Aqueous extract of Paullinia cupana attenuates renal and hematological effects associated with ketoprofen.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Paullinia cupana (AEG) against ketoprofen side effects, through biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters. AEG showed antioxidant activity in the DPPH• scavenging (IC50  = 17.00 ± 1.00 µg/ml) and HPLC analysis revealed that this extract is constituted by antioxidants (caffeine, catechins, theobromine, and polyphenols). In vivo experiments in female Wistar rats demonstrated that alterations in urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels promoted (p < .05) by ketoprofen were reversed when AEG was co-administered. Ketoprofen significantly decreased the catalase levels of animal tissues (p < .05), which were restored when AEG was co-administered with the mentioned drug. Histological analysis showed that AEG protected tissues from damages caused by ketoprofen. Moreover, AEG reestablished the number of white blood cells, which had decreased when ketoprofen was administered. In conclusion, this study suggested that the association between ketoprofen and AEG may be an alternative to reduce health damages caused by this drug. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Paullinia cupana, popularly known as guaraná, is commonly consumed as a beverage in Brazil and exhibits pharmacological and beneficial effects to humans. Ketoprofen is an efficacious drug employed in the treatment of inflammatory processes. However, this drug can cause several side effects in humans. Thus, the usage of natural products and plant extracts that can reduce such undesirable effects consists in a valuable strategy to be applied in therapeutic interventions.

Caffeinated beverages contribute to a more efficient inflammatory response: Evidence from human and earthworm immune cells.

The role of caffeinated beverages on efficiency of acute inflammatory responses is not yet fully understood. This study analyzed the effect of five hot water extracts, coffee (CO), black/green tea (BT/GT), yerba mate (YM), and guarana (GU) on inflammatory modulation of non-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), yeast-activated human neutrophils, and granulocytic coelomocytes from Eisenia fetida earthworm. Based on preliminary tests, a concentration of 10 µg/mL was chosen for subsequent assays, as at this concentration, the extracts exhibited antioxidant, genoprotective, and non-cytotoxic properties. Immunoassays using 24-h PBMC supernatant showed that all extracts decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. Further, these extracts induced overexpression of cytokine genes in 24-h cultures. These results suggest that an increase in the levels of mRNAs and/or inactive cytokines in the cytoplasm improves the "immune cytokine response. Analysis of the yeast encapsulation processes, and production of human neutrophils and coelomocyte extracellular DNA traps suggests that extracts also improve the immune response in humans and earthworms. However, for E. fetida, the intensity of these results varied from extract. Overall, our results suggest that caffeinated beverages may improve an organism's efficiency against acute inflammatory processes.

Methotrexate-related response on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be modulated by the Ala16Val-SOD2 gene polymorphism.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid antagonist used in high doses as an anti-cancer treatment and in low doses for the treatment of some autoimmune diseases. MTX use has been linked to oxidative imbalance, which may cause multi-organ toxicities that can be attenuated by antioxidant supplementation. Despite the oxidative effect of MTX, the influence of antioxidant gene polymorphisms on MTX toxicity is not well studied. Therefore, we analyzed here whether a genetic imbalance of the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD2) gene could have some impact on the MTX cytotoxic response. An in vitro study using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from carriers with different Ala16Val-SOD2 genotypes (AA, VV and AV) was carried out, and the effect on cell viability and proliferation was analyzed, as well as the effect on oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic markers. AA-PBMCs that present higher SOD2 efficiencies were more resistance to high MTX doses (10 and 100 µM) than were the VV and AV genotypes. Both lipoperoxidation and ROS levels increased significantly in PBMCs exposed to MTX independent of Ala16Val-SOD2 genotypes, whereas increased protein carbonylation was observed only in PBMCs from V allele carriers. The AA-PBMCs exposed to MTX showed decreasing SOD2 activity, but a concomitant up regulation of the SOD2 gene was observed. A significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels was observed in all PBMCs exposed to MTX. However, this effect was more intense in AA-PBMCs. Caspase-8 and -3 levels were increased in cells exposed to MTX, but the modulation of these genes, as well as that of the Bax and Bcl-2 genes involved in the apoptosis pathway, presented a modulation that was dependent on the SOD2 genotype. MTX at a concentration of 10 µM also increased inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα and Igγ) and decreased the level of IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine, independent of SOD2 genetic background. The results suggest that potential pharmacogenetic effect on the cytotoxic response to MTX due differential redox status of cells carriers different SOD2 genotypes.

Antioxidant activity of bee products added to water in tebuconazole-exposed fish

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of honey, propolis, and bee pollen for the reversal of lipid peroxidation induced by tebuconazole (TEB) in South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen), in which the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, and non-protein thiols were assessed. Honey (0.125 g L-1) and bee pollen (0.05 g L-1) added to the water reverse the production of TBARS induced by TEB, while propolis demonstrated a pro-oxidant effect, inducing an increase in TBARS production. The data presented herein suggest that the addition of water to honey and bee pollen potentially protects against the oxidative stress caused by agrichemicals.

