Diacerein: A potential multi-target therapeutic drug for COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), was declared pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 binds its host cell receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), through the viral spike (S) protein. The mortality related to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure in COVID-19 patients has been suggested to be connected with cytokine storm syndrome (CSS), an excessive immune response that severely damages healthy lung tissue. In addition, cardiac symptoms, including fulminant myocarditis, are frequent in patients in a severe state of illness. Diacerein (DAR) is an anthraquinone derivative drug whose active metabolite is rhein. Different studies have shown that this compound inhibits the IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, TNF-α, NF-κB and NALP3 inflammasome pathways. The antiviral activity of rhein has also been documented. This metabolite prevents hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and influenza A virus (IAV) adsorption and replication through mechanisms involving regulation of oxidative stress and alterations of the TLR4, Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB signalling pathways. Importantly, rhein inhibits the interaction between the SARS-CoV S protein and ACE2 in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting rhein as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of SARS-CoV infection. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that DAR is a multi-target drug useful for COVID-19 treatment. This anthraquinone may control hyperinflammatory conditions by multi-faceted cytokine inhibition and by reducing viral infection.

Effectiveness of Sequential Viscosupplementation in Temporomandibular Joint Internal Derangements and Symptomatology: A Case Series.

Viscosupplementation is a minimally invasive technique that replaces synovial fluid by intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA). Although effective in some joints, there is not conclusive evidence regarding temporomandibular disorders. This case series described the efficacy of a viscosupplementation protocol in intra-articular temporomandibular disorders. Ten patients with a diagnosis of disc displacement and/or osteoarthritis by Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were submitted to four monthly injections of low or medium molecular weight HA. Pain, mandibular function, image analysis by tomography and magnetic resonance, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and follow-ups (1 and 6 months). Pain, jaw range-of-motion, mandibular function, and quality of life improved at follow-up evaluations. Osteoarthritis changes decreased, and 20% of patients improved mandibular head excursion after treatment. Resolution of effusion and improvement in disc morphology were observed for most patients. This viscosupplementation protocol reduced pain and symptoms associated with internal derangement of temporomandibular joint, improved quality of life, and showed benefits from both low and medium molecular weight HA in alternate cycles.

Uso do ácido hialurônico e da película de biocelulose no tratamento tópico de queimadura / Use of hyaluronic acid and biocellulose film in topical treatment of burn / Uso del ácido hialurónico y de la película de biocelulosa en el tratamiento tópico de la quemadura

OBJETIVO: Relatar a evolução da cicatrização de um paciente com queimaduras de segundo grau submetido a tratamento com o ácido hialurônico (AH) a 0,2% e película de biocelulose. RELATO DO CASO: Trata-se de um trabalho descritivo, do tipo estudo de caso, realizado em uma clínica especializada em curativos na cidade de Campina Grande, PB, nos meses de fevereiro e março de 2017. O estudo teve como amostra um paciente com 56 anos, sexo masculino, admitido com queimaduras de segundo grau na face, no antebraço e quirodáctilos direito, conduzido com limpeza da região lesional e perilesional, seguida de aplicação de creme contendo AH 0,2%, que estimula a regeneração cutânea e favorece a angiogênese, associado a membrana de biocelulose. RESULTADOS: Após 18 dias de tratamento, a lesão da face apresentou formação de tecido de epitelização em toda sua extensão. Já as queimaduras do antebraço e dos quirodáctilos não apresentaram evolução favorável com a utilização exclusiva do AH e, por isso, foi aplicada a película de biocelulose. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento delineado foi exitoso, visto que foi alcançada recuperação das áreas lesadas, contribuindo para a qualidade de vida do paciente, principalmente pela ausência de cicatrizes na região da face.

OBJECTIVE: To report the evolution of healing of a patient with second degree burns submitted to treatment with 0.2% hyaluronic acid (HA) and biocellulose film. CASE REPORT: This is a descriptive, case report study, performed at a curative clinic located at Campina Grande, Pernambuco, during February and March 2017. The study included a patient 56 years old, male, admitted with second degree burns on the face, forearm and right chirodactyls, conducted with cleaning of the lesional and perilesional region, followed by application of 0.2% HA cream, which stimulates skin regeneration and favors angiogenesis, associated with biocellulose membrane. RESULTS: After 18 days of treatment, the lesion of the face presented formation of epithelial tissue throughout its length. However, the burns of the forearm and the chirodactyls, did not present favorable evolution with the exclusive use of AH and, therefore, the membrane of biocellulose was applied. CONCLUSION: The treatment was successful, since recovery of the injured areas was achieved, contributing to the quality of life of the patient, mainly due to the absence of scars in the face region.