Effects of colchicine on depression scale scores of patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A randomized clinical trial Mohammadreza Taban-Sadeghi, Sajad Khiali, Mahsa Karimi, Mehrdad Shahidi, Elnaz Khani, et al. Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research, 2025 Introduction: Since there is a bidirectional interaction between heart failure (HF) and depression, we aimed to evaluate the effects of colchicine on depression scale scores in individuals with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out on 50 patients with HFrEF. The intervention group (n=25) received colchicine 0.5 mg twice a day plus standard care for HFrEF, while the control group (n=25) received only standard care. The study’s primary outcome was the changes in the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-21) over 12 weeks. Results: During the study period, HDRS-21 significantly decreased in both groups (both P<0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the study groups at baseline (12.2±2.9 vs. 10.5±2.9; P=0.54), week 4 (6.6±2 vs. 5.8±4.7; P=0.21), and week 12 (2.1±2 vs. 4.2±4.5; P=0.11). Conclusion: This study shows that colchicine had no significant effect on HDRS-21 in individuals with HFrEF. Further studies are warranted to confirm the study hypothesis.
Efficacy and Safety of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Individuals with Sold Organ Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis Sajad Khiali, Mohammadreza Ardalan, Ali Sharifi, Amin Sadrazar, Afra Rezagholizadeh, et al. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025 Despite the growing body of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on metabolic, cardiovascular, renal, and mortality outcomes in the wide range of diseases, clinical data in patients with solid organ transplantation (SOT) is limited. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception until April 14, 2025, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with SOT. Among 25 studies, 18 included kidney transplant recipients. There was considerable heterogeneity between the remaining studies regarding design, setting, and outcomes. The meta-analysis of two interventional studies showed the beneficial effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on body mass index (BMI) (-2.564, 95% CI: -4.982 to -0.146, I²=0%, P=0.0377), weight (-0.800, 95% CI: -0.878 to -0.722, I²=0%, P<0.0001), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (-0.447, 95% CI: 0.085 to 0.810, I²=0%, P=0.0155) in the kidney transplant population. The mortality benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the kidney transplant population have been shown in observational studies with large sample sizes. Despite the benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors on metabolic outcomes and their satisfactory safety profiles represented in most eligible studies, these medications should be used with caution in patients with SOT, particularly in high-risk patients. Additional well-designed studies are needed to reveal the efficacy and safety of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with SOT.
Effects of Allopurinol in the Prevention of Periprocedural Myocardial Injury Following Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial Naser Aslanabadi, Elnaz Khani, Sajad Khiali, Haleh Rezaee, Saba Pishdad, et al. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024 Background: Periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a substantial health issue with a high mortality rate. Inflammation and oxidative stress are major contributing factors to PMI. Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase (XO)-induced oxidative stress and has potential cardiovascular benefits. Methods: This randomized clinical trial evaluated 110 patients admitted to elective PCI. Patients were assigned to receive either a 1200 mg loading dose of allopurinol 2 hours before the procedure (n = 55) or the standard pretreatment (n = 55). The creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were measured in both groups at the baseline, 8, and 24 hours after PCI. Results: There were no significant differences in the CK-MB levels at baseline (P = 0.71), 8 (P = 0.26), and 24 hours (P = 0.88) after PCI between the two groups. No significant changes in the cTnI levels at baseline (P = 0.26), 8 (P = 0.80), and 24 hours (P = 0.89) after the PCI were also noted. The mean difference for CK-MB and cTnI changes was not different between the two groups. Conclusion: Our study revealed that allopurinol did not reduce cardiac-specific enzymes. Further studies are required to evaluate the impact of allopurinol on preventing PCI-related myocardial injury.
