The effect of probiotic supplementation on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score in patients attending a tertiary hospital clinic in Cairo, Egypt

The effect of probiotic supplementation on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score in patients attending a tertiary hospital clinic in Cairo, Egypt

 

Alaa Ahmed Abd El Hamid (1), Azza Emam Mohamed (2), Manal sabry Mohamed (2), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1,3), Hagar Ahmed Ahmed Elessawy (2) and Mohamed Farouk Allam (1*)

 

1 Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Internal Medicine Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

*Correspondence: Mohamed Farouk Allam (farouk.allam@med.asu.edu.eg)

Abd El Hamid et al. BMC Gastroenterology (2024) 24:354.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-024-03424-3

 

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic fat accumulation (>5% of liver tissue) in the absence of alcohol abuse or other chronic liver diseases. NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of probiotic (lactobacillus) supplementation on NAFLD fibrosis score. Methodology: A double-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted in the family medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital, enrolling patients with sonographic evidence of NAFLD. Fifty patients were divided into two groups: the Probiotic group received lifestyle modification instructions along with daily probiotic supplementation for twelve weeks, with regular monthly follow-up visits. The Standard Treatment group received low-fat diet and lifestyle modification instructions only. Results: The mean age of participants was 46.10 years (SD 10.11), with 70% females and 30% males. The study found a statistically significant difference in liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and BMI in the probiotic group before and after intervention. However, there was no significant difference in NAFLD fibrosis score between the two groups. Conclusión: Short-term probiotic treatment resulted in improvements in ALT, AST, and BMI in the probiotic group, but did not significantly affect NAFLD fibrosis score. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted.

 

Trial registration The clinical trial was registered at Protocol Registration and Results System with number NCT06074094 (12/09/2021).

 

Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Probiotics, NAFLD fibrosis score.

 

Abd El Hamid AA, Mohamed AE, Mohamed MS, Amin GEE, Elessawy HAA, Allam MF. The effect of probiotic supplementation on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score in patients attending a tertiary hospital clinic in Cairo, Egypt. BMC Gastroenterol. 2024 Oct 8;24(1):354. doi: 10.1186/s12876-024-03424-3. PMID: 39379797; PMCID: PMC11462796.

 

https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-024-03424-3

New Topical Therapy for Moderate Psoriasis: An Open-Label, Pilot Study

New Topical Therapy for Moderate Psoriasis: An Open-Label, Pilot Study

José Miguel Ingelmo Calvo (1), José Ruiz Cobo (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (3)*

1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital HM Malaga, Malaga, Spain.

2. Distrito Sanitario Costa del Sol, SUAP Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain.

3. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research (eIJPPR) 2024;14(2):31-34.

 

https://doi.org/10.51847/8b1eX1xZRO

 

Abstract

Psoriasis is a persistent, recurring condition characterized by numerous complications. Currently, there is no definitive cure for psoriasis, and treatments typically provide temporary relief of symptoms. Patent 202030824, an innovative cream for psoriasis local treatment, was issued by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism. This product is called "Psorisbye," and it's a foamy lotion that contains clobetasol, propylene glycol, spironolactone, milk-peptide complex, and papaverine hydrochloride. We report on five cases of mild psoriasis that responded well to our recently developed foamy lotion treatment. Our pilot study is an open-label intervention study involving patients with moderate psoriasis. Initially, each patient underwent a comprehensive assessment, encompassing a thorough history-taking and clinical examination. Next, instructions were given to each patient to use our recently developed foamy lotion once a day for a week, using a total of 120 ml of the product during this time. The patients had a follow-up evaluation in the outpatient clinic following a 7-day period of local application. Every patient noted a remission of scaling lesions and claimed a significant reduction in itching sensations. The mean pre-treatment PASI of the patients was 20.28 (SD 6.1), while the mean post-treatment PASI was 1.8. Our preliminary investigation indicated promising results in the treatment of moderate psoriasis with "Psorisbye". Notwithstanding these encouraging results, a longer follow-up is necessary to assess the length of psoriasis remission and any possible adverse effects related to this novel topical medication.

 

Key Words: Psoriasis, Topical therapy, Psoriasis area severity index, Case series, Malaga.

Calvo JMI, Cobo JR, Allam MF. New Topical Therapy for Moderate Psoriasis: An Open-Label, Pilot Study. Int J Pharm Phytopharmacol Res 2024;14(2):31-4. https://doi.org/10.51847/8b1eX1xZRO

https://eijppr.com/article/new-topical-therapy-for-moderate-psoriasis-an-open-label-pilot-study-rrp5cpnekgzdr3i

The effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine on the control of symptoms, duration, and disease progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19: Randomized controlled clinical trial

The effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine on the control of symptoms, duration, and disease progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19: Randomized controlled clinical trial

Samar Osama Hassan (1), Ahmed Nour El-Din Hassan (2,3), Manal Sabry Mohamed (4), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (4), Mina Michael Nesim (4), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1)

1. Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
3. Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Galala University, Egypt.
4. Internal Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Microbes and Infectious Diseases 2024;5(3):901-910.

