Nano Methotrexate versus Methotrexate in Targeting Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nanomedicine has emerged as an important approach for targeting RA medication. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a widespread autoimmune disorder marked by multiple inflamed joints. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been demonstrated as efficacious nanocarriers due to their unique characteristics and the relative simplicity of their synthesis in varied sizes; moreover, they have the capability to alleviate several inflammatory markers. The current objective was to combine methotrexate (MTX) with GNPs to overcome MTX restrictions. GNPs were fabricated by a chemical reduction technique, utilizing sodium citrate and tween 20. The MTX-GNPs formulations were characterized in vitro by % entrapment efficiency (%EE), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) zeta potential, and % release. The MTX-GNPs formulation was administrated as an intra-articular solution, and additionally, incorporated into a Carbopol gel to investigate its anti-arthritic effectiveness and bioavailability in vivo. The results indicated that a %EE of 87.53 ± 1.10%, and a particle size of 60.62 ± 2.41 nm with a PDI of 0.31 ± 0.03, and a zeta potential of −27.80 ± 0.36 mV were optimal. The in vitro release of MTX from the MTX-GNPs formulation demonstrated that the MTX-GNPs formulation’s release was 34.91 ± 1.96% and considerably (p < 0.05) lower than that of free MTX, showing a significant difference in dissolution patterns (p < 0.05). In vivo, MTX-GNPs formulations inhibited IL-6 by 36.52%, ACCP (63.25 %), COMP (28.16%), and RANKL (63.67%), as well as elevated IL-10 by 190.18%. Transdermal MTX-GNPs decreased IL-6 by 22.52%, ACCP (56.63%), COMP (52.64%), and RANKL (79.5%), as well as increased IL-10 by 168.37%. Histological investigation supported these recent findings. Conclusions: Marked improvements in MTX anti-arthritic effects are seen when it is conjugated to GNPs.

In vitro and in vivo performance modelling and optimisation of different dry powder inhalers: A complementary study of neural networks, genetic algorithms and decision trees

INTRODUCTION

Aerosol delivery from DPIs could be affected by different factors. This study aimed to evaluate and predict the effects of different factors on drug delivery from DPIs.

METHODS

Modelling and optimisation for both in vitro and in vivo data of different DPIs (Diskus, Turbohaler and Aerolizer) were carried out using neural networks associated with genetic algorithms and the results are confirmed using a decision tree (DT) and random forest regressor (RFR). All variables (the type of DPI, inhalation flow, inhalation volume, number of inhalations and type of subject) were coded as numbers before using them in the modelling study.

RESULTS

The analysis of the in vitro model showed that Turbohaler had the highest emitted dose compared with the Diskus and the Aerolizer. Increasing flow resulted in a gradual increase in the emitted dose. Little differences between the inhalation volumes 2 and 4 litres were shown at fast inhalation flow, and interestingly two inhalations showed somewhat higher emitted doses than one-inhalation mode with Turbohaler and Diskus at slow inhalation flow. Regarding the in vivo model, the percent of drug delivered to the lung was highly increased with Turbohaler and Diskus in healthy subjects where continuous contour lines were observed. The Turbohaler showed increased lung bioavailability with the two-inhalation modes, the Diskus showed a nearly constant level at both one and two inhalations at slow inhalation. The Turbohaler and Aerolizer showed little increasing effect moving from one to two inhalations at slow inhalation.

CONCLUSIONS

Modelling of the input data showed a good differentiating and prediction power for both in vitro and in vivo models. The results of the modelling refer to the high efficacy of Diskus followed by Turbohaler for delivering aerosol. With two inhalations, the three DPIs showed an increase in the percent of drug excreted at slow inhalations.

Urinary TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) as a biomarker of lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND

Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), known as lupus nephritis (LN), is a common and severe complication and a major predictor of poor outcome. Long-term survival in SLE can be improved with early diagnosis and prompt treatment of LN. A number of biochemical markers are currently used to clinically assess disease activity in patients; however, they lack sensitivity and specificity for differentiating renal activity and damage in LN. A reliable clinical biomarker that can forecast LN flare and which could be sequentially followed would help to optimize initiation and escalation of therapy at the time of active or relapsing disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to investigate the value of urinary tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (uTWEAK) as a biomarker for active lupus nephritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 44 patients with SLE fulfilling the 1997 revised criteria for the classification of SLE as well as 11 age and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study and subjected to full medical history taking, clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, measurement of uTWEAK level as well as renal biopsy for patients with active LN.

RESULTS

The uTWEAK levels were significantly higher in SLE patients with active LN compared to those without or with inactive renal disease and normal healthy subjects.

