scholarly journals Wuqinxi Qigong as an Alternative Exercise for Improving Risk Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Author(s):  
Liye Zou ◽  
Yangjie Zhang ◽  
Jeffer Eidi Sasaki ◽  
Albert S. Yeung ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
...  

Background: The improvement of living standards has led to increases in the prevalence of hypokinetic diseases. In particular, multifactorial complex diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, are becoming more prevalent. Currently, developing effective methods to combat or prevent metabolic syndrome is of critical public health importance. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the existing literature regarding the effects of Wuqinxi exercise on reducing risk factors related to metabolic syndrome. Methods: Both English- and Chinese-language databases were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of Wuqinxi on these outcomes. Meanwhile, we extracted usable data for computing pooled effect size estimates, along with the random-effects model. Results: The synthesized results showed positive effects of Wuqinxi exercise on systolic blood pressure (SBP, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.85, p < 0.001, I2 = 24.06%), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.00, p < 0.001, I2 = 61.28%), total plasma cholesterol (TC, SMD = 0.88, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.36, p < 0.001, I2 = 78.71%), triglyceride (TG, SMD = 0.87, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.24, p < 0.001, I2 = 67.22%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, SMD = 1.24, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.72, p < 0.001, I2 = 78.27%), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, SMD = 0.95, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.46, p < 0.001, I2 = 82.27%). In addition, regression results showed that longer-duration Wuqinxi intervention significantly improved DBP (β = 0.00016, Q = 5.72, df = 1, p = 0.02), TC (β = −0.00010, Q = 9.03, df = 1, p = 0.01), TG (β = 0.00012, Q = 6.23, df = 1, p = 0.01), and LDL (β = 0.00011, Q = 5.52, df = 1, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Wuqinxi may be an effective intervention to alleviate the cardiovascular disease risk factors of metabolic syndrome.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binhui Pan ◽  
Xiujie Liu ◽  
Jiangmin Shi ◽  
Yaoxuan Chen ◽  
Zhihua Xu ◽  
...  

