Pharmacogenomic biomarkers in coronary artery disease: a narrative review.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a high mortality rate. Despite various therapeutic targets, non-responsiveness to drugs remains a prevalent issue. Pharmacogenomics assesses the way an individual's genetic attributes affect their likely response to drug therapy.

The role of platelets in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: From pathophysiology to therapeutics.

Platelets are one of the key mediators in thrombosis as well as in the progression of many diseases. An increase in platelet activation and a decrease in platelet count is associated with a plethora of liver diseases. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), platelets are highly activated and participate in the disease progression by enhancing the pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state.

Hepatic drug metabolism and gut microbiome.

This chapter focuses on intestinal microbiota and its effect on drug metabolism. Here, we discussed about different drugs which are metabolized either by some enzymes or gut microbiota and their mechanism. Nowadays, consuming drugs without a doctor's prescription is common.

Empagliflozin prohibits high-fructose diet-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats via attenuation of mitochondria-driven oxidative stress.

SGLT2 inhibitors show promising cardio-protection in the diabetic populace. However, the defending effect of SGLT2 inhibition in diabetes-associated cardiac complications and the molecular mechanism behind this effect are not thoroughly studied. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of Empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, in type-2 diabetic rat hearts.

Paricalcitol Attenuates Metabolic Syndrome-Associated Heart Failure through Enhanced Mitochondrial Fusion.

Objectives: Transition from cardiac hypertrophy to failure involves adverse metabolic reprogramming involving mitochondrial dysfunction. We have earlier shown that vitamin D deficiency induces heart failure, at least in part, through insulin resistance. However, whether activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) can attenuate heart failure and underlying metabolic phenotype requires investigation.

Hydroxychloroquine for SARS CoV2 Prophylaxis in Healthcare Workers - A Multicentric Cohort Study Assessing Effectiveness and Safety.

Unlabelled: Background, Objective: We studied the effectiveness and safety of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) preexposure prophylaxis against COVID-19 in Healthcare workers (HCWs) previous studies being inconclusive due to small sample and lack of risk stratification Design and setting: Prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study in 44 hospitals in 17 Indian states during May-Sept 2020 Participants: 12089 Consenting Doctors, nurses, ancillary staff likely exposed to COVID-19 patients irrespective of whether taking HCQ preexposure prophylaxis (4257) or not(7826) participated,(in 6 data missing) Measurements: Data was collected on a self administered online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done on SPSS version 20.

Results: Age above 45 years, diabetes, hypertension, history of COVID contact were independent risk factors for COVID positivity.

Chloroquine nasal drops in asymptomatic & mild COVID-19: An exploratory randomized clinical trial.

Background & Objectives: Chloroquine (CQN) administered as nasal drops has the potential to achieve much greater local tissue levels than with oral/systemic administration. This trial was undertaken to study the efficacy and safety profile of topical nasal administration of CQN drops in reducing viral load and preventing clinical progression in early COVID-19 infection.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was done with a sample size of 60.

Sirt1 and Sirt3 Activation Improved Cardiac Function of Diabetic Rats via Modulation of Mitochondrial Function.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Sirt1, Sirt3 and combined activation in high fructose diet-induced insulin resistance rat heart and assessed the cardiac function focusing on mitochondrial health and function. We administered the Sirt1 activator; SRT1720 (5 mg/kg, i.p.

Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for the Treatment of COVID-19: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: There is no effective therapy for COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ) have been used for its treatment but their safety and efficacy remain uncertain.

Objective: We performed a systematic review to synthesize the available data on the efficacy and safety of CQ and HCQ for the treatment of COVID-19.

Transcriptomic Validation of the Protective Effects of Aqueous Bark Extract of (Roxb.) on Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats.

Aqueous extract of the bark of (TA) is used by a large population in the Indian subcontinent for treating various cardiovascular conditions. Animal experiments have shown its anti-atherogenic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-inflammatory effects. It has several bioactive ingredients with hemodynamic, ROS scavenging, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Rats Causes Cardiac Dysfunction by Inducing Myocardial Insulin Resistance.

Scope: Cause-effect relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cardiometabolic abnormalities remains undefined. The aim is to investigate the role of vitamin D deficiency in cardiac failure, through possible involvement in myocardial insulin signaling.

Methods And Results: Male SD rats (n = 6) are fed a normal diet (Con), vitamin D-deficient diet [Con(-)], or high-fat, high fructose diet (HFHFrD) for 20 weeks.

