The Role of Diet and Oral Supplementation for the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema: A Narrative Review.

Globally, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are the leading causes of visual loss in working people. Current treatment approaches mostly target proliferative DR and DME, such as intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents and laser photocoagulation. Before DR progresses into the more severe, sight-threatening proliferative stage, patients with early stages of the disease must get early and appropriate care.

Nutraceuticals and Supplements in Management of Prediabetes and Diabetes.

Dysglycemia is a condition preceding diabetes mellitus. The two situations inherent in this condition are called impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). If one of these situations is found in the patient, after the advice of an appropriate diet and physical activity, the addition of nutraceuticals or supplements can be considered, which can stop or delay the progression to diabetes mellitus over time.

Indices of healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets and the risk of selected digestive cancers.

Background & Aims: The relation between various types of plant-based diets and cancer risk is still unclear. We examined the association of the overall plant-based diet index (PDI) and healthy (hPDI) and unhealthy plant-based diet indices (uPDI) with the risk of selected digestive cancers.

Methods: We used data from a network of hospital-based case-control studies including 942 oral/pharyngeal, 304 esophageal, 230 stomach, 1953 colorectal, and 326 pancreatic cancer cases.

The role of selected nutraceuticals in management of prediabetes and diabetes: An updated review of the literature. Part II.

We have already published a review about the results of clinical trials evaluating the effects of selected nutraceuticals on glycemia in humans. In this second part, we describe the role of other nutraceuticals involved in dysglycemia. The available evidence showed promising hypoglycemic effects of the nutraceuticals reviewed both for their efficacy and safety profile.

The Role of Oral Supplementation for the Management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Narrative Review.

The majority of neurodegenerative eye disorders occur with aging and significantly impair quality of life. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third most common cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. One of the most important elements in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative eye disease is certainly oxidative stress, with neuroinflammation and ocular ischemia which may also be significant factors.

Ultraprocessed foods and cancer risk: the importance of distinguishing ultraprocessed food groups.

Several case-control, cohort studies, and meta-analyses found a moderate association between ultraprocessed food consumption and the risk of colorectal and a few other cancers. The evidence is, however, not consistent. A reason for such inconsistence is that the NOVA classification of ultraprocessed foods may include unfavorable but also favorable dietary components, and it may vary across different populations.

Optic Nerve Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: A Narrative Review.

In recent years, researchers have been interested in neuroprotective therapies as a cutting-edge therapeutic strategy to treat neurodegenerative disorders by shielding the brain system from harmful events. Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from glaucoma, an ocular neurodegenerative disease characterized by gradual excavation of the optic nerve head, retinal axonal damage, and consequent visual loss. The pathology's molecular cause is still mostly unknown, and the current treatments are not able to alter the disease's natural progression.

The Use of in Cardiometabolic Diseases.

L. is an herb that is commonly used in cooking and in traditional medicine, particularly in Arab countries, the Indian subcontinent, and some areas of eastern Europe. is also called "black cumin" or "black seeds", as the seeds are the most-used part of the plant.

ORal anticoaGulants in diAbetic and Nondiabetic patients with nOn-valvular atrial fibrillatioN (ORGANON).

Background: Diabetes represents a pro-thrombotic condition.

Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) compared to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, newly diagnosed. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effects on the risk of bleeding.

Recruitment and retention of diverse couples in relationship education with integrated economic services.

Compared to higher income couples, those with low incomes experience a host of challenges and disparities in their intimate relationships, including lower levels of relationship satisfaction, higher rates of breakup of cohabiting relationships, and higher rates of divorce. In recognition of these disparities, a number of interventions targeting couples with low incomes have been developed. These interventions historically focused primarily on improving relationship skills through relationship education, but in recent years a new approach that integrates economic-focused interventions alongside relationship education has emerged.

The role of selected nutraceuticals in management of prediabetes and diabetes: An updated review of the literature.

Dysglycemia is a disease state preceding the onset of diabetes and includes impaired fasting glycemia and impaired glucose tolerance. This review aimed to collect and analyze the literature reporting the results of clinical trials evaluating the effects of selected nutraceuticals on glycemia in humans. The results of the analyzed trials, generally, showed the positive effects of the nutraceuticals studied alone or in association with other supplements on fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose as primary outcomes, and their efficacy in improving insulin resistance as a secondary outcome.

Probiotic Therapy With VSL#3 in Patients With NAFLD: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim: To evaluate if VSL#3 [a high-concentration multi-strain probiotic mix containing one strain of BT01, three strains of ( BB02; subspecies [subsp.] BL03, previously identified as BL03; and subsp. BI04, previously identified as BI04), and four strains of ( BA05, BP06, BP07, and BD08, previously identified as subsp.

Evaluation of the Effect on Sexual Performance of a Nutraceutical Combination Containing Alpha Lipoic Acid, L. and , Compared to Placebo, Avanafil or a Combination of Nutraceutical Plus Avanafil in Males With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With Erectile Dysfunction.

Aim: To evaluate if therapy with a nutraceutical combination of alpha lipoic acid, Vitis vinifera L. and Ginkgo biloba (Blunorm forte) can be helpful and be synergic with Avanafil.