Background and aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), accompanied with significant intestinal dysbiosis, causes a great public health burden to human society. Here, we carried out a meta-analysis to qualify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and to systematically evaluate the effect of microbial therapy on MetS.Methods and results: Forty-two RCTs were eligible for this meta-analysis after searching the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Pooled estimates demonstrated that treatment with microbial therapy significantly reduced the waist circumference (WC) (SMD = −0.26, 95% CI −0.49, −0.03), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (SMD = −0.35, 95% CI −0.52, −0.18), total cholesterol (TC) (SMD = −0.36, 95% CI −0.55, −0.17), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (SMD = −0.42, 95% CI −0.61, −0.22), and triacylglycerol (TG)(SMD = −0.38, 95% CI −0.55, −0.20), but increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI.03, 0.52). Sensitivity analysis indicated that after eliminating one study utilizing Bifidobacteriumlactis, results became statistically significant in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (SMD = −0.24, 95% CI −0.41, −0.07) and in Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (SMD = −0.28, 95% CI −0.54, −0.03), while the body mass index (BMI) showed significant difference after eliminating one study utilizing oat bran (SMD = −0.16, 95% CI −0.31, −0.01). There was still no significant effect in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c%).Conclusion: In patients with MetS, the conditioning with microbial therapy notably improves FBG, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, WC, BMI (except for the study using oat bran), HOMA-IR, and DBP (except for the Study using Bifidobacteriumlactis), however, with no effect in SBP and in HbA1c%.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Yang ◽  
Can Liu ◽  
Xu Liu ◽  
Xiandu Pan ◽  
Xinye Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and aims: Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained attention as a promising diet for weight loss and dysmetabolic diseases management. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of IF on metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using three electronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, until October 2020. Randomized controlled trials that compared the IF intervention with a control group diet were included. Effect sizes were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) using a fixed-effects model and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Forty-six studies were included. Compared to the ones within control groups, participants exposed to the IF intervention reduced their body weight (WMD, -1.78 kg; 95% CI, -2.21 to -1.35; p < 0.05), waist circumference (WMD, -1.19 cm; 95% CI, -1.8 to -0.57; p < 0.05), fat mass (WMD, -1.26 kg; 95% CI, -1.57 to -0.95; p < 0.05), body mass index (WMD, -0.58 kg/m2; 95% CI, -0.8 to -0.37; p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (WMD, -2.14 mmHg; 95% CI: -3.54 to -0.73; p < 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (WMD: -1.38 mmHg, 95% CI, -2.35 to -0.41, p < 0.05), fasting blood glucose (WMD, -0.96 mg/dL; 95% CI, -1.89 to -0.03; p < 0.05), fasting insulin (WMD, -0.8 μU/mL; 95% CI, -1.15 to -0.44; p < 0.05), insulin resistance (WMD, -0.21; 95% CI, -0.36 to -0.05; p < 0.05), total cholesterol (WMD, -3.75 mg/dL; 95% CI, -6.64 to -0.85; p < 0.05), triglycerides (WMD, -7.54 mg/dL; 95% CI, -11.45 to -3.63; p < 0.05). No effects were observed for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or glycosylated hemoglobin. Conclusions: This meta-analysis supports IF’s role in the improvement of MetS, compared to a control group diet. Further research on IF interventions should take into account long-term and well-designed administration to draw definitive conclusions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 222-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boyu Li ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Zhikang Ye ◽  
Hui Yang ◽  
Xiangli Cui ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about 75% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effect of canagliflozin on fatty liver indexes in T2DM patients. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane was conducted up to March 30, 2017. The liver function test and lipid profile were extracted from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of canagliflozin on fatty liver. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) or relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by using either fixed or random-effects models. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results showed that canagliflozin decreased serum concentrations of  alanine amino transferase (WMD: -11.68 [95% CI: -18.95, -10.95]; P<0.001), aspartate amino transferase (WMD: -7.50 [95% CI: -10.61, -4.38]; P<0.001), gamma-glutamyl transferase (WMD: -15.17 [95% CI: -17.73, -12.61]; P<0.001), triglycerides (WMD: -0.10 [95% CI: -0.15, -0.05]; P<0.001) but increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 0.1 [95% CI: 0.06, 0.13]; P<0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 0.06 [95% CI: 0.05, 0.07]; P<0.001) at week 26 or 52. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that canagliflozin may have a protective effect on fatty liver in T2DM patients. The limitation was that the liver biopsy was hard to obtain in published studies. More RCTs specified on NAFLD are needed to get further information. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Dinu ◽  
Giuditta Pagliai ◽  
Donato Angelino ◽  
Alice Rosi ◽  
Margherita Dall'Asta ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroduction:The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and their related complications is increasing worldwide. We aimed to summarise and critically evaluate the effects of different popular diets on anthropometric parameters and metabolic risk factors.Material and methods:An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Umbrella Review Methodology. The review protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019126103). Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science were searched from inception to April 2019 to identify meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of different diets on anthropometric parameters and metabolic risk factors. For each association, we estimated the summary effect size by random-effects and fixed-effects models, the 95% confidence interval, and the 95% prediction interval. We also assessed the between-study heterogeneity and evidence for small-study effects. We further applied standardized methodological criteria to evaluate the epidemiological credibility of the statistically significant associations.Results:Overall, 80 articles reporting 495 unique meta-analyses were examined, covering a wide range of popular diets: low-carbohydrate (n = 21 articles), high-protein (n = 8), low-fat (n = 9), palaeolithic (n = 2), low glycaemic index/load (n = 12), intermittent energy restriction (n = 6), Mediterranean (n = 11), Nordic (n = 2), vegetarian (n = 9), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH (n = 6), and portfolio dietary pattern (n = 1). The methodological quality of most articles (n = 65; 81%), evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 questionnaire, was low or critically low. The strength of evidence was generally weak. The most consistent evidence was reported for Mediterranean diet, with suggestive evidence of an improvement in weight, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure. Suggestive evidence of an improvement in weight and blood pressure was also reported for DASH diet. Low-carbohydrate, high-protein, low-fat and low-glycaemic index/load diets showed suggestive and/or weak evidence of a reduction in weight and BMI, but contrasting evidence for lipid, glycaemic and blood pressure parameters, suggesting potential risks of unfavourable effects. Finally, evidence for palaeolithic, intermittent energy restriction, Nordic, vegetarian and portfolio dietary patterns was graded as weak or not statistically significant.Discussion:Most meta-analyses showed low methodological quality and the strength of evidence, assessed using evidence classification criteria, was generally weak. Among all the diets evaluated, Mediterranean diet had the strongest and most consistent evidence of a positive effect on both anthropometric parameters and metabolic risk factors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1076-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle A Lee-Bravatti ◽  
Jifan Wang ◽  
Esther E Avendano ◽  
Ligaya King ◽  
Elizabeth J Johnson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Evidence suggests that eating nuts may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating almond consumption and risk factors for CVD. MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau, and previous systematic reviews were searched from 1990 through June 2017 for RCTs of ≥3 wk duration that evaluated almond compared with no almond consumption in adults who were either healthy or at risk for CVD. The most appropriate stratum was selected with an almond dose closer to 42.5 g, with a control most closely matched for macronutrient composition, energy intake, and similar intervention duration. The outcomes included risk factors for CVD. Random-effects model meta-analyses and subgroup meta-analyses were performed. Fifteen eligible trials analyzed a total of 534 subjects. Almond intervention significantly decreased total cholesterol (summary net change: −10.69 mg/dL; 95% CI: −16.75, −4.63 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (summary net change: −5.83 mg/dL; 95% CI: −9.91, −1.75 mg/dL); body weight (summary net change: −1.39 kg; 95% CI: −2.49, −0.30 kg), HDL cholesterol (summary net change: −1.26 mg/dL; 95% CI: −2.47, −0.05 mg/dL), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) (summary net change: −6.67 mg/dL; 95% CI: −12.63, −0.72 mg/dL). Triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein A1, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and lipoprotein (a) showed no difference between almond and control in the main and subgroup analyses. Fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index significantly decreased with almond consumption of >42.5 g compared with ≤42.5 g. Almond consumption may reduce the risk of CVD by improving blood lipids and by decreasing body weight and apoB. Substantial heterogeneity in eligible studies regarding almond interventions and dosages precludes firmer conclusions.


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