Circulating plasma miR222-3P status and its potential diagnostic performance in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although studies suggest that miR222-3p is dysregulated in prostate cancer (PC) cells and tissues, the possible changes in the level of miR222-3p in the plasma samples of PC patients remained unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of the plasma miR222-3p expression level as a potential biomarker in PC, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy people. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 100 adult males (54 patients with PC, 27 patients with BPH and 19 healthy individuals) referred to our affiliated hospital. The expression level of miR222-3p was evaluated using a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate miR222-3p diagnostic accuracy for discriminating between the PC, BPH and healthy individuals. RESULTS: The expression level of miR222-3p was significantly higher in PC patients compared to healthy individuals as a fold change of 5.3 (p = 0.009), but not for BPH individuals. The diagnostic value of the plasma miR222-3p for discrimination of the PC patients from healthy individuals was reasonable [cut-off value (fold change relative to miR16-5p) = 1.69, area under the curve = 0.73, sensitivity = 0.75 and specificity = 0.74]. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating plasma miR-222-3p significantly upregulated in PC patients, but not in BPH ones. Besides these preliminary results showed that miR222-3p has the potential to discriminate PC patients from healthy ones. Addittional studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these data.

High doses of oral folate and sublingual vitamin B12 in dialysis patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

INTRODUCTION: Folic acid and vitamin B12, alone or in combination have been used to reduce homocysteine (Hcy) levels in dialysis patients. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the efficacy of high doses of oral folate and vitamin B12 in reducing plasma Hcy levels after a 12-week treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two dialysis patients aged 10-324 months screened for hyperhomocysteinuria. Then cases with hyperhomocysteinemia received oral folate 10 mg/day with sublingual methylcobalamin 1 mg/day for 12 weeks. In pre- and post-intervention phases plasma Hcy concentration, serum folate, and vitamin B12 levels were measured. Changes in plasma Hcy, serum folate, and vitamin B12 concentrations were analyzed by paired t tests, and P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Eighteen (56.2%) patients had hyperhomocysteinuria. Vitamin B12 and folate levels were normal or high in all cases. Two patients were lost due to transplant or irregular drugs consumption. Plasma Hcy levels were reduced in all, and reached normal values in 50%. A statistically significant differences between first Hcy levels with levels after intervention was found (95% CI, 5.1-8.9, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Oral folate 10 mg/day in combination with sublingual vitamin B12, 1 mg/day can be considered as a favorable treatment for hyperhomocysteinemia in dialysis patients.

Topical capsaicin therapy for uremic pruritus in patients on hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Pruritus is one of the common problems in patients on hemodialysis. There are several causes for pruritus, and different treatment modalities are applied to control it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of capsaicin on pruritus, compared with placebo, in patients on hemodialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized double-blinded cross-over clinical trial was performed on 34 patients on hemodialysis with uremic pruritus. The patients were divided into 2 groups, one group received capsaicin 0.03% and the other, placebo, for 4 weeks. Treatment was stopped for 2 weeks as washout period and continued as a cross-over technique. Pruritus scores were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients on long-term hemodialysis, 14 men and 20 women with a mean age of 57.0 +/- 18.6 years were studied. The mean of pruritus score before capsaicin treatment was 15.9 +/- 6.3, which was reduced to 6.4 +/- 3.9, 4.7 +/- 3.1, 3.2 +/- 2.9, and 2.5 +/- 2.5 on weeks 1 to 4, respectively (P < .001). In the placebo group, pruritus score before treatment was 15.0 +/- 6.0 on average, and it was 11.7 +/- 5.8, 9.4 +/- 5.9, 7.9 +/- 5.5, and 7.2 +/- 5.5, respectively, on weeks 1 to 4 (P < .001). There was no significant difference in pruritus scores before the treatment between the two groups, but after each week, the difference was significant (P < .001). Repeated measurement test showed that decreasing in pruritus severity in the capsaicin group was more than that in the placebo group during treatment period (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Capsaicin is a new safe and effective topical treatment for hemodialysis-induced pruritus in patients with end-stage renal disease.