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Naseri A, Sanaie S, Hamzehzadeh S, Seyedi-Sahebari S, Hosseini MS, Gholipour-Khalili E, Rezazadeh-Gavgani E, Majidazar R, Seraji P, Daneshvar S, Rezazadeh-Gavgani E. Metformin: new applications for an old drug. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 34:151-160. [PMID: 36474458 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2022-0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metformin is a biguanide, evolved as one of the most widely used medicines. The applications of this component include but are not limited to reducing blood glucose, weight loss, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Studies about other probable indications have emerged, indicating that this agent can also be utilized for other purposes. In this review, applications of metformin are noticed based on the current evidence. Metformin commonly is used as an off-label drug in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but it worsens inflammation and should not be used for this purpose, according to the latest research. Metformin decreased the risk of death in patients with liver cirrhosis. It is an effective agent in the prevention and improvement of survival in patients suffering hepatocellular carcinoma. There is evidence of the beneficial effects of metformin in colorectal cancer, early-stage prostate cancer, breast cancer, urothelial cancer, blood cancer, melanoma, and bone cancer, suggesting metformin as a potent anti-tumor agent. Metformin shows neuroprotective effects and provides a potential therapeutic benefit for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD). It also has been shown to improve mental function and reduce the incidence of dementia. Another condition that metformin has been shown to slow the progression of is Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Regarding infectious diseases, tuberculosis (TB) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are among the conditions suggested to be affected by metformin. The beneficial effects of metformin in cardiovascular diseases were also reported in the literature. Concerning renal function, studies showed that daily oral administration of metformin could ameliorate kidney fibrosis and normalize kidney structure and function. This study reviewed the clinical and preclinical evidence about the possible benefits of metformin based on recent studies. Numerous questions like whether these probable indications of metformin can be observed in non-diabetics, need to be described by future basic experiments and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Naseri
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Iranian EBM Centre: A Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Center of Excellence, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sarvin Sanaie
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine in Aging, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sina Hamzehzadeh
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | | | - Ehsan Rezazadeh-Gavgani
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Iranian EBM Centre: A Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Center of Excellence, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Majidazar
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parya Seraji
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sara Daneshvar
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Iranian EBM Centre: A Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Center of Excellence, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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2
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Lombardi A, Gambardella M, Palermi S, Frecentese F, Serio A, Sperlongano S, Tavarozzi R, D'andrea A, De Luca M, Politi C. Liver and heart failure: an ultrasound relationship. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 34:11-20. [PMID: 36117247 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2022-0211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Liver and heart are anatomically and patho-physiologically related. In heart failure (HF) the increased right atrial pressure and volume overload cause histological changes in hepatocytes, leading to a condition known as "congestive hepatopathy" (CH), with consequent variations in liver functioning and ultrasound (US) findings. CH has specifical US findings especially regarding venous vessels aspect, easily detecting by gray-scale study, but many others can be distinguished by Doppler analysis. Usually, hepatic veins look enlarged and hypocollassing, together with signs of portal hypertension (hepatomegaly, ascites, splenomegaly, porto-systemic collaterals). Typically, in CH Doppler findings regard alterations in venous vessel flow and arterial resistance (venous system hyperpulsatility, reduced velocity flow, high resistance index in hepatic arterial Doppler spectrum). Sometimes CH and other primary hepatopathy can coexist, and therefore some of the expected variations may not manifest: it allows suspecting an unknown underlying liver disease. At last, US technologies of more recent applications, even if not routinely used, allow investigating additional aspects such as elastography that detects changes in liver elasticity or contrastographic US, able to show differences in hepatic venous opacification. However, most of these US signs are not pathognomonic, and therefore a multidisciplinary clinical reasoning must not be lacking. The aim of the present review is to easily provide US signs of liver alterations in HF, in particular right heart failure with volume overload, suggesting including liver US in instrumental diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lombardi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Veneziale Hospital, Isernia, Italy
| | - Michele Gambardella
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Palermi
- Public Health Department, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Frecentese
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Simona Sperlongano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Tavarozzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Antonello D'andrea
- Unit of Cardiology and Intensive Coronary Care, Umberto I Hospital, Nocera Inferiore, Italy
| | | | - Cecilia Politi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Veneziale Hospital, Isernia, Italy
