Overcoming Barriers to Diabetes Management in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes by Leveraging Telehealth: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The LIFT-YA (leveraging intensive follow-up treatment in young adults) quality improvement program was developed to address clinical and social barriers in young adults (YA) with type 1 diabetes (T1D), using telehealth visits to promote clinic attendance and improve diabetes care. METHODS: LIFT-YA enrolled YA aged 18-30 with T1D and HbA1c >8% (64 mmol/mol) who had established adult care in our diabetes clinic. The 6-month, 7-visit hybrid program was facilitated by a case manager serving as the liaison between participants and the care team. The primary end-points were within-group and between-group changes from the baseline in HbA1c at the last visit and adoption of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). RESULTS: Of the 57 eligible YA, 24 were enrolled and 33 were unable to participate (UTP). Thirteen of the enrolled participants attended at least 4/7 visits ("completers", C), whereas 11 were noncompleters (NC). HbA1c at the end of the program was significantly lower in the C versus UTP group [median -1.0; IQR (-0.6, -2.5) vs -0.25 (0.2, -1.0) in UTP; P < .05]. The percentage of CGM users significantly increased by 70% in the C group (P < .05), but did not change in the NC and UTP groups. Limited access to telehealth and the high cost of frequent visits were the main hurdles preventing enrollment into or completion of the program. CONCLUSIONS: The LIFT-YA pathway was associated with a significant HbA1c reduction and an increase in the adoption of CGM. Policy changes are necessary to expand access to LIFT-YA and other programs for high-risk YA with T1D in underserved communities and across all backgrounds.

Red ginseng aqueous extract improves mucociliary transport dysfunction and histopathology in CF rat airways.

BACKGROUND: We previously discovered that Korean red ginseng aqueous extract (RGAE) potentiates the TMEM16A channel, improved mucociliary transport (MCT) parameters in CF nasal epithelia in vitro, and thus could serve as a therapeutic strategy to rescue the MCT defect in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways. The hypothesis of this study is that RGAE can improve epithelial Cl- secretion, MCT, and histopathology in an in-vivo CF rat model. METHODS: Seventeen 4-month old CFTR-/- rats were randomly assigned to receive daily oral control (saline, n = 9) or RGAE (Ginsenosides 0.4mg/kg/daily, n = 8) for 4 weeks. Outcomes included nasal Cl- secretion measured with the nasal potential difference (NPD), functional microanatomy of the trachea using micro-optical coherence tomography, histopathology, and immunohistochemical staining for TMEM16a. RESULTS: RGAE-treated CF rats had greater mean NPD polarization with UTP (control = -5.48 +/- 2.87 mV, RGAE = -9.49 +/- 2.99 mV, p < 0.05), indicating, at least in part, potentiation of UTP-mediated Cl- secretion through TMEM16A. All measured tracheal MCT parameters (airway surface liquid, periciliary liquid, ciliary beat frequency, MCT) were significantly increased in RGAE-treated CF rats with MCT exhibiting a 3-fold increase (control, 0.45+/-0.31 vs. RGAE, 1.45+/-0.66 mm/min, p < 0.01). Maxillary mucosa histopathology was markedly improved in RGAE-treated cohort (reduced intracellular mucus, goblet cells with no distention, and shorter epithelial height). TMEM16A expression was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: RGAE improves TMEM16A-mediated transepithelial Cl- secretion, functional microanatomy, and histopathology in CF rats. Therapeutic strategies utilizing TMEM16A potentiators to treat CF airway disease are appropriate and provide a new avenue for mutation-independent therapies.

Modulation of spontaneous activity in the overactive bladder: the role of P2Y agonists.

