scholarly journals BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF KETOGENIC DIETS FOR CANCER PATIENTS – A REALIST REVIEW WITH FOCUS ON EVIDENCE AND CONFIRMATION

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer J. Klement
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Realist Review ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
Probabilistic Argument ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Ketogenic Diets ◽  
Evidential Support ◽  
Effect Hypothesis ◽  
Publication Standards

AbstractBackgroundKetogenic diets (KDs) have gained popularity among patients and researchers alike due to their putative anti-tumor mechanisms. However, the question remains which conclusions can be drawn from the available human data thus far concerning the safety and efficacy of KDs for cancer patients.MethodsA realist review utilizing a matrix-analytical approach was conducted according the RAMEsEs publication standards. All available human studies were systematically analyzed and supplemented with results from animal studies. Evidence and confirmation were treated as separate concepts.Results29 animal and 24 human studies were included in the analysis. The majority of animal studies (72%) yielded evidence for an anti-tumor effect of KDs. Evidential support for such effects in humans was weak and limited to individual cases, but a probabilistic argument shows that the available data strengthen the belief in the anti-tumor effect hypothesis at least for some individuals. Evidence for pro-tumor effects was lacking completely.ConclusionsFeasibility of KDs for cancer patients has been shown in various contexts. The probability of achieving an anti-tumor effect seems greater than that of causing serious side effects when offering KDs to cancer patients. Future controlled trials would provide stronger evidence for or against the anti-tumor effect hypothesis.

scholarly journals The Impact of Consumption of Dairy Products on Phospholipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1261-1261
Author(s):  
Emad Yuzbashian ◽  
Catherine B Chan
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Products ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Phospholipid Metabolism ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
Resistance Risk ◽  
Human Trials ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Metabolomics approach indicates that circulating phospholipid (PL) and some PL species are associated with a lower insulin resistance risk. Evidence suggests that dairy products' health beneficial effects may pertain to their regulatory influence on PL metabolism. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the existing literature of animal and human trials to unravel the impact of dairy products on the concentration of PL and its metabolism. Methods Three online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched to find relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and July 2020. Included studies were interventional trials (animal and human) that investigated the effect of dairy or its subtypes on the circulating or liver content of PL and its species. The risk of bias (RoB) in trials in humans and animals was assessed using the revised Cochrane's and SYRCLE's RoB assessment, respectively. Since there was marked methodological heterogeneity, a meta-analysis did not perform. Results In this review, 2427 articles were identified and screened after removing duplicate articles. Following evaluation of the titles and abstracts and then full-text assessment, 17 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Studies were classified according to their type, resulting in nine human trials and eight animal studies. For human studies, the RoB assessment indicated that more than 55% of studies had high RoB. None animal studies receive low RoB because of the lack of methodological information. Findings from human studies revealed that plasma/serum concentration of PL did not change after intervention with dairy products. PL concentration remained stable even after a high dosage of milk supplemented with dairy-derived PL; however, certain PC or LPC species were increased by interventions. These findings were also confirmed in animal studies. The interesting point in animal studies was that high fat diet-induced elevation of PL tends to be normalized after intervention with dairy products enriched with milk-PL. Furthermore, in mice, intervention with yogurt or cheese did not impact serum or liver content of PL or PC. Conclusions Dairy products can influence the blood concentration of PC and LPC species in both rodents and humans without alteration of total PL and PC. Funding Sources Alberta Diabetes Institute.

Effects of oats on gastrointestinal health as assessed by in vitro, animal, and human studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 343-363
Author(s):  
Renee Korczak ◽  
Megan Kocher ◽  
Kelly S Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gastrointestinal Health ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pubmed Database

Abstract Oats are uniquely nutritious, owing to their composition of bioactive compounds, lipids, and β-glucan. Scientific research has established that oats can improve diet quality, reduce cholesterol, regulate satiety, and protect against carcinogenesis in the colon; however, determining the effects of oats on gastrointestinal health and the gut microbiome is a newer, evolving area of research. To better understand the effects of oats on gastrointestinal health in humans, a literature review with predefined search criteria was conducted using the PubMed database and keywords for common gastrointestinal health outcomes. Moreover, to examine the gastrointestinal effects of oats across the scientific spectrum, a similar search strategy was executed to identify animal studies. In vitro studies were identified from the reference lists of human and animal studies. A total of 8 human studies, 19 animal studies, and 5 in vitro studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The evidence in humans shows beneficial effects of oats on gastrointestinal health, with supportive evidence provided by in vitro and animal studies. The effective dose of oats varies by type, although an amount providing 2.5 to 2.9 g of β-glucan per day was shown to decrease fecal pH and alter fecal bacteria. For oat bran, 40 to 100 g/d was shown to increase fecal bacterial mass and short-chain fatty acids in humans. Differences in study design, methodology, and type of oats tested make valid comparisons difficult. The identification of best practices for the design of oat studies should be a priority in future research, as the findings will be useful for determining how oats influence specific indices of gastrointestinal health, including the composition of the human gut microbiome.

