Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-18DOI: 10.3390/biology13100836
Jin-Young Jeong, Junsik Kim, Minji Kim, Seong-Hoon Shim, Cheolju Park, Sungju Jung, Hyunjung Jung
{"title":"Effects of Increasing Oral Deoxynivalenol Gavage on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Metabolism, Histology, and Microbiome in Rats.","authors":"Jin-Young Jeong, Junsik Kim, Minji Kim, Seong-Hoon Shim, Cheolju Park, Sungju Jung, Hyunjung Jung","doi":"10.3390/biology13100836","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100836","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mycotoxin-contaminated feed or food can affect physiological responses and cause illnesses in humans and animals. In this study, we evaluated the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) toxicity on the growth performance, blood biochemistry, histology, microbiome, and metabolism of rats fed with different toxin concentrations. After 1 week of acclimatization, seven-week-old male rats received 0.9% saline as a control, 0.02 mg/kg DON as T1, and 0.2 mg/kg DON as T2 via oral gavage for 4 weeks. The final body weight of the T2 group was significantly lower than that of the control and T1; however, the average daily gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ. Fibrosis and apoptosis were observed in various tissues as DON concentration increased. Creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly lower in the DON-treated group than in the control. Firmicutes and Desulfobacterota phyla dominated the cecum, whereas those in the feces were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Metabolomic profiling showed phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis as the most prominent pathways. Overall, our results suggest that low-dose and short-term DON exposure can trigger several adverse effects in rats. Dietary toxicants in rats may explain the physiological effects associated with the metabolism commonly reported in animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11505534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-18DOI: 10.3390/biology13100837
Weitao Li, Jiongying Yu, Yanfu Que, Xingkun Hu, Ezhou Wang, Xiaolin Liao, Bin Zhu
{"title":"Population Genetic Investigation of <i>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</i> in the Yangtze River Basin Based on RAD Sequencing Data.","authors":"Weitao Li, Jiongying Yu, Yanfu Que, Xingkun Hu, Ezhou Wang, Xiaolin Liao, Bin Zhu","doi":"10.3390/biology13100837","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100837","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Bighead carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</i>), a primary freshwater aquaculture species in China, faces challenges due to over-exploitation and environmental changes. We leveraged RAD-seq to perform a comprehensive population genetic analysis on 14 <i>H. nobilis</i> populations sampled from the Yangtze River (13 populations) and the Marseilles Reach of the Illinois River (one population). Analysis of genetic diversity showed that different parameters demonstrated varied inferences, and notably, Zhongxian (ZX2), Wanhzou (WZ2), Yangzhou hatchery (YZYZ), Yangzhou (YZ), and Taihu (TH) populations showed apparent heterozygote deficiency. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis exhibited a trend of higher linkage disequilibrium in populations from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, followed by those from the middle reaches and then those from the lower reaches. Additionally, the reconstructed polygenetic tree and PCA plot clustered all populations into 2 major subgroups, while the results of structure analysis indicated 4 ancestors. The pairwise <i>F<sub>ST</sub></i> values ranged from 0 to 0.5530. Among these, high <i>F<sub>ST</sub></i> values (0.1931-0.5530) were only observed between populations WZ2, YZ, YZYZ, and the remaining 11 populations. Furthermore, genetic bottlenecks were observed in all populations 20-30 thousand years ago. Overall, the research offers insights essential for genetic management practices for sustainable aquaculture and biodiversity conservation of bighead carp.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11504563/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-17DOI: 10.3390/biology13100834
David Eilam, Zohar Hagbi
{"title":"Post-Hatching Development of Posture and Behavior in the Barn Owl (<i>Tyto alba</i>): From a General Behavioral Pattern of Vertebrates to the Typical Owl Behavior.","authors":"David Eilam, Zohar Hagbi","doi":"10.3390/biology13100834","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100834","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hatching captive barn owl chicks underwent four developmental phases. In the first 10 days (phase 1), behavior consisted of lateral movements that gradually changed to forward progression and peaked a few days before and after eye-opening. This behavior resembled a general developmental pattern that characterizes other vertebrates. Chicks also underwent a postural change, from head bent underneath the ventrum to resting on the rear end of the trunk with the head lifted in the air. Then, once their eyes were opened, chicks