Insulin Resistance/Sensitivity Measures as Screening Indicators of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Measures of insulin resistance (IR)/sensitivity (IS) are emerging tools to identify metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, the comprehensive assessment of the performance of various indicators is limited. Moreover, the utility of measures of IR/IS in detecting liver fibrosis remains unclear. AIMS: To evaluate the predictive ability of seventeen IR/IS and two beta cell function indices to identify MAFLD and liver fibrosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals aged 25-75 years. Transient elastography was used to estimate liver stiffness and controlled attenuation parameter. The following measures were computed: homeostatic model assessment (HOMA/HOMA2) for IR, IS, and beta cell function; QUICKI; Bennett index; glucose/insulin; FIRI; McAuley index; Reynaud index; SPISE index; TyG; TyG-BMI; TyG-WC; TyG-WHtR; TG/HDL; and METS-IR. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age, gender, diabetes status, and body weight. RESULTS: A total of 644 individuals were included in our analysis. MAFLD and significant liver fibrosis were detected in 320 (49.7%) and 80 (12.4%) of the participants, respectively. All measures of IR/IS identified MAFLD and liver fibrosis. However, TyG-WC, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WHtR were the top three indicators that identified MAFLD. Measures that include insulin level in their mathematical calculation, namely, Raynaud index, HOMA-IR, HOMA 2-IR, FIRI, and QUICKI had the best performance in identifying liver fibrosis in the entire population, as well as among the study subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: TyG-WC, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WHtR were the best predictors of MAFLD. Insulin-based measures had better performances in the detection of advanced fibrosis. This was independent of age, gender, obesity, or diabetes status.

The association between dietary patterns and disease severity in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the colon and rectum. One of the most modifiable environmental factors affecting UC severity is the patient's dietary pattern. Although the role of dietary patterns on UC aetiology has been investigated previously, its relationship with disease severity has not yet been elucidated. This study examined the association between UC patients' dietary patterns and disease severity. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 340 UC patients. Using an FFQ, food patterns were assessed. Twenty-five food categories were categorised based on the similarity of the nutrient composition of the food using the factor analysis method. A simple clinical colitis activity index was used to determine disease severity. Three dietary patterns were identified based on the factor analysis: healthy, unhealthy and Western dietary pattern. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, patients who were in the highest tertile of healthy dietary pattern compared with the lowest tertile were 92 % less likely to have severe UC (OR: 0·08; 95 % CI: 0·03, 0·22). Also, those in the highest tertile of the Western dietary pattern were 3·86 times more likely to have severe UC than those in the lowest tertile (OR: 3·86; 95 % CI: 1·86, 8·00). Even after controlling for confounding variables, unhealthy dietary pattern did not increase the risk of severe UC. Our data indicate the beneficial role of healthy dietary pattern in amelioration of disease severity in UC patients. To confirm this association, more studies are needed, especially prospective cohort studies.

Consumption of dairy products and odds of ulcerative colitis: An Iranian case-control study.

The association between dairy product consumption and the risk of ulcerative colitis (UC) is not well elucidated. This case-control study examined the association between Iranian adults' dairy consumption and UC risk. We used a valid food frequency questionnaire to analyze dietary intakes in 340 patients with pathologically confirmed cases of UC and 782 controls as part of a case-control research. Pasteurized milk, cheese, and yogurt dietary intakes were calculated along with dairy products. Other variables were acquired using questionnaires. Study participants' mean (± SD) age and body mass index were 41.5 ± 14.1 years and 27.4 ± 4.77 kg/m2, respectively. After adjusting for potential variables, individuals who consumed more total dairy products were less likely to get UC than those who consumed less (odds ratio [OR]: 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24, 0.79). We found a significant reverse association between milk intake (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.07-0.24) and yogurt intake (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29-0.91) and UC, after controlling for potential confounders. Also, no significant association was found between cheese and UC risk (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 0.84-2.28). Higher consumption of total dairy products may reduce UC risk. To be specific, milk and yogurt are inversely associated with this disorder. However, no link was found between cheese intake and UC. Longitudinal observational studies, especially cohorts, are needed to further assess these associations.

The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on liver enzymes levels.

According to previous studies, astaxanthin exerts various biological effects due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities; however, its effects on liver enzymes have not yet been well elucidated. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess astaxanthin's effects on liver enzymes. A systematic literature search was conducted using scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar up to February 2023 to find relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). A random-effects model was used for the estimation of the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD). Overall, we included five trials involving 196 subjects. The duration of the intervention was between 4 and 48 weeks, and the dose was between 6 and 12 mg/day. ALT levels increased in the intervention group compared to the control group following astaxanthin supplementation (WMD: 1.92 U/L, 95% CI: 0.16 to 3.68, P=0.03), whereas supplementation with astaxanthin had a non-significant effect on AST (WMD: 0.72 U/L, 95% CI: -0.85 to 2.29, P=0.36), GGT (WMD: 0.48 U/L, 95% CI: -2.71 to 3.67, P=0.76), and ALP levels (WMD: 2.85 U/L, 95% CI: -7.94 to 13.63, P=0.60) compared to the placebo group. Our data showed that astaxanthin supplementation increases ALT concentrations in adults without affecting the levels of other liver enzymes. Further long-term and well-designed RCTs are necessary to assess and confirm these findings.

Relationship Between Dairy Intake and Hospitalization Risk and Disease Severity in Patients With COVID-19.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether dairy intake was associated with the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease and the probability of hospitalization of patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 141 patients with COVID-19 with an average age of 46.23 ± 15.88 years. The number of men (52.5%) participating in this study was higher than that of women. The association between dairy intake and COVID-19 was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The risk of hospitalization in the highest tertile of dairy intake was 31% lower than in the lowest tertile (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-1.25, p trend = 0.023). Higher milk and yogurt intake was associated with a reduced risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. Patients in the third tertiles were about 65% (p for trend = 0.014) and 12% (p for trend = 0.050) less likely to be hospitalized than those in the first tertile, respectively. Dairy consumption, especially low-fat ones, was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 and lower severity of COVID-19.

Association between dietary glycemic index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Managing dietary glycemic index (GI) deserves further attention in the interplay between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary GI and the odds of NAFLD in patients with T2DM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2021 and February 2022, including 200 participants with T2DM aged 18-70 years, of which 133 had NAFLD and 67 were in the non-NAFLD group. Cardiometabolic parameters were analyzed using standard biochemical kits and dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was applied to explore odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NAFLD according to tertiles of dietary GI. Results: Highest vs. lowest tertile (< 57 vs. > 60.89) of energy-adjusted GI was not associated with the odds of having NAFLD (OR 1.25, 95% CI = 0.6-2.57; P-trend = 0.54) in the crude model. However, there was an OR of 3.24 (95% CI = 1.03-10.15) accompanied by a significant trend (P-trend = 0.04) after full control for potential confounders (age, gender, smoking status, duration of diabetes, physical activity, waist circumference, HbA1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol, dietary intake of total carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, fat, and protein). Conclusion: High dietary GI is associated with increased odds of NAFLD in subjects with T2DM. However, interventional and longitudinal cohort studies are required to confirm these findings.

The association between skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and survival after gastrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: Low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) is frequently identified in gastric cancer patients but its association with patient survival rate is not clear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between SMI and overall survival in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from database inception until July 2021. Studies were eligible if they included gastric cancer patients, measured the SMI level, reported SMI before gastrectomy, defined sarcopenia according to SMI, and had a cohort or case-control design. Primary outcome was cancer survival rate. The risk of bias of individual studies was assessed using the Newcastle - Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Overall, 22 cohort studies including 7,203 participants were included. The quality of the included studies was moderate to high. A higher overall survival rate was associated with a higher SMI (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.42-1.85). Subgroup analysis suggested a stronger association in overweight or obese patients (RR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.13-5.09; I2 = 77%; heterogeneity P < 0.01). But no significant differences in the association based on the surgery type (curative surgery vs radical surgery) or the type of gastrectomy (total gastrectomy vs sub-total gastrectomy) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that SMI can be a prognostic indicator for overall survival in gastric cancer patients, especially in overweight and obese patients.

