We explored how the combination of quercetin (QE) and sucrose (Suc) improves the preservation of porcine liver grafts affected by warm ischemia followed by cold storage. Our study involved two groups of porcine livers: one preserved with the standard University of Wisconsin (UW) solution and the other with the UW solution enhanced with QE and Suc.
After preserving the livers for six hours, we subjected them to a simulated reperfusion model using saline-diluted autologous blood. To measure success, we looked at several indicators of liver health, including specific enzyme levels and histological changes.
The results were promising! The livers treated with QE and Suc showed significantly lower levels of enzymes indicating liver damage compared to those using just the UW solution. Additionally, the histological analysis revealed fewer signs of injury in the QE and Suc group, showcasing their potential in reducing cold injury in liver grafts after ischemia.
Overall, our findings indicate that adding quercetin and sucrose to the preservation solution can effectively protect liver grafts from damage caused by cold storage, especially in cases of donation after circulatory death.
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Vitamin C improves cold toleranceApplication of Exogenous Ascorbic Acid Enhances Cold Tolerance in Tomato Seedlings through Molecular and Physiological Responses.
Directly addresses cold tolerance
We explored the effects of ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, on cold tolerance in tomato seedlings. In our study, we discovered that applying vitamin C significantly boosts the seedlings' ability to handle cold stress.
By enhancing the antioxidant defense system, vitamin C treatment increased the enzyme activity in the seedlings' leaves. Additionally, it raised levels of important compounds such as proline, sugar, and abscisic acid, all of which play crucial roles in plant stress responses.
Our observations showed that vitamin C also protects the photosynthesis system of tomato seedlings. This implies that it helps maintain chlorophyll function, which is critical for the plant's overall health, especially under cold conditions.
Moreover, we found that vitamin C treatments led to increased expression of genes linked to antioxidant enzymes and cold response mechanisms. Overall, our findings suggest that exogenous vitamin C is a beneficial approach to improve cold tolerance in tomatoes and may provide helpful insights for farmers looking to cultivate hardier varieties during colder months.
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Quercetin limits HRV1B replicationQuercetin-3-Methyl Ether Induces Early Apoptosis to Overcome HRV1B Immune Evasion, Suppress Viral Replication, and Mitigate Inflammatory Pathogenesis.
Moderate relevance to cold treatment
We investigated how quercetin-3-methyl ether, a natural flavonoid, impacts human rhinovirus 1B (HRV1B), which is responsible for the common cold and can worsen conditions like asthma. Our research involved testing this compound in HeLa cells to see if it could reduce viral replication and the damage associated with the virus.
In our experiments, quercetin-3-methyl ether significantly inhibited the replication of HRV1B in a concentration-dependent way, which means that higher doses produced better results. We also found that this compound enhanced early apoptosis—essentially, the process by which infected cells shut down in response to the virus—during the critical early stages of infection. This seemed to counteract HRV1B's tactics to evade the immune response.
Additionally, when we administered quercetin-3-methyl ether to mice infected with HRV1B, we observed a noteworthy reduction in viral RNA levels and inflammation in their lung tissues, suggesting a potential therapeutic effect. Our findings enhance the understanding of quercetin-3-methyl ether as a novel agent against HRV1B, pointing towards promising strategies for managing cold-related illnesses and their complications.
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We observed that quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, plays a significant role in helping grapes withstand cold temperatures. In our study, we found that grapes exposed to low temperatures accumulate more quercetin, which in turn enhances their cold resistance.
By applying exogenous quercetin, we noted a marked improvement in the grapes' ability to endure low-temperature stress. Our research revealed that a key gene, VvFLS1, responsible for quercetin synthesis is upregulated when grapes experience cold conditions.
We also discovered that VvbZIP22, a protein that binds to the VvFLS1 promoter, is crucial for mediating this process. When we overexpressed VvbZIP22 in grapes, it resulted in higher levels of quercetin and improved cold resistance, further confirming its pivotal role in the plant's adaptation to harsh environments.
Through these findings, we highlighted the importance of quercetin in enhancing grape survival during cold spells, showcasing a vital link between plant biology and climate resilience.
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We explored the effects of vitamin C on the common cold and pneumonia by examining a range of studies. Interestingly, research on animals suggests that vitamin C may have protective effects against infections. However, when it comes to preventing colds in the general population, taking more than 1 gram of vitamin C per day didn’t show significant benefits.
But there's a twist! Participants engaged in heavy physical activities saw their cold incidence reduced by half with vitamin C supplementation. Additionally, regular intake of 1 gram or more daily was linked to a 15% decrease in cold severity. While some therapeutic trials showed inconsistent results when vitamin C was taken after cold symptoms appeared, two studies did indicate that larger doses (6-8 grams per day) could effectively shorten the duration of colds compared to lower doses.
Our investigation also looked into pneumonia, but the studies were conducted in unique settings, such as a boarding school and military recruits. This makes it hard to generalize the findings to the wider population. Yet, some trials suggested benefits for pneumonia patients. Finally, the role of vitamin C in treating COVID-19 and sepsis remains unclear, with mixed results.
Given that vitamin C seems to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of colds, while being safe and affordable, it might be worth considering a dose of 6-8 grams per day to see if it helps at an individual level.
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