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Search Results (1,148)

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12 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Powder on the Growth Performance, Immune Organ Weights, Cecal Microbiology, Serum Immunoglobulins, and Tibia Minerals of Broiler Chickens
by Arazay Avain, Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Yaneisy García, Yanelys García and Yordan Martínez
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120675 (registering DOI) - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 106
Abstract
A total of 640 one-day-old Cobb 500 MV × Cobb 500 FF mixed broilers were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments with four replicates per treatment and 40 birds per replicate for 32 days. The treatments consisted of a basal diet [...] Read more.
A total of 640 one-day-old Cobb 500 MV × Cobb 500 FF mixed broilers were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments with four replicates per treatment and 40 birds per replicate for 32 days. The treatments consisted of a basal diet (control group), basal diet + 0.02% zinc bacitracin (AGP group), basal diet + 0.2% G. lucidum powder (GLP; 0.2% GLP group), and basal diet + 0.3% GLP (0.3% GLP group). The results showed that dietary 0.2% GLP supplementation increased body weight compared to the control and 0.3% GLP groups, and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group, during 19–32 days (p < 0.05). The feed intake was lower (p < 0.05) in both dietary GLP supplementation groups and the AGP group during 1–8 and 1–32 days compared to the control group. Additionally, the FCR was lower in the dietary GLP supplementation group (0.2%) and the AGP group (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Moreover, the caeca of broiler chickens in the AGP and 0.2% GLP groups had a higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Supplementation of feed additives (AGP and GLP) increased the relative weight of the thymus, with no effect on the bursa of Fabricius and spleen. However, AGP supplementation decreased the serum IgM concentration, while supplementing a higher dose of GLP (0.3%) increased the ash content in the tibia. The findings indicate that 0.2% GLP is the recommended supplementation dose as a natural growth promoter to replace AGP in apparently normal chickens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
14 pages, 697 KiB  
Review
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Diabetic Kidney Disease: From Bench to Bed-Side
by Aly M. Abdelrahman, Alaa S. Awad, Irtiza Hasan and Emaad M. Abdel-Rahman
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(24), 7732; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13247732 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 369
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are currently available for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. They have been shown to help with diabetic kidney diseases through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we will shed light on the different mechanisms of action through [...] Read more.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are currently available for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. They have been shown to help with diabetic kidney diseases through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we will shed light on the different mechanisms of action through which GLP-1 receptor agonists may achieve their roles in renal protection in diabetics, both in animal and human studies, as well as review the renal outcomes when using these drugs and their safety profile in diabetic patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetic Nephropathy: Current Standards and Future Directions)
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<p>Location and Effects of GLP-1 in the Nephron.</p>
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14 pages, 1944 KiB  
Article
Effects of Fructus Aurantii Extract on Growth Performance, Nutrient Apparent Digestibility, Serum Parameters, and Fecal Microbiota in Finishing Pigs
by Haiqing Gan, Qian Lin, Yecheng Xiao, Qiyu Tian, Chao Deng, Renjie Xie, Hongkun Li, Jiajie Ouyang, Xingguo Huang, Yang Shan and Fengming Chen
Animals 2024, 14(24), 3646; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243646 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 291
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of Fructus Aurantii extract (FAE) on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum parameters, fecal microbial composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in finishing pigs. In total, 75 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (equally divided by sex), with [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of Fructus Aurantii extract (FAE) on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum parameters, fecal microbial composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in finishing pigs. In total, 75 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (equally divided by sex), with an initial body weight of 79.49 ± 4.27 kg, were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. The pigs were fed either a basic diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg of FAE (FAE500) and 1000 mg/kg of FAE (FAE1000). The FAE1000 group exhibited a significantly higher final body weight (FBW) (p < 0.05), and the average daily feed intake (ADFI) showed an increasing tendency in the FAE500 and FAE1000 groups (p = 0.056) compared to the CON group. Additionally, the inclusion of FAE resulted in the significantly higher apparent digestibility of crude ash (Ash), gross energy (GE), and crude protein (CP) (p < 0.05), with a tendency to the increased digestibility of dry matter (DM) (p = 0.053). Dietary FAE supplementation led to elevated serum levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and decreased levels of serum L-lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), along with a tendency to increase serum glucose (GLU) levels (p = 0.084). The FAE500 group demonstrated higher serum concentrations of motilin (MTL) and gastrin (GAS) (p < 0.05), and a tendency for reduced serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level (p = 0.055) compared to the CON group. Furthermore, alpha diversity analysis revealed that the FAE500 group significantly increased the Chao 1 and Observed_species indexes (p < 0.05). Similarly, beta diversity analysis indicated that FAE feeding altered the fecal microbial structure (p = 0.083). Notably, compared with the control group, CF231, Pediococcus, and Mogibacterium displayed higher relative abundance in the feces of the FAE500 group, whereas Tenericutes showed a reduction in relative abundance (p < 0.05). Additionally, the relative abundance of Tenericute was negatively correlated with the digestibility of DM, GE, Ash, and CP (p < 0.05). Serum MTL and GAS levels correlated positively with the Coprococcus, Dorea, Pediococcus, and Mogibacterium relative abundances (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary FAE supplementation could enhance growth performance by boosting beneficial bacteria in feces, stimulating gastrointestinal hormone secretion, and improving nutrient digestibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pigs)
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<p>Effects of <span class="html-italic">Fructus Aurantii</span> extract (FAE) extract (FAE) on serum hormone level of finishing pigs. (<b>A</b>) Motilin concentration. (<b>B</b>) Gastrin concentration. (<b>C</b>) Glucagon-like peptide−1 concentration. CON = basal diet; FAE500 = basal diet containing 500 mg/kg <span class="html-italic">Fructus Aurantii</span> extract; FAE1000 = basal diet containing 1000 mg/kg <span class="html-italic">Fructus Aurantii</span> extract; (lowercase letters) values are represented as mean ± SEM, <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 4.</p>
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<p>The effect of dietary <span class="html-italic">Fructus Aurantii</span> extract (FAE) on microbiota diversity in finishing pigs. (<b>A</b>) Rarefaction curve based on the Chao 1 index. (<b>B</b>) Venn analysis of amplicon sequence variants (ASV). (<b>C</b>) the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) plot of the bacterial community based on Bray–Curtis distances. Values are represented as mean ± SEM, <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 4. ASV, amplicon sequence variant; PCoA, principal coordinates analysis.</p>
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<p>Effects of <span class="html-italic">Fructus Aurantii</span> extract (FAE) on the taxon abundance of gut microbiota in finishing pigs (<b>A</b>,<b>B</b>). It presents the relative abundance of gut microbiota at both the phylum and genus levels, respectively (<b>C</b>–<b>F</b>). The relative abundance of differential bacteria among groups. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) value distribution histogram of significantly distinct species (<b>G</b>) was derived from Lefse analysis. (lowercase letters) Values are represented as mean ± SEM, n = 4. LDA, linear discriminant analysis; Lefse, linear discriminant analysis—effect size.</p>
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<p>Spearman correlation analysis of gut microbiota with apparent digestibility and serum parameters of finishing pigs. Red and blue colors indicate positive and negative correlations, respectively. Significance is presented as * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 4).</p>
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32 pages, 9784 KiB  
Article
Discovery of Non-Peptide GLP-1 Positive Allosteric Modulators from Natural Products: Virtual Screening, Molecular Dynamics, ADMET Profiling, Repurposing, and Chemical Scaffolds Identification