Inhaled salbutamol from aerolizer and diskus at different inhalation flows, inhalation volume and number of inhalations in both healthy subjects and COPD patients

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of inhalation-flow, inhalation-volume and number of inhalations on aerosol-delivery of inhaled-salbutamol from two different dry powder inhalers (DPIs) in both healthy-subjects and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Relative pulmonary-bioavailability and systemic-bioavailability of inhaled-salbutamol, delivered by Diskus and Aerolizer, was determined in 24-COPD patients and 24-healthy subjects. The healthy-subjects and the COPD-patients participated in the study for 7 days in which they received 4 study doses of 200 μg salbutamol (one slow-inhalation, two slow-inhalations, one fast-inhalation, and two fast-inhalations) in four alternative days with 24 hr washout period after each dose. Two urine-samples were collected from each study subjects. The first was provided 30 min post inhalation (USAL0.5), as an index of relative pulmonary-bioavailability, and the second was pooled to 24 hr post inhalation (USAL24), as an index of systemic-bioavailability. Fast-inhalation resulted in significantly higher USAL0.5 and USAL24 than slow-inhalation (p˂0.05) after one-inhalation in both healthy-subjects and COPD-patients but there was no significant difference between slow and fast-inhalation after two-inhalations. One-inhalation resulted in significantly higher USAL0.5 and USAL24 in healthy-subjects compared to COPD-patient at both slow and fast-inhalation (p˂0.05) except USAL0.5 with Diskus at slow-inhalation there was no significant difference. Also, two-inhalations resulted in significantly higher USAL0.5 and USAL24 compared to one-inhalation at slow-inhalation only (p˂0.05). No significant difference was found between Aerolizer and Diskus except in USAL0.5 of one slow-inhalation in both health-subjects and COPD-patients (p = 0.048 and 0.047, respectively). Device-formula relation is present at low inhalation-flow since Diskus resulted in significantly higher USAL0.5 and USAL24 in healthy-subjects compared to COPD-patient at slow inhalation than Aerolizer. It is essential to inhale-twice and as hard and deep as possible from each dose when using DPI especially with COPD-patients having poor inspiratory efforts such as elderly patients and children.

Total emitted dose of salbutamol sulphate at different inhalation flows and inhalation volumes through different types of dry powder inhalers

The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of two different dry powder inhalers (DPIs) at different inhalations volumes and inhalation flows. Ventolin Diskus contain blisters of 200µg salbutamol. To test the TED from Aerolizer, salbutamol in Diskus blister was emptied and placed in size 3 capsules suitable for use with Aerolizer. Total emitted dose (TED) delivered by Diskus and Aerolizer was determined using DPI sampling apparatus after one and two inhalations from the same dose. 10-60L/min inhalation flows at 2 and 4L inhalation volume were used in the determination. At inhalation flow ≤30L/min, two inhalations resulted in higher TED than one inhalation (p < 0.05) and Diskus resulted in higher TED than Aerolizer (p < 0.05). The highest TED was at inhalation flow 40L/min above which the effect of the second inhalation and formula device relation were negligible. Device formula relation is present at low inhalation flow but at flow >30L/min Diskus drug formula can be delivered by Aerolizer with no significant difference in TED produced. For the best TED patients are required to inhale as fast as possible (a minimum of 40L/min). At lower inhalation flow two inhalations results in better emitted dose than one inhalation for both DPIs. So, we recommend patients with poor inspiratory efforts to inhale twice and as hard and deep as possible from each dose as they may not receive much benefit from one inhalation even when using DPI with low resistance (Aerolizer) or medium resistance (Diskus). However, further in-vivo study are required to validate this recommendtation.

Vaginal progesterone for prevention of preterm delivery in women with twin pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of vaginal progesterone to prevent preterm delivery in twin pregnancies and its effect on perinatal outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized, open label, controlled trial (NCT02350231) was carried out over 70 women, in three different hospitals in Egypt, between February 2015 and January 2017. All eligible pregnant women with twin pregnancies were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio into two groups. Group I (Progesterone group) was dispensed, 400 mg of progesterone through a vaginal pessary, each day at bedtime, from the 28th week of pregnancy until delivery. Group II (Control group) received no treatment other than the normal tonics taken during pregnancy. The two study groups were followed until delivery. The primary outcome was the rate of preterm delivery <37 weeks.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed among both groups of women in terms of delivery <37 weeks (16.9% versus 25.4%; p=0.06) and mode of delivery (vaginal versus cesarean; p=0.31). The mean gestational age at delivery was comparable between both groups (p=0.09). Additionally, no difference, regarding the neonatal outcome, was observed between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Dispensing vaginal progesterone [400 mg] after 28 weeks of gestation does not prevent preterm delivery in twin gestations.

CD28 and PTPN22 are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in Egyptians

OBJECTIVE

Limited data are available on the genetics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egyptians. Therefore, we investigated whether the confirmed genetic risk factors for RA in Europeans and/or Asians contribute to RA susceptibility in Egyptians.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A set of seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vicinity of CD28, TNFAIP3, PTPN22, PADI4 and HLA-DRA were tested in a large multi-centric RA cohort in Egypt, consisting of 394 cases and 398 matched controls. Patients were stratified based on the positivity of either anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) or rheumatoid factor (RF).

RESULTS

Significant association was evident for three SNPs in this cohort: the CD28 (rs1980422) variant showed a strong association in the whole cohort (P=0.000119) and in seropositive subsets of the disease (PACPA+=0.004; PRF+=0.0005). Upon stratification, the PTPN22 (rs2476601) and TNFAIP3(rs5029939) variants showed association only with ACPA positive (PACPA+=0.00573) and negative (PACPA-=0.00999) phenotypes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that CD28(rs1980422) and PTPN22(rs2476601) contribute to RA-susceptibility in Egyptians. Failure to replicate the association of PADI4(rs2240340)/(PADI4_94) in Egyptian RA patients provides further support for the notion that genetic architecture of RA is different in multiple populations of European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern ancestries. Further investigation using large-scale studies is thus needed to maximize the power of genetic association.