Methods: The trial included 123 males with type 2 diabetic mellitus and with erectile dysfunction (ED), aged ≥18 years.

Lipoprotein(a) Serum Levels Predict Pulse Wave Velocity in Subjects in Primary Prevention for Cardiovascular Disease with Large Apo(a) Isoforms: Data from the Brisighella Heart Study.

In the last decades, high serum levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, in particular among individuals with smaller apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) isoforms than those with larger sizes. The aim of our analysis was to evaluate whether Lp(a) levels could predict early vascular aging, and whether smaller apo(a) isoforms had a predictive value for vascular aging different than larger apo(a) isoforms in a cohort of subjects free from CVD. We considered the data of a subset of Brisighella Heart Study (BHS) participants free from CVD (462 men and 516 women) who were clinically evaluated during the 2012 BHS population survey.

Detection of sieric BAG3 in patients affected by cardiovascular diseases: State of art and perspectives.

BAG3 is highly expressed in the heart and its functions are essential in maintaining cardiac muscle cells homeostasis. In the past, BAG3 was detected in serum from advanced heart failure patients and its higher levels were correlated to an increased death risk. Moreover, it has also been reported that BAG3 levels in serum are increased in patients with hypertension, a known cardiovascular risk marker.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors treatment in dyslipidemic patients: a real world prescription.

Aim: Dyslipidemia is recognized as one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This retrospective observational study was aimed to assess the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in dyslipidemic patients with a lipid profile not well controlled by maximally tolerated statin therapy or intolerant to these lipid-lowering drugs. We enrolled 151 patients, of whom, 119 were taking evolocumab and 32 alirocumab.

Metabolic Actions of a Supplement of Ilex Paraguariensis (An Extract of the Leaf Standardized to 2% I-Deoxinojirimcina), White Mulberry and Chromium Picolinate in Nondiabetic Subects with Dysglycemia: A Randomized Trial.

Aim: To prove if a nutraceutical containing Ilex paraguariensis ( spp. Aquifoliales) (an extract of the leaf standardized to 2% I-deoxinojirimcina), white mulberry ( spp., Moraceae), and chromium picolinate can be effective in improving glycemic status in subject with dysglycemia.

Nutraceutical Approach to Preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Related Complications.

Introduction: Several months ago, Chinese authorities identified an atypical pneumonia in Wuhan city, province of Hubei (China) caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2). The WHO announced this new disease was to be known as "COVID-19".

Evidence Acquisition: Several approaches are currently underway for the treatment of this disease, but a specific cure remains to be established.

Psoriasis and Diabetes, a Dangerous Association: Evaluation of Insulin Resistance, Lipid Abnormalities, and Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated dermatosis with cardio-metabolic comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess insulin-resistance, lipid abnormalities, and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in psoriatic patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We enrolled 425 patients: 86 psoriatics, 69 psoriatics with T2DM, 120 T2DM patients, and 150 healthy subjects.

Effects of Oral Administration of Alprazolam and Lorazepam as Hypnotics on Cardiovascular Parameters in Hypertensive Patients.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that evening intake of benzodiazepine affects blood pressure (BP) and/or heart rate (HR) in healthy and hypertensive subjects. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of chronic oral administration of alprazolam and lorazepam as hypnotics on ambulatory BP and HR in patients with mild hypertension.

Methods: Consecutive outpatients of both sexes with newly diagnosed, never-treated mild hypertension were randomized, after a 4-week placebo run-in period, to receive alprazolam 0.

Safety and Efficacy of Alpha Lipoic Acid During 4 Years of Observation: A Retrospective, Clinical Trial in Healthy Subjects in Primary Prevention.

Aim: To evaluate the safety of four different dosages of alpha lipoic acid (400, 600, 800, and 1200 mg) as food supplement on adverse events related to alpha lipoic acid consumption and efficacy on glycemic status and lipid profile in subjects with euglycemia or dysglycemia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study enrolling 322 patients, 83 taking 400 mg/day, 78 taking 600 mg/day, 80 taking 800 mg/day, and 81 taking 1200 mg/day alpha lipoic acid, respectively.

Results: In the groups treated with alpha lipoic acid 800 and 1200 mg/day, we registered a reduction of FPG, TC, LDL-C, and Tg compared to baseline (p < 0.

A role for quercetin in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Several months ago, an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown aetiology was detected in Wuhan City (China) and the aetiological agent of the atypical pneumonia was isolated by the Chinese authorities as novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2). The WHO announced this new disease was to be known as "COVID-19." When looking for new antiviral compounds, knowledge of the main viral proteins is fundamental.

Abscisic Acid Treatment in Patients with Prediabetes.

Aim: to evaluate the effects of abscisic acid (ABA), contained in dwarf peaches, on the regression of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) conditions.

Materials And Methods: sixty-five patients with IFG or IGT were randomized to take ABA or placebo for 3 months. We evaluated: fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP).

Lipid-lowering nutraceuticals update on scientific evidence.

: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of mortality worldwide. Risk factors of CVD can be classified into modifiable (smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia) through lifestyle changes or taking drug therapy and not modifiable (age, ethnicity, sex and family history). Elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels have a lead role in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), while high levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) seem to have a protective role.