Insulin Receptors in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Regulate Plaque Stability of Atherosclerosis

Research Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, particularly among patients with diabetes and insulin resistance, where the risk of CVD is significantly elevated. Although the prognosis for diabetic patients has improved in recent years, their CVD-related mortality rate remains 2 to 7 times higher...

The Inflammatory Landscape of a Whole-Tissue Explant Model of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Research Background Current Status and Challenges in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Research Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a relatively common and highly morbid inflammatory skin disease. It affects approximately 1% of the global population, disproportionately impacting women and marginalized groups. HS’s pathogenesis is complex, involving genetic, im...

Overexpression of REF-1 in Neovascular Eye Diseases and Its Inhibition by a Novel Compound

REF-1 Overexpression in Neovascular Eye Diseases and Therapeutic Targeting with a Novel Inhibitor Academic Background Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a common blinding eye disease predominantly affecting individuals aged 60 years and older. nAMD is characterized by the formation of subretinal neovascularization, leading to re...

Role of the Transcription Factor Nrf2 in Maintaining the Integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier

The Role of Nrf2 in Maintaining the Integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier Academic Background The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a crucial barrier between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral blood circulation, composed of endothelial cells, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, astrocytes, and neurons. The primary function of the BBB is to s...

Reduced Oxycodone Brain Delivery in Rats due to Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation: Microdialysis Insights into Brain Disposition and Sex-Specific Pharmacokinetics

The Impact of Inflammation on Brain Delivery of Oxycodone Academic Background Oxycodone is a widely used opioid analgesic with a unique property of being actively transported from the blood to the brain across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This process is believed to be associated with the proton-coupled organic cation (H+/OC) antiporter system. H...