
Efficacy/Safety of Antibiotic Steroid Combination in Prevention of Post Operative Inflammation in...
Post Lasik Surgery InflammationEfficacy/Safety of antibiotic steroid combination compared with individual administration in inflammation Post-LASIK

A Possible Therapeutic Role for Adenosine During Inflammation
EndotoxemiaThe adenosine receptor is known for its anti-inflammatory actions and could therefore be a potential target in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock. Stimulation of the adenosine receptor could potentially lead to a decrease in inflammation and tissue damage. Under normal conditions adenosine is formed either by an intracellular 5'nucleotidase, which dephosphorylates AMP, or by the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomcysteine by hydrolase. An alternative pathway of AMP degradations is provided by the cytosolic enzyme AMP deaminase (AMPD), which catalyses the irreversible deamination of AMP to inosine monophosphate and ammonia. In humans four AMPD isoforms have been described, named after the source from which they were initially purified; M (muscle), L (liver), E1 and E2 (erythrocyte), encoded by AMPD1, AMPD2 and AMPD3. Approximately 15-20% of Caucasian and African American individuals are heterozygous or homozygous for the 34C>T variant of AMPD1. We hypothesize that healthy volunteers who have the polymorphism for AMPD1 have a less severe inflammatory response to LPS and show less (severe) organ failure. This hypothesis is based on the expected higher levels of adenosine in patients with the AMPD1 polymorphism. This hypothesis is strengthened by the fact that patients with coronary artery disease and the AMPD1 polymorphism show improved cardiovascular survival (Anderson JL et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2000; 36: 1248-52) possibly based on higher adenosine levels by reduced AMPD activity. Furthermore the polymorphism predicts improved clinical outcome in patients with heart failure (Loh E et al. Circulation 1999) also based on a hypothetical elevation of adenosine. We hypothesize that: The C34T-polymorphism of the enzyme AMP-deaminase leads to a decreased inflammatory respons and thereby a decrease of LPS-induced tissue damage. A second hypothesis is based on the antagonism of the adenosine receptor, by caffeine; Antagonism of the adenosine receptor by caffeine leads to an increased LPS-induced inflammatory reaction and an increase in (subclinical) tissue damage?

NAC Treatment and Outcomes in Patients With Advanced Atherosclerosis and DM
Atherosclerosis of ArteryPeripheral Artery Disease3 moreAtherosclerosis and diabetes are related to coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. The mechanisms are related to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and inflammatory cytokine secretion. However, simply using antioxidant or anti-inflammatory therapies has no optimal outcomes. On the other hand, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects could effectively attenuate ROS production and reduce vascular inflammation. Hence, we will investigate the effect of NAC treatment on the outcomes in patients with advanced atherosclerotic heart diseases and patients with diabetes combined with significant peripheral artery disease.

Wheat Germ Supplementation Will Improve Markers of Gut Health, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance...
OverweightInsulin Resistance1 moreThe objective of this pilot study is to determine the effects of wheat germ (WG) supplementation on gut health and subsequent effects on markers of inflammation and insulin resistance in overweight individuals. WG is a by-product of wheat processing and an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and fiber. A few studies have shown the health benefits of WG including gut modulatory potential, but the prebiotic functions of WG in humans remain in question and warrant further investigation.

Simplified Monitoring Myanmar SM2 Study
Hepatitis CLiver Cirrhoses2 moreThe study will evaluate the proportion of patients with undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) following a course of DAA therapy delivered using a simplified schedule of safety and virological monitoring.

Study to Evaluate the Effects of Cenicriviroc Mesylate on Arterial Inflammation in People Living...
HIV InfectionsThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of cenicriviroc mesylate (CVC) on arterial inflammation in people living with HIV.

