Recent Trends in Pharmacology

1. Intervertebral disc degeneration, inflammation, and bioactive lipids

   Intervertebral disc degeneration, inflammation, and bioactive lipidsIntervertebral disc degenerationIntervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common condition that is associated with significant morbidity. There is no specific treatment available for IVD except for surgical intervention. IVD is an inflammatory condition. I propose that IVD can be prevented and managed by local administration of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), a potent anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and anti-osteoporotic metabolite formed from arachidonic acid (AA).Keywords: intervertebral disc, degeneration, lipoxin A4, arachidonic acid, inflammation.

2. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (K.A.P.) of doctors prescribing Vancomycin in a tertiary care hospital towards Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (T.D.M.) of Vancomycin

   Objective: Vancomycin is frequently prescribed to treat infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Precise dosing through therapeutic drug monitoring is critical for optimising treatment outcomes, minimising toxicity, and reducing antimicrobial resistance. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of clinicians regarding therapeutic drug monitoring of vancomycin at our institution given the low utilisation rate of this service.Methods: Clinicians from the internal medicine and paediatrics departments provided written informed consent for participation. Data on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring were collected using a pre-validated questionnaire. Responses were analysed using Microsoft Excel version 2406.Results: Of the 126 clinicians who were approached, 100 participated (50 from each department). Most respondents (79%) were postgraduate doctors with one to three years of experience. Although all participants were aware of therapeutic drug monitoring and 92% knew the service was available, the majority primarily recommended therapeutic drug monitoring for antiepileptic drugs. For vancomycin, only 42% regularly suggested therapeutic drug monitoring, 52% identified appropriate sampling timing, and 35% were aware of its therapeutic range. Although 93% acknowledged vancomycin’s adverse effects, with 34% citing nephrotoxicity, only 46% recommended therapeutic drug monitoring in cases of toxicity. The cost of the service was noted as a barrier by 34%.Conclusion: Clinicians were aware of therapeutic drug monitoring but did not have comprehensive knowledge of vancomycin-specific guidelines. Cost and varied opinions on routine therapeutic drug monitoring hindered its implementation.

3. Does Mirabegron the β3 Agonist Frequently Used in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Really Affect the Respiratory System Negatively ? A Prospective Study

   AbstractObjectiveOveractive bladder syndrome (OAB) has been defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) as feeling a sudden urge to urinate that mostly runs its course with increased daytime urination and waking up during the night to urinate. we aimed to contribute to the literature by investigating the effects of mirabegron treatment on the respiratory system in patients diagnosed with OAB.MethodsThe study was conducted on 63 patients diagnosed with OAB.A single dose of 50 mg tablets per day was prescribed to patients diagnosed with OAB to achieve standardization. Treatment was continued for three months. Spirometry and body plethysmography were performed to objectively evaluate the respiratory functions of patients with OAB.ResultsThe spirometry and body plethysmography showed that the FVC value was 102.51 ± 16.99 L before, 101.77 ± 14.17 L at the first month, and 100.52 ± 15.98 L at the third month after mirabegron treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the FVC value before mirabegron treatment and the FVC value measured at the first month after treatment, between the FVC value measured at the first month of treatment and the third month of treatment, and between the FVC values measured before treatment and the third month of treatment (p = 0.805, p = 1.000, p = 1.000, respectively). ConclusionsOur study results show that mirabegron, a β3 agonist, has no negative effect on the respiratory system in patients diagnosed with overactive bladder.Keywords: β3 agonist; Mirabegron; Respiratory; Spirometry; Overactive BladderÖzetAmaçAşırı aktif mesane sendromu (OAB), Uluslararası Kontinans Derneği (ICS) tarafından, çoğunlukla gündüz idrara çıkma ve gece idrara çıkmak için uyanma ile seyrini sürdüren ani bir idrara çıkma dürtüsü hissi olarak tanımlanmıştır. AAM tanısı alan hastalarda mirabegron tedavisinin solunum sistemi üzerine etkilerini araştırarak literatüre katkı sağlamayı amaçladık.YöntemlerÇalışma, AAM tanısı alan 63 hasta üzerinde gerçekleştirildi. AAM tanısı alan hastalara standardizasyonu sağlamak amacıyla günde tek doz 50 mg tablet reçete edildi. Tedaviye üç ay devam edildi. AAM'li hastaların solunum fonksiyonlarını objektif olarak değerlendirmek için spirometri ve vücut pletismografisi yapıldı.BulgularSpirometri ve vücut pletismografisinde FVC değerinin mirabegron tedavisi öncesinde 102,51 ± 16,99 L, birinci ayda 101,77 ± 14,17 L, üçüncü ayda ise 100,52 ± 15,98 L olduğu görüldü. Mirabegron tedavisi öncesinde ölçülen FVC değeri ile tedavi sonrası 1. ayda ölçülen FVC değeri arasında, tedavinin 1. ayında ölçülen FVC değeri ile tedavinin 3. ayında ölçülen FVC değeri arasında ve tedavi öncesi ölçülen FVC değerleri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark saptanmadı treatment (sırasıyla p = 0.805, p = 1.000, p = 1.000). SonuçÇalışma sonuçlarımız, bir β3 agonisti olan mirabegron'un aşırı aktif mesane tanısı alan hastalarda solunum sistemi üzerine olumsuz bir etkisinin olmadığını göstermektedir.Anahtar Kelimelerβ3 agonisti; Mirabegron; Solunum; Spirometri; Aşırı aktif mesane

