The Scientist's Mind

Can we prevent Alzheimer's Disease?

2009-10-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

Alzheimer's disease is still destroying people's brains. The cause remains unknown. Around the world, there will be walks to raise money for medical research. Training courses and educational meetings also are planned.

An estimated thirty million people around the world have Alzheimer's disease. In the United States alone, more than five million people are said to suffer from this slowly increasing brain disorder.

Alzheimer's affects memory and personality -- those qualities that make a person an individual. There is no known cure. Victims slowly lose their abilities to deal with everyday life. At first, they forget simple things, like where they put something or a person's name. As time passes, they forget more and more. They forget the names of their husbands, wives or children. Then they forget who they are. Finally, they remember almost nothing. It is as if their brain dies before the other parts of the body. Victims of Alzheimer's do die from its effects or conditions linked to it. But death may not come for many years.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common disability or mental sickness called dementia. Dementia is the loss of thinking ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily activities. It is not a disease itself. Instead, dementia is a group of signs of some conditions and diseases.

Some kinds of dementia can be cured or corrected. This is especially true if they result from drugs, infection, sight or hearing problems, head injury, and heart or lung problems. Other kinds of dementia can be corrected by changing levels of hormones or vitamins in the body. However, brain cells of Alzheimer's victims die and are not replaced.

Victims can become angry and violent as the ability to think and remember decreases. They sometimes shout and move with no purpose or goal. Media reports tell about older adults found walking in places far from their homes. They do not know where they are or where they came from. These people often are suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's generally develops differently in each person. Yet some early signs of the disease are common. The victims may not recognize changes in themselves. Others see the changes and struggle to hide them.

Probably the most common early sign is short-term memory loss. The victim cannot remember something that happened yesterday, for example. Also, victims of the disease have increasing difficulty learning and storing new information. Slowly, thinking becomes much more difficult. The victims cannot understand a joke, or cannot cook a meal, or perform simple work.

Another sign of the disease is difficulty solving simple problems. Alzheimer's patients might not know what to do if food on a stove is burning. Also, people have trouble following directions or finding their way to places they have known all their lives.

Yet another sign is struggling to find the right words to express thoughts or understand what is being discussed. Finally, people with Alzheimer's seem to change. Quiet people may become noisy and aggressive. They may easily become angry and lose their ability to trust others.

Alzheimer's disease normally affects people more than sixty-five years old. But rare cases have been discovered in people younger than fifty.

Alzheimer's is identified in only about two percent of people who are sixty-five. But the risk increases to about twenty percent by age eighty. By eighty five or ninety, half of all people are found to have some signs of the disease.

Alzheimer's affects people of all races equally. Yet women are more likely to develop the disease than men. This is partly because women generally live longer than men.

Doctors who suspect a patient has Alzheimer's must test the person for many other physical problems first. Alzheimer's is considered if the tests fail to show the existence of other problems. The only way to be sure a person has Alzheimer's is to examine the victim's brain after death. America's Food and Drug Administration has approved several drugs to treat symptoms of the disease. The drugs are of two kinds. A doctor must order these medicines for patients. Most are called cholinesterase inhibitors.

Cholinesterase inhibitors may work by protecting a chemical messenger needed for brain activities. They are meant to treat memory, thinking, language, judgment and other brain activity. They are used for mild to moderate cases of the disease.

The second kind of drug has a long name. It is represented by the drug memantine. This medicine seems to work by governing the activity of a chemical involved in information processing, storage and memory. It treats patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's.

It has been more than a century since a German doctor, Alois Alzheimer, told about a dementia patient whose brain was studied after death. Her brain had sticky structures and nerve cells that appeared to be mixed together. Later studies showed these nerves are made of a protein that changes so it sticks together in groups. The sticky structures were shown to be amyloid plaques.

Scientists are still not sure what causes Alzheimer's disease. The leading theory blames amyloid plaques. Still, a theory exists that amyloid plaques are an effect of the disease, not the cause.

Work continues on possible genetic causes. This month, two teams of European researchers said they identified new genetic markers linked to Alzheimer's disease. The teams worked separately. Their findings were reported in the journal Nature Genetics. The newly-found genetic markers may affect a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's. Until now, only four genes had been linked with the disease.

You may ask how to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia:

Dr. Robyn A. Honea at the University of Kansas found that patients with early Alzheimer's disease who exercised regularly had less deterioration in the areas of the brain which control memory. [1]

The researchers found that patients with early Alzheimer's had a "significant relationship" between the size of hippocampus, unlike healthy older adults. Those patients with better fitness ratings had less brain tissue atrophy and those with worse fitness had more brain damage. [1]

Dr Jeffrey Burns, from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, said, "People with early Alzheimer's disease may be able to preserve their brain function for a longer period of time by exercising regularly and potentially reducing the amount of brain volume lost. Evidence shows decreasing brain volume is tied to poorer cognitive performance, so preserving more brain volume may translate into better cognitive performance." [2]

Men and women living with a partner in mid-life are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of age-related dementia. Previous studies have proven that an active lifestyle that includes a spouse or life partner is generally more socially and intellectually stimulating than a solitary lifestyle.

A study shows that people with a spouse or partner in mid-life are 50% less likely to develop age-related dementia than people alone in mid-life. Death of a spouse or partner before middle age seemed to have the most serious consequences where Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are concerned. [3]

SOURCE: Barbara Klein Jerilyn Watson Brianna Blake Bob Doughty Alzheimer's Disease: Into the World's Most Common Form of Dementia Voice of America 14 September 2009 [1] Study: Exercise slows Alzheimer's brain atrophy AP July 28 2008- [2] Exercise 'slows down Alzheimer's' BBC 14 July 2008 [3] Life With a Partner Minimizes Alzheimer’s Risk By MedHeadlines • Aug 2nd, 2008 • Category: Alzheimer's Disease, Lifestyle, Medical Research, Neurology

Suicide

2009-09-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

Suicide accounts for more than half of all violent deaths in the world - more than all the deaths caused by war and murder combined. [3]

Anybody who is thinking of committing suicide, generally exhibits some form of alteration in their normal mental being, and if a friend or loved one can spot this change in time, they can take action to reduce the likelyhood of a suicide attempt. [1]

Research has shown that people feeling depressed may be more willing to discuss their problems with relative strangers rather than friends or family because they feel embarrassed about talking to someone they know. Some people really open up while they're having their hair cut - from the silly things to the most important things in their lives.[2]

Warning signs of suicide include:

-- A previous attempt;

-- Talk or plans of suicide;

-- A strong wish to die or preoccupation with death;

-- Giving away prized possessions;

-- Signs of depression such as moodiness, hopelessness or withdrawal;

-- Increased alcohol and/or drug use;

-- Hinting at not being around in the future. [4]

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) teaches people to recognize the signs that a person is at risk and how to intervene to prevent suicide. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has trained more than 100 teachers, health aides, licensed counselors and caregivers in the last year, expanding prevention resources in communities statewide. [3]

In UK, hairdressers and taxi drivers are being trained to help spot vulnerable people who might be contemplating taking their own lives. [2]

Statistics
Alaska's suicide rate - 19.6 per every 100,000 people - is twice the national average. In 2008, 165 Alaskans committed suicide. [3]....why?

