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Ebrahimi M, Farhadian N, Soflaei SS, Amiri A, Tanbakuchi D, Oskooee RK, Karimi M. Utilizing the sublingual form of squalene in COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4532. [PMID: 38402329 PMCID: PMC10894301 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54843-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, the efficacy of sublingual squalene in decreasing the mortality rate among patients with COVID-19 was investigated. Squalene was extracted from pumpkin seed oil with a novel method. Then, the microemulsion form of squalene was prepared for sublingual usage. In the clinical study, among 850 admitted patients, 602 eligible COVID-19 patients were divided in two groups of control (N = 301) and cases (N = 301) between Nov 2021 and Jan 2022. Groups were statistically the same in terms of age, sex, BMI, lymphocyte count on 1st admission day, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease, immunosuppressive disease, and required standard treatments. The treatment group received five drops of sublingual squalene every 4 h for 5 days plus standard treatment, while the control group received only standard treatment. Patients were followed up for 30 days after discharge from the hospital. The sublingual form of squalene in the microemulsion form was associated with a significant decrease in the mortality rate (p < 0.001), in which 285 (94.7%) cases were alive after one month while 245 (81.4%) controls were alive after 1 month of discharge from the hospital. In addition, squalene appears to be effective in preventing re-hospitalization due to COVID-19 (p < 0.001), with 141 of controls (46.8%) versus 58 cases (19.3%). This study suggests sublingual squalene in the microemulsion as an effective drug for reducing mortality and re-hospitalization rates in COVID-19 patients.Trial Registration Number: IRCT20200927048848N3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Ebrahimi
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Farhadian
- Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Sara Saffar Soflaei
- Department of Modern Sciences & Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Amiri
- Emergency Medicine Department, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Davoud Tanbakuchi
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Karimi
- Emergency Medicine Department, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
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Germann AT, Nakielski A, Dietsch M, Petzel T, Moser D, Triesch S, Westhoff P, Axmann IM. A systematic overexpression approach reveals native targets to increase squalene production in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1024981. [PMID: 37324717 PMCID: PMC10266222 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1024981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are a promising platform for the production of the triterpene squalene (C30), a precursor for all plant and animal sterols, and a highly attractive intermediate towards triterpenoids, a large group of secondary plant metabolites. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 natively produces squalene from CO2 through the MEP pathway. Based on the predictions of a constraint-based metabolic model, we took a systematic overexpression approach to quantify native Synechocystis gene's impact on squalene production in a squalene-hopene cyclase gene knock-out strain (Δshc). Our in silico analysis revealed an increased flux through the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle in the Δshc mutant compared to the wildtype, including the pentose phosphate pathway, as well as lower glycolysis, while the tricarboxylic acid cycle predicted to be downregulated. Further, all enzymes of the MEP pathway and terpenoid synthesis, as well as enzymes from the central carbon metabolism, Gap2, Tpi and PyrK, were predicted to positively contribute to squalene production upon their overexpression. Each identified target gene was integrated into the genome of Synechocystis Δshc under the control of the rhamnose-inducible promoter Prha. Squalene production was increased in an inducer concentration dependent manner through the overexpression of most predicted genes, which are genes of the MEP pathway, ispH, ispE, and idi, leading to the greatest improvements. Moreover, we were able to overexpress the native squalene synthase gene (sqs) in Synechocystis Δshc, which reached the highest production titer of 13.72 mg l-1 reported for squalene in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 so far, thereby providing a promising and sustainable platform for triterpene production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna T. Germann
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas Nakielski
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maximilian Dietsch
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tim Petzel
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel Moser
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian Triesch
- Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Science (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Philipp Westhoff
- Plant Metabolism and Metabolomics Laboratory, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ilka M. Axmann
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Department of Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Ho HM, Huang CY, Yang CH, Liu SJ, Chen HW, Yu GY, Chen JK, Chuang TH, Huang MH. Formulation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein with CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides and Squalene Nanoparticles Modulates Immunological Aspects Following Intranasal Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112539. [PMID: 36432730 PMCID: PMC9693849 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasal spray vaccination is viewed as a promising strategy for inducing both mucosal and systemic protection against respiratory SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Toward this goal, a safe and efficacious mucosal adjuvant is necessary for the transportation of the antigen across the mucosal membrane and antigen recognition by the mucosal immune system to generate broad-spectrum immune responses. This study describes the immunological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-protein after being formulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and squalene nanoparticles (termed PELC). Following intranasal delivery in mice, higher expression levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86 on CD11c+ cells were observed at the draining superficial cervical lymph nodes in the CpG-formulated S protein group compared with those vaccinated with S protein alone. Subsequently, the activated antigen-presenting cells downstream modulated the cytokine secretion profiles and expanded the cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity of S protein-restimulated splenocytes. Interestingly, the presence of PELC synergistically enhanced cell-mediated immunity and diminished individual differences in S protein-specific immunogenicity. Regarding humoral responses, the mice vaccinated with the PELC:CpG-formulated S protein promoted the production of S protein-specific IgG in serum samples and IgA in nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. These results indicate that PELC:CpG is a potential mucosal adjuvant that promotes mucosal/systemic immune responses and cell-mediated immunity, a feature that has implications for the development of a nasal spray vaccine against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Min Ho
