European review for medical and pharmacological sciences最新文献

Objective: Several factors, as genetics, diet, and gut microbiota, are associated with the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Akkermansia muciniphila, an abundant bacterium in human microbiota, has anti-inflammatory properties and can correct metabolic disorders. The effects of the administration of inulin, a prebiotic which increases Akkermansia muciniphila gut levels, are unknown in subjects with T1D.

Materials and methods: 49 subjects with T1D, age 46 [37-53] years, 30 females (61%), duration of disease 20 [11-27] years, HbA1c 64 [59-72] mmol/mol, were randomized in group A (inulin 3 g twice daily for 3 months + insulin, n=24) and in group B (insulin alone, n=25). Body weight, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), daily insulin units, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics, and Bristol stool scale (BSS) score were collected at enrollment and after 3 months.

Results: After 3 months, subjects in group A showed a significant decrease in body weight [group A -2 (-3; 0) kg and group B 0 (-1; 1) kg, p=0.03] and daily insulin units [group A -1.5 UI (-3.1; 0) vs. group B 0.6 (0; 1.7), p=0.01]. After 3 months, changes in HbA1c and CGM were similar between groups. In both groups, there was no change in BSS score (p=0.39) nor in Akkermansia muciniphila gut levels.

Conclusions: Inulin was associated with a slight body weight decrease and insulin need reduction, but not with an increase in Akkermansia muciniphila levels. More studies are required to explore this issue.

Background: The introduction of new target therapies and immunotherapy combinations has dramatically improved the prognosis of cancer patients. Surgery and radiotherapy currently represent the cornerstones of loco-regional management, both for palliative and curative purposes. It is no coincidence, therefore, that in recent years the frequency of complications once considered rare has increased.

Case report: Here we present the case of a patient affected by metastatic bladder cancer whose treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy) favored a rapid and acute onset of Fournier syndrome. The fulminant course prevented the establishment of a potentially effective treatment.

Conclusions: Fournier gangrene is an acute perineal necrosis caused by anaerobic bacteria. Management is complex and requires a quick multidisciplinary approach, even though, among cancer patients, mortality is very high.

Objective: Sleep disorders are a global issue, and sleep supplements and new devices for daily sleep status assessment are becoming widely available. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-theanine are dietary supplements commonly used to improve sleep. In this single-arm study, we examined whether combined intake of GABA (700 mg/day) and L-theanine (200 mg/day) improves sleep in adults with sleep problems.

Materials and methods: Participants received supplements for 4 weeks, and changes in sleep quality were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Furthermore, sleep-related data measured using the Fitbit Charge 5 were evaluated before and after supplement intake.

Results: We obtained results from 19 participants and found a significant improvement in the total PSQI score (mean ± standard deviation), from 9.42 ± 1.80 before to 6.26 ± 1.66 after supplement intake (mean difference, -3.15; 95% confidence interval, -4.01 to -2.31, p < 0.001). Sleep recovery scores, which are 25-point scores calculated from heart rate during sleep and at rest and the time of turning over in bed, also improved significantly (p = 0.042). Furthermore, heart rate during sleep decreased significantly (1.3 bpm decrease) in the first week of intake (p = 0.045).

Conclusions: Simultaneous intake of GABA and L-theanine may improve sleep in adults. As this hypothesis is based on an exploratory study, further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this finding.

The Editor in Chief and the Publisher are issuing an expression of concern regarding the following article: K.Z. Fouda, Z.A. Ali, R.T. Elshorbagy, H.M. Eladl. Effect of radial shock wave and ultrasound therapy combined with traditional physical therapy exercises on foot function and dorsiflexion range in plantar fasciitis: a prospective randomized clinical trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (9): 3823-3832-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202305_32287-PMID: 37203806. Post-publication concerns have been raised regarding the statistical distribution of the baseline data reported in the randomized trial, specifically the unusually high similarity and low dispersion of baseline characteristics across the three study groups. The Journal has contacted the authors to request clarification and supporting information; however, no response has been received. As a result, the Editors are currently unable to fully assess the reliability of the study's findings. Pending clarification, readers are advised to interpret the results of this study with caution. This notice will be updated should further information become available. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/32287.

