Arachidonic Acid Pathways and Male Fertility: A Systematic Review.

Arachidonic acid (AA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is involved in male fertility. Human seminal fluid contains different prostaglandins: PGE (PGE1 and PGE2), PGF2α, and their specific 19-hydroxy derivatives, 18,19-dehydro derivatives of PGE1 and PGE2. The objective of this study is to synthesize the available literature of in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials on the association between the AA pathway and male fertility. PGE is significantly decreased in the semen of infertile men, suggesting the potential for exploitation of PGE agonists to improve male fertility. Indeed, ibuprofen can affect male fertility by promoting alterations in sperm function and standard semen parameters. The results showed that targeting the AA pathways could be an attractive strategy for the treatment of male fertility.

The Importance of Nutraceuticals in COVID-19: What's the Role of Resveratrol?

Since COVID-19 has affected global public health, there has been an urgency to find a solution to limit both the number of infections, and the aggressiveness of the disease once infected. The main characteristic of this infection is represented by a strong alteration of the immune system which, day by day, increases the risk of mortality, and can lead to a multiorgan dysfunction. Because nutritional profile can influence patient's immunity, we focus our interest on resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound known for its immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. We reviewed all the information concerning the different roles of resveratrol in COVID-19 pathophysiology using PubMed and Scopus as the main databases. Interestingly, we find out that resveratrol may exert its role through different mechanisms. In fact, it has antiviral activity inhibiting virus entrance in cells and viral replication. Resveratrol also improves autophagy and decreases pro-inflammatory agents expression acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. It regulates immune cell response and pro-inflammatory cytokines and prevents the onset of thrombotic events that usually occur in COVID-19 patients. Since resveratrol acts through different mechanisms, the effect could be enhanced, making a totally natural agent particularly effective as an adjuvant in anti COVID-19 therapy.

Compatibility of prolonged infusion antibiotics during Y-site administration.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to global public health. The use of prolonged infusions in the hospital setting for certain antimicrobials is widely increasing in order to improve their efficacy and safety, including resistance development. Due to limited vascular access, it is important to clarify whether they can be infused through the same line with other drugs during Y-site administration. AIM: The aim of this review is to update and summarize the evidence on Y-site compatibility of antibacterial agents administered as prolonged infusions in intensive care units (ICUs). STUDY DESIGN: A literature review of PubMed, EMBASE and Trissel's Handbook on Injectable Drugs databases was conducted on the compatibility of selected antimicrobials administered simultaneously at a Y-site connection with parenteral nutrition and other widely used drugs in ICUs. All articles published up to October 30, 2021, in English or Spanish were included, regardless of the type of publication (original articles, case reports, letters, etc.). Eligible antimicrobials were those that can be administered as prolonged infusions: ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftaroline, cloxacillin, ceftobiprole, vancomycin and fosfomycin. RESULTS: A total of 1302 drug-to-drug potential combinations were explored, 196 (15.05%) were found to be incompatible, and in 541 (41.55%), data were not available. The results were presented in a simple 2-dimensional consultation chart as a quick reference for health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides useful and reliable information on the compatibility of antimicrobials administered as Y-site infusion with other drugs commonly used in the critical setting. This review contributes to patient safety in nursing practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To our knowledge, this is the first review on Y-site compatibility of antimicrobials used as prolonged infusions with other commonly used drugs, including anti-emetics, analgesics and anti-epileptic and parenteral nutrition. The results of the current review need to be addressed to promote the knowledge sharing between health professionals and improve the quality and safety of patients. We believe that this review may serve as a simple and effective 2-dimensional updated drug-to-drug compatibility reference chart for critical care nurses.

CYP-derived eicosanoids: Implications for rheumatoid arthritis.

Today the role of cytochrome P450 metabolites in inflammatory rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still poorly understood. In this review we survey the current knowledge on cytochrome P450 metabolites in rheumatoid arthritis. The balance between CYP epoxygenase- and CYP ω- hydroxylase is correlated to the regulation of NF-κB. In RA patients synovial fluid there are higher levels of IL-6, which suppresses activities of CYP enzymes, such as CYP3A, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP1A2. EETs have anti-inflammatory effects, probably attributed to the PPARγ activation. EETs inhibit bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis, and can be considered as an innovative therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis. In reference to the CYP É·-hydroxylase pathway, 20-HETE is a pro-inflammatory mediator. While there is scarce information on the role of 20-HETE inhibitors and its antagonists in rheumatoid arthritis, the elevation of EETs levels by sEH inhibitors is a promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis patients. In addition, hybrid compounds, such as sEH inhibitors/FLAP inhibitors, or sEHI combined with NSAIDs/COXIBs are also important therapeutic target. However, studies investigating the effects of inflammation and rheumatic disease on CYP-mediated eicosanoid metabolism are necessary. Obtaining a better understanding of the complex role of CYP-derived eicosanoids in inflammatory rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis will provide valuable insight for basic and clinical researchers investigation.

What about COVID-19 and arachidonic acid pathway?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral disease. In this study, we tried to define and discuss all the findings on the potential association between arachidonic acid (AA) pathway and COVID-19 pathophysiology. METHODS: A literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane database was conducted. A total of 25 studies were identified. RESULTS: The data elucidated that COX-2 and prostaglandins (PGs), particularly PGE2, have pro-inflammatory action in COVID-19 pathophysiology. Arachidonic acid can act as endogenous antiviral compound. A deficiency in AA can make humans more susceptible to COVID-19. Targeting these pro-inflammatory mediators may help in decreasing the mortality and morbidity rate in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: PGE2 levels and other PGs levels should be measured in patients with COVID-19. Lowering the PGE2 levels through inhibition of human microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) can enhance the host immune response against COVID-19. In addition, the hybrid compounds, such as COX-2 inhibitors/TP antagonists, can be an innovative treatment to control the overall balance between AA mediators in patients with COVID-19.

The leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast and its possible role in the cardiovascular field.

BACKGROUND: Cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4) are pro-inflammatory mediators of the 5-lipooxygenase (5-LO) pathway, that play an important role in bronchoconstriction, but can also enhance endothelial cell permeability and myocardial contractility, and are involved in many other inflammatory conditions. In the late 1990s, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) were introduced in therapy for asthma and later on, approved for the relief of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and urticaria. In addition, it has been shown that LTRAs may have a potential role in preventing atherosclerosis progression. PURPOSE: The aims of this short review are to delineate the potential cardiovascular protective role of a LTRA, montelukast, beyond its traditional use, and to foster the design of appropriate clinical trials to test this hypothesis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: What it is known about leukotriene receptor antagonists? •Leukotriene receptor antagonist, such as montelukast and zafirlukast, is used in asthma, COPD, and allergic rhinitis. • Montelukast is the most prescribed CysLT1 antagonist used in asthmatic patients. • Different in vivo animal studies have shown that leukotriene receptor antagonists can prevent the atherosclerosis progression, and have a protective role after cerebral ischemia. What we still need to know? • Today, there is a need for conducting clinical trials to assess the role of montelukast in reducing cardiovascular risk and to further understand the mechanism of action behind this effect.

In vitro pharmacological evaluation of multitarget agents for thromboxane prostanoid receptor antagonism and COX-2 inhibition.

