[An evaluation of the therapeutic activity and tolerance of ST-679 in patients with osteoarthritis at different sites. A controlled double-blind study vs tolmetin]. / Valutazione dell'attività terapeutica e della tollerabilità di ST-679 in pazienti affetti da osteoartrite a diversa localizzazione. Studio doppio cieco controllato vs tolmetina.

A multicentered study was carried out, under double-blind conditions, on 160 elderly patients afflicted with differently localized symptomatic osteoarthritis, for the purpose of evaluating the therapeutical efficacy and tolerability of ST-679 (per-os at a dose of 1200 mg pro die in 80 patients) and to compare them with those of tolmetin (per os at a dose of 1200 mg pro die in 80 patients). It was demonstrated that ST-679 was significantly active on all of the clinical parameters of the illness already recorded after a month of treatment. ST-679 was always excellently tolerated as shown by the scarce incidence of adverse reactions. Results of laboratory tests, of tests for hidden blood in the feces and of a gastroduodenoscopy confirmed the excellent biological and gastric tolerability of ST-679. ST-679 demonstrated, moreover, a significantly better tolerability with respect to tolmetin.

Evaluation of the effects of L-acetylcarnitine on senile patients suffering from depression.

Twenty-eight patients aged between 70 and 80 years affected by depressive disturbance as defined by DSM III R (cat. 300.40) were subdivided at random into two homogeneous groups of 14 each. One group was treated with 500 mg three times a day of L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) in tablet form, while the other received placebo. Each patient was evaluated by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Sandoz Clinical Assessment--Geriatric, and by clinical global impression. This investigation establishes that LAC is effective in counteracting symptoms of depression in the elderly. Relief of depressive symptomatology is expressed by decreased scores in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Beck Depression Inventory and by beneficial effects with regard to behavioural aspects.