Current evidence on dietary factors and kidney allograft function in kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no accounted-for consensus and practical standard when counseling diet modification for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). There are many differences between transplant centers regarding what KTRs are needed to follow a diet, what dietary factors and supplements are allowed, and how long KTRs should follow a modified diet. Relatively few scatter data are available for dietary factors in KTRs. Thus, we aimed to systematically review the literature on the purported dietary factors for kidney function. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed between February and March 2022 and updated in February 2023 using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We included human observational and interventional studies that evaluated a dietary factor on kidney function and graft survival in KTRs. Data were extracted, and the risk of bias was assessed using established tools relevant to the study design. RESULTS: Of the 5341 citations retrieved, seven prospective cohorts, five cross-sectional, seventeen randomized, and ten non-randomized clinical trials were included that evaluated seven purported dietary factors. Almost half of the studies (n = 22; 56%) were classified as having a low degree of bias and sufficient support. Twenty-one studies (54%) reported a positive effect on KTRs. DASH and Mediterranean diets decreased graft failure, low-sodium diet reduced blood pressure, and antioxidants improved creatinine, GFR, and graft function. Of these, only twelve studies (31%) were at low risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Some dietary factors, including DASH, Mediterranean, moderate protein, and low-sodium diet, as well as antioxidants, may be associated with improved survival and kidney function in KTRs. However, more research is needed.

The association of dietary inflammatory index (DII) and central obesity with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in people with diabetes (T2DM).

Background & Objective: High prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus results in deleterious complications and morbidities related to both diseases. Thus, we aimed to investigate dietary and anthropometric risk factors for progression of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in diabetic people. Methods: Anthropometric, and dietary intakes, and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were assessed in two hundred participants with type two diabetes (T2DM). Subjects with CAP score of more than 270 dB/m were considered to have NAFLD. Multivariable-adjusted ORs and 95% CIs were used to investigate the association between NAFLD and dietary inflammatory index (DII) score and anthropometric indices. Results: Participants in the highest tertile of DII had 2.41 (95% CI:1.16-4.97), 2,53 (95% CI: 1.04-6.16), 2.78 (95% CI: 1.09-7.13) times higher odds of developing NAFLD in comparison to the lowest tertile in crude, adjusted model 1 and 2, respectively. Among those with the highest relative to the lowest tertile of trunk-to-leg fat ratio (TLR), ORs and 95% CI were OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 0.9-3.91, and OR = 7.99, 95% CI = 2.43-26.26 in crude and full-adjusted models. Odds of NAFLD in the third tertile of metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF) was higher than the first tertile in crude (OR = 9.5, 95% CI = 4.01-22.46) and full-adjusted models (OR = 4.55, 95% CI = 1.46-14.2). Conclusions: In conclusion, this study highlighted an association between greater DII (pro-inflammatory diet) and higher NAFLD risk. Moreover, TLR and METS-VF are known as novel estimators of central obesity as a risk factor for NAFLD in diabetes.

The association of dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet with hospitalization risk in patients with COVID-19.

Background and aim: Given the importance of dietary habits in the immune system, the current study aimed at investigating the association between Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. Methods: Dietary data of 141 patients with COVID-19 were collected using 147-item food frequency questionnaire. DASH score in this cross-sectional study was calculated based on eight components, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts and seeds, whole grains, low-fat dairy, red or processed meats, sweetened beverages, and sodium. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to estimate the OR and 95% CI for hospitalization due to COVID-19 in each tertile of DASH score. Results: Mean ± SD of DASH score in inpatients (n=74) and outpatients (n= 87) was 22.5 ± 4.57 and 25.34 ± 4.23, respectively. The risk of hospitalization in the highest tertile of DASH score was 81% lower than the lowest tertile (OR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.07-0.55, P trend = 0.001 after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, energy intake). Also, more intake of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and less intake of sodium, red and processed meat were each significantly associated with reduced risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. Conclusions: Our data provide evidence that adherence to DASH-style diet was associated with lower risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19.

Plant-based diet and COVID-19 severity: results from a cross-sectional study.

