A clinical study conducted by British scientists demonstrated that long-term administration of the copper chelator trientine can reduce the left ventricular myocardial mass in individuals suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. According to a publication in the European Heart Journal, the drug's positive effect was more pronounced in patients with an initially larger myocardial mass.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is recognized as one of the most common hereditary heart diseases globally. A characteristic feature of this condition is an increase in myocardial mass, which leads to impaired cardiomyocyte function, energy deficiency in the heart muscle tissue, the development of oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Existing cardiac myosin inhibitors, such as aficamten and mavacamten, help improve functional parameters in such patients by reducing the force of myocardial contraction. Nevertheless, there remains a need to find additional therapeutic methods.
One promising area of research is the study of the influence on copper metabolism, as this metal acts as a catalytic or structural cofactor for numerous enzymes and proteins involved in the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Copper plays an important role in mitochondrial respiration processes, providing antioxidant protection, and forming the extracellular matrix. Because of this, the depletion of copper ions in cardiomyocytes leads to impaired energy production by mitochondria, while free ions in the intercellular space provoke oxidative stress.
Scientists led by Christopher Miller from the University of Manchester conducted a clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of the highly selective copper chelator trientine (triethylenetetramine) among patients with this pathology. The study included 154 individuals whose left ventricular wall thickness exceeded 15 millimeters, and whose heart failure functional class was classified as first, second, or third. Patients in the treatment group received trientine at a dosage of 400 milligrams twice daily for 52 weeks.
The average age of participants was 53.4 years, with 23.4 percent being female. After 52 weeks of treatment, the average index of left ventricular myocardial mass decreased by 4.4 grams per square meter compared to a decrease of 1.5 grams per square meter (p = 0.009). It was found that the effectiveness of trientine increased with higher initial myocardial mass values (p = 0.015), and the drug showed a significant effect even with a minimal baseline index of 81.6 grams per square meter.
An additional sensitivity analysis, performed considering missing primary data, confirmed similar results. Moreover, compared to the placebo group, trientine provided a substantial reduction in both left ventricular wall thickness and its cellular mass; it was the reduction in cellular mass that contributed to the overall decrease in the left ventricular myocardial mass index. These data indicate the high efficacy and safety of trientine for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, although more extensive prospective studies are necessary for the full implementation of this therapy.
It is also worth noting the results of another study by British scientists, which found no significant correlation between the use of epidural anesthesia during childbirth and the occurrence of neurological problems in newborns. In a large-scale study, it was established that this pain relief does not affect the risk of neonatal sepsis or 28-day neonatal mortality, nor does it correlate with a low Apgar score. These findings were published in The BMJ.
U.S. federal health agencies are investigating whether shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from California is the source of a widespread cyclosporosis outbreak that has affected more than 1,600 people across 34 states, although a definitive link has not yet been confirmed.
On Friday, U.S. officials identified the source of the food parasite causing diarrhea as shredded iceberg lettuce used in the Taco Bell fast-food chain. A federal investigation conducted by the Food and Drug Administration traced the contamination back to a single iceberg supplier from Mexico that provided to Taco Bell restaurants in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The CDC reported that over 1,644 people in five states—Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia—have been confirmed infected with cyclosporosis, which can cause 'explosive diarrhea' and other symptoms. The health agency specified that cases related to this outbreak have not resulted in deaths, but 94 hospitalizations were recorded. The CDC emphasized that these illnesses were laboratory-confirmed and directly linked to the outbreak at Taco Bell locations in the specified states, noting that this figure does not include all cyclosporosis cases caused by other factors.
Although the CDC did not name the supplier, The Washington Post reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation, that Taylor Farms, which has production facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, sold the lettuce. Federal officials issued a warning against consuming shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell in the five affected states. In response, Taco Bell stated that it had taken immediate steps to voluntarily remove potentially contaminated lettuce from the supplier in certain states.
The company added that 'the affected ingredient from our supplier will be permanently removed from our supply chain nationwide and replaced within 24 hours in specific states.' Taco Bell also stated its position, saying: 'We believe that public health is a shared responsibility of restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests.'
Untreated, cyclosporosis can persist for over a month. Although it is usually not life-threatening, it can cause dehydration. Previously, cyclosporosis has been linked to products such as packaged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, peas, and onions. Experts nationwide advise thoroughly washing vegetables or, even better, cooking them, as temperatures above 158°F (70°C) kill the parasite.
Michigan has been particularly hard hit by cyclosporosis this year, with state authorities reporting over 5,000 cases. The FDA cautioned that individual state data often differs from national surveillance figures because states may count both probable and confirmed cases, and there is a delay between reporting and updating national data.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was transferred to VMMC and Safdarjung hospitals on Saturday morning, concluding a twenty-day unlimited fast he had been undertaking at Jantkar Mantar.
This transfer occurred less than 48 hours after the Ministry of Health of the Union placed three central government hospitals on alert and designated Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital as the primary center for any medical emergencies related to protesters.
Previously, on Thursday, the Ministry of Health instructed medical teams from RML, VMMC, and Safdarjung hospitals, as well as the Lady Hardinge Medical College, to conduct twice-daily examinations of Wangchuk and other hunger strikers. It was also mandated to have round-the-clock medical personnel, ensure readiness of emergency medical care, and provide daily health reports, which was done at the request of the Delhi Police due to concerns about the protesters' deteriorating health.
On Friday, a medical team from VMMC and Safdarjung hospitals examined Wangchuk and other protesters at the site of the demonstration. According to Wangchuk's medical team, by 9:30 AM on Friday, he showed signs of mild dehydration and weighed 56.55 kg, having lost 350 grams in the previous day when he entered the 20th day of the fast. His blood pressure was 108/68 mmHg, blood sugar level was 70 mg/dL, and pulse was 72 beats per minute. Doctors noted that he had entered the third stage of prolonged fasting, where organ involvement is possible, and was under continuous medical supervision.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has exceeded 2,100 confirmed cases and is the fastest-growing epidemic of this type in history, according to WHO data released on Thursday.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted at a press briefing in Geneva that armed conflict, general instability, and community resistance are hindering access to affected areas, which limits the effectiveness of response measures. He warned that the virus spread continues to outpace control efforts, despite significant progress in treatment, research, and surveillance.
According to the latest report from Congolese health authorities, the country has recorded 828 deaths. The epidemic, declared on May 15, has spread from the initial focus in the country's northeastern region to five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo. Ituri accounts for nearly 90% of all confirmed infections. Health workers are also closely monitoring the risk of regional spread after a confirmed case was detected in Mahagi, a health zone on the border with Uganda. Ghebreyesus emphasized that this outbreak is the third largest Ebola epidemic in world history and is developing at unprecedented rates.
WHO expressed particular concern that over 80% of new identified infections are not linked to known contacts, indicating the presence of undetected transmission chains. Approximately two-thirds of deaths occur in communities before patients can receive medical care. Despite these difficulties, response capabilities have significantly increased: healthcare facilities now have over 800 beds, and laboratory capacity has grown from one lab at the start of the outbreak to 16 labs in the affected regions. As of mid-July, 725 patients were hospitalized or isolated, and 390 people recovered, although some treatment centers remain overcrowded.
Research into new anti-epidemic agents is also advancing. Clinical trials are evaluating the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, and studies on vaccines and post-exposure antiviral treatment have recently begun. Ghebreyesus strongly urged the international community to increase financial support, warning that the joint preparedness and response plan of WHO and the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention faces a funding deficit exceeding $400 million. Meanwhile, the Ebola outbreak in Uganda is approaching official conclusion after the discharge of the last confirmed patient, although cross-border movement remains a serious problem for the DRC.
