Redefining the Role of Ornithine Aspartate and Vitamin E in Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease through Its Biochemical Properties.

It is known that the inflammation process leading to oxidative stress and thyroid hormone metabolism dysfunction is highly altered in metabolic dysfunction associated with steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study aims to address the effect of ornithine aspartate (LOLA) and vitamin E (VitE) in improving these processes. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five groups and treated for 28 weeks: controls (n = 10) received a standard diet (for 28 weeks) plus gavage with distilled water (DW) from weeks 16 to 28. MASLD groups received a high-fat and choline-deficient diet for 28 weeks (MASLD group) and daily gavage with 200 mg/kg/day of LOLA, or twice a week with 150 mg of VitE from weeks 16-28. LOLA diminished collagen deposition (p = 0.006). The same treatment diminished carbonyl, TBARS, and sulfhydryl levels and GPx activity (p < 0.001). Type 3 deiodinase increased in the MASLD group, downregulating T3-controlled genes, which was corrected in the presence of LOLA. LOLA also promoted a near-normalization of complex II, SDH, and GDH activities (p < 0.001) and improved reticulum stress, with a reduction in GRP78 and HSPA9/GRP75 protein levels (p < 0.05). The enhanced energy production and metabolism of thyroid hormones, probably because of GSH replenishment provided by the L-glutamate portion of LOLA, opens a new therapeutic approach for MASLD.

Bone Tissue Responsiveness To Mechanical Loading-Possible Long-Term Implications of Swimming on Bone Health and Bone Development.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To revisit the bone tissue mechanotransduction mechanisms behind the bone tissue response to mechanical loading and, within this context, explore the possible negative influence of regular swimming practice on bone health, particularly during the growth and development period. RECENT FINDINGS: Bone is a dynamic tissue, responsive to mechanical loading and unloading, being these adaptative responses more intense during the growth and development period. Cross-sectional studies usually report a lower bone mass in swimmers compared to athletes engaged in weigh-bearing sports. However, studies with animal models show contradictory findings about the effect of swimming on bone health, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies. Due to its microgravity characteristics, swimming seems to impair bone mass, but mostly at the lower limbs. It is unkown if there is a causal relationship between swimming and low BMD or if other confounding factors, such as a natural selection whithin the sport, are the cause.

Photodynamic and peptide-based strategy to inhibit Gram-positive bacterial biofilm formation.

The self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix of biofilms renders them difficult to eliminate once they are established. This makes the inhibition of biofilm formation key to successful treatment of biofilm infection. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and antimicrobial peptides offer a new approach as antibiofilm strategies. In this study sub-lethal doses of aPDT (with chlorin-e6 (Ce6-PDT) or methylene blue (MB-PDT)) and the peptides AU (aurein 1.2 monomer) or (AU)2K (aurein 1.2 C-terminal dimer) were combined to evaluate their ability to prevent biofilm development by Enterococcus faecalis. Biofilm formation was assessed by resazurin reduction, confocal microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. All treatments successfully prevented biofilm development. The (AU)2K dimer had a stronger effect, both alone and combined with aPDT, while the monomer AU had significant activity when combined with Ce6-PDT. Additionally, it is shown that the peptides bind to the lipoteichoic acid of the E. faecalis cell wall, pointing to a possible key mechanism of biofilm inhibition.

Cortical and trabecular bone analysis of professional dancers using 3D-DXA: a case-control study.

Given the lack of relevant data, the aim of this study was to examine femur cortical and trabecular bone in female and male professional ballet dancers. 40 professional ballet dancers and 40 sex- and age-matched non-exercising controls volunteered. Femoral bone density was scanned by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. A 3D-DXA software was used to analyse trabecular and cortical bone. Anthropometry, maturation (Tanner staging), menstrual parameters (age at menarche and primary amenorrhea), energy availability and nutritional analysis (3-day record) were also assessed.Compared to non-exercising participants, dancers exhibited significantly higher volumetric density for integral, cortical and trabecular bone, and thicker cortex at the femur. Ballet dancers demonstrated lower body weight compared to controls (p < 0.01). Female dancers had their menarche later than controls, and the prevalence of primary amenorrhea were significantly higher in dancers than controls (p < 0.01). Dancer's energy availability was below the normal range (<30 kcal/kgFFM/day). Despite the presence of certain osteoporosis risk factors such as low energy availability, primary amenorrhoea and lower body weight, professional ballet dancers revealed higher bone density for both cortical and trabecular bone compartments compared to controls.

