Browsing by Author "Radenković, Miroslav (7005551185)"

The influence of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on blood glucose (BGL) and HbA1c (HL) levels has been previously investigated; however, the results are inconsistent. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine if CoQ10 could affect BGL and HL levels based on the existing evidence. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched for randomized clinical trials from September 1, 1956, to March 01, 2016. To calculate pooled overall effects, a random effect model was used. Because of the presence of heterogeneity, the subgroup analysis and the meta-regression were performed. In total, 18 studies (19 study arms) were included in our investigation focusing on the effects of CoQ10 on BGL (17 arms) and HL (12 arms) changes. CoQ10 significantly reduced BGL, whereas it was ineffective in the reduction of the HL. Because of the significant heterogeneity, in the arms involving BGL, we found that lower doses of CoQ10 (<200 mg/d) and a shorter duration of study created a positive effect on BGL. Also, it appeared that CoQ10 could reduce BGL in patients with a glucose level > 6 mmol/L as well as in certain ethnic groups. However, because the meta-regression failed to support the subgroup analysis, the result related to the ethnic group should be used only to generate a hypothesis, which is planned in the future. In conclusion, CoQ10 can reduce BGL, particularly when used in lower doses (< 200 mg/d) and when administration was not longer than 12 weeks, in patients both with and without high BGL. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

The influence of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on blood glucose (BGL) and HbA1c (HL) levels has been previously investigated; however, the results are inconsistent. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine if CoQ10 could affect BGL and HL levels based on the existing evidence. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched for randomized clinical trials from September 1, 1956, to March 01, 2016. To calculate pooled overall effects, a random effect model was used. Because of the presence of heterogeneity, the subgroup analysis and the meta-regression were performed. In total, 18 studies (19 study arms) were included in our investigation focusing on the effects of CoQ10 on BGL (17 arms) and HL (12 arms) changes. CoQ10 significantly reduced BGL, whereas it was ineffective in the reduction of the HL. Because of the significant heterogeneity, in the arms involving BGL, we found that lower doses of CoQ10 (<200 mg/d) and a shorter duration of study created a positive effect on BGL. Also, it appeared that CoQ10 could reduce BGL in patients with a glucose level > 6 mmol/L as well as in certain ethnic groups. However, because the meta-regression failed to support the subgroup analysis, the result related to the ethnic group should be used only to generate a hypothesis, which is planned in the future. In conclusion, CoQ10 can reduce BGL, particularly when used in lower doses (< 200 mg/d) and when administration was not longer than 12 weeks, in patients both with and without high BGL. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Objectives: The influence of carotid artery occlusion (10, 30 and 60 min) on regulatory mechanisms implicated in the vasorelaxant responses of isolated glandular branch of rabbit facial artery to acetylcholine (ACh) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was examined. Design: In organ bath studies with arterial rings precontracted with phenylephrine (1 μM), before and after carotid artery occlusion, changes in isometric tension were recorded. Results: Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by ACh and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation by VIP were significantly reduced, started from 30 and 10 min of carotid occlusion, respectively. Inhibitory effect of indomethacin on ACh vasorelaxation was enhanced whilst effect of NG-nitro-l-arginine reduced, started from 30 min of carotid occlusion. Sodium nitroprusside-induced vasorelaxation was not changed after carotid occlusion. Inhibition of VIP vasorelaxation by l-Nω-nitroarginine-2,4-l-diaminobutyric-amide, was reduced, started from 30 min of carotid occlusion. Forskolin enhanced VIP-induced vasorelaxation in control rings but this effect was reduced started from 30 min of occlusion. In the presence of VIP, vasorelaxant effect of ACh was increased; the increase was reduced, started from 10 min of carotid occlusion. Conclusions: The present investigation provides evidence for the decreased responsiveness to both, ACh-endothelium-dependent and VIP-endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in rabbit facial artery after carotid occlusion. In addition, the data suggest that ischaemia alters contribution of endothelial nitric oxide (eNO) and prostaglandin to ACh, and vascular smooth muscle's cAMP and neuronal NO to VIP vasorelaxant effects. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objectives: The influence of carotid artery occlusion (10, 30 and 60 min) on regulatory mechanisms implicated in the vasorelaxant responses of isolated glandular branch of rabbit facial artery to acetylcholine (ACh) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was examined. Design: In organ bath studies with arterial rings precontracted with phenylephrine (1 μM), before and after carotid artery occlusion, changes in isometric tension were recorded. Results: Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by ACh and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation by VIP were significantly reduced, started from 30 and 10 min of carotid occlusion, respectively. Inhibitory effect of indomethacin on ACh vasorelaxation was enhanced whilst effect of NG-nitro-l-arginine reduced, started from 30 min of carotid occlusion. Sodium nitroprusside-induced vasorelaxation was not changed after carotid occlusion. Inhibition of VIP vasorelaxation by l-Nω-nitroarginine-2,4-l-diaminobutyric-amide, was reduced, started from 30 min of carotid occlusion. Forskolin enhanced VIP-induced vasorelaxation in control rings but this effect was reduced started from 30 min of occlusion. In the presence of VIP, vasorelaxant effect of ACh was increased; the increase was reduced, started from 10 min of carotid occlusion. Conclusions: The present investigation provides evidence for the decreased responsiveness to both, ACh-endothelium-dependent and VIP-endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in rabbit facial artery after carotid occlusion. In addition, the data suggest that ischaemia alters contribution of endothelial nitric oxide (eNO) and prostaglandin to ACh, and vascular smooth muscle's cAMP and neuronal NO to VIP vasorelaxant effects. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The endothelium is one of the most important constituents of vascular homeostasis, which is achieved through continual and balanced production of different relaxing and contractile factors. When there is a pathological disturbance in release of these products, endothelial dysfunction (ED) will probably occur. ED is considered to be the initial step in the development of atherosclerosis. This pathological activation and inadequate functioning of endothelial cells was shown to be to some extent a reversible process, which all together resulted in increased interest in investigation of different beneficial treatment options. To this point, the pharmacological approach, including for example, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or statins, was clearly shown to be effective in the improvement of ED. One of many critical issues underlying ED represents instability in the balance between nitric oxide and angiotensin II (Ang II) production. Considering that Ang II was confirmed to be important for the development of ED, the aim of this review article was to summarize the findings of up to date clinical studies associated with therapeutic application of angiotensin receptor blockers and improvement in ED. In addition, it was of interest to review the pleiotropic actions of angiotensin receptor blockers linked to the improvement of ED. The prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo or active-controlled clinical trials were identified and selected for the final evaluation. © 2016, Indian Council of Medical Research. All rights reserved.

