Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine最新文献

{"title":"NLRP3 inflammasome in expressed prostatic secretions as a potential biomarker of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.","authors":"Chao-Guang Ma, Ying-Nan Liu, Hua-Dong Wang","doi":"10.17219/acem/192548","DOIUrl":"10.17219/acem/192548","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pyroptosis has been implicated in the progression of chronic prostatitis (CP)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The present study was performed to explore the diagnostic value of the levels of the pyroptosis-related protein nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) of patients with CP.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A total of 167 CP patients, including 85 National Institutes of Health (NIH)-IIIA CP patients and 82 NIH-IIIB CP patients, as well as 80 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and 80 healthy controls, were enrolled. The levels of NLRP3, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 18 (IL-18) in EPS were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Disease severity was assessed using the Bergman CP scale. Differences in EPS NLRP3 inflammasome levels between the groups were analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to investigate the clinical value of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the diagnosis of CP. The numerical rating scale (NRS), the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) were applied to evaluate symptom severity. The cutoff value of NLRP3 expression was calculated using R language.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>NLRP3 inflammasome levels in EPS were significantly higher in CP patients of NIH-IIIA and NIH-IIIB compared to the BPH patients and controls. NLRP3 levels in EPS were positively associated with Bergman grade. In addition, NRS levels were in a positive relationship with NIH-CPSI and DAN-PSS-1. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that NLRP3 in EPS may act as a decent indicator for the diagnosis of CP/CPPS. The cutoff value of EPS NLRP3 expression was ≥55.25 ng/mL.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>NLRP3 levels in EPS were significantly higher in NIH-IIIA and NIH-IIIB patients compared to BPH patients and healthy controls. NLRP3 inflammasome levels in EPS may be valuable as diagnostic indicators, and targeting chemokines may present a promising approach to treatment for those suffering from CPPS.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1459-1466"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142764981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of life assessment after minimally invasive operative treatment in children with pectus excavatum: A single-center study and literature review.","authors":"Kacper K Kroczek, Joanna Sebastian, Iwona Szymkuć-Bukowska, Małgorzata Pyskir, Przemysław Gałązka","doi":"10.17219/acem/194483","DOIUrl":"10.17219/acem/194483","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Most patients with chest wall deformities have a negative body image, which affects their self-esteem and quality of life (QoL).</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in patients' QoL after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE).</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A prospective, single-center study was conducted between 2019 and 2023. We included 20 pediatric patients at a median age of 15 years and 9 months who underwent MIRPE. Two QoL questionnaires were used: the KIDSCREEN-52 and the EQ-5D-Y. The data were statistically analyzed with the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. All patients and their parents were asked to complete questionnaires preoperatively and 12 months after surgical treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All patients were followed up during the 12-month study period. The study group was comprised of 65% male patients. The median Haller index was 5.0 standard deviation (SD) = 1.58). The assessment of general health condition was higher among the boys (with postoperative improvement), though this finding was not statistically significant. Routine daily activities were easier for all patients after MIRPE (p = 0.048). The patients showed improved physical activity (p = 0.038) and psychological wellbeing (p = 0.013) after elevation of the anterior chest wall. There was no impact on relations with parents, free time or school environment, but we found better patient contact with peers in the postoperative period. A high correlation was confirmed between the parents' and the patients' responses in each questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Chest wall deformities can have a strong impact on the patient's wellbeing, which is a very important part of psychological development in adolescents. Our study showed that improved QoL should be always considered as an indication for surgical treatment of chest wall deformities in children.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1485-1492"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142998431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polish validation of the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Experiences Scale (LGBTQ+ HCES).","authors":"Michał Czapla, Bartłomiej Stańczykiewicz, Donata Kurpas, Izabella Uchmanowicz, Bartosz Uchmanowicz, Raúl Juárez-Vela, Piotr Karniej","doi":"10.17219/acem/209762","DOIUrl":"10.17219/acem/209762","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer individuals frequently encounter disparities in healthcare access, quality and inclusivity. Despite growing awareness of these challenges, Poland has lacked a psychometrically validated tool to assess the experiences of sexual and gender minorities in clinical settings.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to develop and validate the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Experiences Scale (LGBTQ+ HCES) tailored to the Polish context.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A multi-phase cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025. The initial pool of items was developed through a narrative literature review and refined by 4 researchers with clinical and academic experience in LGBTQ+ health. Content validity was assessed using a 2-round Delphi process involving a multidisciplinary panel of experts (n = 12), who rated item clarity and relevance using Aiken's V. A pilot test with 30 LGBTQ+ participants confirmed comprehension and technical usability. The final 15-item instrument, comprising 3 subscales (Respect and Inclusivity, Discrimination and Microaggressions, Trust and Comfort), was administered to 172 LGBTQ+ individuals recruited via social media. Psychometric evaluation included descriptive analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability testing (Cronbach's á, McDonald's ů).