Effects of Robuvit® on the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Robuvit in preventing the progression of chronic hepatitis (CH) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which encompasses the entire spectrum of fatty liver disease, from isolated steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: One group of patients followed the Standard management (SM) and were assigned as controls while the supplementation group followed the SM and additionally took 2 Robuvit® capsules daily for 3 months (200 mg/day).

Results: 34 subjects with NAFLD were included in the study.

Intestinal fat absorption shifting with a polyglucosamine biopolymer slows down the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis: a pilot study.

Background: Intestinal fat absorption shifting (IFAS) can be achieved with a polyglucosamine biopolymer (BP) able to retain most fats in the gut so that they are available to the intestinal microbiota (shift). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the standard management (SM) of asymptomatic cardiovascular disease prevention on intima-media thickness (IMT) in comparison with SM combined with BP.

Methods: Two groups (SM and SM+3 g BP/day) were compared.

Hangover and fatigue: effects of Robuvit® supplementation. A pilot registry study.

Background: The aim of this open registry study was to evaluate the effects of Robuvit® in subjects with hangover after acute alcohol consumption also measuring changes in levels of oxidative stress. A group using standard management (SM) and a group using SM and Robuvit® 300 mg/day for 3 days were compared.

Methods: Nineteen male subjects with hangover were included in the SM group and 22 in the Robuvit® + SM group.

Pycnogenol® supplementation improves the control of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Background: The aim of this registry was to evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol® on the main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in otherwise healthy individuals.

Methods: This study included 77 healthy individuals with symptoms of IBS. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 was treated with Buscopan (10 mg when needed), group 2 (Antispasmina col forte; 50 mg papaverine hydrochloride+10 mg belladonna extract when needed) and 3 (Pycnogenol® 150 mg/day) for 3 weeks.

Supplementary management of functional, temporary alcoholic hepatic damage with Robuvit® (French oak wood extract).

Background: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate Robuvit® (French oak wood extract) supplementation in the evolution of moderate functional hepatic failure (MTHF) due to alcohol. Recent studies have indicated the protective effect of oak wood (QR) extracts on liver injury. This registry included patients with MTHF characterized by: decreased albumin levels; increased total bilirubin, altered hepatic functions enzymes, increased oxidative stress, negative viral hepatitis markers.

Supplementary management of functional, temporary alcoholic hepatic damage with Robuvit® (French oak wood extract).

Unlabelled: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate Robuvit® (quercus robur wood extract) supplementation in the evolution of moderate functional hepatic failure (MTHF) due to alcohol. Recent studies have indicated the protective effect of oak wood (QR) extracts on liver injury. This registry included patients with MTHF characterized by: decreased albumin levels; increased total bilirubin, altered hepatic functions enzymes, increased oxidative stress, negative viral hepatitis markers.

Pycnogenol® and Centella asiatica to prevent asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression in clinical events.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the nutritional supplements Pycnogenol® and Centella asiatica (CA) on atherosclerosis progression in low-risk, asymptomatic subjects with carotid or femoral stenosing plaques.

Methods: The study included subjects aged 45-60 with stenosing atherosclerotic plaques (50-60%) in at least one carotid or common femoral bifurcation. Subjects were allocated into 3 groups.

A controlled study of a lecithinized delivery system of curcumin (Meriva®) to alleviate the adverse effects of cancer treatment.

A proprietary lecithin delivery system of curcumin (Meriva) was evaluated in a controlled study to assess its efficacy in alleviating the side effects of cancer chemo- and radiotherapy in 160 patients undergoing these treatments. In both cases, a semi-quantitative evaluation of the side effects was carried out using a visual analogue scale, assessing also the plasma free radical status in all patients. Results showed that lecithinized curcumin might alleviate the burden of side effects associated to chemo- and radiotherapy, suggesting that the anecdotal use of various preparations of curcumin as a supportive agent for cancer treatment is well worth a systematic investigation in larger scale clinical trials.

Efficacy and safety of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, during extended administration in osteoarthritis patients.

In a previous three-month study of Meriva, a proprietary curcumin-phosphatidylcholine phytosome complex, decreased joint pain and improvement in joint function were observed in 50 osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Since OA is a chronic condition requiring prolonged treatment, the long-term efficacy and safety of Meriva were investigated in a longer (eight months) study involving 100 OA patients. The clinical end points (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities [WOMAC] score, Karnofsky Performance Scale Index, and treadmill walking performance) were complemented by the evaluation of a series of inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, soluble CD40 ligand [sCD40L], soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]).

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.

The value of high-resolution three-dimensional endorectal ultrasonography in the management of submucosal invasive rectal tumors.

Purpose: The aims of this prospective study were 1) to evaluate the accuracy of high-resolution three-dimensional endorectal ultrasonography in distinguishing slight from massive submucosal invasion of early rectal tumors, and 2) to determine the technology's role in treatment selection.

Methods: A total of 142 consecutive patients with clinically possible pT1 rectal cancers underwent three-dimensional endorectal ultrasonography. Slight or massive irregularity of the hyperechoic submucosal layer was considered to characterize uT1-slight or uT1-massive tumors.

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--Concorde Deep Venous Thrombosis and Edema Study: prevention with travel stockings.

Background: The LONFLIT1+2 studies have established that in high risk subjects after long flights (> 10 hours) the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is between 4% and 6%. The LONFLIT4 study was designed 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 stockings (ankle pressure between 20 and 30 mm Hg) in long-haul 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.