The immunomodulatory effect of Withania somnifera (WS) extract was tested in healthy adults. In this randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded study, subjects were allocated either 60 mg WS extract or placebo. It consists of a blinded 30-day period and an open-label extension study of another 30 days with crossover of only placebo to test. After the 30-day blinded study period, the WS test group reported significant increase (p < 0.05) in Ig’s (IgA, IgM, IgG, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4), Cytokines (IFN-γ, IL4), TBNK (CD45+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, NK cells) whereas in the placebo group TBNK cells showed significant decrease (p < 0.05) and Ig’s and cytokines showed no change (p > 0.05). In the extension period on day 60, the subjects on placebo who were crossed over to the WS test group showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in Ig’s, cytokines and TBNK cells and the subjects who continued on the WS group showed a further significant improvement (p < 0.05) in Ig’s, cytokines and TBNK cells. There were no adverse events reported in the study. WS extract significantly improved the immune profile of healthy subjects by modulating the innate and adaptive immune systems. Boosting the immune system of people at risk of infection and during widespread infections can be targeted with WS extract.
During coronary artery bypass graft surgery, various arterial and venous conduits have been used to carry blood flow from the aorta to the coronary vasculature. Arterial conduits provide certain advantages over the saphenous vein, including superior long-term patency, relative resistance to the development of atherosclerosis, and greater endothelium-dependent relaxation. However, the perioperative release of catecholamines and thromboxane A, mechanical manipulation, and underlying endothelial cell dysfunction may result in vasoconstriction or vasospasm of the arterial conduit and a compromise of myocardial perfusion. Given these issues, pharmacologic therapy is frequently initiated intraoperatively to prevent vasospasm. Clevidipine is a rapidly acting calcium channel antagonist. Like nicardipine, it is a member of the dihydropyridine subgroup. Its rapid metabolism by tissue and plasma esterases results in an effective half-life of 1 to 3 minutes. We report, for the first time, the perioperative use of clevidipine to prevent vasospasm after coronary artery bypass graft surgery with the use of internal mammary artery and bilateral radial artery conduits. Its potential application in this scenario and advantages when compared with other commonly used agents is discussed.
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