Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · Aug 2020
LOXL1-AS1/miR-515-5p/STAT3 Positive Feedback Loop Facilitates Cell Proliferation and Migration in Atherosclerosis.
Existing research has elucidated the critical role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of multiple human cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis (AS). Nonetheless, whether long noncoding RNA LOXL1 antisense RNA 1 (LOXL1-AS1) regulates the biological functions in AS is exceedingly limited. In this research, we detected through reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction that LOXL1-AS1 expression was markedly upregulated in patients with AS. ⋯ Furthermore, LOXL1-AS1 could elevate STAT3 expression by sponging miR-515-5p in VSMCs and HUVECs. More importantly, rescue assays delineated that inhibited expression of miR-515-5p or elevated expression of STAT3 could reverse the restraining effect of LOXL1-AS1 depletion on the progression of AS in HUVECs. All these findings revealed the role of a LOXL1-AS1/miR-515-5p/STAT3 positive feedback loop in AS.
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · Jul 2020
ReviewAnakinra in Recurrent Pericarditis: Current Evidence on Clinical Use, Effectiveness, and Safety.
Anakinra is a recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist that competes and blocks the biologic effects of interleukin 1, reducing systemic inflammatory responses. In the 2015 guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases of the European Society of Cardiology, anakinra was established as a third-line therapy option for refractory recurrent pericarditis (RP). Recently, important studies that investigates the effect and safety of anakinra in RP were published, such as the AIRTRIP trial and the International Registry of Anakinra for Pericarditis. This article presents the current evidence about the effectiveness and safety of anakinra in RP and discusses its clinical application and mechanisms.
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · Jul 2020
Acute Effects of Interleukin-1 Blockade Using Anakinra in Patients With Acute Pericarditis.
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (anakinra) has been shown to be effective in steroid-dependent recurrent pericarditis resistant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine. We sought to evaluate the acute efficacy of anakinra given early in patients with acute pericarditis. We enrolled patients within 24 hours of presentation of a first or recurrent episode of acute pericarditis who were experiencing severe pain (≥6 in 11-point Likert scale), despite treatment with at least one dose of NSAIDs and of colchicine. ⋯ No adverse events related to treatment occurred. The administration of anakinra given early in acute pericarditis treatment course rapidly and significantly improved chest pain from acute pericarditis. The improvement is correlated with a reduction in IL-6 levels.
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · Jun 2020
ReviewCardiovascular Pharmacology in the Time of COVID-19: A Focus on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2.
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic affecting millions of adults. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2019 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative virus of COVID-19, infects host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ⋯ In addition, renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors reduce adverse atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease outcomes, but may increase ACE2 levels. We review current knowledge of the role of ACE2 in cardiovascular physiology and SARS-CoV-2 virology, as well as clinical data to inform the management of patients with or at risk for COVID-19 who require renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy.
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · May 2020
ReviewCardiovascular Considerations in Treating Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
A novel betacoronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread rapidly across the globe since December 2019. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a significantly higher mortality rate than seasonal influenza and has disproportionately affected older adults, especially those with cardiovascular disease and related risk factors. ⋯ No established treatment is currently available; however, several therapies, including remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, and interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitors, are being used off-label and evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. Considering these therapies are not familiar to cardiovascular clinicians managing these patients, this review describes the pharmacology of these therapies in the context of their use in patients with cardiovascular-related conditions.