European journal of pharmacology
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Meta Analysis
Does alpha-lipoic acid affect lipid profile? A meta-analysis and systematic review on randomized controlled trials.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) may change lipid profile, but their results are contradictory. The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effects of ALA on lipid profile. Electronic databases including ISI web of science, Ovid, PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar were searched up to February 2018. ⋯ The overall effect of ALA on serum triglyceride did not reveal any significant change, but in subgroup analysis based on health status (diabetic vs. non-diabetic), ALA decreased serum triglyceride levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups compared with controls. This meta-analysis revealed that ALA might favorably affect lipid profile especially LDL and TC. However, for confirming these results, more studies particularly among hyperlipidemic patients are needed.
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, a preclinical autistic model featuring ASD symptoms as defined by social relations, was used in this study. We evaluated the potentially protective effect of D-Ala-peptide T-amide (DAPTA), a selective C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) antagonist, in BTBR mice. ⋯ Additionally, DAPTA treatment inhibited CCR5+, CD4+CCR5+, CCR5+IL-6+, CCR5+IL-9+, CCR5+IL-17A+, CCR5+RORγT+, and upregulated CCR5+IL-10+, and CCR5+Foxp3+ production. We further observed that DAPTA downregulated IL-6, IL-9, IL-17A, and RORγT, and increased IL-10 and Foxp3 protein and mRNA expression. Therefore, our results suggest that DAPTA administration represents a potential treatment strategy for patients with ASD.
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The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) has risen in the United States and worldwide, with an increase in global prevalence from 4.7% to 8.5% between 1980 and 2014. A variety of antidiabetic drugs are available with different mechanisms of action, and multiple drugs are often used concomitantly to improve glycemic control. One of the newest classes of oral antihyperglycemic agents is the sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors or "flozins". ⋯ This review summarizes the current literature on the pharmacokinetics and the molecular targets of metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors. It also addresses the common adverse effects and highlights the molecular mechanisms by which this dual antihyperglycemic therapy contributes to high anion gap metabolic acidosis. In conclusion, while the combination of metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors would be a better option in improving glycemic control with a low risk of hypoglycemia, an increase in the risk of metabolic acidosis during combination therapy may be borne in mind.