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he aim of this study was to test for a potential anticarcinogenic effect of Celergen, a marine derivative devoid of traceable amounts of inorganic arsenic, on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis in the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line. Celergen significantly inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner while limiting the cell cycle progression at the G1 phase and significantly inducing apoptosis. Further examination showed that Celergen enhanced expression of the p21CIPl1WAF1, GADD153 genes and downregulated the c-myc gene. These results suggest that Celergen exerts promising chemopreventive properties to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with liver cirrhosis are characterized by abnormalities of both albumin and muscle protein turnover and anorexia which in turn contribute to cachexia. The main hemodynamic alteration in cirrhosis is caused by decreased albumin synthesis and turnover, which in turn lead to ineffective arterial blood, playing a significant role in development of decompensation and in the prognosis of these patients. Serum albumin might be corrected via administration of human albumin solution (HAS) but its use in all patients with decompensated cirrhosis is not always justified. The interest in therapeutic use of probiotics in these patients has increased during the last few years because of beneficial effects associated with correcting hypoalbuminemia and cachexia. This review aims to highlight potential of therapeutic use of probiotics in cirrhosis by revising the evidence-based results obtained in hepatic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DTS-phytocompound on oxidant-antioxidant balance and protein damage in the kidneys of rats administered high doses of fructose. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group A received a control diet, whereas groups B and C were fed a high-fructose diet (60 g/100 g), the latter with additional DTS (50 mg/kg per day) for 60 days. Lipo- and nitro-peroxidation together with [alpha]-smooth muscle actin ([alpha]-SMA) expression in the glomerular and interstitial tissue of the kidneys were measured after 60 days. Fructose-fed rats showed significantly higher lipoperoxidation, 2,4-dinitrophenol and 3-nitrotyrosine protein adducts, and upregulation of [alpha]-SMA in the kidney. DTS significantly decreased such redox unbalance in renal tissue, while partially downregulating [alpha]-SMA (p<0.01). These data suggest the potential clinical benefit of DTS in protecting the kidneys from metabolic syndrome-associated changes; gender-related analysis is under way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most widely used treatments for ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori eradication consist of a 1–2 week regimen of a proton pump inhibitor plus two or three antimicrobials. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, cost, and tolerance of a three-day regimen with three antibiotics vs. a 10-day treatment with a proton pump inhibitor or vs. a ranitidine bismuth citrate triple therapy. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-one patients with endoscopically-proven H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were recruited to the study. Recruited patients were assigned to one of the following four regimens: (I) omeprazole 40 mg o.m. plus amoxycillin 1 g b.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. for 10 days (OAC: 55 patients); (ii) omeprazole 40 mg o.m. on days 1–5, plus amoxycillin 1 g b.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. and metronidazole 500 mg b.d. on days 3–5 (OACM: 56 patients); (iii) ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d. plus amoxycillin 1 g b.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. for 10 days (RAC: 54 patients); (iv) ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d. on days 1–5, plus amoxycillin 1 g b.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. and metronidazole 500 mg b.d. on days 3–5 (RACM: 56 patients). Fisher’s exact test was used to compare data regarding healing and eradication in the four groups. Results: The intention-to-treat eradication and ulcer healing rates for the RACM regimen were 95% and 98%, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed, relating to the eradication and healing of ulcers, between RACM and either the RAC or OAC regimens. Conclusion: The three-day antibiotic therapy with amoxycillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole in addition to ranitidine bismuth citrate is a very effective anti-H. pylori regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]