Clinical efficacy and safety of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

AIMS: The recent trend toward the use of natural functional and medical supplements has motivated the focus on the search and revival of traditional medicinal plant applications for many years. As a valuable dietary crop, okra fruit (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal food. This clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the okra pod capsule as an adjuvant treatment in controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus and provide clinical trial-based evidence about its anti-inflammatory effects. METHODS: A total of 100 type II diabetic patients, aged between 40 and 60 years, were randomly assigned into two groups of okra and placebo. The first group was administered 1000 mg of powdered okra fruit three times a day for 3 months, while the other group received a placebo capsule with the same dosage. Both groups continued the standard antidiabetic therapy (consisting of metformin and gliclazide, as well as a nutritional regimen). At the start and three months later, various factors were measured, including FBG, insulin, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, CRP, liver and renal function tests, blood pressure, and BMI changes. RESULTS: According to the results, patients who received okra treatment exhibited a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels when compared to both the baseline and the placebo group. Patients in the okra group have lower levels of hs-CRP compared with the placebo group after 3 months of treatment. No liver, kidney, and blood pressure or other side effects were observed in the groups associated with okra treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that adjunctive consumption of okra, in type 2 diabetic patients with 1000 mg three times a day for three months, improves lipid profile, glycemic control, and chronic inflammation without any tangible adverse effects. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: IRCT.Ir (IRCT20120112008712N2). https://www.irct.ir/trial/42042 .

Association between dietary intake of fatty acids and colorectal cancer, a case-control study.

Background: The association of dietary fat and colorectal cancer (CRC) was frequently reported. However, few studies assessed the effects of different types of dietary fats on CRC. This study aimed to investigate the association between intakes of different types of dietary fatty acids with colorectal cancer risk. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 480 participants including 160 CRC cases and 320 healthy controls in Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The intake of dietary fatty acids of the participants was assessed using a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Results: The mean intake of cholesterol (273.07 ± 53.63 vs. 254.17 ± 61.12, P = 0.001), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (16.54 ± 4.20 vs. 15.41 ± 4.44, P = 0.012), and calorie (2,568.76 ± 404.48 vs. 2,493.38 ± 176.03, P = 0.006) was higher and the mean intake of oleic acid (5.59 ± 3.17 vs. 8.21 ± 5.46) and linoleic acid (6.03 ± 3.44 vs. 7.02 ± 4.08, P = 0.01) was lower in the case group compared to the control group. An inverse association was found between colorectal cancer (CRC) and dietary intake of oleic acid (OR: 0.85, CI 95% 0.80-0.90, P = 0.001), linoleic acid (OR: 0.85, CI 95% 0.78-0.93, P = 0.001), and α-linolenic acid (OR: 0.75, CI 95% 0.57-0.98, P = 0.04). The association remained significant after adjusting for age and sex, sleep, smoking, and alcohol consumption, and BMI. Conclusions: The results of this study support a protective effect of oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid against CRC. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Association between the index of nutritional quality and lipid profile in adult women.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemia is a group of abnormalities that predispose people to heart disease. The index of nutritional quality (INQ) is a tool for qualitative and quantitative nutritional assessment, which has special significance in assessing clinical nutritional problems. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the INQ and lipid profile in adult women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 360 healthy women referring to the nutrition clinic of Shohadaye Tajrish hospital, Tehran, Iran. Calorie and nutrient intake were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The amount of physical activity was estimated using a validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire. To measure serum lipid levels, 5 ml of venous blood samples was taken from the participants. RESULTS: The results showed a negative association between total cholesterol and the INQ of niacin (B = -0.110, p = .02) and between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with the INQ of biotin (B = -0.119, p = .01). Also, a positive association was found between triglyceride and the INQ of B6 (B = 0.096, p = .04). The results remained significant after adjusting for body mass index, waist circumference and total energy intake (except for niacin). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the present study suggest that a diet rich in niacin and low in vitamin B6 and biotin may be associated with an improved lipid profile that reduces lipid-related diseases such as fatty liver, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to identify the underlying mechanisms.

