Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a diverse phylum of photosynthetic, Gram-negative bacteria and one of the largest microbial taxa. These organisms produce cyanotoxins, which are secondary metabolites that can have significant impacts on both human health and the environment. While toxins like Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsins are well-documented and have been extensively studied, other cyanotoxins, including those produced by and , remain underexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe vegetal alkaloid toxin veratridine (VTD) is a selective voltage-gated Na (Na) channel activator, widely used as a pharmacological tool in vascular physiology. We have previously shown that Na channels, expressed in arteries, contribute to vascular tone in mouse mesenteric arteries (MAs). Here, we aimed to better characterize the mechanisms of action of VTD using mouse cecocolic arteries (CAs), a model of resistance artery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfect Disord Drug Targets
September 2024
Several comorbidities and illnesses have emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of vaccination based on a slightly modified SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. One of these diseases is epilepsy, where the dysfunctional RAS plays a crucial role in the propagation of the disorder. SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells by utilizing the angiotensin-converting enzyme Type 2 (ACE2) receptor, which allows the virus to infect various cell types, including those in the lungs, nasopharynx, kidneys, lymph nodes, small intestine, stomach, spleen, and brain, leading to widespread organ damage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive and fatal primary brain tumor. The resistance of GBM to conventional treatments is attributed to factors such as the blood-brain barrier, tumor heterogeneity, and treatment-resistant stem cells. Current therapeutic efforts show limited survival benefits, emphasizing the urgent need for novel treatments.
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