Recent findings have demonstrated that serotonin is an important participant in the development and progression of peripheral artery diseases. Taking this into consideration, the goals of this study were to investigate the effects of serotonin on isolated Wistar rat femoral arteries in both healthy and diabetic animals, with and without artery occlusion, with a particular focus on determining the role of calcium in this process. Contraction experiments with serotonin on intact and denuded femoral artery rings, in the presence or absence of nifedipine and ouabain (both separately, or in combination), as well as Ca2+-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution were performed. The serotonin-induced results were concentration dependent, but only in healthy animals. The endothelium-dependent contraction of the femoral artery was assessed. In healthy animals, the endothelium-reliant part of contraction was dependent on the extracellular calcium, while the smooth muscle-related part was instead dependent on the intracellular calcium. In diabetic animals, both nifedipine and ouabain influenced serotonin-induced vascular effects by blocking intracellular calcium pathways. However, this was diminished after the simultaneous administration of both blockers. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

Recent findings have demonstrated that serotonin is an important participant in the development and progression of peripheral artery diseases. Taking this into consideration, the goals of this study were to investigate the effects of serotonin on isolated Wistar rat femoral arteries in both healthy and diabetic animals, with and without artery occlusion, with a particular focus on determining the role of calcium in this process. Contraction experiments with serotonin on intact and denuded femoral artery rings, in the presence or absence of nifedipine and ouabain (both separately, or in combination), as well as Ca2+-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution were performed. The serotonin-induced results were concentration dependent, but only in healthy animals. The endothelium-dependent contraction of the femoral artery was assessed. In healthy animals, the endothelium-reliant part of contraction was dependent on the extracellular calcium, while the smooth muscle-related part was instead dependent on the intracellular calcium. In diabetic animals, both nifedipine and ouabain influenced serotonin-induced vascular effects by blocking intracellular calcium pathways. However, this was diminished after the simultaneous administration of both blockers. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

