Christina Kure

The effects of 90-day supplementation with the omega-3 essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cognitive function and visual acuity in a healthy aging population.

The omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for nervous system and retinal development and there is evidence to suggest that DHA deficiencies increase with normal aging. A triple-blind placebo-controlled randomized repeated-measures trial was conducted with 74 healthy participants, aged 45-77 years. Cognitive and visual acuity measures and plasma levels of DHA were determined at baseline and after 90 days of administration of either HiDHA(®) (Clover Corp., Sydney, NSW, Australia: 1000 mg of tuna oil; comprising 252 mg DHA, 60 mg EPA and 10 mg vitamin E) or placebo (1000 mg soybean oil). Ninety days of DHA supplementation was found to significantly raise both plasma DHA and total ω-3 plasma levels in the treatment group, as well as significantly lower total ω-6 levels. However, no significant effects of DHA supplementation on cognitive functioning were found. For participants with corrected vision, the group receiving DHA were found to have significantly better right eye visual acuity posttreatment in comparison with the placebo group (F(1,22) = 7.651; p = 0.011; partial η(2) = 0.258).

An examination of the effects of the antioxidant Pycnogenol ® on cognitive performance, serum lipid profile, endocrinological and oxidative stress biomarkers in an elderly population

The study examines the effects of the antioxidant flavonoid Pycnogenol on a range of cognitive and biochemical measures in healthy elderly individuals. The study used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pair design, with 101 elderly participants (60—85 years) consuming a daily dose of 150 mg of Pycnogenol for a three-month treatment period. Participants were assessed at baseline, then at 1, 2, and 3 months of the treatment. The control (placebo) and Pycnogenol groups were matched by age, sex, body mass index, micronutrient intake, and intelligence. The cognitive tasks comprised measures of attention, working memory, episodic memory, and psychomotor performance. The biological measures comprised levels of clinical hepatic enzymes, serum lipid profile, human growth hormone, and lipid peroxidation products. Statistically significant interactions were found for memory-based cognitive variables and lipid peroxidation products, with the Pycnogenol group displaying improved working memory and decreased concentrations of F2-isoprostanes relative to the control group.

Oxidative Stress in Surgery in an Ageing Population : Pathophysiology and Therapy

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the regulation of normal cellular function. When ROS are produced in excess they can have detrimental effects, a state known as oxidative stress. Thus ROS play both physiological and pathophysiological roles in the body. In clinical practice oxidative stress and its counterpart, antioxidant capacity can be measured and can guide remedial therapy. Oxidative stress can have a negative impact in all forms of major surgery including cardiac surgery, general surgery, trauma surgery, orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery; this is particularly marked in an ageing population. Many different therapies to reduce oxidative stress in surgery have been tried with variable results. We conclude that in surgical patients the assessment of oxidative stress, improvement of the understanding of its role, both positive and negative, and devising appropriate therapies represent fruitful fields for future research.

The Immunomodulatory Effects of Plant Extracts and Plant Secondary Metabolites on Chronic Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Aging: A Mechanistic and Empirical Review

Advances in healthcare have considerably improved the life expectancy of the human population over the last century and this has brought about new challenges. As we live longer the capacity for cognitive aging increases. Consequently, it has been noted that decline in cognitive performance in the elderly in domains of reasoning, problem solving skills, attention, processing speed, working memory and episodic memory is a significant societal problem. Despite the enormity of this issue there are relatively few interventions for cognitive aging. This may be due to our current state of knowledge on biological factors that underpin cognitive aging. One of the biological contributors to cognitive aging is chronic neuroinflammation. This review will provide an overview of the peripheral and central mechanisms involved in chronic neuroinflammation and how neuroinflammation may be related to age-associated cognitive decline. Plant based extracts including herbal and nutritional supplements with anti-inflammatory properties will be examined in relation to their utility in treating age-related cognitive decline. Plant based extracts in particular offer interesting pharmacological properties that may be quickly utilized to prevent cognitive aging.

