COVID-19-related hyperglycemia is associated with infection of hepatocytes and stimulation of gluconeogenesis.

Occurrence of hyperglycemia upon infection is associated with worse clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. However, it is still unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 directly triggers hyperglycemia. Herein, we interrogated whether and how SARS-CoV-2 causes hyperglycemia by infecting hepatocytes and increasing glucose production.

SARS-CoV-2 infects adipose tissue in a fat depot- and viral lineage-dependent manner.

Visceral adiposity is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, and a link between adipose tissue infection and disease progression has been proposed. Here we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 infects human adipose tissue and undergoes productive infection in fat cells. However, susceptibility to infection and the cellular response depends on the anatomical origin of the cells and the viral lineage.

Gasdermin-D activation by SARS-CoV-2 triggers NET and mediate COVID-19 immunopathology.

Background: The release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is associated with inflammation, coagulopathy, and organ damage found in severe cases of COVID-19. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the release of NETs in COVID-19 remain unclear.

Objectives: We aim to investigate the role of the Gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pathway on NETs release and the development of organ damage during COVID-19.

Tadalafil treatment improves cardiac, renal and lower urinary tract dysfunctions in rats with heart failure.

Tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, shown to exert a protection to heart failure (HF) associated damage or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Thus, we investigated the contribution of tadalafil chronic treatment in the alterations of LUTS in HF rats. Male rats were subjected to aortocaval fistula model for HF induction.

Exploiting oxidized lipids and the lipid-binding GPCRs against cardiometabolic diseases.

Lipids govern vital cellular processes and drive physiological changes in response to different pathological or environmental cues. Lipid species can be roughly divided into structural and signalling lipids. The former is essential for membrane composition, while the latter are usually oxidized lipids.

Effects of glucosyl-hesperidin and physical training on body weight, plasma lipids, oxidative status and vascular reactivity of rats fed with high-fat diet.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with glucosyl hesperidin (GH), with or without physical training, on body weight, fat depot, glucose and plasma lipids, oxidative status and vascular function of rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods: After weaning, male Wistar rats were fed with an HFD plus fructose for 12 weeks and started receiving oral antioxidant supplementation and/or physical training after the fourth week of diet for eight further weeks. Body weight, epididymal and retroperitoneal fat, plasma glucose and lipids, oxidative status and mesenteric artery reactivity were evaluated.