BackgroundSolar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has deleterious effects on the skin, including sunburn, photoaging and cancer. Chocolate flavanols are naturally-occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that could play a role in preventing cutaneous UV damage. We investigated the influence of 12-week high-flavanol chocolate (HFC) consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation, measured by minimal erythema dose (MED). We also evaluated skin elasticity and hydration.MethodsIn this 2-group, parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 74 women aged 20–65 years and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I or II were recruited from the general community in Quebec City, for randomization to either HFC (n = 33) or low-flavanol chocolate (LFC) (n = 41). A blocked randomisation (4), considering date of entry, skin type and age as factors, generated a sequentially-numbered allocation list. Study participants and research assistants were blinded. Totally, 30 g of chocolate were consumed daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 3-week washout period. MED was assessed at baseline and at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks. Main outcome was changes in MED at week 12.Results33 participants in the HFC group and 41 in the LFC group were analyzed with 15 weeks of follow-up. Both groups showed similarly-increased MED at 12 weeks (HFC: 0.0252 ± 0.1099 J/cm2 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)]; LFC: 0.0151 ± 0.1118; mean difference (MD): 0.0100 J/cm2; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.0417 to 0.0618). However, after 3-week washout, the HFC group presented decreased MED (-0.0248 ± 0.1145) whereas no effect was seen in the LFC group (0.0168 ± 0.1698) (MD: -0.0417; 95% CI: -0.1106 to 0.0272). Net temple elasticity increased slightly but significantly by 0.09 ± 0.12 mm in the HFC group at 12 weeks compared to 0.02 ± 0.12 mm in the LFC group (MD: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.12 ). No significant adverse events were reported.ConclusionOur study failed to demonstrate a statistically-significant protective effect of HFC vs. LFC consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation as measured by MED.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01444625
Background: Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare sclerosing syndrome with a poorly understood etiology. Objective: We report a case of eosinophilic fasciitis in a 40-year-old man undergoing treatment with natalizumab for multiple sclerosis. Natalizumab is a selective adhesion molecule inhibitor that prevents interaction of leukocytes with endothelial cells. Peripheral blood eosinophilia has been described under treatment with natalizumab, but we herein report the first case to our knowledge of eosinophilic fasciitis as a possible complication of this medication.Contexte: La fasciite à éosinophiles est un syndrome sclérosant rare, dont les causes sont mal connues. Objectif: Sera exposé ici un cas de fasciite à éosinophiles chez un homme de 40 ans, traité par le natalizumab, pour la sclérose en plaques. Le natalizumab est un inhibiteur sélectif des molécules d'adhésion, qui empêche les interactions entre les leucocytes et les cellules endothéliales. Il a déjà été fait mention d'éosinophilie sanguine périphérique en cours de traitement par le natalizumab, mais ¡I s'agit, à notre connaissance, du premier exposé de cas de fasciite à éosinophiles, décrit comme une complication possible de l'utilisation de ce médicament.
BackgroundPrevious studies have been limited in reporting the association between chocolate consumption, measured by interviewer-administered questionnaire or serum theobromine, a biomarker for cocoa, and risk of preeclampsia, and have showed somewhat conflicting results.Methods/DesignA systematic review of observational and experimental studies will be carried out. We will examine PubMed, Embase, and the entire Cochrane Library. Studies of chocolate consumption compared or not with placebo or low flavanol chocolate during pregnancy will be evaluated to investigate the effect of chocolate consumption in pregnant women on the risk of preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension. Screening for inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers in consultation with a third reviewer. Validity of the studies will be ascertained by using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. Relative risk of preeclampsia will be the primary measure of treatment effect. Heterogeneity will be explored by subgroup analysis according to confounding factors and bias.DiscussionThis systematic review will contribute to establish the current state of knowledge concerning the possible association between chocolate consumption and prevention of preeclampsia. Furthermore, it will justify if additional experimental trials are necessary to better evaluate the benefits of chocolate consumption on the risk of preeclampsia.Trial registrationThis systematic review has been registered in the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews. The registration number is: CRD42013005338
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