FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

New ways to repurpose salmeterol in an animal model of fibromyalgia
Shafiek MZ, Zaki HF and Mohamed AF
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome of pervasive chronic pain accompanied by low mood, sleep disorders, and cognitive decline. The dysfunction of central pain processing systems along with neurotransmitter disturbances are possible contributing mechanisms. Genetic polymorphism of the 𝛽2 adrenergic receptors is reported in FM patients. It is reported that chronic β2 agonists administration is effective for neuropathic pain alleviation. No current information, however, exists on their potential to alleviate nociplastic pain, such as FM. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to examine salmeterol's potential antiallodynic effects in experimentally produced FM and explore some of the possible contributing mechanisms.
The synergy between alkylating agents and ERCC1-XPF inhibitors is p53 dependent
Ciniero G, Pedro TM, Dumontet C, Elmenoufy AH, West FG, Weinfeld M, Gentile F, Tuszynski JA, Cros-Perrial E and Jordheim LP
DNA repair plays a major role in maintaining genomic stability, thus limiting the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. However, in cancer patients treated with DNA-targeting drugs, DNA repair can decrease efficacy by removing the damage generated by such molecules that is needed to induce pharmacological activity. Inhibiting DNA repair thus represents an interesting approach to potentiating the activity of chemotherapy in this setting.
Repurposing bosentan as an anticancer agent: EGFR/ERK/c-Jun modulation inhibits NSCLC tumor growth
Khalaf MM, Malak MN, Alsahli TG, Althobaiti M, Hamzawy MA and Abdel-Fattah MM
Drug repurposing of well-established drugs to be targeted against lung cancer has been a promising strategy. Bosentan is an endothelin 1 (ET-1) blocker widely used in pulmonary hypertension. The current experiment intends to inspect the anticancer and antiangiogenic mechanism of bosentan targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) /extra-cellular Signal Regulated Kinase (ERK) /c-Jun/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) carcinogenic pathway. BALB/c mice were randomized into four groups, the first received the vehicle, the second received 100 mg/kg oral bosentan alone, the third has non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) induced by two doses of 1.5 g/kg urethane i.p. and finally the fourth has NSCLC received bosentan. To determine the anti-proliferative impact of bosentan, cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1) level was assessed, and Ki-67 positive cells were counted by immunohistochemical (IHC). Molecular expression of EGFR via IHC, relative expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-c-Jun via western blotting and caspase 3, Bcl-2 Associated X-protein (BAX)/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio and VEGF via ELISA were quantified. Bosentan showed pronounced improvement in lung index and histopathological examinations. Bosentan exerted a noticeable arrest of lung cancer growth indicated by the attenuation of CYFRA 21-1 and Ki-67 positive cell counts besides the boost of BAX/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase 3. Bosentan induced a remarkable decline of EGFR, T-ERK1/2/p-ERK1/2, T-c-Jun/p-c-Jun, and VEGF. Bosentan induced cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic impact through regulation of EGFR/ERK/c-Jun/VEGF axis suggesting its potential therapeutic impact against lung cancer.
Knockdown of RFC3 enhances the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to oxaliplatin by inducing ferroptosis
Wu Y, Chen T, Wu S, Huang Y and Li F
The development of resistance to oxaliplatin is a multifaceted process, often involving modifications in drug transport, DNA repair mechanisms, and the ability of cells to evade drug-induced apoptosis.
Breastfeeding and contrast agents-A critical review and presentation of new aspects
Lemmenmeier S and Boehm I
There are discrepancies between guidelines of scientific societies and information of the package inserts of contrast media concerning breastfeeding following the application of a contrast agent to the mother.
Long-term evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis activity with erythrocyte methotrexate-polyglutamate 3
Escal J, Poudret M, Hodin S, Neel T, Coman I, Locrelle H, Amouzougan A, Thomas T, Delavenne X and Marotte H
Methotrexate (MTX) is the first-line treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), yet 30%-50% of RA patients develop resistance to MTX, which can manifest several years after treatment initiation.
Body mass index affects imatinib exposure: Real-world evidence from TDM with adaptive dosing
Maroselli P, Fanciullino R, Colle J, Farnault L, Roche P, Venton G, Costello R and Ciccolini J
Imatinib is the treatment of elderly or frail patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Trough levels of around 1000 ng/ml are considered as the target exposure.
