Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin with basal-plus insulin regimen versus insulin alone in non-critically ill hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes: SITA-PLUS hospital trial.

AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of basal-plus (BP) insulin regimen with or without sitagliptin in non-critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: This open-label, randomized clinical trial included inpatients with a previous diagnosis of T2D and blood glucose (BG) between 180 and 400 mg/dL. Participants received basal and correctional insulin doses (BP regimen) either with or without sitagliptin. The primary outcome was the difference in the mean daily BG among the groups. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients (mean age 60 years, 64 % men) were randomized. Compared with BP insulin therapy alone, the sitagliptin-BP combination led to a lower mean daily BG (158.8 vs 175.0 mg/dL, P = 0.014), a higher percentage of readings within a BG range of 70-180 mg/dL (75.9 % vs 64.7 %, P < 0.001), and a lower number of BG readings >180 mg/dL (P < 0.001). Sitagliptin-BP resulted in fewer basal and supplementary insulin doses (P = 0.024 and P = 0.017, respectively) and lower daily insulin injections (P = 0.023) than those with insulin alone. The proportion of patients with hypoglycemia was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: For inpatients with T2D and hyperglycemia, the sitagliptin and BP regimen combination is safe and more effective than insulin therapy alone. CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier: NCT05579119.

Investigation of the DNA Damage and Oxidative Effect Induced by Venlafaxine in Mouse Brain and Liver Cells.

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant used worldwide. Therefore, studies to confirm its safe use are mandatory. This report evaluated the drug DNA damage capacity in the brain and liver of ICR mice, and its oxidative effect on DNA, lipids, and proteins, as well as the amount of nitrites, also in the brain and liver. Determinations were made at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h post-treatment, excluding DNA oxidation that was observed at 2 h. The tested doses of venlafaxine were 5, 50, and 250 mg/kg. The results showed DNA damage in the brain with the two more elevated doses of venlafaxine at 2 and 6 h post-treatment and also at 12 h in the liver. The comet assay plus the FPG enzyme showed DNA damage in both organs with all doses. The two high doses increased lipoperoxidation in the two tissues from 6 to 12 h post-administration. Protein oxidation increased with the three doses, mainly from 2 to 12 h, and nitrite content was elevated only with the high dose in the liver. The drug was found to affect both tissues, although it was more pronounced in the liver. Interestingly, DNA oxidative damage was observed even with a dose that corresponds to the therapeutic range. The clinical relevance of these findings awaits further investigations.

Development of a Nanostructured Electrochemical Genosensor for the Detection of the K-ras Gene.

In the scientific literature, it has been documented that electrochemical genosensors are novel analytical tools with proven clinical diagnostic potential for the identification of carcinogenic processes due to genetic and epigenetic alterations, as well as infectious diseases due to viruses or bacteria. In the present work, we describe the construction of an electrochemical genosensor for the identification of the k12p.1 mutation; it was based on use of Screen-Printed Gold Electrode (SPGE), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), for the monitoring the electron transfer trough the functionalized nanostructured surface and corresponding morphological changes. The sensitivity of the genosensor showed a linear response for the identification of the k12p.1 mutation of the K-ras gene in the concentration range of 10 fM to 1 µM with a detection limit of 7.96 fM in the presence of doxorubicin (Dox) as DNA intercalating agent and indicator of the hybridization reaction. Thus, the electrochemical genosensor developed could be useful for the identification of diseases related with the K-ras oncogene.

The Effects of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers in Mexico: 14 Months into the Pandemic.

