andisheh norouzian ostad

Critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit are often hyper-metabolic, hyper-catabolic, and at malnutrition risk. This study aimed to evaluate the amount of energy and protein intake and its correlation with the required amount in critically ill patients.  A total of 70 patients with critical conditions admitted to the ICU were eligible (age≥18 years and over a 3-day stay in ICU). Basic characteristics, medical history, and laboratory test results were extracted from the patient’s medical records. Anthropometric indicators and the APACHE II questionnaire were assessed. Patients’ energy and protein requirements were 25kcal/kg/day and 1.2g/kg/day, respectively.  The mean age in the target population was 57.69±20.81 years, and 48.6% were men. The mean actual energy intake was significantly lower than the requirement (531.27±365.40 vs. 1583.77±329.36 Kcal/day, P˂0.001). The mean actual protein intake was significantly lower than the requirement (14.94±18.33 vs. 74.11±17.89 gr/day, respectively, P˂0.001). Energy and protein provision to the patients had a growing trend over time. There was a significant reverse correlation between the age of patients and total lymphocyte count (r= -0.38, P=0.003). In addition, there was a significant reverse correlation between the Glasgow coma scale and mechanical ventilation duration (r=-0.49, P˂0.001). The lowest average energy and protein intake were in patients with poisoning.  The energy and protein intake in critically ill patients is significantly less than recommended, requiring routine nutritional assessments.

Nowadays, improving anxiety, depression, and stress is important in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate eight weeks of pomegranate peel (PP) supplementation on depression, anxiety, and stress scale changes among NAFLD patients.  This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 76 NAFLD patients assigned to the PP (n=39) or placebo (n=37) groups. Participants received the pomegranate peel (1500 mg/day) or placebo for eight weeks. PP capsules were prepared fromdry extract of PP by soaking. A diet with reduced calorie intake and healthy recommendations was given to all participants. The status of NAFLD was checked with two-dimensional elastography. Mental health was evaluated using depression, anxiety, and stress scale, and dietary intake was assessed by 3-day recall before and after the intervention.  The average age of the participants was 43.1±8.6 years, of whom 51.3% were women. In the PP group, weight, liver stiffness, and hepatorenal sonography index changes significantly differed from the placebo group before and after adjusting potential covariates, including weight and physical activity (P< 0.001). Depression and stress scores changed significantly in the PP group during the study before and after adjusting potential covariates (P= 0.002, 0.05, respectively). Anxiety score changes were insignificant between the two groups (P= 0.1).  Based on the results, eight-week supplementation of pomegranate peel ameliorated depression and stress symptoms among NAFLD patients.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious public health issue. Even though various natural and synthetic therapies are in the advanced stages of development, there is no authorized therapy for NAFLD. The use of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds is one of these natural treatments. Portulaca oleracea aerial parts' extracts have shown various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver protection due to alkaloid compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols, omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, and many vitamins and minerals.

We intend to examine the effectiveness of Portulaca oleracea extract in improving the symptoms caused by NAFLD.

A randomized, double-blinded, controlled, parallel clinical trial is designed to study the effects of P. oleracea supplementation on the clinical and paraclinical findings in patients with NAFLD. An intervention group will get 700 mg of P. oleracea supplementation for eight weeks, while a control group will receive a placebo. Throughout the intervention, the clinical and nutritional status will be assessed three times. At the 0, 30, and 60th days of the intervention, anthropometric evaluation, blood pressure, and gastrointestinal problems will be monitored. Transient elastography will be done at the start and end of the research to assess the liver state. In addition, an International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a 3-day food record will be collected, as well as biochemical variables, such as CBC-diff (complete blood count with differential count), lipid profiles, FBS, Fasting Blood Sugar; serum insulin, hepatic-related parameters, namely enzymes [ALP (alkaline phosphatase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase)], total and direct bilirubin, and inflammatory [hs-CRP (C-reactive protein), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and IL-6 (interleukin-6)] and oxidative stress markers [SOD (super oxide dismutase), GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) and MDA (malondialdehyde)].

