Lumevis ™: a new medical device to prepare patients for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Experimental clinical study

BACKGROUND

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) is the gold standard exam for upper gastrointestinal diseases. EGDS is very important in Early Gastric Cancer diagnosis and treatment but it is an operator-dependent exam and there are lots of factors that reduce its visibility (mucus, bubbles and foam).

AIM

The aim of our study is to evaluate if the use of Lumevis™ improves mucosa visualization during EGDS without increasing the examination time and complications' rate and comparing the differences in patients prepared with water or no intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

we recruited 50 patients from 01/08/2020 to 31/08/2020 who came to our observation for epigastric pain, dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). For each patient we evaluate the satisfaction of the procedure, vision quality, EGDS duration and the presence of bubbles following the administration of: nothing (group 1); 50 ml of water alone (W) (group 2); W + simethicone (S) 150 mg+N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 250 mg+10% acetic acid 2.5 ml (group 3); W+S 100 mg + NAC 300 mg + 10% acetic acid 2 ml (group 4); W + S 100 mg + NAC 200 mg + 10% acetic acid 1.5 ml (group 5).

RESULTS

Our results suggest that the lesion detection rate improves with the use of simethicone, acetylcysteine and acetic acid prior to EGDS, although this needs to be studied prospectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Lumevis™ is proposed as a new product in the routine preparation of all patients who have to undergo an EGDS, raising the level in the quality of the exam.

Transglycosylation of gallic acid by using Leuconostoc glucansucrase and its characterization as a functional cosmetic agent

Gallic acid glycoside was enzymatically synthesized by using dextransucrase and sucrose from gallic acid. After purification by butanol partitioning and preparative HPLC, gallic acid glucoside was detected at m/z 355 (C₁₃, H₁₆, O₁₀, Na)⁺ by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The yield of gallic acid glucoside was found to be 35.7% (114 mM) by response surface methodology using a reaction mixture of 319 mM gallic acid, 355 mM sucrose, and 930 mU/mL dextransucrase. The gallic acid glucoside obtained showed 31% higher anti-lipid peroxidation and stronger inhibition (Ki = 1.23 mM) against tyrosinase than that shown by gallic acid (Ki = 1.98 mM). In UVB-irradiated human fibroblast cells, gallic acid glucoside lowered matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels and increased the collagen content, which was indicative of a stronger anti-aging effect than that of gallic acid or arbutin. These results indicated that gallic acid glucoside is likely a superior cosmetic ingredient with skin-whitening and anti-aging functions.

Pigmentation and dermal conservative effects of the astonishing algae Sargassum polycystum and Padina tenuis on guinea pigs, human epidermal melanocytes (HEM) and Chang cells

BACKGROUND

The preference for a fairer skin-tone has become a common trend among both men and women around the world. In this study, seaweeds Sargassum polycystum and Padina tenuis were investigated for their in vitro and in vivo potentials in working as skin whitening agents. Seaweed has been used as a revolutionary skin repairing agent in both traditional and modern preparations. The high antioxidant content is one of the prime reasons for its potent action. It has been employed in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. For centuries, most medical practitioners in the Asian cultures have known seaweed as an organic source of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 and antioxidants. The present objective of the study was to evaluate the potent dermal protective effect of the two seaweeds Sargassum polycystum and Padina tenuis on human cell lines and guinea pigs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seaweeds were extracted with ethanol and further fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate and water. The extracts were tested for mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity, cytotoxicity in human epidermal melanocyte (HEM), and Chang cells. Extracts with potent melanocytotoxicity were formulated into cosmetic cream and tested on guinea pigs in dermal irritation tests and de-pigmentation assessments.

RESULTS

Both Sargassum polycystum and Padina tenuis seaweeds showed significant inhibitory effect on mushroom tyrosinase in the concentration tested. SPEt showed most potent cytotoxicity on HEM (IC50 of 36µg/ml), followed by SPHF (65µg/ml), and PTHF (78.5µg/ml). SPHF and SPEt reduced melanin content in skin of guinea pigs when assessed histologically.

CONCLUSION

SPEt, SPHF and PTHF were able to inhibit HEM proliferation in vitro, with SPHF being most potent and did not cause any dermal irritation in guinea pigs. The results obtained indicate that SPHF is a promising pharmacological or cosmetic agent.

Whitening effect of black tea water extract on brown Guinea pig skin

To evaluate the whitening effect of black tea water extract (BT), BT was topically applied to artificially hyperpigmented spots on the back skins of brown guinea-pigs (weight: 450~500 g) induced by 1,500 mJ/ cm² of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. The test compounds of 30 μl were applied twice a day, six days a week, for four weeks. The artificially hyperpigmented spots were divided into 5 groups: control (UVB + saline, C), vehicle control [UVB + propylene glycol: ethanol: water (5 : 3 : 2), VC], positive control (UVB + 2% hydroquinone, PC), experimental 1 (UVB + 1% BT), experimental 2 (UVB + 2% BT). After 4-week application, the spots were removed by biopsy punch under anesthetic condition and used as specimens for the histological examination. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of BT were 104 and 91 mg/g, respectively. The electron-donating ability of BT revealed a dose-dependent response, showing the excellent capacities of 86% at 800 μg/ml. The artificially hyperpigmented spots treated with the PC and BT were obviously lightened compared to the C and VC groups. At the fourth week, the melanin indices for the PC and BT groups were significantly lower (p < 0.00l) than those of the C and VC groups. In histological examination, PC and BT groups were significantly reduced in the melanin pigmentation, the proliferation of melanocytes and the synthesis of melanosomes compared to the C and VC groups. It is found that BT inhibits the proliferation of melanocytes and synthesis of melanosomes in vivo using brown guinea pigs, thereby showing a definite skin whitening effect.