Progesterone: A Steroid with Wide Range of Effects in Physiology as Well as Human Medicine.

Progesterone is a steroid hormone traditionally linked with female fertility and pregnancy. In current reproductive medicine, progesterone and its analogues play crucial roles. While the discovery of its effects has a long history, over recent decades, various novel actions of this interesting steroid have been documented, of which its neuro- and immunoprotective activities are the most widely discussed.

Endocannabinoids.

Objective: Overview of current knowledge in the field of the endocannabinoid system with emphasis on the relationships between endocannabinoids and exocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, ligands of these receptors, especially two classical; endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol. Transport systems that ensure the entry of endocannabinoids into cells, where they are degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase or monoacylglycerol lipase.

The role of endocannabinoids in pregnancy.

Objective: In this paper, we summarize the role of the endocannabinoid system in relation to pregnancy and childbirth and its potential for dia-gnosis of preterm birth.

Methods: Review of articles in peer-reviewed journals using the PubMed database.

Results: Endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in embryo development, transport and implantation as well as in placentation.

[Diosmin/hesperidin: a cooperating tandem, or is diosmin crucial and hesperidin an inactive ingredient only?].

With the advent of novel monocomponent venoactive drugs containing the flavonoid diosmin, the need has arisen to answer the question of therapeutic equivalence of the widely used micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) contained in Detralex and of the currently introduced monocomponent venoactive drugs. Experimental work provides evidence that each of the two dominant components, i.e.

[POET2 registry: Comparison of annual direct medical costs of treating type 2 diabetes after addition of insulin NPH or insulin glargine to oral antidiabetic therapy in the Czech Republic].

Introduction: Poor glycemic control and the resulting development of complications of type 2 diabetes (DM2T) increase treatment costs. If adequate glycemic control cannot be achieved by lifestyle modifications and oral antidiabetic (OAD) therapy, initiation of insulin therapy is recommended. Cost effectiveness of basal insulins of the type NPH or glargine in combination with OAD for the treatment of DM2T was examined in a number of pharmacoeconomic studies.

Safety of amisulpride in combination with antidepressants under common clinical practice conditions.

Aim: The main objective was to identify the occurrence of adverse events associated with amisulpride when combined with antidepressants (ADs).

Methods: A non-interventional questionnaire-based study focussed on identification of occurrence and tolerance of combinations of amisulpride with ADs under common clinical practice conditions.

Results: Combinations of amisulpride with ADs were administered to 3178 patients suffering from depression.