[No abstract available]

Rationale, aims, and objective: There is limited information about the comparative effectiveness of the START/STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment) criteria and the Ghent Older People's Prescriptions community Pharmacy Screening tool (GheOP3S tool) for the screening of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) in the geriatric population. Considering this, the aim of this study was to compare the ability of the START/STOPP criteria and GheOP3S tool to identify the PIP and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) among elderly patients visiting their primary care physician. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study where a total of 422 subjects were included. The Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI) and the Medicines Co-morbidity Index (MCI) for older people were used to determine the co-morbidity status. The user's diagnosis and medications prescribed were analysed with the START/STOPP criteria and GheOP3S tool. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare these criteria. The statistical relationship between the occurrence of PIP and users' age, the number of medication prescribed, the number of diagnoses, CCI, and MCI was determined with one-tailed bivariate correlation. Results: The START/STOPP criteria detected 843 PIPs and 1067 PPOs, while the GheOP3S tool detected 936 PIPs and 202 PPOs. The GheOP3S tool detected significantly more PIPs than did the STOPP criteria (P = 0.003). A significantly higher number of PPOs were detected with the START criterion (P < 0.0001). The results obtained with the START/STOPP criteria positively correlated with mentioned variables. Oppositely, there is a negative correlation between the results obtained with the GheOP3S tool and age. Still, the positive correlation could be found with the rest of the variables. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that both tested tools demonstrated efficiency to detect PIPs and PPOs. The GheOP3S tool detected significantly more PIPs than did the STOPP criteria. On the other hand, the START criteria performed much better for the screening of PPOs. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[No abstract available]

[No abstract available]

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI)-based dental applications into clinical practice could play a significant role in improving diagnostic accuracy and reforming dental care, but its implementation relies on the readiness of dentists, as well as the health system, to adopt it in everyday practice. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted among experienced dentists and final-year undergraduate students from the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Belgrade (n = 281) in order to investigate their current perspectives and readiness to accept AI into practice. Responders (n = 193) in the present survey, especially final-year undergraduates (n = 76), showed a lack of knowledge about AI (only 7.9% of them were familiar with AI use) and were skeptical (only 34% of them believed that AI should be used), and the underlying reasons, as shown by logistic regression analyses, were a lack of knowledge about the AI technology associated with a fear of being replaced by AI, as well as a lack of regulatory policy. Female dentists perceived ethical issues more significantly than men regarding AI implementation in the practice. The present results encourage an ethical debate on education/training and regulatory policies for AI as a prerequisite for regular AI use in dental practice. © 2023 by the authors.

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI)-based dental applications into clinical practice could play a significant role in improving diagnostic accuracy and reforming dental care, but its implementation relies on the readiness of dentists, as well as the health system, to adopt it in everyday practice. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted among experienced dentists and final-year undergraduate students from the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Belgrade (n = 281) in order to investigate their current perspectives and readiness to accept AI into practice. Responders (n = 193) in the present survey, especially final-year undergraduates (n = 76), showed a lack of knowledge about AI (only 7.9% of them were familiar with AI use) and were skeptical (only 34% of them believed that AI should be used), and the underlying reasons, as shown by logistic regression analyses, were a lack of knowledge about the AI technology associated with a fear of being replaced by AI, as well as a lack of regulatory policy. Female dentists perceived ethical issues more significantly than men regarding AI implementation in the practice. The present results encourage an ethical debate on education/training and regulatory policies for AI as a prerequisite for regular AI use in dental practice. © 2023 by the authors.

