Kirk’s “One Liners” in Nutrition Research Archives 

July, 2016

June, 2016

“Beneficial effects of long-term intravenous iron therapy with ferric carboxymaltose in patients with symptomatic heart failure and iron deficiency” Eur Heart J. 2015 Mar 14;36(11):657-68. 51346 Piotr Ponikowski, MD Department of Heart Diseases, Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland Department of Cardiology, Center for Heart Diseases, Clinical Military Hospital, Weigla 5 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland piotrponikowski@4wsk.pl   CONCLUSION: Three hundred and four ambulatory symptomatic heart failure patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45%, elevated natriuretic peptides, and iron deficiency (ferritin <100 ng/mL or 100-300 ng/mL if transferrin saturation <20%) treated with IV iron, as ferric carboxymaltoses (FCM), in undiluted I.V. bolus injections of 10 or 20 mL (equivalent to 500 or 1000 mg of iron) administered over at least 1 minute in doses based on the subjects weight and hemoglobin level, between 500 and 2000 mg iron in the therapy phase, (baseline to Week 6), and thereafter maintenance FCM dosing of 500 mg iron at each of Weeks 12, 24, and 36 over a 1-year period, resulted in sustainable improvement in functional capacity, symptoms, and QoL and may be associated with risk reduction of hospitalization for worsening heart failure.

“Repletion of Iron Stores With the Use of Oral Iron Supplementation in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure.” J Card Fail. 2015 Aug;21(8):694-7. 51347 Gregory D. Lewis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, GRB-8, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 726-9554/ (617) 726-4105 (FAX). glewis@partners.org. CONCLUSION: Iron-deficient heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients (n=105) who received oral iron supplementation over 180 days had ferritin (from median 39 ng/mL to 75 ng/mL), Tsat (from 10% to 21%), iron (from 34 μg/dL to 69 μg/dL), and hemoglobin (from 10.4 g/dL to 11.6 g/dL) values increase, while total iron-binding capacity decreased (from 343 to 313 μg/dL) at 164 days after the initiation of oral iron supplementation. Oral iron supplementation improved iron stores similarly to previously reported results with the use of intravenous iron repletion in HFrEF patients, suggesting that oral iron is probably a beneficial intervention strategy in HFrEF.

“Effects of flaxseed supplements on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trial.” Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;35(3):615-25. 51343 Dr. Maciej Banach. Department of Hypertension, WAM University Hospital in Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland. Tel./fax: +48 42 639 37 71 maciejbanach@aol.co.uk  CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials with 1302 participants showed significant reductions in both systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) following supplementation with flaxseed products. Reduction of SBP was significant with flaxseed powder but not oil and lignan extract. DBP was significantly reduced with powder and oil preparations, but not with lignan extract.

“Effects of rye bread enriched with green tea extract on weight maintenance and the characteristics of metabolic syndrome following weight loss: a pilot study.” J Med Food. 2015 Jun;18(6):698-705. 51344  Joanna Bajerska, PhD, Department of Human Nutrition and Hygiene, Faculty of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, Poznań 60-624, Poland, E-mail: joanna.bajerska@up.poznan.pl  CONCLUSION: In 55 obese men and women with metabolic syndrome (MS) in a single-blind randomized study the ingestion of 280 and 360 g green tea extract enriched rye bread (GTRB) provided daily totals of 123.2 and 158.4 mg caffeine, and 188.3 and 242.1 mg of epigallocatechin gallate, for women and men, respectively. After the weight loss phase, subjects lost 7.3 kg from their baseline body weight. The ingestion of GTRB led to the maintenance of lower blood pressure (BP), also the proportion of subjects with MS after the WM phase was lower in the GTRB group. Although GTRB consumption did not improve significantly the WL maintenance, it resulted in a better control of BP.

“The effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum lipids in postmenopausal women with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.” Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;34(5):799-804. 51345 Dr. Nayeli Macias, Centro de investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico. +52 777 101 29 00×7428 nmacias@insp.mx CONCLUSION: In104 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes who received 4000 IU tablets of a vitamin D daily or a placebo tablet found no significant changes in LDL, HDL and total cholesterol but found a greater decrease in serum triglycerides in the vitamin D group. The average reduction in the vitamin D group was -34.24 mg/dL.

“Selenium deficiency occurs in some patients with moderate-to-severe cirrhosis and can be corrected by administration of selenate but not selenomethionine: a randomized controlled trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1126-33. 51341 Raymond Burk, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, and Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN raymond.burk@vanderbilt.edu CONCLUSION: Selenomethionine, the main dietary form of selenium, is metabolized by the liver to selenide, which is the form of the element required for the synthesis of selenoproteins. Patients with mild, moderate, and severe cirrhosis were supplemented with a placebo or selenate at 200 or 400 μg/d or selenomethionine at 200 μg/d for 4 weeks. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was increased more by both doses of selenate and plasma selenium was increased more by 400 μg Se as selenate than by the placebo. Severe cirrhosis causes mild functional selenium deficiency in some patients that is associated with impaired metabolism of selenomethionine.

“A double-blinded randomized controlled trial of silymarin for the prevention of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury.” BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 Sep 23;15:334. 51342  Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk  Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, 270 Praram 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand 662-201-1304,  Abhasnee.sob@mahidol.ac.th;  CONCLUSION:  Hepatitis is a common adverse effect of antituberculosis drugs. Silymarin has prevented drug-induced hepatoxicity in animals. In a double-blind controlled trial of 55 tuberculosis patients who receive a placebo or silymarin 1/27 (3.7%) and 9/28 (32.1%) patients developed antituberculosis-drug induced liver injury (antiTB-DILI) in the silymarin and placebo groups respectively. Silymarin resulted in a 28% lower risk for antiTB-DILI and prevented 28 of a 100 patients from being antiTB-DILI. ALT levels were lower at week 4 in the silymarin group and the decline in SOD levels in the silymarin group was less. Silymarin reduced the incidence of antiTB-DILI. The benefit of silymarin may be explained from superoxide dismutase restoration.

“Vitamin E supplementation, superoxide dismutase status, and outcome of scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial.” J Periodontol. 2014 Feb;85(2): 242-9. 51343 Dr. Neha Singh, Department of Periodontics and Oral Implantology, Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India, 124001. E-mail: drneha2424@gmail.com.  CONCLUSION: Thirty-eight patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) were compared to 22 healthy individuals. Patients with CP were divided into treatment groups 1 (TG-1) and 2 (TG-2). Scaling and root planing (SRP) were performed for both groups, and TG-2 also received 200 mg (300 IU) of vitamin E every other day. SOD activity in both serum and saliva was lower in patients with CP compared with controls. After 3 months SOD activity improved in both treatment groups, but the improvement in TG-2 (vitamin E) was higher than in TG-1, along with more improvement in periodontal parameters. Serum SOD levels in TG-2 increased. Adjunctive vitamin E at 200 mg (300 IU) improves periodontal healing as well as antioxidant defense.

“Fluoroquinolone-related neuropsychiatric and mitochondrial toxicity: a collaborative investigation by scientists and members of a social network,” J Community Support Oncol. 2016 Feb;14(2):54-65. 51338  Dr. C. L. Bennett, Southern Network on Adverse Reactions (SONAR), South Carolina Center of Economic Excellence for Medication Safety, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA. bennettc@sccp.sc.edu. CONCLUSION: Three fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics – ciprofoxacin, levofoxacin, and moxifoxacin – are commonly administered to oncology patients and FDA approved for some common infections (UTIs, sinusitis, COPD). New serious FQ-associated safety concerns have been identified through collaborations between FQ-treated persons who have developed long-term neuropsychiatric (NP) toxicity, pharmacovigilance experts, and basic scientists. The Southern Network on Adverse Reactions (SONAR) and a social network of FQ-treated persons with long-term NP toxicity (the Floxed Network) conducted a web-based survey. The clinical toxicity manifestations reported by 94 respondents to the web-based survey of persons who had received 1 or more doses of an FQ prescribed for any indication, 93 of 94 respondents reported FQ-associated events including anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic attacks, clouded thinking, depersonalization, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, nightmares, and impaired memory beginning within days of FQ initiation or days to months of FQ discontinuation. The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) included 210,705 adverse events and 2,991 fatalities for FQs. Levofoxacin and ciprofoxacin toxicities were neurologic (30% and 26%, respectively), tendon damage (8% and 6%), and psychiatric (10% and 2%). In 2013, an FDA safety review reported that FQs affect mammalian topoisomerase II, especially in mitochondria. In 2013 and 2014, SONAR fled citizen petitions requesting black box revisions identifying neuropsychiatric toxicities and mitochrondrial toxicity as serious levofoxacin-associated adverse drug reactions. In 2015, FDA advisors recommended that FQ product labels be revised to include information about this newly identified disability syndrome termed “FQ-associated disability” (FQAD). Revised product labels describing a new serious adverse drug reaction, levofoxacin-associated long-term disability, as recommended by an FDA advisory committee, are advised. 

“Plasma levels of trimethylamine-N-oxide are confounded by impaired kidney function and poor metabolic control.” Atherosclerosis. 2015 Dec;243(2):638-44. 51339  Dr. Arnold von Eckardstein Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland  arnold.voneckardstein@usz.ch  CONCLUSION: After ingestion of phosphatidylcholine, l-carnitine or betaine, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is formed by gut microbiota and liver enzymes. Elevated TMAO, betaine and choline levels have been associated  with increased cardiovascular risk. In 339 patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of suspected coronary artery disease betaine concentrations in males were significantly higher than in females. Plasma concentrations of TMAO, but not of betaine or choline were higher in patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Plasma TMAO or choline increased significantly with decreasing renal function. Plasma levels of TMAO or betaine were associated with neither a history of myocardial infarction nor angiographically assessed coronary heart disease, nor incident cardiovascular events during 8 years of follow-up. Plasma levels of choline were significantly lower in patients with a history of acute myocardial infarction as compared to those without such history. Plasma levels of TMAO are confounded by impaired kidney function and poor metabolic control but are not associated with the history, presence or incidence of symptoms or events of coronary heart disease.

“Silybin-vitamin E-phospholipids complex reduces liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon α and ribavirin.” Am J Transl Res. 2015 Nov 15;7(11):2510-8. 51340. Dr. Giulia Malaguarnera, Research Center, The Great Senescence, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. Tel: +39 95 7262008; Fax: +39 95 7262011 giulia.malaguarnera@live.it  CONCLUSION: In 32 subjects with chronic hepatitis who received Pegylated-Interferon-α2b (1.5 mg/kg per week) plus Ribavirin and placebo or 32 subjects received the same dosage of Pegylated-Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin plus association of Silybin 47 mg + vitamin E 15 mg + phospholipids 97 mg (SEP) in two pills daily for 12 months, the supplemented group showed a significantly lower level of ALT and viremia after 12 months and reduced serum levels of markers of liver fibrosis. The ameliorative effect of the SEP maybe related to a direct effect on the activation of hepatic stellate cells, or mediated via antioxidants.

 “Effectiveness of homocysteine lowering vitamins in prevention of thrombotic tendency at high altitude area: A randomized field trial.” Thromb Res. 2015 Oct;136(4):758-62. 51336 Dr. Jyoti Kotwal Dept of Pathology, Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt, New Delhi, India atuljyot@hotmail.com drjyotikotwal@gmail.com  CONCLUSION: All units inducted to high altitude were randomized  to vitamin B12 1000 microgram/day, B6 3mg/day & folic acid 5mg/day or a control. At the end of one year stay at HAA, folate and B 12 levels decreased significantly in control arm. Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation reduced Hcy, PAI 1, fibrinogen levels and increased NO levels at 1 year as compared to control arm and reduced the incidence of thrombosis at 2 years of stay at HAA. The vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid intervention is safe and effective method of reducing morbidity and mortality caused by HAA induced coagulopathy.

“The relationship between sweetened beverage consumption and risk of heart failure in men.” Heart. 2015 Dec;101(24):1961-5. 51337 Dr Susanna C Larsson, Unit of Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Susanna.Larsson@ki.se  CONCLUSION: In 42,400 men, 45-79 years of age, followed from 1998 through 2010 sweetened beverage consumption was associated with higher risk of heart failure.

“Flavanones protect from arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women consuming grapefruit juice for 6 mo: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Jul;102(1):66-74. 51334  christine.morand@clermont.inra.fr. CONCLUSION: Forty-eight healthy postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years within 3-10 years since menopause in a double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover trial  were randomly assigned to consume 340 mL grape fruit juice (GFJ) per day, providing 210 mg naringenin glycosides, or a matched control drink without flavanones for 6 months each. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, which reflects central aortic stiffness, was statistically significantly lower after consumption of GFJ than after consumption of the matched control drink without flavanones (7.70 m/s). Regular GFJ consumption by middle-aged, healthy postmenopausal women is beneficial for arterial stiffness. This effect may be related to flavanones present in grapefruit.

“Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Nutr J. 2016 Jan 29;15:14. 51335   Dr. Nancy E. Lane, Center for Musculoskeletal Health, University of California Davis Health System, 4625 2nd Avenue, Suite 2006, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA. nelane@ucdavis.edu. CONCLUSION: One hundred ninety one subjects with knee osteoarthritis were randomized into three groups receiving a daily dose of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) from chicken sternum cartilage (40 mg), gluosamine and chondroitin sulfate (GC) (1500 mg G & 1200 mg C), or placebo for a 180-day period. At day 180, the UC-II group demonstrated a significant reduction in overall Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score compared to placebo and GC.  UC-II improved knee joint symptoms in knee OA subjects and was well-tolerated.

 “Association Between Carbohydrate Nutrition and Successful Aging Over 10 Years.” J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Jun 1. pii: glw091. [Epub ahead of print] 51318 Bamini Gopinath, BTech, PhD Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales 2145, Australia. Email: bamini.gopinath@sydney.edu.au. CONCLUSION: In studying 1,609 adults aged 49 years and older who were free of cancer, coronary artery disease, and stroke at baseline who were followed for 10 years the dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), and carbohydrate intake were not significantly associated with successful aging. The highest versus lowest quartile of total fiber intake had greater odds of aging successfully than suboptimal aging. Those who remained consistently below the median in consumption of fiber from breads/cereal and fruit compared with the rest of cohort were less likely to age successfully. Consumption of dietary fiber from breads/cereals and fruits independently influenced the likelihood of aging successfully over 10 years. These findings suggest that increasing intake of fiber-rich foods could be a successful strategy in reaching old age disease free and fully functional.

 “A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on hepatic fat and associated cardiovascular risk factors in overweight children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.” Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2015 Aug;25(8):734-41. 51333 Dr. Claudio Chiesa Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133 Rome, Italy  claudio.chiesa@ift.cnr.it. CONCLUSION: In 51 overweight children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 25 took DHA and 26 took a placebo. At 6 months liver fat was reduced by 53.4% in the DHA group compared with 22.6% in the placebo group. In the DHA group visceral adipose fat and epicardial adipose fat were reduced by 7.8% and 14.2%. Fasting insulin and triglycerides significantly decreased in the DHA-treated children.

“Is magnesium sulfate effective for pain in chronic postherpetic neuralgia patients comparing with ketamine infusion therapy?” J Clin Anesth. 2015 Jun;27(4):296-300. 51331 Pyung Bok Lee, MD, PhD (Research Professor)  Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea  +82 31 747 7495. painsnu@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Thirty patients with severe, intractable post-hepetic neuralgia (PHN) who were unresponsive to conservative therapy received intravenously either ketamine 1 mg/kg or magnesium 30 mg/kg over 1 hour after midazolam sedation. A 50% reduction in visual analogue score was recorded in 10 of 15 patients in the ketamine group and 7 of 15 patients in the magnesium group. Ketamine and magnesium showed significant analgesic effects in patients with PHN.

“Efficacy of poly-unsaturated fatty acid therapy on patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.” World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jun 14;21(22): 7008-13. 51332 Yun-Hua Li, MD, Department of Infectious Diseases, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, No. 661 Huanghe Erlu, Binzhou 256603, Shandong Province, China.  yunhuali123@126.com  CONCLUSION: In 78 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) who received 50 mL PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid with a 1:1 ratio of EPA and DHA) into daily diet, after 6 months of therapy ALT and AST levels, triglycerides, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde, type IV collagen and pro-collagen type III pro-peptide were significantly reduced. Histological evaluation showed that steatosis grade, necro-inflammatory grade, fibrosis stage, and ballooning scores were significantly improved in the PUFA group compared to the control group which suggests increased PUFA consumption is a way to offset NASH progression.

“An open-label pilot study with high-dose thiamine in Parkinson’s disease.” Neural Regen Res. 2016 Mar;11(3):406-7. 51329  Antonio Costantini, M.D., Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, “Villa Immacolata” Clinic, Viterbo, Italy  Unit of Neurology, IRCCS San Martino University Hospital IST, Genova, Italy carapetata@libero.it  CONCLUSION: Ten patients with Parkinson’s disease mean age  74.5 years with disease duration 5.2 years with basal plasma thiamine levels normal in all the patients received IM 100 mg of thiamine twice a week. Thiamine treatment led to a significant improvement of PD symptoms. The clinical motor improvement was even higher during the second month of treatment after the increase of the dosage of thiamine associated with the increase of levodopa for the patients already in treatment with this drug. The improvement of the energetic metabolism of the survivor neurons in the substantia nigra, due to the high doses of thiamine, could lead to an increase of synthesis and release of the endogenous dopamine, to an increase of activity of the thiamine-dependent enzymes, or to a better utilization of the exogenous levodopa.

“Low vitamin C values are linked with decreased physical performance and increased oxidative stress: reversal by vitamin C supplementation.” Eur J Nutr. 2016 Feb;55(1):45-53. 51330 Michalis G. Nikolaidis School of Physical Education and Sports Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 62110, Agios Ioannis, Serres, Greece. nikolaidis@auth.gr  CONCLUSION: Ten individuals with the lowest vitamin C levels and the 10 with the highest performed aerobic exercise to exhaustion (oxidant stimulus) before and after vitamin C supplementation for 30 days. Low vitamin C concentrations were linked with decreased physical performance and increased oxidative stress. Vitamin C supplementation decreases oxidative stress and might increase exercise performance only in those with low initial concentrations of vitamin C.

“The Effectiveness of Vitamin B12 for Relieving Pain in Aphthous Ulcers: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.” Pain Manag Nurs. 2015 Jun;16(3):182-7. 51327  Dr. S.C. Chiu, Feng-Yuan Hospital Department of Health, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: smileface0108@gmail.com. CONCLUSION: In 42 patients suffering from aphthous ulcers 22 received 2 days of a vitamin B12 ointment. Vitamin B12 was an effective analgesic and could be used as an adjunctive therapy for mouth ulcers.  

“N-acetylcysteine for therapy-resistant tobacco use disorder: a pilot study.” Redox Rep. 2015 Sep;20(5):215-22. 51328  Dr. Michael Maies, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine Deakin University, PO Box 281, Geelong 3220, VIC, Australia dr.michaelmaes@hotmail.com. CONCLUSION:  N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) may have benefit in treating tobacco use disorder (TUD) by reducing cravings and smoking reward. In a 12-week double blind randomized controlled trial of NAC at 3 g/day versus placebo, NAC treatment significantly reduced the daily number of cigarettes used (-10.9) and CO (exhaled) (-10.4 ppm). 47.1% of those treated with NAC were able to quit smoking. NAC treatment significantly reduced the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale  score in patients with tobacco use disorder.

“The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.” J Res Med Sci. 2012 Dec;17(12):1161-9. 51326 Prof. Masud Kimiagar, No. 46, West Arghavan St., Farahzadi Blvd., Shahrake Gharb, Tehran, Iran. smkimiagar@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: Nearly 50% of older adults have insomnia. In a double-blind randomized trial in 46 elderly subjects who received magnesium at 500 mg per day or the placebo for 8 weeks magnesium supplementation showed statistically significant increases in sleep time, sleep efficiency, concentration of serum renin, and melatonin, and a significant decrease of ISI score, sleep onset latency and serum cortisol concentrations. Supplementation also resulted in reductions in early morning awakening.

“Vitamin D Supplementation in Adolescents and Young Adults With Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus for Improvement in Disease Activity and Fatigue Scores: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2016 Jan;68(1):91-8. 51325 Rosa M. R. Pereira, MD, PhD, Faculdade de Medicina da USP, Reumatologia, Av Dr Arnaldo, 455, 3º andar, sala 3193, São Paulo, Brazil, 01246-903. E-mail: rosamariarp@yahoo.com.  CONCLUSION:  Vitamin D3 supplementation as cholecalciferol at 50,000 IU/week by mouth in 40 subjects with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 24-week trial was effective in decreasing disease activity and improving fatigue in juvenile-onset SLE patients.

“Potential of creatine or phosphocreatine supplementation in cerebrovascular disease and in ischemic heart disease.” Amino Acids. 2016 Jan 21. [Epub ahead of print] 51323 Dr. Maurizio Balestrino Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genova mbalestrino@neurologia.unige.it CONCLUSION: Creatine is important for maintaining and managing cellular ATP stores. Creatine has antioxidant activity, neurotransmitter-like behavior, prevention of opening of mitochondrial permeability pore and others. Creatine supplementation has been proposed for neurodegenerative diseases. Creatine’s largest therapeutic potential is in those diseases caused by energy shortage or by increased energy demand such as ischemic stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases. High-dose creatine supplementation causes an 8-9% increase in cerebral creatine content while capable of improving neuropsychological performance caused by hypoxia. Animal work suggests that creatine supplementation may be protective in stroke by increasing neuronal and endothelial creatine content. Creatine should be administered before brain ischemia occurs, and should be given for prevention purposes to patients at high risk of stroke. In myocardial ischemia, phosphocreatine has been used clinically with positive results in prevention of arrhythmias and improvement in cardiac parameters. The most compelling evidence for creatine and/or phosphocreatine’s use in cardiology is as an addition to cardioplegic solutions, where positive effects have been repeatedly reported.

“Beyond muscles: The untapped potential of creatine.” Int Immunopharmacol. 2016 Jan 8. pii: S1567-5769(15)30239-3. 51324 Dr. Kristen Drescher, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. kristendrescher@creighton.edu CONCLUSION: Creatine is widely used by both elite and recreational athletes as an ergogenic aid to enhance anaerobic exercise performance. Older individuals use creatine to prevent sarcopenia and it may have benefits for muscle wasting diseases. There is a significant pool of creatine in the brain. There is evidence that individuals with certain neurological conditions may benefit from exogenous creatine supplementation. Some studies have shown an alteration in soluble mediator production and the expression of molecules involved in recognizing infections, specifically toll-like receptors. There is increasing evidence that creatine may have a regulatory impact on the immune system.

