The perception analysis performed in this study suggested that it is necessary to increase pharmacy staff in order to improve interprofessional relationships and the quality of clinical pharmacy services provision.

Serenoa repens has been widely used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms; however, most of the studies have been conducted in individuals with normal weight and not obese. In this study, the effects of a lipidic extract of S. repens, in markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and growth factors, in obese rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia, were investigated. Total nitrites, malondialdehyde, total glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activity were measured; in addition, assays for inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and the growth factors basic fibroblast growth factor (FGFb) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were performed. The obese rats had a higher prostate weight compared with controls. S. repens significantly decreased prostate weight, total nitrites, and malondialdehyde; improved total glutathione, SOD, and catalase activity; and significantly reduced inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and growth factors (VEGF and FGFb). S. repens showed high antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity in obese rats, suggesting that their use could be beneficial in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Capsaicin per se or its combination with moderate exercise could be a useful therapy against complications linked to obesity-IR in HE females.

No abstract

These findings indicated impaired contractility and hyperplasia in the prostate and bladder of obese rats induced by high sucrose. STP and SR could enhance prostate function by reducing contractility and hyperplasia and improve smooth muscle fiber structure and decrease cell proliferation in the bladder, suggesting their possible health-beneficial effects on lower urinary tract symptoms. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

No abstract

Increase in body weight and adiposity has deleterious consequences on health. The aim of this study was to compare morphological and metabolic changes in the arterial vessels of Wistar rats with conditions of obesity, hypoestrogenism, and hypoestrogenism plus obesity. Ovariectomized rats (hypoestrogenic condition) received 30 % sugar in drinking water plus standard diet during 10 weeks. The hypoestrogenic-obese (HE-OB) group presented increase in weight, blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia compared with other groups. The morphological study in aortic vessels from HE showed damage in endothelial smooth muscle tissue compared with the other groups. Adipose cells volume in HE-OB (59.33 ± 2.38 μ(3) × 10(5)) and obese (OB) (54.95 ± 1.36 μ(3) × 10(5)) groups were significantly larger than control group (36.38 ± 0.98 μ(3) × 10(5)). In the HE group adipocyte hyperplasia was observed, while in OB group adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia was shown. The vascular reactivity in HE-OB and OB groups presented decrease in the relaxation to acetylcholine compared with control conditions (p < 0.05), whereas the addition of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester resulted in a greater inhibition of relaxation in HE-OB and OB groups compared with control conditions (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the dysfunction in blood vessels observed in estrogen deficiency and obesity conditions contributes to early cardiovascular alterations.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of capsaicin (Cap), moderate exercise (Ex), and their combination on arterial blood pressure (BP) and metabolic complications in hypoestrogenic (HE) obese (HEOb) rats. Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and given 300 g L−1 sucrose solution (HEOb), or purified water (HE) ad libitum, for 28 weeks. After shaving the abdominal skin, cold cream vehicle was applied to sedentary (Sed) and exercise (Ex) groups, and 0.75 g kg−1 Cap cream was applied to Ex groups. Ex groups ran on a treadmill every day for 20 min at speeds from 0.15 to 0.3 m s−1. For combination groups (Cap + Ex), topical Cap was applied 90 min before Ex. The treatments were performed for 6 weeks, and BP was recorded before and at the end of the experimental protocol. The animals were killed by decapitation, and blood and tissues were obtained to perform oxidative profile, as well as to undertake biochemical and histologic studies. RESULTS Compared with individual treatments, the combined therapy (Cap + Ex) in HEOb rats caused a higher reduction in the caloric intake, body weight, abdominal fat percentage, oxidative stress, and hepatic steatosis. In HEOb groups, Cap was the only treatment that reduced BP and prevented dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION The present data show that Cap improves the metabolic alterations induced by obesity and hypoestrogenism, suggesting that Cap can be considered as an excellent candidate for therapy of these clinical conditions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry