Evaluation of the inhibitory effects of antigout drugs on human carboxylesterases in vitro.

Gout is an immune-metabolic disease that frequently coexists with multiple comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, therefore, it is often treated in combination with these complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of antigout drugs (allopurinol, febuxostat, topiroxostat, benzbromarone, lesinurad and probenecid) on the activity of the crucial phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes, carboxylesterases (CESs). 2-(2-benzoyl-3-methoxyphenyl) benzothiazole (BMBT) and fluorescein diacetate (FD) were utilized as the probe reactions to determine the activity of CES1 and CES2, respectively, through in vitro culturing with human liver microsomes.

Inhibitory effects of phthalate esters (PAEs) and phthalate monoesters towards human carboxylesterases (CESs).

Phthalate esters (PAEs), accompanied by phthalate monoesters as hydrolysis metabolites in humans, have been widely used as plasticizers and exhibited disruptive effects on the endocrine and metabolic systems. The present study aims to investigate the inhibition behavior of PAEs and phthalate monoesters on the activity of the important hydrolytic enzymes, carboxylesterases (CESs), to elucidate the toxicity mechanism from a new perspective. The results showed significant inhibition on CES1 and CES2 by most PAEs, but not by phthalate monoesters, above which the activity of CES1 was strongly inhibited by DCHP, DEHP, DiOP, DiPP, DNP, DPP and BBZP, with inhibition ratios exceeding 80%.

Efficacy of ezetimibe combined with atorvastatin in the treatment of carotid artery plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with coronary heart disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ezetimibe combined with atorvastatin in treatment of carotid artery plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: A total of 100 patients with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) confirmed by ultrasound and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CHD were randomly assigned to atorvastatin group (atorvastatin 20 mg/day) or combined treatment group (ezetimibe 10 mg/day and atorvastatin 20 mg/day). All those patients were followed for 12 months.

3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging improves the prostate cancer detection rate in transrectral ultrasound-guided biopsy.

The detection rate of prostate cancer (PCa) using traditional biopsy guided by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is not satisfactory. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of 3-Tesla (3-T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to TRUS-guided prostate biopsy and to investigate which subgroup of patients had the most evident improvement in PCa detection rate. A total of 420 patients underwent 3-T MRI examination prior to the first prostate biopsy and the positions of suspicious areas were recorded respectively.

Risk factors associated with PICC-related upper extremity venous thrombosis in cancer patients.

Aims And Objectives: To investigate the incidence and risk factors for peripherally inserted central venous catheters-related upper extremity venous thrombosis in patients with cancer.

Background: With the widespread use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters, peripherally inserted central venous catheters-related upper extremity venous thrombosis in patients with cancer leads to increasing morbidity and mortality. It is very important to further explore the incidence and risk factors for peripherally inserted central venous catheters-related venous thrombosis.

Doppler myocardial performance index in assessment of ventricular function in children with single ventricles.

Background: Quantitative assessment of ventricular function in children with single ventricles is both difficult and subjective because of asymmetric ventricular geometry. The Doppler myocardial performance index (MPI) allows the assessment regardless of ventricular shape. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of MPI in assessing ventricular function in children with single ventricles before and after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).