Quantifying the Effect of Supplementation with Algae and Its Extracts on Glycolipid Metabolism: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

AIMS: The effect of algae and its extract supplementation on glycolipid metabolism has not been finalized. Therefore, the purpose of the meta-analyses was to assess the effects of its supplementation on glycolipid metabolism concentration. METHODS: We have systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Embase to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the impact of algae and its extracts supplementation on glycolipid metabolism. Effect size analysis was performed using weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI between the methods of the experiment group and the control group. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the possible influences of study characteristics. Publication bias and sensitivity analysis were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 27 RCTs (31 trials) with 1221 participants were finally selected for the meta-analysis. The algae and its extract intervention significantly decreased glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c, WMD = -0.18%; 95% CI: -0.27 to -0.10; p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, WMD = -0.22 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.06; p = 0.008), and triglycerides (TC, WMD = -0.31 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.37 to -0.25; p < 0.001) levels and increased insulin (WMD = 6.05 pmol/mL; 95% CI: 4.01 to 8.09; p < 0.001) levels. It did not significantly change the blood glucose, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), 2-h post-meal blood glucose (2hPBG) and other lipid profiles. Subgroup analyses based on the duration of intervention and subjects demonstrated that the intervention of algae and its extracts for 10 weeks or fewer and more than 40 subjects decreased TC levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, the intervention reduced TC and 2hPBG concentrations for East Asians (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provided evidence that algae and its extract interventions were beneficial for the regulation of human glycolipid metabolism. More precise RCTs on subjects are recommended to further clarify the effect of algae, seaweed polysaccharide, seaweed polypeptide, algae polyphenol and its products intervention on glycolipid metabolism.

Inhibited biofilm formation and improved antibacterial activity of a novel nanoemulsion against cariogenic Streptococcus mutans in vitro and in vivo.

The aim of this study was to prepare a novel nanoemulsion loaded with poorly water-soluble chlorhexidine acetate (CNE) to improve its solubility, and specifically enhance the antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans in vitro and in vivo. In this study, a novel CNE nanoemulsion with an average size of 63.13 nm and zeta potential of -67.13 mV comprising 0.5% CNE, 19.2% Tween 80, 4.8% propylene glycol, and 6% isopropyl myristate was prepared by the phase inversion method. Important characteristics such as the content, size, zeta potential, and pH value of CNE did not change markedly, stored at room temperature for 1 year. Also, compared with chlorhexidine acetate water solution (CHX), the release profile results show that the CNE has visibly delayed releasing effect in both phosphate-buffered saline and artificial saliva solutions (P<0.005). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of CHX for S. mutans (both 0.8 µg/mL) are both two times those of CNE (0.4 µg/mL). Besides, CNE of 0.8 µg/mL exhibited fast-acting bactericidal efficacy against S. mutans, causing 95.07% death within 5 minutes, compared to CHX (73.33%) (P<0.01). We observed that 5 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL CNE were both superior to CHX, significantly reducing oral S. mutans numbers and reducing the severity of carious lesions in Sprague Dawley rats (P<0.05), in an in vivo test. CNE treatment at a concentration of 0.2 µg/mL inhibited biofilm formation more effectively than CHX, as indicated by the crystal violet staining method, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The cell membrane of S. mutans was also severely disrupted by 0.2 µg/mL CNE, as indicated by transmission electron microscopy. These results demonstrated that CNE greatly improved the solubility and antimicrobial activity of this agent against S. mutans both in vitro and in vivo. This novel nanoemulsion is a promising medicine for preventing and curing dental caries.

