Dysregulation in erythrocyte dynamics caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection: possible role in shuffling the homeostatic puzzle during COVID-19

Abstract Introduction The evolving COVID-19 pandemic became a hallmark in human history, not only by changing lifestyles, but also by enriching scientific knowledge on viral infection and its consequences. Objective Although the management of cardiorespiratory changes is pivotal to a favorable prognosis during severe clinical findings, dysregulation of other systems caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection may imbalance erythrocyte dynamics, such as a bidirectional positive feedback loop pathophysiology. Method and Results Recent evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is capable of affecting the genetics and dynamics of erythrocytes and this coexists with a non-homeostatic function of cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems during COVID-19. In hypothesis, SARS-CoV-2-induced systematical alterations of erythrocytes dynamics would constitute a setpoint for COVID-19-related multiple organ failure syndrome and death. Conclusion The present review covers the most frequent erythrocyte-related non-homeostatic findings during COVID-19 capable of providing mechanistic clues of SARS-CoV-2-induced infection and inspiring therapeutic-oriented scientific evidence.

Avaliação dos efeitos do tratamento com zinco orgânico sobre a reprodução e no comportamento de ratas (Rattus norvegicus) / Evaluation of the organic zinc treatment effects in female rat (Rattus norvegicus) reproduction and behaviour / Evaluación de los efectos del tratamiento con zinc orgánico sobre la reproducción y comportamiento de ratas (rattus norvegicus)

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento com zinco orgânico no desempenho reprodutivo e no comportamento, por meio de testes de natação forçada, campo aberto e sono induzido por barbitúrico. Foram utilizadas 21 ratas Wistar (Rattus norvegicus), distribuídas em três grupos de sete animals cada, acomodadas em caixas individuais, submetidas a diferentes tratamentos: SZn (controle - sem zinco); ZnP (zinco na forma quelada, por via intramuscular); ZnO (zinco orgânico na dieta, 5 mg/kg). Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas entre os tratamentos SZn (10,4 ± 2,4 filhotes), ZnP (6,9 ± 2,6 filhotes) e ZnO (3,3 ± 2,6 filhotes), com relação ao desempenho reprodutivo. No teste de desespero comportamental, os tempos de imobilidade dos animals tratados com SZn (91,1 ± 15 seg.), ZnP (71,2 ± 17 seg.) e ZnO (79,9 ± 20 seg.) não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas (p > 0,05). Na avaliação hipno-sedativa, não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas (p > 0,05) no tempo de indução (SZn = 6,6 ± 2; ZnP = 5,3 ± 2; ZnO = 3,6 ± 0,3 min.), nem no tempo de recuperação (SZn = 295 ± 15; ZnP = 320 ± 34; ZnO = 355 ± 38 min.). Os outros parâmetros comportamentais avaliados (número de levantamentos, auto-limpeza, tempo na periferia e número de quadrados invadidos) também não foram influenciados (p > 0,05). Concluiu-se que o zinco, na forma orgânica, administrado via parenteral ou oral, não influencia a reprodução nem o comportamento de ratas.

This article aims at evaluating the effects of the organic zinc treatment over the reproductive performance and behavior through forced swimming tests, open field, and barbiturate-induced sleep. 21 female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used, distributed into three groups of seven animals, placed in individual boxes, and submitted to different treatments: SZn (control- without zinc), ZnP (zinc for intramuscular administration), and ZnO (organic zinc in the diet, 5 mg/kg). Statistic differences were not observed (p> 0,05) among the treatments SZn (10.4 ± 2.4 nestlings), ZnP (6.9 ± 2.6 nestlings), and ZnO (3.3 ± 2.6 nestlings), in relation to the number ofnestlings. In the behavioral despair test, the immobility time of the animals treated with SZn (91.1 ± 15 seg.), ZnP (71.2 ± 17 seg.), and ZnO (79.9 ± 20 seg) did not present any statistic differences (p > 0,05). Statistic differences (p> 0,05) were neither present at the induction time (SZn = 6.6 ± 2; ZnP = 5.3 ± 2; ZnO = 3.6 ± 0.3 min), nor in the recovery time (SZn = 295 ± 15; ZnP = 320 ± 34; ZnO = 355 ± 38 min) at the hypno-sedative evaluation. The other behavioral parameters evaluated (number of risings, self-cleaning, time in the periphery, and number of invaded squares) were not altered as well. It was concluded that zinc, in its organic form, either parenterally or orally administered, neither influences the reproduction nor the behavior of female rats.