Reference
[1] Committing Suicide is a Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem dbtechno.com September 11, 2009 [2] Mark Simpson Hairdressers to help prevent suicide BBC Ireland 10 September 2009 [3] Kate Burkhart My turn: Together communities can prevent suicide juneauempire.com September 11, 2009. [4] Michelle Dupler Group to walk for suicide prevention The News Tribune 09/11/09

Helheim Glacier, Kangerdlugssuaq

2009-09-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

Suddenly and without warning, the gigantic river of ice sped up, causing it to spit icebergs ever faster into the ocean off southeastern Greenland. [1]

Helheim Glacier nearly doubled its speed in just a few years, flowing through a rift in the barren coastal mountains at a stunning 100 feet (30 meters) per day. [1]

The speed of the other major glacier in Greenland, Kangerdlugssuaq, is even more dramatic. It moves some 38 metres a day or 14 kilometres a year. [2]

The two glaciers produce 10 percent of Greenland's ice output into the North Atlantic. Glaciers that shed their ice cause sea levels to rise. [2]

[1] Greenland's melt mystery unfolds, at glacial pace Associated Press Sep 10, 7:46 pm [2] Greenland glaciers melting faster than ever: NGO The News Thursday, September 10, 2009

McDonald's Filet-O-Fish

2009-09-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

n 1962, Lou Groen was desperate to save his floundering hamburger restaurant, the first McDonald's in the Cincinnati area.[1]

His problem: His clientele was heavily Roman Catholic. In those days, most Catholics abstained from meat every Friday, as well as during Lent, the 40-day period of repentance that begins this week with Ash Wednesday.[1]

His solution: He created the Filet-O-Fish — a sandwich that saved his restaurant and eventually would be consumed at a rate of 300 million a year. [1]

What makes up a Filet-O-Fish sandwich? An ugly creature from the sunless depths of the Pacific --- hoki, or whiptail, a bug-eyed specimen found far down in the waters around New Zealand. The hoki may be exceedingly unattractive, but when its flesh reaches the consumer it’s just fish — cut into filets and sticks or rolled into sushi — moist, slightly sweet and very tasty. [2]

[1] No fish story: Sandwich saved his McDonald's USA Today Updated 2/20/2007 3:37 PM ET
[2] From Deep Pacific, Ugly and Tasty, With a Catch, The New York Times September 9, 2009

Researchers generate fertile live mouse pups

2009-09-09T05:51:00.000-07:00

Chinese researchers have managed to create powerful stem cells from mouse skin and used these to generate fertile live mouse pups. They used induced pluripotent skin cells, or iPS cells -- cells that have been reprogrammed to look and act like embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells, taken from days-old embryos, have the power to morph into any cell type and, in mice, can be implanted into a mother's womb to create living mouse pups. Thus, it is theoretically possible to clone someone using ordinary connective tissue cells found on the person's skin[1]

Almost at the same time, Stanford researchers discovered that the globs of human fat removed during liposuction contain versatile cells that can be coaxed into becoming pluripotent (iPS) stem cells more easily than the skin cells that are often used by researchers! [2]

[1] Chinese experts grow live mice from skin cells Reuters Thu Jul 23, 2009
[2] Making Stem Cells From Liposuction Leftovers Is Easier Say Researchers medicalnewstoday.com 09 Sep 2009

First Solar builds Major Solar Power Plant in China Desert

2009-09-08T18:03:00.000-07:00

US energy giant First Solar won a deal to build the world's largest solar power (two-gigawatt) plant in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, China, aimed at helping mitigate climate change concerns. The solar facility is to be built in four phases over a decade and supply power to three million Chinese homes. However, the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. China is keen to expand capabilities to produce affordable solar electricity as part of a goal to provide 10 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2010 and 15 percent by 2020, including from wind, hydro, biomass and solar. [1]

First Solar has broken down the barriers to producing high performance thin film solar modules in volume, making solar electricity an affordable alternative to fossil fuel-generated electricity. According to First Solar's website, this success is, to a significant extent, attributable to the unique physical properties of the semiconductor material (CdTe; Cadmium Telluride) which make it ideal for converting solar energy into useful electricity. CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) is a direct bandgap semiconductor, which enables it to convert solar energy into electricity more efficiently than the indirect bandgap semiconductor materials used historically. CdTe also permits simple device structures and manufacturing processes, leading to low cost production. [2]

However, the Arctic climate has been warmer over the past decade than during any 10-year period in 2,000 years, according to a study by an international research team. The study provides a clear example of how increased greenhouse gases are now changing our climate. Researchers found, at about 1850, the beginning of the Industrial Age, the planet's climate began overcoming the cooling trend, and the Arctic climate has warmed decade by decade ever since as greenhouse gas emissions have increased. [3]

One way for us to combat with global warming is to eat green!!!

Reference:

[1] US firm wins huge solar power project in China AFP Tue Sep 8, 1:59 pm ET

[2] www.firstsolar.com Sep 8, 2009

[3] David Perlman Abrupt reversal detected in Arctic cooling trend , San Francisco Chronicle Friday, September 4, 2009

A child from two biological mothers

2009-09-02T09:03:00.000-07:00

Researchers have previously tried and failed to correct "an egg with faulty mitochondria" by adding healthy donated mitochondria into the eggs of patients wishing to have children. But these attempts resulted in birth defects - probably because mitochondria are so delicate that they are damaged when they are transplanted from one egg to another. As a result, the treatment was banned in the U.S. [2]

A group at the Oregon Health and Science University has developed a skill to transfer the DNA needed to make a baby out of monkey eggs, leaving behind the potentially diseased genes in the mitochondria. This was transplanted it into eggs emptied of DNA but containing healthy mitochondria. The technique resulted in three healthy births with no sign of any birth defects. [2]

This study demonstrated that a genetic tweak of the unfertilized eggs of macaque monkeys effectively prevented the transmission of diseases typically passed down through the maternal line! [1] Thus, this method could prevent inherited diseases passed from human mothers to their children through mutated DNA in mitochondria. Mitochondria play a basic role by producing energy for each cell, but they also contain their own genes, called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). [1]

However, this method is actually to produce monkeys with genetic material from two mothers, an advance that could help women with some inherited diseases have healthy children but that would raise a host of safety, legal, ethical and social questions if attempted in people. [3]

[1] Steven Reinberg Gene 'Fix' in Egg Prevents Inherited Diseases in Monkeys HealthDay News August 26, 2009
[2] Pallab Ghosh Genetic advance raises IVF hopes BBC August 26, 2009
[3] Rob Stein Lab Produces Monkeys With 2 Mothers Washington Post August 27, 2009

Some Chronic Diseases

2008-11-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

OSTEOARTHRITIS PREVENTION AND TREATMENTS
The basic approaches for osteoarthritis prevention include [1] light exercise, [2] weight loss if needed and [3] supplementation। People with osteoarthritis are always advised to start a gentle program of exercise to improve joint function and avoid any vigorous activities such as soccer and basketball. It may also be helpful if they take glucosamine alone, or a combined with chondroitin daily for pain and to protect joints. If needed, patients are always suggested to have weight loss.

How Asthma Is Treated
You can control your asthma and avoid an attack by taking your medicine as prescribed and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. It’s just as important that you remove the triggers in your environment that you know make your asthma worse.

