Pub Date : 2024-12-31DOI: 10.3390/medicines12010001
Ayda Awaness, Rania Elkeeb, Sepehr Afshari, Eman Atef
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disorder commonly affecting multiple organs such as the lungs, pancreas, liver, kidney, and intestine. Our search focuses on the pathophysiological changes that affect the drugs' absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review aims to identify the ADME data that compares the pharmacokinetics (PK) of different drugs in CF and healthy subjects. The published data highlight multiple factors that affect absorption, such as the bile salt precipitation and the gastrointestinal pH. Changes in CF patients' protein binding and body composition affected the drug distribution. The paper also discusses the factors affecting metabolism and renal elimination, such as drug-protein binding and metabolizing enzyme capacity. The majority of CF patients are on multidrug therapy, which increases the risk of drug-drug interactions (DDI). This is particularly true for those receiving the newly developed transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), as they are at a higher risk for CYP-related DDI. Our research highlights the importance of meticulously evaluating PK variations and DDIs in drug development and the therapeutic management of CF patients.
{"title":"The Pharmacokinetic Changes in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Population: Narrative Review.","authors":"Ayda Awaness, Rania Elkeeb, Sepehr Afshari, Eman Atef","doi":"10.3390/medicines12010001","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines12010001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disorder commonly affecting multiple organs such as the lungs, pancreas, liver, kidney, and intestine. Our search focuses on the pathophysiological changes that affect the drugs' absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review aims to identify the ADME data that compares the pharmacokinetics (PK) of different drugs in CF and healthy subjects. The published data highlight multiple factors that affect absorption, such as the bile salt precipitation and the gastrointestinal pH. Changes in CF patients' protein binding and body composition affected the drug distribution. The paper also discusses the factors affecting metabolism and renal elimination, such as drug-protein binding and metabolizing enzyme capacity. The majority of CF patients are on multidrug therapy, which increases the risk of drug-drug interactions (DDI). This is particularly true for those receiving the newly developed transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), as they are at a higher risk for CYP-related DDI. Our research highlights the importance of meticulously evaluating PK variations and DDIs in drug development and the therapeutic management of CF patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755472/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143026095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The journal retracts the article titled "Obesity and Frailty Syndrome in the Elderly: Prospective Study in Primary Care" [...].
该杂志撤回了题为“老年人的肥胖和虚弱综合症:初级保健的前瞻性研究”的文章。
{"title":"RETRACTED: Zulfiqar et al. Obesity and Frailty Syndrome in the Elderly: Prospective Study in Primary Care. <i>Medicines</i> 2022, <i>9</i>, 38.","authors":"Abrar-Ahmad Zulfiqar, Perla Habchi, Ibrahima Amadou Dembele","doi":"10.3390/medicines11080022","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11080022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The journal retracts the article titled \"Obesity and Frailty Syndrome in the Elderly: Prospective Study in Primary Care\" [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11676820/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a recurrent debilitating illness characterized by intense episodes of nausea and emesis with widely varied pharmacological management across the country. Aprepitant is now increasingly used in patients with CVS. The impact of aprepitant as an abortive therapy in the readmission of pediatric patients with CVS is currently unknown. Methodology: We analyzed all pediatric patients with a primary diagnosis of CVS using the ICD-10 code in the Pediatric Health Information System database of the Children's Hospital Association. We evaluated the demographic data, comorbid conditions, and management details during the inpatient stay. CVS patients who received aprepitant during their inpatient hospitalization were compared with patients without aprepitant use. Seven-day readmission rate for CVS was used as the outcome variable to assess the effectiveness of the aprepitant in aborting an episode. Propensity score matching was used to match the two cohorts. Results: We analyzed 1775 patients of which 96 received aprepitant during the inpatient hospitalization. The aprepitant group had a more severe hospitalization course as evidenced by an increased duration of hospital stay (5 vs. 3 days) and total hospitalization costs ($11,790 vs. $6380). There were no significant differences in the 7-day (17% vs. 16%, p = 0.91) readmission rate and results were not altered by propensity score matching. Conclusions: Aprepitant use as an abortive therapy did not affect the 7-day CVS-related readmission rate. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the role of aprepitant as an abortive agent in the management of CVS in the pediatric population.
简介:周期性呕吐综合征(CVS)是一种复发性衰弱性疾病,其特征是强烈的恶心和呕吐发作,在全国范围内具有广泛不同的药物管理。阿瑞吡坦现在越来越多地用于CVS患者。阿瑞吡坦作为一种流产治疗对小儿CVS患者再入院的影响目前尚不清楚。方法:我们使用儿童医院协会儿童健康信息系统数据库中的ICD-10代码分析所有初步诊断为CVS的儿科患者。我们评估了住院期间的人口统计数据、合并症和管理细节。在住院期间接受阿瑞吡坦治疗的CVS患者与未使用阿瑞吡坦的患者进行比较。CVS的7天再入院率被用作结果变量来评估阿瑞吡坦在流产发作中的有效性。倾向评分匹配用于匹配两个队列。结果:我们分析了1775例患者,其中96例在住院期间接受阿瑞吡坦治疗。阿瑞吡坦组有更严重的住院过程,住院时间增加(5天对3天)和总住院费用(11,790美元对6380美元)就是证据。7天再入院率无显著差异(17% vs. 16%, p = 0.91),倾向评分匹配没有改变结果。结论:阿瑞吡坦作为流产治疗不影响7天心血管相关再入院率。需要进一步的前瞻性研究来探讨阿瑞吡坦作为流产药物在小儿CVS治疗中的作用。
{"title":"Utility of Aprepitant in the Management of Pediatric Patients with Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome.","authors":"Aravind Thavamani, Sindhoosha Malay, Jasmine Khatana, Sujithra Velayuthan, Senthilkumar Sankararaman","doi":"10.3390/medicines11080021","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11080021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction</b>: Cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a recurrent debilitating illness characterized by intense episodes of nausea and emesis with widely varied pharmacological management across the country. Aprepitant is now increasingly used in patients with CVS. The impact of aprepitant as an abortive therapy in the readmission of pediatric patients with CVS is currently unknown. <b>Methodology</b>: We analyzed all pediatric patients with a primary diagnosis of CVS using the ICD-10 code in the Pediatric Health Information System database of the Children's Hospital Association. We evaluated the demographic data, comorbid conditions, and management details during the inpatient stay. CVS patients who received aprepitant during their inpatient hospitalization were compared with patients without aprepitant use. Seven-day readmission rate for CVS was used as the outcome variable to assess the effectiveness of the aprepitant in aborting an episode. Propensity score matching was used to match the two cohorts. <b>Results</b>: We analyzed 1775 patients of which 96 received aprepitant during the inpatient hospitalization. The aprepitant group had a more severe hospitalization course as evidenced by an increased duration of hospital stay (5 vs. 3 days) and total hospitalization costs ($11,790 vs. $6380). There were no significant differences in the 7-day (17% vs. 16%, <i>p</i> = 0.91) readmission rate and results were not altered by propensity score matching. <b>Conclusions</b>: Aprepitant use as an abortive therapy did not affect the 7-day CVS-related readmission rate. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the role of aprepitant as an abortive agent in the management of CVS in the pediatric population.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11677684/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-15DOI: 10.3390/medicines11080020
Vítor Silva, Ricardo Madeira, João Joaquim, Cristiano Matos
In recent years, the off-label use of medications in sports has increased significantly, primarily driven by psychological and social factors. Athletes frequently misuse drugs without adequate medical supervision, relying on unreliable sources of information, which leads to improper usage and serious health risks. This narrative review analyzes literature from PubMed® (Medline), Scopus®, and Web of Science® databases, focusing on studies up to December 2023, to examine the safety concerns related to off-label drug use in sports. The review presents an overview of the off-label use of pharmacological substances by athletes, focusing on both hormonal and non-hormonal drugs. Hormonal substances such as anabolic steroids and growth hormones, and non-hormonal agents like diuretics and β2-agonists, are frequently abused. These practices are associated with severe side effects, including infections, cardiovascular complications, hormonal imbalances, psychological disorders, dependence, and even cases of death. The study emphasizes the need for stronger regulation, public awareness initiatives, and preventive strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with this growing trend.
