Characterization of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the main receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), one of the deadliest medical difficulties to affect people in more than a century. The virus has now spread to many countries worldwide, posing a big challenge to the health status of people in affected populations. Gaining more knowledge about the different aspects of this virus will lead us to better control and treatment methods. In this paper, we discuss the SARS-CoV-2 structure and the mechanism of this virus's entry into host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the main receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The main connection between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 is Spike protein. Other topics are also included, like ACE2 structure, functions, and physiology. For instance, ACE2 is involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, Angiotensin A/ACE2/Alamandine/MAS-Related GPCR D (MrgD) Axis, the Kinin-Kallikrein System. It also acts as Chaperone Protein for the Amino Acid Transporter, B0AT1, and has a connection with Apelin Peptides. Since ACE2 plays a primary role in COVID-19 pathogenesis, scientists have discovered some SARS-CoV-2 therapy methods based on ACE2 targeting. Tissue expression in different genders and ages, polymorphisms, and host epigenetics, the role of ACE2 in hypertension, and cytokine storm are explained separately.

A case-control study on the relationship between urine trace element levels and autism spectrum disorder among Iranian children.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder characterized mainly by qualitative deficiencies in social communication skills, accompanied by repetitive and restricted behavior patterns. This study was conducted to investigate the associations between the risk of ASD development in children and exposure to trace elements (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn)). Two groups of children, including 44 ASD and 35 typically developing (TD) children, were selected, and their fasting urine samples were obtained. The concentration levels of trace elements were assayed using ICP-MS. The results showed that as compared to the TD group, the concentration levels of As (p = 0.002) and Pb (p < 0.001) and also Cr (p < 0.001), Cu (p = 0.001), and Ni (p < 0.001) were significantly higher among ASD children. In terms of gender, boys with ASD showed elevated levels of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb, whereas the urine levels of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb were markedly higher among girls when compared to the non-ASD children. Under the logistic regression model, the risk difference for As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn remained significant when adjustment was applied for age and gender confounders.

Effects of Opioids and Psychoactive Drugs on Blood Lipid and Glucose Indices; A Systematic Review of Population-Based Evidences.

BACKGROUND: Based on a common belief among people, narcotic substances and psychoactive drugs may help to reduce blood glucose and lipid profile leading to reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. This hypothesis has been verified in several studies; however, there is no conclusive agreement on the reducing effects of opium and other opioid derivatives on blood glucose and lipids. In the present review, we collected all related literature to evaluate the effects of opioids and psychoactive drugs abuse in altering blood glucose and lipid profile, and discuss their longterm effects. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in January 2021 using "lipid profile", "glucose", and "opium" including all their equivalents, main derivatives and similar terms. The data were then extracted and reported qualitatively. RESULTS: Overall, 46 articles with 37407 participants were included after several step-by-step procedures of article selection. Findings of this study suggested that opioids may reduce blood glucose and low-density lipoproteins, while increasing triglyceride. However, these effects are temporary, and long-term substance abuse exacerbates glucose and lipid-associated diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: Although there are many confounding factors that may affect the results of the included literature; however, based on the findings of these studies, the long-term beneficial effects of opioids on lipid profile and blood glucose cannot be accepted.

Resveratrol-Dependent Down-regulation of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products and Oxidative Stress in Kidney of Rats With Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Millions of people in the world have diabetes mellitus and its prevalence is growing. Oxidative stress, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) play key role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. New and safe strategies of remedy are needed for this disease. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that resveratrol may exert a renal protective effect on diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats with diabetes were treated with or without resveratrol as 1, 5, 10 mg/kg of body weight for 30 days. The total AGEs and malondialdehyde levels in kidney tissues were determined by spectrofluorimetric method and the insulin level was assayed using ELISA. The total antioxidant capacity contents in kidney and the glucose in plasma were measured by a colorimetric assay. The expression of RAGE was assayed in kidneys of all animals using quantitative PCR. RESULTS: In resveratrol-treated rats with diabetes, malondialdehyde levels, plasma glucose and expression of RAGE were significantly reduced compared with the untreated group. Moreover, the total antioxidant and insulin levels significantly increased in treated rats. There was no significant difference in the AGEs contents among all the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed that resveratrol has beneficial effects on kidney by extenuating the oxidative stress and down-regulation of RAGE expression.

The effects of Artemisia aucheri extract on hepatotoxicity induced by thioacetamide in male rats.

OBJECTIVE: Liver is an important organ that is exposed to many oxidant and carcinogenic agents, thus antioxidant compounds are beneficial for liver health. Artemisia contains flavonoid compounds and anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to possessing terpene and sesquiterpene compounds, this plant has antioxidant properties. This study was done to investigate the effects of Artemisia plant extract on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For induction of hepatotoxicity, 50 mg/kg thioacetamide was injected intraperitoneally (i.p). After extraction and purification, the hydroalcoholic extract was injected i.p. at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg doses for 21 days together with thioacetamide at 50 mg/kg dose in the last 3 days. After blood sampling and separation of serum, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and total protein concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Significant decreases in aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities and significant increases in the concentration of albumin and total protein in groups treated with the extract compared with thioacetamide-treated group were observed (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that protective effects of Artemisia extract against the thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block the bioactivation of thioacetamide, primarily by inhibiting the activity of Cyp450 and free radicals. Artemisia possesses quercetin. Studies have demonstrated that quercetin inhibits lipid peroxidation and as an antioxidant can inhibit lipid peroxidation.

Evaluation of the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis vulgaris root on the activity of liver enzymes in male hypercholesterolemic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperlipidemia can cause a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and fatty liver which is followed by increased liver enzymes. Since Berberis vulgaris (B. vulgaris) root possesses antioxidant properties, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of its extract on the activity of liver enzymes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, sixty Wistar rats were selected and allocated to six groups of ten each. The control group received a normal diet and the sham group received a fatty diet while the other groups including experimental groups received a fatty diet and the alcoholic extract of B. vulgaris at minimum (75 mg/kg), moderate (150 mg/kg), and maximum (300 mg/kg) doses by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) or oral atorvastatin (10 mg /kg) with a fatty diet. At the end of this 21-day period, blood samples were drawn and the levels of the intended factors were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5. RESULTS: The comparison of the obtained results showed that the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes in the sham group that only received fatty food increased (p≤0.05), whereas in the treatment groups receiving B. vulgaris extract as well as in the group receiving Atorvastatin, these enzymes significantly decreased; however, no significant changes were observed in aspartate transaminase (AST) levels. CONCLUSION: Noticing the antioxidant properties of B. vulgaris root extract and its effects on reducing the activity of liver enzymes, the extract of this plant can be a good choice for improving the function of liver.