Search Results (1,698)

Background/Objectives: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide. It results in significant weight loss and improves metabolic disorders such as hypertension. Weight loss is thought to be the main factor contributing to blood pressure (BP) reduction after SG. Small-intestinal hormones may also mediate the antihypertensive effects of SG. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive effects of SG through small-intestinal hormones independently of weight loss. Methods: This study involved male Sprague–Dawley rats that underwent a sham operation or SG, followed by a dietary intervention involving a standard diet, a high-fat and high-salt diet, or pair-feeding with SG. Results: Three weeks postoperatively, SG significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) and increased urinary sodium excretion. RNA sequencing of the small intestine revealed upregulation of the gene encoding prouroguanylin (proUGN). proUGN is a small-intestinal hormone that inhibits renal sodium reabsorption by converting sodium/hydrogen ion exchanger type 3 (NHE3) in the proximal tubules into the inactive phosphorylated form at Ser552 (pS552-NHE3). Furthermore, SG significantly increased proUGN levels in the ileum and plasma, as well as the levels of pS552-NHE3 in the renal cortex. The administration of exogenous uroguanylin, which is converted from proUGN, resulted in increased renal pS552-NHE3, increased urinary sodium excretion, and decreased SBP without body weight reduction. These effects were similar to those observed with SG. Conclusions: SG increases proUGN secretion from the small intestine, leading to increased blood concentration. This inhibits NHE3 activity in the proximal tubules, promotes natriuresis and reduces BP. Full article

Background/objective: Online platforms for sharing prescription drug experiences are becoming increasingly available, yet their validity as measures of patient satisfaction remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of an online drug review system, WePharm, as a proxy for treatment satisfaction among older adults taking antihypertensive medications. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample was conducted from February to July 2018 among patients aged 50–80 years recruited from four senior welfare centers and one community pharmacy in Seoul. Participants completed both an online review via WePharm and a paper-based Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). Satisfaction attributes included drug efficacy, side effects, convenience, affordability, and willingness to recommend. Pearson correlation coefficients and ANOVA were used to examine concordance and associated factors. Results: A total of 313 participants were included. Online review scores were significantly correlated with TSQM scores across all domains as follows: effectiveness (r = 0.451), side effects (r = 0.363), convenience (r = 0.285), and overall satisfaction (r = 0.256), all p < 0.0001. Key factors associated with satisfaction included region, stage of hypertension, income, duration of antihypertensive use, and comorbidity count. Conclusions: Online patient medication reviews, as implemented in WePharm, demonstrated moderate correlation with validated treatment satisfaction measures. These findings support the potential utility of online drug review systems as complementary tools for capturing real-world patient experience and informing shared decision-making in clinical practice, and as these findings were from a convenience sample, further research is expected with the aim of improving generalizability. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses ischemic conditions of the heart, brain, and bodily tissues, primarily resulting from hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis (AS), hypertension, and other related factors. CVD accounts for over 40% of global non-communicable disease mortality, making it the leading cause of death and a significant medical burden worldwide. AS, the principal pathological basis for most cardiovascular diseases, is characterized as a chronic, sterile inflammatory condition triggered by lipid overload and various other factors. In recent years, natural bioactive compounds have gained prominence in the treatment of human diseases. Among these, curcumin (Cur) has garnered considerable attention due to its anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and endothelial protective properties. This review examines traditional pharmacological approaches for treating AS, with particular emphasis on the critical mechanisms through which Cur exerts its therapeutic effects. Additionally, it introduces novel nanoformulations designed to address the inherent limitations of Cur, providing valuable insights for researchers investigating its application in AS therapy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a multifactorial condition strongly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SAH and its associated factors among female workers in a large company in Southern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 451 female workers aged 18 years or older. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using an automated digital upper-arm device. SAH was defined as systolic BP and/or diastolic BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or the use of antihypertensive medications. Prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The mean age of the sample was 35 ± 10 years. The prevalence of SAH was 27.7% (95% CI: 23.6–31.9). Among workers with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), the prevalence of SAH reached 42.8%. In multivariable-adjusted models, workers aged ≥41 years had a 48% higher probability of having SAH (PR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.01–2.18) compared with younger women (18–30 years). Conversely, a 52% lower probability of SAH was observed among workers with higher monthly per capita income (>2 minimum wages) compared with those earning <1 minimum wage (PR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.28–0.80). Obesity was associated with an 85% increased probability of SAH (PR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.30–2.47). Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that SAH is prevalent in this specific population of female workers, particularly among older women and those with obesity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hyposalivation is a prevalent yet underrecognized factor contributing to oral health deterioration, often influenced by systemic disease, medication use, and recreational drug exposure. With rising use of mental health and cardiovascular medications, as well as increasing marijuana use among younger populations, there is a need to assess real-world data on xerostomia and hyposalivation prevalence and associated risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hyposalivation and xerostomia, and its etiological associations among adult patients at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Dental Medicine Clinics. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using electronic health record (EHR) data from 1600 randomly selected patients aged 30 years and older, treated between 1 January 2014, and 31 May 2023. Data on demographics, medical and social history, medication use, and oral health status were extracted. Hyposalivation was identified via chart review, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze associated risk factors. Results: Hyposalivation and xerostomia were identified in 705 patients (44.06%). Marijuana use was the strongest independent predictor across all age groups (RR = 3.10, p < 0.05). Among patients aged 30–35, use of antihypertensive (OR = 3.05, p < 0.05) and mental health medications (OR = 1.81, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with hyposalivation. A strong correlation was also found between hyposalivation and elevated caries risk (χ² = 205.99, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Hyposalivation and xerostomia are increasingly observed in younger adults, linked to pharmacological and behavioral factors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Marine-derived bioactive peptides have been reported to possess blood pressure-regulatory effects. However, most studies have focused on the antihypertensive effects after single-dose administration, and research on long-term administration and its protective effects against hypertension-induced tissue damage remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term antihypertensive efficacy of IGTGIPGIW, a bioactive peptide derived from Hippocampus abdominalis (H. abdominalis), and its protective effects on hypertension-related tissue damage. Methods: To evaluate the blood pressure-regulatory effects, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were orally administered a high-dose (50 mg/kg) IGTGIPGIW peptide group (H-IGTGIPGIW) for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored weekly. Serum levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were measured to assess the peptide’s regulatory effects on the renin–angiotensin system. Histological analyses of the aorta and heart tissues were performed to evaluate the protective effects against hypertension-induced tissue damage. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, H-IGTGIPGIW significantly reduced SBP, DBP, and MAP compared with SHRs. Serum Ang II and ACE levels were significantly decreased, while ACE2 levels were significantly increased. Histological analyses demonstrated that IGTGIPGIW alleviated aortic wall thickening and reduced renal and cardiac tissue damage in SHR. Conclusions: IGTGIPGIW, a bioactive peptide derived from H. abdominalis, effectively regulated blood pressure by modulating serum Ang II, ACE, and ACE2 levels. Moreover, it protected against hypertension-induced aortic, renal and cardiac tissue damage, suggesting its potential as a functional ingredient for managing hypertension. Full article

