Purpose: The efficacy of ProbiDefendum, a combination of the two lactobacilli Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2, on the severity, duration and frequency of cold episodes was studied in a...Purpose: The efficacy of ProbiDefendum, a combination of the two lactobacilli Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2, on the severity, duration and frequency of cold episodes was studied in a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Methods: A total of 310 subjects with increased risk for common cold infection (at least two episodes of common cold during the last six months) were enrolled and were randomly assigned to receive either active product (A-group) or placebo (P-group) over a period of 12 weeks. Subjects reported the occurrence and severity of cold episodes in a diary, scoring 13 different symptoms of common cold over a period of 7 days after the episode began. Results: In the total study population, cold episodes were reported in 148 cases (47.7%). In the A-group, 54 subjects acquired one and 18 subjects acquired 2 episodes whereas 83 subjects had none. In the P-group, 52 subjects reported one, 24 subjects reported 2 episodes and 79 subjects reported none. Although the number of episodes was similar in both groups, cold episodes in the active group were significantly shorter than in the placebo group. The total sum scores of cold symptoms were significantly lower in the active group as compared with the placebo group, as well as in the intention-to-treat (ITT) as in the per-protocol (PP) collectives (ITT: 75.2 ± 40.3 vs. 113.4 ± 66.3;p 0.001;PP: 73.1 ± 38.8 vs. 117.0 ± 66.1;p 0.001). The daily ingestion of the probiotics over a period of 12 weeks was well tolerated. Conclusion: The daily intake of the probiotic dietary supplement ProbiDefendum over a period of 12 weeks efficiently alleviated symptoms of common cold and the duration of cold episodes.展开更多
This double-blind, controlled, randomized, three-way cross-over study evaluates the effect of 40 g (D1 group) and 20 g (D2 group) of acacia gum (AG) versus no treatment (NT group) on post-prandial glucose (PPG) levels...This double-blind, controlled, randomized, three-way cross-over study evaluates the effect of 40 g (D1 group) and 20 g (D2 group) of acacia gum (AG) versus no treatment (NT group) on post-prandial glucose (PPG) levels in normal-weight and overweight subjects. Additionally, post-prandial insulin (PPI) levels as well as the safety and tolerability of gum acacia were assessed. 35 healthy subjects aged 25 - 60 years, body mass index 18.5 kg/m<sup>2</sup> - 29.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, received one treatment of 20 g, 40 g, or 0 g of AG each. Glucose and insulin values were determined at -15 min and prior to the intake (time “0”) as well as 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 120, and 180 min after the “0 min” blood draw. The mean PPG levels were lower (34% in D1 group, p = 0.003;35% in D2 group, p = 0.005) than in the NT group. PPI concentration was statistically significantly lower at all time points except baseline in both treatment groups compared to NT groups. Global benefit and tolerability were rated as “very good” or “good” by 100% of subjects in the treatment groups. This study provides robust evidence of the significant benefits of AG consumption on PPG and PPI levels in healthy subjects. Moreover, very good tolerability was demonstrated.展开更多
Background: Dyspepsia and heartburn are among the most frequent complaints of the upper gastrointestinal tract impacting quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of drinking a natural mineral...Background: Dyspepsia and heartburn are among the most frequent complaints of the upper gastrointestinal tract impacting quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of drinking a natural mineral water (medicinal product category “Heilwasser” in Germany) high in hydrogen carbonate (Staatl. Fachingen STILL) on functional dyspeptic complaints and heartburn. Methods: 56 men and women with self-reported heartburn were enrolled to this one-arm pilot study. They had to drink 1.5 L of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water each day over a course of six weeks. Participants reported the number and duration of heartburn episodes in a daily dairy. The Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ), Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (QOLRAD) and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GILQI) were used to assess the therapeutic course of the treatment and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess general quality of life. Mean ± standard deviation were calculated and pre- and post-treatment changes were compared