European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
ReviewThe association of testosterone with sarcopenia and frailty in chronic liver disease.
Testosterone is an important anabolic hormone responsible for maintaining body composition and muscle mass and circulates mostly albumin-bound, or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)-bound or free in the plasma. Of these fractions, the latter is bioactive and exerts the androgenic effects on male population. Liver cirrhosis, the advanced stage of any chronic liver disease characterized by permanent distortions to the hepatic architecture, disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to diminished levels of free testosterone and hypogonadism. ⋯ Low serum testosterone is strongly correlated with sarcopenia, frailty, higher rate of hepatic decompensation and mortality. Nonetheless, exogenous supplementation of testosterone did not ameliorate the liver-related outcomes and complications.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
ReviewPhysical exercise in kidney disease: A commonly undervalued treatment modality.
Physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor for multiple disorders and a strong association exists between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a sedentary lifestyle. Even though physical activity is crucial in the development and progression of disease, the general focus of the current medical practice is the pharmacological perspective of diseases with inadequate emphasis on lifestyle intervention. ⋯ Physical exercise plays a crucial role in ameliorating inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular function, immune response and macromolecular metabolism, and contributes significantly to the quality of life for patients with CKD, irrespective of the treatment and stage. Its direct impact on kidney function remains uncertain. Further extensive, long-term trials to conclusively determine the effect of exercise on major clinical outcomes such as mortality and cardiovascular risk remain a research priority.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
ReviewZinc finger proteins and ATP-binding cassette transporter-dependent multidrug resistance.
Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant challenge in cancer treatment, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Dysregulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters has been identified as a key contributor to MDR. Zinc finger proteins (ZNPs) are key regulators of transcription and have emerged as potential contributors to cancer drug resistance. Bridging the knowledge gap between ZNPs and MDR is essential to understand a source of heterogeneity in cancer treatment. This review sought to elucidate how different ZNPs modulate the transcriptional regulation of ABC genes, contributing to resistance to cancer therapies. ⋯ Besides reviewing evidence on the effects of ZNP dysregulation on ABC-related chemoresistance in malignancies, significant markers of ZNP functions are discussed to highlight the clinical implications of gene-to-gene and microenvironment-to-gene interactions on MDR prospects. Future research on ZNP-derived biomarkers is crucial for addressing heterogeneity in cancer therapy.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
ReviewPathogenic pathways and therapeutic targets of inflammation in heart diseases: A focus on Interleukin-1.
An exuberant and dysregulated inflammatory response contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). ⋯ Tailored strategies aiming at quenching the inflammatory response have emerged as promising to treat CVDs. In this review article, we summarize recent evidence regarding the role of inflammation across a broad spectrum of CVDs. We also review novel evidence regarding targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2024
Association between exposure to air pollution and blood lipids in the general population of Spain.
We aimed to assess the associations of exposure to air pollutants and standard and advanced lipoprotein measures, in a nationwide sample representative of the adult population of Spain. ⋯ Our study shows an association between the exposure to air pollutants and blood lipids in the general population of Spain, suggesting a link to atherosclerosis.