Relationships Among Cognitive Function and Cerebral Blood Flow, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Older Heart Failure Patients

BACKGROUND The mechanisms for cognitive impairment in heart failure (HF) are unclear. We investigated the relative contributions of cerebral blood flow velocity (BFV), oxidative stress, and inflammation to HF-associated cognitive impairment. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-six HF patients (≥60 years) and 40 healthy controls (68 ± 7 vs 67 ± 5 years, P > .05; 69% vs 50% male, P > .05) completed the Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment battery and Stroop tasks. Common carotid (CCA) and middle cerebral arterial BFV were obtained by transcranial Doppler. Blood samples were collected for oxidant (diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites; F2-isoprostanes), antioxidant (coenzyme Q10; CoQ10), and inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). Compared with controls, patients exhibited impaired attention (Cognitive Drug Researchs Power of Attention domain, congruent Stroop) and executive function (incongruent Stroop). Multiple regression modeling showed that CCA-BFV and CoQ10 but not group predicted performance on attention and executive function. Additionally, in HF patients, CCA-BFV and CoQ10 (β = -0.34 vs β = -0.35) were significant predictors of attention, and CCA-BFV (β = -0.34) was a predictor of executive function. CONCLUSIONS Power of Attention and executive function is impaired in older HF patients, and reduced CCA-BFV and CoQ10 are associated with worse cognition. Interventions addressing these mechanisms may improve cognition in older HF patients.

The Neurocognitive Effects of Hypericum perforatum Special Extract (Ze 117) during Smoking Cessation

The efficacy and tolerability of current treatments for smoking cessation are relatively poor. More research is required to address the biological mechanisms underpinning nicotine withdrawal and drug treatments for smoking cessation. We assessed the neurocognitive effects of Remotiv® (Hypericum perforatum Special Extract ‐ Ze 117), Nicabate CQ Nicotine Replacement therapy (NRT) and combined NRT/HP during conditions of smoking abstinence in 20 regular smokers aged between 18 and 60 years over a period of 10 weeks during smoking cessation. A Spatial Working Memory (SWM) task was completed at baseline, 4 weeks prior to quitting, as well as at the completion of the study, following the 10 weeks of treatment. Brain activity was recorded during the completion of the SWM task using Steady‐State Probe Topography. Reaction time and accuracy on the SWM task were not found to be significantly different between treatment groups at retest. Differences in SSVEP treatment profiles at retest are discussed, including stronger SSVEP Amplitude increase in posterior‐parietal regions for the HP and NRT groups and greater fronto‐central SSVEP Phase Advance in the HP group. Copyright

An Open Label Study investigating the Efficacy of Hypericum perforatum Special Extract (ZE117), Nicotine Patches and Combination (ZE117)/ Nicotine Patches for Smoking Cessation

Introduction: Nicotine addiction has become one of the largest international health problems, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers, and respiratory diseases. There are several treatments available for smoking cessation with the most common transdermal nicotine replacement and anti-depressants. However current treatments are only mildly efficacious and have side effects which lead to a decrease in their effectiveness. Additional treatments for smoking cessation with lower side effects are required. Methods: We examined the efficacy of Remotiv® (Hypericum perforatum Special Extract - ZE117) compared to Nicabate® CQ Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and combination ZE117/NRT for smoking cessation over a treatment time of 10 weeks. Given the different pharmacological profiles of Ze117 and NRT it was expected that a combination treatment would be most efficacious for smoking cessation than the other two treatments alone. Sixty smokers aged between 18 and 60 years were enrolled in the study. Smoking status was assessed using CO levels measured by the Bedfont Smokerlyzer (primary outcome measure). Secondary outcome measures of anxiety, DSMIV nicotine dependence and Fagerstrom craving and symptoms were also recorded. Results: A significant main effect of reduction in the number of smokers over the course of the study was observed although there were no significant differences between any of the treatment groups on this variable after 14 weeks. Conclusions: These results indicate that the three treatment options are equally efficacious for smoking cessation. Interestingly the Ze117 treatment significantly reduced the amount of craving over the treatment duration of the study compared to the other two treatments indicating a possible mechanism by which Ze117 may assist in smoking cessation.