by Mohamed S. Gomaa, Mansour S. Alturki, Nada Tawfeeq, Dania A. Hussein, Faheem H. Pottoo, Abdulaziz H. Al Khzem, Mohammad Sarafroz and Samar Abubshait
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(12), 1607; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16121607 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor is currently one of the most explored targets exploited for the management of diabetes and obesity, with many aspects of its mechanisms behind cardiovascular protection yet to be fully elucidated. Research dedicated towards the development of oral GLP-1 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor is currently one of the most explored targets exploited for the management of diabetes and obesity, with many aspects of its mechanisms behind cardiovascular protection yet to be fully elucidated. Research dedicated towards the development of oral GLP-1 therapy and non-peptide ligands with broader clinical applications is crucial towards unveiling the full therapeutic capacity of this potent class of medicines. Methods: This study describes the virtual screening of a natural product database consisting of 695,133 compounds for positive GLP-1 allosteric modulation. The database, obtained from the Coconut website, was filtered according to a set of physicochemical descriptors, then was shape screened against the crystal ligand conformation. This filtered database consisting of 26,325 compounds was used for virtual screening against the GLP-1 allosteric site. Results: The results identified ten best hits with the XP score ranging from −9.6 to −7.6 and MM-GBSA scores ranging from −50.8 to −32.4 and another 58 hits from docked pose filter and a second round of XP docking and MM-GBSA calculation followed by molecular dynamics. The analysis of results identified hits from various natural products (NPs) classes, to whom attributed antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects have been previously reported. The results also pointed to β-lactam antibiotics that may be evaluated in drug repurposing studies for off-target effects. The calculated ADMET properties for those hits revealed suitable profiles for further development in terms of bioavailability and toxicity. Conclusions: The current study identified several NPs as potential GLP-1 positive allosteric modulators and revealed common structural scaffolds including peptidomimetics, lactams, coumarins, and sulfonamides with peptidomimetics being the most prominent especially in indole and coumarin cores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer-Aided Development: Recent Advances and Expectations)
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<p>Filtration protocol for the Coconut natural products database.</p>
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<p>Chemical structure of GLP-1 co-crystallized ligands positive allosteric modulator used in the shape screening.</p>
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<p>Hit identification protocol.</p>
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<p>Surface representation of the overlay of the top 10 hits (magenta sticks) and the crystal ligand (red stick) in GLP-1 allosteric site (PDB ID: 6VCB). GLP-1 receptor is represented in gray surface and GLP-1 peptide in green surface.</p>
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<p>(<b>a</b>) Three-dimensional representation of the binding interactions between hit <b>1</b> and GLP-1 receptor allosteric site and GLP-1 peptide (PDB ID: 6VCB). Ligand atoms are shown as sticks (carbon atoms colored in magenta) and the key residues are shown as sticks (carbon atoms colored in green). Potential electrostatic interactions are represented as yellow dotted lines and are measured in Angstrom. (<b>b</b>) Two-dimensional ligand–protein binding interactions between hit <b>1</b> and GLP-1 receptor allosteric site and GLP-1 peptide (PDB ID: 6VCB). H bond is represented as a purple arrow and salt bridge as a blue line.</p>
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<p>(<b>a</b>) Three-dimensional representation of the binding interactions between hit <b>12</b> and GLP-1 receptor allosteric site and GLP-1 peptide (PDB ID: 6VCB). Ligand atoms are shown as sticks (carbon atoms colored in magenta) and the key residues are shown as sticks (carbon atoms colored in green). Potential electrostatic interactions are represented as yellow dotted lines and are measured in Angstrom. (<b>b</b>) Two-dimensional ligand–protein binding interactions between hit <b>12</b> and GLP-1 receptor allosteric site and GLP-1 peptide (PDB ID: 6VCB). H bond is represented as a purple arrow, salt bridge as a blue line, and π-π stacking as a green line.</p>
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<p>(<b>a</b>) Three-dimensional representation of the binding interactions between hit <b>44</b> (Ampicillin) and GLP-1 receptor allosteric site and GLP-1 peptide (PDB ID: 6VCB). Ligand atoms are shown as sticks (carbon atoms colored in magenta) and the key residues are shown as sticks (carbon atoms colored in green). Potential electrostatic interactions are represented as yellow dotted lines and are measured in Angstrom. (<b>b</b>) Two-dimensional ligand–protein binding interactions between hit <b>44</b> (Ampicillin) and GLP-1 receptor allosteric site and GLP-1 peptide (PDB ID: 6VCB). H bond is represented as a purple arrow, and salt bridge as a blue line.</p>
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<p>Root mean square deviation (RMSD) graphs for the hit compounds (<b>A</b>): compound <b>3</b> (CNP0086660.2), (<b>B</b>): compound <b>5</b> (CNP0039190.2), (<b>C</b>): compound <b>2</b> (CNP0549010.1). The green graph shows fluctuations in the protein backbone from the initial reference point while the red shows the ligand fluctuations. The RMSD profile of the ligand with respect to its initial fit to the protein binding pocket indicates that all ligands did not fluctuate beyond a 2–7 Å range.</p>
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<p>Interaction diagram of hit compound <b>3</b> (CNP0086660.2) with the GLP-1 allosteric binding pocket. (<b>A</b>) Interaction of compound <b>3</b> with residues in each trajectory frame. The depth of color indicating the higher the interaction with contact residues; (<b>B</b>) the protein–ligand contacts showing the bonding interactions fraction and the nature of the interactions; (<b>C</b>) graphical 2D illustration of compound <b>3</b> interacting with the protein residues during MD simulation.</p>
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<p>Interaction diagram of hit compound <b>5</b> (CNP0039190.2) with the GLP-1 allosteric binding pocket. (<b>A</b>) Interaction of compound <b>5</b> with residues in each trajectory frame. The depth of color indicating the higher the interaction with contact residues; (<b>B</b>) the protein–ligand contacts showing the bonding interactions fraction and the nature of the interactions; (<b>C</b>) graphical 2D illustration of compound <b>5</b> interacting with the protein residues during MD simulation.</p>
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<p>Interaction diagram of hit compound <b>2</b> (CNP0549010.1) with the GLP-1 allosteric binding pocket. (<b>A</b>) Interaction of compound <b>2</b> with residues in each trajectory frame. The depth of color indicating the higher the interaction with contact residues; (<b>B</b>) the protein–ligand contacts showing the bonding interactions fraction and the nature of the interactions; (<b>C</b>) graphical 2D illustration of compound <b>2</b> interacting with the protein residues during MD simulation.</p>
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<p>Chemical structures of identified novel scaffolds for GLP-1 positive allosteric modulation with their hit no (hits are arranged according to their XP/Docking score), Coconut ID, and XP/Docking score.</p>
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<p>Chemical structures of identified novel scaffolds for GLP-1 positive allosteric modulation with their hit no (hits are arranged according to their XP/Docking score), Coconut ID, and XP/Docking score.</p>
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<p>Chemical structures of identified novel scaffolds for GLP-1 positive allosteric modulation with their hit no (hits are arranged according to their XP/Docking score), Coconut ID, and XP/Docking score.</p>
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<p>Chemical structures of identified novel scaffolds for GLP-1 positive allosteric modulation with their hit no (hits are arranged according to their XP/Docking score), Coconut ID, and XP/Docking score.</p>
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<p>Chemical structures of identified novel scaffolds for GLP-1 positive allosteric modulation with their hit no (hits are arranged according to their XP/Docking score), Coconut ID, and XP/Docking score.</p>
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13 pages, 1532 KiB  
Article
Gastrointestinal Safety Assessment of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in the US: A Real-World Adverse Events Analysis from the FAERS Database
by Samuel Prince Osei, Edwin Akomaning, Teodora Francesca Florut, Mohit Sodhi, Brian E. Lacy, Wafa A. Aldhaleei and Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula
Diagnostics 2024, 14(24), 2829; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14242829 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 673
Abstract
Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are commonly used to treat obesity and diabetes but are linked to a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs). Real-world data on GLP-1 RA-related GI AEs and outcomes are limited. This study assessed GI AEs [...] Read more.
Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are commonly used to treat obesity and diabetes but are linked to a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs). Real-world data on GLP-1 RA-related GI AEs and outcomes are limited. This study assessed GI AEs and adverse outcomes using the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods: This retrospective pharmacovigilance study used the US FDA FAERS database (2007–2023). We searched GLP-1 RA medications, AEs, and adverse outcomes. Demographic, treatment indication, and AE data were collected. Descriptive analysis involved frequencies and percentages, while reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio, Bayesian confidence propagation neural network, and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze GLP-1 RA-related GI AEs and outcomes. Results: From 2007 to 2023, a total of 187,757 AEs were reported with GLP-1 RAs, and 16,568 were GLP-1 RA-associated GI AEs in the US. Semaglutide was linked to higher odds of nausea (IC025: 0.151, βCoeff: 0.314), vomiting (IC025: 0.334, βCoeff: 0.495), and delayed gastric emptying (IC025: 0.342, βCoeff: 0.453). Exenatide was associated with pancreatitis (IC025: 0.601, βCoeff: 0.851) and death (ROR: 4.50, IC025: 1.101). Overall, semaglutide had a broader range of notable adverse effects; by comparison, dulaglutide and liraglutide use was associated with fewer significant GI AEs. Conclusions: Analysis of the FAERS data reveals that GLP-1 RAs, particularly semaglutide and exenatide, are significantly associated with specific GI AEs, such as nausea, vomiting, delayed gastric emptying, and pancreatitis. Clinicians should be aware of these potential risks to ensure optimal monitoring and patient safety. This study demonstrated the utility of pharmacovigilance data in identifying safety signals, which can inform future pharmacoepidemiological investigations to confirm causal relationships. Clinicians should be aware of these potential risks to ensure optimal monitoring and patient safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adverse Reactions to Drugs: Diagnosis and Management)
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<p>The flow diagram of selection of GLP-1 RA-associated adverse events and outcomes from the FAERS database.</p>
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<p>Proportion of gastrointestinal adverse effects reported with different GLP-1 RAs. GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease.</p>
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<p>Safety signals of gastrointestinal adverse events and adverse outcomes associated with GLP-1 RAs. ROR: reporting odds ratio; GI: gastrointestinal; GLP-1 RAs: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.</p>
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23 pages, 1827 KiB  
Review
Molecular Interaction Between Vasopressin and Insulin in Regulation of Metabolism: Impact on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases
by Ewa Szczepanska-Sadowska, Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska and Tymoteusz Żera
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(24), 13307; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252413307 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 470
Abstract
Numerous compounds involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system are also engaged in the control of metabolism. This review gives a survey of literature showing that arginine vasopressin (AVP), which is an effective cardiovascular peptide, exerts several direct and indirect metabolic effects [...] Read more.
Numerous compounds involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system are also engaged in the control of metabolism. This review gives a survey of literature showing that arginine vasopressin (AVP), which is an effective cardiovascular peptide, exerts several direct and indirect metabolic effects and may play the role of the link adjusting blood supply to metabolism of tissues. Secretion of AVP and activation of AVP receptors are regulated by changes in blood pressure and body fluid osmolality, hypoxia, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and several metabolic hormones; moreover, AVP turnover is regulated by insulin. Acting on V1a receptors in the liver, AVP stimulates glycogenolysis, reduces synthesis of glycogen, and promotes fatty acid synthesis and acetyl CoA carboxylase activity. Stimulating V1b receptors in the pancreatic islands, AVP promotes release of insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and potentiates stimulatory effects of glucose and ACTH on secretion of insulin. Simultaneously, insulin increases AVP secretion by neurons of the paraventricular nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus. There is strong evidence that secretion of AVP and its metabolic effectiveness are significantly altered in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Both experimental and clinical data indicate that inappropriate interactions of AVP and insulin play an important role in the development of insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes mellitus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Dysregulation in Cardiovascular Conditions)
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<p>Role of vasopressin in regulation of metabolism and insulin secretion. AVP—arginine vasopressin, GLP-1—glucagon-like peptide-1. See text for other explanations.</p>
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<p>Interaction of vasopressin and insulin in the brain, pancreas, and enteric system. ACTH—adrenocorticotropic hormone, AVP—arginine vasopressin, CRH—corticotropin-releasing hormone, GLP-1—glucagon-like peptide-1. See text for other explanations.</p>
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11 pages, 741 KiB  
Article
Effects of Isoflavone Intake on Energy Requirement, Satiety, and Body Composition of Neutered Adult Cats
by Ana Lúcia Yoshida da Silva Yamada, Mônica Estela Zambon Merenda, Layne Carolina Pereira, Nayara Maira Dalgallo Bonneti, Isabela de Oliveira Martins, Alina Stadnik Komarcheuski, Lucas Ben Fiuza Henríquez, Eduardo Kato Watanabe, Guilherme Bernardo Cornélio Coelho, Vanderly Janeiro, Nilva Maria Freres Mascarenhas and Ricardo Souza Vasconcellos
Animals 2024, 14(24), 3574; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243574 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 327
Abstract
Isoflavones are composed of phytoestrogens (genistein and daidzein), which can be metabolized by cats. These compounds can promote the maintenance of lean body mass and control food intake. These effects are desirable in neutered animals, as they are predisposed to obesity. The objective [...] Read more.
