[An evaluation of the therapeutic activity and tolerance of ST-679 in patients with osteoarthritis at different sites. A controlled double-blind study vs tolmetin]. / Valutazione dell'attività terapeutica e della tollerabilità di ST-679 in pazienti affetti da osteoartrite a diversa localizzazione. Studio doppio cieco controllato vs tolmetina.

A multicentered study was carried out, under double-blind conditions, on 160 elderly patients afflicted with differently localized symptomatic osteoarthritis, for the purpose of evaluating the therapeutical efficacy and tolerability of ST-679 (per-os at a dose of 1200 mg pro die in 80 patients) and to compare them with those of tolmetin (per os at a dose of 1200 mg pro die in 80 patients). It was demonstrated that ST-679 was significantly active on all of the clinical parameters of the illness already recorded after a month of treatment. ST-679 was always excellently tolerated as shown by the scarce incidence of adverse reactions. Results of laboratory tests, of tests for hidden blood in the feces and of a gastroduodenoscopy confirmed the excellent biological and gastric tolerability of ST-679. ST-679 demonstrated, moreover, a significantly better tolerability with respect to tolmetin.

Controlled study on the therapeutic efficacy of propionyl-L-carnitine in patients with congestive heart failure.

A double-blind phase II study of propionyl-L-carnitine (CAS 17298-37-2) versus placebo was carried out on a group of 60 patients with mild to moderate (II and III NYHA class) congestive heart failure. The group was made up of men and women aged between 48 and 73 years in chronic treatment with digitalis and diuretics for at least 3 months and who still displayed symptoms. Thirty of these patients were chosen randomly and for 180 days, 500 mg of propionyl-L-carnitine was orally administered, 3 times a day in addition to their usual treatment. At basal conditions and after 30, 90 and 180 days the maximum exercise time was evaluated using an exercise tolerance test performed on an ergometer bicycle and the left ventricular ejection fraction was tested by means of bidimensional echocardiography. After one month of treatment, the patients treated with propionyl-L-carnitine, compared to the control group, showed significant increases in the values of both tests, increases which became even more evident after 90 and 180 days. At the stated times the increases in the maximum exercise time were 16.4%, 22.9%, and 25.9%, respectively. The ventricular ejection fraction increased by 8.4%, 11.6% and 13.6%, respectively. On the basis of these results, having studied the particular mechanism of action of propionyl-L-carnitine the authors conclude that it represents a drug of undoubted therapeutic interest in patients with congestive heart failure, in whom it could be efficaciously administered along with a standard pharmacological therapy.

Effects of the treatment with matrix on elderly people with chronic articular degeneration.

Clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Matrix in osteoarthritis, mainly as regards the advantages offered by its physiological mechanism of action. The experiment, lasting 6 months, was performed on two hundred patients in four different Hospital Departments and one University Center. The results showed a considerable improvement both in pain and in mobility. No relevant side effects were found; only 3% of patients, with oral administration, noticed slight nausea and found it necessary to interrupt treatment.