Simvastatin treatment reduces heat shock protein 60, 65, and 70 antibody titers in dyslipidemic patients: A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,cross-over trial

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of statin therapy on serum levels of antibodies to several specific heat shock proteins (HSPs) in dyslipidemic patients.Design and methodsParticipants (n = 102) were treated with simvastatin (40 mg/day), or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Anti-HSP60, 65, 70, and hs-CRP levels were measured before and after each treatment period. Seventy-seven subjects completed the study.ResultsTreatment with simvastatin was associated with significant reductions in serum anti-HSP60, 65, and 70 titers in the dyslipidemic patients (10%, 14%, and 15% decrease, respectively) (p < 0.001). There have been previous reports of reductions in serum CRP with statin treatment, and although median CRP levels were 9% lower on simvastatin treatment, this did not achieve statistical significance.ConclusionWhile it is unclear whether HSP antibodies are directly involved in atherogenesis, our findings suggest that simvastatin inhibits autoimmune responses that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.     

The relationship between the internal jugular vein and common carotid artery in the carotid sheath: the effects of age, gender and side

The internal jugular vein is often used for central venous catheter placement. The variations in the location of this vein along the major neck vessels (in the carotid sheath) may account for unsuccessful cannulations or iatrogenic arterial injuries. The aim of this study was to delineate the relation of the internal jugular vein and common carotid artery in the lower neck, and to assess the effects of age, gender and side on these anatomical structures. Two-dimensional ultrasonographic examinations of the right and left supraclavicular triangle were performed in 219 adult individuals who had no history of neck surgery or known pathology. The location of the internal jugular vein in relation to the common carotid artery was recorded. An anterolateral location of the internal jugular vein was the most common configuration observed on both sides (84% right side and 91.8% left side) followed by the lateral (14.2% right and 6.4% left) and anterior (1.4% right and 1.8% left) locations. A single case of a medial internal jugular vein was observed on the right side (0.23% of both sides). Subjects with a laterally located internal jugular vein were older than those with an anterolateral configuration (P<0.01). No gender differences were found with regard to these two configurations (P=0.867). The laterally located internal jugular vein was more frequent on right sides (P=0.007). Such information may be potentially useful for clinicians who are managing critically ill patients or patients undergoing hemodialysis.     

Essential Oil from Citrus aurantifolia prevents ketotifen‐induced weight‐gain in mice

Obesity is a major health problem world‐wide. Medical intervention is often needed to tackle this problem, and accordingly the need for developing more effective, safer and cheaper weight reducing drugs has become paramount in recent years. In the present study, the effects of lime (Citrus aurantifolia) essential oils in reducing body weight, individually and in co‐administration with ketotifen, an antihistaminic drug that causes weight‐gain, has been investigated using a mouse model. During the 45 days experimental period, the mice that received ketotifen demonstrated an enhancement both in the amount of food intake and body weight compared with the control group. Groups treated with lime essential oil displayed a reduction in body weight and food consumption in mice, possibly through promoting anorexia which might have played a role in weight loss. Interestingly, co‐administration of the lime essential oil and ketotifen caused significant suppression in gaining weight, as well as decreased body weights of mice. The data obtained in this study suggested that lime essential oil plays an important role in weight loss and could be useful in the treatment of drug‐induced obesity and related diseases. The GC‐MS analysis of the essential oils of C. aurantifolia was also performed and approximately 22 main components, with limonene (28.27%) being the principal one, were identified and quantified. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mehdi-ODM; a modified digital monitoring of the occlusion therapy for amblyopia

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology -     

Pentoxifylline for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in diabetic patients undergoing angioplasty: a randomized controlled trial

International Urology and Nephrology - Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the most important complications of contrast media. We aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of pentoxifylline...     

Post‐COVID‐19 fatal Aspergillus endocarditis: A case report

Background Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) is a rare fatal infection. The infection is often reported in patients with prosthetic heart valves, immunosuppressed, broad‐spectrum antimicrobial use regimens, and drug abusers.MethodsHerein, we report a rare case of native mitral valve AE in a 63‐year‐old man, with a probable COVID‐19‐associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis nine months ago treated with antifungals.ResultsIn the last admission, the lethargy, neurological deficit, and septic‐embolic brain abscess in brain MRI led to suspicion of infective endocarditis. Transesophageal two‐dimensional echocardiography and color Doppler flow velocity mapping showed a large highly mobile mass destroying leaflet and severe mitral regurgitation. The Surgical valve replacement is performed. The surgical valve replacement is performed. Direct microscopic examination and culture of the explanted and vegetative mass revealed Aspergillus section Fumiagati confirmed by molecular method. Despite the administration of voriconazole and transient improvement the patient expired.ConclusionAs AE is a late consequence of COVID‐19‐associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, therefore, long‐term follow‐up of invasive aspergillosis, and prompt diagnosis of surgical and systemic antifungal therapy treatment, are warranted to provide robust management.     

