Investigating SARS-CoV-2 virus-host interactions and mRNA expression: Insights using three models of D. melanogaster.

Responsible for COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus in which contagious variants continue to appear. Therefore, some population groups have demonstrated greater susceptibility to contagion and disease progression. For these reasons, several researchers have been studying the SARS-CoV-2/human interactome to understand the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and develop new pharmacological strategies.

Analyzing Mitochondrial Function in a Drosophila melanogaster PINK1B9-Null Mutant Using High-resolution Respirometry.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's Disease (PD), and cellular disturbances such as cancer are some of the disorders that disrupt energy metabolism with impairment of mitochondrial functions. Mitochondria are organelles that control both energy metabolism and cellular processes involved in cell survival and death. For this reason, approaches to evaluate mitochondrial function can offer important insights into cellular conditions in pathological and physiological processes.

Effects of L. () essential oil on adult and larvae of .

( family), also known as "alecrim," is a perennial herb, typical of the Mediterranean region and widely distributed in Brazilian territory. Despite having demonstrated several properties of human interest, insecticide/larvicidal effect of essential oil from on insects remains unclear. In this study, we tested the effects of essential oil on biomarkers of oxidative damage in .

Computational analysis of the interactions between Ebselen and derivatives with the active site of the main protease from SARS-CoV-2.

The main protease (M) of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a key target for developing antiviral drugs. Ebselen (EbSe) is a selenium-containing compound that has been shown to inhibit Mpro in vitro by forming a covalent bond with the cysteine (Cys) residue in the active site of the enzyme. However, EbSe can also bind to other proteins, like albumin, and low molecular weight compounds that have free thiol groups, such as Cys and glutathione (GSH), which may affect its availability and activity.

Toxicological evaluation of zidovudine and novel chalcogen derivatives in Drosophila melanogaster.

Zidovudine (AZT) is the most commonly prescribed antiviral drug for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, its chronic administration causes toxic side effects limiting its use. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of different concentrations of AZT and novel chalcogen derivatives (7A, 7D, 7G, 7K, 7M) on locomotion, mitochondrial dysfunction, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in adult Drosophila melanogaster.

Caffeine improves mitochondrial function in PINK1-null mutant Drosophila melanogaster.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in Parkinson's disease (PD) and can be triggered by xenobiotics and mutations in mitochondrial quality control genes, such as the PINK1 gene. Caffeine has been proposed as a secondary treatment to relieve PD symptoms mainly by its antagonistic effects on adenosine receptors (ARs). Nonetheless, the potential protective effects of caffeine on mitochondrial dysfunction could be a strategy in PD treatment but need further investigation.

The Drosophila melanogaster ACE2 ortholog genes are differently expressed in obesity/diabetes and aging models: Implications for COVID-19 pathology.

The Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019, binds to its ACE2 receptor for internalization in the host cells. Elderly individuals or those with subjacent disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, are more susceptible to COVID-19 severity. Additionally, several SARS-CoV-2 variants appear to enhance the Spike-ACE2 interaction, which increases transmissibility and death.

Exogenous Adenosine Modulates Behaviors and Stress Response in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Adenosine, a purine nucleoside with neuromodulatory actions, is part of the purinergic signaling system (PSS). Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-living nematode found in soil, used in biological research for its advantages as an alternative experimental model. Since there is a lack of evidence of adenosine's direct actions and the PSS's participation in this animal, such an investigation is necessary.

Mitochondrial function and cellular energy maintenance during aging in a Drosophila melanogaster model of Parkinson disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by movement disorders as well as loss of dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, genes affecting mitochondrial function, such as SNCA, Parkin, PINK1, DJ-1 and LRRK2, were demonstrated to be associated with PD and other neurodegenerative disease. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular energy imbalance are common markers found in PD.

Neurotoxicity induced by toluene: In silico and in vivo evidences of mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

Toluene is an air pollutant widely used as an organic solvent in industrial production and emitted by fossil fuel combustion, in addition to being used as a drug of abuse. Its toxic effects in the central nervous system have not been well established, and how and which neurons are affected remains unknown. Hence, this study aimed to fill this gap by investigating three central questions: 1) How does toluene induce neurotoxicity? 2) Which neurons are affected? And 3) What are the long-term effects induced by airborne exposure to toluene? To this end, a Caenorhabditis elegans model was employed, in which worms at the fourth larval stage were exposed to toluene in the air for 24 h in a vapor chamber to simulate four exposure scenarios.

Effects of caffeine on brain antioxidant status and mitochondrial respiration in acetaminophen-intoxicated mice.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a pathophysiological complication of acute liver failure, which may be triggered by hepatotoxic drugs such as acetaminophen (APAP). Although APAP is safe in therapeutic concentration, APAP overdose may induce neurotoxicity, which is mainly associated with oxidative stress. Caffeine is a compound widely found in numerous natural beverages.

Relevance of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Reserpine-Induced Experimental Fibromyalgia Model.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is one of the most common musculoskeletal pain conditions. Although the aetiology of FM is still unknown, mitochondrial dysfunction and the overproduction of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) are common characteristics in its pathogenesis. The reserpine experimental model can induce FM-related symptoms in rodents by depleting biogenic amines.

