Combined treatment with growth hormone and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone-analogue (LHRHa) of pubertal children with familial short stature.

We evaluated the 12 month growth of 18 pubertal children with familial short stature randomly assigned to clinical follow-up (group A), GH treatment alone (group B) and GH+LHRH analogue (LHRHa) treatment (group C). Height velocity increased significantly compared to baseline in groups A and B (4.7 +/- 0.4 vs 6.6 +/- 0.6 and 4.4 +/- 0.3 vs 8 +/- 1 respectively), but not in C (5 +/- 0.5 vs 6.5 +/- 0.4). Moreover in group B height and height prognosis standard deviation score SDS) also were higher (-2.2 +/- 0.2 vs -1.7 +/- 0.2 and 1.8 +/- 0.3 vs -1 +/- 0.2, respectively). Comparisons among the groups showed a significant increase in group B vs the other groups of height velocity SDS (3.9 +/- 1.3 vs 0.4 + 1 and 0.3 +/- 0.7) and of height prognosis SDS (-1 +/- 0.2 vs -2.4 +/- 0.3 and -2.4 +/- 0.3). In conclusion, after one-year treatment, GH seems to be more effective in stimulating growth than GH +/- LHRHa, even if studies of longer duration and/or follow-up are needed.

[Urological and sexual evaluation of treatment of benign prostatic disease using Pygeum africanum at high doses]. / Valutazione urologica e sessuologica del trattamento della patologia prostatica benigna mediante Pygeum africanum ad alte dosi.

This clinical study has been designed to evaluate the efficacy of an extract of Pygeum Africanum (Tadenan) (Roussel-Pharma) in patients suffering from prostatic hypertrophy or chronic prostatitis. The drug has been administrated to 18 patients, for 60 days, as double of standard dosage (200 mg/die per os, instead of 100 mg/die). Because of the high frequency of association of sexual disorders with those two pathologies, we have extended the study also to sexual disorders selecting patients suffering from prostatic hypertrophy or chronic prostatitis and, simultaneously, from sexual disturbances. No side effects have been observed during the treatment. The urinary disturbances have been evaluated by anamnesis and prostatic transrectal echography; sexual disorders have been evaluated by anamnesis and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) monitoring. Furthermore, dosage of serum levels of the hormones LH, FSH, Prolactin, 17 beta-Estradiol and Testosterone has been performed before and after therapy. Pygeum Africanum extract administration improved all the urinary parameters we investigated; prostatic echography relieved reduction of peri-urethral edema. Also an improvement of sexual behaviour has been obtained; but we have not found significant differences between serum hormonal levels before and after therapy, as well as for NPTR.