Kidney flow and function in hypertension: protective effects of pycnogenol in hypertensive participants--a controlled study.

This study evaluated the effects of Pycnogenol as an adjunct to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor ramipril treatment of hypertensive patients presenting with early signs of renal function problems. One group of 26 patients was medicated with 10 mg ramipril per day only; a second group of 29 patients took Pycnogenol in addition to the ACE inhibitor over a period of 6 months. At trial end, a lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found in both groups, with a significant further reduction of diastolic pressure in the group given Pycnogenol in addition to ramipril.

Pycnogenol treatment of acute hemorrhoidal episodes.

We investigated the efficacy of orally and topically applied Pycnogenol for the management of acute hemorrhoidal attacks in a controlled, randomized study with 84 subjects. Within less than 48 h of onset of an acute attack, patients were enrolled and signs and symptoms were scored. This evaluation was repeated after seven days' treatment and again seven days following treatment cessation.

Pycnogenol improves microcirculation, retinal edema, and visual acuity in early diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: The growing numbers of diabetes cases in the developed world are followed by increasing numbers of people diagnosed with diabetic complications. Diabetic microangiopathies in the eye lead to the development of retinopathy involving gradual loss of vision. Previous studies with Pycnogenol showed effectiveness for stopping progression of preproliferative stages of retinopathy.

Accelerated antioxidant bioavailability of OPC-3 bioflavonoids administered as isotonic solution.

The degree of absorption of bioflavonoids, a diverse and complex group of plant derived phytonutrients, has been a frequent debate among scientists. Monomeric flavonoid species are known to be absorbed within 2 h. The kinetics of plasma reactive oxygen species, a reflection of bioactivity, of a commercial blend of flavonoids, OPC-3 was investigated.

Five-year treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with O-(β-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides: safety aspects.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and related signs and symptoms of venous and diabetic microangiopathy, can be effectively treated with O-(β-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides (HR). The aim of the present independent registry study was to evaluate HR in a long-term (five-year) period of administration that examined the tolerability and safety of HR. Patients with severe CVI and venous microangiopathy were included in the registry.

Improvement in circulation and in cardiovascular risk factors with a proprietary isotonic bioflavonoid formula OPC-3.

This study investigated the efficacy of isotonic bioflavonoid supplementation, OPC-3 on 61 individuals presenting with risk factors meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Subjects were supplemented with a proprietary isotonic bioflavonoid OPC-3 or placebo over 2 months. Plasma oxidative stress status was significantly lowered by 10.

5-Year control and treatment of edema and increased capillary filtration in venous hypertension and diabetic microangiopathy using O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides: a prospective comparative clinical registry.

This independent prospective controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides (HR) during 5 years of administration against signs and symptoms and further degeneration of microcirculatory disturbances. The protective effect of HR in preventing end-point complications such as venous ulceration is evaluated. This study is based on evaluation of edema and the capillary filtration rate (CFR) in association with a clinical score scale.

O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides systemic and local treatment in chronic venous disease and microangiopathy: an independent prospective comparative study.

O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides (HR) is used to treat chronic venous disease and signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), varicose veins, and deep venous disease. This independent prospective controlled trial (a registry study) evaluates how the efficacy of HR at the local level (perimalleolar region) can be increased by the administration of a topical HR gel. The study is based on evaluation of microcirculatory variables in patients with severe CVI (ambulatory venous pressure, > 56 mm Hg) and venous microangiopathy.

Improvement of microcirculation and healing of venous hypertension and ulcers with Crystacide: evaluation with a microcirculatory model, including free radicals, laser doppler flux, and PO2/PCO2 measurements.

In 32 patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous hypertension associated with ulcerations, the effects of the local application of a hydrogen peroxide cream (Crystacide) applied onto the skin was evaluated using a complex, proportional, microcirculatory model to assess and quantify venous microangiopathy after local treatment. A comparative group treated without Crystacide was included. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to assess skin perfusion (flux and venoarteriolar response) in association with transcutaneous PO2 and PCO2 measurements.

Local heparin, superficial vein thrombosis.

Local, topical effects of heparins on the skin still need deeper investigations. The lack of evidence is mainly due to the lack of large investments in this field. Three main local actions of heparin on the skin can be defined: (1) the anticoagulant action, (2) the microcirculatory-modulatory action determining important control of the microcirculation in case of excessive vasoconstriction or vasodilatation, and (3) the "facilitatory action" on skin permeability, allowing other drugs to diffuse better and faster into the skin (producing a therapeutic effect).

Microcirculatory effects of Viatromb spray gel heparin in chronic venous insufficiency: evaluation of TcPO2 and PCO2--a product evaluation study.

The evolution of microcirculatory methods and the definition of the concept of venous microangiopathy allow the study in a quantitative way of microcirculatory changes produced by pharmacologic treatments at the areas most frequently and severely affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), venous hypertensive microangiopathy, and venous ulcerations. This pilot study compares subjects with CVI, in the area most affected by venous hypertension in a 2-week registry. Elastic compression, compression plus Viatromb (lyposomal spray gel heparin), Lioton (gel including heparin), and Viatromb alone were compared.

Prevention of influenza episodes with colostrum compared with vaccination in healthy and high-risk cardiovascular subjects: the epidemiologic study in San Valentino.

The efficacy of a 2-month treatment with oral colostrum in the prevention of flu episodes compared with antiinfluenza vaccination was evaluated. Groups included healthy subjects without prophylaxis and those receiving both vaccination and colostrum. After 3 months of follow-up, the number of days with flu was 3 times higher in the non-colostrum subjects.

Control of edema in hypertensive subjects treated with calcium antagonist (nifedipine) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors with Pycnogenol.

The presence of edema in different phases and stages of essential hypertension may be due to antihypertensive treatment. Some drugs may cause edema by inducing vasodilatation, increasing the capillary exchange surface and capillary filtration. Pycnogenol has an important anti-edema effect in diabetic microangiopathy and chronic venous insufficiency.

Circulating endothelial cells in venous blood as a marker of endothelial damage in chronic venous insufficiency: improvement with venoruton.

Damage to endothelial cells is common in vascular disorders and in reactions associated with transplantation. An elevated number of circulating endothelial cells indicates the extent of endothelial damage in a variety of disorders. In chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), the number of endothelial cells is abnormally increased, and this can be considered an important indication of endothelial damage.

The LONFLIT4-Venoruton Study: a randomized trial--prophylaxis of flight-edema in venous patients.

The aim of this independent study was to evaluate the protective effects, on the development of flight edema, of Venoruton. The study included patients with venous disease traveling in economy in long-haul flights (9 hours). Edema is a relevant aspect of long-haul flights affecting both patients with venous disease and normal subjects.

The LONFLIT4-VENORUTON study: a randomized trial prophylaxis of flight-edema in normal subjects.

This study evaluated the protective effects of Venoruton on the development of flight edema in normal subjects travelling in economy in long-haul flights (8-9 hours). Edema is a relevant aspect of long-haul flights affecting both venous patients and normal subjects. Edema and flight microangiopathy were studied in a group of 164 subjects randomized (after informed consent) into two groups to evaluate prophylaxis in 8- to 9-hour flights.

Prevention of edema, flight microangiopathy and venous thrombosis in long flights with elastic stockings. A randomized trial: The LONFLIT 4 Concorde Edema-SSL Study.

Unlabelled: The LONFLIT1/2 studies have established that in high-risk subjects after long (> 10 hours) flights the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is between 4% and 6%. The LONFLIT4 study has been planned to evaluate the control of edema and DVT in low-medium-risk subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate edema and its control with specific flight stockings, in long-haul flights.