Molecular mechanisms of action of metformin: latest advances and therapeutic implications.

Metformin is among the most widely used antidiabetic drugs. Studies over the past few years have identified multiple novel molecular targets and pathways that metformin acts on to exert its beneficial effects in treating type 2 diabetes as well as other disorders involving dysregulated inflammation and redox homeostasis. In this mini-review, we discuss the latest cutting-edge research discoveries on novel molecular targets of metformin in glycemic control, cardiovascular protection, cancer intervention, anti-inflammation, antiaging, and weight control.

Role of Peroxiredoxins in Protecting Against Cardiovascular and Related Disorders.

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) refers to a family of thiol-dependent peroxidases that decompose hydrogen peroxide, lipid hydroperoxides, as well as peroxynitrite, and protect against oxidative and inflammatory stress. There are six mammalian Prx isozymes (Prx1-6), classified as typical 2-Cys, atypical 2-Cys, or 1-Cys Prxs based on the mechanism and the number of cysteine residues involved during catalysis. In addition to their well-established peroxide-scavenging activity, some Prxs also participate in the regulation of various cell signaling pathways.

Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: Patient and physician communication challenges and shared decision making.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common upper esophageal condition and typical symptoms can include heartburn and sensation of regurgitation while atypical symptoms include chronic cough, asthma, hoarseness, dyspepsia and nausea. Typically, diagnosis is presumptive given the presence of typical and atypical symptoms and is an indication for empiric therapy. Treatment management can include lifestyle modifications and/or medication therapy with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) class being the preferred and most effective.

Doxorubicin Redox Biology: Redox Cycling, Topoisomerase Inhibition, and Oxidative Stress.

Doxorubicin (also called Adriamycin) is effective in treating a wide range of human cancers and currently considered as one of the most important drugs in cancer chemotherapeutics. The clinical use of doxorubicin is, however, associated with dosage-dependent cardiotoxicity and development of heart failure, which diminish the therapeutic index of this widely used anticancer drug. This article first surveys key research findings on doxorubicin redox biology that may impact its cardiotoxicity as well as anticancer activity.

Paraoxonases function as unique protectors against cardiovascular diseases and diabetes: Updated experimental and clinical data.

Paraoxonase (PON) refers to a family of three enzymes, namely PON1, PON2, and PON3. PON1 and PON3 are found in circulation bound to high-density lipoprotein, whereas PON2 is an intracellular protein. PON1 was first discovered as an enzyme to hydrolyze the organophosphate pesticide paraoxon, an activity that both PON2 and PON3 lack.

Maintenance of myocardial levels of vitamin A in heart failure due to adriamycin.

The therapeutic use of adriamycin (doxorubicin), a potent antitumor antibiotic, is limited by the development of dose-dependent cardiomyopathy. Increased oxidative stress due to adriamycin is considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of this toxic effect. In this study, we examined the levels and redistribution of vitamin A (a potent non-enzymatic antioxidant) in adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats.

Early changes in myocardial antioxidant enzymes in rats treated with adriamycin.

Increased oxidative stress and antioxidant deficit have been suggested to play a major role in adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure due to multiple treatments with adriamycin (doxorubicin). In this study, we investigated the acute effects of a single dose of adriamycin on myocardial antioxidant enzymes in rats. Adriamycin (2.