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Objectives: The current study examined a supplement (denoted here as V7) containing astaxanthin, reduced coenzyme Q10, leucine, arginine, citrulline, DHA, and krill oil and a placebo containing only salad oil. This study examined the subjective level of fatigue and the performance level while subjects consumed the supplement or the placebo for 30 day. Methods: Subjects were 19 members of the women’s softball club at a physical education university. Results: Results indicated that leg fatigue, the state of the back, dark spots on the skin, and performance on a 50-m sprint improved significantly after consuming V7 in comparison to values prior to consumption. Scores for a total of 6 items—leg fatigue, the state of the hips, the state of the back, skin blotches, and eye strain—improved significantly after consuming V7 in comparison to values prior to consumption. Conclusion: These findings presumably indicate that DHA (an essential fatty acid) and krill oil (krill are rich in theω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA) in phospholipid form are taken up by the cell membrane. The 2 substances enhance cell and tissue function in the body by prompting cells to take up nutrients and quickly eliminate waste products. Moreover, reduced coenzyme Q10 had 2 actions—“production of energy” and “antioxidant action” that inhibited physical deterioration—while astaxanthin had “antioxidant action.” This antioxidant action, anti-fatigue action, antiinflammatory action, enhanced immunity, and enhanced endurance synergistically acted to alleviate general fatigue. Moreover, muscle protein synthesis stimulated by leucine, arginine, and citrulline alleviated muscle fatigue in the legs, knees, hips, and back, presumably accounting for the improved time on the 50-m sprint.
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<p><b>Objectives:</b> To evaluate the efficacy of tegafur–uracil (UFT), a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, plus cisplatin and dexamethasone in patients with docetaxel-refractory prostate cancers.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> Twenty-five patients with docetaxel-refractory prostate cancer were administered oral UFT plus intravenous cisplatin (UFT-P therapy) and dexamethasone. Treatment responses were assessed monthly via prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level measurements. Treatment-related adverse events and overall survival were also assessed.</p><p><b>Results:</b> UFT-P therapy resulted in decreased PSA levels in 14 (56%) patients and increased PSA levels in 11 (44%). In patients with increased PSA levels, 7 (64%) of the 11 patients displayed decreased PSA doubling times. The UFT-P therapy response rate was 84% (21/25 patients). Imaging studies revealed that tumor shrinkage during UFT-P therapy occurred in 1 patient in whom bilateral hydronephrosis caused by lymph node metastasis improved. The median survival time from docetaxel initiation was 36 months. In UFT-P-treated patients, the median PSA progression and overall survival times were 6 and 14 months, respectively. UFT-P treatment-related adverse events were mild diarrhea, general fatigue, and anorexia. Treatment was not discontinued for any of the patients. UFT-P therapy did not cause serious hepatic or renal dysfunction or pancytopenia.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> UFT-P therapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with docetaxel-refractory prostate cancer, although large-scale, multicenter, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.</p>
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<p><b>Objective:</b> There are few reports of the long-term outcomes of elderlypatients with prostate cancer. We analyzed data from our institution from the past 12years, including the patient history, treatment methods, and prognosis of patients withprostate cancer aged 80 years or more.</p><p><b>Patients and Methods:</b> A total of 179 cases of prostate cancer in patientsaged 80 years or more were retrospectively evaluated. We divided them chronologically intogroups A, B, C, and D: Group A included 40 cases from 2002–2004; Group B, 48 cases from2005–2007; Group C, 46 cases from 2008–2010; and Group D, 45 cases from 2011–2013.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Sixty-one (30%) patients changed treatment course. Interestingly,no cancer deaths occurred in the patients who changed treatment course. Although 14 (7.8%)cancer deaths occurred (A: B: C: D = 4: 4: 6: 0, respectively), all occurred in 2011 orlater.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> In our study, over 50 patients who underwent treatment survivedfor 5 years or more. By treating prostate cancer in elderly patients when appropriate, wecan lower the mortality rate due to prostate cancer. Our results support the activetreatment of prostate cancer in elderly patients.</p>
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Effects of hypothermia on corticoidogenesis (CG) were investigated in primary cultured bovine adrenocortical cells. In order to evoke CG, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP), and high K<sup>+</sup> were used. In the presence of the above mentioned secretagogues, cells were incubated at 37°C, 27°C, and 20°C for 1 hour. Although there was no difference between the ACTH-induced CGs at 37°C and 27°C, CG was significantly lower at 20°C. Both db-cAMP and high K<sup>+</sup>-induced CGs were significantly lower at 27°C, and were not observed at 20°C.<br>These results indicate that CG is not affected by moderate hypothermia, and is not eliminated even by deep hypothermia. It is also suggested that ACTH influences not only adenylate cyclase and Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels, but also various processes of glucocorticoid production and could evoke CG at 20°C in bovine adrenocortical cells.