Spinal cord transection (SCT) leads to an increase in spontaneous contractile activity in the isolated bladder that is reminiscent of an overactive bladder syndrome in patients with similar damage to the central nervous system. An increase in interstitial cell number in the suburothelial space between the urothelium and detrusor smooth muscle layer occurs in SCT bladders, and these cells elicit excitatory responses to purines and pyrimidines such as ATP, ADP, and UTP. We have investigated the hypothesis that these agents underlie the increase in spontaneous activity. Rats underwent lower thoracic spinal cord transection, and their bladder sheets or strips, with intact mucosa except where specified, were used for experiments. Isometric tension was recorded and propagating Ca(2+) and membrane potential (E(m)) waves were recorded by fluorescence imaging using photodiode arrays. SCT bladders were associated with regular spontaneous contractions (2.9 ± 0.4/min); ADP, UTP, and UDP augmented the amplitude but not their frequency. With strips from such bladders, a P2Y(6)-selective agonist (PSB0474) exerted similar effects. Fluorescence imaging of bladder sheets showed that ADP or UTP increased the conduction velocity of Ca(2+)/E(m) waves that were confined to regions of the bladder wall with an intact mucosa. When transverse bladder sections were used, Ca(2+)/E(m) waves originated in the suburothelial space and propagated to the detrusor and urothelium. Analysis of wave propagation showed that the suburothelial space exhibited properties of an electrical syncitium. These experiments are consistent with the hypothesis that P2Y-receptor agonists increase spontaneous contractile activity by augmenting functional activity of the cellular syncitium in the suburothelial space.

Clinical Application of the Classical Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Diabetic Nephropathy.

Objective: To explore the clinical application of the classical theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods: A total of 100 patients with DN treated in our hospital from May 2019 to June 2021 were included. The patients were randomly assigned to the control group and the study group. The control group received routine treatment, and the study group was treated with the classical theory of TCM. The efficacy, TCM syndrome score, urine proteinuria (UTP), urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), plasma albumin (ALB), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), and treatment safety were compared between the two groups. Results: In comparison to the curative effect, the study group was significantly effective in 34 cases, effective in 12 cases, and ineffective in 4 cases, and the effective rate was 92.00%; the control group was significantly effective in 16 cases, effective in 18 cases, and ineffective in 16 cases, and the effective rate was 68.00%. The effective rate in the study group was higher compared to the control (P < 0.05). In comparison to the TCM syndrome scores, there exhibited no significant difference before treatment (P > 0.05), but after treatment, the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups decreased, and the TCM syndrome scores of the study group were lower compared to the control at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 36 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). There exhibited no significant difference in the indexes of UTP and UACR before treatment, but the indexes of UTP and UACR in the two groups decreased after treatment, and the indexes of UTP and UACR in the study group were lower compared to the control at 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. There was no significant difference in the indexes of ALB, HbA1C, and FBG before treatment, but after treatment, the indexes of ALB increased, the indexes of HbA1C and FBG decreased in both groups, and the indexes of HbA1C and FBG i4n the study group were lower compared to the control, while the index of ALB in the study group was higher. The indexes of BUN and Cr were compared, and there was no significant difference before treatment, but after treatment, the indexes of BUN and Cr in the two groups decreased, and the indexes of BUN and Cr in the study group were lower compared to the control (P < 0.05). In terms of the treatment safety of the two groups, there was no abnormality in blood, urine, stool routine, and liver and kidney function examination in the study group. No obvious adverse reactions were found in all patients. There were 1 case of abnormal liver function and 2 cases of rash in the control group, and there exhibited no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Under the guidance of classical theory, the optimization scheme of comprehensive treatment of TCM may improve renal function by improving metabolic disorders, vascular lesions, neurotrophic disorders, antioxidant stress, and other ways to repair nerve injury, improving the changes of TCM syndromes, signs, and indicators of patients, and delay the progress of DN.

