-
1.
The Effect of L-Carnitine on Mortality Rate in Septic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Randomized Clinical Trials.
Abdollahi, H, Abdolahi, M, Sedighiyan, M, Jafarieh, A
Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets. 2021;(4):673-681
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent clinical trial studies have reported that L-carnitine supplementation can reduce the mortality rate in patients with sepsis, but there are no definitive results in this context. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on 28-day and one-year mortality in septic patients. METHODS A systematic search conducted on Pubmed, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases up to June 2019 without any language restriction. The publications were reviewed based on the Cochrane handbook and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). To compare the effects of L-carnitine with placebo, Risk Ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled according to the random effects model. RESULTS Across five enrolled clinical trials, we found that L-carnitine supplementation reduce one-year mortality in septic patients with SOFA> 12 (RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.96; P= 0.03) but had no significant effect on reducing 28-day mortality ((RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.28; P= 0.65) compared to placebo. Finally, we observed that based on current trials, L-carnitine supplementation may not have clinically a significant effect on mortality rate. CONCLUSION L-carnitine patients with higher SOFA score can reduce the mortality rate. However, the number of trials, study duration and using a dosage of L-carnitine are limited in this context and further large prospective trials are required to clarify the effect of L-carnitine on mortality rate in septic patients.
-
2.
Adenoma and Advanced Adenoma Detection Rates of Water Exchange, Endocuff, and Cap Colonoscopy: A Network Meta-Analysis with Pooled Data of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Shao, PP, Bui, A, Romero, T, Jia, H, Leung, FW
Digestive diseases and sciences. 2021;(4):1175-1188
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS A network meta-analysis showed that low-cost optimization of existing resources was as effective as distal add-on devices in increasing adenoma detection rate (ADR). We assessed the impacts of water exchange (WE), Endocuff, and cap colonoscopy on ADR and advanced adenoma detection rate (AADR). We hypothesized that WE may be superior at improving ADR and AADR. METHODS The literature was searched for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported ADR as an outcome and included the keywords colonoscopy, and water exchange, Endocuff, or cap. We performed traditional network meta-analyses with random effect models comparing ADR and AADR of each method using air insufflation (AI) as the control and reported the odds ratios with 95% confidence interval. Performances were ranked based on P-score. RESULTS Twenty-one RCTs met inclusion criteria. Fourteen RCTs also reported AADR. Both WE [1.46 (1.20-1.76)] and Endocuff [1.39 (1.17-1.66)] significantly increase ADR, while cap has no impact on ADR [1.00 (0.82-1.22)]. P-scores for WE (0.88), Endocuff (0.79), cap (0.17), and AI (0.17) suggest WE has the highest ADR. WE [1.38 (1.12-1.70)], but not Endocuff [0.96 (0.76-1.21)] or cap [1.06 (0.85-1.32)], significantly increases AADR. P-scores for WE (0.98), cap (0.50), AI (0.31), and Endocuff (0.21) suggest WE is more effective at increasing AADR. The results did not change after adjusting for age, proportion of males, and withdrawal time. CONCLUSION WE may be the modality of choice to maximally improve ADR and AADR.
-
3.
Effect of saffron supplementation on liver enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Hasani, M, Malekahmadi, M, Rezamand, G, Estêvão, MD, Pizarro, AB, Heydari, H, Hoong, WC, Arafah, OA, Barakeh, ARR, Rahman, A, et al
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2021;(6):102311
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Possible protective effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L) have been reported in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Current systematic review was performed to summarize the efficacy of saffron intake on liver enzymes. METHODS An electronic database search was conducted on PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane for RCTs comparing effect of saffron and placebo on liver enzymes from inception to July 2021. There was no restriction in language of included studies and we calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for each variable. Random-effect model was used to calculate effect size. RESULTS Eight studies (n = 463 participants) were included in the systematic review. The saffron intake was associated with a statistically significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SMD: -0.18; 95% CI: -0.34, -0.02; I2 = 0%) in comparison to placebo intake. Our results also indicated that saffron consumption did not have a significant effect on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SMD: -0.14; 95% CI: -0.36, 0.09; I2 = 47.0%) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (SMD: 0.14; 95% CI: -0.18, 0.46; I2 = 42.9%) compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS Saffron intake showed beneficial impacts on circulating AST levels. However, larger well-designed RCTs are still needed to clarify the effect of saffron intake on these and other liver enzymes.
