Background Curcumin is a natural diphenolic compound that is currently being investigated for various cancers, including ovarian cancer. Clinical application of curcumin has been limited due to its low solubility and bioavailability and rapid metabolism and degradation at physiological pH. Particle size is one factor that can affect the absorption process, which thus increases compound solubility and transport across the membrane. This study was conducted to determine the effects of modifying the particle size of curcumin on its pharmacokinetic parameters in blood and other organs. Methods Female Sprague Dawley rats were administered a single oral dose of 500 mg/kg curcumin or nanocurcumin. Blood samples were collected at 10, 15, 30, 45, 75, and 120 min, and ovaries, livers, kidneys, and colons were collected at 180 min. The levels of curcumin in plasma and organs were determined using UPLC-MS/MS, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated. Results Curcumin levels were detectable and measurable in plasma and organs of rats that were administered curcumin or nanocurcumin. Overall, no statistically significant differences were found in pharmacokinetic parameters between curcumin and nanocurcumin groups in both plasma and organs, except for ovaries. The curcumin levels in plasma, liver, kidney, and colon in the curcumin group were higher than those in the nanocurcumin group. However, curcumin concentrations in ovaries in the nanocurcumin group were 3.6 times higher than those in the curcumin group. Conclusion Particle size reduction of curcumin did not increase the concentration of curcumin in the plasma but increased its distribution in the ovaries.

Introduction:Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound that has a wide pharmacological activity, including anticancer, such as in ovarian and colorectal cancer. Curcumin has low bioavailability, due to its low absorption. Particle size is one factor that can affect the absorption process, Minimizing particle size can increase the solubility of a compound and transport across the membrane. The aim of this study was to determine the modification of particle size in pharmacokinetic profile of curcumin in plasma and its distribution in tissues. Methods: Nanocurcumin was produced from curcumin using top down method. Pharmacokinetic study was conducted using Sprague Dawley female mice, administered with single dose of curcumin and nanocurcumin of 500 mg/kgBW orally. Plasma sample were taken at 10, 15, 30, 45, 75, and 120 minutes after administration, while liver, kidney, colon and ovaries were taken at 180 minutes. Curcumin levels in plasma and tissues were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. Results: Particle size of nanocurcumin obtained were less than 100 nm. Curcumin were detectable and measurable in plasma, liver, kidney, colon and ovaries in both curcumin and nanocurcumin groups. Overall, there were no significant difference of pharmacokinetic parameters between curcumin and nanocurcumin in plasma, liver, kidney and colon. However, concentrations of curcumin in the ovaries were 3 times higher in nanocurcumin groups. Conclusion:Particle size reduction of curcumin does not increase the amount of curcumin in plasma but increases the distribution of curcumin in ovarian organs.

Background Heart failure patients demonstrate reduced functional capacity, hemodynamic function, and quality of life (QOL) which are associated with high mortality and morbidity rate. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between functional capacity, hemodynamic response to exercise and QOL in chronic heart failure. Methods A single-centre prospective study recruited 42 chronic heart failure patients (11 females, mean age 60 ± 10 years) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF = 23 ± 7%). All participants completed a maximal graded cardiopulmonary exercise test with non-invasive hemodynamic (bioreactance) monitoring. QOL was assessed using Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Results The average value of QOL score was 40 ± 23. There was a significant negative relationship between the QOL and peak O2 consumption (r = − 0.50, p ≤ 0.01). No significant relationship between the QOL and selected exercise hemodynamic measures was found, including peak exercise cardiac power output (r = 0.15, p = 0.34), cardiac output (r = 0.22, p = 0.15), and mean arterial blood pressure (r = − 0.08, p = 0.60). Conclusion Peak O2 consumption, but not hemodynamic response to exercise, is a significant determinant of QOL in chronic heart failure patients.

Background: Heart failure (HF) has been described as an emerging pandemic as its prevalence continues to rise with a growing and aging population. HF patients are more vulnerable to infections with higher risk of hospitalisation, morbidity, and mortality. During this COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has emerged as an alternative to usual out-patient care. This study aimed to systematically review available literature regarding the effect of telemedicine on mortality, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and hospitalisation rate of HF patients. Method:A literature search was conducted on five databases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Cochrane Central Database) up to 21 st May 2022. Data from studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were collected and extracted. Included studies were critically appraised using suitable tools and extracted data were synthesized qualitatively.Results: A total of 27 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis with a total of 21,006 patients and sufficient level of bias. Reduction in the mortality rate, HFrelated hospitalisation rate, and improvement in the HR-QoL were shown in most of the studies, although only some were statistically significant. Conclusions:The use of telemedicine is a promising and beneficial method for HF patients to acquire adequate health care services. Further studies in this field are needed, especially in developing countries and with standardized method, to provide better services and protections for HF patients. Telemonitoring and patient-centred partnership via interactive communication between healthcare team and patients is central to successful telemedicine implementation.