The Effect of Probiotics on Obesity. Metabolic Endotoxemia and Inflammation
Metabolic SyndromeIn spite of the growing evidence for the beneficial effects of probiotics, their anti-obesity effects are not well examined. No previous studies were conducted in this research area in the UAE. Hence, the aims of this study are to 1) Investigate the link between metabolic derangements associated with obesity and levels of LPS and LBP; 2) Study the relatedness of low grade inflammation with the ME; 3) Investigate the food intake assessment; and 4) Investigate the effectiveness of probiotics supplement on the obesity, ME and inflammation. This project will have two phases: 1) a cross-sectional, in which 250 adults will be recruited for the collection of anthropometric measures, food intake, and fasting blood samples to measure serum LPS, LBP, Lipid profile, IR, insulin-like growth factor, hs-CRP, IL-6, and glucose. 2) Intervention phase, in which 50 overweight subjects will be randomly assigned to either receive a daily probiotic (25 subjects) or a placebo capsule (25 subjects) during the intervention period.

Omega (n)-3 PUFA Enriched Beef & Health Outcomes.
CVDCholesterol; Metabolic Disorder1 moreRed meat is an integral component of the habitual diet among the UK and Irish population, with adults consuming an average of 71grams/day. Although typically high in saturated fatty acids (SFA), red meat is also an important dietary source of protein and essential nutrients including iron, zinc, B vitamins and long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which provide numerous benefits to human health, particularly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. N-3 and n-6 PUFA are a family of fatty acids with important roles in cardiovascular health, and it is often recommended in dietary guidelines to replace SFA with unsaturated fats, such as PUFA. Owing to the social and economic burden of CVD, increasing the proportions of these unsaturated fatty acids, in combination with a reduction in SFA within meat, could have a large impact on CVD risk at the population level, whilst retaining the beneficial nutrients and n-3 PUFA which meat provides. In this research, a total of 90 eligible and consenting participants will be randomly allocated to consume three portions per week of n-3 enriched beef (from either dietary supplemented or grass-fed cattle) or control beef (from standard supply). This beef will be offered within a lunchtime meal and served from the Human Intervention Studies Unit at Ulster University, Coleraine for a period of 5 weeks. A fasting blood sample will be taken before and after intervention to determine the effect the n-3 enriched beef on cholesterol concentrations, lipid profile, PUFA status and inflammation. Blood pressure, stiffness of the arteries and body shape, size and composition will also be assessed, and some health and lifestyle habits will be captured using questionnaires.

Impact of MEditerranean Diet, Inflammation and Microbiome After an Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute Coronary SyndromeIn the MEDIMACS project, the investigators will use a randomized clinical-trial design to address the effects of mediterranean diet on atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and coronary endothelial function in order to decipher complex interplays between diet, microbiome, immunological and metabolic responses and coronary atherosclerosis. The investigators will focus on patients after an episode of acute coronary syndrome and use state-of-the-art techniques to address atherosclerotic plaque composition and coronary endothelial function. A number of different -omic approaches will be used to address effector pathways. The insights provided by this study will allow identifying potential new dietary, microbiota and/or metabolic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis

Effects of SGLT-2 Inhibition on Myocardial Fibrosis and Inflammation as Assessed by Cardiac MRI...
Type 2 Diabetes MellitusMyocardial Fibrosis1 moreThere is an unmet need for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk reduction in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. In recent trials there has been promising findings of more effective glucose management and reductions in overall CVD events and hospitalization for heart failure with SGLT-2 inhibition. Using the capability of cardiac MRI with T1- and T2-mapping in assessments of myocardial fibrosis and inflammation, the investigators propose to conduct a clinical trial to investigate the effects of SGLT-2 inhibition with dapagliflozin on myocardial strain, fibrosis and inflammation as assessed by cardiac MRI with T1- and T2-mapping in patients with type-2 diabetes. Over approximately 12 months subjects will have 6 clinical visits at the investigators research clinic. During this time subjects will be randomized to receive either active 10mg dapagliflozin or a matching placebo. 2 MRI scans at one of the two University of Washington research imaging centers will take place. One at randomization and the second scan will occur approximately 12 months after the first scan.