Toxicological evaluation of the herbicide Palace® in .

is a suitable model for toxicological studies of environmental pollutants including pesticides, which are known to produce adverse effects on the ecosystem. The aim of the present study was to investigate the adverse influence of the pesticide Palace®, a mixture of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and picloram, using as a model organism. larvae were exposed to 0.

Methyl and Ethylmercury elicit oxidative stress and unbalance the antioxidant system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Methylmercury (MeHg) and Ethylmercury (EtHg) are toxic to the central nervous system. Human exposure to MeHg and EtHg results mainly from the consumption of contaminated fish and thimerosal-containing vaccines, respectively. The mechanisms underlying the toxicity of MeHg and EtHg are still elusive.

6-Hydroxydopamine induces different mitochondrial bioenergetics response in brain regions of rat.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been demonstrated to have a central role in Parkinson Disease (PD) pathophysiology. Some studies have indicated that PD causes an impairment in mitochondrial bioenergetics; however, the effects of PD on brain-region specific bioenergetics was never investigated before. This study aimed to evaluate mitochondrial bioenergetics in different rat brain structures in an in vitro model of PD using 6-OHDA.

Methylmercury and diphenyl diselenide interactions in Drosophila melanogaster: effects on development, behavior, and Hg levels.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly toxic environmental pollutant which binds with a high affinity to selenol groups. In view of this, seleno-compounds have been investigated as MeHg antidotes. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the co-exposure to MeHg and the seleno-compound diphenyl diselenide (PhSe) on Drosophila melanogaster.

Caffeine and acetaminophen association: Effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Aims: Many studies have been demonstrating the role of mitochondrial function in acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity. Since APAP is commonly consumed with caffeine, this work evaluated the effects of the combination of APAP and caffeine on hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetic function in mice.

Main Methods: Mice were treated with caffeine (20mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.

Reversal of bioenergetics dysfunction by diphenyl diselenide is critical to protection against the acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure.

Physiopathological conditions such as acute liver failure (ALF) induced by acetaminophen (APAP) can often impair the mitochondrial bioenergetics. Diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)] has been shown protects against APAP-induced ALF. The present study aimed to clarify the signaling mechanism involved in the protection of bioenergetics dysfunction associated with ALF-induced by APAP overdose.

Diphenyl Diselenide Protects against Methylmercury-Induced Toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via the Yap1 Transcription Factor.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous and persistent environmental pollutant that induces serious neurotoxic effects. Diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)], an organoseleno compound, exerts protective effects against MeHg toxicity, although the complete mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the protective effect of (PhSe) on the toxicity induced by MeHg using wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mutants with defects in enzymes and proteins of the antioxidant defense system (yap1Δ, ybp1Δ, ctt1Δ, cat1Δ, sod1Δ, sod2Δ, gsh1Δ, gsh2Δ, gtt1Δ, gtt2Δ, gtt3Δ, gpx1Δ, gpx2Δ, trx1Δ, trx2Δ, trx3Δ, and trr2Δ).

Selenium and mercury levels in rat liver slices co-treated with diphenyl diselenide and methylmercury.

Organoseleno-compounds have been investigated for its beneficial effects against methylmercury toxicity. In this way, diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 was demonstrated to decrease Hg accumulation in mice, protect against MeHg-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and protect against the overall toxicity of this metal. In the present study we aimed to investigate if co-treatment with (PhSe)2 and MeHg could decrease accumulation of Hg in liver slices of rats.

Copper acutely impairs behavioral function and muscle acetylcholinesterase activity in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Copper is a heavy metal found at relatively high concentrations in surface waters around the world. Copper is a micronutrient at low concentrations and is essential to several organisms. At higher concentrations copper can become toxic, which reveal the importance of studying the toxic effects of this metal on the aquatic life.

N-Acetylcysteine does not protect behavioral and biochemical toxicological effect after acute exposure of diphenyl ditelluride.

Diphenyl ditelluride (PhTe)₂ is a versatile molecule used in the organic synthesis and it is a potential prototype for the development of novel biologically active molecules. The mechanism(s) involved in (PhTe)₂ toxicity is(are) elusive, but thiol oxidation of critical proteins are important targets. Consequently, the possible remedy of its toxicity by thiol-containing compounds is of experimental and clinical interest.

Purple grape juice as a protector against acute x-irradiation induced alterations on mobility, anxiety, and feeding behaviour in mice.

The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that a moderate intake of organic purple grape juice shows a positive radiomodifier effect over early behavioural damage following acute X-irradiation in mice. Anxiety-, locomotion-, and feeding-related responses to 6 Gy total body X-irradiation (TBI) were studied via open field, Rotarod, and feeding/drinking recording. Thirty-two male mice weighing 25-30 g were grouped according grape juice (J) or water (W) ad libitum drinking and either non-irradiated (N) or irradiated (R).

Brazilian nut consumption by healthy volunteers improves inflammatory parameters.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of Brazil nuts on the inflammatory markers of healthy individuals.

Method: A randomized crossover study was conducted with 10 healthy individuals (mean age 24.7 ± 3.

Effects of diphenyl diselenide on methylmercury toxicity in rats.

This study investigates the efficacy of diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)2] in attenuating methylmercury- (MeHg-)induced toxicity in rats. Adult rats were treated with MeHg [5 mg/kg/day, intragastrically (i.g.