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Hosseinpour A, Daneshzad E, Dezfouli RA, Zamani S, Qorbani M. The Association Between Antioxidants and COVID-19 Outcomes: a Systematic Review on Observational Studies. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5098-5114. [PMID: 36840911 PMCID: PMC9959932 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03588-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
It is proven that the blood concentration of antioxidants can impress the severity of viral infections, including COVID-19. However, the lack of a comprehensive study accumulating existing data regarding COVID-19 can be perceived. Therefore, this systematic review is aimed to report the association between the blood concentration of several antioxidants and the overall health condition of COVID-19 patients. We summarized the available data surrounding the serum antioxidant level in COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 outcomes. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, and studies that evaluated the association between antioxidants and COVID-19 outcomes were included. Of 4101 articles that were viewed in the database search, 38 articles were included after the title, abstract, and full-text review. Twenty-nine studies indicated that lower serum antioxidants are associated with worse outcomes, and one study reported no association between serum zinc (Zn) level and COVID-19 outcomes. In most cases, antioxidant deficiency was associated with high inflammatory factors, high mortality, acute kidney injury, thrombosis, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac injury, and the need for mechanical ventilation (MV), and there was no significant association between serum antioxidants level and ICU or hospital length of stay (LOS). It seems that higher levels of antioxidants in COVID-19 patients may be beneficial to prevent disease progression. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hosseinpour
- Research Students Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Elnaz Daneshzad
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Ramin Abdi Dezfouli
- Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoofeh Zamani
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mostafa Qorbani
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Xu SW, Ilyas I, Weng JP. Endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19: an overview of evidence, biomarkers, mechanisms and potential therapies. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:695-709. [PMID: 36253560 PMCID: PMC9574180 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00998-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 108.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is still raging. However, the pathophysiology of acute and post-acute manifestations of COVID-19 (long COVID-19) is understudied. Endothelial cells are sentinels lining the innermost layer of blood vessel that gatekeep micro- and macro-vascular health by sensing pathogen/danger signals and secreting vasoactive molecules. SARS-CoV-2 infection primarily affects the pulmonary system, but accumulating evidence suggests that it also affects the pan-vasculature in the extrapulmonary systems by directly (via virus infection) or indirectly (via cytokine storm), causing endothelial dysfunction (endotheliitis, endothelialitis and endotheliopathy) and multi-organ injury. Mounting evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to multiple instances of endothelial dysfunction, including reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, oxidative stress, endothelial injury, glycocalyx/barrier disruption, hyperpermeability, inflammation/leukocyte adhesion, senescence, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), hypercoagulability, thrombosis and many others. Thus, COVID-19 is deemed as a (micro)vascular and endothelial disease. Of translational relevance, several candidate drugs which are endothelial protective have been shown to improve clinical manifestations of COVID-19 patients. The purpose of this review is to provide a latest summary of biomarkers associated with endothelial cell activation in COVID-19 and offer mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of endothelial activation/dysfunction in macro- and micro-vasculature of COVID-19 patients. We envisage further development of cellular models and suitable animal models mimicking endothelial dysfunction aspect of COVID-19 being able to accelerate the discovery of new drugs targeting endothelial dysfunction in pan-vasculature from COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suo-Wen Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
| | - Iqra Ilyas
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Jian-Ping Weng
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
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Juneja D, Gupta A, Kataria S, Singh O. Role of high dose vitamin C in management of hospitalised COVID-19 patients: A minireview. World J Virol 2022; 11:300-309. [PMID: 36188745 PMCID: PMC9523318 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v11.i5.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as one of the most dreadful viruses the mankind has witnessed. It has caused world-wide havoc and wrecked human life. In our quest to find therapeutic options to counter this threat, several drugs have been tried, with varying success. Certain agents like corticosteroids, some anti-virals and immunosuppressive drugs have been found useful in improving clinical outcomes. Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin with good safety profile, has been tried to reduce progression and im-prove outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because of its anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties, the role of vitamin C has expanded well beyond the management of scurvy and it is increasingly been employed in the treatment of critically ill patients with sepsis, septic shock, acute pancreatitis and even cancer. However, in spite of many case series, observational studies and even randomised control trials, the role of vitamin C remains ambiguous. In this review, we will be discussing the scientific rationale and the current clinical evidence for using high dose vitamin C in the management of COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deven Juneja
- Institute of Critical Care Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Anish Gupta
- Institute of Critical Care Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Sahil Kataria
- Institute of Critical Care Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Omender Singh
- Institute of Critical Care Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi 110017, India
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Grudlewska-Buda K, Wiktorczyk-Kapischke N, Budzyńska A, Kwiecińska-Piróg J, Przekwas J, Kijewska A, Sabiniarz D, Gospodarek-Komkowska E, Skowron K. The Variable Nature of Vitamin C—Does It Help When Dealing with Coronavirus? Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11071247. [PMID: 35883738 PMCID: PMC9312329 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still spreading worldwide. For this reason, new treatment methods are constantly being researched. Consequently, new and already-known preparations are being investigated to potentially reduce the severe course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infection induces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute serum biomarkers in the host organism. In addition to antiviral drugs, there are other substances being used in the treatment of COVID-19, e.g., those with antioxidant properties, such as vitamin C (VC). Exciting aspects of the use of VC in antiviral therapy are its antioxidant and pro-oxidative abilities. In this review, we summarized both the positive effects of using VC in treating infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the light of the available research. We have tried to answer the question as to whether the use of high doses of VC brings the expected benefits in the treatment of COVID-19 and whether such treatment is the correct therapeutic choice. Each case requires individual assessment to determine whether the positives outweigh the negatives, especially in the light of populational studies concerning the genetic differentiation of genes encoding the solute carriers responsible forVC adsorption. Few data are available on the influence of VC on the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Deducing from already-published data, high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) does not significantly lower the mortality or length of hospitalization. However, some data prove, among other things, its impact on the serum levels of inflammatory markers. Finally, the non-positive effect of VC administration is mainly neutral, but the negative effect is that it can result in urinary stones or nephropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Grudlewska-Buda
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.G.-B.); (N.W.-K.); (A.B.); (J.K.-P.); (J.P.); (E.G.-K.)
