Iron Deficiency Anemia Associated With Acid-Modifying Medications: Two Cases and Literature Review

Iron deficiency anemia is often listed among potential adverse effects of gastric acid-suppressive medications, given that gastric acidity promotes intestinal absorption of nonheme iron. Additionally, the antacid calcium carbonate can inhibit iron absorption. However, there is little direct clinical evidence that proton-pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor antagonists, or calcium carbonate cause iron deficiency anemia. Most case reports have had substantial limitations (e.g., minimal follow-up and presence of other causes of iron deficiency), and retrospective cohort studies have lacked sufficient patient-specific detail to make strong causal inferences. We present 2 cases—both with detailed, prospective 10-year follow-up—in which combinations of proton-pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor antagonists and calcium carbonate were clearly associated with development of iron deficiency anemia. Overt iron-deficiency anemia is probably uncommon in patients who use acid-modifying medications and who have no other conditions that predispose to iron deficiency. Nevertheless, clinicians should be aware of this potential complication, given widespread use of these agents.     

Current treatment of hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease recommended by different guidelines

Introduction: It is important to know how to treat hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The reason for the review was to update this treatment and to discuss the 2015 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/American Society of Hypertension 2015 guidelines of treatment of hypertension in patients with CAD.

Areas covered: Studies between 1968 and 2015 were reviewed on treatment of hypertension in patients with CAD using a Medline search, and studies between 1977 and 2015 were reported. Hypertension should be treated with beta blockers and ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Long-acting nitrates are effective antianginal and anti-ischemic drugs. Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) may be added if angina persists despite beta blockers and long-acting nitrates. The 2015 guidelines recommend that the blood pressure should be < 140/90 mm Hg in patients aged ≤ 80 years and the systolic blood pressure < 150 mm Hg if they are ≥ 80 years.

Expert opinion: Hypertension in patients with CAD should be treated with beta blockers and ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Long-acting nitrates are effective antianginal and anti-ischemic drugs. CCBs may be added if angina persists despite beta blockers and long-acting nitrates. The blood pressure should be < 140/90 mm Hg in patients aged < 80 years and the systolic blood pressure < 150 mm Hg if they are ≥ 80 years.     

A Reminder of Methylene Blue's Effectiveness in Treating Vasoplegic Syndrome after On-Pump Cardiac Surgery

The inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass decreases vascular tone, which in turn can lead to vasoplegic syndrome. Indeed the hypotension consequent to on-pump cardiac surgery often necessitates vasopressor and intravenous fluid support. Methylene blue counteracts vasoplegic syndrome by inhibiting the formation of nitric oxide.We report the use of methylene blue in a 75-year-old man who developed vasoplegic syndrome after cardiac surgery. After the administration of methylene blue, his hypotension improved to the extent that he could be weaned from vasopressors. The use of methylene blue should be considered in patients who develop hypotension refractory to standard treatment after cardiac surgery.     

CTLA4 antagonists in phase I and phase II clinical trials,current status and future perspectives for cancer therapy

Introduction: In cancer, the immune response to tumor antigens is often suppressed by inhibitors and ligands. Checkpoint blockade, considered one of the most promising frontiers for anti-cancer therapy, aims to stimulate the immune anti-cancer response. Agents such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors offer prolonged survival with manageable side effects.

Areas covered: We summarize the recent clinical successes of CTLA-4 inhibitors and place a strong emphasis on those in early phase clinical trials, often in combination with other immune check-point inhibitors, i.e., programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors.

Expert opinion: Recent phase I and phase II clinical trials confirm the efficacy of anti-CTLA-4 therapy for treatment of cancers such as renal cell carcinoma. These studies also indicated increased efficacy with combined immune checkpoint blockade with PD-1 or Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors. Researchers must search for new immune targets that may enable more effective and safe immune checkpoint blockade and cancer therapy. This goal may be achieved by next-generation combination therapies to overcome immune checkpoint therapy resistance.     

“Vinylogs” and “Acetylenylogs” of β-Adrenergic Agents

Vinylogous (Groups III and V ) and acetylenologous (Group IV ) analogs of the classical β-adrenergic agents — stimulants and blockers — were prepared in order to evaluate the effect of degree of saturation, position of unsaturation and rigidity of the chain linking the aromatic ring and the amino containing functional group on biological activity. Derivatives from Group III , which represent 4-aryl-3-butenyl-2-ol-amine analogs of Group II , retained β₁-adrenoceptor antagonist activity albeit substantially less potent (50–200-fold) than that possessed by their aryloxy counterparts. Consistent with the SAR for Group II compounds, substitution at position 2 of the aromatic ring yielded the most potent antagonists ( 5a, 5d, 5g ), with K_B's ranging from 73–93 nM while 3,4-dichloro substitution ( 5e ) markedly reduced antagonist potency (K_B = 2,400 nM). Agonist activity was also noted for 5b and 5d , suggesting that these compounds may be best classified as partial agonists. Representatives from Groups IV and V were inactive as antagonists at the β₁-adrenoceptor confirming the importance of the spatial relationship between the hydroxyl and the amino nitrogen.     