Effects of detraining in age-group swimmers performance, energetics and kinematics.

Changes in performance, energetics and kinematics during age-group swimmers off-season inform the prescription of training for the following season. Age-group swimmers (n = 15, age 14.3 ± 0.7 years) of equal maturational stage performed a 400-m front crawl (T400) before and after a four-weeks training cessation period. Performance-related energetic and kinematic variables were obtained controlling for anthropometric changes and non-swimming specific physical activities during off-season. T400 time decreased 3.8% (95%CI 1.4 to 6.1%; p < 0.01; d = 0.90) with non-specific physical activities (1814 ± 1989 MET-min·wk-1) accounting for ~40% of the underlying variance (p = 0.01; η2 = 0.40). Stroke rate and stroke index decreased despite similar stroke length and index of coordination values. Although mean response time, amplitude, maximal oxygen uptake, heart rate, total energy expenditure, metabolic power and energy cost were similar, aerobic contribution decreased by ~1.8% (-2.7 to -0.9%; p < 0.01; d = -1.19) and anaerobic lactic contribution increased by ~1.6% (0.8 to 2.5%; p < 0.01; d = 1.08) over the off-season. Impaired performance was mainly associated with a decreased stroke rate (r = -0.85 to -0.61; p ≤ 0.02), increased peak blood lactate (r = -0.52; p = 0.05) and fewer non-swimming specific physical activities performed during the off-season (r = -0.58; p = 0.03). The end-of-season cessation of training yielded moderate impairments in age-group swimmers performance-related energetic and kinematic factors, however non-specific physical activities can minimise fitness losses.

Effective treatment and decolonization of a dog infected with carbapenemase (VIM-2)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa using probiotic and photodynamic therapies.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections are a critical problem in veterinary medicine with limited treatment options. OBJECTIVE: To describe effective probiotic and photodynamic therapy of a dog with gut colonization and ear infection caused by a hospital-associated lineage of carbapenemase (VIM-2)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ANIMALS: A 5-year-old Lhasa apso dog presented with otitis externa. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Unilateral otitis externa caused by carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa was treated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using methylene blue as photosensitizer [wavelength 660 nm, fluence 140 J/cm2 , 8 J and 80 s per point (six equidistant points), 100 mW, spot size 0.028 cm2 and fluence rate 3.5 W/cm2 ]. The isolated bacterial strain also was tested for susceptibility to in vitro aPDT where the survival fraction was quantified by colony forming unit counts after exposure to increasing light doses. For decolonization, probiotic supplements were orally administered (once daily) for 14 days. Effectiveness of probiotics and photodynamic therapy was evaluated by clinical and microbiological culture assays. RESULTS: Complete resolution of clinical signs was achieved by Day 7 after aPDT. Samples collected immediately and after seven and 14 days following aPDT were negative for VIM-2-producing P. aeruginosa. Oral and rectal swabs collected on days 7, 14 and 21 after probiotic therapy, confirmed effective gastrointestinal decolonization. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Combined use of aPDT and probiotics could be a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of superficial infections produced by carbapenem-resistant bacteria, while avoiding recurrent infection due to intestinal bacterial carriage of these multidrug-resistant pathogens.

