1.
The effect of different sources of fish and camelina sativa oil on immune cell and adipose tissue mRNA expression in subjects with abnormal fasting glucose metabolism: a randomized controlled trial.
de Mello, VD, Dahlman, I, Lankinen, M, Kurl, S, Pitkänen, L, Laaksonen, DE, Schwab, US, Erkkilä, AT
Nutrition & diabetes. 2019;9(1):1
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Plain language summary
Dietary fish oils, particularly omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in oily fish, nuts and seeds have long been researched and purported to have both anti-inflammatory and glucose-stabilising effects when consumed orally and it is widely believed that in reducing low-grade inflammation and stabilising blood glucose levels, the risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes, heart disease or a stroke is reduced. Lean fish on the other hand has been far less researched with regards to its protective effects. This study was a randomised controlled study designed to assess and compare the protective effects of fish oils and Camelina Sativa oil (CSO - a seed oil containing alpha-linolenic acid) on inflammatory-related genes in subjects with suggestive pre-diabetes. Subjects were allocated to a randomised group and instructed to consume a given amount of either fatty fish, lean fish, camelina oil, or no fish/oil (control group). The study was carried out on 72 participants over a 12-week period. Although no significant change could be seen on inflammatory gene expression for the group consuming fatty fish, there was a modest decrease in inflammatory gene markers in the group consuming lean fish and a significant decrease in the group consuming CSO. Implications from this study suggest that CSO exerts its protective effect by reducing inflammation, therefore possibly decreasing the risk of strokes and cardiovascular episodes. The authors suggest that consuming a variety of fish, especially lean fish 4 times/ week could also play a protective role in cardiovascular health and type 2 diabetes.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Molecular mechanisms linking fish and vegetable oil intakes to their healthy metabolic effects may involve attenuation of inflammation. Our primary aim was to examine in a randomized controlled setting whether diets enriched in fatty fish (FF), lean fish (LF) or ALA-rich camelina sativa oil (CSO) differ in their effects on the mRNA expression response of selected inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in subjects with impaired fasting glucose. SUBJECTS/METHODS Samples from 72 participants randomized to one of the following 12-week intervention groups, FF (n = 19), LF (n = 19), CSO (n = 17) or a control group (n = 17), were available for the PBMC study. For SAT, 39 samples (n = 8, n = 10, n = 9, n = 12, respectively) were available. The mRNA expression was measured at baseline and 12 weeks by TaqMan® Low Density Array. RESULTS In PBMCs, LF decreased ICAM1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05), which was different (P = 0.06, Bonferroni correction) from the observed increase in the FF group (P < 0.05). Also, compared to the control group, LF decreased ICAM1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Moreover, the change in ICAM1 mRNA expression correlated positively with the intake of FF (P < 0.05) and negatively with the intake of LF (P < 0.05), independently of study group. A diet enriched in CSO, a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), decreased PBMC IFNG mRNA expression (P < 0.01). The intake of CSO in the CSO group, but not the increase in plasma ALA proportions, correlated inversely with the IFNG mRNA expression in PBMCs (P = 0.08). In SAT, when compared with the control group, the effect of FF on decreasing IL1RN mRNA expression was significant (P < 0.03). CONCLUSION We propose that CSO intake may partly exert its benefits through immuno-inflammatory molecular regulation in PBMCs, while modulation of ICAM1 expression, an endothelial/vascular-related gene, may be more dependent on the type of fish consumed.
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Silymarin in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases and primary liver cancer.
Féher, J, Lengyel, G
Current pharmaceutical biotechnology. 2012;13(1):210-7
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a recognised health problem with no convincing interventions to date. This randomised trial aimed to examine the efficacy of silymarin plus vitamin E in the treatment of NAFLD. 36 patients were randomized to either group Ι or group ΙΙ. Group Ι was treated with 2 tablets of silymarin plus vitamin E per day, hypocaloric diet and exercise. Group ΙΙ was treated only with a hypocaloric diet. Study duration was 3 months for both groups. Diagnosis of NAFLD was confirmed for all participants by liver biopsy. Patients in group Ι showed significant decrease in anthropometric measurements. Both groups experienced reductions in markers of NAFLD, however in group I, these reductions were independent of weight loss, whereas in group II, those who failed to lose 5% of body weight didn’t show a change in biochemical markers. Authors conclude that intervention with silymarin plus vitamin E, alone or along with other treatments, can help NAFLD patients who fail to lose weight with diet.
Abstract
In chronic liver diseases caused by oxidative stress (alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, drug- and chemical-induced hepatic toxicity), the antioxidant medicines such as silymarin can have beneficial effect. Liver cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis are risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Insulin resistance and oxidative stress are the major pathogenetic mechanisms leading the hepatic cell injury in these patients. The silymarin exerts membrane-stabilizing and antioxidant activity, it promotes hepatocyte regeneration; furthermore it reduces the inflammatory reaction, and inhibits the fibrogenesis in the liver. These results have been established by experimental and clinical trials. According to open studies the long-term administration of silymarin significantly increased survival time of patients with alcohol induced liver cirrhosis. Based on the results of studies using methods of molecular biology, silymarin can significantly reduce tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis as well as insulin resistance. Furthermore, it exerts an anti-atherosclerotic effect, and suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein production and mRNA expression due to adhesion molecules. The chemopreventive effect of silymarin on HCC has been established in several studies using in vitro and in vivo methods; it can exert a beneficial effect on the balance of cell survival and apoptosis by interfering cytokines. In addition to this, anti-inflammatory activity and inhibitory effect of silymarin on the development of metastases have also been detected. In some neoplastic diseases silymarin can be administered as adjuvant therapy as well.