3 research outputs found

    Differential effects of alprazolam and clonazepam on the immune system and blood vessels of non-stressed and stressed adult male albino rats

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    Benzodiazepines belongs to one of the most commonly used anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drugs in the world. Full description of toxic effects on different organs is lacking for nearly all the current benzodiazepines. The aim of the current work was to study the immunologic and vascular changes induced by sub-chronic administration of alprazolam and clonazepam in non-stressed and stressed adult male albino rats. Forty-two adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups (I): (Ia) Negative control rats, (Ib): Positive control rats received distilled water, (II): Stressed rats, (III): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (IV): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (V): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). (VI): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). At the end of the 4th week, total leukocyte count (WBCs) and differential count were determined, anti-sheep RBC antibody (Anti-SRBC) titer and interleukin-2 (IL-2) level were assessed, thymus glands, lymph nodes, spleens and abdominal aortae were submitted to histopathological examination. Alprazolam was found to induce a significant increase in neutrophil count and a significant decrease in lymphocytes, anti-SRBC titer and IL-2 level with severe depletion of the splenic, thymal and nodal lymphocytes, accompanied by congestion and eosinophilic vasculitis of all organs tested in comparison to clonazepam treated rats. Stress enhanced the toxic effects. It was concluded that the immune system and blood vessels can be adversely affected to a greater extent by short-term chronic administration of alprazolam than by clonazepam, and these toxic effects are aggravated by stress

    Comparison of the impact of radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy on the quality of life of 1-year survivors with cervical cancer

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    Marianthi Krikeli1, Maria T Ekonomopoulou2, Ioannis Tzitzikas3, Antonios Goutzioulis4, Kyriaki Mystakidou5, Kyriaki Pistevou-Gombaki31Department of Radiation Oncology, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Laboratory of General Biology and Genetics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 3Radiation-Oncology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; 44th Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; 5Pain Relief and Palliative Care Department, Areteion Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, GreeceAbstract: Improvement of screening programs and new treatment strategies against cervical cancer (CC) have increased survival rates of patients in the last decades. As more women survive this type of cancer, their quality of life (QOL) has become a field of great scientific and social importance. Different types of therapy have varying results on the QOL of patients. In this study, we compared the impact of radiotherapy (RAD) and radiochemotherapy (RAD/CHEM) on CC patients’QOL. Our sample included 105 women who suffered from CC stages IA-IIIA. They were treated either with RAD or RAD/CHEM, and filled in the questionnaires 1 year after treatment completion. We used 4 questionnaires, EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ-C24, Questionnaire of Post-traumatic Psychological Disorder, and Greek Symptom Control Questionnaire by M.D. Anderson, in order to assess their QOL. Except for differences in descriptive characteristics of the patients’ (age, number of children, contraceptives) and early toxicity in some organs, no statistically significant difference was observed in the main (physical, sexual, emotional) aspects of life between the 2 groups of treated patients. Treatment type had no effect on total QOL. In conclusion, the addition of CHEM to RAD in the treatment plan of CC patients had no significant impact on their QOL.Keywords: quality of life, cervical cancer, treatment, radiotherapy, radiochemotherap

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    Krikeli M, Ekonomopoulou MT, Tzitzikas I, Goutzioulis A, Mystakidou K, Pistevou-Gompaki KComparison of the impact of radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy on the quality of life of 1-year survivors with cervical cancer.Cancer Management and Research. 2011:3 247-251Coauthor Kyriaki Pistevou-Gompaki's name on page 1 was misspelt as Kyriaki Pistevou-Gombaki.Original articl
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