Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a cultivated root belonging to the brassica family used in the Andean region for its supposed aphrodisiac properties. We carried out a double-blind clinical trial on 50 Caucasian men affected by mild erectile dysfunction (ED), randomised to treatment with Maca dry extract, 2400 mg, or placebo. The treatment effect on ED and subjective well-being was tested administrating before and after 12 weeks the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P). After 12 weeks of treatment, both Maca- and placebo-treated patients experienced a significant increase in IIEF-5 score (P < 0.05 for both). However, patients taking Maca experienced a more significant increase than those taking placebo (1.6 +/- 1.1 versus 0.5 +/- 0.6, P < 0.001). Both Maca- and placebo-treated subjects experienced a significant improvement in psychological performance-related SAT-P score, but the Maca group higher than that of placebo group (+9 +/- 6 versus +6 +/- 5, P < 0.05). However, only Maca-treated patients experienced a significant improvement in physical and social performance-related SAT-P score compared with the baseline (+7 +/- 6 and +7 +/- 6, both P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data support a small but significant effect of Maca supplementation on subjective perception of general and sexual well-being in adult patients with mild ED.

Radical Prostatectomy: Which Quality of Life?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate quality of life in patients submitted to radical prostatectomy, by correlating the results of the post-operative condition with follow-up data at 6 and 12 months.

Materials and Methods.

Between october 2004 and december 2005, 68 patients - mean age 68 (range 49–76) - treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer (T2a, T2b, No, Mo) were consecutively enrolled onto the study. All patients underwent sexual as well as urinary incontinence rehabilitation, showing good compliance. We evaluated quality of life before prostatectomy (T0), 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) months after surgery through the Short Form 36 questionnaire, for which an analysis of variance for repeated measures was carried out. Patients were interviewed by our department psychologist regarding urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. All patients were disease-free at the time of evaluation.

Results.

No significant differences were observed between physical and mental health indices. Conversely, a significant improvement (p<0.001) was seen in all SF-36-questionnaire 8 scales, comparing preoperative T0 values with T1 and T2 values. Of the 68 patients, 53 (78%) no longer needed pads at the T2 follow-up, while 15 (22%) reported using 3–4 pads/day A significant worsening of the sexual function (maintenance of erection) was observed in 51 (75%) patients, who had reported having normal sexual activity preoperatively (T0). On the other hand, 17 (25%) patients reported having an adequate erection to engage in sexual intercourse.

Conclusions.

Despite the differences observed in physical and mental health scores during the three periods evaluated (T0, T1 and T2), overall quality of life does not appear to have been greatly compromised by surgery. At T2 follow-up, in fact, all 68 patients reported to be satisfied with having undergone radical prostatectomy because of its benefits in terms of survival and its limited effects on their quality of life. (Urologia 2007; 74: 22–9)

Cistectomia Totale Allargata: Primi Risultati di uno Studio di Valutazione del Contenuto di DNA in Citometria a Flusso

Ploidy was evaluated through cytometric analysis on samples from 20 patients who underwent extended total cystectomy. Neoplastic samples showed aneuploidy except in cases of villous bladder (diploid profile). Samples from healthy tissue were diploid. These preliminary results show that bladder mapping associated with flow cytometry could be an important parameter for choosing between conservative or radical surgery.

Citometria a flusso nei tumori della vescica trattati con tecnica chirurgica endoscopica

The Authors used flow cytometry to evaluate 62 patients who had undergone TURV for bladder tumour. The aim of the study was to investigate any relationship between an aneuploid polyclonal state and short-term local recurrence of the disease. Patients with recurrences after TURV had a high rate of aneuploidy. Despite the short follow up, these results show how important cytoflowmetry is in the clinico-therapeutic planning of bladder carcinoma.

Cystadenoma of the seminal vesicle: US and CT findings

Ultrasonographic (US) and computed tomographic (CT) features of a cystadenoma of the seminal vesicle are presented.

Treatment of superficial bladder tumors with alpha 2b Interferon and Epirubicin

The relapse of superficial bladder tumours can be prevented, after endoscopic treatment, by intravesical chemo and immunoprophylaxis. In the first 6 months of 1991, 14 patients (13 males, 1 female, average age 58.3) were treated endoscopically for superficial bladder tumours, which had been detected on average 3.5 years earlier. Intravesical treatment was with 50 mg Epirubicin and, after 3 hours, alpha-2b Interferon once a week for 8 weeks. The patients had a hematological and cystoscopic control every 3 months for one year. A decrease in tumour recurrence was noted at the first endoscopic control, then only slow growth of superficial bladder tumour recurrence was observed.

Paraganglioma of the bladder: Description of two cases

Two cases of paraganglioma of the bladder, a rare neoplasm of chromaffin tissue, are reported. The first patient was a woman presenting a large neoplasm of the bladder (1.9×7.2 cm). The second patient presented a neoplasm of the bladder wall. Surgical therapy was the treatment of choice. Prolonged follow-up is necessary.

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein in central and peripheral venous blood of patients with testicular tumors

From January 1989 to June 1991, 18 patients ranging in age from 19 to 41 (mean 34) years with testicular tumor were examined. 14 patients had seminoma (11 typical and 3 spermatocytic) and 4 patients had a mixed form (2 seminoma + embryonal tumor and 2 seminoma + teratocarcinoma). Serum levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein from peripheral venous blood and from spermatic venous vessel were evaluated in every patient. All patients with seminoma and in a patient with mixed tumor (seminoma + embryonal tumor) the markers were regular. The increase of the markers was found in the peripheral and in spermatic blood of 3 patients (2 seminoma + embryonal carcinoma and 1 seminoma + teratocarcinoma). For these reasons the values of spermatic vessels are an important confirmation of the level of peripheral markers.