The Vagus Nerve and Spleen: Influence on White Adipose Mass and Histology of Obese and Non-obese Rats.

The vagus nerve (VN) and spleen represent a complex interface between neural and immunological functions, affecting both energy metabolism and white adipose tissue (WAT) content. Here, we evaluated whether vagal and splenic axis participates in WAT mass regulation in obese and non-obese male Wistar rats. High doses of monosodium glutamate (M; 4 g/Kg) were administered during the neonatal period to induce hypothalamic lesion and obesity (M-Obese rats). Non-obese or Control (CTL) rats received equimolar saline. At 60 days of life, M-Obese and CTL rats were randomly distributed into experimental subgroups according to the following surgical procedures: sham, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (SV), splenectomy (SPL), and SV + SPL (n = 11 rats/group). At 150 days of life and after 12 h of fasting, rats were euthanized, blood was collected, and the plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, and interleukin 10 (IL10) were analyzed. The visceral and subcutaneous WAT depots were excised, weighed, and histologically evaluated for number and size of adipocytes as well as IL10 protein expression. M-Obese rats showed higher adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and insulin resistance when compared with CTL groups (p < 0.05). In CTL and M-Obese rats, SV reduced body weight gain and triglycerides levels, diminishing adipocyte size without changes in IL10 expression in WAT (p< 0.05). The SV procedure resulted in high IL10 plasma levels in CTL rats, but not in the M-Obese group. The splenectomy prevented the SV anti-adiposity effects, as well as blocked the elevation of IL10 levels in plasma of CTL rats. In contrast, neither SV nor SPL surgeries modified the plasma levels of IL10 and IL10 protein expression in WAT from M-Obese rats. In conclusion, vagotomy promotes body weight and adiposity reduction, elevating IL10 plasma levels in non-obese animals, in a spleen-dependent manner. Under hypothalamic obesity conditions, VN ablation also reduces body weight gain and adiposity, improving insulin sensitivity without changes in IL10 protein expression in WAT or IL10 plasma levels, in a spleen-independent manner. Our findings indicate that the vagal-spleen axis influence the WAT mass in a health state, while this mechanism seems to be disturbed in hypothalamic obese animals.

Associação entre polimorfismos no gene/receptor da leptina e obesidade: uma revisão de literatura / Association between polymorphisms in the leptin gene/receiver and obesity: a literature review

Mutações na leptina ou em seu receptor causam a denominada obesidade mórbida relacionada à deficiência de leptina congênita, capaz de ser revertida eficazmente pela terapia com leptina. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse estudo foi realizar uma revisão integrativa da literatura relacionada a evidências de Associação entre polimorfismos no gene/receptor da leptina avaliados por meio da reação em cadeia de polimerase e presença de obesidade. Foram incluídos artigos publicados em língua portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola, na íntegra, entre 2009 e 2019, que respondessem a problemática da pesquisa. A busca deu-se nas bases de dados: SCIELO, PUBMED e LILACS, a partir dos descritores PCR, Leptin, Obesity; a amostra final foi constituída de 09 artigos. Concluiu-se que polimorfismos no gene codificador/receptor desse hormônio regulador da ingestão de alimentos e energia metabólica podem ser um dos mais promissores candidatos no que diz respeito a biomarcadores da obesidade. (AU)

Mutations in leptin or in its receptor cause morbid obesity related to congenital leptin deficiency that can be effectively reversed with leptin therapy. In this sense, the aim of the study is to perform an integrative literature review related to evidence of the association between gene/leptin receptor polymorphisms, evaluated through polymerase chain reaction, and the presence of obesity. Publications in Portuguese, English and Spanish, in full, between 2009 and 2019, which responded to the research problem were included. The search was made in the following databases: SCIELO, PUBMED and LILACS, using the descriptors PCR, Leptin, Obesity; the final sample consisted of 09 articles. It is concluded that polymorphisms of coding gene/receptor of this food intake regulating hormone and metabolic energy may be more promising candidates for a biological risk of obesity. (AU)

Promising therapeutic use of Baccharis trimera (less.) DC. as a natural hepatoprotective agent against hepatic lesions that are caused by multiple risk factors.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC is a perennial subshrub, popularly known as "carqueja," that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Ethnobotanical studies indicate that this species is used for the treatment of diabetes and digestive and liver diseases. However, studies that sought to validate its popular use were conducted using ethanolic extracts of the plant, which does not reflect the ethnomedicinal use of this species in humans. AIM OF THE STUDY: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by triglyceride accumulation in the liver that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Because of the severity of this disease, less toxic and more effective therapeutic agents need to be developed. B. trimera may be a promising therapeutic alternative, but its activity against multiple risk factors for liver disease (e.g., smoking, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus) has not been studied. The present study investigated the effects of an ethnomedicinal form of a B. trimera preparation in a rat model of NAFLD that is associated with multiple risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic soluble fraction of B. trimera extract was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes in male Wistar rats. The rats received a 0.5% cholesterol-enriched diet and were exposed to cigarette smoke (9 cigarettes/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks). In the last 2 weeks, the animals were orally treated with vehicle (negative control group), B. trimera extract (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), or insulin + simvastatin. One group of rats that was not exposed to these risk factors was also evaluated. Blood was collected for glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) analysis. The liver and feces were collected for lipid quantification. The liver was additionally processed for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: The model successfully induced NAFLD and increased levels of glucose, AST, and ALT in the negative control group. Treatment with the B. trimera extract (30 and 100 mg/kg) and insulin + simvastatin decreased hepatic and fecal lipids. In contrast to insulin + simvastatin treatment, all three doses of B. trimera effectively reduced AST and ALT levels. CONCLUSION: B. trimera may be promising as a hepatoprotective agent against hepatic lesions that are caused by multiple risk factors.

Incidência e características da sepse em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital misto do Paraná / Sepsis incidence and characteristics in an Intensive Care Unit of a mixed hospital in the state of Parana

A sepse e o choque séptico são as maiores causas de óbito em pacientes internados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva, devido à dificuldade na sua identificação e ao tratamento minucioso exigido. Objetivando identificar o índice e as características da sepse em uma UTI adulto de um hospital do Paraná, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo retrospectiva, documental e quantitativa. A amostra foi constituída de 432 prontuários. Dados foram coletados por meio de um checklist próprio. Houve prevalência do sexo masculino e faixa etária acima dos cinquenta anos. A etiologia de admissão prevalente foi insuficiência respiratória e broncopneumonia. Quanto ao foco infeccioso, prevaleceu o pulmonar. Constatou-se índice elevado dos casos de sepse, juntamente de uma taxa de mortalidade ultrapassando a média geral do país. Sugere-se uma monitorização e notificação mais eficaz dos casos, combinada com a aplicação de um protocolo unificado, visando à redução da taxa de letalidade por esta síndrome. (AU)

Sepsis and septic shock are the major causes of death in patients admitted to intensive care units, due to the difficulty in identifying them and the thorough treatment required. In order to identify the index and characteristics of sepsis in an adult ICU of a hospital in the state of Paraná, a retrospective, documentary and quantitative field research was carried out. The sample consisted of 432 medical records. Data were collected through their own checklist. There was a male prevalence and age group above fifty years. The prevalent etiology of admission was respiratory failure and bronchopneumonia. Regarding the infectious focus, the pulmonary prevailed. A high rate of sepsis cases was found, together with a mortality rate exceeding the general average of the country. More effective monitoring and reporting of cases is suggested, combined with the application of a unified protocol to reduce the case fatality rate for this syndrome. (AU)