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Medicines, Volume 10, Issue 9 (September 2023) – 5 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent joint disorder, with no effective disease-modifying drugs or medications to treat it. Faced with limited options, patients often turn to supplements, such as collagen hydrolysates (CHs). CHs are products with low-molecular-weight (MW) peptides and are a result of industrialized processed collagen. CHs have demonstrated positive results in clinical trials related to joint health, such as decreased joint pain, increased mobility, and structural joint improvements. In vitro work has shown that the bioactivity of CHs is primarily attributed to their bioactive peptide (BAP) content; however, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the digestion, bioavailability, and bioactivity of CH-derived BAPs, as well as how different CH products compare in that regard. View this paper

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6 pages, 419 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Anticonvulsant Properties of 1-Diethylamino-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one

by Swagatika Das, Praveen K. Roayapalley, Sarvesh C. Vashishtha, Umashankar Das and Jonathan R. Dimmock

Medicines 2023, 10(9), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines10090054 - 8 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1557

Abstract

There is a need for novel antiepileptic agents whose modes of action differ from those of current antiepileptic drugs. The objective of this study was to determine whether 1-diethylamino-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2) could prevent or at least diminish convulsions caused by different mechanisms. This amide afforded protection in the maximal electroshock and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole screens when given intraperitoneally to both mice and rats. A number of specialized tests in mice were conducted and are explained in the text. They revealed (2) to have efficacy in the 6 Hz psychomotor seizure test, the corneal kindling model, the mouse temporal epilepsy screen and a peripheral neuronal transmission test using formalin. Three screens in rats were undertaken, which revealed that (2) blocked chloride channels, inhibited peripheral neuronal transmission (tested using sciatic ligation and von Frey fibres) and afforded protection in the lamotrigine-resistant kindled rat model. The biodata generated reveal that (2) is an important lead molecule in the quest for novel structures to combat epilepsy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neurology and Neurologic Diseases)

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13 pages, 756 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Effects of Mindfulness on Glycemic Control in People with Diabetes: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

by Hidetaka Hamasaki

Medicines 2023, 10(9), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines10090053 - 7 Sep 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3769

Abstract

Background: Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions in improving glycemic control. By enhancing attention control, emotion regulation, and self-awareness, mindfulness shows promise in managing the lifestyle factors associated with cardiovascular disease risk. However, the impact of mindfulness on glycemic control in people with diabetes remains unclear. This overview aims to summarize the current evidence of the impact of mindfulness interventions on glycemic control in people with diabetes and propose suggestions for future research. Methods: The author searched electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library) to identify relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The current evidence regarding the effects of mindfulness on glycemic control in people with diabetes was summarized. Results: This review evaluated a total of five systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Mindfulness interventions show potential for improving glycemic control as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, as well as reducing stress, depression, and anxiety in people with diabetes. Four out of five systematic reviews and meta-analyses reported a significant reduction in HbA1c levels by approximately 0.3%. However, the available studies lacked adequate description of key characteristics of study subjects, such as body mass index, medication, and disease conditions, which are essential for assessing the impact of mindfulness on glycemic control. Moreover, there was significant heterogeneity in the intervention methods employed across the included RCTs. Conclusions: Mindfulness interventions are effective in improving glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the overall quality of the reviewed studies raises uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness as a treatment for people with diabetes. Further research is necessary to elucidate the biological effects of mindfulness on physiological, neurological, and endocrinological functions in humans. Full article

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28 pages, 1331 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gabapentin-Associated Movement Disorders: A Literature Review

by Jamir Pitton Rissardo, Ursula Medeiros Araujo de Matos and Ana Letícia Fornari Caprara

Medicines 2023, 10(9), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines10090052 - 6 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 7561

