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The Medical Journal of Malaysia Jan 2023Since constant long-term exposure to formaldehyde endangers the health of laboratory personnel, sugar-based natural products have become interesting alternative...
INTRODUCTION
Since constant long-term exposure to formaldehyde endangers the health of laboratory personnel, sugar-based natural products have become interesting alternative fixatives to formaldehyde because of their preservative and antibacterial properties. However, there are controversial findings on the fixative effects of natural fixatives. This study systematically reviews the evidence comparing natural fixatives' types, dilutions, fixative properties and staining quality in normal tissues and histopathological specimens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A comprehensive search was performed for studies comparing the natural fixatives- and formaldehyde-fixed tissues using databases from inception to January 2022: PubMed, Ovid Medline and Google Scholar. Two independent reviewers did data extraction. The data were pooled for the type of natural fixatives, their concentrations and fixative qualities compared to formaldehyde.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies were included in this systematic review. Nine studies used one natural fixative with different dilutions, while six used several natural fixatives to compare their fixative properties with formaldehyde. The most used natural fixative was honey (n = 12) followed by jaggery (n = 8), sugar (n = 3) and others (n = 1). Honey showed the most promising results in fixation and staining, which are compatible with formalin. Jaggery and sugar also showed the possibility of replacing formaldehyde in tissue fixation and staining in smaller tissue samples.
CONCLUSION
Natural fixatives showed promising results in tissue fixation. However, optimising the concentrations and conditions of natural fixatives is difficult because of the different chemical constituents and production steps. More comprehensive studies are necessary for application.
Topics: Humans; Fixatives; Formaldehyde; Tissue Fixation; Sugars
PubMed: 36715199
DOI: No ID Found -
Medicine Oct 2022Gunao-Yizhi decoction has the effects of supplementing intelligence, strengthening marrow, resolving phlegm, and reducing turbidity. It is clinically used for the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Gunao-Yizhi decoction has the effects of supplementing intelligence, strengthening marrow, resolving phlegm, and reducing turbidity. It is clinically used for the treatment of vascular dementia (VaD). However, there is still a lack of systematic evaluation of its efficacy and safety. This review conducted a systematic review of the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of Gunao-Yizhi decoction combined with donepezil for VaD.
METHODS
China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database (Wanfang), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials on Gunao-Yizhi decoction combined with donepezil for VaD. RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analysis.
RESULTS
Twelve studies were obtained, including 1036 patients. Compared with donepezil alone, meta-analysis showed that Gunao-Yizhi decoction combined with donepezil could improve clinical efficacy, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS), increase the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum, and reduce the level of malonaldehyde dismutas (MDA) in serum. The GRADE system was adopted to evaluate the outcome index. Clinical efficiency and the MMSE score were evaluated as very-low-quality evidence. HDS score, serum SOD level, and serum MDA level were evaluated as low-quality evidence.
CONCLUSION
Gunao-Yizhi decoction combined with donepezil has a significant prevalence in the treatment of vascular dementia, with no increase in adverse events. Gunao-Yizhi decoction can be recommended for routine use in the treatment of VaD.
Topics: Dementia, Vascular; Donepezil; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Malondialdehyde; Superoxide Dismutase
PubMed: 36221397
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000030971 -
Redox Biology Oct 2021Postprandial oxidative stress markers in blood are generated transiently from various tissues and cells following high-fat and/or high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meals, and may... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Postprandial oxidative stress markers in blood are generated transiently from various tissues and cells following high-fat and/or high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meals, and may be suppressed by certain phytonutrients, such as polyphenols and carotenoids. However, the transient presence of phytonutrients in circulation suggests that timing of consumption, relative to the meal, could be important. This systematic review investigates the effect of timing of phytonutrient intake on blood markers of postprandial oxidative processes.
METHOD
EMBASE, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science were searched up to December 2020. Eligible studies met the criteria: 1) healthy human adults; 2) phytonutrient(s) consumed in solid form within 24 h of a HFHC meal; 3) postprandial measurements of oxidative stress or antioxidants in blood; and 4) controlled study design. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated to compare studies.
