Genistein effects on quality of life and depression symptoms in osteopenic postmenopausal women: a 2-year randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

SUMMARY: Postmenopausal estrogen decline is implicated in several age-related physical and psychological changes in women, including decreases in perceived quality of life. The phytoestrogen genistein at a dose of 54 mg daily in osteopenic postmenopausal women after 2 years implies an improvement on quality of life and depression symptoms. INTRODUCTION: Postmenopausal estrogen decline is implicated in several age-related physical and psychological changes in women, including decreases in perceived quality of life (QoL). A number of trials with hormone therapy showed beneficial effects of the intervention on quality of life parameters. However, because of known or suspected serious side effects of conventional hormone therapy, there is a need for alternatives. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial using the isoflavone genistein, 54 mg, or placebo for 2 years. In this trial, we recruited 262 postmenopausal women aged 49 to 67 years. RESULTS: At baseline, after 1 year, and at final visit, participants filled in the Short Form of 36 questions (SF-36) and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS). For the placebo group, scores on all dimensions of the SF-36 decreased after 1 and 2 years. The genistein group showed increases on all dimensions of the SF-36 at the end of the study. There were, however, statistically significant differences in changes of scores between the two intervention groups. For the ZSDS, similarly, significant differences were found between groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings of this randomized trial showed that genistein improves quality of life (health status, life satisfaction, and depression) in osteopenic postmenopausal women.

Genistein effects on quantitative ultrasound parameters and bone mineral density in osteopenic postmenopausal women.

UNLABELLED: This study aimed at evaluating the effects of genistein (54 mg/die) on calcaneus and phalanges ultrasound (QUS) parameters and bone mineral density in osteopenic postmenopausal women. We concluded that genistein prevented bone loss in the osteopenic postmenopausal women and improves QUS parameters at the calcaneus and phalanges. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of genistein (54 mg/die) on quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters of the calcaneus and hand phalange and on bone mineral density (BMD) in osteopenic postmenopausal women. METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight women (age 49-67 years) were assigned to receive genistein or placebo. Bone status was assessed by measuring the anteroposterior lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and by ultrasound of the calcaneus (Achilles Plus, GE, Lunar) and of the phalanges (Bone Profiler. IGEA) at baseline and after a 1- and 2-year treatment. RESULTS: At the end of the experimental period, genistein had significantly increased BMD in the femur and lumbar spine (p < 0.001). The stiffness index, amplitude-dependent speed of sound, and bone transmission time in the genistein group had increased significantly at the end of study (+5.3, p < 0.001; +3.6%, p < 0.001; +4.6, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that genistein prevented bone loss in the osteopenic postmenopausal women and it improves the QUS parameters.

Bisphosphonates in the treatment of thalassemia-associated osteoporosis.

Thalassemia major is a common cause of skeletal morbidity, as shown by the increased fracture risk in thalassemic patients. The etiology of this bone disease is multifactorial and culminates in a state of increased bone turnover with excessive bone resorption and remodeling. Despite hormonal replacement therapy, calcium and vitamin D administration, effective iron chelation, and normalization of hemoglobin levels, patients with thalassemia major continue to lose bone mass. The increased bone turnover rate observed in thalassemic patients justifies the use of powerful anti-resorption drugs, such as bisphosphonates. To date, alendronate, pamidronate, and zoledronate seem to be effective in increasing bone mineral density and normalizing bone turnover, but more trials are necessary to evaluate their efficacy in reducing fracture risks in larger thalassemic populations.

Cytological and histopathological aspects of lipomas in Bothrops moojeni

O presente relato descreve os achados citológicos e histológicos de seis neoplasias benignas em cinco ofídios da espécie Bothrops moojeni mantidas em cativeiro por um período médio de 11,4 anos. Os animais apresentavam nódulos subcutâneos com localização variada desde o terço anterior até a porção mediana. Os exames citológico e histopatológico revelaram tratar-se de tumores lipomatosos benignos compatíveis com o subtipo lipoma fusocelular.

Effects of a peer led intervention program on smoking prevention: a case example in Greece.

This pilot study evaluates the effects of a peer developed, smoking prevention program on the smoking behavior, intent to smoke, knowledge, and attitudes toward smoking of high school students. An experimental group of 237 first and second grade high school students (mean ages 12.2 and 13.2 respectively) from an Athenian school was compared to a control group of ninety students from the first and second high school grades (mean ages 12.1 and 13.3 respectively) in another school. A randomly drawn subgroup of thirty-seven student volunteers from the experimental group developed antismoking audiovisual material which they subsequently presented and discussed with the whole group. Findings indicated that this intervention significantly limited the increase of smoking behavior of the experimental group a year following the first assessment. However, intent to smoke in the future, attitudes toward smoking, and knowledge were not affected by the intervention. Results suggest that the intervention was partially successful in curbing experimental smoking in these adolescents. Implications of the findings are discussed.

[Effects of short-term administration of ibopamine on hemodynamic parameters]. / Studio degli effetti dell'ibopamina nella somministrazione a breve termine su alcuni parametri dell'emodinamica.