PURPOSE: Patients with high cardiovascular risk due to ageing and/or comorbidity (diabetes, atherosclerosis) that require effective management of chronic pain may take advantage from new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that at clinical dosages may integrate the anti-inflammatory activity and reduced gastrointestinal side effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (coxib) with a cardioprotective component involving antagonism of thromboxane A2 prostanoid (TP) receptor. METHODS: New compounds were obtained modulating the structure of the most potent coxib, lumiracoxib, to obtain novel multitarget NSAIDs endowed with balanced coxib and TP receptor antagonist properties. Antagonist activity at TP receptor (pA2) was evaluated for all compounds in human platelets and in an heterologous expression system by measuring prevention of aggregation and Gq-dependent production of intracellular inositol phosphate induced by the stable thromboxane A2 (TXA2) agonist U46619. COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities were assessed in human washed platelets and lympho-monocytes suspension, respectively. COX selectivity was determined from dose-response curves by calculating a ratio (COX-2/COX-1) of IC50 values. RESULTS: The tetrazole derivative 18 and the trifluoromethan sulfonamido-isoster 20 were the more active antagonists at TP receptor, preventing human platelet aggregation and intracellular signalling, with pA2 values statistically higher from that of lumiracoxib. Comparative data regarding COX-2/COX-1 selectivity showed that while compounds 18 and 7 were rather potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor, compound 20 was somehow less potent and selective for COX-2. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that compounds 18 and 20 are two novel combined TP receptor antagonists and COX-2 inhibitors characterized by a fairly balanced COX-2 inhibitor activity and TP receptor antagonism and that they may represent a first optimization of the original structure to improve their multitarget activity.

A potential role of PUFAs and COXIBs in cancer chemoprevention.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly the ω-3 PUFAs and COXIBs have been associated with decreased inflammation and the prevention of tumorigenesis. ω-3 PUFAs have shown to display multiple antitumour actions, while ω-6 PUFAs and its derived eicosanoids promote the effects in cancer cell growth, angiogenesis, and invasion. ω-3 PUFAs may act by suppressing the metabolism of arachidonic acid to form proinflammatory mediators or as a precursors of novel lipid mediators with pro-resolving activity, while COXIBs are able to modulate inflammatory response by inhibiting cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), an inducible prostaglandin synthase overexpressed in several human cancers. As recently has been postulated, the anti-inflammation and pro-resolution processes are not equivalent. A family of lipid mediators from ω-3 PUFAs can act as agonist promoting resolution, while antinflammatory agents such as COXIBs may act as antagonists limiting the inflammatory response. The present paper reviews the current knowledge about the role of PUFAs and its derivatives (metabolites), as well as the COXIBs activity in cancer process as a sinergic therapeutic alternative for cancer treatment.

The Current State of Knowledge on Osteoporosis in Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants.

OBJECTIVE: Starvation in early life can cause poor bone health and metabolic aberrations in bone minerals, leading to abnormal bone development. Holocaust survivors have been exposed to starvation and malnutrition before and during World War II. This paper aims to provide the current state of knowledge on the osteoporosis risk in Holocaust survivors and their descendants. METHODS: The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched. Papers that reported original data on the risk of osteoporosis in Holocaust survivors and in their offspring were included in the study. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in this review. The majority of studies were case-control ones (n=7) versus two self-reported and one longitudinal study. Despite the limited cohort numbers and the small number of studies in the literature, the data showed a potential increased risk of osteoporosis in Holocaust survivors and especially in their descendants. CONCLUSIONS: The review of these studies showed a higher prevalence of osteoporosis among Holocaust survivors and their offspring. Knowledge of the trans-generational inheritance of osteoporosis in the descendants of Holocaust survivors should increase the awareness of primary care health workers on osteoporosis screening and early diagnosis and implementation of preventive measures, including adequate vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and pharmacological treatment.

Health Economic Evaluations of Hemochromatosis Screening and Treatment: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to iron overload and multiorgan failure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to provide up-to-date evidence of all the current data on the costs and cost effectiveness of screening and treatment for HH. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHSEED), Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry (CEA Registry), Health Technology Assessment Database (HTAD), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD), and Econlit until April 2023 with no date restrictions. Articles that reported cost-utility, cost-description, cost-minimization, cost-effectiveness, or cost-benefit analyses for any kind of management (drugs, screening, etc.) were included in the study. Patients with HH, their siblings, or individuals suspected of having HH were included in the study. All screening and treatment strategies were included. Two authors assessed the quality of evidence related to screening (either phenotype or genotype screening) and treatment (phlebotomy and electrophoresis). Narrative synthesis was used to analyse the similarities and differences between the respective studies. RESULTS: Thirty-nine papers were included in this study. The majority of the studies reported both the cost of phenotype screening, including transferrin saturation (TS), serum ferritin, and liver biopsy, and the cost of genotype screening (HFE screening, C282Y mutation). Few studies reported the cost for phlebotomy and erythrocytapheresis treatment. Data revealed that either phenotype or genotype screening were cost effective compared with no screening. Treatment studies concluded that erythrocytapheresis might be a cost-effective therapy compared with phlebotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Economic studies on either the screening, or treatment strategy for HH patients should be performed in more countries. We suggest that cost-effectiveness studies on the role of deferasirox in HH should be carried out as an alternative therapy to phlebotomy.

Reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions by Dentists and Dental Patients in Albania.

BACKGROUND: Procedures on reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in Albania are not yet standardised with the European Union despite continuous legislative changes. The aim of this study was to assess for the first time in Albania the reporting of ADRs by dentists and dental patients and to evaluate the frequency and timing of ADRs. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire-based survey for dentists and dental patients in Albania on their knowledge on ADR signalling. Dentists and their patients were randomly reached in private dental clinics. Ninety-five dentists and 640 dental patients from 5 different cities in Albania agreed to participate in the study. Only dentists who were actively working on their dental clinics and who volunteered to participate in the study were considered eligible. RESULTS: The response rates were 95.0% and 91.4% for dentists and dental patients, respectively. In addition, 7.36% of dentists reported to have been informed on the national ADR signalling through conferences, but when asked about the procedures only 28.6% of them reported to have knowledge on the concrete process. None of the dental patients knew how to report ADRs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate the complete lack of information on ADR signalling in a randomly selected group of 640 dental patients and 95 dentists surveyed. The results of the study are concerning and show that knowledge on ADR signalling should massively increase through public and social media.

Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation of Costs of Myelomeningocele and Meningocele Treatment and Screening.

Background: The prevention of myelomeningocele (MMC) and meningocele (MC) is a public health concern. A systematic review on economic factors associated with MMC and MC can help the policy makers to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening and treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to provide up-to date pharmacoeconomic evidence of all economic studies present in literature on different aspects of MMC and MC. Methods: We searched in the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHSEED), PubMed, Cost-effectiveness Analysis Registry (CEA Registry), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD), Health Technology Assessment Database (HTAD), Cochrane Library, and Econlit. The PRISMA guidelines were followed in the search and evaluation of literature. Only articles in English not limited by the year of publication that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in this systematic review. Results: Nineteen papers were included in the study. The studies were very heterogeneous and reported a comparison of the costs between prenatal versus postnatal repair, the cost of fetoscopic approach versus open surgery, the cost of ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) versus endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), and ETV with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC), the cost of hospitalization, and the cost of diagnosis for MMC. Conclusion: The results of this study can help in implementing new policies in different countries to assist MC and MMC patients with the cost of treatment and screening.

Analysis of evidence on nutraceutical interventions for Peyronie's disease: a guideline-based critical review.

INTRODUCTION: The management of Peyronie's disease (PD) is a challenge for the clinician. Despite the lack of etiologic therapy, different nonsurgical approaches have often been empirically proposed. The most used treatment is based on nutraceutical drugs with antioxidant activity, although such an intervention remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: We reviewed the evidence from the randomized controlled trials included in the recommendations of the American Urological Association (AUA), Canadian Urological Association (CUA), European Association of Urology, and International Society for Sexual Medicine. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials, reviews, and guidelines on nutraceutical interventions for PD. RESULTS: Our analysis provides detailed information on potential interventions, underlying the inconsistent evidence. Acetyl esters of carnitine, although not recommended by any of the available guidelines, showed potential benefit in some selected studies. Omega-3 fatty acids are not recommended due to withdrawn study evidence. The CUA and AUA were the only societies to consider the use of coenzyme Q10. While the CUA suggested that it might be offered as a treatment option, the AUA refrained from taking a definitive stance due to insufficient evidence. Similarly, conflicting recommendations have been produced on potassium para-aminobenzoate. While the CUA considers potassium para-aminobenzoate potentially useful in slowing PD progression, the AUA deems the evidence insufficient. Conversely, both the International Society for Sexual Medicine and European Association of Urology do not recommend its use. CONCLUSION: This critical comparative analysis of the most recent guidelines produced by the leading scientific societies highlights some inconsistencies in the recommendations on nutraceutical intervention for PD, even within a background of overall ineffectiveness of this treatment approach.

