Dietary buckwheat enhances sirtuin1 without calorie restriction

This is truly excellent news, at least for каша lovers. 

Abstract

In the present investigation, the role of dietary intervention in male Wistar rats (n = 8, 3 groups) was studied to observe absolute sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels (expressed as ng mg−1 total protein) in serum, stomach, liver, and kidney. Dietary buckwheat at 30% (w/w) level of incorporation in the standard diet (Buckwheat Enriched Diet, BED) improved SIRT1 with values 0.933 ± 0.05, 210 ± 7, 63.26 ± 4, and 69.89 ± 3 in serum, stomach, liver, and kidney respectively when compared to the respective control values of 0.536 ± 0.03, 156 ± 23.3, 31.07 ± 2 and 47.11 ± 4. Moreover, BED though isocaloric to CR diet, led to weight gain (g) by 63.11 ± 3.8, ca. 10%, and 40% higher than control (56.27 ± 5.6) and CR (45.05 ± 4.1) diet groups. A marked rise in Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) by ca. 37% while a 30% decrease in Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was observed for the BED group which supports unexpected weight gain in rats post-dietary intervention. The results justify the superior nutritional profile of buckwheat laden with essential nutrients, essential proteins, and bioactives. In contrast, Calorie Restriction (CR) resulted in a decline of the total protein content in circulation by 19%, while reduction of total protein in stomach, liver, and kidney was estimated to be 95%, 35.2%, and 27% respectively though SIRT1 values were comparatively the highest in all the samples studied. A 30-fold enhancement of SIRT1 in stomach post CR is presumed to counter enhanced stress in gastric tissues. Therefore, mild to moderate expression of SIRT1 may confer beneficial effects such as delayed aging and stress resistance but exceedingly high SIRT1 may evoke increased oxidative stress.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733521020303696

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Leisure time aerobic and muscle strengthening activities are associated with important survival benefits.

Adults who engage in leisure time aerobic and muscle strengthening activities at levels recommended by the 2018 physical activity guidelines for Americans show greatly reduced risk of all cause and cause specific mortality. These data suggest that the physical activity levels recommended in the guidelines are associated with important survival benefits.

CCBYNC Open access
Research

Recommended physical activity and all cause and cause specific mortality in US adults: prospective cohort study

BMJ 2020; 370 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2031 (Published 01 July 2020)Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m2031

 
 
  1. Min Zhao, lecturer of nutritional epidemiology12,  
  2. Sreenivas P Veeranki, director of health economics and outcomes research34,  
  3. Costan G Magnussen, senior research fellow of cardiovascular epidemiology567,  
  4. Bo Xi, professor of cardiovascular epidemiology8

Author affiliations

  1. Correspondence to: B Xi xibo2007@126.com
  • Accepted 21 April 2020

Abstract

Objective To determine the association between recommended physical activity according to the 2018 physical activity guidelines for Americans and all cause and cause specific mortality using a nationally representative sample of US adults.

Design Population based cohort study.

Setting National Health Interview Survey (1997-2014) with linkage to the National Death Index records to 31 December 2015.

Participants 479 856 adults aged 18 years or older.

Exposures Participant self-reports of the amount of leisure time spent in aerobic physical activity and muscle strengthening activity each week were combined and categorised into four groups: insufficient activity, aerobic activity only, muscle strengthening only, and both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities according to the physical activity guidelines.

Main outcome measures All cause mortality and cause specific mortality (cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory tract diseases, accidents and injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus, influenza and pneumonia, and nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, or nephrosis) obtained from the National Death Index records.

Results During a median follow-up of 8.75 years, 59 819 adults died from all causes, 13 509 from cardiovascular disease, 14 375 from cancer, 3188 from chronic lower respiratory tract diseases, 2477 from accidents and injuries, 1470 from Alzheimer’s disease, 1803 from diabetes mellitus, 1135 from influenza and pneumonia, and 1129 from nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, or nephrosis. Compared with those who did not meet the physical activity guidelines (n=268 193), those who engaged in recommended muscle strengthening activity (n=21 428; hazard ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 0.94) or aerobic activity (n=113 851; 0.71, 0.69 to 0.72) were found to be at reduced risk of all cause mortality; and even larger survival benefits were found in those engaged in both activities (n=76 384; 0.60, 0.57 to 0.62). In addition, similar patterns were reported for cause specific mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory tract diseases.

Conclusions Adults who engage in leisure time aerobic and muscle strengthening activities at levels recommended by the 2018 physical activity guidelines for Americans show greatly reduced risk of all cause and cause specific mortality. These data suggest that the physical activity levels recommended in the guidelines are associated with important survival benefits.

Source:

https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2031

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Safety and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary report of a phase 1/2, single-blind, randomised controlled trial

Possible gamechanger. 