The consequences of H2 receptor antagonist — piroxicam coadministration in patients with joint disorders

Summary A randomised crossover study was performed in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (or other arthropathies) to investigate if any alteration in the steady pharmacokinetics of the NSAID piroxicam (a drug which is extensively metabolised via cytochrome P450) or its major metabolites occurred as a result of coadministering either cimetidine or nizatidine.Twelve females and 2 males with mean age, weight, and albumin concentrations of 58 years, 61 kg, and 40 g·L^–1 respectively, completed the study. Comparisons were made between the following parameters: plasma piroxicam AUCs [AUC_0-24(P)], plasma 5-hydroxypiroxicam AUCs [AUC_0-24(5-OHP)], the ratio of these i.e. AUC_0-24(5-OHP):AUC_0-24(p), the % piroxicam daily dose excreted in urine as 5-hydroxypiroxicam (before and after glucuronidase incubation); and the mean of the steady state trough piroxicam, and 5-hydroxypiroxicam concentrations (obtained during each study phase in addition to the wash-out period).A statistically significant difference as a result of initiating either cimetidine or nizatidine was obtained only for the ratio AUC_0-23(5-OHP):AUC_0-24(P). This was indicative of a weak potential to inhibit piroxicam hydroxylation.No clinically significant alteration in the steady state pharmacokinetics of piroxicam occurred in these subjects as a result of cimetidine or nizatidine coadministration. Consequently it is unlikely that any adverse events would arise from these combinations.     

速激肽受体拮抗剂对白三烯C_4诱导豚鼠气道收缩和微血管渗漏的作用

本实验探讨了内源性速激肽是否参与白三烯Ｃ４（ＬＴＣ４）的气道效应．ＬＴＣ４（０．５μｇｋｇ－１，ｉｖ）可增高豚鼠肺内压（ＩＰＰ）和气道内依文思蓝渗出。速激肽ＮＫ－１受体拮抗剂ＣＰ－９６３４５｛（２Ｓ，３Ｓ）－顺式－２－（二苯甲基）－Ｎ－［（２－甲氧苯）－甲基］－１－杂氮双环［２．２．２］辛烷－３－胺｝１ｍｇｋｇ－１，ｉｖ，可减弱ＬＴＣ４诱导的依文思蓝渗出；ＮＫ－２受体拮抗剂ＳＲ－４８９６８｛（Ｓ）－Ｎ－甲基－Ｎ－［４－（４－乙酰氨基－４－苯基哌啶）－２－（３，４－二氯苯基）丁基］苯甲酰胺｝，１ｍｇｋｇ－１，ｉｖ，可抑制ＩＰＰ的增高．白三烯拮抗剂ＯＮＯ－１０７８（０．０３ｍｇｋｇ－１，ｉｖ）可阻断这两种反应．结果说明内源性速激肽增强ＬＴＣ４的气道作用，其中ＮＫ－１受体介导微血管渗漏，ＮＫ－２受体介导支气管收缩．     

比索洛尔改善充血性心衰心功能及心肌重塑的疗效观察

目的　观察比索洛尔 (bisoprolol)对充血性心衰心功能及心肌重塑的临床疗效 .方法　 2 12例患者随机分为比索洛尔组和常规药物组 ,比索洛尔剂量起始量 0 .6 2 5 mg～1.2 5 0 mg,1次· d- 1 ,逐渐增加至最大剂量为 2 .5 mg～ 5 .0mg,1次· d- 1 .观察心功能、临床疗效、左室舒张末内径(L VEDD)、左室收缩末内径 (L VESD)、射血分数 (EF)、舒张早期 E峰流速 /舒张晚期 A峰流速 (VE/ VA) .结果　比索洛尔组与常规药物组比较 ,比索洛尔治疗 3m o后有效者(87.7% )高于常规药物组 (6 6 .0 % ) ,P <0 .0 5 ;冠心病(87.9% )和扩张型心肌病心衰 (91.9% )疗效明显好于常规药物组 (分别为 6 6 .7% ,6 7.4 % ) ;治疗 6 mo后重度心衰者疗效(90 .0 % )明显好于常规药物组 (6 5 .4 % ,P <0 .0 5 ) .治疗后比索洛尔组 L VESD[(44 .8± 3.9) m m vs(48.8± 4 .6 ) mm],EF[(40 .7± 7.5 ) % vs (35 .7± 5 .2 ) % ]优于常规药物组 (P<0 .0 1) ;L VEDD,VE/ VA也较治疗前有明显改善 .结论　比索洛尔改善充血性心力衰竭临床症状 ,促进心脏收缩、舒张功能恢复 ,部分逆转心肌重塑 .     

Seizures induced by aminooxyacetic acid in mice: pharmacological characteristics

Systemic (s.c.) administration of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) in mice triggered clonic convulsions with a CD50 (convulsive dose) of 68 mg/kg (range 54-86). AOAA also induced clonic convulsions in mice subjected to intracerebroventricular administration of the drug with a CD50 of 0.04 mumols (range 0.028-0.06). At the onset of convulsions induced by systemic AOAA (CD97;150 mg/kg), the GAD activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus was not affected. GABA mimetic drugs, progabide and gabaculine, had no effect on convulsions induced by AOAA. Convulsions induced by systemic administration of AOAA were blocked by diazepam, phenobarbital, and valproate. Ethosuximide, trimethadione, acetazolamide, diphenylhydantoin, and carbamazepine remained ineffective. L-Phenylisopropyladenosine was also found to protect mice against AOAA-induced convulsions, whereas atropine and baclofen had no effect. The seizures induced by intracerebroventricular administration of AOAA (CD97; 0.1 mumols) were blocked by coadministration of preferential N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists, D-(-)-2-aminophosphonoheptanoic (AP7), 3-[+/-)-2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic (CPP), and kynurenic acid (KYNA); preferential quisqualate/kainate antagonists, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione and gamma-D-glutamylaminomethylsulphonic acid, remained inactive in the range of dosages sufficient to block seizures induced by quisqualic acid or kainic acid. The antagonistic action of antiepileptic drugs effective against seizures induced by excitatory amino acids (diazepam and valproate), and drugs acting on excitatory amino acid receptors (AP7, CPP, and KYNA) upon seizures induced by AOAA suggests an involvement of excitatory neurotransmission in the convulsant action of the drug.