-
4.
The effect of N-acetylcysteine on bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Pittas, S, Theodoridis, X, Haidich, AB, Bozikas, PV, Papazisis, G
Psychopharmacology. 2021;(7):1729-1736
Abstract
RATIONALE The current pharmacotherapy of bipolar depression often presents limited efficacy and increased risk for adverse events. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been suggested as potentially effective and well-tolerated adjunctive treatment for bipolar disorder (BD). OBJECTIVES This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine, as an adjunctive therapy, for treating bipolar depression. METHODS PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus databases, and grey literature were searched for studies retrieval. Randomized controlled trials including patients with a diagnosed bipolar disorder and a current depressive episode were included in the analysis. The measured variables included symptoms, functioning, and quality of life scales. The mean change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was set as the primary outcome. RESULTS A total of five studies were included in the analysis. A significant improvement was not observed from the addition of NAC to standard therapy in symptomatology [MADRS (MD = -3.32; 95% CI = -12.79 to 6.16), Young Mania Rating Scale (MD = -0.7; 95% CI = -2.15 to 0.75), Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (MD = -3.19; 95% CI = -15.48 to 9.1), and Clinical Global Impression for severity (MD = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.33 to 0.08)], functioning, [Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (MD = 3.21; 95% CI = -12.55 to 18.97), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (MD = 0.47; 95% CI = -4.60 to 5.53), or quality of life [Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (MD = 2.27; 95% CI = -9.13 to 13.67)]. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence indicating that NAC has beneficial effects as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression. Future trials with improved methodological design and efficient sample sizes are required to draw safer conclusions.
-
5.
Effects of cashew nut consumption on body composition and glycemic indices: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Jamshidi, S, Moradi, Y, Nameni, G, Mohsenpour, MA, Vafa, M
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2021;(2):605-613
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Present meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted to synthesis a definitive conclusion from previous randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). METHODS A comprehensive search was done up to July 2020, in order to extract RCTs which investigated the effect of cashew nut on weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate effect size. Meta regression analysis was done to identify probable sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS Six clinical trials with 521 participants were included. Combined effect sizes demonstrated no effect of cashew consumption on weight (WMD): 0.02, 95% CI: -1.04, 1.09, P > 0.05), BMI (WMD: 0.1, 95% CI: -0.72, 0.74, P > 0.05), and WC (WMD: -0.13, 95% CI: -1.97, 1.70, P > 0.05). Results were also not significant for FBS (WMD: 3.58, 95% CI: -3.92, 11.08, P > 0.05), insulin (WMD: -0.19, 95% CI: -1.63, 1.25, P > 0.05), and HOMA-IR (WMD: 0.25, 95% CI: -0.55, 1.06, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The sum up, incorporating cashew into the diet has no significant effect on body composition or modifying glycemic indices.
-
6.
The effect of black tea supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Ma, C, Zheng, X, Yang, Y, Bu, P
Food & function. 2021;(1):41-56
Abstract
The main goal of this work was to clarify the effects of black tea supplementation on blood pressure (BP) by performing a systematic review according to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines, followed by a dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Electronic search was carried out in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases published up to March 2020. To be included, RCTs had to report the effect of black tea supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults. A total of 13 trials, including 22 study arms were eligible for inclusion in the final quantitative analysis. It was observed that black tea supplementation significantly reduced SBP (WMD - 1.04 mmHg; 95% CI - 2.05 to -0.03; and P = 0.04) and DBP (WMD - 0.59 mmHg; 95% CI - 1.05 to -0.13; and P = 0.01) compared to the control. However, nonlinear analysis failed to indicate a significant influence of black tea flavonoid supplementation dose or duration on both SBP and DBP. Sensitivity analysis showed that no individual study had a significant impact on our results. In addition, we found no evidence for the presence of small-study effects among studies for both SBP and DBP. Thus, the favorable effect of black tea supplementation emerging from the current meta-analysis suggests the possible use of this tea as an active compound in order to promote cardiovascular health, mostly when used for longer duration (>7 days) and in men. Furthermore RCTs using different doses of black tea and various durations may contribute to confirming our conclusion.
