scholarly journals Safety and influence of a novel extract of fenugreek on healthy young women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aman Khanna ◽  
Jestin Thomas ◽  
Febi John ◽  
Balu Maliakel ◽  
I. M. Krishnakumar
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Sexual Dysfunctions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Safety Parameters ◽  
Menstruating Women ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Hormone Analysis

Abstract Background Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed is a popular kitchen spice and medicinal herb with wide applications in Indian folklore. Earlier studies have shown that the hydro-ethanolic extracts of fenugreek are efficient in the management of a number of hormone related disorders in women, including post and peri-menopausal discomforts, sexual dysfunctions, lactation and even in amenorrhea. However, systematic informations on their safety and influence on hormonal balance are limited. Results Forty-eight healthy menstruating women aged 20 to 48 were randomized either to FHE (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) and supplemented with 250 mg × 2/day for 42 days. FHE did not produce any side effects or adverse events. It offered significant (P < 0.05) beneficial effects to sexual problems (41.6%) and irritability (40%) among the participants who had higher sexual dysfunctions scores (> 1) when monitored by the validated Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) scale. Further, hormone analysis indicated an enhancement in estradiol (P = 0.040), free testosterone (P = 0.025), and total testosterone (P = 0.012) in FHE group in comparison to placebo. There were no significant changes in progesterone (P = 0.174) and FSH (P = 0.879) upon FHE supplementation. The hematological and biochemical safety parameters were also at par with the safety of the extract. Conclusion Thus, the supplementation of FHE may be considered as a natural alternative for sexual issues in women. Trial registration CTRI/2018/09/015614 dated 05/09/2018.

scholarly journals LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY;

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (05) ◽  
pp. 699-706
Author(s):  
HEMMATPOOR BEHZAD ◽  
MAHVAR TAYEBEH ◽  
MAKHSOSI BEHNAM REZA ◽  
Saeb Morteza
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Preoperative Administration ◽  
Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
To Receive

Background: shoulder pain after laparoscopic procedure is a frequent complication encountered in surgery ward. Severaltreatments have been proposed to reduce it. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative administration of gabapentin inpreventing and attenuating Post Laparoscpoic Shoulder Pain (PLSP) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Design: In a randomised,double blinded placebo controlled study. Setting: Woman's Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Period: April 2011 toMarch 2012. Material and methods: 90 patients of ASA physical status I-II undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy wererandomly allocated to receive gabapentin 600 mg or placebo ,half an hour before surgery. The presence analgesia and side effects wererecorded for 12h postoperatively in same times. Results: Incidence Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) ≥ 4 at different times after arrival to PACUwere significantly lower in gabapentin group in arrival (P Value= 0.003) and then after 30 miniute (P Value= 0.02) and 2 (P Value=0.003), 4 (P Value= 0.03) and 6 (P Value= 0.04) hours after arrival to Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). But this sigificancy lost at 12hours (P Value= 0.07) after arrival to PACU. Also there was a reduction in amounts of postoperative in ward analgesic consumption. Sideeffects were not different between two groups. Conclusions: 600 mg gabapentin as premedication is effective and safe for reducing postlaparoscopicshoulder pain intensity after general laparoscopy compared with placebo.

Increased adrenal androgen secretion with inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase in HIV-infected women

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (5) ◽  
pp. E808-E813
Author(s):  
Polyxeni Koutkia ◽  
Jacqueline Berry ◽  
Kristina Eaton ◽  
Jeff Breu ◽  
Steven Grinspoon
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Enzyme Inhibitor ◽  
Ideal Body Weight ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Adrenal Androgen ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Anabolic Hormone ◽  
Androgen Secretion

