International immunopharmacology
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2015
ReviewA novel use for testosterone to treat central sensitization of chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients.
Fibromyalgia is a diffuse chronic pain condition that occurs predominantly in women and may be under-reported in men. Symptoms include a loss of feeling of well-being and generalized widespread flu-like muscle aches and pain that fail to resolve due to central sensitization of nociceptive neurons. It has commonalities with a myriad of other chronic pain conditions which include PTSD, "Gulf War Syndrome", and various stress-induced conditions caused, for example, by viral infection, emotional or physical stress, trauma, combat, accident or surgery. ⋯ Here, a short profile of fibromyalgia is provided along with a brief summary of best practices currently recommended by clinical specialists. The link between testosterone and pain is then discussed, with an overview of scientific studies that lay the foundation for testosterone as a possible important additional therapeutic that has the potential to be safely administered and effective but also avoid the adverse effects of other therapeutics. Finally, novel mechanisms by which testosterone therapy is likely to down-modulate pain signaling are proposed.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2015
ReviewUpcoming biological therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune condition with unpredictable course, intermingled with flares and periods of remission. Although the prognosis of the disease has improved in the past decades, current therapies are still associated with treatment-related complications. ⋯ This review summarizes available data on novel biological therapies for SLE, focusing on recent results from clinical trials. As a result of treatment strategies based upon an individualized therapeutic approach, it is hoped that the clinical view of SLE will change from a severe autoimmune disease to a condition in which significant damage, mortality and treatment related complications can be prevented in the majority of SLE patients.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Jul 2015
Meta AnalysisEfficacy and safety of pulse immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide in patients with paraquat poisoning: A meta-analysis.
Paraquat (PQ) is widely used in developing countries. Accidental or suicidal PQ poisoning is a public health concern due to lack of effective treatment. Because the role of pulse immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide for PQ poisoning is uncertain, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of the therapy. ⋯ Pulse immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide may reduce the mortality of PQ poisoning patients, although the therapy may cause leucopenia.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Jun 2015
Daidzein attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury via toll-like receptor 4/NF-kappaB pathway.
Daidzein, a diphenolic isoflavone from many plants and herbs, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effects of daidzein on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury have not been determined. The aim of this study was to detect the effects of daidzein on LPS-induced acute lung injury and investigate the molecular mechanisms. ⋯ Furthermore, daidzein significantly inhibited LPS-induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) protein up-expressions and NF-κB activation in lung tissues. In vitro, daidzein obviously inhibited the expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 and the activation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated A549 alveolar epithelial cells. In conclusion, these data indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of daidzein against LPS-induced ALI may be due to its ability to inhibit TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB pathway and daidzein may be a potential therapeutic agent for LPS-induced ALI.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · May 2015
Guggulsterone attenuates cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis via inhibition of ERK and JNK activation.
Guggulsterone (GS), a plant steroid and a compound found at high levels in Commiphora myrrha, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, the potential of GS to ameliorate acute pancreatitis (AP) is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of GS on cerulein-induced AP. ⋯ Pre-treatment with GS attenuated cerulein-induced histological damage, reduced pancreas weight/body weight ratio, decreased serum lipase levels, inhibited infiltrations of macrophages and neutrophils, and suppressed cytokine production. Additionally, GS treatment suppressed the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the pancreas in cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In conclusion, our results suggest that GS attenuates AP via deactivation of ERK and JNK.