Search results for " pulmonary"
showing 10 items of 517 documents
11,12-EET Stimulates the Association of BK Channel α and β1 Subunits in Mitochondria to Induce Pulmonary Vasoconstriction
2012
In the systemic circulation, 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) elicits nitric oxide (NO)- and prostacyclin-independent vascular relaxation, partially through the activation of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK) channels. However, in the lung 11,12-EET contributes to hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. Since pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells also express BK channels, we assessed the consequences of BKβ(1) subunit deletion on pulmonary responsiveness to 11,12-EET as well as to acute hypoxia. In buffer-perfused mouse lungs, hypoxia increased pulmonary artery pressure and this was significantly enhanced in the presence of NO synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (…
Is diet partly responsible for differences in COVID-19 death rates between and within countries?
2020
Abstract Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely use…
Obesity and Outcomes in COVID-19: When an Epidemic and Pandemic Collide.
2020
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and in much of the westernized world, contributing to considerable morbidity. Several of these obesity-related morbidities are associated with greater risk for death with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 penetrates human cells through direct binding with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors on the cell surface. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in adipose tissue is higher than that in lung tissue, which means that adipose tissue may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Obese patients also have worse outcomes with COVID-19 infection, including respiratory failure, n…
GOLD Staging System is Appropriate to Predict Mortality in Older People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
2018
Abstract Introduction In the new GOLD classification the reduction of FEV1, expressed as percentage of predicted value (FEV1PP), is considered an important prognostic factor. However, the use of FEV1PP may introduce bias, especially if based on equations derived from populations different from the one under study. We evaluated how well the GOLD classification stratifies the mortality risk when FEV1PP is based on an equation developed in the same population that gave rise to cases, externally developed equations, or as FEV1 divided by cubed height (FEV1/Ht3). Methods We studied 882 participants aged ≥65 years. Bronchial obstruction was defined using a fixed cut-off of 0.7 for FEV1/FVC. Predi…
Effects in cigarette smoke stimulated bronchial epithelial cells of a corticosteroid entrapped into nanostructured lipid carriers
2014
Background Nanomedicine studies have showed a great potential for drug delivery into the lung. In this manuscript nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) containing Fluticasone propionate (FP) were prepared and their biocompatibility and effects in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (16-HBE) stimulated with cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) were tested. Results Biocompatibility studies showed that the NLC did not induce cell necrosis or apoptosis. Moreover, it was confirmed that CSE increased intracellular ROS production and TLR4 expression in bronchial epithelial cells and that FP-loaded NLC were more effective than free drug in modulating these processes. Finally, the nanoparticles increased…
The small heat-shock protein α B-crystallin is essential for the nuclear localization of Smad4: impact on pulmonary fibrosis
2014
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease characterized by the proliferation of myofibroblasts and the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the lungs. TGF-β1 is the major profibrotic cytokine involved in IPF and is responsible for myofibroblast proliferation and differentiation and ECM synthesis. αB-crystallin is constitutively expressed in the lungs and is inducible by stress, acts as a chaperone and is known to play a role in cell cytoskeleton architecture homeostasis. The role of αB-crystallin in fibrogenesis remains unknown. The principal signalling pathway involved in this process is the Smad-dependent pathway. We demonstrate here that αB-crystallin is stron…
Metabolic and cardiopulmonary effects of detraining after a structured exercise training programme in young PCOS women
2008
Summary Objective The aim of the present study was to determine if the favourable cardiopulmonary and metabolic benefits induced by exercise training (ET) programme are maintained after its cessation. Patients Thirty-two young overweight polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women matched for age and body mass index (BMI) with other 32 PCOS patients was enrolled. The first group [PCOS-T (trained)] underwent 24-week ET programme, whereas the second [PCOS-DT (detrained)] underwent 12-week ET programme followed by 12-week detraining period. Methods At baseline, after 12- and 24-week follow-up, all PCOS women were studied for their hormonal (ovarian and adrenal androgens), metabolic (glucose and …
IL-17A induces chromatin remodeling promoting IL-8 release in bronchial epithelial cells: Effect of Tiotropium
2016
Abstract Aims IL-17A plays a key role in the persistence of airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduction of steroid-sensitivity in COPD. We studied the effect of IL-17A on chromatin remodeling and IL-8 production. Main methods We measured the levels of IL-8 and IL-17A in induced sputum supernatants (ISS) from healthy controls (HCs), healthy smokers (HSs), and COPD patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE) was stimulated with ISS from HCs, HSs, or COPD subjects. IL-8 was evaluated in 16HBE by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), acetyl histone H3 (Ac-His H3) (k9) and inhi…
Differences in the efficacy and safety among inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) combinations in the treatment of chronic…
2015
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are frequently recommended for the treatment of asthma and COPD, often in combination with long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA), depending on the severity of the disease and/or on the specific phenotype. Several ICS/LABA combinations are currently available that differ in their pharmacokinetic characteristics and dose of both components. Thus, this review assesses differences in the efficacy and the safety profiles of the ICS components in the two more frequently used ICS/LABA combinations (budesonide/formoterol and fluticasone/salmeterol) for the management of COPD. Whereas the basic mechanism of action is similar for all ICS (binding with the intracellular gluco…
Routine Use of Budesonide/Formoterol Fixed Dose Combination in Elderly Asthmatic Patients: Practical Considerations
2017
Asthma has been demonstrated to be as common in the elderly as in younger age groups. Although no specific recommendations exist to manage the disease differently in older individuals, functional features and clinical presentations may be affected by age per se, and by age-related conditions, such as comorbidities and polypharmacy. In this review article, we aimed to explore the efficacy and safety in elderly asthmatic patients of one of the most currently used inhaled treatments for asthma, that is, the fixed-dose combination of budesonide/formoterol. We attempted to address some practical questions that are relevant to the daily practice of clinicians. We focused on the efficacy and real-…