Myo-Inositol in the Treatment of Teenagers Affected by PCOS

Objective. To compare the effectiveness of myo-inositol (MI) and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) in monotherapy and MI in combination with OCPs in the treatment of teenagers affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. 61 adolescent girls aged 13–19 years, with PCOS, were involved in the prospective, open-label study. Patients were randomized into three groups: I group, 20 patients receiving drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 30 μg; II group, 20 patients receiving 4 g myo-inositol plus 400 mg folic acid; III group, 21 patients receiving both medications. Results. After receiving MI significant reduction in weight, BMI, glucose, C-peptide, insulin, HOMA-IR, FT, and LH was detected. The levels of SHBG, TT, FAI, DHEA-S, and AMH did not change statistically significantly. After receiving OCPs weight and BMI slightly increased, but metabolic parameters did not change. Combination of MI and OCPs did not change weight and BMI, but reduction in C-peptide, insulin, and HOMA-IR was detected. TT, FT, FAI, DHEA-S, LH, and AMH levels decreased and SHBG increased. Conclusions. Administration of MI is a safe and effective method to prevent and correct metabolic disorders in teenagers affected by PCOS. With combination of MI and OCPs antiandrogenic effects are enhanced, negative impact of OCPs on weight gain is balanced, and metabolic profile is improved

The phenotypical features and risk factors for progression of endometrial stromal tumors

Endometrial stromal sarcomas are mesenchymal tumors and constitute 0,2-1% of all the malignant uterine pathologies and 6-20% of uterine sarcomas. Commonly they arise in 42-53 year old women. Unlike epithelial tumors, that are having better prognosis, uterine sarcomas are known to have bad prognosis. The recurrence rate and the risk of distant metastasis is high. Local recurrence can be even seen 20-30 years after primary diagnosis and therapy. Radical surgery stands as the primary therapeutic method, often with adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. Due to the low incidence of endometrial stromal sarcomas, only few things are known about the risk factors of bad outcome and its optimal management.</jats:p

Biologically Active Poly[3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)Glyceric Acid] from Borago officinalis (Boraginaceae)

A high-molecular water-soluble preparation from stems of Borago officinalis (Boraginaceae family) was isolated. According to data from UV, IR, 1H, 13C NMR, gCOSY and 2D heteronuclear 1H/13C gHSQCED experiments, the main chemical constituent of this water-soluble high-molecular preparation from stems of Borago officinalis (HMP-BS) was found to be a biologically active caffeic acid-derived polymer, namely poly[oxy-1-carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxy­phenyl)­ethylene] also referred to as poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid] (PDPGA). PDPGA was previously detected in high-molecular preparations of Symphytum asperum, S. caucasicum, S. officinale, Anchusa italica and Cynoglossum officinale. The detection of this compound in different genera of the Boraginaceae family is interesting as this unusual caffeic acid-derived polymer could be consider a chemotaxonomic marker among Boraginaceae plants. Thus, PDPGA is interesting due to the importance of its chemotaxonomic significance, the potential biomedical applications of the Boraginaceae plants and the chemical importance of PDPGA. The presence of poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxy­phenyl)­glyceric acid] in multiple Boraginaceae species expands the resources of raw materials for this biologically active polymer.</jats:p

Poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric Acid] from <i>Anchusa italica</i> Roots

Elucidation of the main structural unit of a water-soluble, high-molecular weight preparation from the crude polysaccharides of Anchusa italica Retz. roots has been carried out. According to 13C NMR, 1H NMR and 2D heteronuclear 1H/13C HSQC spectral data, the main structural element of the high-molecular, water-soluble preparation was a regularly substituted polyoxyethylene chain, namely poly[oxy-1-carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylene]. Most carboxylic groups of this caffeic acid-derived polymer of A. italica are methylated. </jats:p

Gut neurotoxin p-cresol induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor secretion and increases the expression of neurofilament subunits in PC-12 cells

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;Increased p-cresol levels reportedly alter brain dopamine metabolism and exacerbate neurological disorders in experimental animals. In contrast to toxic concentrations, low doses of p-cresol may have distinct effects on neuronal metabolism. However, the role of p-cresol in synapse remodeling, neurite outgrowth, and other anabolic processes in neurons remains elusive. We propose that low doses of p-cresol affect neuronal cell structural remodeling compared with the high concentration-mediated harmful effects. Thus, the effects of p-cresol on the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurofilament subunit expression were examined using rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC-12 cells). We observed that low doses of p-cresol potentiated nerve growth factor-induced differentiation via secretion of BDNF in cultured PC-12 cells. Opioidergic compounds modulated these p-cresol effects, which were reversed by oxytocin. We propose that this effect of p-cresol has an adaptive and compensatory character and can be attributed to the induction of oxidative stress. Accordingly, we hypothesize that low doses of p-cresol induce mild oxidative stress, stimulating BDNF release by activating redox-sensitive genes. Given that the intestinal microbiome is the primary source of endogenous p-cresol, the balance between gut microbiome strains (especially Clostridium species) and opioidergic compounds may directly influence neuroplasticity.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;</jats:p

Antimicrobial Activity of Catechol-Containing Biopolymer Poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric Acid] from Different Medicinal Plants of Boraginaceae Family