Comparative efficacy of seven Chinese patent medicines for early diabetic kidney disease: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bailing Capsule (BLC), Jinshuibao (JSB), Huangkui Capsule (HKC), Uremic Clearance Granule (UCG), Tripterygium glycosides (TG), Compound Xueshuantong Capsule (CXC), and Shenyan Kangfu Tablet (SYKFT) as classic Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), have been widely used and shown beneficial effects on the treatment of early diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the comparative efficacy of seven CPMs in the treatment of early DKD remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of seven CPMs (BLC, JSB, HKC, UCG, TG, CXC, SYKFT) combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) on early DKD by a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trials.gov, China Biology Medicine, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal, and Wanfang databases from inception to March 14, 2021, for full-text RCTs that evaluated the efficacy of seven CPMs combined with ACEI/ARB on patients with early DKD. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Agreement between reviewers was measured using kappa statistics. Mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated to evaluate continuous variables and dichotomous, respectively. The random effect modeling NMA was performed and the ranking probability of interventions in various outcomes was also conducted based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Begg's and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias. The certainty of the evidence for outcomes was evaluated according to the GRADE system. RESULTS: A total of 62 RCTs with 5362 patients with early DKD were identified. The value of Kappa calculated for the various parameters extracted by the two investigators was 0.821 (P < 0.001). Among these CPMs, UCG + ACEI/ARB showed the best effectiveness for urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) (MD 32.25, 95% CrI 19.11-45.67, low certainty) with SUCRA 92%. JSB + ACEI/ARB showed the highest effectiveness for 24-h urinary total protein (24-h UTP) (MD 76.92, 95% CrI 53.54-100.58, low certainty) with SUCRA 97%. CXC + ACEI/ARB showed the highest effectiveness for serum creatinine (SCr) (MD 26.02, 95% CrI 6.10-45.95, low certainty) with SUCRA 96%. HKC + ACEI/ARB showed the highest effectiveness for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (MD 1.46, 95% CrI 0.42-2.54, very low certainty) with SUCRA 86%. BLC + ACEI/ARB showed significant differences in triglyceride (TRIG) (MD - 1.17, 95% CrI - 1.93 to - 0.43, low certainty) with SUCRA 90%, total cholesterol (TC) (MD - 1.17, 95% CrI - 1.97 to - 0.39, very low certainty) with SUCRA 90%, and C-reaction protein (CRP) (MD - 0.90, 95% CrI - 1.51 to - 0.32, very low certainty) with SUCRA 76%. CONCLUSIONS: CPMs + ACEI/ARB might be positive efficacious interventions from which patients with DKD will derive benefit. UCG + ACEI/ARB, JSB + ACEI/ARB, CXC + ACEI/ARB, and HKC + ACEI/ARB might be potentially the preferred intervention for reducing UAER, 24-h UTP, SCr, and BUN levels, respectively. BLC + ACEI/ARB has a better impact on lowing TRIG, TC, and CRP levels in patients with early DKD. However, more high-quality, large-scale, multi-center RCTs and stronger head-to-head trials are required to confirm these findings.

Effect of Huaiqihuang Granules Combined with Comprehensive Nursing on Children with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To observe the effect of Huaiqihuang granules combined with comprehensive nursing intervention on children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) and its effect on renal function index. METHODS: A total of 104 patients were included, and the patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 52 cases in each group. The control group was treated with glucocorticoid, and the study group was treated with Huaiqihuang granules. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was observed. The levels of TG, TC, EGFR, 24 h UTP, BUN, Scr, IgA, IgG, IgM, IFN-γ and TNF-α were compared between two groups before and after treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions and recurrence rate after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The effective rate of the study group (94.23%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (78.85%). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in TG and TC levels between the two groups. After treatment, the levels of TG and TC in both groups were decreased, and the decrease was more obvious in the study group. Compared with before treatment, the levels of 24 h UTP, BUN, Scr, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in both groups were significantly decreased after treatment, while EGFR, IgA, IgG, and IgM levels were significantly increased. Compared with the control group, the changes of each index in the study group were more obvious after treatment. After treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions and recurrence rate in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Huaiqihuang granules combined with comprehensive nursing treatment in children with PNS can reduce the occurrence of recent recurrence and adverse reactions and improve the cellular immune function and renal function.

In vivo infusion of UTP and uridine to the deafened guinea pig inner ear: effects on response thresholds and neural survival.

Nucleotides and nucleosides are known to function as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators but have recently been shown to have a trophic effect on neurons. It has previously been shown, in an animal model for cochlear implants, that local infusion of neurotrophic factors intervenes with the degenerative processes occurring after deafening and protects the auditory spiral ganglion neurons so that electrical responsiveness is maintained. Here we test the hypothesis that nucleosides and nucleotides have a similar effect on the acutely damaged inner ear. Pigmented guinea pigs received a cochlear implant electrode for measuring electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and a miniosmotic pump for delivering drugs directly to the cochlea. The animals were deafened by a 48-hr infusion with 10% neomycin, followed by 23 days of treatment with primarily UTP, uridine nucleotides, or as control artificial perilymph. Electrically evoked responses were measured weekly, and at the end of the experiment the cochleae were collected and processed for morphological analysis and spiral ganglion neuron counting. Both UTP- and uridine-treated groups showed significantly better response after 23 days of treatment compared with the control group. The densities of spiral ganglion neuron were significantly higher for both treated groups compared with the control group treated with artificial perilymph. The results demonstrate that UTP and uridine rescue auditory neurons and suggest that drugs acting on purinoceptors could be of clinical importance.

