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Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2021To investigate the effect of doxazosin on autophagy and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo and in vitro and determine the underlying mechanism.
PURPOSE
To investigate the effect of doxazosin on autophagy and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo and in vitro and determine the underlying mechanism.
METHODS
In vivo, a mouse liver fibrosis model was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl). Doxazosin was administered at doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/(kg*day) by gavage. After 20 weeks, blood and liver tissues were collected for serological and histological analysis, respectively. Blood analysis, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to measure the extent of liver fibrosis in model and control mice. In vitro, the human HSC cell line LX-2 was cultured and treated with different doses of doxazosin for the indicated times. The effects of doxazosin on LX-2 cell proliferation and migration were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays, respectively. The number of autophagosomes in LX-2 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Infection with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3B adenovirus, GFP-red fluorescent protein (RFP)-LC3B adenovirus and mCherry-EGFP-LC3 adeno-associated virus was performed to examine changes in autophagic flux in vitro and in vivo. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry in vitro and by TUNEL assays both in vitro and in vivo. Immunoblotting was performed to evaluate the expression levels of proteins related to fibrosis, autophagy, apoptosis, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).
RESULTS
Doxazosin inhibited HSC proliferation and migration. HSC activation was attenuated by doxazosin in a concentration-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. Doxazosin also blocked autophagic flux and induced apoptosis in HSCs. In addition, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was activated by doxazosin and regulated fibrosis, autophagy and apoptosis in HSCs.
CONCLUSION
The study confirmed that doxazosin could inhibit autophagy by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and attenuate liver fibrosis.
Topics: Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; Animals; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Carbon Tetrachloride; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxazosin; Hepatic Stellate Cells; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
PubMed: 34456560
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S317701 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Jul 2020Pretreatment with α-adrenergic receptor blockers is recommended to prevent hemodynamic instability during resection of a pheochromocytoma or sympathetic paraganglioma... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
CONTEXT
Pretreatment with α-adrenergic receptor blockers is recommended to prevent hemodynamic instability during resection of a pheochromocytoma or sympathetic paraganglioma (PPGL).
OBJECTIVE
To determine which type of α-adrenergic receptor blocker provides the best efficacy.
DESIGN
Randomized controlled open-label trial (PRESCRIPT; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01379898).
SETTING
Multicenter study including 9 centers in The Netherlands.
PATIENTS
134 patients with nonmetastatic PPGL.
INTERVENTION
Phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin starting 2 to 3 weeks before surgery using a blood pressure targeted titration schedule. Intraoperative hemodynamic management was standardized.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Primary efficacy endpoint was the cumulative intraoperative time outside the blood pressure target range (ie, SBP >160 mmHg or MAP <60 mmHg) expressed as a percentage of total surgical procedure time. Secondary efficacy endpoint was the value on a hemodynamic instability score.
RESULTS
Median cumulative time outside blood pressure targets was 11.1% (interquartile range [IQR]: 4.3-20.6] in the phenoxybenzamine group compared to 12.2% (5.3-20.2)] in the doxazosin group (P = .75, r = 0.03). The hemodynamic instability score was 38.0 (28.8-58.0) and 50.0 (35.3-63.8) in the phenoxybenzamine and doxazosin group, respectively (P = .02, r = 0.20). The 30-day cardiovascular complication rate was 8.8% and 6.9% in the phenoxybenzamine and doxazosin group, respectively (P = .68). There was no mortality after 30 days.
CONCLUSIONS
The duration of blood pressure outside the target range during resection of a PPGL was not different after preoperative treatment with either phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin. Phenoxybenzamine was more effective in preventing intraoperative hemodynamic instability, but it could not be established whether this was associated with a better clinical outcome.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Blood Pressure; Doxazosin; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phenoxybenzamine; Pheochromocytoma; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31714582
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz188 -
International Braz J Urol : Official... 2021To describe the otorhinolaryngological adverse effects of the main drugs used in urological practice. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To describe the otorhinolaryngological adverse effects of the main drugs used in urological practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A review of the scientific literature was performed using a combination of specific descriptors (side effect, adverse effect, scopolamine, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, oxybutynin, tolterodine, spironolactone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, doxazosin, alfuzosin, terazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin, desmopressin) contained in publications until April 2020. Manuscripts written in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were manually selected from the title and abstract. The main drugs used in Urology were divided into five groups to describe their possible adverse effects: alpha-blockers, anticholinergics, diuretics, hormones, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
RESULTS
The main drugs used in Urology may cause several otorhinolaryngological adverse effects. Dizziness was most common, but dry mouth, rhinitis, nasal congestion, epistaxis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and rhinorrhea were also reported and varies among drug classes.
