Chios mastic gum(CMG),the resin produced by the trunk of Pistachia lentiscus var Chia,has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes since antiquity.Despite the fact that Pistacia species are widely distributed thr...Chios mastic gum(CMG),the resin produced by the trunk of Pistachia lentiscus var Chia,has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes since antiquity.Despite the fact that Pistacia species are widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin and in the circum-Mediterranean regions,CMG is a distinctive resin of the mastic trees grown exclusively in the southern part of the island of Chios.CMG has been used for centuries as a spice,a cosmetic,but its most important usage has been as a strong phytotherapeutic therapy,primarily for the management of gastrointestinal diseases.Recently,there are studies demonstrating that CMG has hypolipidemic,cardioprotective and antidiabetic properties.Therefore,the aim of the present review is to summarize the existing literature data regarding the potential beneficial effects of CMG on cardiometabolic risk factors.展开更多
It is true that a primary goal of diabetes early diagnosis and treatment is quality of life(QoL). The term QoL is still confusing but it is agreed that it composes of four components:The physical component, mental, co...It is true that a primary goal of diabetes early diagnosis and treatment is quality of life(QoL). The term QoL is still confusing but it is agreed that it composes of four components:The physical component, mental, cogitative component, psychological and social component. Many articles have been written addressing those four components. During the last five years 15500 articles and reviews have been written addressing diabetes and coronary arterial disease, 16100 addressing diabetes and renal function, 28900 addressing diabetes and retinopathy, 16800 addressing diabetic foot ulcers and other 26300 addressing diabetic neuropathy. Moreover 17200 articles are dealing with diabetic sexual dysfunction, 24500 with the correlation of diabetes and depression 17500 about diabetes and dementia, only 1 about diabetes and family functioning and 1950000 about diabetes and QoL, indicating the worldwide interest. In order to confront this metabolic anomaly and its consequences, researchers developed numerous generic and disease specific psychometric tools. With the aid of those psychometric tools the scientific community has started to realize the gruesome effect of diabetes on patients' lives. Diabetic's QoL becomes worse when complications start to develop or comorbidities coexist. Dominant amongst complications, in health-related quality of life(HRQoL) lowering, but not related to risk factors(genetic, the weight of birth, or others) is coronary arterial disease followed by renal failure, blindness, and the combination of micro-and macrovascular complications and in some studies by sexual dysfunction. Moreover many are the comorbidities which deteriorate further the effect of diabetes in a patient life. Among them obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, depression, arthritis are the most common. Most intriguing field for research is the interaction of diabetes and depression and in some cases the progression to dementia. Many aspects and combinations of actions are under researchers' microscope regarding the improvement of HRQoL scores. Until now, the studies performed, have demonstrated little to moderate benefit. More of them are needed to draw safe conclusions on the topic of the best combination of actions to optimize the HRQoL scores.展开更多
The last few years important changes have occurred in the field of diabetes treatment.The priority in the therapy of patients with diabetes is not glycemic control per se rather an overall management of risk factors,w...The last few years important changes have occurred in the field of diabetes treatment.The priority in the therapy of patients with diabetes is not glycemic control per se rather an overall management of risk factors,while individualization of glycemic target is suggested.Furthermore,regulatory authorities now require evidence of cardiovascular(CV)safety in order to approve new antidiabetic agents.The most novel drug classes,i.e.,sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors(SGLT2-i)and some glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1 RA),have been demonstrated to reduce major adverse CV events and,thus,have a prominent position in the therapeutic algorithm of hyperglycemia.In this context,the role of previously used hypoglycemic agents,including dipeptidyl peptidase 4(DPP-4)inhibitors,has been modified.DPP-4 inhibitors have a favorable safety profile,do not cause hypoglycemia or weight gain and do not require dose uptitration.Furthermore,they can be administered in patients with chronic kidney disease after dose modification and elderly patients with diabetes.Still,though,they have been undermined to a third line therapeutic choice as they have not been shown to reduce CV events as is the case with SGLT2-i and GLP-1 RA.Overall,DPP-4 inhibitors appear to have a place in the management of patients with diabetes as a safe class of oral glucose lowering agents with great experience in their use.展开更多
文摘Chios mastic gum(CMG),the resin produced by the trunk of Pistachia lentiscus var Chia,has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes since antiquity.Despite the fact that Pistacia species are widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin and in the circum-Mediterranean regions,CMG is a distinctive resin of the mastic trees grown exclusively in the southern part of the island of Chios.CMG has been used for centuries as a spice,a cosmetic,but its most important usage has been as a strong phytotherapeutic therapy,primarily for the management of gastrointestinal diseases.Recently,there are studies demonstrating that CMG has hypolipidemic,cardioprotective and antidiabetic properties.Therefore,the aim of the present review is to summarize the existing literature data regarding the potential beneficial effects of CMG on cardiometabolic risk factors.
文摘It is true that a primary goal of diabetes early diagnosis and treatment is quality of life(QoL). The term QoL is still confusing but it is agreed that it composes of four components:The physical component, mental, cogitative component, psychological and social component. Many articles have been written addressing those four components. During the last five years 15500 articles and reviews have been written addressing diabetes and coronary arterial disease, 16100 addressing diabetes and renal function, 28900 addressing diabetes and retinopathy, 16800 addressing diabetic foot ulcers and other 26300 addressing diabetic neuropathy. Moreover 17200 articles are dealing with diabetic sexual dysfunction, 24500 with the correlation of diabetes and depression 17500 about diabetes and dementia, only 1 about diabetes and family functioning and 1950000 about diabetes and QoL, indicating the worldwide interest. In order to confront this metabolic anomaly and its consequences, researchers developed numerous generic and disease specific psychometric tools. With the aid of those psychometric tools the scientific community has started to realize the gruesome effect of diabetes on patients' lives. Diabetic's QoL becomes worse when complications start to develop or comorbidities coexist. Dominant amongst complications, in health-related quality of life(HRQoL) lowering, but not related to risk factors(genetic, the weight of birth, or others) is coronary arterial disease followed by renal failure, blindness, and the combination of micro-and macrovascular complications and in some studies by sexual dysfunction. Moreover many are the comorbidities which deteriorate further the effect of diabetes in a patient life. Among them obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, depression, arthritis are the most common. Most intriguing field for research is the interaction of diabetes and depression and in some cases the progression to dementia. Many aspects and combinations of actions are under researchers' microscope regarding the improvement of HRQoL scores. Until now, the studies performed, have demonstrated little to moderate benefit. More of them are needed to draw safe conclusions on the topic of the best combination of actions to optimize the HRQoL scores.
文摘The last few years important changes have occurred in the field of diabetes treatment.The priority in the therapy of patients with diabetes is not glycemic control per se rather an overall management of risk factors,while individualization of glycemic target is suggested.Furthermore,regulatory authorities now require evidence of cardiovascular(CV)safety in order to approve new antidiabetic agents.The most novel drug classes,i.e.,sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors(SGLT2-i)and some glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1 RA),have been demonstrated to reduce major adverse CV events and,thus,have a prominent position in the therapeutic algorithm of hyperglycemia.In this context,the role of previously used hypoglycemic agents,including dipeptidyl peptidase 4(DPP-4)inhibitors,has been modified.DPP-4 inhibitors have a favorable safety profile,do not cause hypoglycemia or weight gain and do not require dose uptitration.Furthermore,they can be administered in patients with chronic kidney disease after dose modification and elderly patients with diabetes.Still,though,they have been undermined to a third line therapeutic choice as they have not been shown to reduce CV events as is the case with SGLT2-i and GLP-1 RA.Overall,DPP-4 inhibitors appear to have a place in the management of patients with diabetes as a safe class of oral glucose lowering agents with great experience in their use.
