Hope for the Skin & Joints

Hope for the Skin & Joints

April 28, 2022   Return

Michaela Dinboeck recently participated in a small experiment. The General Manager and President of Novartis Corporation Malaysia had a make-up artist apply on her neck area patches that resembled the reddish scaly skin of a person with psoriasis. Her colleagues and friends were not notified of this experiment, so they were taken aback when they saw her.

Wearing the patch was not a pleasant experience. “By the time afternoon rolled in, I wanted to just tear the patch off,” she recalls.

Perhaps just as hard to swallow was the reaction of the people she met on that day. Colleagues and friends who know her well still kept a distance from her, conversations became hesitant and cold, and there were looks on their faces to suggest strongly that they did not want to come too close in fear of catching her ‘disease’.

Even her children hesitated to approach her when she came home. “Mommy, you look horrible!” they cried when they saw the patches. Despite her coaxing, her children refused to hug her until she removed the patch.

She did, and they finally gave her a hug. But as Ms Dinboeck embraced her children, her single day of walking in the shoes of someone with psoriasis revealed with heartbreaking surety that there are people with psoriasis out there, somewhere, who face such reactions daily. And these people have no easy means to remove the signs of their affliction. Psoriasis causes not only physical discomfort and pain – it can slowly eat away at the soul.

But, there is more hope for these people now. This Mini-Report will give you an insight into psoriasis as well as a common complication of that affliction, psoriatic arthritis, and how improved treatment options can change lives for the better.  

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A New Landmark Treatment for Hepatitis C

A New Landmark Treatment for Hepatitis C

April 28, 2022   Return

November 3, 2015 – A new milestone in the treatment of hepatitis C is unveiled today. AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, announces that the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s Drug Control Authority has approved VIEKIRAX™ (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets) and EXVIERA™ (dasabuvir tablets) with or without ribavirin for patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus infection. People suitable to receive this treatment include those with compensated liver cirrhosis, HIV-1 co-infection, patients on opioid substitution therapy and liver transplant recipients.

In Phase 3 clinical trials, VIEKIRAX™ + EXVIERA™ cured 95-100% of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients, with less than 2% experiencing virologic failure.

The Hepatitis C Landscape

According to Senior Consultant Hepatologist Professor Dr Rosmawati Mohamed, hepatitis C is one of the leading causes of liver cancer worldwide. She adds that most people with hepatitis C are not aware that they have the disease due to a lack of symptoms.

While hepatitis C may clear away naturally in some patients, approximately 75-85% will develop chronic hepatitis C. Over time, the liver may experience scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure, the last being possibly fatal.

Now Close to 100% Curable

The hepatitis C virus can mutate and replicate rapidly in our body. This can make treatment challenging. VIEKIRAX™ + EXVIERA™ overcomes this hurdle as it contains three direct-acting antivirals with distinct mechanisms of action and non-overlapping resistance profiles, to target hepatitis C at multiple steps in the viral lifecycle.

Dr Rubentiran Ramar, the Medical Manager of AbbVie Malaysia, emphasises that the clinical trials demonstrated that the treatment failed only for a very small portion of patients. “In some cases, the cure rate is 100% across the patient population,” he says.

“With high cure rates and low adverse events, even the most difficult to treat patients will benefit from this approval. We are pleased to provide VIEKIRAX™ + EXVIERA™ which will change the face of hepatitis C treatment in Malaysia, making a positive difference in the lives of people affected by this disease,” says Mr. Mupindra Singh, Country Manager, AbbVie Malaysia.

“Hepatitis C is now close to 100% curable with the new all oral medication. Getting rid of the Hepatitis C virus will minimize the terrible consequences of cirrhosis and liver cancer,” adds Professor Dr Rosmawati Mohamed.

[1] Viekirax and Exviera Malaysian Approved Package inserts

[2] World Health Organization. Hepatitis: frequently asked questions. Retrieved on Nov 9, 2015 from http://www.who.int/csr/disease/hepatitis/world_hepatitis_day/question_answer/en/

[3] Naghavi M., Wang H., Lozano R., et al. (2014). Global, regional, and national age-sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet. 385: 117-71.

[4] US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis C FAQs for the public. Retrieved on Nov 9, 2015 from http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm

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Can Baker’s Yeast Help Improve The Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Can Baker’s Yeast Help Improve The Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

 April 27, 2022   Return

WORDS PANK JIT SIN

Professor Pierre Desreumaux

Head of Inflammatory Diseases Research Unit Lille University, France

 

Worldwide, the WHO places the figure of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers at approximately 800 million. In Malaysia, IBS is estimated to affect 15.6 % of the population. The condition exacts a high cost both directly (in the form of physician visits, investigative tests and medicines) and indirectly (anxiety and loss of productivity at school and at work). The total global cost incurred due to IBS is estimated at US$21 billion.

Recently, studies found that the baker’s yeast strain known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 when taken daily can provide relief for IBS symptoms.

