In especially, low and middle-income nations (LMICs), where healthcare access may be restricted, high blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, both of which can even lead to death. Altering one's lifestyle, in conjunction with medical therapy, has been demonstrated to be effective in lowering BP. Recent research has shown that physical activity (PA), in a variety of guises and to varying degrees, can be an effective means of lowering BP. The purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to evaluate the impact that PA plays in the development of hypertension in LMICs nations. An exhaustive search of the available research was carried out in order to locate studies that were pertinent. We searched a number of online databases, such as SCOPUS, Medline, and Web of Science, looking for clinical trials that were published before March of 2023. Studies were only considered for inclusion if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), reported on the association between PA and BP, and were carried out in LMICs countries. This meta-analysis incorporated a comprehensive collection of 60 studies, encompassing a total of 11,002 people, consisting of 5,630 cases and 5372 controls. The findings indicate that engaging in PA had a notable impact on decreasing systolic blood pressure (SBP), as seen by a weighted mean difference (WMD) of -7.70 mmHg, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from -9.50 to -5.91 (p < 0.001). Additionally, PA was found to have a significant influence on reducing diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as indicated by a WMD of -3.60 mmHg, with a 95% CI ranging from -4.48to -2.73(p < 0.001). The findings from subgroup analysis indicate that the observed results remained statistically significant when considering individuals with baseline SBP of 120 mmHg or lower and DBP of 80 mmHg or lower. The incorporation of PA can significantly contribute to the mitigation of high BP within LMICs nations. Additional investigation is required to ascertain the most effective form and amount of PA in order to mitigate BP levels within these specific individuals.

This research investigated the effect of co‐supplementation of selenium with zinc on weight control and the inflammatory and oxidative status in relation to obesity. Male Wistar rats (N = 32) were randomly divided into four groups after induction of obesity model: 1) “Zn” was supplemented with zinc sulfate (15 mg/kg BW), 2) “Se” supplemented with selenium as sodium selenate (0.5 mg/kg BW), 3) “Zn + Se” which received Zn (15 mg/kg BW) + Se (0.5 mg/kg BW), and 4) “HFD” as the control group. The intervention was done for eight weeks. At the end of treatment, serum and tissue level of Zn, Se, SOD, GSH‐Px, MDA, leptin, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 was evaluated. Weight and food intake were significantly reduced in the Se group(p < .001), while in the Zn group, weight gain due to obesity was prevented compared to the control group (p = .48). There was a significant and stronger increase in SOD, GSH‐Px levels and a remarkable decrease in MDA, leptin, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 in the group receiving the combination of two supplements than either alone(p < .001). Leptin had a positive correlation with inflammatory factors and lipid peroxidation marker and showed an inverse relationship with Zn and Se levels and anti‐oxidative enzymes(p < .05). The analysis showed the mediating role of leptin in the effects of zinc. Co‐supplementation of selenium and zinc may have a synergistic effect in reduction of oxidative and inflammatory markers. Regarding the effect of zinc on inflammatory factors and lipid peroxidation, leptin can play a mediating role.

Khazdouz M, et al. Clin Nutr Res. 2020 Oct;9(4):284-295. https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2020.9.4.284

Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) affects both the respiratory system and the body as a whole. Natural molecules, such as flavonoid quercetin, as potential treatment methods to help patients combat COVID‐19. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to give a comprehensive overview of the impact of quercetin supplementation on inflammatory factors, hospital admission, and mortality of patients with COVID‐19. The search has been conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library using relevant keywords until August 25, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing COVID‐19 patients who received quercetin supplementation versus controls. We included five studies summarizing the evidence in 544 patients. Meta‐analysis showed that quercetin administration significantly reduced LDH activity (standard mean difference (SMD): −0.42, 95% CI: −0.82, −0.02, I² = 48.86%), decreased the risk of hospital admission by 70% (RR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.62, I² = 00.00%), ICU admission by 73% (RR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.78, I² = 20.66%), and mortality by 82% (RR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.98, I² = 00.00%). No significant changes in CRP, D‐dimmer, and ferritin were found between groups. Quercetin was found to significantly reduce LDH levels and decrease the risk of hospital and ICU admission and mortality in patients with COVID‐19 infection.

Introduction: Laparoscopic gastric placation (LGP) is one of the innovative bariatric surgeries for weight loss. Several studies have shown that after LGP, resting energy expenditure (REE) has decreased may be as a result of changes in free-fat mass (FFM) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in body composition, REE, and thyroid hormones in patients undergoing LGP between baseline and 3 months after LGP compared to controls. Methods: This study was performed on 42 patients (21 patients undergoing LGP and 21 age- and weight-matched subjects as controls). Weight, body mass index, body composition, resting metabolic rate, and thyroid hormones are measured at baseline in case and 3 months after the surgery in case and control groups. Results: The patients lost an average of 22.38 ± 4.00 kg weight and fat mass (FM), FFM, and REE decreased after surgery. An increase in T4 and a reduction of T3 and TSH at 3 months after LGP observed that was significant only in T4. The FM was higher and FFM was lower in cases compared to controls. REE (measured and estimated) was lower in cases compared to controls. Conclusion: In this study, we observed a significant difference for REE between obese patients after the surgery and controls, as well as between prior surgery and postsurgery.