Fundamental basis of covid-19 pathogenesis [Najznačajnije osnove patogeneze covid-19]

At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus infection occurred in the People's Republic of China with an epicentre in the city of Wu-han. On February 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization as-signed the official name of the infection caused by the new coro-navirus – COVID-19. COVID-19 has affected people from all over the world given that the infection was noted in 200 countries resulting in annunciation of the pandemic situation. Human co-rona viruses cause mild to moderate respiratory infections. At the end of 2002, a new coronavirus appeared (SARS-CoV), the causal agent of atypical pneumonia, which caused acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The initial stage of COVID-19 infection is the penetration of SARS-CoV-2 into target cells that have angi-otensin converting enzyme type II receptors. The virus enters the body through the respiratory tract and interacts primarily with toll-like receptors (TLRs). The events in SARS-Cov-2 induced infection follow the next scenario: epithelial cells via TLRs recog-nize and identify SARS-Cov-2, and after that the information is transmitted to the transcriptional NF-κB, which causes expression of the corresponding genes. Activated in this way, the epithelial cells begin to synthesize various biologically active molecules. The results obtained on preclinical material indicate that ROS generation increases and the antioxidant protection decreases, which plays a major role in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV, as well as in the progression and severity of this respiratory disease. © 2020, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved

Ubiquinone plasma levels are correlated with brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels in patients with chronic heart failure: The potential of coenzyme q10 combined therapy [Povezanost plazma nivoa ubihinona sa nivoem moždanog natriuretskog peptida kod pacijenata sa hronicnom bolešcu srca: Efekti kombinovane terapije koenzimom Q10]

Despite the association of a worse HF-related clinical status with lower CoQ10 levels, the prognostic use of CoQ10 is controversial. The aim of this study is to optimize pharmacotherapy for patients with ischaemic CHF, based on the clinical and functional parameters of the heart and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) plasma levels, which are correlated with the CoQ10 plasma levels, and to assess patient prognosis after receiving CoQ10 therapy. This prospective clinical study included 75 patients aged 56 to 63 years old with coronary heart disease (CHD) classified as class I–III according to the NYHA classification. After assessment of the clinical-instrumental characteristics of the CVD course (complaints, medical history, physical examination, a 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, and test for reactive hyperaemia), we determined the BNP level and CoQ10 plasma levels. At the same time, we assessed the efficacy of CoQ10 treatment (at a dose of 60 mg/per day) and tolerability in CVD-combined therapy during a follow-up of 12 weeks. CoQ10 supplementation in HF patients induced improvements in their functional cardiac parameters, such as the ejection fraction. Our results suggest that supplemental CoQ10 may be a useful option for effective management of heart failure and warrant future adequately powered randomized controlled trials of CoQ10 supplementation in patients with HF. © 2018, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved

Ubiquinone Plasma Levels are Correlated with Brain Natriuretic Peptide Plasma Levels in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: The Potential of Coenzyme Q10 Combined Therapy

Despite the association of a worse HF-related clinical status with lower CoQ10 levels, the prognostic use of CoQ10 is controversial. The aim of this study is to optimize pharmacotherapy for patients with ischaemic CHF, based on the clinical and functional parameters of the heart and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) plasma levels, which are correlated with the CoQ10 plasma levels, and to assess patient prognosis after receiving CoQ10 therapy. This prospective clinical study included 75 patients aged 56 to 63 years old with coronary heart disease (CHD) classified as class I–III according to the NYHA classification. After assessment of the clinical-instrumental characteristics of the CVD course (complaints, medical history, physical examination, a 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, and test for reactive hyperaemia), we determined the BNP level and CoQ10 plasma levels. At the same time, we assessed the efficacy of CoQ10 treatment (at a dose of 60 mg/per day) and tolerability in CVD-combined therapy during a follow-up of 12 weeks. CoQ10 supplementation in HF patients induced improvements in their functional cardiac parameters, such as the ejection fraction. Our results suggest that supplemental CoQ10 may be a useful option for effective management of heart failure and warrant future adequately powered randomized controlled trials of CoQ10 supplementation in patients with HF

Ubiquinone plasma levels are correlated with brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels in patients with chronic heart failure: The potential of coenzyme q10 combined therapy [Povezanost plazma nivoa ubihinona sa nivoem moždanog natriuretskog peptida kod pacijenata sa hronicnom bolešcu srca: Efekti kombinovane terapije koenzimom Q10]

Despite the association of a worse HF-related clinical status with lower CoQ10 levels, the prognostic use of CoQ10 is controversial. The aim of this study is to optimize pharmacotherapy for patients with ischaemic CHF, based on the clinical and functional parameters of the heart and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) plasma levels, which are correlated with the CoQ10 plasma levels, and to assess patient prognosis after receiving CoQ10 therapy. This prospective clinical study included 75 patients aged 56 to 63 years old with coronary heart disease (CHD) classified as class I–III according to the NYHA classification. After assessment of the clinical-instrumental characteristics of the CVD course (complaints, medical history, physical examination, a 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, and test for reactive hyperaemia), we determined the BNP level and CoQ10 plasma levels. At the same time, we assessed the efficacy of CoQ10 treatment (at a dose of 60 mg/per day) and tolerability in CVD-combined therapy during a follow-up of 12 weeks. CoQ10 supplementation in HF patients induced improvements in their functional cardiac parameters, such as the ejection fraction. Our results suggest that supplemental CoQ10 may be a useful option for effective management of heart failure and warrant future adequately powered randomized controlled trials of CoQ10 supplementation in patients with HF. © 2018, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved

Specific features of free radical processes in comorbid patients with acute stroke and transient ischemic attack

Objective: to study the course of free radical processes (FRP) and the role of glycolytic disorders in patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) developing in the presence of several vascular diseases (vascular comorbidity).Patients and methods. The study enrolled 141 patients aged 28–94 years (mean age 65.48±13.44 years) with stroke and TIA developing in the presence of vascular comorbidity. Ischemic stroke was diagnosed in 87 (61.7%) patients, hemorrhagic stroke and TIA were in 35 (24.8%) and 19 (13.5%) patients, respectively. Their neurological and functional status was evaluated over time using the U.S. National Institute of Health stroke scale, the Barthel index, and the Rankin scale. Plasma FRP was investigated over time from the oxygen and lipid peroxide markers of oxidative stress. After hospital discharge, the patients were followed up for 6 months to 6 years. Survival and recurrent cardiovascular event rates were estimated.Results. In the patients with prior stroke, the severity of vascular comorbidity correlated with the rise in death rates that within 6 years after hospital discharge were 42.9% and 8.3% in patients with 4 cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 1 CVD, respectively. Vascular comorbidity correlated with the outcome of the disease. Emphasis was laid on the role of hyperglycemia in the breakdown of adaptive processes in stroke. The low level of malonic dialdehyde and the high antiperoxide activity of secondary plasma in the stroke patients are markers for good in-hospital functional recovery and reduced poststroke mortality rates during a long-term follow-up.Conclusion. Stroke and TIA develop in the presence of obvious vascular comorbidity that predetermines the severity of the disease. The FRP values correlating with dysenergetic processes are significant prognostic markers in both acute and chronic stroke