Safety and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary report of a phase 1/2, single-blind, randomised controlled trial

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31604-4/fulltext

Summary

Background

The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) might be curtailed by vaccination. We assessed the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of a viral vectored coronavirus vaccine that expresses the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

We did a phase 1/2, single-blind, randomised controlled trial in five trial sites in the UK of a chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein compared with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) as control. Healthy adults aged 18–55 years with no history of laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or of COVID-19-like symptoms were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 at a dose of 5 × 1010 viral particles or MenACWY as a single intramuscular injection. A protocol amendment in two of the five sites allowed prophylactic paracetamol to be administered before vaccination. Ten participants assigned to a non-randomised, unblinded ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime-boost group received a two-dose schedule, with the booster vaccine administered 28 days after the first dose. Humoral responses at baseline and following vaccination were assessed using a standardised total IgG ELISA against trimeric SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a muliplexed immunoassay, three live SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation assays (a 50% plaque reduction neutralisation assay [PRNT50]; a microneutralisation assay [MNA50, MNA80, and MNA90]; and Marburg VN), and a pseudovirus neutralisation assay. Cellular responses were assessed using an ex-vivo interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The co-primary outcomes are to assess efficacy, as measured by cases of symptomatic virologically confirmed COVID-19, and safety, as measured by the occurrence of serious adverse events. Analyses were done by group allocation in participants who received the vaccine. Safety was assessed over 28 days after vaccination. Here, we report the preliminary findings on safety, reactogenicity, and cellular and humoral immune responses. The study is ongoing, and was registered at ISRCTN, 15281137, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606.

Findings

Between April 23 and May 21, 2020, 1077 participants were enrolled and assigned to receive either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (n=543) or MenACWY (n=534), ten of whom were enrolled in the non-randomised ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime-boost group. Local and systemic reactions were more common in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and many were reduced by use of prophylactic paracetamol, including pain, feeling feverish, chills, muscle ache, headache, and malaise (all p<0·05). There were no serious adverse events related to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. In the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, spike-specific T-cell responses peaked on day 14 (median 856 spot-forming cells per million peripheral blood mononuclear cells, IQR 493–1802; n=43). Anti-spike IgG responses rose by day 28 (median 157 ELISA units [EU], 96–317; n=127), and were boosted following a second dose (639 EU, 360–792; n=10). Neutralising antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 32 (91%) of 35 participants after a single dose when measured in MNA80 and in 35 (100%) participants when measured in PRNT50. After a booster dose, all participants had neutralising activity (nine of nine in MNA80 at day 42 and ten of ten in Marburg VN on day 56). Neutralising antibody responses correlated strongly with antibody levels measured by ELISA (R2=0·67 by Marburg VN; p<0·001).

Interpretation

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 showed an acceptable safety profile, and homologous boosting increased antibody responses. These results, together with the induction of both humoral and cellular immune responses, support large-scale evaluation of this candidate vaccine in an ongoing phase 3 programme.

Funding

UK Research and Innovation, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland’s NIHR Clinical Research Network, and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Gießen-Marburg-Langen.

 

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The antiviral and coronavirus-host protein pathways inhibiting properties of herbs and natural compounds – Additional weapons in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic?

. 2020 Jul; 10(4): 405–419.
Published online 2020 May 30. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2020.05.003
PMCID: PMC7260130

The antiviral and coronavirus-host protein pathways inhibiting properties of herbs and natural compounds – Additional weapons in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic?

 

Abstract

Introduction

As of March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Articles published after the SARS-CoV-1 (2002) epidemic suggest that the use of an herbal-drug integrative medical approach could have contributed to a lower fatality rate and a more rapid response in controlling the outbreak.

Methods

Pubmed was searched for articles that investigated the antiviral properties and mechanisms of action of herbs or natural compounds against the SARS-coronavirus (CoV).

Results

Forty-three (43) relevant papers were located. A general count rendered 450+ herbs and natural compounds with antiviral properties against the SARS-CoV and related viruses. From the 43 articles, thirty-one (31) uncovered the mechanisms of action of the natural substances able to oppose the coronavirus.

Discussion

A series of herbs and natural compounds demonstrated moderate to strong antiviral activity. Research on many herbs-natural compounds also showed potent and significant inhibition of CoV-host protein pathways responsible for different phases of viral replication specifically targeting 3CLPRO, PLPRO, RdRp, helicase protein, S protein, N protein, 3a protein, Cathepsin L, Nsp1, Nsp3c, and ORF7a, and the S protein/ACE-2 interaction.

Conclusion

The herbs-natural compounds with antiviral activity and that caused inhibition/blockade of the CoV-host protein pathways are potential therapeutic candidates. The homology between the SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 is around 80%. Thus, effective herbs-compounds for the former would likely be beneficial for the latter also depending on target protein similarities between the viruses. Here we provide the mechanistic bases supporting an integrative approach that includes natural compounds to fight coronavirus infections.

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Herbs, Natural compounds, Antiviral, Pandemic
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A Review on Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antifungal Activity of Curcumin

. 2014; 2014: 186864.
Published online 2014 Apr 29. doi: 10.1155/2014/186864
PMCID: PMC4022204
PMID: 24877064

A Review on Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antifungal Activity of Curcumin

 
Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae family) and its polyphenolic compound curcumin have been subjected to a variety of antimicrobial investigations due to extensive traditional uses and low side effects. Antimicrobial activities for curcumin and rhizome extract of C. longa against different bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites have been reported. The promising results for antimicrobial activity of curcumin made it a good candidate to enhance the inhibitory effect of existing antimicrobial agents through synergism. Indeed, different investigations have been done to increase the antimicrobial activity of curcumin, including synthesis of different chemical derivatives to increase its water solubility as well ass cell up take of curcumin. This review aims to summarize previous antimicrobial studies of curcumin towards its application in the future studies as a natural antimicrobial agent.
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