Extract of the Bark of Bathysa cuspidataAttenuates the Development of Chemically-Induced Preneoplastic Colorectal Lesions in Rats

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the bark extractBathysa cuspidata on chemically induced preneoplastic colorectal lesions in Wistar rats. Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): saline (control group, oral administration of saline solution 0.9%); dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, vehicle control), B200 (treated with 200 mg/kg bark extract ofB. cuspidata), and B400 (treated with 400 mg/kg bark extract ofB. cuspidata). Administration of treatments was carried out by the gavage. The animals received four subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 40 mg/kg) in the initial two weeks of the experiment to induce preneoplastic colorectal lesions. After 15 weeks, the animals were euthanized and the presence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), body weight, biochemical analyses, and oxidative stress markers were measured. The extract ofB. cuspidata decreased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), but did not influence the levels of catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide or protein carbonyl, compared with the saline group. The animals supplemented with a more concentratedB. cuspidata extract (B400) showed a significant reduction in the number of ACF in all the portions of the intestinal mucosa. The study demonstrated that the bark extract ofB. cuspidata at 400 mg/kg reduced the preneoplastic colorectal lesions in an animal model of colon cancer and that the effect could be dose-dependent.

Mechanisms used by inulin-type fructans to improve the lipid profile.

AIMS: The consumption of prebiotics has been associated with improvement in the lipid profile. Thus, this review aims to describe the main mechanisms by which inulin-type fructans improve the lipid profile and thereby reduce the cardiovascular risk. DATA SYNTHESIS: Inulin-type fructans have been demonstrated to improve the lipid profile through a number of mechanisms. These mechanisms include: decrease in gene expression of hepatic enzymes responsible for de novo synthesis of lipids; increase of muscle lipoprotein lipase enzyme activity, enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids; altered production of polyamines which increases the production of satiogenic peptide; altered blood glucose and insulinemia; increase of fecal excretion of bile salts and cholesterol and increase of the Bifidobacterium population. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of inulin-type fructans enhances lipid profile. Generally, the mechanisms vary according to the physiologic state of the individual and the type of diet to which the inulin-type fructans are added. Thus, inulin may be used for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Objetivos: El consumo de prebióticos ha sido asociado con el mejoramiento del perfil lipídico. Por tanto, esta revisión tiene como objetivo describir los principales mecanismos por los cuales fructanos tipo inulina, mejoran el perfil lipídico reduciendo el riesgo cardivascular. Síntesis de los datos: Los fructanos tipo inulina, han demostrado una mejora del perfil lipídico, a través de varios mecanismos, incluyendo: disminución de la expresión génica de las enzimas hepáticas responsables por la síntesis de novo de lípidos; aumento de la actividad enzimática del lipoproteína lipasa muscular; aumento de la producción de ácidos grasos de cadena corta; producción alterada de poliaminas que aumentan la producción del peptido Satiogen; alteración de la glicemia e insulinemia; aumento de la populación de Bifidobacterium y el incremento de la excreción fecal de las sales biliares y el colesterol. Conclusiones: El consumo de los fructanos tipo inulina mejora el perfil lipídico. Generalmente, los mecanismos varian de acuerdo com el estado fisiológico del individuo y el tipo de dieta, en la que son adicionados los fructanos tipo inulina. Por tanto, la inulina puede ser utilizada para la prevención y/o tratamiento de enfermedades cardiovasculares.

Use of defatted flaxseed meal reduces precancerous colon lesions in C57BL/6 mice

PURPOSE: To investigate the hemopreventive effect of defatted flaxseed meal in C57BL/6 mice after induction of precancerous colon lesions with 1.2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). METHODS: Thirty-six 12-week-old C57BL/6 mice were divided into three treatment groups(n=12 in each group): (1) diet with 10% defatted flaxseed meal; (2) diet with defatted flaxseed meal and precancerous colon lesions induced by DMH; and (3) precancerous colon lesions induced by DMH, without defatted flaxseed meal. The incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), oxidative processes, expression of tumor suppressor proteins and cyclins, as well as the profile of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in animal feces were investigated in the presence and absence of DMH. RESULTS: The rats consuming defatted flaxseed meals showed lesions with lower multiplicity and a reduced incidence of lesions. No changes in the expression of tumor suppressor proteins and those involved in cell cycle control were detected. CONCLUSION: Defatted flaxseed meal protected the distal colon of mice from precancerous lesions.

