COG133, an apolipoprotein E-derived mimetic peptide, has been proposed as a therapeutic candidate due to its immunomodulatory properties. Its potential role in diabetic wound healing, where impaired f Show more
COG133, an apolipoprotein E-derived mimetic peptide, has been proposed as a therapeutic candidate due to its immunomodulatory properties. Its potential role in diabetic wound healing, where impaired fibroblast function and chronic inflammation are major obstacles, remains largely unexplored. In this study, human diabetic dermal fibroblasts were treated with COG133 to evaluate its effects on cell viability, migration, and gene expression of ApoE, miR-146a, NF-κB, TRAF-6, and IL-6. In addition, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of COG133 were assessed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. COG133 enhanced fibroblast migration without affecting viability, upregulated miR-146a, and reduced IL-6 and ApoE expression, while NF-κB and TRAF-6 remained unchanged. Antibacterial assays revealed inhibitory effects, with the lowest MIC against Show less
Direct measurement of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is not always standardized and is relatively expensive, making it unavailable in several low-income settings. To address this issue, several formulas have Show more
Direct measurement of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is not always standardized and is relatively expensive, making it unavailable in several low-income settings. To address this issue, several formulas have been developed to estimate ApoB levels. Therefore, our study aims to compare the reliability of 23 formulas for estimating ApoB levels in a large cohort of South-European individuals. We retrospectively assessed 4.577 clinical records in which ApoB measurements were obtained using the same standardized method. Overall concordance was defined as the proportion of cases where the directly measured ApoB level fell within the same category as the estimated ApoB level, based on ApoB quartiles (<80 mg/dL, 80-94 mg/dL, 95-114 mg/dL, and ≥115 mg/dL). In addition, overall concordance was assessed for different lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) sub-levels. Ordinary least squares linear regression analyses were performed to compare estimated and measured ApoB values. Residual error plots were generated to visualize the difference between each estimation method and the actual ApoB measurements, stratified by Lp(a) and non-HDL-C levels. Plasma ApoB levels were best predicted by a non-HDL-C based formula and a formula using Friedewald's low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), regardless of ApoB plasma levels. Non-HDL-C levels did not significantly affect the concordance between measured and estimated ApoB across the different formulas, except at low non-HDL-C levels. Similarly, Lp(a) levels did not significantly impact concordance. However, the highest concordance level was 41 %. Some simple formulas based on low-cost and widely available parameters can estimate ApoB levels independently of ApoB, non-HDL-C, and Lp(a) plasma levels. This approach may be particularly useful for estimating ApoB levels in low-resource settings. Show less