Cardiovascular & hematological disorders drug targets最新文献

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global health crisis with significant morbidity and mortality.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of COVID-19 in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial infarction and identify associated demographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods: In this study, a retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional design was used to examine all patients (a total of 85) who experienced acute myocardial infarction and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study measured various parameters, such as COVID-19 status, age, sex, ethnicity, diabetes, and hypertension. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25 software.

Results: Out of the 85 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial infarction (MI), 14 patients (16.5%) were found to have COVID-19. COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed through RT-PCR testing for 2 patients, while the remaining 12 patients were diagnosed using lung CT scans. Among the COVID-19 patients, 21.4% (n = 3) had background diabetes, and 7.1% (n = 1) had background hypertension. MI recurrence was observed in 14.3% of COVID-19 patients (2 cases). Unfortunately, 1 COVID-19 patient, a 70- year-old Persian woman with diabetes and hypertension, passed away. No significant differences were found in terms of age, sex, ethnicity, underlying diabetes, or underlying hypertension between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups.

Conclusion: The high occurrence of COVID-19 among myocardial infarction (MI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is worth noting. Further investigation is recommended to explore the impact of demographic and contextual factors on the severity and outcomes of primary PCI in MI patients with COVID-19, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved.

Introduction: Gaucher's disease (GD) is a rare lysosomal storage disease. It is characterized by the deposition of glucocerebroside in cells of the macrophage-monocyte system. GD presents a broad clinical expression, including hematologic abnormalities (such as pancytopenia), massive hepatosplenomegaly, diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease, renal involvement in the form of nephropathy and glomerulonephritis, skeletal involvement in the form of bone pain, bony infarct, osteopenia, and pathological fracture. Based on the presence or absence of neurologic involvement, it is differentiated into type 1, type 2, and type 3. Gaucher's disease type 1 is the most common form, having the nonneuropathic form and carrying autosomal recessive traits. Gaucher's disease affects all racial and ethnic groups, while type 1 GD is most prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews.

Case presentation: A 20-year-old female was admitted to the medicine department with complaints of generalized weakness and easy fatigability, menorrhagia, and a dragging sensation in the abdomen. On clinical evaluation, she had bone marrow failure syndrome features along with massive splenomegaly. Later, she was confirmed with Gaucher disease type 1 disease by clinical and investigation (low β-glucosidase level) evaluation.

Conclusion: This case emphasizes keeping a differential diagnosis of glycogen storage disorder while evaluating a case of unexplained pancytopenia with massive splenomegaly in adulthood for an extended period. Currently, enzyme replacement therapy and substrate reduction therapy are the mainstay therapeutic options for GD.

Background: This study aims to examine the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with chest trauma who were infected with COVID-19 and underwent emergency surgery.

Objective: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research investigates the impact of COVID-19 on patients with chest trauma who underwent emergency surgery.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 56 patients with chest trauma in two groups with COVID-19, and no covid who underwent surgery in Shahid Madani Hospital.

Results: Among the trauma patients, 21 were infected with COVID-19, and 35 were not. The predominant causes of trauma were car and motorcycle accidents. Among COVID-19 patients, 3.3% exhibited symptoms of fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal symptoms, while 5.9% had severe lung involvement confirmed by CT scan. Following surgery, 1.57% (12 individuals) of COVID-19 patients were transferred to the ICU, with an average hospitalization duration of 1.11 days. In contrast, the average hospitalization duration for non-COVID-19 chest trauma patients was 1.9 days (p =0.015).

Conclusion: Patients with chest trauma who underwent surgery and were infected with COVID-19 demonstrated significant differences in average length of stay, ICU admissions, and pneumonia incidence. However, there was no significant distinction in the mortality rate between the two groups.

Aims: This work aimed to investigate the antihypertensive activity of Ammi visnaga.

Background: The aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga has traditionally been used to treat hypertension in Morocco.

Objective: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of Ammi visnaga aqueous extract (AVAE) on arterial blood pressure, systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) in normotensive and hypertensive rats. In addition, the effect of the aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga on vasodilatation was assessed in isolated rat aortic rings with functional endothelium pre-contracted with epinephrine EP or KCl.