Use of defatted flaxseed meal reduces precancerous colon lesions in C57BL/6 mice.

PURPOSE: To investigate the hemopreventive effect of defatted flaxseed meal in C57BL/6 mice after induction of precancerous colon lesions with 1.2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). METHODS: Thirty-six 12-week-old C57BL/6 mice were divided into three treatment groups(n=12 in each group): (1) diet with 10% defatted flaxseed meal; (2) diet with defatted flaxseed meal and precancerous colon lesions induced by DMH; and (3) precancerous colon lesions induced by DMH, without defatted flaxseed meal. The incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), oxidative processes, expression of tumor suppressor proteins and cyclins, as well as the profile of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in animal feces were investigated in the presence and absence of DMH. RESULTS: The rats consuming defatted flaxseed meals showed lesions with lower multiplicity and a reduced incidence of lesions. No changes in the expression of tumor suppressor proteins and those involved in cell cycle control were detected. CONCLUSION: Defatted flaxseed meal protected the distal colon of mice from precancerous lesions.

Fish oil improves the lipid profile and reduces inflammatory cytokines in Wistar rats with precancerous colon lesions.

A fatty diet is regarded as one of the most important risk factors related to the etiology of colorectal cancer, and this effect is linked to the quantity and principal types of fatty acids consumed. In this study, the chemopreventive effects of different oils on rats were investigated. Forty Wistar rats received 1,2-dimetilhidrazine (DMH) and were divided into 4 groups fed normal lipid diets to which 4% olive, fish, flaxseed, or soybean oils (control) were added. The group fed with fish oil presented higher levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid in hepatic tissue and greater levels of linolenic acid and EPA in adipose tissue compared to the other treatments. In the proximal portion of the colon, lower levels of aberrant crypt foci were found in the fish and flaxseed oil groups; however, this behavior was not observed in the middle and distal regions. Via a benchmarking method, the fish oil group showed a greater transforming growth factor ß expression and lower interleukin-8 expression in relation to the other treatments. Fish oil in a normal lipid diet demonstrated a limited protective effect on the colonic precancerous mucosa in carcinogen-treated rodents, whereas it had a beneficial effect on inflammatory modulation.

A new computational method for hepatic fat microvesicles counting in histological study in rats.

Liver steatosis was once believed to be a benign condition, with rare progression to chronic liver disease. Thus, in both clinical and experimental practice, it is fundamental to have a reliable and objective method for its precise quantification. An image analysis algorithm was developed and validated for automatically and rapidly quantifying hepatic fat microvesicles. The image processing algorithms automatically segmented interstitial steatosis areas and analyzed the threshold region. Automatic quantifications did not significantly differ from manual evaluations of means of the same areas. Comparison of our image analysis quantifications with staging of histologic evaluations of liver steatosis presented significant correlations that are based on the distribution patterns and on the area quantity of steatosis, respectively. The use of algorithms for analysis and image processing is a sensitive, precise, objective and reproducible method of quantifying hepatic fat microvesicles, which complements semi-quantitative histologic evaluation systems.

Sodium butyrate does not decrease the evolution of precancerous lesions in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preventive effect of sodium butyrate in the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats after induction with the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were separated into four groups (n=10) distributed as follows: control 1, control 2, butyrate 1 and butyrate 2. The groups control 1 and butyrate 1 remained under experimentation for 4 weeks, while the groups control 2 and butyrate 2 remained for 8 weeks. In the first four weeks, the animals of the control groups received water ad libitum and the animals of the butyrate groups received a sodium butyrate solution (3.4%) ad libitum. Injections of the drug 1,2-dimethylhydrazine were applied during the two first weeks of the experiment in all the animals, concurrently with the application of sodium butyrate. The large intestine of the animals was removed, for the analysis of the ACF and of the content of polyamines. The animal feces were collected for the analysis of the SCFA profile. RESULTS: The spermidine presented a higher concentration in the group butyrate 2 in comparison to the group control 2. There was a significant difference in the concentration value (µmol/mL) of acetate in comparison to the groups control 2 and butyrate 2. CONCLUSION: The use of sodium butyrate together with the induction of colorectal cancer was not effective in the prevention of the disease progression.

