Serum uric acid to eGFR ratio correlates with adverse outcomes in elderly hospitalized for acute heart failure.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) is a known biomarker of severity in acute heart failure (AHF), reflecting the intricate interplay between cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction. Since SUA can increase in response to worsening kidney function, and subjects with AHF often have cardiorenal syndrome or are on diuretic therapy, we tested whether the ratio of SUA to eGFR might provide prognostic value in elderly hospitalized for AHF.

Methods: The BOTERO-AHF Study (BOlogna study of Therapies, Epidemiology and Radiodiagnostic Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure patients) included 293 patients admitted for AHF who were consecutively enrolled from January 2020 onwards.

Evaluation of the effect of a dietary supplementation with a red yeast rice and fish oil-containing nutraceutical on lipid pattern, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and endothelial function in moderately hypercholesterolaemic subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Red yeast rice and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are dietary supplements with well-known lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and vascular health improving effects. However, they have rarely been tested in combination. The aim of our study was to test the short-term effect of a combined nutraceutical including red yeast rice and PUFAs on plasma lipids, jigh-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and endothelial function in healthy subjects.

Comparative effect of a nutraceutical compound based on a flavonoid complex from bergamot on plasma lipids, glucose metabolism, and liver enzymes: a 3-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Bergamot and opuntia (prickly pear cladodes) standardized extracts have been demonstrated to have positive metabolic effects in preclinical and clinical models.

Material And Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effect of a combined nutraceutical containing 150 mg of Indica extract, 400 mg of plant sterols, 12.5 mg of thiamine, and 200 mg of Brumex a phytocomplex from bergamot fruit ( Risso et Poiteau, fructus) standardized 40% in total flavonoids and min 5% in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-flavanones.

Effect of dietary supplementation with Diuripres® on blood pressure, vascular health, and metabolic parameters in individuals with high-normal blood pressure or stage I hypertension: The CONDOR randomized clinical study.

Our aim was to evaluate if a nutritional intervention with a dietary supplement (Diuripres®) containing magnesium, standardized extract of orthosiphon, hawthorn, and hibiscus could positively affect blood pressure (BP), vascular health, and metabolic parameters in 60 individuals with high-normal BP or stage I hypertension. Participants followed a low-fat low-sodium Mediterranean diet for 4 weeks before being randomly allocated to 8-week treatment with two pills each day of either Diuripres® or placebo. Diuripres® significantly decreased systolic BP compared to placebo after 4 weeks (3.

Effect of Citrus bergamia extract on lipid profile: A combined in vitro and human study.

With the aim of characterising the hypo-lipidemic function of the Brumex™ ingredient obtained from the whole fruit of Citrus bergamia, a combined pre-clinical and clinical study was conducted. In the HepG2 experimental model, we first demonstrated that Brumex™ does not trigger any significant alteration in cell viability over the tested concentration range of 1-2000 μg/mL (4 and 24 h). By stimulating the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) at threonine 172, Brumex™ significantly reduces both cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) intracellular content of HepG2 cells and impairs the expression levels of lipid synthesis-related genes (namely, SREBF1c, SREBF2, ACACA, SCD1, HMGCR and FASN).

Noninvasive instrumental evaluation of coenzyme Q phytosome on endothelial reactivity in healthy nonsmoking young volunteers: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ ) is a natural antioxidant compound that prevents the vascular damage induced by free radicals and the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. Supplementation with CoQ is safe though its bioavailability is generally low, as far as variable depending on the pharmaceutical form of preparation. Recently, the development of phytosome technology has improved the bioavailability of CoQ and definitely facilitated its effective use in clinical practice.

Effect of Synaid on cognitive functions and mood in elderly subjects with self-perceived loss of memory after COVID-19 infection.

Introduction: There is growing attention towards the possible long-term effect of COVID-19 on neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methods: We tested the effect of a combined nutraceutical (Synaid) with known nootropic effects in 40 elderly patients with self-perceived cognitive decline after SARS-CoV-2 infection, treated at home or in hospital.

Results: After 3 months of treatment, Synaid significantly improved functional status, MMSE and the main psychological disorders associated with mild cognitive impairment, both in patients previously cared for at home and in hospital because of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Dietary Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure Control: Beyond Salt Restriction.

