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Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Jun 2024Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and has been linked to an imbalance in gut bacteria....
Multispecies synbiotics alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis: Effects on clinical scores, intestinal pathology, and plasma biomarkers in male and female mice.
BACKGROUND
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and has been linked to an imbalance in gut bacteria. Synbiotics, which combine probiotics and prebiotics, are emerging as potential IBD treatments.
AIM
To examine the effects of four synbiotic formulations on intestinal inflammation and peripheral biomarkers in a rodent IBD model of both sexes.
METHODS
Colitis was induced in male and female C57BL/6 mice using 1% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Concurrently, a non-exposed control group was maintained. Starting on day 4 post-induction, DSS-exposed mice received one of four synbiotic preparations (Synbio1-4 composed of lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacterium and dietary fibres), an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat IBD (mesalazine), or placebo (water) until day 14. Clinical symptoms and body weight were monitored daily. Blood samples (taken on days -3, 4, and 14, relative to DSS introduction), were used to analyze plasma biomarkers. At the end of the study, intestinal tissues underwent histological and morphological evaluation.
RESULTS
Compared to placebo, the Synbio1-, 2- and 3-treated groups had improved clinical scores by day 14. Synbio1 was the only preparation that led to clinical improvements to scores comparable to those of controls. The Synbio1-and 3-treated groups also demonstrated histological improvements in the colon. Plasma biomarker analyses revealed significant Synbio1-induced changes in plasma IL17A, VEGFD, and TNFRSF11B levels that correlated with improved clinical or histological scores. Sex-stratified analyses revealed that most therapeutic-like effects were more pronounced in females.
CONCLUSION
Our findings underscore the potential therapeutic benefits of specific synbiotics for IBD management. However, further research is needed to validate these outcomes in human subjects.
PubMed: 38923468
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.06.011 -
Veterinary Sciences Jun 2024Surgical neutering in pet rabbits is common practice to prevent reproduction and associated health issues. Adequate postoperative pain management is crucial for...
Surgical neutering in pet rabbits is common practice to prevent reproduction and associated health issues. Adequate postoperative pain management is crucial for recovery, yet effective methods in clinical settings remain underexplored. This study compared the analgesic effects of carprofen and meloxicam in pet rabbits undergoing surgical neutering. Fifty rabbits of varied demographics were included, with pain assessed using the Centro Animali Non Convenzionali Rabbit Scale (CANCRS). Rabbits were allocated to receive postoperative 2 mg kg carprofen or 1 mg kg meloxicam by subcutaneous injection. Anesthesia was induced with an intramuscular combination of ketamine (20 mg kg), medetomidine (0.4 mg kg), and butorphanol (0.2 mg kg), and ovariectomy or orchiectomy were performed. The CANCRS scale was used to assess pain by evaluating the rabbit preoperatively, 6 h postoperatively, and at three time points the following day. Times of return to spontaneous feeding and fecal production were also recorded. No statistically significant difference was found between treatment groups based on CANCRS scores and resumption of food intake and fecal output. No clinically detectable adverse effects were noted. While limitations include the use of a single pain assessment scale and the absence of a placebo control group, the results suggest that both carprofen and meloxicam can be viable options in clinical practice. Further research utilizing diverse pain assessment methods is warranted to enhance understanding and optimize pain management strategies for rabbits undergoing surgical procedures.
PubMed: 38922004
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060257 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024It has been posited that ingesting a pill constitutes a pivotal action that facilitates the effects of open-label placebos (OLPs: placebos honestly prescribed). In the...
It has been posited that ingesting a pill constitutes a pivotal action that facilitates the effects of open-label placebos (OLPs: placebos honestly prescribed). In the present OLP experiment, the motor components of a placebo treatment were systematically varied. The participants ( = 183) were randomly allocated to one of four groups that all viewed aversive pictures. The 'active OLP' group took a placebo pill with specific instructions concerning the sequence of motor actions for the intake. The 'usual OLP' group swallowed the pill (without specific motor instructions), while the third group received an 'imaginary OLP' (no pill intake). The fourth group applied cognitive reappraisal (CR; active control group) to reduce emotional distress. The participants rated their affective state as well as the efficacy and plausibility of the treatment approach. Moreover, blood pressure and pulse were recorded as indicators of bodily arousal. The four groups did not differ in their valence ratings and physiological measures. The 'imaginary OLP' received higher ratings for both effectiveness and plausibility than the 'usual OLP'. CR was rated as superior relative to all OLP conditions. In conclusion, reducing emotional distress with OLPs does not necessitate the consumption of a placebo pill. In terms of acceptability and ease of implementation, CR stands as a well-established alternative.
