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
Seyed Haydeh Mousavi; Seyfeddin Mehrara; Abolfazl Barzegari; Alireza Ostadrahimi
Volume 20, Issue 4 , 2018, Pages 1-6
Abstract
Background: The correlation between gut microbiota with body mass index is controversial. This study aimed to explore the corre- lation between gut microbiota profiles, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, with a body mass index in 7 - 12- year- old school aged children, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional ...
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Background: The correlation between gut microbiota with body mass index is controversial. This study aimed to explore the corre- lation between gut microbiota profiles, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, with a body mass index in 7 - 12- year- old school aged children, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on school-age children. A total of 188 elementary school children were selected through cluster sampling frame. Data collection tool was the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), therefore, we checked the anthropometric characteristics. Fecal sampling was obtained from all study samples, Langround, Iran. Obese (BMI = 25.8 ± 3.40 kg/m2), normal-weight (BMI = 15.54 ± 1.19 kg/m2), and lean (BMI = 12.79 ± 1.8 kg/m2) among Langroud children aged 7 - 12 years. The total stool bacterial genomic DNA was extracted by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) to determine the colony forming units (CFU) of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Q_PCR data were analyzed by using SPSS version 19.0, and analyzed interpretedstatistical exams such as Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Kruskal Wallis test. Since data was not normal, P <0.05 was set as a significant level. Results: Gut microbiota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes CFU, and so bact/firm ratio were significantly different among the three group fecal samples (P < 0.0001, P = 0.025, P = 0.004). Bacteroidetes and bact/firm ratio had a significant difference among girls (P = 0.037, P = 0 0013); however, there is no significant difference among boys. The results indicate that there is a significant negative correlation between bact/firm ratio with BMI and waist circumference (r = -176, P = 0.016, r = -151, P = -0.3). Conclusions: The amount of Bacteroidetes and so bact/firm ratio were decreased among obese children; however; Firmicutes in- creased. It was suggested that obesity in children might be associated with the imbalance of gut microbes.
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.
