Statin-intolerance in individuals is becoming a more prevalent issue, considering the rise in the number of patients undergoing lipid-lowering treatment. This has necessitated the need for a shift in the medication regime from statins to alternative medicines or other classes of lipid-lowering drugs such as cholesterol absorption inhibitors and bile acid sequestrants. Now, a randomized controlled trial published in the recent issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine further substantiates that the Chinese herbal dietary supplement, red yeast rice, and therapeutic lifestyle changes could significantly lower the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in statin-intolerant individuals. Continue Reading

Chondroitins (CS) 4 and 6 sulfate has been shown in previous studies to alleviate pain and improve functional limitation in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. However, there are contradictory findings about the potential benefits of CS in OA, especially with respect to its structure-modifying ability in knee OA. Now, a recent study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism has suggested that CS may serve as a disease-modifying agent of knee OA, owing to its long-term structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects. Continue Reading

Several large-scale studies have shown that the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) can predict the risks of new and recurrent coronary events, thereby indicating its prognostic value in acute coronary ischemia and post-coronary interventions. Now, the administration of rosuvastatin calcium (CRESTOR® | AstraZeneca) into evidently healthy people with elevated hsCRP levels, but without hyperlipidemia, has demonstrated a 44% reduction in the incidence of major cardiovascular events, according to a study published in the recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Continue Reading

Curcumin, a principal component responsible for the yellow color in the Indian spice, turmeric, has been previously suggested to possess anticancer properties. Now, according to a recent study reported by researchers at the Medical College of Georgia, USA, curcumin may also have the potential to reduce the size of hemorrhagic stroke. Continue Reading

A recent study published in the current issue of Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has reported that neuro-reflexotherapy (NRT) can be successfully used to treat chronic pain associated with myofascial temporomandibular joint pain (MF/TMJP). Continue Reading

Non-vital or pulpless teeth, being brittle, are more prone to fractures. Now, in a new research article published in the recent issue of the Journal of Dental Research, it has been reported that heat treatment strengths the human dentin, and can be very useful in preventing fractures of the non-vital tooth. Continue Reading

Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Michigan, United States, have successfully used stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) to produce tissues that closely resemble physiologic dental pulp tissue. The findings of the study are published in the Journal of Endodontics. Continue Reading

The combination of noncoherent visible light and hydrogen peroxide shows promising antibacterial effect against the oral biofilm pathogens according to a new study published in the latest issue of the journal, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Continue Reading

Researchers from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, have reported successful alveolar bone regeneration using extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). The findings of this study have been published in the recent issue of theJournal of Dental Research. Continue Reading

Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is the most common, and often debilitating, gynecologic condition affecting around 45 to 90% US women of reproductive age. Recent results of a multicenter field study reports that Pycnogenol®, (Horphag Research Ltd.), an extract of the French maritime pine bark, helps in reducing the pain, as well as the need for pain medications, during menstruation. Continue Reading