The Association of Serum Vitamin D With Anthropometric Indices, Lipid Profile, ICAM-1, and IL-17 in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D with anthropometric indices, lipid profile and vascular inflammatory factors, in patients who candidate for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in patients who were candidate for CABG. Demographic information, medical records, anthropometric indicators, blood samples, and physical activity of 150 patients were collected. 146 participants with mean ± standard deviation of age: 61.8 ± 10.0 years and body mass index: 26.9 ± 3.7 kg/m2 completed the study. Based on serum levels of vitamin D, patients were divided into 2 groups; groups with sufficient (≥ 30 ng/mL) and insufficient amount of vitamin D (< 30 ng/mL). The 30.14% of the patients had serum vitamin D deficiency. Ejection fraction (EF) % between the 2 groups had significant difference. Unexpectedly the EF% increased 7% in patients with insufficient level of vitamin D (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.11; p = 0.001). Vitamin D status had a significant inverse association with body weight. The odds of vitamin D deficiency significantly increased by 4% with increasing one kg in weight (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1-1.08; p = 0.044). There were no significant association between serum vitamin D level and intra cellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-17, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile (p > 0.05). Considering the inverse association observed between serum vitamin D with EF% and body weight, vitamin D may play a role in modulating of these indices.

The Association Between Dietary Acidity and Clinical Symptoms in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary acidity load and clinical symptoms in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This case-control study examined 55 patients with RA and 215 healthy individuals in a Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCDs) cohort study, Iran. Participants' food intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The dietary acidity was calculated using potential renal acid load (PRAL), net endogenous acid production (NEAP), and dietary acid load (DAL) scores. The patients with RA were identified based on the self-reporting, medications history, and the approval of the cohort center physician following patients' examination. The odds ratio (OR) of joint stiffness in fully adjusted model was greater in the upper median of dietary acidity than in the lower median (PRAL: odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-2.36), but there was no statistically significant difference. The OR of joint pain in the upper median of dietary acidity was less than in the lower median in fully adjusted model (PRAL: OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.46-1.29), but the difference was not statistically significant. After adjusting potential confounders, people in the upper median of dietary acidity had a higher OR of developing RA than those in the lower median (PRAL: OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.70-2.76); however, it was not statistically significant. There was not any statistically significant relationship among dietary acidity and the odds of joint pain, joint stiffness, and developing RA.

The relationship between major dietary patterns and disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis.

AIM: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory illness characterized by persistent and systemic inflammation. There is just a little amount of research on nutrition and RA progression. The goal of this research is to see whether there's a link between main eating trends and RA activity. METHODS: In Kermanshah, Iran, 183 individuals with RA were studied in cross-sectional research. The American College of Rheumatology's 2010 criteria were used to diagnose RA. The disease activity score 28 and nutritional information from a reliable 147-item food frequency questionnaire were used to assess RA activity. Factor analysis was used to extract dietary patterns. RESULTS: The researchers discovered three main eating trends, which they named. Individuals in the highest tertile of a high protein anti-inflammatory dietary pattern that emphasizes consumption of dairy products, red meats, white meats, vegetables oils, condiments, vegetables and fruits as well as low in salts and refined grain had lower DAS-28 scores than those in the first tertiles (T3 = 2.09 ± 0.14 vs. T1 = 3.75 ± 0.13; P-value = 0.001) after controlling for potential confounders. Patients in the top tertile of the low fiber dietary pattern had higher DAS-28 scores than those in the bottom tertile (T3 = 3.40 ± 0.15 vs. T1 = 2.95 ± 0.15; P-value = 0.036) than those in the bottom tertile. CONCLUSION: This research found an inverse connection between RA activity and adopting a high-protein anti-inflammatory dietary pattern. Furthermore, adopting a low-fiber dietary pattern may be linked to increased RA disease activity. To confirm such a relationship, further research is needed in the future.