An Italian multidisciplinary team of pain management experts reviewed ibuprofen and paracetamol in combination for acute pain. Effective treatment of acute pain should target both inflammation and pain signaling to reduce suffering and prevent the development of persistent pain. The combination of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and paracetamol appears to be a logical choice: paracetamol primarily acts centrally, while NSAIDs inhibit the inflammation that perpetuates the pain response. Both drugs are rapidly absorbed, reaching maximal concentrations within 1-2 hours. Coadministration may enhance paracetamol absorption, leading to earlier onset of pain relief. The rate of drug interactions between ibuprofen and paracetamol is low, and the two do not directly interact with each other. Multiple studies and meta-analyses have shown that the combination is more effective than placebo or either drug used alone in relieving postoperative pain and reducing the need for rescue analgesia after surgery or acute musculoskeletal injury. The most commonly evaluated daily dosage was ibuprofen/paracetamol 400/1,000 mg. A single-pill combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol also reduces the incidence of persistent pain compared with other systemic analgesics, with an adverse-effect profile similar to, or better than, placebo or monotherapy. When prescribing ibuprofen/paracetamol, physicians should consider age, blood pressure, and concomitant medications, particularly aspirin and warfarin.

Objective: The aim of the present meta-analysis is to assess and quantify the effectiveness in the current clinical practice of double antithrombotic therapy (DAT) vs. triple antithrombotic treatment (TAT) regimens in patients affected by atrial fibrillation undergoing coronary artery stenting, complementing findings based on randomized clinical trials (RCT) with those based on observational studies and registries.

Materials and methods: Sixteen observational studies were retrieved through the PubMed database. Risk ratio (RR) and absolute risk reduction (RD) with 95% confidence interval, together with the number needed to treat (NNT), were computed to compare the examined endpoints (mortality, major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, stroke, and stent thrombosis).

Results: The meta-analysis on RR in DAT in comparison to TAT demonstrated a significant reduction in bleeding risk, as expected. On the contrary, a significant increase in the risk of overall and cardiovascular death and of stent thrombosis was shown. The RD and the derived NNT ruled out that, due to the lower incidence of the events, the real benefit of DAT vs. TAT was a reduction of 2 major bleeding cases every 100 treated patients. On the contrary, the overall and cardiovascular mortality was increased in DAT, with two more deaths every 100 treated patients.

Conclusions: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that, to be appropriate for use in clinical practice, guidelines must be based on solid scientific evidence from RCTs, complemented by observational studies that better represent real-world patients and treatment adherence. Furthermore, in case of rare events, RR can amplify the size of an effect that is clinically not relevant. Efficacy measures that take into account the low incidence of the event, such as RD and NNT, are desirable. Furthermore, the NNT allows for the direct quantification of the number of patients who benefit or suffer harm from the study treatment and should therefore be preferred.

Bile acids, traditionally regarded as detergents essential for lipid solubilization and absorption, are now recognized as potent endocrine and immunomodulatory molecules that integrate metabolic, microbial, and inflammatory pathways. Primary bile acids synthesized from cholesterol in the liver are transformed by gut microbiota into an extensive repertoire of secondary and microbially derived bile acids (MDBAs) that act as signaling mediators across multiple organs. These metabolites regulate host metabolism and immune homeostasis through activation of nuclear and membrane receptors, including FXR, GPBAR1, VDR, CAR, and RORγt. FXR-FGF19 and GPBAR1-GLP-1 pathways mediate enterohepatic and entero-pancreatic communication, modulating glucose and lipid metabolism, while GPBAR1 activation in thermogenic tissues promotes thyroid hormone conversion and energy expenditure. Moreover, lithocholic acid and related secondary bile acids engage AMPK-sirtuin signaling, mimicking the systemic benefits of caloric restriction and contributing to longevity. By shaping the gut microbial ecosystem and influencing host physiology, bile acids constitute a molecular bridge between the microbiota and systemic metabolism. In this context, understanding the signaling landscape of secondary bile acids provides crucial insights into host-microbiota communication and unveils innovative therapeutic perspectives for metabolic, immune, and age-related disorders.

