Oxidative stress status and lipid profiles of diabetic pregnant rats exposed to cigarette smoke.

This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress status and the concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol and total proteins of pregnant rats exposed to the association of diabetes and cigarette smoke. Female Wistar rats were randomly distributed in four experimental groups, according to presence or not of diabetes and the exposure or not to cigarette smoke. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg i.v.) and exposure to cigarette smoke was for 30 min, twice a day, for 2 months. At day 21 of pregnancy, blood was collected for total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol and oxidative stress determinations. Data were analysed by ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test (P<0.05). The association of diabetes and exposure to cigarette smoke was related to the incidence of hypertriglyceridaemia, and this result was due to the severe diabetes and not to exposure to smoke. There was no alteration to protein metabolism in pregnant rats. Diabetes and cigarette smoke exposure led to the activation of the antioxidant system in an attempt to detoxify the organism in face of high lipid peroxidation, which can be characterized by the determination of reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid.

Effects of cigarette smoke exposure on pregnancy outcome and offspring of diabetic rats.

A total of 52 female Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: non-diabetic (G1) and diabetic (G2) exposed to filtered air; non-diabetic (G3) and diabetic (G4) exposed to cigarette smoke. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg bodyweight, i.v.). Rats were exposed, for 30 min, to filtered air (control) or to tobacco smoke generated from 10 cigarettes, twice a day, for 2 months. At the end of the 2-month exposure, at day 21 of pregnancy, each rat was anesthetized and humanely killed for laparotomy. Uterine horns were exposed for reproductive performance analysis, fetal and placental weights and placental index. Maternal and fetal data were analysed by ANOVA followed by the Student Newman-Keuls test. Fetal weight classification was assessed by Fisher's exact test. Diabetes and cigarette smoke caused placentomegaly (G4 = 0.65 +/- 0.19 g versus G1 = 0.49 +/- 0.03 g, P < 0.05), increased placental index (G4 = 0.13 +/- 0.03 versus G1 = 0.09 +/- 0.00, P < 0.05) and small fetus rates for pregnancy age (G4 = 88% versus G1 = 23.2%, P < 0.05). These observations show the importance of encouraging pregnant women to attempt cessation of smoking.

Effects of Rhodiola rosea and Panax ginseng on the Metabolic Parameters of Rats Submitted to Swimming.

Adaptogen-based plant formulations play an important role in traditional medicine and have been used in medical practice to increase the resistance of individuals. Rhodiola rosea (RR) and Panax ginseng (PG) exhibit adaptogenic properties and are related to the recovery of homeostasis and strengthen systems impaired by stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of RR and PG on metabolic profile and muscle damage parameters in Wistar rats submitted to swimming. Animals were divided according to the following: G1: control group; G2: group that was submitted to swimming; G3: group treated with PG; G4: group treated with PG and submitted to swimming; G5: treated with RR; and G6: treated with RR and submitted to swimming. At the end of the experimental protocol, groups G2, G4, and G6 practiced swimming for a period five times longer than during the previous 30 days. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were investigated, and no significant results were found in the groups. Nevertheless, animals treated with PG and RR reduced the levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Our findings demonstrate that both PG and RR produced a significant reduction in the levels of CPK and LDH after physical stress, suggesting that they can be used to improve physical performance. For these reasons, we may say that these plants may be used to minimize the stress promoted by the practice of physical exercises.

Effects of Green and Ripe Coffee in the Metabolic Profile and Muscle Enzymes in Animals Practicing Physical Exercise.

Many studies have shown that plants can be therapeutic alternatives in the prevention or treatment of various diseases. Among these, green coffee may present different pharmacological effects related to the regulation of glycemia and lipid metabolism and is related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of using green and ripe coffee on the metabolic profile and muscular enzymes after the practice of physical exercises in Wistar rats. We included six groups: G1 (control group), G2 (group submitted to swimming), G3 (group that consumed green coffee), G4 (group that consumed green coffee and was submitted to swimming), G5 (group that consumed ripe coffee), and G6 (group that consumed ripe coffee and was submitted to swimming). Our results showed that there was a significant reduction in the percentage of visceral fat in G3, G5, and G6. We did not observe significant modifications in glycemia, lipids, lactate dehydrogenase, ferric reducing ability of plasma, and ferric-xylenol orange. The levels of creatine phosphokinase showed a reduction in the groups G2 and G4. No significant differences were found in the atherogenic indices. There is a global demand for natural compounds that can be safe, cheap, related to minimum side effects, and provide health benefits. Our results show that the use of green or ripe coffee may contribute to reduce the percentage of visceral fat and consequently may protect against further complications once this tissue produces proatherogenic hormones. Furthermore, green coffee may play a role in protecting muscle injury after the practice of physical exercises.