This is the first randomized clinical trial (RCT) protocol specifically created for patients with NAFLD to evaluate the impact of P. oleracea supplementation. We intend to demonstrate that the suggested procedure is a novel and effective approach to decreasing NAFLD's laboratory and clinical symptoms. We also expect that supplementation with 700 mg of P. oleracea for 60 days will improve liver steatosis and clinical and nutritional status and reduce NAFLD patients' inflammation and oxidative stress.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), as widely used as a medicinal herb and is brewed beverages, and has been used for the treatment of several conditions. The evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies suggests that chamomile and its many flavonoid components have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review aimed to provide an overview of the chemical constituents of chamomile and the effectiveness of the chamomile preparations and several of its constituents for the treatment of several medical conditions.

The present comprehensive review study was conducted by searching electronic databases including Scopus, Web of Sciences, Embase, and PubMed, using relevant keywords.

Both animal and human studies indicate the positive effects of chamomile on the antioxidant enzyme activity. However, the mechanisms involved in the action of chamomile against the production of ROS remain still unknown. When it comes to its anti-inflammatory properties, a number of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations have been reported regarding to the selective inhibition of COX-2, suppression of NO production, prevention of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα-induced NO levels, reduction of iNOS mRNA and protein expression, impediment of leukocyte adhesion and adhesion protein up-regulation in human endothelial cells, and blockage of IL-1 α-induced prostaglandin production, TNF-α-induced IL-6 and IL-8 release.

Current studies suggest that chamomile and its flavonoid components have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. On the basis of the existing evidences, chamomile appears to ameliorate several diseases caused by oxidative stress as well as inflammatory reactions.

There is limited evidence regarding the risk factors and nutritional patterns in patients with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). This study aims to investigate the relationship between different dietary patterns and risk factors in patients with PCAD.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on PCAD patients, including men younger than 55 years and women younger than 65 years, who underwent coronary angiography in the Angiography Department of the Shahid Mohamadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Anthropometric and clinical examination, demographic questionnaires, and containing dietary intake and physical activity questionnaires were filled for all participants.

The most prevalent risk factors for obstructive PCAD in the 65 selected patients were family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) (73%), hypertension (52%), and overweight/obesity (50%). Daily consumption of hydrogenated fats (P = 0.008) and high-fat milk (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in obstructive PCAD patients compared to non-obstructive and non-PCAD patients. Daily consumption of fruits was significantly higher in non-obstructive and non-PCAD patients compared to obstructive PCAD patients (P = 0.039).

Family history of CAD, hypertension, and obesity were found to be the most common risk factors among obstructive PCAD patients.  According to the findings, increased consumption of high-fat milk and hydrogenated fats may increase the risk of PCAD, whereas, daily consumption of fruits may reduce the risk of PCAD.

Gastric bypass surgery is an intervention used to treat class III obesity and its complications. Evidence is scarce regarding its benefits among the Iranian population, especially its role in resolving obesity-related complaints and comorbidities. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of gastric bypass surgery on the improvement of obesity-related complaints and comorbidities in morbid obesity.

This study was conducted on 35 morbidly obese patients who volunteered to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Anthropometric data, comorbidity status, and dietary habits were collected at baseline and six months postoperatively. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16.0.

The majority of the patients were female (80%). A significant difference was observed in the frequency distribution of normal dietary habits (five regular meals per day) before and after surgery (P = 0.01). In comparison, the distribution was not significant for snacking and three large meals per day (P > 0.05). All complaints of eating disorders according to self-reports (e.g., overeating and night eating syndrome) significantly improved (P < 0.05 ). Moreover, the dose of the medications prescribed for the comorbidities associated with obesity reduced significantly (P = 0.001). The frequency of several obesity-related complaints (e.g., knee pain, hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, and sleep apnea) also decreased significantly (P < 0.05). However, no significant improvement was observed in hair loss, brittle nails, and menstrual dysfunction (P > 0.05).

Accordingly, gastric bypass surgery could improve obesity-related complaints six months postoperatively. Also, according to the patients’ self -declaration, patients’ adherence to “normal eating habits” increased during this period, and their eating disorders like night eating syndrome (NES) and overeating behaviors decreased compared to before the surgery.