近年来,主要受心理和社会因素的影响,体育运动中的标示外用药大幅增加。运动员经常在没有足够医疗监督的情况下滥用药物,依赖于不可靠的信息来源,从而导致用药不当和严重的健康风险。本叙述性综述分析了PubMed®(Medline)、Scopus®和Web of Science®数据库中的文献,重点关注截至2023年12月的研究,以探讨与体育运动中标签外用药相关的安全问题。综述概述了运动员在标签外使用药理物质的情况,重点关注激素类和非激素类药物。同化类固醇和生长激素等激素类药物以及利尿剂和β2-激动剂等非激素类药物经常被滥用。这些做法与严重的副作用有关,包括感染、心血管并发症、荷尔蒙失调、心理障碍、依赖性,甚至死亡病例。研究强调,有必要加强监管,提高公众意识,并制定预防战略,以减轻这一日益增长的趋势所带来的健康风险。
{"title":"Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Vítor Silva, Ricardo Madeira, João Joaquim, Cristiano Matos","doi":"10.3390/medicines11080020","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11080020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, the off-label use of medications in sports has increased significantly, primarily driven by psychological and social factors. Athletes frequently misuse drugs without adequate medical supervision, relying on unreliable sources of information, which leads to improper usage and serious health risks. This narrative review analyzes literature from PubMed<sup>®</sup> (Medline), Scopus<sup>®</sup>, and Web of Science<sup>®</sup> databases, focusing on studies up to December 2023, to examine the safety concerns related to off-label drug use in sports. The review presents an overview of the off-label use of pharmacological substances by athletes, focusing on both hormonal and non-hormonal drugs. Hormonal substances such as anabolic steroids and growth hormones, and non-hormonal agents like diuretics and β2-agonists, are frequently abused. These practices are associated with severe side effects, including infections, cardiovascular complications, hormonal imbalances, psychological disorders, dependence, and even cases of death. The study emphasizes the need for stronger regulation, public awareness initiatives, and preventive strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with this growing trend.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11627157/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142712042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-30DOI: 10.3390/medicines11080019
Subhas S Karki, Umashankar Das, Jan Balzarini, Erik De Clercq, Hiroshi Sakagami, Yoshihiro Uesawa, Praveen K Roayapalley, Jonathan R Dimmock
Background: A series of 3,5-benzylidene-4-piperidones, 1a-n, were prepared to evaluate the hypothesis that the placement of different groups in the ortho-location of the aryl rings led to compounds with greater cytotoxic potencies than structural analogs. Methods: The bioevaluation of 1a-n was undertaken using human Molt/4C8 and CEM cells as well as murine L1210 cells. Correlations were sought between the interplanar angles θA and θB and the cytotoxic potencies. A QSAR analysis was also undertaken. In order to evaluate whether these compounds demonstrated greater toxicity to neoplasms than non-malignant cells, 1a-n were evaluated against HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4 and HL60 neoplasms as well as non-malignant HGF, HPC and HPLF cells. Results: A positive correlation was noted between the interplanar angle θA of one of the aryl rings and the adjacent olefinic linkage with IC50 values in the Molt4/C8 screens. The QSAR analysis revealed a positive correlation between the Hansch pi (π) value of the aryl substituents and the IC50 values of the compounds towards the Molt4/C8 and CEM cells. The dienones in series 1 demonstrated higher tumor-selective toxicity towards HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4 and HL-60 neoplasms than HGF, HPC and HPLF cells. Conclusions: The bioevaluations revealed some support for greater cytotoxic potencies to be displayed by compounds having ortho-substituents.