Medicine for asthma is different for each person. It can be inhaled or taken as a pill and comes in two types—quick-relief and long-term control. Quick-relief medicines control the symptoms of an asthma attack. If you are using your quick-relief medicines more and more you should visit your health-care provider to change your asthma management plan. Long-term control medicines make you have fewer and milder attacks, but they don’t help you if you’re having an attack.

Asthma medicine can have side effects। Most are mild and go away on their own. Ask your health-care provider about the side effects of your medicines. The important thing to remember is that you can control your asthma. With your health-care provider’s help, make your own asthma management plan so you know what to do based on your own symptoms. Decide who should have a copy of your plan and where he or she should keep it. You can learn more about asthma management plans from the American Academy of Family Physicians And remember to take your long-term control medicine even when you don’t have symptoms.

How can we lower the risks of cancer?

We should start with healthy lifestyle and diets, working and living environments. Lifestyle includes adequate amounts of exercise and rest (sleep), while working and living environments include clean air, good ventilation etc.

According to Dr। Donaldson MS’ study, 30-40 percent of all cancers can actually be prevented by lifestyle and dietary measures alone [A1, 1]। Obesity, nutrient sparse foods impair our glucose metabolism. While, low fiber intake, consumption of red meat, and imbalance of omega 3 and omega 6 fats increase cancer risk.

Alzheimer's Disease

Greater education levels somehow protect against Alzheimer's Disease. Catherine Roe of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and colleagues performed positron emission tomography, or PET, scans on the brains of 37 people with Alzheimer's and 161 people without the disease. They found people with more education did better on memory and problem solving tests than others with similar amounts of brain plaques related to Alzheimer's। [1]

What is the treatment for diabetes?

Healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.

Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic therapies for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.

People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will monitor their diabetes control and help them learn to manage their diabetes। In addition, people with diabetes may see endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine foot care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.

Can epilepsy be prevented?

Sometimes — but not always — epilepsy is preventable. Epilepsy can be prevented in children and adults by avoiding sports-related injuries to the head and by wearing helmets and seatbelts to prevent head injuries associated with a bicycle or motor vehicle accident.

Women can prevent epilepsy in their children by obtaining proper prenatal care to avoid problems during pregnancy and child birth.

Severe lead poisoning can cause seizures, and lesser degrees of poisoning can adversely affect children's neurological and intellectual development. Fortunately, severe lead poisoning is now rare in the United States. Individuals should follow general recommendations for reducing exposure to lead-based products at home or at work that can cause seizures.

Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, and long-term alcohol abuse may contribute to the development of epilepsy। Individuals should avoid excessive alcohol abuse that can cause seizures.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Beside medical treatment, the prevention include stopping smoking, weight lose (if you are overweight) and control of blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.

1. Have low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet, 2. Increase physical activity, 3. Lose weight if overweight 4. Control all heart disease risk factors-smoking, high blood pressure & diabetes.(from National Cholesterol Education Program).

HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS

COD LIVER OIL Researchers successfully decreased serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in18 normolipemic pigs with cod liver oil. [1]
CRANBERRY A recent study with pigs shows that cranberry may be helpful in relaxation of blood vesselsclogged with high blood cholesterol and narrowed by atherosclerosis। [2]

CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF SALT INTAKE TO LOWER THE BLOOD PRESSURE

Salt is commonly referred to sodium chloride. Sodium helps our body function properly. Sodium helps to maintain the concentration of body fluids at correct levels. It also plays a central role in the transmission of electrical impulses in the nerves, and helps cells to take up nutrients.

However, when levels of sodium are too high, the body retains too much water and the volume of bodily fluids increases. Some scientists believe this process leads to high blood pressure, or hypertension, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Experts recommend that adults should eat 6 g of salt a day. However, the average intake of salt is between 9 g and 10 g a day.

Currently, The UK's Food Standards Agency, which had published tough targets, revised its guidelines for 85 types of products including bread, bacon, ham, breakfast cereals and cheese, and convenience foods such as pizza, ready meals, savory snacks, cakes and pastries।[1]

SOURCE HXLIST.COM

Your Keyboard: Dirtier Than a Toilet

2008-05-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

你的電腦鍵盤能將許多潛在地有害的細菌放在你的指尖--包括E. coli和staph。

電腦老鼠和鍵盤，事實上，是細菌的“安樂窩”。

英國的微型生物學家詹姆斯Francis檢驗33個鍵盤，一個洗手間座位和一扇洗手間門。Francis然後發現一鍵盤比在洗手間座位上所找到的細菌數目高五倍。

同時，健康官員已拿佈告。在一月，病症控制和預防的美國的中心報告在華盛頓中的一次norovirus爆發，D.C。，2007年二月的小學透過污染的電腦裝置已可能被傳播使超過100生病。

根據美國CDC報告，在一級教室中的一隻電腦老鼠和鍵盤發現有胃部流感（stomach flu）。其它研究已發現許多不同東西從門鎮到紙錢都有致病細菌。

British microbiologist James Francis took a swab to 33 keyboards, a toilet seat and a toilet door handle at the publication's London office. He found that four of the keyboards tested were potential health hazards -- and one had levels of germs five times higher than that found on the toilet seat.

In January, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a norovirus outbreak at a Washington, D.C., elementary school in February 2007 that sickened more than 100 may have been spread through contaminated computer equipment.

CDC also reported that a computer mouse and keyboard in one first-grade classroom tested positive for the virus, which is linked to a disease commonly called stomach flu.

Other research has detected a host of different, potentially disease-causing germs on everything from doorknobs to paper money.

Your Keyboard: Dirtier Than a Toilet ABC News May 5, 2008

breast-feeding can make children smarter

2008-05-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

Previous studies have shown babies whose mothers breast-fed them enjoy many health advantages over formula-fed babies. These include fewer ear, stomach or intestinal infections, digestive problems, skin diseases and allergies, and less risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. [1]

Now, researchers found children whose mothers breast-fed them longer and did not mix in baby formula scored about 5 percent higher in IQ tests and did better academically in a study of 14,000 babies in Canada and Belarus. Previous studies had indicated brain development and intelligence benefits for breast-fed children.

Dr. Ruth Lawrence, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine thinks that because mothers' milk contains certain amino acids not found in formula, it's better for infants' developing brains. These amino acids include omega three fatty acids and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid), which are important for brain growth, she noted. [2]

Human milk also contains cholesterol, while formula doesn't, Lawrence said. "We learned to fear cholesterol and yet cholesterol is very important for brain tissue, it's very important for nerve tissue. [2]

[1] Study shows breast-fed children are smarter Reuters May 5, 2008
[2] Breast-Feeding May Boost IQ HealthDay May 5, 2008

Woman shared bacteria with a cat.

2008-03-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

Background

Staphylococcus aureus are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated without antibiotics (also known as antimicrobials or antibacterials). However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia). [1]

Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA. [1]

One study reported that family pet is an often-overlooked source for recurrent staph infections. A German woman repeatedly battled the same strain of drug-resistant superbug MRSA until her cat was tested and treated. The lady had deep abscesses, or boils, all over her back. Antiseptic washes and antibiotic nasal ointment killed the germ in the other family members, but the woman was still infected. Four weeks after the apparently healthy cat was treated with antibiotics, the woman was free of MRSA and her abscesses had all healed. [2]

Several previous cases of MRSA infections in dogs/pigs and their owners have been reported. [2]

[1]Community-Associated MRSA Information for the Public CDC March 12, 2008
[2] Report: Woman, cat shared staph bug Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 34 minutes ago

solid dispersion

2008-03-04T09:47:00.000-08:00

A solid dispersion is a dispersion of one or more compound(s) in an inert carrier at solid state. The dispersed compounds can be in individual molecule unities or in clusters, such as in particles. Solid dispersion is commonly prepared by three different methods and they are solvent-based, fusion-melt and hybrid fusion-solvent methods.

