Amirhossein Sahebkar’s research while affiliated with Saveetha University and other places

Purpose The goal of this meta-analysis was to establish whether statin treatment reduces Lp-PLA2 mass concentration and/or activity. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar databases were searched using MESH terms and keywords. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) with either parallel or cross-over design examining the effect of statins on Lp-PLA2 mass and/or activity were included in meta-analysis. Results Out of 256 articles, 10 RCT were selected for meta-analysis. Statin therapy significantly reduced both Lp-PLA2 mass (WMD −44.46 ng/mL; 95%CI −59.01, −29.90; p < 0.001; I² = 93%) and activity (WMD −39.37 nmol/min/mL; 95%CI −69.99, −8.75; p = 0.01; I² = 100%). The sensitivity analysis was robust for Lp-PLA2 mass and was also positive for two studies concerning Lp-PLA2 activity. Conclusion Statin therapy significantly reduced both Lp-PLA2 mass and activity.

Background Diabetes mellitus represents a prominent global health concern, characterized by a rising prevalence rate. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is purported to be associated with an intricate interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While some progress have been made in T2DM management, controlling associated complications remains a great challenge in medicine. Objectives This study investigated a synthesized Imidazolyl Thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agent (PA9), focusing on serum parameters. Methods Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n = 6) were subjected to orally treatment with PA9 (synthesized by Shakour et al. in an equal dose of a standard drug, 0.011 mmol/kg). The study conducted to measure some specific serum factors, including lipid profiles, liver and kidney enzymes, cardiac enzymes, and oxidative stress markers, both before and after treatment. Results The study findings indicated that PA9 effectively ameliorates hyperlipidemia by significantly reducing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum. Additionally, PA9 demonstrated hepatoprotective effects against TZD-induced injuries, as evidenced by decreased levels of alanine transaminase and, alkaline phosphatase. In addition, PA9 also exhibited a modulatory effect on a cardiac injury marker, creatine kinase MB. Moreover, PA9 demonstrated antioxidant properties by reducing oxidative stress markers and enhancing the activities of catalase, thiol, and superoxide dismutase. Conclusions The synthesized TZD compound (PA9) stands out as a highly promising agent for the management of diabetes. Its significant antihyperlipidemic effects, preventive influences on organ injuries, and demonstrated efficacy in reducing oxidative stress marker (SOD) make it therapeutic agent in diabetes management. This study lays the groundwork for innovative strategies in diabetes management. Graphical abstract The impact of imidazolylthiazolidinedione (PA9) on serum parameters in diabetic rats.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Extensive efforts have been invested to explicate mechanisms implicated in the onset and progression of CVD. Besides the usual suspects as risk factors (obesity, diabetes, and others), the gut microbiome has emerged as a prominent and essential factor in the pathogenesis of CVD. With its endocrine-like effects, the microbiome modulates many physiologic processes. As such, it is not surprising that dysbiosis-by generating metabolites, inciting inflammation, and altering secondary bile acid signaling- could predispose to or aggravate CVD. Nevertheless, various natural and synthetic compounds have been shown to modulate the microbiome. Prime among these molecules are flavonoids, which are natural polyphenols mainly present in fruits and vegetables. Accumulating evidence supports the potential of flavonoids in attenuating the development of CVD. The ascribed mechanisms of these compounds appear to involve mitigation of inflammation, alteration of the microbiome composition, enhancement of barrier integrity, induction of reverse cholesterol transport, and activation of farnesoid X receptor signaling. In this review, we critically appraise the methods by which the gut microbiome, despite being essential to the human body, predisposes to CVD. Moreover, we dissect the mechanisms and pathways underlying the cardioprotective effects of flavonoids.