DNA repair genes in astrocytoma tumorigenesis, progression and therapy resistance.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant type of primary brain tumor, showing rapid development and resistance to therapies. On average, patients survive 14.6 months after diagnosis and less than 5% survive five years or more. Several pieces of evidence have suggested that the DNA damage signaling and repair activities are directly correlated with GBM phenotype and exhibit opposite functions in cancer establishment and progression. The functions of these pathways appear to present a dual role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Activation and/or overexpression of ATRX, ATM and RAD51 genes were extensively characterized as barriers for GBM initiation, but paradoxically the exacerbated activity of these genes was further associated with cancer progression to more aggressive stages. Excessive amounts of other DNA repair proteins, namely HJURP, EXO1, NEIL3, BRCA2, and BRIP, have also been connected to proliferative competence, resistance and poor prognosis. This scenario suggests that these networks help tumor cells to manage replicative stress and treatment-induced damage, diminishing genome instability and conferring therapy resistance. Finally, in this review we address promising new drugs and therapeutic approaches with potential to improve patient survival. However, despite all technological advances, the prognosis is still dismal and further research is needed to dissect such complex mechanisms.

Sorafenib for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Real-Life Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Sorafenib (SOR) has proved to be effective in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), since overall survival was higher in phase III clinical trials; however, disease progression can occur. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to describe real-life experience in advanced HCC treatment with SOR at a university hospital in Brazil and to estimate the number of patients with indication of second-line therapy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that included cases of HCC with prescription of SOR based on real-life practice between 2011 and 2016. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. RESULTS: From 572 patients with HCC, SOR was prescribed in 103 cases. From them, 62.1% were classified as Child-Pugh (CP)-A, 54.4% as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)-C, and 74 (71.8%) started treatment. Overall survival was 25.5 (95% CI 17.0-34.1) months and 1-year survival was greater in patients who received SOR than in non-treated (88.7 vs. 44.4%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in survival between BCLC-B and C (p = 0.405), as well as CP-A and B (p = 0.919). In 21.6% of the patients, a second-line therapy with regorafenib was indicated. CONCLUSION: In this real-life study, SOR significantly increased the survival rate by 1 year in patients with advanced HCC regardless of BCLC staging and CP score. Second-line therapy would be indicated in 21.6% of cases.

Photodynamic therapy combined to cisplatin potentiates cell death responses of cervical cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has proven to be a promising alternative to current cancer treatments, especially if combined with conventional approaches. The technique is based on the administration of a non-toxic photosensitizing agent to the patient with subsequent localized exposure to a light source of a specific wavelength, resulting in a cytotoxic response to oxidative damage. The present study intended to evaluate in vitro the type of induced death and the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of PDT alone and associated with cisplatin. METHODS: We used the cell lines SiHa (ATCC® HTB35™), C-33 A (ATCC® HTB31™) and HaCaT cells, all available at Dr. Christiane Soares' Lab. Photosensitizers were Photogem (PGPDT) and methylene blue (MBPDT), alone or combined with cisplatin. Cell death was accessed through Hoechst and Propidium iodide staining and caspase-3 activity. Genotoxicity and mutagenicity were accessed via flow cytometry with anti-gama-H2AX and micronuclei assay, respectively. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey's posthoc test. RESULTS: Both MBPDT and PGPDT induced caspase-independent death, but MBPDT induced the morphology of typical necrosis, while PGPDT induced morphological alterations most similar to apoptosis. Cisplatin predominantly induced apoptosis, and the combined therapy induced variable rates of apoptosis- or necrosis-like phenotypes according to the cell line, but the percentage of dead cells was always higher than with monotherapies. MBPDT, either as monotherapy or in combination with cisplatin, was the unique therapy to induce significant damage to DNA (double strand breaks) in the three cell lines evaluated. However, there was no mutagenic potential observed for the damage induced by MBPDT, since the few cells that survived the treatment have lost their clonogenic capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results elicit the potential of combined therapy in diminishing the toxicity of antineoplastic drugs. Ultimately, photodynamic therapy mediated by either methylene blue or Photogem as monotherapy or in combination with cisplatin has low mutagenic potential, which supports its safe use in clinical practice for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Polymeric Nanoparticle-Based Photodynamic Therapy for Chronic Periodontitis in Vivo.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is increasingly being explored for treatment of periodontitis. Here, we investigated the effect of aPDT on human dental plaque bacteria in suspensions and biofilms in vitro using methylene blue (MB)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) (PLGA) nanoparticles (MB-NP) and red light at 660 nm. The effect of MB-NP-based aPDT was also evaluated in a clinical pilot study with 10 adult human subjects with chronic periodontitis. Dental plaque samples from human subjects were exposed to aPDT-in planktonic and biofilm phases-with MB or MB-NP (25 µg/mL) at 20 J/cm² in vitro. Patients were treated either with ultrasonic scaling and scaling and root planing (US + SRP) or ultrasonic scaling + SRP + aPDT with MB-NP (25 µg/mL and 20 J/cm²) in a split-mouth design. In biofilms, MB-NP eliminated approximately 25% more bacteria than free MB. The clinical study demonstrated the safety of aPDT. Both groups showed similar improvements of clinical parameters one month following treatments. However, at three months ultrasonic SRP + aPDT showed a greater effect (28.82%) on gingival bleeding index (GBI) compared to ultrasonic SRP. The utilization of PLGA nanoparticles encapsulated with MB may be a promising adjunct in antimicrobial periodontal treatment.

Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer: A Review.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative approach for improved cancer treatment. In PDT, a photosensitizer (PS) is administered that can be activated by light of a specific wavelength, which causes selective damage to the tumor and its surrounding vasculature. The success of PDT is limited by the difficulty in administering photosensitizers (PSs) with low water solubility, which compromises the clinical use of several molecules. Incorporation of PSs in nanostructured drug delivery systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), hydrogels, liposomes, liquid crystals, dendrimers, and cyclodextrin is a potential strategy to overcome this difficulty. Additionally, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems may improve the transcytosis of a PS across epithelial and endothelial barriers and afford the simultaneous co-delivery of two or more drugs. Based on this, the application of nanotechnology in medicine may offer numerous exciting possibilities in cancer treatment and improve the efficacy of available therapeutics. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for photodynamic therapy of cancer.

Does Swimming Exercise Impair Bone Health? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing the Evidence in Humans and Rodent Models.

BACKGROUND: The effect of swimming on bone health remains unclear, namely due to discrepant findings between studies in humans and animal models. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to identify the available evidence on the effects of swimming on bone mass, geometry and microarchitecture at the lumbar spine, femur and tibia in both humans and rodent animal models. METHODS: The study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered at PROSPERO (CRD4202236347 and CRD42022363714 for human and animal studies). Two different systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, retrieving 36 and 16 reports for humans and animal models, respectively. RESULTS: In humans, areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was similar between swimmers and non-athletic controls at the lumbar spine, hip and femoral neck. Swimmers' tibia diaphysis showed a higher cross-sectional area but lower cortical thickness. Inconsistent findings at the femoral neck cortical thickness were found. Due to the small number of studies, trabecular microarchitecture in human swimmers was not assessed. In rodent models, aBMD was found to be lower at the tibia, but similar at the femur. Inconsistent findings in femur diaphysis cross-sectional area were observed. No differences in femur and tibia trabecular microarchitecture were found. CONCLUSION: Swimming seems to affect bone health differently according to anatomical region. Studies in both humans and rodent models suggest that tibia cortical bone is negatively affected by swimming. There was no evidence of a negative effect of swimming on other bone regions, both in humans and animal models.

Ornithine aspartate effects on bacterial composition and metabolic pathways in a rat model of steatotic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Studies suggest ornithine aspartate (LOLA) as drug therapy. AIM: To analyze the influence of LOLA intake on gut microbiota using a nutritional model of MASLD. METHODS: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: Control (10 rats fed with a standard diet), MASLD (10 rats fed with a high-fat and choline-deficient diet), and LOLA (10 rats receiving 200 mg/kg/d LOLA, after the 16th week receiving high-fat and choline-deficient diet). After 28 wk of the experiment, animals were euthanized, and feces present in the intestine were collected. Following fecal DNA extraction, the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified followed by sequencing in an Ion S5™ system. RESULTS: Alpha and beta diversity metrics were comparable between MASLD and LOLA. 3 OTUs were differentially abundant between MASLD and LOLA, which belong to the species Helicobacter rodentium, Parabacteroides goldsteinii, and Parabacteroides distasonis. The functional prediction provided two different metabolic profiles between MASLD and LOLA. The 9 pathways differentially abundant in MASLD are related to a change in energy source, adenosine/purine nucleotides degradation as well as guanosine and adenosine deoxyribonucleotides biosynthesis. The 14 pathways differentially abundant in LOLA are associated with four major metabolic functions primarily influenced by L-aspartate, including tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways, purine/guanosine nucleotides biosynthesis, pyrimidine ribonucleotides biosynthesis and salvage as well as lipid IVA biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: Although LOLA had no influence on alpha and beta diversity in this nutritional model of MASLD, it was associated with changes in specific gut microbes and their related metabolic pathways.

