SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that infects the respiratory tract and was the causing agent of COVID-19, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Several studies have been carried out to understand the pathophysiology of the disease, immune reactions, and risk factors that could aggravate the condition and predict the prognosis of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the most prevalent laboratory data of hospitalized patients associated with discharge or death. A survey was conducted utilizing the medical records of COVID-19 cases in patients treated in the intensive care unit of the Guilherme Álvaro Hospital in the seaside city of Santos, Brazil. We correlated the most important variables reported in the literature to provide a global comparison of the population affected by the virus in the Santos lowlands. SARSCoV2 SARSCoV SARS CoV 2 SARS-CoV- COVID19, COVID19 COVID 19, 19 11 2020 disease reactions Therefore death COVID-1 Brazil lowlands SARS-CoV COVID1 1 202 COVID- 20

In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized investigation, we assessed the tolerability of glutamine in older adults recruited from three daycare centers. The relevance of studying glutamine supplementation in elderly patients lies in its potential to provide a well-tolerated intervention. Glutamine, a crucial amino acid, plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including immune function and protein synthesis. Understanding its impact on older adults is essential, given the potential implications for their health and well-being. Participants received a daily dose of 12.4 g of oral effervescent glutamine (EGln group) or maltodextrin (placebo group) for 60 days. Fifteen patients from each group completed the study. The mean ages were 77.0±9.1 and 79.0±6.9 years for the EGln and placebo groups, respectively. We evaluated body mass index, aminogram, hemogram, plasma levels of glucose, prealbumin, albumin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, vitamin D, calcium, sodium, potassium, and the plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Notably, we quantified a broad array of inflammatory markers and growth factors providing a holistic understanding of the potential effects of glutamine supplementation. The results demonstrated that oral glutamine did not induce significant changes in any evaluated parameters, and no adverse effects were reported. This finding suggested that the dosage of glutamine used in this study was well-tolerated and safe. This information contributes to the broader understanding of glutamine supplementation, emphasizing its safety and supporting its potential as a viable intervention for maintaining health in aging individuals. doubleblind double blind placebocontrolled controlled investigation centers welltolerated well tolerated Glutamine acid processes synthesis essential wellbeing. wellbeing being. being well-being 124 12 4 12. 6 days 77091 77 0 9 1 77.0±9. 79069 79 79.0±6. groups respectively index aminogram hemogram glucose prealbumin albumin urea creatinine Creactive C reactive D calcium sodium potassium Notably parameters reported safe individuals 7709 7 77.0±9 7906 79.0±6 770 77.0± 790 79.0± 77.0 79.0 77. 79.

Brain glucose hypometabolism and neuroinflammation are early pathogenic manifestations in neurological disorders. Neuroinflammation may also disrupt leptin signaling, an adipokine that centrally regulates appetite and energy balance by acting on the hypothalamus and exerting neuroprotection in the hippocampus. The Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is a non-obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) animal model used to investigate diabetes-associated molecular mechanisms without obesity jeopardizing effects. Wistar and GK rats received the maintenance adult rodent diet. Also, an additional control group of Wistar rats received a high-fat and high-sugar diet (HFHS) provided by free consumption of condensed milk. All diets and water were provided ad libitum for eight weeks. Brain glucose uptake was evaluated by 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose under basal (saline administration) or stimulated (CL316,243, a selective β3-AR agonist) conditions. The animals were fasted for 10-12 h, anesthetized, and euthanized. The brain was quickly dissected, and the hippocampal area was sectioned and stored at -80°C in different tubes for protein and RNA analyses on the same animal. GK rats exhibited attenuated brain glucose uptake compared to Wistar animals and the HFHS group under basal conditions. Also, the hippocampus of GK rats displayed upregulated leptin receptor, IL-1β, and IL-6 gene expression and IL-1β and the subunit of the transcription factor NF-κB (p-p65) protein expression. No significant alterations were detected in the hippocampus of HFHS rats. Our data indicated that a genetic predisposition to T2DM has significant brain deteriorating features, including brain glucose hypometabolism, neuroinflammation, and leptin signaling disruption in the hippocampal area. disorders GotoKakizaki Goto Kakizaki (GK nonobese non obese TDM T DM (T2DM diabetesassociated associated effects Also highfat high fat highsugar sugar (HFHS milk weeks 2deoxy2fluorine18 deoxyfluorine deoxy fluorine 18 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18 fluoroDglucose fluoro D saline administration CL316,243, CL316243 CL CL316 243 (CL316,243 β3AR βAR β3 AR β agonist conditions 1012 10 12 10-1 h anesthetized euthanized dissected 80°C 80C C 80 receptor IL1β, IL1β ILβ IL 1β, 1β IL6 6 IL- NFκB NF κB pp65 pp p p65 (p-p65 features 2deoxy2fluorine1 1 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-1 CL316,243 CL31624 CL31 24 (CL316,24 101 10- 8 pp6 p6 (p-p6 2deoxy2fluorine 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine- CL316,24 CL3162 CL3 (CL316,2 (p-p 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine CL316,2 (CL316, CL316, (CL316 (CL31 (CL3 (CL