Levels of DNA damage in blood leukocyte samples from non-diabetic and diabetic female rats and their fetuses exposed to air or cigarette smoke.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate DNA damage level in blood leukocytes from diabetic and non-diabetic female Wistar rats exposed to air or to cigarette smoke, and to correlate the findings with levels of DNA damage detected in blood leukocyte samples from their fetuses. A total of 20 rats were distributed into four experimental groups: non-diabetic (control; G1) and diabetic exposed to filtered air (G2); non-diabetic (G3) and diabetic (G4) exposed to cigarette smoke. Rats placed into whole-body exposure chambers were exposed for 30min to filtered air (control) or to tobacco smoke generated from 10 cigarettes, twice a day, for 2 months. Diabetes was induced by a pancreatic beta-cytotoxic agent, streptozotocin (40mg/kgb.w.). At day 21 of pregnancy, each rat was anesthetized and humanely killed to obtain maternal and fetal blood samples for genotoxicity analysis using the alkaline comet assay. G2, G3 and G4 dams presented higher DNA damage values in tail moment and tail length as compared to G1 group. There was a significant positive correlation between DNA damage levels in blood leukocyte samples from G2 and G3 groups (tail moment); G3 and G4 groups (tail length) and G3 group (tail intensity) and their fetuses. Thus, this study showed the association of severe diabetes and tobacco cigarette smoke exposure did not exacerbate levels of maternal and fetal DNA damages related with only diabetes or cigarette smoke exposure. Based on the results obtained and taking into account other published data, maternal diabetes requires rigid clinical control and public health and education campaigns should be increased to encourage individuals, especially pregnant women, to stop smoking.

Evaluation of level of DNA damage in blood leukocytes of non-diabetic and diabetic rat exposed to cigarette smoke.

The objective of the present study was to use the comet assay to evaluate the steady-state level of DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes from diabetic and non-diabetic female Wistar rats exposed to air or to cigarette smoke. A total of 20 rats were distributed into four experimental groups (n=5 rats/group): non-diabetic (control) and diabetic exposed to filtered air; non-diabetic and diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke. A pancreatic beta (beta)-cytotoxic agent, streptozotocin (40 mg/kg b.w.) was used to induce experimental diabetes in rats. Rats placed into whole-body exposure chambers were exposed for 30 min to filtered air (control) or to tobacco smoke generated from 10 cigarettes, twice a day, for 2 months. At the end of the 2-month exposure period, each rat was anesthetized and humanely killed to obtain blood samples for genotoxicity analysis using the alkaline comet assay. Blood leukocytes sampled from diabetic rats presented higher DNA damage values (tail moment=0.57+/-0.05; tail length=19.92+/-0.41, p<0.05) compared to control rats (tail moment=0.34+/-0.02; tail length=17.42+/-0.33). Non-diabetic (tail moment=0.43+/-0.04, p>0.05) and diabetic rats (tail moment=0.41+/-0.03, p>0.05) exposed to cigarette smoke presented non-significant increases in DNA damage levels compared to control group. In conclusion, our data show that the exposure of diabetic rats to cigarette smoke produced no additional genotoxicity in peripheral blood cells of female Wistar rats.

Dipteryx alata Vogel May Improve Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Indices in Wistar Rats Dipteryx alata and Atherogenic Indices.

Worldwide prevalence of noncommunicable chronic degenerative diseases is among the main causes of death worldwide. The consumption of some foods such as nuts and seeds may be beneficial in preventing these diseases. Dipteryx alata Vogel (DA), known popularly as Baru, belongs to the family Fabaceae and is a native fruit tree from the Brazilian savanna. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of seeds of DA on the metabolic and oxidative profile of Wistar rats. Animals were divided randomly into four groups (n = 10): G1 (control group), and G2 (treated with DA 20%), G3 (treated with DA 30%), and G4 (treated with DA 40%). After 40 days, animals were euthanized and metabolic and oxidative profiles were analyzed (glycemia, cholesterol, triglycerides [TGs], high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-c], very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [VLDL-c], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-c], C reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, Lee index, weight, visceral fat, ferric reducing ability of plasma, and ferric-xylenol orange method. The use of the seeds was effective in reducing TGs, VLDL-c, LDL-c, and increasing HDL-c but did not interfere in the percentage of weight gain, visceral fat, levels of total cholesterol, and oxidative stress. Based on our results, it is possible to say that the use of DA may improve the lipid profile of Wistar rats and we may suggest that the consumption of DA almonds or products prepared with them may be an effective option for the intake of healthy products.

Antidiabetic and antilipidemic effects of Manilkara zapota.

Manilkara zapota is a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the Sapotaceae family; its parts are used in alternative medicine to treat coughs and colds and possess diuretic, antidiarrheal, antibiotic, antihyperglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic effects. There are no studies on metabolic profile after using the fruit, and this study aimed at evaluating the effects of the leaf and pulp of M. zapota fruit on the metabolic profile of Wistar rats. Male rats were treated for 50 days with M. zapota leaf juice or fruit juice, after which their biochemical and body composition profiles were analyzed (glycemia, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), insulin, leptin, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, Lee Index, and body mass index). Our results indicate significantly lower levels of glycemia, insulin, leptin, cholesterol, and triglycerides and augmented levels of HDL-c in animals treated with the leaves or fruit of this plant. The percentage of weight gain also declined in animals treated with M. zapota fruit pulp. The use of the M. zapota may be helpful in the prevention of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and their complications.

Effects of Passiflora edulis (yellow passion) on serum lipids and oxidative stress status of Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener (yellow passion) juice on the lipid profile and oxidative stress status of Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided in two groups (n=8 animals per group): the control group, which received water, and the treated group, which was given P. edulis juice (1,000 mg/kg). Both groups received by gavage treatment twice a day for 28 days. The treated group showed an increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level and decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and free fatty acid levels compared with the control group. Levels of triglycerides and and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, superoxide dismutase activity, and total glutathione concentration were not statistically different between the two groups, but the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentration (indicating lipid peroxidation) decreased in the treated group. These findings suggests that P. edulis juice in the experimental conditions used showed beneficial effects on lipid profile and improved lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats.