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Journal of the ASEAN Federation of... 2024This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the combination of curcumin and piperine supplementation on Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Homeostatic Model of Insulin... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Effects of Combination of Curcumin and Piperine Supplementation on Glycemic Profile in Patients with Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the combination of curcumin and piperine supplementation on Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Homeostatic Model of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and Body Mass Index (BMI) in patients with prediabetes and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This review was done to identify potential herbal remedies that may help improve glycemic parameters, leading to better health outcomes in combination with current antidiabetic treatment.
METHODOLOGY
This systematic review was based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). It was conducted in 2023 with sources and databases from MEDLINE, EBSCO-Host, ScienceDirect and ProQuest. This paper included randomized-controlled trials exploring the effects of the combination of curcumin and piperine on patients with prediabetes and T2DM. Systematic reviews, observational studies, case reports, case series, conference abstracts, book sections, commentaries/editorials, non-human studies and articles with unavailable full-text and written in non-English language, were excluded. The key terms for the literature search were "curcumin," "piperine," "prediabetes" and "Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus." We use Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2 for quality assessment of the included studies and Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4 to do the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of three studies were included in this systematic review. Two studies from Neta et al., and Cicero et al., showed no significant difference in HOMA-IR, BMI and FPG levels between the curcumin, piperine and placebo groups. One study from Panahi et al. demonstrated a significant difference in BMI levels between the curcumin and piperine and placebo groups ( <0.01). The meta-analysis showed that FPG levels, HOMA-IR and BMI improved among patients with diabetes given in curcumin and piperine with reported mean differences (MD) of = -7.61, 95% CI [-15.26, 0.03], = 0.05, MD = -0.36, 95% CI [-0.77 to 0.05], = 0.09, and MD = -0.41, 95% CI [-0.85 to 0.03], = 0.07, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The supplementation of curcumin and piperine showed a numerical reduction in FPG, HOMA-IR and BMI, but were not statistically significant. Further research is needed as there is a paucity of studies included in the review.
Topics: Humans; Alkaloids; Benzodioxoles; Blood Glucose; Curcumin; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dietary Supplements; Drug Therapy, Combination; Insulin Resistance; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Prediabetic State
PubMed: 38863920
DOI: 10.15605/jafes.039.01.18 -
The ISME Journal Jan 2024Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are valuable tools serving systems biology and metabolic engineering. However, GEMs are still an underestimated tool in informing... (Review)
Review
Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are valuable tools serving systems biology and metabolic engineering. However, GEMs are still an underestimated tool in informing microbial ecology. Since their first application for aerobic gammaproteobacterial methane oxidizers less than a decade ago, GEMs have substantially increased our understanding of the metabolism of methanotrophs, a microbial guild of high relevance for the natural and biotechnological mitigation of methane efflux to the atmosphere. Particularly, GEMs helped to elucidate critical metabolic and regulatory pathways of several methanotrophic strains, predicted microbial responses to environmental perturbations, and were used to model metabolic interactions in cocultures. Here, we conducted a systematic review of GEMs exploring aerobic methanotrophy, summarizing recent advances, pointing out weaknesses, and drawing out probable future uses of GEMs to improve our understanding of the ecology of methane oxidizers. We also focus on their potential to unravel causes and consequences when studying interactions of methane-oxidizing bacteria with other methanotrophs or members of microbial communities in general. This review aims to bridge the gap between applied sciences and microbial ecology research on methane oxidizers as model organisms and to provide an outlook for future studies.
Topics: Methane; Oxidation-Reduction; Aerobiosis; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Models, Biological
PubMed: 38861460
DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae102 -
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Aug 2024Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound that has been used to treat various ailments such as symptoms of anxiety. However, the findings of studies regarding the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound that has been used to treat various ailments such as symptoms of anxiety. However, the findings of studies regarding the anti-anxiety properties of curcumin are controversial. This review aims to evaluate if there are clinical benefits of curcumin in patients with symptoms of anxiety.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the database inception to August 16, 2023. The random-effects model was used to estimate the standard mean difference (SMD).
RESULTS
A total of eight RCTs involving 567 participants were included in the analysis. A pooled analysis showed a significant effect of curcumin on anxiety symptoms (SMD: -1.56; 95% CI: -2.48, -0.64, p < 0.001; I = 95.6%, p-heterogeneity< 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Present meta-analysis demonstrated that curcumin intake might contribute to alleviation of anxiety disorder. Due to the limited number of studies included, it is necessary to conduct more high-quality studies to confirm the clinical efficacy of curcumin.
