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Critical Reviews in Toxicology Sep 2023Malathion and diazinon are pesticides commonly used in agriculture to avoid insects that damage crops; however, they may cause impairment to the male genital system of... (Review)
Review
Malathion and diazinon are pesticides commonly used in agriculture to avoid insects that damage crops; however, they may cause impairment to the male genital system of exposed humans. The present work carried out a systematic review of the literature concerning the primary studies that assessed the reproductive effects resulting from male rats and mice exposed to malathion or diazinon. The search for articles was performed on the databases PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and SciELO, using different combinations of the search terms "malathion," "diazinon," "mice," "rats," "male reproduction," "fertility," and "sperm," followed by the Boolean operators AND or OR. The results obtained indicate that both pesticides act as reproductive toxicants by reducing sperm quality, diminishing hormonal concentrations, inducing increased oxidative stress, and provoking histopathological damage in reproductive organs. Then, the exposure to malathion and diazinon may provoke diminished levels of testosterone by increasing acetylcholine stimulation in the testis through muscarinic receptors, thus, providing a reduction in steroidogenic activity in Leydig cells, whose effect is related to lower levels of testosterone in rodents, and consequently, it is associated with decreased fertility. Considering the toxic effects on the male genital system of rodents and the possible male reproductive toxicity in humans, it is recommended the decreased use of these pesticides and their replacement for others that show no or few toxic effects for non-target animals.
Topics: Humans; Male; Rats; Animals; Mice; Malathion; Diazinon; Insecticides; Rodentia; Semen; Pesticides; Reproduction; Testosterone
PubMed: 37922518
DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2270494 -
Neurourology and Urodynamics Jan 2022Biological rationale suggests that parasympathomimetics (cholinergic receptor stimulating agents) could be beneficial for patients with underactive bladder. However, no... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIMS
Biological rationale suggests that parasympathomimetics (cholinergic receptor stimulating agents) could be beneficial for patients with underactive bladder. However, no systematic review with meta-analysis addressing potential benefits or adverse effects exists. The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness, both benefits and harms, of using parasympathomimetics for the treatment of underactive bladder.
METHODS
The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, and searches undertaken in PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL, including randomized and non-randomized controlled trials of patients with underactive bladder, comparing parasympathomimetic to placebo, no treatment, or other pharmaceuticals. Risk ratios, odds ratios, and mean differences were calculated.
RESULTS
Twelve trials with 3024 participants were included. There was a significant difference between parasympathomimetics and comparators (favoring parasympathomimetics) in the number of patients with urinary retention (risk ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-0.98, p = 0.04, low quality of evidence). There was no difference in mean postvoid volume overall (MD -41.4 ml, 95% CI -92.0 to 9.1, p = 0.11, low quality of evidence). There was a significant difference at up to 1 week post-intervention, favoring parasympathomimetics (MD -77.5 ml, 95% CI -90.9 to -64.1, p < 0.001, low quality of evidence), but no difference at 1 month post-intervention. There was no difference in adverse events (odds ratio 1.19, 95% CI 0.62-2.28, p = 0.6, moderate quality of evidence).
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence supporting the use of parasympathomimetics is of low quality, with relatively short follow-up durations. Overall, it is not possible to draw clear evidence-based conclusions from the current literature, presenting the use of parasympathomimetics for treating underactive bladder as a key area that requires future well-controlled clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Parasympathomimetics; Urinary Bladder, Underactive; Urinary Retention
PubMed: 34816481
DOI: 10.1002/nau.24839 -
Neuropsychopharmacology : Official... Mar 2022Ondansetron is a selective serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonist that is under evaluation as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia, and a novel treatment for...
Ondansetron is a selective serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonist that is under evaluation as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia, and a novel treatment for hallucinations in Parkinson's disease. Ondansetron reverses sensory gating deficits and improves visuoperceptual processing in animal models of psychosis, but it is unclear to what extent preclinical findings have been replicated in humans. We systematically reviewed human studies that evaluated the effects of ondansetron and other 5HT3 receptor antagonists on sensory gating deficits or sensory processing. Of 11 eligible studies, eight included patients with schizophrenia who were chronically stable on antipsychotic medication; five measured sensory gating using the P50 suppression response to a repeated auditory stimulus; others included tests of visuoperceptual function. Three studies in healthy participants included tests of visuoperceptual and sensorimotor function. A consistent and robust finding (five studies) was that ondansetron and tropisetron (5HT3 antagonist and α7-nicotinic receptor partial agonist) improved sensory gating in patients with schizophrenia. Tropisetron also improved sustained visual attention in non-smoking patients. There was inconsistent evidence of the effects of 5HT3 antagonists on other measures of sensory processing, but interpretation was limited by the small number of studies, methodological heterogeneity and the potential confounding effects of concomitant medication in patients. Despite these limitations, we found strong evidence that selective 5HT3 antagonists (with or without direct α7-nicotinic partial agonist effects) improved sensory gating. Future studies should investigate how this relates to potential improvement in neurocognitive symptoms in antipsychotic naive patients with prodromal or milder symptoms, in order to understand the clinical implications.
Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Humans; Perception; Schizophrenia; Sensory Gating; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
PubMed: 35017671
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01255-4 -
Advances in Clinical and Experimental... Mar 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects millions of people worldwide. The most commonly used drugs are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, i.e., donepezil, galantamine and...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects millions of people worldwide. The most commonly used drugs are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, i.e., donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine, which increase levels of acetylcholine. However, the exact efficacy and safety of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of AD is still unclear. The main objective of the current study was to determine the exact safety and efficacy profile of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of AD by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We conducted a web-based literature search of PubMed and clinical trial websites using relevant keywords. Data were extracted from eligible records and pooled as mean difference (MD) or risk ratio (RR) values with their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using Review Manager software (v. 5.3 for Windows). Heterogeneity was calculated using χ2 and I2 tests. The standard mean difference (SMD) was -0.33 [-0.52, -0.13] for donepezil, -0.48 [-0.58, -0.38] for galantamine and -0.65 [-1.06, -0.23] for rivastigmine, indicating a significant effect of these drugs on cognitive outcomes. Here we show the significant effects of all available acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on cognitive function in patients with AD. However, further studies are needed to draw valid conclusions about the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on functional outcomes and adverse events.
PubMed: 38439609
DOI: 10.17219/acem/176051 -
Scandinavian Journal of Pain Oct 2021The pathogeneses of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and cervicogenic headache (CEH) are not well established. Peripheral activation or sensitization of myofascial... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
The pathogeneses of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and cervicogenic headache (CEH) are not well established. Peripheral activation or sensitization of myofascial nociceptors is suggested as a potential mechanism and injections of botulinum toxin (BONTA) have thus been used in the treatment for both headache conditions. BONTA inhibits the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and inhibits contraction of skeletal muscles. If the pain is precipitated by increased tone in cervical muscles, local injections of BONTA could represent a prophylactic measure. However, the treatment is still controversial, and a thorough assessment of the current evidence is required. This review aims to assess the evidence of BONTA injection as a prophylactic treatment for CTTH and CEH by reviewing and examining the quality of placebo-controlled, randomized trials.
METHODS
Data sources: we searched in the following databases: PubMed (including Medline), Embase, Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials, Cinahl, Amed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar including other repository sources. Both MeSH and free keywords were used in conducting the systematic search in the databases. The search covered publications from the root of the databases to November 2020.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The review included RCTs, comparing single treatment of BONTA with placebo on patients with CTTH or CEH above 18 years of age, by measuring pain severity/relief or headache frequency.
DATA EXTRACTION
The following data were extracted: year of publication, country, setting, trial design, number of participants, injection procedure, BONTA dosages, and clinical outcome measures.
