Pharmacological research : the official journal of the Italian Pharmacological Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Quercetin supplementation and upper respiratory tract infection: A randomized community clinical trial.
Quercetin in culture with target cells and pathogens exerts anti-pathogenic activities against a wide variety of viruses and bacteria. A few small-scale human quercetin supplementation studies have produced conflicting results regarding quercetin's effects on upper respiratory tract infection rates, and little is known regarding the appropriate human dose. The purpose of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was to measure the influence of two quercetin doses (500 and 1000 mg/day) compared to placebo on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) rates in a large community group (N=1002) of subjects varying widely in age (18-85 years). ⋯ A separate analysis of subjects 40 years of age and older rating themselves in the top half of the entire group for fitness level (N=325) showed lower URTI severity (36% reduction, P=0.020) and URTI total sick days (31% reduction, P=0.048) for the Q-1000 group compared to placebo. In summary, for all subjects combined, quercetin supplementation over 12 weeks had no significant influence on URTI rates or symptomatology compared to placebo. A reduction in URTI total sick days and severity was noted in middle aged and older subjects ingesting 1000 mg quercetin/day for 12 weeks who rated themselves as physically fit.
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids are commonly prescribed drugs which are frequently used for the treatment of various painful conditions. However, particularly for the paediatric population, there is a lack of information on effectiveness, safety and appropriate formulation resulting in off-label use and undertreatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing patterns of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids in children and adolescents in three European countries. ⋯ There is a great variety of different NSAIDs and opioids prescribed to children in Europe in primary care. This is due to a varying availability of drugs in different countries but also because of differing prescribing attitudes, reimbursement scheme and a lack of data on the effectiveness of individual drugs. Further research into the rationale for prescribing these drugs to children is clearly needed.
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Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) and fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) degrade the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA), respectively. Pharmacological inhibition of these enzymes in the periphery may elucidate the role of endocannabinoids in controlling nociceptive transmission. We compared effects of the MGL inhibitor JZL184, the FAAH inhibitor URB597, and the endocannabinoid uptake inhibitor VDM11, administered locally in the paw, on behavioral hypersensitivities produced by capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in hot chili peppers. ⋯ Inhibition of endocannabinoid transport was more effective in suppressing capsaicin-induced sensitization compared to inhibition of either FAAH or MGL alone. These studies are the first to unveil the effects of pharmacologically increasing peripheral endocannabinoid levels on capsaicin-induced behavioral hypersensitivities. Our data suggest that 2-AG, the putative product of MGL inhibition, and AEA, the putative product of FAAH inhibition, differentially suppress capsaicin-induced nociception through peripheral cannabinoid mechanisms.