-
7.
Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on inflammation, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled- trials.
Alimohammadi, M, Rahimi, A, Faramarzi, F, Golpour, M, Jafari-Shakib, R, Alizadeh-Navaei, R, Rafiei, A
Inflammopharmacology. 2021;(3):579-593
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) are associated with breast cancer. CoQ10 as an adjuvant treatment with conventional anti-cancer chemotherapy has been demonstrated to help in the inflammatory process and OS. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation on levels of inflammatory markers, OS parameters, and matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (MMPs/TIMPs) in patients with breast cancer. METHODS A systematic literature search was carried out using electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase, up to December 2020 to identify eligible RCTs evaluating the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on OS biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines, and MMPs/TIMPs. From 827 potential reports, 5 eligible studies consisting of 9 trials were finally included in the current meta-analysis. Quality assessment and heterogeneity tests of the selected trials were performed using the PRISMA checklist protocol and the I2 statistic, respectively. Fixed and random-effects models were assessed based on the heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were determined as the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS Our meta-analysis of the pooled findings for inflammatory biomarkers of OS and MMPs showed that CoQ10 supplementation (100 mg/day for 45-90 days) significantly decreased the levels of VEGF [SMD: - 1.88, 95% CI: (- 2. 62 to - 1.13); I2 = 93.1%, p < 0.001], IL-8 [SMD: - 2.24, 95% CI: (- 2.68 to - 1.8); I2 = 79.6%, p = 0.001], MMP-2 [SMD: - 1.49, 95% CI: (- 1.85 to - 1.14); I2 = 76.3%, p = 0.005] and MMP-9 [SMD: - 1.58, 95% CI: (- 1.97 to - 1.19); I2 = 79.6%, p = 0.002], but no significant difference was observed between CoQ10 supplementation and control group on TNF-α [SMD: - 2.30, 95% CI: (- 2.50 to - 2.11); I2 = 21.8%, p = 0.280], IL-6 [SMD: - 1.56, 95% CI: (- 1.73 to - 1.39); I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.683], IL-1β [SMD: - 3.34, 95% CI: (- 3.58 to - 3.11); I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.561], catalase (CAT) [SMD: 1.40, 95% CI: (1.15 to 1.65); I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.598], superoxide dismutase (SOD) [SMD: 2.42, 95% CI: (2.12 to 2.71); I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.986], glutathione peroxidase (GPx) [SMD: 2.80, 95% CI: (2.49 to 3.11); I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.543]], glutathione (GSH) [SMD: 4.71, 95% CI: (4.26 to 5.16); I2 = 6.1%, p = 0.302] and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) [SMD: - 3.20, 95% CI: (- 3.53 to - 2.86); I2 = 29.7%, p = 0.233]. CONCLUSION Overall, the findings showed that CoQ10 supplementation reduced some of the important markers of inflammation and MMPs in patients with breast cancer. However, further studies with controlled trials for other types of cancer are needed to better understand and confirm the effect of CoQ10 on tumor therapy.
-
8.
Cardiovascular Outcomes with SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure with or without type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Singh, AK, Singh, R
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2021;(1):351-359
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) in patients with known heart failure (HF) with or without type 2 diabetes (T2DM), that have studied the outcomes of cardiovascular (CV) death, hospitalization due to HF (HHF), and composite of CV death or HHF. METHODS A systematic search in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library database were made up till November 20, 2020 using specific keywords. RCTs that qualified underwent a meta-analysis by applying the inverse variance-weighted averages of pooled logarithmic hazard ratio (HR) using both random- and fixed-effects model. RESULTS This meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (N = 19,741) have found a significant 26% relative risk reduction in composite of CV death or HHF (HR 0.74; 95% CI, 0.69-0.79; p < 0.001) with SGLT-2i in patients with HF. The meta-analysis of 8 RCTs (N = 16,460) also showed a significant reduction in CV death (HR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78-0.95; p = 0.003) and HHF (HR 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.74; p < 0.001) outcomes with SGLT-2i in patients with HF. Subgroup analysis stratified on baseline ejection fraction (EF) showed a similar benefit in the composite of CV death or HHF in patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) or preserved EF (HFpEF). CONCLUSIONS SGLT-2i significantly reduces the composite of CV death or HHF, CV death, and HHF in patients with HF. Although subgroup analysis suggested an insignificant Pheterogenity for these outcomes irrespective of the types of HF, however, reduction in both CV death and HHF were more pronounced in patients with HFrEF.