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsiang Yang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Wei Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Jiménez-Cabello L, Utrilla-Trigo S, Barreiro-Piñeiro N, Pose-Boirazian T, Martínez-Costas J, Marín-López A, Ortego J. Nanoparticle- and Microparticle-Based Vaccines against Orbiviruses of Veterinary Importance. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071124. [PMID: 35891288 PMCID: PMC9319458 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) are widespread arboviruses that cause important economic losses in the livestock and equine industries, respectively. In addition to these, another arthropod-transmitted orbivirus known as epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) entails a major threat as there is a conducive landscape that nurtures its emergence in non-endemic countries. To date, only vaccinations with live attenuated or inactivated vaccines permit the control of these three viral diseases, although important drawbacks, e.g., low safety profile and effectiveness, and lack of DIVA (differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals) properties, constrain their usage as prophylactic measures. Moreover, a substantial number of serotypes of BTV, AHSV and EHDV have been described, with poor induction of cross-protective immune responses among serotypes. In the context of next-generation vaccine development, antigen delivery systems based on nano- or microparticles have gathered significant attention during the last few decades. A diversity of technologies, such as virus-like particles or self-assembled protein complexes, have been implemented for vaccine design against these viruses. In this work, we offer a comprehensive review of the nano- and microparticulated vaccine candidates against these three relevant orbiviruses. Additionally, we also review an innovative technology for antigen delivery based on the avian reovirus nonstructural protein muNS and we explore the prospective functionality of the nonstructural protein NS1 nanotubules as a BTV-based delivery platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Jiménez-Cabello
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA/CSIC), 28130 Madrid, Spain; (L.J.-C.); (S.U.-T.)
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biológica y Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (N.B.-P.); (T.P.-B.); (J.M.-C.)
| | - Sergio Utrilla-Trigo
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA/CSIC), 28130 Madrid, Spain; (L.J.-C.); (S.U.-T.)
| | - Natalia Barreiro-Piñeiro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biológica y Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (N.B.-P.); (T.P.-B.); (J.M.-C.)
| | - Tomás Pose-Boirazian
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biológica y Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (N.B.-P.); (T.P.-B.); (J.M.-C.)
| | - José Martínez-Costas
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biológica y Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (N.B.-P.); (T.P.-B.); (J.M.-C.)
| | - Alejandro Marín-López
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA;
| | - Javier Ortego
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA/CSIC), 28130 Madrid, Spain; (L.J.-C.); (S.U.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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Korabel IM, Panchak LV, Zyn AR, Antonyuk VO. OBTAINING OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES FROM AMARANTHUS CAUDATUS L. SEEDS IN ONE TECHNOLOGICAL CYCLE. Biomed Chromatogr 2022; 36:e5386. [PMID: 35466427 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.5386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, amaranth is a valuable multi-purpose crop, a source of a number of very important biologically active substances. The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive scheme for obtaining fatty oil, a sum of triterpenoids and a lectin from the seeds of Amaranthus caudatus L. in one technological cycle. Two variants of the lectin and the triterpene compounds purification from amaranth seeds were tested. It was determined that extracted of triterpene compounds should be carried out after purification of the lectin from degreased seeds. The rationality of this sequence of technological operations is explained by the lability of the lectin and insolubility in water triterpene compounds from amaranth seeds. The study also presents a scheme for obtaining squalene from amaranth oil by chromatography on silica gel and proposed a more effective affinity sorbent for purification of the lectin. The use of such sorbent also opens the possibility of preserving other water-soluble substances from amaranth seeds. Physicochemical characteristics and carbohydrate specificity of the lectin are described, new data on the results of interaction of the lectin with human and animal erythrocytes are given. The obtained results are discussed in the light of complex use of raw materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan M Korabel
- Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine
| | | | - Alina R Zyn
- Lviv Research Forensic Centre of MIA of Ukraine, Ukraine
| | - Volodymyr O Antonyuk
- Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine.,Institute of Cell Biology NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
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Ochowiak M, Włodarczak S, Krupińska A, Matuszak M, Fedak W, Ligus G, Kołodziej S, Wasilewska B. Spray curtains as devices for surface spraying during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 206:112562. [PMID: 34921823 PMCID: PMC8673953 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Counteracting the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a current and important problem. A crucial issue in this area is the disinfection of various surfaces, as well as the air itself. For this purpose, devices such as foggers, which have different designs, are used. The appropriate size of droplets and their distribution determines the effectiveness of disinfectants. The paper presents droplet size distributions and characteristic mean droplet diameters, which are obtained with the use of a conical pressure-swirl atomizer. For the purpose of the analysis, the laser diffraction method was used. The influence of gas pressure and the distance from the atomizer's orifice on the spray angle and the distance between the nozzles on the spray curtain was also demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Ochowiak
- Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering and Equipment, Poznan, Poland
| | - Sylwia Włodarczak
- Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering and Equipment, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Andżelika Krupińska
- Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering and Equipment, Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Matuszak
- Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering and Equipment, Poznan, Poland
| | - Waldemar Fedak
- Opole University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Process Engineering, Opole, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Ligus
- Opole University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Process Engineering, Opole, Poland
| | - Szymon Kołodziej
- Opole University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Process Engineering, Opole, Poland
| | - Barbara Wasilewska
- Opole University of Technology, Faculty of Production Engineering and Logistics, Opole, Poland
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