PubMed: 38920788
DOI: 10.3390/bs14060455 -
African Journal of Reproductive Health May 2024Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed pharmacological substances globally, and is known for its potential ergogenic effects. This study examined the impact of...
Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed pharmacological substances globally, and is known for its potential ergogenic effects. This study examined the impact of caffeine on the blood pressure in athletic and non-athletic women. Caffeine, a CNS stimulant, enhances athletic performance by boosting stamina, alertness, and cognitive speed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of caffeine on heart rate and blood pressure in both athletic and non-athletic women, and to inform both groups about its effects. The study was conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and involved 30 volunteers aged 18-30 years. Participants were equally divided into three groups: athletes who consumed caffeine, non-athletes who consumed caffeine, and a control group (given a placebo). After caffeine ingestion, there were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), or heart rate between athletes and non-athletes. These findings suggest that caffeine consumption does not significantly affect blood pressure in either athletic or non-athletic women. However, if it raises blood pressure in both groups, it could pose risks, prompting athletes to consider alternative hydration options such as Gatorade.
Topics: Humans; Female; Caffeine; Blood Pressure; Adult; Heart Rate; Young Adult; Saudi Arabia; Athletes; Adolescent; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Athletic Performance
PubMed: 38920287
DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i5.10 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Aromatherapy is a holistic healing method to promote health and well-being by using natural plant extracts. However, its precise mechanism of action and influence on the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing method to promote health and well-being by using natural plant extracts. However, its precise mechanism of action and influence on the endocrine system remains unclear. Since recent studies reported that a neuropeptide, oxytocin, can attenuate anxiety, we hypothesized that if oxytocin secretion is promoted through aromatherapy, it may improve mood and anxiety. The present study is aimed to investigate the relationship between oxytocin and the effects of aromatherapy with lavender oil on anxiety level, by measuring salivary oxytocin levels in healthy men and women.
METHODS
We conducted a randomized open crossover trial in 15 men and 10 women. Each participant received a placebo intervention (control group) and aromatherapy with lavender oil (aromatherapy group). For the aromatherapy group, each participant spent a 30-min session in a room with diffused lavender essential oil, followed by a 10-min hand massage using a carrier oil containing lavender oil. Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before the intervention, 30-min after the start of intervention, and after hand massage, in both groups. Saliva samples were collected at the same time points of the STAI.
RESULTS
In women, either aromatherapy or hand massage was associated with a reduction in anxiety levels, independently. Moreover, salivary oxytocin levels were increased after aromatherapy. On the other hand, in men, anxiety levels were decreased after aromatherapy, as well as after hand massage, regardless of the use of lavender oil. However, there were no significant differences in changes of salivary oxytocin levels between the control and aromatherapy groups during the intervention period. Interestingly, there was a positive correlation between anxiety levels and salivary oxytocin levels before the intervention, but a negative correlation was observed after hand massage with lavender oil.
CONCLUSION
The results of the present study indicate that in women, aromatherapy with lavender oil attenuated anxiety with increase in oxytocin level in women, whereas in men, there was no clear relationship of aromatherapy with anxiety or oxytocin levels but, there was a change in correlation between anxiety and oxytocin. The results of the present study suggest that the effect of aromatherapy can vary depending on sex.
Topics: Humans; Oxytocin; Aromatherapy; Female; Male; Saliva; Anxiety; Adult; Oils, Volatile; Lavandula; Plant Oils; Young Adult; Cross-Over Studies; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 38919481
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1380779 -
Current Neuropharmacology Jun 2024Excessive free radicals are implicated in the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia (TD), and Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) scavenges free radicals, thereby enhancing...
