Shonaz Ahmadi Khatir; Ayatollah Bayatian; Abolfazl Barzegari; Neda Roshanravan; Abdolrasoul Safaiyan; Graciela Pavon- Djavid; Alireza Ostadrahimi
Volume 20, Issue 10 , 2018, Pages 1-11
Abstract
Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous gene expression regulators, which are involved in the physiopathology of dis- eases, and potentially make biomarkers in diseases, such as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).Objectives: Since miR-21 is a robust regulator in plaque formation, this study aimed at ...
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Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous gene expression regulators, which are involved in the physiopathology of dis- eases, and potentially make biomarkers in diseases, such as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).Objectives: Since miR-21 is a robust regulator in plaque formation, this study aimed at identifying the effect of saffron as a functional food and traditional food additive antioxidant in fighting against the progress of atherosclerosis, by modulation of miR-21, as a new circulating marker of inflammation. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 63 subjects with atherosclerosis were recruited from Emam Sajjad Hospi- tal, Valiasr Hospital, and Zafaranieyh Clinic in Tehran, Iran, and divided randomly to two groups. They received 100 mg/d saffron ora placebo capsule for six weeks. The expression levels of miR-21 were quantified by real-time quantitative-PCR (RT-qPCR) in the blood of patients. Furthermore, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and anthropometric index of participants were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the expression level of miR-21 between atherosclerosis patients, who received placebo, and those, who consumed saffron (P value = 0.02). Moreover, a significant decrease was seen in hip circumference after saffron supplementation (P = 0.049, P = 0.006). Nevertheless, consumption of saffron did not significantly influence other anthropometric indexes and blood biochemical parameters, such as FBS and lipid profile. Conclusions: In the
Leila Javadi; Mostafa Ghavami; Manouchehr Khoshbaten; Abdolrasoul Safaiyan; Abolfazl Barzegari; Bahram Pourghassem Gargari
Volume 19, Issue 4 , April 2017, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
Background: Oral administration of pro- and prebiotics has recently been considered as an effective way for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) recovery.Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of supplementation with probiotics and/or prebiotics on liver function tests in patients ...
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Background: Oral administration of pro- and prebiotics has recently been considered as an effective way for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) recovery.Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of supplementation with probiotics and/or prebiotics on liver function tests in patients with NAFLD.Methods: In this double blind, placebo-control clinical trial, 75 subjects with NAFLD were voluntarily recruited from May 2013 to March 2014, in Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups using a block randomization procedure. Group 1 received probiotic capsules (Bifidobacterium longum (BL) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA): 2 × 107CFU/day), group 2 received prebiotic inulin high performance (HP): 10 g/day, group 3 received probiotic and the prebiotic, and group 4 received a placebo for 3 months.The sample size was determined on the basis of a primary outcome of a change in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level.Results: An intergroup comparison indicated that the AST (P = 0.006) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = 0.04) levels decreased at the end of the study. Aspartate Aminotransferase (mean difference of group1 versus placebo with P value of 0.001, group2 versus placebo with P value of 0.045, group3 versus placebo with P value of 0.015) and ALT (mean difference of group 1 versus placebo with P value of 0.009, group 2 versus placebo with P value of 0.041, and group 3 versus placebo with P value of 0.046) serum levels decreased significantly in all of the intervention groups compared to the placebo. The grade of fatty liver in group 1 (P of 0.027, and number needed to treat (NNT) = 3) and group 3 (P = 0.019 and NNT = 3) decreased compared to the placebo group with no significant changes in group 2.Conclusions: Supplementation with probiotics and/or prebiotics improved aminotransferase enzymes, and supplementation with probiotics or pro- and prebiotics recovered the grade of fatty liver in NAFLD patients.