Protective effect of microbiota-derived short chain fatty acids on vascular dysfunction in mice with systemic lupus erythematosus induced by toll like receptor 7 activation.

Our objective was to investigate whether short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), specifically acetate and butyrate, could prevent vascular dysfunction and elevated blood pressure (BP) in mice with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) induced by TLR7 activation using imiquimod (IMQ). Treatment with both SCFAs and dietary fibers rich in resistant starch (RS) or inulin-type fructans (ITF) effectively prevented the development of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, these treatments improved aortic relaxation induced by acetylcholine and mitigated vascular oxidative stress. Acetate and butyrate treatments also contributed to the maintenance of colonic integrity, reduced endotoxemia, and decreased the proportion of helper T (Th)17 cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), blood, and aorta in TLR7-induced SLE mice. The observed changes in MLNs were correlated with increased levels of GPR43 mRNA in mice treated with acetate and increased GPR41 levels along with decreased histone deacetylase (HDAC)- 3 levels in mice treated with butyrate. Notably, the effects attributed to acetate, but not butyrate, were nullified when co-administered with the GPR43 antagonist GLPG-0974. T cell priming and differentiation into Th17 cells in MLNs, as well as increased Th17 cell infiltration, were linked to aortic endothelial dysfunction and hypertension subsequent to the transfer of faecal microbiota from IMQ-treated mice to germ-free (GF) mice. These effects were counteracted in GF mice through treatment with either acetate or butyrate. To conclude, these findings underscore the potential of SCFA consumption in averting hypertension by restoring balance to the interplay between the gut, immune system, and vascular wall in SLE induced by TLR7 activation.

Efectividad de la psicoterapia breve en los centros de salud mental II: resultados / Effectiveness of brief psychotherapy in community mental health centers II: results

Introducción: El objetivo de la presente investigación ha sido comparar mediante un ensayo clínico la efectividad de una Psicoterapia Breve con el tratamiento habitual de los Trastornos Mentales Comunes en los Centros de Salud Mental (CSM) de Asturias. La introducción general a este estudio se ha descrito por Fernández-Méndez y cols. (2010) y se remite a los lectores a ese artículo para más detalles respecto al fundamento, diseño, tratamientos y procedimientos de la investigación. Sujetos y método: Se seleccionaron al azar 216 personas mayores de 14 años que consultaban por primera vez en seis CSM y que fueron diagnosticadas de trastornos depresivos, de ansiedad y/o de adaptación. Ciento cuarenta y una cumplían los criterios de inclusión y aceptaron participar en la investigación, siendo asignadas al azar a dos grupos: Psicoterapia breve integradora-ecléctica (n = 76) o Tratamiento habitual en los CSM (n = 65). Se han comparado sus resultados a los 6, 12, 24 y 36 meses en diversos índices de mejoría clínica, funcionamiento psicosocial e indicadores sanitarios indirectos. Los datos se han obtenido del Registro de Casos Psiquiátricos, de la Historia Clínica y del propio paciente. Se han usado los siguientes instrumentos: Impresión Clínica Global (ICG, Guy, 1976), Inventario de Discapacidad de Sheehan (SDI, Sheehan, 1996) y Cuestionario de Satisfacción (Moré y Muñoz, 2000). Resultados: El programa de Psicoterapia breve ha sido más efectivo que el tratamiento habitual: Obtiene una mayor tasa de altas y los sujetos muestran mayores mejorías en estado clínico y discapacidad y mayor satisfacción. Estas diferencias se dan tanto a los seis meses como al año y a los dos años de iniciarse los tratamientos. Además, aunque el número medio de sesiones es igual en ambos grupos (en torno a seis), el tratamiento experimental duró mucho menos tiempo. Conclusiones: La Psicoterapia ha resultado ser un tratamiento viable y efectivo para la mayoría de los casos que consultan en los CSM (AU)