Objective: Silicon (Si)-based agent is emerging as promising formulation for hydrogen therapy, as they can easily and continuously generate large amounts of hydrogen in the digestive tract. This agent can remove hydroxyl radicals, which have a strong oxidizing effect. Previous studies have shown its effectiveness against various oxidative stress-related diseases. Type I allergy is also classified as an oxidative-stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of a Si-based agent on allergic bronchitis, a type I allergic response, induced by ragweed pollen in a mouse model.

Materials and methods: Allergic bronchitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intranasally administration of ragweed pollen. Bronchitis was assessed by cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung histopathological analysis. mRNA expression levels of cytokines and chemokine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in lung tissue were measured.

Results: Feeding with the Si-based agent significantly suppressed eosinophil counts in BALF and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung. However, no significant difference was observed between control and Si-treated groups in the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-α, or CCL-11 in lung tissue. In contrast, MDA levels were suppressed by Si-based agent.

Conclusions: This study suggests that the Si-based agent alleviates allergic bronchitis by suppressing eosinophilic infiltration into the lungs and reducing oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for Type I allergic diseases.

The Editor-in-Chief, in accordance with the Publisher, has retracted the following articles published between 2018 and 2020 on the grounds of figure duplication and manipulation, subsequent to concerns raised on PubPeer. The corresponding authors of all articles were asked to provide the original data, but no responses were received. This retraction notice pertains to the following articles and is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): Song D, Yang Y, He N, Tian X, Sang DS, Li YJ. The involvement of AQP1 in myocardial edema induced by pressure overload in mice. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2018 Aug;22(15):4969-4974. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201808_15637. PMID: 30070333. Sun MX, Yu F, Gong ML, Fan GL, Liu CX. Effects of curcumin on the role of MMP-2 in endometrial cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2018 Aug;22(15):5033-5041. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201808_15646. PMID: 30070342. Zhao DW, Hou YS, Sun FB, Han B, Li SJ. Effects of miR-132 on proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via Hedgehog signaling pathway. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Mar;23(5):1978-1985. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201903_17236. PMID: 30915740. Wang XH, He X, Jin HY, Liang JX, Li N. Effect of hypoxia on the Twist1 in EMT of cervical cancer cells. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2018 Oct;22(20):6633-6639. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201810_16138. PMID: 30402835. Gao GC, Yang DW, Liu W. LncRNA TERC alleviates the progression of osteoporosis by absorbing miRNA-217 to upregulate RUNX2. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020 Jan;24(2):526-534. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202001_20029. PMID: 32016954. Zhang Y, Hua PY, Jin CY, Li JD, Zhang GX, Wang B. JMJD3 enhances invasiveness and migratory capacity of non-small cell lung cancer cell via activating EMT signaling pathway. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Jun;23(11):4784-4792. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201906_18063. PMID: 31210309. Xue CL, Liu HG, Li BY, He SH, Yue QF. Physcion 8-O-β-glucopyranoside exhibits anti-growth and anti-metastatic activities in ovarian cancer by downregulating miR-25. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Jun;23(12):5101-5112. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201906_18174. PMID: 31298363. Cao W, Liu B, Ma H. Long non-coding RNA GHET1 promotes viability, migration and invasion of glioma cell line U251 by down-regulation of miR-216a. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019 Feb;23(4):1591-1599. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_201902_17118. PMID: 30840282. These articles have been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.