RETRACTED ARTICLE: The Novel Effects of a Hydrolyzed Polysaccharide Dietary Supplement on Immune, Hepatic, and Renal Function in Adults with HIV in a Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Control Trial.

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of a hydrolyzed polysaccharide, rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC), on immune, hepatic, and renal function in HIV + individuals. A six-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was utilized to conduct the intervention. Forty-seven HIV + participants on stable antiretroviral therapy were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two study conditions (n = 22 RBAC and n = 25 placebo) and consumed 3 gram/day of either compound for six months. Participants were assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months follow-up for CD4+ and CD8+, liver enzymes, and kidney function. No side effects were reported, and liver and kidney markers nearly remained completely within normal limits. The percentage change in CD4+ was similar for the placebo (+2.2%) and RBAC (+3.1%) groups at 6 months follow-up. The percentage change in CD8+ count significantly decreased from baseline to 6 months in the RBAC group (-5.2%), whereas it increased in the placebo group (+57.8%; p = 0.04). The CD4+/CD8+ ratio improved clinically in the RBAC group from 0.95 (SD =0.62) at baseline to 1.07 (SD =0.11) at 6 months, whereas it declined in the placebo group from 0.96 (SD =0.80) at baseline to 0.72 (SD =0.59) at 6 months. Our results showed a statistically significant decrease in CD8+ count and a clinically significant increase in CD4+/CD8+ ratio for the RBAC group compared to the placebo group. Thus, the results of this study suggest that the immunomodulatory and antisenescent activities of RBAC are promising for the HIV population.

Cardiovascular, endothelial function, and immune markers in response to treatment with a polysaccharide in HIV+ adults in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Given the ongoing problems of hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in the HIV population, the primary objective of the study was to assess the cardiovascular, endothelial function, and immune markers in response to rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC) treatment in a sample of HIV+ adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART). STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 6 months was used to execute the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven subjects were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two study conditions (n=22 RBAC and n=25 placebo) for 6 months with assessments at baseline and 3 and 6 months. A multivariate repeated measures analysis of variance model was used to assess the differences between RBAC and placebo groups in cardiovascular (systolic blood pressure), endothelial function (skin blood flow in response to nitric oxide), and immune (CD4+ cell count) markers from baseline to 6 months. RESULTS: The effect of treatment (RBAC versus placebo) was significant (Wilks' λ=0.92, F[3, 102]=3.07, P=0.03). The effect of time was significant (Wilks' λ=0.10, F[2, 103]=474.6, P<0.001). The overall interaction between treatment and time was significant (Wilks' λ=0.92, F[2, 103]=4.58, P=0.01). Time contrasts showed that a difference in the overall dependent variable did not occur from baseline to 3 months (F[1, 104]=2.7, P=0.10), marginally occurred from baseline to 6 months (F[1, 104]=3.2, P=0.08), and was significant from 3 to 6 months (F[1, 104]=6.43, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The overall significant interaction suggests varying responses in the dependent variables between RBAC and placebo over time, which is being driven by systolic blood pressure, as it decreased in the RBAC group, but increased in the placebo group. In addition, CD4+ manifested a non-significant increase from baseline to 3 months then decreased from 3 to 6 months in the RBAC group, whereas it decreased at 3 months followed by a slight increase at 6 months in the placebo group. Skin blood flow in response to nitric oxide improved non-significantly overall in both groups, but worsened from 3 to 6 months in the placebo group. Thus, RBAC treatment may contribute to modest short-term improvements in systolic blood pressure, endothelial function, and CD4+ cell count, which could help improve the overall health profile of HIV+ adults. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Persons with HIV on ART suffer disproportionately from hypertension and endothelial dysfunction compared to the non-infected population, and conventional medical therapy does not alleviate these issues. RBAC is a safe, low-risk alternative that may help to improve the overall quality of life of these patients through modest improvements in these biomarkers plus CD4+ cell count.

Corrigendum to "The Effect of a Hydrolyzed Polysaccharide Dietary Supplement on Biomarkers in Adults with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/1751583.].