“Supplementation with Guanidinoacetic Acid in Women with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” Nutrients. 2016 Jan 29;8(2):72. 51322. Dr. Sergej M. Ostojic Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia. sergej.ostojic@chess.edu.rs. CONCLUSION: Twenty-one women (age 39.3, weight 62.8 kg, height 169.5 cm) with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in a double-blind, cross-over study received oral guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) 2.4 grams per day or placebo (cellulose) for three months. After three months those receiving GAA had significantly increased muscle creatine levels,  muscular strength and aerobic power. GAA supplementation positively affected creatine metabolism and work capacity in women with CFS, but there was no effect on general fatigue and musculoskeletal soreness.

“Creatine supplementation as a possible new therapeutic approach for fatty liver disease: early findings.” Amino Acids. 2016 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print] 51321 Dr. Rafael Deminice, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445 km 380, Campus Universitário, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. rdeminice@yahoo.com.br  CONCLUSION: Creatine (Cr) supplementation prevents the accumulation of fat in rat liver as well as the progression of fatty liver disease.  Cr synthesis is responsible for  consumption of hepatic methyl groups. Cr supplementation may modulate phospholipid formation and VLDL secretion. Cr is able to modulate the expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation in hepatocyte cell culture and in the rat liver. One-carbon and fatty acid metabolism is involved in the preventive effects of Cr supplementation on fatty liver accumulation. Cr is as a new and promising therapeutic agent to control fat accumulation in the liver as well as the progression of fatty liver disease.

“Which foods may be addictive? The roles of processing, fat content, and glycemic load.” PLoS One. 2015 Feb 18;10(2):e0117959. 51320  Dr. Ashley N. Gearhardt Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America agearhar@umich.edu   CONCLUSION: In one study processed foods, higher in fat and glycemic load were most frequently associated with addictive-like eating behaviors. In a second study processing of foods was a large, positive predictor for whether a food was associated with addictive-like eating behaviors. In a separate model, fat and glycemic load were large, positive predictors of addictive food ratings. Not all foods are equally implicated in addictive-like eating behavior, while highly processed foods, which may share characteristics with drugs of abuse (e.g. high dose, rapid rate of absorption) appear to be particularly associated with “food addiction.”

“The Effects of Nitrate-Rich Supplementation on Neuromuscular Efficiency during Heavy Resistance Exercise.” J Am Coll Nutr. 2016 Feb-Mar;35(2):100-7. 51320  Dr. William Kraemer Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. William.Kraemer@uconn.edu “Which foods may be addictive? The roles of processing, fat content, and glycemic load.” PLoS One 2015 Feb 18;10(2):e0117959. 51320  Dr. Ashley N. Gearhardt Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America agearhar@umich.edu   CONCLUSION: In one study processed foods, higher in fat and glycemic load were most frequently associated with addictive-like eating behaviors. In a second study processing of foods was a large, positive predictor for whether a food was associated with addictive-like eating behaviors. In a separate model, fat and glycemic load were large, positive predictors of addictive food ratings. Not all foods are equally implicated in addictive-like eating behavior, while highly processed foods, which may share characteristics with drugs of abuse (e.g. high dose, rapid rate of absorption) appear to be particularly associated with “food addiction.”

“Effects of creatine supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers after repeated-sprint exercise in humans.” Nutrition. 2013 Sep;29(9):1127-32. 51319  Rafael Deminice, Ph.D. Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport-State University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.   05543 33714139 / 05543 33714139 (FAX)   deminice@ig.com.br  CONCLUSION: Twenty-five soccer players under age 20 years of age received either creatine tablets at .3 g/kg or a placebo in a double-blind controlled trial for 7 days. Before and after 7 days of supplementation the athletes performed two consecutive Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Tests (RAST). Creatine supplementation inhibited the increase of inflammation markers TNF-α and CRP, but not oxidative stress markers, due to acute exercise.

“Creatine Supplementation Increases Total Body Water in Soccer Players: a Deuterium Oxide Dilution Study.” Int J Sports Med. 2016 Feb;37(2):149-53. 51318. Rafael Deminice, Ph.D. Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport-State University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.   05543 33714139 / 05543 33714139 (FAX)   deminice@ig.com.br  CONCLUSION: In a double-blind controlled study13 healthy soccer players were divided randomly into a placebo group and creatine supplemented group receiving 0.3 g/kg/d for 7 days. Creatine supplementation increased total body water  (TBW) or bioimpedance (BIA) formulas. BIA can be useful to determine TBW changes promoted by creatine supplementation in soccer athletes.

“The effects of beetroot juice supplementation on indices of muscle damage following eccentric exercise.” Eur J Appl Physiol. 2016 Feb;116(2):353-62. 51317 Dr. Tom Clifford, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK. tom.clifford@northumbria.ac.uk  CONCLUSION: Antioxidant rich beetroot juice can reduce the muscle-damaging effects of eccentric exercise. 30 recreationally active males received high dose beetroot juice (H-BT; 250 ml), a lower dose of beetroot juice (L-BT; 125 ml), or an isocaloric placebo (PLA; 250 ml) immediately (×3 servings), 24 h (×2 servings) and 48 h (×2 servings) following completion of 100-drop jumps. Acute beetroot juice supplementation reduced muscle soreness and reductions in countermovement jump performance induced by eccentric exercise.

The efficacy of a β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate supplementation on physical capacity, body composition and biochemical markers in elite rowers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.” J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Jul 30;12:31. 51316.  Dr. Krzysztof Durkalec-Michalski,  Department of Hygiene and Human Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, Poznań, 60-624 Poland durkmich@up.poznan.pl CONCLUSION: Sixteen elite male rowers took β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB)  supplementation at 1 gram three times daily or placebo or 12 weeks in a randomized, double-blind crossover study and HMB showed an increase in aerobic capacity and the reduction of fat mass. It may also stimulate an increase in peak anaerobic power.

“The Effect Of Hmb (β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate ) On Aerobic Capacity And Body Composition In Trained Athletes.” J Strength Cond Res. 2016 Feb 2. [Epub ahead of print] 51315  Dr. Krzysztof Durkalec-Michalski,  Department of Hygiene and Human Nutrition, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, Poznań, 60-624 Poland durkmich@up.poznan.pl  CONCLUSION: 58 highly-trained males received 12 weeks supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) at 1 gram 3 times daily or placebo (PLA) in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind crossover trial. HMB supplementation increased fat-free mass, reduced fat mass, and increased maximal oxygen uptake, the time to reach VT, the threshold load at VT and the threshold HR at VT. In HMB group testosterone levels increased. HMB promotes beneficial changes in body composition and stimulates an increase in aerobic capacity.

“Creatine for women: a review of the relationship between creatine and the reproductive cycle and female-specific benefits of creatine therapy.” Amino Acids. 2016 Feb 22. [Epub ahead of print] 51314 Dr. Haley Dickinson, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Ritchie Centre, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, 27-31 Wright St., Clayton, Melbourne, 3168, Australia. hayley.dickinson@hudson.org.au  CONCLUSION: Hormone-driven changes to endogenous creatine synthesis, creatine transport and creatine kinase expression suggest that significant changes in this cellular energy circuit occur during specific stages of a female’s reproductive life, including pregnancy and menopause. Recent studies suggest that creatine supplementation may be highly beneficial for women under certain conditions, such as depression. A greater understanding of these pathways that lead to creatine bioavailability in females is needed to ensure that creatine is used to full advantage as a dietary supplement to optimize and enhance health outcomes for women.

“Acute protease supplementation effects on muscle damage and recovery across consecutive days of cycle racing.” Eur J Sport Sci. 2016 Mar;16(2):206-12. 51313 Dr. Cecilia M. Shing  Sport Performance Optimisation Research Team, School of Human Life Sciences, University of Tasmania, Australia. cecilia.shing@utas.edu.au. CONCLUSION: Bromelain is a mixture of proteases obtained from pineapples and has been demonstrated to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation, enhancing recovery. Fifteen highly trained cyclists were supplemented with either bromelain 1000 mg/ day or a placebo across six days of competitive racing in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Consecutive days of competitive cycling were associated with increased markers of muscle damage and a reduction in circulating testosterone across the race period. Bromelain supplementation reduced subjective feelings of fatigue and was associated with a trend to maintain testosterone concentration.

“The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Explosive Performance and Optimal Individual Postactivation Potentiation Time.” Nutrients. 2016 Mar 4;8(3). 51312 Kuei-Hui Chan Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan 33301,  Taiwan quenhuen@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Thirty explosive athletes consumed 20 grams of creatine or carboxymethyl cellulose placebo per day for six days. After the supplementation, the 1RM strength in the creatine group significantly increased. The optimal individual postactivation potentiation (PAP) time in the creatine group was also significantly earlier than the pre-supplementation and post-supplementation of the placebo group. Creatine supplementation improves maximal muscle strength and the optimal individual PAP time of complexed training but has no effect on explosive performance.

“Effects of creatine supplementation along with resistance training on urinary formaldehyde and serum enzymes in wrestlers.” J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2016 Apr;56(4):458-64. 51311 Dr. Azadeh Nasseri,  Faculty of Physical Education and Exercise Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. naseri_azadeh@yahoo.com. CONCLUSION: In a double-blind study 21 subjects ingested creatine (0.3 g/kg/day) or placebo for 7 days. Subjects trained with 3 sessions in one week, each session including three sets of 6-9 repetitions at 80-85% of one-repetition maximum for whole-body exercise. Creatine supplementation significantly increased the excretion rate of urinary formaldehyde in the Cr only group and Cr + resistance training group by 63.4% and 30.4%, respectively, suggesting that resistance training could partially lower this rate by 17.7%. These findings indicate that resistance training may lower the increase of urinary formaldehyde excretion induced by creatine supplementation, suggesting that creatine consumption could be relatively less toxic when combined with resistance training.

“Vitamin E supplementation inhibits muscle damage and inflammation after moderate exercise in hypoxia.” J Hum Nutr Diet. 2016 Apr 8. [Epub ahead of print] 51310  R. V. T. dos Santos, Departamento de Biociência – UNIFESP, Rua Silva Jardim, 136–Santos, CEP: 11015-020, SP, Brazil. Tel./Fax: +55 13 3878 3700 ronaldo.thomatieli@unifesp.br  CONCLUSION: In 9 subjects who performed three sessions of 60 minutes of exercise (70% maximal oxygen uptake) interspersed for 1 week under normoxia, hypoxia and hypoxia after vitamin E 250 mg supplementation 1 hour before exercise, there was a reduction in creatine kinase (CK)-TOTAL, CK-MB and lactate dehydrogenase 1 hour after exercise and vitamin E reversed the changes observed after exercise in hypoxia without supplementation. 250 mg of vitamin E supplementation at 1 hour before exercise reduces cell damage markers after exercise in hypoxia and changed the concentration of cytokines, suggesting a protective effect against inflammation induced by hypoxia during exercise.

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May, 2016

“Folic Acid and Creatine as Therapeutic Approaches to Lower Blood Arsenic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Environ Health Perspect. 2015 Dec;123(12):1294-301. 51307   Mary V. Gamble, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St., Room 1107E, New York, NY 10032 USA. Telephone: (212) 305-7949.  mvg7@cumc.columbia.edu  CONCLUSION: The World Health Organization estimates that > 140 million people worldwide are exposed to arsenic (As)-contaminated drinking water. As undergoes biologic methylation which enhances renal As elimination. In folate-deficient individuals As methylation is augmented by folic acid (FA) supplementation and subsequently lowers blood As (bAs). In 622 individuals who received either 400 μg FA, 800 μg FA, 3 g creatine, 3 g creatine+400 μg FA, or placebo daily after 24 weeks the 800 μg folate arm (but not 400 μg) lowered bAs to a greater extent than placebo which was sustained 12 weeks after FA cessation.

“Dietary interventions designed to protect the perinatal brain from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy – Creatine prophylaxis and the need for multi-organ protection.” Neurochem Int. 2016 May;95:15-23. 51308 Dr. Stacey Ellergy, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia stacey.ellery@hudson.org.au. CONCLUSION: Birth asphyxia or hypoxia arises from impaired placental gas exchange during labor and is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Brain damage can also arise secondarily to the compromise of mitochondrial function under hypoxic conditions and may be a common mechanism leading to damage of these tissues. Dietary creatine supplementation during pregnancy may be an effective prophylaxis that can protect the fetus from the multi-organ consequences of severe hypoxia at birth. 

“Creatine supplementation in the aging population: effects on skeletal muscle, bone and brain.” Amino Acids. 2016 Apr 23. [Epub ahead of print] 51309 Dr. Bruno Gualano, Applied Physiology in Nutrition, Exercise and Genetics Research Group, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. gualano@usp.br  CONCLUSION: Studies suggest that creatine supplementation can improve lean body mass and muscle function in older populations, and creatine in conjunction with resistance training can result in greater benefits to skeletal muscle than training alone. The beneficial effect of creatine upon lean mass and muscle function appears to be applicable to older individuals regardless of sex, fitness or health status. There is inconsistent evidence that creatine may positively affect the bone remodeling process. A number of studies suggest that creatine supplementation improves cognitive processing under resting and various stressed conditions. More studies are needed.

“The effects of creatine supplementation on thermoregulation and physical (cognitive) performance: a review and future prospects.” Amino Acids. 2016 Apr 16. [Epub ahead of print] 51310 Dr. Yannis P. Pitsiladis, FIMS Reference Collaborating Centre of Sports Medicine for Anti-Doping Research, University of Brighton, 30 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7SN, UK. y.pitsiladis@brighton.ac.uk    CONCLUSION: Creatine (Cr) is produced endogenously in the liver or obtained exogenously from foods, such as meat and fish. Phosphorylated (PCr) is essential for the immediate rephosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate to adenosine triphosphate. PCr is rapidly degraded and depleted with the onset of maximal exercise. Most Cr supplementation regimens follow a loading protocol of 20 g day-1 of Cr for approximately 5-7 days, followed by a maintenance dose  between 2 and 5 g day-1 thereafter, or recent studies have utilized a 0.3-g kg-1 day-1 supplementation regimen. Uptake of Cr is enhanced when taken together with carbohydrate and protein and/or while undertaking exercise. Cr supplementation has been shown to augment muscle total Cr content and enhance anaerobic performance; however, there is also some evidence of indirect benefits to aerobic endurance exercise through enhanced thermoregulation. Cr is increasingly being used in the management of some clinical conditions to enhance muscle mass and strength as well as sleep deprivation and cognitive performance.

“Ascorbate-dependent vasopressor synthesis: a rationale for vitamin C administration in severe sepsis and septic shock?” Crit Care. 2015 Nov 27;19:418. 51301  Ramesh Nataragan, PhD, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980050, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. ramesh.natarajan@vcuhealth.org. CONCLUSION: Severe systemic inflammatory response to infection results in severe sepsis and septic shock, which are the leading causes of death in critically ill patients. Patients with severe sepsis present with hypovitaminosis C and clinical studies have suggested that administration of high-dose ascorbate decreases the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, attenuates organ dysfunction and improves haemodynamic parameters. It is conceivable that administration of ascorbate to septic patients with hypovitaminosis C could improve endogenous vasopressor synthesis and and reduce the need for exogenously administered vasopressors. Ascorbate-dependent vasopressor synthesis represents a currently underexplored biochemical mechanism by which ascorbate could act as an adjuvant therapy for severe sepsis and septic shock.

“Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer with Pharmacological Ascorbate.” Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2015;16(9):759-70. 51302  Joseph Cullen, MD 11528 JCP, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. joseph-cullen@uiowa.edu.  CONCLUSION: The prognosis for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is less than 3% survival at 5 years. Recent studies have demonstrated that high-dose, intravenous pharmacological ascorbate (ascorbic acid, vitamin C) induces cytotoxicity and oxidative stress selectively in pancreatic cancer cells vs. normal cells. At physiologic concentrations, ascorbate functions as a reducing agent and antioxidant. With intravenous ascorbate it is possible to achieve pharmacological levels, and in the presence of catalytic metal ions, ascorbate can induce oxidative stress through the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated ascorbate oxidation occurs extracellularly, generating H2O2 flux into cells resulting in oxidative stress. Pharmacologic ascorbate also inhibits the growth of pancreatic tumor xenografts and displays synergistic cytotoxic effects when combined with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer. Phase I trials of pharmacological ascorbate in pancreatic cancer patients have demonstrated safety and potential efficacy. 

“A simple method for plasma total vitamin C analysis suitable for routine clinical laboratory use.” Nutr J. 2016 Apr 21;15:40. 51302 John Hoffer, MD Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Sainte Catherine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada. l.hoffer@mcgill.ca.  CONCLUSION: In-hospital hypovitaminosis C is very common but usually unrecognized. A simplified ultraviolet (UV)-HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) method was less expensive, easier to set up, required fewer reagents and no pH adjustments, and demonstrated greater sample stability than other methods for plasma vitamin C analysis. When compared with the gold-standard EC-HPLC method in 80 consecutive samples it performed the same. The easy set up, simplicity and sensitivity of the plasma vitamin C analysis method described here could make it practical in a normally equipped hospital laboratory.

“Reduced inflammatory and muscle damage biomarkers following oral supplementation with bioavailable curcumin.” BBA Clin. 2016 Feb 18;5:72-8. 51303 Brian K. McFarlin University of North Texas, Dept. of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation, Physical Education Building, Room 209, 1921 Chestnut Street, Denton, TX 76203,  brian.mcfarlin@unt.edu CONCLUSION: Oral curcumin supplementation (Longvida® 400 mg/days) following exercised-induced muscle damage (EMID) (eccentric-only dual-leg press exercise) supplemented 2 days before to 4 days after EMID showed curcumin supplementation resulted in significantly smaller increases in creatine kinase (- 48%), TNF-α (- 25%), and IL-8 (- 21%) following EIMD compared to placebo. Consumption of curcumin reduced biological inflammation, but not quadriceps muscle soreness, during recovery after EIMD. The improvements in biological inflammation may translate to faster recovery and improved functional capacity during subsequent exercise sessions.

 “Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids-rich fish oil supplementation attenuates strength loss and limited joint range of motion after eccentric contractions: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.” Eur J Appl Physiol. 2016 Jun;116(6):1179-88  51304 Dr. Eisuke Ochi Ochi, Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan. ochi@hosei.ac.jp. CONCLUSION: Twenty-four healthy men were randomly assigned to consume the 600 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA per day for 8 weeks prior to exercise and continued it until 5 days after exercise, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque was significantly higher in the EPA/DHA group than in the placebo group at 2-5 days after exercise. Range of motion was also significantly greater in the EPA group at 1-5 days after exercise. Eight-week EPA + DHA supplementation attenuates strength loss and limited ROM after exercise. The supplementation also attenuates muscle soreness and elevates cytokine level, but the effect is limited.

“Creatine ingestion augments dietary carbohydrate mediated muscle glycogen supercompensation during the initial 24 h of recovery following prolonged exhaustive exercise in humans.”Amino Acids. 2016 May 19. [Epub ahead of print] 51305 Paul L. Greenhaff, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK. paul.greenhaff@nottingham.ac.uk. CONCLUSION: In healthy, male volunteers who cycled to exhaustion, post-exercise received creatine at 20 g/d with a high CHO diet resulting in increased muscle total-Cr, free-Cr and phosphocreatine (PCr) content and increased muscle glycogen. Dietary creatinine augments post-exercise muscle glycogen super-compensation, and demonstrates this occurred during the initial 24 h of post-exercise recovery.

“Supplementation with Folic Acid, but Not Creatine, Increases Plasma Betaine, Decreases Plasma Dimethylglycine, and Prevents a Decrease in Plasma Choline in Arsenic-Exposed Bangladeshi Adults.” J Nutr. 2016 May;146(5):1062-7. 51306 Dr. Megan N Hall,  Departments of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY mh2825@cumc.columbia.edu.  CONCLUSION: In a randomized trial in arsenic-exposed Bangladeshi adults (n = 605, aged 24-55 y, 50.3% male) who received arsenic-removal water filters supplementation with 1) 400 and 800 μg folic acid/d and 2) creatine  3 g/d compared to placebo and 3) 3 grams creatine plus folic acid 400 compared with folic acid 400 after 12 weeks folic acid supplementation, but not creatine, increased plasma betaine, decreased plasma DMG, and prevented a decrease in plasma choline in arsenic-exposed Bangladeshi adults.

“Synergistic effects of ascorbate and sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma: New insights into ascorbate cytotoxicity.” Free Radic Biol Med. 2016 Jun;95:308-22. 51300 MitoCare Center, Jan Hoek, MD Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Suite 527G JAH, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA    jan.hoek@jefferson.edu.  CONCLUSION: H2O2 formation is required for ascorbate cytotoxicity. H2O2 generated by glucose oxidase treatment killed cancer cells. Treatment with a pharmacologic dose (5-20mM) of ascorbate was significantly more cytotoxic at comparable rates of H2O2 production, suggesting that ascorbate enhanced H2O2 cytotoxicity. Ascorbate at a non-cytotoxic dose (1mM) enhanced cell killing caused by glucose oxidase. Ascorbate treatment caused deregulation of cellular calcium homeostasis, resulting in massive mitochondrial calcium accumulation. Ascorbate acted synergistically with the chemotherapeutic sorafenib in killing Hep G2 cells, but not primary hepatocytes, suggesting that adjuvant ascorbate treatment can broaden sorafenib’s therapeutic range. Sorafenib caused mitochondrial depolarization and prevented mitochondrial calcium sequestration. Additional ascorbate further deregulated cellular calcium homeostasis promoting cell death. A case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had prolonged regression of a rib metastasis upon combination treatment with ascorbate and sorafenib is presented suggesting a direct clinical relevance to these studies.

“Phase I evaluation of intravenous ascorbic acid in combination with gemcitabine and erlotinib in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.” PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e29794. 51299 Mark Levine, MD, Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America   MarkL@mail.nih.gov  CONCLUSION: Fourteen subjects with metastatic stage IV pancreatic cancer received an eight week cycle of intravenous ascorbic acid (three infusions per week), using a dose escalation design, along with standard treatment of gemcitabine and erlotinib. Of 14 recruited subjects enrolled, nine completed the study (three in each dosage tier). There were fifteen non-serious adverse events and eight serious adverse events, all likely related to progression of disease or treatment with gemcitabine or erlotinib. These initial safety data do not reveal increased toxicity with the addition of ascorbic acid to gemcitabine and erlotinib in pancreatic cancer patients.

“Vitamin C selectively kills KRAS and BRAF mutant colorectal cancer cells by targeting GAPDH.” Science. 2015 Dec 11;350(6266):1391-6. 51298 Lewis Cantley, MD  Meyer Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA. lcantley@med.cornell.edu CONCLUSION: More than half of human colorectal cancers (CRCs) carry either KRAS or BRAF mutations and do not response to targeted therapies. Human cultured CRC cells with KRAS or BRAF mutations are selectively killed when exposed to high levels of vitamin C. This is due to increased uptake of the oxidized form of vitamin C, dehydroascorbate (DHA). Increased DHA uptake causes oxidative stress as intracellular DHA is reduced to vitamin C, depleting glutathione. Reactive oxygen species accumulate and inactivate glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Inhibition of GAPDH in highly glycolytic KRAS or BRAF mutant cells leads to energy depletion and cell death. High-dose vitamin C impairs tumor growth in Apc/Kras(G12D) mutant mice. These results provide a mechanistic rationale for exploring the therapeutic use of vitamin C for CRCs with KRAS or BRAF mutations.