became more stationary and preoccupied with visual exploration, manifested in lateral head movements and peering episodes (phase 2, until day 20). The latter behavior, which is also typical of mature owls when not on the wing, characterized the chicks' behavior after post-hatching day 20 (phase 3), when their flight and contour feathers grew, along with shedding the down plumage and standing tall. Development culminated in active flight, first observed by days 50-60 (phase 4). Altogether, during post-hatching development, barn owl chicks gradually shifted from egg posture to the adult upright body posture. At the same time, their behavior consisted of speciation from the general developmental pattern to the typical stationary barn owl behavior, and, finally, flight was incorporated.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11504010/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-17DOI: 10.3390/biology13100833
Naiéle Sartori Patias, Eveline Aparecida Isquierdo Fonseca de Queiroz, Stela Regina Ferrarini, Gisele Facholi Bomfim, Danilo Henrique Aguiar, Adilson Paulo Sinhorin, Alexandre Aymberé Bello, Geovana Vicentini Fazolo da Silva, Larissa Cavalheiro, Valéria Dornelles Gindri Sinhorin
{"title":"Correction: Patias et al. Effect of Liposomal <i>Protium heptaphyllum</i> (Alb.) March Extract in the Treatment of Obesity Induced by High-Calorie Diet. <i>Biology</i> 2024, <i>13</i>, 535.","authors":"Naiéle Sartori Patias, Eveline Aparecida Isquierdo Fonseca de Queiroz, Stela Regina Ferrarini, Gisele Facholi Bomfim, Danilo Henrique Aguiar, Adilson Paulo Sinhorin, Alexandre Aymberé Bello, Geovana Vicentini Fazolo da Silva, Larissa Cavalheiro, Valéria Dornelles Gindri Sinhorin","doi":"10.3390/biology13100833","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100833","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the original publication [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11505510/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-17DOI: 10.3390/biology13100835
María Ramírez-delaCruz, Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez, Jorge Sánchez-Infante, Pablo Abián, Javier Abián-Vicén
{"title":"Effects of Acute Hypoxic Exposure in Simulated Altitude in Healthy Adults on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"María Ramírez-delaCruz, Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez, Jorge Sánchez-Infante, Pablo Abián, Javier Abián-Vicén","doi":"10.3390/biology13100835","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100835","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The neurocognitive response following hypoxia has received special interest. However, it is necessary to understand the impact of acute hypoxic exposure induced by simulated altitude on cognitive performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of acute hypoxic exposure in simulated altitude in healthy adults on reaction time, response accuracy, memory, and attention. Five electronic databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were: (1) Experimental studies involving a hypoxia intervention induced by a hypoxic air generator to determine the effects on cognitive performance; and (2) Conducted in adults (males and/or females; aged 18-50 years) without pathologies or health/mental problems. Four meta-analyses were performed: (1) reaction time, (2) response accuracy, (3) memory, and (4) attention. Finally, 37 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Hypoxia exposure induced detrimental effects on reaction time (standard mean difference (SMD) -0.23; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.38--0.07; <i>p</i> = 0.004), response accuracy (SMD -0.20; 95% CI -0.38--0.03; <i>p</i> = 0.02), and memory (SMD -0.93; 95% CI: -1.68--0.17; <i>p</i> = 0.02). Nevertheless, attention was not affected during hypoxia exposure (SMD -0.06; 95% CI: -0.23-0.11; <i>p</i> = 0.47). Acute exposure to hypoxia in controlled lab conditions appears to be detrimental to cognitive performance, specifically in reaction time, response accuracy, and memory.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11504018/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.3390/biology13100828
Daniel Puppe, Jacqueline Busse, Mathias Stein, Danuta Kaczorek, Christian Buhtz, Jörg Schaller
{"title":"Silica Accumulation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) Plants and Implications for Potato Yield Performance-Results from Field Experiments in Northeast Germany.","authors":"Daniel Puppe, Jacqueline Busse, Mathias Stein, Danuta Kaczorek, Christian Buhtz, Jörg Schaller","doi":"10.3390/biology13100828","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100828","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The potato is the most important non-cereal food crop, and thus improving potato growth and yield is the focus of agricultural researchers and practitioners worldwide. Several studies reported beneficial effects of silicon (Si) fertilization on potato performance, although plant species from the family Solanaceae are generally considered to be non-Si-accumulating. We used results from two field experiments in the temperate zone to gain insight into silica accumulation in potato plants, as