Effects of citalopram on blood pressure control in depressive patients with hypertension: A randomized clinical trial Hossein Namdar, Elnaz Khani, Sajad Khiali, Naser Safaie, Hedieh Ameli, et al. Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research, 2024 Introduction: Since there is a bi‐directional interaction between hypertension and depression, we aimed to evaluate the effects of citalopram administration in the management of hypertension. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients with concomitant depression and hypertension. The intervention group (n=41) received citalopram 20 mg daily plus anti-hypertensive standard treatment, while the control group (n=31) received only the standard treatment. The study’s primary endpoint was in-office blood pressure (BP) measurement at baseline and home BP monitoring in the first and second months after entering the study. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline systolic BP (163.3±19.6 vs.164.2±20.3 mm Hg; P=0.910) and diastolic BP (94.5±13.8 vs. 88.2±14.4; P=0.071). After one month, diastolic BP (82.7±11.7 vs. 77.09±12.2; P=0.023) was significantly higher in the control group compared to the intervention group. Two months after the intervention, systolic BP (133.8±16.5 vs. 124.5±12.4; P=0.009) and diastolic BP (80.7±10.3 vs. 73.7±9.7; P=0.002) were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study supported the beneficial effects of citalopram in lowering BP in patients with concomitant depression and hypertension.
SGLT2 Inhibitors’ Cardiovascular Benefits in Individuals Without Diabetes, Heart Failure, and/or Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review Sajad Khiali, Mohammadreza Taban‐Sadeghi, Parvin Sarbakhsh, Naser Khezerlouy‐Aghdam, Afra Rezagholizadeh, et al. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2023 Despite the growing body of evidence regarding the beneficial cardiovascular effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, clinical data in individuals without diabetes, heart failure (HF), and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, from database inception until May 4, 2023, to explore new evidence of SGLT2 inhibitors’ cardiovascular benefits in individuals without diabetes, HF, and/or CKD. A total of 1156 individuals from 14 studies (13 randomized controlled trials and 1 nonrandomized study) were included. The results showed the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors on blood pressure, weight, and body mass index in this population with an acceptable safety profile. The current evidence supports the potential role of SGLT2 inhibitors as primary prevention in individuals without diabetes, HF, and/or CKD. This review may shed light on the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in conditions such as stage A HF and metabolic syndrome. The literature trend is going toward uncovering SGLT2 inhibitors’ role in stage B HF, different types of myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Empagliflozin and colchicine in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, three-arm parallel-group, controlled trial Sajad Khiali, Mohammadreza Taban-Sadeghi, Parvin Sarbakhsh, Naser Khezerlouy-Aghdam, Hossein Namdar, et al. Trials, 2023 Background Patients with acute myocardial infarction are at greater risk for chronic heart failure and mortality. Currently, there is limited evidence supporting the beneficial effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes in non-diabetic patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the clinical effects of the combination of standard-dose sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors with colchicine and high-dose sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in this setting have not been evaluated yet. Methods A prospective, double-blinded, parallel-group, placebo control randomized trial will be carried out at Shahid Madani Heart Center, the largest teaching referral hospital for cardiovascular diseases, affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 105 patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (≤ 40%) following the first episode of ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stent insertion will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive empagliflozin 10 mg daily, a combination of empagliflozin 10 mg daily and colchicine 0.5 mg twice daily, or empagliflozin 25 mg daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes are changes in the New York Heart Association functional classification and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein from the randomization through week 4 and week 12. Discussion The present study will be the first trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early treatment with the combination of standard-dose empagliflozin and colchicine as well as high-dose empagliflozin in non-diabetic patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The results of this research will represent a significant step forward in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Trial registration Clinical trial ID: IRCT20111206008307N39. Registration date: 27 October 2022. Graphical Abstract