Painful purinergic receptors.

Multiple P2 receptor-mediated mechanisms exist by which ATP can alter nociceptive sensitivity following tissue injury. Evidence from a variety of experimental strategies, including genetic disruption studies and the development of selective antagonists, has indicated that the activation of P2X receptor subtypes, including P2X(3), P2X(2/3), P2X(4) and P2X(7), and P2Y (e.g., P2Y(2)) receptors, can modulate pain. For example, administration of a selective P2X(3) antagonist, A-317491, has been shown to effectively block both hyperalgesia and allodynia in different animal models of pathological pain. Intrathecally delivered antisense oligonucleotides targeting P2X(4) receptors decrease tactile allodynia following nerve injury. Selective antagonists for the P2X(7) receptor also reduce sensitization in animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, providing evidence that purinergic glial-neural interactions are important modulators of noxious sensory neurotransmission. Furthermore, activation of P2Y(2) receptors leads to sensitization of polymodal transient receptor potential-1 receptors. Thus, ATP acting at multiple purinergic receptors, either directly on neurons (e.g., P2X(3), P2X(2/3), and P2Y receptors) or indirectly through neural-glial cell interactions (P2X(4) and P2X(7) receptors), alters nociceptive sensitivity. The development of selective antagonists for some of these P2 receptors has greatly aided investigations into the nociceptive role of ATP. This perspective highlights some of the recent advances to identify selective P2 receptor ligands, which has enhanced the investigation of ATP-related modulation of pain sensitivity.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia: recent advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a genetic disorder causing dysfunctional motility of cilia and impaired mucociliary clearance, resulting in a myriad of clinical manifestations including recurrent sinopulmonary disease, laterality defects and infertility. The heterogenous clinical presentation of primary ciliary dyskinesia and the limitations of transmission electron microscopy to assess ultrastructural defects within the cilium often delay diagnosis. Recent advances in the understanding of the basic biology and function of the cilium have led to potential diagnostic alternatives, including ciliary beat analysis and nasal nitric oxide measurements. Moreover, the identification of disease-causing mutations could lead to the development of comprehensive genetic testing that may overcome many of the current diagnostic limitations. Although the clinical manifestations of primary ciliary dyskinesia have been recognised for over a century, there are few studies examining treatments and standards of care have yet to be established. Multicentre collaborative efforts have been established in North America and Europe, which should help to develop standardised approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of primary ciliary dyskinesia.

G-protein-coupled receptors as targets for gene transfer vectors using natural small-molecule ligands.

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) has focused on correcting electrolyte transport in airway epithelia. However, success has been limited by the failure of vectors to attach and enter into airway epithelia, and may require redirecting vectors to targets on the apical membrane of airway cells that mediate these functions. The G-protein-coupled P2Y2 receptor (P2Y2-R) is abundantly expressed on the airway lumenal surface and internalizes into coated pits upon agonist activation. We tested whether a small-molecule-agonist (UTP) could direct vectors to P2Y2-R and mediate attachment, internalization, and gene transfer. Fluorescein-UTP studies demonstrated that P2Y2-R agonists internalized with their receptor, and biotinylated UTP (BUTP) mediated P2Y2-R-specific internalization of fluorescently labeled streptavidin (SAF) or SAF conjugated to biotinylated Cy3 adenoviral-vector (BCAV). BUTP conjugated to BCAV mediated P2Y2-R-specific gene transfer in (1) adenoviral-resistant A9 and polarized MDCK cells by means of heterologous P2Y2-R, and (2) well-differentiated human airway epithelial cells by means of endogenous P2Y2-R. Targeting vectors with small-molecule-ligands to apical membrane G-protein-coupled receptors may be a feasible approach for successful CF gene therapy.

Effect of the use of combination uridine triphosphate, cytidine monophosphate, and hydroxycobalamin on the recovery of neurosensory disturbance after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy: a randomized, double-blind trial.