Body Composition Changes in Adolescents Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review and meta-analysis is to characterize the changes in body composition of children and adolescents who underwent bariatric surgery and identify possible negative effects of performing this procedure during pediatric ages. RECENT FINDINGS: Bariatric surgery in children and adolescents is an emerging strategy to promote higher and faster body weight and fat mass losses. However, possible negative effects usually observed in surgical patients' muscle-skeletal system raise a major concern perform this intervention during growth. Despite these possible issues, most experimental studies and reviews analyze bariatric surgery's effectiveness only by assessing anthropometric outcomes such as body weight and BMI, disregarding the short- and long-term impact of bariatric surgery on all body composition outcomes. Bariatric surgery is effective to reduce fat mass in adolescents, as well as body weight, waist circumference, and BMI. Significant reduction in lean mass and fat-free mass is also observed. Bone mass seems not to be impaired. All outcomes reduction were observed only in the first 12 months after surgery. Sensitivity analysis suggests possible sex and type of surgery-related differences, favoring a higher fat mass, body weight, and BMI losses in boys and in patients who underwent RYGB.

The impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on marital outcomes and factors associated with divorce and separation.

Objective: To analyze marital outcomes, divorce or separation, and its association with demographic, socioeconomic, and clinicopathological factors among breast cancer (BC) survivors after 2-years of diagnosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of marital status at baseline and at years 1 and 2 of follow-up of women aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with invasive BC participating in the AMAZONA III (GBECAM0115) study. The BC diagnosis occurred between January 2016 and March 2018 at 23 institutions in Brazil. Results: Of the 2974 women enrolled in AMAZONA III, 599 were married or living under common law at baseline. Divorce or separation occurred in 35 (5.8%) patients at 2 years of follow-up. In the multivariate analysis, public health insurance coverage was associated with a higher risk of marital status change (8.25% vs. 2.79%, RR 3.09, 95% CI 1.39 - 7.03, p = 0.007). Women who underwent mastectomy, adenomastectomy or skin-sparing mastectomy were associated with a higher risk of divorce or separation (8.1% vs. 4.49%, RR 1.97, 95 CI 1.04 - 3.72, p = 0.0366) than those who underwent breast-conserving surgery. Conclusion: Women covered by the public health system and those who underwent mastectomy, adenomastectomy or skin-sparing mastectomy were associated with a higher risk of divorce or separation. This evidence further supports the idea that long-term marital stability is associated with a complex interplay between socioeconomic conditions and stressors, such as BC diagnosis and treatment. ClinicalTrials Registration: NCT02663973.

Impact of Long-Term Swimming Exercise on Rat Femur Bone Quality.

Considering the conflicting evidence regarding the potential long-term detrimental effect of swimming during growth on femur quality and fracture risk, our aim was to investigate the effect of eight months of swimming on femur quality. Twenty male eight-week-old Wistar rats were assigned into a swimming (SW; n = 10; 2 h/day, 5 days/week) or active control group (CG; n = 10, housed with running wheel) for eight months. Plasma osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen concentrations (ELISA) were assessed at baseline, four, and eight months of protocol. Femur structure (micro-computed tomography), biomechanical properties (three-point bending), and cellular density (histology) were determined after the protocol. SW displayed a lower uncoupling index, suggesting higher bone resorption, lower empty lacunae density, cortical and trabecular femur mass, femur length and cortical thickness, and higher cortical porosity than CG (p < 0.05). Although both biomarkers' concentrations decreased in both groups throughout the experiment (p < 0.001), there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). No differences were also found regarding biomechanical properties, bone marrow adiposity, and osteocyte and osteoclast densities (p > 0.05). Long-term swimming was associated with unbalanced bone turnover and compromised femur growth, lower femur mass, and deteriorated cortical bone microarchitecture. However, femur trabecular microarchitecture and biomechanical properties were not affected by swimming.

