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Chios Mastiha essential oil (CMO) is a natural product extracted from the resin of Mastiha, possessing antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-ulcer, anti-neoplastic, and cholesterol-lowering capabilities in vitro, and its hypolipidemic effect was confirmed in animal studies. Yet, there are no randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies in the literature regarding CMO's hypolipidemic effects in humans. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study was designed to study the hypolipidemic effect of CMO capsules on healthy volunteers with elevated cholesterol.

Background Chios mastic gum (CMG) possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atheromatic, lipid- and glucose-lowering properties. We evaluated the effects of CMG on cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of healthy volunteers.Design A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study.Methods One hundred and seventy nine volunteers with total cholesterol levels >200 mg/dl were randomized to four groups. Finally, 156 volunteers completed the follow-up period and were analysed: (1) control group (C, n= 23), receiving placebo; (2) total mastic (TM, n= 72) receiving daily a total dose of 1 g of crude CMG (330 mg capsules, tid); (3) polymer-free mastic (PFM, n= 33), receiving daily a total dose of 1 g of polymer free mastic (330 mg caps, tid); and (4) powder mastic (PM, n= 28), receiving daily a total dose of 2 g of crude CMG.Results After eight weeks, the TM group reduced total cholesterol by 11.5 mg/dl (p< 0.05) and FPG by 4.5 mg/dl (p< 0.05) adjusted for age, gender, BMI and baseline characteristics. The effect was stronger in overweight and obese patients (BMI > 25), with an estimated mean reduction of total cholesterol by 13.5 mg/dl (p< 0.05) and FPG by 5.1 mg/dl (p< 0.05). Administration of PFM and PM resulted in no statistically significant alteration. No effect was observed on LDL, HDL, triglycerides, uric acid and CRP. No gastrointestinal, liver or renal adverse events were recorded.Conclusions CMG has a significant lowering effect on total cholesterol and glucose levels of healthy volunteers, with excellent tolerance and no detectable side effects, especially in overweight and obese individuals.

Purpose The ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) is sometimes a complication of common carotid artery (CCA) occlusion causing complete interruption of blood flow through both the internal and external carotid arteries we investigated a single case of an isolated OIS that remained undiagnosed for two years, because the underlying CCA pathology caused no cerebral involvement.Case Report A 57-year-old man presented with subacute painful visual loss in the right eye in a setting of hypertension, smoking and coronary artery disease.Results Neurological examination, a brain CT and MRI scan were all normal. Extensive laboratory work-up excluded small artery disease, inflammatory arteritis or cardiac causes of retinal embolism. Ophthalmologic evaluation and fluorescein angiography gave findings consistent with OIS, while vascular ultrasound evaluation and aortic arch angiography verified right CCA occlusion accompanied by an extensive collateral network.Conclusions Had this patient been referred sooner for a simple carotid artery work-up, both the CCA occlusion and the OIS could probably had been prevented.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of death; however, updated data regarding clinical presentation and current management are missing in Greece. This study aimed to prospectively record the demographic and clinical characteristics of a representative sample of patients suffering from AMI, their management, and short-term outcomes.

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A case of cardiac toxicity due to prolonged hypothermia is reported.

Purpose:To present an interesting case of bilateral persistent pupillary membrane remnants without visual acuity impairment. Persistent pupillary membrane remnants are an ocular "congenital anomaly" and often affect both eyes.