Background and Aims The emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) antibiotic resistance is an important public health problem worldwide that can negatively affect infection control. Therefore, obtaining knowledge about antibiotic resistance mechanisms is necessary for infection control policies. This study aimed to determine the frequency of class C and D β‐lactamases in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients referred to Ardabil hospitals using phenotypic and genotypic tests. Methods Phenotypic detection of β‐lactamases including AmpC cephalosporinase, oxacillinase (OXA)‐type extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBLs), and OXA‐type carbapenemases were performed using the disk diffusion‐based methods. Amplification of genes encoding classes C (ampC and FOX genes) and D (OXA‐1, OXA‐2, OXA‐10, OXA‐23, and OXA‐48 genes) β‐lactamases was performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. A quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) method was used to determine the expression level of the ampC gene among multiple drug‐resistant and imipenem‐resistant P. aeruginosa strains. Results In phenotypic tests, the prevalence of AmpC cephalosporinase, OXA‐type ESBLs, and OXA‐type carbapenemases were 52.5%, 7.2%, and 95.8%, respectively. In genotypic tests, the prevalence of ampC, FOX, OXA‐1, OXA‐2, OXA‐10, OXA‐23, and OXA‐48 genes were 100%, 0%, 4.3%, 60.8%, 42%, 29.7%, and 2.9%, respectively. In addition, the ampC gene overexpression was seen in 16 (33.3%) drug‐resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Conclusion Given the presence of class C and D β‐lactamases in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in Ardabil hospitals, early detection of these strains can help prevent the spread of resistant strains in hospital environments and subsequent treatment failure.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of bariatric surgery on circulating PAI-1. The meta-analysis was provided by comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) V4 software. Meta-analysis of 33 studies showed a significant decrease in circulating PAI-1 after bariatric surgery (p < 0.001). A significant reduction was observed for two types of surgery) (p < 0.001 for LSG and p < 0.001 for RYGB). Furthermore, there was a significant change in circulating PAI-1 based on the follow-up duration (p < 0.001 for follow-up < 12 months and p < 0.001 for follow-up ≥ 12). We showed that bariatric surgery changed PAI-1 level significantly and changes in BMI after surgery were not related to PAI-1 alteration. Furthermore, this result was consistent based on follow-up duration and type of surgery.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden with little impact especially on aggressive types of cancer. Conventional therapies have many serious side effects including generalised systemic toxicity which limits their long-term use. Tumour resistance and recurrence is another main problem associated with conventional therapy. Purified or extracted natural products have been investigated as cost-effective cancer chemoprotective agents with the potential to reverse or delaying carcinogenesis. Curcumin (CUR) as a natural polyphenolic component, exhibits many pharmacological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, activity against neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer, antidiabetic activities (type II diabetes), anticoagulant properties, wound healing effects in both preclinical and clinical studies. Despite these effective protective properties, CUR has several limitations, including poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, chemical instability, rapid metabolism and a short half-life time. To overcome the pharmaceutical problems associated with free CUR, novel nanomedicine strategies (including polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) such as poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs have been developed. These formulations have the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of curcuminoids. In this review, we comprehensively summarise and discuss recent in vitro and in vivo studies to explore the pharmaceutical significance and clinical benefits of PLGA-NPs delivery system to improve the efficacy of CUR in the treatment of cancer.

Objective Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been used as a therapeutic option for plantar fasciitis. The objective was to investigate the effect of ESWT over the plantar fascia thickness. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of ESWT in patients with plantar fasciitis, comparing ESWT with another treatment. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and the generic inverse variance method. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were also carried out. Results A total of 14 studies (867 participants) were included. ESWT significantly decreased plantar fascia thickness (weighted mean difference [WMD], −0.21 mm [95% CI −0.39, −0.02]; p = 0.03). No significant improvement in pain was observed (WMD, −0.51 cm [95% CI −1.04, 0.01]; p = 0.06) compared with non-surgical interventions. Conclusions Our results suggest that plantar fascia thickness is significantly decreased after ESWT intervention in patients with plantar fasciitis. However, pain relief was not significantly improved compared to other non-surgical interventions.