Although previous findings have shown the beneficial role of healthy eating pattern on the human immune system, the association between plant-based diet and COVID-19 severity has not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to determine the possible role of plant-based diet index (PDI) in COVID-19 severity. This cross-sectional, multicentral study was conducted on 141 patients with confirmed COVID-19. Dietary intakes of the patients were evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Then, PDI was compared between patients who needed to be hospitalised (considered severe cases), and those who got treatment at home (considered non-severe cases). After adjustment for confounders including age, sex, energy intake and body mass index, lower odds of hospitalisation were found for participants having a greater score of overall PDI (OR per 10 units increase: 0.42; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.80) and healthy PDI (OR per 10 unit increase: 0.45; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.78). In conclusion, our data presented that there is a relation between PDI and lower risk of hospitalisation in COVID-19 patients, possibly through boosting the immune function.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity is inversely associated with the odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in people with type-2 diabetes.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate possible associations between Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity (DTAC) and odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in people with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and methods: We recruited two hundred people with T2DM, and evaluated their liver steatosis using Fibroscan. Dietary intakes of participants were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. DTAC was computed via ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Results: In the crude model, no statistically significant association was found between DTAC and the odds of NAFLD in people with diabetes. However, after adjustment for potential confounders including age, gender, diabetes duration, smoking status, physical activity, BMI, waist circumference, and energy, the most reduced adjusted OR was indicated for the third tertile vs. the first one (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09-0.81, P = 0.02), meaning that diabetic patients in the third tertile of DTAC had 72% decreased risk of NAFLD in comparison to those in the first one. The relationship was remained significant after additional adjustment for HOMA-IR, HbA1c, serum Triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) levels (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09-0.93, P = 0.03). Importantly, a dose-response pattern was demonstrated for DTAC and risk of NAFLD (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Higher DTAC was related with a decreased risk of NAFLD in individuals with diabetes.

Micronutrient intake and risk of ulcerative colitis: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) poses a challenge to patients' health status and lifestyle. Micronutrient intake has been associated with the risk of UC, but the association has been inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the overall association between micronutrient intake, as potentially modifiable risk factors, and the risk of UC. METHODS: Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols, systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to September 2021. Studies were considered eligible for inclusion if they met the following criteria: (1) observational studies that compared dietary intake of zinc, calcium, or magnesium between the UC group and the control group and (2) had means and standard deviations or medians and interquartile ranges of outcome variables. RESULTS: A total of 7 studies with 1197 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The random-effects meta-analysis showed that there was no significant association between the intake of calcium (WMD: -66.25 mg/day, 95% CI: -276.7 to 144.21, P = 0.54), magnesium (WMD: -21.47 mg/day, 95% CI: -95.54 to 52.6, P = 0.57), and zinc (WMD: 0.3 mg/day, 95% CI: -1.5 to 2, P = 0.74) and the risk of UC. However, there was high significant heterogeneity between studies in dietary intake of calcium (I2 = 95.1%, P < 0.001), magnesium (I2 = 96%, P < 0.001), and zinc (I2 = 95.8%, P = <0.001). In a location-based subgroup analysis, calcium intake in non-Asian countries was significantly lower in patients with UC compared to healthy controls. In addition, magnesium intake was negatively associated with the risk of UC in studies with a sample size of less than 190 subjects. However, for the association between zinc intake and UC risk, subgroup analysis failed to find a source of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: No significant association was found between dietary calcium, magnesium, and zinc intake and risk of UC.

Neuroprotective Potential of Aromatic Herbs: Rosemary, Sage, and Lavender.

Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from neurological disorders or have experienced them intermittently, which has significantly reduced their quality of life. The common treatments for neurological disorders are relatively expensive and may lead to a wide variety of side effects including sleep attacks, gastrointestinal side effects, blood pressure changes, etc. On the other hand, several herbal medications have attracted colossal popularity worldwide in the recent years due to their availability, affordable prices, and few side effects. Aromatic plants, sage (Salvia officinalis), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus) have already shown anxiolytics, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. They have also shown potential in treating common neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, migraine, and cognitive disorders. This review summarizes the data on the neuroprotective potential of aromatic herbs, sage, lavender, and rosemary.