A nutraceutical formulation combined with sclerofoam-assisted laser treatment ameliorates chronic venous insufficiency.

Chronic venous insufficiency has a high impact on the healthcare system due to its high incidence worldwide. We performed a study in 30 women with thigh and leg varices due to major saphenous vein valve incontinence with saphenous trunk reflux causing phlebo-lymphoedema to assess the efficacy of sclerofoam-assisted laser treatment combined with nutraceutical administration. The patients underwent endovascular combination sealing of the saphenous trunk with sclerofoam-assisted laser treatment technique into the major saphenous veins under low-volume tumescent anesthesia followed by intraoperative phlebectomies. Post-operatively, the patients received capsules containing Aesculus Hippocastanum, chondroitin sulphate, proanthocyanidins from Pinus pinaster Aiton, proanthocyanidins from Vitis vinifera L., hydrolysed marine collagen and carcinine dihydrochloride for 3 weeks. We evaluated the extracellular fluid volume of the lower limbs using bioimpedance spectroscopy pre- (T0) and post-surgery (T2) (impedance is a vector which is composed of two components, resistance [RES] and reactance [REA)]). In addition, we evaluated the following parameters pre- and post-surgery: pain, heaviness, paresthesia, itching, swelling, daily urine volume output and leg volume. Limb volume was significantly decreased at T2 compared to T0 (p < 0.01). RES and REA were significantly increased at T2 compared to T0 (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.01, respectively). A significant improvement in heaviness, paresthesia, pain, swelling and itch was also observed (all p < 0.0001) while no changes in terms of diuresis occurred. No adverse effects were observed. The present study shows a promising approach to the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency that warrants further clinical studies in larger cohorts of patients.

A Polyphenol-Based Multicomponent Nutraceutical in Dysmetabolism and Oxidative Stress: Results from a Pilot Study.

To assess short-term efficacy and safety of a multicomponent nutraceutical (MCN) on dysmetabolism and oxidative stress, a pilot prospective observational study was performed on 21 individuals (12 men and 9 women) who took, for 60 days, 2 tablets per day of an MCN based on antioxidants and metabolism regulators: hydroxytyrosol (15 mg), maqui (300 mg), amla (200 mg), monacolin K (10 mg), berberine (245 mg), astaxanthin (0.5 mg), coenzyme Q10 (100 mg), and folic acid (200 mcg). On day 0 (T0) and day 60 (T60), all participants underwent laboratory tests related to lipid profile, carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress, and cellular inflammation. Statistical analysis was applied to the resulting data. A significant improvement of most atherogenesis and oxidative stress biomarkers was recorded (mean figure at T0 and T60, p value): total cholesterol 243.50/194.83 mg/dl, p =.0002; low-density lipoproteins 174.50/124.58 mg/dl, p =.0001; glycemia 96.25/88.50 mg/dl, p =.035; total free radicals 306.44/280.93 U.Carr., p =.036; serum antioxidant capacity 2103.00/2246.06 umol/l, p =.0042; oxidized cholesterol 680.33/597.25 uEq/l, p =.0511. Insulinemia, microalbuminuria, high-density lipoproteins, C-reactive protein, and triglycerides had no statistically significant variation. Body weight and systo-diastolic pressure showed no significant change from T0 to T60. No relevant side effects were reported. The investigated MCN (Eonlipid), based on polyphenols, significantly improved the oxidative stress parameters and decreased the majority of atherogenesis parameters at short term. No significant side effects were reported. Further placebo-controlled studies should possibly corroborate the promising results of this pilot study.