Background and Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) play important roles in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic and are more likely to become infected with COVID-19. Mexico, among other countries, had a high incidence and prevalence of cases and deaths from this disease. Material and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical characteristics as well as the geographical distribution of cases, deaths, and active cases of COVID-19 in HCWs and non-HCWs using official information from the Ministry of Health of Mexico. Results: A total of 235,343 cases of COVID-19 were reported in healthcare workers, and 2,094,191 cases were reported in non-healthcare workers. A total of 76.0% of cases in healthcare workers occurred in those who were between 25 and 50 years of age, and 71.4% of deaths occurred in those who were 50 to 69 years of age. Among healthcare workers, the most frequent comorbidities were obesity (15.2%), hypertension (10.9%), and diabetes (6.8%). Nurses were the group with the most cases (39.7%), followed by other healthcare workers (30.6%), physicians (26%), and dentists (1.6%). Physicians were the group with the most deaths (46%), followed by other professionals (30%), nurses (19%), and dentists (3%). Conclusion: These findings are likely the result of healthcare workers in Mexico being at a greater risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Persistent organic and inorganic pollutants in the effluents from the textile dyeing industries: Ecotoxicology appraisal via a battery of biotests.

Today, the textile industry is considered as a leading economic sector in Tunisia. However, this sector demands a huge volume of water and a wide spectrum of chemicals, which is converted into potentially toxic wastewater leading to environmental perturbation and human health toxicity. Assessment of the environmental risks associated with textile wastewater becomes a necessity. In this study, textile dyeing wastewater samples were collected before and after the physico-chemical treatment carried out by textile companies located in Monastir-city-Tunisia and subjected to chemical analyzes in order to determine their physicochemical characteristics and the content of metals and textile dyes. The ecotoxicological assessment was performed using four organisms, namely Selenastrum capricornutum, Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna and Lepidium sativum, to represent different trophic levels. Based on chemical data, some physicochemical parameters (e.g. TSS, COD and TSS levels) and metals (e.g. Cr, Hg and Sb) in the textile dyeing effluents were revealed not in compliance with the Tunisian standard. Moreover, high quantities of three disperse dyes have been detected even in the textile dyeing wastewater samples before and after treatments. The ecotoxicological data confirmed that the textile dyeing influents displayed toxic effects to all the test organisms, with Selenastrum capricornutum being the most sensitive organism. While, the above toxic effects were decreased slightly when evaluating the treated effluents. Metals and textile disperse dyes could be associated with the observed toxic effects of the textile influents and effluents. In fact, the treatment process applied by the evaluated companies was only partially efficient at removing metals, disperse dyes and effluent ecotoxicity, suggesting potential risks to aquatic biota. These findings emphasize the importance of applying integrated chemical and biological approaches for continuous evaluation of the toxicity of the treated effluents to predict hazards on the environment.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Brief Review of Its Antigenotoxic Effects.

Traditional Medicine/Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a practice that incorporates medicine based on plants, animals, and minerals for diagnosing, treating, and preventing certain diseases, including chronic degenerative diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Different factors generate its continued acceptance, highlighting its diversity, easy access, low cost, and the presence of relatively few adverse effects and, importantly, a high possibility of discovering antigenotoxic agents. In this regard, it is known that the use of different antigenotoxic agents is an efficient alternative to preventing human cancer and that, in general, these can act by means of a combination of various mechanisms of action and against one or various mutagens and/or carcinogens. Therefore, it is relevant to confirm its usefulness, efficacy, and its spectrum of action through different assays. With this in mind, the present manuscript has as its objective the compilation of different investigations carried out with garlic that have demonstrated its genoprotective capacity, and that have been evaluated by means of five of the most outstanding tests (Ames test, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus, and comet assay). Thus, we intend to provide information and bibliographic support to investigators in order for them to broaden their studies on the antigenotoxic spectrum of action of this perennial plant.

Association between Interictal Epileptiform Discharges and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

It has been reported that bioelectric alterations in an electroencephalogram (EEG) may play an etiological role in neurodevelopmental disorders. The clinical impact of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in association with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is unknown. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is one of the gold standards for the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. Some studies have indicated high comorbidity of IED and ASD, while other studies have not supported an association between the central symptoms of autism and IED. This review examines the high comorbidity and clinical impact of IED; patients with epilepsy are excluded from the scope of this review. ASD can be disabling and is diagnosed at an average age of 5 years old, at which point the greatest neurological development has occurred. If an association between IED and ASD is identified, a clinical tool that entails an innocuous procedure could enable diagnosis in the first years of life. However, in the absence of reports that prove an association between IED and ASD, patients should not be subjected to expensive treatments, such as the administration of anticonvulsant therapies.

