ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US and worldwide. By 2030 it is anticipated that CVD will claim the lives of more than 24 million people. Throughout the last decade, researchers have investigated the role of the gut microbiota in the development of CVD. Evidence exists for a positive correlation between Bifidobacterium and vascular function, glucose tolerance, and reduced systemic inflammation. Another probiotic species, Bacillus subtilis, has also been found to reduce cholesterol levels in human and animal models. In light of these data, we examined various measures of cardiovascular health after consumption of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BL04, with and without a cocktail of Escherichia coli-targeting bacteriophages (marketed as PreforPro), Bacillus subtilis strain DE111 or a maltodextrin-based placebo in a healthy human population. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-week intervention conducted in individuals 18 to 65 years of age with a body mass index of 20 to 34.9, we saw no significant changes in measured CVD parameters among individuals consuming B. lactis with or without bacteriophages. However, B. subtilis supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol relative to baseline measures (-8 mg/dl; P=0.04, confidence interval (CI): -13.40, -0.19), as well as non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-11 mg/dl; P=0.01, CI: -12.43, -2.07). In addition we observed trending improvements in endothelial function (P=0.05, CI: -0.003, 0.370) and in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P=0.06, CI:-12.29, 0.2864). Strikingly, these effects were seen in a largely healthy population. These data suggest that B. subtilis supplementation may be beneficial for improving risk factors associated with CVD. Further studies in populations of older adults or those with dyslipidaemia and endothelial dysfunction is warranted.
Subject(s)
Bacillus subtilis/physiology , Lipids/blood , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cholesterol/blood , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Double-Blind Method , Female , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Probiotics/pharmacology , Young AdultABSTRACT
The increasing use of oral or IV acyclovir to treat infections caused by herpesviridae family involves a rise in the number of observed adverse effects. Neuro- and nephrotoxicity are most serious observed and reported secondary effects. The monitoring of renal function is essential to detect these cases since it develops as a non-oliguric renal failure. Because of this, the outpatient and oral use of the drug can result in an underestimation of the number of cases reported. We report two patients with genital herpes and viral encephalitis that required IV acyclovir. Both inpatients developed an acute renal failure that resolved after the drug was withdrawn.
Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury/chemically induced , Acyclovir/adverse effects , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Child , Female , HumansABSTRACT
En la actualidad, el mayor uso de aciclovir, por vía intravenosa u oral, para tratar infecciones de la familia Herpesviridae, conlleva un aumento del número de efectos adversos descritos. La neurotoxicidad y nefrotoxicidad son los efectos secundarios más graves que se han comunicado. La monitorización de la función renal es fundamental para detectar estos casos, pues cursa como insuficiencia renal no oligúrica. Por ello, el uso ambulatorio y oral del fármaco puede dar lugar a una infraestimación del número de casos totales. Presentamos los casos de 2 pacientes que por su patología de base (herpes genital y encefalitis viral) precisaron aciclovir intravenoso, y que durante su estancia hospitalaria desarrollaron insuficiencia renal aguda no oligúrica, que cedió al suspender la administración del fármaco
The increasing use of oral or IV acyclovir to treat infections caused by herpesviridae family involves a rise in the number of observed adverse effects. Neuro- and nephrotoxicity are most serious observed and reported secondary effects. The monitoring of renal function is essential to detect these cases since it develops as a non-oliguric renal failure. Because of this, the outpatient and oral use of the drug can result in an underestimation of the number of cases reported. We report two patients with genital herpes and viral encephalitis that required IV acyclovir. Both inpatients developed an acute renal failure that resolved after the drug was withdrawn