Methods: AVAE was obtained, and its antihypertensive ability was pharmacologically investigated in L-NAME hypertensive and normotensive rats. The rats received oral AVAE at two selected doses of 70 and 140 mg/kg for six hours (acute experiment) and seven days (sub-chronic). Thereafter, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated. Moreover, the vasorelaxant activity of AESA was performed in thoracic aortic ring rats. In addition, the mechanisms of action involved in the vasorelaxant effect were studied.

Results: AVAE lowered blood pressure only in L-Name-induced hypertensive rats. Furthermore, AVAE (0.375-1.375 mg/ml) showed a vasodilator effect in isolated aortic rats. In addition, not all of the medications used in our study were responsible for the signaling pathway. As a result, additional pharmaceuticals are required to confirm the mechanism of this signaling pathway.

Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga exerts an interesting antihypertensive activity, which could be mediated through its vasorelaxant activity. The study supports its use as a medicinal plant against hypertension in Morocco.

Background: The association of obesity with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is fully understood, but there are few investigations regarding its effect on LV systolic function in the absence of other risk factors. This study aimed to identify the global longitudinal strain (GLS) changes in isolated overweight and obese people in the absence of other risk factors.

Methods: A total of 120 individuals, including 60 obese, 30 overweight, and 30 healthy controls with no underlying disease and no history of hypertension, diabetes, CAD, or CKD were included in the study. Echocardiographic findings were measured, including apical 2-, 3- and 4-chamber GLS, GLS total, LV diameter, interventricular septum thickness, and PAP. These findings were then compared between the three groups (obese, overweight, and normal controls).

Results: Analyses showed that LV diameter in healthy controls was significantly lower compared to overweight (p = 0.02) and obese (p < 0.0001) participants. Also, the interventricular septal thickness was significantly increased in overweight (p = 0.007) and obese (p < 0.0001) individuals compared to healthy controls. The mean and standard deviation (Mean ± SD) of total GLS values were - 22.29% ± 1.89% for normal weight, -22.09% ± 1.91% for overweight, and -19.88% ± 2.34% for obese individuals. The total GLS of obese participants was significantly lower than overweight and normal controls (p < 0.0001). It was observed that the GLS values were significantly lower in people with BMI higher than 40. The mean ± SD of total GLS values were -20.68% (1.84%) for BMI ≤ 40 patients and -18.51% (2.52%) for BMI > 40 patients.

Conclusion: Data revealed that all GLS values had a moderately strong correlation with BMI values. Also, subclinical LV dysfunction was detected in overweight and obese subjects.

Aim: The research intended to explore the possible nephroprotective potential of the ethyl acetate fraction derived from Acacia catechu leaves against nephrotoxicity brought about by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in Wistar rats.

Background: While possessing strong anticancer properties, 5-FU is hindered in its therapeutic application due to significant organ toxicity linked to elevated oxidative stress and inflammation.

Objective: The study is undertaken to conduct an analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of A. catechu leaves both in terms of quality and quantity, examining its impact on different biochemical and histopathological parameters within the context of 5-FU-induced renal damage in rats and elucidation of the mechanism behind the observed outcomes.

Methodology: Intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU at a dosage of 20 mg/kg/day over 5 days was given to induce nephrotoxicity in rats. The evaluation of nephrotoxicity involved quantifying serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, and electrolyte concentrations. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase, catalase antioxidant enzymes, and TNF-α concentration in serum were also measured.

Results: 5-FU injection led to the initiation of oxidative stress within the kidneys, leading to modifications in renal biomarkers (including serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, and Na⁺, K⁺ levels), and a reduction in antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase and catalase. Notably, the presence of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was significantly elevated due to 5-FU. Microscopic examination of renal tissue revealed tubular degeneration and congestion. However, treatment involving the ethyl acetate fraction derived from A. catechu leaves effectively and dose-dependently reversed the changes observed in renal biomarkers, renal antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory mediators, and histopathological features, bringing them closer to normal conditions. The observed recuperative impact was mainly attributed to the antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of the fraction.

Conclusion: The ethyl acetate fraction of A. catechu leaves exhibited a mitigating influence on the renal impairment caused by 5-FU, showcasing its potential as a nephroprotective agent capable of preventing and ameliorating 5-FU-induced nephrotoxicity.

