-
Frontiers in Plant Science 2020Soil salinity often hinders plant productivity in both natural and agricultural settings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) symbionts can mediate plant stress...
Soil salinity often hinders plant productivity in both natural and agricultural settings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) symbionts can mediate plant stress responses by enhancing salinity tolerance, but less attention has been devoted to measuring these effects across plant-AMF studies. We performed a meta-analysis of published studies to determine how AMF symbionts influence plant responses under non-stressed vs. salt-stressed conditions. Compared to non-AMF plants, AMF plants had significantly higher shoot and root biomass ( < 0.0001) both under non-stressed conditions and in the presence of varying levels of NaCl salinity in soil, and the differences became more prominent as the salinity stress increased. Categorical analyses revealed that the accumulation of plant shoot and root biomass was influenced by various factors, such as the host life cycle and lifestyle, the fungal group, and the duration of the AMF and salinity treatments. More specifically, the effect of on plant shoot biomass was more prominent as the salinity level increased. Additionally, under stress, AMF increased shoot biomass more on plants that are dicots, plants that have nodulation capacity and plants that use the C3 plant photosynthetic pathway. When plants experienced short-term stress (<2 weeks), the effect of AMF was not apparent, but under longer-term stress (>4 weeks), AMF had a distinct effect on the plant response. For the first time, we observed significant phylogenetic signals in plants and mycorrhizal species in terms of their shoot biomass response to moderate levels of salinity stress, i.e., closely related plants had more similar responses, and closely related mycorrhizal species had similar effects than distantly related species. In contrast, the root biomass accumulation trait was related to fungal phylogeny only under non-stressed conditions and not under stressed conditions. Additionally, the influence of AMF on plant biomass was found to be unrelated to plant phylogeny. In line with the greater biomass accumulation in AMF plants, AMF improved the water status, photosynthetic efficiency and uptake of Ca and K in plants irrespective of salinity stress. The uptake of N and P was higher in AMF plants, and as the salinity increased, the trend showed a decline but had a clear upturn as the salinity stress increased to a high level. The activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the proline content changed due to AMF treatment under salinity stress. The accumulation of proline and catalase (CAT) was observed only when plants experienced moderate salinity stress, but peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased in AMF plants irrespective of salinity stress. Taken together, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi influenced plant growth and physiology, and their effects were more notable when their host plants experienced salinity stress and were influenced by plant and fungal traits.
PubMed: 33362816
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.588550 -
Nutrients Oct 2020Different amino acids (AAs) may exert distinct effects on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. A quantitative comparison of the effects of AAs on glucose and...
Different amino acids (AAs) may exert distinct effects on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. A quantitative comparison of the effects of AAs on glucose and insulin kinetics in humans is currently lacking. PubMed was queried to identify intervention studies reporting glucose and insulin concentrations after acute ingestion and/or intravenous infusion of AAs in healthy adults and those living with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The systematic literature search identified 55 studies that examined the effects of l-leucine, l-isoleucine, l-alanine, l-glutamine, l-arginine, l-lysine, glycine, l-proline, l-phenylalanine, l-glutamate, branched-chain AAs (i.e., l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine), and multiple individual l-AAs on glucose and insulin concentrations. Oral ingestion of most individual AAs induced an insulin response, but did not alter glucose concentrations in healthy participants. Specific AAs (i.e., leucine and isoleucine) co-ingested with glucose exerted a synergistic effect on the postprandial insulin response and attenuated the glucose response compared to glucose intake alone in healthy participants. Oral AA ingestion as well as intravenous AA infusion was able to stimulate an insulin response and decrease glucose concentrations in T2DM and obese individuals. The extracted information is publicly available and can serve multiple purposes such as computational modeling.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Amino Acids; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Glucose; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Insulin; Kinetics; Male; Obesity; Postprandial Period
PubMed: 33096658
DOI: 10.3390/nu12103211 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2021The neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is involved in the development of alcoholism through NPY receptors. A T>C mutation causes substitution of leucine to proline at codon 7 (L7P;...
The neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is involved in the development of alcoholism through NPY receptors. A T>C mutation causes substitution of leucine to proline at codon 7 (L7P; rs16139) in the signal peptide of neuropeptide Y is known to cause a 42% increase in plasma NPY levels. Studies that analyzed the association between rs16139 and alcoholism risk did not demonstrate conclusive evidence for this relationship. The present study aims to evaluate the association between gene rs16139 variant and alcohol dependence. An electronic search of databases including PubMed and Google Scholar was performed to retrieve studies investigating the association between rs16139 and alcoholism. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated in allelic and dominant genetic models. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias were assessed in our meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was conducted using the MetaGenyo web tool. Significant heterogeneity was observed across studies ( < 0.001). Our results have shown that there is no significant association between rs16139 variant and the risk of alcoholism in allelic (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.70-1.38, = 0.921) and dominant models (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.69-1.40, = 0.919). Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test have not shown publication bias ( = 0.332). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis that evaluates the relationship between the rs16139 polymorphism and the risk of alcoholism. Our large-scale meta-analysis suggests that rs16139 polymorphism is not associated with alcoholism. However, further studies are needed to increase our understanding of the relationship between variants in alcoholism.