The Effect of Broad-Spectrum Dietary Supplementation on Quality of Life, Symptom Severity, and Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that exerts a significant quality-of-life toll on patients. According to the literature, broad-spectrum dietary supplementation including a variety of nutrients, polysaccharides, and compounds may improve the quality of life, functionality, and symptom severity in people with MS. Individuals (n = 15) diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) for an average of 12.4 years (SD = 7.4; R = 2, 25) were enrolled in a one-year open-label clinical trial in which they consumed a broad-spectrum dietary supplement regimen three times daily. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months with the following: (1) Functional Assessment of MS (FAMS), (2) the EQ-5D-3L, (3) Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), (4) Health Conditions Discomfort Scale (HCDS), and (5) Self-Assessment of Severity of MS Symptoms Scale (SASMSSS). Participants included seven females and eight males (M age = 51.3 years; SD = 7.2; R = 38, 65). Few minor gastrointestinal effects were reported. At the end of the intervention, participants showed significant improvements in all outcome measures, particularly functionality on the FAMS, overall quality of life on the EQ-5D-3L, fewer depressive symptoms on the BDI, and improved severity of symptoms on the HCDS and the SASMSSS. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation containing a variety of nutrients can improve the quality of life, severity of disease symptoms, and functionality in MS patients. These findings are clinically promising for MS patients, given the lack of treatment options geared toward improving quality of life in this population.

The Effect of a Polysaccharide-Based Multinutrient Dietary Supplementation Regimen on Infections and Immune Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with increased infection rates, chronic inflammation, and premature death. Optimization of nutritional status via dietary supplementation may improve immune function in people suffering from MS and lead to decreased rates of infection. Fifteen individuals with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS for an average of 12.4 years (SD =7.4; R = 2, 25) were enrolled in a one-year open-label clinical trial. Participants consumed a broad-spectrum dietary supplement regimen containing polysaccharides, phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals three times per day. The occurrence of infections and a panel of cytokines, growth factors, and T- and B-cell subsets were assessed at baseline and 12 months. Seven female and 8 male participants with an average age of 51.3 years (SD =7.2; R = 38, 65) completed the study. At the end of the intervention, participants had fewer total infections (M = 7.9, SD =8.1 at baseline and M = 2.5, SD =4.3 at 12-month follow-up). At 12 months, IL-2, TNF-α, EGF, and CD95 + CD34+ significantly increased, while IL-1ß significantly decreased. No major adverse effects were reported; only mild gastrointestinal intolerance was reported in four cases. A decreased occurrence of infection was observed in MS patients treated with 12 months of a polysaccharide-based multinutrient dietary supplement. Significant changes were also noted in several key biomarkers that would be physiologically favorable to the MS population. Thus, the results of this study suggest an immunomodulatory effect of the dietary supplement regimen studied.

The Effect of a Hydrolyzed Polysaccharide Dietary Supplement on Biomarkers in Adults with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a hydrolyzed polysaccharide, Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Compound (RBAC), on biomarkers in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A 90-day randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial examined the effect of RBAC on complete blood count, liver enzymes, lipids, oxidative stress markers, cytokines, and growth factors. Twenty-three adults with NAFLD were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two study conditions (n = 12 RBAC and n = 11 placebo) and consumed 1 gram/day of either compound for 90 days. Subjects were assessed at baseline and 45 and 90 days. No adverse effects were reported. Alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased (-3.1%; SD = 19.9; F[1,19] = 5.1, p = 0.03) in the RBAC group compared to placebo. Percent monocytes (17.9%; SD = 18.3; F[1,19] = 5.9, p = 0.02) and percent eosinophils (30.6%; SD = 30.5; F[1,19] = 12.3, p < 0.01) increased in the RBAC group. IFN-γ (156%; SD = 131.8; F[1,19] = 4.2, p = 0.06) and IL-18 (29.1%; SD = 64; F[1,19] = 5.3, p = 0.03) increased in the RBAC group compared to placebo. Other improvements were noted for platelets, neutrophils, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, γ-glutamyl transferase, and 4-hydroxynonenal. RBAC had beneficial effects on several biomarkers that add to the known immunomodulatory activities of RBAC, which may be promising for people with NAFLD.

Intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate is not associated with cardiovascular, liver, kidney, and metabolic toxicity in adults.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium (Mg) deficiency contributes to the pathophysiology of numerous diseases. The therapeutic use of Mg has steadily increased over time. The increased in-hospital use of intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) warrants more extensive investigation regarding the safety of the therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of IV MgSO4 infusion on cardiovascular, liver, kidney, and metabolic markers in adults. METHODS: Twelve volunteers were randomized to one of two cross-over conditions: (a) IV infusion of MgSO4 in 5% dextrose followed by IV infusion of 5% dextrose 1 week later or (b) IV infusion of 5% dextrose followed by IV infusion of MgSO4 in 5% dextrose 1 week later. An electrocardiogram was recorded continuously during the infusions. Blood was drawn pre- and post-infusion for blood count (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides). Results: Serum Mg increased from pre- to post-infusion in the MgSO4 + 5% dextrose group (p < 0.0001). The QRS interval length increased from pre- to post-infusion in the MgSO4 + 5% dextrose group (p < 0.04). Additionally, serum glucose concentration increased in the MgSO4 + 5% dextrose group (p = 0.04). These significant findings were modeled with gender and age as covariates. No other significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of IV infusion of MgSO4 (4 g/100 mL) in 5% dextrose over a 4-hour treatment period poses no significant deleterious effects on cardiovascular, liver, kidney, or metabolic function. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: IV infusion of MgSO4 may be used for certain treatment indications without significant concern for systemic or organ toxicity.

Anti-cancer effects of aloe-emodin: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Anthraquinones are a possible treatment option for oncological patients due to their anti-cancer properties. Cancer patients often exhaust a plethora of resources that ultimately fail to provide fully curative measures. Alternative treatments are subsequently sought in the hope of finding a therapeutic remedy. Po¬tential regimens include aloe-emodin and its related derivatives. This review therefore summarizes the effects of aloe-emodin and other aloe components in light of their anti-proliferative and anti-carcinogenic properties. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in PubMed for aloe-emodin and cancer in humans. Sixty abstracts of in vitrostudies were selected and reviewed with subsequent screening of the full text. Thirty-eight articles were summarized. RESULTS: Aloe-emodin possesses multiple anti-proliferative and anti-carcinogenic properties in a host of human cancer cell lines, with often multiple vital pathways affected by the same molecule. The most notable effects include inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; cycle arrest; induction of cell death; mitochondrial membrane and redox perturbations; and modulation of immune signaling. The effects of aloe-emodin are not ubiquitous across all cell lines but depend on cell type. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this systematic review, the multiple consistent effects of aloe-emodin in hu¬man-derived cancer cell lines suggest that aloe-emodin is a potential anti-cancer agent that acts on cancer cells in a pleiotropic manner. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Cancer patients often utilize alternative therapies as a result of suboptimal efficacy of conventional treatments. Aloe-emodin might become a therapeutic option for cancer patients if the basic research is confirmed in clinical trials.