Raised blood pressure is the most common complication worldwide that may lead to atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Unhealthy lifestyles, smoking, alcohol consumption, junk food, and genetic disorders are some of the causes of hypertension. To treat this condition, numerous antihypertensive medications are available, either alone or in combination, that work via various mechanisms of action. Combinational therapy provides a certain advantage over monotherapy in the sense that it acts in multi mechanism mode and minimal drug amount is required to elicit the desired therapeutic effect. Such therapy is given to patients with systolic blood pressure greater than 20 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure exceeding 10 mmHg beyond the normal range, as well as those suffering from severe cardiovascular disease. The selection of antihypertensive medications, such as calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and low-dose diuretics, hinges on their ability to manage blood pressure effectively and reduce cardiovascular disease risks. This review provides insights into the diverse monotherapy and combination therapy approaches used for elevated blood pressure management. In addition, it offers an analysis of combination therapy versus monotherapy and discusses the current status of these therapies, from researchbased findings to clinical trials.

Background: The global burden of atherosclerosis and its implication to cause coronary heart disease and ischemic cardiac problems is the most prevalent cause of morbidity and hospitalization. In the US, there has been an increase in the number of patients with cardiac problems in the last decade, and still remains the primary cause of death in Europe as well as in the US.

Objectives: Even though therapeutic interventions and early diagnosis the formation of the fatty lesion and its subsequent steps are possible, the therapeutic management of the disease remains questionable when clinical data is observed. There is still scope for proper target identification and biomarker recognition, which can serve as a baseline to develop efficient pharmacological agent and delivery systems so that the disease incidence and prevalence can be controlled. The present article highlights the current pathophysiological state of the disease and emerging strategies that are applied to manage the disease.

Findings: This article gives an insight into the limitations of various conventionally used therapeutic agents for disease treatment. The emerging strategies that could prove efficacious in disease treatment. This article also gives an insight into current discoveries in the field of cellular and molecular biology, such as the genetic role in causing dyslipidemia and the role of immune cells and the role of non-coding small RNA, which can set the future direction to develop therapeutics interventions for atherosclerosis.

Background: Post-coronary artery bypass grafting (post-CABG) is a beneficial procedure for cardiac patients. However, without an appropriate cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program, patient care may be inadequate, leading to recurrent hospitalizations and heart failure. This study aims to assess the effects of a CR program on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) measures in post-CABG patients at Amir-almomenin, kordkuy Hospital, Golestan, Iran.

Methods: This descriptive-analytic study included 100 patients who underwent post-CABG surgery in the second half of 2020, and whose complete information was available in their medical files. An echocardiologist assessed the LVEF and TAPSE of the patients. After one month of CR procedures, these measures were reevaluated and recorded. The CR program consisted of 5 to 10 sessions of physiotherapy per patient, with 2 or 3 sessions conducted per week. It involved a four-phase therapy that included light sports activities such as running and jogging on a treadmill at a CR clinic. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 18.

Results: The data analysis of this study suggests that implementing a CR program for post- CABG patients can have beneficial effects. CR significantly increased the patients' LVEF, but the increase in TAPSE was not statistically significant. Furthermore, both male and female patients showed improved LVEF after the CR program. There was a non-significant inverse relationship between hospitalization duration and LVEF. Statistically, older patients had a significantly longer duration of hospitalization compared to younger patients.

Conclusion: Completion of a cardiac rehabilitation program leads to significant improvement in left ventricular function, while the improvement in right ventricular function is relatively modest. Moreover, a significant proportion of patients were able to resume their normal daily activities after completing the rehabilitation phase.

Introduction: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common disease. Nowadays, progress in the rapid management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has resulted in saving time and reduction of MI complications.

Case representation: A 68-year-old male musician with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD), while playing fiddle, complained of severe compressive retrosternal chest pain. In the present study, we report a case of inferior ST-segment elevation MI with a post-angioplasty delusion of persecution.

Conclusion: Our case report has presented a distinctive occurrence of post-angioplasty psychosis following inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The patient displayed symptoms consistent with brief psychosis, including persecutory delusions, jealousy delusions, and second-person auditory hallucinations.