Abstract

Background: Gabapentin (GBP)-induced movement disorders (MDs) are under-recognized adverse drug reactions. They are commonly not discussed with patients, and their sudden occurrence can lead to misdiagnosis. This literature review aims to evaluate the clinical–epidemiological profile, pathological mechanisms, and management of GBP-associated MD. Methods: Two reviewers identified and assessed relevant reports in six databases without language restriction between 1990 and 2023. Results: A total of 99 reports of 204 individuals who developed a MD associated with GBP were identified. The MDs encountered were 135 myoclonus, 22 dyskinesias, 7 dystonia, 3 akathisia, 3 stutterings, 1 myokymia, and 1 parkinsonism. The mean and median ages were 54.54 (SD: 17.79) and 57 years (age range: 10–89), respectively. Subjects were predominantly male (53.57%). The mean and median doses of GBP when the MD occurred were 1324.66 (SD: 1117.66) and 1033 mg/daily (GBP dose range: 100–9600), respectively. The mean time from GBP-onset to GBP-associated MD was 4.58 weeks (SD: 8.08). The mean recovery time after MD treatment was 4.17 days (SD: 4.87). The MD management involved GBP discontinuation. A total of 82.5% of the individuals had a full recovery in the follow-up period. Conclusions: Myoclonus (GRADE A) and dyskinesia (GRADE C) were the most common movement disorders associated with GBP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neurology and Neurologic Diseases)

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10 pages, 2185 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Histological Alterations in Hashimoto’s Disease: A Case-Series Ultrastructural Study

by Eleni Avramidou, Antonios Gkantaras, Iasonas Dermitzakis, Konstantinos Sapalidis, Maria Eleni Manthou and Paschalis Theotokis

Medicines 2023, 10(9), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines10090051 - 2 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disease exhibiting stromal fibrosis and follicular cell destruction due to lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Besides deprecated analyses, histopathological approaches have not employed the use of electron microscopy adequately toward delineating subcellular-level interactions. Methods: Biopsies for ultrastructural investigations were obtained from the thyroids of five patients with HT after a thyroidectomy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was utilized to study representative tissue specimens. Results: Examination indicated interstitial extravasated blood cells and a plethora of plasma cells, based on their subcellular identity landmarks. These antibody-secreting cells were profoundly spotted near follicular cells, fibroblasts, and cell debris entrenched in collagenous areas. Pathological changes persistently affected subcellular components of the thyrocytes, including the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, lysosomes, and other intracellular vesicles. Interestingly, significant endothelial destruction was observed, specifically in the larger blood vessels, while the smaller vessels appeared comparatively unaffected. Conclusions: Our TEM findings highlight the immune-related alterations occurring within the thyroid stroma. The impaired vasculature component and remodeling have not been described ultrastructurally before; thus, further exploration is needed with regards to angiogenesis in HT in order to achieve successful prognostic, diagnostic, and treatment-monitoring strategies. Full article

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21 pages, 2551 KiB

Open AccessReview

Collagen Hydrolysates: A Source of Bioactive Peptides Derived from Food Sources for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

by Christina E. Larder, Michèle M. Iskandar and Stan Kubow

Medicines 2023, 10(9), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines10090050 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4899

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder, with a social and financial burden that is expected to increase in the coming years. Currently, there are no effective medications to treat it. Due to limited treatment options, patients often resort to supplements, such as collagen hydrolysates (CHs). CHs are products with low molecular weight (MW) peptides, often between 3 and 6 kDa, and are a result of industrialized processed collagen. Collagen extraction is often a by-product of the meat industry, with the main source for collagen-based products being bovine, although it can also be obtained from porcine and piscine sources. CHs have demonstrated positive results in clinical trials related to joint health, such as decreased joint pain, increased mobility, and structural joint improvements. The bioactivity of CHs is primarily attributed to their bioactive peptide (BAP) content. However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the digestion, bioavailability, and bioactivity of CH-derived BAPs, and how different CH products compare in that regard. The present review discusses CHs and their BAP content as potential treatments for OA. Full article

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