The impact of linseed oil as a lipid source on liver disease induced by a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) was evaluated. Adult male Swiss mice received an HCD containing carbohydrates (72.1%), proteins (14.2%), and lipids (4.0%). The Control HCD group (HCD-C) received an HCD containing lard (3.6%) and soybean oil (0.4%) as lipid sources. The L10 and L100 groups received an HCD with 10 and 100% linseed oil as lipid sources, respectively. A group of mice were euthanized before receiving the diets (day 0) and the remaining groups after 56 days of receiving the diets (HCD-C, L10, and L-100 groups). Morphological and histopathological analyses, as well as collagen deposition were evaluated. Perivenous hepatocytes (PVH) of the HCD-C group were larger (P<0.05) than periportal hepatocytes (PPH) in the median lobe (ML) and left lobe (LL). There was a greater (P<0.05) deposition of type I collagen in PPH (vs PVH) and in the ML (vs LL). The ML exhibited a higher proportion of apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning. All these alterations (hepatocyte size, deposition of type I collagen, apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning) induced by HCD were prevented or attenuated in L10 and L100 groups. Another indicator of the beneficial effects of linseed oil was the lower (P<0.05) number of binucleated hepatocytes (HCD-C vs L10 or L100 group). In general, the L100 group had greater effects than the L10 group. In conclusion, linseed oil impedes or reduces the liver injury progression induced by an HCD. highcarbohydrate high carbohydrate (HCD evaluated 72.1%, 721 72.1% , 72 1 (72.1%) 14.2%, 142 14.2% 14 2 (14.2%) 4.0%. 40 4.0% . 4 0 (4.0%) HCDC C 3.6% 36 3 6 (3.6% 0.4% 04 (0.4% sources L L1 100 respectively day 5 HCDC, C, L-10 groups) analyses PVH (PVH P<0.05 P005 P 05 (P<0.05 (PPH (ML LL. LL (LL) LL) bodies infiltrate ballooning hepatocyte size group) general conclusion 72.1 7 (72.1% 14.2 (14.2% 4.0 (4.0% 3.6 (3.6 0.4 (0.4 L-1 P<0.0 P00 (P<0.0 (LL 72. (72.1 14. (14.2 4. (4.0 3. (3. 0. (0. L- P<0. P0 (P<0. (72. (14. (4. (3 (0 P<0 (P<0 (72 (14 (4 ( P< (P< (7 (1 (P

The Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is a non-obese experimental model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that allows researchers to monitor diabetes-induced changes without jeopardizing the effects of obesity. This rat strain exhibits notable gastrointestinal features associated with T2DM, such as marked alterations in intestinal morphology, reduced intestinal motility, slow transit, and modified microbiota compared to Wistar rats. The primary treatments for diabetic patients include administration of hypoglycemic agents and insulin, and lifestyle changes. Emerging procedures, including alternative therapies, metabolic surgeries, and modulation of the intestinal microbiota composition, have been shown to improve the diabetic state of GK rats. This review describes the morpho-physiological diabetic-associated features of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of GK rats. We also describe promising strategies, e.g., metabolic surgery and modulation of gut microbiota composition, used to target the GIT of this animal model to improve the diabetic state.