Nutritional status of under six years old children in Kalar city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional problems in children cause major morbidity and mortality in the world. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of under six years old children in Kalar city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, data from 403 Iraqi Kurdish children aged 0-72 months and their mothers were extracted from Health Centre in Kalar city undertaken between 2013 and 2019. The children`s growth data were obtained at birth time, 6, 12, 24, and 72 months. Epi Info was used to classify the children of nutritional status by converting the anthropometric measurements into Z-scores. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity rose from birth to age 6 years old, from 19.6% and 7.4% to 52.2% and 30.5%, respectively. At 24 month, children had the highest rates of being overweight (56.1%) and obesity (34%). At 6 month, the highest prevalence of wasting exists (9.5%). At 6 month boys and girls had the highest frequency of stunting, 17.2% and 7.2% respectively. Considering the association of all characteristic variables and growth data at birth time, only mothers with academic education had children with significantly higher BMI for age compared to illiterate mothers after adjusting for all potential confounders (ß: 0.573, 95% CI: 0.105, 1.04, P: 0.017). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that some analysed factors that accounted for malnutrition in Kalar city's children are preventable. Therefore, to reduce the burden of malnutrition, community-based education and targeted nutritional interventions are required.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity and its association with renal function and kidney stones: Results of a RaNCD cohort study.

There is evidence to support the hypothesis that dietary antioxidants have shown protective effects against chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC), renal function, and development of CKD and kidney stones in Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort study, Kermanshah, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the recruitment baseline data of the RaNCD cohort study on 9,777 individuals aged 35-65 years. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was performed to assess diet. DTAC scores were calculated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of selected foods. Renal function was assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine concentration. Prevalent CKD was based on an eGFR less than <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Incidence of kidney stones was also assessed by self-reporting. Out of 9,777 participants, 1,747 subjects (eGFR: 18.50 ml/min per 1.73 m2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 17.72-19.30) had CKD. The mean DTAC score in this study was 0.24 ± 0.16 µmol TE/100 g (micromole of Trolox Equivalents). We showed a significant trend for eGFR across quartiles of DTAC, i.e., participants in the fourth quartile had a higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than those in the first one (DTAC Q4 vs Q1 = 82.20 versus 72.20 ml/min per 1.73 m2, p < .001). Another finding is that high DTAC scores were not associated with having kidney stones after adjusting for confounders. We revealed that higher DTAC scores have positive effects on the renal function. Interestingly, our findings showed that a high DTAC score had nonsignificant correlation with odds of kidney stones.

Examining Lifestyle Components in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients, Iran 2021.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is a serious health threating element throughout the world. One of the key elements to strengthen the body's immune system is to follow a healthy lifestyle to deal with health threating. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lifestyle components in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study carried on hospitalized COVID-19 patients from October 22, 2020 to January 19, 2021. Demographic characteristics, physical activity, nutritional status, stress and anxiety, and substance abuse were assessed. A simple model and multiple logistic regression model were used. Results: About 32% were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). Healthy lifestyle was observed only in 28%. About 82% had insufficient physical activity, and 67.3% was reported to be unfavorable in nutritional status. Severe stress and anxiety were observed in 30.4% of people. There were significant relationships between age (AOR = 2.11, p = 0.036), education (AOR = 0.35, p = 0.002) and a healthy lifestyle. A significant correlation was observed between ICU admission and unhealthy lifestyle (AOR = 0.40, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors were seen in the most COVID-19 patients. Considering the significance of lifestyle changes could prove effective in reducing the risk of transmissible viral infections.

The relationship of dietary total antioxidant capacity with sarcopenia and cardiometabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) with sarcopenia and metabolic biomarkers in people with type 2 diabetes in the Kurdish race. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data of 189 type 2 diabetic patients (35-65 years old) from RaNCD cohort study were evaluated. DTAC, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, body composition, muscle strength, and sarcopenia were assessed. t and χ2 tests to compare the variables between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients and one-way analysis of variance to compare the variables in DTAC tertiles were used. The relationship between DTAC and different variables was evaluated using multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index were 49.7 ± 8.7 years and 27.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2 . Body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference were significantly different between diabetic patients with and without sarcopenia (p < 0.05). In crude (p = 0.010) and adjusted (p = 0.035) models, there was a significant relationship between DTAC and fasting blood sugar. Also, the relationship between DTAC with waist (p = 0.019) and hip (ß = -4.25, p = 0.026) circumference was significant. Sarcopenia was significantly lower in the third tertile in comparison with the first tertile of DTAC (p = 0.016).  CONCLUSION: Diet with higher DTAC can be associated with lower fasting blood sugar, abdominal obesity and sarcopenia in type 2 diabetic patients. However, further studies are required to confirm these relationships.

