Effects of Estrogen and Progesterone on Different Immune Cells Related to Multiple Sclerosis

Effect of Silybum Marianum on Reduction of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity with Cisplatin

Background

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is one of the major complications of chemotherapy regimens commonly used in the treatment of solid and hematologic cancers. Given the high incidence of CIPN in antitumor therapies in patients and limited studies on antioxidants, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of Silybum marianum (SM) on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Materials and Methods

This double-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 60 cancer patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy at Seyyed-o-Shohada Hospital of Isfahan during 2019-2020. The patients were divided into two parallel groups as intervention (treated by SM) and placebo, and DN4 (Douleur neuropathique 4 questions) and CIPNAT (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment tool) were completed for patients in the before and after intervention groups and compared between the two groups.

Results

The mean of DN4 score in the before and after study in the intervention group was in 1.76 ± 1.24 and 2.07 ± 2.03, respectively (P = 0.38), and in the control group was 1.41 ± 1.28 ± 3.11 ± 2.86, respectively (P = 0.012). The mean CIPNAT score in the intervention groups was 5.93 ± 3.65 and 4.20 ± 3.23 (P = 0.01), and in the control group was 4.20 ± 4.22 and 4.16 ± 4.03 (P = 0.39).

Conclusion

Based on our data, SM is an effective agent in reducing peripheral neuropathy. The use of SM was associated with decreased scores of peripheral neuropathy and was helpful in patients undergoing chemotherapy with cisplatin.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy or arthroscopic surgery on repair of anterior cruciate ligament rupture

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture reduces knee stability. In old patients with ACL rupture, surgery is not recommended due to the person's low level of activity and knee osteoarthritis. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a good treatment option in inflammatory cases in orthopedics. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess and comparison of the effect of PRP and arthroscopic surgery on anterior cruciate ligament rupture. This is a clinical trial that was performed in 2020-2021 in Tehran. 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group of patients underwent ACL tendon repair surgery by arthroscopy and tendon graft. The second group were treated by PRP injection. Both groups of patients were visited from 3 months to 14 months after surgery or PRP treatments. The pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), we also used Knee Score by the Oxford Score Knee Outcome Scale (OKS) to assess patient's functions. The mean VAS score was 3.05 ± 2.47 in patients in surgery group and mean VAS score was 4.39± 2.66 in patients in the PRP group (p = 0.03). These data showed significant improvements in VAS score in both groups with higher improvements in surgical group. After procedures, the ROM was 120.33 ± 19.60º in surgery group and 109.31 ± 17.22º in PRP group (p = 0.03). Patients in both groups had significantly decreased pain severity after 14 months, but the patients in the surgical treatment group had significantly lower pain and higher ROM compared to PRP group.