphenol A-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction and Oxidative Damage in Rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide, which is used in many plastic industries. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of BPA on cognitive functions and oxidative stress, and determine whether the naringin (NG) co-administration can modify the effect of this compound on cognitive functions and inhibit any possible oxidative stress in the brain tissue of rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Group I: control, Group II: BPA-treated rats (50 mg/kg/day), Group III, IV, V: BPA+NG (40, 80, 160 mg/kg/day), Group VI: NG (160 mg/kg/day) alone. Cognitive functions were evaluated using step-down latency (SDL) on a passive avoidance apparatus, and transfer latency (TL) in elevated plus-maze. A significant decrease in SDL, prolongation of TL, noticeable oxidative impairment and increase in acetylcholinesterase activity were observed in the BPA-treated in comparison with the control group. Also, the co-administration of NG (160 mg/kg) antagonized the effect of BPA on SDL and TL, attenuated oxidative damage by lowering malondialdehyde and nitrite concentrations and restored superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activities. On the other hand, acetylcholinesterase activity was reduced in the groups co-administred with NG (80 or 160 mg/kg) and BPA in comparison with the BPA alone-treated group. The present study highlighted the therapeutic potential of NG against BPA-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative damage.