Full Professor of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology, and Toxicology (since 2008). Postdoc at the William Harvey Research Institute, London, UK (1999-2001). Visiting Scientist at the Dept. of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden (2016). Visiting Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC (2017). Clinical Pharmacology Residency Program Chairman, UBFM (since 2021). Former Chairmen of Pharmacology, UBFM. Clinical pharmacologist at the 3rd level hospital (since 2011). Clinical trial experience: > 10 phase III/IV studies (role: clinical pharmacologist). More than 300 publications (> 70 CC/SCI in extenso publications) and more than 700 citations in CC/SCI journals. Council of Europe Expert in professional ethics and higher education reform, and member of the Serbian Royal Medical Board.
EDUCATION
MD Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 1989
MSc in Medicine (Pharmacology) Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 1993
PhD in Medicine (Pharmacology) Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 1996
Clinical Pharmacology (specialization) Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 1996
Clinical Pharmacology - Pharmacotherapy (sub-specialization) Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 2008
Lipidomics, Microbiota, and Intestinal Clostridioides difficile Infection Outcome Marija Branković, Marija Kraišnik, Dimitrije Zdravković, Nemanja Kraišnik, Filip Jelić, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025 It is mostly known which microorganisms make up the intestinal microbiota and what their role is in the digestive tract. Moreover, there is evidence about the influence of these microorganisms, especially bacteria, on the functioning of the human body in general. Intestinal microbiota is metabolically active and synthesizes numerous molecules that are an important part of biochemical processes in the human body, as well as signaling pathways. Some of these molecules are of lipid origin, which is why new knowledge in the field of lipidomics can help in their more precise identification. It is now clear that the lipid profile of the stool depends on the composition and metabolic activity of the microbiota. Therefore, under changed conditions, such as the existence of an infection, there are changes in the lipid profile of the stool. One of the epidemiologically most important and most studied infections of the digestive tract is Clostridioides difficile infection. This infection is recurrent in a large number of cases; it is related to resistance to antibiotics and their irrational use, and because of that, further research in this area would bring insight into possibly new knowledge that would help in more effective suppression of this infection.
Vaccine Hesitancy in Public Healthcare During Pandemics: An International Study to Inform Management Learning Ann Svensson, Maruška Nardoni, Anna Lydia Svalastog, Matjaž Vidmar, Helena Machado, et al. Health Science Reports, 2025 BackgroundThis paper explores vaccine hesitancy through the lens of management learning in public healthcare during pandemics. It addresses the need for qualitative insights from active academics, focusing on their uncertainties and ambivalence regarding COVID‐19 vaccination. The study aims to deepen understanding of vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic from a management learning perspective, examining healthcare systems, governance, and community trust.MethodsUsing a qualitative approach, the research draws from a multidisciplinary research network in health and digital society. A total of 27 scholars from 17 countries participated in an open‐ended questionnaire designed to elicit insights on the strategies, ethics, and public responses associated with national COVID‐19 vaccination efforts. Data collection occurred from May 2021 to July 2021, during the initial rollout of vaccines to broader populations. The analysis employed a hermeneutical framework, using thematic analysis to interpret textual data. Illustrative accounts enriched the contextual understanding.ResultsThe resulting themes are information and disinformation; social inclusion and exclusion; trust and distrust; individual liberties and collective constraints. The findings indicate that individual nations actions play a role in shaping public discourse, opinion, and political responses related to vaccination, despite a globalized context. The analysis reveals that historical and political factors significantly influence public health policies and perceptions of vaccine hesitancy, together with the importance of information and dialogue with various stakeholders to create trust.ConclusionsThe COVID‐19 crisis, characterized by threats and uncertainties, has strained trust in public health institutions. A management learning perspective can be adopted that embraces a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding COVID‐19 vaccination. By fostering collaborative learning and stakeholder engagement, public health organizations can enhance their responsiveness and build trust within communities.
Antibiotic Usage and Healthcare-Associated Clostridioides difficile in Patients with and Without COVID-19: A Tertiary Hospital Experience Darko Zdravkovic, Ljiljana Markovic-Denic, Vladimir Nikolic, Zoran Todorovic, Marija Brankovic, et al. Antibiotics, 2025 Background/Objectives: Data about the relationship between COVID-19 and healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infection (HA-CDI) occurrence are still controversial. This study examines antibiotics associated with CDI in patients with and without COVID-19 infection. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the University Clinical Center Belgrade, Serbia, from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients with the first episode of HA-CDI without and with COVID-19 were included. Results of bacteriology analyses, demographic and clinical data, and data on antibiotic usage and daily defined doses (DDD) were collected by the hospital Infection Control Team. Results: Out of 547 HA-CDI cases, 341 (62.3%) had COVID-19 infection. HA-CDI patients with COVID-19 were significantly younger (p = 0.017) with fewer comorbidities (<0.001). Two or more antibiotics in therapy were more frequently used by those patients (p = 0.03). COVID-19 patients were treated significantly more by third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones (p < 0.001) and macrolides (p = 0.01). Ceftriaxone had a higher median DDD in COVID-19 patients (6.00, range 1.00–20.00) compared to non-COVID-19 patients (4.00, range 1.00–14.00), (p = 0.007). Conversely, meropenem showed a lower median DDD in COVID-19 patients. Multivariate analysis identified the use of fourth-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones as independent risk factors for HA-CDI in COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Patients with HA-CDI and COVID-19 more frequently received two or more antibiotics before the onset of HAI-CDI. The third and fourth generations of cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and macrolides were administered significantly more often in these patients. More frequent administration of ceftriaxone was observed, but the lower DDD associated with meropenem needed additional analysis.