“S-equol: a potential nonhormonal agent for menopause-related symptom relief.” J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2015 Mar;24(3):200-8. 51298 Wulf H. Utian, MD, PhD, DSc, Point East P7, 27500 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH 44122, wulf@utianllc.com  CONCLUSION: S-equol is an intestinal bacterial metabolite of the soybean isoflavone daidzein and can reduce vasomotor symptoms and provide other important health benefits to menopausal women. About 50% of Asians and 25% of non-Asians host the intestinal bacteria that convert daidzein into S-equol. The daily dose of S-equol used in most trials was 10 mg in divided doses because the half-life of S-equol is 7-10 hours. Equol producers are thought to be more likely to benefit from soy food consumption compared to nonproducers with respect to both cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, although the data are inconsistent. S-equol appears to be safe, especially with its effects on breast and endometrial tissue.

“Impact of equol-producing capacity and soy-isoflavone profiles of supplements on bone calcium retention in postmenopausal women: a randomized crossover trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Sep;102(3):695-703. 51297 Dr. Connie M Weaver, Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, weavercm@purdue.edu  CONCLUSION: Twenty-four postmenopausal women received 5 soy isoflavone oral supplements (2 doses of a genistein-rich soy supplement and 3 doses of mixed isoflavones in various proportions) and a bisphosphonate (risedronate). The interventions that ranged from 52 to 220 mg total isoflavones/d increased bone calcium retention between 3.4% and 7.6%, compared with that of risedronate at 15.3%. The most-effective soy intervention delivered 105.23 mg total isoflavones/d as genistein, daidzein, and glycitein in their natural ratios and increased bone calcium retention by 7.6%. Genistein, at 52.85 mg/d, increased bone calcium retention by 3.4%  but there was no benefit at higher amounts (113.52 mg/d). Soy isoflavones are not as potent as risedronate, but are effective bone-preserving agents in postmenopausal women regardless of their equol-producing status. Mixed isoflavones in their natural ratios are more effective than enriched genistein.

“Acute benefits of the microbial-derived isoflavone metabolite equol on arterial stiffness in men prospectively recruited according to equol producer phenotype: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Mar;103(3):694-702. 51296 Dr. Aedín Cassidy, Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom cassidy@uea.ac.uk   CONCLUSION: Equol, a microbial-derived metabolite of the isoflavone daidzein, is produced in the large intestine after soy intake in 30% of Western populations and may be cardioprotective. In male EPs (equol producers) and non-EPs at moderate cardiovascular risk in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study soy isoflavones (80-mg aglycone equivalents) significantly improved cfPWV [carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV)] in EPs at 24 h which was significantly associated with plasma equol concentrations. No benefit of commercially produced equol was observed in non-EPs, despite mean plasma equol concentrations reaching 3.2 μmol/L. Acute soy intake improved cfPWV in EPs, equating to an 11-12% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease if sustained. A single dose of commercially produced equol had no cardiovascular benefits in non-EPs. This suggests that the EP phenotype is very important in understanding the vascular benefits of equol in men, and long-term trials should focus on confirming the implications of EP phenotype on cardiovascular health.

“Effects of dietary pulse consumption on body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 May;103(5):1213-23. 51295 Dr. Russell J de Souza, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada   rdesouz@mcmaster.ca CONCLUSION: In a meta-analysis of 21 trials (n = 940 participants) there was a significant weight reduction of -0.34 kg (.75 lbs) in diets containing dietary pulses (median intake of 132 g/d or ∼1 serving/d, 1 serving = ½ cup cooked beans) compared with diets without a dietary pulse intervention over a duration of 6 weeks. Significant weight loss was observed in matched negative-energy-balance (weight loss) diets and in neutral-energy-balance (weight-maintaining) diets. Six trials suggested dietary pulses may reduce body fat percentage.

“Daily blueberry consumption improves blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Mar;115(3):369-77. 51294 Bahram H. Arjmandi, PhD, RD, Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, 412 Sandels Bldg, Tallahassee, FL 32306. barjmandi@fsu.edu CONCLUSION: Forty-eight postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension who consumed 22 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder or 22 g of a control powder after 8 weeks systolic and diastolic blood pressures and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were significantly lower, and nitric oxide levels significantly higher than at baseline levels in the blueberry powder whereas there were no changes in the control group. Blueberry’s benefit may be from increasing nitric oxide production.

“Tart cherry in amelioration of pain in the elderly” Nutrition and Aging, 2016;3(2-4): 203-217. 51292 Shanil Juma, PhD, Old Main Building 307, PO Box 425888, Denton, TX 76204-5888, USA. (940) 898 2636 / (940) 898 2634 (FAX) sjuma@mail.twu.edu  CONCLUSION: Tart cherry and its isolated compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In humans improvements in gout,  fibromyalgia pain, osteoarthritis (OA) and conditions of induced oxidative stress and muscle damage have been shown. Beneficial biochemical changes have been observed for inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers. Tart cherries and their bioactive constituents may be novel therapies for reducing the pain associated with chronic diseases in the elderly.

“Long-term magnesium supplementation improves arterial stiffness in overweight and obese adults: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 May;103(5):1260-6. 51293 Dr. Peter J Joris Department of Human Biology, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands; Top Institute of Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, Netherlands p.joris@maastrichtuniversity.nl CONCLUSION: Fifty-two overweight and slightly obese individuals (30 men and 22 postmenopausal women, mean age: 62) receive either 3 times daily magnesium (3 × 117 mg or 350 mg/d) or placebo capsules for 24 weeks. Carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) was improved in the magnesium compared with the placebo group by 1.0 m/s after 24 wk. No adverse events were observed. Daily magnesium supplementation of 350 mg for 24 wk in overweight and obese adults reduced arterial stiffness, as estimated by a decrease in PWVc-f, suggesting a mechanism by which an increased dietary magnesium intake beneficially affects cardiovascular health.

“Impact of high fat diets, prebiotics and probiotics on gut microbiota and immune function, with relevance to elderly populations,” Nutrition and Aging, 2016;3(2-4):171-192. 51291 Gemma E. Walton, MD, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Whiteknights, PO Box 226, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AP, United Kingdom +44 0 118 378 8718 / +44 0 118 378 7708 (FAX) g.e.walton@reading.ac.uk  CONCLUSION: Dysbiosis of microbial composition and impaired immune function have been observed in elderly persons compared to younger adults. Aging populations are at higher disease risk than other age groups. High fat intakes have negative effects on microbial composition and immune function in murine studies. Elderly people have higher fat intakes than recommended and may be more vulnerable to disease risk. Prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to have positive effects on microbiota composition and immune function in the elderly even with higher fat intakes.

“Nutritional supplementations and administration considerations for sarcopenia in older adults,” Nutrition and Aging, 2016;3(2-4):147-170. 51290 Dr. Semone B. Myrie, Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Winnipeg, Canada. (204) 494-7290, (204) 474-7593 (FAX) myrie@cc.umanitoba.ca  CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is a progressive degenerative disorder affecting ≥40% of older adults over the age of 70 years. It is characterized by involuntary muscle loss leading to functional disability, weakness, and frailty in the elderly. Nutrients used to attenuate sarcopenia include: protein/amino acids, vitamin D and calcium, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Digestive function  and the form of the nutrients contribute to nutrient absorption and utilization.

 “Wine consumption, cognitive function and dementias – A relationship?” Nutrition and Aging, 2016;3(2-4):125-137. 51289 Creina S. Stockley, The Australian Wine Research Institute, PO Box 197, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5061, Australia +61 8 83136600 / +61 8 83136601 (FAX) creina.stockley@awri.com.au. CONCLUSION: Longitudinal and neuro-imaging studies in the elderly have shown that light to moderate wine consumption is neuro-protective although heavy or abusive alcohol consumption is neuro-toxic. A J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption, cognitive dysfunction and risk of dementias is observed for younger and middle aged consumers. There is no data to suggest that long-term light to moderate alcohol consumption exacerbates age-related cognitive decline and impairment. An optimal amount of wine for neuro-protection appears to be up to 30 g of alcohol daily. There are multiple biological mechanisms for wine-derived phenolic compounds which go beyond their antioxidant activity and reduction of oxidative stress.

“Chewing Maintains Hippocampus-Dependent Cognitive Function.” Int J Med Sci 2015; 12(6):502-509. 51288 Huayue Chen, MD Department of Anatomy Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Gifu, Japan +81 58 230 6295 / +81 58 230 6298 (FAX) huayue@gifu-u.ac.jp. Dr. Kin-ya Kubo, Seijoh University Graduate School of Health Care Studies, Tokai, 476-8588, Aichi, Japan. Email: kubo@seijoh-u.ac.jp  Mastication (chewing) helps to maintain cognitive functions in the hippocampus, a central nervous system region vital for spatial memory and learning. There are multiple neural circuits connecting the masticatory organs and the hippocampus. Masticatory dysfunction is associated with the hippocampal morphological impairments and the hippocampus-dependent spatial memory deficits, especially in elderly. Mastication is an effective behavior for maintaining the hippocampus-dependent cognitive performance, which deteriorates with aging. Chewing may represent a useful approach in preserving and promoting the hippocampus-dependent cognitive function in older people.

“The impact of mastication on cognition: Evidence for intervention and the role of adult hippocampal neurogenesis,” Nutrition and Aging, 2015(3):115–123 51287 Dr. Sandrine Thuret, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psy-chology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, The James Black Centre, 125 Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NU, London, UK.+44 020 7848 5405 / +44 020 7848 5407 (FAX) sandrine.1.thuret@kcl.ac.uk. CONCLUSION: Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus has been shown to affect mood, cognition, learning ability and memory. Evidence from animal and human studies suggest a causal relationship between masticatory ability and cognitive function. Experimental studies on mice and rats have consistently shown that impairing masticatory function results in physical and behavioral changes. Decreased neural stem cells proliferation in the hippocampus was seen in most of the studies found. Human population studies have shown that tooth loss and masticatory difficulty are positively correlated with having greater odds of cognitive impairment. No causal mechanism has yet been found to explain the effects of mastication on AHN. More research is needed to find out if mastication could be a health intervention to slowdown cognitive decline in the aging population or delay the onset of diseases such as dementia.

“Protective effects of berry polyphenols against age-related cognitive impairment.” Nutrition and Aging, 2016;3(2-4):89-106. 51286 Dr.Véronique Pallet, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology, UMR 1286 INRA – Université de Bordeaux, Bâtiment UFR de Pharmacie 2^e tranche, 2^e étage, case courrier 34, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France. +33 5 57 57 12 30 / +33 5 57 57 12 27 (FAX) veronique.pallet@enscbp.fr  CONCLUSION: Berry polyphenols improve memory and cognition and have a global effect on brain plasticity, partly through their antioxidant activity and/or their effect on neuronal signal transduction and neuroinflammation. Most polyphenols, or their key metabolites, can access the brain in sufficient concentrations. Dietary polyphenols can modulate brain health and function, and strengthen the importance of fruit consumption for a healthy aging brain and the prevention of age-related diseases. Major polyphenolic classes found in berries are flavanols, anthocyanins and stilbenes, and resveratrol.

“Medicinal Effect of Nutraceutical Fruits for the Cognition and Brain Health.” Scientifica (Cairo). 2016;2016:3109254. 51285 Dr.Raj K. Keservani, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal 462036, India rajksops@gmail.com  CONCLUSION: Fruits and fruit juices for the management and prevention of brain conditions like cognitive dysfunction, headaches, stress, anxiety, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are being researched by scientists  worldwide more frequently. Fruits possess various chemicals such as antioxidants and polyphenols, which reduce and balance the effects of hormones in the brain responsible for brain diseases. Natural remedies generally are cheaper, more accessible, less toxic, and easy to prepare and can positively affect mental health.

“Differences in Cognitive Function Among Hellenic Folk Dancers, Exercisers and Non-exercisers” Journal Of Physical Activity, Nutrition and Rehabilitation, February 10, 2016. 51284 Dr. Vasiliki Z. Zisi School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece  vzisi@pe.uth.gr  CONCLUSION:  In  262 individuals divided into two age categories (young adults: 24-35 years old, seniors> 60 years) who did a) Greek folk dance classes b) non-dance exercise programs or were c) sedentary it was found that senior Greek folk dancers had better cognitive function than exercisers and sedentary participants of the same age. The higher cognitive function of senior folk dancers, as opposed to exercisers and non-exercisers, might be attributed to the complexity of the Hellenic folk dance as a motor task or other characteristics of this dance, such as the circular form and/or the haptic (touch) connection among the participants.

“Anti-inflammatory effects of conjugated linoleic acid on young athletic males.” J Pak Med Assoc. 2016 Mar;66(3):280-4. 51283  Departmentof Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ardabil Universiyty of Med icalSciences,Ardabil,Iran.Correspondence:Mohammad Mazan i m.mazani@arums.ac.ir CONCLUSION: Healthy male athletes 18-24 years of age received 5.6 g/day conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or an oral paraffin placebo daily for two weeks. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were significantly decreased in the CLA group. After exhaustive exercise, serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor alpha were significantly decreased in the supplemented group compared to the placebo group. CLA supplementation reduced inflammatory factors following exhaustive exercise in young healthy males.

“Chemopreventive Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Obesity-Related Cancers.” Ann Nutr Metab. 2016;68(2):137-44. 51282 Hyun-Seuk Moon, PhD Associate Professor, Laboratory of Metabolic Engineering, Department of Biotechnology College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841 (South Korea) mhs72@korea.ac.kr CONCLUSION: Being overweight or obese is a risk factor cancers of the breast, thyroid, colon, pancreas and liver. More fat in tissues can produce hormones such as insulin or estrogen, which may cause cancer cells to grow. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) inhibits the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis in vitro and in animal models. ALA might be useful agents in the management or chemoprevention of obesity-related cancers.

“Higher plain water intake is associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk: a cross-sectional study in humans.” Nutr Res. 2015 Oct;35(10):865-72. 51281 Dr. Angeliki Papadaki, Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom. angeliki.papadaki@bristol.ac.uk CONCLUSION: One hundred and thirty-eight adults from Southwest and Southeast England showed plain water intake was significantly and negatively correlated with T2D risk score, and for every 240-mL cup of water consumed per day, T2D risk score was reduced by 0.72 points. Increasing plain water intake is a simple and cost-effective dietary modification.

“Dietary fiber intake reduces risk of inflammatory bowel disease: result from a meta-analysis.” Nutr Res. 2015 Sep;35(9):753-8. 51280 Dongfeng Zhang, MD Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, the Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266021, People’s Republic of China. Corresponding author.  +86 53282991712 / +86 53283801449 (FAX) zhangdf1961@126.com    zhangdf1962@aliyun.com  CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of dietary fiber intake showed a reduced risk of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease (CD) with fiber intake. A dose-response relationship was found between dietary fiber and CD risk, and the risk of CD decreased by 13% for every 10 g/d increment in fiber intake. This meta-analysis showed that the intake of dietary fiber was significantly associated with a decreased risk of inflammatory bowel disease.

“A randomized controlled trial: the effect of inulin on weight management and ectopic fat in subjects with prediabetes.” Nutr Metab (Lond). 2015 Oct 24;12:36 51279 Dr. Nicola D. Guess, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, 6th Floor Commonwealth Building, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 ONN UK n.guess10@imperial.ac.uk  CONCLUSION: Fermentable carbohydrates have been shown to decrease appetite and food intake, and promote weight loss in overweight subjects. Prediabetics were randomized to 18 weeks of inulin or cellulose supplementation. Both groups lost approximately 5 % of their body weight by week nine (-5.3% vs -4.3%), but the inulin group lost significantly more weight between 9 and 18 weeks (-2.3% vs -0.6%). Subjects taking inulin had lower hepatic and soleus muscle fat at 18 weeks. Inulin may reduce the risk of diabetes by 1) promoting weight loss and by 2) reducing intrahepatocellular and intramyocellular lipid in people with prediabetes independent of weight loss.

“Effects of l-Carnitine Supplementation on Serum Inflammatory Factors and Matrix Metalloproteinase Enzymes in Females with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.” J Am Coll Nutr. 2016 Mar 2:1-7. [Epub ahead of print] 51278 Dr. Reza Mahdavi  Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Attar Neishabouri Ave, Tabriz, Iran. +98 4133341113 / +98 4133355282 (FAX)  mahdavirez@hotmail.com CONCLUSION: 72 females with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis took 750 mg/day of L-carnitine or placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of interleukine-1β (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-1 reduced significantly while high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MMP-13 did not. The visual analog scale (VAS) score decreased significantly in the L-carnitine and placebo groups by 52.67% and 21.82%, respectively.

“Middle-Term Dietary Supplementation with Red Yeast Rice Plus Coenzyme Q10 Improves Lipid Pattern, Endothelial Reactivity and Arterial Stiffness in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Subjects.” Ann Nutr Metab. 2016;68(3):213-9. 51276 Dr. Arrigo F.E. Cicero, MD, PhD, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. arrigo.cicero@unibo.it  CONCLUSION: Red yeast rice (10 mg monacolins) with coenzyme Q10 30 mg daily for six months reduced low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (-26.3%); improved endothelial reactivity (+6.0%) and reduced arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity (PWV) by -4.7%) in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects.

“Coffee polyphenol consumption improves postprandial hyperglycemia associated with impaired vascular endothelial function in healthy male adults.” Nutr Res. 2015 Oct;35(10):873-81. 51277 Dr. Dr. Akira Shimotoyodome Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan. +81 285 68 7589 / +81 285 68 7495 (FAX)  shimotoyodome.akira@kao.co.jp. CONCLUSION: Coffee polyphenol extract (CPE) given to healthy subjects after180 minutes improved postprandial hyperglycemia and vascular endothelial function, which was associated with increased GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) secretion and decreased oxidative stress in healthy humans.

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April, 2016

“Effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentration and T cell proliferation in nursing home elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Mar;103(3):942-51. 51233 Dr. Simin Meydani. Nutritional Immunology Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA; simin.meydani@tufts.edu. CONCLUSION: Nursing home elderly (aged ≥65 y) of whom 58% had low serum zinc concentrations (serum zinc <70 μg/dL) randomly received zinc (30 mg Zn/d) or placebo (5 mg Zn/d) for 3 months. Zinc supplementation was effective in increasing serum zinc concentrations in nursing home elderly; however, not all zinc-deficient elderly reached adequate concentrations. The increase in serum zinc concentration was associated with the enhancement of T cell function mainly because of an increase in the number of T cells.

“A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of resveratrol for Alzheimer disease.” Neurology, 2015 Oct 20;85(16):1383-91. 51234 R. Scott Turner, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology (R.S.T., B.A.R.), Georgetown University, Washington, DC rst36@georgetown.edu   CONCLUSION: Resveratrol 500 mg orally once daily (with dose escalation by 500-mg increments every 13 weeks, ending with 1,000 mg twice daily) was given to mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) subjects. Brain volume loss was increased by resveratrol treatment compared to placebo.

“The effects of chronic trans-resveratrol supplementation on aspects of cognitive function, mood, sleep, health and cerebral blood flow in healthy, young humans.”Br J Nutr. 2015 Nov 14;114(9):1427-37. 51235   Dr. Emma L. Wightman,  Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST,UK. emma.l.wightman@northumbria.ac.uk  CONCLUSION: Healthy adults between 18 and 30 years of age received either placebo or resveratrol for 28 d. Cognitive effects of resveratrol on day 1 were restricted to more accurate but slower serial subtraction task performance. The only cognitive finding on day 28 that was beneficial was on the accuracy of the 3-Back task before treatment consumption. Subjective ratings of ‘fatigue’ were significantly lower. Resveratrol also resulted in modulation of cerebral blood flow parameters on day 1 and significantly increased diastolic blood pressure on day 28. These results confirm the acute CBF effects of resveratrol and the lack of interpretable cognitive effects.

“An overview of biological production of L-theanine.” Biotechnol Adv. 2015 May-Aug;33(3-4):335-42. 51236  Dr. Wanmeng Mu,  State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China. Tel.: + 86 510 85919161.wmmu@jiangnan.edu.cn  CONCLUSION: L-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) is a unique non-protein amino acid that is naturally found in tea plants. It promotes relaxation and improves concentration and learning ability. L-Theanine can be obtained by chemical synthesis or isolation from tea, while chemical synthesis of L-theanine is hard to be accepted by consumers and is not allowed to use in food industry, and isolation of L-theanine in high purity generally involves time-consuming, cost-ineffective, and complicated operational processes.

“N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A 16-Week, Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Study.” CNS Drugs. 2015 Sep;29(9):801-9. 51237 Dr. Jerome Sarris Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, The University of Melbourne, 2 Salisbury St, Richmond, Melbourne, VIC, 3121, Australia. jsarris@unimelb.edu.au.  CONCLUSION: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 1.5 g twice daily in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) subjects aged 18-70 years) revealed a nonsignificant time × treatment interaction for the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) scale total score; a significant time × treatment interaction was observed for the YBOCS ‘Compulsions’ subscale in favor of NAC, with a significant reduction observed at week 12 (dissipating at week 16). At 16 weeks, only four (20%) participants were considered ‘responders’ (YBOCS ≥35% reduction at endpoint) versus four (27%) in the placebo group. The NAC was well-tolerated, aside from more cases of heartburn occurring compared with placebo.

“The effect of a single dose of multivitamin and mineral combinations with and without guaraná on functional brain activity during a continuous performance task.” Nutr Neurosci. 2014 Sep 26. [Epub ahead of print] 51238  Dr. Andrew Scholey, Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne VIC 3122, Australia. andrew@scholeylab.com  CONCLUSION:  A multivitamin/mineral supplement with and without guarana in non-smoking adults aged 21-39 years utilizing visually evoked potential (SSVEP) correlated with A-X continuous performance task (CPT) performance (A-X CPT), showed a single multivitamin/mineral dose without the caffeine effect from the guarana is sufficient to impact functional brain activity in task-related brain regions.

“Effects of multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement on cognition in younger adults and the contribution of B group vitamins.” Hum Psychopharmacol. 2014 Jan;29(1):73-82. 51239 Dr Helen. Macpherson, Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Mail H24, PO Box 218 Hawthorn Victoria 3122, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9214 5585; Fax: +61 3 92145525   hmacpherson@swin.edu.au  CONCLUSION: A multivitamin/mineral/herbs (MVMH) in a randomized controlled trial in healthy adults aged 20-49 years undergoing a battery of computerized cognitive tasks before and after 16-week supplementation with MVMH or placebo found men to have a strong trend for the MVMH to improve performance on the incongruent stroop tasks, a measure of selective attention and response inhibition. MVMH supplementation substantially increased blood levels of vitamin B6, B12 and folate and decreased homocysteine in men. In men who received the MVMH improved stroop congruent performance was associated with increased vitamin B6 levels.