The present study was undertaken in order to examine transduction mechanism involved in the single application of 100 μM homocysteine (Hcy) on isolated rat femoral artery (RFA) rings equilibrated on the basal tone; to establish if a single application of 100 μM Hcy alters contractile effect of phenylephrine (Phe), or oppositely the relaxant effect of acetylcholine (ACh) or bradykinin (BK) after 60-min-long incubation of 100 μM Hcy; and finally to identify morphological changes on the vascular wall after a 24-h-long incubation of 100 μM Hcy. Hcy produced contractile response of intact RFA, which was increased after endothelial denudation, while decreased by urapidil (an α1 receptor blocker), nifedipine (a voltage-gated L-type Ca++ channel blocker) or indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor). The initial RFA contraction evoked by Phe was further increased by the single addition of Hcy, which was not the case when ouabain (an inhibitor of Na+/K+-ATPase) was preincubated. After 60-min-long incubation of Hcy relaxant actions of ACh and BK were unaltered, equieffective and equipotent. A 24-h-long incubation of RFA rings with Hcy produced an impairment of vascular endothelium, expressed as a minor or more pronounced interruption of endothelial cells. © 2014 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest.

We have performed an in vitro study on isolated intact or denuded femoral artery (FA) of healthy, diabetic, and/or rats submitted to the FA occlusion. The aim was to determine the contribution of endothelium and endothelial dysfunction (ED) on serotonin-induced action in FA. Further, the contribution of angiotensin II and cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid was investigated. A marker of ED, vWF was measured in animal serum. Serotonin induced contraction-dependent contraction of isolated FA, which was increased in preparations with endothelium. Pathological conditions such as endothelial denudation, nicotine-induced ED, diabetes or occlusion of FA reduced serotonin-induced contraction. Comparable reduction of serotonin-induced contraction was achieved after inhibition of AT1 receptors with losartan in isolated FA with intact endothelium. Our results demonstrate that angiotensin II contributes to the enhancement of serotonin-induced contraction of femoral arteries with intact endothelium. This increase is attenuated by endothelium removal, nicotine treatment, vascular occlusion, and/or hyperglycemia. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

We have performed an in vitro study on isolated intact or denuded femoral artery (FA) of healthy, diabetic, and/or rats submitted to the FA occlusion. The aim was to determine the contribution of endothelium and endothelial dysfunction (ED) on serotonin-induced action in FA. Further, the contribution of angiotensin II and cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid was investigated. A marker of ED, vWF was measured in animal serum. Serotonin induced contraction-dependent contraction of isolated FA, which was increased in preparations with endothelium. Pathological conditions such as endothelial denudation, nicotine-induced ED, diabetes or occlusion of FA reduced serotonin-induced contraction. Comparable reduction of serotonin-induced contraction was achieved after inhibition of AT1 receptors with losartan in isolated FA with intact endothelium. Our results demonstrate that angiotensin II contributes to the enhancement of serotonin-induced contraction of femoral arteries with intact endothelium. This increase is attenuated by endothelium removal, nicotine treatment, vascular occlusion, and/or hyperglycemia. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Pharmacotherapy of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is complex. Apart from the replacement hormone therapy, antithyroid agents, beta adrenoceptor blockers and other drugs, in regard to the present symptoms, it also includes the administration of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents. Physiological actions of glucocorticoids are significant in number, well known and described in details. The most prominent pharmacological properties of glucocorticoids, that are important fortheir clinical use, are antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. In this article, the most notable clinical pharmacology aspects of glucocorticoids have been presented, including the basic principles of their therapeutic use, as well as the most important indications with the examples of dosing regiments (rheumatic disorders, renal diseases, allergic reactions, bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, thrombocytopenia, organ transplantation, and Graves' ophthalmopathy). In addition, adverse and toxic effects of glucocorticoids as well as their interactions with other drugs have been described. Immunosuppressive agents have important role in treatment of immune disorders, including the reduction of immune response in autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation. Apart from glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents consist of calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), antiproliferative and antimetabolic agents (sirolimus, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide), monoclonal antibodies: anti-CD3 antibody (muromonab-CD3), anti-CD25 antibody (daclizumab), anti-TNF-alpha antibody (infliximab). In this part, the most updated facts about mechanism of action, rational therapeutic use, as well as adverse and toxic effects of immunosuppressive agents have been reviewed.