The Association Between Different Types of Dietary Carbohydrates and Colorectal Cancer: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Several factors such as genetics and dietary intake are involved in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Higher intake of dietary carbohydrates may be associated with an increased risk of CRC. This study aimed to investigate the association between different types of dietary carbohydrates and CRC. Methods: This hospital-based case-control study was carried out from June 2020 to May 2021 on 480 randomly selected participants including 160 CRC patients and 320 healthy controls aged 35-70 years in Firoozgar hospital, Tehran, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Nutritionist IV software was used to determine the intake of calorie and various forms of dietary carbohydrates including total carbohydrate, simple sugar, glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Results: The average daily intake of calorie, carbohydrates, sugar, glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose were significantly higher among CRC cases compared to the controls (All P < 0.05). The logistic regression found significant associations between CRC with dietary intake of carbohydrates (OR = 1.009, CI 95%: 1.003-1.01, P = 0.002), sugar (OR = 1.02, CI 95%: 1.01-1.03, P < 0.001), glucose (OR = 1.06, CI 95%: 1.01-1.11, P = 0.009), fructose (OR = 1.31, CI 95%: 1.19-1.43, P < 0.001), sucrose (OR = 1.19, CI 95%: 1.12.-1.25, P < 0.001), maltose (OR = 9.03, CI 95%: 3.93-20.78, P < 0.001), galactose (OR = 1.31, CI 95%: 1.07-1.6, P = 0.008), and lactose (OR = 1.009, CI 95%: 1.01-1.18, P = 0.02). This association remained significant after adjustment for sex and age (except for galactose and lactose), and additional adjustment for sleep, tobacco, and alcohol level, and further adjustment for calorie intake and body mass index (BMI) (except for glucose). Conclusions: A positive association was found between CRC and dietary intake of carbohydrates, sugar, fructose, sucrose, and maltose. Following a low-carbohydrate, low-sugar diet may help prevent CRC. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Paradigm Burgenland: risk of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection indicated by variable seroprevalence rates in hunters.

BACKGROUND: This study concerns the prevalence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi sensu lato as an indicator of previous borrelial infection among hunters, a group of occupationally exposed persons. In order to define associated risk factors and preparing data for future comparisons, a study was performed in the eight districts of Burgenland, the most eastern state of Austria. METHODS: Blood samples of 1214 men (median age 51 years, range 18 to 89 years) and 39 women (median age 44 years, range 21 to 69 years) were collected during autumn 2002 and winter 2003. Demographic data regarding age, sex, profession, residence, duration of employment (hunters), hunting-ground, animals in the environment, and history of tick bite were obtained by a questionnaire. A two-step testing strategy was used in which sera were screened for antibodies against B. burgdorferi sensu lato by a commercially available recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Biotest Anti-Borrelia IgG ELISA; Biotest AG, Dreieich, Germany). Reactive sera were then subjected to immuno blot testing (recomBlot Borrelia; Mikrogen, Munich, Germany) for confirmation of specificity. RESULTS: A total of 673 (54%) sera tested positive for IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato: 663 (55%) men and 10 (26%) women. Seropositivity was clearly related to age and duration of hunting activity; it was 33% among persons younger than 29 years and 83% in those older than 70 years. Further, there was also a difference in the distribution of seroprevalence within the districts; the highest was found in hunters from the most southern district of Burgenland, Jennersdorf, (69%) and the lowest was noticed in the most northern district, Neusiedl (39%). CONCLUSIONS: We found an overall seroprevalence of 54% in asymptomatic hunters of Burgenland. Infectious risk exists in the entire state but the prevalence rate differs in the various districts indicating a variable risk which peaks in the south. The nearly linear increase of seroprevalence with age and duration of hunting activity reflects repeated tick exposure.