Whole purple grape juice increases nitric oxide production after training session in high level beach handball athletes.

Aims to evaluate the effect of whole purple grape juice intake in the recovery of oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle injury after an intense training session. Fifteen high level men athletes were randomly distributed in supplemented (GJG; n=8; 28.7 ± 3.5 years) or control group (CG; n=7; 24.8 ± 2.7 years). 400 ml of juice or water was ingested immediately before (200 ml) and after (200 ml) a training session. Blood samples was collect before and post-training session as well as 180 minutes after this session (recovery) to analysis of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive ultrasensitive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite. The nitrite values at the end of recovery moment of the GJG group were significantly higher than the same moment in the CG group (p<0.05), and the intra-group analysis showed a significant increase in nitrite values only in the GJG group in the end of recovery period moment when compared to the moments pre-training (p<0.001) and post-training (p<0.05). MDA, CRP, LDH and CK did not differ neither groups. Acute supplementation with 400 ml of grape juice increases the serum concentration of nitrite, a nitric oxide metabolite that has antioxidant activity.

Anti-inflammatory latex proteins of the medicinal plant Calotropis procera: a promising alternative for oral mucositis treatment.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Oral mucositis (OM) is an intense inflammatory reaction progressing to tissue damage and ulceration. The medicinal uses of Calotropis procera are supported by anti-inflammatory capacity. PII-IAA, a highly homogenous cocktail of laticifer proteins (LP) prepared from the latex of C. procera, with recognized pharmacological properties was tested to treat OM. MATERIALS AND SUBJECTS: Male Golden Sirius hamsters were used in all treatments. TREATMENT: The latex protein samples were injected i.p. (5 mg/Kg) 24 h before mucositis induction (mechanical trauma) and 24 h later. METHODS: Histology, cytokine measurements [ELISA], and macroscopic evaluation [scores] were performed. RESULTS: PII-IAA eliminated OM, accompanied by total disappearance of myeloperoxidase activity and release of IL-1b, as well as reduced TNF-a. Oxidative stress was relieved by PII-IAA treatment, as revealed by MDA and GSH measurements. PII-IAA also reduced the expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) and Iba-1, two important markers of inflammation, indicating modulatory effects. Histological analyses of the cheek epithelium revealed greater deposition of type I collagen fibers in animals given PII-IAA compared with the control group. This performance was only reached when LPPII was treated with iodoacetamide (IAA), an irreversible inhibitor of proteolytic activity of cysteine proteases. The endogenous proteolytic activity of LPPII induced adverse effects in animals. Candidate proteins involved in the phytomodulatory activity are proposed. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy was successful in treating OM with the laticifer protein fraction, containing peptidases and osmotin, from Calotropis procera. The effective candidate from the latex proteins for therapeutic use is PII-IAA.

AMPK activation promotes gastroprotection through mutual interaction with the gaseous mediators H2S, NO, and CO.

Activation of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) stimulates production of the gaseous mediators nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), which are involved in mucosal defense and gastroprotection. As AMPK itself has gastroprotective effects against several gastric ulcer etiologies, in the present study, we aimed to elucidate whether AMPK may also prevent ethanol-induced injury and play a key role in the associated gastroprotection mediated by hydrogen sulfide (H2S), NO, and CO. Mice were pretreated with AICAR (20 mg/kg, an AMPK activator) alone or with 50% ethanol. Other groups were pretreated with respective gaseous mediator inhibitors PAG, l-NAME, or ZnPP IX 30 min prior to AICAR, or with gaseous mediator donors NaHS, Lawesson's reagent and l-cysteine (H2S), SNP, l-Arginine (NO), Hemin, or CORM-2 (CO) 30 min prior to ethanol with or without compound C (10 mg/kg, a non-selective AMPK inhibitor). H2S, nitrate/nitrite (NO3-/NO2-), bilirubin levels, GSH and MDA concentration were evaluated in the gastric mucosa. The gastric mucosa was also collected for histopathological analysis and AMPK expression assessment by immunohistochemistry. Pretreatment with AICAR attenuated the ethanol-induced injury and increased H2S and bilirubin levels but not NO3-/NO2- levels in the gastric mucosa. In addition, inhibition of H2S, NO, or CO synthesis exacerbated the ethanol-induced gastric damage and inhibited the gastroprotection by AICAR. Pretreatment with compound C reversed the gastroprotective effect of NaHS, Lawesson's reagent, l-cysteine, SNP, l-Arginine, CORM-2, or Hemin. Compound C also reversed the effect of NaHS on H2S production, SNP on NO3-/NO2- levels, and Hemin on bilirubin levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed that AMPK is present at basal levels mainly in the gastric mucosa cells, and was increased by pretreatment with NaHS, SNP, and CORM-2. In conclusion, our findings indicate that AMPK activation exerts gastroprotection against ethanol-induced gastric damage and mutually interacts with H2S, NO, or CO to facilitate this process.

Diminazene aceturate, an angiotensin-converting enzyme II activator, prevents gastric mucosal damage in mice: Role of the angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis.

