Showing papers by "Tai C. Chen published in 2001"
TL;DR: Findings support the notion that vitamin D might have a role in cell growth regulation and cancer protection, and might be the explanation for why the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is highest in areas with the least amount of sunlight.
249 citations
TL;DR: A patient with hypercalcemia associated with the ingestion of an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement is described, which is lifesaving at physiologic levels and dangerous at megavitamin levels.
Abstract: To the Editor: As a group, fat-soluble vitamins are lifesaving at physiologic levels and dangerous at megavitamin levels.1 For many people the word “vitamin” implies something that is beneficial and essential, not potentially poisonous.2 More than one third of people in the United States regularly use dietary supplements.3 We describe a patient with hypercalcemia associated with the ingestion of an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement. A 42-year-old man was hospitalized with symptoms of hypercalcemia of a few weeks' duration. For the past two years, he had been taking a supplement that contained vitamin D3. On admission his serum levels . . .
190 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that VDR and HR, which are both zinc finger proteins, may be in the same genetic pathway that controls postnatal cycling of the hair follicle.
133 citations
TL;DR: A 57-year-old woman with a long history of Crohn's disease and short-bowel syndrome who had only 2 feet of small intestine remaining after 3 bowel resections is reported, who was taking a daily multivitamin and dependent on total parenteral nutrition that contained 200 IU of vitamin D and calcium for a period of 36 months.
96 citations
TL;DR: Women with SLE can manifest a metabolic response to I3C and might benefit from its antiestrogenic effects, and did not observe any striking effects on SLE disease activity during the 3-month observational period.
Abstract: Estrogen metabolism in women with SLE is weighted towards 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, an estrogenic compound that might fuel disease activity. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a nutritional compound that can shift estrogen metabolism towards less estrogenic metabolites. However, the effects of I3C in women with SLE have not been studied. Open-label 1-week metabolic study of 375 mg/day I3C was carried out in women with SLE, followed by a 3-month observational period for disease activity. The primary outcome measure was the change in ratio of urinary 2:16alpha hydroxyestrone levels. Secondary measures included the SLE Disease Activity Index. Seventeen clinically premenopausal women fulfilling ACR criteria for probable/definite SLE (mean age 37.9 y, range 20-49 y, mean disease duration 4.3 y, range 0.5-15) completed the 1-week metabolic study; 12 took I3C for 3 months. The mean 2:16alpha hydroxyestrone ratio increased by 1.84 to 3.15 (P = 0.0001). Mean SLEDAI scores were 10.0 (baseline); 6.25 (3 months); and 8.8 (3 months after withdrawal; P = NS). Women with SLE can manifest a metabolic response to I3C and might benefit from its antiestrogenic effects. We did not observe any striking effects on SLE disease activity during the 3-month observational period.
25 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate either that 25-OH-D does not appear to play a key role or that low levels of 25-hyroxyvitamin D may be adequate in regulating serum calcium levels in this bat.
23 citations
TL;DR: A unique new approach for the topical treatment of hyperproliferative disorders such as psoriasis and skin cancer using the 1α-OHase gene that could locally increase the production of 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 without causing hypercalcemia or resistance is offered.
17 citations
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: A single-centre, prospective, pilot study to assess the effects of pentoxifylline on proteinuria in patients with idiopathic MGN was conducted in this paper.
Abstract: production of TNF-α . 3 We postulated that pentoxifylline (1200 mg/day) could reduce proteinuria in patients with MGN. We did a single-centre, prospective, pilot study to assess the effects of pentoxifylline on proteinuria in patients with idiopathic MGN. The study was done between April, 1999 and August, 2000. Ten patients were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were the following: histologically proven idiopathic MGN; persistent nephrotic syndrome despite treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors at full doses; neither steroids nor immunosuppressive treatment. Exclusion criteria were secondary MGN or hypersensitivity to pentoxifylline. Serum creatinine concentration, total serum protein, serum albumin, and urinary protein excretion (UPE) were measured 3 months and 1 month before pentoxifylline treatment, at the start of pentoxifylline treatment, and at 3 and 6 months after starting treatment. TNF-α was measured at the start of pentoxifylline treatment and 6 months later. Data at the start of treatment and at 6 months of treatment were compared using the paired Wilcoxon test. Ten patients (four men, six women) were included and followed up for 6 months. Two patients had grade 1 MGN, four grade 2 MGN, and four grade 3 MGN. Mean duration of disease was 22 (range 7–46) months. At 6 months after the start of pentoxifylline, nine patients (90%) were in remission of nephrotic syndrome. Bilateral renal vein thrombosis was diagnosed 2 months after the start of the study in the patient with persistent nephrotic syndrome. Mean UPE decreased from 11 (4·6–27) to 1·8 (0–10·9) g/day (p=0·001), whereas serum albumin concentration increased from 17 g/L (14–25) to 39 (27–46) (p=0·0004). In five patients (50%), UPE was less than 0·3 g/day at 6 months. Renal function remained stable during the study (table). Both urinary and plasma TNF-α significantly decreased during the study period (table). Pentoxifylline may reduce TNF-α at 6 months in patients with MGN. Prospective randomized studies are needed to investigate the possibility that pentoxifylline may be an adjunct or an alternative to steroids and immunosuppressants in patients with MGN.
2 citations