Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael K. Schuhmann, Friederike Langhauser, Lena Zimmermann, Maximilian Bellut, Christoph Kleinschnitz, Felix Fluri
Summary: The study found that DMF treatment can reduce infarct volume and brain edema after stroke, and attenuate lymphocyte infiltration, thus mitigating immune cell-driven damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nicole Zinger, Gerald Ponath, Elizabeth Sweeney, Thanh D. Nguyen, Chih Hung Lo, Ivan Diaz, Alexey Dimov, Leilei Teng, Lily Zexter, Joseph Comunale, Yi Wang, David Pitt, Susan A. Gauthier
Summary: This study provides evidence that DMF is more effective than GA in reducing iron content as a marker of inflammation in chronic active lesions of MS. DMF treatment leads to a decrease in microglial activation and iron content in vitro, which is consistent with the reduction in susceptibility observed in vivo.
NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Cara A. Timpani, Stephanie Kourakis, Danielle A. Debruin, Dean G. Campelj, Nancy Pompeani, Narges Dargahi, Angelo P. Bautista, Ryan M. Bagaric, Elya J. Ritenis, Lauren Sahakian, Didier Debrincat, Nicole Stupka, Patricia Hafner, Peter G. Arthur, Jessica R. Terrill, Vasso Apostolopoulos, Judy B. de Haan, Nuri Guven, Dirk Fischer, Emma Rybalka
Summary: New research suggests that dimethyl fumarate (DMF) may be a more effective treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a fatal neuromuscular disease in urgent need of new medicines. The study shows that DMF has pro-mitochondrial effects, protects muscles from fatigue, improves histopathology, and enhances muscle function in early symptomatic DMD mice. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact of DMF as a potential disease-modifying treatment for DMD.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yong Zhang, Jingshu Tang, Yujun Zhou, Qiong Xiao, Qiuyu Chen, Hongyue Wang, Jiaqi Lan, Lei Wu, Ying Peng
Summary: The pharmacological activity of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in treating psoriasis and multiple sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood. DMF is hydrolysed to monomethyl fumarate (MMF) in vivo, which is believed to account for the therapeutic effects of DMF. However, previous studies have provided evidence that DMF also enters the circulation. Given that DMF is short-lived in the blood, whether DMF has a therapeutic impact is still unclear.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Thomas W. Lategan, Laurene Wang, Tiffany N. Sprague, Franck S. Rousseau
Summary: The study confirmed the bioequivalence between two Bafiertam(TM) capsules and one Tecfidera(R) capsule, both of which were found to be safe and generally well tolerated.
Article
Immunology
Xiang Chu, Jie Zhang, Yingying Li, Ke Yuan, Xue Wang, Xiang Gui, Yueyue Sun, Chaonan Geng, Wen Ju, Mengdi Xu, Zhenyu Li, Lingyu Zeng, Kailin Xu, Jianlin Qiao
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on platelet function. The results showed that DMF significantly inhibited platelet aggregation and granule release, reduced platelet spreading and clot retraction, and prolonged bleeding time in mice. Furthermore, DMF also reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited NF-κB activation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and AKT. Overall, DMF inhibits platelet function and thrombus formation.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Salvatore Giunta, Agata Grazia D'Amico, Grazia Maugeri, Claudio Bucolo, Giovanni Luca Romano, Settimio Rossi, Chiara M. Eandi, Elisabetta Pricoco, Velia D'Agata
Summary: In the area of drug discovery, repurposing strategies are used to discover new uses of approved drugs. In this study, the effects of DMF on early injury associated with diabetic retinopathy were investigated. The results showed that DMF can counteract the inflammatory process and the oxidative response in diabetic retinopathy.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Martin Diebold, Edoardo Galli, Andreas Kopf, Nicholas Sanderson, Ilaria Callegari, Florian Ingelfinger, Nicolas Gonzalo Nunez, Pascal Benkert, Ludwig Kappos, Jens Kuhle, Burkhard Becher, Manfred Claassen, Tobias Derfuss
Summary: This study utilized single-cell mass cytometry to evaluate immune markers in multiple sclerosis patients treated with dimethyl fumarate. The research identified a negative correlation between CCR4-expressing T helper cells and relevant lymphopenia, suggesting CCR4-expressing T helper cells as a potential prognostic biomarker for lymphopenia development during DMF treatment.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jian Sun, Ying Li, Xiao Yang, Wei Dong, Jiankun Yang, Qi Hu, Cuntai Zhang, Haoshu Fang, Anding Liu
Summary: The role of GDF11 in liver senescence is complex, with overexpression accelerating aging and knockdown having the opposite effect. GDF11 exacerbates liver senescence by affecting autophagic flux and the mTORC1/TFEB signaling pathway.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kerstin Hellwig, David Rog, Christopher McGuigan, Maria K. Houtchens, Denise R. Bruen, Oksana Mokliatchouk, Filipe Branco, Xiaomei Peng, Nicholas J. Everage
Summary: Interim results from this large registry suggest that early DMF exposure is not significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The outcomes are consistent with previous smaller reports and with the general population.
NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kaiyuan Chen, Shanshan Wu, Sisi Ye, Huimin Huang, Yi Zhou, Hongfei Zhou, Shijia Wu, Yefan Mao, Fugen Shangguan, Linhua Lan, Bicheng Chen
Summary: DMF shows promise as a potential novel therapy for cancer treatment by modulating antioxidant pathways and suppressing cell growth in pancreatic cancer.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anesthesiology
Tian-Zhi Guo, Xiaoyou Shi, Wenwu Li, Tzuping Wei, Wade S. Kingery, J. David Clark
Summary: DMF effectively reduces nociceptive sensitization, oxidative stress markers, activation of innate immune mediators, lymph node hypertrophy, and IgM accumulation in fractured limbs in a mouse model of CRPS. The Nrf2 transcription factor is not required for the effects of DMF, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for conditions involving oxidative stress and immune system activation.
ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Darin T. Okuda, Orhun Kantarci, Christine Lebrun-Frenay, Maria Pia Sormani, Christina J. Azevedo, Francesca Bovis, Le H. Hua, Lilyana Amezcua, Ellen M. Mowry, Christophe Hotermans, Jason Mendoza, John S. Walsh, Christian von Hehn, Wendy S. Vargas, Stacy Donlon, Robert T. Naismith, Annette Okai, Gabriel Pardo, Pavle Repovic, Olaf Stuve, Aksel Siva, Daniel Pelletier
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of therapeutic intervention in preventing the first symptom manifestation in individuals with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), the pre-clinical phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). The results showed that drug treatment significantly reduced the risk of clinical symptoms.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Brennan H. Baker, Elizabeth E. Rafikian, Paul B. Hamblin, Madeleine D. Strait, Mu Yang, Brandon L. Pearson
Summary: Acetaminophen (APAP), commonly used by pregnant women, has been associated with neurodevelopmental harm such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders. In this study, prenatal APAP exposure in mice resulted in attention deficits in the offspring and altered gene expression in the prefrontal cortex.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shiri Li, Nosratola D. Vaziri, Lourdes Swentek, Chie Takasu, Kelly Vo, Michael J. Stamos, Camillo Ricordi, Hirohito Ichii
Summary: The study demonstrates that DMF may protect islet cells and reduce the incidence of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice by attenuating insulitis and proinflammatory cytokine production.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Peter J. Duncan, Heather McClafferty, Oscar Nolan, Qinghui Ding, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Paul Le Tissier, Brian R. Walker, Michael J. Shipston, Nicola Romano, Thomas J. G. Chambers
Summary: The research focuses on the impact of long-term use of glucocorticoids (GC) and their suppression of the HPA axis, mainly focusing on the recovery of the pituitary and hypothalamus. The effects of dexamethasone (DEX) treatment persist after withdrawal, potentially influencing future response to GC treatment and stress.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Catriona J. Kyle, Mark Nixon, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Ruth A. Morgan, Ruth Andrew, Roland H. Stimson, Brian R. Walker
Summary: ABCC1 inhibition increases corticosteroid receptor occupancy by corticosterone but not cortisol. ABCC1 is more highly expressed in the pituitary, while ABCB1 is more highly expressed in the hypothalamus.
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Samuel N. Baldwin, Elizabeth A. Forrester, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Ruth Andrew, Vincenzo Barrese, Jennifer B. Stott, Brant E. Isakson, Anthony P. Albert, Iain A. Greenwood
Summary: This study investigated the effects of sex and sex hormones on K(V)7 channels. The results demonstrated that there were differences in the regulation of K(V)7 channels in renal and mesenteric arteries of female rats during different estrous stages. The response to K(V)7 activators and inhibitors varied between female rats in diestrus/metestrus and proestrus/estrus. Moreover, plasma hormone levels were associated with the functional properties and expression of K(V)7 channels.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
David Huyben, Tarah Cronin, Kerry L. Bartie, Chessor Matthew, Nini H. Sissener, Bjorg Kristine Hundal, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Bente Ruyter, Brett Glencross
Summary: Recent studies have shown that high levels of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) can affect the steroid biosynthesis pathway in Atlantic salmon on a transcriptomic level. This study investigated the effects of high and low levels of lipid, LC-PUFA, and oxygen on steroidogenesis and immune response in Atlantic salmon post-smolts. The results demonstrate that feeding high levels of LC-PUFA can enhance the resilience of salmon to chronic stressors, such as prolonged hypoxia, by reducing corticosteroid levels and boosting the immune response.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
