Bial

About: Bial is a company organization based out in Porto, Portugal. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Eslicarbazepine acetate & Catechol-O-methyl transferase. The organization has 321 authors who have published 591 publications receiving 30583 citations.

Cardiometabolic and Inflammatory Benefits of Sympathetic Down-Regulation with Zamicastat in Aged Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Abstract: The hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays a major role in the development and progression of several cardiovascular diseases. One strategy to mitigate the SNS overdrive is by restricting the biosynthesis of norepinephrine via the inhibition of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH). Zamicastat is a new DBH inhibitor that decreases norepinephrine and increases dopamine levels in peripherally sympathetic-innervated tissues. The cardiometabolic and inflammatory effects of sympathetic down-regulation were evaluated in 50 week old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) receiving zamicastat (30 mg/kg/day) for 9 weeks. After 8 weeks of treatment, the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed by tail cuff plethysmography. At the end of the study, 24 h urine, plasma, heart, and kidney were collected for biochemical and morphometric analyses. Zamicastat-induced sympathetic down-regulation decreased the high BP in SHRs, with no observed effect on HR. The heart-to-body weight ratio was lower in SHRs treated with zamicastat, whereas the body weight and kidney-to-body weight ratio were similar between both SHR cohorts. Zamicastat-treated SHRs showed reduced 24 h urine output, but the urinary amount of protein excreted and creatinine clearance rate remained unchanged. Zamicastat treatment significantly decreased plasma triglycerides, free fatty acids, and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Aged SHRs showed higher plasma levels of inflammatory markers as compared with age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. The inflammatory benefits attained with DBH inhibition were expressed by a decrease in CRP, MCP-1, IL-5, IL-17α, GRO/KC, MIP-1α, and RANTES plasma levels as compared with untreated SHRs. In conclusion, DBH inhibition decreased norepinephrine levels, reduced end-organ damage, and improved cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in aged male SHRs.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety Profile of Topical Etofenamate in the Treatment of Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Abstract: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are, in general, the cornerstone of musculoskeletal pain management; however, systemic adverse events with oral formulations of NSAIDs are common To address this problem and limit systemic exposure, topical formulations of some NSAIDs have been developed The aim of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of the topical formulations of the NSAID etofenamate in patients with musculoskeletal disorders A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted using the key words “topical etofenamate efficacy” OR “topical etofenamate safety” OR “topical etofenamate effectiveness” to identify studies of etofenamate published from inception to November 2018 Some published manuscripts of interest known by the authors but not identified in the PubMed search were also included to ensure the review article was as comprehensive as possible Overall, 12 studies were identified These studies demonstrate that topical etofenamate [administered either in gel (5 or 10%), cream (10%) or lotion (10%) formulations)] can improve pain and reduce inflammation in patients with musculoskeletal disorders, including blunt injuries and rheumatic diseases Etofenamate was shown to have an overall efficacy that was superior to other topical NSAIDs, such as 1% indomethacin and 1% diclofenac, and to be as effective as topical formulations of 25% ketoprofen gel and 2% ketorolac gel (although ketorolac showed better elimination of pain at some time points) Also, clinical evidence indicates that etofenamate is generally well tolerated in these indications The clinical evidence currently available suggests that etofenamate is an effective therapeutic option for the management of musculoskeletal disorders, such as blunt traumas, lumbago or osteoarthrosis However, larger and well-controlled clinical trials comparing the efficacy and safety of etofenamate with other newer topical NSAIDs are warranted

Urea compounds and their use as enzyme inhibitors

Abstract: A compound having the following structure: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. The compound may be used in the treatment or prevention of a disorder selected from appetite regulation, obesity, metabolic disorders, cachexia, anorexia, pain, inflammation, neurotoxicity, neurotrauma, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, levodopa-induced dyskinesia, Huntington's disease, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, insomnia, nausea, emesis, alcohol disorders, drug addictions such as opiates, nicotine, cocaine, alcohol and psychostimulants, hypertension, circulatory shock, myocardial reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, asthma, glaucoma, retinopathy, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, acute and chronic liver disease such as hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, arthritis and osteoporosis.

Clinical significance of cross-reactivity between tobacco and latex.

Abstract: Background Allergen cross-reactivity between tobacco and other species of Solanaceae family (tomato, potato, aubergine and egg plant) have been reported. We have recently studied IgE response to tobacco in asthmatic patients sensitised to Lolium perenne (Perennial rye grass pollen) and have found that 30% of the tobacco responsive patients also have latex sensitisation. Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the possibility of cross-reactivity between tobacco and latex in asthmatic patients with IgE response to latex. Methods A study was performed on tobacco and latex exposure in 15 patients who suffered from asthma and latex sensitisation and who were randomly chosen from our database of latex-sensitive patients. To identify tobacco and latex as possible allergens that might cause clinical specific responses, all these patients were tested with prick-tests, specific IgE to tobacco, latex and related allergens, bronchial challenge, and patch tests with tobacco, latex and nicotine. Immunological response was evaluated with immunoblotting, immunoblotting-inhibition and EAST-inhibition tests. Results Positive prick and bronchial challenge with specific IgE>0.35 kU/L to tobacco was demonstrated in 11 asthmatics who were also sensitised to rye grass. Tobacco IgE level was related with sensitisation to latex (p Conclusions Cross-reactivity exists between latex and tobacco allergens. Smoker patients with IgE response to tobacco may be a risk population for latex sensitisation.