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ANTI-AGING ACTIVITY OF THE GHK PEPTIDE - THE SKIN AND BEYOND
L. Pickart, A. Margolina
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2012;1(1):13-16
Show summaryHide summaryThe human copper binding peptide GHK has been extensively studied as a wound-healing agent and widely used in anti-aging cosmetic compositions. Recent studies demonstrated this substance has a broad range of anti-aging activity. GHK is normally used as its copper 2+ complex GHK-Cu which in low non-toxic concentrations facilitates skin healing and remodeling, reduces inflammatory mediators, and increases production of important growth factors and molecular regulators such as decorin. A series of facial studies conducted by different researchers demonstrated that GHK-Cu containing creams reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles, mottled pigmentation and skin laxity. Also, GHK-Cu increases the expression of epidermal stem cell markers such as integrins and p63. GHK-Cu also repairs DNA damage in irradiated fibroblasts restoring normal functions and growth. Recently GHK and plant alkaloid securinine, out of 1309 bioactive compounds tested, were found to suppress RNA production in 70% of 54 human genes overexpressed in patients with aggressive metastatic colon cancer. GHK-Cu possesses antioxidant activity, increasing the level of antioxidant enzymes, reducing proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage, as well as quenching toxic products of lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, the tripeptide GHK-Cu that has a long safety record in skin care formulations possesses a range of health benefits, including skin regeneration, repair of irradiated cells, maintenance of stem cells, as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer activity.
OPEN ACCESSENDOMETRIOSIS AND NUTRITION – RECOMMENDING A MEDITERRANEAN DIET DECREASES ENDOMETRIOSIS-ASSOCIATED PAIN: AN EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
J. Ott, K. Nouri, D. Hrebacka, S. Gutschelhofer, J.C. Huber, R. Wenzl
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2012;1(2):162-166
Show summaryHide summaryObjective: Typical treatments for endometriosis are either medical therapy or surgery. Our objective was to test whether a diet that closely followed Mediterranean nutritional recommendations would affect endometriosis-associated pain. Design: Prospective, experimental, observational study. Setting: Academic research institution. Participants: 68 women with laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis. Interventions: Patients had to adhere to a nutrition regimen which included fresh vegetables and fruit, white meat, fish rich in fat, soy products, wholemeal products, foods rich in magnesium, and cold pressed oils; sugary drinks, red meat, sweets, and animal fats had to be avoided. Measurements: Change in subjective pain sensation, as measured by a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; 0=“no pain;” 10=“very strong pain”) after five months of diet. Results: Forty-three patients (63.2%) adhered to the nutrition regimen for over five months. The intention-to-treat analysis that included all patients showed a significant improvement of general pain symptoms based on the NRS (4.2±2.5 to 2.5±2.4; p<0.01). The group of patients who adhered to the study protocol (n=43, 63.2%) experienced a mean improvement in pain, with a NRS score from 4.2±3.0 to 2.0±2.3 (p<0.01). For the intention-to-treat group, a mean improvement was found in general condition, with a NRS score from 6.4±1.9 to 8.2±1.8 (p<0.01). For the study protocol group, NRS declined from 6.7±2.2 to 8.5±1.7 (p<0.01). Patients in the study protocol group also experienced significant improvement in dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and dyschezia (p<0.01). Conclusion: Endometriosis-associated pain symptoms may be influenced positively by a Mediterranean diet.
OPEN ACCESSEVALUATING THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CUCUMBERS FOR IMPROVED HEALTH AND SKIN CARE
H. Murad, M.A. Nyc
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2016;5(3):139-141
Show summaryHide summaryEpidemiological and nutritional studies indicate that cucumbers, a fruit in the cucurbitaceae family, have numerous benefits internally, externally and even emotionally. As a food, cucumbers offer superior hydration, as they are about 95% water. They have been used for decades for their anti-inflammatory benefits on skin, soothing properties for digestion, and other therapeutic uses. The following contribution offers an overview of cucumbers, specifically, their use to augment cellular water and address common conditions (i.e.: skin discoloration and aging, cardiovascular and cancerous diseases, bone health, inflammation, and connective tissue disorders).
CITATION:
H. Murad ; M.A. Nyc (2016): Evaluating the potential benefits of cucumbers for improved health and skin care. The Journal of Aging Research and Clinical Practice (JARCP). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jarcp.2016.108
COPING WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, BURDEN AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN INFORMAL PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA
M. Muscat, C. Scerri
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2018;7:128-135
Show summaryHide summaryObjective: This study aimed to investigate how informal primary caregivers of individuals with dementia living in the community cope with caring-related measures of anxiety, depression, burden and quality of life. Participants and Design: Participants included 60 informal caregivers (23 males and 37 females) of community-dwelling individuals with dementia who attended a state-run geriatric day hospital in Malta. Caregiver measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF and Brief COPE questionnaires, and Zarit Burden Interview. The Mini Mental State Examination and Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living scores were used to determine the degree of cognitive impairment and performance in activities of daily living of care-recipients. Results: Informal caregivers experienced anxiety and depression with both emotional distress states negatively affecting all quality of life domains. Depression and burden experienced by informal primary caregivers showed a strong association with individuals with dementia-related variables such as age, cognitive impairment and activities of daily living scores. The use of dysfunctional coping strategies was found to be related to caregivers’ emotional distress, low quality of life and burden. Conclusion: The findings indicate that informal primary caregivers experienced anxiety and depression, had a lower quality of life, and feel burdened during their caring role. However, caregivers making use of emotion-focused coping strategies were found to be protected against emotional distress. The results highlight the need of providing support services aimed at promoting the psychological wellbeing of informal carers of community-dwelling individuals with dementia.
CITATION:
M. Muscat ; C. Scerri (2018): Coping with anxiety, depression, burden and quality of life in informal primary caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with dementia. The Journal of Aging Research and Clinical Practice (JARCP). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jarcp.2018.22
MID-UPPER ARM CIRCUMFERENCE (MUAC) FOR DETECTING MALNUTRITION IN HOSPITALIZED ELDERLY
V.A. Leandro-Merhi, M. Nicastro, J.L. Braga de Aquino
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2013;2(2):231-235
Show summaryHide summaryObjective: This study investigated the relationship between mid-upper arm circumference and other nutritional assessment indicators to be used as a tool for the nutritional diagnosis of the elderly. Methods: Anthropometry was used for the nutritional assessment of 123 hospitalized elderly patients with subsequent investigation of the relationship between mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and the other indicators. The Mann-Whitney test was used for comparing the data and the Spearman’s linear correlation coefficient was used for assessing the association between the variables. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for determining the cut-off. Results: A positive and significant correlation was found between MUAC and other indicators in the whole group and by gender, except between MUAC and waist-to-hip ratio. MUAC differed significantly from the other indicators, suggesting that MUAC can also be used as an indicator of malnutrition in this casuistic. For the construction of the ROC curve, the gold standard was risk estimated by body mass index since correlated best with MUAC. The ROC curve identified a cut-off point of 28.25 cm, with high sensitivity (87.10%) and high specificity (76.09%). Conclusion: The use of MUAC has practical implications for the nutritional assessment of hospitalized elderly, especially if a greater cut-off point is used for the population.
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