Background: The aim of the current research has been comparing the effectiveness of a brief psychotherapy with the usual treatment of Common Mental Disorders in Mental Health Centers (MHC) of Asturias. The general background of this study has already been described by Fernández-Méndez et al (2010) and readers are referred to that article for details regarding rationale, design, treatments and procedures of the study. Subjects and method: Two hundred and sixteen patients over the age of 14 were selected at random among those who consulted for the first time in six MHC and were diagnosed of depressive, anxiety or adjustment disorders. One hundred and forty-one fulfilled the inclusion criteria and agreed to take part in the study; they were assigned at random into two groups: brief integrative-eclectic psychotherapy (n = 76) or usual treatment in the MHC (n = 65). Their results have been compared at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months against diverse indexes of clinical improvement, psycho-social functioning and sanitary indirect indicators. Information has been obtained from the Psychiatric Cases Record, the Clinical History and from the patients. The following instruments have been used: the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale, the Sheehan Disability Inventory and a Satisfaction Survey. Results: Brief psychotherapy was more effective than usual treatment: it resulted in a higher number of discharges and subjects show greater improvements in clinical status and disability, and greater satisfaction. These differences occur both at 6 months to one year and two years of starting treatment. Furthermore, although the average number of sessions is equal in both groups (about six), time-wise the psychological treatment lasted much less (AU)

Efectividad de la psicoterapia breve en los centros de salud mental I: Diseño, tratamientos y procedimiento / Effectiveness of Brief Psychotherapy in Community Mental Health Centers I: design, treatments and procedures

Introducción. El objetivo de la presente investigación ha sido comparar mediante un ensayo clínico la efectividad de una Psicoterapia Breve con el tratamiento habitual de los Trastornos Mentales Comunes en los Centros de Salud Mental (CSM) de Asturias. En este artículo se describen la justificación, el diseño y los procedimientos de ese estudio. Los primeros resultados se publican en Fernández- Méndez y cols. (en prensa). Sujetos y método. Se seleccionaron al azar 216 personas mayores de 14 años que consultaban por primera vez en seis CSM y que fueron diagnosticadas de trastornos depresivos, de ansiedad y/o de adaptación. Ciento cuarenta y una cumplían los criterios de inclusión y aceptaron participar en la investigación, siendo asignadas al azar a dos grupos: Psicoterapia breve integradora- ecléctica (n = 76) o Tratamiento habitual en los CSM (n = 65). Se han comparado sus resultados a los 6, 12, 24 y 36 meses en diversos índices de mejoría clínica, funcionamiento psicosocial e indicadores sanitarios indirectos. Los datos se han obtenido del Registro de Casos Psiquiátricos, de la Historia Clínica y del propio paciente. Se han usado los siguientes instrumentos: Impresión Clínica Global (ICG, Guy, 1976), Inventario de Discapacidad de Sheehan (SDI, Sheehan, 1996) y Cuestionario de Satisfacción (Moré y Muñoz, 2000) (AU)

Background. The aim of the current research has been comparing the effectiveness of a brief psychotherapy with the usual treatment of Common Mental Disorders in Mental Health Centers (MHC) of Asturias. The present article describes the rationale, design and procedures of the study. Initial outcome findings are reported by Fernández- Méndez et al (in press). Subjects and method. Two hundred and sixteen patients over the age of 14 were selected at random among those who consulted for the first time in six MHC and were diagnosed of depressive, anxiety or adjustment disorders. One hundred and forty-one fulfilled the inclusion criteria and agreed to take part in the study; they were assigned at random into two groups: brief integrative-eclectic psychotherapy (n = 76) or usual treatment in the MHC (n = 65). Their results have been compared at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months against diverse indexes of clinical improvement, psycho-social functioning and sanitary indirect indicators. Information has been obtained from the Psychiatric Cases Record, the Clinical History and from the patients. The following instruments have been used: the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale, the Sheehan Disability Inventory and a Satisfaction Survey (AU)