Hypertension, a leading factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), is a particularly heavy burden in women during middle age, when cardioprotective hormones begin to decline. The abnormal handling of calcium (Ca²⁺) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) leads to increased vasoconstriction, remodeling, and altered arterial compliance during hypertension. The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) is a model of essential hypertension, and middle-aged females with hypertension represent a stage of disease where vascular dysfunction is prominent but understudied. Losartan, a widely prescribed angiotensin II (AngII) receptor (AT1R) blocker, exerts antihypertensive effects by affecting Ang II/Ca²⁺ signaling. However, whether it corrects the Ca²⁺ mishandling in the aorta of middle-aged female SHR has not been established. In this study, the thoracic aorta from 36-week-old female SHRs treated with losartan was assessed for Ca²⁺ mishandling using myography and biochemical assays. Meanwhile, biomechanical properties and stiffness were evaluated using Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and assessments of collagen and elastin contents. Compared with normotensive controls, SHR demonstrated disrupted Ca²⁺ handling, increased stiffness, and Extracellular Matrix (ECM) remodeling in middle-aged females. Treatment with losartan abrogated Ca²⁺ mishandling influx and efflux in the VSMC, decreased stiffness, and restored the aortic structural changes. These findings demonstrate that losartan abolishes Ca²⁺ mishandling and highlight a mechanistic role of AT1R blockade in restoring vascular function in the aorta of middle-aged females during hypertension. Full article

Bioactive peptides (BAPs) from dairy products have garnered increasing attention as natural agents with health-promoting properties, including antihypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, opioid, and antidiabetic activities. This systematic review synthesizes research published between 2014 and 2024, retrieved from Scopus and PubMed, and selected according to PRISMA guidelines. A total of 192 studies met the inclusion criteria, collectively reporting over 3200 distinct peptides, with antihypertensive sequences, predominantly angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, constituting the largest category (n = 1237). β-casein was the principal precursor across bioactivities, followed by αs1-casein, β-lactoglobulin, and α-lactalbumin. Peptides were primarily produced via enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, and gastrointestinal digestion, with peptide profiles influenced by the type of milk, microbial strains, and processing conditions. While cow’s milk remained the dominant source, investigations into goat, sheep, camel, buffalo, and donkey milk revealed species-specific biopeptides. Recent advances in proteomics have enhanced peptide identification and bioactivity prediction, enabling the discovery of novel sequences. These findings underscore the significant potential of dairy-derived BAPs as functional food components and nutraceutical ingredients, while highlighting the need for further in vivo validation, bioavailability studies, and broader exploration of underrepresented milk sources. Full article

