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Arthritis and Rheumatism Nov 2001To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized and highly concentrated extract of 2 ginger species, Zingiber officinale and Alpinia galanga (EV.EXT 77), in... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized and highly concentrated extract of 2 ginger species, Zingiber officinale and Alpinia galanga (EV.EXT 77), in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
METHODS
Two hundred sixty-one patients with OA of the knee and moderate-to-severe pain were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel-group, 6-week study. After washout, patients received ginger extract or placebo twice daily, with acetaminophen allowed as rescue medication. The primary efficacy variable was the proportion of responders experiencing a reduction in "knee pain on standing," using an intent-to-treat analysis. A responder was defined by a reduction in pain of > or = 15 mm on a visual analog scale.
RESULTS
In the 247 evaluable patients, the percentage of responders experiencing a reduction in knee pain on standing was superior in the ginger extract group compared with the control group (63% versus 50%; P = 0.048). Analysis of the secondary efficacy variables revealed a consistently greater response in the ginger extract group compared with the control group, when analyzing mean values: reduction in knee pain on standing (24.5 mm versus 16.4 mm; P = 0.005), reduction in knee pain after walking 50 feet (15.1 mm versus 8.7 mm; P = 0.016), and reduction in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis composite index (12.9 mm versus 9.0 mm; P = 0.087). Change in global status and reduction in intake of rescue medication were numerically greater in the ginger extract group. Change in quality of life was equal in the 2 groups. Patients receiving ginger extract experienced more gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events than did the placebo group (59 patients versus 21 patients). GI adverse events were mostly mild.
CONCLUSION
A highly purified and standardized ginger extract had a statistically significant effect on reducing symptoms of OA of the knee. This effect was moderate. There was a good safety profile, with mostly mild GI adverse events in the ginger extract group.
Topics: Aged; Digestive System Diseases; Double-Blind Method; Female; Zingiber officinale; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 11710709
DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(200111)44:11<2531::aid-art433>3.0.co;2-j -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Dec 2018In the last decade, a barge body of scientific literature has suggested that specific alterations of the gut microbiota may be associated with ther development and... (Review)
Review
In the last decade, a barge body of scientific literature has suggested that specific alterations of the gut microbiota may be associated with ther development and clinical course of several gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, gastrointestinal cancer and Clostridium difficile infection. These alterations are often referred to as "dysbiosis", a generic term designing reduction of gut microbiota biodiversity and alterations in its composition. Here, we provide a synthetic overview of the key concepts on the relationship between intestinal microbiota and gastrointestinal diseases, focusing on the translation of these concepts into clinical practice.
Topics: Biodiversity; Celiac Disease; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium Infections; Digestive System Diseases; Digestive System Neoplasms; Disease Susceptibility; Dysbiosis; Endotoxins; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Absorption; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Liver Diseases
PubMed: 30561395
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v89i9-S.7912 -
Gut and Liver May 2017Obesity is a growing medical and public health problem worldwide. Many digestive diseases are related to obesity. In this article, the current state of our knowledge of... (Review)
Review
Obesity is a growing medical and public health problem worldwide. Many digestive diseases are related to obesity. In this article, the current state of our knowledge of obesity-related digestive diseases, their pathogenesis, and the medical and metabolic consequences of weight reduction are discussed. Obesity-related digestive diseases include gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancer, colon polyp and cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis C-related disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, gallstone, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancer. Although obesity-related esophageal diseases are associated with altered mechanical and humoral factors, other obesity-related digestive diseases seem to be associated with obesity-induced altered circulating levels of adipocytokines and insulin resistance. The relationship between functional gastrointestinal disease and obesity has been debated. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the obesity-related digestive diseases, including pathophysiology, obesity-related risk, and medical and metabolic effects of weight reduction in obese subjects.
Topics: Adipokines; Digestive System Diseases; Esophageal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Obesity; Risk Factors; Weight Loss
PubMed: 27890867
DOI: 10.5009/gnl15557 -
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) Jan 2023
Topics: Humans; Liver Diseases; Digestive System Diseases
PubMed: 35753068
DOI: 10.1002/hep.32639 -
Gastroenterology Jun 2017Specificity proteins (SPs) and Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) belong to the family of transcription factors that contain conserved zinc finger domains involved in binding... (Review)
Review
Specificity proteins (SPs) and Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) belong to the family of transcription factors that contain conserved zinc finger domains involved in binding to target DNA sequences. Many of these proteins are expressed in different tissues and have distinct tissue-specific activities and functions. Studies have shown that SPs and KLFs regulate not only physiological processes such as growth, development, differentiation, proliferation, and embryogenesis, but pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer and inflammatory disorders. Consistently, these proteins have been shown to regulate normal functions and pathobiology in the digestive system. We review recent findings on the tissue- and organ-specific functions of SPs and KLFs in the digestive system including the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, and liver. We provide a list of agents under development to target these proteins.
Topics: Animals; Digestive System; Digestive System Diseases; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; Signal Transduction; Sp Transcription Factors
PubMed: 28366734
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.03.035 -
Primary Care Jun 2017Gastrointestinal conditions are prevalent in the population and account for significant morbidity and health care costs. Patients with gastrointestinal conditions use... (Review)
Review
Gastrointestinal conditions are prevalent in the population and account for significant morbidity and health care costs. Patients with gastrointestinal conditions use integrative medicine. There is growing evidence that integrative medicine approaches can improve symptoms and affect physiology and disease course. This article reviews data on some common and well-studied approaches, including mind-body therapies, acupuncture, diet, probiotics, and dietary supplements and herbs. Although clear recommendations can be made for some conditions, in others there are challenges in translating these findings owing to small study size, lack of standardization, and trial heterogeneity.