| | - Natalia Wiktorczyk-Kapischke
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.G.-B.); (N.W.-K.); (A.B.); (J.K.-P.); (J.P.); (E.G.-K.)
| | - Anna Budzyńska
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.G.-B.); (N.W.-K.); (A.B.); (J.K.-P.); (J.P.); (E.G.-K.)
| | - Joanna Kwiecińska-Piróg
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.G.-B.); (N.W.-K.); (A.B.); (J.K.-P.); (J.P.); (E.G.-K.)
| | - Jana Przekwas
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.G.-B.); (N.W.-K.); (A.B.); (J.K.-P.); (J.P.); (E.G.-K.)
| | - Agnieszka Kijewska
- Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Biology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland;
| | | | - Eugenia Gospodarek-Komkowska
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.G.-B.); (N.W.-K.); (A.B.); (J.K.-P.); (J.P.); (E.G.-K.)
| | - Krzysztof Skowron
- Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.G.-B.); (N.W.-K.); (A.B.); (J.K.-P.); (J.P.); (E.G.-K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-(52)-585-38-38
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Vollbracht C, Kraft K. Oxidative Stress and Hyper-Inflammation as Major Drivers of Severe COVID-19 and Long COVID: Implications for the Benefit of High-Dose Intravenous Vitamin C. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:899198. [PMID: 35571085 PMCID: PMC9100929 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.899198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a pivotal point in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and presumably also in Long-COVID. Inflammation and oxidative stress are mutually reinforcing each other, thus contributing to the systemic hyperinflammatory state and coagulopathy which are cardinal pathological mechanisms of severe stages. COVID-19 patients, like other critically ill patients e.g. with pneumonia, very often show severe deficiency of the antioxidant vitamin C. So far, it has not been investigated how long this deficiency lasts or whether patients with long COVID symptoms also suffer from deficiencies. A vitamin C deficit has serious pathological consequences because vitamin C is one of the most effective antioxidants, but also co-factor of many enzymatic processes that affect the immune and nervous system, blood circulation and energy metabolism. Because of its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, endothelial-restoring, and immunomodulatory effects the supportive intravenous (iv) use of supraphysiological doses has been investigated so far in 12 controlled or observational studies with altogether 1578 inpatients with COVID-19. In these studies an improved oxygenation, a decrease in inflammatory markers and a faster recovery were observed. In addition, early treatment with iv high dose vitamin C seems to reduce the risks of severe courses of the disease such as pneumonia and also mortality. Persistent inflammation, thrombosis and a dysregulated immune response (auto-immune phenomena and/or persistent viral load) seem to be major contributors to Long-COVID. Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the development and progression of fatigue and neuro-psychiatric symptoms in various diseases by disrupting tissue (e.g. autoantibodies), blood flow (e.g. immune thrombosis) and neurotransmitter metabolism (e.g. excitotoxicity). In oncological diseases, other viral infections and autoimmune diseases, which are often associated with fatigue, cognitive disorders, pain and depression similar to Long-COVID, iv high dose vitamin C was shown to significantly relieve these symptoms. Supportive iv vitamin C in acute COVID-19 might therefore reduce the risk of severe courses and also the development of Long-COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Vollbracht
- Medical Science Department, Pascoe Pharmazeutische Präparate GmbH, Giessen, Germany
| | - Karin Kraft
- Chair of Naturopathy, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- *Correspondence: Karin Kraft,
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Kory P, Meduri GU, Iglesias J, Varon J, Cadegiani FA, Marik PE. "MATH+" Multi-Modal Hospital Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 Infection: Clinical and Scientific Rationale. J Clin Med Res 2022; 14:53-79. [PMID: 35317360 PMCID: PMC8912998 DOI: 10.14740/jocmr4658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China. The greatest impact that COVID-19 had was on intensive care units (ICUs), given that approximately 20% of hospitalized cases developed acute respiratory failure (ARF) requiring ICU admission. Based on the assumption that COVID-19 represented a viral pneumonia and no anti-coronaviral therapy existed, nearly all national and international health care societies recommended "supportive care only" avoiding other therapies outside of randomized controlled trials, with a specific prohibition against the use of corticosteroids in treatment. However, early studies of COVID-19-associated ARF reported inexplicably high mortality rates, with frequent prolonged durations of mechanical ventilation (MV), even from centers expert in such supportive care strategies. These reports led the authors to form a clinical expert panel called the Front-Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (www.flccc.net). The panel collaboratively reviewed the emerging clinical, radiographic, and pathological reports of COVID-19 while initiating multiple discussions among a wide clinical network of front-line clinical ICU experts