Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-26DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00738-1
Magdalena Kal, Michał Brzdęk, Izabella Karska-Basta, Piotr Rzymski, Antonio Pinna, Mateusz Winiarczyk, Jerzy Mackiewicz, Dominik Odrobina, Dorota Zarębska-Michaluk
{"title":"Ocular microvascular changes in COVID-19: role of hypoxia, D-dimer, IL-6 and systemic treatment.","authors":"Magdalena Kal, Michał Brzdęk, Izabella Karska-Basta, Piotr Rzymski, Antonio Pinna, Mateusz Winiarczyk, Jerzy Mackiewicz, Dominik Odrobina, Dorota Zarębska-Michaluk","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00738-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00738-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with endothelial dysfunction, which may also compromise the microcirculation within ocular tissues. This prospective study evaluated associations between radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density (VD) and systemic treatment, age, hypoxia, D-dimer, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related pneumonia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-three individuals who were admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 bilateral pneumonia underwent ophthalmic examination two months post-discharge. RPC VD was measured using optical coherence tomography angiography. Associations with age, arterial hypertension, and systemic treatment (dexamethasone, remdesivir, and oxygen therapy), oxygen saturation, D-dimer, and IL-6 levels were evaluated. The control group comprised 43 control participants with no history of COVID-19 who attended routine ophthalmic examinations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No ophthalmic abnormalities were detected. RPC VD did not differ significantly with hypertension or systemic treatment with dexamethasone and remdesivir. However, patients receiving oxygen therapy had higher RPC VD. A borderline inverse correlation was observed between inferior RPC VD and age. There were no correlations between RPC VD and oxygen saturation. Significant inverse correlations were found between nasal RPC and mean RPC with D-dimer levels and between inferior RPC VD and IL-6 levels. No significant differences in RPC parameters were observed when comparing the COVID-19 group with controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Hypertension or systemic treatment had no significant effect on RCP VD. However, VD in specific RPC areas correlated inversely with D-dimer and IL-6 levels, highlighting the need for monitoring peripapillary microvasculature for potential long-term ocular effects of COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1077-1087"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241263/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144143358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-30DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00743-4
Massimiliano Buoli, Cecilia Maria Esposito, Alessandro Ceresa, Martina Di Paolo, Francesca Legnani, Anna Pan, Luca Ferrari, Valentina Bollati, Paola Monti
{"title":"Biomarkers associated with antidepressant response and illness severity in major depressive disorder: a pilot study.","authors":"Massimiliano Buoli, Cecilia Maria Esposito, Alessandro Ceresa, Martina Di Paolo, Francesca Legnani, Anna Pan, Luca Ferrari, Valentina Bollati, Paola Monti","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00743-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00743-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent condition characterized by alterations in different biological systems including inflammatory and antioxidant pathways. Antidepressants seem to rebalance biological abnormalities. In this short communication, we report differences in a set of biomarkers between drug-free patients and those who benefited from response to antidepressant monotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A sample of patients affected by MDD (N = 38) was recruited at the inpatient and outpatient clinic of Policlinico Hospital in Milan: 26 responders and 12 drug-free subjects. The two groups of patients were compared by χ2 tests and analyses of variance, respectively, for qualitative and continuous variables. Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between rating scale scores (severity of MDD) and biological parameters.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Drug-free patients (compared to the counterpart) had a higher number of previous suicide attempts (p < 0.01), lower levels of plasmatic proteins (p < 0.01), albumin (p = 0.02), and total cholesterol (p = 0.02), but higher plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs) (p = 0.02), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (p < 0.01) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) (p = 0.02).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of the present study suggest that the severity of MDD is associated with more prominent biological changes, and antidepressants might mitigate these abnormalities. Future studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1119-1125"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-06-19DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00754-1
Elżbieta Małujło-Balcerska, Anna Kumor-Kisielewska, Maria Gałecka, Tadeusz Pietras
