Findings of previous studies on associations between dairy consumption and metabolic health status were inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the link between consumption of dairy foods and metabolic health status, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and adropin levels in adults.

Cross-sectional.

An observational study in Isfahan, Iran.

Adults (n=527) selected by multistage cluster random sampling. Dietary intakes were assessed via a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire.

Anthropometric indices, blood pressure and biochemical parameters were assessed. The criteria proposed by Wildman et al were used to categorise participants into metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy (MU).

Participants had a mean age of 42.66 years (45.7% women). Moderate consumption of total dairy was, respectively, linked to 58% lower odds of MU (OR _{T2 vs T1}=0.42; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.96), after taking all confounders into account. Participants in the middle versus low tertile of low-fat dairy intake showed 51% marginally lower odds of MU (OR _{T2 vs T1}=0.49; 95% CI 0.22 to 1.08; p=0.08). No significant association was discovered between high-fat dairy intake and MU chance. However, higher total dairy intake was associated with lower odds of hypertension (OR _{T3 vs T1}=0.36; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.93). No significant associations were observed between dairy intake and BDNF or adropin levels.

Moderate consumption of total and low-fat dairy was associated with lower odds of being metabolically unhealthy in Iranian adults, but high-fat dairy intake was not. Hypertension was less common among individuals with higher dairy intake. No association was found between dairy intake and serum levels of BDNF or adropin.

Although there are some drugs to control Parkinson’s disease (PD), they have several side effects and cannot control the inflammation and oxidative stress, the leading causes of PD progression. On the other hand, there is a growing interest in herbal medicine as a safe and cheap adjunctive therapy to prevent PD progression. In this regard, limited human studies investigated the effect of saffron, a rich source of antioxidants, on PD. Nevertheless, due to low sample size, saffron dosage and study duration, they could not completely affirm the efficacy of saffron on PD. Therefore, this triple-blind randomised controlled clinical trial aimed to investigate this subject in human patients with a proper sample size, saffron dosage and duration study.

In this parallel, randomised, triple-blind controlled clinical trial, 92 patients with PD will be randomised into two groups to receive either (1) a daily tablet containing 100 mg/d saffron for 12 weeks or (2) placebo tablets for the same duration. The following variables will be assessed before and after the intervention, as the outcomes of interest: serum values of C-reactive protein, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, glutathione, zonulin, the activity of catalase enzyme, PD stage, symptoms of PD (motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms), quality of life, mental health, sleep quality, cognitive status, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, gastrointestinal symptoms, appetite and fatigue. The intention-to-treat approach will be used for patients who were lost to follow-up. Additionally, to adjust for the potential confounders, a one-way analysis of covariance will be performed.

This study was confirmed by the Ethics Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with the code of IR.MUI.PHANUT.REC.1402.072. Written informed consent to participate will be obtained from all participants. Final findings will be presented in future publications and scientific congresses.

IRCT20121216011763N61; Pre-results.