Implementation of an integrated pharmacy education system for pharmacy students: a controlled educational trial.

Background: Traditional pharmacy education often relies on fragmented, subject-centered curricula, which may inadequately prepare students for the complexities of advanced healthcare. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated pharmacy education approach in enhancing foundational knowledge and practical skills.

Methods: An integrated course focused on respiratory diseases was developed and implemented for final-year pharmacy students at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Long and Short-term Metformin Consumption as a Potential Therapy to Prevent Complications of COVID-19.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of metformin in complication improvement of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial that involved 189 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Patients in the intervention group received metformin-500 mg twice daily.

Time-dependent influence of infliximab on hemodynamic responses and cardiac injuries of isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Immune-induced inflammation plays an important role both in aggravating and healing of post myocardial infarction (MI) injuries. Potent anti-inflammatory and local immunomodulatory activity of infliximab has been suggested to have modulating effects on immune responses after MI. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of infliximab on hemodynamic responses and myocardial injuries following isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.

Oxidized cholesterol exacerbates toll-like receptor 4 expression and activity in the hearts of rats with myocardial infarction.

The present study examined the effects of high cholesterol and high oxidized-cholesterol diets on the myocardial expression of TLR4 and pro-inflammatory cytokine in rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated into 6 groups and fed with a normal diet, cholesterol, and oxidized-cholesterol rich diets with or without isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. TLR4 and MyD 88 expression and levels tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured in the heart and serum.

Clinical application of immune checkpoints in targeted immunotherapy of prostate cancer.

Immunotherapy is considered as an effective method for cancer treatment owing to the induction of specific and long-lasting anti-cancer effects. Immunotherapeutic strategies have shown significant success in human malignancies, particularly in prostate cancer (PCa), a major global health issue regarding its high metastatic rates. In fact, the first cancer vaccine approved by FDA was Provenge, which has been successfully used for treatment of PCa.

STAT3 inhibitory stattic enhances immunogenic cell death induced by chemotherapy in cancer cells.

Background: Induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) is considered a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Stattic is an inhibitor of STAT3, which is found constitutively active in many cancers and plays a major role in cancer progression.

Objectives: In the present study, we proposed to evaluate whether stattic can enhance the effects of chemotherapy in the induction of ICD in cancer cells harboring hyperactive STAT3.

Copper sulfate pentahydrate reduced epithelial cytotoxicity induced by lipopolysaccharide from enterogenic bacteria.

The over usage of multiple antibiotics contributes to the emergence of a whole range of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria causing enterogenic infections in poultry science. Therefore, finding an appropriate alternative natural substance carrying an antibacterial capacity would be immensely beneficial. It has been previously discovered that the different types of cupric salts, especially copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO·5HO), to carry a potent bactericidal capacity.

Endothelial cells' biophysical, biochemical, and chromosomal aberrancies in high-glucose condition within the diabetic range.

To date, many studies have been conducted to find out the underlying mechanisms of hyperglycemia-induced complications in diabetes mellitus, attributed to the cellular pathologies of different cells-especially endothelial cells. However, there are still many ambiguities and unresolved issues to be clarified. Here, we investigated the alteration in biophysical and biochemical properties in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to a high-glucose concentration (30mM), comparable to glucose content in type 2 diabetes mellitus, over a course of 120 hours.

Effect of A-769662, a direct AMPK activator, on expression and activity in mice heart tissue.

Objectives: TLR-4 activates a number of inflammatory signaling pathways. Also, AMPK could be involved in anti-inflammatory signaling. The aim of this study was to identify whether stimulation of AMPK could inhibit LPS-induced -4 gene expression in mice hearts.

Methylprednisolone acetate-loaded hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as a potential drug delivery system for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: In vitro and in vivo evaluations.

The objective of this study was to improve the therapeutic efficacy of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by incorporating the drug into the hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a chemical precipitation technique and their size and morphology were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The solid-state behavior of the nanoparticles was also characterized by operating X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

A-769662, a direct AMPK activator, attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute heart and lung inflammation in rats.

Activation of AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been indicated to produce an anti‑inflammatory effect through the suppression of toll‑like receptor (TLR) activity. In the present study, the investigation was designed to identify the effect of A‑769662, a direct activator of AMPK on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced acute lung and heart inflammation in rats. To induce inflammation, an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (0.

Physicochemical characterization and in vivo evaluation of triamcinolone acetonide-loaded hydroxyapatite nanocomposites for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The current study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of triamcinolone acetonide-loaded hydroxyapatite (TA-loaded HAp) nanocomposites in the arthritic rat model. The HAp nanocomposites were synthesized through a chemical precipitation method and the drug was subsequently incorporated into the nanocomposites using an impregnation method. The physicochemical properties as well as cytotoxicity of the prepared nanoformulation were examined as well.