-
9.
Pooled Analysis of Bleeding, Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, and All-Cause Mortality in Clinical Trials of Time-Constrained Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.
McClure, JD, Ramsay, JC, Berry, C
Journal of the American Heart Association. 2020;(16):e017109
Abstract
Background The net clinical benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) reflects the paradoxical effects of an increased risk of bleeding and a reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. A time-constrained approach to DAPT has been recently investigated in 5 multicenter trials including GLOBAL LEADERS, STOPDAPT2 (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Everolimus-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2), SMART-CHOICE, TWILIGHT (Ticagrelor With Aspirin or Alone in High-Risk Patients After Coronary Intervention), and TICO (Ticagrelor Monotherapy After 3 Months in the Patients Treated With New Generation Sirolimus Stent for Acute Coronary Syndrome). Methods and Results We undertook a pooled analysis of these trials to assess the overall associations between time-constrained P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy (aspirin-free regimen) for bleeding events, major adverse cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality as compared to standard care with DAPT for at least 12 months post-percutaneous coronary intervention. We implemented a DerSimonian and Laird random effects meta-analysis using the metafor package in R. 32 361 randomized trial participants, including 16 898 (52.2%) who had a history of acute coronary syndrome, underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, and had outcome data available. P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy from 1 to 3 months was associated with a reduced risk for bleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60; 95% CI, 0.45-0.81), including in the acute coronary syndrome group in which the magnitude of risk reduction was greatest (HR 0.50; 95% CI, 0.41-0.61). The estimates of the effect of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy on the HR were also favorable for major adverse cardiovascular events (0.88; 95% CI, 0.77-1.02) and all-cause mortality (0.85; 95% CI, 0.71-1.03). Conclusions Compared with DAPT for 12 months post-percutaneous coronary intervention, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy from 1 to 3 months substantially reduces the risk of major and fatal bleeding and, in addition, confers potentially protective effects, for major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Considering patient safety, the results support a strategy of DAPT for 1 to 3 months followed by aspirin-free P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy.
-
10.
Effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Xing, B, Zhao, Y, Dong, B, Zhou, Y, Lv, W, Zhao, W
Journal of diabetes investigation. 2020;(5):1238-1247
Abstract
AIMS/INTRODUCTION Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Currently, some studies have found that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a new hypoglycemic drug, can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver in addition to its hypoglycemic effect. Thus, we undertook a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors on the treatment of NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with NAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus up to 1 October 2019. Differences were expressed as weight mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous outcomes. The I2 statistic was applied to evaluate the heterogeneity of studies. RESULTS A total of six trials including 309 patients were selected into our meta-analysis. SGLT2 inhibitors could reduce alanine aminotransferase (WMD -11.05 IU/L, 95% CI -19.85, -2.25, P = 0.01) and magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (WMD -2.07%, 95% CI -3.86, -0.28, P = 0.02). However, SGLT2 inhibitors did not reduce aspartate aminotransferase (WMD -1.11 IU/L, 95% CI -2.39, 0.17, P = 0.09). In addition, secondary outcomes, such as bodyweight and visceral fat area, were also reduced (WMD -1.62 kg, 95% CI -2.02, -1.23, P < 0.00001; WMD -19.98 cm2 , 95% CI -27.18, -12.79, P < 0.00001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS SGLT2 inhibitors can significantly decrease alanine aminotransferase and liver fat, accompanied with weight loss, which might have a positive effect on fatty liver in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The limitation is that the sample size of the studies was small. Therefore, more large randomized controlled trials specified on NAFLD are required to evaluate these results.