cis-Aconitic Acid, a Constituent of Echinodorus grandiflorus Leaves, Inhibits Antigen-Induced Arthritis and Gout in Mice.

cis-Aconitic acid is a constituent from the leaves of Echinodorus grandiflorus, a medicinal plant traditionally used in Brazil to treat inflammatory conditions, including arthritic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of cis-aconitic acid in murine models of antigen-induced arthritis and monosodium urate-induced gout. The possible underlying mechanisms of action was evaluated in THP-1 macrophages. Oral treatment with cis-aconitic acid (10, 30, and 90 mg/kg) reduced leukocyte accumulation in the joint cavity and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 and IL-1ß levels in periarticular tissue. cis-Aconitic acid treatment reduced joint inflammation in tissue sections of antigen-induced arthritis mice and these effects were associated with decreased mechanical hypernociception. Administration of cis-aconitic acid (30 mg/kg p. o.) also reduced leukocyte accumulation in the joint cavity after the injection of monosodium urate crystals. cis-Aconitic acid reduced in vitro the release of TNF-α and phosphorylation of IκBα in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation was an underlying mechanism of cis-aconitic acid-induced anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, cis-aconitic acid has significant anti-inflammatory effects in antigen-induced arthritis and monosodium urate-induced arthritis in mice, suggesting its potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the joint in humans. Additionally, our findings suggest that this compound may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect previously reported for E. grandiflorus extracts.

Innate and adaptive immune gene expression in the brain is associated with neuropathological changes after infection with bovine alpha-herpesvirus-5 in mice.

Bovine alpha herpesvirus-5 (BoAHV-5) is related to the development of meningoencephalitis in cattle. Very little is known about the molecular pathways involved in the central nervous system (CNS) damage associated with inflammation during BoHV-5 infection in mice. To better identify the specific immunological pathways triggered by BoAHV-5 infection in mice, we evaluated the mRNA expression of 84 genes involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. We compared gene expression changes in the cerebrum from noninfected and infected mice with BoHV-5 at a 1 × 107 TCID50. Then, we analyzed the association of these genes with neurological signs, neuropathology, and activation of glial cells in response to BoHV-5 infection. Three days after BoAHV-5 infection, increased expression of TNF, IL-2, CXCL10, CXCR3, CCR4, CCL5, IFN-γ, IL-10, IRF7, STAT1, MX1, GATA 3 C3, LIZ2, caspase-1 and IL-1b was found. We also observed the upregulated expression of the CD8a, TBX21 and CD40LG genes and the downregulated expression of the CD4 gene after BoAHV-5 infection. In addition, BoHV-5-infected animals showed higher levels of all the evaluated inflammatory mediators (TNF, IFN-γ and IL-10) on day 3 postinfection. BoAHV-5-infected animals showed neurological changes along with meningoencephalitis, neuropil vacuolation, hemorrhage and reactive gliosis. Astrogliosis and microgliosis, indicated by increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), were found throughout the neuropil in infected brains. Moreover, cleaved caspase-3 immunopositive glio-inflammatory cells were visualized around some blood vessels in areas of neuroinflammation in the cerebrum. In agreement on that we found higher cleaved caspase-3 and Iba-1 expression evaluated by western blot analysis in the brains of infected mice compared to control mice. In conclusion, our results revealed.

Plasmin and plasminogen prevent sepsis severity by reducing neutrophil extracellular traps and systemic inflammation.

Sepsis is a lethal syndrome characterized by systemic inflammation and abnormal coagulation. Despite therapeutic advances, sepsis mortality remains substantially high. Herein, we investigated the role of the plasminogen/plasmin (Plg/Pla) system during sepsis. Plasma levels of Plg were significantly lower in mice subjected to severe compared with nonsevere sepsis, whereas systemic levels of IL-6, a marker of sepsis severity, were higher in severe sepsis. Plg levels correlated negatively with IL-6 in both septic mice and patients, whereas plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels correlated positively with IL-6. Plg deficiency render mice susceptible to nonsevere sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), resulting in greater numbers of neutrophils and M1 macrophages, liver fibrin(ogen) deposition, lower efferocytosis, and increased IL-6 and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release associated with organ damage. Conversely, inflammatory features, fibrin(ogen), and organ damage were substantially reduced, and efferocytosis was increased by exogenous Pla given during CLP- and LPS-induced endotoxemia. Plg or Pla protected mice from sepsis-induced lethality and enhanced the protective effect of antibiotics. Mechanistically, Plg/Pla-afforded protection was associated with regulation of NET release, requiring Pla-protease activity and lysine binding sites. Plg/Pla are important host-protective players during sepsis, controlling local and systemic inflammation and collateral organ damage.