{"title":"Does Ortho-Substitution Enhance Cytotoxic Potencies in a Series of 3,5-Bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones?","authors":"Subhas S Karki, Umashankar Das, Jan Balzarini, Erik De Clercq, Hiroshi Sakagami, Yoshihiro Uesawa, Praveen K Roayapalley, Jonathan R Dimmock","doi":"10.3390/medicines11080019","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11080019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> A series of 3,5-benzylidene-4-piperidones, <b>1a</b>-<b>n</b>, were prepared to evaluate the hypothesis that the placement of different groups in the ortho-location of the aryl rings led to compounds with greater cytotoxic potencies than structural analogs. <b>Methods:</b> The bioevaluation of <b>1a</b>-<b>n</b> was undertaken using human Molt/4C8 and CEM cells as well as murine L1210 cells. Correlations were sought between the interplanar angles θ<sub>A</sub> and θ<sub>B</sub> and the cytotoxic potencies. A QSAR analysis was also undertaken. In order to evaluate whether these compounds demonstrated greater toxicity to neoplasms than non-malignant cells, <b>1a</b>-<b>n</b> were evaluated against HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4 and HL60 neoplasms as well as non-malignant HGF, HPC and HPLF cells. <b>Results:</b> A positive correlation was noted between the interplanar angle θ<sub>A</sub> of one of the aryl rings and the adjacent olefinic linkage with IC<sub>50</sub> values in the Molt4/C8 screens. The QSAR analysis revealed a positive correlation between the Hansch pi (π) value of the aryl substituents and the IC<sub>50</sub> values of the compounds towards the Molt4/C8 and CEM cells. The dienones in series <b>1</b> demonstrated higher tumor-selective toxicity towards HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4 and HL-60 neoplasms than HGF, HPC and HPLF cells. <b>Conclusions:</b> The bioevaluations revealed some support for greater cytotoxic potencies to be displayed by compounds having ortho-substituents.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11587156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142712119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-05DOI: 10.3390/medicines11070018
Jovan Javorac, Dejan Živanović, Biljana Zvezdin, Vesna Mijatović Jovin
The primary objectives of asthma management during pregnancy are to achieve adequate symptom control, reduce the risk of acute exacerbations, and maintain normal pulmonary function, all of which contribute to ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommends that pregnant women with asthma continue using asthma medications throughout pregnancy, as the benefits of well-controlled asthma for both the mother and fetus outweigh the potential risks of medication side effects, poorly controlled asthma, and exacerbations. The classification of asthma medications by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) into categories A, B, C, D, and X is no longer applied. Instead, the potential benefits and risks of each medication during pregnancy and lactation are considered individually. The use of medications to achieve good asthma control and prevent exacerbations during pregnancy is justified, encompassing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), some leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA), long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA), short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMA), long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), and, recently, biological therapies, even in the absence of definitive safety data during pregnancy.
孕期哮喘治疗的主要目标是充分控制症状、降低急性加重的风险和维持正常的肺功能,所有这些都有助于确保母亲和胎儿的健康和福祉。全球哮喘倡议(GINA)建议患有哮喘的孕妇在整个孕期继续使用哮喘药物,因为控制好哮喘对母亲和胎儿的益处大于药物副作用、哮喘控制不佳和病情恶化的潜在风险。美国食品和药物管理局(FDA)将哮喘药物分为 A、B、C、D 和 X 类的做法已不再适用。相反,每种药物在孕期和哺乳期的潜在益处和风险都要单独考虑。在怀孕期间使用药物来达到良好的哮喘控制效果并预防病情恶化是合理的,这些药物包括吸入性皮质类固醇(ICS)、某些白三烯受体拮抗剂(LTRA)、短效 β2-激动剂(SABA)、长效 β2受体激动剂(LABA)、短效毒蕈碱拮抗剂(SAMA)、长效毒蕈碱拮抗剂(LAMA),以及最近的生物疗法,即使没有明确的孕期安全性数据也是合理的。
{"title":"Breathing for Two: Asthma Management, Treatment, and Safety of Pharmacological Therapy during Pregnancy.","authors":"Jovan Javorac, Dejan Živanović, Biljana Zvezdin, Vesna Mijatović Jovin","doi":"10.3390/medicines11070018","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11070018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The primary objectives of asthma management during pregnancy are to achieve adequate symptom control, reduce the risk of acute exacerbations, and maintain normal pulmonary function, all of which contribute to ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommends that pregnant women with asthma continue using asthma medications throughout pregnancy, as the benefits of well-controlled asthma for both the mother and fetus outweigh the potential risks of medication side effects, poorly controlled asthma, and exacerbations. The classification of asthma medications by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) into categories A, B, C, D, and X is no longer applied. Instead, the potential benefits and risks of each medication during pregnancy and lactation are considered individually. The use of medications to achieve good asthma control and prevent exacerbations during pregnancy is justified, encompassing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), some leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA), long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA), short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMA), long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), and, recently, biological therapies, even in the absence of definitive safety data during pregnancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417694/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-30DOI: 10.3390/medicines11070017