[1] Solvent-based Method

The solvent-based method commonly uses a co-solvent to intimately disperse or dissolve the drug and carrier molecules together, and then evaporates the solvent by evaporation. Then, the researchers collect the solid dispersion as a powdered mass. This process is lengthy and expensive.

[2] Fusion-melt Method

The fusion-melt involves melting the compound(s) and the carrier components together at temperatures at or above the melting point of all components. In the fusion process, researchers blend the compound and carrier in a suitable mixer. They heat, melt the blend and then cool the molten mixture rapidly to provide a congealed mass. They mill this mass to produce powders at desired particle size ranges.

[3] Fusion-solvent Method

Researchers often use hybrid fusion-solvent method if thermal instability and immiscibility between the compound(s) and the carrier are present. In the process, the researchers first dissolve the compound in a small quantity of organic solvent and added to the molten carrier. Researchers then evaporate the solvent to generate the mass. They mill this mass to produce powder at desired particle size ranges.

Generally, solid dispersion is mainly used to improve dissolvability in water of a poorly water-soluble drug in a pharmaceutical composition (disclosed in U.S. Patents 6,753,330, 6,899,899, 6,677,362), to mask the taste of the drug substance (disclosed in U.S. Patents 7,115,280 and 7,112,336), and to prepare rapid disintegration oral tablets (disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,899,899). Solid dispersion has also been used to produce sustained-release microspheres using tedious methods such as water-in-oil emulsions (disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,556,642).

CHONDROITIN BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS

2008-02-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

What is osteoarthritis?
An estimated 21 million adults in the United States live with osteoarthritis--one of the most common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, which is the connective tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. It is characterized by pain, joint damage, and limited motion. The disease generally occurs late in life, and most commonly affects the hands and large weight-bearing joints. Although the disease can impact several joints, the knees are often affected. Age, female gender, and obesity are risk factors for this condition.

What are glucosamine and chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural substances found in and around the cells of cartilage. Researchers believe these substances may help in the repair and maintenance of cartilage. In addition, researchers believe that glucosamine inhibits inflammation and stimulates cartilage cell growth, while chondroitin provides cartilage with strength and resilience. Currently, glucosamine and chondroitin are classified as dietary supplements.

Chondroitin sulfate is considered as a symptomatic slow-acting drug, i.e. a compound that has a slow onset of action and improve osteoarthritis symptoms after a couple of weeks. Chondroitin sulfate exhibits a wide range of biological activities and from a pharmacological point of view it produces a slow but gradual decrease of the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis and these benefits last for a long period after the end of treatment. Many literature data show that chondroitin sulfate could have an anti-inflammatory activity and a chondroprotective action by modifying the structure of cartilage. These properties are also related to the oral adsorption of this molecule as high-molecular mass compounds having clusters of sulfate groups and high charge density capable of exert their chondroprotective activity in vivo. However, please, note that all the conclusive studies with chondroitin sulfate resulted from the use of experimental dosage designs, which may different from commercially available supplements. [3,4] The oral absorption for an experimental chondroitin sulfate formulation is 70%. [2]

How does chondroitin benefit osteoarthritis?
Chondroitin sulfates play a role in articular and bone metabolism by controlling cartilaginous matrix integrity and bone mineralization. Chondroitin sulfates are synthesized in chondrocytes and in bone cells. Binding to the core protein through N- and O-linkages leads to aggregates of monomers with high molecular weights. The proteoglycan aggregate exhibits viscoelastic and hydration properties and an ability to interact with the surrounding tissue through electric charges leading to protection of the cartilaginous tissues. Chondroitin sulfates inhibit the activity of extracellular proteases for the connective tissues. In addition to their anti-inflammatory effects, chondroitin sulfates in vitro stimulate proteoglycan production by chondrocytes; they also inhibit cartilage cytokine production and induce apoptosis of articular chondrocytes. [14, 15]

Chondroitin sulfates increase the intrinsic viscosity of the synovial liquid. In vivo in experimental arthritis, the number and severity of articular symptoms decreases after chondroitin sulfates administration. In bones, chondroitin sulfates accelerate the mineralization process and bone repair. However, they break down easily via enzymatic degradation ( metalloproteinases and lysosomal enzymes). [14]

What are the side effects of chondroitin?
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are naturally occurring substances. Both substances can be taken by mouth and have no known significant toxicity nor side effects. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate have been examined in laboratory and animal experiments, and in several clinical studies, which have shown some effect on the symptoms of early or moderate arthritis. The long-term effect has not been evaluated sufficiently and studies of the relation between dose and effect are lacking for both compounds. [5,6]

What are other health benefits of chondroitin sulfate?
Chondroitin sulphate has been found to be a major component for proteoglycans. Proteoglycans are glycoproteins in the extracellular matrix. Among proteoglycans, the most abundant type is the hyalectan or lectican family. Proteoglycans are formed by two main components; a protein and a sugar chain, which that is termed glycosaminoglycan. These glycosaminoglycans are polymers of two simple sugars. The hyalectan family has glycosaminoglycans of the chondroitin sulphate type, and they are termed proteoglycans-chondroitin sulphate.

Proteoglycans-chondroitin sulphates are linked to the hyaluronic acid and other molecules of the extracellular matrix in order to form a three-dimensional network. This network has several important roles in the maintenance of the homeostasis of the central nervous system. [8-12]

Carulli D and co-workers from Cambridge University considered the possible benefits of chondroitin sulfate on nerve cell regeneration. As described before, proteoglycans are of two main types, chondroitin sulfate and heparin sulfate. The chondroitin sulfate acts mainly as barrier-forming molecules, whereas the heparin sulfate stabilise the interactions of receptors and ligands. During development chondroitin sulfates pattern cell migration, axon growth pathways and axon terminations. Later in development and in adulthood chondroitin sulfates associate with some classes of neuron and control plasticity. After damage to the nervous system, chondroitin sulfates are the major axon growth inhibitory component of the glial scar tissue that blocks successful regeneration. Chondroitin sulfates have a variety of roles in the nervous system, including binding to molecules and blocking their action, presenting molecules to cells and axons, localising active molecules to particular sites and presenting growth factors to their receptors. [1, 13] While, other researchers, such as lida J and co-workers from University of Minnesota, are interested in its role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. [14] Tumor cell invasion and metastasis is highly dependent on dynamic changes in the adhesion and migration of transformed and malignant cells. As with normal cell adhesion, the adhesion of tumor cells influences their cytoskeletal organization, activation of signal transduction pathways within the cell, and nuclear events leading to changes in mRNA transcription and protein synthesis. Furthermore, as tumor cells invade the circulation, they adhere to activated endothelial cells at sites within the vasculature during arrest and extravasation. Studies in the area of tumor cell adhesion and migration have demonstrated that the recognition of extracellular matrix ligands, or adhesion promoting ligands expressed on neighboring cells (i.e. counter-receptors), involves complex molecular recognition mechanisms. The complexity arises, in part, from the multiple recognition sites that are present within adhesion promoting ligands. Some of these structures within ECM components act by binding integrins, whereas others bind additional receptors such as cell surface proteoglycans. In this sense, adhesion promoting ligands may be considered as informational arrays, that function to modulate cell phenotype by engaging specific combinations of adhesion receptors on the cell surface. Thus, cell surface chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans may play in modulating tumor cell adhesion, migration and invasion.

