Designing the selenium and bladder cancer trial (SELEBLAT), a phase lll randomized chemoprevention study with selenium on recurrence of bladder cancer in Belgium

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Belgium, bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in males (5.2%) and the sixth most frequent cause of death from cancer in males (3.8%). Previous epidemiological studies have consistently reported that selenium concentrations were inversely associated with the risk of bladder cancer. This suggests that selenium may also be suitable for chemoprevention of recurrence.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The SELEBLAT study opened in September 2009 and is still recruiting all patients with non-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder on TURB operation in 15 Belgian hospitals. Recruitment progress can be monitored live at <url>http://www.seleblat.org.</url> Patients are randomly assigned to selenium yeast (200 μg/day) supplementation for 3 years or matching placebo, in addition to standard care. The objective is to determine the effect of selenium on the recurrence of bladder cancer. Randomization is stratified by treatment centre. A computerized algorithm randomly assigns the patients to a treatment arm. All study personnel and participants are blinded to treatment assignment for the duration of the study.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>The SELEnium and BLAdder cancer Trial (SELEBLAT) is a phase III randomized, placebo-controlled, academic, double-blind superior trial.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This is the first report on a selenium randomized trial in bladder cancer patients.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00729287">NCT00729287</a></p

Baroreflex sensitivity is reduced in obese normotensive children and adolescents

Obesity is associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate baroreflex sensitivity, an indicator of autonomic nervous function, in 20 obese children and adolescents in comparison with 20 age- and sex-matched nonobese subjects. All subjects were examined in the supine position over a period of 50 min. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and RR intervals were monitored continuously. Baroreflex sensitivity was assessed by cross-spectral analysis of SBP and RR interval oscillations (BRS index) and SBP and heart rate oscillations (BRSf index) within the low frequency range (0.04-0.15 Hz). Sensitivity was determined in 3 time intervals of 3 min each to evaluate changes during rest. The BRS index was significantly lower in obese children and adolescents than in the nonobese control group (p = 0.002). Significant changes in the BRS index over time (p = 0.004) were found only in nonobese subjects. In contrast, the BRSf index increased over time in both groups (p = 0.01), and no significant between-group difference was detected. In conclusion, obese children and adolescents show decreased resting baroreflex sensitivity with less variation compared with nonobese subjects. The BRS and BRSf indices appear to be only partially correlated.Zuzana Lazarova, Ingrid Tonhajzerova, Zuzana Trunkvalterova, Andrea Brozmanova, Natasa Honzíková, Kamil Javorka, Mathias Baumert, and Michal Javork

Effects of long-term oxygen treatment on <it>α</it>-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity and oxidative modifications in mitochondria of the guinea pig heart

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Oxygen therapy is used for the treatment of various diseases, but prolonged exposure to high concentrations of O₂is also associated with formation of free radicals and oxidative damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the present study we compared α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) activity and mitochondrial oxidative damage in the hearts of guinea pigs after long-term (17 and 60 h) oxygenation with 100% normobaric O₂and with partially negatively (O_{2 neg}) or positively (O_{2 posit}) ionized oxygen.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Inhalation of O₂led to significant loss in KGDH activity and thiol group content and accumulation of bityrosines. Inhalation of O_{2 neg}was accompanied by more pronounced KGDH inhibition, possibly due to additional formation of protein-lipid conjugates. In contrast, O₂posit prevented loss in KGDH activity and diminished mitochondrial oxidative damage.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that oxygen treatment is associated with impairment of heart energy metabolism and support the view that inhalation of O_{2 posit}optimizes the beneficial effects of oxygen therapy.</p