Isoflavones are composed of phytoestrogens (genistein and daidzein), which can be metabolized by cats. These compounds can promote the maintenance of lean body mass and control food intake. These effects are desirable in neutered animals, as they are predisposed to obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of 1.0% isoflavone on the metabolizable energy intake, serum concentrations of satiety-related hormones and peptides, and body composition of neutered cats. Sixteen neutered adult cats were blocked by gender and divided into two groups (n = 8): the control group (CG) received a commercial diet, while the isoflavone group (IG) received the same diet supplemented by 1% of isoflavone for 99 days. Computed tomography was performed on the first and last experimental days to assess the animals’ body composition. Satiety challenges were conducted on days 19 and 44. In the last day of the study, blood samples were collected to determine the concentration of insulin, ghrelin, leptin, peptide YY, and GLP-1. A statistical analysis was conducted using R software 3.5.2, considering both the interaction and individual effects of group and time (p < 0.05). The average intake of genistein in the IG was 0.75 ± 0.10 mg/kg body weight, and daidzein intake was 51.73 ± 7.05 mg/kg. No significant individual or interaction effects were observed for any of the analyzed variables. Therefore, the inclusion of 1.0% isoflavone in the diet did not affect the energy requirements, satiety responses, or body composition of neutered adult cats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine and Feline Obesity)
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<p>Experimental design.</p>
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<p>(<b>A</b>) The animal positioned in sternal recumbency for computed tomography imaging; (<b>B</b>) cross-section at lumbar vertebra; (<b>C</b>) Hounsfield Units (HU) histogram between −250 and +250, where black represents adipose and non-adipose tissue; (<b>D</b>) HU histogram between 0 and +250, where black represents lean mass; (<b>E</b>) HU histogram between −250 and 0, where black represents total fat and yellow represents subcutaneous fat.</p>
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16 pages, 1838 KiB  
Article
SGLT-2 Inhibitors’ and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists’ Influence on Neuronal and Glial Damage in Experimental Stroke
by Anna Murasheva, Oksana Fuks, Natalya Timkina, Arina Mikhailova, Timur Vlasov, Konstantin Samochernykh and Tatiana Karonova
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2797; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122797 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 382
Abstract
Background: SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have demonstrated nephro- and cardioprotective effects, but their neuroprotective properties, especially concerning stroke severity, and mechanisms are not unambiguous. We aimed to study the influence of SGLT-2i with different selectivity and GLP-1RA on brain [...] Read more.
Background: SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have demonstrated nephro- and cardioprotective effects, but their neuroprotective properties, especially concerning stroke severity, and mechanisms are not unambiguous. We aimed to study the influence of SGLT-2i with different selectivity and GLP-1RA on brain damage volume and neurological status in non-diabetic and diabetic rats and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Non-diabetic Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 10 each) and received empagliflozin, canagliflozin, or dulaglutide as study drugs and metformin as comparison drug. Control animals were administered 0.9% NaCl for 7 days before stroke. At 48 h after stroke, we assessed neurological deficit, neuronal and astroglial damage markers, and brain damage volume. We also modeled type 2 DM in Wistar rats using the high-fat diet+nicotinamide/streptozotocin method and established similar treatment groups. After 8 weeks, rats were subjected to stroke with further neurological deficit, neuroglial damage markers, and brain necrosis volume measurement. Results: In non-diabetic rats, all the drugs showed an infarct-limiting effect; SGLT-2i and dulaglutide were more effective than metformin. DULA improved neurological status compared with MET and SGLT-2i treatment. All the drugs decreased neurofilament light chains (NLCs) level and neuronal damage markers, but none of them decreased the glial damage marker S100BB. In DM, similarly, all the drugs had infarct-limiting effects. Neurological deficit was most pronounced in the untreated diabetic rats and was reduced by all study drugs. All the drugs reduced NLC level; dulaglutide and empagliflozin, but not canagliflozin, also decreased S100BB. None of the drugs affected neuron-specific enolase. Conclusions: SGLT-2i and GLP-1RA are neuroprotective in experimental stroke. GLP-1RA might be more effective than SGLT-2i as in non-diabetic conditions it influences both brain damage volume and neurological status. All study drugs decrease neuronal damage, while GLP-1RA and highly selective SGLT-2i EMPA, but not low-selective CANA, also have an impact on neuroglia in diabetic conditions. Full article
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<p>Neurological deficit 48 h after MCAO in non-diabetic rats. # <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “MET” group, ¶ <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DULA” group. MCAO—middle cerebral artery occlusion. Metformin, empagliflozin, and canagliflozin administration for 7 days prior to MCAO did not decrease neurological deficit. Neurological deficit was significantly smaller in the “DULA” group in comparison with all the other treatment groups.</p>
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<p>Ischemia–reperfusion injury-induced brain damage in non-diabetic rats. (<b>A</b>) Brain damage volume measurement results presented as dot plots with median values. (<b>B</b>) Representative images of brain slices stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “Control” group, # <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “MET” group. Metformin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dulaglutide reduce brain damage volume in comparison with the control group without treatment 48 h after MCAO in non-diabetic rats. The infarct-limiting effect of empagliflozin and dulaglutide is more prominent than that of metformin.</p>
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<p>Concentration of neuronal and glial damage markers after MCAO in non-diabetic rats. (<b>A</b>) Neurofilament light chains level 48 h after stroke. (<b>B</b>) Neuron-specific enolase level 48 h after stroke. (<b>C</b>) S100BB level 48 h after stroke. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “Control” group, ¶ <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DULA” group. Dashed line—normal value. Ischemic stroke is characterized by NLC, NSE, and S100BB elevation. Metformin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dulaglutide decreased NLC compared with the “Control” group. None of the drugs significantly influenced NSE or S100BB level.</p>
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<p>Glycemia dynamics in diabetic rats receiving variable glucose-lowering drugs. Strept.—nicotinamide/streptozotocin administration. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “Control” group, § <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM” group. Eight-week metformin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dulaglutide treatment in diabetic rats caused similar glycemic profile improvement in comparison with untreated diabetes mellitus.</p>
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<p>Neurological deficit 48 h after MCAO in diabetic rats. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “Control” group, § <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM” group, # <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM+MET” group, ¶ <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM+DULA” group. MCAO—middle cerebral artery occlusion. Neurological deficit in diabetic rats without treatment was more serious than in the “Control” group. Metformin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dulaglutide improved neurological status. There was no significant difference in empagliflozin and canagliflozin effectiveness, whereas the positive effect of canagliflozin was more prominent than that of metformin and dulaglutide.</p>