Effect of Extract and Ellagic Acid from Geranium schiedeanum on the Antioxidant Defense System in An Induced-Necrosis Model.

Geranium schiedeanum has been used in traditional therapies as an antiseptic, antipyretic, and as analgesic. The present study was designed to evaluate the pretreatment with G. schiedeanum total extract (GS) and its active metabolites on stimulating the endogenous antioxidant defense system (EADS): catalase (Cat), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione reduction index (RI GSH/GSSG) in rat liver treated with a sublethal dose (6.6 mmol/Kg) of thioacetamide (TAA) in order to probe the capacity of GS and the active compounds to reduce liver injury. This was assessed by measuring aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (BILT) in rats pretreated or not with TAA, and pretreated or not with GS and its metabolites. The results showed that GS was able to induce the production of EADS enzymes, increasing redox index GSH/GSSG at 24 and 48 h after intoxication, and both the extract and the ellagic acid exhibited a significant reduction of hepatic damage markers. Our data confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of GS and its metabolites, like ellagic acid, support the possible use of this extract in the treatment of liver injury.

Evidence of Some Natural Products with Antigenotoxic Effects. Part 2: Plants, Vegetables, and Natural Resin.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The agents capable of causing damage to genetic material are known as genotoxins and, according to their mode of action, are classified into mutagens, carcinogens, or teratogens. Genotoxins are also involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic degenerative diseases, including hepatic, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders; diabetes; arthritis; cancer; chronic inflammation; and ageing. In recent decades, researchers have found novel bioactive phytocompounds able to counteract the effects of physical and chemical mutagens. Several studies have shown the antigenotoxic potential of different fruits and plants (Part 1). In this review (Part 2), we present a research overview conducted on some plants and vegetables (spirulina, broccoli, chamomile, cocoa, ginger, laurel, marigold, roselle, and rosemary), which are frequently consumed by humans. In addition, an analysis of some phytochemicals extracted from those vegetables and the analysis of a resin (propolis),whose antigenotoxic power has been demonstrated in various tests, including the Ames assay, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus, and comet assay, was also performed.

Molecular recognition between potential natural inhibitors of the Keap1-Nrf2 complex.

Disrupting the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway enhances Nrf2 activity, which has been identified as an important approach for the prevention of different chronic diseases in which oxidative stress and inflammation are present, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Based on the high potential to modulate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that the discovery of Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction inhibitors would represent, the utilization of some natural compounds has emerged as a promising strategy to identify new drugs. To gain insight into the structural and energetic basis of the molecular recognition between some natural inhibitors that could work as inhibitors of the Keap1-Nrf2 complex, we evaluated the binding properties between four natural compounds present in the extract of Geranium schiedeanum (Gs): 3-O-a-L arabinofuranoside-7-O-a-l-rhamnopyranoside of kaempferol (KAM), gallic acid (GAL), ellagic acid (ELL) and geranium acetonitrile (ACE), which based on experimental findings have been proposed as possible Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors. Computational studies combining docking and MD simulations accompanied by the MMGBSA approach revealed that KAM and ACE directly interact with residues in the Kelch domain that participate in the molecular recognition of Nrf2, indicating that both natural compounds could act as activators of Nrf2, whereas GAL and ELL are possible free radical scavengers.

EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY CAPACITY OF BETA-SITOSTEROL IN RODENT ASSAYS.

BACKGROUND: Beta-sitosterol (BS) is a compound discovered to be present in numerous plants. A number of interesting biomedical properties have been attributed to BS, including immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, the aim of this report was to evaluate its anti-inflammatory capacity by applying various rodent experimental tests. METHODS: To carry out the objective of the study we applied the methods indicated here. Two of the adopted methods were based on the passive reverse Arthus reaction: the rat paw edema test and the rat pleurisy assay. We also applied two methods related with the non-specific acute inflammation: the mouse ear edema test, and the mouse mieloperoxidase activity assay. RESULTS: The results obtained in all tests established a significant anti-inflammatory potential of BS. In the rat paw edema test we found an inhibitory effect which goes from 50-70%; in the rat pleurisy assay our findings with respect to the volume of pleural exuded showed a reduction of 46%, as well as a 20% low amount of neutrophils in comparison with the level of the control group. In the mouse ear edema test we found a mean inflammatory inhibition of 75%, and with respect to mieloproxidase activity the results showed a significant inhibition induced by the three doses of BS. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we determined a potent anti-inflammatory capacity of BS in specific and non-specific types of acute inflammation in rodents.

