Hypoadiponectinaemia in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease obese women is associated with infrequent intake of dietary sucrose and fatty foods.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between adiponectinaemia and food intake among obese women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: In total, 60 obese women were examined by abdominal ultrasound for liver steatosis and subcutaneous and visceral adiposity. A standard interview (including questions about alcohol intake, medical history and physical activity), a physical examination (including height, weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, and body composition) and biochemical and clinical parameters (including serum glucose and insulin, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance, lipid profile, aminotransferases, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 levels and blood pressure) were performed. Food intake was evaluated by a qualitative food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-four NAFLD patients and thirty-six controls were analysed. The Mann-Whitney test showed lower adiponectin levels in the liver disease group compared to controls (P < 0.05). The Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that adiponectinaemia was negatively correlated with lipid profile and serum tumour necrosis factor-α (P = 0.05) and was positively associated with adiposity measures and serum leptin (P < 0.05). By simple linear regression, all of these variables predicted serum adiponectin levels. Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests indicated that, in both groups, food intake showed no differences, although sucrose and fatty foods were associated with lower adiponectin levels in the liver disease group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively), as well as in the control group (P = 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoadiponectinaemia in NAFLD was associated with dietary sucrose and fatty food intake, emphasising the important role of diet in the occurrence of this disease.

Rice bran supplementation during nutritional recovery period of malnourished rats improves colon development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the colon's development in rats subjected to protein energy malnutrition followed by supplementation with rice bran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Weaned Wistar male rats (21 days old), weight (40-50 g) were divided into two groups: diet with 17% protein (C; control group) or an aproteic diet (A; aproteic group), for 12 days. After this, 50% of the rats from each group were sacrificed. The remaining rats were further distributed in the three groups for a recovery (21 days): control (C) continued to receive the control diet whereas the aproteic group (A) received either a control diet (AC) or a control diet supplemented with 5% of rice bran (ARB). RESULTS: The A group showed alterations in the colon and cecum, excreted dry feces mass and fecal nitrogen, compared with C rats. In the proximal colon of A rats, the external muscularis and the width of the colon wall were higher whereas in the distal colon they were lower than C. After the recovery period, the relative cecum mass, colon mass and colon length of the recovered groups (AC and ARB) were higher than in the C group. Dry feces and fecal nitrogen excreted of the rats from recovered groups were lower than C group. Colon length of the AC group was lower than in the C group. Only the crypt's depth from ARB group was higher than in the C group. CONCLUSION: Control diet supplemented with 5% rice bran, reestablished the large intestine of aproteic rats. The recovery in the ARB group was even better than in the AC rats.

Colorectal cancer: lifestyle and dietary factors.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the most common tumor in the developed countries, and the number of new cases annualy is aproximately equal for men and women. Several environmental factors can interact in all steps of carcinogenesis. Lately the balance between genetic predisposition and these factors, including nutritional components and lifestyle behaviors, determines individual susceptibility to develop colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to revise the references about lifestyle include diet, physical exercise, tobacco smoking and use of alcohol, and the risk of colorectal cancer in databases published during 1994-2004. DIETARY FACTORS: According to the reports high intake of red meat, and particularly of processed meat and positive energetic balance (high intake of total fat and carbohydrate) was associated with a moderate but significant increase in colorectal cancer risk. Convincing preventive factors include increase consumption of a wide variety of fruit and vegetable, particularly, dark-green leafy, cruciferous, a deep-yellow on tones, and fibre. LIFESTYLE: Physical activity as a means for the primary prevention of colorectal cancer. There is a probable synergic effect among physical inactivity, high energy intake and obesity and incidence of colorectal cancer. A growing body of evidence supports that avoidance overweight and the use of tobacco and alcohol is recommended to prevent colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Current data suggest that lifestyle modification including proper diet such as the ones rich in vegetable and poor in red meat and fat, regular physical activity and maintaining an appropriate body weight and avoiding the use of tobacco and alcohol may lead to reduce colorectal cancer risk.

Titration of antiserum to South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) venom by measuring inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity.

Horse antiserum to the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus, A South American rattlesnake, inhibits the phospholipase activity of the crude venom. There is a close relationship between this inhibitory property and the neutralizing potency of the antiserum in vivo. This may provide the basis for a rigorous standardization of anticrotalid venom in vitro.

Neutralization of lethal and myotoxic activities of South American rattlesnake venom by extracts and constituents of the plant Eclipta prostrata (Asteraceae).

Ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of Eclipta prostrata L. (Asteraceae) neutralized the lethal activity of the venom of South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) when mixed in vitro before i.p. injection into adult Swiss mice. Samples of ethanolic extract corresponding to 1.8 mg of dry extract per animal neutralized up to four lethal doses of the venom (LD50 = 0.08 micrograms venom/g animal). Three substances isolated from the plant--wedelolactone (0.54 mg/animal), sitosterol (2.3 mg/animal) and stigmasterol (2.3 mg/animal)--were able to neutralize three lethal doses of the venom. Aqueous extracts of the plant inhibited the release of creatine kinase from isolated rat muscle exposed to the crude venom. The protection conferred against the myotoxic effects of the venom could be demonstrated also in vivo, when the venom was preincubated with the extract prior to injection into mice.

Antigenic cross-reactivity among the venoms from several species of Brazilian scorpions.

The venoms of seven species of scorpions living in different regions of Brazil were analysed with regard to their lethality, antigenic cross-reactivity and ability to induce antibody production. In mice, the tested scorpion venoms can be grouped as: (a) highly toxic: Tityus stigmurus Thorell (LD50 = 0.773 mg/kg), Tityus bahiensis (Perty) (LD50 = 1.062 mg/kg), Tityus serrulatus Lutz and Mello (LD50 = 1.160 mg/kg), and Tityus costatus (Karsch) (LD50 = 1.590 mg/kg); (b) moderately toxic: Tityus cambridgei Pocock (LD50 = 12.136 mg/kg); and (c) practically nontoxic: Rhopalurus agamemnon (Koch) (LD50 = 36.363 mg/kg), and Brotheas amazonicus Lourenço (LD50 = 90.909 mg/kg). On electrophoresis the venoms showed many protein bands displayed along the chromatogram, most of them cross-reacting in immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting using horse anti-T. serrulatus, anti-T. bahiensis or anti-T. serrulatus+T. bahiensis sera as probes. The antibodies present in these antivenoms combine with venom components as measured in vitro by the ELISA assay, and neutralize their lethal effects in vivo. These results indicate that horse anti-venoms against a mixture of T. serrulatus and T. bahiensis venoms or only against T. serrulatus venom yield an antibody population able to neutralize the toxic effects found in all venoms studied.

Enhanced mucosal re-epithelialization induced by short chain fatty acids in experimental colitis.

The short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the best nutrients for the colonocytes. Glucose is poorly used as a fuel but may be transformed into SCFA by colonic bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SCFA or glucose on experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in 30 Wistar rats by colonic instillation of 4% acetic acid. Five days later they were randomized to receive twice a day colonic lavage containing saline (controls, N = 10), 10% hypertonic glucose (N = 10) or SCFA (N = 10) until day 8 when they were killed. At autopsy, the colon was removed and weighed and the mucosa was evaluated macro- and microscopically and stripped out for DNA assay. Data are reported as mean +/- SD or median [range] as appropriate. All animals lost weight but there was no difference between groups. Colon weight was significantly lower in the SCFA group (3.8 +/- 0.5 g) than in the control (5.3 +/- 2.1 g) and glucose (5.2 +/- 1.3 g) groups (P<0.05). Macroscopically, the severity of inflammation was less in SCFA (grade 2 [1-5]) than in control (grade 9 [4-10]) and glucose-treated (grade 9 [2-10]) animals (P<0.01). Microscopically, ulceration of the mucosa was more severe in the glucose and control groups than in the SCFA group. The DNA content of the mucosa of SCFA-treated animals (8.2 [5.0-20.2] mg/g of tissue) was higher than in glucose-treated (5.1 [4.2-8.5] mg/g of tissue; P<0.01) and control (6.2 [4.5-8.9] mg/g of tissue; P<0.05) animals. We conclude that SCFA may enhance mucosal re-epithelialization in experimental colitis, whereas hypertonic glucose is of no benefit.

Effect of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids rich diets on hepatic and adipose tissue lipid metabolism in rats.

To examine the relationship between the type of dietary fat on liver and adipose tissue metabolism, in this study, fresh weight, protein, DNA, lipid content, and rate of lipogenesis from 3H2O of liver and retroperitoneal (RET) and epididymal (EPI) adipose tissues were assessed in rats fed polyunsaturated omega-6 (PUFA), saturated medium chain (SMC) or saturated long chain (SLC) fatty acid rich chows and control chow (CC). The results obtained indicate that fatty acid rich diets decreased liver fresh weight, protein and DNA content. However, they increased lipid content in liver and carcasses without changing the weight of RET and EPI. The rate of lipogenesis in vivo was increased by SMC and PUFA in liver and RET. These results indicate that not only the lipid content of diet but also the type of fatty acid caused metabolic alterations both in liver and white adipose tissues.

