The Effect of Saffron Consumption on Liver Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Elham Karimi ◽  
Amirhosein Farrokhzad ◽  
Mina Darand ◽  
Arman Arab
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Liver Function ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Liver Function Tests ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Function Tests

Background and Aims: The present systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aimed to determine the effects of saffron supplementation on liver function tests among adults. Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus were searched up to January 2021. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The overall estimates and their 95% CIs were calculated using random-effects models. Egger’s test and Begg’s rank-correlation were run to assess the presence of publication bias. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 12 trials involving 608 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Saffron supplementation had no significant effect on liver function tests including aspartate transaminase (AST) (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 0.23 U/L; 95% CI –2.22 to 2.69; p = 0.851; I2 = 74.0%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (WMD = –1.49 U/L; 95% CI –3.84 to 0.86; p = 0.213; I2 = 60.2%), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (WMD = –0.70 U/L; 95% CI –11.35 to 9.95; p = 0.898; I2 = 40.8%) compared to placebo. Conclusion: Based on what was discussed, it seems that saffron supplementation could not improve liver function tests including AST, ALT, and ALP among the adult population. Further clinical trials with larger sample size, longer duration, and higher doses of saffron should be conducted exclusively among patients with liver dysfunction to elucidate the beneficial role of saffron consumption on liver function.

Effects of cinnamon supplementation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeinab Yazdanpanah ◽  
Mandana Amiri ◽  
Azadeh Nadjarzadeh ◽  
Hadis Hooshmandi ◽  
Maryam Azadi-Yazdi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Introduction: Hypertension is a chronic condition that might lead to renal and cardiovascular diseases. The previous trials examining the effect of cinnamon supplementation on blood pressure have led to conflicting results. The present systematic review aimed to summarize the effect of cinnamon supplementation on blood pressure using a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled clinical trials. Methods: To identify the eligible articles, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from inception until September 2019 for relevant articles. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane collaboration tool. A Random-effects model was applied to calculate the summary effects. Results: Totally, 11 trials with 686 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The dose of cinnamon supplement consumption varied from 500 to 10000 mg/d. The meta-analysis revealed that cinnamon supplementation significantly decreases systolic blood pressure (SBP) [WMD (weighted mean difference)= -5.72 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI): -8.63 to -2.80; P<0.001, I2= 81.1)] and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD= -4.06 mmHg, 95% CI: -6.68 to -1.44; P= 0.002, I2 = 88.6). Subgroup analysis suggested no significant reduction of DBP in subjects with diabetes (WMD= -2.015 mmHg, 95% CI: -4.55 to 0.52; P= 0.12, I2 = 72.3) and prediabetes or metabolic syndrome (WMD= -4.8 mmHg, 95% CI: -10.06 to 0.44; P= 0.073, I2= 92.5). Conclusions: Cinnamon supplementation could be beneficial in lowering SBP and DBP in adults. Further studies with different doses are recommended to confirm the present findings.

The effect of almond intake on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Asbaghi ◽  
Vihan Moodi ◽  
Amir Hadi ◽  
Elham Eslampour ◽  
Mina Shirinbakhshmasoleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

A number of clinical trials have examined the effect of almond intake on the lipid profile in recent years; however, the results remain equivocal.

scholarly journals Quantitative multiparametric MRI as a non-invasive stratification tool in children and adolescents with autoimmune liver disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil Janowski ◽  
Elizabeth Shumbayawonda ◽  
Lin Cheng ◽  
Caitlin Langford ◽  
Andrea Dennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Function ◽  
Spin Echo ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Biliary Tree ◽  
Liver Function Tests ◽  
Multiparametric Mri ◽  
Fast Spin Echo ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
Function Tests ◽  
Imaging Markers

AbstractAutoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC) are two very closely related autoimmune liver diseases with overlapping clinical features and similar management strategies. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of quantitative imaging markers to distinguish ASC from AIH in paediatrics. 66 participants (N = 52 AIH, N = 14 ASC) aged 14.4 ± 3.3 years scheduled to undergo routine biopsy and baseline serum liver biochemistry testing were invited to undergo MRI (non-contrast abdominal MRI and 3D fast spin-echo MRCP). Multiparametric MRI was used to measure fibro-inflammation with corrected T1 (cT1), while the biliary tree was modelled   using quantitative MRCP (MRCP +). Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to compare liver function tests with imaging markers between patient groups (ASC vs AIH). Receiver operating characteristic curves and stepwise logistic regressions were used to identify the best combination of markers to discriminate between ASC and AIH. Correlations between liver function tests and imaging markers were performed using Spearman’s rank correlation. cT1 was significantly correlated with liver function tests (range 0.33 ≤ R ≤ 56, p < 0.05), as well as with fibrosis, lobular and portal inflammation (range 0.31 ≤ R ≤ 42, p < 0.05). 19 MRCP + metrics correlated significantly with liver function tests (range 0.29 ≤ R ≤ 0.43, p < 0.05). GGT and MRCP + metrics were significantly higher in ASC compared to those with AIH. The best multivariable model for distinguishing ASC from AIH included total number of ducts and the sum of relative severity of both strictures and dilatations AUC: 0.91 (95% CI 0.78–1). Quantitative MRCP metrics are a good discriminator of ASC from AIH.

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