Background and Objectives: Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as cognitive training, transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have shown promise in improving cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia. However, the long-term effects of repeated non-invasive interventions remain unknown. This study investigated whether repeated non-invasive interventions administered over a span of 1 to 3 years were associated with slower cognitive decline compared to typical AD progression, and whether longer no-treatment intervals between treatments predicted greater post-treatment decline. Materials and Methods: Seventy-three participants living with dementia or AD received 2 to 9 blocks of non-invasive treatments (including tES, rTMS, cognitive training). Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores were collected longitudinally up to 3 years (36 months), across multiple intervention and assessment sessions. A mixed-effects model was used to estimate the rate of cognitive decline, adjusting for baseline age, sex, and baseline cognition (MoCA) with participants being the random effect. The observed rate of change was compared to a meta-analysis estimate of AD progression. Additionally, a linear mixed-effects model using robust sandwich estimation of standard errors was employed to assess whether the no-treatment interval was associated with changes in ADAS-Cog scores. Results: Participants showed a significantly slower rate of cognitive decline than expected from the AD reference rate (p < 0.001), with many demonstrating stabilized ADAS-Cog scores during their respective treatment periods, ranging from 1 to 3 years. Medication analyses revealed no significant effect of AD medications, antidepressants, antihypertensives, or cholesterol-lowering agents on cognitive outcomes. Furthermore, longer no-treatment intervals were significantly associated with greater post-treatment decline (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Repeated non-invasive treatments seem to slow the rate of cognitive decline in individuals living with dementia when administered over a prolonged period. This study provides evidence supporting the feasibility and effects of personalized long-term non-invasive treatment strategies for dementia. Full article

Pulses and pseudocereals are sustainable protein sources of bioactive peptides (BAPs) with potential antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory activities. BAPs are typically liberated during gastrointestinal digestion or through bio-based processes, among which enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation represent the most widely applied strategies. Enzymatic hydrolysis provides controlled and reproducible release of short peptide motifs; recent advances such as ultrasound- or high-pressure–assisted hydrolysis enhance yield and bioactivity. Fermentation exploits microbial proteolytic activity to generate complex peptide mixtures, while improving sensory quality, reducing antinutritional compounds, and responding to consumer demand for natural and “clean-label” products. In silico tools increasingly complement these approaches by accelerating peptide discovery, predicting interactions with molecular targets, and guiding process design. This review provides an updated overview of bio-based methods to produce BAPs from pulses and pseudocereals, emphasizing the comparative advantages of enzymatic and fermentation technologies and their integration with computational tools. Moreover, it examines regulatory frameworks in the European Union, the United States, Japan, and China, while discussing current challenges for industrial scale-up and application in functional foods and nutraceuticals. These combined strategies offer a promising pathway to unlock the health and sustainability potential of plant proteins. Full article

Background/Objectives: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly prescribed anti-hypertensive agents. However, one of their effects is reducing the breakdown of a number of pro-inflammatory mediators, including bradykinin and substance P. Given the role of inflammation in periodontal disease, the aim of this study was to see whether ACE inhibitors may have an influence on the severity of periodontal disease, as assessed by clinical attachment loss. Methods: A case–control retrospective study was undertaken through analysis of patient records from a specialist periodontic practice. Data regarding the loss of clinical attachment was collected from patients who were non-smokers and grouped according to patients prescribed ACE inhibitors, those taking other antihypertensive medication, and those taking no antihypertensive medication. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the three treatment groups in terms of mild to moderate loss of attachment (1–3 mm; 4–5 mm). However, a significantly higher incidence of severe attachment loss (>6 mm) was observed in patients prescribed ACE inhibitors, as compared to another antihypertensive or no antihypertensive medication. Conclusions: The incidence of severe loss of clinical attachment in this study was highest in those patients being prescribed ACE inhibitors. This effect would appear to be independent of the effects of the medication on blood pressure, since this was not observed with other antihypertensive medications, and hence may potentially relate to the known pro-inflammatory action of ACE inhibitors. Full article