Professor Pierre Desreumaux said that clinically and scientifically sound results point to S cerevisiae CNCM I-3856’s ability to provide relief for abdominal symptoms of IBS such as pain and generalized discomfort. Improvements to gastrointestinal pain and discomfort can be noticed from the first week of treatment onwards, and at 2 weeks from the start of consumption, peak symptom resolution is achieved.

Also, the probiotic boasts of a broad range of therapeutic properties, some linked to its pain-alleviating properties. Prof Desreumaux said the probiotic is suitable for anyone suffering from indigestion, food poisoning, food allergies or intolerance, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, overeating, anxiety, depression, stomach flu or even menstrual pain.

HOW THE YEAST PROVIDES RELIEF

Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 secretes saccharolytic enzymes and assists intestina flora by generating short-chain fatty acids that accelerate bowel movement. It also acts as a visceral analgesic, increasing resistance to pain by up to 40 percent.

Additionally, it also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to combat intestinal inflammation. To top it all off, the probiotic rebalances microbial composition in the gut as it has been shown to reduce harmful bacteria such as Enterococcus sppEscherichia coli and Candida albicans. The result is decreased inflammation, bloating, pain, discomfort, constipation—all of which are symptoms of IBS. HT

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Peppermint Oil Helps You Swallow Better?

Peppermint Oil Helps You Swallow Better?

 April 27, 2022   Return

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

Mohamed_Khalaf20

Dr Mohamed Khalaf

Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina, US.

 

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) has long been considered beneficial in addressing cold, cough and various ailments of the throat and respiratory system, as well as in providing relief to gastrointestinal issues such as heartburn, nausea and irritable bowel syndrome. Admittedly, clinical trials to date have yet to conclusively prove the validity of many claims associated with this herb.

A recent study, however, suggests that peppermint oil can provide relief to people who experience difficulties in swallowing as well as non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). Let’s take a closer look at this study.

Figure A: The oesophagus is the tube-like structure that connects the throat to the stomach, and it sends food down via a series of contractions of its muscles called peristalsis.

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In a pilot study conducted by a team of researchers, 38 patients with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and/ or non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) were prescribed with concentrated peppermint oil in the form of tablets. Those with dysphagia took 2 tablets before meals, while those with chest pain took these tablets on an as-needed basis.

According to the research paper as presented by the lead author Dr Mohamed Khalaf:

  • 63% of the patients reported improvements in symptoms after taking the oil.1
  • The response rate among participants who have both dysphagia and NCCP is higher (73% reporting that they felt a reduction in symptoms after treatment).1
  • None of the participants reported new or worsening symptoms; all the participants managed to complete the trial without experiencing side effects.1

The study also noted that peppermint oil offers the greatest benefits to patients with oesophageal spasm and oesophagogastric junction outflow obstruction.

PROMISING CONCLUSIONS

According to the authors of the study, their findings support the recommendation of the use of peppermint oil to relieve the symptoms of conditions associated with abnormal muscular contractions of the oesophagus. This should be done after doctors have ruled out the presence of heart diseases or obstructions in the gastrointestional system, they added.

Of course, this is a small study involving only 38 participants, so Khalaf and his team hoped that other researchers would use the study data to conduct larger scale studies in order to confirm their findings. HT

Glossary of the More Technical Words Used in This Article

  • Non-cardiac chest pain is chest pain due to issues unrelated to the heart. In most cases (and for the participants in this study), NCCP is related to issues with the oesophagus.2
  • Oesophageal spasm describes the irregular and uncoordinated contractions of the oesophagus.3
  • Oesophagogastric junction outflow obstruction is a class of rare conditions in which the oesophagus exhibits weakened or abnormal muscular contractions (peristalsis).4

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Venom From A Deadly Spider: A Solution For Erectile Dysfunction?

8 Supplements That May Be Helpful In Dealing With Pain Due To Nerve Damage

 April 25, 2022   Return

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria nigriventer) is known as one of the world’s most venomous spiders for a good reason. Its venom can cause its victims to experience paralysis, shutdown of the nervous system, irregular heartbeats, and often, death. It also causes painful, prolonged erections in men. Yes, you read that correctly.

Always the type to look at silver linings, a team of researchers in Brazil recently managed to create a substance similar to PnTx2-6, a component of the venom, in hopes of developing a medication for erectile dysfunction that can be used safely by men with diabetes and high blood pressure.

You see, erectile dysfunction is commonly seen among men with those two health conditions, but currently available medications may not be an option for them. Tadalafil, for example, should not be taken alongside nitrate medications for heart problems, as this may lead to sudden and serious drops in blood pressure.

So far, research on mice with induced diabetes and high blood pressure found that the synthesized substance, called PnPP-19, does work to restore the ability to have an erection. This effect is seen when PnPP-19 is applied topically (on the skin) as well as injected directly into the mice.

More research is needed to support this finding and to determine whether the same effect will be seen in humans. Still, it’s a testament to the marvel of nature that a deadly toxin may end up providing a solution for the happiness of human beings! HT

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Reference: Nunes da Silva, C., et al. (2019). PnPP-19 peptide restores erectile function in hypertensive and diabetic animals through intravenous and topical administration. J Sex Med;16:365–374