The American journal of medicine
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness worldwide. Neovascular AMD (nAMD) is an advanced form of the disease, in which excess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces growth of new blood vessels that leak fluid, accounting for 90% of vision loss in AMD. Dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium likely initiates AMD. Retinal pigment epithelial cells express a G protein-coupled receptor, GPR143, which downregulates VEGF in response to levodopa. Anti-VEGF therapy effectively treats nAMD, suggesting that excessive VEGF activity drives the pathology. ⋯ Our findings suggest efficacy and support the pharmacological targeting of GPR143 with levodopa for the treatment of nAMD in future studies.
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The substantial burden of heart disease promotes an interest in new ways of screening for early disease diagnosis, especially by means of noninvasive imaging. Increasing evidence for association between retinal microvascular signs and heart disease prompted us to systematically investigate the relevant current literature on the subject. ⋯ Our search yielded significant associations between retinal vascular changes, including diameter, tortuosity, and branching, and various cardiac diseases, including acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and conduction abnormalities. The findings of our research suggest that the retinal microvasculature can provide essential data about concurrent cardiac disease status and predict future risk of cardiac-related events.
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There has been an increase in the use of smokeless tobacco recently. Whether smokeless tobacco use may predispose individuals to use other addictive substances is unknown. The use of multiple addictive substances may compound an individual's adverse health effects. ⋯ In a large, nationally representative sample, smokeless tobacco use was associated with the increased use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and alcohol. Simultaneous use of these substances may compound the adverse health effects of smokeless tobacco use. Public health interventions addressing this concerning trend are warranted.