What is a dietary supplement?
A dietary supplement is a product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet, which bears or contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: a vitamin, mineral, amino acid, herb, or other botanical; is intended for ingestion in the form of a capsule, powder, softgel, or gelcap; and is not represented as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet (as defined by the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, Oct. 25, 1994).

What is celecoxib?
Celecoxib (brand name Celebrex) is a new type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), called a COX-2 inhibitor. Like traditional NSAIDS, celecoxib blocks the COX-2 enzyme in the body that stimulates inflammation. Unlike traditional NSAIDS, however, celecoxib does not block the action of COX-1 enzyme, which is known to protect the stomach lining. As a result, celecoxib reduces joint pain and inflammation with reduced risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. FDA Alert: 4/7/2005:Celebrex has been associated with an increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in a long-term placebo controlled trial. Based on the currently available data, FDA has concluded that an increased risk of serious adverse CV events appears to be a class effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (excluding aspirin). FDA has requested that the package insert for all NSAIDs, including Celebrex, be revised to include a boxed warning to highlight the potential increased risk of CV events and the well described risk of serious, and potentially life-threatening, gastrointestinal bleeding. FDA has also requested that the package insert for all NSAIDs be revised to include a contraindication for use in patients immediately post-operative from coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery.

REFERENCE [1] Carulli D et al, Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in neural development and regeneration. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2005 Apr;15(2):252. [2] Owens S Recent advances in glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation. J Knee Surg. 2004 Oct;17(4):185-93. [3] Volpi N The pathobiology of osteoarthritis and the rationale for using the chondroitin sulfate for its treatment. Curr Drug Targets Immune Endocr Metabol Disord. Jun;4(2):119-27.2004. [4] Reginster JY et al, Naturocetic (glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate) compounds as structure-modifying drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2003 Sep;15(5):651-5. [5] Angermann P Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of arthritis Ugeskr Laeger. 2003 Jan 27;165(5):451-4. [6] Bijlsma JW Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate as a possible treatment for osteoarthritis Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002 Sep 28;146(39):1819-23. [7] Brief AA et al, Use of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the management of osteoarthritis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2001 Mar-Apr;9(2):71-8. [8] Crespo-Santiago D et al, The extracellular matrix of the central nervous system: chondroitin sulphate type proteoglycans and neural repair Rev Neurol. 2004 May 1-15;38(9):843-51. [9]Grumet M et al, Functions of brain chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans during developments: interactions with adhesion molecules. Perspect Dev Neurobiol. 1996;3(4):319-30. [10] Margolis RU et al, Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans as mediators of axon growth and pathfinding. Cell Tissue Res. 1997 Nov;290(2):343-8. [11] Oohira A et al, Molecular interactions of neural chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the brain development. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2000 Feb 1;374(1):24-34. [12] Rauch U et al, Neurocan: a brain chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2001 Nov;58(12-13):1842-56. [13] Zhuo L et al, A physiological function of serum proteoglycan bikunin: the chondroitin sulfate moiety plays a central role. Glycoconj J. 2002 May-Jun;19(4-5):241-7. [14] Bali JP et al, Biochemical basis of the pharmacologic action of chondroitin sulfates on the osteoarticular system. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2001 Aug;31(1):58-68. [15] Kelly GS The role of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfates in the treatment of degenerative joint disease. Altern Med Rev. 1998 Feb;3(1):27-39. [16] Iida J et al, Cell surface chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in tumor cell adhesion, motility and invasion. Semin Cancer Biol. 1996 Jun;7(3):155-62.

Chromium

2008-02-19T12:21:00.001-08:00

Chromium is an essential mineral that is needed for insulin activity in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. A recent study has demonstrated that chromium picolinate may increase the amount of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) - a key enzyme involved in metabolism - in skeletal muscle cells, thus improving energy balance and insulin function.[2]Studies show that people with type 2 diabetes have lower blood levels of chromium than those without the disease. [3] Consequently, researchers supplied chromium supplementation to patients suffered from types 1 and 2 diabetes. They found improvement in serum glucose. The beneficial effects of chromium on serum glucose and lipids and insulin resistance occur even in the healthy subjects. [5]

Recently, FDA issued a favorable response to a qualified health claim petition filed by Nutrition 21, recognizing chromium picolinate as a safe nutritional supplement that may reduce the risk of insulin resistance and possibly type 2 diabetes. [1]

DOSE AND SAFETY
Supplements containing 200-1,000 mcg chromium as chromium picolinate a day have been found to improve blood glucose control. Chromium picolinate is the most efficacious form of chromium supplementation. Numerous animal studies and human clinical trials have demonstrated that chromium picolinate supplements are safe. [3]

However, one should be aware that individual patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus may have an increased risk of hypoglycaemic episodes when taking chromium supplements as self-medication. [4] In addition, chromium supplementation does result in tissue retention in the kidney, although no pathogenic effect has been demonstrated despite considerable study. [5]

Analogues of picolinic acid may induce profound alterations in the metabolism of serotonin, dopamine, and norepnephrine in brain. Thus, patients with behavioral disorders should consult with doctors before taking any chromium picolinate supplements. [6]

http://www.zhion.com/Supplements/Chromium_Picolinate.html

REFERENCES
[1] FDA Approves First Qualified Health Claim for Chromium Picolinate and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Purchase, N.Y. (PRWEB) September 2, 2005.
[2] New Study Suggests Chromium Picolinate Triggers Key Enzyme to Improve Glucose Metabolism, Pennington Biomedical Research Center News Release, September 14, 2005 [3] A scientific review: the role of chromium in insulin resistance. Diabetes Educ. 2004;Suppl:2-14. [4] Kleefstra N et al, Chromium and insulin resistance. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2004 Jan 31;148(5):217-20. [5] Lamson DS et al, The safety and efficacy of high-dose chromium. Altern Med Rev. 2002 Jun;7(3):218-35.

Some microbes are good for us

2008-02-19T12:05:00.000-08:00

Lactobacillus acidophilus has been considered to have various health-promoting benefits or advantages. These proposed benefits include anticarcinogenic and hypocholesterolemic properties and antagonistic action against intestinal and food-born pathogens.

