ABSTRACT
Context: The fluctuations of proteins in multiple myeloma (MM) are well-known markers for checking the status of the patients. Aims: The objective of this study was to examine three proteins that have an important role in disease progression. Subjects and Methods: The study was performed with two groups: 30 MM stage I patients' (14 females/16 males; aged 60.83 ± 12.38 years) as case group and 40 healthy individuals (18 females/22 males; aged 57.65 ± 6.43 years) as control group. Both groups have been matched in gender and age. Bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), and β2-microglobulin (β2M) were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum BSP levels of MM-I patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (29.24 ± 5.57 vs. 20.89 ± 3.67, P = 0.001). OPN levels of MM-I patients were significantly lower than that of healthy individuals (12.03 ± 3.45 vs. 19.35 ± 4.67, P = 0.001). β2M levels of patients and controls were similar (1.49 ± 0.67 vs. 1.29 ± 0.55, P = 0.193). Conclusions: The results suggested that myeloma cells may affect the production of BSP and OPN, which possibly contributes to osteoclastic bone resorption in MM-I patients. Their levels may be a useful biomarker for assessing bone destruction in MM-I patients and distinguishing MM-I from healthy individuals
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of terazosin and tolterodine on ureteral stent discomfort. Materials and Methods Of 163 patients assessed for eligibility, 104 patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo, 2 mg of terazosin twice daily, 2 mg of tolterodine daily, or both terazosin plus tolterodine during the stenting period. Prior to stenting and at stent removal, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the IPSS quality of life (QoL) subscore and the Visual Analog Scale for Pain were determined. The patients also reported their analgesic use during the stenting period. Results Ninety-four patients completed the study. We noted significant decreases in the total IPSS scores (p = 0.002), irritative subscore (p = 0.039), QoL (p = 0.001), flank pain (p = 0.013), voiding pain (p = 0.01) and amount of analgesics used (p = 0.02) in the groups. However, neither the obstructive subscore nor the suprapubic pain improved significantly (p = 0.251 and p = 0.522, respectively). The patients receiving terazosin plus tolterodine experienced significant reductions in the total IPSS, irritative symptoms, QoL, flank pain, voiding pain and decreased analgesics use compared with those patients receiving placebo. However, compared with placebo, terazosin monotherapy did not affect pain levels, and tolterodine monotherapy did not improve QoL, flank pain or analgesics use. Conclusions Terazosin plus tolterodine improves ureteral stent-related complications, including irritative symptoms, the amount of analgesics used, QoL, flank pain and voiding pain but does not decrease obstructive symptoms or suprapubic pain. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01530243. .