Aims: Thiazolidinediones administration is assumed to be related with an improvement of endothelial dysfunction (ED); nevertheless, previous studies have been inconsistent. For this reason, the present meta-analysis was directed to estimate if thiazolidinediones were related to endothelial dysfunction improvement by using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measurement. Methods: Literature search of the PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, and the Scopus databases was performed covering the period until July 01, 2015, for randomized clinical trials that investigated an influence of thiazolidinediones on FMD. For the calculation of the pooled overall effect, a random effect model was used. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of study characteristics on the effect of thiazolidinediones administration on FMD. Results: This meta-analysis included 16 studies with 812 subjects. The obtained results demonstrated an improvement of endothelial dysfunction measured with FMD (16 studies, 812 subjects; WMD: 2.4 %, 95 % CI = 1.1 to 3.69 %; p = 0.0003). The significant heterogeneity was noted (I 2 = 95 %, p < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that pioglitazone and rosiglitazone were able to improve FMD. Also, thiazolidinediones improved FMD if treatment was longer than 12 weeks and if patients were younger than 65 years. Additionally, a lipid profile was found to influence thiazolidinediones effect on FMD. Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that thiazolidinediones were able to improve FMD, which in clinical terms can be further translated to the improvement of an impaired endothelial function. Nevertheless, the link between FMD and its predictive clinical relevance still requires further clarification. © 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Aims: Thiazolidinediones administration is assumed to be related with an improvement of endothelial dysfunction (ED); nevertheless, previous studies have been inconsistent. For this reason, the present meta-analysis was directed to estimate if thiazolidinediones were related to endothelial dysfunction improvement by using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measurement. Methods: Literature search of the PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, and the Scopus databases was performed covering the period until July 01, 2015, for randomized clinical trials that investigated an influence of thiazolidinediones on FMD. For the calculation of the pooled overall effect, a random effect model was used. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of study characteristics on the effect of thiazolidinediones administration on FMD. Results: This meta-analysis included 16 studies with 812 subjects. The obtained results demonstrated an improvement of endothelial dysfunction measured with FMD (16 studies, 812 subjects; WMD: 2.4 %, 95 % CI = 1.1 to 3.69 %; p = 0.0003). The significant heterogeneity was noted (I 2 = 95 %, p < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that pioglitazone and rosiglitazone were able to improve FMD. Also, thiazolidinediones improved FMD if treatment was longer than 12 weeks and if patients were younger than 65 years. Additionally, a lipid profile was found to influence thiazolidinediones effect on FMD. Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that thiazolidinediones were able to improve FMD, which in clinical terms can be further translated to the improvement of an impaired endothelial function. Nevertheless, the link between FMD and its predictive clinical relevance still requires further clarification. © 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Aims: The possible effect of vitamin D administration in humans on endothelial dysfunction (ED) still remains undetermined. The current meta-analysis was performed to evaluate if vitamin D could improve ED. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trials were identified by systematic search of the PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science and the Scopus data bases, as well as different reviews and clinical trials articles. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled overall effect on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) linked to the vitamin D administration. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of study characteristics on the effect of vitamin D administration on FMD. Results: A total of eight studies with nine relevant study arms were identified. The obtained results of pooled analysis showed that vitamin D administration did not improve FMD (eight studies, 529 subjects; weighted mean difference (WMD): 0.96%, 95% CI: -1.24% to 2.06%; P = 0.09). This was probably due to significant heterogeneity in between included trials (I2 = 84%, P < 0.00001). On the other hand, subgroup analysis demonstrated that vitamin D improved FMD in trials that lasted <16 weeks; if systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher than 140 mmHg and in trials where diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was <80 mmHg. Conclusion: Although the current evidence clearly demonstrates that in certain conditions vitamin D can improve ED, a larger number of clinical trials are needed to confirm this assumption to confirm or reject the final statement on this topic. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.