Some researchers believed that its anticarcinogenic activity might be related to production of anti-carcinogens while its cholesterol-lowering effects could be a result of the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase. The antagonistic effect against pathogens and other organisms is possibly mediated by competition for nutrients and adhesion sites, formation of metabolites such as organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, and production of antibiotic-like compounds and bacteriocins. [1]

Sanders ME at Dairy and Food Culture Technologies pointed out that lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM is a probiotic strain available in conventional foods (milk, yogurt, and toddler formula) and dietary supplements. It has been in the US market since the mid-1970s. [2]

This strain of lactobacillus acidophilus can survive gastrointestinal tract transit in both healthy and diseased populations. It inhibits aberrant crypt formation in mutagenized rats, indicative of benefits that could decrease the risk of colon cancer. A blend of probiotic strains containing NCFM decreased the incidence of pediatric diarrhea. It also led to a significant decrease in levels of toxic amines in the blood of dialysis patients with small bowel bacterial overgrowth. At adequate daily intakes, this strain may facilitate lactose digestion in lactose-intolerant subjects. [2]

http://www.zhion.com/Supplements/Acidophilus.html

Reference

[1] Mital BK, Garg SK Anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic, and antagonistic activities of Lactobacillus acidophilus Crit Rev Microbiol. 1995;21(3):175-214. [2] Sanders ME, Klaenhammer TR. Invited review: the scientific basis of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM functionality as a probiotic. J Dairy Sci. 2001 Feb;84(2):319-31. Correspondence mesanders@msn.com Dairy and Food Culture Technologies, Littleton, CO 80122-2526, USA.

Endometriosis

2007-08-01T07:06:00.001-07:00

Endometriosis is a common health problem in women. It gets its name from the word endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus (womb). In women with this problem, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus in other areas. These areas can be called growths, tumors, implants, lesions, or nodules.

Most endometriosis is found: * on or under the ovaries * behind the uterus * on the tissues that hold the uterus in place * on the bowels or bladder female reproductive system

Endometriosis rarely grows in the lungs or other parts of the body. This "misplaced" tissue can cause pain, infertility (not being able to get pregnant), and very heavy periods.

Pain is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis. Usually the pain is in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis. The amount of pain a woman feels does not depend on how much endometriosis she has. Some women have no pain, even though their disease affects large areas. Other women with endometriosis have severe pain even though they have only a few small growths.

Symptoms of endometriosis include: * Very painful menstrual cramps * Pain with periods that gets worse over time * Chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis * Pain during or after sex * Intestinal pain * Painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstrual periods * Heavy and/or long menstrual periods * Spotting or bleeding between periods * Infertility (not being able to get pregnant) * Fatigue Women with endometriosis may also have gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipation, or bloating, especially during their periods.

About five million women in the United States have endometriosis. This makes it one of the most common health problems for women.

In general, women with endometriosis: * get their monthly period * are 27-years-old on average * have symptoms for two to five years before finding out they have the disease Women who have gone through menopause (when a woman stops having her period) rarely still have symptoms.

Women are more likely to develop endometriosis if they: * began getting their period at an early age * have heavy periods * have periods that last more than seven days * have a short monthly cycle (27 days or less) * have a close relative (mother, aunt, sister) with endometriosis

Some studies suggest that women may lower their chances of developing endometriosis if they exercise regularly and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Growths of endometriosis are almost always benign or not cancerous, but still can cause many problems. To see why, it helps to understand a woman's monthly cycle. Every month, hormones cause the lining of a woman's uterus to build up with tissue and blood vessels. If a woman does not get pregnant, the uterus sheds this tissue and blood. It comes out of the body through the vagina as her menstrual period. Patches of endometriosis also respond to a woman's monthly cycle. Each month the growths add extra tissue and blood, but there is no place for the built-up tissue and blood to exit the body. For this reason, growths tend to get bigger and the symptoms of endometriosis often get worse over time. Tissue and blood that is shed into the body can cause inflammation, scar tissue, and pain. As the misplaced tissue grows, it can cover or grow into the ovaries and block the fallopian tubes. This can make it hard for women with endometriosis to get pregnant. The growths can also cause problems in the intestines and bladder.

Many treatments can control the symptoms. Medicine can relieve the pain. And when endometriosis causes fertility problems, surgery can boost the chances of getting pregnant.

Usually doctors need to run tests to find out if a woman has endometriosis. Sometimes doctors use imaging tests to "see" large growths of endometriosis inside the body. The two most common imaging tests are:

* ultrasound, which uses sound waves to see inside the body

* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses magnets and radio waves to make a "picture" of the inside of the body The only way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is to have a surgery called laparoscopy. In this procedure, a tiny cut is made in your abdomen. A thin tube with a light is placed inside to see growths from endometriosis. Sometimes doctors can diagnose endometriosis just by seeing the growths. Other times, they need to take a small sample of tissue, or a biopsy, and study it under a microscope.

What causes endometriosis?
No one knows for sure what causes this disease, but scientists have a number of theories. They know that endometriosis runs in families. If mother or sister has endometriosis, the women are six times more likely to get the disease than other women. So, one theory suggests that endometriosis is caused by genes.

Another theory is that during a woman's monthly periods, some endometrial tissue backs up into the abdomen through the fallopian tubes. This transplanted tissue then grows outside the uterus. Many researchers think a faulty immune system plays a part in endometriosis. In women with the disease, the immune system fails to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Plus, a recent study shows that immune system disorders (health problems in which the body attacks itself) are more common in women with endometriosis. More research in this area may help doctors better understand and treat endometriosis.

How is endometriosis treated?
There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are many treatments for the pain and infertility that it causes. Talk with your doctor about what option is best for you. The treatment you choose will depend on your symptoms, age, and plans for getting pregnant.

Pain Medication. For some women with mild symptoms, doctors may suggest taking over-the-counter medicines for pain. These include: ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). When these medicines don't help, doctors may advise using stronger pain relievers available by prescription.

Hormone Treatment. When pain medicine is not enough, doctors often recommend hormone medicines to treat endometriosis. Only women who do not wish to become pregnant can use these drugs. Hormone treatment is best for women with small growths who don't have bad pain. Hormones come in many forms including pills, shots, and nasal sprays. Many hormones are used for endometriosis including:

* Birth control pills block the effects of natural hormones on endometrial growths. So, they prevent the monthly build-up and breakdown of growths. This can make endometriosis less painful. Birth control pills also can make a woman's periods lighter and less uncomfortable. Most birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. This type of birth control pill is called a "combination pill." Once a woman stops taking them, the ability to get pregnant returns, but so may the symptoms of endometriosis.

* Progestins or progesterone medicines work much like birth control pills and can be taken by women who can't take estrogen. When a woman stops taking progestins, she can get pregnant again. But, the symptoms of endometriosis return too.

* Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists or GnRH agonists slow the growth of endometriosis and relieve symptoms. They work by greatly reducing the amount of estrogen in a woman's body, which stops the monthly cycle. Leuprolide (Lupron®) is a GnRH agonist often used to treat endometriosis. GnRH agonists should not be used alone for more than six months. This is because they can lead to osteoporosis. But if a woman takes estrogen along with GnRH agonists, she can use them for a longer time. When a woman stops taking this medicine, monthly periods and the ability to get pregnant return. But, usually the problems of endometriosis also return.

* Danazol is a weak male hormone. Nowadays, doctors rarely recommend this hormone for endometriosis. Danazol lowers the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. This stops a woman's period or makes it come less often. Danazol also gives pain relief. But it often causes side effects like oily skin, weight gain, tiredness, smaller breasts, and hot flashes. Danazol does not prevent pregnancy and can harm a baby growing in the uterus. Since it can't be used with other hormones, like birth control pills, doctors recommend using condoms, diaphragms, or other "barrier" methods to prevent pregnancy.