Meteoropathy: a review on the current state of knowledge.

Meteoropathy is no longer considered a popular myth, but a new disease that significantly impacts daily life, particularly in individuals who experience mental illness, cardiovascular disorders, and respiratory conditions. However, there are very limited data on this condition. This study aimed to comprehensively review and analyze existing in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials investigating the effects of meteoropathy on health and its pharmacological treatment. A thorough literature search was conducted across databases such as PubMed and Scopus to gather relevant information. Our analysis primarily focused on the relationship between meteoropathy and mental health, including the influence on affective temperaments. Additionally, we explored various treatment approaches, emphasizing the combination of muscle exercises, pharmacological interventions, and naturopathy, which have shown promise in alleviating pain among individuals affected by meteoropathy. Future research in meteoropathy should shed light on synthesizing new pharmacological compounds.

Anxiety and depression in geriatric hemodialysis patients: factors that influence the border of diseases.

Introduction: The two main psychological issues that people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) experience are depression and anxiety. We conducted this study to determine both the prevalence of depression and anxiety, and the factors associated with them, among hemodialysis patients. Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older, who had received hemodialysis in a hemodialysis center in Elbasan, for at least 3 months were included in this study. Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory Instruments were used to assess hemodialysis patients levels of depression and anxiety. Results: Overall, 107 hemodialysis patients (men 65.4%) with a mean age of 57 ± 8.9 years were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression resulted to be 85.98, and 84.11%, respectively. We found a significant difference in depression and anxiety scores in patients age groups of 61-70 years old (OR = 1.8; 95% CI [0.7-3.7]; p = 0.041), in non-smoking patients (OR 3.4; 95% CI [1.09-8.2]; p = 0.04), in diabetic patients (OR 3.4; 95% CI [1.09-8.2]; p = 0.04), and in patients with a time in dialysis of 6-10 years and >11 years, respectively, (OR 3.4; 95% [1.5-9.0]; p = 0.01), (OR1.3; 95% CI [0.4-3.6]; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Our study shows that the prevalence of mental disorders (depression and anxiety) is high among patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis. We recommend a routine screening and referral to psychological health specialists to evaluate the mental health disorders among hemodialysis patients with the primary aim of improving their quality of life.

A review on the role of fatty acids in colorectal cancer progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. The role of fatty acids (FA) and their metabolism in cancer, particularly in CRC raises a growing interest. In particular, dysregulation of synthesis, desaturation, elongation, and mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids are involved. Here we review the current evidence on the link between cancer, in particular CRC, and fatty acids metabolism, not only to provide insight on its pathogenesis, but also on the development of novel biomarkers and innovative pharmacological therapies that are based on FAs dependency of cancer cells.

A Systematic Review on the Role of Arachidonic Acid Pathway in Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease characterized by destruction of oligodendrocytes, immune cell infiltration and demyelination. Inflammation plays a significant role in MS, and the inflammatory mediators such as eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and superoxide radicals are involved in pro-inflammatory responses in MS. In this systematic review, we tried to define and discuss all the findings of in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials on the potential association between arachidonic acid (AA) pathway and multiple sclerosis. METHODS: A systematic literature search across Pubmed, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane database was conducted. This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 146 studies were included, of which 34 were conducted on animals, 58 on humans, and 60 studies reported the role of different compounds that target AA mediators or their corresponding enzymes/receptors, and can have a therapeutic effect in MS. These results suggest that eicosanoids have significant roles in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) and MS. The data from animal and human studies elucidated that PGI2, PGFI2α, PGDI2, isoprostanes, PGEI2, PLAI2, and LTs are increased in MS. PLAI2 inhibition modulates the progression of the disease. PGE1 analogues can be a useful option in the treatment of MS. CONCLUSION: All studies reported the beneficial effects of COX and LOX inhibitors in MS. The hybrid compounds, such as COX-2 inhibitors/TP antagonists and 5-LOX inhibitors, can be an innovative approach for multiple sclerosis treatment. Future work in MS should shed light on synthesizing new compounds targeting the arachidonic acid pathway.