Protective Effect of Isothiocyanates from Cruciferous Vegetables on Breast Cancer: Epidemiological and Preclinical Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suong N.T. Ngo ◽  
Desmond B. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Breast Cancer Survival ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Cruciferous Vegetables

Background: The effect of cruciferous vegetable intake on breast cancer survival is controversial at present. Glucosinolates are the naturally occurring constituents found across the cruciferous vegetables. Isothiocyanates are produced from the hydrolysis of glucosinolates and this reaction is catalysed by the plant-derived enzyme myrosinase. The main isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables are sulforaphane, benzyl ITC, and phenethyl ITC, which had been intensively investigated over the last decade for their antibreast cancer effects. Objective: The aim of this article is to systematically review the evidence from all types of studies, which examined the protective effect of cruciferous vegetables and/or their isothiocyanate constituents on breast cancer. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 27 April 2020. Peerreviewed studies of all types (in vitro studies, animal studies, and human studies) were selected. Results: The systematic literature search identified 16 human studies, 4 animal studies, and 65 in vitro studies. The effect of cruciferous vegetables and/or their ITCs intake on breast cancer survival was found to be controversial and varied greatly across human studies. Most of these trials were observational studies conducted in specific regions, mainly in the US and China. Substantial evidence from in vitro and animal studies was obtained, which strongly supported the protective effect of sulforaphane and other ITCs against breast cancer. Evidence from in vitro studies showed sulforaphane and other ITCs reduced cancer cell viability and proliferation via multiple mechanisms and pathways. Isothiocyanates inhibited cell cycle, angiogenesis and epithelial mesenchymal transition, as well as induced apoptosis and altered the expression of phase II carcinogen detoxifying enzymes. These are the essential pathways which promote the growth and metastasis of breast cancer. Noticeably, benzyl ITC showed a significant inhibitory effect on breast cancer stem cells, a new dimension of chemoresistance in breast cancer treatment. Sulforaphane and other ITCs displayed anti-breast cancer effects at variable range of concentrations and benzyl isothiocyanate appeared to have a relatively smallest inhibitory concentration IC50. The mechanisms underlying the cancer protective effect of sulforaphane and other ITCs have also been highlighted in this article. Conclusion: Current preclinical evidence strongly supports the role of sulforaphane and other ITCs as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, either as adjunct therapy or combined therapy with current anti-breast cancer drugs, with sulforaphane appeared to display the greatest potential.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial transplantation therapy for ischemia reperfusion injury: a systematic review of animal and human studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Hayashida ◽  
Ryosuke Takegawa ◽  
Muhammad Shoaib ◽  
Tomoaki Aoki ◽  
Rishabh C. Choudhary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Myocardial Dysfunction ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
Cochrane Library

Abstract Background Mitochondria are essential organelles that provide energy for cellular functions, participate in cellular signaling and growth, and facilitate cell death. Based on their multifactorial roles, mitochondria are also critical in the progression of critical illnesses. Transplantation of mitochondria has been reported as a potential promising approach to treat critical illnesses, particularly ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). However, a systematic review of the relevant literature has not been conducted to date. Here, we systematically reviewed the animal and human studies relevant to IRI to summarize the evidence for mitochondrial transplantation. Methods We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane library, and Embase and performed a systematic review of mitochondrial transplantation for IRI in both preclinical and clinical studies. We developed a search strategy using a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Heading/Emtree terms. Studies including cell-mediated transfer of mitochondria as a transfer method were excluded. Data were extracted to a tailored template, and data synthesis was descriptive because the data were not suitable for meta-analysis. Results Overall, we identified 20 animal studies and two human studies. Among animal studies, 14 (70%) studies focused on either brain or heart IRI. Both autograft and allograft mitochondrial transplantation were used in 17 (85%) animal studies. The designs of the animal studies were heterogeneous in terms of the route of administration, timing of transplantation, and dosage used. Twelve (60%) studies were performed in a blinded manner. All animal studies reported that mitochondrial transplantation markedly mitigated IRI in the target tissues, but there was variation in biological biomarkers and pathological changes. The human studies were conducted with a single-arm, unblinded design, in which autologous mitochondrial transplantation was applied to pediatric patients who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for IRI–associated myocardial dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Conclusion The evidence gathered from our systematic review supports the potential beneficial effects of mitochondrial transplantation after IRI, but its clinical translation remains limited. Further investigations are thus required to explore the mechanisms of action and patient outcomes in critical settings after mitochondrial transplantation. Systematic review registration The study was registered at UMIN under the registration number UMIN000043347.

