Metabolic profile of danshen in rats by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae), is one of the traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) most commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, little is known about the chemical and metabolic profiles of danshen in vitro or in vivo. In particular, more information is needed in relation to the 50% ethanol extracts usually used in danshen formulations such as Fufang Xueshuantong Capsules and Fufang Danshen tablets. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometer (HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap) provides a sensitive and accurate method for analyzing the composition of samples. This method was used to determine the in vitro and in vivo chemical and metabolic profiles of danshen. Sixty-nine components of danshen extract and 118 components of danshen in rat plasma, urine, feces, and bile were unambiguously or tentatively identified. These results not only revealed the material composition of danshen, but also provided a comprehensive research approach for the identification of multi-constituents in TCMs.

Transcriptome sequencing and annotation of the halophytic microalga Dunaliella salina.

The unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina is well adapted to salt stress and contains compounds (including ß-carotene and vitamins) with potential commercial value. A large transcriptome database of D. salina during the adjustment, exponential and stationary growth phases was generated using a high throughput sequencing platform. We characterized the metabolic processes in D. salina with a focus on valuable metabolites, with the aim of manipulating D. salina to achieve greater economic value in large-scale production through a bioengineering strategy. Gene expression profiles under salt stress verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) implied that salt can regulate the expression of key genes. This study generated a substantial fraction of D. salina transcriptional sequences for the entire growth cycle, providing a basis for the discovery of novel genes. This first full-scale transcriptome study of D. salina establishes a foundation for further comparative genomic studies.

Perfil do paciente obeso e portador de síndrome metabólica candidato à cirurgia bariátrica em uma clínica particular de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul / Profile of obese patients with metabolic syndrome eligible for bariatric surgery at a private clinic in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

OBJETIVOS: Descrever o perfil sociodemográfico, de comorbidades, bioquímico, de estilo de vida e de uso de medicamentos de pacientes obesos, portadores de síndrome metabólica, candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica. MÉTODOS: Este estudo transversal retrospectivo incluiu indivíduos obesos grau I, II e III, portadores de síndrome metabólica e candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica, atendidos em uma clínica para tratamento da obesidade, em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Os pacientes foram atendidos entre janeiro de 2007 e março de 2014 e os dados para estudo foram coletados dos prontuários médicos. As variáveis investigadas foram: idade, sexo, escolaridade, estado civil, comorbidades, marcadores bioquímicos, uso de medicamentos, histórico de tabagismo, história de excesso de peso na infância e qualidade do sono. Os pacientes foram classificados com obesidade grau I (IMC=30-34,9), obesidade grau II (IMC=35-39,9) e obesidade grau III, ou grave (IMC≥40). O diagnóstico de síndrome metabólica foi realizado de acordo com a International Diabetes Federation. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 198 indivíduos, com média de idade de 40,5±11,1 anos (intervalo de 21 a 69 anos), dos quais 83,8% eram mulheres e 68,7% eram casados. A faixa etária mais frequente foi de 30 a 39 anos (37,4%). Com relação às condições de saúde, 77,3% dos pacientes tinham hipertensão arterial sistêmica, 75,8% eram dislipidêmicos e 75,3% eram portadores de gastrite, destacando-se que 67,2% dos pacientes utilizavam medicamentos anti-hipertensivos e 42,9% faziam uso de medicação psiquiátrica. Com relação aos níveis de proteína C reativa, verificou-se uma mediana de 0,81 (0,70-0,97mg/dL). Cento e treze pacientes (57%) referiam ter tido peso excessivo na infância. Má qualidade do sono foi mencionada por 61 (31%) dos indivíduos. CONCLUSÕES: A maior parte dos indivíduos com obesidade grau I, II e III e síndrome metabólica, que procurou atendimento na clínica de cirurgia bariátrica, era constituída de mulheres adultas jovens, casadas, com ensino de nível superior ou especializado e com a presença de várias comorbidades somadas ao excesso de peso e caráter inflamatório. Outros achados frequentes incluíram alterações do sono, relato de peso excessivo na infância e uso de mais de um tipo de medicamento.