Beneficial effects of fenofibrate in pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a morbid complication of cardiopulmonary as well as several systemic diseases in humans. It is rapidly progressive and fatal if left untreated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PPARα agonist fenofibrate (FF) on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH in rats.

Beneficial Effect of (Linn) against Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats.

Background: The study was designed to explore any beneficial effect of Ocimum sanctum (Linn) (OS) in experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats. OS is commonly known as “holy basil” and “Tulsi” and is used in the Indian System of Medicine as antidiabetic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and cardioprotective.

Methods: Monocrotaline (MCT) administration caused development of PH in rats after 28 days and rats were observed for 42 days.

Herb-Drug Interactions in Neurological Disorders: A Critical Appraisal.

Background: Herbal drugs are being used worldwide in a variety of debilitating neurological and psychiatric disorders such as cerebrovascular accident, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. However, unlike drugs of modern medicine, herbal drugs are complex products containing multiple pharmacologically active constituents. The nature and relative amounts of these constituents vary due to diverse factors such as but not limited to source of the plant(s), local environmental conditions, parts of the plant used, storage, method of extract preparation, accidental contamination or intentional adulteration.

Proteomic analysis of the protective effects of aqueous bark extract of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) on isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Aqueous bark extract of Terminalia arjuna (TA) has been in use as an ethnomedicine for cardiovascular ailments in the Indian subcontinent for centuries. Studies using hemodynamic, ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory parameters in animal models have shown its anti-atherogenic, hypotensive, inotropic, anti-inflammatory effects. However, details analysis on its effects on established molecular and cell biological markers are a prerequisite for its wider acceptance to the medical community.

α-Amyrin attenuates high fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

This study investigated the effect of α-amyrin (a pentacyclic triterpene) on high-fructose diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into different groups. The control group was fed normal rat chow diet.

Beneficial effects of aqueous extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.), An ayurvedic drug in experimental pulmonary hypertension.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) is widely used in Ayurveda in various cardiovascular diseases. Many animal and clinical studies have validated its anti-ischemic, antihypertensive, antihypertrophic and antioxidant effects.

Clinical efficacy of water extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn. in patients of chronic heart failure: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: The stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight and Arn.

Effect of Atorvastatin and Pioglitazone on Plasma Levels of Adhesion Molecules in Non-Diabetic Patients With Hypertension or Stable Angina or Both.

Background: It was to study the effect of atorvastatin, pioglitazone and their combination on plasma levels of adhesion molecules in patients with hypertension or stable angina or both.

Methods: It was an open-label, randomized parallel-group study. Forty-five atorvastatin-naive patients with hypertension or stable angina or both, were randomized to receive either atorvastatin (19 patients; 10 mg OD for 12 weeks) or pioglitazone (26 patients; 30 mg OD for 12 weeks).

The effect of thymoquinone, an active component of Nigella sativa, on isoproterenol induced myocardial injury.

Myocardial injury constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Present study aimed to investigate protective role of thymoquinone, which is an active principle of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed (Commonly called as black seed), in isoproterenol induced myocardial injury, a classical example of excess catecholamines related coronary insufficiency and stress cardiomyopathy.

Genistein prevents isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Genistein, an isoflavone and a rich constituent of soy, possesses important regulatory effects on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and oxidative stress. Transient and low release of NO by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been shown to be beneficial, while high and sustained release by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may be detrimental in pathological cardiac hypertrophy. The present study was designed to evaluate whether genistein could prevent isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in male Wistar rats (150-200 g, 10-12 weeks old) rats.

Therapeutic potential of Terminalia arjuna in cardiovascular disorders.

The bark of the tree Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) is widely used in Indian medicine (Ayurveda) for various cardiovascular ailments. The bark has been reported to contain several bioactive compounds.

PLGA nanoparticles for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy of neuroendocrine tumors: a novel approach towards reduction of renal radiation dose.

Background: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), employed for treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is based on over-expression of Somatostatin Receptors (SSTRs) on NETs. It is, however, limited by high uptake and retention of radiolabeled peptide in kidneys resulting in unnecessary radiation exposure thus causing nephrotoxicity. Employing a nanocarrier to deliver PRRT drugs specifically to the tumor can reduce the associated nephrotoxicity.

Oxidative stress and cardiac hypertrophy: a review.

Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is an adaptive response of the heart to pressure overload. It is a common pathological feature in the natural course of some major cardiovascular diseases, like, hypertension and myocardial infarction. Cardiac hypertrophy is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac death.