using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The consumption of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water decreased the number of heartburn episodes per week significantly by 4.8 ± 8.2 at the end of the study (p < 0.001). The duration of episodes was also significantly reduced by 25.7 minutes after six weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Accordingly, the subjectively perceived severity of heartburn, regurgitation and dyspeptic complaints as well as the GERD dimension as assessed by Reflux Disease Questionnaire improved significantly. There was a significant improvement in the disease-specific quality of life as measured by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (p < 0.001) and by the Quality Of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (p < 0.001) questionnaires and the general health-related quality of life as assessed by SF-12 (p < 0.007). Conclusions: The present pilot study provides evidence that supplementation with natural mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may improve heartburn and dyspeptic symptoms, which finally resulted in an improvement of the subjectively perceived quality of life. Drinking mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may be an alternative remedy for the treatment of dyspeptic symptoms and heartburn. Trial Registration: Eudra CT No 2013-001256-36.展开更多
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is implicated in the development of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We investigated if Uromedic? pumpkin (variety of Cucurbita pepo L. convar. citrullinina GREB. var. styriaca GREB) seed s...Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is implicated in the development of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We investigated if Uromedic? pumpkin (variety of Cucurbita pepo L. convar. citrullinina GREB. var. styriaca GREB) seed soft extract (active ingredients of GRANUFINK? Prosta forte 500 mg), seed oil and isolated Δ7-sterols could inhibit the conversion of [1,2,6,7-3H(N)]-testosterone to DHT by 5α-reductases. Also, we tested competition with [3H]-DHT for binding to the androgen receptor (AR). Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seed soft extract were identified as moderately active inhibitors of 5α-R1 and 5α-R2, with almost similar inhibitory capacities (IC50 5 mg/ml for 5α-R1 and about IC50 = 6 mg/ml for 5α-R2). The isolated Δ7-sterols were more active inhibitors (IC50 = 0.3 mg/ml for 5α-R1, IC50 = 1.0 mg/ml for 5α-R2). All three test compounds bound to the AR dose-dependently, with strong binding by Δ7-sterols (IC50 = 0.2 mg/ml) and weaker binding by pumpkin seed oil (IC50 = 0.4 mg/ml) and pumpkin seed soft extract (IC50 = 1.1 mg/ml). We propose that inhibition of 5α-reductases and competitive binding to the AR are mechanisms of action, by which the Uromedic? pumpkin seed derived test compounds, most specifically Δ7-sterols, counteract DHT and thereby exert clinically positive effects on the prostate, as well as bladder-strengthening effects.展开更多
文摘Purpose: The efficacy of ProbiDefendum, a combination of the two lactobacilli Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2, on the severity, duration and frequency of cold episodes was studied in a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Methods: A total of 310 subjects with increased risk for common cold infection (at least two episodes of common cold during the last six months) were enrolled and were randomly assigned to receive either active product (A-group) or placebo (P-group) over a period of 12 weeks. Subjects reported the occurrence and severity of cold episodes in a diary, scoring 13 different symptoms of common cold over a period of 7 days after the episode began. Results: In the total study population, cold episodes were reported in 148 cases (47.7%). In the A-group, 54 subjects acquired one and 18 subjects acquired 2 episodes whereas 83 subjects had none. In the P-group, 52 subjects reported one, 24 subjects reported 2 episodes and 79 subjects reported none. Although the number of episodes was similar in both groups, cold episodes in the active group were significantly shorter than in the placebo group. The total sum scores of cold symptoms were significantly lower in the active group as compared with the placebo group, as well as in the intention-to-treat (ITT) as in the per-protocol (PP) collectives (ITT: 75.2 ± 40.3 vs. 113.4 ± 66.3;p 0.001;PP: 73.1 ± 38.8 vs. 117.0 ± 66.1;p 0.001). The daily ingestion of the probiotics over a period of 12 weeks was well tolerated. Conclusion: The daily intake of the probiotic dietary supplement ProbiDefendum over a period of 12 weeks efficiently alleviated symptoms of common cold and the duration of cold episodes.