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<p>Ischemia–reperfusion injury-induced brain damage in diabetic rats. (<b>A</b>) Brain damage volume measurement results, presented as dot plots with median values. (<b>B</b>) Representative images of brain slices stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. *: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “Control” group, §: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM” group, #: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM+MET” group. Brain damage volume in the diabetic rats without treatment was as large as that in the “Control” group. All study drugs diminished necrosis volume in comparison with the “DM” group. There was no difference in the infarct-limiting effects of empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dulaglutide.</p>
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<p>Concentration of neuronal and glial damage markers after MCAO in diabetic rats. (<b>A</b>) Neurofilament light chains level 48 h after stroke. (<b>B</b>) Neuron-specific enolase level 48 h after stroke. (<b>C</b>) S100BB level 48 h after stroke. *: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “Control” group, §: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM” group, #: <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 in comparison with the “DM+MET” group. Dashed line—normal value. NLC concentration was elevated in both the “DM” and the “Control” groups, but metformin, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dulaglutide caused similar decreases in it. NSE levels were similar in all the study groups. S100BB was similarly elevated in the “DM” and “Control” groups. Empagliflozin and dulaglutide caused its significant decrease, while metformin and canagliflozin did not influence it.</p>
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12 pages, 3049 KiB  
Article
Effects of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide on Bone Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
by Fang Lv, Xiaoling Cai, Chu Lin, Wenjia Yang and Linong Ji
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(12), 1655; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17121655 - 9 Dec 2024
Viewed by 507
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes and weight loss are associated with detrimental skeletal health. Incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists, and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists) are used clinically to treat diabetes and obesity. The potential effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide on bone metabolism in type [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes and weight loss are associated with detrimental skeletal health. Incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists, and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists) are used clinically to treat diabetes and obesity. The potential effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide on bone metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice remain uncertain. Methods: Combined streptozotocin and high fat feeding were employed in female C57BL/6J mice to promote hyperglycemia. Mice were administered for 4 weeks with a saline vehicle (sc., once-daily), semaglutide (40 μg/kg/d, sc., every three days), or tirzepatide (10 nmol/kg, sc., once-daily). Bone strength was assessed by three-point bending. Femur microarchitecture was determined by micro-CT, and bone formation and resorption parameters were measured by histomorphometric analysis. Serum was collected to measure bone resorption (C-telopeptide fragments of type I collagen, CTX) and formation (procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide, P1NP) biomarkers, respectively. The expression of bone metabolism-related genes was evaluated in the bone using RT-PCR. Results: Glucose levels significantly reduced after 4 weeks of semaglutide and tirzepatide treatment (both p < 0.05) compared with vehicle treatment. Tirzepatide led to more weight loss than semaglutide. Compared to saline-treated diabetic mice, the mean femur length was shorter in the tirzepatide group. After treatment with tirzepatide or semaglutide, cortical bone and trabecular bone parameters did not change significantly compared to saline-treated diabetic mice, except that cortical thickness was lower in the semaglutide group compared to the saline group (p = 0.032). Though CTX and P1NP levels decreased, however, the change in CTX and P1NP levels did not differ among the four groups during the 4 weeks of treatment (all p > 0.05). Semaglutide affected RANKL and OPG mRNA expression and increased the ratio of OPG/RANKL. No significant difference was found in the quantity of Col1a1, RANKL, OPG, and RUNX2 between tirzepatide- and saline-treated diabetic mice. Conclusions: The 4-week treatment with semaglutide and tirzepatide had a neutral effect on bone mass compared with the controls, and most of the bone microarchitecture parameters were also comparable between groups in diabetic mice. A better understanding of incretin-based therapies on bone metabolism in patients with diabetes requires further evaluation in large clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biopharmaceuticals)
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<p>Blood glucose level and body weight. All data were presented as means ± SD. *: Compared to week 0, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05. (<b>A</b>) blood glucose fast of 5 h; (<b>B</b>) blood glucose levels during IPGTT at baseline; (<b>C</b>) blood glucose levels during IPGTT at the end of study; (<b>D</b>) area under the curve (AUC) for the blood glucose levels during IPGTT; (<b>E</b>) change in body weight.</p>
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<p>Change of bone turnover. All data are presented as means ± SD. *: Compared to week 0, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05. (<b>A</b>) levels of CTX; (<b>B</b>) levels of P1NP.</p>
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<p>Micro-CT assessment of trabecular and cortical bone of femur from mice 4 weeks post-treatment. The constructed 3D images of trabecular bone and cortical bone of the femurs. The skeletal parameters included bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular bone mineral density (Tb.BMD), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), separation (Tb.Sp), and number (Tb.N), cortical BMD (Ct.BMD), cortical area (Ct.Ar), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), and total cross-sectional area (Tt.Ar). All data are presented as means ± SD. *: Compared to saline-treated diabetic mice, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ns, non-significant.</p>
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<p>Maximum load and ultimate displacement determined by the load displacement curve. All data are presented as means ± SD. *: Compared to saline-treated diabetic mice, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ns, non-significant. (<b>A</b>) maximum load; (<b>B</b>) ultimate displacement.</p>
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<p>Osteocalcin (OCN) staining and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining of femur. All data are presented as means ± SD. ns, non-significant. (<b>A</b>) osteoclast number per bone perimeter; (<b>B</b>) osteoclast number per bone area; (<b>C</b>) osteoblast number per bone perimeter; (<b>D</b>) osteoblast number per bone area.</p>
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<p>Results of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. All data are presented as means ± SD. *: Compared to saline-treated diabetic mice, <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ns, non-significant. (<b>A</b>) <span class="html-italic">Col1</span> mRNA; (<b>B</b>) <span class="html-italic">OPG</span> mRNA; (<b>C</b>) <span class="html-italic">RANKL</span> mRNA; (<b>D</b>) <span class="html-italic">RUNX2</span> mRNA; (<b>E</b>) <span class="html-italic">OPG/RANKL</span>.</p>
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<p>Schematic of the experimental design for animal study. At 13 weeks of age, mice were subcutaneously injected with either saline, semaglutide, or tirzepatide until 17 weeks of age (4 week treatment period).</p>
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21 pages, 2892 KiB  
Review
Potential Use of GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Respiratory Disorders: Where Are We at?
by Miodrag Janić, Sabina Škrgat, Matevž Harlander, Mojca Lunder, Andrej Janež, Anca Pantea Stoian, Mohamed El-Tanani, Viviana Maggio and Manfredi Rizzo
Medicina 2024, 60(12), 2030; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60122030 - 9 Dec 2024
Viewed by 649
Abstract
Chronic respiratory disorders are the third leading cause of mortality globally. Consequently, there is a continuous pursuit of effective therapies beyond those currently available. The therapeutic potential of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 (GIP/GLP-1) receptor agonists extends beyond the [...] Read more.
