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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2018Acute respiratory infections are a leading cause of death worldwide. Clinical data is conflicted regarding whether statins improve outcomes for pneumonia. Potential...
Acute respiratory infections are a leading cause of death worldwide. Clinical data is conflicted regarding whether statins improve outcomes for pneumonia. Potential confounding factors including specific etiology of pneumonia as well as obesity could potentially mask protective benefit. Obesity is a risk factor for high cholesterol, the main target for statin therapy. We demonstrate that statin intervention conferred no protective benefit in the context of wild-type mice regardless of infectious agent. Statin intervention conferred either a protective benefit, during influenza infection, or detrimental effect, in the case of pneumococcal infection, in obese animals. These data suggest etiology of pneumonia in the context of obesity could be dramatically altered by the protective effects of statin therapy during bacterial and viral pneumonia.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lipids; Mice; Obesity; Pneumonia; Protective Agents
PubMed: 29497602
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00041 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Mar 2022Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a more severe form of ALI, are life-threatening clinical syndromes observed in critically ill... (Review)
Review
Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a more severe form of ALI, are life-threatening clinical syndromes observed in critically ill patients. Treatment methods to alleviate the pathogenesis of ALI have improved to a great extent at present. Although the efficacy of these therapies is limited, their relevance has increased remarkably with the ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes severe respiratory distress syndrome. Several studies have demonstrated the preventive and therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen in the various diseases. The biological effects of molecular hydrogen mainly involve anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and autophagy and cell death modulation. This review focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen on ALI and its underlying mechanisms and aims to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of ALI and COVID-19.
Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Humans; Hydrogen; Protective Agents; Sepsis; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 35240982
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00455-y -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2011Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality, with a high incidence of severe morbidity in survivors. The treatment to minimize tissue injury after stroke is still... (Review)
Review
Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality, with a high incidence of severe morbidity in survivors. The treatment to minimize tissue injury after stroke is still unsatisfactory and it is mandatory to develop effective treatment strategies for stroke. The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke is complex and involves many processes including energy failure, loss of ion homeostasis, increased intracellular calcium level, platelet aggregation, production of reactive oxygen species, disruption of blood brain barrier, and inflammation and leukocyte infiltration, etc. Tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, has many pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. In addition, tetrandrine has been found to protect the liver, heart, small bowel and brain from ischemia/reperfusion injury. It is a calcium channel blocker, and can inhibit lipid peroxidation, reduce generation of reactive oxygen species, suppress the production of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, inhibit neutrophil recruitment and platelet aggregation, which are all devastating factors during ischemia/reperfusion injury of the brain. Because tetrandrine can counteract these important pathophysiological processes of ischemic stroke, it has the potential to be a protective agent for ischemic stroke.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Benzylisoquinolines; Brain Infarction; Brain Ischemia; Calcium Channel Blockers; Humans; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Reperfusion Injury
PubMed: 21926947
DOI: 10.3390/molecules16098020 -
Renal Failure Dec 2023Patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are at increased risk to develop post-contrast acute kidney injury (AKI). Diabetic patients under dipeptidyl peptidase 4... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are at increased risk to develop post-contrast acute kidney injury (AKI). Diabetic patients under dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4Is) experience a lower propensity to develop AKI. We speculated that linagliptin as a single agent or in combination with allopurinol may reduce the incidence of post-contrast AKI in stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with underlying DKD.
METHODS
Out of 951 DKD patients eligible for this study, 800 accepted to sign informed consent. They were randomly allocated to 4 equal groups that received their prophylaxis for 2 days before and after radiocontrast. The first control group received N-acetyl cysteine and saline, the 2 received allopurinol, the 3 group received linagliptin, and the 4 received both allopurinol and linagliptin. Post-procedure follow-up for kidney functions was conducted for 2 weeks in all patients.
RESULTS
20, 19, 14, and 8 patients developed post-contrast AKI in groups 1 through 4, respectively. Neither linagliptin nor allopurinol was superior to N-acetyl cysteine and saline alone. However, the combination of the two agents provided statistically significant renal protection: post-contrast AKI in group 4 was significantly lower than in groups 1 and 2 ( < 0.02 and <0.03, respectively). None of the post-contrast AKI cases required dialysis.
CONCLUSION
Linagliptin and allopurinol in combination may offer protection against post-contrast AKI in DKD exposed to radiocontrast. Further studies are needed to support this view.
TRIAL REGISTRATION CLINICALTRIALS.GOV
NCT03470454.
