Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a newly emerging viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Oxidative stress appears to be a prominent contributor to the pathogenicity of SARS‐CoV‐2. Therefore, we carried out a systematic review of human observational and interventional studies to investigate the role of some antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, D, and C, selenium, zinc, and α‐lipoic acid in the main clinical outcomes of subjects with COVID‐19. Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline were searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and non‐MeSH terms without restrictions. Finally, 36 studies for vitamins C and D, selenium, and zinc were included in this systematic review; however, no eligible studies were found for vitamins A and E as well as α‐lipoic acid. The results showed the promising role of vitamin C in inflammation, Horowitz index, and mortality; vitamin D in disease manifestations and severity, inflammatory markers, lung involvement, ventilation requirement, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality; selenium in cure rate and mortality; and zinc in ventilation requirement, hospitalization, ICU admission, biomarkers of inflammation and bacterial infection, and disease complications. In conclusion, it seems that antioxidants, especially vitamins C and D, selenium, and zinc, can improve multiple COVID‐19 clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary to affirm these results.

A dietary diversity score (DDS) may be a useful strategy for monitoring risks associated with chronic diseases. Few studies have investigated the relationship between DDS and the progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). A better understanding of the relationship between DDS and diabetic nephropathy (DN) may provide insight for monitoring the overall diet and clinical outcomes. This case-control study included 105 women with DN and 105 controls with age and diabetes duration-matched to evaluate the extent to which DDS is associated with DN. Dietary intake was assessed using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DDS was calculated based on the method using five food groups: bread/grains, vegetables, fruits, meats, and dairies. Conditional logistic regression was performed to examine the association between DDS and odds of DN. Anthropometric measures and physical activity levels were evaluated using standard protocols. In a fully adjusted model [controlled for age, body mass index (BMI), energy intake, physical activity, diabetes duration, cardiovascular disease history, and drug usage], greater adherence (the third vs. the first tertile) to DDS [odds ratio (OR) = 0.13; 95% CI (0.05–0.35)], vegetables group [OR = 0.09; 95% CI (0.02–0.36)], and fruits group [OR = 0.05; 95% CI (0.01–0.20)] were significantly associated with lower odds of DN. However, we did not observe any significant relationship between other DDS components and the odds of DN. Our findings showed that higher DDS might be associated with reduced odds of DN. However, more prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Inflammation is a major cause of chronic diseases. Several studies have investigated the effects of soy intake on inflammatory biomarkers; however, the results are equivocal. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials that evaluated the effect of soy consumption on inflammatory biomarkers. Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched, up to and including May 2020, for clinical trials that evaluated the effects of soy and soy products on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin1-β (IL1-β), and Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in adults. A random-effects method was used to calculate overall effects, and subgroup analyses were performed to discern probable sources of inter-study heterogeneity. A total of 28 clinical trials were included. Although soy consumption reduced TNF-α (Hedges’ g= −0.28; 95%CI: −0.49, −0.07), it had no significant effect on IL-6 (Hedges’ g= 0.07, 95% CI: −0.14, 0.28), IL-2 (MD= −1.38 pg/ml; 95%CI: −3.07, 0.31), IL1-β (MD= −0.02 pg/ml; 95%CI: −0.08, 0.03), and IFN-γ (MD= 1685.82 pg/ml; 95%CI: −1604.86, 4976.50). Subgroup analysis illustrated a reduction in TNF-α in in parallel designed studies, at dosages ≥100 mg of isoflavones, and in unhealthy subjects. The present study showed that high doses of isoflavones in unhealthy subjects may yield beneficial effects on TNF-α.

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Background: Inflammation is a process that occurs in early phase of recovery in which immune system recognizes and removes immunological stimuli. Many chronic diseases have inflammation based pathogenesis. Several studies used soy and soy products for reducing inflammatory biomarkers. Objectives: The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials is to determine the effects of soy and soy products on inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: The following databases will be investigated for randomized controlled trials published until October 2019 to evaluate the effects of soybean and soy products on the inflammatory biomarkers in healthy subjects and patients with high inflammatory biomarkers: PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Google scholar.Two independent investigators (M.R and F.M) will screen the title and the abstract of included articles. Mean and standard deviation (SD) or standard error (SE) for outcomes will be extracted. The quality of studies will be assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. STATA software will be used to do a standard statistical analysis. A subgroup analysis will be applied to find out potential sources of inter-study heterogeneity. A Random-effects model will be conducted to calculate pooled effect size. A fixed-effect model will be incorporated to estimate the between-subgroup heterogeneity. Moreover, sensitivity analyses, Egger's regression asymmetry test and Begg's rank-correlation methods will be conducted. Results: We will try to find a major number of articles about the effectiveness of soy and soy products on inflammatory biomarkers. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukine 6 (IL-6), interleukine 2 (IL-2), interleukine 1-β (IL-1β), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Interleukine 10 (IL-10) are considered to be the outcome. Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis may provide evidence on the effectiveness and safety of soy and soy products for reducing inflammation.