Chronic respiratory disorders are the third leading cause of mortality globally. Consequently, there is a continuous pursuit of effective therapies beyond those currently available. The therapeutic potential of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 (GIP/GLP-1) receptor agonists extends beyond the regulation of glycemia, including glucometabolic, cardiovascular, and renal effects, rendering them viable candidates, due to their mechanisms of action, for the possible treatment of respiratory disorders. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence on potential direct (cellular) and indirect (metabolic) actions of GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists within the pulmonary systems. In addition, it examines their efficacy in addressing prevalent respiratory disorders, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer, and lung transplantation. Finally, the manuscript seeks to identify potential avenues for further focused research in this field. Full article
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<p>Summary of the direct and indirect effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 (GIP/GLP-1) receptor agonists in lungs. The red question mark indicates that the effects mediated by GIP receptors in the lungs have not yet been fully understood, despite the confirmed presence of these receptors in the lungs. The grey arrow indicates that the indirect effects associated with weight loss also positively affect the direct effects achieved by the GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists in the lungs. ERV, expiratory residual volume; FRC, functional respiratory capacity; TLC, total lung capacity; SpO<sub>2</sub>, blood oxygenation.</p>
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<p>Main cytokine profiles attenuated by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 (GIP/GLP-1) receptor agonists. The T helper cells 2 (Th2)-mediated cytokine profile is characteristic mainly for asthma and to a lesser degree for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while the non-Th2 mediated cytokine profile can be found in obesity-related asthma and COPD [<a href="#B23-medicina-60-02030" class="html-bibr">23</a>,<a href="#B24-medicina-60-02030" class="html-bibr">24</a>]. The red arrows show the cytokines that are affected by the GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists. TGF, transforming growth factor; IL, interleukin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; INF, interferon; CXCL, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand; Th cell, T helper cell; ILC, innate lymphoid cell.</p>
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19 pages, 491 KiB  
Review
Biotechnology Revolution Shaping the Future of Diabetes Management
by Nilima Rajpal Kundnani, Bogdan Lolescu, Anca-Raluca Dinu, Delia Mira Berceanu-Vaduva, Patrick Dumitrescu, Tudor-Paul Tamaș, Abhinav Sharma and Mihaela-Diana Popa
Biomolecules 2024, 14(12), 1563; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14121563 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 739
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a millennia-long history, with early references dating back to ancient Egypt and India. However, it was not until the 20th century that the connection between diabetes and insulin was fully understood. The sequencing of insulin in the 1950s [...] Read more.
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a millennia-long history, with early references dating back to ancient Egypt and India. However, it was not until the 20th century that the connection between diabetes and insulin was fully understood. The sequencing of insulin in the 1950s initiated the convergence of biotechnology and diabetes management, leading to the development of recombinant human insulin in 1982. This marked the start of peptide-based therapies in DM. Recombinant peptides for DM treatment: Numerous recombinant peptides have been developed since, starting with modified insulin molecules, with the aim of bettering DM management through fine-tuning the glycemic response to insulin. Peptide-based therapies in DM have expanded substantially beyond insulin to include agonists of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor and Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor, glucagon receptor antagonists, and even peptides exerting multiple receptor agonist effects, for better metabolic control. Insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring, and automated insulin delivery systems: The development of modern delivery systems combined with real-time glucose monitoring has significantly advanced diabetes care. Insulin pumps evolved from early large devices to modern sensor-augmented pumps with automated shutoff features and hybrid closed-loop systems, requiring minimal user input. The second-generation systems have demonstrated superior outcomes, proving highly effective in diabetes management. Islet cell transplantation, organoids, and biological pancreas augmentation represent innovative approaches to diabetes management. Islet cell transplantation aims to restore insulin production by transplanting donor beta cells, though challenges persist regarding graft survival and the need for immunosuppression. Organoids are a promising platform for generating insulin-producing cells, although far from clinical use. Biological pancreas augmentation relies on therapies that promote beta-cell (re)generation, reduce stress, and induce immune tolerance. Further biotechnology-driven perspectives in DM will include metabolic control via biotechnology-enabled tools such as custom-designed insulin hybrid molecules, machine-learning algorithms to control peptide release, and engineering cells for optimal peptide production and secretion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biological Factors)
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<p>Timeline of peptide development and delivery vehicles in DM management (FDA Devices and Drugs approval dates, source: <a href="http://fda.gov" target="_blank">fda.gov</a>).</p>
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18 pages, 2149 KiB  
Article
Lactic Acid and Glutamine Have Positive Synergistic Effects on Growth Performance, Intestinal Function, and Microflora of Weaning Piglets
by Junjie Jiang, Daiwen Chen, Bing Yu, Jun He, Jie Yu, Xiangbing Mao, Zhiqing Huang, Yuheng Luo, Junqiu Luo and Ping Zheng
Animals 2024, 14(23), 3532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233532 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 501
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of lactic acid and glutamine, and their interactions, on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal barrier functions, microflora, and expressions of intestinal development-related genes of weaning piglets. Ninety-six [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of lactic acid and glutamine, and their interactions, on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal barrier functions, microflora, and expressions of intestinal development-related genes of weaning piglets. Ninety-six 24-day-old weaning piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, weaned at 21 ± 1 d and fed the basal diet for a 3 d adaptation period) with initial body weight of 7.24 ± 0.09 kg were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment and four pigs per replicate in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangements: (1) CON (a 2-period basal diet; control), (2) LS (supplemented with 2% lactic acid), (3) GS (supplemented with 1% glutamine), and (4) LGS (supplemented with 2% lactic acid and 1% glutamine). The study lasted for 28 d. On days 25–28, fresh fecal samples were collected to evaluate apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients. After 28 d, one weaning pig per pen was euthanized, and physiological samples obtained. Results showed that the supplementation of lactic acid improved the ADFI of the pigs (p < 0.05), while the pigs fed the glutamine diet had a greater ADFI and higher G/F (p < 0.05), and there were significant interactive effects between lactic acid and glutamine on the ADFI and G/F of the pigs (p < 0.05). The ATTD of CP and ash for pigs fed with lactic acid was significantly enhanced, and pigs fed the glutamine diet had greater ATTD of CP and ash (p < 0.05), while there were significant interactive effects between lactic acid and glutamine on the ATTD of CP and ash of the pigs (p < 0.05). Pigs fed with lactic acid exhibited greater activity of α-amylase and lipase (p < 0.05); moreover, the activity of lipase in the pigs showed a significant interactive effect between lactic acid and