Effect of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin, a flavonoid, on symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids exert antiallergic and antioxidant effects. We investigated the efficacy of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve symptoms of pollinosis. METHODS: In a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 20 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took two capsules daily of 100 mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks during the pollen season. Subjective symptoms and activities of daily living (ADL) scores were recorded every day, and the quality of life (QOL) score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum cytokines, chemokines, IgE, quercetin and oxidized biomarkers. RESULTS: During the entire study period, total ocular score and ocular itching score for the EMIQ group were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than for the placebo group. When limited to the individual periods, total symptom score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05, week 4-5) than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as total nasal score (p = 0.06, week 4-5), nasal obstruction score (p = 0.08, week 4-5), lacrimation score (p = 0.06, week 5-6), ocular congestion score (p = 0.08, week 4-7) and ADL score (p = 0.08, week 4-7), all tended to be lower. The levels of serum cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-12, IL-13, interferon-gamma, and eotaxin and IgE were not significantly downregulated by the intake of EMIQ but the serum concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine were reduced. CONCLUSION: Intake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ was safe and influenced ocular symptoms caused by pollinosis.

Preventative effect of a flavonoid, enzymatically modified isoquercitrin on ocular symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids are nutrients that exert anti-allergic effects. We investigated the preventative effect of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis. METHODS: In a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 24 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took 100mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks, starting 4 weeks prior to the onset of pollen release. Subjective symptoms, ADL scores and the usage of drugs were recorded daily, and the QOL score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum levels of IgE and flavonoids. RESULTS: During the entire study period, ocular symptom + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the placebo group. When limited to the period, ocular symptom scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5-6), and ocular congestion scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5-6) for the EMIQ group was significantly lower than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as ocular itching scores (p = 0.09, weeks 4-5), lacrimation scores (p = 0.07, weeks 5-6), and ocular congestion scores (p = 0.06, weeks 4-5), all tended to be lower. However no significant differences were found in nasal symptoms between the two groups. Serum concentrations of IgE were not significantly downregulated but the serum concentrations of quercetin and its derivatives were elevated significantly by the intake of EMIQ. CONCLUSIONS: Intake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ proved to be effective for the relief of ocular symptoms caused by Japanese cedar pollinosis.

[Evaluation of facial nerve palsy with electrogustometry and stapedial reflex].

BACKGROUND: To clarify the prognosis of facial nerve palsy, electroneuronal tests, including electrogustometry and stapedial reflex, have been utilized. But, the relationship among these tests and patients' prognosis is not clear. METHODS: Sixty five patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy were investigated. Electrogustometry (EG), stapedial reflex (SR) and blink reflex (BR) were performed at the first visit on the consult of facial nerve palsy. The palsy scale (full score is 100 points) was evaluated 8 weeks after the onset, and we defined cure cases if score became over 90 points. The cure ratio was examined on each group of EG positive or negative, SR positive or negative and BR R1 wave positive or negative, respectively. The relationship among these three examinations was also investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the cure ratio of EG positive and negative groups. However, the cure ratio of SR positive group was significantly larger than that of SR negative group. The cure ratio of BR positive group was 100%, regardless of the result of other two tests. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that SR is a more useful parameter than EG for the evaluation of the prognosis of patients with facial nerve palsy, and the pathological meaning of these 2 tests is different from that of BR.

[Central diabetes insipidus caused by pituitary metastasis of lung cancer].

A 71-year-old man was admitted with high fever, thirst, polyposia and polyuria. After examination, lung cancer (adenocarcinoma T1NOM1, Stage IV) and central diabitus insipidus caused by pituitary metastasis of lung cancer, were diagnosed. We gave him desmopressin acetate, gamma knife surgery for pituitary metastasis and chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin, and his symptoms improved. However, his lung cancer progressed. Diabitus insipidus caused by lung cancer is rare.

[Effects of perfusion pressure on cerebral blood flow and oxygenation during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass].

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Perfusion pressure (PP) during CPB could be one of the important determinants of cerebral blood flow (CBF). The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of PP on CBF and cerebral oxgenation during normothermic CPB. METHODS: Twelve adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on PP (High and Low group). Patients in High group received phenylephrine immediately after the onset of CPB to maintain PP between 60 and 80 mmHg. Oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), tissue oxygenation index (TOI), and oxidized cytochrome aa3 (CtOx) were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy, and internal jugular venous bulb blood oxygen saturation (SjvO2) was measured simultaneously. S-100 beta protein concentrations were also measured before and after CPB. RESULTS: SjvO2 in High group increased significantly during CPB. CtOx in Low group decreased significantly during CPB, whereas TOI was unchanged. Although S-100 beta increased significantly at the end of CPB, there was no difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that maintaining high PP is benefical for CBF during normothermic CPB.