BACKGROUND
Excessive free radicals are implicated in the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia (TD), and Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) scavenges free radicals, thereby enhancing antioxidant enzymes such as mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). This study examined whether EGb761 treatment would improve TD symptoms and increase MnSOD activity, particularly in TD patients with specific MnSOD Val-9Ala genotype.
METHODS
An EGb761 (240 mg/day) 12-week double-blind clinical trial with 157 TD patients was randomized. The severity of TD was measured by the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and plasma MnSOD activity was assayed before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Further, in an expanded sample, we compared MnSOD activity in 159 TD, 227 non-TD and 280 healthy controls, as well as the allele frequencies and genotypes for the MnSOD Ala-9Val polymorphism in 352 TD, 486 non-TD and 1150 healthy controls.
RESULTS
EGb761 significantly reduced TD symptoms and increased MnSOD activity in TD patients compared to placebo (both p < 0.01). Moreover, we found an interaction between genotype and treatment response (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in the EGb761 group, patients carrying the Ala allele displayed a significantly lower AIMS total score than patients with the Val/Val genotype. In addition, MnSOD activity was significantly lower at baseline in TD patients compared with healthy controls or non-TD patients.
CONCLUSION
EGb761 treatment enhanced low MnSOD activity in TD patients and produced greater improvement in TD symptoms in patients with the Ala allele of the MnSOD Ala-9Val polymorphism.
PubMed: 38919004
DOI: 10.2174/1570159X22666240530095721 -
Annali Italiani Di Chirurgia 2024We investigated the potential benefits of administering a nutraceutical combination of Bromelain (200 mg) and Boswellia serrata Casperome® (200 mg) on post-operative... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
A Nutraceutical Combination of Bromelain and Boswellia Serrata Casperome® in Siben®: Effects on the Postoperative Course of Inguinal Hernioplasty with Mesh at One Year Follow up. A Randomized Multicentric Study.
AIM
We investigated the potential benefits of administering a nutraceutical combination of Bromelain (200 mg) and Boswellia serrata Casperome® (200 mg) on post-operative outcomes of hernioplasty with mesh.
METHODS
One hundred eighty patients (27 females, 153 males) were enrolled to undergo open tension-free hernioplasty with the use of Progrip®. Patients were randomized to receive either one tablet of Siben® (study group) or placebo (control group) on an empty stomach, every twelve hours for eleven postoperative days. All patients filled out a medical questionnaire focused on postoperative pain, based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scale and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, at time T0 (day of surgery) and T28 (28th day after surgery).
RESULTS
One-year results showed a significant improvement in the primary postoperative outcome in the study group. Perception of pain was significantly reduced in the Siben® group compared with controls, both on the seventh (p < 0.05) and the twenty-first (p < 0.05) postoperative day. Patients included in the Siben® group also resumed daily activities and returned to work earlier than the controls. Moreover, results of the SF-36 indicated better Quality of Life (QoL) scores in the study group compared to the placebo group.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis effectively demonstrates that the use of Siben® in open inguinal hernia mesh repair may improve short- and long-term surgical outcomes, contributing to a better QoL.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Hernia, Inguinal; Boswellia; Bromelains; Dietary Supplements; Surgical Mesh; Herniorrhaphy; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative; Follow-Up Studies; Treatment Outcome; Adult; Aged; Plant Extracts; Double-Blind Method; Phytotherapy; Quality of Life; Time Factors
PubMed: 38918956
DOI: 10.62713/aic.3509 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024The 2x2 factorial design is an effective method that allows for multiple comparisons, especially in the context of interactions between different interventions, without... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
The 2x2 factorial design is an effective method that allows for multiple comparisons, especially in the context of interactions between different interventions, without substantially increasing the required sample size. In view of the considerable preclinical evidence for Curcumin and Metformin in preventing the development and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), this study describes the protocol of the clinical trial towards applying the drug combination in prevention of second primary tumors.
