[Effect of the extract of dried hedera helix leaves on respiratory tract mucociliary system]

Respiratory tract is continuously exposed to environmental pollutants, respiratory pathogens and dispersed toxins in the air. Respiratory tract clearance through mucociliary system is the main defensive mechanism in the upper and lower airways. Various studies demonstrated the effectiveness of herbal drugs, however little studies conducted about mechanism of action of these drugs. In this prospective case-series, saccharin test as a measure of mucociliary clearance time, was conducted on 40 subsequently healthy volunteers presenting to otolaryngology clinic of Firoozgar Hospital. Time between placing saccharin over nasal mucosa to sensation of sweet flavor in the pharynx was recorded. Saccharin test was re-performed after administration of 3 doses of 7.5 cc of Prospan syrup. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed ranked test and SPSS V.16. In this study 32 patients [80%] were male and 8 were female [20%] with mean age of 38.4 +/- 12.07 years. Mean of time between "placing saccharin on nasal mucosa" to "sensation of sweet flavor in the pharynx" was 15.55 +/- 3.67 minutes before Prospan administration and 10.31 +/- 4.94 minutes after 3 doses of Prospan. Average reduction in the time of sweet sensation in the pharynx was 5.23 +/- 3.7 minutes. This study in conjunction with preliminary studies regarding the effectiveness of the extract of dried Hedera helix leaves on respiratory symptoms shows that "improvement in the function of mucociliary system" is one of the main mechanisms of actions of this drug

Changes in serum prostate-specific antigen level after prostatectomy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate and open prostatectomy on the serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA] level in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Serum prostate-specific antigen levels were determined before and 6 months after operation in 86 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate or open prostatectomy. We measured the prostate volume by means of transrectal ultrasonography and weighed the surgical specimen. Changes in serum PSA levels and their correlation with prostate volume and the resected prostate weight were evaluated. Of 86 patients, 45 underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and 41 underwent open prostatectomy. Mean PSA levels were reduced by 67.4% [range, 0.40 ng/mL to 7.60 ng/mL] in the patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate and 80.7% [range, 1.00 ng/mL to 14.50 ng/mL] in the patients with open prostatectomy. Removal of 1g of prostate tissue reduced serum PSA levels by an average of 0.15 ng/mL in those who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and 0.10 ng/mL in those treated with open prostatectomy [P = .018]. Forty patients [88.9%] in the group who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and 39 [95.1%] in the open prostatectomy group exhibited a postoperative PSA level of less than 2.00 ng/mL [P = .20]. A modified reference range seems necessary for the screening of prostate cancer via PSA level in men who have undergone prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia