PMID: 

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2008 Aug ;25(146):155-7. PMID: 18942337

Abstract Title: 

[Lymphoma of the thyroid in a patient with autoimmune thyroiditis and Sjögren's syndrome–case report].

Abstract: 

We present the case of a 74 year old patient suffering from primary Non Hodgkin's lymphoma of the thyroid and Sjogren's syndrome. A massively enlarging goitre, causing breathlessness in a female patient previously treated for autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid (Hashimoto's disease) and Sjogren's syndrome, indicated the need for a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) of the thyroid gland. Non Hodgkin's lymphoma of the thyroid was diagnosed and chemotherapy was begun. After 10 months of cytostatic treatment clinical tests and imaging indicated complete local regression. However, two months after cessation of chemotherapy the patient suffered a relapse of the disease owing to infiltration of the central nervous system. During the course of palliative radiotherapy the patient died. The main purpose for presenting this case was to describe the problem of primary lymphoma of the thyroid in cases of autoimmune disease. As many years of immunisation may lead to carcinogenesis it is important to raise awareness among medical staff with regard to cases of chronic autoimmune disease. In cases of Hashimoto's autoimmune disease of the thyroid, monitoring of the anti-thyroid antibodies is indicated, at least annually, as an increase in the concentration of these antibodies over a period of at least seven years would suggest further development of autoimmune disease. If such conditions are accompanied by tumours of the thyroid, surgery should be considered. It is worth keeping in mind that the thyroid can be a site for extra-lymphatic lymphoma.

read more

PMID: 

Klin Med (Mosk). 2010 ;88(1):73-8. PMID: 20369619

Abstract Title: 

[Differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis in subjects with post-immunization reaction].

Abstract: 

An increasingly greater fraction of the general population is getting involved in the immunization program. However, conditions of individual subjects are not always properly evaluated prior to immunization. The clinical case reported below demonstrates the difficulty of diagnostic examination of patients with Graves disease (toxic goiter), endocrine ophthalmopathy, and post-immunization reaction.

read more

PMID: 

Intern Med. 2010 ;49(21):2333-6. Epub 2010 Nov 1. PMID: 21048370

Abstract Title: 

Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccination.

Abstract: 

We report a case of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) after pandemic influenza (H1N1) vaccination. A 57-year-old man, who had been diagnosed with IPF in September 2008, was admitted to our hospital in December 2009 because of aggravation of dyspnea and fever two days after H1N1 vaccination. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities superimposed on preceding reticular opacities. We diagnosed AE-IPF. Corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide were effective. Although the efficacy of influenza vaccination in patients with chronic lung diseases is well established, physicians should keep in mind that influenza vaccination has the potential to cause AE-IPF.

read more

Before trying out CBD for the first time, consumers have many questions about the product and effects. With the CBD market setting to be worth an estimated $20 billion by 2024, many companies are jumping on the bandwagon. The choices of CBD products can be overwhelming, but one of the most common questions is how long does it take CBD oil to start working?

This depends on a variety of factors including weight, body fat, and dosage and potency of the CBD.

There is no set dosage amount of CBD like there is for medication. When CBD is ingested, it first is processed through the digestive system and the liver before your body feels the effects.

CBD is believed to work by reacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) where it has the most impact. The amount of CBD that is absorbed into the body is known as bioavailable CBD.

CBD bioavailabilty is the rate that CBD is absorbed into the body. Any excess CBD that cannot be used by the endocannabinoid system is stored in body fat. If there is enough CBD stored in fat cells, it will be slowly released by the ECS and deliver the effects of CBD for several days. People who weigh more and have more fat cells can store CBD longer.

When it comes to CBD, ingestible forms of CBDs like tinctures, capsules, and gummies work the fastest. Ingestible CBD takes about 15 minutes to take effect. Tinctures will typically absorb within 30 seconds. When eating food with CBD such as gummies, the effects start anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Topical CBD products like lotions or balms will take effect in about 15 minutes. Topcial CBD does not enter the bloodstream, and the effects are localized.

If you are looking to get the benefits of CBD the fastest, use a tincture.

On Thursday, December 12, the New Jersey Senate Health Committee held a hearing on bill S2173 that will repeal the religious exemption to vaccination

PMID: 

Front Psychol. 2019 ;10:2466. Epub 2019 Nov 8. PMID: 31787910

Abstract Title: 

Anxiolytic Effects of Repeated Cannabidiol Treatment in Teenagers With Social Anxiety Disorders.

Abstract: 

Accumulated evidence indicates that cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychotomimetic and nonaddictive main component of theplant, reverses anxiety-like behavior. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of CBD treatment for Japanese late teenagers with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Thirty-seven 18-19-year-old Japanese teenagers with SAD and avoidant personality disorder received, in a double-blind study, cannabis oil (= 17) containing 300 mg CBD or placebo (= 20) daily for 4 weeks. SAD symptoms were measured at the beginning and end of the treatment period using the Fear of Negative Evaluation Questionnaire and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. CBD significantly decreased anxiety measured by both scales. The results indicate that CBD could be a useful option to treat social anxiety.

read more

PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2019 Dec 3. Epub 2019 Dec 3. PMID: 31797473

Abstract Title: 

Effects of crocin and saffron aqueous extract on gene expression of SIRT1, AMPK, LOX1, NF-κB, and MCP-1 in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Abstract: 

This trial evaluated the potential impacts of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) and its main carotenoid on some of the atherosclerosis-related gene expression and serum levels of oxidized low-density cholesterol (ox-LDL) and Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Participants of this randomized controlled trial included 84 CAD patients who categorized into three groups: Group 1 received crocin (30 mg/day), Group 2 SAE (30 mg/day), and Group 3 placebo for 8 weeks. Gene expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX1), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and MCP-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells assessed by real-time PCR. Furthermore, serum ox-LDL and MCP-1 levels measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. Compared with the placebo group, gene expression of SIRT1 and AMPK increased significantly in the crocin group (p = .001), and the expression of LOX1 and NF-κB decreased significantly (p = .016 and .004, respectively). Serum ox-LDL levels decreased significantly in the crocin group after the intervention (p = .002) while MCP-1 levels decreased both in crocin and SAE groups (p = .001). Crocin may have beneficial effects on CAD patients by increasing the gene expression of SIRT1 and AMPK and decreasing the expression of LOX1 and NF-κB.

read more

PMID: 

Neuropharmacology. 2019 Dec 4:107900. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31811872

Abstract Title: 

Neuroprotective effect of crocin against rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rats: Interplay between PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and enhanced expression of miRNA-7 and miRNA-221.

Abstract: 

The complexity of Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis is attributed to multiple pathways involved in the neurodegeneration process. Among these pathways arise the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis, where inhibition of this cascade has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. Crocin, a carotenoid found in saffron, has shown beneficial effects against neurodegenerative diseases via anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, the exact molecular pathways involved in crocin's neuroprotective effects have not been fully elucidated. This drove our attention to unravel the possible involvement of PI3k/Akt/mTOR pathway in the neuroprotective effect of crocin against rotenone (ROT)-induced PD in rats. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, crocin (30 mg/kg/day; i.p.), ROT (1.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and ROT pre-treated with crocin for 30 days. Crocin administration showed a substantial behavioral improvement. At the cellular level, crocin significantly stimulated the PI3K/Akt pathway, augmented phospho-proline-rich Akt substrate 40 kDa (p-PRAS40), mTOR and p-p70S6K levels. Consequently, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), forkhead box transcription factor of the O class (FoxO3a), and the downstream caspase-9 were decreased; thus, attenuating neurodegeneration, which was witnessed through increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine (DA), and hampered α-synuclein levels. Moreover, crocin showed enhanced expression of microRNA-7 (miRNA-7) and miRNA-221, which contributed to Akt/mTOR activation. These results were verified by improved histopathological portrait and increased number of intact neurons. In conclusion, crocin showed promising neuroprotective effects in ROT-induced PD via activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis and enhanced miRNA-7 and miRNA-221.

read more

PMID: 

J Food Sci Technol. 2019 Dec ;56(12):5435-5443. Epub 2019 Aug 17. PMID: 31749491

Abstract Title: 

Comparative anticancer activity analysis of saffron extracts and a principle component, crocetin for prevention and treatment of human malignancies.

Abstract: 

Abstract: Saffron, obtained from dry stigmas of the flowers ofL. (fam. Iridaceae), is an ancient spice and a natural food colorant that has been used to treat various diseases in the long human history. Crocetin is of the main secondary metabolites of saffron and its curative properties for many ailments have been revealed in the previous scientific reports. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer potentials of saffron extracts and its pure crocetin compounds against human cancer cells. The cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities along with lactate dehydrogenase activities of extracts and crocetin, a carotenoid derived from saffron, were assessed using A549, MCF-7 and HeLa human cancer cells, and compared to the non-malignant HUVECs. Additionally, apoptotic activity in the cells treated and untreated with the extracts and pure crocetin were determined in terms of DNA fragmentation. The results showed the extracts and crocetin from saffron induced cytotoxicity, enhanced cancer cell death as well as inhibited cancer cell growth in a concentration and time dependent manner. In addition, the results revealed that the tested compounds at different concentration had no cytotoxic effects on the non-malignant cells, whereas, it could significantly decrease the cell viability and proliferation in the malignant cells. As compared to anticancer potentials of the analyzed extracts and its pure crocetin compounds, crocetin was found as the more potent one. Overall, this research suggests that crocetin is a potential anticancer agent that can be used for cancer prevention and treatment.Graphic abstract:

read more

PMID: 

Mar Drugs. 2019 Nov 28 ;17(12). Epub 2019 Nov 28. PMID: 31795292

Abstract Title: 

Astaxanthin Suppresses Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emphysema through Nrf2 Activation in Mice.

Abstract: 

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key cellular defense mechanism against oxidative stress. Recent studies have shown that astaxanthin protects against oxidative stress via Nrf2. In this study, we investigated the emphysema suppression effect of astaxanthin via Nrf2 in mice. Mice were divided into four groups: control, smoking, astaxanthin, and astaxanthin + smoking. The mice in the smoking and astaxanthin + smoking groups were exposed to cigarette smoke for 12 weeks, and the mice in the astaxanthin and astaxanthin + smoking groups were fed a diet containing astaxanthin. Significantly increased expression levels of Nrf2 and its target gene, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), were found in the lung homogenates of astaxanthin-fed mice. The number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was significantly decreased, and emphysema was significantly suppressed. In conclusion, astaxanthin protects against oxidative stress via Nrf2 and ameliorates cigarette smoke-induced emphysema. Therapy with astaxanthin directed toward activating the Nrf2 pathway has the potential to be a novel preventive and therapeutic strategy for COPD.

read more