The silent predictors: exploring galectin-3 and Irisin’s tale in severe COVID-19 Valentina N. Nikolic, Višeslav Popadic, Slobodan M. Jankovic, Nenad Govedarović, Stevan Vujić, et al. BMC Research Notes, 2024 Objective This study aimed to evaluate the roles of galectin-3 and irisin as biomarkers in predicting severe outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Results We analyzed serum levels of galectin-3 and irisin in 59 patients with severe COVID-19 and 30 healthy controls. Elevated galectin-3 levels were associated with increased risks of mortality, need for intensive care, and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. The optimal cut-off value for galectin-3 was 13.47 ng/ml, with a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 76.6%. Irisin levels did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors at admission or on the 3rd day post-admission, but approached significance on the 7th day. These findings suggest that galectin-3 could be a valuable prognostic biomarker for severe COVID-19 outcomes, while irisin’s role remains to be clarified in further studies.
From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Therapy: Understanding Sepsis-Induced Multiple Organ Dysfunction Tijana Srdić, Siniša Đurašević, Iva Lakić, Aleksandra Ružičić, Predrag Vujović, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024 Sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction arises from the highly complex pathophysiology encompassing the interplay of inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, mitochondrial damage, cellular energy failure, and dysbiosis. Over the past decades, numerous studies have been dedicated to elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms of sepsis in order to develop effective treatments. Current research underscores liver and cardiac dysfunction, along with acute lung and kidney injuries, as predominant causes of mortality in sepsis patients. This understanding of sepsis-induced organ failure unveils potential therapeutic targets for sepsis treatment. Various novel therapeutics, including melatonin, metformin, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), certain herbal extracts, and gut microbiota modulators, have demonstrated efficacy in different sepsis models. In recent years, the research focus has shifted from anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agents to exploring the modulation of energy metabolism and gut microbiota in sepsis. These approaches have shown a significant impact in preventing multiple organ damage and mortality in various animal sepsis models but require further clinical investigation. The accumulation of this knowledge enriches our understanding of sepsis and is anticipated to facilitate the development of effective therapeutic strategies in the future.
Therapeutic Potential of Palmitoylethanolamide in Gastrointestinal Disorders Marija Branković, Tijana Gmizić, Marija Dukić, Marija Zdravković, Branislava Daskalović, et al. Antioxidants, 2024 Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like bioactive lipid mediator belonging to the family of N-acylethanolamines, most abundantly found in peanuts and egg yolk. When the gastrointestinal (GI) effects of PEA are discussed, it must be pointed out that it affects intestinal motility but also modulates gut microbiota. This is due to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory features. Additionally, PEA has shown beneficial effects in several GI diseases, particularly irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases, as various studies have shown, and it is important to emphasize its relative lack of toxicity, even at high dosages. Unfortunately, there is not enough endogenous PEA to treat disturbed gut homeostasis, even though it is produced in the GI tract in response to inflammatory stimuli, so exogenous intake is mandatory to achieve homeostasis. Intake of PEA could be through animal and/or vegetable food, but bearing in mind that a high dosage is needed to achieve a therapeutic effect, it must be compensated through dietary supplements. There are still open questions pending to be answered, so further studies investigating PEA’s effects and mechanisms of action, especially in humans, are crucial to implementing PEA in everyday clinical practice.
Pharmacokinetic and toxicological considerations affecting antiretroviral drug dosing in pregnant women Zoran Todorović, Gordana Dragović, Relja Lukić Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, 2024 INTRODUCTION To prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during pregnancy, the appropriate dosing regimens of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs need to be determined. Reliable data about pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of ARVs from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are lacking, and post-marketing observational studies may offer valuable, but sometimes insufficient data, especially in pregnant people living with HIV (PLWHIV). This review article is focused PK and toxicological considerations affecting ARV dosing in pregnant PLWHIV. AREAS COVERED In our search, we included studies focused on PKs of ARVs in pregnancy available on PubMed, abstracts from recent global conferences and data from modeling studies. There are no significant changes in PKs of nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors throughout pregnancy. In contrast, the PKs of PIs and INSTIs are more variable, especially in the second and third trimesters. EXPERT OPINION Pregnant women are left out of RCTs. To the greatest extent possible, future research should include pregnant persons in RCTs, including PK studies, strictly considering maternal and fetal safety. Alternative innovative approaches/models need to be developed to obtain reliable data about rational pharmacotherapy of ARVs in the effective PMTCT of HIV, with maximum safety.
Aging of Liver in Its Different Diseases Tijana Radonjić, Marija Dukić, Igor Jovanović, Marija Zdravković, Olga Mandić, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022
Nitric-oxide and skeletal muscle contraction Radan Stojanovic, Milica Prostran, Zoran Todorovic, Sonja Vuckovic, Zorica Nesic, et al. Vojnosanitetski Pregled Military Medical and Pharmaceutical Review, 2004
Opioid analgesics Sonja Vuckovic, Milica Prostran, Milovan Ivanovic, Zoran Todorovic, Radan Stojanovic, et al. Vojnosanitetski Pregled Military Medical and Pharmaceutical Review, 2004
Agonists of peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor-α (clofibrate and WY14643) reduce renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat Medical Science Monitor, 2002