The change in neurosensory lesions that develop after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) was explored, and the influence of the application of combination uridine triphosphate (UTP), cytidine monophosphate (CMP), and hydroxycobalamin (vitamin B12) on patient outcomes was assessed. This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. The study sample comprised 12 patients, each evaluated on both sides (thus 24 sides). All patients fulfilled defined selection criteria. Changes in the lesions were measured both subjectively and objectively. The sample was divided into two patient groups: an experimental group receiving medication and a control group receiving placebo. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Lesions in both groups improved and no statistically significant difference between the groups was observed at any time. 'Severe' injuries in the experimental group were more likely to exhibit a significant improvement after 6 months. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that the combination UTP, CMP, and hydroxycobalamin did not influence recovery from neurosensory disorders.

Current treatment for primary ciliary dyskinesia conditions.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a heterogeneous group of conditions characterised by ultrastructural defects of the cilia, which result in impaired mucociliary clearance. Although the incidence of PCD is low, early recognition and prompt management are important in order to prevent unnecessary morbidity, the progression of bronchiectasis and the deterioration of lung function. As the underlying defect in PCD cannot be corrected, the mainstay of therapy remains effective clearance of airway secretions and antibiotic therapy of respiratory tract infections. This paper highlights new developments in the field that have implications for the future management of PCD. These include beta-adrenergic agonists, arginine, uridine-5'-triphosphate, hypertonic saline and recombinant human DNase. It is to be hoped that these treatment modalities will have a therapeutic role in PCD.

Trends in therapy of abnormal airway epithelial ion and liquid transport.

Airway epithelial ion transport, particularly that of sodium and chloride, influences the volume and composition of airway surface liquid. Defects in ion transport play an important role in the pathogenesis of some chronic airway diseases, for example cystic fibrosis. New aerosolised therapies that modulate defects in ion transport, and hence influence the natural history of cystic fibrosis are currently undergoing scrutiny. Agents such as sodium channel inhibitors and chloride channel activators are included in this class.

[Regulation and pathophysiology of airway secretion].

Although excessive production of sputum is one of the characteristic features of acute and chronic respiratory infections, bronchiectasis, diffuse panbronchiolitis, chronic bronchitis and asthma, pathophysiological mechanisms underlying airway hypersecretion remain uncertain. The increase in intraluminal mucus may lead to impairment of airway mucociliary clearance and deterioration of bronchial obstruction. Airway surface fluid is composed of mucus glycoprotein released from submucosal glands and goblet cells and water from airway epithelial cells, and the secretory function can be regulated by autonomic nervous system and a variety of chemical mediators. It is thus important to select mucoregulating drugs after understanding the mechanisms of hypersecretion and impaired mucociliary transport under individual conditions.

[Mechanism and management of airway hypersecretion in obstructive lung disease].

Airway hypersecretion is a characteristic feature of chronic bronchitis and influences progression and prognosis of the disease, but the underlying mechanism remains uncertain. The increase in intraluminal viscid mucus may lead to disturbance of airway mucociliary clearance and deterioration of obstructive impairment of pulmonary function. Airway surface fluid is composed of mucous glucoprotein released from submucosal glands and goblet cells and water from airway epithelial cells, and the secretory function can be regulated by autonomic nervous system and a variety of chemical mediators and cytokines. Although several drugs may alter secretory responses and physicochemical properties of the sputum, it seems important to select mucoregulating drugs after understanding the mechanisms of hypersecretion and impaired mucociliary transport under individual conditions.

Comparison of the novel vasodilator uridine triphosphate and adenosine for the measurement of fractional flow reserve.

AIM: Examination of the fractional flow reserve (FFR) responses of intravenous (IV) adenosine with increasing doses of intracoronary (IC) adenosine versus IC uridine triphosphate (UTP) in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured FFR in 25 patients during continuous IV and IC infusion (using a microcatheter in the coronary ostium). Standard IV adenosine infusion (140 µg/kg/min) was compared to 8 equimolar incremental doses of IC UTP and IC adenosine (20, 40, 60, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 640 µg/min) in a randomized order. Across all doses, ΔFFR[IC UTP - IC adenosine] was -0.038 ± 0.008, P<.001. At the highest dose of IC UTP, FFR was significantly lower (FFR[IC UTP] = 0.62 ± 0.04) than during IV adenosine (FFR[IV adenosine] = 0.72 ± 0.05; P=.02) and IC adenosine (FFR[IC adenosine] = 0.68 ± 0.05; P=.03). Furthermore, UTP had significantly fewer side effects compared to IV (P<.001) and IC adenosine (P<.05). CONCLUSION: IC UTP lowered FFR significantly more than both IV and IC adenosine and with fewer side effects, and could be a more precise alternative to adenosine.