Lipopolysaccharide Induced Activation of Toll Like Receptor 4 in Isolated Rat Heart Suggests a Local Immune Response in Myocardium.

Background: Myocardial dysfunction is one of the major complications in patients with sepsis where there is a relationship between the blood level of cytokines and the onset of myocardial depression. In many cases of sepsis, the presence of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been established. LPS Binding Protein (LBP) bound endotoxin is recognized by CD14/toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) complexes in innate immune cells which stimulates TNF-α release.

Tacrolimus ameliorates functional disturbances and oxidative stress in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.

Background: The inflammatory responses play a major role in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Early inhibition of inflammation may improve post MI cardiac function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tacrolimus on cardiac function, hemodynamic parameters as well as histopathologic and electrocardiographic changes in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.

Pioglitazone prevents morphine antinociception tolerance and withdrawal symptoms in rats.

Long-term exposure to opiates induces tolerance to the analgesic effect and dependence. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPAR-γ) agonist, on the morphine-induced tolerance and dependence. Groups of rats received morphine in combination with a vehicle or pioglitazone (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) daily.

Chronic treatment with metformin suppresses toll-like receptor 4 signaling and attenuates left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction.

Acute treatment with metformin has a protective effect in myocardial infarction by suppression of inflammatory responses due to activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In the present study, the effect of chronic pre-treatment with metformin on cardiac dysfunction and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activities following myocardial infarction and their relation with AMPK were assessed. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of 5 groups (n=6): normal control and groups were injected isoproterenol after chronic pre-treatment with 0, 25, 50, or 100mg/kg of metformin twice daily for 14 days.

Marrubium vulgare L. methanolic extract inhibits inflammatory response and prevents cardiomyocyte fibrosis in isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Introduction: Nowadays, finding new therapeutic compounds from natural products for treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases including cardiovascular disorders is getting a great deal of attention. This approach would result in finding new drugs which are more effective and have fewer side effects than the conventional medicines. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract of Marrubiumvulgare, a popular traditional medicinal herb, on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rat model.

Selenium effect on oxidative stress factors in septic rats.

Purpose: Severe oxidative stress is an important event that occurs in patients with sepsis. The body has extensive and multiple defense mechanisms against the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during inflammation and sepsis. One of these mechanisms includes a group of enzymes that utilize selenium as their cofactor.

Cardioprotective effect of methanolic extract of Marrubium vulgare L. on isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction in rats.

Isoproterenol injection (100 mg/kg; sc) produced changes in ECG pattern including ST-segment elevation and suppressed R-amplitude. The methanolic extract of M. vulgare at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg significantly amended the ECG changes.

Anti-angiogenic Effects of Metformin, an AMPK Activator, on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells and on Granulation Tissue in Rat.

Objectives: Metformin is well known for activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK activation inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) as a key signaling process in cell proliferation. Recent epidemiological studies demonstrate that metformin lowers the risk for several types of cancer in diabetic patients.

Acute treatment with metformin improves cardiac function following isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Background: It has been proposed that metformin exerts protective effects on ischemic hearts. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of metformin on cardiac function, hemodynamic parameters, and histopathological changes in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 6) of control, isoproterenol (100 mg/kg; MI), metformin alone (100 mg/kg; sham), and metformin (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) with isoproterenol.

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of cardioprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) against isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Background And The Purpose Of The Study: The objectives of the present study were phytochemical screening and study of the effects of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum (basil) on cardiac functions and histopathological changes in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: The leaves of the plant were extracted with ethanol by maceration and subjected to colorimetry to determine flavonoids and phenolic compounds. High-performance TLC analysis and subsequent CAMAG's TLC scanning were performed to quantify rosmarinic acid content.

Short-term treatment with metformin suppresses toll like receptors (TLRs) activity in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rat: are AMPK and TLRs connected?

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor of cellular energy. The activation of AMPK by metformin prevents cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Besides, the innate immune response through TLRs is activated during MI.

Protective effects of methylsulfonylmethane on hemodynamics and oxidative stress in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is naturally occurring organic sulfur that is known as a potent antioxidant/anti-inflammatory compound. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MSM on hemodynamics functions and oxidative stress in rats with monocrotaline- (MCT-) induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 38-days treatment.

Ambivalent effects of atorvastatin on angiogenesis, epidermal cell proliferation and tumorgenesis in animal models.

Background: A growing body of preclinical data indicates that statins may possess antineoplastic properties; however, some studies have raised the possibility that statins may also have carcinogenic potential.

Methods: An air pouch model was used for angiogenesis. Single or multiple applications of croton oil on the back of Swiss albino mice with or without initiation by dimethylbenz(a)antheracene (DMBA) were used to evaluate the skin tumorgenesis, ultrastructural and histological alterations.