“Long-Term Treatment with Citicoline Prevents Cognitive Decline and Predicts a Better Quality of Life after a First Ischemic Stroke.” Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Mar 16;17(3). 51240  Jose Alvarez-Sabín, MD Department of Neurology, Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain. josalvar@vhebron.net CONCLUSION: Treatment with long-term citicoline is associated with a better QoL and improves cognitive status 2 years after a first ischemic stroke.

“The effect of citicoline on stroke: A comparative study from the Eastern part of India.” Neurol India. 2015 Sep-Oct;63(5):697-701. Somak Kumar Das Flat No. A-10, Millennium Apartment, 23, Kalibari Lane, Jadavpur, Kolkata – 700. 032, West Bengal 51241 CONCLUSION: In 50 patients treated with citicoline along with the standard stroke management the mean Barthel Index score (BI) at the 1st and 3rd month was significantly higher in the citicoline treatment group. In patients suffering from stroke and presenting within 48 h of onset, treatment with citicoline increases the probability of complete recovery and a favorable outcome at the 1st month and at the end of the 3rd month in all the stroke groups.

“Citicoline Treatment Improves Measures of Impulsivity and Task Performance in Chronic Marijuana Smokers: A Pilot BOLD fMRI Study.” Int J Neurol Neurother. 2015 Sep 30;2(3):1-8. 51242  Dr. Staci Gruber, Director, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core, McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478, USA, (617) 855-2762 / (617) 855-3713 (FAX) gruber@mclean.harvard.edu  CONCLUSION: Citicoline is an endogenous nucleotide that has been used to treat stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive dysfunction. Citicoline treatment is associated with improved cognitive performance in substance-abusing populations. Citicoline in treatment-seeking chronic marijuana smokers in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated significantly lower levels of behavioral impulsivity, improved task accuracy and exhibited significantly different patterns of brain activation relative to baseline levels and relative to those who received placebo. Citicoline may facilitate the treatment of MJ use disorders by improving the cognitive skills necessary to fully engage in comprehensive treatment programs.

“Cytidine 5′-Diphosphocholine (Citicoline) in Glaucoma: Rationale of Its Use, Current Evidence and Future Perspectives.” Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Nov 30;16(12):28401-17. 51243 Gloria Roberti IRCCS-Fondazione GB Bietti, Via Livenza, 3, 00198 Rome, Italy gloriaroberti82@gmail.com CONCLUSIO: Cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine or citicoline is an endogenous compound that acts in the biosynthetic pathway of phospholipids of cell membranes, particularly phosphatidylcholine, and it is able to increase neurotrasmitters levels in the central nervous system. Citicoline has shown positive effects in Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as in amblyopia. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease currently considered a disease involving ocular and visual brain structures. Neuroprotection from citicoline has been proposed as a valid therapeutic option for those patients progressing despite a well-controlled intraocular pressure, the main risk factor for the progression of the disease.

“Intake of whole grains is associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction: the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Apr;103(4):999-1007. 51244 Dr. Cecilie Kyrø Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; ceciliek@cancer.dk CONCLUSION: In a study of 54,871 Danish adults aged 50-64 y, of whom 2329 individuals developed myocardial infarction (13.6 y of follow-up) for both men and women total whole-grain intake in the highest quartile, lowered the risk of myocardial infarction compared to individuals in the lowest quartile. When the specific cereal species were considered, rye and oats, but not wheat, were associated with lower myocardial infarction risk in men. No significant associations were seen in women. Rye bread (in men and women) and oatmeal (in men) were associated with significantly lower risk of myocardial infarction, whereas no significant association was shown for whole-grain bread, crispbread, and wheat.

“Maternal plasma PUFA concentrations during pregnancy and childhood adiposity: the Generation R Study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Apr;103(4):1017-25. 51245 Dr. Romy Gaillard, The Generation R Study Group and Departments of Pediatrics, Epidemiology, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands  r.gaillard@erasmusmc.nl  CONCLUSION: In 4830 mothers and their children maternal second-trimester plasma n-3 (ω-3) and n-6 (ω-6) PUFA were assessed and it was found lower maternal n-3 PUFA concentrations and higher n-6 PUFA concentrations during pregnancy were associated with higher body fat and abdominal fat in childhood.

“Vitamin D deficiency in Europe: pandemic?” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Apr;103(4):1033-44. 51246 Dr. Kevin D Cashman, Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland k.cashman@ucc.ie. CONCLUSION: 13.0% of the 55,844 European individuals had serum 25(OH)D concentrations <30 nmol/L on average in the year and using a definition of vitamin D deficiency <50 nmol/L, a prevalence of 40.4%. Dark-skinned ethnic subgroups had much higher (3- to 71-fold) prevalence of serum 25(OH)D <30 nmol/L than did white populations. Vitamin D deficiency is evident throughout the European population at prevalence rates that are concerning and that require action from a public health perspective.

“Vitamin B-12 concentration, memory performance, and hippocampal structure in patients with mild cognitive impairment.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Apr;103(4):1045-54. 51247 Dr. Agnes Flöel Department of Neurology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; agnes.floeel@charite.de   CONCLUSION: In 100 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients (52 women; age range: 50-80 y) low-normal Vit B12 concentration (median split: 304 pmol/L) showed a significantly poorer learning ability and recognition performance than did patients with high-normal VitB12 which is possibly mediated by the reduced microstructural integrity of the hippocampus. Future interventional trials are needed to assess whether supplementation of VitB12 may improve cognition in MCI patients even in the absence of clinically manifested VitB12 deficiency.

 “Combined omega-3 fatty acids, aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation prevents decline in gray matter volume of the frontal, parietal and cingulate cortex in patients with mild cognitive impairment.” Neuroimage. 2015 Oct 1. pii: S1053-8119(15)00872-1. 51248  Dr. Agnes Flöel Department of Neurology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany; agnes.floeel@charite.de   CONCLUSION: Twenty-two MCI patients (8 females; 60-80years) completed six months of omega-3 FA intake, aerobic cycle training and cognitive stimulation or omega-3 FA intake and non-aerobic stretching and toning. Grey matter volume decreased in the frontal, parietal and cingulate cortex of patients in the control intervention (omega 3FA, stretching, toning), while gray matter volume in these areas was preserved or even increased after the target intervention (omega 3FA, aerobic cycling, cognitive stimulation). Decreases in homocysteine levels in the target intervention group were associated with increases in gray matter volume in the middle frontal cortex. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that omega-3 FA intake combined with aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation prevents atrophy in AD-related brain regions in MCI patients, compared to omega-3 FA intake plus the control condition of stretching and toning. 

“Flavonoid intake and incident hypertension in women.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Apr;103(4):1091-8. 51249 Dr. Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018 Research Unit, Villejuif, France; Paris-South University, Villejuif, France marie-christine.boutron@gustaveroussy.fr.  CONCLUSION: In 40,574 disease-free French middle-aged women, participants with greater flavonol, anthocyanin, polymeric flavonoid intakes and greater total flavonoid intake were less likely to develop hypertension.

“Higher glucose levels associated with lower memory and reduced hippocampal microstructure.”Neurology. 2013 Nov 12;81(20):1746-52. 51249 Dr. Veronica Witte, Department of Neurology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, and Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; and veronica.witte@charite.de  CONCLUSION: In the absence of type 2 diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance, chronically higher blood glucose levels have a negative influence on cognition, possibly mediated by structural changes in learning-relevant brain areas. Lowering glucose levels even in the normal range may beneficially influence cognition in the older population.

 “Effects of resveratrol on memory performance, hippocampal functional connectivity, and glucose metabolism in healthy older adults.” J Neurosci. 2014 Jun 4;34(23):7862-70. 51250 Dr. Veronica Witte, Department of Neurology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, and Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; and veronica.witte@charite.de     habits such as caloric restriction or nutrients that mimic these effects may exert beneficial effects on brain CONCLUSION: Healthy overweight older individuals who took resveratrol at 200 mg/d had a  significant effect on retention of words over 30 minutes; significant increases in hippocampal functional connectivity; decreases in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body fat, and increases in leptin. Supplementary resveratrol improves memory performance in association with improved glucose metabolism and increased hippocampal functional connectivity in older adults.

 “Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and structure in older adults.” Cereb Cortex. 2014 Nov;24(11):3059-68. 51251  Veronica Witte, Department of Neurology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCM, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Email: veronica.witte@charite.de; or Agnes Flöel, Department of Neurology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCM, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. agnes.floeel@charite.de.  CONCLUSION: Healthy subjects (50-75 years) completed 26 weeks of fish oil at 2.2 g/day. There was a significant increase in executive functions; beneficial effects on white matter microstructural integrity and gray matter volume in frontal, temporal, parietal, and limbic areas primarily of the left hemisphere; and on carotid intima media thickness and diastolic blood pressure in the fish oil subjects. Improvements in executive functions correlated positively with changes in omega-3-index and peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and negatively with changes in peripheral fasting insulin. This study provides first-time evidence that LC-n3-FA exert positive effects on brain functions in healthy older adults, and elucidates underlying mechanisms. 

“Lifestyle and memory in the elderly.” Neuroepidemiology. 2008;31(1):39-47. 51252 Dr. A. Flöel Department of Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany. floeel@uni-muenster.de CONCLUSION: In 198 healthy individuals (aged 65-84 years), with the healthiest behavior defined as a BMI <22; a diet high in fruits, vegetables, wholemeal/low-fat foods and unsaturated fatty acids; energy expenditure through physical activity >13,000 kcal/week; a history of never smoking; an alcohol consumption of 4-10 drinks per week, showed in a cross-sectional study that a healthy lifestyle is related to better memory performance in healthy elderly individuals. A comprehensive modulation of lifestyle factors is very important to preserve memory functions in the elderly.

“Adipose tissue α-linolenic acid is inversely associated with insulin resistance in adults.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Apr;103(4):1105-10. 51252  Dr. Celine E Heskey Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA cheskey@llu.edu. CONCLUSION: In adult participants (n= 716; mean age: 58 y) from the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) cohort compared with the lowest tertile, the third tertile of adipose tissue ALA was inversely associated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). ALA continued to be inversely associated with the HOMA-IR in subjects with a waist circumference ≤88 cm in women or ≤102 cm in men but not in those with a larger waist circumference. No significant association was noted between adipose tissue EPA plus DHA and HOMA-IR. Higher adipose tissue ALA was inversely associated with insulin resistance in this cohort of healthy adult men and women.

“Short-term study on the effects of rosemary on cognitive function in an elderly population.” J Med Food. 2012 Jan;15(1):10-7. 51253 Andrew Pengelly, Herbal Medicine Department, Tai Sophia Institute, 7750 Montpelier Road, Laurel, MD 20723, USA, E-mail: apengelly@tai.edu CONCLUSION: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) as a dried rosemary leaf powder taken by 28 older adults (mean age, 75 years) was tested using the Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment system 1, 2.5, 4, and 6 hours following a placebo and four different doses of rosemary. The LOWEST DOSE (750 mg) of rosemary had a statistically significant BENEFICIAL effect compared with placebo whereas the HIGHEST DOSE (6,000 mg) had a significant IMPAIRING effect.

“Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Extract as a Potential Complementary Agent in Anticancer Therapy.” Nutr Cancer. 2015;67(8):1221-9. 51254 Ana Ramírez de Molina  IMDEA-Food Institute, CEI UAM + CSIC, C/Faraday 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain +34 912796957; fax: +34 911880756. ana.ramirez@imdea.org  aramirez@iib.uam.es  CONCLUSION: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) has been reported to possess antitumor activities both in vitro and in animal studies attributed to its major components, carnosic acid, carnosol, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. Rosemary may have tumor inhibitory properties. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Food and Safety Authority have used specific compositions of rosemary extract and demonstrated them to be safe for human health and used as antioxidant additive in foods. Rosemary extract as a complementary agent in cancer therapy has potential.

“Diterpenes from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Defining their potential for anti-cancer activity.” Cancer Lett. 2015 Oct 28;367(2):93-102. 51255. Dr. Jeremy J. Johnson College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. jjjohn@uic.edu  CONCLUSION: Rosemary extracts standardized to diterpenes (e.g. carnosic acid and carnosol) have been approved by the European Union (EU) and given a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Three components of rosemary carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmanol have promising anti-cancer activity. Studies have shown diterpenes modulate deregulated signaling pathways in different solid and blood cancers. Rosemary extracts and their components mentioned appear to be well tolerated.

“The Therapeutic Potential of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Diterpenes for Alzheimer’s Disease.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:2680409. 51256 Dr. Solomon Habtemariam Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories & Herbal Analysis Services UK, Chatham-Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK s.habtemariam@herbalanalysis.co.uk  CONCLUSION: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is native to the Mediterranean region. The plant is now widely distributed all over the world. Abietane-type phenolic diterpenes account for most of the antioxidant and pharmacological activities of the plant. Rosemary diterpenes have also been shown to inhibit neuronal cell death induced by a variety of agents both in vitro and in vivo. There is therapeutic potential for these compounds in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The multifunctional nature of the compounds from the general antioxidant-mediated neuronal protection to other specific mechanisms including brain inflammation and amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, polymerisation and pathologies.

 “The Dietary Components Carnosic Acid and Carnosol as Neuroprotective Agents: a Mechanistic View.” Mol Neurobiol. 2015 Nov 9. [Epub ahead of print] 51256 Dr. Marcos Roberto de Oliveira Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Departamento de Química (DQ), Instituto de Ciências Exatas e da Terra (ICET), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. mrobioq@gmail.com  CONCLUSION:  Carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol are the major diterpenes found in Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary). CA and carnosol account for over 90 % of its anti-oxidant activity in rosemary leaves. The diterpenes exert anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities, and present neuroprotective effects in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. CA has been shown to exert protective effects upon neuronal cells more intensely than resveratrol or sulforaphane. CA and carnosol demonstrate a potential pharmacological role for rosemary diterpenes in ameliorating mammalian brain redox status which can modulate neuroinflammation. 

“Brain Food for Alzheimer-Free Ageing: Focus on Herbal Medicines.” Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015;863:95-116. 51257. Dr. Helmut Hugel, School of Applied Sciences & Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, 3001, Australia, helmut.hugel@rmit.edu.au. CONCLUSION: Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are a global concern. Longevity eventually leads to an accumulation of amyloid plaques and/or tau tangles, including some vascular dementia damage. Plants are chemical factories that manufacture huge numbers of diverse bioactive substances, many of which have the potential to provide neuroprotective benefits. Many herbs with anti-amyloidogenic activity, including those containing polyphenolic constituents such as green tea, turmeric, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Panax ginseng reviewed. Extracts from kitchen spices including cinnamon, ginger, rosemary, sage, salvia herbs may have neuroprotective properties.

“Management of cognitive determinants in senile dementia of Alzheimer’s type: therapeutic potential of a novel polyherbal drug product.” Clin Drug Investig. 2014 Dec;34(12):857-69. 51258 Dr. Dr. Ananya Sadhu Collabrative programme, Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, ananya.s.84@gmail.com  CONCLUSION: A randomized double-blind placebo- and active-controlled clinical trial was performed in healthy elderly subjects and senile dementia of Alzheimer’s type (SDAT)  patients with an age range of 60-75 years with a combination extract of Bacopa monnieri (whole plant), Hippophae rhamnoides (leaves and fruits) and Dioscorea bulbifera (bulbils) at a dose of 500 mg or donepezil drug (Aricept) at a dose of 10 mg, twice daily, for a period of 12 months. The polyherbal formula showed a significant improvement in cognitive measures (MMSE, DSS, word recall delayed but not immediate, attention span, FAQ and depression scores) and a reduction in inflammation (reduction in homocysteine, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels) and oxidative stress levels (reduction in SOD, GPx and TBARS and increase in GSH). 

“Dietary folate, B vitamins, genetic susceptibility and progression to advanced nonexudative age-related macular degeneration with geographic atrophy: a prospective cohort study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Mar 9. pii: ajcn117606. [Epub ahead of print] 51259  Johanna M Seddon, MD, Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Genetics Service, New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA jseddon@tuftsmedicalcenter.org   CONCLUSION: In 2525 subjects (4663 eyes) in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, 405 subjects (528 eyes) progressed to geographic atrophy (GA) over 13 years. There was a reduced risk of progression to GA with increasing intake of thiamin, riboflavin, and folate. After adjustment for variables there remained statistical significance for folate and  borderline for thiamin. Folate was significantly associated with lower risk of incident GA among subjects homozygous for the complement component 3 (C3) genotype but not subjects carrying the allele (G). Neither folate nor any B vitamin was significantly associated with neovascular AMD. High folate intake was associated with a reduced risk of progression to GA. This relation could be modified by genetic susceptibility, particularly related to the C3 genotype.

“Fresh Fruit Consumption and Major Cardiovascular Disease in China.” N Engl J Med. 2016 Apr 7;374(14):1332-43. 51260  Huaidong Du, Ph.D. Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Rd. Campus, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom, or at huaidong.du@ctsu.ox.ac.uk; Prof. Liming Li, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China, or at lmlee@vip.163.com.   CONCLUSION: Among 512,891 Chinese adults between 30 to 79 years of age, from 10 diverse localities in China, a higher level of fruit consumption was associated with lower blood pressure, blood glucose levels and significantly lower risks of major cardiovascular diseases.

“The Omega-3 Index Is Inversely Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Individuals with Elevated Oxidative Stress Biomarkers.” J Nutr. 2016 Apr;146(4):758-66. 51261 Dr. Sherman J Bigornia, Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA  bigornia@bu.edu  CONCLUSIONS: An inverse association between the omega-3 index and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D)) was observed among participants with elevated oxidative stress (urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)) biomarkers. Oxidative stress status may identify those who might benefit from ω-3 FA consumption to improve depressive symptoms.

“The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Pro-Inflammatory Factors and Adiponectin in Mildly Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial”, International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (2015), 85, pp. 156-164. 51262  Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Ph.D., Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Yazd Diabetic Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Bahonar Square, Central Building, Yazd Iran,  Tel.: +98(351)7249333, Fax: +98(351)7258413, E-mail mozaffari.kh@gmail.com CONCLUSION: A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 60 mildly hypertensive patients with  coenzyme CoQ10 at 100 mg/d or a placebo decreased some pro-inflammatory factors, such as IL6 and hs-CRP, and increased adiponectin. 

“Oral Zinc Supplementation Restores Superoxide Radical Scavengers to Normal Levels in Spermatozoa of Iraqi Asthenospermic Patients” International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (2015), 85, pp. 165-173. 51263 Mahmoud Hussein Hadwan, Ph.D. Chemistry Dept. College of Science University of Babylon  P.O. 4., Babylon Iraq  E-mail mahmoudhadwan@gmail.com  CONCLUSION: In 60 fertile and 60 asthenospermic men who had consulted an infertility clinic the  subfertile group (asthenospermic) was treated with zinc sulfate 2 capsules (220 mg each) per day for 3 months. Volume of semen, progressive sperm motility and total normal sperm count were increased after zinc supplementation. Zinc supplementation restored the oxido-sensitive index and catalase-like activity in semen of asthenozoospermic subjects to normal ranges.

“Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Italian Single-Center Study,” International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (2015), 85, pp. 23-30. 51264 Aneta Aleksova, MD, MSc Cardiovascular Department, ‘‘Ospedali Riuniti’’ and University of Trieste, Via Valdoni 7, 34129 Trieste Italy +39 – 3405507762  Fax: +39 – 040 – 3994878, E-mail aaleksova@gmail.com, E-mail aaleksova@units.it  CONCLUSION: In Trieste (Italy) well-known for  high exposure to the sunlight in all seasons in 478 subjects diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction the median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 14.5 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were present in 324 (68 %) and 107 (22 %) subjects, respectively. Even though there was a very high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among subjects with myocardial infarction in all seasons it was lower in the summer when sun exposure is higher. The exposure to sunlight may be a cost-saving therapeutic strategy for the management of vitamin D deficiency.

 “Supplementation with Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) for Migraine Prophylaxis in Adults and Children: A Review” International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (2015), 85, pp. 79-87. 51265 Dr. Javad Heshmati Health Care Center Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences Kermanshah, Iran  javad.heshmati@gmail.com  CONCLUSION: Low vitamin B2 can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and may have an effect on migraine pathogenesis. In 11 studies the results indicated that supplementation with vitamin B2 in adults can play a positive role in reducing the frequency and duration of migraine attacks with no serious side effects, yet there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations regarding vitamin B2 as an adjunct therapy in adults and children with migraine.

“The Biochemical Role of Macro and Micro-Minerals in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and its Associated Complications: A Review” International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (2015), 85, pp. 88-103. 51266 Dr. Anthony Jide Afolayan, Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED), Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700 South Africa, +27 82 202 2167, Fax: +27 866 282 295, aafolayan@ufh.ac.za  CONCLUSION: An extensive literature review indicates that magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, vanadium and manganese facilitate glucose catabolism. Chromium, vanadium, zinc, molybdenum and magnesium can enhance insulin activity while molybdenum, manganese and zinc stimulate lipogenesis. Zinc and iron can modulate glucose, metabolizing enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract and limit oxidative stress, respectively. These agents have similar mechanisms to conventional drugs in ameliorating diabetic status and other associated complications. The synergetic effects of their combinations is still obscure. Literature on their safe dose(s) is minimal. Mineral supplements probably promote good health in diabetics.

“Dietary patterns in men and women are simultaneously determinants of altered glucose Metabolism and bone metabolism.” Nutr Res. 2016 Apr;36(4):328-36. 51267 Dr. Nancy Kreiger Corresponding author. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, 155 College St, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 3M7. +1 416 978 7523 / +1 514 843 1651 (FAX) nancy.kreiger@utoronto.ca  CONCLUSION: The Prudent dietary pattern of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and legumes compared to the Western dietary pattern of soft drinks, potato chips, French fries, meats, and desserts showed favorable effects on glucose metabolism (lower insulin and HOMA-IR) and bone metabolism (lower CTX in women; higher 25OHD and lower parathyroid hormone in men). The Western diet was associated with adverse effects on glucose metabolism (higher glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR) and bone metabolism (higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and lower 25OHD in women; higher CTX in men). The Prudent diet was associated with lower metabolic risk and may also reduce fracture risk.

“Cinnamon users with prediabetes have a better fasting working memory: a cross-sectional function study.” Nutr Res. 2016 Apr;36(4):305-10. 51268 Dr. Mark L. Wahlqvist Fuli Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Room D437 Agriculture Biological and Environmental Building, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, 833 Yuhantang, West Lake District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China 310058, Institute of Population Health Sciences, NHRI, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan 35053, ROC. +86 571 8898 2463. Tel./fax:  mark.wahlqvist@gmail.com.  CONCLUSIONS: Healthy people aged ≥60 years with prediabetes (fasting blood glucose 100-125 mg/dL) (47 men and 46 women) showed cinnamon users compared to nonusers had a significantly higher working memory. Cinnamon usage is associated with a better working memory, not accounted for by dietary quality or IR, in untreated prediabetes. 