Um experimento foi conduzido objetivando avaliar o potencial do mel, da própolis e do pólen apícola na reversão da peroxidação lipídica causada pelo fungicida tebuconazole (TEB) na espécie de peixe tropical Rhamdia quelen, avaliando a concentração das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), a atividade da enzima glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e das concentrações dos antioxidantes glutationa reduzida (GSH), ácido ascórbico e dos tiois não proteicos. O mel adicionado à água na concentração de 0,125g L-1 e o pólen apícola na concentração de 0.05 g L-1reverteram a geração das TBARS causada pela exposição ao TEB, enquanto a própolis demonstrou efeito pró-oxidante, induzindo um aumento na geração das TBARS. Os dados apresentados neste trabalho sugerem o potencial do mel e do pólen apícola adicionados à água como substâncias protetoras contra o estresse oxidativo causado por agroquímicos.

Resposta biológica de ratos alimentados com resíduo da fermentação de batata (Solanumtuberosum L.) / Biological response of rats fed with the fermentation of potato residue (Solanumtuberosum L.)

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a composição centesimal do tubérculo de batata in natura a ser utilizado no processo de destilação para a produção de etanol e do resíduo sólido resultante da fermentação deste tubérculo. Com base na composição do resíduo, avaliou-se o efeito da sua utilização na substituição de diferentes teores de fibra alimentar de uma dieta padrão, na resposta biológica de ratos. Para a avaliação dos efeitos biológicos, foram utilizados 32 ratos Wistar divididos em quatro grupos. Um dos grupos de animais recebeu a dieta padrão para ratos em crescimento, e os demais grupos receberam esta dieta com substituição de 25, 50 ou 100 por cento de sua fibra alimentar pela fibra do resíduo. Durante o período experimental (23 dias), foram avaliados o consumo, o ganho de peso, o coeficiente de eficiência alimentar (CEA), a produção de fezes secas e úmidas, pH e excreção de nitrogênio fecal. No final do ensaio, foram avaliados o peso do fígado e da gordura epididimal, níveis sanguíneos de triglicerídeos, colesterol total, colesterol HDL e proteínas totais. O resíduo apresentou uma composição centesimal de 8,2 por cento de proteína, 16,7 por cento de fibra alimentar, 62,8 por cento de carboidratos e 288Kcal. Os resultados obtidos no ensaio biológico sugerem que o resíduo sólido da fermentação de tubérculos de batata pode ser empregado como fonte de nutrientes, com base na substituição da fração fibra de uma dieta padrão AIN-93, sem comprometer o desenvolvimento dos ratos e os parâmetros bioquímicos analisados.

The present research had the objectives of determining the in natura potato tuber centesimal composition in the distilling process in order to produce ethanol and to verify the solid residues resulting from this tuber fermentation process. Based on the residue composition, it was evaluated the effect of its use in the substitution of different dietary fiber content of a standard diet observing the rats biological response to this diet. In order to evaluate the biological effect, 32 Wistar rats were used divided into four groups. One group was given the standard diet for growing rats, according to recommendations of the American Institute of Nutrition (AIN-93), and the other three groups were given this diet substituting 25, 50 or 100 percent of residue by dietary fiber. Throughout the experimental period (23 days), consumption, weight gain, food efficiency ratio (FER), dry and moist feces production, pH and nitrogen fecal excretion were evaluated. At the end of the experiment, liver and epididimal fat weights, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and total protein levels were evaluated. The residue presented centesimal composition of 8.2 percent protein, 16.7 percent of dietary fiber, 62.8 percent of carbohydrates and 288 Kcal. The results obtained in the biological assay suggest that the solid residue resulting from potato tuber fermentation can be employed as a source of nutrients having as basis the exchange of fiber fraction of an AIN-93 standard diet without endangering rats' growth and the analyzed biochemical parameters.

Dimethyl sulfoxide and ebselen prevent convulsions induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid.

We investigated whether intrastriatal (i.s.) administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induces oxidative damage and whether behavioral alterations induced by i.s. administration of ALA could be affected by antioxidants. Unilateral injection of ALA (6 micromol/striatum) increased (approximately 30%) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), but did not affect striatal content of total thiol groups. ALA-induced body asymmetry was not prevented by pretreatment with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg, s.c.), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 0.5 microl/striatum, i.s.) or ebselen (10 nmol/striatum, i.s.). ALA-induced convulsions were not prevented by ascorbic acid, but were partially prevented by DMSO and completely prevented by ebselen. Ebselen completely prevented the increase of striatal TBARS induced by ALA. Results obtained suggest the involvement of reactive species in ALA-induced convulsions and may be of value in understanding the physiopathology of neurological dysfunctions associated to ALA overload.