3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethanol ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced septic cardiac injury in a murine model

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethanol (DOPET) is a polyphenol found in olive oil. The present study evaluated the protective role of DOPET on LPS provoked septic cardiac injury in a murine model. Four groups were used in the study (n = 3): control, LPS, DOPET alone, and DOPET + LPS. LPS (15 mg/kg;i.p.);they were used to induce cardiac sepsis. The cardiac markers like LDH, CK-MB, and troponin-T, as well as inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in the serum. The antioxidants and oxidative stress parameters were measured in cardiac tissues. RT-PCR and western blot methods were done to evaluate the expression of inflammatory mediators and apoptotic markers. DOPET significantly decreased the cardiac markers (LDH, CK-MB, and troponin-T) and TNF-α and IL-6 level in the serum. DOPET effectively reduced the levels of MDA and NO in LPS intoxicated rats. DOPET also increased the levels of antioxidants like SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH in LPS intoxicated rats. The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB were significantly downregulated by DOPET in cardiac tissues of LPS rats. The protein expression of Bcl-2 was upregulated, and Bax and caspase-3 were downregulated by DOPET. DOPET effectively attenuates LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Efficacy and safety of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has catastrophically threatened public health worldwide and presented great challenges for clinicians. To date, no specific drugs are available against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a promising cell therapy owing to their potent modulatory effects on reducing and healing inflammation-induced lung and other tissue injuries. The present pilot study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential and safety of MSCs isolated from healthy cord tissues in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Twelve patients with COVID-19 treated with MSCs plus conventional therapy and 13 treated with conventional therapy alone (control) were included. The efficacy of MSC infusion was evaluated by changes in oxygenation index, clinical chemistry and hematology tests, immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, and pulmonary computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The safety of MSC infusion was evaluated based on the occurrence of allergic reactions and serious adverse events. RESULTS: The MSC-treated group demonstrated significantly improved oxygenation index. The area of pulmonary inflammation decreased significantly, and the CT number in the inflammatory area tended to be restored. Decreased IgM levels were also observed after MSC therapy. Laboratory biomarker levels at baseline and after therapy showed no significant changes in either the MSC-treated or control group. CONCLUSION: Intravenous infusion of MSCs in patients with COVID-19 was effective and well tolerated. Further studies involving a large cohort or randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Baseline characteristics and changes of biomarkers in disease course predict prognosis of patients with COVID-19.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has brought great challenges to the world. The objectives of this study were to describe the baseline characteristics and changes of biomarkers of these COVID-19 patients and identify predictive value of the above markers for patient death. Using patient death as the observational endpoints, clinical data of inpatients in a special ward for COVID-19 in Wuhan, China were retrospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate prognostic value of baseline characteristics and laboratory data changes. This study included clinical data of 75 patients. Age, c-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 levels were independent predictors of patient death. Survivors were characterized as having declining neutrophil counts, D-dimer, N-terminal pronatriuretic peptide, troponin I (TnI) and c-reactive protein levels, while counts of lymphocyte gradually came back. Non-survivors were characterized with increasing white blood cell counts (WBC) and neutrophil counts. Changes of WBC, TnI and interleukin-6 were also independently associated with patient death. Older age, baseline CRP and IL-6 levels may be used as meaningful predictors to identify patients with poor prognosis. Changes of biomarkers should be closely monitored in the management of patients with COVID-19, while constantly increasing levels of WBC, TnI and interleukin-6 in the disease course also predict patient death.