from initial outbreak areas in China, Italy, and New York. Based on the shared early impressions of "what was working and what wasn't working", the increasing medical journal publications and the rapidly accumulating personal clinical experiences with COVID-19 patients, a treatment protocol was created for the hospitalized patients based on the core therapies of methylprednisolone, ascorbic acid, thiamine, heparin and non-antiviral co-interventions (MATH+). This manuscript reviews the scientific and clinical rationale behind MATH+ based on published in-vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical data in support of each medicine, with a special emphasis of studies supporting their use in the treatment of patients with viral syndromes and COVID-19 specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Kory
- Front Line Critical Care Consortium (FLCCC.org), Washington DC, USA
| | | | - Jose Iglesias
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Hackensack School of Medicine at Seton Hall, NJ, USA
| | - Joseph Varon
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Paul E. Marik
- Front Line Critical Care Consortium (FLCCC.org), Washington DC, USA
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Borges L, Gennari-Felipe M, Dias BB, Hatanaka E. Melatonin, Zinc, and Vitamin C: Potential Adjuvant Treatment for COVID-19 Patients. Front Nutr 2022; 8:821824. [PMID: 35155533 PMCID: PMC8826215 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.821824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of nutraceutical approaches may regulate the immune system, performing a potential strategy to contain the worst outcomes of COVID-19. We reviewed the current evidence surrounding nutritional/nutraceutical approaches for the therapy in patients with COVID-19. We searched the PubMed database to report randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational research that used melatonin, zinc, or vitamin C supplementation as an intervention for COVID-19 treatment. To date, we found only three concluded studies that assessed zinc supplementation and melatonin therapy in patients with COVID-19, but with inconclusive data, relatively small sample size, and early termination of the trial. On the other hand, vitamin C therapy appears to reduce hyperinflammation and improve the oxygen support status of patients with COVID-19. However, a large part of this research involves pilot trials, and there are still conflicting data regarding mortality rate, mechanical ventilation, and duration of symptoms of patients with COVID-19. Melatonin, zinc, and vitamin C supplementation should be investigated further on the nutritional status-immune response, and data from ongoing trials are needed to understand these molecules as a therapy strategy in patients COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Borges
- Interdisciplinary Program of Health Sciences, Cruzeiro Do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
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Holford P, Carr AC, Zawari M, Vizcaychipi MP. Vitamin C Intervention for Critical COVID-19: A Pragmatic Review of the Current Level of Evidence. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:1166. [PMID: 34833042 PMCID: PMC8624950 DOI: 10.3390/life11111166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe respiratory infections are characterized by elevated inflammation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may lead to a decrease in antioxidants such as vitamin C and a higher requirement for the vitamin. Administration of intravenous vitamin C to patients with pneumonia and sepsis appears to decrease the severity of the disease and potentially improve survival rate. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes pneumonia, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe cases, and is referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients with COVID-19 infection also appear to have depleted vitamin C status and require additional supplementation of vitamin C during the acute phase of the disease. To date there have been 12 vitamin C and COVID-19 trials published, including five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and seven retrospective cohort studies. The current level of evidence from the RCTs suggests that intravenous vitamin C intervention may improve oxygenation parameters, reduce inflammatory markers, decrease days in hospital and reduce mortality, particularly in the more severely ill patients. High doses of oral vitamin C supplementation may also improve the rate of recovery in less severe cases. No adverse events have been reported in published vitamin C clinical trials in COVID-19 patients. Upcoming findings from larger RCTs will provide additional evidence on vitamin supplementation in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Holford
- Founder of Institute for Optimum Nutrition, Ambassador House, Richmond TW9 1SQ, UK
| | - Anitra C. Carr
- Nutrition in Medicine Research Group, Department of Pathology & Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; (A.C.C.); (M.Z.)
| | - Masuma Zawari
- Nutrition in Medicine Research Group, Department of Pathology & Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; (A.C.C.); (M.Z.)
| | - Marcela P. Vizcaychipi
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
- Intensive Care Medicine, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9NH, UK
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