Effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory markers and total antioxidant capacity in breast cancer women using a machine learning technique.

Aim: This study aimed to establish a learning system using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the serum levels of vitamin D, inflammatory factors, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in women with breast cancer. Methods: The data set of the current project was created from women with breast cancer who were referred to the Shafa State Hospital of Patients with Cancers in Ahvaz city, Iran. Modeling was implemented using the data set at the serum levels of vitamin D, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß), and TAC, before and after vitamin D3 supplement therapy. A prediction ANN model was designed to detect the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on the serum level changes of vitamin D, inflammatory factors and TAC. Results: The results showed that the ANN model could predict the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on the serum level changes of vitamin D, TNF-α, TGF-ß1, and TAC with an accuracy average of 85%, 40%, 89.5%, and 88.1%, respectively. Conclusions: According to the findings of the study, the ANN method could accurately predict the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on the serum levels of vitamin D, TNF-α, TGF-ß1, and TAC. The results showed that the proposed ANN method can help specialists to improve the treatment process more confidently in terms of time and accuracy of predicting the influence of vitamin D supplementation on the factors affecting the progression of breast cancer (https://www.irct.ir/ identifier: IRCT2015090623924N1).

Sugary beverages are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) containing high amount of added sugars have increased over the last decades. Due to increased risk of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, we designed a study to assess the association between SSBs and metabolic syndrome, a collection of cardiovascular risk factors, in these patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on T2DM adults (N = 157). Participants had no serious disease or insulin treatment. SSBs records were obtained from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome status was extracted from biochemical and anthropometric measurements. Subjects risk factors were compared based on their usual SSBs consumption. RESULTS: About half of participants consumed at least one serving of SSBs (Mean intake: 145.6 mL/d) on a weekly basis. Men and women had a similar SSBs pattern. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were identical in both groups. Higher SSBs intake (≥ 0.5 vs <0.5 serving/ week) was positively associated with hypertension (OR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.31, 9.26) and obesity (OR: 4.61, 95% CI: 1.31, 16.25). After adjustment for confounders, a higher risk of the metabolic syndrome was observed in those with higher SSBs intake (OR: 4.23, 95% CI: 1.42, 12.62). CONCLUSION: Drinking SSBs, even in low amounts, could potentially elevate the risk of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients. Reduction of sugary drinks would be an urgent recommendation.

Co-exposure to endocrine disruptors: effect of bisphenol A and soy extract on glucose homeostasis and related metabolic disorders in male mice.

OBJECTIVES: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenoestrogen, which is commonly used as a monomer of polycarbonate plastics food containers and epoxy resins. Little is known about the interaction effects between xeno- and phyto- estrogens on glucose homeostasis or other metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine effects of individual or combined exposure to low doses of BPA and soy extract on glucose metabolism in mice with the goal to establish its potential mechanisms. METHODS: Fifty-four male mice were randomly divided into six groups. Mice were treated with soy extract at 60 or 150 mg/kg by daily gavage with or without subcutaneously administration of BPA (100 µg/kg/day) for four weeks at the same time, while the control group received a vehicle. Serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, adiponectin, testosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Homeostatic model assessment-ß cell function (HOMA-ß) index was also determined. RESULTS: BPA exposure induced hyperglycemia and significantly reduced HOMA-ß, serum levels of insulin, adiponectin, testosterone, and TAC and noticeably enhanced MDA in BPA group compared to control one. While treatment with soy extract in high dose (150 mg/kg) significantly decreased the levels of fasting blood glucose and MDA and notably improved the serum levels of insulin, HOMA-ß, and TAC compared to BPA group. CONCLUSION: Soy extract may protect against some adverse effects of BPA. These findings represent the first report suggesting a potential effect between soy extract and BPA in low doses, however, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption is associated with abdominal obesity risk in diabetic patients.

AIM: Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are any beverages containing added-sugar and supposed to increase body lipogenesis and fat accumulation in healthy subjects. This study was performed to assess the possible association between SSBs consumption and obesity in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. METHODS: T2DM adults with no insulin treatment entered the study. Abdominal obesity and general adiposity were determined using waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI), respectively. SSBs intake was extracted from a validated food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean SSBs intake was 0.6 serving/d (145.6mL/d). There was no considerable association between SSBs intake and gender. About 46% of patients consumed at least one serving of SSBs per week. SSBs consumption was correlated neither to WC nor to BMI. After adjustment for confounding factors, abdominal obesity was associated with drinking SSBs ≥1 serving/week (OR=4.93, 95% CI: 1.35-18.03), and SSB ≥3 serving/week (OR=5.07, 95% CI: 1.22-21.15) compared to those consumed <1 serving/week. This association was not found for general obesity (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.60-1.23). Ex-smokers had higher SSBs intake compared to those never smoked (OR=3.94, 95% CI=1.06-14.71). Energy intake and macronutrients were similar in both SSBs sub-groups. Mean daily energy supplied by SSBs was 120kcal in participants having ≥1 serving of SSBs/week and 2.7kcal in <1 serving SSBs/week (OR=1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). Lower SSBs drinkers had 17% higher fiber intake (OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.73-0.96). CONCLUSION: SSBs intake might increase abdominal obesity in diabetic population and therefore should be considered in diabetes control procedure.

