Patterns of bronchodilator therapy in asthmatic outpatients

Background: Bronchodilators are used to treat asthma symptoms. The administration of this therapy can be given through monotherapy or in combination to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect. Objective: This study aimed to examine the prescribing pattern of bronchodilators in asthmatic outpatients. Methods: A retrospective study was done by reviewing and analyzing medical records of asthmatic outpatients from January 2019 until December 2020. Data analysis was performed descriptively. Results: In this study, bronchodilators were administered by inhalation 97.4% compared to oral routes 2.6%. Combination bronchodilator therapy showed 54.7% compared to monotherapy by 46.3%. The combination ICS/LABA budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 mcg was the most widely used 45.7%. Conclusion: The use of a bronchodilator was in accordance with the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. The route of drug administration through inhalation is more widely used than oral. Combination bronchodilators were more recommended than bronchodilator monotherapy to control asthma symptoms.

The administration of bovine hydroxyapatite-alendronate implant accelerates bone defect healing in an osteoporotic rat

BACKGROUND

Bone fracture is the main consequence of osteoporosis, which may become a neglected disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to fabricate bovine hydroxyapatite-gelatine (BHA-GEL) based bone-implant with alendronate (ALE) in vivo.

METHODS

Wistar rats were used for an osteoporotic animal model induced by ovariectomy. There were three groups: negative control, BHA-GEL implant, and BHA-GEL-ALE implant. Each group performed a defect by drilling the femur (diameter of 2.2 mm and depth of 2 mm). Observations on the closure of bone defects were performed by X-ray radiography at the second and sixth week after surgery. The mechanism of bone healing was observed by using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical technique with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-alkaline phosphatase (ALP) antibodies.

RESULTS

The radiograph examination showed the implanted group had accelerated bone growth. In addition, the osteoblast, osteoclast and osteocyte had accelerated migration to the defect area. Moreover, the immunoreactive score (IRS) of VEGF at the sixth week in the BHA-GEL-ALE group was lower than the other groups. Meanwhile, the IRS of ALP in BHA-GEL-ALE was higher compared to other groups.

CONCLUSION

The BHA-GEL-ALE implant accelerates the healing of bone defect in the osteoporotic rat by increasing the ALP expression and the total number of cells.

Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops for College Students with Computer Vision Syndrome in Indonesia

Highlight: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) that causes dry eyes becomes a health problem for college students. Sodium hyaluronate eyedrops can be used as one of the CVS therapy strategies for students suffering from CVS.   Abstract: The use of computers and mobile devices is increasing. Computers and mobile devices help our daily work or study. However, prolonged use of them may cause computer vision syndrome (CVS). Nowadays, CVS becomes a health problem for everyone working with computers or mobile devices including college students because it causes dry eyes. It may disrupt reading, doing professional work, or using a computer which is important for college students to complete academic tasks. Sodium hyaluronate can be used to overcome the dry eye problem due to CVS. To assess the effectiveness of sodium hyaluronate eyedrops on students suffering from CVS, pre- and post-administration of sodium hyaluronate was measured for two weeks. Inclusion criteria for this study were college students aged 20-35 years, using a computer for >2 hours a day, not using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), not consuming drugs, or having a disease that affects tear production and bearing no pregnancy. Parameters assessed include tear break-up time using the Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) test, tear production using the Schirmer I test, the number of clinically subjective symptoms, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores. Data were analyzed using student paired t-tests or Wilcoxon Rank Test. There were statistically significant differences before and after the TBUT (4.4 vs 6.7 seconds; p<0.0001); the Schirmer I Test (4 vs 6 mm; p<0.05), and the number of clinically subjective symptoms (3 vs 0 clinically subjective symptoms; p<0.0001). The OSDI scores did not show statistical differences before and after administration of sodium hyaluronate (27 vs 21; p>0.05), but there was a positive impact from moderate to mild dry eye. Sodium hyaluronate eyedrops can be used as one of the CVS therapy strategies for students suffering from CVS.

Gastroprotective effect of fluvoxamine and ondansetron on stress-induced gastric ulcers in mice

OBJECTIVES

The association between stress and gastric ulcers has been well reported. This study is divided into two parts: the first part of this study is consisted of analyzing the effect of fluvoxamine administration by intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitoneal (IP) injections on stress-induced gastric ulcers. The second part investigates the effect of ondansetron in influencing the protection of the gastric mucous by giving fluvoxamine to the mice before being induced with stress.

METHODS

Water immersion restraint stress (WIRS) was used to induce stress. Fluvoxamine 50 and 100 mg/kg by IP injection, fluvoxamine 9.3 µg, and 18.6 µg by ICV injection 30 min before the induction of stress. Meanwhile, single drug and in combination administered to the mice, ondansetron 3 mg/kg was given by IP at 60 min, and fluvoxamine 50, 100 mg/kg orally at 30 min before stress induction.

RESULTS

The obtained results show fluvoxamine 50 and 100 mg/kg by IP, and fluvoxamine 18.6 µg by ICV had significantly reduced ulcer index with p<0.005, p<0.001, and p<0.005 while fluvoxamine 9.3 µg showed the insignificant result. Fluvoxamine 50 mg/kg, fluvoxamine 100 mg/kg, and ondansetron 3 mg/kg monotherapy have a significant reduction in ulcers with p<0.005, p<0.001, and p<0.05, while the combination drugs showed an insignificant reduction in ulcers.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluvoxamine with different administration routes and ondansetron monotherapy before stress reduce the occurrence of gastric ulcers, while the combination drugs did not increase the protective effect of the gastric mucosa.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine ameliorates stress- and NSAID-induced peptic ulcer possibly by involving Hsp70

Background Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have recently become potential candidates for a new therapeutic approach to ulcer and gastric bleeding. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) plays an important role in cellular resistance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, there is lack of evidence that fluvoxamine recruits Hsp70 to affect stress-induced gastric ulcer. Therefore, we investigated the effect of fluvoxamine on NSAID- and stress-induced gastric ulcer and the possible involvement of Hsp70. Methods ICR mice were used in the study. Stress induction was made by the water-immersion-plus-restraint method. NSAID-induced gastric ulcer was produced by oral administration of indomethacin. Fluvoxamine was given orally 30 min before stress induction and indomethacin treatment. Results Stress and indomethacin treatment significantly increased the ulcer index and intraluminal bleeding score. Stress and indomethacin treatment also significantly increased the expression of Hsp70. Fluvoxamine significantly decreased the ulcer index and intraluminal bleeding in both ulcer models. Moreover, fluvoxamine further increased the expression of Hsp70 in the gastric tissue of stress- and indomethacin-treated mice. Conclusions Our results indicate that fluvoxamine may have a protective effect against stress- as well as NSAID-induced gastric ulcer. In addition, the present study suggests the possible involvement of Hsp70 in the amelioration of gastric ulcer by fluvoxamine.