Knowledge domain and emerging trends in HIV-MTB co-infection from 2017 to 2022: A scientometric analysis based on VOSviewer and CiteSpace.

Co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is one of the leading causes of death. Also, research on HIV and MTB (HIV-MTB) co-infection was found to have a downward trend. In this work, we performed the knowledge domain analysis and visualized the current research progress and emerging trends in HIV-MTB co-infection between 2017 and 2022 by using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. The relevant literatures in this article were collected in the Web of Science (WoS) database. VOSviewer and CiteSpace bibliometric software were applied to perform the analysis and visualization of scientific productivity and frontier. Among all the countries, USA was dominant in the field, followed by South Africa, and England. Among all the institutions, the University of Cape Town (South Africa) had more extensive collaborations with other research institutions. The Int J Tuberc Lung Dis was regarded as the foremost productive journal. Survival and mortality analysis, pathogenesis, epidemiological studies, diagnostic methods, prognosis improvement of quality of life, clinical studies and multiple infections (especially co-infection with COVID-19) resulted in the knowledge bases for HIV-MTB co-infection. The clinical research on HIV-MTB co-infection has gradually shifted from randomized controlled trials to open-label trials, while the cognition of HIV-TB has gradually shifted from cytokines to genetic polymorphisms. This scientometric study used quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct a comprehensive review of research on HIV-MTB co-infection published over the past 5 years, providing some useful references to further the study of HIV-MTB co-infection.

In vivo Pharmacokinetics and in vitro Release of Imatinib Mesylate-Loaded Liposomes for Pulmonary Delivery.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by abnormal proliferation of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells and causes occlusion of pulmonary arterioles that eventually results in right heart failure and death. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a prominent role in abnormal remodeling of pulmonary resistance vessels. Imatinib mesylate (IM), a PDGF-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was able to ameliorate PAH by reversing pulmonary vascular remodeling. METHODS: In the present study, IM-loaded liposomes (IM-LPs) were developed and administered via the pulmonary route to delay the drug release and improve patient compliance for the treatment of PAH. The IM-LPs were prepared by the transmembrane gradient method with the spherical vesicles. The compatibility of the IM-LPs was studied by determining the viability of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Particle uptake by rat PASMCs was evaluated by incubating the particles with rat PASMCs. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in male SD rats. RESULTS: The IM-LPs showed an average size of 101.6 ± 50.80 nm with a zeta potential value of 19.66 ± 0.55 mV, a PDI of 0.250 and 81.96% ± 0.98% drug entrapment efficiency, meanwhile displayed a sustained release profile. Liposomes obviously increased intracellular accumulation of Rhodamine B by PASMCs using the fluorescence microscopic. Following intratracheal administration to rats, IM-LPs not only extended the half-life of IM, but also prolonged retention of IM compared with plain IM solution after intratracheal and intravenous administration. CONCLUSION: The study show potential applications of the LPs for pulmonary delivery of IM and the method for the development of LPs in sustained release of IM for better therapeutic outcomes. Conclusively, the prepared IM-LPs were well designed in nanosized ranges and may be a promising formulation for pulmonary delivery of IM.

DPPC-coated lipid nanoparticles as an inhalable carrier for accumulation of resveratrol in the pulmonary vasculature, a new strategy for pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment.

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine-coated lipid nanoparticles (DPPC-LNs) as a carrier for preferential accumulation into lungs of Resveratrol (Res), a potentially promising drug for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Res-loaded DPPC-LNs were prepared following a thin film hydration-ultrasonic dispersion technique using glyceryl monostearate as lipid core. DPPC can reduce the interactions between nanoparticles and pulmonary surfactant. The optimal formulation was prepared and characterized for physicochemical properties, storage stability and in vitro release profiles. The optimal formulation was evaluated for uptake by pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) using fluorescence microscopy. The efficacy of Res-loaded DPPC-LNs in reducing hyperplasia was tested in 5-HT induced proliferated PASMCs. The drug absorption profiles upon intratracheal administration were monitored in healthy rats. Optimized spherical DPPC-LNs - with mean size of 123.7 nm, zeta potential of -19.4 mV and entrapment efficiency of 94.40% - exhibited an 80% cumulative drug release over 48 h. Fluorescence microscopic study revealed an time-dependent enhancement of cellular uptake of Rh123-labeled DPPC-LNs by PASMCs. PASMC proliferation induced by 5-HT was significantly inhibited by Res-loaded DPPC-LNs. Optimized DPPC-LNs appeared to be safe when incubated with PASMCs. Besides, plasma and lung tissue data analysis indicated higher value of accumulation after intratracheal administration of Res-loaded DPPC-LNs in comparison with the intravenously dosed Res solution, indicating longer retention of Res in the lungs and their slower entry to the systemic blood circulation. DPPC-LNs could be a viable delivery system for site-specific treatment of PAH.