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 3-factor model comprising Respect and Inclusivity, Discrimination and Microaggressions, and Trust and Comfort. Model fit indices met recommended thresholds (root mean square error of approximation = 0.041, standardized root mean square residual = 0.057, comparative fit index = 0.998). All subscales demonstrated acceptable to strong internal consistency (á = 0.745-0.778; ů = 0.92). No significant floor or ceiling effects were found to compromise the scale's performance. All items showed positive item-total correlations and contributed meaningfully to their respective subscales.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The LGBTQ+ HCES is a valid, reliable and culturally grounded instrument for assessing healthcare experiences among LGBTQ+ populations in Poland. It holds promise for research, public health surveillance and health system quality improvement efforts to promote inclusive and equitable care.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1565-1574"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemopreventive role of β-caryophyllene in DMBA-induced skin cancer: Modulation of apoptotic pathways and PI3K/Akt signaling in Swiss albino mice.","authors":"Ying Sun, Yingying Ma, Hailiang Wang","doi":"10.17219/acem/194482","DOIUrl":"10.17219/acem/194482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The skin, with its robust structural integrity and advanced immune defense system, serves as a critical protective barrier against environmental toxins and carcinogenic compounds. Despite this, it remains vulnerable to the harmful effects of certain hazardous agents.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the chemopreventive potential of β-caryophyllene (BCP) in mitigating 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin carcinogenesis, focusing on the modulation of apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Swiss albino mice were utilized to assess the preventive effects of BCP in DMBA-induced skin cancer. Skin carcinogenesis was initiated by topical DMBA application, followed by promotion using croton oil. To evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of BCP, a 50 mg/kg oral dose was administered 3 times a week for 16 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The BCP treatment in DMBA-induced skin cancer mice significantly reduced tumor incidence, tumor burden and the total number of papillomas compared to untreated DMBA-exposed mice. Notably, BCP administration (p < 0.05) resulted in a marked increase in body weight and improvement in antioxidant enzyme activity. Additionally, BCP treatment led to significant reductions in lipid peroxidation and enhanced detoxification enzyme function. Histological examination of DMBA-induced skin tissues revealed the presence of keratin pearls, well-differentiated tumor cells and neutrophil infiltration. In contrast, BCP-treated mice showed only mild hyperplasia, dysplasia and moderate keratosis, suggesting a lower degree of tissue damage. Furthermore, BCP demonstrated a protective effect on liver histology, counteracting the toxic effects of DMBA exposure. Gene expression analysis revealed that BCP treatment significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated the pro-apoptotic genes Bax, p53, caspase-3 and caspase-9, while downregulating the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Additionally, BCP treatment led to a marked reduction in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, which are key regulators of cell proliferation and survival.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides compelling evidence that the antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects of β-caryophyllene contribute to its chemopreventive properties in DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice. The modulation of key apoptotic signaling pathways and the suppression of the PI3K/Akt pathway by BCP underscores its potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing skin cancer. These findings pave the way for further exploration of BCP as a promising candidate for skin cancer prevention and therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1541-1552"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143031736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of sorafenib in combination with physical thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis.","authors":"Xiang Wen, Fuliang Qi, Hailong Qian, Rancen Tao, Jie Li, Liang Wang","doi":"10.17219/acem/202323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/202323","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide and claims roughly 700,000 lives each year; nearly 50% of global HCC fatalities occur in China.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis identifying predictors of sorafenib efficacy in combination with thermal ablation for HCC treatment.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to October 2024, reviewing 720 identified studies. From these, 19 studies were selected that included a total of 3,341 participants with HCC at baseline. The meta-analysis examined the effects of sorafenib in combination with physical thermal ablation, using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Analyses were performed using two-sided methods and either fixed-effect or random-effects models, depending on the level of heterogeneity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The meta-analysis revealed that combining physical thermal ablation with sorafenib significantly improved outcomes in HCC patients: Overall survival (OS) was more than doubled (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.55-2.67; p < 0.001), recurrence rates were significantly reduced (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.39-0.98; p = 0.04), and overall treatment efficacy was markedly higher (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.61-3.96; p < 0.001) compared with thermal ablation alone.