Vol.6 No.3 – 2: Role of alpha-lipoic acid in protection from cardiovascular events in patients with hemodialysis

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By: Hosny Ahmed Elewa1, Zeinab Al-kasaby Zalat2, WalaaA.Keshk.3, Rehab Hussein Werida*4

1 Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of pharmacy, Hours University, Postal Code: 34518, New Damietta, Egypt

2 Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, postal code: 11651, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Associate Professor of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

4 Clinical Pharmacy Lecturer, Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University, Postal Code: 31527, El-Behairah, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The leading cause of death in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is cardiovascular events (CVEs). Objective: This study aimed to assess the protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid against possible CVEs. Methods: 70 HD patients were randomly allocated into two groups, tested and control groups; in a randomized clinical study. The tested group received ALA supplementation, a daily capsule of 600 mg, whereas the control group received placebo capsules daily for 3 months. Serum levels of AGEs, Fe, hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity were detected in both groups before and after treatment. Results: No significant differences in age, sex, duration of dialysis, and contributing factors for dialysis were found between both groups (P>0.05). After three months of ALA intervention, AGEsserum levels were significantly reduced. On the other hand, serum levels of adiponectin, Fe, and Hb were significantly increased in the tested group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). ALA did not affect lipid profiles including triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C.

Conclusions: The use of alpha-lipoic acid in patients with HD may lead to a decrease in the chance of atherosclerosis progression, and so decrease in CVEs. We recommend that alpha-lipoic acid should be one of the corner stores in the management of HD patients.

Role of alpha lipoic acid in protection from cardiovascular events in patients with hemodialysis-converted

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Vol.6 No.3 – 1: Understanding COVID-19, Genome, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccination

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By : Eslam Mostafa1 , Aisha El-Sawah*1 , Esraa Magdy1 , Ahmed Sayed1 , Safaa El-Azab1 , Ayman Natei1 , Asmaa Husein1 , Salma Hassan1 , Menna Mostafa2 , Mohamed M. Omran3

1 Biotechnology/Biomolecular Chemistry Program, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Giza, 12613, Egypt

2 Molecular Biotechnology Program, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt Ain Helwan, 11795, Cairo, Egypt

3 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt Ain Helwan, 11795, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

In December 2019, an acute respiratory disease called COVID-19 from the coronavirus family has spread in Wuhan city in China. Due to the fast transmission of this disease and the number of cases increase, it received the whole world’s attention. And on 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced that COVID-19 is epidemic. In March, WHO declared that it is pandemic due to the high number of cases confirmed globally. SARS-CoV-2, that has single-stranded (positive-sense) RNA with structural proteins (S, E, M, N), has common manifestations like dry cough, fever, and fatigue as the common cold. These symptoms range from moderate to severe that cause death, even there are also asymptomatic patients. The SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted through person-to-person transmission. Though there are two different ways for its entry to the host cell, which are endosomal or plasma membrane fusion, both require ACE2 receptor attachment. There are different diagnostic techniques for SARS-CoV-2 ranging from RT-PCR and Immuno-tests to advanced methods such as CT and crisper technology. No therapies to COVID-19 have been developed so far, but researchers are currently working on developing therapies specific to this novel coronavirus. Furthermore, many of the repurposed drugs that have the potential to either attenuate the symptoms or prevent the viral entry/replication are still in preclinical and clinical trial phases. Besides the vaccination that has been developed whether they are live attenuated, subunit, or nucleic acid vaccines.

Understanding COVID-19, Genome, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccination-converted (2)

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