Chitosan (CS) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide, obtained by the deacetylation of chitin. It has gained significant attention as a versatile material for biomedical applications due to its mucoadhesive properties, ease of chemical modification and intrinsic pharmacological activities. This review synthesizes two decades (2005–2025) of literature, focusing on chemical modifications of chitosan for pharmacological purposes and their therapeutic implications in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and wound healing. Evidence highlights the roles of chitosan-based materials in anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and neuroprotective activities, alongside their integration in advanced wound healing strategies. Clinical trials have demonstrated the translational potential of chitosan-based materials. In general, chitosan-based materials exhibit promising dual functions as bioactive agents and drug carriers, necessitating additional investigation in clinical and regulatory frameworks to accelerate therapeutic adoption. In contrast to other studies, this study offers a mechanistic and integrative viewpoint that links chitosan’s chemical modification techniques with their pharmacological effects and clinical translation potential, providing novel perspectives on structure–activity correlations and therapeutic design. Full article

Zilebesiran represents an innovative antihypertensive therapy employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit hepatic angiotensinogen, a key regulator of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. By directly targeting the source of angiotensin II production, zilebesiran offers a novel mechanism distinct from conventional antihypertensive treatments. In the clinical studies KARDIA-1 and KARDIA-2, zilebesiran demonstrated clinically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, with effects lasting up to 24 weeks after a single subcutaneous injection. In KARDIA-1, doses of 300 mg and 600 mg administered every 6 months resulted in reductions of over 15 mmHg in systolic blood pressure at 3 months compared with placebo. KARDIA-2 further showed an additional reduction of up to 12.1 mmHg at 3 months when zilebesiran was used as an adjunct to standard antihypertensive therapy. KARDIA-3 is currently evaluating the therapy in a larger global population to assess its impact on major cardiovascular outcomes. Zilebesiran has demonstrated a favorable safety profile with minimal adverse events, offering potential advantages for patients with resistant or uncontrolled hypertension and those at high cardiovascular risk, especially where adherence to daily oral medications is challenging. Beyond blood pressure reduction, zilebesiran may protect target organs, including the heart, kidneys, and retina. In conclusion, zilebesiran represents a promising siRNA-based therapy that may redefine the management of difficult-to-control hypertension, offering durable, targeted, and patient-friendly treatment with broad cardiovascular benefits. Future studies will clarify its long-term safety, efficacy across diverse populations, and integration into personalized hypertension management strategies. Full article

Collagen peptides derived from animal skins are valuable bioactive ingredients with diverse nutritional and functional properties. This study systematically compared the nutritional value, collagen structure function properties, and bioactivities of collagen peptides from six types of animal skins, including yak skins from different altitudes, Pingliang Red cattle skin, Xinjiang Brown cattle skin, and donkey skin. In terms of nutritional value, low-altitude yak skin contained 34.15 g/100 g protein and 1.78 g/100 g fat, exhibiting superior overall performance compared with other samples. Regarding structure–function relationships, low-altitude yak skin showed the highest emulsifying activity (12.05 m²/g) and foaming capacity (26%), which were attributed to its smaller particle size and higher surface hydrophobicity, whereas mid-altitude yak skin demonstrated greater thermal stability (115.3 °C) and a more compact microstructure. In terms of bioactivity, yak leather contains 23,558 to 25,966 peptides, with relatively high activity of antibacterial peptides and anti-diabetic peptides. Pingliang red cowhide and Xinjiang brown cowhide contain 1515 and 2186 polypeptides, respectively, which have strong antihypertensive activity. The antibacterial effect of donkey skin is more obvious, with a total peptide count of 11,678. Collectively, these findings reveal significant differences in the nutritional and processing-related properties of the six skin types and provide potential evidence for expanding their applications in the field of functional foods. Full article

Introduction: Cannabidiol (CBD) is widely available over the counter for presumed medical and recreational purposes. Despite its non-psychoactive nature, CBD exhibits intrinsic pharmacological activity that may lead to potential adverse drug events (ADEs) and drug–drug interactions (DDI) with common prescription medications through cytochrome P450 inhibition. Due to their largely unregulated nature and widespread advertising, consumers who use CBD products may not be aware of these potential negative drug interactions. The purpose of this study was to determine how frequently patients who use CBD products concurrently take prescription medication with known drug–drug interaction (DDI) potential, and to identify specific therapeutic classes most commonly involved. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was distributed to patients and family members in the adult and pediatric Emergency Departments of a Level 1 Trauma Center in eastern North Carolina. Respondents reported household CBD use and selected from a list of conditions for which they take prescription medications. Results: Of 681 eligible respondents, 254 (37.3%) reported CBD use in their household (CBDUIH). Among those with CBDUIH, 69.7% reported concurrent use of 1 or more medications with a potential DDI risk. The most common categories of prescriptions were antidepressants (64.4%) and antihypertensives (41.8%), followed by agents for diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and immune disorders. Conclusions: The majority of CBD users in this population are concurrently taking medications with DDI potential, highlighting the need for patient and provider education, and improved labeling of CBD-based products to accurately reflect risks. Further study of clinically significant interactions is needed to determine which medications within these common categories have the most substantial risk of DDI. Full article