Diabetes is associated with a worse prognosis and a high risk of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to evaluate the main factors involved in the poor prognosis in diabetic patients. A total of 984 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital were included in this study. Patients were first divided into type-2 diabetic (DM+) and non-diabetic (DM–) groups. The participants were analyzed based on the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and on the Quick-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) to find the best prognostic risk score for our study. The DM+ and DM– groups were divided into non-severe and severe groups. Comparative and correlative analyses were used to identify the physiological parameters that could be employed for creating a potential risk indicator for DM+ COVID-19 patients. We found a poorer prognosis for the DM+ COVID-19 patients with a higher ICU admission rate, mechanical ventilation rate, vasopressor use, dialysis, and longer treatment times compared with the DM– group. DM+ COVID-19 patients had increased plasma glucose, lactate, age, urea, NEWS, and D-dimer levels, herein referred to as the GLAUND set, and worse prognosis and outcomes when compared with infected DM– patients. The NEWS score was a better indicator for assessing COVID-19 severity in diabetic patients than the q-SOFA score. In conclusion, diabetic COVID-19 patients should be assessed with the NEWS score and GLAUND set for determining their prognosis COVID-19 prognosis.

There is a high incidence of non-obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-obese-T2DM) cases, particularly in Asian countries, for which the pathogenesis remains mainly unclear. Interestingly, Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats spontaneously develop insulin resistance (IR) and non-obese-T2DM, making them a lean diabetes model. Physical exercise is a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach to reduce adipose tissue mass, improving peripheral IR, glycemic control, and quality of life in obese animals or humans with T2DM. In this narrative review, we selected and analyzed the published literature on the effects of physical exercise on the metabolic features associated with non-obese-T2DM. Only randomized controlled trials with regular physical exercise training, freely executed physical activity, or skeletal muscle stimulation protocols in GK rats published after 2008 were included. The results indicated that exercise reduces plasma insulin levels, increases skeletal muscle glycogen content, improves exercise tolerance, protects renal and myocardial function, and enhances blood oxygen flow in GK rats.

The non-enzymatic antioxidant system protects blood components from oxidative damage and/or injury. Herein, plasma non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity after acute strenuous swimming exercise (Exe) and exercise until exhaustion (Exh) was measured in rats. The experiments were carried out in never exposed (Nex) and pre-exposed (Pex) groups. The Nex group did not undergo any previous training before the acute strenuous swimming test and the Pex group was submitted to daily swimming for 10 min in the first week and 15 min per day in the second week before testing. Plasma glucose, lactate, and pyruvate were measured and plasma total protein sulfhydryl groups (thiol), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) levels were evaluated. There were marked increases in plasma lactate concentrations (Nex-Control 1.31±0.20 vs NexExe 4.16±0.39 vs NexExh 7.19±0.67) and in thiol (Nex-Control 271.9±5.6 vs NexExh 314.7±5.7), TEAC (Nex-Control 786.4±60.2 vs NexExh 1027.7±58.2), FRAP (Nex-Control 309.2±17.7 vs NexExh 413.4±24.3), and TRAP (Nex-Control 0.50±0.15 vs NexExh 2.6±0.32) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Also, there were increased plasma lactate concentrations (Pex-Control 1.39±0.15 vs PexExe 5.22±0.91 vs PexExh 10.07±0.49), thiol (Pex-Control 252.9±8.2 vs PexExh 284.6±6.7), FRAP (Pex-Control 296.5±15.4 vs PexExh 445.7±45.6), and TRAP (Pex-Control 1.8±0.1 vs PexExh 4.6±0.2) levels after acute swimming and/or exhaustion. Lactate showed the highest percent of elevation in the Nex and Pex groups. In conclusion, plasma lactate may contribute to plasma antioxidant defenses, and the TRAP assay is the most sensitive assay for assessing plasma non-antioxidant capacity after strenuous exercise.

