The effect of high oral loading dose of cholecalciferol in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients. A randomized placebo controlled trial.

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is one of the most common progressive metabolic disorders worldwide. There are increasing scientific interests nowadays for the association between vitamin D status and Non-alcoholic fatty liver. Earlier studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Non-alcoholic fatty liver patients that contributes to poor outcomes. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of oral cholecalciferol on Non-alcoholic fatty liver patients. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 140 patients that were randomized either to group 1 that received the standard conventional therapy in addition to placebo or group 2 that received the standard conventional therapy in addition to cholecalciferol during the 4 months study period. Results: At the end of the study group 2 revealed significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean serum level of TG, LDL-C, TC, hsCRP as compared to their baseline results and group 1 results. Additionally, a significant improvement in the serum levels of ALT (p = 0.001) was seen in group 2 at the end of the study when compared to group 1. Whereas group 1 did not show any change in these parameters when compared to group 2 and their baseline results. Conclusion: Cholecalciferol was shown to have beneficial effects on serum ALT levels, hsCRP levels and lipid profile of NAFLD patients. Clinical Trial Registration: https://prsinfo.clinicaltrials.gov/prs-users-guide.html, identifier NCT05613192.

Isotretinoin Induced Hyperlipidemia and Impact of Leptin Gene rs 7799039 Polymorphism in Safety of Acne Patients.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit. Leptin (LEP) gene polymorphisms is associated with higher risk of multiple disorders. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) exerts comedogenic effect by stimulating the sebaceous glands. Isotretinoin is an effective oral therapy for AV with many side effects including hyperlipidemia and increased serum levels of liver enzymes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of LEP gene rs7799039 polymorphism in acne patients' clinical response lipid profile and liver enzymes following 6 months oral isotretinoin therapy in Egyptian AV patients. METHODS: One hundred eligible AV patients received 0.5 mg/kg oral isotretinoin for 6 months. Patients' demographics and clinical data were obtained. Body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, liver enzymes and IGF-1 were measured at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. Genotyping was done for LEP gene rs 7799039. RESULTS: Six month administration of oral isotretinoin in Egyptian AV patients is associated with significantly elevated aspartate transaminase (AST) in CC and AC genotypes (P<0.001). Significant alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation was observed in CC, AC and AA genotypes (P <0.001, 0.004, 0.002, respectively). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were elevated significantly P<0.001) in the three genotypes. IGF-1 was decreased significantly in CC and AC genotypes (P<0.001). CC genotype is associated with highest response (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: LEP rs7799039 gene had an impact on the clinical response, lipid profile and liver enzymes in AV patients treated with oral isotretinoin. LEP rs7799039 CC genotype is predicted to be the treatment candidate for 6 month oral isotretinoin.

The impact of vitamin D supplementation as an adjuvant therapy on clinical outcomes in patients with severe atopic dermatitis: A randomized controlled trial.

Vitamin D supplementation with standard treatment yielded positive clinical outcomes in mild and moderate atopic dermatitis; however, the potential benefit of vitamin D in severe cases remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on response to standard treatment in pediatrics with severe atopic dermatitis. The patients were randomized to receive either vitamin D 3 1600 IU/day or placebo, plus baseline therapy of topical 1% hydrocortisone cream twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints were the change in mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score at the end of the study and the mean percent change in EASI score from baseline to week 12. Eighty-six subjects completed the study. The treated group achieved a significant higher level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D (P < .001) compared to control group at week 12. The mean EASI score was significantly lower in the treatment group compared to placebo group (P = .035). The percent change in EASI score from baseline differed significantly between the supplementation (56.44 ± 29.33) and placebo (42.09 ± 19.22) groups after intervention (P = .039). Vitamin D supplementation could be an effective adjuvant treatment that improves the clinical outcomes in severe atopic dermatitis.

A specially tailored vancomycin continuous infusion regimen for renally impaired critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin remains the gold standard for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Specially designed continuous infusion of vancomycin leads to better therapy. METHODOLOGY: A total of 40 critically ill patients who suffered from pneumonia susceptible to vancomycin, had serum creatinine >1.4 mg%, and oliguria <0.5 mL/kg/h for 6 h were included in the study with respiratory culture sensitivity to vancomycin ≤2 mg/L. Patients' clinical, microbiological, and biological data were obtained by retrospective analysis of the corresponding medical files before and after vancomycin treatment. Patients with serum creatinine level ≥4 mg% and patients who received renal replacement therapy during the treatment period were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups-group 1 (intermittent dosing) and group 2 (continuous infusion) based on the following formula: rate of vancomycin continuous infusion (g/day) = [0.0205 creatinine clearance (mL/min) + 3.47] × [target vancomycin concentration at steady state (µg/mL)] × (24/1000). Trough vancomycin serum levels were also assessed using high-performance liquid chromatographic technique. Patients' outcomes such as clinical improvement, adverse events, and 15-day mortality were reported. RESULTS: Group 2 showed significant reduction in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine serum levels, white blood cells, partial carbon dioxide pressure, body temperature, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, while significant increase in partial oxygen pressure and saturated oxygen was also observed. A significantly shorter duration of treatment with a comparable vancomycin serum levels was also reported with group 2. CONCLUSION: After treatment, comparison in patients' criteria supports the superiority of using continuous infusion of vancomycin according to this equation in renally impaired patients.