Acute treatment with Mangifera indica L. leaf extract attenuates liver inflammation in rats fed a cafeteria diet.

This study investigates the acute anti-inflammatory activity of Mangifera indica L. leaf extract and mangiferin in the liver of rats fed a cafeteria diet. This study was a randomized longitudinal experimental study. The animals were divided into three groups - Control: cafeteria diet (CD); Extract: CD + leaf extract (250 mg kg-1); and Mangiferin: CD + mangiferin (40 mg kg-1). Body weight and food intake were measured every week. On day eight, mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory markers were evaluated in the liver. Also, liver weight, SOD activity and malondialdehyde concentration were measured. Treatment for only eight days with mango leaf extract and mangiferin increased SOD activity. Mangiferin intake increased the mRNA expression of PPAR-α and HSP72. The leaf extract treatment enhanced PPAR-α mRNA expression. Mangiferin and leaf extract consumption caused a lower concentration of NFκB (p65) in nuclear extracts, and greater IL-10 mRNA and protein levels. This study highlights the potential of acute treatment with mango leaf extract and mangiferin to prevent liver inflammation caused by fat-rich diets. These results indicate a new use for a product that has low cost, is found in great amounts, and is not routinely used.

Effect of dry coffee residues fermented with Monascus ruber on the metabolism of Apo E mice.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of multifactorial origin, which occurs in response to endothelial injury. The fungus Monascus ruber has hypocholesterolemic activity, and the polyphenols present in coffee residue have an antioxidant activity and can help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Coffee residue has a significant amount of fermentable sugars, being an adequate substrate for growing fungi. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dry coffee residue fermented with Monascus ruber on the lipid metabolism of ApoE knockout mice. METHODS: The biological assay was performed with 30 ApoE knockout mice, divided into five groups and undergoing different treatments. The phytochemical prospection and quantification of phenolic compounds of the fermented and non-fermented coffee residues were performed. The sera of the animals were analyzed by using enzyme kits, and the aortic tissue was embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to undergo histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Comparing with the control group, the group receiving 2% non-fermented coffee residue showed a reduction of 42% in the serum levels of triacylglycerols and of approximately 41% in VLDL-c. The groups receiving 10% non-fermented coffee residue and 2% fermented coffee residue showed reductions in the lesion areas of 10.5% and 15.4%, respectively, as compared with the control group. The fermented coffee residue showed a higher content of phenolic compounds as compared with the non-fermented coffee residue. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that coffee residue fermentation has a potentially beneficial effect on cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis.

Efeito da ingestão da polpa de manga (Mangifera indica L. ) sobre os parâmetros bioquímicos séricos e integridade hepática em ratos / Effect of mango (Mangifera indica L. ) pulp ingestion on serum biochemical parameters and liver integrity in rats

O: Antioxidantes presentes em frutas e hortaliças contribuem para a redução de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. A manga (Mangifera indica L.) destaca-se por ser fonte de ácido ascórbico, carotenóides e compostos fenólicos que apresentam grande potencial antioxidante. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, em ratos Wistar, o efeito da ingestão, por 25 dias, de dietas com 3% e 10% de polpa de manga Ubá liofilizada nos parâmetros bioquímicos séricos, nos marcadores de injúria hepática (aminotransferases e malondialdeído) e na morfologia do fígado. Os parâmetros bioquímicos foram analisados a partir de kits colorimétricos, o teor de malondialdeído obtido por meio do teste de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico e a morfologia hepática analisada a partir de cortes do tecido incluídos em parafina e corados com eosina-hematoxilina. Os resultados demonstraram que a ingestão de dieta com 3 e 10% de polpa de manga não interferiu sobre os parâmetros bioquímicos séricos. A análise do marcador de peroxidação lipídica demonstrou que os animais que receberam a dieta com 10% de polpa de manga apresentaram concentração de malondialdeído maior que os que receberam a dieta controle e polpa de manga 3%. De acordo com a histologia hepática não houve diferença entre os grupos. Portanto, os resultados obtidos neste trabalho indicam que a suplementação da dieta com 10% de polpa de manga Ubá liofilizada pode interferir sobre o fígado, uma vez que, além de aumentar a peroxidação lipídica mostrou uma tendência em elevar as enzimas relacionadas à integridade hepática em ratos Wistar saudáveis demonstrando possível efeito pró-oxidativo.

Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables contribute to the reduction of chronic diseases. The mango (Mangifera indica L.) stands out for being a source of ascorbic acid, carotenoids and phenolic compounds that have great potential antioxidant in the body. This study aimed to evaluate in healthy Wistar rats, the intake for 25 days, of diets with 3% and 10% lyophilized pulp of mango Ubá in serum biochemical parameters, in markers of liver injury (aminotransferases and malondialdehyde) and in morphology of the liver. The serum biochemical parameters were obtained by colorimetric kits. Malondialdehyde analysis was performed using the test of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Liver morphology was analyzed from sections of tissue embedded in paraffin, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The results showed that the ingestion of diet containing 3 and 10% of mango pulp did not affect the biochemical parameters. The analysis of lipid peroxidation marker demonstrated that the animals that received the diet with 10% of mango pulp showed concentration of malondialdehyde higher than those who received the control diet and mango pulp 3%. According to liver histology there was no significant difference between the different groups. Therefore, the results obtained in this study indicate that supplementation of the diet with 10% mango pulp lyophilized Uba can interfere with the liver, since, besides increasing lipid peroxidation showed a tendency to elevate liver enzymes related to integrity in healthy Wistar rats showing possible pro-oxidative effect.

Efeito dos resíduos de café seco e fermentado por Monascus ruber no metabolismo de camundongos Apo E / Effect of dry coffee residues fermented with Monascus ruber on the metabolism of Apo E mice

FUNDAMENTO: A aterosclerose é uma doença inflamatória crônica de origem multifatorial que ocorre em resposta à agressão endotelial. O fungo Monascus ruber apresenta atividade hipocolesterolêmica e polifenóis presentes no resíduo de café apresentam atividade antioxidante, podendo auxiliar na prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares. O resíduo de café possui quantidade significativa de açúcares fermentescíveis, constituindo-se em substrato apropriado para o cultivo de fungos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito dos resíduos de café seco e fermentado por Monascus ruber no metabolismo lipídico de camundongos knockout Apo E. MÉTODOS: O ensaio biológico foi realizado com 30 camundongos knockout para o gene Apo E, divididos em cinco grupos e submetidos a diferentes tratamentos. Foi realizada a prospecção fitoquímica e quantificação de compostos fenólicos dos resíduos fermentado e sem fermentar. O soro dos animais foi analisado utilizando kits enzimáticos e o tecido aórtico incluso em parafina e corado com H/E para realização da análise histopatológica. RESULTADOS: O resíduo de café sem fermentar 2%, em relação ao grupo controle, diminuiu em 42% o nível sérico de triacilgliceróis e em aproximadamente 41% a fração VLDL-c. Os grupos dos animais alimentados com 10% de resíduo não fermentado e 2% de resíduo fermentado diminuíram a área de lesão 10,5% e 15,4%, respectivamente, quando comparados ao controle. O resíduo fermentado apresentou um teor de compostos fenólicos superior ao resíduo não fermentado. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo mostra que a fermentação do resíduo de café apresenta potencial efeito benéfico sobre as doenças cardiovasculares, especialmente a aterosclerose.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of multifactorial origin, which occurs in response to endothelial injury. The fungus Monascus ruber has hypocholesterolemic activity, and the polyphenols present in coffee residue have an antioxidant activity and can help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Coffee residue has a significant amount of fermentable sugars, being an adequate substrate for growing fungi. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dry coffee residue fermented with Monascus ruber on the lipid metabolism of ApoE knockout mice. METHODS: The biological assay was performed with 30 ApoE knockout mice, divided into five groups and undergoing different treatments. The phytochemical prospection and quantification of phenolic compounds of the fermented and non-fermented coffee residues were performed. The sera of the animals were analyzed by using enzyme kits, and the aortic tissue was embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to undergo histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Comparing with the control group, the group receiving 2% non-fermented coffee residue showed a reduction of 42% in the serum levels of triacylglycerols and of approximately 41% in VLDL-c. The groups receiving 10% non-fermented coffee residue and 2% fermented coffee residue showed reductions in the lesion areas of 10.5% and 15.4%, respectively, as compared with the control group. The fermented coffee residue showed a higher content of phenolic compounds as compared with the non-fermented coffee residue. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that coffee residue fermentation has a potentially beneficial effect on cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis.