Doi: 10.21608/MID.2024.281579.1877

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging human disease caused by a novel coronavirus, causing a global pandemic crisis. Probiotics and/or colchicine may be considered as options for treatment since they have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Results: A total of 150 patients with mild and moderate severity of COVID-19 were enrolled in the study, 50 patients in each arm; around one third (34.7%) of the participants were aged between 29 and 39 years; one-quarter (24.7%) were aged between 18 and 28 years and 40.6% were aged 40 years and above. The mean duration of symptoms improvement was 12, 11 and 12 in the colchicine, probiotic, and control groups, respectively. Improvement of inflammatory markers over time occurred in each of the three groups, with no statistically significant difference between them. Conclusion: Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine shows no significant effect on the symptoms, duration, and progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, RCT, Ain Shams University, Cairo.

Hassan SO, Hassan AN, Mohamed MS, Al Ashram MNB, Nesim MM, Allam MF. The effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine on the control of symptoms, duration, and disease progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Microbes and Infectious Diseases, 2024. doi: 10.21608/mid.2024.281579.1877

Web page: https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_352344.html

https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_352344_11d92885b09d83a148c09a43886771b0.pdf

 

Role of Melatonin in Management of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Role of Melatonin in Management of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1,2), Salwa Mostafa Mohammad Abdel Rahman (3), Rehab Mohamed Ali Mohamed (1), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,2)

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy 2024; 4: e1982.

 

DOI: 10.54034/mic.e1982

 

Abstract

Background: the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare and economic systems. The clinical manifestation of the disease varies from flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia and, in some cases, death. Melatonin and its metabolites play a crucial role in immunomodulation and possess anti-oxidative properties, capable of directly and indirectly scavenging reactive oxygen species. Objective: the aim of the present systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of melatonin in the management of COVID-19 patients and its role in expediting the return of patients to their baseline health. Methodology: the literature review was conducted up to August 2022, resulting in the identification of 533 articles after sorting them by authors and year of publication. Following the removal of 223 duplicate articles, 310 abstracts were screened, leading to the exclusion of 281. Subsequently, 29 full-text studies were evaluated for eligibility, with 22 being excluded. Finally, seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for further qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results: the findings revealed a noteworthy reduction in hospital stay among patients who received melatonin compared to those who received a placebo (standardized mean difference: -0.50, Standard error: 0.15, 95% CI: -0.80, -0.20, P value: 0.001). Melatonin was associated with a significant decrease in mortality in COVID-19 patients when compared to the placebo (Pooled RR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.56, P value: 0.002). However, there were no significant differences between melatonin and placebo regarding the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation, and the requirement for oxygen therapy. Conclusion: melatonin may decrease the mortality rate among patients with COVID-19. Melatonin may reduce the duration of hospital stay in patients with COVID-19. Melatonin had no effect on the following outcomes in COVID-19 patients: the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation and the need for oxygen therapy.

Key word: coronavirus disease 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome.

Amin, G. E. E.- din, Abdel Rahman, S. M. M., Mohamed, R. M. A., & Allam, M. F. (2024). Role of Melatonin in Management of COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy, 4, e1982.

https://revistas.unheval.edu.pe/index.php/mic/article/view/1982

The potential therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation for managment of SARS-COV-2: a systematic review/meta-analysis

The potential therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation for managment of SARS-COV-2: a systematic review/meta-analysis

Lobna Mohamed Bahaa El-Din Mohamed (1), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (2), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (3,4), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,4), Rasha Samir (5) 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Cairo, Egypt.

5. Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy 2024; 4: e1964.

 

DOI: 10.54034/mic.e1964

 

Abstract

Background: vitamin D deficiency has long been associated with decreased immune function and can lead to viral infections. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. However, it is unclear whether treatment with vitamin D can reduce the associated risk of COVID-19 infection. Objective: the current meta-analysis aimed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation had a positive or negative impact on COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: for this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the following databases; CENTERAL, Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, EMBASE and Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB, for studies published till February 20, 2022, using key terms. Besides, reference lists of relevant studies were identified. We considered randomized trials (RCTs) and cohort studies as potentially eligible when patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection and received vitamin D supplementation versus a placebo or standard-of-care control. We identified a total of 718 articles, of which 4 RCTs and 3 cohort studies which meet eligible criteria. The seven studies included in our meta-analysis involved 1238 subjects. We considered 7 outcomes to be measured in our meta-analysis which are duration of COVID-19 illness till recovery, need for O2 therapy, need for ICU admission, need for artificial ventilation, fatal prognosis, time to negative PCR and need for hospitalization. Results: vitamin D supplement decreased the period of hospital stay in SARS-CoV2 positive patients. There was no clear protective effect of vitamin D supplementation on the need for oxygen therapy. There was no reduction on need for ICU admission in SARS-CoV2 patients treated with vitamin D supplementation. There was a significant reduction on need for artificial ventilation in patients treated with vitamin D supplementation. Our meta-analysis showed that there is no reduction on fatal prognosis in patients treated with vitamin D supplementation. Only one RCT evaluated time to negative PCR; this study was conducted in India and showed that vitamin D supplementation helped to achieve SARS-CoV-2 RNA negativity in greater proportion of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion: administration of vitamin D after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces the period of hospital stay and also reduces the need for artificial ventilation.

 

Keywords: Vitamin D Supplementation, SARS-COV-2, Management, Meta-analysis, Ain Shams University.

 

Bahaa El-Din, L. M., Farres, M. N., Amin, G. E. E.-D., Allam, M. F., & Samir, R. (2024). The potential therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation for management of SARS-COV-2: a systematic review/meta-analysis. Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy, 4, e1964.

 

https://revistas.unheval.edu.pe/index.php/mic/article/view/1964