Real-World safety and effectiveness of evolocumab in primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Evolocumab's short-term efficacy and safety were proven in phase-3 clinical trial, but its long-term safety and effectiveness in the Saudi population are yet to be studied. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of evolocumab in Saudi patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia.

Method: A retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients who had newly been prescribed evolocumab for hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia.

Genistein ameliorated experimentally induced gastric ulcer in rats via inhibiting gastric tissues fibrosis by modulating Wnt/β-catenin/TGF-β/PKB pathway.

Objectives: Gastric ulcer (GU) is a prevalent chronic digestive disease affecting about 10% of the world's population leading to gastrointestinal perforation and bleeding. Genistein is a legume flavonoid with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the ability of genistein to reduce experimentally induced GU in rats by affecting gastric tissue fibrosis Wnt/β-catenin/TGF-β/SMAD4 pathway.

Potential Biomarkers for Parkinson Disease from Functional Enrichment and Bioinformatic Analysis of Global Gene Expression Patterns of Blood and Substantia Nigra Tissues.

The Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system and motor functions. The biological complexity of PD is yet to reveal potential targets for intervention or to slow the disease severity. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the fidelity of blood to substantia nigra (SN) tissue gene expression from PD patients to provide a systematic approach to predict role of the key genes of PD pathobiology.

Evaluating the Anticancer Activity of Blocking TNF Type 1 Receptors in Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Rat Model.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can explicate about 90% of the total primary liver cancer cases, with approximately 800,000 new cases identified each year worldwide. In addition, any changes in the expression of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) type 1 receptor (TNFR1) might impact many biological processes, which may lead to cancer. Aims We conducted the following study to investigate the ability of CAY10500, a TNF-α inhibitor that prevents binding to the TNF receptor 1, to produce anticancer effects against hepatocellular carcinoma experimentally induced in rats and to discover its effect on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).

Intensification of resveratrol cytotoxicity, pro-apoptosis, oxidant potentials in human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells using zein nanoparticles.

Resveratrol (RSV), a non-flavonoid stilbene polyphenol, possesses anti-carcinogenic activities against all the major stages of cancer. Zein nanoparticles (ZN NPs) have been utilized successfully in delivery of variant therapeuticals by virtue of their histocompatible nature. The goal of this work was to comparatively explore the antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic and oxidative stress potentials of RSV-ZN NPs versus RSV against human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells.

The therapeutic effects of cycloastragenol in ulcerative colitis by modulating SphK/MIP-1α/miR-143 signalling.

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) experience diarrhoea, hematochezia and abdominal pain. UC is a well-known health challenge affecting 200-250 per 100 000 individuals worldwide, with a similar prevalence in both sexes and elevated upon activation of gut immune responses. We evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of cycloastragenol in experimentally induced UC rats and examined the modulation of sphingosine kinase (SphK), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and miR-143.

Curative effects of fucoidan on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rats via modulating aryl hydrocarbon receptor and phosphodiesterase-4.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease. Fucoidan, sulfated polysaccharide of brown seaweed, demonstrates various pharmacological actions as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-bacterial effects. Therefore, we opt to investigate the potential curative effects of fucoidan in experimentally induced UC in rats through modulating aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1).

Identification and functional characterization of two rare LDLR stop gain variants (p.C231* and p.R744*) in Saudi familial hypercholesterolemia patients.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a globally underdiagnosed inherited metabolic disorder. Owing to limited published data from Arab world, this study was conducted with the aim of identifying the genetic and molecular basis of FH in highly consanguineous Saudi population.

Methods: We performed clinical screening, biochemical profiling, whole exome sequencing and variant segregation analysis of two Saudi FH families.

Hospital Pharmacy Preparedness and Pharmacist Role During Disaster in Saudi Arabia.

Background: In case of emergencies, the number and severity of mass casualties may exceed medical services resources. Saudi Arabia is prone to different disasters, and all medical resources should be ready and prepared to serve during disasters. Pharmacists are essential during disasters; however, their roles have not been well studied during disasters in Saudi Arabia.

Optimization of Hyaluronate-Based Liposomes to Augment the Oral Delivery and the Bioavailability of Berberine.

Various perspectives had been utilized to enhance the poor intestinal permeability and bioavailability of drugs with low water solubility. Berberine (Brb) is a unique molecule that possesses multiple therapeutic activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic effects. To improve Brb permeability and bioavailability, this study presents a newly developed formulation, namely Brb hyaluronate-based liposomes, prepared by using film hydration method and characterized by dynamic light scattering measurements, entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), transmission electron microscope (TEM), in vitro drug release and physical stability.

Amelioration of Pterostilbene Antiproliferative, Proapoptotic, and Oxidant Potentials in Human Breast Cancer MCF7 Cells Using Zein Nanocomposites.

Purpose: This study aimed to explain the influence of zein nanosphere (ZN NS) formulation on the pharmacotherapeutic profile of PTS in MCF7 cells.

Methods: Liquid-liquid phase separation was used to formulate PTS-ZN NSs. The formulations developed were evaluated for particle-size analysis, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro diffusion.

Assessing factors influencing pharmacy interns career choices in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The number of students enrolled in the colleges of pharmacy in Saudi Arabia is high, and the number of pharmacy graduates expected to join the workforce in the coming years is expected to grow. There are limited number of studies that assess factors influencing pharmacy students' career choices in Saudi Arabia in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess the factors that influence career goals and to investigate students' perceptions about their career goals.

Selective cytotoxic activity and protective effects of sodium ascorbate against hepatocellular carcinoma through its effect on oxidative stress and apoptosis and .

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by elevated in oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, which enhance destructive effects of the tumor. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the protective effects of sodium ascorbate against thioacetamide-induced HCC in rats through studying its effect on the apoptotic pathway in rats. In addition, activity of sodium ascorbate was investigated on HepG2 and compared with cisplatin.

Molecular design, synthesis and biological characterization of novel Resveratrol derivative as potential anticancer agent targeting NF-κB.

Resveratrol (RESV), an anticancer nutraceutical compound, is known to show poor bioavailability inside the human body. Therefore, this study has designed multiple chemical analogs of RESV compound for improving its pharmacokinetic as well as its anti-cancer properties. Initially, the drug likeliness and ADME-toxicity properties of these new chemical analogs were tested with the help of diverse computational approaches.

Cost-effectiveness of anticoagulants for suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the United States.

Despite the availability of multiple nonheparin anticoagulants for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), few data are available comparing the cost-effectiveness of these agents. This analysis is particularly important when considering differences in the risk of adverse effects, routes of administration, requirements for phlebotomy and laboratory monitoring, and overall drug costs. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of argatroban, bivalirudin, and fondaparinux for the treatment of suspected HIT from the institutional perspective.

Optimizing pharmacotherapy in elderly patients: the role of pharmacists.

As the world's population ages, global health care systems will face the burden of chronic diseases and polypharmacy use among older adults. The traditional tasks of medication dispensing and provision of basic education by pharmacists have evolved to active engagement in direct patient care and collaborative team-based care. The care of older patients is an especially fitting mission for pharmacists, since the key to geriatric care often lies with management of chronic diseases and polypharmacy use, and preventing harmful consequences of both.