Topics: Curcumin; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Anxiety; Dietary Supplements; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 38857152
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.05.017 -
PloS One 2024This study aimed to evaluate the intervention effect of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis in rodent models through systematic review and meta-analysis, in order to provide... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the intervention effect of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis in rodent models through systematic review and meta-analysis, in order to provide meaningful guidance for clinical practice.
METHODS
A systematic retrieval of relevant studies on curcumin intervention in rats or mice hepatic fibrosis models was conducted, and the data were extracted. The outcome indicators included liver cell structure and function related indicators, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G), total bilirubin (TBIL), bax protein, bcl-2 protein and index of liver, as well as the relevant indicators for evaluating the degree of hepatic fibrosis, such as hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type I collagen (Collagen I), type III collagen (Collagen III), type III procollagen (PCIII), type III procollagen amino terminal peptide (PIIINP), type IV collagen (IV-C), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), α-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), hydroxyproline (HYP), platelet derived factor-BB (PDGF-BB), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and oxidative stress-related indicators, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). These results were then analyzed by meta-analysis. Studies were evaluated for methodological quality using the syrcle's bias risk tool.
RESULTS
A total of 59 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the results showed that curcumin can reduce the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, bax protein, and index of liver in hepatic fibrosis models. It can also reduce HA, LN, Collagen I, Collagen III, PCIII, PIIINP, IV-C, TNF-α, α-SMA, HYP, PDGF-BB, CTGF, TGF-β1 and MDA, and increase the levels of ALB, A/G, SOD, and GSH-Px in the hepatic fibrosis models. However, the effects of curcumin on bcl-2 protein, IL-6 in hepatic fibrosis models and index of liver in mice were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
The analysis results indicate that curcumin can reduce liver cell apoptosis by maintaining the stability of liver cell membrane, inhibit the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by reducing inflammatory response, and alleviate tissue peroxidation damage by clearing oxygen free radicals.
Topics: Animals; Liver Cirrhosis; Curcumin; Mice; Rats; Disease Models, Animal; Oxidative Stress; Liver
PubMed: 38781262
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304176 -
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Jun 2024Taurine is considered an immunomodulatory agent. From current reports on clinical studies, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Taurine is considered an immunomodulatory agent. From current reports on clinical studies, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of taurine-enhanced enteral nutrition (EN) on the outcomes of critically ill patients to resolve conflicting evidence in literature.
METHODS
Literature from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, SINOMED, and WanFang databases were retrieved, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. The time range spanned from January 1, 2000, to January 31, 2024. The Cochrane Collaboration Tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. We used the GRADE approach to rate the quality of evidence and the I2 test to assess the statistical heterogeneity of the results. Risk ratio (RR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze measurement data.
RESULTS
Four trials involving 236 patients were finally included. The meta-analysis results indicated that taurine-enhanced EN did not reduce mortality (RR = 0.70, p = 0.45, 95% CI [0.28, 1.80], two trials, 176 participants, low quality). There was also no significant difference in length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) between the taurine-enhanced EN and control groups. Taurine-enhanced EN may reduce pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in critically ill patients(the result about IL-6 cannot be pooled). However, taurine-enhanced EN had no significant impact on high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein levels (MD = -0.41, p = 0.40, 95% CI [-1.35, 0.54], two trials, 60 participants, low quality).
DISCUSSION
Taurine-enhanced EN may reduce IL-6 levels and is not associated with improved clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, which may have potential immunoregulatory effects in critically ill patients. Given that published studies have small samples, the above conclusions need to be verified by more rigorously designed large-sample clinical trials.
Topics: Taurine; Humans; Critical Illness; Enteral Nutrition; Treatment Outcome; Intensive Care Units; Length of Stay; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38777434
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.03.012 -
Nutrition & Diabetes May 2024Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interconnected risk factors that significantly increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Taurine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interconnected risk factors that significantly increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Taurine has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for MetS. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effects of taurine supplementation on MetS-related parameters.
METHODS
We conducted electronic searches through databases like Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov, encompassing publications up to December 1, 2023. Our analysis focused on established MetS diagnostic criteria, including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Meta-regression explored potential dose-dependent relationships based on the total taurine dose administered during the treatment period. We also assessed secondary outcomes like body composition, lipid profile, and glycemic control.