Lifestyle improvement is a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention and has a relevant effect on blood pressure control. During the last decades the attention of the researcher has focused on low-salt diets as the lifestyle modification most effective in blood pressure reduction. Current international guidelines thus suggest to stress the importance of the implementation of the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and of a low-salt Mediterranean diet to achieve the best results in term of blood pressure decrease.

Effect of combined lipid-lowering and antioxidant nutraceutical on plasma lipids, endothelial function, and estimated cardiovascular disease risk in moderately hypercholesterolemic patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Nutraceuticals are a good means to lower cardiovascular risk. Having established a reasonable pharmacological background, a new nutraceutical combination should be tested in clinical trials.

Material And Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the modulating effect, in a setting of controlled nutritional habits, of a combined food supplement with DIF1STAT (based on red yeast rice with a very low content of monacolins, linear aliphatic alcohols and niacin) and on plasma lipids and endothelial function, in a group of 40 healthy, moderately hypercholesterolemic patients in primary cardiovascular prevention.

Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Treatment on Lipid Pattern of HIV Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Even though omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) seem to be effective in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dyslipidemia, their impact is still debated. For this reason, our aim was to perform a meta-analysis of the clinical evidence available to date. A systematic literature search was conducted in order to identify published clinical trials assessing the effect of PUFAs treatment on serum lipoproteins, and its safety profile.

A randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Medium-Term Effects of Oat Fibers on Human Health: The Beta-Glucan Effects on Lipid Profile, Glycemia and inTestinal Health (BELT) Study.

The Beta-glucan Effects on Lipid profile, glycemia and inTestinal health (BELT) Study investigated the effect of 3 g/day oat beta-glucans on plasma lipids, fasting glucose and self-perceived intestinal well-being. The Study was an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over randomized clinical trial, enrolling a sample of 83 Italian free-living subjects, adherent to Mediterranean diet, with a moderate hypercholesterolemia and a low cardiovascular risk profile. Beta-glucans reduced mean LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels from baseline by 12.

Short-Term Effects of Dry Extracts of Artichokeand Berberis in Hypercholesterolemic Patients Without Cardiovascular Disease.

Hypercholesterolemia represents one of the main reversible cardiovascular risk factors. In this pilot clinical trial, we have tested the short-term efficacy and safety of a new combined cholesterol-lowering nutraceutical containing artichoke dry extract and berberine at enhanced bioavailability in subjects with moderate polygenic hypercholesterolemia in primary prevention for cardiovascular disease. After 2 months of treatment, the tested nutraceutical induced a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol (-19%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-16%), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-19%) and triglyceride levels (-15%), in association with a standardized control diet.

Short-Term Hemodynamic Effects of Modern Wheat Products Substitution in Diet with Ancient Wheat Products: A Cross-Over, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Recent evidence suggests that bioactive compounds isolated from cereals and legumes could exert some metabolic and vascular effects in humans. Due to the recent identification of a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP2) in wheat with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, we aimed to comparatively test the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of ancient wheat foodstuffs (made of organic KAMUT khorasan wheat) or modern wheat ones, made of a mixture of organic modern commercial durum () varieties and soft wheat (), with different nsLTP2 content. Thus, we carried out a randomized, cross-over clinical trial on 63 non-diabetic healthy volunteers (aged 40⁻70 years) with systolic blood pressure (SBP) 130⁻139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 85⁻90 mmHg (pre-hypertensive/borderline high pressure subjects).

Correction to: Effect of a short-term dietary supplementation with phytosterols, red yeast rice or both on lipid pattern in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects: a three-arm, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12986-017-0214-2.].

Cough and ACE Inhibitors: The Truth Beyond Placebo.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are extensively used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases with a wide range of clinical recommendations. The use of ACE inhibitors can cause the onset of a dry cough, whose prevalence has probably been overestimated because of the lack of adequate control. A correct interpretation of available data requires a careful evaluation of placebo-controlled studies to definitely assess the rate of the most frequent adverse event of ACE inhibition.