This study reports the antimicrobial activities of the biopolymers poly[3-(3,4-dihydoxyphenyl)glyceric acid] (PDHPGA) and poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxirane] (PMDHPO), extracted from the six plants of Boraginaceae family: Symphytum asperum (SA), S. caucasicum (SC), S. gr and iflorum (SG), Anchusa italica (AI), Cynoglosum officinale (CO), and Borago officinalis (BO) collected in various parts of Georgia. The study revealed that the antibacterial activities were moderate, and biopolymers from only three plants showed activities against all tested bacteria. Biopolymers from CO stems as well as SC and AI did not show any activity except low activity against a resistant P. aeruginosa strain, which was the most resistant among all three resistant strains. On the other hand, the antifungal activity was better compared to the antibacterial activity. Biopolymers from BO stems exhibited the best activities with MIC/MFC at 0.37–1.00 mg/mL and 0.75–1.5 mg/L, respectively, followed by those from SG stems. Biopolymers from SC and AI roots showed antifungal activities against all six fungi, in contrast to the antibacterial activity, while biopolymers from CO stems and SA roots had activities against four fungi and one fungus, respectively. The sugar-based catechol-containing biopolymers from BO stems demonstrated the best activities among all tested biopolymers against T. viride, P. funiculosum, P. cyclpoium var verucosum, and C. albicans (MIC 0.37 mg/mL). In addition, biopolymers from SG stems were half as active against A. fumigatus and T. viride as ketoconazole. Biopolymers from all plant materials except for CO stems showed higher potency than ketoconazole against T. viride. For the first time, it was shown that all plant materials exhibited better activity against C. albicans, one of the most dreadful fungal species

Antimicrobial Activity of Catechol-Containing Biopolymer Poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric Acid] from Different Medicinal Plants of Boraginaceae Family

This study reports the antimicrobial activities of the biopolymers poly[3-(3,4-dihydoxyphenyl)glyceric acid] (PDHPGA) and poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxirane] (PMDHPO), extracted from the six plants of Boraginaceae family: Symphytum asperum (SA), S. caucasicum (SC), S. gr and iflorum (SG), Anchusa italica (AI), Cynoglosum officinale (CO), and Borago officinalis (BO) collected in various parts of Georgia. The study revealed that the antibacterial activities were moderate, and biopolymers from only three plants showed activities against all tested bacteria. Biopolymers from CO stems as well as SC and AI did not show any activity except low activity against a resistant P. aeruginosa strain, which was the most resistant among all three resistant strains. On the other hand, the antifungal activity was better compared to the antibacterial activity. Biopolymers from BO stems exhibited the best activities with MIC/MFC at 0.37–1.00 mg/mL and 0.75–1.5 mg/L, respectively, followed by those from SG stems. Biopolymers from SC and AI roots showed antifungal activities against all six fungi, in contrast to the antibacterial activity, while biopolymers from CO stems and SA roots had activities against four fungi and one fungus, respectively. The sugar-based catechol-containing biopolymers from BO stems demonstrated the best activities among all tested biopolymers against T. viride, P. funiculosum, P. cyclpoium var verucosum, and C. albicans (MIC 0.37 mg/mL). In addition, biopolymers from SG stems were half as active against A. fumigatus and T. viride as ketoconazole. Biopolymers from all plant materials except for CO stems showed higher potency than ketoconazole against T. viride. For the first time, it was shown that all plant materials exhibited better activity against C. albicans, one of the most dreadful fungal species.</jats:p

1884. Clinical Outcomes Among Patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Receiving Bedaquiline or Delamanid Containing Regimens

Abstract Background Bedaquiline and delamanid are new and much-needed treatment options for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB); however, there are limited data guiding their use and no direct comparison of the two drugs. We thus sought to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis receiving either a bedaquiline- or delamanid-based treatment regimen. Methods This is a prospective observational study among patients with drug-resistant pulmonary TB in the country of Georgia from 2015 to 2017. Patients receiving bedaquiline or delamanid were eligible to be enrolled. Monthly sputum cultures and MIC testing on Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were performed. Clinical outcomes included time to culture conversion, rate of acquired drug resistance and treatment outcomes. Results Among 156 patients with MDR-TB who were approached, 100 were enrolled, and 95 were receiving a bedaquiline (n = 64) or delamanid (n = 31) based regimen and included in the study. Patients receiving bedaquiline or delamanid were similar with regards to age, BMI, substance use, comorbidities, rate of cavitary disease, and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. Rates of additional Class A drug use including linezolid (78 vs. 81%) and a fluoroquinolone (39 vs. 36%) were similar and the mean effective drugs received per group was 4 (IQR 3–4, P = 0.33). Median drug duration was 171 days for bedaquiline and 182 days for delamanid; no patient discontinued due to QTC prolongation. Adjusted cumulative culture conversion rates at 60 days (64% vs. 48%, P = 0.14) and 180 days (95% vs. 77%, P = 0.02) were higher in patients receiving bedaquiline compared with delamanid (see figure). Rates of acquired drug resistance were higher in patients receiving delamanid compared with bedaquiline (35 vs. 12%, P &lt; 0.01). Lastly, patients receiving a bedaquiline-based regimen had higher rates of favorable outcomes as compared with patients receiving delamanid (94% vs. 67%, P &lt; 0.01). Conclusion Patients receiving bedaquiline- and delamanid-based treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB had similar characteristics and those receiving bedaquiline had better clinical outcomes. Our results provide an important first comparison of bedaquiline vs. delamanid containing regimens. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures. </jats:sec