AIMS: To describe the sociodemographic and biochemical profiles, presence of comorbidities, lifestyles, and drug utilization of obese patients with metabolic syndrome eligible for bariatric surgery METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included metabolic syndrome patients with class I, II, and III obesity treated at a specialized clinic in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, who were candidates for bariatric surgery. The patients were seen between January 2007 and March 2014 and the data for the study were collected from medical records. The following variables were investigated: age, sex, education, marital status, comorbidities, biochemical markers, drug utilization, smoking history, history of childhood overweight, and sleep quality. Patients were classified as class I obesity (BMI=30 to 34.9), class II obesity (BMI=35 to 39.9), and class III, or severe, obesity (BMI≥40). The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was established according to the International Diabetes Federation. RESULTS: A total of 198 subjects (83.8% of whom were women and 68.7% were married) with a mean age of 40.5±11.1 years (range of 21-69 years) were evaluated. Most of the patients (37.4%) were 30 to 39 years old. With regard to health, 77.3% of the patients had hypertension, 75.8% had dyslipidemia, and 75.3% had gastritis, and it should be noted that 67.2% of the patients were on antihypertensive medications and 42.9% on psychiatric drugs. A median of 0.81 (0.70-0.97mg/dL) was obtained for C-reactive protein levels. One hundred and thirteen patients (57%) reported having had excessive weight in childhood. Poor sleep quality was mentioned by 61 (31%) of individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Most individuals with class I, II, and III obesity and metabolic syndrome who sought care at the bariatric surgery clinic were young, adult, and married women with a college degree or higher education presenting with several comorbidities in addition to excess weight and inflammatory conditions. Other common findings included sleep disorders, excessive weight in childhood, and use of more than one type of medication.

Body fat distribution in women with familial partial lipodystrophy caused by mutation in the lamin A/C gene.

Familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD), Dunnigan variety, is an autosomal dominant disorder caused due to missense mutations in the lamin A/C (LMNA) gene encoding nuclear lamina proteins. Patients with FPLD are predisposed to metabolic complications of insulin resistance such as diabetes. We sought to evaluate and compare body fat distribution with dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry in women with and without FPLD and identify densitometric, clinical and metabolic features.

Parâmetros sanguíneos de vacas leiteiras suplementadas com diferentes fontes de gordura / Blood parameters of dairy cows supplemented with different fat sources

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização de diferentes fontes de gordura nas rações de vacas em lactação e seus efeitos sobre o consumo de matéria seca e as concentrações dos parâmetros sangüíneos. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas da raça Holandês, agrupadas em três quadrados latinos balanceados 4x4 e alimentadas com as seguintes rações: 1) controle; 2) óleo de soja refinado; 3) grão de soja in natura; e 4) sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos (Megalac-E). As concentrações de colesterol total, colesterol, lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL) e colesterol de alta densidade (HDL) foram maiores (P<0,05) para as vacas alimentadas com as rações contendo fontes de gordura em relação à ração controle. As concentrações de uréia e nitrogênio ureico no soro foram semelhantes entre as rações utilizadas, com exceção da ração contendo sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos, que apresentou concentrações menores (P<0,05). O consumo de matéria seca foi menor (P<0,05) nas vacas que receberam sais de cálcio nas rações. Os animais que receberam a ração contendo grão de soja como fonte de gordura apresentaram menor (P<0,05) produção de leite quando comparada às demais rações utilizadas. A utilização de fontes de gordura em rações de vacas em lactação alterou os parâmetros sanguíneos, dependendo da fonte de gordura utilizada.

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of different fat sources in dairy cows rations and its effects on dry matter intake, milk yield and composition, and blood parameter. Twelve Holstein cows were allocated in three balanced latin square 4x4, and fed with the following rations: 1) Control, with 2.5 percent; 2) Refined soybean oil; 3) Whole soybean; and 4), Calcium salts of fatty acids (Megalac-E). The concentrations of total cholesterol and lipoprotein low density (LDL) were higher (P<0.05) for cows that received rations with fat sources, which also causes increased (P<0.05) e concentration of high density lipoprotein (HDL). The concentrations of urea and blood urea nitrogen were similar among the rations, except for the diet containing calcium salts of fatty acids, which showed lower (P<0.05). The dry matter intake was lower (P<0.05) in cows that received calcium salts in the rations. The animals that received a diet containing whole soybeans as a source of fat had lower (P<0.05) yield milk when compared to other rations used. The use of fat sources in dairy cows rations influenced the blood parameters, especially for parameters related to lipidogram.