The angiotensin (Ang) II converting enzyme (ACE II) pathway has recently been shown to be associated with several beneficial effects in various organisms, including gastroprotection. ACE II is responsible for converting Ang II into an active peptide, Ang-(1-7), which in turn binds the Mas receptor. Recent studies have shown that diminazene aceturate (Dize) a trypanocidal used in animals, activates ACE II. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of Dize via the ACE II/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor pathway against gastric lesions induced by ethanol and acetic acid in mice. The results showed that Dize could promote gastric protection via several mechanisms, including increased levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory factors (e.g., decreasing tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 expression and reducing myeloperoxidase activity), maturation of collagen fibers, and promotion of re-epithelialization and regeneration of gastric tissue in different injury models. Thus, Dize represents a novel potential gastroprotective agent.

Pentoxifylline decreases glycemia levels and TNF-alpha, iNOS and COX-2 expressions in diabetic rat pancreas.

Pentoxifylline (PTX), a methyl xanthine derivative, is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and renoprotective effects in diabetic patients, among other properties. We studied PTX actions and mechanisms in reducing blood biochemical parameters, in diabetic rats. For diabetes induction, alloxan was intravenously administered to male Wistar rats. One group was left untreated and the other ones treated with PTX (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg), glibenclamide or metformin, as references. Forty-eight hours later and after 1-week to 3-month treatments, blood was collected for determination of glycemia, triglycerides, cholesterol, transaminases, fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin. Afterwards, the animals were euthanized and pancreas, liver and kidney processed for histological analyses and immunohistochemistry assays for TNF-alpha, iNOS and COX-2. The results showed that PTX decreased glycemia and also triglyceride levels, starting 1 week after treatments, as compared to the same group before treatments. Glycemia values were brought towards normality, after 1-month treatment. PTX hypoglycemic effects were potentiated by glibenclamide but not by metformin. It also decreased fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin. Some histological and immunohistochemical alterations for TNF-alpha, iNOS and COX-2 in the diabetic pancreas were also reversed by PTX. We conclude that PTX acts similarly to glibenclamide, and its hypoglycemic actions are, partly, a consequence of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels inhibition. In addition, by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, PTX may be a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of diabetes and its complications.

Recovery of different waste vegetable oils for biodiesel production: a pilot experience in Bahia State, Brazil.

In Brazil, and mainly in the State of Bahia, crude vegetable oils are widely used in the preparation of food. Street stalls, restaurants and canteens make a great use of palm oil and soybean oil. There is also some use of castor oil, which is widely cultivated in the Sertão Region (within the State of Bahia), and widely applied in industry. This massive use in food preparation leads to a huge amount of waste oil of different types, which needs either to be properly disposed of, or recovered. At the Laboratorio Energia e Gas-LEN (Energy & Gas lab.) of the Universidade Federal da Bahia, a cycle of experiments were carried out to evaluate the recovery of waste oils for biodiesel production. The experiences were carried out on a laboratory scale and, in a semi-industrial pilot plant using waste oils of different qualities. In the transesterification process, applied waste vegetable oils were reacted with methanol with the support of a basic catalyst, such as NaOH or KOH. The conversion rate settled at between 81% and 85% (in weight). The most suitable molar ratio of waste oils to alcohol was 1:6, and the amount of catalyst required was 0.5% (of the weight of the incoming oil), in the case of NaOH, and 1%, in case of KOH. The quality of the biodiesel produced was tested to determine the final product quality. The parameters analyzed were the acid value, kinematic viscosity, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, free glycerine, total glycerine, clearness; the conversion yield of the process was also evaluated.

Chemical composition and anxiolytic-like effects of the Bauhinia platypetala

The pantropical genus Bauhinia, Fabaceae, known popularly as cow's foot, is widely used in folk medicine as antidiabetic. Behavioral effects of the ethanolic extract and ethereal, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions from B. platypetala Benth. ex Hemsl. leaves were studied in male Swiss mice. The ethanolic extract and fractions were administered intraperitoneally and its effects on spontaneous motor activity (total motility, locomotion, rearing and grooming behavior) were monitored. Anxiolytic-like properties were studied in the elevated plus-maze test and the possible antidepressant-like actions were evaluated in the forced swimming test. The results revealed that only the highest dose of the ethereal fraction (50 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant decrease in total motility, locomotion and rearing. Sole dose injected (50 mg/kg) of ethanolic extract and ethereal fractions increased the exploration of the elevated plus-maze open arms in a similar way to that of diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.). In the forced swimming test, the ethanolic extract and their fractions (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg) was not as effective as paroxetine (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) and imipramine (25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) in reducing immobility. These results suggest that some of the components of the ethanolic extract and of the ethereal fraction from B. platypetala, such as p-cymene, phytol, D-lactic acid, hexadecanoic acid, among others, may have anxiolytic-like properties, which deserve further investigation. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that ethanolic extract from B. platypetala and their fractions do not present antidepressive properties. However, these properties cannot be related to the chemical constituents identified in this specie.

