1.
A Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study to Examine the Effects of Maritime Pine Extract on Exercise Performance and Postexercise Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Muscle Soreness, and Damage.
Aldret, RL, Bellar, D
Journal of dietary supplements. 2020;(3):309-320
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine whether 14 days of supplementation with maritime pine extract leading up to and following an exercise test would increase performance and reduce biomarkers associated with muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The study used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Twenty apparently healthy young male participants ingested either 800 mg pine bark extract or placebo for 14 days prior to the first exercise trial and for 2 days postexercise. On the exercise day, participants submitted a pre-exercise blood sample then completed a VO2 peak test until volitional failure. A postexercise blood sample was collected 1 hour after completion of exercise. Participants returned at 24 and 48 hours after the exercise testing for measures of muscle pain in the lower body using an algometer. Participants then had a 7-day washout period before beginning to cross over to the alternate treatment. Analysis via ordinal regression demonstrated a significant difference in oxidative stress in the maritime pine extract group compared to placebo (ChiSq = 2.63; p = 0.045). Maritime pine extract was effective at affording protection from oxidative stress postexercise. Further work should be undertaken to evaluate the findings with other exercise modes or in participants with known metabolic syndrome.
2.
The Effect of Curcumin on Serum Copper and Zinc and Zn/Cu Ratio in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome: A Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
Safarian, H, Parizadeh, SMR, Saberi-Karimain, M, Darroudi, S, Javandoost, A, Mohammadi, F, Moammeri, M, Ferns, GA, Ghayour-Mobarhan, M, Mohebati, M
Journal of dietary supplements. 2019;(6):625-634
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder with high socioeconomic costs and a high global prevalence. The serum concentrations of some trace elements are higher in people with metabolic syndrome compared to normal individuals. Curcumin is derived from turmeric and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin may therefore have a potential role in the management of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and Zn/Cu ratio levels in patients with metabolic syndrome. A double-blind clinical trial was designed in which 120 individuals with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to one of three groups: curcumin 1gr/day, phospholipidated curcumin 1gr/day, or a placebo, each taken for 6 weeks. Serum copper and zinc were measured before and after intervention. At baseline, in addition to obtaining the anthropometric characteristics of participants, a fasting blood sample was taken from each participant, and the concentrations of serum Cu and Zn were measured by atomic absorption (Varian AA 240 FS model). Serum Zn concentrations rose significantly in the phospholipidated curcumin and curcumin groups, being significantly higher (p <.001) in the phospholipidated curcumin group than in the curcumin group (p <.05). Serum Zn concentration fell in the control group (p <.05). Changes in serum Zn level from baseline to the levels after six weeks' intervention were significantly different between the groups, but changes in serum Cu from between baseline until after intervention were not significantly different. The serum Zn/Cu level in phospholipidated curcumin and curcumin groups after intervention was higher than for the control group, but it was more significant in the group taking phospholipidated curcumin (p <.001). Curcumin and phospholipidated curcumin complex, given at a dose of 1 g per day for six weeks, were associated with an increase in serum zinc and consequently zinc-to-copper ratio.
3.
The effect of soy nut on serum total antioxidant, endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Sedaghat, A, Shahbazian, H, Rezazadeh, A, Haidari, F, Jahanshahi, A, Mahmoud Latifi, S, Shirbeigi, E
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2019;(2):1387-1391
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes has a high spread and growing process. Using appropriate food diets is among therapeutic approaches has been applied for diabetic patients. Soya utilization has shown effective results in controlling metabolic abnormalities of these patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of soy nut on glycemic conditions, blood pressure, lipid profile, antioxidant effects and vascular endothelial function of these patients. METHODS 70 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups of the test (35 people) and control (35 people). The patients in the intervention group were subjected to 60 g soy nut diet as a part of daily protein for 8 weeks and the control group under the usual diet of diabetes. The fasting glucose, blood pressure, lipid profile, brachial blood flow, the level of serum E-Selectin and total antioxidant capacity in control and test group were assessed before and after diet. RESULTS Consuming 60 g soy nut for 8 weeks significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose (P = 0.03), total serum cholesterol (P < 0.01), LDL-c (P = 0.01), and E-Selectin (P < 0.01) and increased the capacity of serum total antioxidants (P < 0.01), brachial blood flow (P < 0.01) but didn't have any significant effect on systolic/diastolic blood pressure, HDL-c, and TG. CONCLUSION Soy nut utilization in the patients with type-2 diabetes can significantly improve the glycemic condition, increase brachial blood flow, decrease E-selectin (improvement of endothelial function), increase serum total antioxidants and lipid profile but has no significant effect on blood pressure and HDL-c.