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Bosso G, De Luca M, Alma G, Carbone V, Ferrara F, Fimiani B, Guarnaccia F, Iandolo A, Murolo S, Olivares M, Romeo E, Santoro G, Valvano A, Zito G, Oliviero U. ALERT-LDL: adherence to guidelines in the treatment of patients with dyslipidemia. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:387-395. [PMID: 34302611 PMCID: PMC8964538 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-021-02809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The association between LDL-c levels and cardiovascular outcomes suggests tailoring lipid-lowering therapies according to total cardiovascular risk. We aimed to evaluate the adherence to guidelines-oriented dyslipidaemia's treatment in an outpatient population referring to ARCA cardiologists, and assess the efficacy of treatment's optimization for each specific level of risk. Three thousand seventy-five patients enrolled in this prospective study were classified according to cardiovascular risk category, and their therapies were optimized. At the beginning and the 3 month follow-up visit, LDL-c data were collected, and further therapies were prescribed to the patients that did not reach the target. A significant LDL-c reduction was observed in all subgroups at different cardiovascular risk at the end of the study (p < 0.05). The number of patients assuming statins, both in monotherapy and in combination with ezetimibe, increased during the follow-up (63% at the enrollment vs 89% after 12 months). At the enrollment, only 1.4% of patients were treated with PCSK-9 inhibitors while after 12 months the percentage increased both in high (5.8%) and very high-risk (18.4%) patients. At the beginning of the study, only 698/3075 patients (22.7%) reached lipid targets. At the end of the study, carried out by the referring cardiologists in the pertaining healthcare districts and specifically aimed to control the lipid profile, the percentage of patients on target increased in all risk categories (68.5%). Our results suggest carefully implementing measures that encourage outpatients and their cardiologists to achieve the targeted lipid profile according to cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Bosso
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria De Luca
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Alma
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Carbone
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | | | - Biagio Fimiani
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Franco Guarnaccia
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | | | - Sabato Murolo
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Maurizio Olivares
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Romeo
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Giosuè Santoro
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Antonio Valvano
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Zito
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy
| | - Ugo Oliviero
- ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali), Campania, Italy.
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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De Luca M, Crisci G, Giardino F, Valente V, Amaranto I, Iacono O, D'Assante R, Giallauria F, Marra AM. Anabolic hormones and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: looking for Ariadne's thread. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2021; 92. [PMID: 34351104 DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2021.1743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex clinical syndrome that accounts for more than half of all heart failure patients. Identification, early diagnosis and management of patients are still complex, and no targeted treatment is available, since all tested drugs were not able to lower hard clinical outcomes. A multi-hormonal deficiency syndrome has been described in HFpEF patients suggesting that different hormones may represent new biomarkers of the disease, but their clinical utility is still debated. The natriuretic peptides are the cornerstone biomarker in heart failure, predicting cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization. Testosterone and DHEA-S deficiencies have been reported in HFpEF and associated with right ventricular impairment and diastolic dysfunction. IGFBP-1/IGF-1 axis correlates with echocardiographic parameters of HFpEF patients and with several prognostic biomarkers including NT-proBNP and C reactive protein. Low triiodothyronine syndrome is frequently found in HFpEF and thyroid hormones should represent a potential biomarker of risk stratification and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Crisci
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples.
| | - Federica Giardino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples.
| | - Valeria Valente
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples.
| | - Ilaria Amaranto
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples.
| | - Olimpia Iacono
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples.
| | - Roberta D'Assante
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples.
| | | | - Alberto M Marra
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples.
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De Luca M, Iacono O, Valente V, Giardino F, Crisci G, Lettieri M, Marra A, Giallauria F, Oliviero U. Can pulse wave velocity (PWV) alone express arterial stiffness? A neglected tool for vascular function assessment. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2021; 33:373-379. [PMID: 34284526 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2021-0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Arterial stiffness, defined as the rigidity of the arterial wall, is the consequence of vascular aging and is associated with the full spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) is the gold standard method for arterial stiffness evaluation: it measures the velocity of the arterial pulse along the thoracic and abdominal aorta alongside arterial distensibility. Its value rises as stiffness progresses. Cf-PWV is helpful to assess residual cardiovascular risk (CVR) in hypertension (HT). In fact, an increase in pulsatility and arterial stiffness predicts CVR in patients affected by arterial HT, independently of other risk factors. Arterial stiffness can predict cardiovascular events in several other clinical conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, and pulmonary HT. However, cf-PWV has not been yet included in routine clinical practice so far. A possible reason might be its methodological and theoretical limitations (inaccuracy in the traveled distance, intra and interindividual variability, lack of well-defined references values, and age- and blood pressure-independent cutoff). To exceed these limits a strict adherence to guidelines, use of analytical approaches, and possibility of integrating the results with other stiffness examinations are essential approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarosaria De Luca
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Olimpia Iacono
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Valente
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Giardino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Crisci
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Maddalena Lettieri
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Marra
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
- Center for Pulmonary Hypertension, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francesco Giallauria
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Ugo Oliviero
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
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