ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Cardioangiologica 2020 June;68(3):203-8

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4725.19.05028-X

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Hangover and fatigue: effects of Robuvit® supplementation. A pilot registry study

Shu HU ^{1, 2}, Gianni BELCARO ^{1, 2} ✉, Maria R. CESARONE ^{1, 2}, Claudia SCIPIONE ^{1, 2}, Valeria SCIPIONE ^{1, 2}, Morio HOSOI ^{1, 2}, Umberto CORNELLI ^{1, 2}, Luciano PELLEGRINI ^{1, 2}, Mark DUGALL ^{1, 2}, Beatrice FERAGALLI ^{1, 2}, Roberto COTELLESE ^{1, 2}

¹ Irvine3 Labs, Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, Chieti-Pescara University, Pescara, Italy; ² International Agency for Pharma-Standard Supplements (IA-PSS), Pescara, Italy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this open registry study was to evaluate the effects of Robuvit® in subjects with hangover after acute alcohol consumption also measuring changes in levels of oxidative stress. A group using standard management (SM) and a group using SM and Robuvit® 300 mg/day for 3 days were compared.
METHODS: Nineteen male subjects with hangover were included in the SM group and 22 in the Robuvit® + SM group.
RESULTS: The groups were comparable at baseline. No side effects were observed. Fatigue scores - as the main observable symptom in these subjects, in both groups - were significantly lower in the group using Robuvit® (P<0.05) than in the control group after 24 hours. The scores of other symptoms like weakness, thirst, headache, muscle aches and body pain were significantly lower at 24 hours (P<0.05) with the supplement than in the control group. The scores of residual gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting and stomach pain) were also significantly lower at 24 hours with Robuvit® (P<0.05). Sleep and rest were significantly better with Robuvit® (P<0.05). Sensory symptoms and cognitive functions were also significantly better with supplementation in comparison with SM only (P<0.05). Finally, scores of mood, concentration, depression, anxiety, irritability were significantly lower (P<0.05) with Robuvit® though these symptoms need a more specific and complete evaluation. Signs of sympathetic activity, tremor, sweating, increased heart rate improved significantly better with the supplement at 24 hours (P<0.05). Oxidative stress was increased at inclusion in all subjects; in the Robuvit® group, oxidative stress decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 24 hours; in controls (SM) oxidative stress showed minimal changes at 24 hours and it remained elevated above normal values (>330 CU). Most symptoms almost disappeared at 24 hours in the Robuvit® group. Significant symptoms were still observed in 11 out of 19 subjects in the SM group in comparison with four of 22 subjects using the supplementation with Robuvit® (P<0.05). Blood tests were normal in all subjects (hematocrit and kidney and liver functional test at 24 hours).
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Robuvit® supplementation appears to improve hangover and relieved symptoms faster. More studies are needed to confirm this association between acute alcohol consumption and a possible hepatic dysfunction.

KEY WORDS: Robuvit; Fatigue; Oxidative stress