Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021 Apr 29. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Department of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.

Background: Choroidal hemangioma is a visual threatening condition for which treatments is neither uniform nor widely available. New management options are necessary. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and early outcome of intravitreal metoprolol tartrate in five patients with CCH. Read More

Chem Res Toxicol 2021 Apr 19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China.

Labetalol hydrochloride (LHCl), an α- and β-adrenoreceptor blocker, is widely used for the treatment of hypertension as well as angina pectoris. Previous reports have demonstrated the adverse events during clinical application of LHCl, such as liver injury and acute renal failure. The present study aimed to investigate metabolic activation of LHCl to initiate the elucidation of the mechanisms of its liver toxicity. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Jun 26;771:145385. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address:

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been intensely studied for the removal of refractory pollutants because of the strong oxidizing capacity of hydroxyl radical. One of the emerging AOP methods gaining increased attention is bio-electro-Fenton (BEF) which can generate hydroxyl radical in-situ in the cathode chamber using the energy harvested by exoelectrogenic bacteria in the anode. In this study, the feasibility of BEF technology for the removal of metoprolol, a typical micropollutant widely found in the water environment, was for the first time investigated. Read More

Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021 05 11;528:111243. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Section on Endocrinology & Genetics (SEGEN), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA; Pediatric Endocrinology Inter-institute Training Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD20892, USA.

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare and aggressive type of endocrine tumor with high risk of recurrence and metastasis. The overall survival of patients diagnosed with ACC is low and treatment for metastatic stages remain limited to mitotane, which has low efficiency in advanced stages of the disease and is associated with high toxicity. Therefore, identification of new biological targets to improve ACC treatment is crucial. Read More

Mil Med 2021 Feb 19. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Department of Cardiology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX 79920, USA.

Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rare ventricular dysrhythmia with a limited differential diagnosis that includes digitalis toxicity, catecholaminergic polymorphic VT, aconite poisoning, and genetic channelopathy syndromes, specifically, Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS). We present a case of a young female with palpitations found to have bidirectional VT on cardiac event monitor and strong family history of cardiac dysrhythmias. Her physical examination findings included minor dysmorphic features of mandibular hypoplasia, hypertelorism, and clinodactyly. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2021 May 3;341:68-79. Epub 2021 Feb 3.

Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. Electronic address:

Background: General anesthetics such as sevoflurane interfere with dendritic development and synaptogenesis, resulting in cognitive impairment. The collapsin response mediator protein2 (CRMP2) plays important roles in dendritic development and synaptic plasticity and its phosphorylation is regulated by cycline dependent kinase-5 (Cdk5) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Here we investigated whether Cdk5/CRMP2 or GSK-3β/CRMP2 pathway is involved in sevoflurane-induced developmental neurotoxicity. Read More

Dalton Trans 2021 Feb 29;50(7):2493-2500. Epub 2021 Jan 29.

Advanced Porous Materials Unit (APMU), IMDEA Energy, Av. Ramón de la Sagra, 3, 28935, Móstoles-Madrid, Spain.

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are regarded as an emerging class of contaminants, which are often released directly into the environment, causing severe deleterious effects. In particular, the widely prescribed β-blocker atenolol (At) is alarmingly present in water. Despite the toxicity caused by At, no specific methods are currently available for its efficient removal. Read More

Br J Anaesth 2021 Mar 20;126(3):652-664. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: Immunosuppression after surgery is associated with postoperative complications, mediated in part by catecholamines that exert anti-inflammatory effects via the β-adrenergic receptor. Phenylephrine, generally regarded as a selective α-adrenergic agonist, is frequently used to treat perioperative hypotension. However, phenylephrine may impair host defence through β-adrenergic affinity. Read More

World J Diabetes 2020 Dec;11(12):622-643

Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM UMR1048, Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III, Toulouse 31432, France.

Background: Benzylamine and methylamine activate glucose uptake in adipocytes. For tyramine, this effect has even been extended to cardiomyocytes.

Aim: To investigate the effects of catecholamines and other amines on glucose uptake. Read More

Clin Case Rep 2020 Dec 3;8(12):2818-2823. Epub 2020 Sep 3.

Department of Pharmacy Services Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston Massachusetts.

Donepezil toxicity can present similarly to beta-blocker overdose and colitis. Symptoms include confusion, diaphoresis, and bradycardia. In patients with suspected medication-related toxicities, it is important to consider all possible causative agents in the active medication list. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Feb 23;756:143697. Epub 2020 Nov 23.

Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 28.013-602, Brazil. Electronic address:

The rupture of Fundão Dam is considered one of the largest environmental disasters in Brazilian history and one of the largest in the world involving tailings dams. The present study analyzed the changes in metal concentrations in the dissolved, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment in the period just after (15 days) and six months after the dam rupture, together with the biological and cytogenotoxic effects, from the collapse site until the Doce River mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. After the dam rupture, the tailings were mainly transported as SPM. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Jan 12;752:142256. Epub 2020 Sep 12.

State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.

The present study used red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticusas) as the model fish to compare the interactive effects between aged and virgin microplastics (MPs) with the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and the β-blocker propranolol (PRP). To this end, the ultraviolet irradiation was used to simulate the MP aging in the environment. The accumulations of MPs and pharmaceuticals, and changes in enzyme activities and genes expressions in tilapia were also evaluated. Read More

J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2020 Oct 11;1(5):1104-1107. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Emergency Department King Hamad University Hospital Busaiteen Kingdom of Bahrain.

Propranolol is a highly lipid-soluble beta-receptor antagonist and propafenone is a potent class 1c anti-arrhythmic agent with strong Na-channel blockade effect. We describe a novel case of dual overdose of propafenone and propranolol resulting in hypotension, generalized seizures, and reduced level of consciousness that was successfully treated. A 52-year-old female ingested 500 mg of propranolol and 1. Read More

Emerg Med Pract 2020 09 15;22(Suppl 9):1-42. Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Manitoba; Department of Emergency Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

While relatively uncommon, an overdose of calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, or digoxin can result in significant morbidity and mortality, and management can be complex. An acute overdose will require different management strategies than chronic toxicity while on therapeutic dosing. Toxicity from these agents must be considered in bradycardic and hypotensive patients. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021 Mar 28;28(9):11233-11244. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.

The use of pharmaceutical drugs ends frequently in their inappropriate disposal and treatment at waste water treatment plants, which is the cause of their widespread presence in the environment. Yet, there is limited understanding or knowledge of their effects to non-target aquatic organisms. The drugs acetaminophen (analgesic and antipyretic) and propranolol (β-blocker) are widely found in the aquatic environment, where they can interact with non-target exposed organisms, causing adverse effects. Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2021 Jan 22;890:173645. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

Clozapine (CLZ) represents an effective treatment for resistant schizophrenia. However, myocarditis, recently reported in about 66% of the psychiatric patients treated with CLZ, has raised concerns about its safety. β-blocking agents have shown to be helpful in the management of myocarditis. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021 Jun 6;59(6):464-471. Epub 2020 Oct 6.

Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Context: Amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB), is the leading cause of cardiovascular drug-related overdose deaths in the USA. In contrast, angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) cause minimal toxicity in overdose. ACEIs/ARBs are often combined with dihydropyridines in hypertension treatment. Read More

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2020 11 27;86(5):681-686. Epub 2020 Sep 27.

Psychoneuroimmunology Laboratory, Psychosomatic Research Center, Oral Oncology Center, São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Dentistry, 1193 José Bonifácio St, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 15050-015, Brazil.

Purpose: Beta-adrenergic signaling can influence cancer progression and the use of beta blockers as adjuvant drugs in oncologic patients has been suggested. However, the involvement of beta-adrenergic blockers in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. This study investigated the action of beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol on tumor onset using a preclinical model of chemically induced oral cancer. Read More

FASEB J 2020 11 16;34(11):14997-15014. Epub 2020 Sep 16.

Extra-Value Generation and General Medicine DDU, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Japan.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Hypertension increases kidney stress, which deteriorates function, and leads to peripheral renal vascular resistance. Long-term hypoperfusion promotes interstitial fibrosis and glomerular sclerosis, resulting in nephrosclerosis. Read More

J Oncol Pharm Pract 2021 Jun 1;27(4):1011-1015. Epub 2020 Sep 1.

The Department of Pharmacy Practice, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA.

Introduction: Anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens are associated with decreased cardiac function with cumulative dosing, yet there is limited information regarding the acute cardiotoxic potential of these medications and appropriate medical management strategies. Herein, we report a case of cardiomyopathy following a single dose of doxorubicin and describe our pharmacologic management approach.

Case Report: A 37 year old Jamaican male presented for work-up and treatment of HTLV-1 associated T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 08 25;10(1):14160. Epub 2020 Aug 25.

Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 151 North Ma Lian Wa Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Immediate hypersensitivity reaction (IHR) can be divided into allergic- and non-allergic-mediated, while "anaphylaxis" is reserved for severe IHR. Clinically, true penicillin allergy is rare and most reported penicillin allergy is "spurious". Penicillin-initiated anaphylaxis is possible to occur in skin test- and specific IgE-negative patients. Read More

Environ Pollut 2020 Nov 15;266(Pt 2):115269. Epub 2020 Aug 15.

Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. Electronic address:

β-blockers are a class of medications widely used to treat cardiovascular disorders, including abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, and angina pectoris. The prevalence of β-blockers has generated a widespread concern on their potential chronic toxicity on aquatic organisms, highlighting the necessity of comprehensive studies on their environmental distribution, fate, and toxicity. This review summarizes the up-to-date knowledge on the source, global distribution, analytical methods, transformation, and toxicity of β-blockers. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Aug 4;21(15). Epub 2020 Aug 4.

Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Nara 634-8522, Japan.

The progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is complicated. The multiple parallel-hits theory is advocated, which includes adipocytokines, insulin resistance, endotoxins, and oxidative stress. Pathways involving the gut-liver axis also mediate the progression of NASH. Read More

Chemosphere 2020 Dec 1;260:127479. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Electronic address:

The presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in natural water resources due to incomplete removal in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) is a serious environmental concern at present. In this work, the effects of three pharmaceuticals (propranolol, triclosan, and nimesulide) on Gammarus pulex metabolic profiles at different doses and times of exposure have been investigated by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The complex data sets generated in the different exposure experiments were analyzed with the ROIMCR procedure, based on the selection of the MS regions of interest (ROI) data and on their analysis by the Multivariate Curve-Resolution Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) chemometrics method. Read More

Sr Care Pharm 2020 Aug;35(8):345-348

In 2017, a total of 26,431 beta-blocker exposures were reported to United States poison centers, with 21% of adult exposures attributed to patients 60 years of age and older. Beta-blockers are a major component of therapy in numerous cardiovascular diseases, which have a higher incidence in older people. Along with polypharmacy and neurocognitive decline, potentially limiting reliable medication adherence, older patients may be more sensitive to the hypotensive and bradycardic effects of beta-blockers. Read More

Clin Exp Hypertens 2021 Jan 24;43(1):49-55. Epub 2020 Jul 24.

Team of Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Errachidia, Morocco.

Background: Lichens are a symbiotic association of a fungus with a green alga or cyanobacterium. They are widely used in traditional medicine as a treatment against skin disorders, diabetes and hypertension.

The Aim Of The Study: The goal of this paper was to assess the possible antihypertensive and vasorelaxant capacity of the aqueous extract of a lichen species called Oakmoss or (L. Read More

Georgian Med News 2020 May(302):63-68

2Sechenov First Moscow state medical UNIVERSITY of the Ministry of health of Russia.

This article reviews data for pharmacogenetics findings for treatment for chronic heart insufficiency of heart failure. Also, it discusses connections of genetic polymorphism with a risk of developing heart failure and how it affects the choice of a treatments medicine. The article investigates genetically determined factors of the risk of developing glycoside toxicity. Read More

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2020 Jul - Aug;104:106894. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Instituto de Ingeniería Biomédica, UBA, Paseo Colón 850 (C1063ACV), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Argentino de Matemática 'Alberto P. Calderón', CONICET, Saavedra 15 (C1083ACA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Introduction: The abnormal amplification of ventricular repolarization dispersion (VRD) has long been linked to proarrhythmia risk. Recently, the measure of VRD through electrocardiogram intervals has been strongly questioned. The search for an efficient and non-invasive surrogate marker of drug-induced dispersion effects constitute an urgent research challenge. Read More

BMC Cancer 2020 Jun 30;20(1):609. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Background: Chemotherapy induced cardio-toxicity has been recognized as a serious side effect since the first introduction to anthracyclines (ANT). Cardio-toxicity among patients with breast cancer is well studied but the impact on patients with sarcoma is limited, even though they are exposed to higher ANT doses. The commonly used term for cardio-toxicity is cancer therapeutics related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD), defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction of > 10%, to a value below 53%. Read More

Drug Deliv 2020 Dec;27(1):909-916

School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) has excellent photothermal conversion abilities, an ultra-high specific surface area, and has been extensively explored for use in biomedicine. However, the high toxicity associated with MoS has limited its biological applications for photothermal therapy and drug delivery systems. Herein, we have developed cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (JR400) surface-modified MoS nanoparticles (NPs) that are responsive to near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation as a transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS). Read More