A novel naphthylchalcone ([E]-4-(3-[naphthalen-2-yl]-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl) induces intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis in human acute leukemia cell lines
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Syracuse SM, Bigolin A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, de Souza LFS, de Moraes ACR, Nunes RJ and Santos-Silva MC
Chalcones have been described in the literature as promising antineoplastic compounds.
Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology of drug repositioning
Jordheim LP
Fluoxetine-induced downregulation of circMap2k1 signaling cascade to improve neurological function after ischemic stroke
He L, Zhang H, Deng J, He Y, Cai Z and He Y
Ischemic stroke (IS) is known for its high incidence, disability, and mortality, and there is an urgent need to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms and develop novel treatment strategies.
Induction of Ca signaling and cytotoxic responses of human lung fibroblasts upon an antihistamine drug oxatomide treatment and evaluating the protective effects of Ca chelating
Liang WZ, Hsieh KW, Yang ZD and Sun GC
Oxatomide, an antihistamine drug of the diphenylmethylpiperazine family, has anti-inflammatory effects in airway disease. Because oxatomide was shown to cause diverse physiological responses in several cell models, the impact of oxatomide on Ca signaling and its related physiological effects has not been explored in IMR-90 human fetal lung fibroblasts.
Capivasertib augments chemotherapy via Akt inhibition in preclinical small cell lung cancer models
Long C, Shen H, Li H and Han L
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive type of lung cancer for which platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard of care. Despite an initial response to this therapy, patients eventually develop resistance to the chemotherapy.
RETRACTION: L. Chen, R. Shi, X. She, C. Gu, L. Chong, L. Zhang, R. Li, "Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist-Mediated Cognitive Improvement In A Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Type: Possible Involvement Of BDNF-H2S-Nrf2 Signaling," Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology 34, no. 6 (2020): 697-707, 10.1111/fcp.12576
In vitro evidence that the vasorelaxant effects of 2-nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol on rat coronary arteries involve cyclic nucleotide pathways
Vasconcelos-Silva AA, Paula SM, Lima-Silva K, de Gadelha KKL, de Siqueira RJB, Dos Santos AA, Lahlou S, de Freitas Lima R and Magalhães PJC
The synthetic nitro-alcohol 2-nitro-1-phenyl-1-propanol (NPP) has endothelium-independent relaxing properties in isolated preparations of rat aorta and mesenteric artery. In this study, we investigated whether the vasodilator effects occur in coronary vessels and explored whether hyperpolarization is involved in the underlying mechanism of NPP-induced smooth muscle relaxation. The relaxing responses were studied in isolated preparations of the left anterior descending coronary (ADC) and the septal coronary (SC) arteries, which had been previously maintained under sustained contraction induced by the thromboxane A analogue U-46619. Administered cumulatively, NPP elicited concentration-dependent vasorelaxation with similar potency in both vessels. The relaxant effect remained unaffected by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME, the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide IV and the Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor Y-27632. However, it was significantly diminished by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor MDL-12,330A, the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ, as well as the K channel inhibitors tetraethylammonium and CsCl. In ADC preparations impaled with intracellular micropipettes, NPP hyperpolarized the vascular preparation. When the isolated preparation was precontracted by 5-hydroxytryptamine or 80 mM KCl, NPP-induced relaxation with lower pharmacological potency compared to the vessels contracted by U-46619. In conclusion, NPP exhibits vasorelaxant effects on rat coronary arteries, likely involving pathways that include cyclic nucleotide production and membrane hyperpolarization.
Alamandin and especially melatonin attenuate pulmonary arterial hypertension induced by monocrotalin
Ayik S, Gunata M, Ozhan O, Yildiz A, Vardi N, Sonmez E, Ermis N, Ates N, Kilic E, Noma SAA, Ulu A, Inan ST, Acet HA and Parlakpinar H
Despite the available treatments, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) prognosis is poor.
