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Effect of Vitamin C supplements on respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Keya TA, Leela A, Fernandez K, Habib N, Rashid M

Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol, 2021 Dec 30.
PMID: 34967304 DOI: 10.2174/2772432817666211230100723

BACKGROUND: Respiratory tract infections are a primary cause of illness and mortality over the world.
OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation in preventing and treating respiratory tract infections.
METHODS: We used the Cochrane, PubMed, and MEDLINE Ovid databases to conduct our search. The inclusion criteria were placebo-controlled trials. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to measure the pooled effects of vitamin C supplementation on the incidence, severity, and duration of respiratory illness.
RESULTS: We found ten studies that met our inclusion criteria out of a total of 2758. The pooled risk ratio (RR) of developing respiratory illness when taking vitamin C regularly across the study period was 0⸳94 (with a 95% confidence interval of 0⸳87 to 1⸳01) which found that supplementing with vitamin C lowers the occurrence of illness. This effect, however, was statistically insignificant (P= 0⸳09). This study showed that vitamin C supplementation had no consistent effect on the severity of respiratory illness (SMD 0⸳14, 95% CI -0⸳02 to 0⸳30: I2 = 22%, P=0⸳09). However, our study revealed that vitamin C group had a considerably shorter duration of respiratory infection (SMD -0⸳36, 95% CI -0⸳62 to -0⸳09, P = 0⸳01).
CONCLUSION: Benefits of normal vitamin C supplementation for reducing the duration of respiratory tract illness were supported by our meta-analysis findings. Since few trials have examined the effects of therapeutic supplementation, further research is needed in this area.
COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations

Alrabadi N, Bany-Melhem S, Alzoubi KH, Alzoubi OO, Masadeh M, Abuhammad S, et al.

Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol, 2022 May 12.
PMID: 35549859 DOI: 10.2174/2772432817666220512112913

Vaccines are important to improve immunity against pathogens and diseases. The current COVID-19 disease is rapidly evolving and spreading among people; therefore, it is important to utilize a proper vaccination strategy against it. Currently, many approved vaccines are available and accessible; however, there is a reported hesitancy against taking them among the public and even the health care workers. Mainly, this is attributed to the fear of the possible side effects and complications. Moreover, inaccurate knowledge disseminated through the media/social media especially by those who lack proper expertise adds confusion and more fear that affects the vaccination decision. For such reasons, it is essential to find strategies to increase the acceptability of vaccines and to enhance confidence in the vaccination process. This should be accompanied by sufficient efforts and proper clinical studies to confirm the value and the safety of the vaccines. Those strategies are important to avoid the further spread of the COVID-19 disease and to abort the pandemic worldwide, especially when considering the likely approach towards a COVID-19 booster vaccination program, in which booster vaccines are re-taken along intervals to adequately contain the rapidly evolving nature of the virus. This review article highlights the factors influencing the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccination and enrollment in clinical trials among the public and some specific populations. Furthermore, it summarizes the suggested strategies and recommendations that can improve the attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination programs.
Breaking the Mold: Advances and Hurdles in Antifungal Resistance Management for Dermatophytes

Alnsour ZR, Alnsour MR, Alnsour AR, Massadeh MM, Alzoubi KH, Masadeh MM

Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol, 2025 Jan 30.
PMID: 39901542 DOI: 10.2174/0127724328328331241217194034

Examining antifungal resistance in dermatophytes is crucial in infectious diseases, dermatology, and clinical microbiology. The increasing occurrence of resistant infections and their influence on the effectiveness of therapy seem overwhelming. This study examines the present condition of antifungal resistance in dermatophytes, highlighting the need for ongoing and up-to-date research. Fungal diseases constantly change, and fungi have developed new resistance mechanisms. Here, we analyze the historical context of research on antifungal resistance, examining the variables that contribute to the development of resistance, such as the growing use of antifungals in clinical and agricultural contexts. We also explore the consequences of resistance to antifungal agents in clinical practice and public health. The review emphasizes the significance of new diagnostic technologies, like next-generation sequencing, in comprehending resistance mechanisms. It also underscores the crucial role of international collaboration in tackling this worldwide health concern. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need for continuous research to adjust to the evolving epidemiology of dermatophyte infections, create efficient treatment approaches, and guide public health interventions. This will ensure that the management of antifungal resistance is grounded in the most up-to-date scientific knowledge and optimal methods.
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Ketamine Use, its Addiction, and Withdrawal: A Mini Review

Ng SH, Lee YZ, Hong MY, Kow ASF, d'Arqom A, Tham CL, et al.

Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol, 2025 Mar 03.
PMID: 40033594 DOI: 10.2174/0127724328362434250224105609

Ketamine, a substance used for anesthesia and known for inducing dissociation, can lead to addiction and the development of severe withdrawal symptoms. Ketamine alters brain networks before affecting somesthetic sensation. Ketamine abuse was especially prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, and its popularity has continued to expand globally in recent decades. Ketamine is gaining popularity in the public and private sectors as a cheaper off-label depression treatment. Unfortunately, ketamine may cause side effects, such as heart and blood vessel instability, respiratory depression, liver injury, hallucinations, etc. The pain-relieving and mental effects of ketamine might induce reliance; thus, it should be used cautiously. This review highlights the neurobiological processes underpinnings of ketamine's addictive potential, withdrawal, and its effects on brain networks like the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and mesolimbic pathway, which play vital roles in decision-making, memory, and reward processing. In addition, the involvement of neurotransmitter systems, specifically glutamate and dopamine, in mediating the addictive properties of ketamine and the neuroadaptive changes that occurred during withdrawal are also discussed. It also explains that low-dose ketamine can alter the secretion of stress hormone cortisol and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, possibly attributed to the current repurposing study of ketamine as a fast-acting antidepressant. Understanding these pathways is essential for developing effective ketamine addiction treatments, managing withdrawal symptoms, and possibly reversing brain changes for the betterment of human health and psychological well- being.