RESULTS
Nine studies, involving 256 participants, were included. Phytonutrients were consumed either at the same time, 1 h before, or the day (>12 h) before a HFHC meal. Significant decreases in blood markers - plasma lipid hydroperoxides, plasma malondialdehyde, serum sNox2-dp, serum 8-iso-PGF2α, platelet p47 phosphorylation, and Keap-1 and p47 protein levels in mononuclear cells (MNCs) - were observed where the phytonutrient was consumed together with the challenge meal (n = 4). Lack of any effect on oxidative stress markers was observed where phytonutrients were consumed with (n = 1), 1 h before (n = 1), and the day before (n = 2) the HFHC meal.
CONCLUSION
Phytonutrients consumed with a HFHC meal significantly suppressed some markers of oxidative stress in blood. Although there were only a limited number of studies, it appears that suppression appeared effective at the time of peak phytonutrient concentration in plasma. However, further studies are required to confirm the observations and systematically optimise the effect of timing.
Topics: Antioxidants; Cross-Over Studies; Humans; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals; Postprandial Period
PubMed: 34488026
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102123 -
European Journal of Preventive... Mar 2017Aims Darapladib, a potent inhibitor of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A (Lp-PLA), has not reduced risk of cardiovascular disease outcomes in recent randomized... (Review)
Review
Aims Darapladib, a potent inhibitor of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A (Lp-PLA), has not reduced risk of cardiovascular disease outcomes in recent randomized trials. We aimed to test whether Lp-PLA enzyme activity is causally relevant to coronary heart disease. Methods In 72,657 patients with coronary heart disease and 110,218 controls in 23 epidemiological studies, we genotyped five functional variants: four rare loss-of-function mutations (c.109+2T > C (rs142974898), Arg82His (rs144983904), Val279Phe (rs76863441), Gln287Ter (rs140020965)) and one common modest-impact variant (Val379Ala (rs1051931)) in PLA2G7, the gene encoding Lp-PLA. We supplemented de-novo genotyping with information on a further 45,823 coronary heart disease patients and 88,680 controls in publicly available databases and other previous studies. We conducted a systematic review of randomized trials to compare effects of darapladib treatment on soluble Lp-PLA activity, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary heart disease risk with corresponding effects of Lp-PLA-lowering alleles. Results Lp-PLA activity was decreased by 64% ( p = 2.4 × 10) with carriage of any of the four loss-of-function variants, by 45% ( p < 10) for every allele inherited at Val279Phe, and by 2.7% ( p = 1.9 × 10) for every allele inherited at Val379Ala. Darapladib 160 mg once-daily reduced Lp-PLA activity by 65% ( p < 10). Causal risk ratios for coronary heart disease per 65% lower Lp-PLA activity were: 0.95 (0.88-1.03) with Val279Phe; 0.92 (0.74-1.16) with carriage of any loss-of-function variant; 1.01 (0.68-1.51) with Val379Ala; and 0.95 (0.89-1.02) with darapladib treatment. Conclusions In a large-scale human genetic study, none of a series of Lp-PLA-lowering alleles was related to coronary heart disease risk, suggesting that Lp-PLA is unlikely to be a causal risk factor.
Topics: 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase; Adult; Aged; Alleles; Benzaldehydes; Case-Control Studies; Coronary Disease; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Oximes; Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reference Values; Reproducibility of Results; Risk Assessment; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27940953
DOI: 10.1177/2047487316682186 -
Tropical Medicine & International... Jul 2011This review aims to examine the effectiveness of citronella preparation used as a mosquito repellent. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to examine the effectiveness of citronella preparation used as a mosquito repellent.
METHODS
Multiple computerized databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, and AMED, were searched for controlled laboratory experiments that compared the effectiveness of citronella products to control in repelling Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes using the cage or room methods. Outcomes measures were protection time and percentage repellency. The weighted mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated comparing the outcomes in the citronella and control groups. Meta-analysis was performed using the DerSimonian and Laird method under a random-effects model.
RESULTS
Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Based on a meta-analysis of studies using the cage method, protection time of the citronella oil for preventing Aedes mosquitoes was less than that in the DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) group, with a difference in protection time of 253 min (95% confidence interval: 169-336). The combination of citronella oil and vanillin is likely to have a longer protection time compared with citronella oil alone. In studies using the room method, citronella oil and/or the combination of citronella oil and vanillin provided complete repellency at least 3 h. In Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes, a combination of citronella oil and vanillin product demonstrated a comparable protection time against DEET; however, it remained inconclusive due to a limited number of studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Citronella products are less effective than DEET products in terms of duration of protection. Adding vanillin to citronella oil products could prolong the protection time.