Nosocomial meningitis in intensive care: a 10-year retrospective study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial meningitis is a medical emergency that requires early diagnosis, prompt initiation of therapy, and frequent admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in adult patients diagnosed with nosocomial meningitis who required admission to the ICU between April 2010 and March 2020. Meningitis/ventriculitis and intracranial infection were defined according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. RESULTS: An incidence of 0.75% of nosocomial meningitis was observed among 70 patients. The mean patient age was 59 years and 34% were ≥65 years. Twenty-two percent of patients were in an immunocompromised state. A clear predisposing factor for nosocomial meningitis (traumatic brain injury, basal skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, central nervous system [CNS] invasive procedure or device) was present in 93% of patients. Fever was the most frequent clinical feature. A microbiological agent was identified in 30% of cases, of which 27% were bacteria, with a predominance of Gram-negative over Gram-positive. Complications developed in 47% of cases, 24% of patients were discharged with a Glasgow coma scale <14, and 37% died. There were no clear clinical predictors of complications. Advanced age (≥65 years old) and the presence of complications were associated with higher hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Nosocomial meningitis in critical care has a low incidence rate but high mortality and morbidity. In critical care patients with CNS-related risk factors, a high level of suspicion for meningitis is warranted, but diagnosis can be hindered by several confounding factors.

Comparison of Climacteric Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Self-Care Attitudes before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the climacteric symptoms, quality of life indices, and self-care attitudes in women before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2020 and September 2021. The sample consisted of 342 climacteric women who were divided into two groups: before the pandemic (BP group; n = 62) and during the pandemic (DP group; n = 280). The Menopause Rating Scale and Women's Health Questionnaire were used to measure the health-related quality of life and degree of climacteric symptoms reported by women. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, women were able to decrease their somatic symptoms derived from the climacteric period (BP group: 7.84 ± 4.46, DP group: 5.94 ± 9.20; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There was no worsening in the self-reported symptoms, quality of life, and self-care attitudes of climacteric women because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, only somatic symptoms decreased during the pandemic.

Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Agents versus Bovine Colostrum Supplementation for the Management of Bone Health Using an Osteoporosis-Induced Rat Model.

Osteoporosis is defined by loss of bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture. The present study compared the effects of available pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents for osteoporosis [alendronate (ALE) and concomitant supplementation of vitamin D (VD) and calcium (Ca)] with the effects of bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation in ovariectomized (OVX) and orchidectomized (ORX) rats. Seven-month-old rats were randomly allocated to: (1) placebo-control, (2) ALE group (7.5 µg/kg of body weight/day/5 times per week), (3) VD/Ca group (VD: 35 µg/kg of body weight/day/5 times per week; Ca: 13 mg/kg of body weight/day/3 times per week), and (4) BC supplementation (OVX: 1.5 g/day/5 times per week; ORX: 2 g/day/5 times per week). Following four months of supplementation, bone microarchitecture, strength and bone markers were evaluated. ALE group demonstrated significantly higher Ct.OV, Ct.BMC, Tb.Th, Tb.OV and Tb.BMC and significantly lower Ct.Pr, Tb.Pr, Tb.Sp, Ct.BMD and Tb.BMD, compared to placebo (p < 0.05). BC presented significantly higher Ct.Pr, Ct.BMD, Tb.Pr, Tb.Sp, and Tb.BMD and significantly lower Ct.OV, Ct.BMC, Tb.Th, Tb.OV and Tb.BMC compared to ALE in OVX rats (p < 0.05). OVX rats receiving BC experienced a significant increase in serum ALP and OC levels post-supplementation (p < 0.05). BC supplementation may induce positive effects on bone metabolism by stimulating bone formation, but appear not to be as effective as ALE.