Prophylactic Effect of BIO-1211 Small-Molecule Antagonist of VLA-4 in the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Background and Purpose: Some functional limitations and economic burden of therapeutic antibodies indicated that introducing of alternative therapeutic compounds with same or different mechanism of action could be worthwhile. In this regard small-molecule antagonists can have a wide range of impacts, so in this research, we examine the prophylactic effects of BIO-1211 [Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA4) blocker], in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis in comparison with commercial available medicine, Natalizumab (NTZ)].

Methods: EAE was induced by subcutaneous immunization of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35-55) in 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice. During EAE induction, mice were separated to distinct groups and provided either BIO-1211 (5 and 10?mg/kg) or NTZ (5?mg/kg) and co-administration of these two compounds. After 21 days, neuro-inflammatory responses were analyzed using qRT-PCR, western blot, and ELISA methods. Pervade of immune cells to brain was examined by Evans blue staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of specific markers of microglia/monocytes (CD11b) and leukocytes (CD45).

Results: Targeted disruption of VLA4/VCAM1 interactions, by BIO-1211 agonist in mice, results in reduced cytokines expression, leukocyte trafficking, and inhibition of inflammatory responses in EAE (p?<?0.01) in a dose-independent manner (data not shown). Mice treated with both BIO-1211 and NTZ exhibited a considerable depletion in the EAE clinical score, which correlated with decreased expression of TNF-α, IL-17, IFN-γ and pervade of CD11b⁺ and CD45⁺ cells into the cerebral cortex.

Conclusion: Our results indicated that BIO12-11 compound would be an useful tool to further understand the biological roles of VLA4/VCAM1 interactions, and could also be considered as EAE-suppressing agent.     

Spotlight on 17‐AAG as an Hsp90 inhibitor for molecular targeted cancer treatment

Hsp90 is a ubiquitous chaperone with important roles in the organization and maturation of client proteins that are involved in the progression and survival of cancer cells. Multiple oncogenic pathways can be affected by inhibition of Hsp90 function through degradation of its client proteins. That makes Hsp90 a therapeutic target for cancer treatment. 17‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxy‐geldanamycin (17‐AAG) is a potent Hsp90 inhibitor that binds to Hsp90 and inhibits its chaperoning function, which results in the degradation of Hsp90's client proteins. There have been several preclinical studies of 17‐AAG as a single agent or in combination with other anticancer agents for a wide range of human cancers. Data from various phases of clinical trials show that 17‐AAG can be given safely at biologically active dosages with mild toxicity. Even though 17‐AAG has suitable pharmacological potency, its low water solubility and high hepatotoxicity could significantly restrict its clinical use. Nanomaterials‐based drug delivery carriers may overcome these drawbacks. In this paper, we review preclinical and clinical research on 17‐AAG as a single agent and in combination with other anticancer agents. In addition, we highlight the potential of using nanocarriers and nanocombination therapy to improve therapeutic effects of 17‐AAG.     

Pain-relieving effects of Lawsonia inermis on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury

The aim of this study was to determine the role of Lawsonia inermis (L. inermis) extract in the chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain. Following CCI surgery, L. inermis extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) and gabapentin (100 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days. Heat hyperalgesia and allodynia were assessed by radiant heat, aceton drop, and von frey filament tests, respectively. Rat pain behaviors were evaluated on -1sh, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th days post CCI surgery. At the end of the study, the spinal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol, IL1-β, and TNF-α were estimated. Treatment of L. inermis extract reversed the decreased level of thiol and the elevation of MDA level in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Besides, L. inermis extract treatment decreased the elevation of inflammatory markers including IL1-β, and TNF-α in the spinal cord of CCI rats. These results indicated that L. inermis has potential neuroprotective effects against CCI induced neuropathic pain due to its anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.