We previously reported that both the high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) and high-fat diet (HFD) given for two months promote lipid deposition and inflammation in the liver and brain of mice. The results obtained indicate a tissue-specific response to both diets. Herein, we compared the effects of HCD and HFD on fatty acid (FA) composition and inflammation in the gastrocnemius muscle. Male Swiss mice were fed with HCD or HFD for 1 or 2 months. Saturated FA (SFA), monounsaturated FA (MUFA), n-3 polyunsaturated FA (n-3 PUFA), and n-6 PUFA were quantified. The activities of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1), Δ-6 desaturase (D6D), elongase 6, and de novo lipogenesis (DNL) were estimated. As for indicators of the inflammatory tissue state, we measured myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and gene expression of F4/80, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and IL-10. The HCD led to a lower deposition of SFA, MUFA, n-3 PUFA, and n-6 PUFA compared to HFD. However, the HCD increased arachidonic acid levels, SFA/n-3 PUFA ratio, DNL, SCD-1, D6D, and MPO activities, and expression of IL-6, contrasting with the general idea that increased lipid deposition is associated with more intense inflammation. The HCD was more potent to induce skeletal muscle inflammation than the HFD, regardless of the lower lipid accumulation.

High caloric intake promotes chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes, which may be prevented by food restriction (FR). The effect of FR on expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes in adipose tissue, liver, muscle, and brain was compared. Male Swiss mice were submitted to FR (FR group) or had free access to food (control group) during 56 days. The liver, gastrocnemius muscle, brain, and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) were collected for analysis of gene expressions. FR attenuated inflammation in the liver, brain, and gastrocnemius muscle but did not markedly change inflammatory gene expression in epididymal WAT. We concluded that adipose tissue was less responsive to FR in terms of gene expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes.

The effect of a short-term creatine supplementation on hindlimb suspension (HS)-induced muscle atrophy was investigated. Creatine monohydrate (5 g/kg b.w. per day) or placebo, divided in 2 daily doses, was given by oral gavage for 5 days. Rats were maintained in HS with dietary supplementation concomitantly for 5 days. Body weight, soleus and EDL muscle masses, and cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the muscle fibers were measured. Signaling pathways associated with skeletal muscle mass regulation (FST, MSTN, FAK, IGF-1, MGF, Akt, mTOR, atrogin-1, and MuRF1 expressions, and Akt, S6, GSK3B, and 4EBP1 proteins) were evaluated in the muscles. Soleus muscle exhibited more atrophy than the EDL muscle due to HS. Creatine supplementation attenuated the decrease of wet weight and increased p-4EBP1 protein in the EDL muscle of HS rats. Also, creatine increased mTOR and atrogin-1 expressions in the same muscle and condition. In the absence of HS, creatine supplementation increased FAK and decreased MGF expressions in the EDL muscle. Creatine attenuated the increase in FST expression due to HS in the soleus muscle. MuRF1 expression increased in the soleus muscle due to creatine supplementation in HS animals whereas atrogin-1 expression increased still further in this group compared with untreated HS rats. In conclusion, short-term creatine supplementation changed protein metabolism signaling in soleus and EDL muscles. However, creatine supplementation only slightly attenuated the mass loss of both muscles and did not prevent the CSA reduction and muscle strength decrease induced by HS for 5 days.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lactatemia elevation and glycemia reduction on strenuous swimming performance in fasted rats. Three rats were placed in a swimming tank at the same time. The first rat was removed immediately (control group) and the remaining ones were submitted to a strenuous swimming session. After the second rat was exhausted (Exh group), the third one was immediately removed from the water (Exe group). According to the period of time required for exhaustion, the rats were divided into four groups: low performance (3–7 min), low-intermediary performance (8–12 min), high-intermediary performance (13–17 min), and high performance (18–22 min). All rats were removed from the swimming tanks and immediately killed by decapitation for blood collection or anesthetized for liver perfusion experiments. Blood glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations, blood lactate/pyruvate ratio, and liver lactate uptake and its conversion to glucose were evaluated. Exhaustion in low and low-intermediary performance were better associated with higher lactate/pyruvate ratio. On the other hand, exhaustion in high-intermediary and high performance was better associated with hypoglycemia. Lactate uptake and glucose production from lactate in livers from the Exe and Exh groups were maintained. We concluded that there is a time sequence in the participation of lactate/pyruvate ratio and hypoglycemia in performance during an acute strenuous swimming section in fasted rats. The liver had an important participation in preventing hyperlactatemia and hypoglycemia during swimming through lactate uptake and its conversion to glucose.

The antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties of melatonin have been well described in the literature. In this study, our objective was to determine the protective effect of the pineal gland hormone against the DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CP), an anti-tumor agent that is widely applied in clinical practice. DNA damage was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of CP (20 or 50 mg/kg). Animals received melatonin during the dark period for 15 days (1 mg/kg in the drinking water). Rat bone marrow cells were used for the determination of chromosomal aberrations and of formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase enzyme (Fpg)-sensitive sites by the comet technique and ofXpf mRNA expression by qRT-PCR. The number (mean ± SE) of chromosomal aberrations in pinealectomized (PINX) animals treated with melatonin and CP (2.50 ± 0.50/100 cells) was lower than that obtained for PINX animals injected with CP (12 ± 1.8/100 cells), thus showing a reduction of 85.8% in the number of chromosomal aberrations. This melatonin-mediated protection was also observed when oxidative lesions were analyzed by the Fpg-sensitive assay, both 24 and 48 h after CP administration. The expression of Xpf mRNA, which is involved in the DNA nucleotide excision repair machinery, was up-regulated by melatonin. The results indicate that melatonin is able to protect bone marrow cells by completely blocking CP-induced chromosome aberrations. Therefore, melatonin administration could be an alternative and effective treatment during chemotherapy.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to tissue damage and death. In order to increase our understanding of sepsis, experimental models are needed that produce relevant immune and inflammatory responses during a septic event. We describe a lipopolysaccharide tolerance mouse model to characterize the cellular and molecular alterations of immune cells during sepsis. The model presents a typical lipopolysaccharide tolerance pattern in which tolerance is related to decreased production and secretion of cytokines after a subsequent exposure to a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide. The initial lipopolysaccharide exposure also altered the expression patterns of cytokines and was followed by an 8- and a 1.5-fold increase in the T helper 1 and 2 cell subpopulations. Behavioral data indicate a decrease in spontaneous activity and an increase in body temperature following exposure to lipopolysaccharide. In contrast, tolerant animals maintained production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide when terminally challenged by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Survival study after CLP showed protection in tolerant compared to naive animals. Spleen mass increased in tolerant animals followed by increases of B lymphocytes and subpopulation Th1 cells. An increase in the number of stem cells was found in spleen and bone marrow. We also showed that administration of spleen or bone marrow cells from tolerant to naive animals transfers the acquired resistance status. In conclusion, lipopolysaccharide tolerance is a natural reprogramming of the immune system that increases the number of immune cells, particularly T helper 1 cells, and does not reduce oxidative stress.

To determine the effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine (PC) on macrophage activity, peritoneal lavage cells were cultured in the presence of phosphatidylcholine rich in saturated or unsaturated fatty acids (sat PC and unsat PC, respectively), both used at concentrations of 32 and 64 µM. The treatment of peritoneal macrophages with 64 µM unsat PC increased the production of hydrogen peroxide by 48.3% compared to control (148.3 ± 16.3 vs 100.0 ± 1.8%, N = 15), and both doses of unsat PC increased adhesion capacity by nearly 50%. Moreover, 64 µM unsat PC decreased neutral red uptake by lysosomes by 32.5% compared to the untreated group (67.5 ± 6.8 vs 100.0 ± 5.5%, N = 15), while both 32 and 64 µM unsat PC decreased the production of lipopolysaccharide-elicited nitric oxide by 30.4% (13.5 ± 2.6 vs 19.4 ± 2.5 µM) and 46.4% (10.4 ± 3.1 vs 19.4 ± 2.5 µM), respectively. Unsat PC did not affect anion production in non-stimulated cells or phagocytosis of unopsonized zymosan particles. A different result pattern was obtained for macrophages treated with sat PC. Phorbol 12-miristate 13-acetate-elicited superoxide production and neutral red uptake were decreased by nearly 25% by 32 and 64 µM sat PC, respectively. Sat PC did not affect nitric oxide or hydrogen peroxide production, adhesion capacity or zymosan phagocytosis. Thus, PC modifies macrophage activity, but this effect depends on cell activation state, fatty acid saturation and esterification to PC molecule and PC concentration. Taken together, these results indicate that the fatty acid moiety of PC modulates macrophage activity and, consequently, is likely to affect immune system regulation in vivo.