glutamine (p < 0.05). There was a greater villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in pigs fed with lactic acid (p < 0.05), and the villus height to crypt depth ratio of pigs fed with glutamine was greater (p < 0.05). There were greater GLUT2, IGF-1, TGF-β2, OCLN, and ZO-1 mRNA levels in pigs fed with lactic acid (p < 0.05), and the supplementation of glutamine increased SGLT1, GLUT2, PepT1, IGF-1, IGF-1R, TGFβ-2, GLP-2, and OCLN mRNA levels (p < 0.05), Additionally, expressions of SGLT1, GLUT2, PepT1, IGF-1, IGF-1R, TGFβ-2, GLP-2, CLDN-2, OCLN, and ZO-1 mRNA levels of pigs showed a positive interactive effect between lactic acid and glutamine (p < 0.05). Supplementation of lactic acid significantly increased the populations of Bifidobacterium in cecal digesta, Lactobacillus in colonic digesta, and the content of butyric acid in colonic digesta (p < 0.05). In addition, there were significant interactive effects between lactic acid and glutamine on populations of Bifidobacterium in cecal digesta, Lactobacillus in colonic digesta, and the content of acetic acid, butyric acid, and total VFAs in cecal digesta of the pigs (p < 0.05). Collectively, the current results indicate that dietary supplementation with lactic acid and glutamine had a positive synergistic effect on weaning pigs, which could improve growth performance through promoting the development of the small intestine, increasing digestive and barrier function, and regulating the balance of microflora in pigs, and which might be a potential feeding additive ensemble to enhance the health and growth of weaning piglets in the post-antibiotic era. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Ingredients and Additives for Swine and Poultry)
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<p>Comparison of jejunal microscopic photographs with histological staining of weaning piglets. 1. CON, the basal diet; 2. LS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid; 3. GS, supplemented with 1% glutamine; 4. LGS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid and 1% glutamine.</p>
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<p>Effects of lactic acid, glutamine, and their interactions on the mRNA levels of jejunal nutrient transporter-related genes in weaning piglets. Each column represents the mean expression level of six independent replications. Letters above the bars (a, b) indicate statistical significance (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) of gene expression among the four treatments. CON, the basal diet; LS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid; GS, supplemented with 1% glutamine; LGS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid and 1% glutamine; <span class="html-italic">SGLT1</span>, sodium–glucose cotransporter 1; <span class="html-italic">GLUT2</span>, glucose transporter 2; <span class="html-italic">PePT1</span>, peptide transporter 1.</p>
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<p>Effects of lactic acid, glutamine, and their interactions on the mRNA levels of jejunal development-related genes in weaning piglets. Each column represents the mean expression level of six independent replications. Letters above the bars (a, b) indicate statistical significance (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) of gene expression among the four treatments. CON, a basal diet; LS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid; GS, supplemented with 1% glutamine; LGS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid and 1% glutamine; <span class="html-italic">IGF-1</span>, Insulin- like growth factor 1; <span class="html-italic">IGF-1R</span>, Insulin- like growth factor 1 receptor; <span class="html-italic">TGF-β2</span>, Transforming growth factor β2; <span class="html-italic">GLP-2</span>, Glucagon-like peptide 2.</p>
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<p>Effects of lactic acid, glutamine and their interactions on the mRNA levels of jejunal barrier-related genes in weaning piglets. Each column represents the mean expression level of six independent replications. Letters above the bars (a, b) indicate statistical significance (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) of gene expression among the four treatments. CON, a basal diet; LS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid; GS, supplemented with 1% glutamine; LGS, supplemented with 2% lactic acid and 1% glutamine; <span class="html-italic">CLDN-1</span>, claudin 1; <span class="html-italic">CLDN-2</span>, claudin 2; <span class="html-italic">OCLN</span>, occludin; <span class="html-italic">ZO-1</span>, zonula occludens 1; <span class="html-italic">ZO-2</span>, zonula occludens 2.</p>
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29 pages, 2268 KiB  
Review
Research and Clinical Practice Involving the Use of Cannabis Products, with Emphasis on Cannabidiol: A Narrative Review
by João Luís Q. Simei, José Diogo R. Souza, João Francisco Pedrazzi, Francisco S. Guimarães, Alline Cristina Campos, Antônio Zuardi, Jaime Eduardo C. Hallak and José Alexandre S. Crippa
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(12), 1644; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17121644 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 911
Abstract
Background: Emerging evidence supports cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising therapeutic compound for various health conditions, despite its approval as a medication (product for medical purposes) remaining restricted to a limited range of clinical indications. Simultaneously, the regulation of cannabis-derived products for medicinal and [...] Read more.
Background: Emerging evidence supports cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising therapeutic compound for various health conditions, despite its approval as a medication (product for medical purposes) remaining restricted to a limited range of clinical indications. Simultaneously, the regulation of cannabis-derived products for medicinal and recreational use has expanded their global market availability to meet local community demands. This scenario presents a complex challenge for clinicians, researchers, and industry, as the global appeal of therapeutic uses of CBD is growing more rapidly than the scientific evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness. Outcomes: A narrative review was conducted to discuss the best evidence regarding the pharmacological profile of CBD, its efficacy, and safety within the context of regulation and perspectives on the development of new cannabinoid-based drugs. Key articles addressing the various facets of this issue were selected for comprehensive analysis. Conclusions: Clinicians and researchers may face unique challenges in understanding the pharmacological profile of CBD and the prospects for developing its clinical indications, given the heterogeneity of clinical terminologies and the quality and composition of cannabis-based medical products available on the market. More basic and clinical research that complies with regulatory agencies’ testing guidelines, such as good manufacturing practices (GMPs), good laboratory practices (GLPs), and good clinical practices (GCPs), is needed to obtain approval for CBD or any other cannabinoid as a therapeutic for broader clinical indications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids)
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<p>Therapeutic claims of phytocannabinoids and cannabis-derived products in the literature and their respective evidence of efficacy.</p>
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<p>Timeline of the advancement in scientific knowledge on CBD, phytocannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system, and the development and approval of CBD-based medications.</p>
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26 pages, 6586 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Assessment of Cannabidiol and HU308 in Acute and Chronic Colitis Models: Efficacy, Safety, and Mechanistic Innovations
by Dinesh Thapa, Mohan Patil, Leon N Warne, Rodrigo Carlessi and Marco Falasca
Cells 2024, 13(23), 2013; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13232013 - 5 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1002
Abstract
Cannabinoids are emerging as promising treatments for inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Specifically, cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors, which are upregulated during inflammation, have been distinctively linked to anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. HU308, a synthetic cannabinoid developed to activate CB2 receptors selectively, aims [...] Read more.
