Maryam Saghafi- Asl

Dr. Maryam Saghafi- Asl


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 July 2020 in Advances in Nutrition
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HTHelda Tutunchi
Helda Tutunchi
AOAlireza Ostadrahimi
Alireza Ostadrahimi
MAMaryam Saghafi- Asl
Maryam Saghafi- Asl
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several major noncommunicable diseases, and is an important public health concern globally. Dietary fat content is a major contributor to the increase in global obesity rates. Changes in dietary habits, such as the quality of fatty acids in the diet, are proposed to prevent obesity and its metabolic complications. In recent years, a number of studies have found that oleic acid (OA), the most common MUFA in daily nutrition, has protective effects against human disease. Importantly, there is emerging evidence indicating the beneficial effects of OA in regulating body weight. Accordingly, the objective of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of diets enriched in monounsaturated OA on the management and prevention of obesity, emphasizing possible mechanisms of action of OA in energy homeostasis. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases for clinical trials that examined the effects of diets rich in OA on obesity. Of 821 full-text articles assessed, 28 clinical trials were included in the present study. According to the studies examined in this review, diets enriched in OA can influence fat balance, body weight, and possibly energy expenditure. Importantly, abdominal fat and central obesity can be reduced following consumption of high-OA-containing meals. Mechanistically, OA-rich diets can be involved in the regulation of food intake, body mass, and energy expenditure by stimulating AMP-activated protein kinase signaling. Other proposed mechanisms include the prevention of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3/caspase-1 inflammasome pathway, the induction of oleoylethanolamide synthesis, and possibly the downregulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 activity. In summary, current findings lend support to advice not restricting consumption of OA-rich meals so as to maintain a healthy body weight.

10 January 2020 in Journal of Translational Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MMMohammad Morshedi
Mohammad Morshedi
MAMaryam Saghafi- Asl
Maryam Saghafi- Asl
EHElaheh-Sadat Hosseinifard
Elaheh-Sadat Hosseinifard
Background: The manipulation of gut microbiota as a target has been suggested to reduce the risks for a number of diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Conversely, T2DM is associated with complications such as gut and brain disorders. Furthermore, the impact of probiotics and prebiotics to improve T2DM complications are reported. Thus, the present study seeks to investigate the therapeutic and neuropsychological effects of L. plantarum and inulin in diabetic rats. Methods: Throughout the investigation, L. plantarum, inulin or their combination (synbiotic) was administered to diabetic rats. in the end, fecal samples were collected to evaluate the gut microbial composition. Then behavioral tests were conducted. Subsequently, the obtainment of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampal samples. Results: Our data demonstrated that administration of L. plantarum and inulin could improve gut dysbiosis and oxidative stress status. In addition, it could ameliorate serotonin and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway. Notably, a strong correlation between the gut microbiota changes and cognition responses was observed. Interestingly, synbiotics intake exploited a rather powerful effect on oxidative stress markers. Conclusion: The findings confirm that there is a beneficial therapeutic potential of supplements, especially symbiotic. Moreover, neuropsychological improvement associated with balanced gut microbiome.

23 December 2019 in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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HTHelda Tutunchi
Helda Tutunchi
MAMaryam Saghafi- Asl
Maryam Saghafi- Asl
AOAlireza Ostadrahimi
Alireza Ostadrahimi
Along with an increase in overweight and obesity among all age groups, the development of efficacious and safe anti‐obesity strategies for patients, as well as health systems, is critical. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), a high‐affinity endogenous ligand of nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPAR‐α), plays important physiological and metabolic actions. OEA is derived from oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, which has beneficial effects on body composition and regional fat distribution. The role of OEA in the modulation of food consumption and weight management makes it an attractive molecule requiring further exploration in obesogenic environments. This systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of OEA on the obesity management, with emphasizing on its physiological roles and possible mechanisms of action in energy homeostasis. We searched PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest, and EMBASE up until September 2019. Out of 712 records screened, 30 articles met the study criteria. The evidence reviewed here indicates that OEA, an endocannabinoid‐like compound, leads to satiation or meal termination through PPAR‐α activation and fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36. Additionally, the lipid‐amide OEA stimulates fatty acid uptake, lipolysis, and beta‐oxidation, and also promotes food intake control. OEA also exerts satiety‐inducing effects by activating the hedonic dopamine pathways and increasing homeostatic oxytocin and brain histamine. In conclusion, OEA may be a key component of the physiological system involved in the regulation of dietary fat consumption and energy homeostasis; therefore, it is suggested as a possible therapeutic agent for the management of obesity.


21 May 2019 in Obesity Reviews
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
HTHelda Tutunchi
Helda Tutunchi
AOAlireza Ostadrahimi
Alireza Ostadrahimi
MAMaryam Saghafi- Asl
Maryam Saghafi- Asl
VMVahid Maleki
Vahid Maleki

1 July 2018 in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MMMohammad Morshedi
Mohammad Morshedi
KVKhadijeh Bavafa Valenlia
Khadijeh Bavafa Valenlia
EHElaheh Sadat Hosseinifard
Elaheh Sadat Hosseinifard
PSParviz Shahabi
Parviz Shahabi
MAMehran Mesgari Abbasi
Mehran Mesgari Abbasi
MAMaryam Saghafi- Asl
Maryam Saghafi- Asl