[Effects of Klamath Algae extract on psychological disorders and depression in menopausal women: a pilot study]. / Effetti degli estratti di Alga Klamath sul tono dell'umore e la depressione in menopausa: studio pilota.

AIM: Menopause transition is able to induce a significant change in the quality of life of women and a growing demand for alternative treatments to hormonal therapy of the psychological and somatic/vasomotor symptoms related to menopausal transition has been observed in these last years. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of a two-month supplementation period with the Klamath algae extract Klamin® on the general and psychological well-being of a group of 30 menopausal women, free from any hormonal therapy. METHODS: Patients were randomly subdivided in 2 groups (15 patients each) and each of them was treated with Algae Klamath extract (Klamin®, Nutrigea, Urbino, Italy) (1600 g/day) or with placebo (vanilla tablets) for 8 weeks. Patients were evaluated both for the hormonal and psychological profiles (Symptom Rating Scale - Italian version [SRT] and Zung Self-Rating Scale) before and after the treatment interval. RESULTS: Both groups of patients were similar in baseline conditions but significant changes were observed after the treatment interval in the group administered with Algae Klamath extracts. Though no hormonal changes occurred after the treatment interval in both groups, only patients under Klamin administration showed both SRT and Zung scales significantly improved, thus reporting a consistent change in their quality of life, for mood, anxiety and depressive attitude. CONCLUSION: Since the Klamath extract did not show steroid-like effects on the hormonal parameters, it could be proposed as valid integration for those women seeking for alternative treatment to hormonal therapy so that to overcome many of the menopausal symptoms.

Prognostic significance of the Ki-67 labeling index in growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas.

CONTEXT: Ki-67 is a marker of proliferation activity associated with invasiveness and prognosis in human tumors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the Ki-67 index prognostic relevance in a group of acromegalic patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected 68 consecutive acromegalic patients referred to our hospital during a 5-yr period. The Ki-67 index was determined by immunohistochemistry on tissue samples obtained from each adenoma after surgery. Those patients who were not completely cured after surgery began medical therapy with somatostatin analogs (SSAs). Periodical pituitary magnetic resonance imaging and hormonal evaluation were performed during the follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 68 patients were cured after surgery (41%). Among the 40 patients treated with SSAs, 13 were considered uncontrolled. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed residual/recurrent disease in 25 of 68 patients after 6 months. No correlation was found between Ki-67 index and age, tumor size, GH, or IGF-I plasma levels. Tumors described as having cavernous sinus invasion had a higher mean Ki-67 index as compared with noninvasive tumors (P < 0.01). The Ki-67 index was significantly lower in tumors in patients cured after surgery as compared with patients considered not cured (P < 0.01) and in tumors in patients controlled by SSA therapy as compared with patients considered as uncontrolled (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Ki-67 labeling index may predict clinical outcome in postsurgical management of acromegalic patients. We suggest routine Ki-67 evaluation in GH-secreting pituitary adenomas.