{"title":"Iodothyronine deiodinases in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - preliminary results.","authors":"Elżbieta Małujło-Balcerska, Anna Kumor-Kisielewska, Maria Gałecka, Tadeusz Pietras","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00754-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00754-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Different immune/inflammatory molecules play key roles in the development of inflammatory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thyroid hormones (THs) participate in immune/inflammatory reactions and may play a role in COPD. The main TH metabolism reactions are dependent on iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO). Accumulating evidence also supports the role of cytokines in TH metabolism-related factors. This cross-sectional, observational study investigated the levels of DIO and proinflammatory cytokines and their correlations with stable COPD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 55 participants, comprising 25 patients diagnosed with stable COPD and 30 control patients, were enrolled in this study. Cytokine and DIO levels were measured using commercially available human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits from R&D Systems and My BioSource.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Increased levels of DIO1-3 and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-ɑ, and interferon (IFN)-ɣ were found. Correlation analysis revealed several significant correlations, including interdependence between DIO and cytokine levels, with strong correlations between DIO2 and IFN-ɣ levels and an association between the above protein levels and clinical data. The levels of DIO 1-3 and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) all showed a positive relationship with COPD relative risk, suggesting that higher levels of DIO and cytokines may influence COPD biology.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings from our novel study indicate that DIO and proinflammatory cytokines are possibly involved in the mechanisms underlying processes related to COPD, including immune-endocrine interaction. These can be discussed for further evaluation in COPD-related studies with more precise diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring of all confounding factors and a larger cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1063-1076"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241153/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-04-25DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00729-2
Renato Ferreira-da-Silva, Lurdes Silva, Cristina Costa-Santos, Manuela Morato, Jorge Junqueira Polónia, Inês Ribeiro-Vaz, Manuela Pinto, Marta Pereira, Inês Marques Figueira, Sofia Baptista, Helena Farinha, Fátima Falcão, Ana Mirco, Liliana Calixto, Madalena Melo
{"title":"Post-marketing surveillance study on the effectiveness and safety of molnupiravir in high-risk COVID-19 outpatients: a prospective case series study.","authors":"Renato Ferreira-da-Silva, Lurdes Silva, Cristina Costa-Santos, Manuela Morato, Jorge Junqueira Polónia, Inês Ribeiro-Vaz, Manuela Pinto, Marta Pereira, Inês Marques Figueira, Sofia Baptista, Helena Farinha, Fátima Falcão, Ana Mirco, Liliana Calixto, Madalena Melo","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00729-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00729-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Molnupiravir, approved for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults, aims to reduce hospitalisation and mortality rates. Although it was withdrawn from the market after the present study was conducted, understanding its long-term effects remains pertinent. We aimed to assess the real-world effectiveness and safety of molnupiravir in high-risk COVID-19 outpatients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, multicenter, noninterventional, postmarketing cohort study enrolled high-risk COVID-19 outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19, eligible under national prescribing criteria, who initiated molnupiravir within five days of symptom onset and were ineligible for first-line antiviral therapy. Patients were consecutively enrolled from eight Portuguese study sites and monitored for three months. Effectiveness was assessed by all-cause mortality and hospitalisation through day 29. Safety was evaluated by the incidence, severity, and causality of adverse events (AE), coded using MedDRA terminology and assessed via the WHO-UMC system. Data were collected through structured patient questionnaires and electronic health records. Statistical analysis was descriptive; proportions were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and comparisons between groups were performed using appropriate statistical tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>By day 29 post-treatment initiation, no deaths were reported (n = 0; 0%; 95%CI = [0,26]), and all patients were either at home or institutionalised, with favourable outcomes. Out of the 12 patients enrolled, eight (67%; 95%CI = [35,90]) reported at least one AE, with the median time to the first AE being five days (range 5-7 days). Half of the patients (n = 6; 95%CI = [21,79]) reported AE deemed possibly or probably related to molnupiravir, involving nausea (25%), dizziness (17%), bitter taste (17%), and headache (17%). These AE were more commonly observed in older individuals and those overweight, indicating a potential influence of these factors on AE occurrence.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Molnupiravir appears to show good safety and effectiveness, offering an alternative for high-risk COVID-19 outpatients ineligible for first-line therapy. Despite its market withdrawal, ongoing research into its long-term effects is crucial to potentially repurpose it for other viral infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1088-1099"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241208/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144010615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-04-30DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00730-9
