Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology
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Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. · May 2015
Effects of active and passive smoking on the development of cardiovascular disease as assessed by a carotid intima-media thickness examination in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Carotid intima-media thickness has been widely used as a surrogate end-point for cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. This study aimed to assess the effects of active and passive smoking exposure on the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Seven hundred twenty-two patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited for the study. ⋯ Male active smokers had a significantly higher risk of carotid plaque (odds ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval: 1.4788-5.6094, P = 0.001). In conclusion, cumulative active and passive smoking exposures are significant risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our results highlight the importance of endorsing a smoke-free environment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. · May 2015
Curcumin ameliorates asthmatic airway inflammation by activating nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2/haem oxygenase (HO)-1 signalling pathway.
Previous studies have shown that curcumin alleviates asthma in vivo. However, the relationship between curcumin and the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/haem oxygenase (HO)-1 pathway in asthma treatment remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms of curcumin involved in the amelioration of airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model. ⋯ Curcumin blocked lipopolysaccharide-upregulated expression of tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. After the cells were transfected with HO-1 or Nrf2 small interfering RNA, lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammation cytokine expression was significantly restored. In summary, curcumin might alleviate airway inflammation in asthma through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, potentially making it an effective drug in asthma treatment.