Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid and Its Combination with Other Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmeceuticals
This study proposes a review on hyaluronic acid (HA) known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate and its derivates and their application in cosmetic formulations. HA is a glycosaminoglycan constituted from two disaccharides (N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid), isolated initially from the vitreous humour of the eye, and subsequently discovered in different tissues or fluids (especially in the articular cartilage and the synovial fluid). It is ubiquitous in vertebrates, including humans, and it is involved in diverse biological processes, such as cell differentiation, embryological development, inflammation, wound healing, etc. HA has many qualities that recommend it over other substances used…
Protective Effects of a Discontinuous Treatment with Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Obesity-Related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction, in Rats
Obesity induces hemodynamic and humoral changes that are associated with functional and structural cardiac remodeling, which ultimately result in the development of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In recent years, pharmacological studies in patients with HFpEF were mostly unsatisfactory. In these conditions, alternative new therapeutic approaches are necessary. The aim of our study was (1) to assess the effects of obesity on heart function in an experimental model and (2) to evaluate the efficacy of an alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) antioxidant treatment. Sprague-Dawley rats (7 weeks old) were either included in the control group (n = 6) or subjected to abdominal aorti…
Applications and Limitations of Dendrimers in Biomedicine
Biomedicine represents one of the main study areas for dendrimers, which have proven to be valuable both in diagnostics and therapy, due to their capacity for improving solubility, absorption, bioavailability and targeted distribution. Molecular cytotoxicity constitutes a limiting characteristic, especially for cationic and higher-generation dendrimers. Antineoplastic research of dendrimers has been widely developed, and several types of poly(amidoamine) and poly(propylene imine) dendrimer complexes with doxorubicin, paclitaxel, imatinib, sunitinib, cisplatin, melphalan and methotrexate have shown an improvement in comparison with the drug molecule alone. The anti-inflammatory therapy focus…
Impact of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Chronic Discontinuous Treatment in Cardiometabolic Disorders and Oxidative Stress Induced by Fructose Intake in Rats.
Insulin resistance (IR) and cardiometabolic disorders are the main consequences of today&rsquo
STUDY OF LIFE QUALITY AND TREATMENT SATISFACTION OF ROMANIAN DIABETIC PATIENTS
In Romania, antidiabetic medication is free, based on a program of the Ministry of Public Health: “Treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus”. Since October 1, 2006, antidiabetic drugs have been delivered through open circuit pharmacies in contractual relationship with the National Health Insurance House, after four years of centralized delivery through hospital pharmacies.
 Objectives: This study aims to describe the influences of the diabetes treatment regarding patients’ quality of life and their satisfaction.
 Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in pharmacies. The study includes 477 patients with diabetes mellitus from Cluj County, Romania. The interv…
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF GONADOTROPINS USED IN INFERTILITY TREATMENT
Introduction: Infertility represents a problem for more and more couples all over the world, including in Romania. Thus, more and more women need to resort to drugs to treat infertility, treatments which are not without adverse reactions (Boivin et al., 2007). Modern therapy brings significant benefits in the treatment of infertility. Despite all the benefits, the controlled ovarian stimulation treatment does not lack the possibility of adverse reactions to the administered drugs.
 Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the potential adverse reactions experienced by patients during the treatment with gonadotropins followed by assisted conception
 Methods: A study was d…
An Exploratory Research of 18 Years on the Economic Burden of Diabetes for the Romanian National Health Insurance System
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) rises constantly each year worldwide. Because of that, the funds allocated for the DM treatment have increased over time. Regarding the number of DM cases, Romania is among the top ten countries in Europe. Based on the National Diabetes Programme (NDP), antidiabetic drugs and other expenditures (Self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) test, HbA1c, insulin pumps/insulin pumps supplies) are free of charge. This programme has undergone many changes in drugs supply, in the last two decades: re-organizing the NDP, authorization of new molecules with high prices (e.g., SGLT-2 inhibitors, etc.) or new devices (e.g., insulin pumps, etc.) The main purpose of thi…
The Particularities of Pharmaceutical Care in Improving Public Health Service during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Nowadays, humanity is confronted with one of the most difficult challenges. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified for the first time in Hubei, China in December 2019 and produced the COVID-19 pandemic, a devastating disease that led to many complications and deaths. The authorities and the global healthcare system have been alerted regarding the prevention and treatment of this pathology. Even though worldwide quarantine was declared, health care professionals, including pharmacists, have been at the frontline in this war. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the authorities relied on the involvement of the community, hospital, or clinical pharmacists i…
Dendrimers as Non-Viral Vectors in Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy.
Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) has been intensively studied as a promising new strategy of prodrug delivery, with its main advantages being represented by an enhanced efficacy and a reduced off-target toxicity of the active drug. In recent years, numerous therapeutic systems based on GDEPT strategy have entered clinical trials. In order to deliver the desired gene at a specific site of action, this therapeutic approach uses vectors divided in two major categories, viral vectors and non-viral vectors, with the latter being represented by chemical delivery agents. There is considerable interest in the development of non-viral vectors due to their decreased immunogenicity, higher…