Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Intercontinental air travel can be stressful, especially for respiratory health. Elderberries have been used traditionally, and in some observational and clinical studies, as supportive agents against the common cold and influenza. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of 312 economy class passengers travelling from Australia to an overseas destination aimed to investigate if a standardised membrane filtered elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) extract has beneficial effects on physical, especially respiratory, and mental health. Cold episodes, cold duration and symptoms were noted in a daily diary and assessed using the Jackson score. Participants also completed three surveys containing questions regarding upper respiratory symptoms (WURSS-21) and quality of life (SF-12) at baseline, just before travel and at 4-days after travel. Most cold episodes occurred in the placebo group (17 vs. 12), however the difference was not significant (p = 0.4). Placebo group participants had a significantly longer duration of cold episode days (117 vs. 57, p = 0.02) and the average symptom score over these days was also significantly higher (583 vs. 247, p = 0.05). These data suggest a significant reduction of cold duration and severity in air travelers. More research is warranted to confirm this effect and to evaluate elderberry's physical and mental health benefits.

Effects of dietary folate intake on migraine disability and frequency.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a highly disabling disease affecting a significant proportion of the Australian population. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T variant has been associated with increased levels of homocysteine and risk of migraine with aura (MA). Folic acid (FA), vitamin B6 , and B12 supplementation has been previously shown to reduce increased levels of homocysteine and decrease migraine symptoms. However, the influence of dietary folate intake on migraine has been unclear. The aim of the current study was to analyze the association of dietary folate intake in the form of dietary folate equivalent, FA, and total food folate (TFF) on migraine frequency, severity, and disability. METHODS: A cohort of 141 adult females of Caucasian descent with MA was genotyped for the MTHFR C677T variant using restriction enzyme digestion. Dietary folate information was collected from all participants and analyzed using the "FoodWorks" 2009 package. Folate consumption was compared with migraine frequency, severity, and disability using linear regression. RESULTS: A significant inverse relation was observed between dietary folate equivalent (R(2) = 0.201, B = -0.002, P = .045, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.004, -0.001]) and FA (R(2) = 0.255, B = -0.005, P = .036, 95% CI [-0.009, -0.002]) consumption and migraine frequency. It was also observed that in individuals with the CC genotype for the MTHFR C677T variant, migraine frequency was significantly linked to FA consumption (R(2) = 0.106, B = -0.004, P = .029, 95% CI [-0.007, -0.004]). CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study indicate that folate intake in the form of FA may influence migraine frequency in female MA sufferers.

Genotypes of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G genes act independently to reduce migraine disability in response to vitamin supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a chronic disabling neurovascular condition that may in part be caused by endothelial and cerebrovascular disruption induced by hyperhomocysteinaemia. We have previously provided evidence indicating that reduction of homocysteine by vitamin supplementation can reduce the occurrence of migraine in women. The current study examined the genotypic effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) gene variants on the occurrence of migraine in response to vitamin supplementation. METHODS: This was a 6-month randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of daily vitamin B supplementation (B(6), B(9) and B(12)) on reduction of homocysteine and of the occurrence of migraine in 206 female patients diagnosed with migraine with aura. RESULTS: Vitamin supplementation significantly reduced homocysteine levels (P<0.001), severity of headache in migraine (P=0.017) and high migraine disability (P=0.022) in migraineurs compared with the placebo effect (P>0.1). When the vitamin-treated group was stratified by genotype, the C allele carriers of the MTHFR C677T variant showed a higher reduction in homocysteine levels (P<0.001), severity of pain in migraine (P=0.01) and percentage of high migraine disability (P=0.009) compared with those with the TT genotypes. Similarly, the A allele carriers of the MTRR A66G variants showed a higher level of reduction in homocysteine levels (P<0.001), severity of pain in migraine (P=0.002) and percentage of high migraine disability (P=0.006) compared with those with the GG genotypes. Genotypic analysis for both genes combined indicated that the treatment effect modification of the MTRR variant was independent of the MTHFR variant. CONCLUSION: This provided further evidence that vitamin supplementation is effective in reducing migraine and also that both MTHFR and MTRR gene variants are acting independently to influence treatment response in female migraineurs.

P2 purinoceptor-mediated cardioprotection in ischemic-reperfused mouse heart.

P2 purinoceptor modulation of injury during ischemia-reperfusion was studied in murine hearts. Effects of P2 agonism or antagonism, and interstitial accumulation of P2 agonists (UTP, ATP, and ADP), were assessed in Langendorff perfused hearts during 20 min of ischemia and 45 min of reperfusion. In control hearts, ventricular pressure development recovered to 68 +/- 4 mm Hg (63 +/- 3% baseline), diastolic pressure remained elevated (23 +/- 2 mm Hg), and 26 +/- 4 U/g lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was released during reperfusion, evidencing necrosis. Treatment with 250 nM UTP improved pressure development (85 +/- 5 mm Hg, or 77 +/- 2%) and reduced diastolic contracture (by approximately 70%, to 7 +/- 1 mm Hg) and LDH loss (by approximately 60%, to 11 +/- 2 U/g). In contrast, P2Y1 agonism with 50 nM 2-methyl-thio-ATP (2-MeSATP) was ineffective. In the presence of the P2Y antagonist suramin (10 or 200 microM), UTP no longer improved postischemic outcomes. Ischemia also substantially elevated interstitial [UTP], [ATP], and [ADP], potentially activating P2 receptors. This was supported in part by effects of antagonists: 200 microM suramin worsened LDH efflux (53 +/- 9 IU/g) and contractile dysfunction (41 +/- 2 mm Hg diastolic pressure; 28 +/- 3 mm Hg developed pressure), as did P2Y antagonism with either 10 or 100 microM reactive blue 2. However, a 10 microM concentration of suramin failed to alter outcome. P2X antagonism with 10 microM pyridoxal phosphate-6-azo-(benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid and P2X1-selective pyridoxal-alpha5-phosphate-6-phenylazo-4'-carboxylic acid (MRS2159) (30 microM) was ineffective. Data collectively support cardioprotection with low concentrations of UTP, and they are consistent with P2Y2 involvement. Endogenous nucleotides may also play a protective role, as evidenced by effects of P2 antagonists, although this warrants further investigation.