Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders) - Volume 22, Issue 1, 2022

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a challenge for emergency care units worldwide due to the large numbers of patients, the scarcity of information, the medical resources, and the uncertainty regarding the disease's etiology and pathogenesis. The transmission of the virus and a probable post-pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 will depend on how deep this disease, the duration of immunity a Read More

Abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc-dependent dicarboxypeptidase with two catalytic components, which has an important role in regulating blood pressure by converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II. ACE breaks down other peptides besides angiotensin I and has a variety of physiological effects together with renal growth and reproduction in men. ACE also acts on innate and acquired immune systems by affe Read More

Background & Objective: As cancer is one of the main causes of fatal illnesses in the world, and breast cancer is responsible for an elevated number of deaths in women, it is important to implement measures to prevent this disease. Method: In order to assess the influence of breastfeeding in preventing breast cancer in women, forteen prospective cohort articles are included in this study, and their methodolo Read More

Abstract: Plants serve as an important source of medicinal compounds, and their use in various diseases dates back hundreds of years. One such plant-based compound and the discovery of the antimalarial drug, artemisinin, has significantly brought phytomedicines into the spotlight and has enhanced the understanding and, consequently, the application of formulations derived from plants. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Read More

Background: Mediterranean diet (Med-D) has been previously suggested for athletes, but Paralympics usually have a low intake of plant foods. Orthorexia nervosa (ON) can drive dietary intake of both athletes and gym attendees. Objective: We aimed to compare dietary intakes and food habits of elite wheelchair basketball athletes (WBA) and able-bodied individuals who practice or not sport activity and with different fat Read More

Background & Objective: Peganum harmala has been traditionally used to manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory conditions. However, its use against RA has not been scientifically evaluated. The current study was designed to assess the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract of P. harmala leaves by in vitro and in vivo methods. Methods: The in vitro assays were carried out to Read More

Background: The link between bilirubin and cardiometabolic outcomes has been previously identified with positive health effects of mild hyperbilirubinaemia. On the other hand, recent evidence has suggested an association between low circulating bilirubin levels and obesity. This study was conducted to assess the association of total bilirubin levels with metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors related to obesity. M Read More

Background: Metformin is a biguanide that exhibits antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite well-known pancreatic protective effects, metformin's influence on pancreatic islet β-cell is yet considerably unknown. Protecting the functional insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas is a key therapeutic challenge in patients with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective: The current stu Read More

Background and Aim: Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by direct-acting-antiviral- agents (DAAs) was followed by fibrosis regression, but little is available about hepatic steatosis changes after DAAs. The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence of hepatic steatosis among HCV Egyptian patients and the long term changes occuring after viral eradication. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 150 HCV patients w Read More

Background and Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is a frequent symptom. Among the causes that can determine it, lumbar osteoarthritis plays an important role. Therapeutic exercise, according to McKenzie method, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of LBP. Oral supplementation with collagen peptides represents a new therapeutic possibility in osteoarthritis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the combined efficac Read More

Background and Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with inflammation and subsequent increase in cardiovascular risk. Because of its widespread presence and distribution, invasive diagnostic procedures (i.e., liver biopsy) are reserved for a limited number of subjects. With liver ultrasound, Fatty liver index (FLI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores non-invasively assess liver steatosis and fibrosis. We ai Read More

Background: Insulin resistance is a well-known predictor and risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Higher hematocrit induced by higher insulin resistance affects blood rheology. Objective: This study intended to reveal the association between indices of insulin resistance and hemorheological parameters during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75-g OGTT). Methods: A total of 575 healthy young Japanese par Read More

Background: Gisekia pharnaceoides Linn. (Aizoaceae), traditionally known as baluka saag or sareli is commonly found in the deep Cholistan region of Pakistan. It is used by the native community for the mitigation of a range of diseases, including inflammatory disorders and gastric ulcers. Objective: This study is designed to evaluate the defensive impact of G. pharnaceoides in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in mice a Read More

Background & Aim: This meta-analysis was performed to quantify the effects of probiotics on renal and glycemic biomarkers among patients with Diabetic Nephropathy (DN). Methods: Electronic databases were searched on May 10, 2020. All trials that investigated the effect of probiotics on serum glycemic markers (Fasting Plasma Glucose [FPG], Hemoglobin A1C, Insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance [H Read More

Background: Dedicator of Cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency, the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive hyper immunoglobulin (Ig)E syndrome, is a rare combined immunodeficiency. Objective: In this study, we report seven patients, with consanguineous parents, with five novel variants within the DOCK8 gene. Methods: For genetic analysis, we performed Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) or targeted sequencing Read More