The effects of co-administration of probiotics and prebiotics on chronic inflammation, and depression symptoms in patients with coronary artery diseases: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that dysbiosis might have a role in developing of chronic inflammation and depression. In this study, we are interested in exploring of anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus G (LGG), a probiotic strain, alone or in combination with a prebiotic, Inulin, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was held on 96 patients with CAD. Patients were randomly allocated into four different groups: LGG [a capsule/day, contained 1.9 × 109 colony-forming unit of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus G], inulin (15 g/day), co-supplemented (LGG and inulin), and placebo. Participants consumed the supplements for two months. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), MacNew questionnaire and Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-Y) were used to assess depression, quality of life and anxiety, respectively. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and Interleukin (IL)-10 were also measured. RESULTS: Probiotic-Inulin Co-supplementation significantly decreased BDI (-11.52 ± 0+3.20 vs. +2.97 ± 0.39, P = 0.001), STAI-state (-17.63 ± 3.22 vs. -0.60 ± 0.33, P = 0.021), and STAI-trait (-24.31 ± 7.41 vs. -1.45 ± 0.66, P = 0.020) scores, hs-CRP (-1.69 ± 0+66 vs. +0.82 ± 0.39 mg/dL, P = 0.020), LPS (-22.02 ± 5.40 vs. +0.31 ± 0.18 (EU/L), P = 0.047), and TNF-α (-25.05 ± 7.41 vs. +0.79 ± 0.71 (ng/L), P = 0.032) in comparison to placebo. CONCLUSION: Co-supplementation of probiotics and inulin in CAD subjects for eight weeks had beneficial effects on depression, anxiety, and inflammatory biomarkers. Adding inulin to probiotic supplements improved psychological outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers more effectively than two supplements separately.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20180712040438N4..

The Association of Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity with Inflammatory Biomarkers and Anthropometric Indices in Patients Who Candidate for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: a Cross-sectional Study.

Antioxidant compounds can attenuate inflammation and delay degenerative processes especially in the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to determine the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and serum biomarkers in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In this cross-sectional study, 146 patients who had referred to Imam Ali Hospital in Kermanshah were recruited and demographic, anthropometric, physical activity and dietary data were collected. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum levels of lipid profile, inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-17, intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules [ICAM, VCAM]), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were also measured. A regression model adjusted for confounding variables presented that the coefficients of ICAM and VCAM (ng/dL) in the third tertile of DTAC were lower than those in the first tertile (ß = -417.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -509.9 to -324.5, p < 0.001; ß = -293.2, 95% CI = -334.3, -252.1, p < 0.001, respectively). The ß of serum TAC (ng/dL) in the third tertile was 0.86 (95% CI = 0.77, 0.95, p < 0.001) higher than that in the first tertile. DTAC had no statistically significant relationship with lipid profile, FBG, and IL-17 levels, and anthropometric indices. In this study DTAC was associated with increased serum TAC and decreased cell adhesion molecules. Therefore, diet antioxidants may be beneficial in attenuating of inflammation in coronary artery diseases.

Effects of body weight regain on leptin levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There are different changes observed before and after diet therapy, and also after weight regain. However, there is not sufficient information regarding weight regain and hormonal changes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the connection between weight regain and leptin concentration levels. METHODS: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for interventional articles published from January 1, 1980, to June 30, 2020. Randomized clinical trials with parallel or cross over design assessing leptin concentrations at the baseline and at the end of study were reviewed. Two independent reviewers extracted data related to study design, year of publication, country, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of the following up period and mean ± SD of other intended variables. RESULTS: Four articles were included, published between 2004 and 2016. Three of them were conducted in the US and one of them in Netherland. Sample size of the studies ranged between 25 and 148 participants. The range of following up period was from13 to 48 weeks. The age range of participants was from 34 to 44 years. Our analysis shows that weight regain could reduce leptin levels, but this change is not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This review suggests that weight regain may induce a non-significant reduction in leptin level. However, the limited number and great heterogeneity between the included studies may affect the presented results and there are still need to well-designed, large population studies to determine the relationship between weight regain and leptin levels.