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Complementary Therapies in Medicine Jun 2019Bee products including propolis, bee wax, pollen and royal jelly (RJ) have been used as medicine from ancient times. A vast number of in-vivo and in-vitro studies as... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Bee products including propolis, bee wax, pollen and royal jelly (RJ) have been used as medicine from ancient times. A vast number of in-vivo and in-vitro studies as well as clinical trials have been conducted to investigate potential health related properties of RJ. A growing number of clinical trials have been performed to assess effects of RJ ingestion on different metabolic markers including glycemia, with diverse results. In the current meataanalysis, we aimed to evaluate effects of RJ ingestion on glycemic markers compared with placebo and set directions for future research. Electronic databases including Scopus, Pubmed, Scholar, Cochrane, Proquest, SID and Magiran were searched and 5 eligible studies were included in the quantitative analysis. Review Manager Software was used for statistical analysis and random effects model was used for pooling data. A total of 205 participants for FPG and 130 participants for HbA1c were included. The overall analysis revealed that RJ consumption reduced FPG by 0.95 mg/dl (95% CI: -5.83 to 3.87; p = 0.69; I2 = 0%; Tau = 0.00) and HbA1c by 0.32 (95% CI: -0.87 to 0.23; p = 0.25; I2 = 69 %; Tau = 0.16) which were not statistically significant. Funnel plot demonstrated no publication bias. In conclusion, RJ supplementation did not beneficially affect markers of glycemia. However, due to methodology issues and potential confounders like diet as well as diverse populations, we recommend future studies well designed and well controlled for major confounders so we can update these data to more precise results and more accurate conclusion.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Fatty Acids; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31126561
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.04.017 -
Drugs in Context 2018The objective of the systematic review is to provide complete and updated information on efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) formulations for the...
The objective of the systematic review is to provide complete and updated information on efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) formulations for the treatment of allergic respiratory diseases (ARDs). The literature search was conducted on PubMed database, involving double-blind, randomized clinical trials published between January 1992 and 2018, written in English, and performed in humans. The number of articles finally selected for review was 112. Data from the majority of properly controlled clinical trials demonstrate that SLIT is effective not only with short-term use (first year) but also with long-term use (up to the third year of active therapy), for treating ARDs in children and adults. Both continuous and discontinuous schemes of administration showed significant reductions in symptom and medication scores. Moreover, a SLIT-induced disease-modifying effect has been documented mainly with grass pollen extracts, since improvement is maintained during at least 2 years of follow-up after a 3-year treatment period. Additionally, allergen immunotherapy should also be considered a preventive strategy, especially for decreasing bronchial asthma incidence in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis treated with SLIT. This therapy is also safe, producing only a few mainly local and mild-to-moderate adverse events, and usually self-limited in time. The registration and authorization of allergen SLIT preparations (grasses and house-dust mite tablets) as drugs by regulatory agencies, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has represented a landmark in allergy immunotherapy research. Further long-term studies, specially designed with allergens other than grass pollen or house-dust mites, not only in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis but also on asthmatic subjects, as well as studies comparing different administration schedules and/or routes, are required in order to continue the progress in the modern development of this particularly promising therapy.
PubMed: 30416528
DOI: 10.7573/dic.212552 -
Nutrients Oct 2018In practice, it remains unclear what the best dietary approach is in subjects with pollen-related food allergy (PRFA). Our objective was to evaluate the effect of (1)...
In practice, it remains unclear what the best dietary approach is in subjects with pollen-related food allergy (PRFA). Our objective was to evaluate the effect of (1) dietary avoidance advice, (2) oral immunotherapy (OIT), (3) (heat) processing, and (4) consumption of hypoallergenic cultivars on frequency, severity, and eliciting dose of pollen-related food allergic reactions. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. All studies performing an in vivo investigation of one of the four interventions in adults with PRFA were included. Each study was assessed for quality and validity. Available data on frequency, severity, and eliciting dose of allergic reactions were extracted. Ten studies matched the eligibility criteria. No studies were retrieved on dietary avoidance advice. Two studies ( = 92) on apple OIT reported that tolerance was induced in 63% and 81% of subjects. Four studies (total = 116) focused on heat processing. Heating was found to completely eradicate symptoms in 15⁻71% of hazelnut allergic and 46% of celery allergic individuals. Four studies ( = 60) comparing low to high allergenic apple cultivars revealed that Santana (and possibly Elise) apples seemed to cause milder reactions than Golden Delicious. In the awareness that overall level of evidence was low, we conclude that OIT, heat processing, and hypoallergenic cultivars may diminish or completely prevent allergic reactions in some but not all subjects with PRFA.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Allergic Agents; Apium; Cooking; Corylus; Daucus carota; Food Hypersensitivity; Hot Temperature; Humans; Malus; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30332840
DOI: 10.3390/nu10101520 -
International Forum of Allergy &... Nov 2018Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a common chronic condition, especially in children. Ocular symptoms are often overlooked during treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a common chronic condition, especially in children. Ocular symptoms are often overlooked during treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). Pediatric ARC can be effectively treated using sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), which is a guideline-recommended safe treatment approach. However, the therapeutic efficacy of SLIT in terms of ameliorating eye symptoms has not been effectively evaluated.