well as corresponding long-term potato yield performance. We found relatively low Si contents in potato leaves and roots (up to 0.08% and 0.3% in the dry mass, respectively) and negligible Si contents in potato tuber skin and tuber flesh for plants grown in soils with different concentrations of plant-available Si (field experiment 1). Moreover, potato yield was not correlated to plant-available Si concentrations in soils in the long term (1965-2015, field experiment 2). Based on our results, we ascribe the beneficial effects of Si fertilization on potato growth and yield performance reported in previous studies mainly to antifungal/osmotic effects of foliar-applied Si fertilizers and to changes in physicochemical soil properties (e.g., enhanced phosphorus availability and water-holding capacity) caused by soil-applied Si fertilizers.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11503998/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.3390/biology13100832
Carmen Celis-Giraldo, Carlos F Suárez, William Agudelo, Nieves Ibarrola, Rosa Degano, Jaime Díaz, Raúl Manzano-Román, Manuel A Patarroyo
{"title":"Immunopeptidomics of <i>Salmonella enterica</i> Serovar <i>Typhimurium</i>-Infected Pig Macrophages Genotyped for Class II Molecules.","authors":"Carmen Celis-Giraldo, Carlos F Suárez, William Agudelo, Nieves Ibarrola, Rosa Degano, Jaime Díaz, Raúl Manzano-Román, Manuel A Patarroyo","doi":"10.3390/biology13100832","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100832","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Salmonellosis is a zoonotic infection that has a major impact on human health; consuming contaminated pork products is the main source of such infection. Vaccination responses to classic vaccines have been unsatisfactory; that is why peptide subunit-based vaccines represent an excellent alternative. Immunopeptidomics was used in this study as a novel approach for identifying antigens coupled to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. Three homozygous individuals having three different haplotypes (Lr-0.23, Lr-0.12, and Lr-0.21) were thus selected as donors; peripheral blood macrophages were then obtained and stimulated with <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i> (MOI 1:40). Although similarities were observed regarding peptide length distribution, elution patterns varied between individuals; in total, 1990 unique peptides were identified as follows: 372 for Pig 1 (Lr-0.23), 438 for Pig 2 (Lr.0.12) and 1180 for Pig 3 (Lr.0.21). Thirty-one <i>S. typhimurium</i> unique peptides were identified; most of the identified peptides belonged to outer membrane protein A and chaperonin GroEL. Notably, 87% of the identified bacterial peptides were predicted in silico to be elution ligands. These results encourage further in vivo studies to assess the immunogenicity of the identified peptides, as well as their usefulness as possible protective vaccine candidates.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11505383/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.3390/biology13100827
Franco F Roldán Gallardo, Daniel E Martínez Piñerez, Kevin F Reinarz Torrado, Gabriela A Berg, Jael D Herzfeld, Vanina G Da Ros, Manuel López Seoane, Cristina A Maldonado, Amado A Quintar
{"title":"Extracellular Vesicles Contribute to Oxidized LDL-Induced Stromal Cell Proliferation in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.","authors":"Franco F Roldán Gallardo, Daniel E Martínez Piñerez, Kevin F Reinarz Torrado, Gabriela A Berg, Jael D Herzfeld, Vanina G Da Ros, Manuel López Seoane, Cristina A Maldonado, Amado A Quintar","doi":"10.3390/biology13100827","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100827","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Clinical and experimental evidence has linked Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) with dyslipidemic and hypercholesterolemic conditions, though the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of dyslipidemia, specifically oxidized LDL (OxLDL), on prostatic stromal cell proliferation and the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mice were fed a high-fat diet, and human prostatic stromal cells (HPSCs) were treated with OxLDL. Proliferation assays and EV characterization were performed to assess the role of EVs in BPH progression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Pro-atherogenic conditions significantly increased cell proliferation in both murine prostatic cells and HPSCs. Treatment with metformin effectively inhibited OxLDL-induced proliferation. Additionally, OxLDL stimulated the production and release of pro-proliferative EVs by HPSCs, which further promoted cellular proliferation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that dyslipidemia drives prostatic stromal cell proliferation and EV secretion, contributing to BPH progression. Metformin demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent to mitigate these effects, offering insight into novel strategies for BPH management. This study highlights the complex interaction between dyslipidemia, cell proliferation, and extracellular communication in the context of BPH pathogenesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11504470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.3390/biology13100829