STUDY APPRAISAL
To assess validity and quality, and risk of bias, the Oxford Pain Validity Scale, Modified Jadad Scale, last version of Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias (RoB 2), and the CONSORT 2010 Checklist were used. The trials were assessed, and quality scored independently by two of the reviewers. A quantitative synthesis and meta-analyses of headache frequency and intensity were performed.
RESULTS
We extracted 16 trials, 12 on prophylactic BONTA treatment for CTTH and four on CEH. Of these 12 trials (8 on CTTH and 4 on CEH) were included in the quantitative synthesis. A majority of the trials found no significant difference on the primary outcome measure when BONTA treatment was compared with placebo. Three "positive" trials, reporting significant difference in favor of BONTA treatment, but two of these were hampered by low validity and quality scores and high risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
There is no clear clinical evidence supporting prophylactic treatment with BONTA for CTTH or CEH.
Topics: Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Headache; Headache Disorders; Humans; Post-Traumatic Headache; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tension-Type Headache
PubMed: 34090319
DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2021-0038 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021Schizophrenia is a severe and enduring disease and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Cognitive impairment is a core clinical symptom that plays a...
Cognitive Enhancers in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists for Cognitive Deficits and Negative Symptoms.
Schizophrenia is a severe and enduring disease and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Cognitive impairment is a core clinical symptom that plays a crucial role in functional outcomes and prognosis, thus making it a relevant treatment target. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists (α7 nAChR) as adjunctive treatment to enhance cognition and ameliorate negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. A search strategy was developed for MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to May 2019. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared antipsychotic treatment plus α7 nAChR agonists with antipsychotic treatment plus placebo and determined their effects on the main cognitive domains proposed by the MATRICS initiative and on negative symptoms. Two authors independently reviewed study eligibility and data extraction and assessed the risk of bias of the studies included. According to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework, we used a random-effects model and assessed the quality of the evidence. Thirteen studies were included in the quantitative analysis. No differences were found in any of the cognitive domains assessed in four RCTs ( = 414). In contrast, nine RCTs ( = 978) presented a small effect in support of α7 nAChR agonists for negative symptoms [standardized mean difference -0.28, 95% CI (-0.56 to -0.00); = 0.05], even though the confidence to support this evidence is low according to the GRADE system. Current evidence is too weak to consider α7 nAChR agonists as an effective add-on treatment to antipsychotics to enhance cognition and negative symptoms.
PubMed: 33889097
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.631589 -
Pharmacological Research Apr 2023The use of alcohol causes significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the excessive use of this drug despite a...
The use of alcohol causes significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the excessive use of this drug despite a negative impact on the individual's life. While there are currently medications available to treat AUD, they have limited efficacy and several side effects. As such, it is essential to continue to look for novel therapeutics. One target for novel therapeutics is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here we systematically review the literature on the involvement of nAChRs in alcohol consumption. Data from both genetic and pharmacology studies provide evidence that nAChRs modulate alcohol intake. Interestingly, pharmacological modulation of all nAChR subtypes examined can decrease alcohol consumption. The reviewed literature demonstrates that nAChRs should continue to be investigated as novel therapeutics for AUD.
Topics: Humans; Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholism; Ethanol; Nicotinic Agonists; Nicotinic Antagonists; Receptors, Nicotinic
PubMed: 36813094
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106705 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2021Long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMAs) are the cornerstone for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); furthermore, tiotropium is... (Review)
Review
Long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMAs) are the cornerstone for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); furthermore, tiotropium is approved as add-on therapy in severe asthmatic patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that LAMAs may modulate airway contractility and airway hyperresponsiveness not only by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchRs) expressed on airway smooth muscle but also via anti-inflammatory mechanisms by blocking mAchRs expressed on inflammatory cells, submucosal glands, and epithelial cells. The aim of this systematic review, performed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines, was to provide a synthesis of the literature on the anti-inflammatory impact of muscarinic receptor antagonists in the airways. Most of the current evidence originates from studies on tiotropium, that demonstrated a reduction in synthesis and release of cytokines and chemokines, as well as the number of total and differential inflammatory cells, induced by different pro-inflammatory stimuli. Conversely, few data are currently available for aclidinium and glycopyrronium, whereas no studies on the potential anti-inflammatory effect of umeclidinium have been reported. Overall, a large body of evidence supports the beneficial impact of tiotropium against airway inflammation. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to better elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms leading to the protective effect of LAMAs against exacerbations via identifying suitable biomarkers.