“Inflammation mediates the association between fatty acid intake and depression in older men and women.” Nutr Res. 2016 Mar;36(3):234-45. 51269 Dr. Mark McEvoy, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia +61 2 40420518. mark.mcevoy@newcastle.edu.au CONCLUSION: In adults aged 55-85 years fruit and monounsaturated fat intakes were negatively associated with depression. Total fat and saturated fat intakes were positively associated with depression. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats were inversely associated with depression in men only. IL-6 was a significant mediator of the association between fruits with low carotenoid content and depression in women. CRP significantly mediated the relationship between total fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat intakes and depression in women, and saturated fat intake and depression in men. The association between fatty acid intake and depression is partially mediated by inflammatory markers.

“Elevated plasma and urinary concentrations of green tea catechins associated with improved plasma lipid profile in healthy Japanese women.” Nutr Res. 2016 Mar;36(3):220-6. 51270 Dr. Andy H. Lee, Corresponding author. School of Public Health, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia. +61 8 9266 4180 Andy.Lee@curtin.edu.au  CONCLUSION: In 57 generally healthy Japanese females aged 38 to 73 years there was weak to moderate association between plasma and urinary green tea catechin concentrations and plasma biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“Fermented food intake is associated with a reduced likelihood of atopic dermatitis in an adult population (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012-2013).” Nutr Res. 2016 Feb;36(2):125-33. 51271 Dr. Ji-Hyun Bae, Food Science and Nutrition, Dean of Faculty in Food & Health Sciences, Keimyung University, 1000 Shindang-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, 704-701, Republic of Korea. +82 53 580 5875 / +82 53 580 5885 (FAX)  jhb@kmu.ac.kr drjhbae@hanmail.net  CONCLUSION: In a study of 9763 Korean adults 19 years or older using the 2012-2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey high levels of consumption (>92 times/month) of fermented foods such as doenjang, chungkookjang, kimchi, fermented seafood, makgeolli, and beer were associated with a lower prevalence of AD. In contrast, high levels of consumption of meat and processed foods were strongly associated with the prevalence of AD. The consumption of coffee, chocolate, and ice cream was significantly negatively associated with the prevalence of AD.

“Metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency: a missed opportunity to prevent dementia and stroke.”Nutr Res. 2016 Feb;36(2):109-16. 51272  Dr. J. David Spence Stroke Prevention & Atherosclerosis Research Centre, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, 1400 Western Rd, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 2V4. Tel.: +1 519 931 5731 /  fax: +1 519 931 5737. dspence@robarts.ca  CONCLUSION: Metabolic B12 deficiency is present in 10%-40% of the population; is frequently missed; is easily treated; and contributes importantly to cognitive decline and stroke in older people. Measuring serum B12 alone is not sufficient for diagnosis; it is necessary to measure holotranscobalamin or functional markers of B12 adequacy such as methylmalonic acid or plasma total homocysteine. B-vitamin therapy with cyanocobalamin reduces the risk of stroke in patients with normal renal function but is harmful (perhaps because of thiocyanate accumulation from cyanide in cyanocobalamin) in patients with renal impairment. Methylcobalamin may be preferable in renal impairment. B12 therapy has slowed gray matter atrophy and cognitive decline. Undiagnosed metabolic B12 deficiency may be an important missed opportunity for prevention of dementia and stroke; in patients with metabolic B12 deficiency, it would be prudent to offer inexpensive and nontoxic supplements of oral B12, preferably methylcobalamin or hydroxycobalamin.

“Relationship between vitamin D status and vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Nutr Res. 2016 Feb;36(2):117-24. 51273 Ji-Oh Mok, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, 1174, Jung-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 420-767, Republic of Korea  +82 32 621 5212; fax: +82 32 621 5018 (FAX) hanna@schmc.ac.kr   CONCLUSION In 257 type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients (111 men, 146 women) 41 subjects were vitamin D sufficient (25[OH]D ≥ 20 ng/mL), 132 were vitamin D insufficient (10 ≤ 25[OH]D < 20 ng/mL), and 84 were vitamin D deficient (25[OH]D < 10 ng/mL). In men, the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) was significantly higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency than in those with insufficiency or sufficiency. The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy (DN) was significantly higher in women with vitamin D deficiency than in the other 2 groups. Compared with men in the vitamin D-sufficient group, men in the vitamin D-deficient group had an increased risk of DPN and in women the vitamin D-deficient group had an increased risk of DN when compared to the sufficient group. A serum 25(OH)D level less than 10 ng/mL is independently associated with increased DPN in male patients and increased DN in female patients with T2DM.

“Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are associated with total adiposity of children in the United States: National Health and Examination Survey 2005 to 2006.” Nutr Res. 2016 Jan;36(1):72-9. 51274. Dr. Carolyn E. Moore Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX 77030, USA cmoore8@twu.edu CONCLUSION: From 2492 children aged 6 to 18 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006 26.9% were vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/mL) and 26.5% were sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Vitamin D intake was positively associated with serum 25(OH)D levels and markers of adiposity were negatively associated with serum 25(OH)D levels: (WC, WC-to-height ratio, body mass index, and triceps skinfold thickness). In 2086 children 8-18 years of age body fat, fat mass index, and percent body fat was negatively associated with serum 25(OH)D levels.  The risk of a vitamin D deficiency was fairly common among children and low serum 25(OH)D concentrations were strongly associated with increased adiposity in children.

 “Green tea catechins prevent low-density lipoprotein oxidation via their accumulation in low-density lipoprotein particles in humans.” Nutr Res. 2016 Jan;36(1):16-23. 51275. Dr. Yoshimi Kishimoto, Endowed Research Department “Food for Health,” Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan. kishimoto.yoshimi@ocha.ac.jp  CONCLUSION:  In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, 19 healthy men ingested green tea extract (GTE) in capsule form at a dose of 1 gram total gallated catechin. Plasma total antioxidant capacity was increased, and the LDL oxidizability was significantly reduced by GTE ingestion. In 5 healthy women the GTE intake (1 gram) sufficiently increased the concentration of gallated catechins, in LDL particles, and reduced the oxidizability of LDL. Green tea catechins are rapidly incorporated into LDL particles and play a role in reducing LDL oxidation in humans.

“Low muscle mass is associated with metabolic syndrome only in nonobese young adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010.” Nutr Res. 2015 Dec;35(12):1070-8. 51276 Dr. Yong-Moon Park, Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 TW Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709 USA. +1 919 541 3630 / +1 301 480 3290 (FAX) mark.park@nih.gov  CONCLUSION: Low muscle mass (LMM) is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 5300 young adults aged 19 to 39 years showed the prevalence of low muscle mass (LMM) was higher in obese than nonobese participants (37.6% vs. 9.6%) but young adults with LMM may have a high risk of MetS, especially when they are nonobese. Interventions aimed at increasing muscle mass at younger ages may have the potential to reduce MetS.

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March, 2016

“Analgesic, anxiolytic and anaesthetic effects of melatonin: new potential uses in pediatrics,” Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Jan 6;16(1):1209-20. 51196  Lucia Marseglia, MD Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, Messina 98125, Italy lmarseglia@unime.it   CONCLUSION:  Melatonin and its analogs may have a role in antinociceptive therapies and as an alternative to midazolam in premedication of adults and children, although its effectiveness is still controversial and available data are clearly incomplete.

“Effects of melatonin premedication to prevent emergence agitation after general anaesthesia in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.” Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2015 Dec;32(12):862-71. 51198  Dr. T. Mihara Department of Anaesthesiology, Kanagawa Children’s Medical Centre, Yokohama, Japan  miharaxxxtotoro@yahoo.co.jp  CONCLUSION:  In evaluating four studies involving 358 subjects compared with placebo, melatonin premedication may be effective in preventing emergence agitation in children. Further studies are required to confirm the results.

“Melatonin and atopy: role in atopic dermatitis and asthma.” Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Aug 4;15(8):13482-93. 51199 Russel J. Reiter, PhD Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 40729, USA reiter@uthscsa.edu CONCLUSION: Experimental data suggests that melatonin inhibits development of atopic eczema and reduces serum total IgE and IL-4. Melatonin regulates smooth muscle tone and influences the immune response. Melatonin may, however, act as a pro-inflammatory agent in asthma leading to bronchial constriction.

“Potential Use Of Melatonin in Procedural Anxiety And Pain In Children Undergoing Blood Withdrawal.” J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2015 Apr-Jun;29(2):509-14. 51200 Dr. Sara Manti Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, Messina 98125, Italy saramanti@hotmail.it. CONCLUSION: Melatonin, a neurohormone with the profile of a novel hypnotic-anaesthetic agent, plays an important role in anxiolysis and analgesia. In  children given either melatonin orally (0.5 mg/kg BW, max 5 mg) or placebo 30 minutes before blood draw the melatonin significantly reduced both anxiety  and pain levels than placebo.

“Atopic Dermatitis: Melatonin As Potential Treatment.” J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2015 Apr-Jun;29(2 Suppl 1):142-9. 51201 Dr. Gabriella D’Angelo, Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, Messina 98125, Italy. gabridangelo@alice.it. CONCLUSION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory skin disorder. The immunological mechanism involving the Th1-Th2 paradigm is considered central in the pathogenesis of AD. Oxidative stress is recognized as a fundamental predisposing stimulus for AD. Melatonin, an indolamine, may counteract environmental and endogenous stressors, regulate the immune response, decrease oxidative stress, and promote skin integrity.

“Readmission and mortality in malnourished, older, hospitalized adults treated with a specialized oral nutritional supplement: A randomized clinical trial.” Clin Nutr. 2016 Feb;35(1):18-26. 51202 Nicolaas E. Deutz, MD Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 1700 Research Parkway, College Station, TX 77845, USA +1 979 220 2910 / 979 862 3244 (FAX).  CONCLUSION: In evaluating a high-protein oral nutritional supplement (HP-HMB) containing beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on postdischarge outcomes in malnourished, hospitalized older adults (≥65 years), compared with placebo HP-HMB decreased mortality and improved indices of nutritional. 

“Aged Garlic Extract Reduces Low Attenuation Plaque in Coronary Arteries of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study.” J Nutr. 2016 Feb;146(2):427S-32S. 51203 Matthew J Budoff, MD, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA mbudoff@labiomed.org  CONCLUSION: Patients with metabolic syndrome mean age of 58.7 years took 2400 mg aged garlic extract (AGE) orally. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was done at baseline and at follow-up in 354 days.  The %LAP (low-attenuation plaque) change was significantly reduced in the AGE group. There was no difference in %TPV (total plaque volume), % NCP (noncalcified plaque) change, and % DC (dense calcium) change) compared to placebo. There was found a beneficial effect of AGE on %LAP regression in this study. 

“Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Individuals, Regulates Serum Cholesterol, and Stimulates Immunity: An Updated Meta-analysis and Review.” J Nutr. 2016 Feb;146(2):389S-96S. 51204 Dr. Karin Ried National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Melbourne, Australia karinried@niim.com.au CONCLUSION: Garlic taken orally in a meta-analysis of 20 trials with 970 participants there was a mean decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 5.1 mm Hg and a mean decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 2.5 mm Hg compared with placebo. Garlic supplements lowered blood pressure in hypertensive individuals; lowered slightly elevated cholesterol, and stimulated the immune system. Garlic supplements were tolerated and may be considered as a complementary treatment option for hypertension, slightly elevated cholesterol, and stimulation of immunity.

“Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Progression to Dementia: Follow-up of the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study Cohort.” JAMA Neurol. 2016 Feb 29. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.4899. [Epub ahead of print] 51205 Tze Pin Ng, MD Gerontology Research Program, Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. pcmngtp@nus.edu.sg  CONCLUSION: In 1519 individuals mean age 64.9 years, of which 64.8% were female, the associated increased risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with baseline MetS (1.46), central obesity (HR, 1.41), diabetes mellitus (HR, 2.84), dyslipidemia (HR, 1.48), and 3 or more component cardiovascular risk factors (HR, 1.58). Baseline levels associated with an increased risk of MCI progression to dementia were MetS (HR, 4.25), diabetes mellitus (HR, 2.47), and 3 or more component cardiovascular risk factors (HR, 4.92). MetS was associated with an increased incidence of MCI and progression to dementia. Identifying individuals with diabetes mellitus or the MetS with or without MCI is a promising approach in early interventions to prevent or slow progression to dementia.

“Association Between Olfactory Dysfunction and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and  Alzheimer Disease Dementia.” JAMA Neurol. 2016 Jan 1;73(1):93-101. 51206  Ronald C. Petersen MD, PhD,  Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Minnesota Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. peter8@mayo.edu CONCLUSION: In 1430 cognitively normal individuals mean age of 79.5 years, 49.4% were men, the mean duration of education was 14.3 years, and 25.4% were APOE ε4 carriers. Over 3.5 years of follow-up, there were 250 incident cases of MCI among 1430 cognitively normal participants and olfactory impairment was associated with incident aMCI (amnestic cognitive impairment) and progression from aMCI to AD dementia. 

“A Single Meal Containing Raw, Crushed Garlic Influences Expression of Immunity- and Cancer-Related Genes in Whole Blood of Humans.” J Nutr. 2015 Nov;145(11):2448-55. 51207 Dr. Janet Novotny, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center janet.novotny@ars.usda.gov  CONCLUSION:Volunteers consumed a garlic-containing meal (100 g white bread, 15 g butter, and 5 g raw, crushed garlic) or a garlic-free control meal (100 g white bread and 15 g butter) after 10 days of consuming a controlled, garlic-free diet the results showed the bioactivity of garlic is multifaceted and includes activation of genes related to immunity, apoptosis, and xenobiotic metabolism in humans.

“Evaluation of TNF-α serum level in patients with recalcitrant multiple common warts, treated by lipid garlic extract.” Dermatol Ther. 2014 Sep-Oct;27(5):272-7. 51208  Ghada Farouk Abd El-Kaream Mohammed, MD, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41511, Egypt, or email: Dr_Ghada77@hotmail.com. CONCLUSION: In patients with recalcitrant multiple common warts (RMCW) who applied lipid garlic extract (LGE) to single lesions, or largest wart in case of multiple lesions, until complete clearance of lesions or for a maximum of 4 weeks, in the LGE group, complete response was achieved in 96% of patients presenting with RMCW. There was a statistically nonsignificant increase in TNF-α in LGE group. No recurrence was observed in the LGE group. LGE as an immunotherapy is an inexpensive, effective, and safe modality with good cure rates for treatment of RMCWs, when other topical or physical therapies have failed.

“Aged garlic extract improves adiponectin levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study.” Mediators Inflamm. 2013;2013:285795. doi: 10.1155/2013/285795. Epub 2013 Feb 28. 51209 Dr.Patricio López-Jaramillo, Dirección de Investigaciones, Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander (FOSCAL), Torre Milton Salazar, Primer Piso, Calle 155A No. 23-09, El Bosque, Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia  jplopezj@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Aged garlic extract (AGE, Kyolic) taken orally at 1.2 grams per day increased plasma levels of adiponectin without serious side effects in metabolic syndrome patients.

“Garlic for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Phytomedicine. 2015 Mar 15;22(3):352-61. 51210 Dr. X.J. Xiong, Department of Cardiology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China +86 10 88001817  xiongxingjiangtcm@163.com   5administration@163.com  CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of garlic as a treatment for high blood pressure showed a significant lowering effect of garlic on both systolic BP and diastolic BP. No serious adverse events were reported in any of the trials.  

“Effect of garlic powder tablet on carotid intima-media thickness in patients with coronary artery disease: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.” Nutr Health. 2013 Apr;22(2):143-55. 51211 Javad Nasrollahzadeh, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. 19395-4741; Tehran, Iran. jnasrollahzadeh@gmail.com. CONCLUSION:  Patients with coronary artery disease between 25 and 75 years of age took garlic powder tablets (1200 µg allicin/tab) twice daily for 3 months and had minor variations in carotid intimal medial thickness (CIMT) while the placebo group had an increase in CIMT values. Plasma lipids did not differ between the two groups. Dry garlic powder may be considered an adjunctive treatment for atherosclerosis.

“A randomised trial of enteric-coated nutrient pellets to stimulate gastrointestinal peptide release and lower glycaemia in type 2 diabetes.” Diabetologia. 2013 Jun;56(6):1236-42. 51212   Dr. Chris Rayner, Discipline of Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. chris.rayner@adelaide.edu.au  CONCLUSION: After an overnight fast type 2 diabetic patients consumed 5 grams of enteric-coated active pellets (47% lauric acid by weight) releasing small amounts of lauric acid throughout the ileum and stimulated substantial endogenous gastrointestinal peptide release (GLP-1) and reduced postprandial glycaemia.

“Over-the-counter anti-oxidant therapies for use in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review.” Mult Scler. 2015 Oct;21(12):1485-95. 51213 Dr. Michelle Ploughman Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Memorial University, Canada michelle.ploughman@med.mun.ca CONCLUSION: In 145 studies the over-the-counter (OTC) anti-oxidants epigallocatechin-3-gallate  (EGCG) and α(alpha)-lipoic acid (ALA) showed the most consistent benefit with anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects and reduced neurological impairment (animal studies) though these were just preclinical studies. There is no evidence that they altered MS relapses or progression.

“Effects of prostaglandin E1 plus methylcobalamin alone and in combination with lipoic acid on nerve conduction velocity in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A meta-analysis.” Neurosci Lett. 2015 May 6;594:23-9. 51214  Dr. Yong Wang Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China Corresponding author at: Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital, Industrial Road No. 253, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282, China. Tel.: +86 20 61643555; fax: +86 20 84300639. yongwh2005@hotmail.com  CONCLUSION: In evaluating 18 trials of 1410 individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) the combination of lipoic acid, prostaglandin E1 and methylcobalamin (L+P+M) was significantly better than P+M therapy alone in improving symptoms and nerve conduction velocities with no serious adverse events associated with this intervention.

 “Efficacy and safety of prostaglandin E1 plus lipoic acid combination therapy versus monotherapy for patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.” J Clin Neurosci. 2016 Jan 13. pii: S0967-5868(15)00601-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.07.028. [Epub ahead of print] 51215 Dr. Yong Wang Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Industrial Road No. 253, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510282, China +86 20 6164 3555 / +86 20 8430 0639 yongwh2005@hotmail.com  Of thirty-one RCT with 2676 participants included clinical efficacy of PGE1+LA combination therapy was significantly better than monotherapy. There were no serious adverse events associated with drug intervention. PGE1+LA combination therapy is superior to PGE1 or LA monotherapy for improvement of neuropathic symptoms and nerve conduction velocities in patients with DPN.

“A Combination of Prebiotic Inulin and Oligofructose Improve Some of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.” Adv Pharm Bull. 2015 Nov;5(4):507-14. 51215 Dr. Parvin Dehghan, Nutrition research center, Department of Food Science and Technology, Student Research committee, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. +98 4133376229 / +98 4133340634 (FAX), dehghan.nut@gmail.com  CONCLUSION: Females (25<BMI<35 kg/m2) with type 2 diabetes received 10g/d oligofructose-enriched inulin for 8 weeks resulting in improved glycemic indices, lipid profiles, antioxidant status and malondialdehyde.

“Nutraceuticals and Blood Pressure Control: Results from Clinical Trials and Meta-Analyses.” High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2015 Sep;22(3):203-13. 51216  Arrigo F. G. Cicero Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, afgcicero@cardionet.it. CONCLUSION: There is a relatively large body of evidence supporting the use of potassium, L-arginine, vitamin C, cocoa flavonoids, beetroot juice, coenzyme Q10, controlled-release melatonin, and aged garlic extract.

“Watermelon extract reduces blood pressure but does not change sympathovagal balance in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects.” Blood Press. 2016 Mar 7:1-5. [Epub ahead of print] 51217 Alexandre Sérgio Silva Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil. alexandresergiosilva@yahoo.com.br  CONCLUSION:  6 g of watermelon extract daily in hypertensive subjects for 6 weeks reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals, but does not alter the cardiac autonomic modulation of these individuals.

“Supplementation with Watermelon Extract Reduces Total Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol in Adults with Dyslipidemia under the Influence of the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism.” J Am Coll Nutr. 2016 Mar 2:1-7. [Epub ahead of print] 51218 Alexandre Sérgio Silva Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil. alexandresergiosilva@yahoo.com.br   CONCLUSION: In adults with lipid abnormalities who took 6 grams of watermelon extract daily for 42 days there was a reduction in plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein without modifying triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein values. Only carriers of the T allele (MTHFR C677T) showed decreasing concentrations of low-density lipoprotein. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism did not affect the plasma lipid concentration but made individuals more responsive to treatment with watermelon.

“Ascorbic acid improves brachial artery vasodilation during progressive handgrip exercise in the elderly through a nitric oxide-mediated mechanism.” Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2016 Mar 15;310(6):H765-74. 51219 Joel Trinity, MD, Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, George E. Whalen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah  joel.trinity@utah.edu.  CONCLUSION:  Ascorbic acid (AA) administered intra-arterially in seven healthy older adults during handgrip exercise improved brachial artery vasodilation through an NO-dependent mechanism, though, this improvement appeared not to be the direct consequence of reducing free radical outflow from the forearm.

“Nutritional research may be useful in treating tendon injuries.” Nutrition. 2015 Dec 31. 51219 Dr. Luke Curtis, Curtis Research, Burnsville, MN. (952) 513-7568. Luketcurtis@aol.com CONCLUSION: Nutrients such as proteins, amino acids (leucine, arginine, glutamine), vitamins C and D, manganese, copper, zinc, and phytochemicals may be useful in improving tendon growth and healing. Many nutrients are required for tendon health, nutritional interventions involving multiple nutrients may be more effective than single-nutrient strategies. Ideal treatment regimens for tendon injuries may include a multifaceted “bundle” of nutrition, drugs, biologic products, extracellular matrix therapies, exercise/physical therapy, and possibly surgery. 

 “Is there a place for nutritional supplements in the treatment of idiopathic male infertility?”Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2014 Sep 30;86(3):164-70. 51220 Massimiliano  Creta, MD Department of Urology, University of Federico II, Naples. max.creta@gmail.com.CONCLUSION: Clinical trials on vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, arginine, carnitine, n-acetyl-carnitine, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, selenium and zinc were reviewed. Nutritional supplements both alone and in combination seems to be able to improve semen parameters (sperm count, sperm motility and morphology) and pregnancy rate in infertile men. 