Evidence of Some Natural Products with Antigenotoxic Effects. Part 1: Fruits and Polysaccharides.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. The agents capable of causing damage to genetic material are known  as genotoxins and, according to their mode of action, are classified into mutagens, carcinogens or teratogens. Genotoxins are  involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic degenerative diseases including hepatic, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular  disorders, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, chronic inflammation and ageing. In recent decades, researchers have found novel bioactive  phytocompounds able to counteract the effects of physical and chemical mutagens. Several  studies  have  shown potential antigenotoxicity in a variety of fruits. In this review (Part 1), we present an overview of research conducted on some fruits (grapefruit, cranberries, pomegranate, guava, pineapple, and mango) which are frequentl consumed by humans, as well as  the  analysis of some phytochemicals extracted from fruits and yeasts which have demonstrated antigenotoxic capacity in various  tests, including the Ames assay, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus and comet assay.

Premixed Insulin Analogue Compared with Basal-Plus Regimen for Inpatient Glycemic Control.

BACKGROUND: No previous studies have investigated the use of a premixed insulin analogue in a hospital setting. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of treatment with premixed insulin analogue (insulin lispro mix 75/25, LM75/25) with the basal-plus regimen with insulin glargine in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial in hospitalized patients with T2D and glucose >140 mg/dL on admission was performed. A total of 54 patients were randomized to receive insulin LM75/25 or glargine. In both groups, a correction dose of lispro was administered before meals. Insulin dose was adjusted to obtain a mean blood glucose (BG) between 100 and 140 mg/dL. RESULTS: Improvement in the mean BG after the first day of treatment was similar in both groups (P = 0.470). Glycemic control at the end of follow-up was similar between the group with insulin LM75/25 (131.3 ± 28.4 mg/dL) and insulin glargine (143.8 ± 32.5 mg/dL, P = 0.153). The aim of a BG concentration of <140 mg/dL was obtained in 72% of the patients in the premixed insulin analogue group and 56% of patients in the basal-plus group (P = 0.239). There was no difference in the frequency of hypoglycemia between groups (7 vs. 10, P = 0.529). CONCLUSION: Results of this trial indicate that the use of a premixed insulin analogue is as effective and safe as the basal-plus regimen to achieve glycemic control.

A descriptive, cross-sectional study characterizing bone erosions in rheumatoid arthritis and gout by ultrasound.

The aim of this study is to characterize bone erosions in metatarsal heads (MTH) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout by grayscale ultrasound. In a descriptive, cross-sectional study, we evaluated 40 patients with RA and 40 with gout, both diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria, respectively. All patients had bone erosion demonstrated by ultrasound, which was used, following OMERACT criteria, to describe the shape, size, number, border definition, overhanging margin, topography (intra- or extra-articular), and distribution (over dorsal, medial, lateral, or plantar aspect) of the lesions in the MTH. Descriptive statistics were used and a concordance exercise between two ultrasonographers blinded to the diagnosis was performed. Bone erosions in RA were observed most frequently at the plantar and lateral aspect of the fifth MTH, round in 96 %, small-sized (2.43 ± 0.9 mm), intra-articular (100 %), and single (75 %). Few bone erosions had a well-defined border an overhanging margin while in gout were found most frequently in the medial and dorsal aspect of the first MTH, single in 71 %, intra-articular in 100 %, and of median size (4.0 ± 2.3). For shape, 51 % was round and 49 % was oval. A well-defined border was present in 39 %, and an overhanging margin in 62 %. Inter-rater reliability kappa was excellent (0.81, 95 % CI 0.56-1.00). Some characteristics of bone erosions in RA, including shape, size, ill-defined border, and localization in the fifth MTH could distinguish the lesions from gout. Grayscale US has excellent reliability to describe bone erosions in RA and gout.