RESULTS
Our analysis included 1024 participants from 25 RCTs. The daily dosage of taurine in the studies ranged from 0.5 g/day to 6 g/day, with follow-up periods varying between 5 and 365 days. Compared to control groups, taurine supplementation demonstrated statistically significant reductions in SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -3.999 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -7.293 to -0.706, p = 0.017), DBP (WMD = -1.509 mmHg, 95% CI = -2.479 to -0.539, p = 0.002), FBG (WMD: -5.882 mg/dL, 95% CI: -10.747 to -1.018, p = 0.018), TG (WMD: -18.315 mg/dL, 95% CI: -25.628 to -11.002, p < 0.001), but not in HDL-C (WMD: 0.644 mg/dl, 95% CI: -0.244 to 1.532, p = 0.155). Meta-regression analysis revealed a dose-dependent reduction in DBP (coefficient = -0.0108 mmHg per g, p = 0.0297) and FBG (coefficient = -0.0445 mg/dL per g, p = 0.0273). No significant adverse effects were observed compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION
Taurine supplementation exhibits positive effects on multiple MetS-related factors, making it a potential dietary addition for individuals at risk of or already experiencing MetS. Future research may explore dose-optimization strategies and potential long-term benefits of taurine for MetS management.
Topics: Taurine; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Dietary Supplements; Triglycerides; Cholesterol, HDL; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38755142
DOI: 10.1038/s41387-024-00289-z -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jul 2024As a common complication of diabetes, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) often leads to further damage to the heart muscle. Curcumin has been proven to have a variety of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
As a common complication of diabetes, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) often leads to further damage to the heart muscle. Curcumin has been proven to have a variety of cardioprotective effects, however, the protective effect against DCM has not been systematically reviewed.
PURPOSE
In this study, we aimed to analyze the preclinical (animal model) evidence of curcumin's therapeutic effects in DCM.
METHODS
Eight databases and two registry systems were searched from the time of library construction to 1 November 2023. We performed rigorous data extraction and quality assessment. The included studies' methodological quality was appraised using the SYRCLE RoB tool, statistical analyses were carried out using RevMan 5.4 software, and Funnel plots and Egger's test were performed using Stata 17.0 software to assess publication bias.
RESULTS
This study included 32 trials with a total of 681 animals. Meta-analysis showed that curcumin significantly improved cardiac function indices (LVEF, LVFS, and LVSd) (p < 0.01), decreased markers of myocardial injury, HW/BW ratio, and randomized blood glucose compared to the control group, in addition to showing beneficial effects on mechanistic indices of myocardial oxidation, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Curcumin may exert cardioprotective effects in DCM through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, autophagy-enhancing, and anti-apoptotic effects. Its protective effect is proportional to the dose, and the efficacy may be further increased at a concentration of more than 200 mg/kg, and further validation is needed.
Topics: Curcumin; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies; Animals; Cardiotonic Agents; Apoptosis
PubMed: 38723524
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155619 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2024Despite the known harms, alcohol consumption is common in pregnancy. Rates vary between countries, and are estimated to be 10% globally, with up to 25% in Europe.
BACKGROUND
Despite the known harms, alcohol consumption is common in pregnancy. Rates vary between countries, and are estimated to be 10% globally, with up to 25% in Europe.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy of psychosocial interventions and medications to reduce or stop alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group Specialised Register (via CRSLive), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, from inception to 8 January 2024. We also searched for ongoing and unpublished studies via ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). All searches included non-English language literature. We handsearched references of topic-related systematic reviews and included studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials that compared medications or psychosocial interventions, or both, to placebo, no intervention, usual care, or other medications or psychosocial interventions used to reduce or stop alcohol use during pregnancy. Our primary outcomes of interest were abstinence from alcohol, reduction in alcohol consumption, retention in treatment, and women with any adverse event.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures.
