Trans-resveratrol reduced hepatic oxidative stress in an animal model without inducing an upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2.

Trans-resveratrol, a widely used supplement for humans, aims to enhance the body's antioxidant defense. Studies suggest that it exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). In order to evaluate this hypothesis, LDLr(-/-) mice were fed a Western diet to induce liver inflammation and oxidative stress. One group was fed a diet containing 0.60 mg/day of trans-resveratrol (RESV), while another group received no dietary supplementation (CONT). Oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in liver homogenates. It was observed that trans-resveratrol decreased hepatic oxidative stress by increasing the GSH/GSSG ratio and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. However, the RESV group exhibited a reduction in Nrf2 relative expression compared to CONT. Additionally, trans-resveratrol supplementation reduced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression but led to an increase in IL-6, with no significant changes observed in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations. Overall, these findings indicate that the in vivo antioxidant impact induced by trans-resveratrol supplementation in hepatic tissue did not correlate with increase of inflammatory cytokines and Nrf2 relative expression. Further exploration of alternative mechanisms, such as direct radical scavenger activity, is warranted to elucidate the antioxidant effect.

Persistent symptoms and decreased health-related quality of life after symptomatic pediatric COVID-19: A prospective study in a Latin American tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate demographic, anthropometric and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) METHODS: This was a longitudinal observational study of surviving pediatric post-COVID-19 patients (n=53) and pediatric subjects without laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 included as controls (n=52) was performed. RESULTS: The median duration between COVID-19 diagnosis (n=53) and follow-up was 4.4 months (0.8-10.7). Twenty-three of 53 (43%) patients reported at least one persistent symptom at the longitudinal follow-up visit and 12/53 (23%) had long COVID-19, with at least one symptom lasting for >12 weeks. The most frequently reported symptoms at the longitudinal follow-up visit were headache (19%), severe recurrent headache (9%), tiredness (9%), dyspnea (8%), and concentration difficulty (4%). At the longitudinal follow-up visit, the frequencies of anemia (11% versus 0%, p=0.030), lymphopenia (42% versus 18%, p=0.020), C-reactive protein level of >30 mg/L (35% versus 0%, p=0.0001), and D-dimer level of >1000 ng/mL (43% versus 6%, p=0.0004) significantly reduced compared with baseline values. Chest X-ray abnormalities (11% versus 2%, p=0.178) and cardiac alterations on echocardiogram (33% versus 22%, p=0.462) were similar at both visits. Comparison of characteristic data between patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit and controls showed similar age (p=0.962), proportion of male sex (p=0.907), ethnicity (p=0.566), family minimum monthly wage (p=0.664), body mass index (p=0.601), and pediatric pre-existing chronic conditions (p=1.000). The Pediatric Quality of Live Inventory 4.0 scores, median physical score (69 [0-100] versus 81 [34-100], p=0.012), and school score (60 [15-100] versus 70 [15-95], p=0.028) were significantly lower in pediatric patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with COVID-19 showed a longitudinal impact on HRQoL parameters, particularly in physical/school domains, reinforcing the need for a prospective multidisciplinary approach for these patients. These data highlight the importance of closer monitoring of children and adolescents by the clinical team after COVID-19.