Sodium butyrate does not decrease the evolution of precancerous lesions in rats / Butirato de sódio não diminui a evolução de lesões pré-neoplásicas em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preventive effect of sodium butyrate in the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats after induction with the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were separated into four groups (n=10) distributed as follows: control 1, control 2, butyrate 1 and butyrate 2. The groups control 1 and butyrate 1 remained under experimentation for 4 weeks, while the groups control 2 and butyrate 2 remained for 8 weeks. In the first four weeks, the animals of the control groups received water ad libitum and the animals of the butyrate groups received a sodium butyrate solution (3.4 percent) ad libitum. Injections of the drug 1,2-dimethylhydrazine were applied during the two first weeks of the experiment in all the animals, concurrently with the application of sodium butyrate. The large intestine of the animals was removed, for the analysis of the ACF and of the content of polyamines. The animal feces were collected for the analysis of the SCFA profile. RESULTS: The spermidine presented a higher concentration in the group butyrate 2 in comparison to the group control 2. There was a significant difference in the concentration value (µmol/mL) of acetate in comparison to the groups control 2 and butyrate 2. CONCLUSION: The use of sodium butyrate together with the induction of colorectal cancer was not effective in the prevention of the disease progression.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito preventivo do butirato de sódio no surgimento de focos de cripta aberrante (FCA) em ratos após a indução com o carcinógeno 1,2-dimetilhidrazina. MÉTODOS: Quarenta ratos foram divididos em quatro grupos, com dez animais em cada. Os grupos controle 1 e butirato 1 ficaram em experimentação por 4 semanas e os grupos controle 2 e butirato 2 por oito semanas. Nas primeiras quatro semanas, os animais dos grupos controle receberam água ad libitum e os animais dos grupos butirato receberam solução de butirato de sódio (3,4 por cento) ad libitum. Em todos os animais foram aplicadas quatro injeções subcutâneas da droga 1,2-dimetilhidrazina nas duas primeiras semanas, concomitante a administração do butirato de sódio. Foi retirado o intestino grosso dos animais, para análise dos FCA e do teor de poliaminas. As fezes dos animais foram recolhidas para análise do perfil de AGCC. RESULTADOS: A espermidina apresentou maior concentração no grupo butirato 2 em relação ao grupo controle 2. Foi encontrada diferença significativa no valor da concentração de acetato quando comparado os grupos controle 2 e butirato 2. CONCLUSÃO: A utilização do butirato de sódio concomitante à indução do câncer colorretal não se mostrou efetiva na prevenção da progressão da doença.

Flaxseed, olive and fish oil influence plasmatic lipids, lymphocyte migration and morphometry of the intestinal of Wistar rats / Óleo de linhaça, oliva e peixe influenciam os lipídios plasmáticos, migração de linfócitos e morfometria intestinal de ratos Wistar

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effect of flaxseed, olive and fish oil on the lipid profile, preservation of villosities and lymphocyte migration in the intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups, which received the AIN-93M diet, with changes only to their lipid source: flaxseed, olive, fish, and soy oil (control group). The serum was separated for the biochemical parameter analysis. A histological evaluation was performed in the ileal portion. RESULTS: The group which was fed fish oil presented lower values when compared to the other treatments for Total Cholesterol, High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol (p<0.05). The animals treated with fish and olive oils presented better intestinal villosities preservation. Less deposition of lymphocytes was observed in the flaxseed group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that flaxseed, olive and fish oils present different responses than soy oil for the intestinal mucosa preservation and lymphocyte proliferation in Wistar rats.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito dos óleos de linhaça, oliva e peixe no perfil lipídico, preservação das vilosidades e migração de linfócitos na mucosa intestinal de ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Trinta ratos Wistar foram divididos em quarto grupos e receberam dieta AIN-93M, modificando para cada grupo apenas a fonte lipídica: óleo de linhaça, oliva, peixe e soja ( grupo controle). O soro foi separado para análise dos parâmetros bioquímicos. A análise histológica foi realizada na porção ileal. RESULTADOS: O grupo que recebeu óleo de peixe apresentou menores valores de colesterol total, lipoproteína de alta densidade e triacilglicerol (p<0.05). Os animais tratados com óleo de peixe e oliva apresentaram melhor preservação das vilosidades intestinais. Menor deposição de linfócitos foi observado no grupo tratado com óleo de linhaça (p<0.001). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que os óleos de linhaça, oliva e peixe apresentam diferentes respostas em relação ao óleo de soja na preservação da mucosa intestinal e proliferação de linfócitos em ratos Wistar.

