Search results for "HORMONES"

Budesonide/formoterol for the treatment of asthma.

2003

Budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort), AstraZeneca plc) is a novel treatment for asthma, combining an inhaled corticosteroid - budesonide, and a long-acting beta(2)-agonist - formoterol, in a single inhaler, the Turbuhaler. Randomised, clinical studies in patients with asthma have demonstrated that budesonide/formoterol is more effective than the inhaled corticosteroids, budesonide and fluticasone alone, and at least as effective as both monocomponents in separate inhalers. Results from clinical studies suggest a synergistic effect when both drugs are administered via one inhaler, although the mechanisms for this are not fully understood. Budesonide/formoterol has a rapid onset of effect, appar…

Effect of budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy on asthma exacerbations

2007

This randomised, double-blind, 6-month study compared budesonide/formoterol for maintenance and relief with salmeterol/fluticasone and a fixed maintenance dose of budesonide/formoterol, both with terbutaline for relief. Following a 2-week run-in, 3335 symptomatic adults and adolescents (mean FEV1 73% predicted, mean inhaled corticosteroid dose 745 μg/day) received budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 μg one inhalation bid plus additional inhalations as needed, salmeterol/fluticasone 25/125 μg two inhalations bid plus as-needed terbutaline or budesonide/formoterol 320/9 μg one inhalation bid plus as-needed terbutaline. Budesonide/formoterol for maintenance and relief prolonged the time to first sev…

Safety Considerations of Inhaled Corticosteroids in the Elderly

2014

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are widely used in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, high-dose regimens and long-term use of ICSs have the potential to cause a variety of local and systemic side effects such as candidiasis, cataracts, glaucoma, and osteoporosis. The use of ICSs can also be associated with the risk of bone fractures, diabetes mellitus and pneumonia. These ICS-related side effects are of particular importance in elderly patients due to the presence of comorbidities and age-related behavioral, cognitive, and psychological problems, which can all interact with inhaled treatment. We reviewed the available literature on the clinically …

Medical management of Crohn's disease

2011

The medical approach to Crohn's disease has been modified in recent years thanks to the introduction of new therapies, like biologics. Also, well-designed studies and systematic reviews have allowed better evaluation of the role of old drugs like steroids and immunosuppressors. This review aims to evaluate the recent evidence on the medical approach to Crohn's disease in the different settings of the disease.Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses were included in the review. The research on all the studies discussed was based on the Cochrane Library, Medline and Embase, using the following medical subject headings: Crohn's disease, clinical trial, therapy, 5-aminosalicylic acid, ste…

Regulation of Protein-DNA Interactions at the Interferon-gamma Gene Promoter by Corticosteroids: Implications for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

1998

Regulation of Protein-DNA Interactions at the Interferon-gamma Gene Promoter by Corticosteroids

1998

EFFECTS OF CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID AND RESISTANCE TRAINING IN RECREATIONAL ATHLETES

2008

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid, that are known to posses several physiological effects such as enhancing immune response, reducing arteriosclerosis risk, and inhibiting carcinogenesis. Over the last decade, the use of CLA supplement has become widespread among elite and recreational athletes because it should increase training effects, improve fat oxidation, increase energy delivery, reduce body weight, improve lipid profile, and so on. The purpose of this project is to investigate whether CLA supplementation after a resistance training session affects general markers of muscle damage, total testosterone, cortisol and sex h…

Activin-A, myostatin and interleukin-6 in cancer associated cachexia

2017

Cachexia is a muscle wasting condition associated with multiple different chronic illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes and AIDS. In cancer, approximately 80% of patients with advanced disease have symptoms of muscle wasting, and around 25% of cancer mortality concerns cachexia. Elevated serum levels of different cytokines and TGF-β protein family members, such as Interleukin-6, Myostatin and Activin-A, have been observed in cachetic patients and test animals. However, the mechanistic role and the relative contribution of these molecules to muscle loss in the syndrome have not yet been fully elucidated. In this thesis, the gene-expression levels of Activin-A, Myostatin and Interleukin-6 was a…

Procalcitonin and long-term prognosis after an admission for acute heart failure

2014

Abstract Background Traditionally, procalcitonin (PCT) is considered a diagnostic marker of bacterial infections. However, slightly elevated levels of PCT have also been found in patients with heart failure. In this context, it has been suggested that PCT may serve as a proxy for underrecognized infection, endotoxemia, or heightened proinflammatory activity. Nevertheless, the clinical utility of PCT in this setting is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the association between PCT and the risk of long-term outcomes. Methods and results We measured at admission PCT of 261 consecutive patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF) after excluding active infection. Cox and negative binomial regressi…

Utility of serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in severity assessment of community-acquired pneumonia in children

2015

OBJECTIVES: Although the importance of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels at diagnosis is well established in adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), its use remains controversial in pediatric CAP. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of PCT and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the assessment of pediatric CAP severity defined by the extent of consolidation on chest X-rays and the presence of pleural effusion. In this particular setting, no clinical severity score is available at present and chest X-ray, although important for diagnosis confirmation, is not recommended as routine test. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study involved 119 children admitted to the Department of Pediatric Infectiou…