Caracterização química da castanha de sapucaia (Lecythis pisonis Cambess. ) da região da zona da mata mineira / Chemical characterization of sapucaia nuts (Lecythis pisonis Cambess. ) from zona da mata mineira region

Atualmente as castanhas têm recebido atenção especial, pois são fontes naturais de vitaminas, minerais, proteínas e ácidos graxos essenciais, podendo assim contribuir para a dieta humana e de animais. Pesquisas recentes confirmam que esses alimentos são fontes ainda de compostos bioativos, os quais podem trazer benefícios significativos à saúde humana. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a composição química de castanhas da espécie sapucaia (Lecythis pisonis Cambess.) localizadas na zona da mata mineira. Foram analisadas a composição centesimal (lipídios, proteínas, carboidratos, cinzas e umidade), teor de minerais por espectrometria de plasma e perfil lipídico por cromatografia gasosa. A composição centesimal revelou 54,8% de lipídios; 26,82% de proteínas; 5,01% de carboidratos; 3,17% de cinzas e 10,2% de umidade. Quanto ao perfil lipídico, 43,1% eram ácidos graxos polinsaturados, 41,7% ácidos graxos monoinsaturados e 15,2% ácidos graxos saturados. Os minerais fósforo, magnésio e manganês se destacaram pelos elevados teores, 941; 343 e 4,8 mg.100-1, respectivamente. A castanha de sapucaia é uma potencial fonte energéticoprotéica e de minerais importantes para a saúde, mas deve ter sua toxicidade avaliada.

Currently the nuts have received special attention of researchers because they are natural sources of vitamins, minerals, protein and essential fatty acids, could also contribute to the diet of humans and animals. Recent research confirms that these foods are also sources of bioactive compounds, which can bring significant benefits to human health through regular consumption. This study evaluated the chemical composition of sapucaia nut (Lecythis pisonis Cambess.) of the state of Minas Gerais. We analyzed the chemical composition (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, ash and moisture), and the mineral content by mass spectrometry, and the lipid profile by gas chromatography. The chemical composition showed 54,8% lipids; 26,82% protein; 5,01% carbohydrates; 3,17% ash and 10,2% moisture. The lipid, 43,1% were polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids 41,7% and 15,2% saturated fatty acids. The minerals phosphorus, magnesium and manganese are highlighted by high levels, 941; 343 and 4,8 mg.100-1, respectively. Sapucaia nut is a potential protein-energy and minerals source, but its toxicity must be evaluated.

Sobrepeso e obesidade medidos pelo índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência da cintura (CC) e relação cintura/quadril (RCQ), de idosos de um município da Zona da Mata Mineira / Overweight and obesity measured by the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (CW) and waist-to-hip ratio (W/H), of seniors of a municipal district in Zona da Mata, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar o estado nutricional dos idosos cadastrados no Programa Municipal da Terceira Idade (PMTI) situado em Viçosa, Minas Gerais. A população estudada constituiu-se de 183 idosos com idade entre 60 e 90 anos, assistidos pelo PMTI de Viçosa. Os idosos foram avaliados pelo método antropométrico, utilizando-se peso, altura, circunferências da cintura e do quadril para calcular a relação cintura/quadril (RCQ) e o índice de massa corporal (IMC). O perfil nutricional do grupo apresentou uma bipolarização, com alta prevalência de sobrepeso (40,8 por cento) e baixo-peso (15,1 por cento). A freqüência de CC (circunferência da cintura) aumentada e de RCQ inadequada foi alta em ambos os sexos (61,4 por cento), sendo significativamente maior nas mulheres. Os resultados encontrados apresentam uma situação preocupante dessa população, sendo necessário adotar medidas de controle e prevenção do sobrepeso, destacando-se o baixo-peso como importante fator de risco de mortalidade entre idosos.