Phycocyanin stimulates ulcerative colitis healing via selective activation of cannabinoid receptor-2, intestinal mucosal healing, Treg accumulation, and p38MAPK/MK2 signaling inhibition.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition that until this date, lacks curative treatments. Previously, synthetic selective CB2 receptor (CB2R) agonists demonstrated effective preclinical anti-inflammatory activities in UC. Phycocyanin (PC), photosynthetic assistant protein isolated from Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing blue green algae, has multiple pharmacological effects, however, it's effect against UC remains unexplored.

Development of fluorinated and methoxylated benzothiazole derivatives as highly potent and selective cannabinoid CB receptor ligands.

The upregulation of the CB receptors in neuroinflammation and cancer and their potential visualization with PET (positron emission tomography) could provide a valuable diagnostic and therapy-monitoring tool in such disorders. However, the availability of reliable CB-selective imaging probes is still lacking in clinical practice. We have recently identified a benzothiazole-2-ylidine amide hit (6a) as a highly potent CB ligand.

Transplantation in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic: How should transplant patients and programs be handled?

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, transplant programs worldwide have been severely impacted with dwindling numbers of transplantations performed and a complete halt in several areas. In this review we examine whether SARS-CoV-2 infection presents differently in transplant recipients, whom and how we should test, how susceptible the transplant population is to overt infection and describe the range of outcomes. From retrieved published reports on SARS-CoV-2infections in 389solid organ transplant recipients reported in the literature, the overall mortality rate was 16.

Benzofuran and pyrrole derivatives as cannabinoid receptor modulators with efficacy against ulcerative colitis.

Highlighting the need for effective therapies for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, novel series of potential CB modulators (benzofuran and pyrrole carboxamides) were developed and tested for their functional activities on CB/CB receptors. In the benzofuran series, the cannabinoid (CB) receptor selectivity and the functional profile were dependent on the nature of the amide substituent and the position of the methoxy group, meanwhile the pyrrole derivatives, displayed an exclusive selectivity to the CB receptor and a functionality that is controlled by the nature of the pyrrole nitrogen substituent. Remarkably, we succeeded to develop potent and selective pyrrole-based CB receptor agonists, represented by compound , which also demonstrated an exquisite anti-inflammatory effect in a dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model in mice.

Micro RNA-192 Is Negatively Associated With Cardiovascular Events Among Wait-Listed Potential Kidney Transplant Recipients on Hemodialysis Over a 5-year Follow-up Period.

Background: Patients with chronic renal disease are susceptible to accelerated vascular calcification and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in the general population.

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the link between miRNA 192 and vascular calcification, pre-existing as well as newly occurring major adverse cardiovascular events, and mortality among hemodialysis patients who are also considered to be potential kidney transplant recipients.

Structure-activity relationships of thiazole and benzothiazole derivatives as selective cannabinoid CB2 agonists with in vivo anti-inflammatory properties.

The strong therapeutic potential of CB2 receptor agonists for use as anti-inflammatory agents that lack psychiatric side effects has attracted substantial interest. We herein describe the rational design and synthesis of novel thiazole and benzothiazole derivatives and the evaluation of their binding affinity and functional activity on CB1 and CB2 receptors. The series with the general formula N-(3-pentylbenzo [d]thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene) carboxamide (compounds 6a-6d) exhibited the highest affinity and selectivity towards CB2 receptors with Ks in the picomolar or low nanomolar range, and selectivity indices (K hCB1/K hCB2) reaching up to 429 fold.

gene (vitamin K epoxide reductase) polymorphisms are associated with cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis.

Vitamin K is necessary for the carboxylation of clotting factors and matrix Gla protein (MGP). Vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR) is the enzyme responsible for recirculation of Vitamin K increasing its tissue availability. Polymorphisms of VKOR may alter the function of MGP, thereby influencing vascular calcification.

Discovery of novel Tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene and pyrrole based scaffolds as potent and selective CB2 receptor ligands: The structural elements controlling binding affinity, selectivity and functionality.

CB2-based therapeutics show strong potential in the treatment of diverse diseases such as inflammation, multiple sclerosis, pain, immune-related disorders, osteoporosis and cancer, without eliciting the typical neurobehavioral side effects of CB1 ligands. For this reason, research activities are currently directed towards the development of CB2 selective ligands. Herein, the synthesis of novel heterocyclic-based CB2 selective compounds is reported.

Comparing different calcification scores to detect outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients with vascular calcification.

Background: There is no consensus on the most appropriate technique to diagnose vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. This is primarily because of the absence of direct comparisons of predictive values of the various calcification scores, especially outside the coronary vascular beds, to detect clinical outcomes.

Methods: We included 93 haemodialysis patients and performed 6 vascular calcification scores: two scores utilised simple X-rays of abdominal aorta and peripheral vessels.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Objective: To explore and compare complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice among subsets of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal allograft recipients.

Design: Cross-sectional survey questionnaire.

Setting: Three outpatient nephrology clinics and dialysis centers in Egypt.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan among patients with chronic kidney disease: renal and cardiovascular outcomes.

Background: Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a religious obligation for Muslims who represent 20% of the world population. This study explores the safety of fasting for a whole month among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with the possible risk of dehydration and hyperviscosity leading to deterioration of kidney functions and vascular thrombosis.

Methods: We followed CKD patients with stable kidney function who chose to fast during the month of Ramadan.

The Association between Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 and Vascular Calcification Is Mitigated by Inflammation Markers.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has been linked to vascular calcification, ventricular hypertrophy and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD), although these links may not be direct and independent. Similar grave outcomes are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in CKD. Recently, accumulating evidence has linked components of phosphate homeostasis to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Endogenous soluble receptor of advanced glycation end-products (esRAGE) is negatively associated with vascular calcification in non-diabetic hemodialysis patients.

Background: Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) accumulate in CKD and may predispose to cardiovascular disease by inducing inflammatory and oxidant stress in the vascular endothelium. Soluble forms of the receptor for AGE (RAGE) may be protective against these effects by binding AGE in the soluble phase. Accumulating evidence suggests a protective role of soluble RAGE against vascular calcification.

Synthesis, binding studies and molecular modeling of novel cannabinoid receptor ligands.

In the present work, we report upon the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new anandamide derivatives obtained by modifications of the fatty acyl chain and/or of the ethanolamide 'tail'. The compounds are of the general formula: 6-(substituted-phenyl)/naphthyl-4-oxohex-5-enoic acid N-substituted amide and 7-naphthyl-5-oxohept-6-enoicacid N-substituted amide. The novel compounds had been evaluated for their binding affinity to CB1/CB2 cannabinoid receptors, binding studies showed that some of the newly developed compounds have measurable affinity and selectivity for the CB2 receptor.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is independently correlated to aortic calcification in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Vascular calcification has detrimental consequences on chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, yet its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is involved in the regulation of mineral metabolism which may in turn affect vascular calcification. Data on the relationship between FGF-23 and peripheral vascular calcification, using conventional radiographs, are conflicting, and less is known about its relation to aortic calcification.