4. Quinic Acid Protects Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells Against Amyloid-β Cytotoxicity

   Amaç: Alzheimer hastalığı progresifi, yaygın nörodejeneratif bir hastalık olup demansın en sık görülen türüdür. Bu hastalığın mekanizması kesin olarak bilinmemekle birlikte en önemli etmenlerden biri amiloid beta (Aβ) hücreler arası plakların oluşumudur. Kinik asit (QA) antioksidan özellikleri sayesinde nöroprotektif etki sağlayan bir polifenoldür. Çalışmamızın amacı QA'nın Aβ peptidi kaynaklı oksidatif nörotoksisiteye karşı in vitro koruyucu etkisini araştırmaktır. Yöntemler: QA'nın nöroprotektif etkisini belirlemek için 3-4,5-dimetil-tiyazolil-2,5-difeniltetrazolyum bromür (MTT), antioksidan-oksidan etkilerini belirlemek için Total antioksidan kapasite (TAC)- Total oksidan seviye (TOS) analizleri yapıldı. Bulgular: Aβ, MTT analizinde SH-SY5Y'nin hücre canlılığını belirgin şekilde azalttı. Buna karşılık, QA hücre canlılığını önemli ölçüde artırdı ve QA'nın hücre çoğalmasını indüklediğini gösterdi. Aβ'ye maruz kalma, kontrolle karşılaştırıldığında TOS seviyelerini belirgin şekilde artırdı. Ayrıca, Aβ, SH-SY5Y hücrelerinde TAC aktivitesini azalttı. QA, Aβ'nin indüklediği TOS oluşumunu belirgin şekilde dengeledi. Aynı zamanda, QA, Aβ'ye maruz kalan SH-SY5Y hücrelerinde TAC aktivitesini artırdı. Sonuç: Bulgularımız QA’in Aβ kaynaklı nörotoksisiteyi ve oksidatif stresi önleyerek nöroprotektif etkisini ortaya çıkardı. Anahtar Kelimeler: Alzheimer hastalığı, Antioksidan, Nöroblastom, Kinik asit

5. Investigation of the Neurotoxic Effects of Dimethyl Phthalate and Diisobutyl Phthalate on SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

   Endocrine disruptors, particularly phthalates like Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), are prevalent environmental contaminants posing significant health risks. This study investigates the combined neurotoxic effects of DMP and DiBP on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by analyzing cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Using MTT and Neutral Red Uptake assays, we determined the IC50 values for DMP and DiBP as 11.35 mM and 1.307 mM, respectively. Flow cytometry revealed increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, indicating oxidative stress, while apoptosis assays showed enhanced cell death with combined phthalate exposure. The results demonstrate a synergistic effect, exacerbating cytotoxic and oxidative damage beyond individual exposures. This study highlights the compounded risk of phthalate mixtures, urging comprehensive risk assessments and regulatory policies to mitigate human health risks from combined chemical exposures.