Jamie Thygerson, Dallin Oyler, Jackson Thomas, Brandon Muse, Benjamin D Brooks, Jessica E Pullan
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP), particularly its severe form, Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), affects up to 70% of pregnancies and significantly impacts the quality of life for those with the condition as well as generates a great economic burden, with annual costs exceeding $1.7 billion in the United States. Despite the available treatments targeting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, many patients experience inadequate relief and suffer from severe side effects, including headaches and dizziness. Recent research has underscored the role of GDF15, a protein mainly produced by the placenta and linked to NVP symptoms. This protein, part of the TGF-β superfamily, has been implicated in appetite and weight regulation and is altered in those with HG due to specific genetic mutations. Addressing the challenges of delivering effective treatments, current innovations focus on targeting GDF15 to reduce symptoms while ensuring fetal safety. Promising therapeutic strategies include non-IgG immunotherapies, small peptide and molecule antagonists, and novel administration methods such as transdermal patches. These approaches aim to optimize dosage and reduce adverse effects. The effective development and testing of these treatments necessitate advanced animal models that closely resemble human pregnancy physiology, highlighting the need for further research and funding. This ongoing research holds significant potential to improve the clinical outcomes for HG patients and decrease the economic impact on healthcare systems, urging a dedicated response from the scientific and medical communities to advance these promising treatments.
{"title":"GDF15 Targeting for Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum.","authors":"Jamie Thygerson, Dallin Oyler, Jackson Thomas, Brandon Muse, Benjamin D Brooks, Jessica E Pullan","doi":"10.3390/medicines11070017","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11070017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP), particularly its severe form, Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), affects up to 70% of pregnancies and significantly impacts the quality of life for those with the condition as well as generates a great economic burden, with annual costs exceeding $1.7 billion in the United States. Despite the available treatments targeting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, many patients experience inadequate relief and suffer from severe side effects, including headaches and dizziness. Recent research has underscored the role of GDF15, a protein mainly produced by the placenta and linked to NVP symptoms. This protein, part of the TGF-<i>β</i> superfamily, has been implicated in appetite and weight regulation and is altered in those with HG due to specific genetic mutations. Addressing the challenges of delivering effective treatments, current innovations focus on targeting GDF15 to reduce symptoms while ensuring fetal safety. Promising therapeutic strategies include non-IgG immunotherapies, small peptide and molecule antagonists, and novel administration methods such as transdermal patches. These approaches aim to optimize dosage and reduce adverse effects. The effective development and testing of these treatments necessitate advanced animal models that closely resemble human pregnancy physiology, highlighting the need for further research and funding. This ongoing research holds significant potential to improve the clinical outcomes for HG patients and decrease the economic impact on healthcare systems, urging a dedicated response from the scientific and medical communities to advance these promising treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417875/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-31DOI: 10.3390/medicines11070015
Ola A Al-Ewaidat, Moawiah M Naffaa
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune rheumatic condition characterized by an unpredictable course and a wide spectrum of manifestations varying in severity. Individuals with SLE are at an increased risk of cerebrovascular events, particularly strokes. These strokes manifest with a diverse range of symptoms that cannot be solely attributed to conventional risk factors, underscoring their significance among the atypical risk factors in the context of SLE. This complexity complicates the identification of optimal management plans and the selection of medication combinations for individual patients. This susceptibility is further complicated by the nuances of neuropsychiatric SLE, which reveals a diverse array of neurological symptoms, particularly those associated with ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Given the broad range of clinical presentations and associated risks linking strokes to SLE, ongoing research and comprehensive care strategies are essential. These efforts are critical for improving patient outcomes by optimizing management strategies and discovering new medications. This review aims to elucidate the pathological connection between SLE and strokes by examining neurological manifestations, risk factors, mechanisms, prediction and prevention strategies, management plans, and available research tools and animal models. It seeks to explore this medical correlation and discover new medication options that can be tailored to individual SLE patients at risk of stroke.
{"title":"Deciphering Mechanisms, Prevention Strategies, Management Plans, Medications, and Research Techniques for Strokes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.","authors":"Ola A Al-Ewaidat, Moawiah M Naffaa","doi":"10.3390/medicines11070015","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11070015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune rheumatic condition characterized by an unpredictable course and a wide spectrum of manifestations varying in severity. Individuals with SLE are at an increased risk of cerebrovascular events, particularly strokes. These strokes manifest with a diverse range of symptoms that cannot be solely attributed to conventional risk factors, underscoring their significance among the atypical risk factors in the context of SLE. This complexity complicates the identification of optimal management plans and the selection of medication combinations for individual patients. This susceptibility is further complicated by the nuances of neuropsychiatric SLE, which reveals a diverse array of neurological symptoms, particularly those associated with ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Given the broad range of clinical presentations and associated risks linking strokes to SLE, ongoing research and comprehensive care strategies are essential. These efforts are critical for improving patient outcomes by optimizing management strategies and discovering new medications. This review aims to elucidate the pathological connection between SLE and strokes by examining neurological manifestations, risk factors, mechanisms, prediction and prevention strategies, management plans, and available research tools and animal models. It seeks to explore this medical correlation and discover new medication options that can be tailored to individual SLE patients at risk of stroke.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11348055/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142074654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-18DOI: 10.3390/medicines11070014
Qingyuan Yu, Xian Zhou, Rotina Kapini, Anthony Arsecularatne, Wenting Song, Chunguang Li, Yang Liu, Junguo Ren, Gerald Münch, Jianxun Liu, Dennis Chang
Cytokine storm (CS) is the main driver of SARS-CoV-2-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The pathological mechanisms of CS are quite complex and involve multiple critical molecular targets that turn self-limited and mild COVID-19 into a severe and life-threatening concern. At present, vaccines are strongly recommended as safe and effective treatments for preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19. However, effective treatment options are still lacking for people who are at the most risk or hospitalized with severe disease. Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of mild to severe COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy, particular preventing the development of mild to severe ARDS. This review illustrates in detail the pathogenesis of CS-involved ARDS and its associated key molecular targets, cytokines and signalling pathways. The therapeutic targets were identified particularly in relation to the turning points of the development of COVID-19, from mild symptoms to severe ARDS. Preclinical and clinical studies were reviewed for the effects of Chinese herbal medicines together with conventional therapies in reducing ARDS symptoms and addressing critical therapeutic targets associated with CS. Multiple herbal formulations, herbal extracts and single bioactive phytochemicals with or without conventional therapies demonstrated strong anti-CS effects through multiple mechanisms. However, evidence from larger, well-designed clinical trials is lacking and their detailed mechanisms of action are yet to be well elucidated. More research is warranted to further evaluate the therapeutic value of Chinese herbal medicine for CS in COVID-19-induced ARDS.
