Effect of l-arginine compared to placebo on sexual function in women with major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: While some evidence suggests that l-arginine may improve sexual function and alleviate depression, it has not been investigated in women with depression to assess both its effects on the depression and sexual function concurrently. METHODS: Patients who had received a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, as determined by predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, were enrolled in this triple-blind clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups: group A, received L-arginine 1 gram twice daily, and group B, received a placebo for four weeks. They were evaluated at baseline, after four and eight weeks with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Rosen's questionnaire or Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: A decrease in the severity of depression was observed in all patients, which was determined due to Hamilton's questionnaire (P-value < 0.001). During the time in group A, FSFI increased. Based on the FSFI questionnaire, they had improvement in some domains, including the lubrication index and orgasm index, which significantly changed in the eighth week compared to the baseline (P-value < 0.05). However, these two indicators did not change statistically significantly compared to the placebo group. CONCLUSION: L-arginine supplementation can improve sexual function, particularly lubrication and orgasm, and mood in women with depression, with minimal side effects observed. Additional research is necessary to validate these results by examining the effects of higher dosages, extended durations, and larger populations of depressed patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial: IRCT20100127003210N26.

Clinical Trial of Efficacy Evaluation of Omega-3 with Risperidone on Seizures Frequency in Children with Refractory Epilepsy and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to answer the question whether or not previous antiepileptic drugs with combination of omega-3 and risperidone are more efficient than previous antiepileptic drugs with risperidone alone in decreasing of seizures monthly frequency of children with refractory epilepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MATERIAL & METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial (IRCT201604212639N18), participants referred to Pediatric Neurology Clinic of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran from Jun 2015 were distributed randomly into two groups. In group I, one capsule of omega-3 daily and 0.5 mg of risperidone was divided into two doses with previous antiepileptic drugs and in group II, 0.5 mg of risperidone was divided into two doses with previous antiepileptic drugs were given. The drugs use was continued for three months and the children were followed up monthly for three consecutive months. Primary outcomes included seizure monthly frequency and good response (more than 50% of reduction in seizures monthly frequency). Secondary outcome was clinical side effects. RESULTS: Overall, 23 girls and 33 boys with mean age of 9.24+0.15 yr (29 children in omega-3 group and 27 children in control group) were evaluated. Omega-3 therapy was effective in decreasing of seizures monthly frequency (10.41±3.92 times vs. 17.01±4.98, P=0.03). Good response was seen in three children (11.1%) in control (95% confidence interval: 8%-22.8%) and in 9 children (31%) in omega-3 (95% CI: 47.83%-14.17%) group, which showed that omega-3 was more effective in seizure control. (P=0.001). Frequency of side effects was not different in the two groups (14.8 % in control vs. 20.7% in omega-3 groups, P=0.5). CONCLUSION: Omega-3 might be used as an effective and safe drug in seizures control of children with refractory epilepsy and ADHD.