Review
Biology
David S. S. Fedson
Summary: In low- and middle-income countries, inexpensive generic drugs, such as statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs, may be the only practical way to save severe COVID-19 patients' lives. These drugs target the host response to infection and are already available in all countries. Observational studies have shown that statin treatment reduces mortality, but randomized controlled trials have not confirmed this. Combination therapy has been tested for antivirals and dexamethasone, but not for inexpensive generic drugs. Future research should include testing combination generic drug treatments for use in low- and middle-income countries.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
David S. Fedson
Summary: Health officials and scientists are warning of a potentially devastating influenza pandemic, but we are currently facing the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To effectively treat patients, using inexpensive and widely available drugs targeting the host response rather than the virus itself could be a promising approach.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ovidio De Filippo, Caterina Russo, Rossella Manai, Irene Borzillo, Federica Savoca, Guglielmo Gallone, Francesco Bruno, Mahmood Ahmad, Gaetano Maria De Ferrari, Fabrizio D'Ascenzo
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of secondary prevention medical therapies on patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. Results showed that beta-blockers, statins, and DAPT were associated with a survival benefit among these patients, while ACE-inhibitors/ARBs reduced the risk of MACE.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Simon B. Gressens, Georges Leftheriotis, Jean-Claude Dussaule, Martin Flamant, Bernard I. Levy, Emmanuelle Vidal-Petiot
Summary: This review explores the risks of using RAAS blockers for patients with cardiovascular comorbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic, investigates the impact of RAAS blockers on viral cell entry, and discusses how to maintain the balance between ACE2 and ACE and the effect of RAAS blockers on the course and prognosis of COVID-19 treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kristina Repova, Silvia Aziriova, Kristina Krajcirovicova, Fedor Simko
Summary: In addition to known risk factors, new conditions are emerging that increase the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. Undesirable emotions and behavior, such as anxiety and depression, appear to worsen cardiovascular pathologies, while deteriorating heart and vascular conditions can affect mental and emotional health. This bidirectional interaction may be due to inappropriate activation of neurohormonal and humoral systems in both cardiovascular and psychological disturbances. Recognizing the impact of cardiovascular drugs on the mental state of patients with heart or vascular disorders is crucial for optimizing therapeutic benefits. Several types of cardiovascular drugs have been shown to have anxiolytic effects, and considering a patient's mood, cognition, and behavior can improve the individualized approach to cardiovascular treatment.
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bahareh Haji Ali, Milad Shirvaliloo, Sonia Fathi-Karkan, Shekoufeh Mirinejad, Fulden Ulucan-Karnak, Saman Sargazi, Sara Sargazi, Roghayeh Sheervalilou, Mohammed M. Rahman
Summary: There has been a significant shift in the perception of hypertension as a global disease burden. Nanoparticle-based systems have been developed to efficiently deliver angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for the treatment of hypertension and related conditions. This review article provides a comparison of different classes of ARBs and an overview of nanoformulations developed for ARB delivery.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Roberto Valente, Stefano Crippa, Urban Arnelo, Giuseppe Vanella, Giulia Zerboni, Laura Zarantonello, Alessandro Fogliati, Paolo Giorgio Arcidiacono, Miroslav Vujasinovic, Johannes Matthias Lohr, Massimo Falconi, Gabriele Capurso, Marco Del Chiaro
Summary: The study found that ACE inhibitors may help slow the progression of BD-IPMNs, while ASA, statins, and ARBs do not have a significant impact on the progression of BD-IPMNs. Further research is needed to validate this association and define potential mechanisms.
Review
Neurosciences
Naif H. Ali, Hayder M. Al-Kuraishy, Ali I. Al-Gareeb, Ali K. Albuhadily, Rabab S. Hamad, Athanasios Alexiou, Marios Papadakis, Hebatallah M. Saad, Gaber El-Saber Batiha
Summary: This article discusses the pathophysiology of depression and the role of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in it. It is found that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may be effective in the treatment of depression. By regulating serotonin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, these drugs can ameliorate the pathophysiology of depression.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael A. Puskarich, Nicholas E. Ingraham, Lisa H. Merck, Brian E. Driver, David A. Wacker, Lauren Page Black, Alan E. Jones, Courtney Fletcher, Andrew M. South, Thomas A. Murray, Christopher Lewandowski, Joseph Farhat, Justin L. Benoit, Michelle H. Biros, Kartik Cherabuddi, Jeffrey G. Chipman, Timothy W. Schacker, Faheem W. Guirgis, Helen T. Voelker, Joseph S. Koopmeiners, Christopher J. Tignanelli
Summary: This study found that oral administration of losartan did not improve the PaO2:FiO(2) ratio at 7 days in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and acute lung injury. The use of losartan also did not improve secondary clinical outcomes and resulted in fewer vasopressor-free days compared to placebo.
Review
Cell Biology
Filipa Gouveia, Antoni Camins, Miren Ettcheto, Joana Bicker, Amilcar Falcao, M. Teresa Cruz, Ana Fortuna
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by Tau hyperphosphorylation and A beta deposits. Recent scientific evidence suggests that age-related vascular alterations and cardiovascular risk factors play a role in the development of AD. Drugs targeting the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) have the potential to delay AD development due to their effects on brain RAS. The ACE 1/Ang II/AT1R axis in AD is believed to have detrimental effects, while the alternative axis ACE 1/Ang II/AT2R; ACE 2/Ang (1 7)/MasR; Ang IV/AT4R (IRAP) seems to have beneficial effects on memory and cognition. Retrospective studies and pre-clinical studies support the therapeutic potential of RAS drugs for AD.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Maria Jose Soler, Aida Ribera, Josep R. Marsal, Ana Belen Mendez, Mireia Andres, Maria Antonia Azancot, Gerard Oristrell, Leonardo Mendez-Boo, Jordana Cohen, Jose A. Barrabes, Ignacio Ferreira-Gonzalez
Summary: In a cohort study of HTN patients, it was found that the use of ACEi/ARBs reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection without increasing disease severity.
CLINICAL KIDNEY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Virology
Sandeep Singh, Christine Widrich, Martijn Nap, Emile Schokker, Aeilko H. Zwinderman, Sara-Joan Pinto-Sietsma
Summary: A global analysis was conducted to explore the association between antihypertensive medications and SARS-CoV-2 severity. The results suggest that ARBs and CCBs may have a protective effect against death from SARS-CoV-2 infection, while ACEis may be associated with a higher mortality rate.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicole Wagner, Kay-Dietrich Wagner
Summary: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that play important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism. They are also involved in reducing inflammation and atherosclerosis. Different types of PPARs have specific synthetic agonists, which are used to treat dyslipidemia and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The safety of PPAR activators in cardiovascular diseases is still controversial.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Molly Moore Jeffery, Lucas Oliveira J. e Silva, Fernanda Bellolio, Vesna D. Garovic, Timothy M. Dempsey, Andrew Limper, Nathan W. Cummins
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients taking ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) after an acute viral respiratory illness due to COVID-19. The results showed that patients using ACE inhibitors/ARBs had a higher risk of poor outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to those using other hypertension medications.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Gulbahar Ustaoglu, Emrah Erdal, Zeynep Karas
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence rate of drug-induced gingival overgrowth in patients treated with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and CCBs, with highest rate found in the amlodipine group. There was a significant relationship between drug dosage and DIGO, while no association was found with the duration of therapy.