Adrenal androgen production is reduced in association with disease severity in HIV-infected women. This response may be maladaptive in terms of maintenance of lean body mass, functional status, and immune function. The aim of this study was to assess whether the use of an adrenal enzyme inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase might increase androgen production in this population. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of metyrapone (500 mg po qid) or placebo for 2 wk in 10 HIV-infected women with AIDS wasting [weight <90% ideal body weight (IBW) or weight loss >10%] and reduced androgen levels. Basal and ACTH-stimulated androgen, mineralocorticoid, and glucocorticoid levels were measured at baseline and after 14 days of treatment. Subjects were similar in age (40.9 ± 0.9 yr), weight (91.7 ± 3.5% IBW) and hormone concentrations at study entry. Total testosterone (84 ± 54 vs. −0.4 ± 2 ng/dl, P = 0.024), free testosterone (6.5 ± 2.8 vs. 0.1 ± 0.1 pg/ml, P = 0.024), DHEA (5.0 ± 3.2 vs. −0.6 ± 0.5 μg/l, P = 0.024), and 11-deoxycortisol (2,145 ± 820 vs. −14 ± 22 ng/dl, P = 0.024) levels increased in response to metyrapone compared with placebo treatment. In response to ACTH, significant increases in the DHEA/cortisol ratio (174 ± 48 vs. 3 ± 3, P = 0.008) were seen in the metyrapone group compared with placebo. Blood pressure and electrolytes did not change, and signs of adrenal insufficiency were not apparent. These data demonstrate that inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase with metyrapone increases adrenal androgen secretion in HIV-infected women. Further studies are needed to assess the physiological effects of this strategy to increase anabolic hormone levels in severe stress, including detailed testing to rule out the potential risk of concomitant adrenal insufficiency.

scholarly journals Strength Training and Testosterone Treatment Have Opposing Effects on Migration Inhibitor Factor Levels in Ageing Men

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Glintborg ◽  
L. L. Christensen ◽  
T. Kvorning ◽  
R. Larsen ◽  
K. Brixen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strength Training ◽  
Lean Body Mass ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Inflammatory Activity ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Testosterone Treatment ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Bioavailable Testosterone ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Opposing Effects

Background.The beneficial effects of testosterone treatment (TT) are debated.Methods.Double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of six months TT (gel) in 54 men aged 60–78 with bioavailable testosterone (BioT) <7.3 nmol/L and waist >94 cm randomized to TT (50–100 mg/day,n=20), placebo (n=18), or strength training (ST) (n=16) for 24 weeks. Moreover, the ST group was randomized to TT (n=7) or placebo (n=9) after 12 weeks.Outcomes. Chemokines (MIF, MCP-1, and MIP-1α) and lean body mass (LBM), total, central, extremity, visceral, and subcutaneous (SAT) fat mass established by DXA and MRI.Results. From 0 to 24 weeks, MIF and SAT decreased during ST + placebo versus placebo, whereas BioT and LBM were unchanged. TT decreased fat mass (total, central, extremity, and SAT) and increased BioT and LBM versus placebo. MIF levels increased during TT versus ST + placebo. ST + TT decreased fat mass (total, central, and extremity) and increased BioT and LBM versus placebo. From 12 to 24 weeks, MCP-1 levels increased during TT versus placebo and MCP-1 levels decreased during ST + placebo versus placebo.Conclusion. ST + placebo was associated with decreased MIF levels suggesting decreased inflammatory activity. TT may be associated with increased inflammatory activity. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT00700024.

Atorvastatin Increases ecNOS Levels in Human Platelets of Hyperlipidemic Subjects

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 1390-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Tannous ◽  
Raphael Cheung ◽  
Arianna Vignini ◽  
Bulent Mutus
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
T Test ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
No Production ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Nitric Oxide Metabolism ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Paired T Test

Summary Background. The purpose of this study was to probe the pleiotrophic effects of Atorvastatin on intraplatelet-nitric oxide metabolism. Methods and Results. Hyperlipidemic subjects (n = 19) were treated for 1 month (following a 3-week washout) with either Atorvastatin or placebo in a double-blinded randomized (n = 2, crossover), placebo-controlled study. Changes in the levels of intraplatelet nitric oxide synthase, nitrotyrosine were correlated with cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride levels. These studies indicate that with atrovastatin ecNOS levels increased on average by ~1.7-fold (paired t-test p = 0.009). Interestingly, levels of nitrotyrosylated platelet proteins, an indication of peroxynitrite damage, decreased as ecNOS levels increased in presence of the drug (paired t-test p = 0.33). Atorvastatin, at 10 mg per day, lowered cholesterol and LDL-C levels in all patients with the average lowering of ~21% and ~17% respectively. The effect on HDL was not significant whilst triglyceride levels were lowered by an average of ~18%. Conclusions. This study adds to the volume of evidence that statins have beneficial effects other than lipid lowering. Here, Atorvastatin is shown to significanly elevate intraplatelet ecNOS levels in hyperlipidemic subjects without affecting iNOS expression. The net result of this would be the elevation of NO production which would promote platelet deaggregation and vasodilation.

scholarly journals Baicalin ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome through AMP-activated protein kinase

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Jiahua Zheng ◽  
Na Cui ◽  
Lei Jiang ◽  
Han Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Serum Insulin ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Insulin Level ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder and regarded as the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. PCOS is characterized by reproductive dysfunction and metabolic disorders. Baicalin (BAL) is one of the most potent bioactive flavonoids isolated from the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis. In the present study, we investigated the potential effects of BAL on PCOS in dehydroepiandrosterone-treated rats. We found that BAL notably reduced the serum levels of free testosterone, total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and estradiol in PCOS rats. The increase of serum insulin level and HOMA-IR was markedly inhibited by BAL. Moreover, BAL decreased body weights, increased the number of rats with the regular estrous cycle, and ameliorated ovarian histological changes and follicular development in the DHEA-treated PCOS rats. The increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-18) and decrease of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in PCOS rats were suppressed by BAL. BAL induced a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes, including 3β-HSD, CYP11A1, CYP19A1, StAR, in ovarian tissues in PCOS rats. Furthermore, BAL inhibited the decrease of AMPK protein level and phosphorylation, the decrease of Akt phosphorylation and the increase of 5α-reductase enzyme 1 expression in ovarian tissues in PCOS rats. The effects of BAL were inhibited by an inhibitor of AMPK, dorsomorphin. The upregulation of AMPK contributed to the beneficial effects of BAL. The results highlight the potential role of BAL for the intervention of PCOS.

scholarly journals Piriformis Syndrome: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Local Anesthetic and Corticosteroid Injections: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2;18 (2;3) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tugce Ozekli Misirlioglu
Keyword(s):  
Local Anesthetic ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Piriformis Syndrome ◽  
Piriformis Muscle ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Double Blinded

Background: Piriformis syndrome (PS), which is characterized by pain radiating to the gluteal region and posterior leg, is accepted as one of the causes of sciatalgia. Although the importance of local piriformis muscle injections whenever PS is clinically suspected has been shown in many studies, there are not enough studies considering the clinical efficacy of these injections. Objective: To investigate the differences between local anesthetic (LA) and LA + corticosteroid (CS) injections in the treatment of PS. Study Design: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Setting: Physical medicine and rehabilitation department of a university hospital. Methods: Fifty-seven patients having unilateral hip and/or leg pain with positive FAIR test and tenderness and/or trigger point at the piriformis muscle were evaluated. Out of 50 patients randomly assigned to 2 groups, 47 patients whose pain resolved at least 50% from the baseline after the injection were diagnosed as having PS. The first group (n = 22) received 5 mL of lidocaine 2% while the second group (n = 25) received 4 mL of lidocaine 2% + 1 mL of betametazone under the guidance of ultrasound. Outcome Assessment: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Likert Analogue Scale (LAS). Results: No statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was detected between the groups in NRS score values at resting (P = 0.814), night (P = 0.830), and in motion (P = 0.145), and LAS values with long duration of sitting (P = 0.547), standing (P = 0.898), and lying (P = 0.326) with evaluations at baseline, first week, and first and third months after the injection. A statistically highly significant (P < 0.005) reduction of pain was evaluated through NRS scores at resting (P = 0.001), in motion (P = 0.001), and at night (P = 0.001) and LAS values with long duration of sitting (P = 0.001), standing (P = 0.001), and lying (P = 0.001) in both of the groups. Limitations: Presumed limitations of this study include having a relatively small sample. Conclusion: LA injections for the PS were found to be clinically effective. However, addition of CS to LA did not give an additional benefit. This gives us the idea that PS is mostly muscular in origin and responds well to both LA and LA+CS injections. Key words: Piriformis muscle syndrome, injection, ultrasound, pain, local anesthetics, steroids, rehabilitation

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