New method of sudomotor function measurement to detect microvascular disease and sweat gland nerve or unmyelinated C fiber dysfunction in adults with retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes-associated microvascular complications such as retinopathy and neuropathy often lead to end-organ and tissue damage. Impaired skin microcirculation often precedes the detection of other advanced diabetic complications. The ANS-1 system contains a redesigned sympathetic skin response (ANS-1 SSR) device that measures sudomotor function, a photoplethysmography sensor, and a blood pressure device to comprehensively assess cardiac autonomic neuropathy and endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between the ANS-1 SSR amplitude measured at the: (a) negative electrode (Nitric Oxide [NO] Sweat Peak) with microvascular diseases and associated vascular blood markers and (b) positive electrode (iSweat Peak) with C fiber function. METHODS: All participants (healthy controls n = 50 and retinopathy patients n = 50) completed the ANS-1 system evaluation and a basic sociodemographic and medical history questionnaire, including a quality of life measure (SF-36). A small sample of blood was drawn to determine levels of homocysteine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen. Symptoms of peripheral foot neuropathy were assessed with a scale from 1 (none) to 10 (the worst). We used Spearman rank correlations, independent samples t-tests, and receiver operating characteristic curves to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the NO Sweat Peak as a potential screening marker of retinopathy. RESULTS: The ANS-1 System Cardiometabolic Risk Score and all indicators of quality of life on the SF-36, other than Emotional Role Functioning, were significantly worse in the retinopathy patients. The sudomotor response marker NO Sweat Peak had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 68% (Area Under the Curve = 0.81, p < 0.0001) to detect retinopathy. The NO Sweat Peak response marker inversely correlated with BUN (ρ = -0.41, p < 0.0001), homocysteine (ρ = -0.44, p < 0.0001), fibrinogen (ρ = -0.41, p < 0.0001), the Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy score (ρ = -0.68, p < 0.0001), and the heart rate variability Total Power (ρ = -0.57, p < 0.0001), and it positively correlated with the Photoplethysmography Index (PTGi; ρ = 0.53 p < 0.0001). The ANS-1 system sudomotor response marker iSweat Peak inversely correlated with the severity of symptoms on the peripheral neuropathy scale (ρ = -0.56, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that this new method of measuring sympathetic skin response should be useful for detecting the earliest manifestations of microvascular disease and symptoms of C fiber dysfunction.

A double-blind, randomized trial on the effect of a broad-spectrum dietary supplement on key biomarkers of cellular aging including inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in healthy adults.

Background and Aim: Nutritional approaches that ameliorate cellular senescence may have the potential to counteract the effects of chronic disease. This study will investigate the effect of the Healthycell dietary supplement on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. Methods: Thirty adults between the ages of 18 and 55 were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two study conditions (n = 15 Healthycell and n = 15 placebo). Subjects participated in a four-week intervention and were assessed at baseline, four weeks, and six weeks (after a two-week washout period). Results: Pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1α (t = 2.033; mean difference = -3.97 pg/ml; SE = 2.0; 95% CI: -8.0, -0.3; Cohen's d = 0.77; p = 0.05) decreased, while soluble cytokine receptors sTNFR-I (t = 2.057; mean difference = 52.39 pg/mL; SE = 18.5; 95% CI: 5.2, 99.6; Cohen's d = 0.53; p = 0.03) and sTNFR-II (t = 1.739; mean difference = 208.71 pg/ml; SE = 72.0; 95% CI: 24.4, 393.0; Cohen's d = 0.61; p = 0.02) increased in the treatment group versus control. C-reactive protein also rose in the Healthycell group during the trial (t = 2.568; mean difference = 1.41 mg/dL; SE = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3, 2.5; Cohen's d = 0.66; p < 0.01), without accompanying increases in IL-6 and TNF-α. Additionally, cortisol levels decreased in the Healthycell group (t = 0.575; mean difference = -0.31 ug/dL; SE=0.1; 95% CI: -0.6, -0.03; Cohen's d = 0.88; p = 0.03). When groups were split by age (< 35 years vs. ≥ 35 years), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker of DNA damage, decreased in the older Healthycell group compared to placebo (t = 1.782; mean difference = -7.09 ng/mL; SE = 3.0; 95% CI: -13.3, -0.9; Cohen's d = 0.63; p = 0.03). Significant changes were also found for sTNFR-I, sTNFR-II, and IL-5 in the older group. All results were obtained from t tests by post-hoc analysis. Conclusions: Our findings show an improved inflammatory profile and decreased DNA damage. Additionally, the efficacy of Healthycell was primarily in older adults, where the processes that cause or are associated with cell senescence are more predominant. Relevance for patients: Healthycell may help to counteract the inflammatory effects of aging that lead to both cell senescence and the multitude of age-related chronic diseases.

Double-blind, randomized crossover study of intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate versus 5% dextrose on depressive symptoms in adults with treatment-resistant depression.