Vitamin D status and its association with adiposity and oxidative stress in schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and its association with adiposity, inflammation, and oxidative stress in schoolchildren. METHODS: A total of 1488 schoolchildren ages 7 to 11 y were recruited in Harbin, China (latitude: 44°04'N-46°40'N) in May. Serum 25(OH)D, which is an indicator of vitamin D status, was determined. Anthropometric data were collected following general physical examinations. Serum lipids, glucose metabolism indices, inflammatory molecules, and oxidative stress markers were determined. Dietary intake and physical activity also were assessed. RESULTS: The median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 18.4 ng/mL. Of the 1488 schoolchildren included, 839 (56.4%) had vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL]. Children in the vitamin D deficiency group had significantly higher body weight (34.1 ± 3.8 versus 31.5 ± 3.3 kg; P < 0.001), body mass index (18.4 ± 2.2 versus 16.8 ± 1.7 kg/m(2); P < 0.001), waist circumference (60.1 ± 8.5 versus 57.2 ± 7.7 cm; P < 0.001), percentage of body fat (20.2% ± 2.6% versus 19.1% ± 2.4%; P < 0.001), and significantly lower concentrations of serum superoxide dismutase (95.38 ± 12.22 versus 127.62 ± 15.98 U/mL; P < 0.001) compared with those in the vitamin D sufficiency group. After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, and percentage of body fat, a positive association between serum 25(OH)D and superoxide dismutase was found (ß = 0.230; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is common in Harbin schoolchildren. Serum 25(OH)D is closely associated with adiposity and superoxide dismutase in schoolchildren, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency potentially increases the risk for diseases caused by higher adiposity and oxidative stress.

Prognostic value of serial [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT uptake in stage III patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate (18)FDG PET-CT for the assessment of therapy response and prediction of patient outcome after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Forty-six patients with pathologically proven stage III NSCLC had 2 serial FDG PET-CT scans, before and during CCRT. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) of the primary lung lesion was calculated. The value changes of SUV(max) before and during treatment were calculated according to the following equation: SUV=(SUV(before)-SUV(during))100%/SUV(before). The relationship between changes of the SUV(max) and the therapy response as well as long-term survival was studied in the responsive and non-responsive groups after CCRT. RESULTS: Of the 46 enrolled patients, after a medicine follow-up of 2 years, the initial SUV(max) in the responsive and non-responsive groups was 7.59±3.14 and 14.72±4.67, respectively. The SUV(max) during treatment in the two groups was 2.89±1.39 and 9.82±3.31, respectively. Significant difference (P=0.001; P=0.001) in SUV(max) was observed either before or during treatment. Furthermore, the percent change of SUV(max) before and during treatment was 61.91±86.69 and 33.56±90.37, respectively. There was significant difference between these two groups (P=0.007). In addition, the 1-year survival rate in the responsive and non-responsive group was 73% and 69%, respectively. The 2-year survival rate in the two groups was 40% and 37%, respectively. There was significant difference between these two groups (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: (18)FDG PET-CT is an effective method in the prediction of therapy response in patients with stage III NSCLC. The analysis of percent change of SUV(max) provides additional value in early prediction of therapy response and patient outcome.

[Prognostic value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT for assessment of therapeutic response and prediction of patient outcome after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Forty six patients with histologically proven stage III NSCLC had two repeated (18)F-FDG PET-CT scans either one week before therapy and at the dose of 40 ∼ 50 Gy. The SUV(max) and changes of the two groups were compared with (1) the therapeutic response and (2) treatment results and long-term survival. RESULTS: Of the 46 eligible cases, the pretreatment SUV(max) of the responding and non-responding groups was 7.59 ± 3.14 and 14.72 ± 4.67, respectively. The midtreatment SUV(max) of the two groups was 2.89 ± 1.39 and 9.82 ± 3.31, respectively. Significant difference(t = 4.74, P = 0.001;t = 7.23, P = 0.001) in SUV(max) was observed both before and during treatment. Furthermore, the percentage change of pretreatment and midtreatment SUV(max) was ΔSUV(max) = 61.9% ± 8.7% and ΔSUV(max) = 33.6% ± 9.0%, also with a significant difference between the two groups (t = 2.83, P = 0.007). In addition, the 1-year survival rate of the the responding and non-responding groups was 68.0% and 38.1%, respectively. The 2-year survival rate of the two groups was 64.0% and 33.3%, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.043, P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: (18)F-FDG PET-CT is highly effective in detecting therapeutic response in stage III NSCLC patients. The analysis of percentage change of SUV(max) provides incremental value in early prediction of therapeutic response and patient outcome.