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• This is a longitudinal study of plasma glycerophospholipid PUFAs as predictors of SA. • Low AA levels, but not n-3 PUFA, predicted future suicide attempts. • The protective effects of AA against suicide events were most significant in patients with MDD who were prior attempters. • Total LDL- and HDL-cholesterol did not predict subsequent SA. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and cholesterol are lipids implicated in suicide risk. We prospectively studied plasma glycerophospholipid PUFAs and cholesterol as putative predictors of suicide attempts. In a multicenter cohort study, we enrolled 123 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for suicidal ideation or suicide attempt. Clinical assessments were performed, with follow-up telephone evaluations 6, 12, 18, and 24 months later. Blood samples were obtained in the ED and assayed for PUFAs. Using survival analysis, suicide events were not predicted by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, HR : -0.83, 95%CI : 0.39–1.76, p = 0.621) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, HR : -0.60, 95%CI : 0.19–1.86, p = 0.371). However, higher arachidonic acid (AA) was a trend for a protective factor (HR =0.30, 95% CI : 0.08–1.08, p = 0.065) in the entire trans-diagnostic sample. This protective effect was significant in all participants with a prior suicide attempt history (n = 85; HR =0.16, 95%CI : 0.04–0.67, p = 0.012), and in the subgroup of attempters with major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 55, HR =0.15, 95%CI :0.03–0.76, p = 0.002). Total LDL- and HDL-cholesterol did not predict subsequent suicide events. AA, but not DHA or EPA, positively correlated with baseline depression severity in MDD patients (r = 0.3, p = 0.006). Contrary to our hypothesis that low n-3 PUFA levels would create risk, we found that while higher AA was associated with greater depression severity at baseline, low AA unexpectedly predicted subsequent suicide attempts, the more so in higher-risk patients. Although surprising, this result agrees with a minority of reports concerning n-6 PUFAs and may represent complex interactions with sample characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the contribution of human platelets to macrophage effector properties in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as the beneficial effects and time frame for platelet transfusion in septic animals. Our results show that platelets sequester both pro-(TNF-α/IL-6) and anti-(IL-10) inflammatory cytokines released by monocytes. Low LPS concentrations (0.01 ng/mL) induced M2 macrophage polarization by decreasing CD64 and augmenting CD206 and CD163 expression; yet, the presence of platelets skewed monocytes toward type 1 macrophage (M1) phenotype in a cell-contact-dependent manner by the glycoprotein Ib (GPIb)-CD11b axis. Accordingly, platelet-licensed macrophages showed increased TNF-α levels, bacterial phagocytic activity, and a reduced healing capability. Platelet transfusion increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)+ macrophages, improving bacterial clearance and survival rates in septic mice up to 6 h post-infection, an effect that was abolished by CD11b and GPIb blockade. Our results demonstrate that platelets orchestrate macrophage effector responses, improving the clinical outcome of sepsis in a narrow but relevant time frame. • Platelets sequester pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines released by monocytes • In the presence of LPS, platelets skew monocytes toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype • During sepsis, platelet transfusion increases iNOS+ macrophages and bacterial clearance • Platelet transfusion increases septic mice survival in a narrow time frame Carestia et al. describe the beneficial role of platelet transfusion for animal survival during sepsis by reprogramming macrophages and fostering antimicrobial functions. The cross-talk between platelets and monocytes that promotes pro-inflammatory macrophages depends on the intimal cellular contact between platelet GPIb and CD11b in the monocyte surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas' disease, an endemic and neglected disease. The treatment is limited to only two drugs, benznidazole (BZL) and nifurtimox (NFX), introduced more than fifty years ago and no new advances have been made since then. Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPK) are key metabolic enzymes which have gained interest as drug targets of pathogen organisms. Taking advantage of the computer-assisted drug repurposing approaches, in the present work we initiate a search of potential T. cruzi nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1 (TcNDPK1) inhibitors over an ∼ 12,000 compound structures database to find drugs targeted to this enzyme with trypanocidal activity. Four medicines were selected and evaluated in vitro , ketorolac (KET, an anti-inflamatory), dutasteride (DUT, used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia), nebivolol and telmisartan (NEB and TEL, used to treat high blood pressure). The four compounds were weak inhibitors and presented different trypanocidal effect on epimastigotes, trypomastigotes and intracellular stages. NEB and TEL were the most active drugs with increased effect on intracellular stages, (IC 50 = 2.25 µM and 13.21 µM respectively), and selectivity indexes of 13.01 and 8.59 respectively, showing comparable effect to BZL, the first line drug for Chagas' disease treatment. In addition, both presented positive interactions when combined with BZL. Finally, transgenic epimastigotes with increased expression of TcNDPK1 were more resistant to TEL and NEB, suggesting that TcNDPK1 is at least one of the molecular targets. In view of the results, NEB and TEL could be repurposed medicines for Chagas' disease therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: This study aimed to characterize the in vitro effect of EV-077, a compound that antagonises the binding of prostanoids and isoprostanes to the thromboxane receptor (TP) and inhibits the thromboxane synthase (TS), on platelet aggregation of patients with type-2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) on chronic aspirin treatment. The effect of EV-077 on 8-iso-PGE2-mediated TP receptor contraction of human arteries was also investigated. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two type-2 diabetics with CAD on chronic aspirin (100mg) treatment were studied. Arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation was measured by impedance aggregometry in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood anticoagulated with hirudin, and by light transmission aggregometry in citrate-anticoagulated PRP following 10-min in vitro exposure to EV-077 (100nmol/l) or control. The effect of EV-077 was measured on isometric contraction of 24 human umbilical arteries induced by isoprostane 8-iso-PGE2. Results: Arachidonic acid (1mmol/l) induced substantial aggregation in hirudin-anticoagulated whole blood (63±4AU), which was significantly reduced by in vitro exposure to EV-077 (38±3AU, P<0.001). Virtually no arachidonic acid-induced aggregation in citrate-anticoagulated or hirudin-anticoagulated PRP was observed. EV-077 potently, competitively and reversibly inhibited TP mediated contraction of umbilical arteries by 8-iso-PGE2 (P<0.01). Conclusions: Aspirin did not completely inhibit arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood from type-2 diabetics with CAD. This aggregation is likely induced by prostanoids and/or isoprostanes produced by leukocytes, because it was significantly reduced by EV-077. The TP receptor-mediated contraction of human arteries induced by isoprostane 8-iso-PGE2 was effectively inhibited by EV-077. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]