Topics: Aedes; Animals; Anopheles; Benzaldehydes; Culex; Culicidae; DEET; Humans; Insect Bites and Stings; Insect Repellents; Plant Oils; Time Factors
PubMed: 21481108
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02781.x -
Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and... Dec 2023An important drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is amantadine. We are the first to perform a comprehensive study based on various glycation and oxidation...
An important drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is amantadine. We are the first to perform a comprehensive study based on various glycation and oxidation factors, determining the impact of amantadine on protein glycoxidation. Sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose) and aldehydes (glyoxal, methylglyoxal) were used as glycation agents, and chloramine T was used as an oxidant. Glycoxidation biomarkers in albumin treated with amantadine were generally not different from the control group (glycation/oxidation factors), indicating that the drug did not affect oxidation and glycation processes. Molecular docking analysis did not reveal strong binding sites of amantadine on the bovine serum albumin structure. Although amantadine poorly scavenged hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, it had significantly lower antioxidant and antiglycation effect than all protein oxidation and glycation inhibitors. In some cases, amantadine even demonstrated glycoxidant, proglycation, and prooxidant properties. In summary, amantadine exhibited weak antioxidant properties and a lack of antiglycation activity.
Topics: Antioxidants; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Molecular Docking Simulation; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Amantadine
PubMed: 36325591
DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2137161 -
Clinical Pharmacokinetics Oct 2019Enzyme-mediated biotransformation of pharmacological agents is a crucial step in xenobiotic detoxification and drug disposition. Herein, we investigated the metabolism...
Physicochemical Properties, Biotransformation, and Transport Pathways of Established and Newly Approved Medications: A Systematic Review of the Top 200 Most Prescribed Drugs vs. the FDA-Approved Drugs Between 2005 and 2016.
BACKGROUND
Enzyme-mediated biotransformation of pharmacological agents is a crucial step in xenobiotic detoxification and drug disposition. Herein, we investigated the metabolism and physicochemical properties of the top 200 most prescribed drugs (established) as well as drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2005 and 2016 (newly approved).
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to capture the changing trends in the routes of administration, physicochemical properties, and prodrug medications, as well as the contributions of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters to drug clearance.
METHODS
The University of Washington Drug Interaction Database (DIDB) as well as other online resources (e.g., CenterWatch.com, Drugs.com, DrugBank.ca, and PubChem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) was used to collect and stratify the dataset required for exploring the above-mentioned trends.
RESULTS
Analyses revealed that ~ 90% of all drugs in the established and newly approved drug lists were administered systemically (oral or intravenous). Meanwhile, the portion of biologics (molecular weight > 1 kDa) was 15 times greater in the newly approved list than established drugs. Additionally, there was a 4.5-fold increase in the number of compounds with a high calculated partition coefficient (cLogP > 3) and a high total polar surface area (> 75 Å) in the newly approved drug vs. the established category. Further, prodrugs in established or newly approved lists were found to be converted to active compounds via hydrolysis, demethylases, and kinases. The contribution of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, as the major biotransformation pathway, has increased from 40% in the established drug list to 64% in the newly approved drug list. Moreover, the role of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 were decreased as major metabolizing enzymes among the newly approved medications. Among non-CYP major metabolizers, the contribution of alcohol dehydrogenases/aldehyde dehydrogenases (ADH/ALDH) and sulfotransferases decreased in the newly approved drugs compared with the established list. Furthermore, the highest contribution among uptake and efflux transporters was found for Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The higher portion of biologics in the newly approved drugs compared with the established list confirmed the growing demands for protein- and antibody-based therapies. Moreover, the larger number of hydrophilic drugs found in the newly approved list suggests that the probability of toxicity is likely to decrease. With regard to CYP-mediated major metabolism, CYP3A5 showed an increased involvement owing to the identification of unique probe substrates to differentiate CYP3As. Furthermore, the contribution of OATP1B1 and P-gp did not show a significant shift in the newly approved drugs as compared to the established list because of their broad substrate specificity.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Biotransformation; Drug Approval; Humans; Prescription Drugs; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration
PubMed: 30972694
DOI: 10.1007/s40262-019-00750-8 -
British Journal of Cancer Jul 2002Chronic radiation proctitis produces a range of clinical symptoms for which there is currently no recommended standard management. The aim of this review was to identify... (Review)
Review
Chronic radiation proctitis produces a range of clinical symptoms for which there is currently no recommended standard management. The aim of this review was to identify the various non-surgical treatment options for the management of late chronic radiation proctitis and evaluate the evidence for their efficacy. Synonyms for radiation therapy and for the spectrum of lower gastrointestinal radiation toxicity were combined in an extensive search strategy and applied to a range of databases. The included studies were those that involved interventions for the non-surgical management of late radiation proctitis. Sixty-three studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria, including six randomised controlled trials that described the effects of anti-inflammatory agents in combination, rectal steroids alone, rectal sucralfate, short chain fatty acid enemas and different types of thermal therapy. However, these studies could not be compared. If the management of late radiation proctitis is to become evidence based, then, in view of its episodic and variable nature, placebo controlled studies need to be conducted to clarify which therapeutic options should be recommended. From the current data, although certain interventions look promising and may be effective, one small or modest sized study, even if well-conducted, is insufficient to implement changes in practice. In order to increase recruitment to trials, a national register of cases with established late radiation toxicity would facilitate multi-centre trials with specific entry criteria, formal baseline and therapeutic assessments providing standardised outcome data.