CONCLUSIONS
Most of the drugs used in urological practice have otorhinolaryngological adverse effects. Dizziness was most common, but dry mouth, rhinitis, nasal congestion, epistaxis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and rhinorrhea were also reported. Therefore, doctors must be aware of these adverse effects to improve adherence to the treatment and to minimize damage to the health of patients.
Topics: Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Doxazosin; Humans; Male; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Prazosin; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Tadalafil; Tamsulosin
PubMed: 33566468
DOI: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2021.99.06 -
Drugs in Context 2022Prazosin, a centrally acting α1 adrenoceptor antagonist, has been included in two published algorithms amongst the list of medications that may be used in the... (Review)
Review
Prazosin, a centrally acting α1 adrenoceptor antagonist, has been included in two published algorithms amongst the list of medications that may be used in the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). However, a review of PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane Collaboration found that there was only one small published randomized controlled trial (RCT) that evaluated the use of prazosin amongst individuals with BPSD. Evidence from this good quality RCT indicates that prazosin appears to benefit individuals with agitation and aggression amongst individuals with BPSD and this medication is well tolerated. When compared to other treatments for BPSD, including atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy, where there are multiple studies for each of these treatment modalities, the data for the use of prazosin for BPSD are limited to just one good quality RCT. Given the limitations in available data, the routine use of prazosin for the treatment of BPSD cannot be recommended at this time. However, prazosin may be used for the management of agitation and aggression amongst individuals with dementia when other medication classes, like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antidepressants and/or atypical antipsychotics, have been ineffective or not tolerated.
PubMed: 35864999
DOI: 10.7573/dic.2022-3-3 -
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) Feb 2023Ductus arteriosus is a muscular artery in fetal circulation, spanning from the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk to the aortic arch, shunting blood directly from...
Ductus arteriosus is a muscular artery in fetal circulation, spanning from the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk to the aortic arch, shunting blood directly from pulmonary circulation into systemic circulation thus by-passing the fluid-filled lungs. Postnatally, it changes name to the ligamentum arteriosum (LA), when a cascade of anatomical and physiological processes leads to its closure. Though the LA has generally been considered as a fibrosed remnant of the ductus arteriosus, anecdotal and contradictory reports still describe the LA as a small muscular artery. We hypothesized the likelihood of contractile muscular elements retainment in this so-called ligament. To investigate this, mediastinum of wild-type mouse, pig, and human LA were subjected to routine and special histological staining, single-immunolabeling, electron microscopy (mouse and pig only), and tension recording of explanted pig LA in organ bath experiments. Contrary to a canonical ligament, the LA was mainly made up of α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells in all three species, confirmed by routine and special histological staining as well as transmission electron microscopy. Myocytes within the LA contracted in response to exogenous noradrenalin (NA). NA-induced precontracted LA relaxed upon administration of the α1-adrenergic blockers (prazosin and tamsulosin). Though the LA does not function in its original capacity as fetal shunt, it is clearly not a passive structure, and may be described as muscular and contractile. The contractile abilities of LA myocytes may act on the two great vessels to which it is attached causing a change in their distensibility.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Swine; Aorta, Thoracic; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Ductus Arteriosus; Pulmonary Artery; Ligaments
PubMed: 36054486
DOI: 10.1002/ar.25058 -
Journal of Experimental & Clinical... Nov 2023Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by aggressive growth and a high propensity for recurrence and metastasis. Simultaneous overexpression of c-MET and...
BACKGROUND
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by aggressive growth and a high propensity for recurrence and metastasis. Simultaneous overexpression of c-MET and EGFR in TNBC is associated with worse clinicopathological features and unfavorable outcomes. Although the development of new c-MET inhibitors and the emergence of 3-generation EGFR inhibitors represent promising treatment options, the high costs involved limit the accessibility of these drugs. In the present study, we sought to investigate the therapeutic potential of doxazosin (DOXA), a generic drug for benign prostate hyperplasia, in targeting TNBC.
METHODS
The effect of DOXA on TNBC cell lines in vitro was evaluated in terms of cell viability, apoptosis, c-MET/EGFR signaling pathway, molecular docking studies and impact on cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties. An in vivo metastatic model with CSCs was used to evaluate the efficacy of DOXA.