Michał Walaszek, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Zofia Kachlik, Michał Pastuszak, Krzysztof Pastuszak, Aleksander Kwaśny
{"title":"Non-response to short-term ketamine use for treatment-resistant depression.","authors":"Michał Walaszek, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Zofia Kachlik, Michał Pastuszak, Krzysztof Pastuszak, Aleksander Kwaśny","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00730-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00730-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ketamine is currently gaining attention as a rapid-acting antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, many patients fail to respond, and limited data exist on predictors of non-response. This study aims to characterize the sociodemographic and clinical features associated with non-response to ketamine among TRD patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a post-hoc analysis of a naturalistic observational study, which enrolled 40 inpatients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and analyzed sociodemographic and clinical features in responders and non-responders stratified per Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) during short-term ketamine administration (intravenous dosage: 0,5 mg/kg and orally: 2.0 or 2.5 mg/kg) that comprise over 4 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, 30 patients (75%) were classified as non-responders. No significant differences were detected among sociodemographic and clinical features beyond the history of substance use disorder (SUD) - only 53.3% of non-responders reported prior SUD (vs. 100%; p = 0.0075) and a lower number of psychiatric comorbidities (p = 0.0381).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights key characteristics of TRD non-responders to ketamine, including lower rates of SUD and fewer psychiatric comorbidities. These findings suggest that a higher burden of traditional TRD risk factors may not limit ketamine efficacy and could even enhance response compared to \"pure\" major depressive disorder. Identifying potential non-responders early can optimize treatment decisions, reduce ineffective exposure, and guide future research on improving TRD management.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1126-1133"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241212/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-06-16DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00742-5
Tereza Klučková, Marek Nikolič, Filip Tylš, Vojtěch Viktorin, Čestmír Vejmola, Michaela Viktorinová, Anna Bravermanová, Renáta Androvičová, Veronika Andrashko, Jakub Korčák, Peter Zach, Kateřina Hájková, Martin Kuchař, Marie Balíková, Martin Brunovský, Jiří Horáček, Tomáš Páleníček
{"title":"The phenomenology of psilocybin's experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting.","authors":"Tereza Klučková, Marek Nikolič, Filip Tylš, Vojtěch Viktorin, Čestmír Vejmola, Michaela Viktorinová, Anna Bravermanová, Renáta Androvičová, Veronika Andrashko, Jakub Korčák, Peter Zach, Kateřina Hájková, Martin Kuchař, Marie Balíková, Martin Brunovský, Jiří Horáček, Tomáš Páleníček","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00742-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00742-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recent studies intensively explore psilocybin's antidepressant potential, but variables like previous experience, repeated use, setting, and sex remain underexplored. This study examines acute and long-term effects of psilocybin in healthy individuals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study included 40 healthy participants (20 females, mean age 38). Each received two doses of psilocybin (0.26 mg/kg) at least 56 days apart (mean 488) in two neuroimaging study arms. Nearly half had previous psychedelic experience. Acute effects were measured using the Altered States of Consciousness Scales (ASCs) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for emotional valence. The Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ) assessed long-term effects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All results were independent of observed variables such as previous psychedelic experience, repeated use, setting, sex and occupation. Acute effects were moderate on the ASCs, with VAS ratings showing mostly pleasant or fluctuating experiences and only one unpleasant session. All experiences resolved in a positive or neutral state by the session's end. Psilocybin produced lasting positive effects across all PEQ domains, with negligible negative effects. Oceanic Boundlessness (OBN) and Visionary Restructuralization (VRS) correlated with positive outcomes, while Dread of Ego Dissolution (DED), typically associated with fear, did not predict negative effects. The nature of the acute experience (pleasant or mixed) was not linked to the direction or intensity of long-term outcomes. Peak experiences ending in a positive mood were strongly associated with favourable long-term effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Repeated psilocybin administration in healthy individuals induces positive, lasting effects, with challenging experiences in controlled settings not causing adverse outcomes. These findings support psilocybin's psychological safety and its repeated use in clinical trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1024-1039"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241220/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144302707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-04-24DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00731-8
