Cytoprotective Polyphenols Against Chronological Skin Aging and Cutaneous Photodamage.

BACKGROUND: Skin aging is a complex biological process influenced by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, leading to cumulative alterations of skin structure, function and appearance. Polyphenols, which are secondary plant metabolites, represent one of the largest classes of compounds used in dermatology and nutricosmetics to combat skin aging. The main objective is to provide an overview of the existing literature linking skin aging and the ability of polyphenols as regulatory elements able to maintain skin homeostasis. METHODS: In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding the molecular bases of skin aging, with specific emphasis on some well known and extensively studied polyphenols which have significant anti-aging influences and photoprotective effects. RESULTS: Although no relevant clinical data exist and standard delivery systems have not been established, promising results have been obtained in many in vitro and animal models. A wide variety of polyphenols may minimize mechanisms underlying the functional manifestations of photoaging and chronological skin aging. CONCLUSION: Polyphenols exert their influence mostly through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thereby abrogating collagen degradation and/or increasing procollagen synthesis.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of an Anthocyanin-Maqui Berry Extract (Delphinol®) on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: Berries are a rich source of anthocyanins, and clinical data suggest that a polyphenol-rich diet may exert health-promoting effects by reducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of dietary supplementation with Delphinol (trademark owned by MNL Chile) standardized maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) extract on products of lipid peroxidation in healthy, overweight, and smoker subjects. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 42 participants (age 45-65 years) consumed in random order either a standardized extract of maqui berry (162 mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo, given 3 times daily for 4 weeks. The samples were collected at baseline, after the end of the supplementation, and 40 days after the end of the study. Primary outcome was the measure of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and F2-isoprostanes in plasma and urine, respectively. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and lipid profile. RESULTS: Delphinol supplementation was associated with reduced levels of Ox-LDL in the anthocyanin group compared to baseline (p < 0.05). There was also a decrease in urinary F2-isoprostanes (8-iso-prostaglandin F2α) at 4 weeks versus baseline in the Delphinol-supplemented group (p < 0.05). However, no differences in primary outcomes were evident at 40 days of follow-up. In the fourth week of the intervention, no significant differences were noted for anthropometric characteristics, ambulatory blood pressure, and lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that dietary interventions with maqui berry extract may improve oxidative status (Ox-LDL and F2-isoprostanes) in healthy adults, overweight adults, and adult smokers.

Effect of SAMITAL® in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in adult oncohematological patients.

AIM: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SAMITAL(®) (Indena SpA, Milan, Italy), a highly standardized botanical formulation, in reducing mucositis in patients undergoing treatment for hematological malignancies. PATIENTS & METHODS: In this observational, uncontrolled study, a total of 25 consecutively enrolled patients (19 males, aged 18-74 years) with chemotherapy-induced mucositis were compassionately treated orally with SAMITAL (three to four times per day) for 4-22 days per cycle. RESULTS: Patients demonstrated clinically relevant reductions in WHO mucositis grade with a reduction in pain, mucosal erosions, bleeding, dysphagia/feeding impairment and improvements in quality of life. SAMITAL was well tolerated and no local or systemic pharmacological, allergic, toxic or synergistic/antagonistic side effects were reported. Of note, SAMITAL also showed efficacy when administered prophylactically. CONCLUSION: These results add weight to previous experiences with SAMITAL. However, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials will need to confirm the suitability of SAMITAL for use in the treatment of mucositis.

Management of gastrointestinal mucositis due to cancer therapies in pediatric patients: results of a case series with SAMITAL(®).

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal mucositis is a common debilitating complication of chemotherapy and one for which there is currently no effective long-term treatment. OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with the use of SAMITAL(®), a new oral suspension formulation based on the combination of three standardized extracts from Vaccinium myrtillus, Macleaya cordata fruits and Echinacea angustifolia roots in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in pediatric patients. METHODS: 20 pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy for a range of oncological conditions were followed. Patients initially received oral SAMITAL(®) to treat gastrointestinal mucositis and were then given SAMITAL(®) prophylactically to prevent recurrences with successive cycles of chemotherapy. RESULTS: SAMITAL(®) significantly decreased gastrointestinal mucositis grade after the first episode with a reduction of mean scores from 3.2 ± 0.7 at baseline to 0.4 ± 0.6 at the end of treatment (p < 0.001). SAMITAL(®) reduced pain, mucosal erosions, bleeding and dysphagia/feeding impairment. SAMITAL(®) improved patients' overall condition and quality of life after the first administration and lowered the need for parenteral nutrition. Importantly, it allowed chemotherapy cycles to be continued without complications. CONCLUSION: Results from this case series suggest that SAMITAL(®) may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in children and adolescents and as such warrants investigation in controlled studies.

Infectoepidemiologic and immunologic implications of Campylobacter coli enteritis in one newborn monozygotic twin pair

Como as características clínicas da infecçäo humana por campylobacter em pacientes recém-nascidos näo estäo ainda bem documentadas, considerou-se interessante comunicar a ocorrência de dois casos simultâneos de enterite por C. coli em gêmeos monozigotos. Discute-se a história clínica, os aspectos epidemiológicos e microbiológicos, o desenvolvimento de imunidade bem cocmo a síntese de Ig totais, tendo em consideraçäo as estreitas relaçöes genético-ecológicas destes dois casos