Bromocriptine-QR (quick release) is a novel treatment for type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of bromocriptine-QR in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals or as abstracts. We performed a comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to May 2015. Randomized controlled trials of bromocriptine-QR therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus were eligible. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of trials based on predefined inclusion criteria. Information was collected concerning basic study data, patient characteristics, efficacy and safety outcomes, and methodological quality. Bromocriptine-QR add-on therapy lowered hemoglobin A1c compared with placebo (weighted mean difference, - 6.52 mmol/mol; 95% CI, - 8.07 to - 4.97 mmol/mol). Bromocriptine-QR exhibited an increase in achieving an HbA1c level ≤ 53 mmol/mol (≤ 7.0%) (32.0 vs. 9.5%; odds ratio, 4.57; 95% CI, 2.42-8.62). Fasting plasma glucose was reduced with bromocriptine-QR compared with placebo (weighted mean difference,-1.04 mmol/l; 95% CI,-1.49 to-0.59 mmol/l). Moreover, bromocriptine-QR had neutral effects on postprandial glycemia, Body Mass Index (BMI), and lipid profile. Bromocriptine-QR had more gastrointestinal side effects of nausea and vomiting. Bromocriptine-QR had no increased risk of hypoglycemia, hypotension, or cardiovascular effects. Bromocriptine-QR therapy offers an alternative option to currently available antidiabetic agents for type 2 diabetes mellitus adults. Neither hypoglycemia nor other metabolic changes occur with this drug. More data for long-term efficacy and safety are needed for further observation.

This study aimed to investigate the pntential of metformin to inhibits the growth and metastasis with enhancement of radiation response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft mice model. Materials/Methods: Huh-7 HCC cells were injected to the right thigh in Balb/c nude mice. Huh-7 bearing mice were treated with local tumor irradiation with a single 15 Gy of X-ray (RT), intraperitoneal administration of metformin with 150 mg/kg/day until the day of sacrifice (MET), or combination of both (administration of metformin 6 hours prior irradiation) (RT-MET). Tumor response to treatment was determined by a tumor growth delay assay. Metastatic potential was evaluated by gross qualitative observation of spontaneous pulmonary metastasis in a lung metastasis model on day 45 and 60. Results: RT or MET resulted in a significant reduction of tumor growth and RT-MET enhanced it further than each treatment alone (55% reduction compared with RT and 67% reduction compared with MET). More importantly, RT or MET inhibited in the growth of metastatic nodules in lung and RT-MET enhanced it further than each treatment alone (93% reduction compared with RT and 76% reduction compared with MET). RT-MET decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metallopeptidase 9 by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: Metformin inhibits the growth and metastasis of HCC with enhancement of radiation response in vivo. Our data suggest that metformin can be a clinically useful adjunct to radiotherapy in HCC.

No abstract

The role of germline BRCA1 mutations in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) has been well established in women in Western countries. However, relatively few studies have been carried out in Chinese population. In the present study, we investigated the frequency and spectrum of germline BRCA1 mutations in Chinese HBOC patients, all of whom were from northern part of China. A total of 25 women with HBOC and ten relatives were analyzed. Mutation screening was performed by a combination of denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and sequencing. Seven protein-truncating mutations were identified. They were 667delG, 3347A --> T, 3478del5, 4255delCT, 1235A --> G, 2064G --> T, and 5589del8. The first four of the mutations were putative ones never reported before. The prevalence of the protein-truncating mutations in this HBOC series was 40.0%, which is similar to that observed in Western hereditary ovarian cancer patients but higher than that reported in Chinese women with sporadic breast and ovarian cancer. Among the ten relatives we analyzed, six shared the same mutations with their affected relatives. No ovarian cancer was detected after 19 months of follow-up. This study showed that BRCA1 mutations play an important role in Northern Chinese HBOC.

No abstract