BackgroundThe management of osteoarthritis (OA) remains a challenge. There is a need not only for safe and efficient treatments but also for accurate and reliable biomarkers that would help diagnosis and monitoring both disease activity and treatment efficacy. Curcumin is basically a spice that is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro studies suggest that curcumin could be beneficial for cartilage in OA. The aim of this exploratory, non-controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of bio-optimized curcumin in knee OA patients on the serum levels of specific biomarkers of OA and on the evaluation of pain.MethodsTwenty two patients with knee OA were asked to take 2x3 caps/day of bio-optimized curcumin (Flexofytol®) for 3 months. They were monitored after 7, 14, 28 and 84 days of treatment. Pain over the last 24 hours and global assessment of disease activity by the patient were evaluated using a visual analog scale (100 mm). The serum levels of Coll-2-1, Coll-2-1NO2, Fib3-1, Fib3-2, CRP, CTX-II and MPO were determined before and after 14 and 84 days of treatment.ResultsThe treatment with curcumin was globally well tolerated. It significantly reduced the serum level of Coll2-1 (p < 0.002) and tended to decrease CRP. No other significant difference was observed with the other biomarkers. In addition, curcumin significantly reduced the global assessment of disease activity by the patient.ConclusionThis study highlighted the potential effect of curcumin in knee OA patient. This effect was reflected by the variation of a cartilage specific biomarker, Coll2-1 that was rapidly affected by the treatment. These results are encouraging for the qualification of Coll2-1 as a biomarker for the evaluation of curcumin in OA treatment.Trial registrationNCT01909037 at clinicaltrials.gov

Percutaneous cryoablation is a promising alternative treatment for sclerotherapy-resistant venous malformations. However, to improve safety, careful patient selection and treatment planning will be mandatory.

Nous rapportons un cas de myopathie sur hypothyroïdie ou syndrome de Hoffmann, chez un homme de 31 ans s'étant présenté aux urgences pour asthénie, faiblesse générale, myalgies, crampes et arthralgies. La biologie montrait une élévation très importante des CPK (8102 U/l) et une hypothyroïdie majeure (T4 = 3,8 pg/ml, T3 = 1,3 pg/ml et TSH > 150 µU/ml). Les autres causes de myopathie ont été écartées par l'anamnèse et les différents examens paracliniques. Un traitement substitutif par hormones thyroïdiennes à doses journalières progressives (de 75 à 175 µg) a donc été instauré. L'évolution clinique a été rapidement favorable. Les mécanismes physiopathologiques des troubles du métabolisme musculaire induits par l'hypothyroïdie, les divers aspects cliniques ainsi que les éléments d'anatomopathologie y sont décrits. Une étiologie précise à cette symptomatologie doit être posée car certaines de ces pathologies sont bénignes et répondent très bien au traitement tandis que d'autres ont un pronostic plus réserve (cancer...).

and 103 days (po0.01) in cancer and non-cancer patients, respectively. Conclusions: Post-procedural nephrostomy tube related complications are more common in patients with underlying cancer. Tube obstruction necessitating tube changes occurred more frequently and at a short interval in these patients compared to those without cancer. In these patients, routine 3 month change may not be sufficient and routine change at 6-7 weeks interval is recommended.