Current Issue : July-September Volume : 2024 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 5 Articles
Introduction. Iron deficiency is common in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD). Oral iron supplementation is recommended in these patients, but it is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Liposomal iron therapy has been proposed as a new iron formulation, improving iron bioavailability with less side effects; however, few data are available in patients with NDD-CKD. Methods. We designed a single-arm pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of liposomal iron administered for six months in correcting iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin < 100 ng/mL and/or transferrin saturation < 20%) in patients with NDD-CKD stages 1–5. The primary endpoints were the achievement of serum ferritin ≥ 100 ng/mL and transferrin saturation ≥ 20%. Secondary outcomes were hemoglobin (Hb) changes and the safety of liposomal iron. Results. The efficacy population included 34/38 patients, who completed at least one visit after baseline. Liposomal iron increased the achievement of transferrin saturation targets from 11.8% at baseline to 50.0% at month 6 (p = 0.002), while no significant correction of serum ferritin (p = 0.214) and Hb was found (p = 0.465). When patients were stratified by anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL in women and Hb < 13 g/dL in men), a significant improvement of transferrin saturation was observed only in anemic patients (from 13.3 ± 5.8% to 20.2 ± 8.1%, p = 0.012). Hb values slightly increased at month 6 only in anemic patients (+0.60 g/dL, 95%CI −0.27 to +1.48), but not in those without anemia (+0.08 g/dL, 95%CI −0.73 to +0.88). In patients taking at least one dose of liposomal iron (safety population, n = 38), the study drug was discontinued in eight patients due to death (n = 2), a switch to intravenous iron (n = 2), and the occurrence of side effects (n = 4). Conclusions. The use of liposomal iron in patients with NDD-CKD is associated with a partial correction of transferrin saturation, with no significant effect on iron storage and Hb levels....
In the field of nutritional science and metabolic disorders, there is a growing interest in natural bitter compounds capable of interacting with bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) useful for obesity management and satiety control. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutraceutical formulation containing a combination of molecules appropriately designed to simultaneously target and stimulate these receptors. Specifically, the effect on CCK release exerted by a multicomponent nutraceutical formulation (Cinchona bark, Chicory, and Gentian roots in a 1:1:1 ratio, named Gengricin®) was investigated in a CaCo-2 cell line, in comparison with Cinchona alone. In addition, these nutraceutical formulations were tested through a 3-month randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in subjects who were overweight–obese following a hypocaloric diet. Interestingly, the Gengricin® group exhibited a significant greater weight loss and improvement in body composition than the Placebo and Cinchona groups, indicating its effectiveness in promoting weight regulation. Additionally, the Gengricin® group reported higher satiety levels and a significant increase in serum CCK levels, suggesting a physiological basis for the observed effects on appetite control. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of natural nutraceutical strategies based on the combination of bitter compounds in modulating gut hormone release for effective appetite control and weight management....
(1) Background: Overweight and obesity are emerging global problems causing multiple health complications. Excessive fat tissue content leads to chronic inflammation, which is why antioxidative compounds that could potentially reduce these processes are possible agents that could be supplemented in order to prevent metabolic complications of overweight and obesity. Apples and dwarf kiwis are good sources of antioxidative agents such as quercetin and chlorogenic acid. The aim of this study was to assess if apple and dwarf kiwi nutraceutical supplementation can improve the metabolic parameters of overweight adults. (2) Methods: 43 participants were enrolled in the doubleblinded pilot study: 21 in the supplementation group and 22 in the placebo group. The one 1000 mg nutraceutical capsule contained 10% Chopin apple peel extract, 10% whole dwarf kiwi fruit extract, 75% Chopin apple core extract, and 5% rapeseed peptides. The supplementation group received two capsules/day for 60 days. (3) Results: The supplementation of the apple and kiwi product resulted in a lowering of ALT in the supplementation group (from 29.65 ± 19.02 UI/L to 23.80 ± 13.76 UI/L; p = 0.01). Subgroup analysis in men and women showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol level (from 220.15 ± 36.69 mg/dL to 208.43 ± 37.09 mg/dL; p = 0.04), non-HDL cholesterol (from 161.17 ± 41.00 mg/dL to 145.69 ± 41.75 mg/dL; p = 0.02) and ALT (from 25.41 ± 12.05 UI/L to 19.07 ± 6.13 UI/L; p = 0.01) in women and triglycerides levels (from 212.74 ± 127.15 mg/dL to 155.63 ± 80.61 mg/dL; p = 0.047) in men. (4) Conclusions: The supplementation of nutraceuticals from apples and dwarf kiwi led to improvements in lipid profile. It can be a possible new agent for counteracting overweight metabolic complications, however, larger group studies and more detailed tests are needed to support these preliminary findings....
Sulforaphane (SFN) is a promising molecule for developing phytopharmaceuticals due to its potential antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. A plethora of research conducted in vivo and in vitro reported the beneficial effects of SFN intervention and the underlying cellular mechanisms. Since SFN is a newly identified nutraceutical in sports nutrition, only some human studies have been conducted to reflect the effects of SFN intervention in exercise-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. In this review, we briefly discussed the effects of SFN on exercise-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. We discussed human and animal studies that are related to exercise intervention and mentioned the underlying cellular signaling mechanisms. Since SFN could be used as a potential therapeutic agent, we mentioned briefly its synergistic attributes with other potential nutraceuticals that are associated with acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Given its health-promoting effects, SFN could be a prospective nutraceutical at the forefront of sports nutrition....
Background: Cardiovascular disease is a global health concern and reducing plasma LDL-C levels is a major goal in cardiovascular prevention. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutraceutical formulation including leucoselect® phytosome®, red yeast rice, policosanol and folic acid on LDL-c levels in patients at low cardiovascular risk with dyslipidemia. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled all consecutive patients with dyslipidemia at low cardiovascular risk who were unresponsive to diet and physical activity. Clinical assessments and laboratory analyses, encompassing lipid profile, hepatic function, and CPK levels, were performed at baseline prior to initiating treatment and repeated at the 12-week mark following administration of the study nutraceutical. Results: Sixty (60) consecutive patients (mean age 48.02 ± 10.1 years; 60% male) were included. At the 12-week follow-up, a statistically significant reduction in Total Cholesterol (13.1%) and LDL-c serum level (20.4%) was observed. Hepatic and muscular function remain stable over the time. The adherence to therapy was 99% and the persistence was maximum. Conclusions: The nutraceutical formulation including leucoselect® phytosome® red yeast rice, policosanol and folic acid significantly reduced the LDL-c plasma levels, consistent with previous research showing that the bioactive component in red yeast rice—lovastatin—is effective in addressing problems with lipid metabolism. Importantly, it was safe and well-tolerated among patients with dyslipidemia in a real-world setting....
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