Evaluation of the antioxidant activities of fatty polyhydroquinolines synthesized by Hantzsch multicomponent reactions.

Polyhydroquinolines (PHQs) are the unsymmetrical Hantzsch derivatives of 1,4-dihydropyridines with several biological applications. In this work, new fatty 2- and 3-substituted PHQ derivatives from different fatty acids and fatty alcohol feedstocks were synthesized at good yields via a four-component reaction (4CR). The antioxidant activities of fatty PHQs were investigated using three different antioxidant methods. The experiments showed that the compounds derived from 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and fatty palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (C18:1) chains showed better antioxidant activity. This revealed that combining the ortho NO2 group in the aromatic ring with the insertion of fatty chains in the PHQ core contributed to the antioxidant activity. However, among all the fatty PHQs tested, the fatty 2-substituted compound derived from oleyl alcohol and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde showed the highest antioxidant activity (EC50, 2.11-4.69 µM), which was similar to those of the antioxidant standards butylated hydroxytoluene (EC50, 1.98-6.47 µM) and vitamin E (EC50, 1.19-5.88 µM). In addition, this lipophilic compound showed higher antioxidant activity than the antihypertensive drug nifedipine (EC50, 49.25-126.86 µM). These results indicate that the new fatty PHQs may find novel applications as antioxidant additives.

Laparoscopic gastric banding in the rat model as a means of videolaparoscopic training.

BACKGROUND: The development of laparoscopy in bariatric surgery has attracted a large number of surgeons. Learning this method for future clinical practice requires intensive training with inert tissues, simulators and experimental surgery in animals. Performing these procedures in small animals, with the same equipment used in humans, is feasible, allowing familiarization with and comprehension of the basic techniques. Wistar rats weighing 300-600 g were used. The animals were kept in standard laboratory conditions. A laparoscopic video-system, Veress needle, three ports, a 0 degree optic, a laparoscopic needle-holder, two 5-mm graspers, a 5-mm dissection clamp and a 5-mm scissors were used. An orogastric catheter with three 4-0 nylon sutures and one 6-0 nylon suture were also utilized. For the gastric band, we used a plastic device similar to the human gastric band. The present study describes a simple, inexpensive and reproducible technique for laparoscopic gastric banding in a rat model utilizing the same instruments developed for humans. The experimental rat model is more motivating than simulators, requires less space, and has easier maintenance compared with bigger animals, and consequently allows the use of more animals for teaching, training and application in many scientific studies.