Exploring the therapeutic potential of Modafinil in mitigating renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Asli F, Poshtdar S, Dehpour AR and Mohammad Jafari R
Renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a post-ischemic event, which can lead to subsequent acute kidney injury (AKI), transplant failure, renal dysfunction and fibrosis via heightened oxidative stress and production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Preclinical evidence of the anti-inflammatory effect and toxicological safety of aryl-cyclohexanone in vivo
Lubschinski TL, Pollo LAE, de Oliveira PGF, Nardino LA, Mohr ETB, da Silva Buss Z, Sandjo LP, Biavatti MW, Daltoé FP and Dalmarco EM
Respiratory distress syndrome is a complex inflammatory condition defined by the presence of acute hypoxemia and cellular infiltration with diffuse alveolar injury following a tissue injury, such as acute lung injury. The inflammatory process involved in this pathology is a defense mechanism of the body against infectious agents and/or tissue injuries. However, when the condition is not reversed, it becomes a significant cause of tissue damage, sometimes leading to loss of function of the affected organ. Therefore, it is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying inflammation, as well as the development of new therapeutic agents that reduce inflammatory damage in these cases. Aryl-cyclohexanone derivatives have previously shown significant anti-inflammatory activity linked to an immunomodulatory capacity in vitro and may be good candidates for therapies in which inflammation plays a central role.
Acetazolamide suppresses the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine in Wistar albino rats
Tamim YM, Soliman ML, Sayed MM, Abdul-Rasheed MS, Nagy AA, Abdellah AM, Osman AH and Ismail AFM
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to be the most prevalent type of liver cancer worldwide. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC is an extensively used hepatic cancer model in experimental animals. Acetazolamide (AZA) is a carbonic anhydrase enzyme inhibitor. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic mechanism of AZA against DEN-induced HCC. Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided equally into three groups. Group I (C): control group, Group II (HCC): DEN-induced HCC, and Group III (HCC/AZA): AZA-treated HCC. Verification of the HCC induced by DEN was confirmed by elevated liver enzymes' activities, and increased α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, as well as distinct liver architecture changes. On the other hand, the AZA-treated HCC group experienced decreases in the activities of serum liver enzymes and AFP levels, as well as, regulated liver architecture. Additionally, it downregulated p-p38 MAPK/p-JNK1/JNK2/p-C-Jun/p-NF-κB p65 protein expressions. Moreover, it ameliorated autophagy by controlling the expression of the p-AMPK/p-mTOR1/LC3 I/II proteins. Furthermore, it downregulated the relative gene expressions of carbonic anhydrase-IX (CAIX) and hexokinase-II (HKII). Histopathological examination of AZA-treated HCC liver tissues supported these findings. Conclusion: AZA provides a new dimension in ameliorating experimentally induced HCC through regulation of hepatic biomarkers, antioxidant status, inflammatory markers, and autophagy, mediated by amelioration of CAIX and HKII gene expressions.
Involvement of different K channel subtypes in hydrogen sulfide-induced vasorelaxation of human internal mammary artery
Marinko M, Stojanovic I, Milojevic P, Nenezic D, Kanjuh V, Yang Q, He GW and Novakovic A
Changes in K channel expression/function are associated with disruption of vascular reactivity in several pathological conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Gasotransmitters achieve part of their effects in the organism by regulating ion channels, especially K channels. Their involvement in hydrogen sulfide (HS)-mediated vasorelaxation is still unclear, and data about human vessels are limited.
Evaluation of chemotherapy toxicities in patients receiving treatment for gastrointestinal cancers and therapeutic monitoring of 5-fluorouracil as a clinical support tool
de Baco LS, da Silva LC, Antunes LCM, Antunes MV, Linden R, Moreira MES, Radins RB, Maranhão SAB, da Silva Barbosa SE, Volpato L, Stefanon LR and Brucker N
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is essential in treating gastrointestinal cancers, but some patients show severe toxicity. The toxicity is exposure-related, which is linked to the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) decoded by the DPYD gene. This study aimed to evaluate the possible toxicity related to 5-FU plasma levels, DPYD genotyping, and DPD phenotyping.
Nociceptive TRP channels function as molecular target for several antifungal drugs
Okabe S, Takahashi K, Hashimoto M and Ohta T
Topically applied antifungal agents can induce adverse effects, such as pain and irritation. The transient receptor potential (TRP) channels-TRPA1 and TRPV1-mainly expressed in sensory neurons, act as sensors for detecting irritants. This study aims to evaluate the involvement of nociceptive channels in topical antifungal-induced pain and irritation. We tested nine topical antifungals belonging five classes: isoconazole, econazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole as imidazoles; liranaftate as a thiocarbamate; terbinafine as an allylamine; amorolfine as a morpholine; and butenafine as a benzylamine.