Experimental Testing of the Action of Vitamin D and Silicon Chelates in Bone Fracture Healing and Bone Turnover in Mice and Rats.

This study presents findings on the biological action of an integrated supplement containing the following components involved in osteogenesis and mineralization: vitamin D and silicon in the bioavailable and soluble form. A hypothesis that these components potentiate one another's action and make calcium absorption by the body more efficient was tested. Biological tests of the effect of vitamin D and silicon chelates on bone fracture healing and bone turnover were conducted using ICR mice and albino Wistar rats. Radiographic and biochemical studies show that the supplement simultaneously containing silicon chelates and vitamin D stimulates bone tissue regeneration upon mechanical defects and accelerates differentiation of osteogenic cells, regeneration of spongy and compact bones, and restoration of bone structure due to activation of osteoblast performance. Bone structure restoration was accompanied by less damage to skeletal bones, apparently due to better absorption of calcium from food. The studied supplement has a similar effect when used to manage physiologically induced decalcification, thus holding potential for the treatment of osteomalacia during pregnancy or occupational diseases (e.g., for managing bone decalcification in astronauts).

The Infectious Bronchitis Coronavirus Pneumonia Model Presenting a Novel Insight for the SARS-CoV-2 Dissemination Route.

Infectious bronchitis (IB) of chickens is a highly contagious disease characterized by damage of the respiratory system and reproductive organs in young animals caused by a virus of the genus Gamma coronavirus. The condition of the respiratory system caused by the IB virus in chickens has many similarities with the pathology of the respiratory system caused by SARS-CoV-2 in humans. The effectiveness of virucidal drugs (Argovit, Triviron, Ecocid, and lauric acid monoglyceride) was tested on chickens inoculated with a tenfold dose of a vaccine strain based on the attenuated virus H120 against IB of chickens. On the 6th day after inoculation, inflammatory changes in the intestines, lungs, and thymus were observed in the control group. The experimental groups were characterized by less pronounced inflammatory reactions and a lower proportion of thymus and lung probes containing genomic IB virus RNA. Since the virucidal activity of four orally administrated formulations was possible only in the intestine, the experimental data indirectly confirmed the hypothesis of the possibility of the predominant accumulation of coronaviruses in the intestine and subsequent lung damage due to the hematogenous redistribution of viral particles and IBV antigens. It was suggested that other coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 can implement a similar mechanism.