Flaxseed, olive and fish oil influence plasmatic lipids, lymphocyte migration and morphometry of the intestinal of Wistar rats.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effect of flaxseed, olive and fish oil on the lipid profile, preservation of villosities and lymphocyte migration in the intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups, which received the AIN-93M diet, with changes only to their lipid source: flaxseed, olive, fish, and soy oil (control group). The serum was separated for the biochemical parameter analysis. A histological evaluation was performed in the ileal portion. RESULTS: The group which was fed fish oil presented lower values when compared to the other treatments for Total Cholesterol, High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol (p<0.05). The animals treated with fish and olive oils presented better intestinal villosities preservation. Less deposition of lymphocytes was observed in the flaxseed group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that flaxseed, olive and fish oils present different responses than soy oil for the intestinal mucosa preservation and lymphocyte proliferation in Wistar rats.

Hábito alimentar, níveis de lipídios sangüíneos e o status antioxidante de adultos jovens fumantes e não fumantes / Food habits, blood lipid levels and antioxidant status of young adults smokers and non-smokers

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o hábito alimentar, os níveis dos lipídios sangüíneos e o status antioxidante de jovens fumantes e não fumantes. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal em que 68 indivíduos, de 18 a 26 anos, emparelhados por sexo e idade, foram divididos em dois grupos: fumantes (n=34) e não fumantes (n=34). Os voluntários selecionados em instituições de ensino, em Viçosa (MG) foram questionados quanto a: hábito de fumar, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e atividade física; também foi estimada a dependência nicotínica. O hábito alimentar foi avaliado por questionário de freqüência de consumo. Quantificaram-se níveis séricos de lipídios, nível plasmático de malondialdeído, vitamina E e vitamina C. RESULTADOS: Os jovens começaram a fumar precocemente, independentemente do sexo. O hábito de fumar foi estratificado e encontrou-se 58,8 por cento de fumantes leves e 41,2 por cento de fumantes pesados. Os fumantes apresentaram hábitos alimentares inadequados e consumo freqüente de bebida alcoólica. De acordo com a recomendação do International Physical Activity Questionnaire 69 por cento dos fumantes eram ativos e 27,6 por cento eram muito ativos. Não se observou diferença significante na concentração sérica de lipídios entre fumantes e não fumantes. No grupo de fumantes mulheres, verificou-se correlação positiva entre o número de cigarros fumados por dia e os triglicerídeos séricos (r=0,824 e p=0,0001) e também entre o tempo que fumavam em anos e o nível de colesterol total (r=0,523 e p=0,031). Os fumantes apresentaram concentração inferior de vitaminas E e C (p=0,002 e p=<0,001, respectivamente) e a concentração de malondialdeído plasmático correlacionou-se ao tempo de tabagismo em anos (r=0,352 e p=0,041). CONCLUSÃO: O grupo de fumantes apresentou hábito alimentar inadequado, principalmente para alimentos gordurosos, e consumo freqüente de bebida alcoólica. Os valores para malondialdeído plasmático apresentaram correlação positiva com o...

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the food habits, blood lipid levels and antioxidant status of young adult smokers and non smokers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study divided 68 individuals aged 18 to 26 years, matched for age and sex, into two groups: smokers (n=34) and non-smokers (n=34). The individuals, selected from schools in Viçosa (MG), were asked about smoking status, consumption of alcoholic beverages and physical activity levels. Nicotine dependence was also estimated. The Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess food habits. Serum levels of lipids, malondialdehyde, vitamin E and vitamin C were measured. RESULTS: The smokers started smoking early, regardless of sex. The smokers were further stratified into two groups: light smokers (58.8 percent) and heavy smokers (41.2 percent). Smokers had inadequate food habits and consumed alcoholic beverages frequently. According to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, 69 percent of the smokers were active and 27.6 percent were very active. There was no significant difference between the serum lipid levels of smokers and non-smokers. In women, there was a positive correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and serum triglyceride levels (r=0.824, p=0.0001) and number of years smoking and total cholesterol levels (r=0.523, p=0.031). Smokers had lower vitamin E and C serum concentrations (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively) and the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde correlated with the number of years smoking (r=0.352 and p=0.041). CONCLUSION: The group of smokers presented inadequate food habits, consuming alcoholic beverages frequently and high-fat foods. Plasma malondialdehyde levels were positively correlated with the number of years smoking but not with the number of cigarettes smoked per day.