METHODS
We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of SLIT for infants, children, and adolescents (aged from 3 to 18 years) with AC or ARC. We searched the Cochrane Library database, EMBASE, and Medline from November 1990 to 2017 to find papers dealing with the effects of SLIT on pediatric AC or ARC. We used standardized mean differences (SMDs) to assess therapeutic effects, employing a random effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. The I metric was used to evaluate heterogeneity.
RESULTS
In total, 13 clinical RCTs were included in our meta-analysis. SLIT reduced ocular symptoms to a level below that of controls (SMD = -0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.41 to -0.01; p = 0.04; I = 55%). Notably, on subgroup analysis, SLIT clearly reduced pollen-induced pediatric AC (SMD = -0.36; 95% CI, -0.53 to -0.19; p < 0.0001; I = 25%) but not mite-induced AC (SMD = 0.20; 95% CI, -0.20 to 0.60; p = 0.34; I = 46%).
CONCLUSION
SLIT relieved ocular symptoms in children with ARC or AC. To confirm these results, future meta-analyses should evaluate high-quality, large-scale population-based trials.
Topics: Child; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sublingual Immunotherapy
PubMed: 29782067
DOI: 10.1002/alr.22149 -
Revista Alergia Mexico (Tecamachalco,... 2018The Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (SLAAI) presents a document about the use of immunotherapy (IT) in Latin America, where administration...
BACKGROUND
The Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (SLAAI) presents a document about the use of immunotherapy (IT) in Latin America, where administration patterns, indications and contraindications, effects on health, adverse events and socioeconomic impact are reviewed.
OBJECTIVE
To review publications analyzing the use of IT in Latin America.
METHODS
A literature review was carried out in order to identify works addressing IT in Latin America. This review was focused on practical scientific information available on IT in the region, and a parallel comparison was made with practices observed in the United States and European countries.
RESULTS
Of the 21 Latin American countries included, only 9 had original articles meeting the selection criteria; a total of 82 articles were selected, most of them from Brazil and Mexico. Most widely used allergenic extracts in Latin America tropical and subtropical regions were those of mites and pollen.
CONCLUSION
Although it is true that there are huge challenges for the future of IT in Latin America, studies on subcutaneous IT and sublingual IT are increasing, but most of them are retrospective and some have design bias, and more prospective studies are therefore required, using internationally validated scales for clinical evaluation.
Topics: Allergens; Clinical Trials as Topic; Complex Mixtures; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Latin America
PubMed: 29723939
DOI: 10.29262/ram.v65i1.287 -
Food & Function Apr 2018Functional foods can be effective in the prevention of metabolic syndrome and subsequently the onset of cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes mellitus. More... (Review)
Review
Functional foods can be effective in the prevention of metabolic syndrome and subsequently the onset of cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes mellitus. More recently, however, another term was introduced to describe foods with additional health benefits: "superfoods", for which, to date, no generally accepted definition exists. Nonetheless, their consumption might contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndrome, for example due to the presence of potentially bioactive compounds. This review provides an overview of controlled human intervention studies with foods described as "superfoods" and their effects on metabolic syndrome parameters. First, an Internet search was performed to identify foods described as superfoods. For these superfoods, controlled human intervention trials were identified until April 2017 investigating the effects of superfood consumption on metabolic syndrome parameters: waist circumference or BMI, blood pressure, or concentrations of HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol or glucose. Seventeen superfoods were identified, including a total of 113 intervention trials: blueberries (8 studies), cranberries (8), goji berries (3), strawberries (7), chili peppers (3), garlic (21), ginger (10), chia seed (5), flaxseed (22), quinoa (1), cocoa (16), maca (1), spirulina (7), wheatgrass (1), acai berries (0), hemp seed (0) and bee pollen (0). Overall, only limited evidence was found for the effects of the foods described as superfoods on metabolic syndrome parameters, since results were not consistent or the number of controlled intervention trials was limited. The inconsistencies might have been related to intervention-related factors, such as duration or dose. Furthermore, conclusions may be different if other health benefits are considered.
Topics: Food; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29557436
DOI: 10.1039/C7FO01792H -
Allergy Aug 2018In the context of increased asthma exacerbations associated with climatic changes such as thunderstorm asthma, interest in establishing the link between pollen exposure... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
In the context of increased asthma exacerbations associated with climatic changes such as thunderstorm asthma, interest in establishing the link between pollen exposure and asthma hospital admissions has intensified. Here, we systematically reviewed and performed a meta-analysis of studies on pollen and emergency department (ED) attendance.