[Solid cystic tumor of the pancreas. Case report]. / Tumor sólido-cístico de pâncreas. Relato de caso.

The solid and cystic tumour of the pancreas is a rare entity that occurs in young women. Clinically the patients are often asymptomatic, the tumor of variable size (2-10 cm) and show a fibrous encapsulation. In contrast to adenocarcinoma of pancreatic ductal cells, which is the most frequent tumor of the pancreas, this tumour have a slow growth, usually do not have metastases and have a favourable prognosis. The authors related the case and have done a revision of the illness.

Correlation of serum leptin and insulin levels of pregnant protein-restricted rats with predictive obesity variables.

During pregnancy and protein restriction, changes in serum insulin and leptin levels, food intake and several metabolic parameters normally result in enhanced adiposity. We evaluated serum leptin and insulin levels and their correlations with some predictive obesity variables in Wistar rats (90 days), up to the 14th day of pregnancy: control non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 7) groups (control diet: 17% protein), and low-protein non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 6) groups (low-protein diet: 6%). Independent of the protein content of the diet, pregnancy increased total (F1,19 = 22.28, P < 0.001) and relative (F1,19 = 5.57, P < 0.03) food intake, the variation of weight (F1,19 = 49.79, P < 0.000) and final body weight (F1,19 = 19.52, P < 0.001), but glycemia (F1,19 = 9.02, P = 0.01) and the relative weight of gonadal adipose tissue (F1,19 = 17.11, P < 0.001) were decreased. Pregnancy (F1,19 = 18.13, P < 0.001) and low-protein diet (F1,19 = 20.35, P < 0.001) increased the absolute weight of brown adipose tissue. However, the relative weight of this tissue was increased only by protein restriction (F1,19 = 15.20, P < 0.001) and the relative lipid in carcass was decreased in low-protein groups (F1,19 = 4.34, P = 0.05). Serum insulin and leptin levels were similar among groups and did not correlate with food intake. However, there was a positive relationship between serum insulin levels and carcass fat depots in low-protein groups (r = 0.37, P < 0.05), while in pregnancy serum leptin correlated with weight of gonadal (r = 0.39, P < 0.02) and retroperitoneal (r = 0.41, P < 0.01) adipose tissues. Unexpectedly, protein restriction during 14 days of pregnancy did not alter the serum profile of adiposity signals and their effects on food intake and adiposity, probably due to the short term of exposure to low-protein diet.

Action of chlorogenic acid on the complement system.

Previous research on plants used in folk medicine as antidotes against snake-bite revealed some constituents responsible for such protection. Chlorogenic acid (3-0-caffeoyl quinic acid) was one of these substances, studied with more attention. It has been shown that this substance binds to proteins through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. This paper shows the preliminary results about the anti-complementary action of chlorogenic acid. Human and guinea pig sera, treated with chlorogenic acid, were added to the hemolytic system (sheep erythrocyte sensitized with hemolysin) to study its effect on the activation of the classical complement pathway. The action on the alternative pathway was studied with human serum treated with chlorogenic acid and zymosan. Our results show that chlorogenic acid presents anti-complementary action at the classical pathway, since the sera are not able to lysis the indicator system. The presence of C3b fragments on the surface of the yeast cells demonstrates that the alternative pathway was not affected.

Trypanosoma cruzi in the opossum Didelphis marsupialis: parasitological and serological follow-up of the acute infection.