Chronic toxicologic study of the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Jatropha gossypiifolia in rats

This work presents the observed changes in Wistar rats under long treatment (thirteen weeks) with different oral doses of the ethanolic extract (EE) from Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Euphorbiaceae. The most significant toxic signs indicated a reduction of the activity in the central nervous system and digestive disturbances. The histopathological analysis shows hepatotoxity and pulmonary damages. The lethality was 46.6% among males under the higher experimental dose (405 mg/kg) and 13.3% both in females under the higher dose and among the animals treated with 135 mg/kg of the product. These data show the significant oral chronic toxicity of EE of J. gossypiifolia in rats.

Avaliação histopatológica em ratos após tratamento agudo com o extrato etanólico de partes aéreas de Jatropha gossypiifolia L. / Histopathological evaluation in rats after acute treatment with the ethanol extract from aerial parts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

A Jatropha gossypiifolia L. apesar de ser usada na medicina popular com finalidades diversas, é uma espécie classicamente catalogada como tóxica. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a pesquisa de alterações histopatológicas em vísceras de ratos sob tratamento agudo com o extrato etanólico (EE) da Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Ratos Wistar foram tratados por via oral (gavagem) com doses únicas do extrato de até 5 g/kg e observados por 14 dias. Após esse período, os animais foram sacrificados por tração cervical e as vísceras foram coletadas. O coração, o fígado e o rim foram seccionados por incisão sagital e os pulmões submetidos à perfusão via traquéia, com solução de formol a 10 por cento. As secções teciduais foram processadas conforme os métodos habituais, coradas pela hematoxilina-eosina e tricômico e observadas ao microscópio óptico. Apenas nos animais tratados com a maior dose do extrato (5 g/kg) foram observadas alterações em fígado e pulmão evidenciadas por resposta inflamatória e estimulação do sistema imunitário. Estes resultados indicam uma toxicidade aguda oral relativamente baixa; entretanto, corroboram com os indícios de hepatotoxicidade já publicados, expondo ainda um potencial de toxicidade pulmonar do produto, o que ressalta a importância de estudos toxicológicos de longa duração com o EE da espécie Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

Jatropha gossypiifolia L. has been used in folk medicine in Brazil despite its classification as a toxic plant. The aim of this work was the assessment of histopathological a lterations in rats after acute treatment with the ethanol extract (EE) from Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Wistar rats were treated by gavage with single doses of EE until the limit dose of 5 g/kg (w.b.). 14 days after treatment the rats were sacrificed and the viscera were collected. The hard, liver and kidney were sectioned by sagittal incision and the lung submitted to perfusion with phormol (10 percent). The histological sections were processed by the usual methods in hematoxilin-eosin and trichrome staining and were observed through optical microscopy. Only in treated rats with 5 g/kg (w.b.) we observed some alterations in the liver and lung that means inflammatory response and immune activation. These results indicate a low oral acute toxicity, in relative terms, however, it was confirmed the hepatic toxicity already reported and showed the importance of long-term toxicological studies of the EE from Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

Estudo toxicológico agudo do extrato etanólico de partes aéreas de Jatropha gossypiifolia L. em ratos / Acute toxicological studies of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. in rats

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação da toxicidade aguda do extrato etanólico (EE) de partes aéreas de Jatropha gossypiifolia L., espécie vegetal muito usada na medicina popular, apesar de ser catalogada como planta tóxica. Ratos Wistar foram tratados por via oral com doses únicas do extrato (1,2 g/kg; 1,8 g/kg; 2,7 g/kg; 4,0 g/kg e 5,0 g/kg) e observados por 14 dias. Os principais sinais de toxicidade encontrados, em alguns animais, foram: ptose palpebral, perda de peso e paralisia do trem posterior. Outras alterações significativas ocorreram apenas em machos tratados com a dose de 5 g/kg: aumento dos níveis sangüíneos de creatinina, AST, sódio e potássio; diminuição dos níveis de uréia e albumina; leucopenia, além de discretas alterações na coloração e consistência de vísceras. A dose letal mediana (DL50) foi superior a 4,0 g/kg para machos e maior do que 5,0 g/kg para fêmeas. Estes resultados indicam uma toxicidade aguda oral relativamente baixa; contudo, ressaltam a necessidade da realização de estudos toxicológicos de longa duração com o EE de J. gossypiifolia L.

The aim of this work was the assessment of acute oral toxicity of the ethanol extract (EE) of the aerial parts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. This plant is used in folk medicine despite its classification as a toxic plant. Wistar rats were treated per oralis with single doses of EE [1.2 g/kg; 1.8 g/kg; 2.7 g/kg; 4.0 g/kg and 5.0 g/kg (w.b.)] and observed for 14 days. The most important signs of toxicity were: ptosis; reduction of body weight and hindlimb paralysis. Other sgnificant alterations occurred only in males treated with 5.0 g/kg (w.b.): increase of creatinine, AST, sodium and potassium seric levels; reduction of urea and albumin; leukopenia and small alterations in color and consistence of viscera. The LD50 value was higher than 4.0 g/kg (w.b.) for males and higher than 5.0 g/kg (w.b) for females. These results indicate a low oral acute toxicity, in relative terms, however it shows the importance of long-term toxicological studies of the EE from J. gossypiifolia.