European journal of clinical investigation
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Effects of phosphodiesterase-1 inhibitor on pulmonary vein electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis.
Phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoform inhibitors have mechanical and electrical effects on the heart. Inhibition of PDE-1 enzymes is a novel strategy for treating heart failure. However, the electrophysiological effects of PDE-1 inhibition on the heart remain unclear. This study explored the effects of PDE-1 inhibition using ITI-214 on electrical activity in the pulmonary vein (PV), the most common trigger of atrial fibrillation, and investigated the underlying ionic mechanisms. ⋯ ITI-214 reduces PV spontaneous activity and PV diastolic tension by reducing INa-Late , ICa-L and NCX current. Considering its therapeutic potential in heart failure, targeting PDE-1 inhibition may provide a novel strategy for managing atrial arrhythmogenesis.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
ReviewVascular growth factors as potential new treatment in cardiorenal syndrome in diabetes.
Cardiorenal syndrome in diabetes is characterised by alterations of the cardiovascular system paralleled by kidney disease with progressive renal function decline. In diabetes, chronic metabolic and haemodynamic perturbations drive endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress and progressive tissue fibrosis which, in turn, lead to heart and renal anatomo-functional damage. In physiology, vascular growth factors have been implicated in vascular homeostasis; their imbalance, in disease setting such as diabetes, leads to vascular dysfunction and cardiorenal damage. ⋯ Future studies will establish the translatability of therapies targeting vascular growth factors for heart and kidney disease in patients with diabetes.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Meta AnalysisColchicine use might be associated with lower mortality in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis.
Colchicine was recently repurposed for the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This rapid review and meta-analysis aimed to assess colchicine's impact on mortality outcomes in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests a mortality benefit with colchicine when used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The majority of included studies were observational; thus, the findings of this review need to be further supported by the results of ongoing trials.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
ReviewPolycystic ovary syndrome revisited: an interactions network approach.
The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has genetic, epigenetic, metabolic and reproductive aspects, while its complex pathophysiology has not been conclusively deciphered. ⋯ A metabolic dominance was inferred and discussed herein with its implications in puberty, obesity, infertility and cardiovascular function. This study, thus, may contribute to the resolution of a scientific conflict between the USA and EU definitions of the syndrome and/or provide a new P4 medicine approach.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffects of vegetarian versus Mediterranean diet on kidney function: Findings from the CARDIVEG study.
The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (VD), compared to a Mediterranean diet (MD), on kidney function in a group of subjects with medium-to-low cardiovascular risk profile. ⋯ In a selected group of subjects with medium-to-low cardiovascular risk profile, a 3 month VD period determined significant improvements in kidney function markers. Further trials are needed to confirm these results.