AIM: Treatment-resistant depression patients are more likely to suffer from comorbid physical and mental disorders, experience marked and protracted functional impairment, and incur higher health-care costs than non-affected individuals. Magnesium sulfate is a treatment option that may offer great potential for patients with treatment-resistant depression based on prior work in animals and humans. METHODS: Twelve subjects with mild or moderate treatment-resistant depression were randomized into a double-blind crossover trial to receive an infusion of 4 g of magnesium sulfate in 5% dextrose or placebo infusion of 5% dextrose with a 5-day washout in between the 8-day intervention period. Subjects were assessed before and after the intervention for serum and urine magnesium, lipid panel, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. RESULTS: We found a difference in serum magnesium from day 2 to 8 (pre-infusion) (P < 0.002) and from baseline to day 8 (P < 0.02). No changes were noted on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression or the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 24 h post-treatment, but as serum magnesium increased from baseline to day 7, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 decreased from baseline to day 7 (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate did not significantly affect depression 24 h post-infusion, but other results were consistent with the literature. The association between changes in serum magnesium and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 supports the idea that magnesium sulfate may be used to address treatment-resistant depression, an ongoing medical challenge.

The effect of exercise training on disease progression, fitness, quality of life, and mental health in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Exercise has been associated with improvements in adverse physiological and psychological effects of long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people living with HIV (PLWH). AIM: To summarizes the findings on the effects of aerobic or resistance training alone or combined aerobic and resistance exercise training (CARET) on disease progression, fitness, physical functioning, mental health, and quality of life (QOL) in PLWH receiving ART. A systematic search of articles was performed in several databases, and 20 articles that met inclusion criteria were summarized. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Aerobic exercise was associated with improvements in aerobic capacity, QOL, and depressive symptoms, while resistance training improved strength. CARET was related to improved aerobic fitness, strength, physical functioning, QOL, and self-efficacy. At least one of the exercise interventions resulted in improvements in CD4+ cell count and HIV RNA viral load. Moreover, another study showed that HIV-specific biomarkers remained unchanged in the exercise intervention group, while they significantly worsened in the non-exercise group. In general, in spite of their well-known benefits, exercise programs have not been extensively utilized or widely recognized as viable therapeutic treatment options for this patient population. Knowing the possible health benefits of increasing physical activity level is important to better recommend exercise programs. However, the prescription must be done carefully and on an individual basis. Additional studies investigating the efficiency and effectiveness of different exercise training regimens for PLWH are needed.

A cross-sectional assessment to detect type 2 diabetes with endothelial and autonomic nervous system markers using a novel system.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is frequently unrecognized until complications appear. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is one of the early complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus, resulting in autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of ANS function indicators to screen for type 2 diabetes mellitus, as measured by the TM-Oxi and SudoPath system. METHODS: All enrolled participants completed a basic sociodemographic and medical history questionnaire including current medications. Healthy controls (n = 25) underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to evaluate glucose, insulin, and insulin C-peptide. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 24) were assessed with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin. The TM-Oxi and SudoPath system evaluation was completed by all subjects. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Frequency and descriptive statistics were calculated on all variables. The criterion for statistical significance was α = 0.05. RESULTS: The twenty-five healthy controls had a mean age of 37.0 years. The twenty-four type 2 diabetes mellitus patients currently undergoing standard treatment had a mean age of 48.9 years. Based on the American Diabetes Association guidelines, we detected pre-diabetes in 4 subjects and diabetes in 1 subject, while all other subjects had normal FPG values. At 120 minutes, the correlations between the OGTT and cardiometabolic risk score (CMRS) were: r = 0.56 (p = 0.004) for glucose and r = 0.53 (p = 0.006) for insulin. At 120 minutes, the correlations between the OGTT and photoplethysmography index (PTGi) were: r = -0.56 (p = 0.003) for glucose and r = -0.41 (p = 0.04) for insulin. The CMRS, PTGi, and plethysmography total power index (PTGVLFi) differed significantly between the diabetes patients and healthy participants. The specificity and sensitivity for the CMRS, PTGi, and PTVLFi comparing the diabetes patients with healthy controls were high. CONCLUSION: The TM-Oxi and SudoPath system shows promise as a valid, convenient, and non-invasive screening method for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The ANS function and CMR indicators measured by this system may be useful in guiding diabetes and cardiovascular health screening, treatment, and monitoring.