METHODS
A search for studies with appropriate search strategy in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted. Each study was assessed for quality and risk of bias. The available evidence was summarized both qualitatively and meta-analysed using random-effects models when moderate heterogeneity was observed.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included. The pollen taxa investigated differed between studies, allowing meta-analysis only of the effect of grass pollen. A statistically significant increase in the percentage change in the mean number of asthma ED presentations (MPC) (pooled results from 3 studies) was observed for an increase in 10 grass pollen grains per cubic metre of exposure 1.88% (95% CI = 0.94%, 2.82%). Time series studies showed positive correlations between pollen concentrations and ED presentations. Age-stratified studies found strongest associations in children aged 5-17 years old.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to ambient grass pollen is an important trigger for childhood asthma exacerbations requiring ED attendance. As pollen exposure is increasingly a problem especially in relation to thunderstorm asthma, studies with uniform measures of pollen and similar analytical methods are necessary to fully understand its impact on human health.
Topics: Adolescent; Allergens; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Climate Change; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Plant Weeds; Poaceae; Pollen; Tracheophyta; Trees
PubMed: 29331087
DOI: 10.1111/all.13407 -
Clinical and Translational Allergy 2017Atopic dermatitis (AD) can occur after contact with aeroallergens like house dust mites, pollen, and animal dander. Despite its controversial diagnostic value, the atopy... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) can occur after contact with aeroallergens like house dust mites, pollen, and animal dander. Despite its controversial diagnostic value, the atopy patch test (APT) has been used as an important tool in the diagnosis of AD caused by house dust mites. Here, we present a meta-analysis comparing APT to the common skin prick test (SPT) in the diagnosis of mite-induced AD.
METHODS
A structured search was performed using online databases and bibliographies published as of April 30, 2017. All studies evaluating the accuracy of APT and SPT in the diagnosis of mite-induced atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome were selected, appraised, and data was extracted.
RESULTS
Ten studies were identified for inclusion in our analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratios for APT were 0.54 (95% CI 0.42-0.66), 0.72 (95% CI 0.56-0.85), 1.97 (95% CI 1.20-3.23), 0.63 (95% CI 0.48-0.83), and 3.12 (95% CI 1.53-6.39). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.65 (95% CI 0.61-0.69).
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis indicates that APT is a useful tool in the screening of mite-induced AD, although this conclusion must be interpreted cautiously due to high heterogeneity among the included studies.
PubMed: 29209493
DOI: 10.1186/s13601-017-0178-3 -
Journal of the American College of... Feb 2018Pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract of the date palm are rich in flavonoids. Antioxidant characteristics of the flavonoids have a significant effect on prevention...
Pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract of the date palm are rich in flavonoids. Antioxidant characteristics of the flavonoids have a significant effect on prevention and treatment of infertility. The aim of the present study was to review studies investigating the effects of pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract of the date palm on male infertility. Articles that were published about the topic between 2005 and 2016 were reviewed from different databases in Turkish and English. The search engines used included PubMed, Science Direct, Clinical Key, Google Scholar, Springer, Dergipark, Ulakbim, and Akademik Dizin. The studies found that pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract of the date palm created positive changes in hormone levels that have a role in male fertility and increased sperm motility and quality, spermatogenesis, and weights of testes and epididymis. Date palm pollen, pit powder, and gemmule extract have a high antioxidant capacity because of phenolic formations in the composition. Such characteristics have a positive effect on prevention and treatment of male infertility. Furthermore, gonadotropic and steroidal compounds within date palm pollen play a role in treatment of male infertility. The limited number of studies conducted on this topic indicates that more research is needed.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Epididymis; Flavonoids; Fruit; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Mice; Organ Size; Phoeniceae; Plant Extracts; Pollen; Rats; Seeds; Sperm Motility; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Testis
PubMed: 29087245
DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2017.1364183 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Dec 2017Risk factors for suicide can be broadly categorized as sociodemographic, clinical and treatment. There is interest in environmental risk and protection factors for... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Risk factors for suicide can be broadly categorized as sociodemographic, clinical and treatment. There is interest in environmental risk and protection factors for suicide. Emerging evidence suggests a link between environmental factors in the form of air pollution and aeroallergens in relation to suicidality.
METHODS
Herein, we conducted a systematic review of 15 articles which have met inclusion criteria on the aforementioned effects.
RESULTS
The majority of the reviewed articles reported an increased suicide risk alongside increased air pollutants or aeroallergens (i.e. pollen) increase; however, not all environmental factors were explored equally. In specific, studies that were delimited to evaluating particulate matter (PM) reported a consistent association with suicidality. We also provide a brief description of putative mechanisms (e.g. inflammation and neurotransmitter dysregulation) that may mediate the association between air pollution, aeroallergens and suicidality.
CONCLUSION
Available evidence suggests that exposure to harmful air quality may be associated with suicidality. There are significant public health implications which are amplified in regions and countries with greater levels of air pollution and aeroallergens. In addition, those with atopic sensitivity may represent a specific subgroup that is at risk.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Allergens; Pollen; Risk Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide
PubMed: 28915125
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2017-0011