María Botía, Damián Escribano, Eva Mainau, Alberto Muñoz-Prieto, José J Cerón
{"title":"Measurement of New Biomarkers of Immunity and Welfare in Colostrum and Milk of Pigs: Analytical Validation and Changes During Lactation.","authors":"María Botía, Damián Escribano, Eva Mainau, Alberto Muñoz-Prieto, José J Cerón","doi":"10.3390/biology13100829","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100829","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Colostrum is a mammary secretion released from the time of farrowing to 36 h post-farrowing. After this time and during all the rest of lactation, the mammary secretion is considered milk. The objectives of this study were: (1) to perform an analytical validation in the colostrum and milk of sows of assays for four analytes related to immunity: total ADA (tADA) and its isoenzymes (ADA1 and ADA2), myeloperoxidase (Mpx), calprotectin, and calgranulin, and two analytes related to welfare: cortisol and alpha-amylase. (2) To evaluate the changes in these analytes during lactation (3) To assess the correlations between these new analytes, as well as with IgG and IgA. In the analytical validation, all the assays were precise and accurate. When changes during lactation were evaluated, the concentration of tADA and ADA2 was found to be higher in colostrum than in milk (<i>p</i> < 0.02), while the activity of Mpx was observed to be higher in mature milk than in colostrum (<i>p</i> < 0.03). Furthermore, cortisol and alpha-amylase activity were found to be higher in colostrum compared to mature milk (<i>p</i> < 0.04 and <i>p</i> < 0.0001, respectively). Regarding the relation between analytes, alpha-amylase showed a significant correlation with both IgG and IgA and calprotectin was correlated with calgranulin and Mpx. Further studies should be performed to elucidate the possible practical application of the analytes evaluated in this study as biomarkers of colostrum and milk in sows.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11503992/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biology-BaselPub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.3390/biology13100831
Sunil J Wimalawansa
{"title":"Unveiling the Interplay-Vitamin D and ACE-2 Molecular Interactions in Mitigating Complications and Deaths from SARS-CoV-2.","authors":"Sunil J Wimalawansa","doi":"10.3390/biology13100831","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100831","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with membrane-bound angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors in epithelial cells facilitates viral entry into human cells. Despite this, ACE-2 exerts significant protective effects against coronaviruses by neutralizing viruses in circulation and mitigating inflammation. While SARS-CoV-2 reduces ACE-2 expression, vitamin D increases it, counteracting the virus's harmful effects. Vitamin D's beneficial actions are mediated through complex molecular mechanisms involving innate and adaptive immune systems. Meanwhile, vitamin D status [25(OH)D concentration] is inversely correlated with severity, complications, and mortality rates from COVID-19. This study explores mechanisms through which vitamin D inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication, including the suppression of transcription enzymes, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, and increased expression of neutralizing antibodies and antimicrobial peptides. Both hypovitaminosis D and SARS-CoV-2 elevate renin levels, the rate-limiting step in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS); it increases ACE-1 but reduces ACE-2 expression. This imbalance leads to elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory, pro-coagulatory, and vasoconstricting peptide angiotensin-II (Ang-II), leading to widespread inflammation. It also causes increased membrane permeability, allowing fluid and viruses to infiltrate soft tissues, lungs, and the vascular system. In contrast, sufficient vitamin D levels suppress renin expression, reducing RAS activity, lowering ACE-1, and increasing ACE-2 levels. ACE-2 cleaves Ang-II to generate Ang<sub>(1-7)</sub>, a vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic peptide that mitigates oxidative stress and counteracts the harmful effects of SARS-CoV-2. Excess ACE-2 molecules spill into the bloodstream as soluble receptors, neutralizing and facilitating the destruction of the virus. These combined mechanisms reduce viral replication, load, and spread. Hence, vitamin D facilitates rapid recovery and minimizes transmission to others. Overall, vitamin D enhances the immune response and counteracts the pathological effects of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, data suggests that widely used anti-hypertensive agents-angiotensin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors-may lessen the adverse impacts of SARS-CoV-2, although they are less potent than vitamin D.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11504239/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142510979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}