“Zinc levels in seminal plasma and their correlation with male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 2;6:22386. 51221 Longkun Li, MD Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China lilongk@hotmail.com CONCLUSION:  Zinc supplementation on sperm parameters was evaluated in 20 studies including 2,600 cases and 867 controls and it was found that seminal plasma zinc concentrations from infertile males were significantly lower than those from normal controls. Zinc supplementation was found to significantly increase the semen volume, sperm motility and the percentage of normal sperm morphology.

“Coenzyme Q10 supplementation in infertile men with low-grade varicocele: an open, uncontrolled pilot study.” Andrologia. 2014 Sep;46(7):805-7. 51223  Roberto Festa, MD Department of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Marconi 3, 60025 Loreto, Ancona, Italy. 0039-0719881879 / 0039-0719747242 (FAX) festa7r@libero.it  CONCLUSION: In infertile men with varicoceles oral supplementation with coenzyme Q10 at 100 mg/d for 3 months showed improvement in semen parameters and antioxidant status.

“A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Maca Root as Treatment for Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Women,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015; 2015: 949036. 51224 Christina M. Dording, MD  Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA cdording@partners.org CONCLUSION:  Maca root at 3 grams per day in postmenopausal women mean age of 41.5 years with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction (AISD) over 12-weeks found higher remission rates for the Maca versus placebo group and Maca was well tolerated. Maca root may alleviate SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

“Efficacy and safety of remifemin on peri-menopausal symptoms induced by post-operative GnRH-a therapy for endometriosis: a randomized study versus tibolone.” Med Sci Monit. 2014 Oct 16;20:1950-7. 51225 Jie Wu, MD Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China jiewuyale@gmail.com CONCLUSION:Remifemin 20 mg two times daily had benefit similar to Tibolone on peri-menopausal symptoms in endometriosis patients after post-operative GnRH-a therapy and was safer.

“Alpha lipoic acid efficacy in burning mouth syndrome. A controlled clinical trial.” Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2015 Jul 1;20(4):e435-40. 51226 Luis-Alberto Moreno-López, MD LAML. Centro de Salud Buenavista Av Irlanda s/n 45003 Toledo, Spain, lamoreno@sescam.jccm.es CONCLUSION:  Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) 600 mg/d in Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) for 2 months resulted in 64% of ALA patients reporting some level of improvement, with a level of maintenance of 68.75% one month after treatment.

“Comparative effect of cinnamon and Ibuprofen for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.” J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Apr;9(4):QC04-7 51227 Dr. Ali Khani, Nursing & Midwifery Faculty, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, IR-Iran. nimakhani@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Capsules containing 420 mg per day of cinnamon per day in patients with primary dysmenorrhea showed cinnamon compared with placebo significantly reduced the severity and duration of pain during menstruation, but this effect was lower compared with Ibuprofen. Cinnamon can be regarded as a safe and effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

“Avocado and soybean extracts as active principles in the treatment of mild-to-moderate vulvar lichen sclerosus: results of efficacy and tolerability.” J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Jun;29(6):1225-30. 51228  Dr. Alessandro Borghi Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy alessandro.borghi@unife.it CONCLUSION: Twenty-three patients with vulvar lichen sclerosis (VLS) received topical treatment with avocado and soybean extracts (ASE) in conjunction with dietary supplements containing ASE, vitamin E and para-aminobenzoic acid. By the end of the 24-week treatment 70.5% of symptomatic patients and 72.2% of the total patients achieved an improvement of at least 75% in subjective and objective global scores. Mean symptom and sign scores decreased significantly after treatment. The treatment was well tolerated.

“Evidence for circulatory benefits of resveratrol in humans.” Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2013 Jul;1290:52-8. 51230 Peter R.C. Howe, Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Peter.howe@newcastle.edu.au CONCLUSION: Associations between flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and cognition suggest a vascular component in the loss of cognitive function. Preclinical studies show that trans-resveratrol can enhance nitric oxide bioavailability, thereby increasing endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The acute administration of resveratrol elicits a potent dose-dependent increase of FMD  and that this benefit is sustained following regular consumption. Resveratrol may enhance cerebrovascular and cognitive functions.

“Concord grape juice, cognitive function, and driving performance: a 12-wk, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial in mothers of preteen children.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Mar;103(3):775-83 51231  Louise Dye, School of Psychology, Leeds, United Kingdom l.dye@leeds.ac.uk.  CONCLUSION: In healthy mothers (aged 40-50 y) of preteen children who were employed for ≥30 h/wk who consumed 12 ounces (355 mL) of concord grape juice (CGJ) (containing 777 mg total polyphenols) for 12 weeks there was significant improvements in immediate spatial memory and driving performance after CGJ intake relative to placebo. The benefit remained even when the subjects who had consumed the CGJ switched to the placebo. These cognitive benefits were apparent in complex everyday tasks such as driving. Effects may persist beyond the cessation of flavonoid consumption.

“Chronic consumption of flavanone-rich orange juice is associated with cognitive benefits: an 8-wk, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy older adults.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Mar;101(3):506-14. 51232 Dr. Jeremy PE Spencer, Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AP, United Kingdom. E-mail: j.p.e.spencer@reading.ac.uk  CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of 500 ml of a daily high-flavanone (305 mg) 100% orange juice compared to a low-flavanone (37 mg) orange-flavored drink in healthy older adults (mean age: 67 y) resulted in global cognitive function being significantly better after 8-wk consumption of flavanone-rich juice than compared to the low-flavanone control. No significant effects on mood or blood pressure were observed.

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February, 2016
(Kirk’s YouTube video overview of this month’s research)

“Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Italian Single-Center Study.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):23-30. 51147 Aneta Aleksova, MD, MSc, Cardiovascular Department, ‘‘Ospedali Riuniti’’ and University of Trieste, Via Valdoni 7, 34129 Trieste, Italy, +39 – 3405507762 / +39 – 040 – 3994878 (FAX) aaleksova@gmail.com aaleksova@units.it CONCLUSION: In 478 subjects diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were present in 324 (68 %) and 107 (22 %) subjects in all seasons. Vitamin D deficiency was lower in the summer when sun exposure is higher. The exposure to sunlight may be a cost-saving therapeutic strategy for the management of vitamin D deficiency.

“Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Phytomedicine, 2015 Feb 15;22(2):290-6. 51148 Bahram Pourghassem Gargarim, MD Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. +984113357580 / +984113340634 (FAX) bahrampg@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients who received silymarin 140 mg, three times daily of dried extracts of Silybum marianum and significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and significantly reduced hs-CRP levels by 26.83% malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration by 12.01% in T2DM patients.

“Evaluation of the galactogogue effect of silymarin on mothers of preterm newborns (<32 weeks).” Pediatr Med Chir. 2015 Dec 29;37(3):pmc.2015. 51149 Chiara Peila Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy | chiara.peila@libero.it CONCLUSION: 50 mothers at 10 days post-partum found silymarin and its metabolites were not detectable in the analyzed human milk samples.

“A double-blinded randomized controlled trial of silymarin for the prevention of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury.” BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 Sep 23;15:334. 51150 Dr. Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, 270 Praram 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. Abhasnee.sob@mahidol.ac.th CONCLUSION: In tuberculosis patients who were randomly asigned to receive silymarin or placebo the silymarin group had a reduced incidence of antituberculosis-drug induced liver injury (antiTB-DILI) which may be explained by silymarin’s restorative effect on superoxide dismutase.

“Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Phytomedicine. 2015 Feb 15;22(2):290-6. 51151 Bahram Pourghassem Gargari, MD, Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. bahrampg@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetes patients on stable medications who received silymarin (dried extracts of Silybum marianum) 140 mg three times daily for 45 days there was improvement in the antioxidant indices SOD, GPX and TAC and decreased hs-CRP levels in T2DM patients.

“Efficacy of lifestyle changes in subjects with non-alcoholic liver steatosis and metabolic syndrome may be improved with an antioxidant nutraceutical: a controlled clinical study.” Drugs R D. 2015 Mar;15(1):21-5. 51151 Dr. Gianpaolo Sorrentino, Clinic Center, Viale Maria Bakunin 171, 80126, Naples, Italy, lucavic@live.it   CONCLUSION: In subjects with metabolic syndrome and ultrasound confirmed liver steatosis treated for 90 days with the standard regimen of diet and exercise. The group that received the Eurosil 85(®)-based nutraceutical (silymarin + vitamin E) as a dietary adjunct showed significantly greater reduction of abdominal circumference, Body Mass Index, ultrasound measurement of right liver lobe and in both the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) indexes and may possibly improve the subjects’ motivation to sustain such lifestyle changes over time.

“Phytotherapy and NAFLD–from goals and challenges to clinical practice.” Rev Recent Clin Trials. 2014;9(3):195-203. 51152 Natasa Milosevic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. milosevic_natasa@ymail.com. CONCLUSION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem and one of the most common liver diseases in the world. Silymarin, a lipophilic extract derived from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has strong antifibrotic, antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Studies have demonstrated that silymarin versus placebo significantly reduces metabolic changes affected by NAFLD. Silymarin is also an efficient insulin sensitizer when used in NAFLD therapy. Clinical trials have confirmed silymarin to be currently the best medication for the NAFLD patients.

“Curcumin and its promise as an anticancer drug: An analysis of its anticancer and antifungal effects in cancer and associated complications from invasive fungal infections.” Eur J Pharmacol. 2016 Feb 5;772:33-42. 51152 Wei-Dong Chen The Pharmacokinetics Lab, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui, People’s Republic of China. anzhongdong@126.com CONCLUSION: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are important complications of cancer, and they are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Curcumin’s potent antifungal activity against different strains of Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Trichosporon and Paracoccidioides has been reported. Curcumin’s has dual pharmacological activities as a natural anticancer and antifungal agent.

“Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Complement Ther Med. 2015 Jun;23(3):318-24. 51153 Hamed Fanaei,   Corresponding author at: Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 1419733171, Iran +98 0541 2422888 / +98 0541 2422888 (FAX) fanaeih@yahoo.com. CONCLUSION: In premenstrual tension (PMS) sufferers who consumed two curcumin capsules daily for seven days before menstruation and for three days after menstruation for three successive cycles curcumin reduced the total PMS severity score from 102 to 42.47 after 3 cycles. Curcumin attenuates PMS symptoms probably mediated by neurotransmitters and anti-inflammatory modulation.

“Combining curcumin (C3-complex, Sabinsa) with standard care FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with inoperable colorectal cancer (CUFOX): study protocol for a randomised control trial.” Trials. 2015 Mar 24;16:110. 51154 Dr. David Berry, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, University Hospitals of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK. david.p.berry@talktalk.net. CONCLUSION: Daily oral curcumin was given with standard care FOLFOX-based (5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy in 33 colorectal cancer patients with inoperable liver metastases to determine an acceptable safe target dose of curcumin.

“An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial.” Chin J Integr Med. 2015 May;21(5):332-8. 51155 Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences ghayourm@mums.ac.ir   CONCLUSION: In obese subjects with anxiety and depression curcumin at 1 g/day for 30 days showed a significant reduction in the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) but no significant change in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scales. Curcumin has a potential anti-anxiety effect in individuals with obesity.

“Curcumin as a putative antidepressant.” Expert Rev Neurother. 2015 Mar;15(3):269-80. doi: 10.1586/14737175.2015.1008457. Epub 2015 Feb 3. 51156 Dr. Chi-Un Pae Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. pae@catholic.ac.kr  CONCLUSION: Curcumin has antidepressant activities with a variety of mechanisms of action involving neurotransmitters, transcription pathways, neurogenesis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory and immune pathways. Current randomized trials suggest a small, non-significant benefit of curcumin for major depression.

“Meriva®+Glucosamine versus Condroitin+Glucosamine in patients with knee osteoarthritis: an observational study.” Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2014;18(24):3959-63. 51157 Gianni Belcaro, MD Department of Biomedical Sciences, Irvine 3 Labs, Circulation Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University, Italy. cardres@abol.it CONCLUSION: Meriva®, a lecithin delivery form of curcumin, plus glucosamine in knee osteoarthritis subjects after 4 months had significantly higher Karnofsky Index and WOMAC scores (both in the physical and emotional domains) and higher walking distance on the treadmill test after 1 month. The need for drugs and medical attention decreased to a greater extent in the Meriva+glucosamine group. Meriva and glucosamine had a faster onset of action and improved outcomes than the administration of a chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine product in patients with OA.

“Efficacy and safety of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, during extended administration in osteoarthritis patients.” Altern Med Rev. 2010 Dec;15(4):337-44. 51157 Dr. Giovanni Appendino, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Alimentari, Farmaceutiche e Farmaco -logiche, Via Bovio, 6 – 28100 Novara, Italy, appendino@pharm.unipmn.it CONCLUSION: Meriva®, a proprietary curcumin-phosphatidylcholine phytosome complex in osteoarthritic subjects showed significant improvements of both the clinical and biochemical end points compared to the control group, and had excellent tolerability suggesting potential benefit for long-term complementary management of osteoarthritis. 

“Cranberry supplementation in the prevention of non-severe lower urinary tract infections: a pilot study.” Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015 Jan;19(1):77-80. 51158 Gianni Belcaro, MD   IRVINE3 Vascular/Circulation Labs, Deparment of Biomedical Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University, Pescara, Italy, and Samaritans, Spoltore, PE, Italy. cardres@abol.it   CONCLUSIONS: A well standardized cranberry extract (Anthocran™) at 1 pill for 60 days along with lifestyle advice showed a 73.3% reduction in UTIs in the cranberry group versus 15.4% in the control group.

“Cranberry juice capsules and urinary tract infection after surgery: results of a randomized trial.” Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug;213(2):194. 51159 Betsy Foxman, PhD Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI. bfoxman@umich.edu CONCLUSION: Among women undergoing elective benign gynecological surgery involving urinary catheterization, the use of 2 cranberry juice capsules 2 times a day, equivalent to 2 8 ounce servings of cranberry juice, for 6 weeks after surgery, reduced the rate of UTI by half.

“Cranberry capsules (2 taken twice daily for an average 38 days) reduce the risk of postoperative urinary tract infection in women undergoing benign gynaecological surgery involving intraoperative catheterisation.” Evid Based Med. 2015 Aug;20(4):137. 51160 Dr Alexis A Dieter, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3032 Old Clinic Bldg, CB#7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570, USA; doctordietermd@gmail.com  

“Treatment of chronically infected open mastoid cavities with medical honey: a randomized controlled trial.” Otol Neurotol. 2015 Jun;36(5):782-7. 51161 D. Henatsch, Maastricht University Medical Center, Secreteriaat KNO, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands. Tel: +31 43 387 75 99; Fax: +31 43 387 55 80; e-mail: darius.henatsch@mumc.nl CONCLUSION: In patients with chronically discharging open mastoid cavities who received medical honey gel treatment for 4 weeks there was a significant reduction in discomfort, otorrhea, and inflammation with a bactericidal effect.

“Biological properties and therapeutic activities of honey in wound healing: A narrative review and meta-analysis.” J Tissue Viability. 2016 Jan 23. pii: S0965-206X(15)00097-2. [Epub ahead of print] 51162 Dr. Ahmad Oryan department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran oryan@shirazu.ac.ir CONCLUSION: Honey has anti-microbial activity and is an option for wound management. Honey contains significant amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, vitamin and minerals that enhance wound healing with minimum trauma during redressing. Different types of honey have different medicinal value leading to different effects on wound healing. The mechanisms of action of honey in wound healing are primarily due to its hydrogen peroxide, high osmolality, acidity, non-peroxide factors, nitric oxide and phenols. Honey promotes autolytic debridement, stimulates growth of wound tissues and stimulates anti-inflammatory activities accelerating the wound healing processes. Compared with topical agents such as hydrofiber silver or silver sulfadiazine, honey is more effective in elimination of microbial contamination, reduction of wound area, promotion of re-epithelialization. Honey improves the outcome of the wound healing by reducing the incidence and excessive scar formation. Honey is an effective and economical approach in managing large and complicated wounds.

“Post-bariatric abdominoplasty resulting in wound infection and dehiscence-Conservative treatment with medical grade honey: A case report and review of literature.” Int J Surg Case Rep. 2016 Jan 7;20:1-3. 51163 Dr. Reem Dina Jarjis Department of Plastic Surgery & Breast Surgery, Roskilde University Hospital, Køgevej 7-11, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. Electronic address: reemdj@outlook.com CONCLUSION: A 40 year-old female suffered wound infection and dehiscence after undergoing post-bariatric abdominoplasty and her wound was treated with topical Manuka honey resulting in significant clinical improvement and effective healing concurrently with good patient satisfaction. Honey is effective, safe and in certain circumstances reduces the need of surgical wound debridement post-bariatric abdominoplasty.

“Effect of Olea ointment and Acetate Mafenide on burn wounds – A randomized clinical trial.” Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2015 Sep-Oct;20(5):599-603. 51164 Dr. Mohammad Jalili Manesh, Second Floor, Mahtab Building, Next to Meli Bank, Hajimehdi Alley, Imam, Hussein Square, Yazd, Iran. jalilimaneshdr@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: A traditional ointment (Olea) which is a combination of honey, olive oil, and sesame was found in hospitalized patients prevent infections, accelerate tissue repair, and facilitate debridement.

“A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of Honey-Impregnated Dressing for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcer.” J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2015 Oct;25(10):721-5. 51165 Muhammad Barkaat Hussain Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh Branch, 21589, Saudi Arabia. mbhussain1@kau.edu.sa. CONCLUSION: Beri-honey-impregnated dressings on diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner’s grade 1 and 2 ulcers) compared to normal saline dressings resulted in a significantly greater percentage of ulcers being healed and at a faster healing rate, showing honey is an effective dressing agent instead of conventional dressings, in treating patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

“Comparing the Antibacterial and Functional Properties of Cameroonian and Manuka Honeys for Potential Wound Healing-Have We Come Full Cycle in Dealing with Antibiotic Resistance?” Molecules. 2015 Sep 2;20(9):16068-84. 51166 Joshua Boateng Department of Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Medway, Central Ave. Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK. j.s.boateng@gre.ac.uk Abstract CONCLUSION: Cameroonian honeys have demonstrated functional properties similar to Manuka honey, with strong correlations between the antioxidant activity and total phenol content of each honey. Cameroonian honeys were as effective as Manuka honey in reducing bacteria load and exhibited non-peroxide antimicrobial activity. Cameroon honeys have therapeutic activity and contain compounds with activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Honey presents a potential affordable treatment of wound infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria, which are a leading cause of amputations and deaths in many African countries.

“The Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Action of Nanocrystalline Silver and Manuka Honey on the Molecular Alternation of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Comprehensive Literature Review.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:218283. 51167 Ka-Kit Tsang, Ginger Knowledge Transfer and Consultancy Limited, Hong Kong kktsang3@netvigator.com CONCLUSION: Honey and silver have been used since ancient times for treating wounds. Both agents have effective antibacterial actions. Their anti-inflammatory action and related impact on wound healing are unclear. There is a lack of human studies supporting the molecular science on the use of manuka honey or nanocrystalline silver. Further studies are needed to guide clinical practice.

“Topical Honey for Scalp Defects: An Alternative to Surgical Scalp Reconstruction.” Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015 Jun 5;3(5):e393. 51168  Brian W. Downs, MD Wake Forest Baptist Health Department of Otolaryngology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Medical Center Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27157 bdowns@wakehealth.edu CONCLSUION: This is a case report of medical-grade honey used as solitary treatment for a large scalp defect due to surgical excision of necrotizing fasciitis. Honey promoted granulation and epithelialization over bare bone. Honey may be a therapeutic option for scalp wounds-especially in patients who are poor surgical candidates.

“Combined therapy of Ulmo honey (Eucryphia cordifolia) and ascorbic acid to treat venous ulcers.:Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2015 Feb-Apr;23(2):259-66. 51169 Dr. Mariano del Sol Calderon Universidad de La Frontera Av. Francisco Salazar 001145 Region de La Araucania, Temuco, Chile E-mail: mariano.delsol@ufrontera.cl   CONCLUSION: In patients with venous ulcers who applied topically ulmo honey daily with a dressing applied in accordance with the technical standard for advanced dressings, combined with the daily oral consumptions of 500 mg of ascorbic acid full healing was achieved in 100% of the venous ulcers. No signs of complications were observed, such as allergies or infection. The honey demonstrated debriding and non-adherent properties, was easy to apply and remove and was well accepted by the users.

“The efficacy and safety of natural honey on the healing of foot ulcers: a case series.” Wounds. 2015 Apr;27(4):103-14. 51170 Dr. H. Mohamed Weill Cornell Medical College, Al Rayyan, Qatar fmcc2000@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Chronic foot ulcers after rinsing the site with normal saline applied natural honey covered by a glycerin-impregnated gauze to prevent the absorption of honey into the cotton gauze and away from the wound site. Patients were followed on a daily basis for an average of 4 weeks. All ulcers healed with no contractures or scars with a mean healing time of 3 weeks. There was a 75% reduction in the dressing budget of the health center and a high level of satisfaction among both health professionals and patients. Patients’ pain levels were reduced significantly after using natural honey. The use of natural honey in the management of chronic foot ulcers proved to be efficacious, cost-effective, and acceptable by both clinicians and patients.

“Using active Leptospermum honey in the debridement process: 6 challenging cases from the inner city.” Ostomy Wound Manage. 2015 Apr;61(4):63-6. 51171 Dr. C Gray Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; email: cpgray@dhs.lacounty.gov CONCLUSION: Six patients from 39 to 81 years of age applied active Leptospermum honey (ALH) covered with a foam dressing over delayed healing wounds which were changed every 3 days approximately. After 9 to 20 days the wounds were completely, or almost completely, debrided and there was a 75% concomitant average increase in the amount of granulation tissue in the wound bed. No adverse events were noted. The use of ALH in these cases were effective and no surgical debridement was needed.

“A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.” CNS Neurosci Ther. 2008 Fall;14(3):182-91. 51172 Christina M. Dording, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, 401, Boston, MA 02114, USA. (617) 724-9457; Fax: (617) 734-3028; cdording@partners.org CONCLUSION: Maca in a double-blind study comparing a low-dose (1.5 g/day) to a high-dose (3.0 g/day) 20 remitted depressed outpatients with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (SSRI-ISD) showed the 3.0 g/day of maca had a significant improvement in sexual function scores while subjects on 1.5 g/day maca did not. Libido improved significantly. Maca was well tolerated. Maca root may alleviate SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, and there may be a dose-related effect. Maca may also have a beneficial effect on libido.

“Acidosis and Formaldehyde Secretion as a Possible Pathway of Cancer Pain and Options for Improved Cancer Pain Control.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2015 Sep;29(3):276-80. 51173 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com CONCLUSION: Cancer pain may be produced by the metabolic effects of two byproducts of cancer-high acidity in the cancer microenvironment and the secretion of formaldehyde and its metabolites. The development of therapeutic approaches for preemptive, short- and long-term management of cancer pain using available drugs or nutraceutical agents that can suppress or neutralize lactic acid production in combination with formaldehyde scavengers is warranted and may not only improve cancer pain control but may also enhance the quality of life for patients.