MAIN RESULTS
We included eight studies (1369 participants) in which pregnant women received an intervention to stop or reduce alcohol use during pregnancy. In one study, almost half of participants had a current diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD); in another study, 40% of participants had a lifetime diagnosis of AUD. Six studies took place in the USA, one in Spain, and one in the Netherlands. All included studies evaluated the efficacy of psychosocial interventions; we did not find any study that evaluated the efficacy of medications for the treatment of AUD during pregnancy. Psychosocial interventions were mainly brief interventions ranging from a single session of 10 to 60 minutes to five sessions of 10 minutes each. Pregnant women received the psychosocial intervention approximately at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, and the outcome of alcohol use was reassessed 8 to 24 weeks after the psychosocial intervention. Women in the control group received treatment as usual (TAU) or similar treatments such as comprehensive assessment of alcohol use and advice to stop drinking during pregnancy. Globally, we found that, compared to TAU, psychosocial interventions may increase the rate of continuously abstinent participants (risk ratio (RR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 1.57; I =0%; 3 studies; 378 women; low certainty evidence). Psychosocial interventions may have little to no effect on the number of drinks per day, but the evidence is very uncertain (mean difference -0.42, 95% CI -1.13 to 0.28; I = 86%; 2 studies; 157 women; very low certainty evidence). Psychosocial interventions probably have little to no effect on the number of women who completed treatment (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.02; I = 0%; 7 studies; 1283 women; moderate certainty evidence). None of the included studies assessed adverse events of treatments. We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to risk of bias and imprecision of the estimates.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Brief psychosocial interventions may increase the rate of continuous abstinence among pregnant women who report alcohol use during pregnancy. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of psychosocial interventions and other treatments (e.g. medications) for women with AUD. These studies should provide detailed information on alcohol use before and during pregnancy using consistent measures such as the number of drinks per drinking day. When heterogeneous populations are recruited, more detailed information on alcohol use during pregnancy should be provided to allow future systematic reviews to be conducted. Other important information that would enhance the usefulness of these studies would be the presence of other comorbid conditions such as anxiety, mood disorders, and the use of other psychoactive substances.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Acamprosate; Alcohol Abstinence; Alcohol Deterrents; Alcohol Drinking; Bias; Pregnancy Complications; Psychosocial Intervention; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Taurine
PubMed: 38682758
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015042.pub2 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Jun 2024Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent degenerative joint diseases. Several meta-analyses have shown that curcumin could improve the function of the knee and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent degenerative joint diseases. Several meta-analyses have shown that curcumin could improve the function of the knee and alleviate pain in OA, while some meta-analyses demonstrate controversial results. Hence, we assessed curcumin's effects on knee OA in an umbrella meta-analysis. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases were employed to find English-language meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of curcumin supplementation on OA outcomes up to September 2023. The visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, function, and stiffness scales were analyzed. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were utilized to obtain the overall effect size. A random-effects model was applied to perform the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was determined by I statistics and the Cochrane Q-test. The pooled effect of the 11 included meta-analyses showed that curcumin could significantly decrease the VAS score (weighted mean difference [WMD] and standardized mean difference [SMD]), WOMAC-total (SMD and WMD), WOMAC-Function (SMD and WMD), WOMAC-Pain (SMD), and WOMAC-Stiffness scores (SMD) (p ≤ 0.001, ≤0.001, ≤0.001, 0.007, ≤0.001, 0.002, ≤0.001, ≤0.001, respectively). The results strongly support curcuminoid supplementation in relieving pain, improving joint mobility and stiffness, and shortening medication usage of OA patients.
Topics: Curcumin; Humans; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Pain Measurement; Osteoarthritis
PubMed: 38576215
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8153 -
Journal of Environmental Management Apr 2024Onsite sanitation systems (OSS) are significant sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) including carbon dioxide (CO), methane (CH) and nitrous oxide (NO). While a handful of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Onsite sanitation systems (OSS) are significant sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) including carbon dioxide (CO), methane (CH) and nitrous oxide (NO). While a handful of studies have been conducted on GHG emissions from OSS, systematic evaluation of literature on this subject is limited. Our systematic review and meta-analysis provides state-of-the- art information on GHG emissions from OSS and identifies novel areas for investigation. The paper analyzes GHG emission rates from different OSS, the influence of various design, operational, and environmental factors on emission rates and proffers mitigation measures. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we identified 16 articles which quantified GHG emissions from OSS. Septic tanks emit substantial amounts of CO and CH ranging from 1.74 to 398.30 g CO/cap/day and 0.06-110.13 g CH/cap/day, respectively, but have low NO emissions (0.01-0.06 g N₂O/cap/day). CH emissions from pit latrines range from 0.77 to 20.30 g CH/cap/day NO emissions range from 0.76 to 1.20 gNO/cap/day. We observed statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) between temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, storage period, and GHG emissions from OSS. However, no significant correlation (p > 0.05) was observed between soil volumetric water content and CO emissions. CH emissions (expressed as CO equivalents) from OSS estimated following Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines were found to be seven times lower (90.99 g COe/cap/day) than in-situ field emission measurements (704.7 g COe/cap/day), implying that relying solely on IPCC guidelines may lead to underestimation of GHG emission from OSS. Our findings underscore the importance of considering local contexts and environmental factors when estimating GHG emissions from OSS. Plausible mitigation measures for GHG emissions from OSS include converting waste to biogas in anaerobic systems (e.g. biogas), applying biochar, and implementing mitigation policies that equally address inequalities in sanitation service access. Future research on GHG from OSS should focus on in-situ measurements of GHGs from pit latrines and other common OSS in developing countries, understanding the fate and transport of dissolved organics like CH in OSS effluents and impacts of microbial communities in OSS on GHG emissions. Addressing these gaps will enable more holistic and effective management of GHG emissions from OSS.
Topics: Greenhouse Gases; Carbon Dioxide; Biofuels; Sanitation; Soil; Methane; Nitrous Oxide; Greenhouse Effect
PubMed: 38574706
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120736