ATP-sensitive Potassium Channel Subunits in Neuroinflammation: Novel Drug Targets in Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Arachidonic acids and its metabolites modulate plenty of ligand-gated, voltage-dependent ion channels, and metabolically regulated potassium channels including ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP). KATP channels are hetero-multimeric complexes of sulfonylureas receptors (SUR1, SUR2A or SUR2B) and the pore-forming subunits (Kir6.1 and Kir6.2) likewise expressed in the pre-post synapsis of neurons and inflammatory cells, thereby affecting their proliferation and activity. KATP channels are involved in amyloid-ß (Aß)-induced pathology, therefore emerging as therapeutic targets against Alzheimer's and related diseases. The modulation of these channels can represent an innovative strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders; nevertheless, the currently available drugs are not selective for brain KATP channels and show contrasting effects. This phenomenon can be a consequence of the multiple physiological roles of the different varieties of KATP channels. Openings of cardiac and muscular KATP channel subunits, are protective against caspase-dependent atrophy in these tissues and some neurodegenerative disorders, whereas in some neuroinflammatory diseases, benefits can be obtained through the inhibition of neuronal KATP channel subunits. For example, glibenclamide exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in respiratory, digestive, urological, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases, as well as in ischemia-reperfusion injury associated with abnormal SUR1-Trpm4/TNF-α or SUR1-Trpm4/ Nos2/ROS signaling. Despite this strategy being promising, glibenclamide may have limited clinical efficacy due to its unselective blocking action of SUR2A/B subunits also expressed in cardiovascular apparatus with pro-arrhythmic effects and SUR1 expressed in pancreatic beta cells with hypoglycemic risk. Alternatively, neuronal selective dual modulators showing agonist/antagonist actions on KATP channels can be an option.

The Interaction between Arachidonic Acid Metabolism and Homocysteine.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been considered a risk factor for different diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), inflammation, neurological diseases, cancer, and many other pathological conditions. Likewise, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism is implicated in both vascular homeostasis and inflammation, as shown by the development of CVD, following the imbalance of its metabolites. This review summarizes how homocysteine (Hcy) can influence the metabolism of AA. In silico literature searches were performed on PubMed and Scopus as main sources. Several studies have shown that altered levels of Hcy, through AA release and metabolism, can influence the synthesis and the activity of prostaglandins (PGs), prostacyclin (PGI2), thromboxane (TXA), epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). It is believed that by targeting Hcy in the AA pathways, novel compounds with better pharmacological and pharmacodynamics benefits may be obtained and that this information is valuable for a dietician to manipulate diets to improve health.

A Systematic Review on the Role of SIRT1 in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a muscular disease characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Life expectancy is between 30 and 50 years, and death is correlated with cardiac or respiratory complications. Currently, there is no cure, so there is a great interest in new pharmacological targets. Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) seems to be a potential target for DMD. In muscle tissue, SIRT1 exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study is to summarize all the findings of in vivo and in vitro literature studies about the potential role of SIRT1 in DMD. A systematic literature search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-three articles satisfied the eligibility criteria. It emerged that SIRT1 inhibition led to muscle fragility, while conversely its activation improved muscle function. Additionally, resveratrol, a SIRT1 activator, has brought beneficial effects to the skeletal, cardiac and respiratory muscles by exerting anti-inflammatory activity that leads to reduced myofiber wasting.