Safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a novel anti-asthmatic drug, XC8, in healthy probands

Introduction: XC8 (histamine glutarimide) is a novel agent which targets eosinophilic migration and mast cell degranulation and has shown anti-asthmatic effects in animal studies. Objective: The objective of this placebo-controlled phase 1 study was to assess the safety of oral XC8 and to evaluate its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Methods: 32 healthy volunteers in three dose-escalation treatment groups (10 mg [n = 8], 50 mg [n = 8] and 200 mg [n = 16]) were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to XC8 or placebo respectively. The subjects received a single dose of the drug at Day 1 and then once-daily for 14 days (Days 8-21). Results: No severe adverse events occurred. The number of adverse events was similar in the treatment arms compared to placebo and all subjects completed the study as planned. No clinically significant changes occurred in hematologic and biochemical blood tests in subjects receiving XC8. The pharmacokinetic data showed similar dose and time dependent mean plasma XC8 concentrations after single (Day 1) and multiple (Day 21) dosing. The mean maximum concentrations were 114-1993 ng/mL after single and 115-2089 ng/mL after multiple dosing. The mean times to maximum concentration were 0.68-1.01 and 0.67-0.98 h, respectively. There was no evidence for accumulation of XC8 after multiple dosing. Conclusion: XC8 was safe and well tolerated. A phase 2 study is being performed to further evaluate the potential role of XC8 in asthma treatment.Peer reviewe

Antifibrotic and regenerative effects of Treamid in pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by interstitial fibrosis and progressive respiratory failure. Pirfenidone and nintedanib slow down but do not stop the progression of IPF. Thus, new compounds with high antifibrotic activity and simultaneously regenerative activity are an unmet clinical need. Recently, we showed that Treamid can help restoring the pancreas and testicular tissue in mice with metabolic disorders. We hypothesized that Treamid may be effective in anti-fibrotic therapy and regeneration of damaged lung tissue in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, experiments were performed on male C57BL/6 mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We applied histological and immunohistochemical methods, ELISA, and assessed the expression of markers of endothelial and epithelial cells in primary cultures of CD31+ and CD326+ lung cells. Finally, we evaluated esterase activity and apoptosis of lung cells in vitro. Our data indicate that Treamid exhibits antifibrotic activity in mice with pulmonary fibrosis and has a positive effect on capillaries of the lungs. Treamid also increases the number of endothelial progenitor cells in the lungs of animals with pulmonary fibrosis. Lastly, Treamid increases esterase activity and decreases apoptosis of CD31+ lung cells in vitro. Based on these findings, we suggest that Treamid may represent a promising compound for the development of new antifibrotic agents, which are capable of stimulating regeneration of lung endothelium in IPF patients

Antidiabetic effects of Bisamide Derivative of Dicarboxylic Acid in metabolic disorders

In clinical practice, metabolic syndrome can lead to multiple complications, including diabetes. It remains unclear, which component of the metabolic syndrome (obesity, inflammation, hyperglycemia or insulin resistance) has the strongest inhibitory effect on stem cells involved in beta cell regeneration. This makes it challenging to develop effective treatment options for complications such as diabetes. In our study, experiments were performed on male C57BL/6 mice where metabolic disorders have been introduced experimentally by a combination of streptozotocin-treatment and high-fat diet. We evaluated the biological effects of Bisamide Derivative of Dicarboxylic Acid (BDDA) and its impact on pancreatic stem cells in vivo. To assess the impact of BDDA, we applied a combination of histological and biochemical methods along with a cytometric analysis of stem cell and progenitor cell markers. We show that in mice with metabolic disorders, BDDA has a positive effect on lipid and glucose metabolism. The pancreatic restoration was associated with a decrease of the inhibitory effects of inflammation and obesity factors on pancreatic stem cells. Our data show that BDDA increases the number of pancreatic stem cells. Thus, BDDA could be used as a new compound for treating complications of the metabolic syndrome such as diabetes

The Hidden Pandemic of COVID-19-Induced Organizing Pneumonia

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical, radiological, and histopathological studies have provided evidence that organizing pneumonia is a possible consequence of the SARS-CoV2 infection. This post-COVID-19 organizing pneumonia (PCOP) causes persisting dyspnea, impaired pulmonary function, and produces radiological abnormalities for at least 5 weeks after onset of symptoms. While most patients with PCOP recover within a year after acute COVID-19, 5–25% of cases need specialized treatment. However, despite substantial resources allocated worldwide to finding a solution to this problem, there are no approved treatments for PCOP. Oral corticosteroids produce a therapeutic response in a majority of such PCOP patients, but their application is limited by the anticipated high-relapse frequency and the risk of severe adverse effects. Herein, we conduct a systematic comparison of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of the organizing pneumonias caused by COVID-19 as well as other viral infections. We also use the clinical efficacy of corticosteroids in other postinfection OPs (PIOPs) to predict the therapeutic response in the treatment of PCOP. Finally, we discuss the potential application of a candidate anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic therapy for the treatment of PCOP based on the analysis of the latest clinical trials data

Activity of Ingavirin (6-[2-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)ethylamino]-5-oxo-hexanoic Acid) Against Human Respiratory Viruses in in Vivo Experiments

Respiratory viral infections constitute the most frequent reason for medical consultations in the World. They can be associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations ranging from self-limited upper respiratory tract infections to more devastating conditions such as pneumonia. In particular, in serious cases influenza A leads to pneumonia, which is particularly fatal in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, obesity, young children and the elderly. In the present study, we show a protective effect of the low-molecular weight compound Ingavirin (6-[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethylamino]-5-oxohexanoic acid) against influenza A (H1N1) virus, human parainfluenza virus and human adenovirus infections in animals. Mortality, weight loss, infectious titer of the virus in tissues and tissue morphology were monitored in the experimental groups of animals. The protective action of Ingavirin was observed as a reduction of infectious titer of the virus in the lung tissue, prolongation of the life of the infected animals, normalization of weight dynamics throughout the course of the disease, lowering of mortality of treated animals compared to a placebo control and normalization of tissue structure. In case of influenza virus infection, the protective activity of Ingavirin was similar to that of the reference compound Tamiflu. Based on the results obtained, Ingavirin should be considered as an important part of anti-viral prophylaxis and therapy

Bisamide derivative of Dicarboxylic Acid contributes to restoration of testicular tissue function and influences spermatogonial stem cells in metabolic disorders

The metabolic syndrome can lead to several challenging complications including degeneration of the pancreas, and hypogonadism. Recently, we have shown that Bisamide Derivative of Dicarboxylic Acid (BDDA) can contribute to pancreatic restoration in mice with metabolic disorders via its positive effects on lipid and glucose metabolism, and by increasing the numbers of pancreatic stem cells. In the present study, we hypothesized that BDDA might also be effective in restoring hypogonadism caused by the metabolic syndrome. Experiments were performed on male C57BL/6 mice with hypogonadism, where metabolic disorders have been introduced by a combination of streptozotocin treatment and high fat diet. Using a combination of histological and biochemical methods along with a flow cytometric analysis of stem and progenitor cell markers, we evaluated the biological effects of BDDA on testicular tissue, germ cells, spermatogonial stem cells in vitro and in vivo, as well as on fertility. We demonstrate that in mice with metabolic disorders, BDDA has positive effects on spermatogenesis and restores fertility. We also show that BDDA exerts its therapeutic effects by reducing inflammation and by modulating spermatogonial stem cells. Thus, our results suggest that BDDA could represent a promising lead compound for the development of novel therapeutics able to stimulate regeneration of the testicular tissue and to restore fertility in hypogonadism resulting from complications of the metabolic syndrome