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In individuals with HCC, physical thermal ablation and sorafenib had significantly higher OS, lower recurrence rates, and high overall efficacy compared to physical thermal ablation. To validate this discovery, more research is needed, and caution must be implemented when interacting with its values.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnosis and management of traumatic injuries in pediatric patients secondary to dental local anesthesia: A systematic review.","authors":"Aneta Olszewska, Julia Kensy, Agata Czajka-Jakubowska, Daniele Pergolini, Maurizio Bossù, Umberto Romeo, Jacek Matys","doi":"10.17219/acem/204391","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/204391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines soft tissue injuries secondary to the prevalence of local anesthesia, differential diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. In October 2024, a comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus along with gray literature sources, adhering to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, using the following keywords: \"bite\", \"traumatic injuries\", \"soft tissue injuries\", \"self-inflicted injuries\", \"topical anesthesia\", \"local anesthesia\", \"pediatric\", or \"children\". The search was limited to English-language publications. Additional manual screening of reference lists was performed. The risk of bias was assessed using the checklist developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Out of 574 identified studies, 21 were included in the qualitative analysis (9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 6 case reports and 6 cohort studies), mainly focusing on children aged 6-12. Anesthesia methods included traditional techniques (12 studies) and computer-controlled injection (5 studies). The role of articaine (9) and lidocaine (10) was analyzed. Suggested interventions to mitigate injury risks and improve recovery included the use of phentolamine mesylate (2 studies) and non-pharmacological strategies: intraoral appliances (2 studies) and photobiomodulation (2 studies). The included studies varied in design, sample size and duration, limiting direct comparisons. Effect sizes and confidence intervals were inconsistently reported, and the risk of bias assessment using the Cohen's kappa test highlighted methodological heterogeneity and potential reporting bias. Soft tissue injuries from local anesthesia in children can cause significant pain and cooperation issues. Effective strategies include early intervention with pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Increased awareness and patient-specific management are essential for reducing risks and improving outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relative qualities of telerehabilitation compared to traditional in-person speech and language treatment for individuals with aphasia: A meta-analysis.","authors":"Liang Zhang","doi":"10.17219/acem/202056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/202056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stroke is a leading cause of disability and one of the primary causes of death worldwide. Stroke survivors often experience a range of symptoms, including impaired motor function, speech and language abnormalities, swallowing difficulties, cognitive deficits, visual disturbances, and sensory impairments.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This meta-analysis was conducted to assess and compare the relative effectiveness of telerehabilitation compared to traditional in-person speech and language therapy for individuals with aphasia.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to October 2024, reviewing 1,185 identified studies. Ultimately, 6 studies were selected that included a total of 168 participants with aphasia at baseline. The meta-analysis examined the relative effectiveness of telerehabilitation compared to traditional in-person speech and language therapy using continuous outcomes, with mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) calculated. Analyses were performed using either fixed-effect or random-effects models, depending on heterogeneity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In individuals with aphasia, telerehabilitation demonstrated significantly greater improvements in generalization post-intervention compared to face-to-face treatment (MD = 11.53; 95% CI: 3.64-19.43; p = 0.004). However, no significant differences were found between telerehabilitation and face-to-face treatment in naming accuracy post-intervention (MD = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.98-8.16; p = 0.23), Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) aphasia quotient (MD = -0.54; 95% CI: -9.96-8.88; p = 0.91), auditory comprehension post-intervention (MD = 0.66; 95% CI: -8.83-10.14; p = 0.89), or functional communication post-intervention (MD = -0.95; 95% CI: -10.19-8.29; p = 0.84).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In individuals with aphasia, telerehabilitation showed significantly greater improvements in generalization post-intervention compared to face-to-face treatment. However, no significant differences were observed between the 2 approaches in naming accuracy, WAB aphasia quotient, auditory comprehension, or functional communication post-intervention. To validate these findings, further research is needed, and caution should be exercised when interpreting the current results due to the limited number of included studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Progress in stem cells mitochondrial proteomics research: A review.","authors":"Weidong Yao, Xinyi Yu, Yameng Wang, Liang Xia","doi":"10.17219/acem/203862","DOIUrl":"10.17219/acem/203862","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review summarizes the latest advancements in stem cell (SC) mitochondrial proteomics. With the rapid development of biotechnology, mitochondrial proteomics has emerged as a pivotal area in SC research. The research methods used in mitochondrial proteomics include mass spectrometry (MS), with pre-MS sample processing, MS data acquisition employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and bioinformatics analysis to annotate and explore protein functions. In recent years, mitochondrial proteomics research has contributed to the establishment and expansion of our understanding of the roles of various mitochondrial proteins involved in regulating SC differentiation, metabolism and aging, including Drp1, Mfn1/2, OPA1, SIRT3, Bcl-2, YME1L, and PGC-1α. This multidisciplinary approach, combining qualitative and quantitative proteomics with bioinformatics, sheds light on the intricate regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial proteins in SC. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing novel therapeutic targets and strategies, thereby advancing the field of regenerative medicine and personalized treatment paradigms.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144870818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative study of the protective effects of adenosine triphosphate and resveratrol against amiodarone-induced potential liver damage and dysfunction in rats.","authors":"Muhammed Talha Karadogan, Bulent Yavuzer, Cebrail Gursul, Gulbaniz Huseynova, Gulce Naz Yazici, Mine Gulaboglu, Furkan Yilmaz, Ali Sefa Mendil, Halis Suleyman","doi":"10.17219/acem/202011","DOIUrl":"10.17219/acem/202011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Amiodarone is the most commonly used class III antiarrhytmic drug with antiarrhytmic and vasodilator properties. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) serves as a crucial source of intracellular energy, while resveratrol is known for its potent antioxidant activity.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to biochemically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically evaluate the effects of ATP, resveratrol and their combination on potential liver damage and dysfunction induced by amiodarone in rats.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The rats were divided into 6 groups: healthy control (HG), amiodarone alone (ADG), amiodarone + ATP at 2 mg/kg (AAG-2), amiodarone + ATP at 5 mg/kg (AAG-5), resveratrol + amiodarone (RAG), and resveratrol + amiodarone + ATP at 2 mg/kg (RAA-2). Amiodarone (50 mg/kg, orally), ATP (2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and resveratrol (25 mg/kg, orally) were administered once daily for 14 days. Following treatment, liver tissues were excised for biochemical analysis. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, while antioxidant status was evaluated through total glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels. To assess liver function, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were measured in serum samples collected from the animals' tail veins. In addition, liver tissues were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination to evaluate structural and molecular changes associated with treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Amiodarone administration led to a significant increase in oxidative stress markers and a reduction in antioxidant levels in rat liver tissue. Additionally, serum levels of ALT and AST were elevated, indicating liver dysfunction. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses revealed severe (grade 3) oxidative damage in the liver tissue. All biochemical parameters in the 5 mg/kg ATP and resveratrol + 2 mg/kg ATP treatment groups were comparable to those observed in the HG group. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations showed a reduction in liver damage severity to grade 2 in the groups treated with ATP (2 mg/kg) and resveratrol alone, and to grade 1 in the groups receiving ATP (5 mg/kg) or the combination of resveratrol + ATP (2 mg/kg).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of the present study suggest that adjusting the ATP dosage or using a combination of ATP and resveratrol may be effective strategies for minimizing amiodarone-induced liver damage.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144870816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Revealing the causal relationship between HBV and HCV infection and liver cirrhosis by Mendelian randomization.","authors":"Ju-Cun Huang, Yu-Wei Feng, Kang Zhao, Dan Dai","doi":"10.17219/acem/201226","DOIUrl":"10.17219/acem/201226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The chronic progression of viral hepatitis and the terminal stage of cirrhosis impose a long-term disease burden on patients. The assessment of liver damage can be facilitated through the measurement of liver biomarkers.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), liver biomarkers, and cirrhosis via Mendelian randomization (MR).</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A bidirectional multi-sample MR approach was used to extract data from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) databases. Information on liver biomarkers and cirrhosis, along with data from 351,885 HBV samples containing 19,079,722 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 176,698 HCV samples comprising 12,454,320 SNPs, were aggregated. The TwoSampleMR 0.5.7 package in R language facilitated the bidirectional MR analysis, utilizing methods such as inverse-variance weighting, weighted median and MR-Egger to investigate the causal relationships between HBV, HCV, liver biomarkers, and cirrhosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The MR analysis revealed potential causal relationships between cirrhosis and HBV infection, indicating an increased probability of HBV as cirrhosis escalates (odds ratio (OR) = 1.253; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.037-1.514; p = 0.019). Additionally, a potential causal link was observed between HBV and the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), with an increase in HBV leading to a gradual decrease in AST levels (OR = 0.972; 95% CI: 0.958-0.986; p < 0.01). A similar causal relationship was identified between HCV infection and cirrhosis, where the probability of cirrhosis significantly increases with rising HCV levels (OR = 2.213; 95% CI: 1.752-2.796; p < 0.01). The results demonstrated no pleiotropy or heterogeneity within the analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This research highlights a causal relationship between HBV and AST levels, suggesting that monitoring AST levels can indicate the extent of liver damage caused by chronic HBV infection. Additionally, causal connections were established between HBV, HCV and cirrhosis, emphasizing that cirrhosis represents the terminal stage of chronic HBV and HCV infections. By managing the progression of the disease, the risk of cirrhosis can be reduced.</p>","PeriodicalId":7306,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144870819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}