RESULTS
DOXA exhibits notable anti-proliferative effects on TNBC cells by inducing apoptosis via caspase activation. Molecular docking studies revealed the direct interaction of DOXA with the tyrosine kinase domains of c-MET and EGFR. Consequently, DOXA disrupts important survival pathways including AKT, MEK/ERK, and JAK/STAT3, while suppressing CSC-like characteristics including CD44/CD24 subpopulations, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity and formation of mammospheres. DOXA administration was found to suppress tumor growth, intra- and peri-tumoral angiogenesis and distant metastasis in an orthotopic allograft model with CSC-enriched populations. Furthermore, no toxic effects of DOXA were observed in hepatic or renal function.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings highlight the potential of DOXA as a therapeutic option for metastatic TNBC, warranting further investigation.
Topics: Humans; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Doxazosin; ErbB Receptors; Molecular Docking Simulation; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 37924112
DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02866-z -
International Journal of Analytical... 2018Hypertension or high blood pressure is a harbinger of cardiovascular diseases. There are several classes of drugs used to treat hypertension. This review discusses the... (Review)
Review
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a harbinger of cardiovascular diseases. There are several classes of drugs used to treat hypertension. This review discusses the use of dried blood spots (DBSs) for the quantification by mass spectrometry (MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), or, in some cases, by fluorescence detection methods the following antihypertensive medications: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ramipril, ramiprilat, captopril, and lisinopril); angiotensin II receptor antagonists (valsartan, irbesartan, losartan, and losartan carboxylic acid); calcium channel blockers (verapamil, amlodipine, nifedipine, pregabalin, and diltiazem); blockers (guanfacine, doxazosin, and prazosin); blockers (propranolol, bisoprolol, atenolol, and metoprolol); endothelin receptor antagonists (bosentan and ambrisentan); and statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin).
PubMed: 30154849
DOI: 10.1155/2018/3235072 -
BJPsych Open Nov 2016This article discusses the study of Harpaz-Rotem and associates, who examined patterns of medication use in first-diagnosed veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder...
SUMMARY
This article discusses the study of Harpaz-Rotem and associates, who examined patterns of medication use in first-diagnosed veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It considers the difference between practice guidelines and actual prescribing; selectively identifies issues with antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and prazosin; and reviews the possible impact of new medications in the pipeline.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
In the past 36 months, J.D. has received compensation for consulting with Edgemont, Turing and Tonix Pharmaceuticals; royalties in connection with publications by Springer, Guilford and McFarland Publishers and use of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Davidson Trauma Scale, Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and Mini-SPIN; service on the INTRuST Data Safety and Monitoring Board, University of California, San Diego.
COPYRIGHT AND USAGE
© The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license.
PubMed: 29018563
DOI: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.116.003707 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology... Aug 2022Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is a rare cause of secondary hypertension with lethal consequences to both mother and fetus. As patients are young, the possibility of...
INTRODUCTION
Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is a rare cause of secondary hypertension with lethal consequences to both mother and fetus. As patients are young, the possibility of syndromic associations like MEN-2, VHL, NF-1, etc., needs to be considered.
METHODOLOGY
Three primigravida were diagnosed before the 20th week of gestation when they presented with classical triad of pheochromocytoma.
RESULTS
Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by 24 h urinary metanephrine/normetanephrine or epinephrine/norepinephrine levels. Non-contrast MRI abdomen could localize the tumor. One patient had medullary thyroid carcinoma with hyperparathyroidism, indicative of MEN-2A. Another patient had brain stem hemangioblastoma, pancreatic cysts and family history of spinal hemangioblastoma, so diagnosed to have Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Whereas, the third patient had sporadic pheochromocytoma. Preoperatively, they required antihypertensive medications including prazosin and metoprolol. They underwent laparoscopic/open adrenalectomy between 19th and 21st week of gestation without complication. Histopathology in all the three patients revealed low-grade pheochromocytoma by pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland scaled score. None required antihypertensive medications after surgery. All the three newborns were small for gestational age, while one neonate expired due to intra-cardiac rhabdomyoma. So, the timely evaluation and surgical intervention for pheochromocytoma avoid lethal consequences.
CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy leads to unmasking of pheochromocytoma as it is physiological stress. The syndromic association is more frequent as the population is younger. A poor fetal outcome like IUGR can be explained by endovascular changes in uterine vessel or due to the associated manifestations of MEN-2A, VHL syndromes. Family members should be screened for associated syndromic feature.
PubMed: 35928058
DOI: 10.1007/s13224-021-01532-8