Prevention of Aflatoxin B1-Induced DNA Breaks by ß-D-Glucan.

Aflatoxins are a group of naturally-occurring carcinogens that are known to contaminate different human and animal foodstuffs. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most genotoxic hepatocarcinogenic compound of all of the aflatoxins. In this report, we explore the capacity of ß-D-glucan (Glu) to reduce the DNA damage induced by AFB1 in mouse hepatocytes. For this purpose, we applied the comet assay to groups of animals that were first administered Glu in three doses (100, 400 and 700 mg/kg bw, respectively) and, 20 min later, 1.0 mg/kg of AFB1. Liver cells were obtained at 4, 10 and 16 h after the chemical administration and examined. The results showed no protection of the damage induced by AFB1 with the low dose of the polysaccharide, but they did reveal antigenotoxic activity exerted by the two high doses. In addition, we induced a co-crystallization between both compounds, determined their fusion points and analyzed the molecules by UV spectroscopy. The data suggested the formation of a supramolecular complex between AFB1 and ß-D-glucan.

[Management of hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients]. / Manejo de la hiperglucemia en pacientes hospitalizados.

Diabetes is a global health problem and Mexico rank sixth in prevalence of this entity. In our country, is the leading cause of death and is a major cause of hospital care being responsible for about 1 in 5 discharges. In the hospital setting, it has been observed that hyperglycemia, both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, is associated with an increased risk of complications, disability and death, and that adequate control in the blood glucose level produces a reduction in these complications. With these bases, several associations have recommended the treatment of hospital hyperglycemia through insulin administration, with the therapeutic goal of maintaining a fasting blood glucose level between 100-140 mg/dL and glucose at any time of day less than 180 mg/dL. The insulin application method most recommended consisting in a basal-bolus regimen which has shown efficacy with a low risk of hypoglycemia. The usual practice of the application of insulin through a correction scheme should be abandoned because it is inefficient and involves risks.

La diabetes es un problema de salud mundial y México ocupa el sexto lugar en prevalencia de esta enfermedad. En nuestro país es la principal causa de muerte y una de las principales causas de atención hospitalaria, siendo responsable de aproximadamente 1 de cada 5 egresos. En el ámbito hospitalario, se ha observado que la hiperglucemia, tanto en pacientes diabéticos como en los no diabéticos, está asociada a un mayor riesgo de complicaciones, discapacidad y muerte, y que el control adecuado del nivel de glucosa sanguínea ayuda a reducir estas complicaciones. Por tal motivo, diversas asociaciones han recomendado el tratamiento de la hiperglucemia hospitalaria mediante la administración de insulina, con la meta terapéutica de mantener un nivel de glucosa sanguínea en ayuno entre 100 a 140 mg/dL, y una glucosa a cualquier hora del día menor a 180 mg/dL. El método de aplicación de insulina más recomendado consta de un régimen basal-bolo, el cual ha mostrado eficacia con un bajo riesgo de hipoglucemia. La práctica habitual de la aplicación de insulina mediante un esquema de corrección debe abandonarse ya que es ineficaz y conlleva riesgos.