Ibopamine was administered in a dose of 100 mg every 8 hours for three days to 18 hospitalised heart patients of NYHA class I and II. ECHO examination, polygraphic examination, rheographic examination and carotid CW Doppler were carried out under basal conditions and at the end of treatment. B.P. did not show significant changes whereas H.R. showed a slight tendency to rise. PEPc fell significantly whereas LVETw did not change, with a parallel reduction in PEP/LVET. ECHO examination did not reveal any reduction in diameters, an increase in Vcfm and a reduction in Ses. The Ses/Vs and P/V contractility indices increased to some extent. Irrelevant changes were observed in peripheral circulation evaluated with rheography, and cerebral circulation evaluated with CW Doppler. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that ibopamine is in a position to determine an improvement in ventricular performance during heart failure and that, allowing for its sympathergic effects, it is the treatment of choice in bradykinetic decompensation.

[Mid-term effects of 1-carnitine on the lipidogram of rabbits with surgically denervated heart]. / Effetti nel medio termine della 1-carnitina sul lipidogramma di coniglio con cuore chirurgicamente denervato.

L-Carnitine induces reversibility upon the lipid-graph of a rabbit with a surgically denerved heart after 90 days since it reduces the percentage of stearic acid but also increases thoroughly linoleic acid that notoriously has a plastic and regulatory effect on the heart.

Human alpha atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits angiotensin stimulated aldosterone biosynthesis in bovine adrenal glands.

The behaviour of aldosterone output was evaluated in isolated and superfused bovine adrenal glands during superfusion with human alpha atrial natriuretic peptide on its own or with angiotensin II or a antagonist dopaminergic drug: metoclopramide. H alpha-ANP even in high concentrations did not reduce the basal amount of aldosterone released from bovine adrenal glands, nor did it modify aldosterone response to metoclopramide, but it partially inhibited aldosterone stimulation by angiotensin II. These data suggest that atrial natriuretic factor may affect sodium secretion through the modulation of aldosterone secretion.

Schizophrenia in children: a review of European research.

European literature on childhood schizophrenia is divergent and vast. The topic itself is controversial and complex. The article reviews selected European literature on childhood schizophrenia and presents the most important trends of research from the literature. Extensive work has been devoted in tracing and defining the boundaries of childhood schizophrenia from infantile psychosis, autism, organic psychoses, and borderline states, and of mapping out the condition. The factor of development as an important variable when studying diagnostic criteria and the course of the condition was singled out by many researchers. The evidence from the research on etiological factors was also reviewed, and most authors seem to agree on a nature-nurture interaction model. The different treatment modalities and approaches are also presented and discussed. Finally, a proposal is made for comparative studies to be carried out that will cover course and followup.

On the role of dopamine receptors in aldosterone secretion.

We studied the effects of infusion of dopamine (4 microgram/kg/min for 120 min) alone or with domperidone infusion (235 microgram/min for 120 min) on aldosterone secretion before and after stimulation by ACTH (0,5 mg i.v.) in normal subjects. We also studied the effects, of pimozide (12 mg p.o.), of domperidone infusion (235 microgram/min for 120 min) before and after stimulation with ACTH (0,5 mg i.v.) on aldosterone secretion in two other sets of normal subjects. The infusion of dopamine does not modify the basal secretion of aldosterone whereas in other trials it caused reduction (P less than 0,05) of blood aldosterone response to ACTH versus controls. Domperidone and pimozide, D2 antagonist, do not modify the aldosterone secretion before and after ACTH stimulation. Furthermore domperidone does not remove inhibition of dopamine on aldosterone response to ACTH. We can exclude an action of central or peripheral D2 dopaminergic receptors in aldosterone secretion in man. Dopamine, which does not cross the blood brain barrier, reduced the blood aldosterone response to ACTH; for those reasons we can hypothesize that receptors D1, stimulated by dopamine modulate aldosterone secretion.

[Saralasin in subjects with low renin arterial hypertension]. / Saralasina ed ipertensione arteriosa a bassa reninemia.

The Authors have studied, in a group of hypertensive subjects with low renin, the behavior of arterial blood pressure, PRA, plasma aldosterone, plasma K and Na, after intravenous load of Saralasin before and after treatment with Furosmide (40 mg orally given for 4 days). In such conditions we evidenced an agonist effect of Saralasin mainly on plasma aldosterone and less on arterial pressure. The Authors conclude that Saralasin, in given conditions (free receptor sites), can exhibit on agonist effect on aldosterone secretion; such agonist effect can be augmented by dopaminergic deficit, that sometimes in present is essential arterial hypertension.

[Production of corticosterone in vitro: role of PGE2]. / Produzione di corticosterone in vitro: ruolo della PGE2.

The Authors have studied corticosteron output and tissue levels of cAMP during superfusion with ACTH and/or PGE2 before and after preincubation with indometacin (2 microgram/ml) in beef adrenal glands isolated and superfused with Ringer solution. The Authors on the basis of Mieir studies, conclude that PGE2 can be considered as fixed intermediares of the corticosteroidogenetic action of ACTH.