scholarly journals The Effects of Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Natural Compounds on Homocysteine

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3081
Author(s):  
Mohammad Amin Atazadegan ◽  
Mohammad Bagherniya ◽  
Gholamreza Askari ◽  
Aida Tasbandi ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Vascular Endothelium ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Serum Homocysteine ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

Background: Among non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in global communities. By 2030, CVD-related deaths are projected to reach a global rise of 25 million. Obesity, smoking, alcohol, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and hyperhomocysteinemia are several known risk factors for CVDs. Elevated homocysteine is tightly related to CVDs through multiple mechanisms, including inflammation of the vascular endothelium. The strategies for appropriate management of CVDs are constantly evolving; medicinal plants have received remarkable attention in recent researches, since these natural products have promising effects on the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. The effects of nutraceuticals and herbal products on CVD/dyslipidemia have been previously studied. However, to our knowledge, the association between herbal bioactive compounds and homocysteine has not been reviewed in details. Thus, the main objective of this study is to review the efficacy of bioactive natural compounds on homocysteine levels according to clinical trials and animal studies. Results: Based on animal studies, black and green tea, cinnamon, resveratrol, curcumin, garlic extract, ginger, and soy significantly reduced the homocysteine levels. According to the clinical trials, curcumin and resveratrol showed favorable effects on serum homocysteine. In conclusion, this review highlighted the beneficial effects of medicinal plants as natural, inexpensive, and accessible agents on homocysteine levels based on animal studies. Nevertheless, the results of the clinical trials were not uniform, suggesting that more well-designed trials are warranted.

scholarly journals Tea Polyphenols in Promotion of Human Health

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naghma Khan ◽  
Hasan Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Green Tea ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Black Tea ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
Tea Polyphenols ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Gallocatechin Gallate ◽  
Prevention Of Cancer ◽  
Pharmacologically Active

Tea is the most widely used beverage worldwide. Japanese and Chinese people have been drinking tea for centuries and in Asia, it is the most consumed beverage besides water. It is a rich source of pharmacologically active molecules which have been implicated to provide diverse health benefits. The three major forms of tea are green, black and oolong tea based on the degree of fermentation. The composition of tea differs with the species, season, leaves, climate, and horticultural practices. Polyphenols are the major active compounds present in teas. The catechins are the major polyphenolic compounds in green tea, which include epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate and epicatechin, gallocatechins and gallocatechin gallate. EGCG is the predominant and most studied catechin in green tea. There are numerous evidences from cell culture and animal studies that tea polyphenols have beneficial effects against several pathological diseases including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The polyphenolic compounds present in black tea include theaflavins and thearubigins. In this review article, we will summarize recent studies documenting the role of tea polyphenols in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

scholarly journals Type 1 Diabetic Neuropathy and C-peptide

2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders A. F. Sima ◽  
Weixian Zhang ◽  
George Grunberger
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Diabetic Complication ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
C Peptide ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Regulatory Effects

The most common microvascular diabetic complication, diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (DPN), affects type 1 diabetic patients more often and more severely. In recent decades, it has become increasingly clear that perpetuating pathogenetic mechanisms, molecular, functional, and structural changes and ultimately the clinical expression of DPN differ between the two major types of diabetes. Impaired insulin/C-peptide action has emerged as a crucial factor to account for the disproportionate burden affecting type 1 patients. C-peptide was long believed to be biologically inactive. However, it has now been shown to have a number of insulin-like glucoseindependent effects. Preclinical studies have demonstrated dose-dependent effects onNa+,K+-ATPase activity, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and endoneurial blood flow. Furthermore, it has regulatory effects on neurotrophic factors and molecules pivotal to the integrity of the nodal and paranodal apparatus and modulatory effects on apoptotic phenomena affecting the diabetic nervous system. In animal studies, C-peptide improves nerve conduction abnormalities, prevents nodal degenerative changes, characteristic of type 1 DPN, promotes nerve fiber regeneration, and prevents apoptosis of central and peripheral nerve cell constituents. Limited clinical trials have confirmed the beneficial effects of C-peptide on autonomic and somatic nerve function in patients with type 1 DPN. Therefore, evidence accumulates that replacement of C-peptide in type 1 diabetes prevents and even improves DPN. Large-scale food and drug administration (FDA)-approved clinical trials are necessary to make this natural substance available to the globally increasing type 1 diabetic population.

scholarly journals A Clinical Perspective of Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diets: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Giuseppe Sukkar ◽  
Maurizio Muscaritoli
Keyword(s):  
Case Reports ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Caloric Content ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Ketogenic Diets ◽  
Morbid Conditions

Low carbohydrates diets (LCDs), which provide 20–120 g of carbohydrates per day, have long been used as therapeutic options in the treatment of severe obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and other morbid conditions, with good results in terms of weight loss and control of the main metabolic parameters, at least in the short and medium term. According to the caloric content and the macronutrient composition, we can classify LCDs in hypocaloric, normoproteic diets [such as the Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) or the protein-sparing modified fasting (PSMF)], hypocaloric, hyperproteic and hyperlipidic diets (e.g., Atkins, Paleo diets…) and normocaloric, normo-/hyperproteic diets (eucaloric KD), the latter mainly used in patients with brain tumors (gliomas) and refractory epilepsy. In addition to LCD diets, another interesting dietary approach which gained attention in the last few decades is fasting and its beneficial effects in terms of modulation of metabolic pathways, cellular processes and hormonal secretions. Due to the impossibility of using fasting regimens for long periods of time, several alternative strategies have been proposed that can mimic the effects, including calorie restriction, intermittent or alternating fasting, and the so-called fasting mimicking diets (FMDs). Recent preclinical studies have shown positive effects of FMDs in various experimental models of tumors, diabetes, Alzheimer Disease, and other morbid conditions, but to date, the scientific evidence in humans is limited to some opens studies and case reports. The purpose of our narrative review is to offer an overview of the characteristics of the main dietary regimens applied in the treatment of different clinical conditions as well as of the scientific evidence that justifies their use, focusing on low and zero-carb diets and on the different types of fasting.

scholarly journals A systematic review of intracavernosal injection of mesenchymal stem cells for diabetic erectile dysfunction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gampo Alam Irdam ◽  
Febriyani ◽  
Nur Rasyid ◽  
Akmal Taher
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Erectile Dysfunction ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Human Study ◽  
Peak Systolic Velocity ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
Intracavernosal Injection ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

BACKGROUND As current erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments are limited, other treatment such as stem cells should be explored. Hence, this study aimed to review the sources, method of administration, and therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for diabetic ED treatment. METHODS All relevant articles regarding the use of MSCs for diabetic ED were searched in PubMed and Google Scholar databases from December 15, 2019 to January 1, 2020 published in the past 10 years. The keywords were “mesenchymal stem cells” and “diabetic ED”. The selection and critical appraisal of the studies were discussed. Diabetic ED was evaluated for functional and structural outcome. Functional outcome in animal studies was assessed by intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) ratio, meanwhile the structural outcome was done microscopically. In human study, the assessments were done using international index of erectile function score (IIEF-5) to erection hardness score and penile Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS There were 10 animal studies and 3 human studies. The studies used MSCs from adipose (n = 6), bone marrow (n = 4), placenta (n = 1), umbilical cord (n = 1), and muscle tissue (n = 1). The MSCs were administrated through intracavernosal injection in all studies. In all animal studies, functional outcome was improved, shown in higher ICP/MAP ratio. Microscopically, there were an increase of cavernosal endothelial cells, vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide synthase, and smooth muscle cells. In human studies, IIEF-5 and erection hardness score were improved. Peak systolic velocity was also higher. CONCLUSIONS MSCs may be a promising therapy for diabetic ED; however, long-term safety concerns still need further investigations.

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