Effect of a short-term dietary supplementation with phytosterols, red yeast rice or both on lipid pattern in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects: a three-arm, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

Background: Phytosterols and red yeast rice are largely studied cholesterol-lowering nutraceuticals, respectively inhibiting the bowel absorption and liver synthesis of cholesterol. Our aim was to test the effect on lipid profile of phytosterols, red yeast rice and their association.

Methods: We performed a three parallel arms, double blind, clinical trial randomizing 90 moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects to treatment with phytosterols 800 mg (group 1), red yeast rice standardized to contain 5 mg monacolins from (group 2), or both combined nutraceuticals (group 3).

Effect of pistachio on brachial artery diameter and flow-mediated dilatation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled-feeding clinical studies.

Background: Results of previous clinical trials evaluating the effect of pistachio supplementation on endothelial reactivity (ER) are controversial.

Aims: We aimed to assess the impact of pistachio on ER through systematic review of literature and meta-analysis of available randomized, controlled-feeding clinical studies (RCTs).

Methods: The literature search included SCOPUS, PubMed-Medline, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar databases up to 1st August 2017 to identify RCTs investigating the impact of pistachio on ER.

Effect of apple polyphenols on vascular oxidative stress and endothelium function: a translational study.

Scope: We aimed examining apple polyphenols' effect on uricemia and endothelial function in a sample of overweight subjects.

Methods And Results: This was a two-phased study. In vitro experiment aimed to evaluate apple polyphenols' ability to lower uric acid in comparison with allopurinol.

Short-Term Effects of a Combined Nutraceutical on Lipid Level, Fatty Liver Biomarkers, Hemodynamic Parameters, and Estimated Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: There is a growing interest in nutraceuticals improving cardiovascular risk factor levels and related organ damage.

Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effect of a combined nutraceutical containing red yeast rice (10 mg), phytosterols (800 mg), and L-tyrosol (5 mg) on lipid profile, blood pressure, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness in a group of 60 patients with polygenic hypercholesterolemia resistant to Mediterranean diet.

Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, when compared to the placebo group, the active treated patients experienced a more favorable percentage change in total cholesterol (-16.

Nutraceutical Effects on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose: A Pilot, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial on a Combined Product.

Introduction: A number of natural compounds have individually demonstrated to improve glucose and lipid levels in humans.

Aim: To  evaluate the short-term glucose and lipid-lowering activity in subjects with impaired fasting glucose.

Methods: To assess the effects of a combination of nutraceuticals based on Lagerstroemia speciosa, Berberis aristata, Curcuma longa, Alpha-lipoic acid, Chrome picolinate and Folic acid, we performed a double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in 40 adults affected by impaired fasting glucose (FPG = 100-125 mg/dL) in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

An evidence-based review on urate-lowering treatments: implications for optimal treatment of chronic hyperuricemia.

Several studies suggest that chronic hyperuricemia, the main precursor of gout, is involved in the pathogenesis of different systemic disorders that affect cardiovascular and renal systems, such as hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, chronic heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Recent epidemiological evidence has shown an increasing trend in the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in the Western world: a number of population-based studies estimate a prevalence of up to 21% for hyperuricemia and 1%-4% for gout. As such, early detection and careful management of this pathological condition is required, starting from lifestyle changes (mainly based on a diet low in red meat, sugars, and alcoholic beverages, with increased intake of vegetables, water, and vitamin C sources), adding specific drugs to lead serum uric acid (SUA) levels under the target value of 7 mg/dL.

Risk Factors for Lacunar Strokes with Visible Cerebral Lesions on Computed Tomography Scan.

Background: The aim of this study was the detection of risk factors for lacunar strokes with visible lesions on computed tomography (CT) scan, considering in particular clinical characteristics, echocardiographic parameters, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV, a marker of large-artery stiffness). Lacunar strokes with very small or nonvisible lesions may have different risk factors.

Methods: We examined 106 patients (mean age 66.

Short- and Long-Term Stroke Risk after Urgent Management of Transient Ischaemic Attack: The Bologna TIA Clinical Pathway.

Background: Rapid management can reduce the short stroke risk after transient ischaemic attack (TIA), but the long-term effect is still little known. We evaluated 3-year vascular outcomes in patients with TIA after urgent care.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled all consecutive patients with TIA diagnosed by a vascular neurologist and referred to our emergency department (ED).