Protective role of silver nanoparticles in influenza infection

BACKGROUND: The present study assesses copper metabolism of the host organism as a target of antiviral strategy, basing on the virocell concept. This concept suggests that the targets for suppressing viral reproduction can be found in the hosts metabolism. AIM: Evaluation of the effect of copper status indicators on influenza infection in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used as a specific active agent because they reduce the level of holo-ceruloplasmin, the main extracellular cuproenzyme. The mouse model of influenza virus A infection was used with two doses: 1 LD50 and 10 LD50. The following treatment regimens were used: mice were pretreated four days before infection and then every day during infection development until the end of the experiment (day 14). RESULTS: The mice treated with AgNPs demonstrated significantly lower mortality, the protection index reached 6070% at the end of the experiment, and mean lifespan was prolonged. In addition, the treatment of the animals with AgNPs resulted in normalization of the weight dynamics. Despite the amelioration of the infection, AgNPs treatment did not influence influenza virus replication. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support for the view that silver nanoparticles could be used as protection against influenza.

Serum Copper Level and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The association of serum copper with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been studied for years, but no definite conclusion is drawn. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate serum copper concentrations in PCOS subjects compared with healthy controls. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Electronic search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus up to June 30, 2020, without any restriction. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% CIs in serum copper levels were employed with random-effects model. <i>I</i>² was applied to evaluate heterogeneity among studies. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Nine studies, measuring plasma copper levels in 1,168 PCOS patients and 1,106 controls, were included. Pooled effect size suggested serum copper level was significantly higher in women with PCOS (SMD = 0.51 μg/mL, 95% CI = [0.30, 0.72], <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001). The overall heterogeneity was not connected with subgroups of the country, but derived from the opposite result of 1 study. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our research generally indicated circulating copper level in PCOS sufferers was significantly higher than normal controls. Large-scale studies are still needed to elucidate the clear relation between copper status and etiology of PCOS.

Evaluation of Copper Status and Some Red Cell Parameters of Pregnant Women in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria

Copper is an essential trace mineral (micronutrient) that is naturally present in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement. Pregnancy, also known as gestation, is the time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman.This study was desiged to assay the copper level of pregnant women in urban area and to evaluate the effect of the obtained valves on some blood parameters of the pregnant women. In this study, a total of 100 subjects and 50 controls was used. subjects were pregnant women while the controls were non-pregnant women. The copper level in subject was assayed with a serum copper test kit using automation with Bio E-lab fully automated chemistry analyzer and result of the complete blood count was gotten using Mindray Hematology analyzer. The mean for subjects (M=102.83±1.38) and control (M=102.68±0.94), p = 0.71. These results suggest that the difference between the copper level for subjects and controls is not really much.. The variables copper level and MCV were found to be slightly correlated, r(150) = ..018., p > .005. Additionally, copper levels in the subjects was also found to negatively correlated with MCH, r(150) = .907, p > .005. One-way analysis of variance showed that the correlation of copper levels was not significant on all of the red bloodcell parameters in the serum of the pregnant women.

The Crossroads between Host Copper Metabolism and Influenza Infection

Three main approaches are used to combat severe viral respiratory infections. The first is preemptive vaccination that blocks infection. Weakened or dead viral particles, as well as genetic constructs carrying viral proteins or information about them, are used as an antigen. However, the viral genome is very evolutionary labile and changes continuously. Second, chemical agents are used during infection and inhibit the function of a number of viral proteins. However, these drugs lose their effectiveness because the virus can rapidly acquire resistance to them. The third is the search for points in the host metabolism the effect on which would suppress the replication of the virus but would not have a significant effect on the metabolism of the host. Here, we consider the possibility of using the copper metabolic system as a target to reduce the severity of influenza infection. This is facilitated by the fact that, in mammals, copper status can be rapidly reduced by silver nanoparticles and restored after their cancellation.

High-performance Photoacoustic Probe for Biopsy-free Assessment of Copper Status in Murine Models of Wilson’s Disease and Liver Metastasis

<p>The development of high-performance photoacoustic (PA) probes that can monitor disease biomarkers in deep-tissue has the potential to replace invasive medical procedures such as a biopsy. However, such probes must be highly optimized for <i>in vivo</i> performance and exhibit an exceptional safety profile. In this study, we have developed PACu-1, the first PA probe designed for biopsy-free assessment (BFA) of hepatic Cu via photoacoustic imaging. PACu-1 features a Cu(I)-responsive trigger appended to an aza-BODIPY dye platform that has been optimized for ratiometric sensing. Owing to its excellent performance, we were able to detect basal levels of Cu in healthy wildtype mice, as well as elevated Cu in a Wilson’s disease model and in a liver metastasis model. To showcase the potential impact of PACu-1 for BFA, we conducted a blind study where we were able to successfully identify a Wilson’s disease animal from a group of healthy control mice with greater than 99.7% confidence.</p>

High-performance Photoacoustic Probe for Biopsy-free Assessment of Copper Status in Murine Models of Wilson’s Disease and Liver Metastasis

<p>The development of high-performance photoacoustic (PA) probes that can monitor disease biomarkers in deep-tissue has the potential to replace invasive medical procedures such as a biopsy. However, such probes must be highly optimized for <i>in vivo</i> performance and exhibit an exceptional safety profile. In this study, we have developed PACu-1, the first PA probe designed for biopsy-free assessment (BFA) of hepatic Cu via photoacoustic imaging. PACu-1 features a Cu(I)-responsive trigger appended to an aza-BODIPY dye platform that has been optimized for ratiometric sensing. Owing to its excellent performance, we were able to detect basal levels of Cu in healthy wildtype mice, as well as elevated Cu in a Wilson’s disease model and in a liver metastasis model. To showcase the potential impact of PACu-1 for BFA, we conducted a blind study where we were able to successfully identify a Wilson’s disease animal from a group of healthy control mice with greater than 99.7% confidence.</p>

Lysosomal SLC46A3 modulates hepatic cytosolic copper homeostasis

The environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes hepatic toxicity associated with prominent lipid accumulation in humans. Here, the authors report that the lysosomal copper transporter SLC46A3 is induced by TCDD and underlies the hepatic lipid accumulation in mice, potentially via effects on mitochondrial function. SLC46A3 was localized to the lysosome where it modulated intracellular copper levels. Forced expression of hepatic SLC46A3 resulted in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and abnormal mitochondria morphology consistent with lower copper levels. SLC46A3 expression increased hepatic lipid accumulation similar to the known effects of TCDD exposure in mice and humans. The TCDD-induced hepatic triglyceride accumulation was significantly decreased in Slc46a3−/− mice and was more pronounced when these mice were fed a high-fat diet, as compared to wild-type mice. These data are consistent with a model where lysosomal SLC46A3 induction by TCDD leads to cytosolic copper deficiency resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction leading to lower lipid catabolism, thus linking copper status to mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism and TCDD-induced liver toxicity.