Is any association between alternate healthy eating index (AHEI) with lipid profile and liver enzymes? A cross-sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Based on evidence, there is a significant relationship between diet quality and the chronic conditions such as dyslipidemia and liver disorders. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between alternative healthy eating index (AHEI) and some biochemical measurements (lipid profile and liver enzymes). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 127 hospital employees were randomly selected (of 250 screened volunteers). AHEI was estimated based on a 168 items food frequency questionnaire. The laboratory data [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST)] were extracted from periodic examinations. The physical activity was also estimated with international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: Among 127 completed data, the mean AHEI score was 47.1. There was a direct relationship between AHEI score and HDL (P = 0.02). Among the AHEI components, the score of nuts and soybeans was directly associated with HDL level (P = 0.007). There was no association between the other AHEI components and selected biomarkers. CONCLUSION: Nuts and soybeans consumption-one unit per day-may increase HDL levels. More studies are needed to evaluate the diet quality with the other dietary indices. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00898-w.

The efficacy of probiotics on virus titres and antibody production in virus diseases: A systematic review on recent evidence for COVID-19 treatment.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There are some studies indicating the effects of probiotic-containing foods or supplements on viral diseases. We aimed to conduct a rapid review of probiotics with specific emphasis on their potential for early administration in patients at greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: We searched on PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science up to February 2021 to identify interventional and observational studies documenting the effects of probiotics strains on interleukins, virus titers, and antibody production with a focus on probiotic-containing foods (PROSPERO Registration ID. CRD42020181453) RESULTS: From a total of 163 records, 21 studies were classified into three domains based on the efficacy of probiotics on 1) the level of interleukins (n = 7), 2) virus titers (n = 2), and 3) interferon (IFN) and antibody production (n = 12). The suppuration of pro-inflammatory interleukins and type I INF production seemed to be the main anti-viral effect of probiotics. Nine studies also indicated the beneficial effects of probiotics and fermented foods on viral diseases. CONCLUSION: Based on evidence, some probiotic strains may be useful in viral infections; randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Effect of probiotics supplementation on disease progression, depression, general health, and anthropometric measurements in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics may have a promising role in chronic autoinflammatory diseases. The current systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of probiotics on disease progression, depression, general health, and anthropometric measurements in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients. METHODS: The English literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Central Cochrane Library through January 2021. Random effect models were used to synthesise quantitative data by STATA14 . RESULTS: From a total of 152 identified entries, four trials were included in quantitative synthesis (n = 213; 106 as intervention, 107 as control). An additional six studies with the same structure and different markers were also systematically reviewed. The pooled effect size showed that Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (WMD = -0.43; 95% CI = -0.65, -0.20; P < .001), Beck Depression Inventory-Ⅱ (BDI-Ⅱ) (WMD = -3.22; 95% CI = -4.38, -2.06; P < .001) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (WMD = -4.37; 95% CI = -6.43, -2.31; P < .001) were improved following probiotics supplementation. However, body weight and body mass index did not statistically change. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that probiotics supplementation can improve disease progression, suppress depression, and general health in MS patients; although, further investigations may be needed.

Cross-sectional Relationships Between Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) with General and Abdominal Obesity and Blood Pressure in Iranian Hospital Employees.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity and related disorders, there is an urgent need to examine the relationship between diet quality and public health. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) is one of the indices that is used to assess diet quality. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between AHEI and anthropometric measurements and blood pressure. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 127 male and female hospital employees were examined. The AHEI was calculated by a 168 items Food Frequency Questionnaire. Body weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) and blood pressure were measured by skilled nutritionists. Physical activity level was also obtained by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: The mean total AHEI score in participants was reported as 47.1±6.9 (min=31.9, max=60.3). The mean differences of total AHEI score across the obese/non-obese employees were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between total AHEI score and BMI (r=0.019), WC (r=0.022), WHR (r=-0.102), systolic (r=-0.133) and diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.040) (P>0.05). The score of nuts and soybeans was inversely related to the WHR (P=0.008) and systolic blood pressure (P=0.030). Cereal fiber score had a negative relationship with BMI (P=0.02), WC (P=0.03), WHR (P=0.004) and systolic (P<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (P=0.012). CONCLUSION: Consumption of nuts and soybeans -one serving per day- can be associated with WHR and systolic blood pressure reduction. More studies with a larger scale are needed to examine diet quality.