Topics: Administration, Rectal; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chronic Disease; Combined Modality Therapy; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Electrocoagulation; Enema; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Female; Formaldehyde; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Male; Metronidazole; Pelvic Neoplasms; Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester; Proctitis; Prospective Studies; Radiation Injuries; Radiotherapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 12107832
DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6600360 -
PloS One 2022Oxidative stress is involved in the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. Acupuncture shows an excellent clinical efficacy in practical application but its... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Oxidative stress is involved in the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. Acupuncture shows an excellent clinical efficacy in practical application but its mechanism remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed at assessing the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress in animal models.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science database were retrieved for randomized controlled trials about acupuncture on oxidative stress in animal models from inception to August 2021. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted articles according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. We used the mean difference (MD)/standardized mean difference (SMD) to perform an effect size analysis and selected fixed-effect or random-effect models to pool the data, depending on a 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies comprising 125 samples were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture (manual acupuncture, electropuncture, and laser acupuncture) reduced the level of malondialdehyde (SMD, -3.03; CI, -4.40, -1.65; p < 0.00001) and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SMD, 3.39; CI, 1.99, 4.79; p < 0.00001), glutathione peroxidase (SMD, 2.21; CI, 1.10, 3.32; p < 0.00001), and catalase (SMD, 2.80; CI, 0.57, 5.03; p = 0.01).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture can regulate oxidative stress by lowering the lipid peroxidation and activating the antioxidant enzyme system. In consideration of heterogeneity between studies, future studies should be performed by complying with strict standards and increasing sample size in animal experiments to reduce bias.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Animals; Glutathione Peroxidase; Malondialdehyde; Models, Animal; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 36084019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271098 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2000To assess the efficacy of aldose reductase inhibitors in the prevention, reversal or delay in the progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy of aldose reductase inhibitors in the prevention, reversal or delay in the progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
SEARCH STRATEGY
The Cochrane Diabetes Group's database was searched and the citation lists of identified trials and previous reviews checked. Investigators identified as active in the field were approached for overlooked studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials of aldose reductase inhibitors versus placebo, no treatment or other treatment in diabetic patients with or without clinical neuropathy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Nerve conduction velocity was the only end point measured in all trials. Treatment effect was evaluated in terms of nerve conduction velocity mean difference in median and peroneal motor and median and sural sensory nerves.
MAIN RESULTS
19 trials, testing 4 different aldose reductase inhibitors for between 4 to 208 weeks duration (median 24 weeks), met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. A small but statistically significant reduction in decline of median and peroneal motor nerve conduction velocities was present in the treated group when compared to the control group (weighted mean 0.66 m/s 95% CI 0.18-1.14 m/s and 0.53 m/s 95% CI 0.02-1.04m/s respectively). No clear benefit of aldose reductase inhibitor treatment was observed in either of the sensory nerves.
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
Although aldose reductase inhibitor treatment has been demonstrated to diminsh the reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity, the clinical relevance of such a change in this outcome measure is uncertain. There was no effect in terms of this outcome measure in the smaller sensory fibres, degeneration of which is primarily responsible for the most common neuropathic syndrome associated with diabetes, that of severe pain and loss of sensation in the extremity leading in some cases to ulceration and eventual amputation.
Topics: Aldehyde Reductase; Diabetic Neuropathies; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans
PubMed: 10796870
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002182