Association of obesity with hypertension and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects.

AIM: Obesity and diabetes are contributed to cardiovascular disease risk. The current study was performed to evaluate the association of central and general obesity and cardio-metabolic risk factors, including dyslipidemia and hypertension in T2DM patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in T2DM adults. Body mass index (BMI) was used to identify general obesity and waist circumference (WC) was measured to define abdominal obesity (based on ATP III). Biochemical analyses, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were done for all participants. RESULTS: Participants with central obesity showed significantly higher systolic (132.5mmHg vs. 125.4mmHg, p=0.024) and diastolic blood pressures (84.9mmHg vs. 80mmHg, p=0.007) than participants without obesity. Dyslipidemia was more prevalent in all participants either by BMI (98.3% vs. 97%, 95% CI: 0.18-17.53) or by WC (97.2% vs. 98%, 95% CI: 0.07-7.19). Abdominal adiposity in diabetic subjects showed significant reverse association with high level of physical activity (OR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.85). Hypertriglyceridemia rate was increased with both central (OR=2.11; p=0.040) and general obesity (OR=2.68; p=0.021). After adjustment for energy intake and age, females had higher risk of general (OR=4.57, 95% CI=1.88-11.11) and central obesity (OR=7.93, 95% CI=3.48-18.08). CONCLUSIONS: Females were more susceptible to obesity. Hypertension was associated with both obesity measures. Dyslipidemia, except for hypertriglyceridemia, was correlated to neither abdominal nor general obesity.

Mediterranean diet and metabolic syndrome prevalence in type 2 diabetes patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.

AIMS: Metabolic syndrome as a cardiovascular disease predictor, is proposed to be reduced by following a Mediterranean diet. This study was aimed to explore the relationships between metabolic syndrome and Mediterranean diet in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. MATERIALS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 158 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients 28-75 years old (mean age: 54.3±9.6 yrs). Fasting glucose and lipid profile were measured. Blood pressure and anthropometric characteristics of each participant were recorded. Food frequency questionnaires were evaluated using an 11-item score to determine the adherence to Mediterranean diet. RESULTS: Totally, 55.4% of participants had a good adherence to Mediterranean diet. The risk of metabolic syndrome in women was significantly higher than in men (OR=8.65, CI 95%=2.88-25.99; p<0.001). Nuts, legumes and seeds consumption were associated with a significant lower risk of metabolic syndrome (OR=0.42, CI 95%=0.188-0.917; p<0.05). No considerable association was observed between metabolic syndrome and adherence to Mediterranean diet (p=0.167). CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated no association between Mediterranean diet adherence and metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. However, nuts, legumes and seeds might have greater benefits for diabetics.

Effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Alteration in plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile has been documented in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of probiotic and conventional yogurt on lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 44 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 30-60 years old who had low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) ≥100 mg/dl enrolled in this randomized, double - blind controlled trial and were assigned to two intervention and control groups. The subjects in the intervention group consumed 300 g/d probiotic yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and subjects in the control group consumed 300 g/d conventional yogurt for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake, and serum lipid profile were evaluated at the beginning and end of the intervention. Independent-sample t-test, paired sample t-test, ANCOVA, and repeated measures were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The consumption of probiotic yogurt caused significant decrease in LDL-c/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) ratio (3.13 ± 1.00-2.07 ± 0.71, P = 0.016). The levels of HDL-c were increased significantly (43.66 ± 6.80-50.42 ± 6.64, P = 0.023) in the intervention group postintervention. However, there were no significant differences in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels between two groups postintervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that probiotic yogurt consumption may be used as an alternative prevention approach and treatment method to improve dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: The role of inflammatory cytokines in diabetes and its complications has been shown in some studies. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of probiotic and conventional yogurt on inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Forty-four patients with type 2 diabetes were participated in this randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial and assigned to two intervention and control groups. The subjects in the intervention group consumed 300 g/d probiotic yogurt and subjects in the control group consumed 300 g/d conventional yogurt for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, and serum levels of glucose, HbA1c, IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP were evaluated at the beginning and end of the intervention. RESULTS: For anthropometric indices and dietary intakes, no significant differences were seen within and between groups post intervention (p> 0.05). The consumption of probiotic yogurt caused significant decrease in HbA1c and TNF-α levels (p= 0.032 and p= 0.040, respectively) in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that probiotic yogurt may be used as an alternative prevention approach and treatment method to control diabetic complications.