Active clinical trials for "Inflammation"

Currently, the growing epidemic of a new coronavirus infectious disease (Covid-19) is wreaking havoc worldwide, which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is a RNA virus that display high similarity in both genomic and proteomic profiling with SARS-CoV that first emerged in humans in 2003 in China. Therefore, preventing and controlling the pandemic occurrences are extremely urgent as a global top priority. Due to the lack of effective antiviral drugs, patients may be treated by only addressing their symptoms such as reducing fever. Clinical autopsies from SARS-CoV-infected patients demonstrated that there were major pathological changes in the lungs, immune organs, and small systemic blood vessels with vasculitis. However, the detection of SARS-CoV were primarily found in the lung and trachea/bronchus, but was undetectable in spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, heart and aorta, highlighting the overreaction of immune responses induced by viral infection were really harmful, resulting in the pathogenesis of lungs, immune organs, and small systemic blood vessels. To this respect, immune modulation strategy may be potentially beneficial to enhance anti-viral immunity and efficiently reduce the viral load, improve clinical outcomes, expedite the patient recovery, and decline the rate of mortality in patients after being infected with SARS-CoV-2. Tianhe Stem Cell Biotechnologies Inc. has developed a novel globally-patented Stem Cell Educator (SCE) technology designed to reverse the autoimmune response in Type 1 diabetes (T1D), Alopecia Areata (AA) and other autoimmune diseases. SCE therapy uses human multipotent cord blood stem cells (CB-SC) from human cord blood. Their properties distinguish CB-SC from other known stem cell types, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Several clinical studies show that SCE therapy functions via CB-SC induction of immune tolerance in autoimmune T cells and restore immune balance and homeostasis in patients with T1D, AA and other inflammation-associated diseases. To correct the overreaction of overreaction of immune responses, the investigators plan to treat SARS-CoV-2 patients with Stem Cell Educator therapy.

This is a Phase 2b, multi-centered, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with treatment phase over 24 weeks. Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a condition that causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and colon (the large bowel). In UC, ulcers develop on the surface of the lining and these may bleed and produce mucus. Individuals with UC can become very unwell with disabling bloody diarrhoea, uncontrollable bowel habit and profound tiredness. In very severe cases, UC carry the risks of rupture of the inflamed bowel wall requiring an emergency operation to remove the colon. The MARVEL study investigates whether MitoQ is a beneficial drug treatment for UC. Earlier studies have shown that the inflamed UC gut lining releases 'danger signals' arising from the mitochondria. These 'danger signals' attract immune cells and make inflammation worse. Mitochondria are the 'batteries' or 'power stations' that reside within, and provide energy for living cells. In the gut lining of individuals with UC, the mitochondria are more prone to damage that increases the release of these danger signals. MitoQ protects the mitochondria and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. The investigators hypothesise that MitoQ will improve UC and allow the bowels to heal properly following a disease flare. In the MARVEL study, individuals with an active flare of UC requiring standard oral Prednisolone will be given either MitoQ or placebo as a daily capsule for 24 weeks. The Investigators will carry out an assessment after 12 and 24 weeks to find out if MitoQ will result in higher rates of improvement in the participants' symptoms and gut lining inflammation. Furthermore, the investigators will investigate if their UC will be better controlled and that they are less likely to need further steroids or more potent forms of drugs. MitoQ has been shown to be safe in 2 large human clinical studies in Parkinson's disease and Hepatitis C, but the MARVEL study will be the first study in UC. At low doses, MitoQ is used as a nutritional supplement that has an anti-oxidant effect. Currently, many drug treatments in UC are very strong, expensive and aimed at suppressing the immune system. If the MARVEL study provides supportive data, MitoQ can be a safe and cost-effective new treatment that works at blocking the specific inflammatory signal found in the gut lining of individuals with UC.

Assessing DEXTENZA efficacy when placed within the upper eyelid canaliculus as opposed to the lower eyelid canaliculus.

The aim of study is to examine the relationship between lipid subfractions, inflammation and structural-functional properties of the arterial wall in patients with premature coronary heart disease, to study genetic polymorphisms that determine lipid subfractions concentration on the functional and morphological properties of the arterial vascular wall in patients with early coronary heart disease, to study the effect of alirocumab and evolocumab on lipid subfractions, inflammation and structural-functional properties of arterial wall in patients with early coronary atherosclerosis and to study the influence of NOS-3 gene expression on the functional and morphological properties of the arterial vascular wall in the same patients. Impaired blood fat metabolism and chronic inflammation are intertwined as possible causes of atherosclerosis. Lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease and a prognostic predictor in patients after myocardial infarction, but recent research suggests that subtilisin-kexin convertase type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are the only drugs that significantly reduce serum Lp (a) concentration. However, there are no data on the relationship between Lp (a) values and polymorphisms for Lp (a), indicators of inflammation and impaired arterial function, and response to treatment with various PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with early coronary heart disease.

