ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neoplasm is one of the types of cancer with a high incidence and case-fatality rate. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between statin intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer with a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. METHODS: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published before 2023 in Cochrane Library, Web of Science (WOS), PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Embase databases. The statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software, version 15. The significance level for this study was set at 0.05. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 32 studies and a total of 5,849,814 participants. The risk ratio (RR) of pancreatic cancer in comparison to the non-statin receiving group in statin users in total was equal to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.66-0.86, p-value <0.001), in the cohort studies was obtained to be 0.70 (0.53-0.93), in the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) had a ratio of 0.99 (0.53-1.86), while studies conducted in American countries had a ratio of 0.69 (0.51-0.93), studies in Asian countries had a ratio of 0.73 (0.56-0.97), and studies in European countries had a ratio of 0.88 (0.76-1.02). Furthermore, the study did not detect any signs of publication bias. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest a potential connection between using statins and a lower risk of pancreatic cancer. However, it is important to note that controlled clinical trials did not find a statistically significant association between taking statins and the development of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution when interpreting the results of this study.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most common in all age groups and disabling neurologic disorders around the world. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review was to explore whether berberine (BBR) has any anti-seizure or anti-epileptic effects and also reviewed this possible mechanism. METHODS: The EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched before Sep 2023. All types of studies that investigated the effects of BBR on epilepsy or chemical-induced seizures were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently evaluated and reviewed titles/abstracts to identify publications for potential eligibility, and a third team member resolved discrepancies. Data were extracted in an Excel form, and the outcomes were discussed. RESULTS: BBR showed its neuroprotective properties by reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and anti-apoptosis effects. It also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release and reduces transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). BBR by increasing scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), endogenous antioxidant enzymes, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and inhibition of lipid peroxidation insert its antioxidant activity. Moreover, BBR showed antiinflammatory activity by reducing Interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and through inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and including nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). In addition, it modulated c-fos expression and neuronal excitability in the brain. CONCLUSION: BBR indicated promising anti-seizure effects with remarkable antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective activity. Future studies should be based on well-designed clinical trial studies that are integrated with new methods related to increasing bioavailability.
