Background And Objectives: Lofexidine (LFX), an α2A adrenergic receptor agonist, known to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms, was assessed in combination with oral naltrexone (NTX) for effects on opioid use outcomes and NTX treatment compliance.
Methods: Detoxified individuals (ages 18-55, 80% male) with opioid use disorder Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition were randomized to 2.4 mg/day of LFX (n = 26) or Placebo (PBO, n = 31) in a double-blind manner for 12 weeks of treatment. NTX compliance, opioid-free urine samples, opioid craving as well as vital signs, subjective opioid withdrawal symptoms were assessed.
Results: Intent to treat analysis revealed significantly better control over opioid craving in the LFX/NTX vs PBO/NTX group (P < .03), but no differences between groups in NTX compliance, opioid use, and overall opioid craving. However, subject withdrawal due to medication intolerance was significantly higher in the LFX/NTX (5/26) vs PBO/NTX (0/31) (P < .01). Two additional patients were withdrawn due to acute hepatitis infection. Post hoc secondary analyses with the nonwithdrawn sample indicated significantly higher rates of treatment completion (P < .05) and NTX compliance (P < .01), lower percent opioid urine samples (P < .05), and lower overall opioid craving (P < .05) in the LFX/NTX vs the PBO/NTX group.
Conclusion And Scientific Significance: Although preliminary, these findings suggest that LFX at doses up to 2.4 mg/daily was safe and improved control over opioid cravings. Among those who tolerated the medication, LFX/NTX significantly improved the opioid craving, delayed return to opioid use, and improved treatment compliance and completion rates. These findings support further assessment of LFX dose titration schedule along with the adjunctive use of LFX with NTX treatment to enhance opioid relapse prevention. (Am J Addict 2019;00:1-9).
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajad.12942 | DOI Listing |
Elife
January 2025
Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
A combination of intermittent fasting and administering Wnt3a proteins to a bone injury can rejuvenate bone repair in aged mice.
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January 2025
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
This study explores the use of chicken egg white (EW), a rich source of natural proteins, to address challenges in wound healing management. Herein, a novel Zn-infused EW/GelMA (EW/Gel) hybrid hydrogel is developed, featuring an interpenetrating network (IPN) structure, where the first network consists of photo-cross-linked GelMA and the second network consists of Zn-infused EW (Zn-EW) through ion-protein binding. By optimizing the design and formulation, the resulting Zn-EW/Gel hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical stability and self-adhesive properties.
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December 2024
Department of Evaluation of Natural Resources, Environmental Studies and Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Egypt.
Cisplatin is an antineoplastic drug that exhibits toxicity dependent on dosage and has adverse reproductive effects. (Bitter melon) is a natural vegetable plant; its active ingredients possess antioxidant, apoptotic, antiproliferative, hypoglycemic, and other therapeutic properties. This study evaluates the effect of the administration of bitter melon extract, cisplatin, and cisplatin/bitter melon cotreatment on liver and kidney functions, serum and testicular oxidative status, testis histology, and sperm parameters.
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Department of Thoracic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Akita 010-8543, Japan.
Poor oral health is an independent risk factor for upper-aerodigestive tract cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); thus, good oral health may reduce the risk of ESCC. We previously reported that high expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 6, which recognizes peptidoglycan (PGN) from Gram-positive bacteria correlates with a good prognosis after esophagectomy for ESCC. Most beneficial bacteria in the mouth are Gram-positive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Ophthalmol Case Rep
March 2025
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Nagasaki University Hospital, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan.
Purpose: Atovaquone is an alternative drug that is used for the prevention and treatment of pneumonia when the first-line drug, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (ST combination), cannot be used due to side effects. However, atovaquone is known to cause ocular side effects including oculomucocutaneous syndrome and vortex keratopathy. In this report, we describe a patient who developed bilateral white granular diffuse corneal opacity that extended from the corneal sub-epithelium to the stroma after continuous oral atovaquone administration for 14 months.
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