Topics: Bronchodilator Agents; Humans; Inflammation; Muscarinic Antagonists; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Receptors, Muscarinic; Tiotropium Bromide
PubMed: 33603353
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S285867 -
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica Aug 2021By the association of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, nicotine in the therapeutic window lowers neuronal damage and raises protective factors. These... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
By the association of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, nicotine in the therapeutic window lowers neuronal damage and raises protective factors. These data, however, are contradicted by other findings. Here, we assessed the effects of transdermal nicotine administration on cognitive functions in healthy non-smoker adults by systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
METHODS
We included reports of clinical trials comparing the effects of nicotine patches with placebo in healthy non-smoking adults. The main outcome was the impact of nicotine patches on overall cognitive function with a focus on attention and memory. Standard meta-analytic and statistical methods measured the effect of transdermal nicotine compared with placebo patches.
RESULTS
We included 31 publications involving 978 subjects. Nicotine patches boosted cognitive function in healthy adults (0.233 SMD, 95%CI, 0.111-0.355, p < .001). Overall heterogeneity of the studies was found to be modest (ϰ = 68.24, T = 0.07, I = 50.17%, p < .001). Also, nicotine patches improved attention (0.231 SMD, 95%CI, 0.106-0.356, p < .001). We found the inter-study heterogeneity to be low (ϰ = 40.95, T = 0.03, I = 34.07%, p = .042). Further, the enhancement of memory by transdermal nicotine did not reach statistical significance in normal subjects (0.270 SMD, 95% CI, -0.293-0.833, p = .347). Also, high inter-study heterogeneity was found among studies (ϰ = 27.25, T = 0.43, I = 77.98%, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
The meta-analysis showed that transdermal nicotine had statistically significant positive effects on attention, and non-significant effects on memory, in healthy non-smoking adults. The results encourage further studies of the therapeutic potential of nicotine patches in disorders of cognition.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; Brain; Cognition; Humans; Male; Nicotine; Smoking Cessation; Young Adult
PubMed: 33899218
DOI: 10.1111/ane.13436 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Jun 2022Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinically manifest airway mucus hypersecretion as sputum expectoration and cough. Evidence... (Review)
Review
Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinically manifest airway mucus hypersecretion as sputum expectoration and cough. Evidence accumulated in the past decade has shown that the cholinergic system not only regulates airway smooth muscle contraction but also the activity of inflammatory and airway epithelial cells, including goblet cells, and submucosal gland activity. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) with the most favourable M/M muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors residency properties are not only excellent bronchodilators but potentially also mucus-modifying agents, able to positively impact on mucus hypersecretion and cough. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the impact of LAMAs on mucus hypersecretion and cough in COPD patients. The evidence confirmed that LAMAs, mainly tiotropium and aclidinium, improved sputum production and cough in moderate to severe COPD. Thus, LAMAs not only antagonise the ACh-induced bronchoconstriction of the airways but also appear to limit the production of mucus secreted in response to ACh by airway goblet cells and/or submucosal glands. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of LAMAs exclusively on sputum symptoms and cough as primary end-points and to investigate whether LAMAs have a modulatory action on the rheological properties of mucus.
Topics: Cough; Humans; Mucus; Muscarinic Antagonists; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Tiotropium Bromide
PubMed: 35508331
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0196-2021