Effects of folate supplementation on recurrence and metabolic status of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 in overweight and obese women: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inconsistent evidence showed that folate supplementation may be associated with reduced risk of cancer due to improved metabolic profiles and reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of this investigation was to quantify the effects of folate supplementation on the recurrence and other metabolic factors of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 (CIN2/3). METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 60 overweight/obese women with CIN2/3. Definitive CIN2/3 confirmation was done via biopsy, pathological diagnosis, as well as colposcopy. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group to take 5 mg/day folate supplements or placebo group (n = 30 in each group) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: The results of the current study showed a non-significant decrease in recurrence of CIN2/3 in the folate group in comparison with the placebo group (3.3% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.08). Compared with the placebo, folate supplementation significantly decreased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels (P < 0.001), serum insulin values (in the crude model) (P = 0.01), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.01). Also, folate supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (P = 0.002) and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.04) and a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = 0.015) in comparison with the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, folate supplementation for 12 weeks among overweight/obese women with CIN2/3 showed a non-significant decrease in its recurrence and had beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and oxidative stress markers.

Effect of lifestyle modification education based on health belief model in overweight/obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A parallel randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common emerging liver disease worldwide. Lifestyle modification is the most emphasized method on management of this disease. METHODS: In order to conduct this parallel, randomized controlled trial study, eighty-two NAFLD patients recruited and allocated to intervention group or the control. RESULTS: After two months of intervention, significant improvements in all health belief model (HBM) variables and knowledge were seen within the intervention group (p < 0.001) and also the improvements were significantly superior between two groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, prominent significant reduction for liver enzyme was observed in the intervention group compared to the controls. Similarly, ultra-sonographic findings revealed a significant improvement in the intervention group versus control. CONCLUSIONS: This HBM-based lifestyle modification education could be effective not only in the HBM domains but also in the improvement of NAFLD parameters. Therefore, it could be useful to use this educational program for NAFLD patients in order to impact on their beliefs and body together. REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2014101811763N17).

Effects of curcumin on cardiovascular risk factors in obese and overweight adolescent girls: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Obese adolescents are at higher risk of development of cardiovascular risk factors and obesity in later life. Dietary intake of antioxidants, particularly curcumin, as an active ingredient of turmeric extract, may have noticeable effects on obesity and its important complications such as cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of curcumin supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adolescents. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial; Pediatric Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: 60 adolescent girls (aged 13-18 years) were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or intervention. The adolescents were asked to consume one 500 mg tablet per day, containing either standardized 95% turmeric extract or placebo, and to undergo a weight maintenance or a mild weight loss diet for 10 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were assessed at the baseline and the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Curcumin supplementation had beneficial effects on body mass index (P = 0.019), waist circumference (P = 0.008), hip circumference (P = 0.030), high-density lipoprotein levels (P = 0.042) and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio (P = 0.021). However, in univariate analysis of covariance, no significant differences were found between the intervention and placebo groups after 10 weeks of supplementation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prescription of curcumin supplementation along with use of a slight weight loss diet might have beneficial effects on some cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adolescents. Larger clinical trials with higher curcumin doses and longer duration are needed to confirm the results from the current study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20171107037302N1.

Effects of curcumin on cardiovascular risk factors in obese and overweight adolescent girls: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Obese adolescents are at higher risk of development of cardiovascular risk factors and obesity in later life. Dietary intake of antioxidants, particularly curcumin, as an active ingredient of turmeric extract, may have noticeable effects on obesity and its important complications such as cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of curcumin supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adolescents. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial; Pediatric Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: 60 adolescent girls (aged 13-18 years) were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or intervention. The adolescents were asked to consume one 500 mg tablet per day, containing either standardized 95% turmeric extract or placebo, and to undergo a weight maintenance or a mild weight loss diet for 10 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were assessed at the baseline and the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Curcumin supplementation had beneficial effects on body mass index (P = 0.019), waist circumference (P = 0.008), hip circumference (P = 0.030), high-density lipoprotein levels (P = 0.042) and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio (P = 0.021). However, in univariate analysis of covariance, no significant differences were found between the intervention and placebo groups after 10 weeks of supplementation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prescription of curcumin supplementation along with use of a slight weight loss diet might have beneficial effects on some cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adolescents. Larger clinical trials with higher curcumin doses and longer duration are needed to confirm the results from the current study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20171107037302N1

