scholarly journals Could Naturally Occurring Coronaviral Diseases in Animals Serve as Models for COVID-19? A Review Focusing on the Bovine Model

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 991
Author(s):  
Jonas Johansson Wensman ◽  
Maria Stokstad
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Virus Species ◽  
Adult Cattle ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Basic Studies ◽  
Welfare Production

The current pandemic of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of basic studies on coronaviruses (CoVs) in general, and severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in particular. CoVs have for long been studied in veterinary medicine, due to their impact on animal health and welfare, production, and economy. Several animal models using coronaviral disease in the natural host have been suggested. In this review, different animal models are discussed, with the main focus on bovine CoV (BCoV). BCoV is endemic in the cattle population worldwide and has been known and studied for several decades. SARS-CoV-2 and BCoV are both betacoronaviruses, where BCoV is highly similar to human coronavirus (HCoV) OC43, encompassing the same virus species (Betacoronavirus 1). BCoV causes respiratory and gastrointestinal disease in young and adult cattle. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the similarities and dissimilarities between BCoV and SARS-CoV-2, as well as discussing the usage of BCoV as a model for human CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2.

Approaching Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Systems Biology

2009 ◽  
pp. 361-376
Author(s):  
Axel Rasche
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Systems Biology ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
High Throughput Experimentation

We acquired new computational and experimental prospects to seek insight and cure for millions of afflicted persons with an ancient malady. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex disease with a network of interactions among several tissues and a multifactorial pathogenesis. Research conducted in human and multiple animal models has strongly focused on genetics so far. High-throughput experimentation technics like microarrays provide new tools at hand to amend current knowledge. By integrating those results the aim is to develop a systems biology model assisting the diagnosis and treatment. Beside experimentation techniques and platforms or rather general concepts for a new term in biology and medicine this chapter joins the conceptions with a rather actual medical challenge. It outlines current results and envisions a possible alley to the comprehension of T2DM.

scholarly journals A Review of Coumarins and Coumarin-Related Compounds for Their Potential Antidiabetic Effect

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117955142110420
Author(s):  
Sara Ranđelović ◽  
Robbert Bipat
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Diabetic Animal ◽  
Glucose Absorption ◽  
Global Cost ◽  
Common Application ◽  
Related Compounds

Background and aims: Worldwide, type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for a considerable burden of disease, with an estimated global cost of >800 billion USD annually. For this reason, the search for more effective and efficient therapeutic anti-diabetic agents is continuing. Coumarins are naturally derived and synthetic molecules with a wide variety of biological actions. The most common application of these molecules in medicine is for their thrombostatic activity. This study aims to give an overview of the current knowledge about the applicability of these chemical products in the therapeutic strategy against diabetes and its complications. Methods: For this purpose, we searched internet databases for publications and abstracts in English that investigated the effects of coumarins or coumarin-like agents with potential anti-diabetic activity. Results: The result is that a variety of these agents have proven in in vitro, in silico, and simple animal models to possess properties that may reduce the glucose absorption rate in the intestines, increase the level of insulin, increase the cellular uptake of glucose or reduce the gluconeogenesis. In addition, some of these agents also reduced the level of glycation of peptides in diabetic animal models and showed antioxidant properties. Conclusion: In conclusion, we can summarize that coumarins and their related derivatives may be potential antidiabetic agents. Useful formulations with appropriate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties must be developed and tested for their efficacy and toxicity in comprehensive animal models before they can enter clinical trials.

scholarly journals N-Acyl Amino Acids: Metabolism, Molecular Targets, and Role in Biological Processes

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Battista ◽  
Monica Bari ◽  
Tiziana Bisogno
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Lipid Signal ◽  
Amide Derivatives

The lipid signal is becoming increasingly crowded as increasingly fatty acid amide derivatives are being identified and considered relevant therapeutic targets. The identification of N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine as endogenous ligand of cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptors as well as the development of different–omics technologies have the merit to have led to the discovery of a huge number of naturally occurring N-acyl-amines. Among those mediators, N-acyl amino acids, chemically related to the endocannabinoids and belonging to the complex lipid signaling system now known as endocannabinoidome, have been rapidly growing for their therapeutic potential. Here, we review the current knowledge of the mechanisms for the biosynthesis and inactivation of the N-acyl amino acids, as well as the various molecular targets for some of the N-acyl amino acids described so far.

