1.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Circulating Irisin Levels Following Endurance Training: Results of Continuous and Interval Training.
Cosio, PL, Pelaez, M, Cadefau, JA, Farran-Codina, A
Biological research for nursing. 2023;(3):367-381
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irisin has been suggested as a helpful hormone for adverse metabolic conditions. However, the interaction between acute endurance exercises and irisin is still unclear. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the acute effect of endurance training, either continuous or interval training, on circulating irisin in healthy adults. METHODS Literature search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL until September 2022. Clinical trials measuring irisin levels following a single session of interval or continuous endurance training in healthy adults were eligible. Cohen's d effect size (95% confidence level), subgroup analyses and univariate meta-regression were calculated using a random-effects model. The procedures described by PRISMA were followed and the protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD 42021240971). RESULTS Data of the 16 included studies comprising 412 individuals showed a significant increase following one session of continuous endurance training (d = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.46, p < 0.001), while interval training did not change circulating irisin (d = 0.16, 95% CI: -0.12 to 0.44, p = 0.202). Both subgroup and univariate meta-regression analyses showed non-significant differences in the change of circulating irisin comparing blood measurement, exercise mode or previous level of physical activity of the participants and circulating irisin at baseline, duration, or intensity of the exercise, respectively. CONCLUSION Continuous method for endurance training increases circulating irisin in healthy adults, while studies measuring circulating irisin following interval training in healthy adults are still limited to be conclusive.
2.
The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotic Inulin-Type Fructans, and Synbiotics in Human Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Astó, E, Méndez, I, Audivert, S, Farran-Codina, A, Espadaler, J
Nutrients. 2019;11(2)
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It is thought that ulcerative colitis (UC) may be caused by an excessive immune response to endogenous bacteria in genetically predisposed individuals, and therefore that manipulating of the gut flora may be of benefit. Microbial diversity and intestinal microbiota stability are lower in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (including UC), than in healthy people. This systematic review and metanalysis looked at clinical trials using probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics (a combination of pro- and prebiotics) in UC. 18 papers were included, with a total of 1491 adult and 69 children. 16 of these were on probiotics, one on prebiotics and one on synbiotics. Outcomes considered in this systematic review were the effects on short chain fatty acids (SCFAs, metabolic end products of gut bacteria which have a beneficial effect on immune and gut health), inflammation levels, composition of faecal microbiota and UC remission. In trials on inactive UC patients, the faecal concentration of SCFAs did not differ significantly between the probiotic and placebo groups, whilst in trials with active UC patients, SCFAs significantly increased after probiotic supplementation. All studies reported a significant reduction in inflammation. Meta-analysis of studies which looked at induction/maintenance of remission by probiotics showed that this depends on a) the type of disease activity score used to assess remission, and b) the type of probiotics used, with bifidobacteria containing probiotics, VSL3 and Mutaflor showing benefits, but studies without bifidobacteria being no different from placebo. The authors conclude that bifidobacteria containing probiotics seem to be beneficial in terms of reaching remission in patients with UC, although there is insufficient information on necessary dose and duration of treatment. They note that there are only few studies on prebiotics and synbiotics and are calling for a standardisation of scales to assess remission.
Abstract
Studies of probiotics, fructan-type prebiotics, and synbiotics in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) show significant heterogeneity in methodology and results. Here, we study the efficacy of such interventions and the reasons for the heterogeneity of their results. Eligible random controlled trials were collected from the PUBMED and SCOPUS databases. A total of 18 placebo-controlled and active treatment-controlled (i.e., mesalazine) studies were selected with a Jadad score ≥ 3, including 1491 patients with UC. Data for prebiotics and synbiotics were sparse and consequently these studies were excluded from the meta-analysis. The UC remission efficacy of probiotics was measured in terms of relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR). Significant effects were observed in patients with active UC whenever probiotics containing bifidobacteria were used, or when adopting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-recommended scales (UC Disease Activity Index and Disease Activity Index). By the FDA recommended scales, the RR was 1.55 (CI95%: 1.13⁻2.15, p-value = 0.007, I² = 29%); for bifidobacteria-containing probiotics, the RR was 1.73 (CI95%: 1.23⁻2.43, p-value = 0.002, I² = 35%). No significant effects were observed on the maintenance of remission for placebo-controlled or mesalazine-controlled studies. We conclude that a validated scale is necessary to determine the state of patients with UC. However, probiotics containing bifidobacteria are promising for the treatment of active UC.
3.
Effects of free leucine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and functional status in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
Trabal, J, Forga, M, Leyes, P, Torres, F, Rubio, J, Prieto, E, Farran-Codina, A
Clinical interventions in aging. 2015;:713-23
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of free leucine supplementation combined with resistance training versus resistance training only on muscle strength and functional status in older adults. METHODS This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study with two intervention groups. Thirty older adults were randomly assigned to receive either 10 g leucine/day (leucine group [LG], n=15) or a placebo (control group [CG], n=15), plus resistance training over a 12-week period. Maximal overcoming isometric leg strength, functional status, nutritional status, body composition, health-related quality of life, depression, and dietary intake were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks. Missing data at 12 weeks were handled using mixed models for repeated measurements for data imputation. RESULTS Twenty-four subjects completed the 4-week assessment and eleven completed the 12-week intervention. Clinically significant gains were found in isometric leg strength at both assessment time points. Analysis of the effect size also showed how participants in LG outperformed those in CG for chair stands and the timed up and go test. No significant changes were observed for the rest of the outcomes. CONCLUSION Our combined analysis showed moderate changes in isometric leg muscle strength and certain components of functional status. The magnitude of changes found on these outcomes should be qualified as a positive effect of the concomitant intervention.
4.
Effects of dietary enrichment with conventional foods on energy and protein intake in older adults: a systematic review.
Trabal, J, Farran-Codina, A
Nutrition reviews. 2015;(9):624-33
Abstract
CONTEXT Decreased food intake is a common problem among older adults; it is a known cause of weight loss and may lead to malnutrition. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of dietary enrichment with conventional foods on energy and protein intake in older adults. DATA SOURCES Studies were identified through systematic searches of the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, via PubMed; CINAHL, via EBSCO; Web of Science; Scopus; and Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION Studies in older adults were included without restrictions for sample size, length of follow-up, comparators, or date or status of publication. Eligible studies were dietary-enrichment interventions with conventional foods and powdered modules that aimed to increase the energy and protein density of meals without significantly increasing the final volume of the meals. DATA EXTRACTION Outcomes assessed included changes in energy intake, protein intake, nutritional status, body weight, functional status, and episodes of infection. DATA SYNTHESIS Nine studies were included. The results suggest that dietary enrichment can improve energy intake in older adults. While dietary enrichment seems to increase protein intake, there is not enough evidence of sufficient quality to confirm this observation or to determine whether dietary enrichment improves other outcomes assessed in this population. CONCLUSIONS Additional large clinical trials with long-term interventions are needed to establish the effects of dietary enrichment in older people at risk of malnutrition.