RESUMO
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of commonly used probiotics and nutrients available for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Five different combinations of probiotics and nutrients, or placebo, were taken daily over 12 weeks. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, men and women 21 to 72 years of age with FGID symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and abdominal discomfort were assigned to one of six groups, 12 patients per group. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for GI symptoms, SF-36, lactulose and mannitol test (LMT), and urine indican levels were evaluated. GIQLI, VAS scores, and LMT did not change significantly (P > 0.05). There were clinically notable improvements in two of the combination formulations. While the nonsignificant improvements in GI symptoms could suggest that combination probiotics and nutrients may be beneficial in conditions such as FGID, no conclusive evidence was found in this pilot trial. Further investigations to explore the findings are discussed.
Assuntos
Suplementos Nutricionais , Gastroenteropatias/tratamento farmacológico , Gastroenteropatias/fisiopatologia , Probióticos/uso terapêutico , Dor Abdominal/tratamento farmacológico , Dor Abdominal/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Idoso , Método Duplo-Cego , Dispepsia/tratamento farmacológico , Dispepsia/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Gastroenteropatias/complicações , Humanos , Indicã/urina , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Medição da Dor , Projetos Piloto , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Probióticos/efeitos adversos , Qualidade de VidaRESUMO
Acquired or inherent drug resistance is the major problem in achieving successful cancer treatment. However, the mechanism(s) of pleiotropic drug resistance remains obscure. We have identified and characterized a cellular metabolic strategy that differentiates drug-resistant cells from drug-sensitive cells. This strategy may serve to protect drug-resistant cells from damage caused by chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. We show that drug-resistant cells have low mitochondrial membrane potential, use nonglucose carbon sources (fatty acids) for mitochondrial oxygen consumption when glucose becomes limited, and are protected from exogenous stress such as radiation. In addition, drug-resistant cells express high levels of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). The discovery of this metabolic strategy potentially facilitates the design of novel therapeutic approaches to drug resistance.