Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) characterized by sex–gender differences remain a leading cause of death globally. Hence, it is imperative to understand the underlying mechanisms of CVDs pathogenesis and the possible factors influencing the sex–gender disparities in clinical demographics. Attempts to elucidate the underlying mechanisms over the recent decades have suggested the mechanistic roles of estrogen in modulating cardioprotective and immunoregulatory effect as a factor for the observed differences in the incidence of CVDs among premenopausal and post-menopausal women and men. This review from a pathomechanical perspective aims at illustrating the roles of estrogen (E2) in the modulation of stimuli signaling in the heart during chronic catecholamine stress (CCS). The probable mechanism employed by E2 to decrease the incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and pathological cardiac hypertrophy in premenopausal women are discussed. Initially, signaling via estrogen receptors and β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) during physiological state and CCS were summarized. By reconciling the impact of estrogen deficiency and hyperstimulation of βARs, the discussions were centered on their implications in disruption of nitric oxide synthesis, dysregulation of lipid profiles, and upregulation of nuclear factor of activated T cells, which induces the aforementioned CVDs, respectively. Finally, updates on E2 therapies for maintaining cardiac health during menopause and suggestions for the advancement treatments were highlighted.

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Due to its reversible nature, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is considered an intriguing and fascinating cardiovascular disease characterized by a transient wall motion abnormality of the left ventricle, affecting more than one coronary artery territory, often in a circumferential apical distribution. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was discovered by a Japanese cardiovascular expert and classified as acquired primary cardiomyopathy by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 1990 and 2006, respectively. Regardless of the extensive research efforts, its pathophysiology is still unclear; therefore, there are no well-established guidelines specifically for treating and managing TTC patients. Increasing evidence suggests that sympatho-adrenergic stimulation is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of this disease. Under acute stressful conditions, the hyperstimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) resulting from excessive release of catecholamines induces intracellular kinases capable of phosphorylating and activating “A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 17” (ADAM17), a type-I transmembrane protease that plays a central role in acute myocardial inflammation and metabolic lipids dysregulation which are the main hallmarks of TTC. However, our understanding of this is limited; hence this concise review provides a comprehensive insight into the key role of ADAM17 in acute myocardial inflammation and metabolic lipids dysregulation during acute stress. Also, how the synergy of ADAM17-induced acute inflammation and lipids dysregulation causes TTC is explained. Finally, potential therapeutic targets for TTC are also discussed.

Background: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and morphological types of anaemia, among children under-five years, who had full blood count (FBC) investigation done at the laboratory of the Volta regional hospital. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of archival FBC test results data for children below 5 years in the laboratory, between1 st July to 31 st December 2015. The FBC results comprised of the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the red blood cell indices. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: A total 451 children were sampled. Anaemia prevalence in this study was 55.0% (248/451) and most of the children suffered from moderate anaemia (42%) (104/248) with mild and severe anaemia being 34% (84/248) and 24% (60/248) respectively. Children with microcytic hypochromic anaemia were 52%, (130/248), while those with normocytic normochromic were 25% (63/248). Conclusion: Anaemia was found in more than half of the children under-five years and microcytic hypochromic anaemia was the commonest morphological type of anaemia. There is need for a multi-disciplinary approach to elucidate the etiology of anaemia in children under-five years.

Chronic catecholamine stress (CCS) induces the occurrence of cardiomyopathy—pathological cardiac hypertrophy (PCH), which is characterized by left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Recently, mounting evidence has implicated myocardial inflammation in the exacerbation of pathological cardiac remodeling. However, there are currently no well-defined treatment interventions or regimes targeted at both the attenuation of maladaptive myocardial hypertrophy and inflammation during CCS to prevent PCH. G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) and adenylyl cyclases (ACs)-cAMP mediates both cardiac and inflammatory responses. Also, GRK5 and ACs are implicated in stress-induced LVSD. Herein, we aimed at preventing PCH during CCS via modulating adaptive cardiac and inflammatory responses by inhibiting GRK5 and/or stimulating ACs. Isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy (ICM) was modeled using 0.5 mg/100 g/day isoproterenol injections for 40 days. Alterations in cardiac and inflammatory responses were assessed from the myocardia. Similarities in the immunogenicity of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and lipopolysaccharide under CCS were assessed, and Amlexanox (35 μM/ml) and/or Forskolin (10 μM/ml) were then employed in vitro to modulate adaptive inflammatory responses by inhibiting GRK5 or activating ACs-cAMP, respectively. Subsequently, Amlexanox (2.5 mg/100 g/day) and/or Forskolin (0.5 mg/100 g/day) were then translated into in vivo during CCS to modulate adaptive cardiac and inflammatory responses. The effects of Amlexanox and Forskolin on regulating myocardial systolic functions and inflammatory responses during CCS were ascertained afterward. PCH mice had excessive myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis, and aggravated LVSD, which were accompanied by massive CD68+ inflammatory cell infiltrations. In vitro, Forskolin-AC/cAMP was effective than Amlexanox-GRK5 at downregulating proinflammatory responses during stress; nonetheless, Amlexanox and Forskolin combination demonstrated the most efficacy in modulating adaptive inflammatory responses. Individually, the translated Amlexanox and Forskolin treatment interventions were ineffective at subduing the pathological remodeling and sustaining cardiac function during CCS. However, their combination was potent at preventing LVSD during CCS by attenuating maladaptive myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammatory responses. The treatment intervention attained its potency mainly via Forskolin-ACs/cAMP-mediated modulation of cardiac and inflammatory responses, coupled with Amlexanox inhibition of GRK5 mediated maladaptive cascades. Taken together, our findings highlight the Amlexanox and Forskolin combination as a potential therapeutic intervention for preventing the occurrence of pathological cardiac hypertrophy during chronic stress.