Surgery. Surgery is usually the best choice for women with endometriosis who have a severe amount of growths, a great deal of pain, or fertility problems.

There are both minor and more complex surgeries that can help. Your doctor might suggest one of the following:

* Laparoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. During this surgery, doctors remove growths and scar tissue or destroy them with intense heat. The goal is to treat the endometriosis without harming the healthy tissue around it. Women recover from laparoscopy much faster than from major abdominal surgery.

* Laparotomy or major abdominal surgery is a last resort treatment for severe endometriosis. In this surgery, the doctor makes a much bigger cut in the abdomen than with laparoscopy. This allows the doctor to reach and remove growths of endometriosis in the pelvis or abdomen. Recovery from this surgery can take up to two months.

* Hysterectomy should only be considered by women who do not want to become pregnant in the future. During this surgery, the doctor removes the uterus. She or he may also take out the ovaries and fallopian tubes at the same time. This is done when the endometriosis has severely damaged them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Current Research and Development

Diets

Progression of endometriosis is considered estrogen-dependent. Japanese researchers found that higher levels of urinary genistein and daidzein were associated with decreased risk of advanced endometriosis but not early endometriosis in a study of 138 eligible women aged 20-45. They concluded that dietary isoflavones may reduce the risk of endometriosis among Japanese women. [4]

Fjerbaek A, University of Southern Denmark found a relation between disease and low intake of vegetable and fruit and high intake of vegetarian polyunsaturated fat, ham, beef and other red meat. But, he is not sure about the link of fish and the disease. [5] Consumption of milk, liver, carrots, cheese, fish and whole-grain foods, as well as coffee and alcohol consumption, were not significantly related to endometriosis. [6]

Herbs

Experimental evidence is accumulating to suggest that medicinal botanicals have anti-inflammatory and pain-alleviating properties and hold promise for treatment of endometriosis. Researchers from University of Vienna, Austria, state that medicinal herbs and their active components exhibit cytokine-suppressive, COX-2-inhibiting, antioxidant, sedative and pain-alleviating properties in their review article. Each of these mechanisms of action would be predicted to have salutary effects in endometriosis. [3]

Researchers from Medical College of Jinan University, China, found the possible use of Xiaochaihu Decoction on ectopic endometrium in rats. After treatment of 4 weeks, they observed an inhibition of the ectopic endometrial growth of the rats. [2]

Exercise

Carpenter and co-workers, Emory University School of Medicine, concluded that exercise could lower the level of testosterone levels and reduce the androgenic side effects of danazol in a 4-week study of 39 patients. [7]

Drug Development

Researchers from Medical College of Wisconsin, WI, found that trichostatin A (TSA) can suppress the invasiveness of 2 endometriotic cell lines. In their study, trichostatin A attenuated the invasiveness of 2 cell lines in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) stimulation. In addition, trichostatin A treatment reactivateed E-cadherin gene and protein expression in these cell lines. These results, along with recent findings that TSA suppresses proliferation, interleukin-1 beta-induced cyclo-oxygenase 2 expression, and constitutive or TNFalpha-stimulated nuclear factor kappa B activation in endometrial and endometriotic cells, makes histone deacetylase inhibitors a promising class of compounds for treatment of endometriosis. [1]

[1] Wu Y, Starzinski-Powitz A, Guo SW. Trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, attenuates invasiveness and reactivates E-cadherin expression in immortalized endometriotic cells. Reprod Sci. 2007 May;14(4):374-82.

[2] Zheng H and Zuo LD, Experimental study on treatment of endometriosis with xiaochaihu decoction, Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2006 Jun' 26 Suppl:119-22.

[3] Wieser F et al, Evolution of medical treatment for endometriosis: back to the roots? Hum Reprod Update 2007 Jun 16.

[4] Tsuchiva M et al, Effect of soy isoflavones on endometriosis: interaction with estrogen receptor 2 gene polymorphism. Epidemiology, 2007 May;18(3):402-8.

[5] Fjerbaek A et al, Endometriosis, dysmenorrhea and diet--what is the evidence? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2007 Jun;132(2):140-7. Epub 2007 Jan 8.

[6] Selected food intake and risk of endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 2004 Aug;19(8):1755-9. Epub 2004 Jul 14.[7] Carpenter SE et al, The effect of regular exercise on women receiving danazol for treatment of endometriosis. Int. J Gynaecol Obstet. 1995 Jun;49(3):299-304.

Flavonols and flavones

2007-04-29T17:16:00.001-07:00

Flavonols and flavones are plant-derived polyphenolic compounds that are present in fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, or herbs such as ginkgo biloba, soys, and milk thistle. They have demonstrated potential health benefits of lowering risks on various chronic conditions.

Most flavonoids are believed to be chemo-protective. Flavones and isoflavones inhibit the activity of aromatase (CYP19), thus decreasing estrogen biosynthesis, i.e. antiestrogenic effects. This may benefit people at risk of breast and prostate cancers. Flavonoids such as fisetin, galangin, quercetin, kaempferol, and genistein are potent non-competitive inhibitors of sulfotransferase 1A1 (or P-PST); this could interfere sulfation-induced cancer growth.

Epidemiological studies have shown beneficial effects of flavonoids on arteriosclerosis-related pathology in general and neurodegeneration in particular. Flavonoids can protect the brain by their ability to modulate intracellular signals promoting cellular survival.

Unfortunately, most of the flavonoids have a low oral bioavailability and some of them may interact with drugs causing ineffectiveness of the therapies or amplifying the toxic effects of the medicine. Nevertheless, the intake of substantial amounts of plant-food in a normal diet is important to prevent cancer or other chronic diseases.

http://www.zhion.com/phytonutrients/Flavonols.html

Green coffee bean extract

2007-03-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

In 2002, Suzuki A and co-workers from Kao Corp. Japan found a dose-dependent reduction in blood pressure after a single ingestion of 5-caffeoylquinic acid in a rat study. In a study of 20 healthy male subjects, the same research group allowed 10 subjects take green coffee bean extract containing 140 mg of chlorogenic acid everyday. After 3-4 months of treatment, they observed a significant increase in reactive hyperemia ratio, compared to the placebo group.

In 2005, the same group found that green coffee bean extract reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly in a dose-proportional manner. Later, in a 14 day-study, the researchers fed male mice with a standard diet containing green coffee bean extract, caffeine and chlorogenic acid. They found that 0.5% and 1% green coffee bean extract reduced visceral fat content and body weight.

Chokeberry

2007-03-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

Chokeberry has high contents of caffeic acid, cyanidin and quercetin.

Researchers demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of chokeberry extracts on colon-cancer-derived HT-29 cells. After 48 h of exposure to 25 microg/mL chokeberry extracts, HT-29 cancer cells growth slowed down.

Studies have shown that chronic flavonoids treatment improves vascular function and cardiovascular remodeling by decreasing superoxide anion production and by increasing NO realize from endothelial cells. Studies also show a progressive decrease in systolic blood pressure and reduction of low-density lipoprotein oxidation (Ox-LDL).

Researchers from Poland showed that chokeberry flavonoids could reduce the severity of inflammation. In a study of coronary arterial rings of 64 pigs, researchers found that anthocyanin-enhanced chokeberry extracts produce endothelium-dependent relaxation in porcine coronary arteries.