Piotr Rzymski, Anna Piekarska, Robert Pleśniak, Dominik Sznajder, Dorota Zarębska-Michaluk, Krzysztof Tomasiewicz, Maciej Piasecki, Monika Pazgan-Simon, Justyna Hlebowicz, Karolina Turzańska, Włodzimierz Mazur, Paweł Skwara, Katarzyna Sikorska, Piotr Czupryna, Szymon Piaszczyński, Robert Flisiak
{"title":"Unraveling Poland's unprecedented influenza surge in early 2025: increased viral severity or post-pandemic vulnerability?","authors":"Piotr Rzymski, Anna Piekarska, Robert Pleśniak, Dominik Sznajder, Dorota Zarębska-Michaluk, Krzysztof Tomasiewicz, Maciej Piasecki, Monika Pazgan-Simon, Justyna Hlebowicz, Karolina Turzańska, Włodzimierz Mazur, Paweł Skwara, Katarzyna Sikorska, Piotr Czupryna, Szymon Piaszczyński, Robert Flisiak","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00731-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00731-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>At the end of 2024, Polish infectious disease specialists observed a sharp increase in influenza hospitalizations, raising concerns about potential underlying causes. This study aimed to analyze differences in patient characteristics, disease progression, and outcomes among individuals hospitalized for influenza in January 2025 compared to January 2024.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an exploratory retrospective comparative study across leading infectious disease units in Poland, evaluating demographic data, clinical presentations, treatment regimens, and outcomes of hospitalized influenza patients from both periods. Key variables included influenza type, age, sex distribution, symptom profile, oxygen saturation, inflammatory markers, presence of co-infections, and type of treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hospitalizations surged by 630% in January 2025, with in-hospital mortality nearly quadrupling to 10.7%. Despite this, patients from both periods had comparable demographic and clinical admission profiles. Most were treated with oseltamivir (though its use was below 90%), and most required antibiotics for bacterial co-infections. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of hospitalized patients (97%) and non-survivors (93%) in 2025 were unvaccinated. Among non-survivors in 2025, all were infected with influenza A, were older, had higher rates of chronic peripheral circulatory failure, chronic kidney disease, and immunodeficiency, and exhibited more severe inflammatory responses, lower oxygen saturation, and a higher prevalence of dyspnea.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The observed surge likely reflects a post-pandemic phenomenon in a vulnerable, aging, comorbid, and largely unvaccinated population. The findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced influenza vaccination strategies in high-risk groups in Poland, as well as the importance of maintaining continuous antiviral availability throughout the epidemic season. Further research encompassing full-season comparisons and incorporating virological, immunological, and health system factors are warranted to better understand the drivers of such surges and guide future preparedness efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1134-1141"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144026254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-04-21DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00726-5
Barbara Poniedziałek, Marek Siwulski, Iwona Komaniecka, Adrian Wiater, Adam Choma, Joanna Rosińska, Barbara Frąszczak, Piotr Rzymski
{"title":"Antiplatelet potencies of polysaccharides extracted from eight cultivated edible Pleurotus mushroom species.","authors":"Barbara Poniedziałek, Marek Siwulski, Iwona Komaniecka, Adrian Wiater, Adam Choma, Joanna Rosińska, Barbara Frąszczak, Piotr Rzymski","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00726-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00726-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading global health challenge, necessitating effective antiplatelet therapies to mitigate thrombotic risks. Conventional antiplatelet agents, such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and purinergic receptor type Y, subtype 12 (P2Y12) inhibitors, are effective but present limitations, including bleeding complications and resistance in some patients. This study investigates the antiplatelet potential of polysaccharide fractions extracted from fruiting bodies of eight different edible Pleurotus mushroom species cultivated for the purpose of this research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mushroom polysaccharide fractions were extracted from eight Pleurotus species (P. citrinopileatus, P. columbinus, P. djamor, P. eryngii, P. florida, P. ostreatus, P. pulmonarius, and P. sajor-caju) with cold water. Using multiple electrode aggregometry, we evaluated their inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid (AA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Polysaccharides from all tested Pleurotus species exhibit significant inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation in the 69-75% range, comparable to or exceeding that of ASA. While their beneficial effect on AA-induced aggregation was lower and limited to selected species with inhibition in the 6-46% range, polysaccharides from P. djamor and P. sajor-caju demonstrated promising dual inhibition.