Salicylates increase insulin secretion in healthy obese subjects.

CONTEXT: Conflicting results on the effects of salicylates on glucose tolerance in subjects with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes have been reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of a salicylate derivative (triflusal) on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a double-blind, randomized, crossover study with three treatment periods corresponding to two dose levels of triflusal and placebo in healthy obese subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, evaluated through frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test that was performed after each treatment period, were measured. Insulin secretion was also evaluated in vitro in mice and human islets of Langerhans. RESULTS: The administration of triflusal led to decreased fasting serum glucose concentration in the study subjects. Insulin sensitivity did not significantly change after each treatment period. Insulin secretion, however, significantly increased in a dose-dependent fashion after each triflusal treatment period. The administration of 800 mum of the main triflusal metabolite to whole mice islets of Langerhans led to a sustained increase in intracellular calcium concentration level. This was followed by a significantly increase in insulin secretion. In human islets, 200 mum of 2-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid was sufficient to increase insulin release. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a salicylate compound led to lowering of serum glucose concentration. We suggest that this effect was mediated through increased insulin secretion induced by salicylate directly on the beta-cell.

Once-daily rupatadine improves the symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, international, dose-ranging study investigated the effect of treatment with rupatadine 5, 10 and 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks on symptoms and interference with daily activities and sleep in 12-65 years-old patients with moderate-to-severe chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Rupatadine 10 and 20 mg significantly reduced pruritus severity by 62.05% and 71.87% respectively, from baseline, over a period of 4 weeks compared to reduction with placebo by 46.59% (p < 0.05). Linear trends were noted for reductions in mean number of wheals and interference with daily activities and sleep with rupatadine 10 and 20 mg over the 4-week treatment period. The two most frequently reported AEs were somnolence (2.90% for placebo, 4.29% for 5 mg-, 5.41% for 10 mg- and 21.43% for 20 mg-rupatadine-treated group) and headache (4.35% for placebo, 2.86% for 5 mg-, 4.05% for 10 mg- and 4.29% for 20 mg-rupatadine-treated group). These findings suggest that rupatadine 10 and 20 mg is a fast-acting, efficacious and safe treatment for the management of patients with moderate-to-severe CIU. Rupatadine decreased pruritus severity, in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Neuropsychological features of mild cognitive impairment and preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

Recent research has identified a transitional state between the cognitive changes of normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI patients experience memory loss to a greater extent than one would expect for age, yet they do not meet currently accepted criteria for clinically probable AD. An issue currently under investigation is whether MCI represents the preclinical stages of AD or a distinct and static cognitive aetiology. In an attempt to address this issue, the present investigations are adopting a convergent approach to the detection of preclinical AD, where multiple risk factors are considered when making a diagnosis. Currently, one of the most important tools when assessing early cognitive changes is neuropsychological evaluation. MCI subjects typically record neuropsychological performance between that of healthy older individuals and demented patients. Tests assessing new learning, delayed recall and attention/executive function seem to provide valuable information for screening and diagnosis of MCI and early AD if interpreted properly. Recommendations concerning methodological issues and the early management of neuropsychological MCI studies were made.

Effects of rupatadine vs placebo on allergen-induced symptoms in patients exposed to aeroallergens in the Vienna Challenge Chamber.

BACKGROUND: Rupatadine is a novel compound with potent dual antihistamine and platelet-activating factor antagonist activities and no sedative effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of rupatadine, 10 mg once daily, and placebo on allergen-induced symptoms (including nasal congestion), nasal airflow, nasal secretion, and subjective tolerability in response to grass pollen in a controlled allergen-exposure chamber. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 45 patients with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis received rupatadine or placebo every morning for 8 days in 2 different periods separated by a 14-day washout interval. On day 8 of each crossover period, patients underwent a 6-hour allergen exposure in the Vienna Challenge Chamber, where a constant and homogeneous concentration of aeroallergens was maintained. Subjective and objective assessments were performed online during the exposure. RESULTS: Subjective single and composite nasal and nonnasal symptoms were consistently less severe with rupatadine use than with placebo use starting from the first evaluation at 15 minutes to the end of the 6-hour Vienna Challenge Chamber challenge, with the most significant effects seen for nasal rhinorrhea, nasal itching, sneezing attacks, and total nasal symptoms (P < .001 for all). All the other symptoms (including nasal congestion, P < or = .005) were also significantly reduced with active treatment compared with placebo use. Mean secretion weights and overall feeling of complaint were significantly lower with rupatadine therapy than with placebo use (P < or = .001). Overall, rupatadine treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Rupatadine treatment is effective and well tolerated in patients with allergen-induced symptoms exposed to aeroallergens in a controlled exposure chamber.