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Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring ketocarotenoid which has been found to have numerous biological functions, with its strong antioxidant property being the prominent feature. The compound has attracted a great amount of interest with respect to its potential utilization in the betterment of human health. In the recent past, astaxanthin has been extensively studied with respect to its possible effect on skin health, with positive results. Astaxanthin has also shown to have anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and DNA repair properties, which have further encouraged its usage to maintain skin health and tackle skin damage. In this review article, we highlight the pharmacokinetic profile of the antioxidant in brief and describe the findings of various recent published research articles which studied the effect of astaxanthin in improvement of skin health. We also mention the possible mechanisms which form the basis of the positive dermatological effects of astaxanthin and the potential indications of the antioxidant molecule in cosmetology and dermatology.

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The monitoring of clinical trials is an integral function of the institutional ethics committee (IEC)to ensure the ethical conduct of research. The National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants, 2017, of the Indian Council of Medical Research, underline a strong need for active monitoring of clinical trials. A previous study by the authors, of research studies initiated between 2008 and 2010, had found many lapses after site monitoring. In the present study, 12 clinical studies-both sponsored and investigator initiated-were monitored by members of the King Edward Memorial Hospital (Mumbai) IEC between 2011 and 2017. The most common violations seen were related to informed consent (8/12 sites). The other violation themes were lack of investigator understanding of protocol (6/12), deviation from the investigational plan (5/12), non-reporting of the study's progress to the IEC (4/12), and patient recruitment prior to IEC approval (2/12). The IEC took various corrective actions, such as ordering retaking of consent and good clinical practice (GCP) re-training and requiring interim reports, explanations for deviations, upgradation of facilities, and payment of pending compensation. The IEC even froze review of protocols from a frequently defaulting Principal Investigator's (PI) site and put study recruitment on hold for the same PI. This study demonstrates that active site monitoring by IECs is a must for ensuring the ethical conduct of studies.

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Background & objectives: Prokinetics are extensively prescribed leading to several adverse events (AEs). The aim of this study was to assess the prescription pattern in patients receiving prokinetics, and characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in an outpatient department set up in a tertiary care hospital in western India. Methods: Patients attending outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital and who had received prokinetic agent for at least seven days over the last one month were enrolled. Causality assessment of AEs was done and assessed for severity, preventability, seriousness and predictability. Results: A total of 304 patients [161 males (52.96%); 143 females (47.04%)] were enrolled. Most prescriptions (299/304, 98%) included domperidone, most commonly prescribed as fixed-dose combination (FDC) with pantoprazole (274/304, 90%). Prokinetic dose was not mentioned in 251/304 (83%) prescriptions, and 18/304 (6%) did not mention frequency. Of the 378 AEs reported from 179 patients (47.35%), 306 (81%) were mild, all non-serious; 272 (72%) not preventable and 291 (77%) predictable in nature. Decreased appetite (n=31, 8.2%) and fatigue (n=27,7.14%) were most commonly reported. Causality assessment by the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre scale showed that 180 AEs were related to suspected drug (17 probable and 163 possible ADRs). Significant correlation was observed for AEs with increasing number of drugs per prescription (Spearman's R=+0.8, P =0.05) and with increasing therapy duration (Spearman's R=+1.00, P <0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed that prokinetics were often prescribed as FDCs, with incomplete prescriptions. Domperidone was found to be associated with multiple AEs. It is suggested that regular prescription monitoring should be done in hospitals to encourage rational use of drugs.

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OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate the perception of postgraduate pharmacology students toward computer-simulated method (CSM) in comparison to the prevalent isolated live tissue-based bioassay method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 30 postgraduate pharmacology students who had used the animal simulation software and had completed at least five isolated tissue experiments. Students' opinions on the usage, logistics, advantages, disadvantages, and usefulness of CSM compared to live animal experiments (LAE) were analyzed. RESULTS: Four tissues were used for LAE, whereas with CSM, students could perform experiments using 11 different tissues. Of the total nine bioassay methods, students had performed six assay methods using both LAE and CSM. Majority of the students (23/30) agreed that CSM reduces anxiety, technical errors and is less time consuming when used before LAE. Most of the students agreed that CSM can be used for difficult, lengthy experiments (19/30), and for UG/PG teaching (19/30). However, opinions regarding replacing LAE with CSM in PG teaching were divided (agree: 7, neutral: 12, and disagree: 12). CONCLUSION: CSM should be integrated alongside LAE to complement, reinforce, and enhance learning from other techniques.

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Clinical trials and research studies are being conducted worldwide at a rampant pace leading to generation of large amount of data. However, to reap the benefits of the data generated it is important that this data is shared with the general public without which it can be deemed useless. Despite its importance being known to us, data sharing does not come without its share of problems and it is not as easy to execute as it sounds on-paper. Over the past few years, multiple coveted organizations around the world involved in research activities have come up with their respective guidelines and initiatives to make sure the sharing of research data is smooth and ethical. Developing countries like India have made a few strides in the right direction with some initiatives in-place, but there still seems a long way to go before unanimous data sharing can be a reality. The stakeholders may have to face certain possible repercussions due to data sharing but there is no doubt that if done in the right way, it can lead to universal development.