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study suggests that Pleurotus-derived polysaccharides may serve as potential natural alternatives or adjuncts to existing antiplatelet therapies. Further in vivo studies and clinical trials are warranted to investigate their therapeutic potential in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"1109-1118"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144049717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-13DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00732-7
Matylda Resztak, Andrzej Czyrski, Joanna Sobiak
{"title":"Saliva as a matrix for therapeutic drug monitoring and disease biomarkers in children and adolescents.","authors":"Matylda Resztak, Andrzej Czyrski, Joanna Sobiak","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00732-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00732-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Saliva is a more accessible, less stressful, and less expensive biological matrix than blood, and may be applicable in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Saliva concentrations reflect the pharmacologically active unbound drug. This review provides the latest information on saliva as a matrix for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and biomarker determination in infants, children, and adolescents. Literature was searched up to October 2024 using the PubMed database and 64 studies were included in TDM, steroids, supplements, disease biomarkers, dentistry, genetics, and other categories. Unstimulated saliva was collected using cotton swabs or synthetic fiber rolls, as expectorated or freely flowing saliva, and stimulated by chewing on a rubber band or paraffin block. For drug determination, saliva was purified by centrifugation. Protein precipitation or extraction was rarely used. Saliva volumes for analyses were low (2.5-10 µL). Chromatographic methods and immunoassays were used for drug determination. Commercially available kits were applied for saliva hormones analysis or DNA quantification. For some antibiotics, antiepileptics, mood-stabilizers, analgesics, and immunosuppressants, saliva-plasma correlations were found. Saliva has the potential for fentanyl and prednisolone TDM in the pediatric population and for congenital adrenal hyperplasia monitoring. Salivary cortisol measurements in adolescents may play a role in sociological and psychological responses to stress, whereas in infants may reflect the depressive symptoms and higher cortisol levels of mothers. Saliva may help in diagnosing Keratoconus, pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, and quantitative behavioral difficulties. Saliva sampling depends on patient compliance. The samples may be contaminated with blood from gingival bleeding.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"921-961"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241277/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144040003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacological ReportsPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-20DOI: 10.1007/s43440-025-00734-5
Rafał Krasowski, Katarzyna Kamińska, Katarzyna Głodek, Joanna Ostrowska, Klaudiusz Zajda, Rafał Pawliczak, Paulina Kleniewska
{"title":"The therapeutic potential of vitamin D supplementation in asthma.","authors":"Rafał Krasowski, Katarzyna Kamińska, Katarzyna Głodek, Joanna Ostrowska, Klaudiusz Zajda, Rafał Pawliczak, Paulina Kleniewska","doi":"10.1007/s43440-025-00734-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s43440-025-00734-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent years have seen a search for more effective forms of asthma therapy, with one possible option being vitamin D supplementation. The main objective of this study was to present the current state of knowledge on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the course of asthma in children and adults; it also reviews the existing literature on prenatal vitamin D supplementation and asthma status. The search comprised articles, mostly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), included in the PubMed database and published after 2018. Most RCTs conducted on children indicate that vitamin supplementation did not affect the course of the disease, its control, or exacerbations; however, several trials in adults confirm it to have beneficial effects, with an important role being played by vitamin D deficiency. Unfortunately, the studies demonstrated considerable heterogeneity concerning the age and number of participants, dose, duration, and use of guidelines for pharmaceutical drugs, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions. Further, properly designed, large-scale studies with long-term follow-ups are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":19947,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacological Reports","volume":" ","pages":"874-888"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241240/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144111594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}