Role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in small animal health and disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 181 (14) ◽  
pp. 370-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alana Redfern ◽  
Jan Suchodolski ◽  
Albert Jergens
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiota ◽  
Novel Therapy ◽  
Health And Disease

There is a large and emerging interest in the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in health and disease. This paper serves to review the current knowledge and recommendations of the gastrointestinal microbiota in health and gastrointestinal disease. Further, this review evaluates the current literature and suggests guidelines for faecal microbial transplantation, a novel therapy for dysbiosis in veterinary medicine.

scholarly journals In Vivo Rodent Models of Type 2 Diabetes and Their Usefulness for Evaluating Flavonoid Bioactivity

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-You Fang ◽  
Chih-Hung Lin ◽  
Tse-Hung Huang ◽  
Shih-Yi Chuang
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Progressive Decline ◽  
Naturally Occurring

About 40% of the world’s population is overweight or obese and exist at risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Obesity is a leading pathogenic factor for developing insulin resistance (IR). It is well established that IR and a progressive decline in functional β-cell mass are hallmarks of developing T2D. In order to mitigate the global prevalence of T2D, we must carefully select the appropriate animal models to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms of T2D, and to optimize novel therapeutics for their safe use in humans. Flavonoids, a group of polyphenols, have drawn great interest for their various health benefits, and have been identified in naturally occurring anti-diabetic compounds. Results from many clinical and animal studies demonstrate that dietary intake of flavonoids might prove helpful in preventing T2D. In this review, we discuss the currently available rodent animal models of T2D and analyze the advantages, the limitations of each T2D model, and highlight the potential anti-diabetic effects of flavonoids as well as the mechanisms of their actions.

The pseudomalachite-ludjibaite-reichenbachite conundrum: OD description

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 571-581
Author(s):  
Emil Makovicky
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crystal Chemical ◽  
Layer System ◽  
Coordination Polyhedra

Abstract Crystal structures of the three polymorphs of Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4, namely pseudomalachite, ludjibaite, and reichenbachite, can be described as being composed of rods perpendicular to their crystal-chemical layering. Two different sorts of rods can be defined. Type 1 rods share rows of Cu coordination polyhedra, forming a series of slabs. Slab boundaries and slab interiors represent alternating geometric OD layers of two kinds, with layer symmetries close to P21/m and , which make up two different stacking schemes of geometric OD layers in the structures of ludjibaite and pseudomalachite. Such OD layers, however, are not developed in reichenbachite. Type 2 rods are defined as having columns of PO4 tetrahedra in the corners of the rods. In the Type 2 slabs composed of these rods, geometric Pg OD layers of glide-arrayed tetrahedra alternate with more complex OD layers; in ludjibaite this system of layers is oriented diagonally with respect to the Type 1 OD layer system. Two different OD stackings of Type 2 OD layers form the ludjibaite and reichenbachite structures but not that of pseudomalachite. Thus, ludjibaite might form disordered intergrowths with either of the other two members of the triplet but reichenbachite and pseudomalachite should not form oriented intergrowths. Current knowledge concerning formation of the three polymorphs is considered.

scholarly journals Synaptic Reshaping and Neuronal Outcomes in the Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 3860
Author(s):  
Elisa Ren ◽  
Giulia Curia
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Hippocampal Sclerosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Epileptiform Discharges

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of focal epilepsy, characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures originating in the temporal lobe(s), with mesial TLE (mTLE) as the worst form of TLE, often associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Abnormal epileptiform discharges are the result, among others, of altered cell-to-cell communication in both chemical and electrical transmissions. Current knowledge about the neurobiology of TLE in human patients emerges from pathological studies of biopsy specimens isolated from the epileptogenic zone or, in a few more recent investigations, from living subjects using positron emission tomography (PET). To overcome limitations related to the use of human tissue, animal models are of great help as they allow the selection of homogeneous samples still presenting a more various scenario of the epileptic syndrome, the presence of a comparable control group, and the availability of a greater amount of tissue for in vitro/ex vivo investigations. This review provides an overview of the structural and functional alterations of synaptic connections in the brain of TLE/mTLE patients and animal models.

