The Effect of CoQ10 Supplementation on Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Tamoxifen Therapy: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

Effects of L-Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial

The prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) increases with age. Considering that BPH drug treatment is associated with complications, this study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation as an adjunct therapy to finasteride in the management of LUTS in older men affected with BPH. Fifty eligible volunteers (25 per group) were randomly assigned to either intervention (finasteride + LC and CoQ10 supplements) or control (finasteride + placebo) groups. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), international index of erectile function (IIEF), quality of life index (QoL), as well as serum levels of Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), were assessed. Prostate ultrasound evaluation was also performed, before and after 8 wk of intervention. Supplementation with LC and CoQ10 led to a significant decrease in prostate volume (p < 0.001) as well as a significant increase in IIEF (p < 0.001), compared to the control group. However, there were no significant between-group differences in IPSS (p = 0.503), QoL scores (p = 0.339), and PSA levels (p = 0.482). CoQ10 and LC supplements might be beneficial in combination with standard therapies in the management of BPH and its related complications.

Investigation of electrocardiography and echocardiography changes after adjuvant radiation therapy of left-sided breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

The primary objective of radiation therapy (RT) is to deliver lethal radiation doses to abnormal cancer cells so that healthy cells are exposed to minimal radiation. In the present study, changes in electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography(ECHO) following adjuvant RT were investigated in patients with left-sided breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

30 patients with left-sided breast cancer who had previously undergone breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy underwent RT after completing chemotherapy from February 2019 to January 2020. ECG and ECHO tests were performed before RT, immediately following RT, and three months after RT. Dose-volume parameters of the heart and its substructures as an organ at risk were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean heart dose (±SD) for all patients was 7.51 ± 2.42 Gy. T-wave inversion was observed 3 months after RT in 47% of patients. T-wave decline was associated with mean heart radiation dose (β = 0.605, p-value = 0.005). The present study showed that the left ventricular volume receiving the 5 Gy (LV-V5) parameter was associated with a reduction in ST segment duration (p-value = 0.027) as well as with an increase in left ventricular systolic diameter (LVESD, mm) (P-value = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

RT-induced ECG and ECHO changes are frequent in patients with left breast cancer. LVEF and Twave abnormalities were observed after RT in our patients. ECG and ECHO modalities can be used to monitor the cardiac function after RT in patients with left-sided breast cancer.

Effects of Endocrine Therapy on Cognitive Function in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Simple Summary

Many persons diagnosed with breast cancer are treated with endocrine therapy and will experience the side effects of endocrine therapy. Cognitive adverse effects of endocrine therapy are increasingly being recognised, and can significantly affect quality of life, adherence and treatment outcome. This review aims to discuss the nature of cognitive dysfunction associated with endocrine therapy, the mechanisms underpinning its development, and evidence-based management strategies.

Abstract

Endocrine therapy forms the backbone of systemic therapy for the majority of persons with early and late-stage breast cancer. However, the side effects can negatively affect quality of life, and impact treatment adherence and overall oncological outcomes. Adverse effects on cognition are common, underreported and challenging to manage. We aim to describe the nature, incidence, risk factors and underlying mechanisms of endocrine therapy-induced cognitive dysfunction. We conducted a comprehensive literature review of the studies reporting on cognitive dysfunction associated with endocrine therapies for breast cancer. We also summarise prevention and treatment strategies, and ongoing research. Given that patients are taking endocrine therapies for longer durations than ever before, it is essential that these side effects are managed pro-actively within a multi-disciplinary team in order to promote adherence to endocrine therapy and improve patients’ quality of life.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 on health-related quality of life, clinical disease activity and blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is specified by a chronic mucosal inflammation that has a deleterious impact on the quality of life (QoL). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) appears to influence disease activity by its obvious properties. Therefore, the current research intends to assess the impacts of CoQ10 on QoL, disease activity, and blood pressure in UC patients. Methods: This clinical trial performed on men and women with UC in 2017 who were attended the gastrointestinal center of Hazrat Rasool Akram Hospital and private clinic. Eighty-eight UC patients were randomly allocated to receive either CoQ10 (200 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire-32 (IBDQ-32) score, and the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) score were measured pre and post-intervention. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 24. Results: Eighty-six UC patients (44 males) with a mean age of 39.29 (10.19) years completed the trial. The results of between- and within-group analysis revealed that the SCCAI score (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.025 and p=0.001, respectively), and systolic blood pressure (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) decremented significantly; while, the mean IBDQ-32 (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) increased substantially in the CoQ10 group; whereas there was no significant difference in anthropometric indices in both groups. Conclusion: Findings suggest that CoQ10 can be used as a potential intervention for diminishing the disease severity and blood pressure and may improve QoL and UC patients. IRCT number: IRCT20090822002365N17.