PubMed: 34777047
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.737440 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2022Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P; 300 mg/120 mg) is a new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) that exhibits anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) pan-genotype (GT) activity for 8,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P; 300 mg/120 mg) is a new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) that exhibits anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) pan-genotype (GT) activity for 8, 12, or 16 weeks. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have received reports that using G/P causes moderate to severe liver impairment. In some cases, isolated hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice have been reported without concomitant evidence of increased transaminase levels or other hepatic decompensation events. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of drug-induced liver injury of G/P for chronic hepatitis C virus. We searched databases from the inception of each database until March 2021. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2.0) and the OpenMeta [Analyst] software were performed for quality assessment and quantitative studies, respectively. The primary outcome was grade 3 level of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The nine studies included in the meta-analysis involved a total of 7,650 participants, and the overall sustained virologic response rate was above 95%. The most frequent drug-related laboratory abnormalities in DILI involved total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hemoglobin, but these abnormalities were minimal. The cirrhosis-without cirrhosis incidence risk ratio (IRR) was 2.724 (95% confidence interval: 1.182-6.276) in the grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia subgroup analysis. No significant differences were found within the other subgroups, in HCV GTs, and in treatment duration. DILI was found to occur frequently with G/P treatment. Hyperbilirubinemia occurred most frequently, especially, in patients with cirrhosis. However, G/P is still the primary therapy of choice for CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients due to a superior safety rate.
Topics: Aminoisobutyric Acids; Antiviral Agents; Benzimidazoles; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Cyclopropanes; Genotype; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Lactams, Macrocyclic; Leucine; Proline; Pyrrolidines; Quinoxalines; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 34969349
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2021.2012589 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2021Diagnosis of pediatric steatohepatitis is a challenging issue due to a vast number of established and novel causes. Here, we report a child with Multiple Acyl-CoA...
Diagnosis of pediatric steatohepatitis is a challenging issue due to a vast number of established and novel causes. Here, we report a child with Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD) presenting with an underrated muscle weakness, exercise intolerance and an atypically severe steatotic liver involvement. A systematic literature review of liver involvement in MADD was performed as well. Our patient is a 11-year-old otherwise healthy, non-obese, male child admitted for some weakness/asthenia, vomiting and recurrent severe hypertransaminasemia (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases up to ×20 times upper limit of normal). Hepatic ultrasound showed a bright liver. MRI detected mild lipid storage of thighs muscles. A liver biopsy showed a micro-macrovacuolar steatohepatitis with minimal fibrosis. Main causes of hypertransaminasemia were ruled out. Serum aminoacids (increased proline), acylcarnitines (increased C4-C18) and a large excretion of urinary glutaric acid, ethylmalonic, butyric, isobutyric, 2-methyl-butyric and isovaleric acids suggested a diagnosis of MADD. Serum acylcarnitines and urinary organic acids fluctuated overtime paralleling serum transaminases during periods of illness/catabolic stress, confirming their recurrent nature. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis [homozygous c.1658A > G (p.Tyr553Cys) in exon 12 of the ETFDH gene]. Lipid-restricted diet and riboflavin treatment rapidly ameliorated symptoms, hepatic ultrasonography/enzymes, and metabolic profiles. Literature review (37 retrieved eligible studies, 283 patients) showed that liver is an extramuscular organ rarely involved in late-onset MADD (70 patients), and that amongst 45 patients who had fatty liver only nine had severe presentation. MADD is a disorder with a clinically heterogeneous phenotype. Our study suggests that MADD warrants consideration in the work-up of obesity-unrelated severe steatohepatitis.
PubMed: 34041209
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.672004 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021The Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) is a peptidase with a significant role in the regulation of blood pressure. Within this work, a systematic review on the...
The Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) is a peptidase with a significant role in the regulation of blood pressure. Within this work, a systematic review on the enzymatic preparation of Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme inhibitory (ACEi) peptides is presented. The systematic review is conducted by following PRISMA guidelines. Soybeans and velvet beans are known to have high protein contents that make them suitable as sources of parent proteins for the production of ACEi peptides. Endopeptidase is commonly used in the preparation of soybean-based ACEi peptides, whereas for velvet bean, a combination of both endo- and exopeptidase is frequently used. Soybean glycinin is the preferred substrate for the preparation of ACEi peptides. It contains proline as one of its major amino acids, which exhibits a potent significance in inhibiting ACE. The best enzymatic treatments for producing ACEi peptides from soybean are as follows: proteolytic activity by Protease P (Amano-P from sp.), a temperature of 37 °C, a reaction time of 18 h, pH 8.2, and an E/S ratio of 2%. On the other hand, the best enzymatic conditions for producing peptide hydrolysates with high ACEi activity are through sequential hydrolytic activity by the combination of pepsin-pancreatic, an E/S ratio for each enzyme is 10%, the temperature and reaction time for each proteolysis are 37 °C and 0.74 h, respectively, pH for pepsin is 2.0, whereas for pancreatin it is 7.0. As an underutilized pulse, the studies on the enzymatic hydrolysis of velvet bean proteins in producing ACEi peptides are limited. Conclusively, the activity of soybean-based ACEi peptides is found to depend on their molecular sizes, the amino acid residues, and positions. Hydrophobic amino acids with nonpolar side chains, positively charged, branched, and cyclic or aromatic residues are generally preferred for ACEi peptides.
Topics: Amino Acids; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Aspergillus; Endopeptidases; Exopeptidases; Globulins; Hydrolysis; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Mucuna; Pancreatin; Peptide Hydrolases; Peptides; Proline; Soybean Proteins; Glycine max; Temperature
PubMed: 34201554
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133822 -
Minerva Urologica E Nefrologica = the... Aug 2020To systematically review the effect of additional drug therapy as metaphylaxis in patients with cystinuria.
INTRODUCTION
To systematically review the effect of additional drug therapy as metaphylaxis in patients with cystinuria.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A literature search of three databases (MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library) was performed according to the PRISMA-guidelines enclosing articles published up to May 2019. A total of 1117 articles were screened. Thirty-four publications met the inclusion criteria for this review.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Male-female ratio in the studied cohorts was 49.9% - 50.1%. The majority of studies showed a positive effect in reducing stone events and/or urinary cystine excretion. D-Penicillamine showed success in 13/14 (92%) studies, whereas Tiopronin-treatment showed a reduction in all (8/8; 100%) studies. All studies on Captopril (4/4) showed a decrease, however not all significant. The same is true for studies on Thiols in combination with Captopril (2/2). Furthermore, Tiopronin showed less side effects compared to D-penicillamine, respectively 30% and 37%. Captopril showed the least adverse events, with one event in nine patients.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence on benefit of additional drug therapy in patients with cystinuria is scarce. All studied medications showed an effect on stone event and urinary cystine excretion, when used in addition to hyperhydration, alkalization and a diet low on methionine. Based on this systematic review, no drug can be preferred over another. An important aspect in the choice of drug is the risk of side effects. Therefore, the choice of additional drug should be personalized for every patient where the risk of side effects should be taken into consideration.
Topics: Captopril; Cystine; Cystinuria; Drug Therapy, Combination; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Male; Penicillamine; Tiopronin
PubMed: 32083421
DOI: 10.23736/S0393-2249.20.03704-2 -
Renal Failure Nov 2020Hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) are orally active first-in-class new generation drugs for renal anemia. This extensive meta-analysis of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) are orally active first-in-class new generation drugs for renal anemia. This extensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was designed to provide clear information on the efficacy and safety of HIF-PHIs on anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Searches included PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library database up to October 2019. RCTs of patients with CKD comparing HIF-PHIs with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) or placebo in the treatment of anemia. The primary outcome was hemoglobin change from baseline (Hb CFB); the secondary outcomes included iron-related parameters and the occurrence of each adverse event. 26 trials in 17 articles were included, with a total of 2804 dialysis or patients with CKD. HIF-PHIs treatment produced a significant beneficial effect on Hb CFB compared with the placebo group (MD, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.36 to 1.02). However, this favored effect of HIF-PHIs treatment was not observed in subgroup analysis among trials compared with ESAs (MD, 0.06; 95% CI, -0.20 to 0.31). The significant reduction in hepcidin by HIF-PHIs was observed in all subgroups when compared with the placebo group, whereas this effect was observed only in NDD-CKD patients when compared with ESAs. HIF-PHIs increased the risk of nausea (RR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.06 to 4.53) and diarrhea (RR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.92). We conclude that orally given HIF-PHIs are at least as efficacious as ESAs treatment to correct anemia short term in patients with CKD. In addition, HIF-PHIs improved iron metabolism and utilization in patients with CKD.
Topics: Anemia; Erythropoietin; Hematinics; Hepcidins; Humans; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases; Prolyl-Hydroxylase Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Dialysis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 32869703
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2020.1811121