UTP reduces infarct size and improves mice heart function after myocardial infarct via P2Y2 receptor.

Pyrimidine nucleotides are signaling molecules, which activate G protein-coupled membrane receptors of the P2Y family. P2Y(2) and P2Y(4) receptors are part of the P2Y family, which is composed of 8 subtypes that have been cloned and functionally defined. We have previously found that uridine-5'-triphosphate (UTP) reduces infarct size and improves cardiac function following myocardial infarct (MI). The aim of the present study was to determine the role of P2Y(2) receptor in cardiac protection following MI using knockout (KO) mice, in vivo and wild type (WT) for controls. In both experimental groups used (WT and P2Y(2)(-/-) receptor KO mice) there were 3 subgroups: sham, MI, and MI+UTP. 24h post MI we performed echocardiography and measured infarct size using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining on all mice. Fractional shortening (FS) was higher in WT UTP-treated mice than the MI group (44.7±4.08% vs. 33.5±2.7% respectively, p<0.001). However, the FS of P2Y(2)(-/-) receptor KO mice were not affected by UTP treatment (34.7±5.3% vs. 35.9±2.9%). Similar results were obtained with TTC and hematoxylin and eosin stainings. Moreover, troponin T measurements demonstrated reduced myocardial damage in WT mice pretreated with UTP vs. untreated mice (8.8±4.6 vs. 12±3.1 p<0.05). In contrast, P2Y(2)(-/-) receptor KO mice pretreated with UTP did not demonstrate reduced myocardial damage. These results indicate that the P2Y(2) receptor mediates UTP cardioprotection, in vivo.

Uridine-5'-triphosphate protects against hepatic- ischemic/reperfusion injury in mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mitochondrial calcium overload triggers apoptosis and also regulates ATP production. ATP and uridine-5'-triphosphate (UTP) depletion from hepatic tissue after ischemia causes cell death. ATP and UTP binds to cell membranes of the hepatocytes through P2Y receptors. Our aim was to investigate the role of UTP on the hepatic injury induced by ischemia. METHODS: Isolated mouse livers were randomly divided into five groups: (1) control group; (2) ischemic group (90 min); (3) as group 2, but with the administration of UTP; (4) as group 2, but with the administration of suramin, a P2Y antagonist; and (5) as group 3, but with the simultaneous administration of suramin and UTP. RESULTS: There was a postischemic significant reduction in the release of liver enzymes in the animals pretreated with UTP, the intrahepatic caspase-3 activity was significantly decreased, and the intrahepatic ATP content increased compared with group 2 (ischemic untreated). UTP prevented intracellular Ca overload after hypoxia in hepatocyte cultures. In the UTP-treated groups, significantly fewer apoptotic hepatocyte cells were noted by weaker activation of caspase-3 and by the transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. The administration of suramin prevented the beneficial effect of endogenous ATP. UTP treatment attenuated the degradation of IkappaBalpha (nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor) by 80% during reperfusion with no effect on c-Jun N terminal kinase phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: The administration of UTP before induction of ischemia-reperfusion can attenuate hepatic injury. UTP administration decreased cytosolic Ca overload in hypoxic conditions. UTP-mediated protective effects may be regulated through nuclear factor- kappaB inactivation. These findings have important implications for the potential use of UTP in ischemic hepatic injury.

Inhalation-based therapies in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

As most of the morbidity seen in cystic fibrosis (CF) is related to pulmonary complications, new therapies are being developed that seek to ameliorate these debilitating sequelae. Recently, there has been intense effort into the development of new aerosol-based therapies for CF. This review summarizes much of this recent investigation, with particular emphasis on therapies described in the literature within the past year. Agents that act on the airway epithelium to alter ionic fluxes, namely amiloride and uridine 5'-triphosphate, are outlined. The effects of tobramycin delivered via nebulizer in a cohort of stable CF patients is reported. Recombinant human DNase and distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol liposomes, agents that alter the adhesiveness of CF mucus, are outlined as possible strategies for CF treatment. Finally, antiprotease therapy is considered as a possible addition to the CF armamentarium.