“Palliative treatment for advanced biliary adenocarcinomas with combination dimethyl sulfoxide-sodium bicarbonate infusion and S-adenosyl-L-methionine.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2014 Sep;28(3):206-11. 51173 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com CONCLUSION: Intravenous dimethyl sulfoxide and sodium bicarbonate (DMSO-SB) infusion and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (ademetionine) oral supplementation in nine patients with advanced nonresectable biliary tract carcinomas (ABTCs) with biliary obstruction and a total serum bilirubin ≤300 μmol/L over 6-months improved pain control, blood biochemical parameters, and quality of life for the patients and 6-month progression-free survival in all the patients. The treatment was well tolerated. 

“Dimethyl sulfoxide-sodium bicarbonate infusion for palliative care and pain relief in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2011;25(4):350-5. 51174 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com   CONCLUSION: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer (MPC) for 90 days received intravenous dimethyl sulfoxide and sodium bicarbonate (DMSO-SB) infusions after undergoing the recommended therapeutic regimen showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms, blood and biochemistry tests, and quality of life with no major side effects from the treatment. DMSO-SB infusions could provide a rational alternative to conventional treatment for patients with MPC. 

“Dimethyl sulfoxide and sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of refractory cancer pain.” J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2011;25(1):19-24. 51175 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Viet Xuan Medical Center, Hanoi, Vietnam. niscba@aol.com baxuanho@usc.edu CONCLUSION: In 26 terminal cancer patients without the option of conventional treatment suffering from high levels of pain intravenous infusions of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and sodium bicarbonate (SB) lead to better quality of life for these patients and was an effective, safe, and inexpensive therapy to manage cancer pain.

“Zinc as a possible preventive and therapeutic agent in pancreatic, prostate, and breast cancer.” Eur J Cancer Prev. 2015 Aug 27. [Epub ahead of print] 51176 Dr. Ba X. Hoang Nimni-Cordoba Tissue Engineering and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo St., BMT 302, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA. baxuanho@usc.edu CONCLUSION: Zinc is involved in over 300 biological functions in the human body. The pancreas, prostate and mammary glands are secretory tissues that have unusual zinc requirements. Zinc is a possible preventive and therapeutic agent in cancer treatment.

“Efficacy and safety of remifemin on peri-menopausal symptoms induced by post-operative GnRH-a therapy for endometriosis: a randomized study versus tibolone.” Med Sci Monit. 2014 Oct 16;20:1950-7. 51177 Dr. Jie Wu, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China jiewuyale@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In women with endometriosis who took either Remifemin 20 mg bid po or Tibolone 2.5 mg qd po for 12 weeks after GnRH-a injection. Compared with Tibolone, Remifemin had a similar clinical efficacy and was safer for the peri-menopausal symptoms induced by GnRH-a in endometriosis patients.

“Alpha lipoic acid efficacy in burning mouth syndrome. A controlled clinical trial.” Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2015 Jul 1;20(4):e435-40. 51178 Dr. Luis-Alberto Moreno-López LAML. Centro de Salud Buenavista, Av Irlanda s/n, 45003 Toledo, Spain, lamoreno@sescam.jccm.es   CONCLUSION: Burining Mouth Syndrome (BMS) subjects who took 600 mg/day of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) 64% of ALA patients reported some level of improvement compared to 27.6% from the placebo group.

“Comparative effect of cinnamon and Ibuprofen for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.” J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Apr;9(4):QC04-7. 51179 Dr. Ali Khani, Nursing & Midwifery Faculty, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, IR-Iran nimakhani@gmail.com CONCLUSION: Cinnamon 420 mg for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea compared to placebo significantly reduced the severity and duration of pain during menstruation, but this effect was less when compared to Ibuprofen. Cinnamon can be regarded as a safe and effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

“Comparison between effects of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS.” Gynecol Endocrinol. 2014 Mar;30(3):205-8. 51180 Antonio Simone Laganà, MD Department of Pediatric Gynecological, Microbiological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy, antlagana@unime.it CONCLUSION: PCOS subjects were treated with 4 grams of myo-inositol/day plus 400 mcg of folic acid/day orally or  1 gram of D-chiro-inositol/day plus 400 mcg of folic acid/day orally for six months. Both isoforms of inositol were effective in improving ovarian function and metabolism in patients with PCOS, although myo-inositol showed the greater effect on the metabolic profile, whereas D-chiro-inositol reduced hyperandrogenism better.

“Therapeutic effect of high-dose green tea extract on weight reduction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Clin Nutr. 2015 May 29. 51181 Dr. Chung-Hua Hsu, Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Li-Nong St, Sec 2, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan +886 2 2826 7050 / +886 2 28201461 (FAX) owlherbs@yahoo.com.tw CONCLUSION: Green tea extract (epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG) at 856.8 mg daily in women with central obesity with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 and a waist circumference (WC) ≥ 80 cm for12 weeks resulted in significant weight loss and decreases in BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol and LDL plasma levels. There was good tolerance without any side effects. Significantly lower ghrelin levels and elevated adiponectin levels were observed in the green tea extract group.

“Avocado and soybean extracts as active principles in the treatment of mild-to-moderate vulvar lichen sclerosus: results of efficacy and tolerability.” J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015 Jun;29(6):1225-30. 51182 A. Borghi. Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Dermatologia e Malattie Infettive, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. alessandro.borghi@unife.it CONCLUSION: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) treated with avocado and soybean extracts (ASE) twice daily for 24 weeks, in association with a dietary supplement containing ASE, vitamin E and para-aminobenzoic acid for the first 12 weeks showed by the end of the 24-week improvement in symptoms and signs of VLS in 70% or more of the subjects.

“Effect of Intravaginal Prasterone on Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women with Vulvovaginal Atrophy.” J Sex Med. 2015 Dec;12(12):2401-12. 51183 Fernand Labrie, MD, PhD EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada. Tel: 1-418-653-0055; Fax: 1-418-653-3635 fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com  CONCLUSION: In women with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) who received 0.50% (6.5 mg) DHEA intravaginally daily for 12 weeks, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, showed increased sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and reduction in pain with sexual activity in the absence of biologically significant changes of serum steroids levels.

“Effect of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the female sexual function in postmenopausal women: ERC-230 open-label study.” Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2015 Dec 18. pii: 51184 Fernand Labrie, EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with at least one mild to severe symptom of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), and who completed the FSFI questionnaire at baseline, who received daily intravaginal 0.50% (6.5 mg) DHEA over 52-weeks showed the FSFI domains desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain (decreased) were increased and serum levels of DHEA and all its metabolites, including estradiol and testosterone, showed no meaningful change. The present data suggest a stimulatory effect of intravaginal DHEA through a strictly local action, and shows that androgens made locally from DHEA in the vagina induce an increase in local nerve density. 

“Efficacy of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on moderate to severe dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy, and of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.” Menopause. 2016 Mar;23(3):243-56. 51185 Fernand Labrie, EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com CONCLUSION: Daily intravaginal 0.50% DHEA (6.5 mg) (Prasterone, EndoCeutics) after 12 weeks the percentage of parabasal cells decreased by 27.7%; the percentage of superficial cells increased by 8.44%; vaginal pH decreased by 0.66 pH unit; and pain with sexual activity decreased by 1.42 severity score unit from baseline. In moderate to severe vaginal dryness 84.0% of women improved at 12 weeks. At gynecological evaluation, vaginal secretions, epithelial integrity, epithelial surface thickness, and color all improved by 86% to 121%. Serum steroid levels remained well within the normal postmenopausal values. The only side effect was vaginal discharge due to melting of the vehicle at body temperature and this was reported in about 6% of the participants. 

“Influence of treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy with intravaginal prasterone on the male partner.” Climacteric. 2015 Dec;18(6):817-25. 51186 Fernand Labrie,ndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, fernand.labrie@endoceutics.com CONCLUSION: In women treated for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) with intravaginal 0.50% DHEA (prasterone) daily for 12 weeks their male partners had a very positive evaluation of the treatment received with the intravaginal DHEA. No adverse event has been reported.

“Treatment of pain at sexual activity (dyspareunia) with intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (prasterone).” Menopause 2015 Sep;22(9):950-63. 51187 Fernand Labrie,ndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City (Quebec) G1V 4M7, Canada, (418) 653-0055 / (418) 653-3635, CONCLUSION: Daily intravaginal prasterone (6.5 mg) administration for 12 weeks in vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) subjects showed the percentage of parabasal cells decreased by 45.8%; percentage of superficial cells increased by 4.7%; vaginal pH decreased by 0.83 pH units; the severity of dyspareunia decreased by 46%; moderate to severe vaginal dryness decreased by 0.43 severity score units; on gynecologic evaluation, a 14.4% to 21.1% improvement in vaginal secretions, epithelial integrity, epithelial surface thickness, and color. Serum steroids remained well within reference postmenopausal concentrations. All endometrial biopsies at 12 weeks showed atrophy.

“Myo-inositol Supplementation for Prevention of Gestational Diabetes in Obese Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug;126(2):310-5. 51188 D’Anna, Rosario MD, Prof. Rosario D’Anna, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Universitario ‘G.Martino’, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy rosariodanna@tin.it CONCLUSION: Myo-inositol at 2 grams plus 200 micrograms folic acid twice a day given to pregnant obese women in the first trimester(12-13 weeks of gestation) showed a 33.6% reduction in gestational diabetes, and women treated with myo-inositol showed a significantly greater reduction in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance compared with the control group.

“Myo-Inositol Supplementation to Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.” Curr Diab Rep. 2016 Mar;16(3):30. 51189 Claudio Celentano Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti, Chieti, Italy ccelen@tin.it CONCLUSION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by increased insulin resistance, and by increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes affecting both the mother and the fetus. Recent trials of inositol have been proposed as a food supplement that might reduce gestational diabetes incidence in high-risk pregnant women.

“Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes onset in overweight women: a randomized, controlled trial.” J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2015 Dec 23:1-4. [Epub ahead of print] 51190 Dr. Angelo Santamaria, Department of Pediatric, Gynecological, Microbiological, and Biomedical Sciences, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy angelosantamaria83@alice.it  CONCLUSION: Myo-inositol at 2 g plus 200 μg folic acid twice a day given during the first trimester to delivery in pregnant overweight non-obese women (pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m² resulted in a 67% risk reduction of developing GDM.

“Inositol in preterm infants at risk for or having respiratory distress syndrome.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Feb 4;2:CD000366. 51191 Alexandra Howlett, Section of Neonatology, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada. alixe.howlett@albertahealthservices.ca CONCLUSION: Inositol promotes maturation of several components of surfactant and may play a critical role in fetal and early neonatal life. The review assessed the effectiveness and safety of supplementary inositol in preterm infants with or without respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and found a statistically significant and clinically important reductions in important short-term adverse neonatal outcomes. 

“Combination inositol and glucomannan in PCOS patients.” Minerva Ginecol. 2014 Dec;66(6):527-33. 51192 Dr. Vincenzo Deleo, Centro di Sterilità di Coppia, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Siena, Siena, Italia – vincenzo.deleo@unisi.it CONCLUSION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of reproductive age and is characterized by insulin resistance. Women with PCOS received either inositol and glucomannan; inositol alone; glucomannan alone for 3 months. There was a significant reduction in blood glucose and insulin levels with the combination of inositol-glucomannan.

“Ovulation induction with myo-inositol alone and in combination with clomiphene citrate in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients with insulin resistance.” Gynecol Endocrinol. 2015 Feb;31(2):131-5. 51193 Dr. Antoaneta Trifonova Gateva Clinic of Endocrinology, University Hospital Alexandrovska, Medical University – Sofia, 1 Georgi Sofiiski blv., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria. tony_gateva@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: In polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients with insulin resistance who received myo-inositol during three spontaneous cycles, if patients remained annovulatory and/or no pregnancy was achieved, a combination of myo-inositol and clomiphene citrate was given for the next three cycles. After myo-inositol treatment, ovulation was present in 61.7% and 37% of those became pregnant. In those who received myo-inositol alone and were resistant after additional clomiphene treatment 72.2% ovulated, and of those 42.6% became pregnant. There was a reduction of body mass index and HOMA index also observed. Myo-inositol treatment reduces insulin resistance and body weight, and improves ovarian activity in PCOS patients.

“The role of inositol deficiency in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome disorders.” Ginekol Pol. 2014 Jan;85(1):54-7. 51194 Dr. A.J. Jakimiuk Zakład Zdrowia Prokreacyjnego IMiDz, Chorób Kobiecych i Ginekologii Onkologicznej CSK MSW w Warszawie, Polska. jakimiuk@yahoo.com CONCLUSION: Inositol acts as a second messenger in the insulin signaling pathway. Inositol deficiency occurs in insulin-resistant women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Supplementation of myo-inisitol decreases insulin resistance as it works as an insulin sensitizing agent. The positive role of myo-inositol in the treatment of PCOS has been shown recently.

“Relationship Between Myo-Inositol Supplementary and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis.” Medicine (Baltimore), 2015 Oct;94(42):e1604. 51195 Dr. Yulong Zhang, Daoshan road 18, Gulou District, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fujian Maternity and Children Health Hospital, Fujian Medical University Teaching Hospital, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian, China Yulongzhang609@163.com CONCLUSION: In 5 trials involving 513 participants there was a significant reduction in aspects of gestational diabetes incidence, birth weight, fasting glucose oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 1-h glucose OGTT, 2-h glucose OGTT, and related complications indicating myo-inositol supplementation reduces the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

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January, 2016

“Topical lipophilic epigallocatechin-3-gallate on herpes labialis: a phase II clinical trial of AverTeaX formula,” Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2015;120:717-724. 51119 Stephen Hsu, PhD Department of Oral Biology, Department of Oral Health & Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA. SHSU@gru.edu CONCLUSION: AverTeaX formulation (topical lipophilic epigallocatechin-3-gallate) applied six to eight times daily containing lipophilic catechins effectively inhibited herpes simplex labialis infection resulting in a significant reduction in clinical duration (median 4.5 days vs. 9 days) and shortened blistering and ulceration stages within an episode (median of 3 days to 1 day). Quality-of-life scores were better in the treated group for duration of itching and duration until symptom free. Adverse effects were not reported.

“High-dose intravenous vitamin C combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer: a phase I-II clinical trial.” PLoS One. 2015 Apr 7;10(4):e0120228. 51120 Dr. L. John Hoffer, Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada l.hoffer@mcgill.ca  CONCLUSION: A phase I-II safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and efficacy trial of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) combined with chemotherapy in 14 advanced cancer patients administering vitamin C at 1.5 g/kg body weight when the body mass index (BMI) was 30 kg/m² or less, and normalized to the body weight corresponding to BMI 24 kg/m² for patients with a BMI > 30. Vitamin C was infused at a constant rate over a period of 90 minutes for doses up to 90 g, and over a period 120 minutes for doses > 90 g. IVC was infused three times (at least one day apart) on week days during weeks when chemotherapy was administered (but not on the same day as intravenous chemotherapy) and any two days at least one day apart during weeks when no chemotherapy was given. IVC was safe and generally well tolerated, although some patients experienced transient adverse events during or after IVC infusions. Tissue uptake of vitamin C increases after chemotherapy, with no increase in urinary oxalic acid excretion. Three patients with different types of cancer experienced unexpected transient stable disease, increased energy and functional improvement.

“Intravenous Vitamin C and Cancer: A Systematic Review.” Integr Cancer Ther. 2014 May 26;13(4):280-300. [Epub ahead of print] 51121 Dr. Dugald Seely, Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, 29 Bayswater Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 2E5. dseely@oicc.ca CONCLUSION: Intravenous vitamin C (IVC) for use in cancer patients showed IVC dose ranges from 1 g to more than 200 g of ascorbic acid per infusion, 2 to 3 times weekly. IVC does not appear to increase toxicity or interfere with antitumor effects of gemcitabine/erlotinib therapy or paclitaxel and carboplatin. IVC may improve time to relapse and possibly enhance reductions in tumor mass and improve survival in combination with chemotherapy. IVC may improve quality of life, physical function, and toxicities associated with chemotherapy, including fatigue, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and depression. Cases studies showed instances of tumor regression and long-term disease-free survival associated with use of IVC. Well-designed, controlled studies of IVC therapy are needed.

“Tea and flavonoid intake predict osteoporotic fracture risk in elderly Australian women: a prospective study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Oct;102(4):958-65. 51122 Dr. Jonathan Hodgson, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; jonathan.hodgson@uwa.edu.au CONCLUSION: Higher intake of black tea (≥3 cups/d) and particular classes of flavonoids were associated with lower risk of fracture-related hospitalizations in elderly women at high risk of fracture.

“Effect of oral olive oil on healing of 10-20% total body surface area burn wounds in hospitalized patients.” Burns. 2015 May;41(3):493-6. 51123 Dr. Zahra Vahdat Shariatpanahi Baran, West Arghavan, Farahzadi Blvd., Shahrak Qods, PO Box 19395-4741, Tehran 1981619573, Iran. +98 21 22357483 4 / +98 21 22376467 (FAX) nutritiondata@yahoo.com   CONCLUSION: In 100 hospitalized patients (mean age; 33 years) with burns covering10-20% total body surface area (TBSA) oral olive oil intake showed a significant difference in the duration of wound healing (7.2 vs. 8.7 days) and duration of hospitalization (7.4 vs. 8.9) versus the sunflower oil group. Olive oil orally in the diet of patients with burns may accelerate wound healing and decrease the duration of hospitalization.

“Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, genetic susceptibility, and progression to advanced macular degeneration: a prospective cohort study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1196-206. 51124 Johanna M Seddon Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Genetics Service, New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; jseddon@tuftsmedicalcenter.org CONCLUSION: In the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) over 13 year period a high alternate MeDi score (score of 6-9) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of progression to advanced AMD. The aMeDi score was significantly associated with a lower risk of advanced AMD in subjects carrying the CFH Y402H nonrisk (T) allele but was not associated with AMD among subjects who were homozygous for the risk (C) allele.

“Probiotics prophylaxis in infants with primary vesicoureteral reflux.” Pediatr Nephrol. 2015 Apr;30(4):609-13. 51125. Tej K. Mattoo, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201, USA Tel: +1 313 745 5604; fax: +1 313 966 0039; tmattoo@med.wayne.edu CONCLUSION: In 128 infants with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) who received the probiotic (n = 64, Lactobacillus acidophilus, 1.0 × 10(8) CFU/g) or antibiotic (n = 64, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 2/10 mg/kg) showed the incidence of recurrent UTI in the probiotic group was slightly lower than in the antibiotic group. The incidences of antibiotic resistance of causative organisms in recurrent UTI were significantly lower in the probiotic group than in the antibiotic group. Probiotics could be considered a natural alternative regimen for prophylaxis in infants with primary VUR.

“Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping on Neurodevelopment at 4 Years of Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Pediatr. 2015 Jul;169(7):631-8. 51126 Ola Andersson, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital of Halland, Halmstad Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. ola.k.andersson@regionhalland.se CONCLUSION: Prevention of iron deficiency in infancy may promote neurodevelopment. Delayed cord clamping (CC; ≥180 seconds after delivery) compared with early CC (≤10 seconds after delivery) improved scores in the fine-motor and social domains at 4 years of age, especially in boys, indicating that optimizing the time to CC may affect neurodevelopment in a low-risk population of children born in a high-income country.

“Folinic acid treatment for schizophrenia associated with folate receptor autoantibodies.” Mol Genet Metab. 2014 Dec;113(4):307-14. 51127 Dr. V.T. Ramaekers Division of Paediatric Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Liège, Rue de Gaillarmont 600, B-4032 Chênée (Liège), Belgium. vramaekers@skynet.be CONCLUSION: 83% of schizophrenic patients unresponsive to conventional treatment were positive for folic acid receptor (FR) auto-antibodies. Administration of folinic acid (0.3-1mg/kg/day) to 7 participating patients during at least six months resulted in clinical improvement.

“Effects of honey on oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: A meta-analysis.” Laryngoscope. 2015 Sep;125(9):2085-92. 51128 Se Hwan Hwang, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, 327 Sosa-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 420–717, Korea yellobird@catholic.ac.kr CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis including 9 studies with 476 patients with head and neck cancer found oral administration of honey after radiotherapy could prevent moderate to severe mucositis and associated weight loss.

“Carbohydrate quality and quantity and risk of type 2 diabetes in US women.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec;102(6):1543-53. 51129 Frank Hu, MD, Departments of Nutrition, Epidemiology, and Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and Frank.hu@channing.harvard.edu CONCLUSION: Higher carbohydrate intake was not associated with T2D, whereas starch was associated with a higher risk. The total fiber, cereal fiber, and fruit fiber were associated with a lower T2D risk. The ratio of carbohydrate to total fiber intake was marginally associated with a higher risk of T2D. There was a positive association between the ratios of carbohydrate to cereal fiber, starch to total fiber, and starch to cereal fiber and T2D. Diets with high starch, low fiber, and a high starch-to-cereal fiber ratio were associated with a higher risk of T2D.

“Dietary substitutions for refined carbohydrate that show promise for reducing risk of type 2 diabetes in men and women.” J Nutr. 2015 Jan;145(1):159S-163S. 51130 Dr. Kevin C. Maki Midwest Center for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Research, Glen Ellyn, IL kmaki@mc-mcr.com. CONCLUSION: Diets rich in refined dietary carbohydrate [particularly those with a high glycemic index (GI)] may elevate T2D risk. Diets rich in low-GI carbohydrates, cereal fiber, resistant starch, fat from vegetable sources (unsaturated fat), and lean sources of protein should be emphasized, whereas refined sugars and grains (high-GI carbohydrates) are to be avoided in order to lower risk of T2D and its related risk factors and comorbidities.

“Garlic-Derived Organic Polysulfides and Myocardial Protection.” J Nutr. 2016 Jan 13. pii: jn208066. [Epub ahead of print] 51131 David J Lefer Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA dlefe1@lsuhsc.edu. CONCLUSION: Preclinical and clinical evidence has shown that garlic reduces risks associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) by lowering cholesterol, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and lowering blood pressure. The active metabolite in garlic, allicin, is readily degraded into organic diallyl polysulfides that are potent H2S donors in the presence of thiols. Enhancement of endogenous H2S has an impact on vascular reactivity. In CVD models administration of H2S prevents myocardial injury and dysfunction. The beneficial effects of garlic may be mediated by H2S-dependent mechanisms.

“Dietary fat intake and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in a population at high risk of cardiovascular disease.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec;102(6):1563-73 51132 Dr. Jordi Salas-Salvadó Human Nutrition Unit, University Hospital of Sant Joan de Reus, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, IISPV, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain jordi.salas@urv.cat CONCLUSION: In 7038 participants at high CVD risk from the PREDIMED after 6 years of follow-up intakes of MUFAs and PUFAs were associated with a lower risk of CVD and death, whereas saturated and trans-fat intakes were associated with a higher risk of CVD. The replacement of SFAs with MUFAs and PUFAs, or of trans fat with MUFAs, was inversely associated with CVD.