METHODS
We have applied the trial design to a large phase IIB/III double-blind, multi-centric, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to determine the safety and efficacy of Metformin and Curcumin in the prevention of second primary tumours (SPT) of the aerodigestive tract following treatment of HNSCC (n=1,500) [Clinical Registry of India, CTRI/2018/03/012274]. Patients recruited in this trial will receive Metformin (with placebo), Curcumin (with placebo), Metformin, and Curcumin or placebo alone for a period of 36 months. The primary endpoint of this trial is the development of SPT, while the secondary endpoints are toxicities associated with the agents, incidence of recurrence, and identifying potential biomarkers. In this article, we discuss the 2x2 factorial design and how it applies to the head and neck cancer chemoprevention trial.
CONCLUSION
2x2 factorial design is an effective trial design for chemoprevention clinical trials where the effectiveness of multiple interventions needs to be tested parallelly.
Topics: Humans; Metformin; Curcumin; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Double-Blind Method; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Male; Female; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Middle Aged; Adult; Follow-Up Studies; Prognosis; Research Design; Aged; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38918654
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1935 -
Clinical Breast Cancer Jun 2024Chronic postoperative surgical pain (CPSP) is a frequent complication following breast surgery and poses a challenge in terms of treatment. We hypothesized that the...
BACKGROUND
Chronic postoperative surgical pain (CPSP) is a frequent complication following breast surgery and poses a challenge in terms of treatment. We hypothesized that the incidence of CPSP would be reduced at 3 months post-breast surgery with the administration of S-ketamine compared to a placebo.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the S-ketamine group (S) or the control group (C). In group S, S-ketamine was administered as a 1.5 mg kg bolus followed by 2 mg kgh infusion, while in group C, a placebo of 0.9% saline was administered in the same volume and rate as S-ketamine. The primary outcome was the incidence of CPSP, measured using a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS), at 3 months postsurgery.
RESULTS
A total of 72 patients scheduled for mastectomy were enrolled (group S, n = 33; group C, n = 32). The incidence of CPSP at 3 months postsurgery was significantly lower in group S compared to group C (18.2% vs. 48.3%, P < .05). There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups in terms of the incidence of moderate to severe pain. NRS scores for postoperative pain at rest and during movement were significantly lower at 4 h and 24 h post-surgery (P < .05, respectively). Patients in Group S had lower Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores at one week and 3 months post-surgery compared to Group C (P < .05, respectively).
CONCLUSION
S-ketamine infusion reduces the incidence of CPSP 3 months after breast surgery.
PubMed: 38918160
DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2024.06.003 -
International Journal of Sport... Jun 2024This study aimed to determine whether caffeine gum influenced perceptual-cognitive and physical performance during the extra-time period of simulated soccer match-play....
This study aimed to determine whether caffeine gum influenced perceptual-cognitive and physical performance during the extra-time period of simulated soccer match-play. Semiprofessional male soccer players (n = 12, age: 22 ± 3 years, stature: 1.78 ± 0.06 m, mass: 75 ± 9 kg) performed 120-min soccer-specific exercise on two occasions. In a triple-blind, randomized, crossover design, players chewed caffeinated (200 mg; caffeine) or control (0 mg; placebo) gum for 5 min following 90 min of soccer-specific exercise. Perceptual-cognitive skills (i.e., passing accuracy, reaction time, composure, and adaptability) were assessed using a soccer-specific virtual reality simulator, collected pre- and posttrial. Neuromuscular performance (reactive-strength index, vertical jump height, absolute and relative peak power output, and negative vertical displacement) and sprint performance (15 and 30 m) were measured at pretrial, half-time, 90 min, and posttrial. Caffeine gum attenuated declines in reaction time (pre: 90.8 ± 0.8 AU to post: 90.7 ± 0.8 AU) by a further 4.2% than placebo (pre: 92.1 ± 0.8 AU to post: 88.2 ± 0.8 AU; p < .01). Caffeine gum reduced composure by 4.7% (pre: 69.1 ± 0.8 AU to post: 65.9 ± 0.8 AU) versus placebo (pre: 68.8 ± 0.8 AU to post: 68.3 ± 0.8 AU; p < .01). Caffeine gum did not influence any other variables (p > .05). Where caffeine gum is consumed by players prior to extra-time, reaction time increases but composure may be compromised, and neuromuscular and sprint performance remain unchanged. Future work should assess caffeine gum mixes with substances like L-theanine that promote a relaxed state under stressful conditions.
PubMed: 38917989
DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0220