Topics: Humans; Acute Kidney Injury; Allopurinol; Diabetic Nephropathies; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Linagliptin; Prospective Studies; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Contrast Media; Chemoprevention; Drug Therapy, Combination; Acetylcysteine; Protective Agents; Saline Solution
PubMed: 36974638
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2023.2194434 -
Fitoterapia Sep 2014Silymarin, a standardised extract of Silybum marianum (milk thistle), comprises mainly of silybin, with dehydrosilybin (DHSB), quercetin, taxifolin, silychristin and a... (Review)
Review
Silymarin, a standardised extract of Silybum marianum (milk thistle), comprises mainly of silybin, with dehydrosilybin (DHSB), quercetin, taxifolin, silychristin and a number of other compounds which are known to possess a range of salutary effects. Indeed, there is evidence for their role in reducing tumour growth, preventing liver toxicity, and protecting a number of organs against ischemic damage. The hepatoprotective effects of silymarin, especially in preventing Amanita and alcohol intoxication induced damage to the liver, are a well established fact. Likewise, there is weighty evidence that silymarin possesses antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Additionally, it has emerged that in animal models, silymarin can protect the heart, brain, liver and kidneys against ischemia reperfusion injury, probably by preconditioning. The mechanisms of preconditioning are, in general, well studied, especially in the heart. On the other hand, the mechanism by which silymarin protects the heart from ischemia remains largely unexplored. This review, therefore, focuses on evaluating existing studies on silymarin induced cardioprotection in the context of the established mechanisms of preconditioning.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial; Protective Agents; Silymarin
PubMed: 24879900
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2014.05.016 -
Biomolecules Dec 2019Biotic stress causes immense damage to agricultural products worldwide and raises the risk of hunger in many areas. Plants themselves tolerate biotic stresses via... (Review)
Review
Biotic stress causes immense damage to agricultural products worldwide and raises the risk of hunger in many areas. Plants themselves tolerate biotic stresses via several pathways, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which trigger immunity and plant resistance (R) proteins. On the other hand, humans use several non-ecofriendly methods to control biotic stresses, such as chemical applications. Compared with chemical control, melatonin is an ecofriendly compound that is an economical alternative strategy which can be used to protect animals and plants from attacks via pathogens. In plants, the bactericidal capacity of melatonin was verified against , as well as multidrug-resistant Gram-negative and -positive bacteria under in vitro conditions. Regarding plant-bacteria interaction, melatonin has presented effective antibacterial activities against phytobacterial pathogens. In plant-fungi interaction models, melatonin was found to play a key role in plant resistance to , to increase fungicide susceptibility, and to reduce the stress tolerance of . In plant-virus interaction models, melatonin not only efficiently eradicated apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) from apple shoots in vitro (making it useful for the production of virus-free plants) but also reduced tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) viral RNA and virus concentration in infected and seedlings. Indeed, melatonin has unique advantages in plant growth regulation and increasing plant resistance effectiveness against different forms of biotic and abiotic stress. Although considerable work has been done regarding the role of melatonin in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, its role in biotic stress remains unclear and requires clarification. In our review, we summarize the work that has been accomplished so far; highlight melatonin's function in plant tolerance to pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi; and determine the direction required for future studies on this topic.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Flexiviridae; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Melatonin; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phytophthora infestans; Protective Agents; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 31905696
DOI: 10.3390/biom10010054 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2019
Topics: Aging; Animals; Antioxidants; Disease; Humans; Nerve Degeneration; Protective Agents
PubMed: 30728890
DOI: 10.1155/2019/7450693 -
European Review For Medical and... Dec 2021Quercetin (Qct) is a flavonoid that belongs to the group of the most bioactive polyphenolic compounds. It is abundantly found in our diet, and it has many beneficial... (Review)
Review
Quercetin (Qct) is a flavonoid that belongs to the group of the most bioactive polyphenolic compounds. It is abundantly found in our diet, and it has many beneficial effects on human health because of its potent antioxidant properties. Qct has shown cardioprotective effects against doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, and lindane and nephroprotective effects against methotrexate, doxorubicin, gentamicin, valproic acid, cadmium, potassium dichromate, fluoride, mercury chloride, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and gold nanoparticles. In the current review, we discussed the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the cardio- and nephroprotective effects of Qct. The main purpose of this review was to identify the cardio- and the nephroprotective mechanisms of Qct against several drugs and chemicals to encourage further studies to investigate the potential protective effect of Qct.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cardiotonic Agents; Cardiotoxicity; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Metal Nanoparticles; Protective Agents; Quercetin
PubMed: 34919245
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202112_27440 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2017The focus of this study is investigating the performance of graphene oxide (GO) in the protective effect of olive oil on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) after being exposed...
The focus of this study is investigating the performance of graphene oxide (GO) in the protective effect of olive oil on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) after being exposed to UV radiations. Biological pesticides Bt subsp. Kurstaki is one of the most important biological control agents. We compared the protective effect of two UV protectant; GO and olive oil and also the combination of both, on the stability of the formulation of Bt after exposure to UV radiations. Spore viability was measured for protective effect and bioassay test was performed on the formulations of Bt. The combination of GO and olive oil revealed the highest viabilities of 50.62% after 96 h exposure to UV radiation, while viabilities of free spore, olive oil formulation and GO formulation were 32.54%, 37.19%,and 45.20%, respectively. The mortality of irradiated combination formulation on second-instar larvae Ephestia Kuehniella was 68.89%, while the same parameter for free spore, olive oil formulation and GO formulation were 40%, 46.66%,and 56%, respectively.
Topics: Animals; Bacillus thuringiensis; Biological Assay; Graphite; Larva; Lepidoptera; Microbial Viability; Olive Oil; Radiation-Protective Agents; Spores, Bacterial; Survival Analysis; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 28887475
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11080-9 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2021Although ionizing radiation (radiation) is commonly used for medical diagnosis and cancer treatment, radiation-induced damages cannot be avoided. Such damages can be... (Review)
Review
Although ionizing radiation (radiation) is commonly used for medical diagnosis and cancer treatment, radiation-induced damages cannot be avoided. Such damages can be classified into direct and indirect damages, caused by the direct absorption of radiation energy into DNA and by free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH), generated in the process of water radiolysis. More specifically, radiation damage concerns not only direct damages to DNA, but also secondary damages to non-DNA targets, because low-dose radiation damage is mainly caused by these indirect effects. Molecular hydrogen (H) has the potential to be a radioprotective agent because it can selectively scavenge •OH, a reactive oxygen species with strong oxidizing power. Animal experiments and clinical trials have reported that H exhibits a highly safe radioprotective effect. This paper reviews previously reported radioprotective effects of H and discusses the mechanisms of H, not only as an antioxidant, but also in intracellular responses including anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and the regulation of gene expression. In doing so, we demonstrate the prospects of H as a novel and clinically applicable radioprotective agent.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cognitive Dysfunction; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hydrogen; Immune System; Male; Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Radiation Injuries; Radiation-Protective Agents; Skin; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33925430
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094566