Effects of curcumin supplementation on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress among healthy overweight and obese girl adolescents: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: It is well known that there is a strong linkage between obesity, systemic low-grade inflammation, and oxidative stress in the pediatric population. Possible strategies that might control obesity and its relevant problems in this crucial group are of utmost importance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplements on inflammation, oxidative stress, and chemerin levels in adolescent girls. METHODS: Totally, 60 overweight and obese adolescent girls were randomly assigned to either placebo or intervention group in a randomized placebo-controlled parallel trial design. Adolescents consumed one 500-mg curcumin or placebo per day along with a slight weight loss diet for 10 weeks. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), chemerin levels, and anthropometric measurements were assessed at the beginning and end of the trial. RESULTS: Curcumin supplementation had a significant effect on IL-6 levels and oxidative stress markers including TAC and MDA in crude model. After controlling the effects of confounders, curcumin supplementation had a substantial effect on inflammation (hs-CRP and IL-6) and oxidative stress (TAC) marker of adolescents. DISCUSSION: Ten weeks of curcumin supplementation had beneficial effects on inflammation and oxidative stress markers among postpubescent overweight and obese girl adolescents.

The effects of concurrent Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine the effects of combined supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 with L-carnitine on mitochondrial metabolic disorders marker and migraine symptoms among migraine patients. METHODS: A total of 56 men and women, between 20-40 years of age with migraine headache, participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 30 mg/day Coenzyme Q10 and 500 mg/day L-carnitine at the same time and/or placebo tablets for 8 weeks. The measurements were completed at the beginning and end of the study. The primary outcome was severity of headache attacks. The secondary outcomes included duration, frequency of headache attacks, the headache diary results (HDR), and serum levels of lactate. RESULTS: A significant reduction was obtained in serum levels of lactate (-2.28 mg/dl, 95% CI: -3.65, -0.90; p = 0.002), severity (-3.03, 95% CI: -3.65, -2.40; p ≤ 0.001), duration (-7.67, 95% CI: -11.47, -3.90; p ≤ 0.001), frequency (-5.42, 95% CI: -7.31, -3.53; p ≤ 0.001) and HDR (-103.03, 95% CI: -145.76, -60.29; p ≤ 0.001) after 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: This double-blind parallel study provides evidences supporting the beneficial effects of Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine supplements on serum levels of lactate and migraine symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20121216011763N21.

The effects of mobile text messages on raising knowledge of men with type 2 diabetes, Isfahan, 2015: an educational experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders which are rapidly increasing. Distance training is a cost-effective, easy and accessible way in which time and place dimensions of communication are removed. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of mobile text messages on raising knowledge of men with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This educational experiment recruited 76 people selected by convenient sampling from a population of male patients with type 2 diabetes presenting to Sedigheh Tahereh Research Center in Isfahan, Iran, in 2015. They were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Data were collected with a questionnaire of demographic characteristics and questions pertaining to the variable of knowledge, through interview. The intervention group received training and follow-up through cell phones and text messages for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed in IBM-SPSS version 20 using Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square, Independent-samples t-test and paired-samples t-test. RESULTS: Findings suggested that patients' knowledge in both groups significantly increased after the training (p<0.001). However, this rise in the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that designing and implementing educational programs based on text messages and cell phones can improve knowledge in diabetics.

The Effect of a Lifestyle Modification Education on Adiposity Measures in Overweight and Obese Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is increasingly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and weight loss through a combination of dietary modifications and increased physical activity is a primary goal of therapy in this disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a lifestyle modification education on adiposity measures, physical activity, and total calorie intake in overweight and obese NAFLD patients. METHODS: During 8 weeks, 82 obese patients were randomly assigned into either an intervention group (n = 41) receiving a lifestyle modification education or to a control group (n = 41) receiving usual care. Total calorie intake, physical activity, and body composition indices were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients in intervention group and 33 in control group completed the study. The analysis of body composition variables did not show any significant reduction for percent of body fat, abdominal circumference, waist to hip ratio, visceral fat area, age matched of body, and soft lean mass (SLM) of the trunk (P > 0.05). On the other hand, a significant reduction in weight, body mass index, mass of body fat (MBF), SLM, and MBF of the trunk was observed after 2 months of intervention compared to the controls (P < 0.05). A significant reduction was observed in total calorie intake of intervention group as compared to the control group. Physical activity status did not show any significant improvements after 2 months of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our lifestyle modification education and its guidelines could be used in obese patients with NAFLD to improve their body composition measurements and to lose weight. This could result in significant long-term benefits in NAFLD patients.