Topics: Complementary Therapies; Diet Therapy; Dietary Supplements; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Integrative Medicine; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 28501229
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2017.02.002 -
European Heart Journal Feb 2014The heart and the gut seem to be two organs that do not have much in common. However, there is an obvious and clinically relevant impact of gut functions on the... (Review)
Review
The heart and the gut seem to be two organs that do not have much in common. However, there is an obvious and clinically relevant impact of gut functions on the absorption of drugs and oral therapies on the one hand. On the other hand, the gut determines the quantity of nutrient uptake and plays a central role in metabolic diseases. Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases appear to have a higher risk for coronary heart disease despite a lower prevalence of 'classical' risk factors, indicating additional links between the gut and the heart. However, they certainly have a 'leaky' intestinal barrier associated with increased permeability for bacterial wall products. An impaired intestinal barrier function will be followed by bacterial translocation and presence of bacterial products in the circulation, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and chronic heart failure (CHF) as recent data indicate. Impaired cardiac function in CHF vice versa impacts intestinal microcirculation leading to a barrier defect of the intestinal mucosa and increased bacterial translocation. These pathways and the most recent insights into the impact of the gut on acute and chronic heart disease will be discussed in this review.
Topics: Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Digestive System; Digestive System Diseases; Heart Diseases; Humans
PubMed: 23864132
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht271 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Oct 2023Digestive system diseases (DSD) are very complex conditions that severely threaten human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new pharmacological... (Review)
Review
Digestive system diseases (DSD) are very complex conditions that severely threaten human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new pharmacological treatment strategies. Irisin, a myokine discovered in 2012, is produced by fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), which is a transmembrane protein. Irisin is involved in promoting the browning of white adipose tissue, the regulation of energy metabolism, and the improvement of insulin resistance. Irisin is also an essential mediator of the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. Recent studies have proved that irisin concentration is altered in DSD and exerts pivotal effects on the initiation, progression, and prognosis of these diseases through various mechanisms. Therefore, studying the expression and function of irisin may have great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of DSD. Here, we focus on irisin and explore the multiple molecular pathways targeted by irisin therapy. This review indicates that irisin can serve as a diagnostic marker or potential therapeutic agent for DSD. DATA AVAILABILITY: Not applicable.
Topics: Humans; Fibronectins; Digestive System Diseases; Adipose Tissue, White; Apoptosis; Cognition; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 37625325
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115347 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Nov 2017Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disorder associated and often coexisting with many other immune-related clinical conditions including those affecting... (Review)
Review
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disorder associated and often coexisting with many other immune-related clinical conditions including those affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Data obtained from the reviewed literature suggest an association between psoriasis and pathologies of the oral cavity, both psoriasis-specific lesions, as well as non-specific, such as geographic tongue or fissured tongue. These findings show the importance of thorough examination of oral mucosa in psoriatic patients. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are also linked with psoriasis. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis share a common genetic background, inflammatory pathways and have an evident iatrogenic anti-TNF treatment link, necessitating dermatological or gastroenterological care in patients with IBD or psoriasis, respectively, as well as treatment adjusted to manifestations. The presence of celiac disease-specific antibodies in psoriatic patients and their correlation with the severity of the disease show the association between these disorders. The linking pathogenesis comprises vitamin D deficiency, immune pathway, genetic background and increase in the intestinal permeability, which suggests a potential benefit from gluten-free diet among psoriatic patients. The link between psoriasis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease implies screening patients for components of metabolic syndrome and lifestyle changes necessity. Some studies indicate increased prevalence of cancer in patients with psoriasis, probably due to negative influence of skin lesion impact on lifestyle rather than the role of psoriasis in carcinogenesis. However, there are no sufficient data to exclude such an oncogenic hit, which is yet to be confirmed. Therefore, all psoriasis-associated comorbidities establish the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of these patients.
Topics: Celiac Disease; Digestive System Diseases; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Neoplasms; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Psoriasis
PubMed: 28905102
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-017-1775-7 -
Korean Journal of Radiology Sep 2019Pediatric hepatobiliary imaging is important for evaluation of not only congenital or structural disease but also metabolic or diffuse parenchymal disease and tumors. A... (Review)
Review
Pediatric hepatobiliary imaging is important for evaluation of not only congenital or structural disease but also metabolic or diffuse parenchymal disease and tumors. A variety of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques can be used for these assessments. In ultrasonography, conventional ultrasound imaging as well as vascular imaging, elastography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can be used, while in MRI, fat quantification, T2/T2* mapping, diffusion-weighted imaging, magnetic resonance elastography, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI can be performed. These techniques may be helpful for evaluation of biliary atresia, hepatic fibrosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, and hepatic masses in children. In this review, we discuss each tool in the context of management of hepatobiliary disease in children, and cover various imaging techniques in the context of the relevant physics and their clinical applications for patient care.
Topics: Biliary Atresia; Child; Contrast Media; Digestive System Diseases; Hemangioma; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 31464113
DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2019.0002