Telmisartan alone or in combination with etanercept improves anemia associated with rheumatoid arthritis in rats: a possible role of anti-inflammatory and reno-protective effects

Azilsartan suppresses the antiapoptotic biomarker and pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat model of cisplatin-induced retinal and optic nerve toxicity

BACKGROUND

The local renin-angiotensin system has been discovered in the eyes; thus, this study evaluates the Azilsartan effect in the retina and optic nerve toxicity induced by Cisplatin in vivo.

METHODOLOGY

Forty-eight male rats were randomly assigned into six groups of 8 animals. Group 1 was healthy control that received 0.5 mL/day of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) orally (PO). Group 2 received a single dose of the 7.0 mg/kg CIS intraperitoneally with 0.5 mL/day of 0.5% CMC-PO. Groups 3 and 4 received 3.5 and 7.0 mg/kg/day of AZIL-PO, respectively. Groups 5 and 6 received 3.5 and 7.0 mg/kg/day of AZIL-PO, respectively together with a single dose of 7.0 mg/kg of CIS-IP. The ocular tissue and serum estimated the TNF-α, NF-kβ, and Casp-3. A complete blood count was also measured, and the eye was sent for histological examination.

RESULTS

The administration of the 3.5 mg/kg AZIL significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the ocular tissue and serum TNF-α, NF-kB, and Casp-3 levels, when given to CIS treated group, while the 7.0 mg/kg AZIL does not. Additionally, azilsartan shows no negative impact on the CBC in rats. Finally, the eye histological examination showed a significant (p < 0.05) drop in the signs of inflammation and cellular degeneration, particularly after administration of the 3.5 mg/kg AZIL to the CIS-treated group.

CONCLUSION

A low dose of AZIL exerts an anti-inflammation and an anti-apoptotic effect through significant suppression of the pro-inflammatory mediators and an apoptotic biomarker by blocking the local angiotensin II type.

Relationship between the Degree of Illness in Elderly Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Parameters of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Oswestry Dysfunction Index and Clinical Value Analysis

Objective

The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between the degree of illness in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and parameters of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) and Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) and its clinical value.

Methods

The clinical data of 100 elderly patients with RA admitted to our hospital from May 2016 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into four groups, including the remission group (DAS28 ≤ 2.6, n = 25), low activity group (2.6 ≤ DAS28 ≤ 3.2, n = 25), middle activity group (3.2 ≤ DAS28 ≤ 5.1, n = 25), and high activity group (DAS > 5.1, n = 25) according to the disease activity score-28 (DAS28). All patients underwent ultrasonic detection to compare the relationship between the degree of illness in elderly patients with RA and parameters of MSUS and ODI.

Results

The total semiquantitative score of MSUS and ODI score in the remission group were obviously lower than those in the other three groups (P < 0.001). The degree of illness in elderly patients with RA was positively correlated with parameters of MSUS (r = 0.886, P < 0.001). The degree of illness in elderly patients with RA was positively correlated with ODI (r = 0.907, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The degree of illness in elderly patients with RA is closely related to parameters of MSUS and ODI, and the parameters of MSUS have a higher evaluation value for the degree of illness in elderly patients with RA, which are correlated with ODI.

Losartan improves intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice

Intestinal mucositis (IM) is a common side effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy, which negatively impacts therapeutic outcomes and delays subsequent cycles of chemotherapy resulting in dose reductions and treatment discontinuation. In search of new pharmacological alternatives that minimize your symptoms, this work set out to study the effect of losartan (LOS), a receptor type I (AT1) angiotensin II antagonist, on intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU. Intestinal mucositis was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of 5-FU (450 mg/kg) in Swiss mice. Losartan (5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) or saline was orally administered 30 min before 5-FU and daily for 4 days. On 4th day, the animals were euthanized and segments of small intestine were collected to evaluate histopathological alterations (morphometric analysis), concentration of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers and genic expression of NF-κB p65, Fn-14 and TWEAK. Weight evaluation and changes in leukogram were also analyzed. 5-FU induced intense weight loss, leukopenia and reduction in villus height compared to saline group. Losartan (50 mg/kg) prevented 5-FU-induced inflammation by decreasing in the analyzed parameters compared to the 5-FU group. Our findings suggest that 50 mg/kg of losartan prevents the effects of 5-FU on intestinal mucosa in mice.

Countering adipose tissue dysfunction could underlie the superiority of telmisartan in the treatment of obesity-related hypertension

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of hypertension and obesity has increased significantly in recent decades. Hypertension and obesity often coexist, and both are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Obese hypertensive patients usually require special anti-hypertensive treatment strategy due to the increased risk of treatment resistance. Molecules that can target both obesity and hypertension underlying pathologies should get more attention. Herein, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of telmisartan, with special interest in visceral adipose tissue dysfunction, in obesity-related hypertension rat model.

METHODS

Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g were equally divided into: 1-Control group (fed normal laboratory diet for 24 weeks), 2-Diet-induced obesity group (DIO, fed high fat diet for 24 weeks), and 3-Diet-induced obesity treated with telmisartan group (DIO + Tel, fed high fat diet and received telmisartan for 24 weeks). At the end of the study, anthropometrical parameters were evaluated. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of serum lipids, adipokines, cardiac, renal, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Kidneys were removed and used for histopathological studies, and visceral adipose tissue was utilized for histopathological, immunohistochemical and RT-PCR studies.

RESULTS

High fat diet resulted in obesity-related changes in anthropometrical parameters, elevation of blood pressure, increase in heart rate, higher serum levels of cardiac, inflammatory and kidney function biomarkers, with altered serum lipids, adipokines and oxidative stress markers. Morphological changes (H&E and PAS-stained sections) were noticed in kidneys and visceral adipose tissue. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR studies confirmed adipose tissue dysfunction and over-expression of inflammatory and oxidative stress proteins. Telmisartan countered obesity-induced alterations in cardiovascular, renal, and adipose tissue functions.

CONCLUSION

Adipose tissue dysfunction could be the core pathophysiology of obesity-related hypertension. Besides its anti-hypertensive effect, telmisartan had profound actions on visceral adipose tissue structure and function. Attention should be given to polymodal molecules targeting adipose tissue-related disorders.

Anserine and glucosamine supplementation attenuates the levels of inflammatory markers in rats with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joint synovium. Anserine is a functional dipeptide containing methylhistidine and β-alanine, and is present in the brain and skeletal muscle of birds and mammals. Glucosamine is an amino sugar used in the synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. We evaluated the effects of anserine and glucosamine on RA. Rats were assigned into the control group, RA group, anserine group (1 mg/kg), glucosamine group (200 mg/kg), or anserine plus glucosamine group (anserine, 1 mg/kg + glucosamine, 200 mg/kg). Treatment was continued for 45 consecutive days and was administered orally. The serum levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, uric acid, nitric oxide, ceruloplasmin, zinc, copper, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were assayed. The mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in synovial tissue were also determined. Anserine plus glucosamine significantly increased the catalase, SOD, Gpx, GSH, and zinc levels compared to the control, anserine, and glucosamine groups. Also, anserine plus glucosamine significantly reduced the PGE₂, MMP-3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels compared to the control, anserine, and glucosamine groups. Furthermore, anserine plus glucosamine significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of NF-κB and iNOS compared to the control, anserine, and glucosamine groups. Therefore, supplementation of anserine plus glucosamine shows therapeutic potential for RA.