S. Khan, D. E. W. Livingstone, A. Zielinska, C. L. Doig, D. F. Cobice, C. L. Esteves, J. T. Y. Man, N. Z. M. Homer, J. R. Seckl, C. L. Mackay, S. P. Webster, G. G. Lavery, K. E. Chapman, B. R. Walker, R. Andrew
Summary: 11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11 beta HSD1) is an important drug target for reducing the adverse effects of excessive glucocorticoids. This study investigated the contribution of 11 beta HSD1 in liver and adipose tissue to circulating glucocorticoid levels. The results showed that adipose tissue plays a greater role in the circulating pool of glucocorticoids compared to the liver.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jennifer A. Cartwright, Joanna P. Simpson, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Adriano G. Rossi
Summary: The study developed an LC-MS/MS method to detect AT7519 and APAP in mouse serum, and found that AT7519 was significantly higher in mice with APAP toxicity, but showed no correlation with hepatic damage or proliferation markers.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Callam T. Davidson, Eileen Miller, Morwenna Muir, John C. Dawson, Martin Lee, Stuart Aitken, Alan Serrels, Scott P. Webster, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Ruth Andrew, Valerie G. Brunton, Patrick W. F. Hadoke, Brian R. Walker
Summary: Glucocorticoids inhibit angiogenesis by activating the glucocorticoid receptor. The inhibition of glucocorticoid-activating enzyme 11 beta-HSD1 reduces tissue-specific glucocorticoid action and promotes angiogenesis in murine models of myocardial infarction. This study demonstrates that 11 beta-HSD1 inhibition increases SCC tumour growth, likely through suppression of inflammatory/immune cell signalling and extracellular matrix deposition.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Katie Morgan, Steven D. Morley, Arslan K. Raja, Martin Vandeputte, Kay Samuel, Martin Waterfall, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Peter C. Hayes, Jonathan A. Fallowfield, John N. Plevris
Summary: The gut-liver axis refers to the communication between the gut, microbiome, and liver, which can be overactivated and cause liver injury. In this study, the effects of paracetamol (APAP) on intestinal and hepatic cells were investigated. The results showed that APAP did not affect the viability of intestinal cells, but increased the tightness of the intestinal epithelium. Metabolism of APAP by intestinal cells resulted in a reduced amount of intact APAP transferred to hepatic cells, which showed no loss of viability or membrane integrity when exposed to conditioned medium from intestinal cells. These findings suggest that pre-metabolism of APAP may protect hepatic tight junctions from direct exposure to APAP.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Gregory, Scott G. G. Denham, Patricia Lee, Joanna P. P. Simpson, Natalie Z. M. Homer
Summary: This paper describes the application of an LC-MS/MS steroid analysis method to evaluate the reference ranges of steroids in saliva samples from older adults, and explores the correlation and sex differences of steroids in saliva.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Lara C. Lewis, Lingyan Chen, L. Shahul Hameed, Robert R. Kitchen, Cyrielle Maroteau, Shilpa R. Nagarajan, Jenny Norlin, Charlotte E. Daly, Iwona Szczerbinska, Sara Toftegaard Hjuler, Rahul Patel, Eilidh J. Livingstone, Tom N. Durrant, Elisabeth Wondimu, Soumik BasuRay, Anandhakumar Chandran, Wan-Hung Lee, Sile Hu, Barak Gilboa, Megan E. Grandi, Enrique M. Toledo, Abdullah H. A. Erikat, Leanne Hodson, William G. Haynes, Natalie W. Pursell, Ken Coppieters, Jan Fleckner, Joanna M. M. Howson, Birgitte Andersen, Maxwell A. Ruby
Summary: This study investigates the role of MTARC1 in NAFLD and demonstrates the potential therapeutic efficacy of targeting MTARC1 in the treatment of NAFLD through human genetics, in vitro, and in vivo studies.
Article
Cell Biology
Alastair J. Hayes, Xiaozhong Zheng, James O'Kelly, Lucile P. A. Neyton, Natalia A. Bochkina, Iain Uings, John Liddle, J. Kenneth Baillie, George Just, Margaret Binnie, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Toby B. J. Murray, James Baily, Kris McGuire, Christos Skouras, O. James Garden, Scott P. Webster, John P. Iredale, Sarah E. M. Howie, Damian J. Mole
Summary: Blocking KMO protects against organ failure in acute pancreatitis by reducing systemic inflammation. The KMO product 3-hydroxykynurenine enhances innate immune signaling and inflammatory gene transcription. Elevated 3-hydroxykynurenine levels lead to increased apoptosis and mortality, but treatment with a selective KMO inhibitor rescues the phenotype.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Karla J. Suchacki, Lynne E. Ramage, T'ng Choong Kwok, Alexandra Kelman, Ben T. McNeill, Stewart Rodney, Matthew Keegan, Calum Gray, Gillian MacNaught, Dilip Patel, Alison M. Fletcher, Joanna P. Simpson, Roderick N. Carter, Robert K. Semple, Natalie Z. M. Homer, Nicholas M. Morton, Edwin J. R. van Beek, Sonia J. Wakelin, Roland H. Stimson
Summary: A study shows that serotonin suppresses the activation of human brown adipose tissue and inhibiting the serotonin transporter enhances this suppressive action. This has implications for treating obesity and metabolic disease.