“Isocaloric substitution of carbohydrates with protein: the association with weight change and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.” Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2015 Apr 18;14:39. 51132 Dr. Marjo JE Campmans-Kuijpers, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, STR 6.131, Utrecht, 3508, GA, The Netherlands M.J.E.Campmans-Kuijpers@umcutrecht.nl CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients substitution of 10 gram dietary carbohydrate with total and animal protein was associated with mean 5-year weight gain. Substitution with plant protein was not associated with weight change. Substitution with plant protein was associated with lower all-cause mortality risk, whereas substitution with total or animal protein was not associated with (CVD) mortality risk. In diabetes patients, substitution with plant protein was beneficial with respect to weight change and all-cause mortality as opposed to substitution with animal protein.

“Effects of tree nuts on blood lipids, apolipoproteins, and blood pressure: systematic review, meta-analysis, and dose-response of 61 controlled intervention trials.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec;102(6):1347-56. 51133 Dr. Liana C Del Gobbo Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA delgobbo@stanford.edu CONCLUSION: In 61 trials tree nut intake (per serving/d) lowered total cholesterol (-4.7 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (-4.8 mg/dL), ApoB (-3.7 mg/dL), and triglycerides (-2.2 mg/dL). The major determinant of cholesterol lowering appears to be nut dose rather than nut type.

“Effects on weight loss in adults of replacing diet beverages with water during a hypoenergetic diet: a randomized, 24-wk clinical trial.” Am J Clin Nut. 2015 Dec;102(6):1305-12. 51134 Dr. Hamid Farshchi, School of Life Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; NovinDiet Clinic, Tehran, Iran; and hamid.farshchi@nottingham.ac.uk CONCLUSION: In obese subjects replacing diet beverages with water the water group had a greater decrease in weight, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and 2-h postprandial glucose.

“Effects on childhood body habitus of feeding large volumes of cow or formula milk compared,” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1096-103. 51135 Dr. Pauline M Emmett Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom p.m.emmett@bristol.ac.uk CONCLUSION: In 1112 children feeding of high volumes of cow milk in late infancy was associated with faster weight and height gain than is breast fed infants. The feeding of bottle-fed infants with high volumes of cow milk in late infancy may have a persisting effect on body build through childhood.

“Association of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use with Recurrent Falls and Risk of Fractures in Older Women: A Study of Medication Use in Older Fallers.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2016;20(1):77-81. 51136 Dr. Tischa J. M. van der Cammen Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands t.vandercammen@erasmusmc.nl CONCLUSION: In 400 female patients aged 70 years or older who were consecutively admitted after a fall and required hospital admission the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was significantly associated with risk of recurrent falls (OR 1.92) as well as with risk of a fracture (OR 2.15). Clinicians should reassess the original indication and the need for continuation of PPIs on a regular basis.

“The effect of dose and type of proton pump inhibitor use on risk of fractures and osteoporosis treatment in older Australian women: A prospective cohort study.” Bone. 2015 Dec;81:675-82. 51137 Dr. Geeske Peeters The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia g.peeters@uq.edu.au CONCLUSION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed medications worldwide. There is growing concern regarding potential negative effects on bone health. In 4432 elderly Australian women PPIs, especially for esomeprazole and rabeprazole, increased the incidence of osteoporosis and fracture.

“Soybeans or Soybean Products Consumption and Depressive Symptoms in Older Residents in Rural Northeast China: A Cross-Sectional Study.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 Nov;19(9):884-93. 51138 Pro Yingxian Sun, Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang,China. 110001 86-24-83282688 / 86-24-83282346 (FAX) sunyingxian12@aliyun.com CONCLUSION: In 1717 residents aged ≥ 65 years from the rural Northeast China women had a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than men and those who rarely consume soybeans or soybean products were more likely to suffer depressive symptoms.

“C-Reactive Protein and Resistance Exercise in Community Dwelling Old Adults.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 Aug;19(7):792-6. 51139 Alfons Ramel, Unit for Nutrition Research, Eiriksgata 29, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland +354 543 8410 / +354 543 4824 (FAX) alfonsra@hi.is CONCLUSION: A twelve-week resistance exercise program (3 times/week; 3 sets, 6-8 repetitions at 75-80% of the 1-repetition maximum) designed to increase strength and muscle mass of major muscle groups showed a significant decrease in CRP with subjects with abnormally high CRP at baseline, possibly reducing thus risk for future disease.

“In Vivo Antioxidant Properties of Lotus Root and Cucumber: A Pilot Comparative Study in Aged Subjects.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 Aug;19(7):765-70. 51140 Dr. Changjiang Guo, Department of Nutrition, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, Tianjin, 300050, P. R. China, Tel.: +86 22 84655429; fax: + 86 22 84655020, guocjtj@126.com   CONCLUSION: 30-day supplementation of lotus root or cucumber powder in an elderly population showed that lotus root and cucumber are not remarkably different in improving antioxidant function in human subjects and the benefits seen in this study may come from the additive or synergistic combinations of antioxidants contained in vegetables.

“Bilberry extract supplementation for preventing eye fatigue in video display terminal workers.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2015 May;19(5):548-54. 51141 Kazuo Tsubota M.D., Ph.D. Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine; 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. +81-3-3353-1211 / +81-3-3359-8302 (FAX) tsubota@z3.keio.jp CONCLUSION: In 281 office workers bilberry (BE) 480 mg/day or a placebo daily for 8 weeks improved some of the objective and subjective parameters of eye fatigue induced by VDT loads.

“Oral Zinc Supplementation Restores Superoxide Radical Scavengers to Normal Levels in Spermatozoa of Iraqi Asthenospermic Patients.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015 Dec;85(3-4):165-73. 51142 Mahmoud Hussein Hadwan, Ph.D. Chemistry Dept. College of Science University of Babylon, P.O. 4., Babylon Iraq mahmoudhadwan@gmail.com CONCLUSION:The subfertile men treated with zinc sulfate, 2 capsules (220 mg each) of zinc sulfate per day for 3 months restored oxido-sensitive index and catalase-like activity in semen of asthenozoospermic subjects to normal ranges.

“The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Pro-Inflammatory Factors and Adiponectin in Mildly Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015 Dec;85(3-4):156-64. 51143 Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Ph.D. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Yazd Diabetic Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Bahonar Square, Central Building, Yazd, IranTel.: +98(351)7249333, +98(351)7258413 (FAX), mozaffari.kh@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in mildly hypertensive patients coenzyme Q10 100 mg per day was shown to be effective in decreasing pro-inflammatory factors, such as IL6 and hs-CRP, and in increasing adiponectin.

“Supplementation with Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) for Migraine Prophylaxis in Adults and Children: A Review,” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):79-87. 51144 Javad Heshmati, Health Care Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, Tel.: 00988384236200, javad.heshmati@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In 7 studies with adults and 4 with children supplementation with vitamin B2 in adults can play a positive role in reducing the frequency and duration of migraine attacks with no serious side effects. There is insufficient evidence to make recommendations regarding vitamin B2 as an adjunct therapy in adults and children with migraine.

“Health Risks Associated with Meat Consumption: A Review of Epidemiological Studies,” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):70-8. 51145 Ulrich Keller, Prof. Dr. med., Federal Commission for Nutrition, Stauffacherstrasse 101, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland, Tel.: +41 58 467 21 97, ulrich.keller@unibas.ch CONCLUSION: Long-term consumption of increasing amounts of red meat, particularly of processed meat, is associated with an increased risk of total mortality, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes, in both men and women. Restrictive recommendations should not be applied to subjects above 70 years of age, as the studies did not examine this age group, and the inclusion of sufficient protein supply (e. g. in the form of meat) is particularly important in the elderly.

“Positive Association of Vitamin E Supplementation with Hemoglobin Levels in Mildly Anemic Healthy Pakistani Adults.” Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(1-2):39-49. 51146 Dr. Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal, Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box-3500, Karachi-74800, Pakistan, 92 21 3486 4463 / 92 21 3493 2095 (FAX), E-mail perwaiz.iqbal@aku.edu CONCLUSION: In a single-blinded and placebo-controlled randomized trial mildly anemic subjects were given vitamin E (400 mg) everyday for a three month period and showed a positive association between vitamin E supplementation and enhanced hemoglobin levels in mildly anemic adults.

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December, 2015

“Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of reduced coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson’s disease.” Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2015 Aug;21(8):911-6. 51085 Nobutaka Hattori, MD Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address: nhattori@juntendo.ac.jp CONCLUSION: 300 mg of ubiquinol-10 improved the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores. Ubiquinol-10 may significantly improve PD and ubiquinol-10 is safe and well tolerated.

“Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of reduced coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson’s disease.” Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2015 Aug;21(8):911-6. 51085 Nobutaka Hattori, MD Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address: nhattori@juntendo.ac.jp CONCLUSION: 300 mg of ubiquinol-10 improved the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores. Ubiquinol-10 may significantly improve PD and ubiquinol-10 is safe and well tolerated.

“Curcumin in Combination With Mesalamine Induces Remission in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Controlled Trial.” Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Aug;13(8):1444-9. 51086 Dr. Nir Salomon, Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5265601, Israel. fax: 972-3-7447168. nironsl@gmail.com CONCLUSIONS: The addition of 3 grams per day of curcumin to mesalamine therapy was superior to mesalamine plus a placebo in reducing clinical symptoms and inducing endoscopic remission in patients with mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis, with no apparent adverse effects.

“The study about physical activity for subjects with prevention of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).” Int Neurourol J. 2014 Sep;18(3):155-62. 51087 Shin Ah Kim. Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Korea. TEL: +82-2-2220-0660 / Fax: +82-2-2293-0660 / gdindus@hanmail.net SUMMARY: In 582 subjects aged ≥40 years lower levels of sedentary time (4.5-7.0 hr/day) had a significantly lower risk of BPH, with an odds ratio of 0.93, than those with a higher sedentary time (>7 hr/day) who had an odds ratio of 1.72 for BPH. This study shows that reducing sedentary time can have a protective effect and reduce the prevalence of BPH.

“Physical activity and benign prostatic hyperplasia-related outcomes and nocturia.” Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Mar;47(3):581-92. 51088 Kathleen Y. Wolin, Sc.D., Departments of Public Health Sciences and Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S 1st Avenue; Maywood, IL 60153 kate@drkatewolin.com CONCLUSION: ­In more than 30,000 males BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) related symptoms physical activity (PA) was strongly and inversely associated with nocturia (night time urination). Men who were active ≥1 hour per week were 13% less likely to report nocturia and 34% less likely to report severe nocturia as compared with men who reported no PA.

“Effects of Green Tea on Streptococcus mutans Counts- A Randomised Control Trail.” J Clin Diagn Res. 2014 Nov;8(11):ZC128-30. 51090 Dr. Rosy Sirisha Neturi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Drs S&N Siddhartha Institute of Dental Sciences, Chinaoutpally, Gannavaram – 521101, Andhra Pradesh, India. Phone : 09989854547, drsirishaneturi@gmail.com CONCLUSION: In 30 subjects aged 20 to 25 years 10 ml (2 teaspoons) of a green tea solution rinsed for one minute was equally as effective to chlorhexidine in reducing plaque causing Streptococcus mutans.

“Therapeutic effect of high-dose green tea extract on weight reduction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Clin Nutr. 2015 May 29. pii: S0261-5614(15)00134-X. 51091 Dr. Chung-Hua Hsu, Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Li-Nong St, Sec 2, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan. +886 2 2826 7050 / +886 2 28201461 (FAX) owlherbs@yahoo.com.tw CONCLUSION: High-dose green tea extract (epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG) at 856.8 mg/d in 102 women who were centrally obese with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 and a waist circumference (WC) ≥ 80 cm showed after 12 weeks a significant weight loss from 76.8 to 75.7 kg and a decrease in BMI and waist circumference. There was a trend for total cholesterol reduction, reaching 5.33%, and decreased LDL plasma levels. There was good tolerance. Significantly lower ghrelin levels and elevated adiponectin levels were detected in the green tea extract group compared to placebo group.

“Effects of Brazil nut consumption on selenium status and cognitive performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot trial.” Eur J Nutr. 2015 Jan 8. [Epub ahead of print] 51092 Dr. Bárbara Rita Cardoso Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, Bloco 14, Butantã, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil, baritacardoso@gmail.com. CONCLUSION: Brazil nuts at 288.75 µg/day (~1 oz ~ 1 palm full)given to older individuals for 6 months with mild cognitive impairment (77.7 years, 70% female) restored selenium sufficiency, improved erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and had positive effects on some cognitive functions of older adults with MCI.

“N-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive therapy to risperidone for treatment of irritability in autism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety.” Clin Neuropharmacol, 2015 Jan-Feb;38(1):11-7. 51093 Dr. Shahin Akhondzadeh, Psychiatric Research Centre, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, South Kargar Street, Tehran 13337, Iran Fax: +98 21 55419113 s.akhond@neda.net CONCLUSION: Autistic disorder (AD) children between 4 and 12 years of age who received risperidone (1-2 mg/d) plus NAC 600-900 mg/d resulted in a decrease in the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C) Irritability subscale score from baseline at 5 and 10 weeks. N-acetylcysteine can be considered as an adjuvant therapy in AD with beneficial therapeutic outcomes.

“Acetylcysteine for treatment of autism spectrum disorder symptoms.” Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2015 Nov 15;72(22):1956-9. 51093   CONCLUSION: A 17-year-old Hispanic male with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability was hospitalized for inpatient psychiatric treatment due to impulsive and violent behavior. Treatment with a 20% acetylcysteine oral solution at 600 mg twice daily as an adjunct to quetiapine therapy resulted in significantly lowering the dose of quetiapine over the course of the hospitalization. Acetylcysteine was well tolerated. Treatment with acetylcysteine improved ASD symptoms, including irritability and aggression, in a teenage patient.

“N-acetylcysteine as treatment for self-injurious behavior in a child with autism.” J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2014 May;24(4):231-4. 51094 Jeremy Veenstra–VanderWeele, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Pharmacology, Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt Brain Institute,7158 Medical Research Building III, 465 21st Ave. S..,Nashville, TN 37232, j.vvw@vanderbilt.edu CONCLUSION: A four year old boy with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) treated with N-acetylcysteine for self-injurious behavior showed reduction of this behavior.

“N-acetylcysteine for neuropsychiatric symptoms in a woman with Williams syndrome.” J Child Neurol. 2014 Nov;29(11):NP135-8. 51095 Christopher J. McDougle, MD, Lurie Center for Autism, One Maguire Road, Lexington, MA 02421, USA. cmcdougle@partners.org CONCLUSION: This was successful treatment of interfering anger, aggression, and hair-pulling with N-acetylcysteine in a 19-year-old woman with Williams Syndrome which emerged one week after an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, for which fentanyl, midazolam, and propofol were used as anesthetics.

“Targeted alterations in dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids improve life functioning and reduce psychological distress among patients with chronic headache: a secondary analysis of a randomized trial.” Pain. 2015 Apr;156(4):587-96. 51096 Dr. Chris Ramsden, Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA. chris.ramsden@nih.gov CONCLUSION: In subjects with severe headaches targeted dietary manipulation-increasing omega-3 fatty acids (OM3) with concurrent reduction in omega-6 linoleic acid (OM6) produced major reductions in headaches compared with an omega-6 lowering intervention at 12 weeks as well as reductions in psychological distress, improved health-related quality of life and function.

“High doses of biotin in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.” Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2015 Mar;4(2):159-69. 51097 Ayman Tourbah, MD Department of Neurology, CHU de Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092 Reims Cedex. Tel.: +33 3 26 78 70 75 / +33 3 26 83 26 68 (FAX) atourbah@chu-reims.fr. CONCLUSION: Biotin is a coenzyme for key steps of energy metabolism, fatty acids synthesis, may activate a rate-limiting enzyme in myelin synthesis. MS patients taking biotin (100-300mg/day) for 2 to 36 months resulted in 89% of the subjects with prominent spinal cord involvement noting improvment. Most of the case’s improvement occurred from 2 to 8 months after the treatment׳s onset.

“B vitamins to enhance treatment response to antidepressants in middle-aged and older adults: results from the B-VITAGE randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Br J Psychiatry. 2014 Dec;205(6):450-7. 51098 Osvaldo P. Almeida, School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences (M573), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. osvaldo.almeida@uwa.edu.au CONCLUSION: Citalopram (20-40 g) together with 0.5 mg vitamin B12, 2 mg folic acid and 25 mg vitamin B6 in adults aged 50 years or over with major depression showed remission of symptoms being achieved by 78.1 and 79.4% of participants treated with placebo and vitamins by week 12; by 76.5 and 85.3% at week 26; and 75.8 and 85.5% at week 52. The risk of relapse among those who had achieved remission of symptoms at week 12 was lower in the vitamins than placebo group. B vitamins did not increase the 12-week efficacy of antidepressant treatment, but enhanced and sustained antidepressant response over 1 year.

“Oral N-acetylcysteine reduces plasma homocysteine concentrations regardless of lipid or smoking status.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Nov;102(5):1014-24. 51099 Dr. Rodland Sauer, Immunochemistry and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany roland.sauer@uk-erlangen.de. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of 1800 mg of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment significantly decreased plasma tHcy concentrations, irrespective of lipid or smoking status, and lowered systolic blood pressure in both normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic men, with significant diastolic blood pressure reductions in the hyperlipidemic group only.

“Add-on prolonged-release melatonin for cognitive function and sleep in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. “ Clin Interv Aging. 2014 Jun 18;9:947-61. 51100 Alan G Wade, CPS Research, 3 Todd Campus, Glasgow, G20 0XA, UK, Tel +44 141 946 7888, alangwade@fastmail.fm CONCLUSION: Add-on prolonged release melatonin at 2 mg for 24 weeks had positive effects on cognitive functioning and sleep maintenance in Alzheimer’s disease patients, particularly in those with insomnia. These results suggest a possible causal link between poor sleep and cognitive decline.

“L-Acetylcarnitine in dysthymic disorder in elderly patients: a double-blind, multicenter, controlled randomized study vs. fluoxetine.” Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Oct;23(10):1219-25. 51101 Giuseppe BersanI Department of Medical–Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy +39 3381349644; fax: +39 066875237. giuseppe.bersani@uniroma1.it. CONCLUSION: L-Acetylcarnitine (LAC) orally showed significant and similar benefit in elderly subjects with dysthymic disorder as the drug fluoxetine. The difference in the latency time of clinical response (1 week LAC vs. 2 weeks fluoxetine) suggests the existence of different mechanisms of action possibly in relation to the activation of rapid support processes of neuronal activity.

“Efficacy and tolerability of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials,” Clin Interv Aging. 2014; 9: 2065–2077. 51102 Dr. Serge Gauthier, Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, Memory Clinic, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, 6825 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, QC, Canada, H4H 1R3, (514) 766 2010 / (514) 888 4050 (FAX), ac.lligcm@reihtuag.egres CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis including 7 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia patients taking 120 mg or 240 mg per day confirmed the efficacy and good tolerability of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with dementia taking the 240 mg/d dose.

“Potassium Citrate Decreases Bone Resorption In Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.” Endocr Pract. 2015 Dec;21(12):1380-6. 51103 Dr. Naina Sinha Gregory, Division of Endocrinology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, Baker 2009, New York, NY 10065. sinhana@med.cornell.edu CONCLUSION: Potassium citrate (K-citrate) at 40 mEq daily over 1 year in women with postmenopausal osteopenia decreased urinary N-telopeptide of collagen type 1 (u-NTX) and amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) both markers of bone loss starting at month 1 through month 12. Markers of bone formation showed no change. K-citrate may serve as a potential treatment for bone loss that is well tolerated and without any significant known long-term consequences. Diets rich in animal protein, such as the typical American diet, are thought to create a high acid load. An association between acid load and bone loss has led to the idea that providing positive alkaline salt therapy could have beneficial effects on bone metabolism.

“Increased intake of selected vegetables, herbs and fruit may reduce bone turnover in post-menopausal women.” Nutrients. 2015 Apr 8;7(4):2499-517. 51104 Caroline Ann Gunn School of Food and Nutrition, Massey Institute of Food Science and Technology, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand +64-9-9238702. c.gunn@auckland.ac.nz CONCLUSION: Increased consumption of selected vegetables/herbs/fruit can reduce bone turnover and urinary calcium loss in post-menopausal women by increasing the intake of polyphenols and potassium. 50 healthy post-menopausal women consuming ≥ 9 servings of different vegetables/herbs/fruit for three months with bone resorption-inhibiting properties (Scarborough Fair Diet) compared to a group of random vegetables/herbs/fruit (with similar renal acid loads), showed a reduction in markers of bone loss – procollagen type I N propeptide (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) in women with osteopenia.

“The role of dietary acid load and mild metabolic acidosis in insulin resistance in humans.” Biochimie. 2015 51105 Dorit Samocha-Bonet, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. d.samochabonet@garvan.org.au CONCLUSION: A diet with a high acid load (or high potential renal net acid load, PRAL) can result in a decrease in pH towards the lower end of the normal physiological range, which may in turn lead to the development of insulin resistance. Reducing dietary acid load by an ‘alkaline diet’ may be protective and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

“Dietary magnesium and potassium intakes and circulating magnesium are associated with heel bone ultrasound attenuation and osteoporotic fracture risk in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Aug;102(2):376-84. 51106 Dr. Ailsa A Welch Department of Population Health and Primary Care, Norwich Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom a.welch@uea.ac.uk CONCLUSION: In 4000 individuals evaluated for bone density and fracture followed for 13.4 years there was statistically significant positive trends in calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) seen for women but not men with increasing quintiles of magnesium plus potassium (Mg+K) intake or potassium intake alone. Reduced hip fracture risk in both men and women was seen for individuals higher Mg+K scores compared with the lowest. Statistically significant trends in fracture risk in men across serum magnesium concentration groups were apparent for spine fractures and total hip, spine, and wrist fractures. Magnesium and potassium intake may have a protective role against bone loss and fracture.

“Effects of probiotics consumption on lowering lipids and CVD risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Ann Med. 2015;47(6):430-40. 51106 Jing Sun, School of Medicine and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parkland, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia j.sun@griffith.edu.au CONCLUSION: In a meta-analysis of 15 studies with 788 subjects probiotic intake was found a reduction in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and inflammatory markers. A significant reduction was found in LDL in trials which contained the Lactobacillus Acidophilus strain compared to other types of strains.

“Effect of probiotics on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.” Hypertension. 2014 Oct;64(4):897-903. 51107 Jing Sun, School of Medicine and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parkland, Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia j.sun@griffith.edu.au CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of 9 trials showed probiotic consumption significantly but modestly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with control groups; with a potentially greater effect when baseline blood pressure was elevated; multiple species of probi