文摘This double-blind, controlled, randomized, three-way cross-over study evaluates the effect of 40 g (D1 group) and 20 g (D2 group) of acacia gum (AG) versus no treatment (NT group) on post-prandial glucose (PPG) levels in normal-weight and overweight subjects. Additionally, post-prandial insulin (PPI) levels as well as the safety and tolerability of gum acacia were assessed. 35 healthy subjects aged 25 - 60 years, body mass index 18.5 kg/m<sup>2</sup> - 29.9 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, received one treatment of 20 g, 40 g, or 0 g of AG each. Glucose and insulin values were determined at -15 min and prior to the intake (time “0”) as well as 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 120, and 180 min after the “0 min” blood draw. The mean PPG levels were lower (34% in D1 group, p = 0.003;35% in D2 group, p = 0.005) than in the NT group. PPI concentration was statistically significantly lower at all time points except baseline in both treatment groups compared to NT groups. Global benefit and tolerability were rated as “very good” or “good” by 100% of subjects in the treatment groups. This study provides robust evidence of the significant benefits of AG consumption on PPG and PPI levels in healthy subjects. Moreover, very good tolerability was demonstrated.
文摘Background: Dyspepsia and heartburn are among the most frequent complaints of the upper gastrointestinal tract impacting quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of drinking a natural mineral water (medicinal product category “Heilwasser” in Germany) high in hydrogen carbonate (Staatl. Fachingen STILL) on functional dyspeptic complaints and heartburn. Methods: 56 men and women with self-reported heartburn were enrolled to this one-arm pilot study. They had to drink 1.5 L of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water each day over a course of six weeks. Participants reported the number and duration of heartburn episodes in a daily dairy. The Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ), Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (QOLRAD) and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GILQI) were used to assess the therapeutic course of the treatment and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess general quality of life. Mean ± standard deviation were calculated and pre- and post-treatment changes were compared using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The consumption of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water decreased the number of heartburn episodes per week significantly by 4.8 ± 8.2 at the end of the study (p < 0.001). The duration of episodes was also significantly reduced by 25.7 minutes after six weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Accordingly, the subjectively perceived severity of heartburn, regurgitation and dyspeptic complaints as well as the GERD dimension as assessed by Reflux Disease Questionnaire improved significantly. There was a significant improvement in the disease-specific quality of life as measured by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (p < 0.001) and by the Quality Of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (p < 0.001) questionnaires and the general health-related quality of life as assessed by SF-12 (p < 0.007). Conclusions: The present pilot study provides evidence that supplementation with natural mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may improve heartburn and dyspeptic symptoms, which finally resulted in an improvement of the subjectively perceived quality of life. Drinking mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may be an alternative remedy for the treatment of dyspeptic symptoms and heartburn. Trial Registration: Eudra CT No 2013-001256-36.
文摘Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is implicated in the development of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We investigated if Uromedic? pumpkin (variety of Cucurbita pepo L. convar. citrullinina GREB. var. styriaca GREB) seed soft extract (active ingredients of GRANUFINK? Prosta forte 500 mg), seed oil and isolated Δ7-sterols could inhibit the conversion of [1,2,6,7-3H(N)]-testosterone to DHT by 5α-reductases. Also, we tested competition with [3H]-DHT for binding to the androgen receptor (AR). Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seed soft extract were identified as moderately active inhibitors of 5α-R1 and 5α-R2, with almost similar inhibitory capacities (IC50 5 mg/ml for 5α-R1 and about IC50 = 6 mg/ml for 5α-R2). The isolated Δ7-sterols were more active inhibitors (IC50 = 0.3 mg/ml for 5α-R1, IC50 = 1.0 mg/ml for 5α-R2). All three test compounds bound to the AR dose-dependently, with strong binding by Δ7-sterols (IC50 = 0.2 mg/ml) and weaker binding by pumpkin seed oil (IC50 = 0.4 mg/ml) and pumpkin seed soft extract (IC50 = 1.1 mg/ml). We propose that inhibition of 5α-reductases and competitive binding to the AR are mechanisms of action, by which the Uromedic? pumpkin seed derived test compounds, most specifically Δ7-sterols, counteract DHT and thereby exert clinically positive effects on the prostate, as well as bladder-strengthening effects.