scholarly journals The Relationship between the Gut Microbiome and Metformin as a Key for Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3566
Author(s):  
Chae Bin Lee ◽  
Soon Uk Chae ◽  
Seong Jun Jo ◽  
Ui Min Jerng ◽  
Soo Kyung Bae
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Potential Target ◽  
The Relationship

Metformin is the first-line pharmacotherapy for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, its mechanism of modulating glucose metabolism is elusive. Recent advances have identified the gut as a potential target of metformin. As patients with metabolic disorders exhibit dysbiosis, the gut microbiome has garnered interest as a potential target for metabolic disease. Henceforth, studies have focused on unraveling the relationship of metabolic disorders with the human gut microbiome. According to various metagenome studies, gut dysbiosis is evident in T2DM patients. Besides this, alterations in the gut microbiome were also observed in the metformin-treated T2DM patients compared to the non-treated T2DM patients. Thus, several studies on rodents have suggested potential mechanisms interacting with the gut microbiome, including regulation of glucose metabolism, an increase in short-chain fatty acids, strengthening intestinal permeability against lipopolysaccharides, modulating the immune response, and interaction with bile acids. Furthermore, human studies have demonstrated evidence substantiating the hypotheses based on rodent studies. This review discusses the current knowledge of how metformin modulates T2DM with respect to the gut microbiome and discusses the prospect of harnessing this mechanism in treating T2DM.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs and Oxidative Stress: An Intriguing Crosstalk to Be Exploited in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 802
Author(s):  
Teresa Vezza ◽  
Aranzazu M. de Marañón ◽  
Francisco Canet ◽  
Pedro Díaz-Pozo ◽  
Miguel Marti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Dysfunction ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
And Oxidative Stress ◽  
Molecular Crosstalk

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease widespread throughout the world, with significant human, social, and economic costs. Its multifactorial etiology leads to persistent hyperglycemia, impaired carbohydrate and fat metabolism, chronic inflammation, and defects in insulin secretion or insulin action, or both. Emerging evidence reveals that oxidative stress has a critical role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species can promote an imbalance between the production and neutralization of antioxidant defence systems, thus favoring lipid accumulation, cellular stress, and the activation of cytosolic signaling pathways, and inducing β-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, and tissue inflammation. Over the last few years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted growing attention as important mediators of diverse aspects of oxidative stress. These small endogenous non-coding RNAs of 19–24 nucleotides act as negative regulators of gene expression, including the modulation of redox signaling pathways. The present review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge concerning the molecular crosstalk that takes place between oxidative stress and microRNAs in the physiopathology of type 2 diabetes, with a special emphasis on its potential as a therapeutic target.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Linked Cardiac Dysfunction: An Up-Date on Current Knowledge

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 629
Author(s):  
Jorge Gutiérrez-Cuevas ◽  
Ana Sandoval-Rodriguez ◽  
Alejandra Meza-Rios ◽  
Hugo Christian Monroy-Ramírez ◽  
Marina Galicia-Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
White Adipocyte ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Obesity is defined as excessive body fat accumulation, and worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Excess of free fatty acids (FFAs) and triglycerides in obese individuals promote ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver, skeletal muscle tissue, and heart, among others, inducing insulin resistance, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (T2D), atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These diseases are promoted by visceral white adipocyte tissue (WAT) dysfunction through an increase in pro-inflammatory adipokines, oxidative stress, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and adverse changes in the gut microbiome. In the heart, obesity and T2D induce changes in substrate utilization, tissue metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation, leading to myocardial fibrosis and ultimately cardiac dysfunction. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, also improve insulin sensitivity, triglyceride levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the molecular mechanisms involved in obesity-linked CVD pathophysiology, considering pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and hormones, as well as the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and PPARs. In addition, cell lines and animal models, biomarkers, gut microbiota dysbiosis, epigenetic modifications, and current therapeutic treatments in CVD associated with obesity are outlined in this paper.

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