Atheroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Cardiovascular diseases associated with atherosclerosis are the major cause of death in developed countries. Early prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis are considered to be an important aspect of the therapy of cardiovascular disease. Preparations based on natural products affect the main pathogenetic steps of atherogenesis, and so represent a perspective for the long-term prevention of atherosclerosis development. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the multiple beneficial effects of licorice and its bioactive compounds-anti-inflammatory, anti-cytokine, antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, and anti-platelet action-which allow us to consider licorice as a promising atheroprotective agent. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the licorice anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of action based on the results of experimental studies, including the results of the in vitro study demonstrating licorice effect on the ability of blood serum to reduce intracellular cholesterol accumulation in cultured macrophages, and presented the results of clinical studies confirming the ameliorating activity of licorice in regard to traditional cardiovascular risk factors as well as the direct anti-atherosclerotic effect of licorice.

Inflammatory Mechanisms of Diabetes and Its Vascular Complications.

The main cause of death in patients with type 2 DM is cardiovascular complications resulting from the progression of atherosclerosis. The pathophysiology of the association between diabetes and its vascular complications is complex and multifactorial and closely related to the toxic effects of hyperglycemia that causes increased generation of reactive oxygen species and promotes the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Subsequent oxidative stress and inflammation are major factors of the progression of type 2 DM and its vascular complications. Data on the pathogenesis of the development of type 2 DM and associated cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerosis, open up broad prospects for the further development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Effect of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, ABCB1 Gene Polymorphisms on Rivaroxaban Pharmacokinetics in Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Population ageing in developed countries will inevitably increase the need for knee and hip replacement surgery. Over the years, direct oral anticoagulants, such as rivaroxaban, have been widely used for thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing knee and hip replacement surgery. The study of pharmacogenetic characteristics of rivaroxaban is important for enhancing the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban thromboprophylaxis. AIM: Evaluation of CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms influence on rivaroxaban pharmacokinetics and prothrombin time dynamics in patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement surgery. METHODS: The study included 78 patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement surgery. The patients received 10 mg of rivaroxaban once a day. Genotyping of polymorphisms ABCB1 rs1045642, ABCB1 rs4148738, CYP3A4 rs35599367 and CYP3A5 rs776746 was performed. Peak steady-state and trough steady-state rivaroxaban concentrations were determined. Prothrombin time was also evaluated. RESULTS: The study revealed the following haplotypes: (1) ABCB1 rs1045642-CYP3A4 rs35599367 and (2) ABCB1 rs4148738-CYP3A4 rs35599367. The analysis of the peak steady-state rivaroxaban concentration between mutant haplotypes and wild haplotypes revealed no significant differences. However, there was a statistically significant average correlation between peak steady-state rivaroxaban concentration and prothrombin time (r = 0.421; r2 = 0.178; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: No significant difference was identified in peak steady-state rivaroxaban concentration between mutant haplotypes and wild haplotypes. The revealed statistically significant average correlation between the prothrombin time and peak steady-state rivaroxaban concentration is important in clinical practice for assessing the anticoagulant activity of rivaroxaban.

Coherent fluctuation nephelometry as a promising method for diagnosis of bacteriuria.

OBJECTIVES: Specialized analyzers are used to automate the diagnosis of bacteriuria in laboratory practice. They are based on analysis of microorganisms concentration in urine samples or recording the growth of urine microflora. Coherent fluctuation nephelometry (CFN) has high sensitivity and allows analyzing both parameters simultaneously. The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of CFN-based and flow cytometry based analyzers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Total 117 urine samples from children were studied in parallel using the CFN-analyzer and UF-1000i (Sysmex), the results were confirmed by conventional microbiological methods. RESULTS: In 21 urine samples (18%), significant bacteriuria was determined (≥104 CFU/ml). The best diagnostic indicators were obtained while testing urine samples using the CFN-analyzer. The most efficient bacteriuria diagnosis is achieved by simultaneous analyses of microorganisms concentration in urine and growth of urine microflora (sensitivity - 95.2%, specificity - 96.9%, positive predictive value - 87%, negative predictive value - 98.9%, diagnostic odds ratio - 81.7, positive likelihood ratio - 30.5, negative likelihood ratio- 0.049, area under curve in ROC-analysis - 0.987). The CFN-analyzer allows the preliminary selection of negative urine samples, which do not require further analysis by conventional microbiological methods, thereby decreasing the number of cultures by 80.3%. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the CFN-analyzer is the effective tool for bacteriuria screening in children.