Pharmacological research : the official journal of the Italian Pharmacological Society
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Meta Analysis
Statin therapy and plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations--A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials.
Statin therapy may lower plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) concentrations, but the evidence as to the significance of this effect is unclear. We assessed the impact of statin therapy on plasma CoQ10 concentrations through the meta-analysis of available RCTs. The literature search included selected databases up to April 30, 2015. ⋯ With respect to treatment duration, a significant effect was observed in both subsets of trials lasting <12 weeks (WMD: -0.51 μmol/L, 95%CI: -0.64, -0.39, p<0.001) and ≥12 weeks (WMD: -0.40 μmol/L, 95%CI: -0.50, -0.30, p<0.001). The meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in plasma CoQ10 concentrations following treatment with statins. Further well-designed trials are required to confirm our findings and elucidate their clinical relevance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Targeting matrix metalloproteinases with intravenous doxycycline in severe sepsis--A randomised placebo-controlled pilot trial.
An overwhelming inflammatory process is the hallmark of severe sepsis and septic shock. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-8 and -9 are released from neutrophils and activated in sepsis to participate in inflammation in several ways. High levels of MMP-8 may associate with increased ICU mortality. ⋯ No serious adverse effects of the drug were recorded. We observed no differences over time up to 72 or up to 120 h in the concentrations or activities of MMP-8, -9 or TIMP-1 in any of the groups. We found intravenous doxycycline 100, 50 and 50mg to be adequate to achieve a sub-antimicrobial concentration in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock but having no impact on MMP-8, -9 or TIMP-1 concentrations or activities.