Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Nutritional counseling improves quality of life and preserves body weight in systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis.
Malnutrition is associated with mortality and impaired quality of life (QoL) in systemic immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether nutritional counseling is beneficial to patients with AL. ⋯ In outpatients with AL, NC was helpful in preserving body weight, effective in improving mental QoL, and associated with better survival.
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Review Meta Analysis
Vitamin D and diabetic nephropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
There has been a long history documenting the use of different vitamin D derivatives as therapy for renal diseases. However, to our knowledge, there is no comprehensive assessment of the relation between vitamin D deficiency and risk for diabetic nephropathy (DN). Additionally, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on DN is still unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess these issues by pooling together the results from cross-sectional studies and clinical trials. ⋯ This meta-analysis showed the higher risk for nephropathy in vitamin D-deficient patients with diabetes. Pooling the results of available clinical trials after vitamin D supplementation did not support causality in this association.
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The aim of this study was to explore the existence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in tuberculosis (TB) patients living in Africa and to identify its predictor variables. PRISMA guidelines and checklists were used. The sources of the data were Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. ⋯ Statistically significant variables such as lack of sun exposure, inadequate dietary intake, season, clothing, comorbidities, low body mass index, age, skin pigmentation, use of antiretroviral therapy and anti-TB drugs, and socioeconomic status were identified as the main predictor variables of vitamin D status. VDD and vitamin D insufficiency were highly prevalent in TB patients in Africa. Further case-control studies are warranted to clarify the cause-effect relationship between vitamin D and TB and thereby, design valuable strategies to manage VDD among TB patients in Africa.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic parameters, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic status in pregnant women with GDM who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents. ⋯ Selenium supplementation in pregnant women with GDM demonstrated beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, hs-CRP levels, and biomarkers of oxidative stress.
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Comparative Study
Ketogenic response to cotreatment with bezafibrate and medium chain triacylglycerols in healthy humans.
The aim of this study was to compare the ketogenic effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α stimulator, bezafibrate (BEZA), alone or in combination with medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) in healthy adults. ⋯ BEZA mildly potentiated the ketogenic action of MCT but did not increase peak plasma ketone concentration or overall ketone production during the metabolic study day.