Pentoxifylline Effects on Late-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Neonates: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial MB Hosseini, MM Gharehbaghi, P Sarbakhsh, DB Mohammadi, H Asham, ... Pharmaceutical Sciences 32 (1), 160-166 , 2026 2026
Efficacy and Safety of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Individuals with Sold Organ Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis S Khiali, M Ardalan, A Sharifi, A Sadrazar, A Rezagholizadeh, ... Pharmaceutical Sciences 31 (4), 357-378 , 2025 2025
Effects of colchicine on depression scale scores of patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A randomized clinical trial M Taban-Sadeghi, S Khiali, M Karimi, M Shahidi, E Khani, Z Mousavi, ... Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research 17 (3), 206 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in solid organ transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials S Samankan, A Gharekhani, S Khiali, A Rezagholizadeh, ... Clinical nutrition ESPEN , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Effects of citalopram on blood pressure control in depressive patients with hypertension: A randomized clinical trial H Namdar, E Khani, S Khiali, N Safaie, H Ameli, GR Banaeian, ... Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research 16 (1), 49 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Correction to: Empagliflozin and colchicine in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a randomized, double … S Khiali, M Taban-Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy-Aghdam, ... European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 80 (2), 301-303 , 2024 2024
Empagliflozin and colchicine in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a randomized, double-blinded, three-arm … S Khiali, M Taban-Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy-Aghdam, ... European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 80 (1), 93-104 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
SGLT2 inhibitors’ cardiovascular benefits in individuals without diabetes, heart failure, and/or chronic kidney disease: a systematic review S Khiali, M Taban‐Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy‐Aghdam, ... The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 63 (12), 1307-1323 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Empagliflozin and colchicine in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a randomized, double-blinded, three-arm … TEM Sajad Khiali, Mohammadreza Taban-Sadeghi, Parvin Sarbakhsh, Naser ... European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology , 2023 2023
Empagliflozin and colchicine in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary … S Khiali, M Taban-Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy-Aghdam, ... Trials 24 (1), 645 , 2023 2023 Citations: 4
No. 2023-25: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Mycophenolate in Combination with Cyclosporine or Tacrolimus in Kidney Transplant Patients. S Khiali, H Tayebi, A Gharekhani International Journal of Organ Transplantation Medicine 14 (4) , 2023 2023
Effect of caffeine consumption on cardiovascular disease: an updated review S Khiali, A Agabalazadeh, H Sahrai, H Bannazadeh Baghi, ... Pharmaceutical Medicine 37 (2), 139-151 , 2023 2023 Citations: 17
Tocilizumab in COVID-19 management: addressing time of starting treatment S Khiali, T Entezari-Maleki European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy 30 (2), e9-e9 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Current evidence of COVID-19 vaccination-related cardiovascular events S Khiali, A Rezagholizadeh, H Behzad, H Bannazadeh Baghi, ... Postgraduate Medicine 135 (2), 102-120 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Evaluation Effects of Colchicine and Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Randomized Clinical Trial S Khiali Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, School of Pharmacy , 2023 2023
Study Protocol S Khiali, M Taban‑Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy‑Aghdam, ... 2023
Effects of Allopurinol in the Prevention of Periprocedural Myocardial Injury Following Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial N Aslanabadi, E Khani, S Khiali, H Rezaee, S Pishdad, T Entezari-Maleki Pharmaceutical Sciences 5, 6 , 2023 2023
New Variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Next Generation of COVID‐19 Treatments. S Khiali, T Entezari‐Maleki Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 62 (9) , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Comprehensive review on molnupiravir in COVID-19: a novel promising antiviral to combat the pandemic S Khiali, E Khani, S B Rouy, T Entezari-Maleki Future Microbiology 17 (5), 377-391 , 2022 2022 Citations: 26