Inhibitory Effect of Spirulina maxima on the Azoxymethane-induced Aberrant Colon Crypts and Oxidative Damage in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Spirulina maxima (Sm) is a cyanobacterium well known because of its high nutritive value, as well as its anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-genotoxic activities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the capacity of Sm to inhibit the induction of aberrant colon crypts (AC), as well as the level of lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidative damage in mice treated with azoxymethane (AOM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sm (100, 400, and 800 mg/kg) was daily administered to animals by the oral route during 4 weeks, while AOM (10 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to mice twice in weeks 2 and 3 of the assay. We also included a control group of mice orally administered with distilled water along the assay, as well as other group orally administered with the high dose of Sm. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the number of AC with the three tested doses of Sm, with a mean protection of 51.6% respect to the damage induced by AOM. Also, with the three doses of the alga, we found a reduction in the level of lipoperoxidation, as well as in regard to the percentage of the DNA adduct 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine. CONCLUSION: Sm possesses anti-precarcinogenic potential in vivo, as well as capacity to reduce the oxidative damage induced by AOM. SUMMARY: Azoxymethane (AOM) induced a high number of colon aberrant crypts in mouse. It also increased the level of peroxidation and of DNA oxidation in the same organ.Spirulina maxima significantly reduced the number of AOM-induced colon aberrant crypts in mouse. It also reduced the AOM-induced lipid and DNA oxidation in mouse.The results suggest a chemopreventive potential for the tested algae.

Principios de ética, bioética y conocimiento del hombre

La sección uno se refiere a la ética, reconocida como la disciplina filosófica, que analiza el comportamiento humano y le permite a las personas lograr la felicidad, entendida como el máximo grado de bienestar que el ser humano puede alcanzar cuando logra sus metas mediante la aplicación de valores, el respeto por el ser humano y la solidaridad para el desarrollo de su comunidad. La sección dos analiza el tema de la bioética reconocida como la ciencia de la supervivencia por Potter ya que confronta la acción humana, con el medio ambiente y la sobrevivencia de todos los seres vivos del planeta. Esta disciplina analiza en lo particular las acciones de los profesionales de las ciencias de la vida y de la salud ante los valores imperantes y aunque es de reciente creación, cada vez alcanza mayor interés en el mundo, por los avances científicos y tecnológicos en las ciencias de la salud, así como los cambios sociales vertiginosos. La sección tres se integra con dilemas éticos en las ciencias de la salud, los capítulos 13 al 19, contienen dilemas en la odontología, la actividad pericial, la enfermería, nutriología, psicología, farmacia y nutrigenómica.(AU)

Antigenotoxic effect of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert essential oil in mouse spermatogonial cells, and determination of its antioxidant capacity in vitro.

Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert (Asteraceae), popularly known as chamomile, is a plant used in traditional medicine for various therapeutic purposes. Chamomile essential oil (CEO) is particularly known to inhibit the genotoxic damage produced by mutagens in mice somatic cells. The aim of this research was to determine the inhibitory potential of CEO on the genotoxic damage produced by daunorubicin (DAU) in mice germ cells. We evaluated the effect of 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg of essential oil on the rate of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induced in spermatogonia by 10 mg/kg of the mutagen. We found no genotoxicity of CEO, but detected an inhibition of SCE after the damage induced by DAU; from the lowest to the highest dose of CEO we found an inhibition of 47.5%, 61.9%, and 93.5%, respectively. As a possible mechanism of action, the antioxidant capacity of CEO was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method and ferric thiocyanate assays. In the first test we observed a moderate scavenging potential of the oil; nevertheless, the second assay showed an antioxidant capacity similar to that observed with vitamin E. In conclusion, we found that CEO is an efficient chemoprotective agent against the damage induced by DAU in the precursor cells of the germinal line of mice, and that its antioxidant capacity may induce this effect.

Investigation on the protective effect of α-mannan against the DNA damage induced by aflatoxin B1in mouse hepatocytes.

Aflatoxin B(1) is a contaminant of agricultural and dairy products that can be related to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. In this report we explore the capacity of alpha-mannan (Man) to reduce the DNA damage induced by AFB(1) in mouse hepatocytes. For this purpose we applied the comet assay to groups of animals which were first administered Man (100, 400 and 700 mg/kg, respectively) and 20 min later 1.0 mg/kg of AFB(1). Liver cells were obtained at 4, 10, and 16 h after the chemical administration and examined. The results showed no protection of the damage induced by AFB(1) with the low dose of the polysaccharide, but they did reveal antigenotoxic activity exerted by the two high doses. In addition, we induced a co-crystallization between both compounds, determined their fusion points and analyzed the molecules by UV spectroscopy. The obtained data suggested the formation of a supramolecular complex between AFB(1) and Man.