Background: Morbid obesity is associated with decreased brain µ-opioid receptor availability, possibly resulting in higher food intake needed to gain pleasure from eating. This decrease seems to normalize already 6 months after bariatric surgery, but the longer-term effects have not been studied. Obesity and insulin resistance result in significantly increased brain insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, whereas in every other tissue glucose uptake is lower. One possible explanation to this could be central inflammation and activation of brain glial cells, which has been shown to occur in animal models of obesity. Obesity has also been shown to associate with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline in several studies. Aims: The first objective of this study is to both study the effects of bariatric surgery as well as compare the effects of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on food-associated pleasure, extending the follow-up period to 2 years postoperatively. The second aim is to investigate the effect of morbid obesity and weight loss on brain inflammation and gliosis and its association with increased brain insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Furthermore, association of obesity, insulin resistance, central inflammation and neurocognitive dysfunction are evaluated.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common complication of diabetes with global prevalence of 6.3%. Treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is challenging with disappointing outcome. Wound debridement, infection control, pressure relief and revascularization are main pillars of DFU management. Various substances and modalities are being investigated for their potential effects in treating DFU, one of which is LL-37. In this randomized, controlled trial, 40 patients with uncomplicated DFU will be enrolled. Patients are randomly assigned to undergo twice a week treatment with 0.5 mg/mL LL-37 cream (treatment group) or placebo cream (control group) for 4 weeks in addition to standard wound care. The primary outcomes are the healing rate measured by wound area and granulation index and changes in patterns of aerobic bacteria colonization during the 4-week study duration and changes in concentrations of IL-α and TNF-α from fluid collected from DFU on the end of the second and third week of study compared to baseline.

The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of LOVAZA (fish oil capsules) to decrease inflammation in children and adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). It has been found that besides the damage caused by sickle red blood cells themselves, the inflammatory response that occurs in SCD patients could potentially play a significant role in the occurrence of painful episodes or pain crises. The investigators will also study whether the subject/caregiver feels that there is an improvement in the child's quality of life by taking the medication. Besides the effect of LOVAZA on inflammation,the investigators are also testing whether the drug will have a beneficial effect on blood clotting ability (which is known to be increased in SCD) and on the anemia (low red blood cells) that is part of the disease entity.

Background More than 50% of dialysis patients experience sleep disturbances that significantly affect quality of life, overall morbidity, and mortality. There is no effective therapy except hypnotics, which have notable side effects. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for treating peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, the elderly and cancer patients with chronic insomnia, but its effectiveness has never been reported in hemodialysis (HD) patients and its impacts on the inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and autonomic dysfunction in this population are unknown. The investigators investigated the effectiveness of CBT in HD patients by assessing changes in sleep quality, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and autonomic dysfunction. Objects This study is designed to assess the effectiveness of CBT on sleep disturbance in insomnias HD patients. The investigators also evaluate the impacts of CBT on the inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and autonomic dysfunction in these insomnias HD patients. Methods The investigators expected to recruit 80 insomnias HD patients undergoing maintenance HD for more than 3 months for the investigation. Besides, 40 HD patients without sleep disturbance will be recruited for comparison. Patients with sleep disturbance (N=80) was randomized to either intervention (CBT) group (N=40) or control group (N=40). Participants in CBT group will receive 6-week CBT while in control group and patients without sleep disturbance only receive sleep hygiene education. The subjects were assessed at baseline and after the intervention with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck depression index (BDI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men and the Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) for women; and inflammatory cytokines (serum IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α levels), oxidative stress (TBARS, Total antioxidant status and serum 8-OHdG) and autonomic dysfunction (Baroreflex sensitivity, BRS) were measured. Expected results The investigators expect that CBT can improve the sleep disturbance in HD patients and may change the inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and autonomic dysfunction after the intervention in insomnias HD patients.

The investigators aim to study the effects of green tea and maté consumption on lipid and inflammatory profiles in dyslipidemic and overweight subjects.

Lutein is one of oxygenated carotenoids. Over the past few years, there has been increased interest in evaluating the effect of lutein for optimizing immune functions. A large number of epidemiological studies support the notion that a high intake of lutein is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and certain types of cancer. The biological mechanisms for the protective effects of this carotenoid, including powerful modulation of functions and antioxidant properties, are only partially known. Although several nutrients and phytochemicals have been shown to modulate immune functions in humans, few studies have investigated the role of lutein consumption. No information is available as to whether lutein supplementation could be protective against oxidative stress. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine the effect of consuming different doses of lutein on oxidative stress in healthy subjects.