{"title":"Cytokine Storm in COVID-19: Insight into Pathological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Benefits of Chinese Herbal Medicines.","authors":"Qingyuan Yu, Xian Zhou, Rotina Kapini, Anthony Arsecularatne, Wenting Song, Chunguang Li, Yang Liu, Junguo Ren, Gerald Münch, Jianxun Liu, Dennis Chang","doi":"10.3390/medicines11070014","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11070014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cytokine storm (CS) is the main driver of SARS-CoV-2-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The pathological mechanisms of CS are quite complex and involve multiple critical molecular targets that turn self-limited and mild COVID-19 into a severe and life-threatening concern. At present, vaccines are strongly recommended as safe and effective treatments for preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19. However, effective treatment options are still lacking for people who are at the most risk or hospitalized with severe disease. Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of mild to severe COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy, particular preventing the development of mild to severe ARDS. This review illustrates in detail the pathogenesis of CS-involved ARDS and its associated key molecular targets, cytokines and signalling pathways. The therapeutic targets were identified particularly in relation to the turning points of the development of COVID-19, from mild symptoms to severe ARDS. Preclinical and clinical studies were reviewed for the effects of Chinese herbal medicines together with conventional therapies in reducing ARDS symptoms and addressing critical therapeutic targets associated with CS. Multiple herbal formulations, herbal extracts and single bioactive phytochemicals with or without conventional therapies demonstrated strong anti-CS effects through multiple mechanisms. However, evidence from larger, well-designed clinical trials is lacking and their detailed mechanisms of action are yet to be well elucidated. More research is warranted to further evaluate the therapeutic value of Chinese herbal medicine for CS in COVID-19-induced ARDS.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11270433/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141763126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-27DOI: 10.3390/medicines11060012
Adi Kurniawan, Sukamto Koesnoe, Evy Yunihastuti, Hamzah Shatri
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to high mortality rates. There have been reports of hypersensitivity reactions with mild to severe symptoms. The COVID-19 vaccine provocation test is a vaccination protocol for individuals with a history of hypersensitivity. This study aims to determine the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine provocation tests in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccines and its influencing factors. Objective: To determine the incidence, severity, outcome of hypersensitivity reactions, and success of the COVID-19 vaccine provocation test. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, using subjects taken from medical record data at the RSCM who had received COVID-19 vaccination with a history of hypersensitivity. Data was taken from the COVID-19 vaccination records at the RSCM, BPJS Health Primary Care application. Results: From a total of 29,036 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, 44 patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions. As many as 38.64% did not continue vaccination, 2.27% experienced mild hypersensitivity, and 59.44% were successfully vaccinated. Conclusions: People with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccines can still receive subsequent COVID-19 vaccinations at healthcare facilities equipped with anaphylaxis kits and immunology allergists.
{"title":"Incidence and Outcomes of COVID-19 Vaccine Hypersensitivity Reactions and Success of COVID-19 Vaccine Provocation Tests Post Previous COVID-19 Vaccine Hypersensitivity.","authors":"Adi Kurniawan, Sukamto Koesnoe, Evy Yunihastuti, Hamzah Shatri","doi":"10.3390/medicines11060012","DOIUrl":"10.3390/medicines11060012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to high mortality rates. There have been reports of hypersensitivity reactions with mild to severe symptoms. The COVID-19 vaccine provocation test is a vaccination protocol for individuals with a history of hypersensitivity. This study aims to determine the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine provocation tests in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccines and its influencing factors. <b>Objective</b>: To determine the incidence, severity, outcome of hypersensitivity reactions, and success of the COVID-19 vaccine provocation test. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, using subjects taken from medical record data at the RSCM who had received COVID-19 vaccination with a history of hypersensitivity. Data was taken from the COVID-19 vaccination records at the RSCM, BPJS Health Primary Care application. <b>Results</b>: From a total of 29,036 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, 44 patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions. As many as 38.64% did not continue vaccination, 2.27% experienced mild hypersensitivity, and 59.44% were successfully vaccinated. <b>Conclusions</b>: People with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccines can still receive subsequent COVID-19 vaccinations at healthcare facilities equipped with anaphylaxis kits and immunology allergists.</p>","PeriodicalId":74162,"journal":{"name":"Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11205891/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141452342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}