Investigational antiviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 patients S Beheshtirouy, E Khani, S Khiali, T Entezari-Maleki Archives of virology 167 (3), 751-805 , 2022 2022 Citations: 13
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19; an updated systematic review and meta-analysis A Rezagholizadeh, S Khiali, P Sarbakhsh, T Entezari-Maleki European journal of pharmacology 897, 173926 , 2021 2021 Citations: 132
A comprehensive review of tocilizumab in COVID‐19 acute respiratory distress syndrome S Khiali, E Khani, T Entezari‐Maleki The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 60 (9), 1131-1146 , 2020 2020 Citations: 104
Potential pharmacologic treatments for COVID-19 smell and taste loss: A comprehensive review E Khani, S Khiali, S Beheshtirouy, T Entezari-Maleki European journal of pharmacology 912, 174582 , 2021 2021 Citations: 87
A comprehensive review on sarilumab in COVID-19 S Khiali, A Rezagholizadeh, T Entezari-Maleki Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy 21 (5), 615-626 , 2021 2021 Citations: 48
Potential COVID‐19 therapeutic agents and vaccines: an evidence‐based review E Khani, S Khiali, T Entezari‐Maleki The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 61 (4), 429-460 , 2021 2021 Citations: 33
Isotretinoin; A review on the utilization pattern in pregnancy S Khiali, A Gharekhani, T Entezari-Maleki Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin 8 (3), 377 , 2018 2018 Citations: 31
Comprehensive review on molnupiravir in COVID-19: a novel promising antiviral to combat the pandemic S Khiali, E Khani, S B Rouy, T Entezari-Maleki Future Microbiology 17 (5), 377-391 , 2022 2022 Citations: 26
SGLT2 inhibitors’ cardiovascular benefits in individuals without diabetes, heart failure, and/or chronic kidney disease: a systematic review S Khiali, M Taban‐Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy‐Aghdam, ... The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 63 (12), 1307-1323 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Anticoagulation in COVID-19: DDI perspective S Khiali, T Entezari-Maleki Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis 26, 1076029620959457 , 2020 2020 Citations: 18
Effect of caffeine consumption on cardiovascular disease: an updated review S Khiali, A Agabalazadeh, H Sahrai, H Bannazadeh Baghi, ... Pharmaceutical Medicine 37 (2), 139-151 , 2023 2023 Citations: 17
Therapeutic application of corticosteroids in COVID‐19: a focus on optimum dose and duration of therapy S Khiali, T Entezari‐Maleki Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 61 (9), 1145 , 2021 2021 Citations: 17
SARS-CoV-2 and probable lung cancer risk TEM Sajad Khiali, Afra Rezagholizadeh BioImpacts , 2022 2022 Citations: 15
Investigational antiviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 patients S Beheshtirouy, E Khani, S Khiali, T Entezari-Maleki Archives of virology 167 (3), 751-805 , 2022 2022 Citations: 13
Empagliflozin and colchicine in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a randomized, double-blinded, three-arm … S Khiali, M Taban-Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy-Aghdam, ... European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 80 (1), 93-104 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Current evidence of COVID-19 vaccination-related cardiovascular events S Khiali, A Rezagholizadeh, H Behzad, H Bannazadeh Baghi, ... Postgraduate Medicine 135 (2), 102-120 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Potential roles of vitamins in the management of COVID-19: A comprehensive review H Rezaei, S Khiali, H Rezaei, H Rezaee, BH Bannazadeh, ... PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 27, 29-49 , 2021 2021 Citations: 6
The impact of clinical pharmacist interventions on medication errors management in the postoperative cardiac intensive care unit N Safaie, H Azizi, S Khiali, T Entezari-Maleki Pharmaceutical Sciences 27 (3), 433-438 , 2020 2020 Citations: 6
Pharmacist-Directed Self-Management of Blood Pressure Versus Conventional Management in Patients with Hypertension: A Randomized Control Trial: S. Khiali et al. S Khiali, N Khezerlo-Aghdam, H Namdar, T Entezari-Maleki High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention 28 (3), 283-290 , 2021 2021 Citations: 5
Empagliflozin and colchicine in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary … S Khiali, M Taban-Sadeghi, P Sarbakhsh, N Khezerlouy-Aghdam, ... Trials 24 (1), 645 , 2023 2023 Citations: 4
Vancomycin utilization evaluation in a major teaching hospital in West of Iran S Khiali, S Eskandari, H Hamishehkar, P Maroufi, H Rezaee Journal of Pharmaceutical Care , 2020 2020 Citations: 4