Green Tea

2007-03-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

Though the FDA concluded that existing evidence does not support qualified health claims for green tea consumption and a reduced risk of any other type of cancer in 2005, the steady stream of good news about green tea is getting so hard to ignore its potential benefits. Green tea contains, minerals, vitamins, oils, caffeine and an important polyphenol - epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

CUT CANCER RISK
Some test-tube and animals studies suggest that green tea may have a protective effect against lung cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

LOSE WEIGHT
Green tea may speed up your body's calorie-burning process.

PROTECT YOUR MEMORY, OR YOUR MOM'S
Marketers promote green tea as an agent that keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Sure, it contains caffeine!

STAY YOUNG
Some animal studies have shown that green tea can lower the total cholesterol levels, improve the cholesterol profile and protect against atherosclerosis.

STEADY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN
Green tea polyphenols suppress the carcinogenic activity of UV radiation.

http://www.zhion.com/herb/Green_tea.html

[1] FDA Issues Information for Consumers about Claims for Green Tea and Certain Cancers FDA News Release June 30, 2005.

tekturna, aliskiren,

2007-03-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Tekturna (aliskiren) tablet was approved on March 6, 2007 for the treatment of high blood pressure. Tekturna, a new molecular entity (NME), is the first high blood pressure drug approved by FDA that inhibits renin, a kidney enzyme associated with the regulation of blood pressure.

The effectiveness of Tekturna in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated in six placebo-controlled eight-week clinical trials, which studied more than 2,000 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Tekturna by itself demonstrates effective blood lowering in a number of studies. Tekturna can also be used in combination with a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ramipril) or a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine), a diuretic, further reductions in blood pressure were achieved.

Aliskiren mean Cmax was not affected by either lovastatin or atenolol, although a non-significant 36% increase was observed with celecoxib. Modest, non-significant increases in aliskiren systemic availability followed coadministration with cimetidine.

Tekturna was evaluated for safety in more than 6,460 patients, including 1,740 who were treated longer than six months, and more than 1,250 for over one year. Side effects were usually mild and brief. The most common side effect experienced by patients taking Tekturna was diarrhea. Rarely, patients taking Tekturna developed an allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips or tongue and difficulty breathing, as has been seen with other drugs for high blood pressure that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system.

The most commonly reported adverse events were headache, dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms, which were similar in frequency during antihypertensive drug treatment alone and in combination with aliskiren except for an increase in dizziness during treatment with the combination of aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide.

Tekturna and other drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system should not be used during pregnancy because they can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus.

Pulse Pressure

2007-03-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

Elevation of systolic blood pressure has been recognized as an independent risk factor that far exceeds the risk associated with an elevated diastolic blood pressure in older patients with hypertension. Isolated systolic hypertension is a disorder typically defined when the systolic blood pressure is greater than 140 mm Hg but with diastolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg.

The characteristic changes of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with age lead to increases in pulse pressure (systolic minus diastolic), which has emerged as a new, potentially independent risk factor. Pulse pressure also reflects stiffening of large arteries and is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors.

An increased pulse pressure nearly always indicates reduced vascular compliance of large arteries and, by definition, is always increased in patients with isolated systolic hypertension.

[1] Strandberg TE, Pitkala K. What is the most important component of blood pressure: systolic, diastolic or pulse pressure? Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2003 May;12(3):293-7. [2] White WB. Systolic versus diastolic blood pressure versus pulse pressure. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2002 Nov;4(6):463-7. [3] Asmar R, Darne B, el Assaad M, Topouchian J. Assessment of outcomes other than systolic and diastolic blood pressure: pulse pressure, arterial stiffness and heart rate. Blood Press Monit. 2001 Dec;6(6):329-33.

Systolic Blood Pressure and Treatment.s

2007-03-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

At middle age or older, some people may notice a gradual rise in their systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is an important indicator for cardiovascular diseases. It is more difficult to control than diastolic blood pressure, and most middle age and older hypertensive patients fail to achieve recommended targets.

Elevated systolic blood pressure results from age-associated vascular stiffening. Arterial stiffness increases with advancing age and other cardiovascular events such as the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and elevated C-reactive protein.

Basile J. from Medical University of South Carolina suggested lifestyle modification, including weight loss and salt restriction to reduce blood pressure.

Thiazide-type diuretics, like Indapamide SR, have been shown effective in lowering the systolic blood pressure. Other medications may be helpful, including thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

Aspirin lowers blood pressure at bedtime?

2007-03-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

Aspirin can reduce blood pressure, most clinical studies find, but the time for the aspirin administration is critical. Studies have shown that aspirin produces an administration time-dependent inhibition of angiotensin II.

Aspirin is a potent antioxidative agent that reduces vascular production of superoxide, prevents angiotensin II-induced hypertension, and induces NO release. Low-dose aspirin administered at bedtime, but not on awakening, has been shown to reduce blood pressure, possibly enhancing the nocturnal trough in NO production.

Low-dose aspirin has also been shown to reduce blood pressure when administered before bedtime, as opposed to upon awakening, in healthy subjects and subjects with high blood pressure and pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia.

In a 3 month-study of 328 untreated patients with grade 1 hypertension, 44.0 +/- 12.6 years of age, Spanish researchers found a slightly elevated blood pressure associated with intake of aspirin on awakening, but a significant blood pressure reduction in the patients who received aspirin before bedtime.

The ability of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to lower blood pressure may in part be due to the formation of vasodilatory prostaglandins. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with aspirin may therefore theoretically attenuate the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors.

This article is for your information only. Discuss with your doctor before taking aspirin.

Why are the results for cholesterol lowering effects of garlic extracts mixed?

2007-03-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

A recent report suggests that eating garlic - either raw or as a supplement - does not lower cholesterol levels. However, some studies in 2006-2007 showed positive results, what could be the cause for the mixed results among the studies?

Mahmoodi M. and his co-workers from Rafsanjan, Iran, found that oral consumption of 5 g of garlic twice a day for 42 days was associated with lowered triglyceride and the total cholesterol levels.

Japanese researchers from Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd developed a monascus garlic fermented extract. They found that intake of this garlic extract for 2-4 weeks could reduce serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly.

While, Russian researchers demonstrated that allicor (a long-acting garlic product) reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in 167 patients with hyperlipidemia.

How does garlic extract reduce cholesterol levels?

Garlic extracts reduce cholesterol synthesis by up to 75% without significant cellular toxicity. Diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, and allyl mercaptan are the key compounds for the inhibitory activities.

Why are there mixed results?

Rahman K and Lowe GM. at Liverpool John Moores University, UK, point out that epidemiologic studies show an inverse correlation between garlic consumption and progression of cardiovascular disease. Numerous in vitro and animal studies have confirmed the ability of garlic to reduce these parameters and suggested its mechanism on cholesterol-lowering activities.

The mixed results can simply be explained by different contents of the garlic extracts, preparations or experimental design in the studies. Note that the dose in Mahmoodi's study is 5 g of garlic twice a day for 42 days (positive results) while Zhang L used only 200 mg aged garlic extract and 1 mg steam-distilled garlic oil in his study (negative results).

http://www.zhion.com/herb/GARLIC_cholesterol.html