Role of thioredoxin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a promising future target

Endothelial Reactive Oxygen Species: Key Players in Cardiovascular Health and Disease

Significance: Endothelial cells (ECs) line the entire vasculature system and serve as both barriers and facilitators of intra- and interorgan communication. Positioned to rapidly sense internal and external stressors, ECs dynamically adjust their functionality. Endothelial dysfunction occurs when the ability of ECs to react to stressors is impaired, which precedes many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). While EC reactive oxygen species (ROS) have historically been implicated as mediators of endothelial dysfunction, more recent studies highlight the central role of ROS in physiological endothelial signaling. Recent Advances: New evidence has uncovered that EC ROS are fundamental in determining how ECs interact with their environment and respond to stress. EC ROS levels are mediated by external factors such as diet and pathogens, as well as inherent characteristics, including sex and location. Changes in EC ROS impact EC function, leading to changes in metabolism, cell communication, and potentially disrupted signaling in CVDs. Critical Issues: Current endothelial biology concepts integrate the dual nature of ROS, emphasizing the importance of EC ROS in physiological stress adaptation and their contribution to CVDs. Understanding the discrete, localized signaling of EC ROS will be critical in preventing adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Future Directions: Exploring how the EC ROS environment alters EC function and cross-cellular communication is critical. Considering the inherent heterogeneity among EC populations and understanding how EC ROS contribute to this diversity and the role of sexual dimorphism in the EC ROS environment will be fundamental for developing new effective cardiovascular treatment strategies.

In vitro and in silico study on the seeds of Veitchia merrillii on trematode worms

Background and Aim

The potential of plants as anthelmintics is very large, but there is still very little research conducted in the search for effective, safe, easily obtained, and affordable anthelmintic candidates. Palem putri (Veitchia merrillii) is an ornamental plant that is interesting to study because it is included in the areca nut group which is reported to have strong abilities as anthelmintics. The study aims to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of Veitchia merrillii against trematode worms such as Paramphistomum spp. and Fasciola hepatica.

Materials and Methods

This research employs both in vitro and computational techniques. An anthelmintic in vitro test was carried out on Paramphistomum spp. worms at concentrations of 10%, 25%, and 40% (gr/v), assessing mortality index as the observable outcome, followed by a histopathological investigation of the deceased worms for tissue and cellular damage evaluation. Seventeen compounds from V. merrillii seeds were studied in silico for their anthelmintic activity against F. hepatica worms using the quantitative structure-activity relationship technique, molecular docking, and Lipinski's rule analysis for orally administered medication.

Results

About 25% and 40% extracts of V. merrillii damaged the tegument organs in the worms. Seventeen compounds in V. merrillii seed extract, on average, yielded a higher anthelmintic index on F. hepatica than praziquantel. Eleven of the 17 compounds exhibit stronger affinity than praziquantel, with routine and gallic acid being the top two ligands (∆Gbinding values: -11.65 kcal/mol and -11.07 kcal/mol, respectively). According to Lipinski's rule analysis, only routine compounds cannot be orally administered.

Conclusion

The seeds of V. merrilli have potential as an anthelmintic agent for Paramphistomum spp. at concentrations of 25%-40% (gr/v).

Assessing causality between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with depression: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

PURPOSE

Our investigation utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach to explore the ambiguous bidirectional relationship between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and depression, furthering insights from existing observational studies.

METHODS

In this study, we conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets. We initially analyzed depression data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the UK Biobank (n = 500,199), alongside COPD data from the FinnGen Consortium (n = 329,552). The second phase involved comparing depression data from FinnGen (n = 372,472) with COPD data from the UK Biobank (n = 361,194). Our Mendelian analysis employs various methods to guarantee a comprehensive and rigorous investigation.

RESULTS

In the initial analytic phase utilizing the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, COPD does not significantly contribute to the incidence of depression (IVW odds ratio (OR) = 0.989, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.895 to 1.092, P = 0.824). Conversely, the data suggested a statistically significant association where depression may precipitate the development of COPD, with a notable increase in risk (IVW OR = 1.421, 95 % CI = 1.149 to 1.756, P = 0.001). Subsequent validation through a second-step analysis reinforced the hypothesis that depression elevates the likelihood of COPD onset (IVW OR = 1.002, 95 % CI = 1.0003 to 1.0046, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

Our study, utilizing Mendelian randomization analysis, determined that COPD does not escalate the risk of depression. Conversely, our analysis suggests that depression may elevate the risk of developing COPD. This insight underscores the importance of enhancing prevention, screening, and treatment strategies for COPD in individuals with depression.