Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology
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Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. · Jun 2006
Ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol inhibits the proliferation and invasion of human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells.
Ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol, one of metabolites of ginseng saponins, has been well characterized to possess the pleiotropic anticancer capabilities in several cancer cell lines. The object of this study was to investigate the effects of ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol on the invasion in vitro and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells in absence of cytotoxicity. Our results showed that ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol exerted a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HT1080 cells (IC50 was 76.78+/-2.24 microM, 48 hr). ⋯ Further analysis with gelatin zymography and western blotting revealed that both the activity and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 decreased dramatically in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01). Taken together, these results indicated that ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol is able to inhibit the invasiveness of HT1080 cells significantly in vitro and this action may be primarily due to down-regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Ginsenoside 20(S)-protopanaxadiol, a metabolite of ginseng, may be applied as a potential therapeutic agent in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
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Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. · May 2006
Comparative StudyReduced blood platelet sensitivity to aspirin in coronary artery disease: are dyslipidaemia and inflammatory states possible factors predisposing to sub-optimal platelet response to aspirin?
The study was designed to assess blood platelet sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid and its associations with dyslipidaemia and inflammation in coronary artery disease patients. Platelet non-responsiveness to aspirin is associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events. Several environmental and hereditary factors are reportedly involved in sub-optimal acetylsalicylic acid response. ⋯ The incidence of suboptimal acetylsalicylic acid response incidence was more common in patients with coronary artery disease. Acetylsalicylic acid inhibition of blood platelet reactivity and thromboxane generation was less effective in these patients. Dyslipidaemia and chronic inflammatory states may promote suboptimal acetylsalicylic acid response in coronary artery disease patients.
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Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. · Mar 2006
ReviewIndications for propensity scores and review of their use in pharmacoepidemiology.
Use of propensity scores to identify and control for confounding in observational studies that relate medications to outcomes has increased substantially in recent years. However, it remains unclear whether, and if so when, use of propensity scores provides estimates of drug effects that are less biased than those obtained from conventional multivariate models. In the great majority of published studies that have used both approaches, estimated effects from propensity score and regression methods have been similar. ⋯ We discuss five reasons that favour use of propensity scores: the value of focus on indications for drug use; optimal matching strategies from alternative designs; improved control of confounding with scarce outcomes; ability to identify interactions between propensity of treatment and drug effects on outcomes; and correction for unobserved confounders via propensity score calibration. We describe alternative approaches to estimate and implement propensity scores and the limitations of the C-statistic for evaluation. Use of propensity scores will not correct biases from unmeasured confounders, but can aid in understanding determinants of drug use and lead to improved estimates of drug effects in some settings.
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Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. · Jan 2006
Muscle symptoms associated with statins: a series of twenty patients.
The aim of this study was to examine the clinical profile of statin-induced myalgia in patients with no apparent predisposing factors. Patients who reported muscle complaints that limited daily functioning during statin use were prospectively identified among the patients of Kuusankoski District Hospital and its catchment area, a population of about 100,000, between January 2003 and July 2004. Twenty patients in whom the muscle complaints were probably attributable to the use of a statin were included in this series. ⋯ Of the 18 patients that were evaluable for creatine kinase level, 5 (28%) did not exhibit elevation of creatine kinase and 6 (33%) showed a minor increase only. Following discontinuation of the statin, resolution of symptoms and normalisation of creatine kinase occurred in 11 of the 13 patients with elevated creatine kinase value as well as muscle complaints. Statins may cause clinically important muscle symptoms without inducing a marked creatine kinase elevation.
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Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. · Sep 2005
Case ReportsNear-fatal amitraz intoxication: the overlooked pesticide.
Amitraz is commonly used in agricultural industries throughout the world as a farm-animal insecticide. Despite its widespread use, amitraz intoxication is extremely rare and mainly occurs through accidental ingestion by young children. Severe, life-threatening amitraz intoxication in adults is very rarely recognized and reported. ⋯ As a consequence, cases of amitraz poisoning are not recognised and therefore erroneously treated as the much more commonly recognized organophosphate and carbamate intoxication. In our discussion, we review the clinical and laboratory manifestations of amitraz poisoning, including clinical hints that aid in the recognition of this often-overlooked diagnosis. Differentiation of amitraz intoxication from the much more commonly seen pesticide-related organophosphate and carbamate intoxication is of utmost importance, in order to avoid erroneous, unnecessary, and often dangerous treatment.