9 research outputs found
Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19
Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe
Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies
There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity
Reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus after Vaccination for SARS-CoV-2
Seven immunocompetent patients aged > 50 years old presented with herpes
zoster (HZ) infection in a median of 9 days (range 7-20) after
vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The occurrence of HZ within the time
window 1-21 days after vaccination defined for increased risk and the
reported T cell-mediated immunity involvement suggest that COVID-19
vaccination is a probable cause of HZ. These cases support the
importance of continuing assessment of vaccine safety during the ongoing
massive vaccination for the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage reporting
and communication of any vaccination-associated adverse event
Electroanatomical Mapping to Curtail Heart Block Occurrence and Enhance Safety During Slow Pathway Ablation in Patients with Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia: Electroanatomical Mapping for AVNRT Ablation
A case is presented of use of electro-anatomical mapping (EAM)-guided ablation of a slow pathway in a patient with symptomatic atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) as a safeguard against inadvertent AV block. Rhythmos 2022;17(4):79-80.
 
TRPV4 Inhibition Exerts Protective Effects Against Resistive Breathing Induced Lung Injury
Introduction: TRPV4 channels are calcium channels, activated by
mechanical stress, that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of
pulmonary inflammation. During resistive breathing (RB), increased
mechanical stress is imposed on the lung, inducing lung injury. The role
of TRPV4 channels in RB-induced lung injury is unknown. Materials and
Methods: Spontaneously breathing adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected
to RB by tracheal banding. Following anaesthesia, mice were placed under
a surgical microscope, the surface area of the trachea was measured and
a nylon band was sutured around the trachea to reduce area to half. The
specific TRPV4 inhibitor, HC-067047 (10 mg/kg ip), was administered
either prior to RB and at 12 hrs following initiation of RB (preventive)
or only at 12 hrs after the initiation of RB (therapeutic protocol).
Lung injury was assessed at 24 hrs of RB, by measuring lung mechanics,
total protein, BAL total and differential cell count, KC and IL-6 levels
in BAL fluid, surfactant Protein (Sp)D in plasma and a lung injury score
by histology. Results: RB decreased static compliance (Cst), increased
total protein in BAL (p < 0.001), total cell count due to increased
number of both macrophages and neutrophils, increased KC and IL-6 in BAL
(p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) and plasma SpD (p < 0.0001).
Increased lung injury score was detected. Both preventive and
therapeutic HC-067047 administration restored Cst and inhibited the
increase in total protein, KC and IL-6 levels in BAL fluid, compared to
RB. Preventive TRPV4 inhibition ameliorated the increase in BAL
cellularity, while therapeutic TRPV4 inhibition exerted a partial
effect. TRPV4 inhibition blunted the increase in plasma SpD (p < 0.001)
after RB and the increase in lung injury score was also inhibited.
Conclusion: TRPV4 inhibition exerts protective effects against
RB-induced lung injury