Cannabinoids are emerging as promising treatments for inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Specifically, cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors, which are upregulated during inflammation, have been distinctively linked to anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. HU308, a synthetic cannabinoid developed to activate CB2 receptors selectively, aims to minimize unwanted off-target side effects. This study evaluated the effectiveness of both cannabidiol (CBD) and HU308 in mouse models of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis, which mimic the acute and chronic phases of ulcerative colitis. Mice were treated with DSS in drinking water (four percent for the acute model and one to two percent for the chronic model) to induce colitis, as indicated by increased disease activity index (DAI) scores and inflammatory markers. Treatment with 60 mg/kg of CBD, but not lower doses, significantly reduced colitis symptoms, such as inflammation, cytokine levels, and MPO activity, while also normalizing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels. HU308 showed comparable efficacy to high-dose CBD (60 mg/kg) but at a much lower dose (2.5 mg/kg), without observable toxicity. HU308 effectively normalized DAI scores, colon inflammation, ammonia levels, and GLP-1 expression in both colitis models. These results suggest that both CBD and HU308 are promising treatments for ulcerative colitis. However, HU308 demonstrates enhanced therapeutic potential by achieving similar outcomes at a fraction of the dose required for CBD, reducing the risk of off-target side effects. The ability of HU308 to modulate GLP-1, a biomarker of gut endocrine function, further underscores its promise as a novel treatment option. Full article
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<p>Chemical structure of cannabidiol (<b>A</b>) and HU308 (<b>B</b>).</p>
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<p><b>Clinical scores in DSS-induced colitis with CBD and HU308 treatments</b>. (<b>A</b>,<b>B</b>) Daily Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores. (<b>C</b>) Final DAI score change on day 11. (<b>D</b>,<b>E</b>) Body weight changes over time. (<b>F</b>) Final body weight change on day 11. (<b>G</b>,<b>H</b>) Daily diarrhoeal scores, and (<b>I</b>) final diarrhoeal scores on day 11. (<b>J</b>,<b>K</b>) Daily faecal blood scores, and (<b>L</b>) final faecal blood scores on day 11. (<b>M</b>,<b>N</b>) Daily grimace scores. (<b>O</b>) Final grimace score on day 11. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM; statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. vehicle DSS control; # <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ## <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, ### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, #### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. healthy normal water control.</p>
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<p><b>Effect of CBD and HU308 on colon length, MPO activity, GLP-1 levels, and spleen metrics in DSS-induced colitis</b>. (<b>A</b>) Colon length. (<b>B</b>) MPO activity in the colon. (<b>C</b>) GLP-1 levels in colon lysates. (<b>D</b>) Representative images of colons. (<b>E</b>) Plasma GLP-1 levels. (<b>F</b>) Spleen to body weight percentage. (<b>G</b>) MPO activity in colitis spleen. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM; statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test or <span class="html-italic">t</span>-test as appropriate. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. vehicle DSS control; # <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, #### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. healthy normal water control.</p>
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<p><b>Effects of CBD and HU308 on inflammatory cytokine levels in DSS-induced colitis.</b> (<b>A</b>) IL-6 levels. (<b>B</b>) IL-1β levels. (<b>C</b>) IL-10 levels. (<b>D</b>) MCP-1 levels. (<b>E</b>) TNF-α levels. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test. *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. vehicle DSS control; #### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. healthy normal water control.</p>
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<p><b>Assessment of liver and kidney function in DSS-induced colitis</b>. (<b>A</b>) Liver weight to body weight percentage. (<b>B</b>) Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. (<b>C</b>) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. (<b>D</b>) Total protein levels. (<b>E</b>) Kidney to body weight percentage. (<b>F</b>) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. (<b>G</b>) Creatinine levels. (<b>H</b>) Random glucose levels. Data are presented as mean ± SEM; Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01 *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001 vs. vehicle DSS control.</p>
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<p><b>Effect of HU308 on clinical parameters in DSS-induced chronic colitis.</b> HU308 treatment significantly mitigated DSS-induced body weight loss (<b>A</b>,<b>E</b>), diarrhoeal scores (<b>B</b>,<b>F</b>), faecal blood scores (<b>C</b>,<b>G</b>), and DAI scores (<b>D</b>,<b>H</b>) compared to the colitis vehicle group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM, with significant differences indicated by * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 compared to vehicle groups and #### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001, ### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, ## <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, # <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 compared to control groups. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test.</p>
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<p><b>HU308 ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice</b>. (<b>A</b>) Colon length. (<b>B</b>) MPO activity in the colon. (<b>C</b>) GLP-1 levels in colon lysates. (<b>D</b>) Plasma GLP-1 levels. (<b>E</b>) Spleen/body weight ratio. (<b>F</b>) MPO activity in the spleen. (<b>G</b>) Representative images of colons from each treatment group. (<b>H</b>) Colon histology score and representation of H and E images. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. #### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001, ### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, ## <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, vs. control; * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. vehicle.</p>
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<p><b>HU308 reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in DSS-induced colitis.</b> (<b>A</b>) IL-6 levels. (<b>B</b>) IL-1β levels. (<b>C</b>) IL-17 levels. (<b>D</b>) MCP-1 levels. (<b>E</b>) TNF-α levels. (<b>F</b>) IFN-γ levels. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. vehicle; ## <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, ### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, #### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 vs. control. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test.</p>
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<p><b>Effect of HU308 on liver and kidney function in DSS-induced colitis.</b> (<b>A</b>) Liver to body weight ratio. (<b>B</b>) Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. (<b>C</b>) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. (<b>D</b>) Ammonia levels. (<b>E</b>) Kidney to body weight ratio. (<b>F</b>) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. (<b>G</b>) Creatinine levels. (<b>H</b>) Total protein levels. (<b>I</b>) Random blood glucose levels. (<b>J</b>) Albumin levels. (<b>K</b>) Globulin levels. (<b>L</b>) Albumin/globulin ratio. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Significant differences are indicated by * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01 compared to vehicle, and # <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 ## <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, ### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, #### <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001 compared to control. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test.</p>
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26 pages, 401 KiB  
Review
Impact of DPP-4 Inhibitors in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure: An In-Depth Review
by Francisco Epelde
Medicina 2024, 60(12), 1986; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60121986 - 2 Dec 2024
Viewed by 621
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of both type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure has underscored the urgent need for optimized therapeutic strategies that address the complex interplay between these conditions. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have emerged as a popular class of glucose-lowering agents due [...] Read more.
The increasing prevalence of both type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure has underscored the urgent need for optimized therapeutic strategies that address the complex interplay between these conditions. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have emerged as a popular class of glucose-lowering agents due to their favorable glycemic effects, safety profile, and potential cardiovascular benefits. However, the impact of DPP-4 inhibitors on heart failure outcomes in patients with diabetes remains contentious, with conflicting evidence from clinical trials and observational studies. This review critically examines current evidence on the use of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with coexisting diabetes and heart failure, focusing on pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy outcomes. We explore the physiological mechanisms by which DPP-4 inhibitors may influence heart failure risk, including modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and myocardial fibrosis. Clinical trials such as SAVOR-TIMI 53, EXAMINE, and TECOS are evaluated to provide a comprehensive analysis of DPP-4 inhibitors’ effects on hospitalization for heart failure, mortality, and cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. While some trials suggest an increased risk of HF hospitalizations with specific DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g., saxagliptin), others report neutral effects, raising questions about the class effects versus individual drug characteristics within this group. Additionally, we address discrepancies in outcomes related to patient demographics, HF phenotype, and comorbid conditions that may influence DPP-4 inhibitors’ risk–benefit profile. Comparative insights into alternative glucose-lowering therapies such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists are also provided, highlighting potential implications for treatment selection in this high-risk population. In summary, this review synthesizes available evidence on DPP-4 inhibitors’ impact in diabetic patients with heart failure, aiming to guide clinicians in making informed therapeutic decisions. While DPP-4 inhibitors remain a viable option in diabetes management, caution is warranted in patients with advanced heart failure, and future research is essential to refine patient-specific guidelines. Full article
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