Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a fatal lung disease of unknown origin, is characterized by chronic and progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia which progressively impairs lung function. ...Oxidative stress is one of the main pathogenic pathways in IPF. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the type of markers of oxidative stress identified in different biological specimens and the effects of antioxidant therapies in patients with IPF.
We conducted a systematic search of publications listed in electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar) from inception to October 2017. Two investigators independently reviewed all identified articles to determine eligibility.
After a substantial proportion of the initially identified articles (n = 554) was excluded because they were duplicates, abstracts, irrelevant, or did not meet the selection criteria, we identified 30 studies. In each study, we critically appraised the type, site (systemic vs. local, e.g. breath, sputum, expired breath condensate, epithelial lining fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung tissue specimens), and method used for measuring the identified oxidative stress biomarkers. Furthermore, the current knowledge on antioxidant therapies in IPF was summarized.
A number of markers of oxidative stress, with individual advantages and limitations, have been described in patients with IPF. Nevertheless, trials of antioxidant treatments have been unable to demonstrate consistent benefits, barring recent pharmacogenomics data suggesting different results in specific genotype subgroups of patients with IPF.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Resistance exercise increases muscle mass and function in older adults, but responses are attenuated compared with younger people. Data suggest that long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ...may enhance adaptations to resistance exercise in older women. To our knowledge, this possibility has not been investigated in men.
We sought to determine the effects of long-chain n-3 PUFA supplementation on resistance exercise training-induced increases in muscle mass and function and whether these effects differ between older men and women.
Fifty men and women men: n = 27, mean ± SD age: 70.6 ± 4.5 y, mean ± SD body mass index (BMI; in kg/m
): 25.6 ± 4.2; women: n = 23, mean ± SD age: 70.7 ± 3.3 y, mean ± SD BMI: 25.3 ± 4.7 were randomly assigned to either long-chain n-3 PUFA (n = 23; 3 g fish oil/d) or placebo (n = 27; 3 g safflower oil/d) and participated in lower-limb resistance exercise training twice weekly for 18 wk. Muscle size, strength, and quality (strength per unit muscle area), functional abilities, and circulating metabolic and inflammatory markers were measured before and after the intervention.
Maximal isometric torque increased after exercise training to a greater (P < 0.05) extent in the long-chain n-3 PUFA group than in the placebo group in women, with no differences (P > 0.05) between groups in men. In both sexes, the effect of exercise training on maximal isokinetic torque at 30, 90, and 240° s
, 4-m walk time, chair-rise time, muscle anatomic cross-sectional area, and muscle fat did not differ (P > 0.05) between groups. There was a greater (P < 0.05) increase in muscle quality in women after exercise training in the long-chain n-3 PUFA group than in the placebo group, with no such differences in men (P > 0.05). Long-chain n-3 PUFAs resulted in a greater decrease (P < 0.05) than the placebo in plasma triglyceride concentrations in both sexes, with no differences (P > 0.05) in glucose, insulin, or inflammatory markers.
Long-chain n-3 PUFA supplementation augments increases in muscle function and quality in older women but not in older men after resistance exercise training. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02843009.
The diagnosis of psoriasis, an immune-mediated disease that affects 2% of the population in Western countries, is largely based on history and clinical examination. The aim of this systematic review ...and meta-analysis was to investigate the associations between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the presence and clinical severity of psoriasis. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to January 2018. Twelve case–control studies enrolling 1067 psoriasis patients (537 males and 530 females) and 799 healthy controls (404 males and 395 females) were included in the meta-analysis. The NLR was evaluated in all the studies, while the PLR was assessed in four studies. Pooled results showed that both the NLR and the PLR values were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI 0.53–1.85,
p
< 0.001, and SMD = 0.40, 95% CI 0.12–0.68,
p
= 0.006, respectively). There were no significant differences in NLR values according to the severity of disease (
p
= 0.52). The NLR and the PLR are significantly associated with the presence, but not with the severity, of psoriasis. Further studies are required to determine the additional utility of these haematological indexes in the diagnosis of psoriasis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disabling condition that is characterised by poorly reversible airflow limitation and inflammation. Acute exacerbations of COPD are a common cause of ...hospitalisation and death among COPD patients. Several biochemical markers have been studied as outcome predictors in COPD; however, their measurement often requires significant time and resources. Relatively simple biomarkers of inflammation calculated from routine complete blood count tests, such as the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), might also predict COPD progression and outcomes. This review discusses the available evidence from studies investigating the associations between the NLR, COPD exacerbations and death in this patient group.
Patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often have elevations in markers of liver injury, particularly serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Such alterations ...may affect the AST/ALT ratio (De Ritis ratio) and, potentially, clinical outcomes. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between the De Ritis ratio and COVID-19 severity and mortality in hospitalized patients. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched between 1 December 2019 and 15 February 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation were used to assess the risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence, respectively. Twenty-four studies were identified. The De Ritis ratio on admission was significantly higher in patients with severe disease and non-survivors vs. patients with non-severe disease and survivors (15 studies, weighted mean difference = 0.36, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.49,
< 0.001). The De Ritis ratio was also associated with severe disease and/or mortality using odds ratios (1.83, 95% CI 1.40 to 2.39,
˂ 0.001; nine studies). Similar results were observed using hazard ratios (2.36, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.79,
= 0.017; five studies). In six studies, the pooled area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.677 (95% CI 0.612 to 0.743). In our systematic review and meta-analysis, higher De Ritis ratios were significantly associated with severe disease and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, the De Ritis ratio can be useful for early risk stratification and management in this patient group (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023406916).
Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) is responsible for metabolism of an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which plays a key role ...in modulating angiogenesis. In addition to angiogenesis, tumours can establish a vascular network by forming vessel-like structures from tumour cells; a process termed vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Here, we identified over-expression of DDAH1 in aggressive MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and BT549 breast cancer cell lines when compared to normal mammary epithelial cells. DDAH1 expression was inversely correlated with the microRNA miR-193b. In DDAH1
MDA-MB-231 cells, ectopic expression of miR-193b reduced DDAH1 expression and the conversion of ADMA to citrulline. In DDAH1
MCF7 cells, inhibition of miR-193b elevated DDAH1 expression. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated DDAH1 as a direct target of miR-193b. MDA-MB-231 cells organised into tube structures in an in vitro assay of VM, which was significantly inhibited by DDAH1 knockdown or miR-193b expression. Mechanistically, we found miR-193b regulates cell proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, whilst DDAH1 knockdown inhibited cell migration. These studies represent the first evidence for DDAH1 expression, regulation and function in breast cancer cells, and highlights that targeting DDAH1 expression and/or enzymatic activity may be a valid option in the treatment of aggressive breast cancers.
Excessive inflammation and malnutrition are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and mortality. Combined biomarkers of malnutrition and inflammation, such as serum prealbumin, ...might be particularly attractive for early risk stratification. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting serum prealbumin in patients with COVID-19. We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, between January and November 2020, for studies reporting data on serum prealbumin, COVID-19 severity, defined as severe illness, prolonged viral load, receiving mechanical ventilation or admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality. Nineteen studies in 4,616 COVID-19 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled results showed that serum prealbumin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with severe disease and non-survivors (standard mean difference, SMD, -0.92, 95% CI, -1.10 to -0.74,
< 0.001). Extreme heterogeneity was observed (
= 77.9%;
< 0.001). In sensitivity analysis, the effect size was not significantly affected when each study was in turn removed (range between -0.86 and -0.95). The Begg's (
= 0.06) and Egger's
-tests (
= 0.26) did not show publication bias. Pooled SMD values were significantly and negatively associated with age (
= -2.18,
= 0.045) and C-reactive protein (
= -3.85,
= 0.002). In our meta-analysis, lower serum prealbumin concentrations were significantly associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. This combined marker of malnutrition and inflammation might assist with early risk stratification and management in this group.
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) poses a significant global health challenge, prompting exploration of innovative treatments. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy ...and safety of vitamin C supplementation in adults undergoing treatment for CAP. A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinical Trials.gov databases from inception to 17 November 2023 identified six randomized-controlled-trials (RCTs) meeting inclusion criteria. The primary outcome analysis revealed a non-significant trend towards reduced overall mortality in the vitamin C group compared to controls (RR 0.51; 95% CI 0.24 to 1.09; p = 0.052; I
= 0; p = 0.65). Sensitivity analysis, excluding corona-virus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) studies and considering the route of vitamin C administration, confirmed this trend. Secondary outcomes, including hospital length-of-stay (LOS), intensive-care-unit (ICU) LOS, and mechanical ventilation, exhibited mixed results. Notably, heterogeneity and publication bias were observed in hospital LOS analysis, necessitating cautious interpretation. Adverse effects were minimal, with isolated incidents of nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and tachycardia reported. This meta-analysis suggests potential benefits of vitamin C supplementation in CAP treatment. However, inconclusive findings and methodological limitations warrants cautious interpretation, emphasising the urgency for high-quality trials to elucidate the true impact of vitamin C supplementation in CAP management.
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are a leading cause of hospitalisation and death in COPD patients. In addition to the identification of better strategies to ...prevent AECOPD, there is an intense focus on discovering novel markers of disease severity that enhance risk stratification on hospital admission for the targeted institution of aggressive
supportive treatments. In the quest for such biomarkers, an increasing body of evidence suggests that specific indexes derived from routine complete blood counts,
the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), can significantly predict adverse outcomes in AECOPD. This narrative review discusses the current evidence regarding the association between the NLR and the PLR on admission and several clinical end-points (need for invasive ventilation, noninvasive mechanical ventilation failure, admission to an intensive care unit, pulmonary hypertension, length of hospitalisation, and mortality) in AECOPD. Future research directions and potential clinical applications of these haematological indexes in this patient group are also discussed.
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