Effect of a multi-ingredient based food supplement on sexual function in women with low sexual desire.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that women with low desire and low excitement have negative feelings regarding their physical and emotional satisfaction, as well as their happiness. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of Libicare® - a multi-ingredient food supplement - to improve sexual function in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This was an exploratory, prospective, non-controlled, observational study. Postmenopausal women aged 45-65 with a risk of sexual dysfunction (Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) < 25.83) were included during routine clinical visits and treated with 2 tablets of Libicare® daily for 2 months. Libicare® is an oral food supplement containing Trigonella foenum graecum, Turnera diffusa, Tribulus terrestris, and Ginkgo biloba dry extracts. Primary endpoint: change vs. baseline in FSFI score. Secondary endpoints: 1) changes in testosterone and serum steroid levels of free testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels and 2) tolerability. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients (mean age: 54.69 years) were included. FSFI mean (SD) score showed a significant increase: 20.15 (4.48) vs 25.03 (6.94), baseline vs final; p = 0.0011, paired t-test. Most patients (86.2%) increased their FSFI score. All FSFI domains, except dyspareunia, showed significant increases. The highest increase was observed in the desire domain (p = 0.0004). Testosterone and SHBG levels were assessed in 21 patients. A significant increase in testosterone level was observed: 0.41 (0.26) vs. 0.50 (0.34) pg/mL, baseline vs. final; p = 0.038, Wilcoxon test. 52.4% of patients increased their testosterone levels. Finally, a significant decrease was observed in SHBG level: 85 (32.9) vs. 73 (26.8) nmol/L, baseline vs. final; p = 0.0001; paired t-test. 95.2% of patients decreased their SHBG levels. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, a significant improvement in sexual function and related hormone levels was observed with Libicare®. Further studies must be conducted to confirm these exciting results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trial ISRCTN12928573 . Date of registration: 28/March/2019. Retrospectively registered.

Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal origin

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a common form of tumour metastasis stemming from gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers. For a long time, PC has been considered a terminal clinical condition treated only with palliative systemic chemotherapy and associated with very limited results. During the last decade, the treatment of advanced colorectal disease has greatly improved with the emergence of new chemotherapy drugs and biological agents. However, the median survival rates still do not surpass 24 months, even though most of these studies correspond to groups of patients with metastatic disease to the liver and/or lung. The approach and development of cytoreductive radical surgery (CRS) + hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are based on performing radical surgery of the entire visible tumour within the abdomen/peritoneum, followed immediately by HIPEC, which acts upon microscopic tumour that remains present after surgery and which is responsible for the persistence or relapse of peritoneal disease. Peritonectomy procedures are demanding surgical techniques that permit elimination of the tumour present in the peritoneal lining and any other organs and/or structures that are infiltrated. The synergistic effect of hyperthermia and chemotherapy has been well documented. Hyperthermia increases the cytotoxicity of some cytostatic agents and increases the penetration of certain drugs into the neoplastic cells. The prognosis for patients with PC who undergo combined treatment correlates with the volume of PC (tumour burden) measured as the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and the ability to perform a CRS, to completely eliminate the gross tumour. At least one phase III study and an important number of phase II studies have shown that CRS + HIPEC provides important survival benefits for patients with PC of colorectal origin. The combination of CRS + HIPEC is indicated for patients with good general health, a low PCI, absence of extra-abdominal metastasis and who can, technically, undergo CRS. The early identification of this group of patients, rapid referral to centres specialised in CRS + HIPEC, together with the correct application of this treatment, are key in achieving the best results (AU)

No disponible

Cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal origin.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a common form of tumour metastasis stemming from gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers. For a long time, PC has been considered a terminal clinical condition treated only with palliative systemic chemotherapy and associated with very limited results. During the last decade, the treatment of advanced colorectal disease has greatly improved with the emergence of new chemotherapy drugs and biological agents. However, the median survival rates still do not surpass 24 months, even though most of these studies correspond to groups of patients with metastatic disease to the liver and/or lung. The approach and development of cytoreductive radical surgery (CRS) + hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are based on performing radical surgery of the entire visible tumour within the abdomen/peritoneum, followed immediately by HIPEC, which acts upon microscopic tumour that remains present after surgery and which is responsible for the persistence or relapse of peritoneal disease. Peritonectomy procedures are demanding surgical techniques that permit elimination of the tumour present in the peritoneal lining and any other organs and/or structures that are infiltrated. The synergistic effect of hyperthermia and chemotherapy has been well documented. Hyperthermia increases the cytotoxicity of some cytostatic agents and increases the penetration of certain drugs into the neoplastic cells. The prognosis for patients with PC who undergo combined treatment correlates with the volume of PC (tumour burden) measured as the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and the ability to perform a CRS, to completely eliminate the gross tumour. At least one phase III study and an important number of phase II studies have shown that CRS + HIPEC provides important survival benefits for patients with PC of colorectal origin. The combination of CRS + HIPEC is indicated for patients with good general health, a low PCI, absence of extra-abdominal metastasis and who can, technically, undergo CRS. The early identification of this group of patients, rapid referral to centres specialised in CRS + HIPEC, together with the correct application of this treatment, are key in achieving the best results.