The opossum Didelphis marsupialis is known to be among the most important wild reservoirs of Trypanosoma cruzi and one in which the trypanosome may go through both the usual vertebrate intracellular cycle in its tissues and an extracellular cycle in the lumen of its scent glands. The species is highly resistant to heavy inocula and, depending on the parasite strain, experimental infections may be permanent or self limited. Aiming to understand the mechanisms involved in this parasite-host interaction we made a study of the acute phase of infection with different T. cruzi strains. Strains F, G-49 and G-327 produced durable infections with relatively high parasitemia and invasion of the scent glands, while equivalent inocula of the Y strain resulted in scanty parasitemia of short duration, no invasion of the SG, and no evidence of persistent parasitism. A smaller inoculum of G-49 produced only subpatent though persistent parasitemia and no invasion of the scent glands. The humoral immune response was less marked in the Y group; among the other groups IgM and IgG antibodies increased to high levels, higher in the G-49 group. The increase in IgG coincided with a drop of parasitemia to subpatent levels. Two opossums inoculated directly in the scent glands with culture forms of the Y strain had a short-lived subpatent parasitemia, but the parasites remained in the glands and serum Ig antibodies reached high levels. Immunoblot analysis showed that the sera of the inoculated opossums recognized few T. cruzi antigens (more in the F strain) in comparison with those of mice. However, with the only exception of those subcutaneously inoculated with the Y strain and including two naturally infected specimens, all the opossum's sera recognized a 90-kDa peptide in all T. cruzi strains. Our results confirm that opossums are able to selectively eliminate some strains of T. cruzi and indicate that the mechanism involved in this selection is probably not related to the humoral immune response. In infections by strains that are able to establish a permanent foothold in opossum tissues, there are indications that IgG antibodies participate in the control of the parasite population of the acute phase but are unable to prevent the chronic phase. It was once more demonstrated that the opossum infected scent glands function as diffusion chambers for parasite antigens but that, on the other hand, the parasites are here protected against the mechanisms developed by the host to control their population.

Correlation of serum leptin and insulin levels of pregnant protein-restricted rats with predictive obesity variables

During pregnancy and protein restriction, changes in serum insulin and leptin levels, food intake and several metabolic parameters normally result in enhanced adiposity. We evaluated serum leptin and insulin levels and their correlations with some predictive obesity variables in Wistar rats (90 days), up to the 14th day of pregnancy: control non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 7) groups (control diet: 17 percent protein), and low-protein non-pregnant (N = 5) and pregnant (N = 6) groups (low-protein diet: 6 percent). Independent of the protein content of the diet, pregnancy increased total (F1,19 = 22.28, P < 0.001) and relative (F1,19 = 5.57, P < 0.03) food intake, the variation of weight (F1,19 = 49.79, P < 0.000) and final body weight (F1,19 = 19.52, P < 0.001), but glycemia (F1,19 = 9.02, P = 0.01) and the relative weight of gonadal adipose tissue (F1,19 = 17.11, P < 0.001) were decreased. Pregnancy (F1,19 = 18.13, P < 0.001) and low-protein diet (F1,19 = 20.35, P < 0.001) increased the absolute weight of brown adipose tissue. However, the relative weight of this tissue was increased only by protein restriction (F1,19 = 15.20, P < 0.001) and the relative lipid in carcass was decreased in low-protein groups (F1,19 = 4.34, P = 0.05). Serum insulin and leptin levels were similar among groups and did not correlate with food intake. However, there was a positive relationship between serum insulin levels and carcass fat depots in low-protein groups (r = 0.37, P < 0.05), while in pregnancy serum leptin correlated with weight of gonadal (r = 0.39, P < 0.02) and retroperitoneal (r = 0.41, P < 0.01) adipose tissues. Unexpectedly, protein restriction during 14 days of pregnancy did not alter the serum profile of adiposity signals and their effects on food intake and adiposity, probably due to the short term of exposure to low-protein diet.

Enhanced mucosal re-epithelialization induced by short chain fatty acids in experimental colitis

The short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the best nutrients for the colonocytes. Glucose is poorly used as a fuel but may be transformed into SCFA by colonic bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SCFA or glucose on experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in 30 Wistar rats by colonic instillation of 4 percent acetic acid. Five days later they were randomized to receive twice a day colonic lavage containing saline (controls, N = 10), 10 percent hypertonic glucose (N = 10) or SCFA (N = 10) until day 8 when they were killed. At autopsy, the colon was removed and weighed and the mucosa was evaluated macro- and microscopically and stripped out for DNA assay. Data are reported as mean + or -SD or median [range] as appropriate. All animals lost weight but there was no difference between groups. Colon weight was significantly lower in the SCFA group (3.8 + or - 0.5 g) than in the control (5.3 + or - 2.1 g) and glucose (5.2 + or - 1.3 g) groups (PP<0.05). Macroscopically, the severity of inflammation was less in SCFA (grade 2 [1-5]) than in control (grade 9 [4-10]) and glucose-treated (grade 9 [2-10]) animals (P<0.01). Microscopically, ulceration of the mucosa was more severe in the glucose and control groups than in the SCFA group. The DNA content of the mucosa of SCFA-treated animals (8.2 [5.0-20.2] mg/g of tissue) was higher than in glucose-treated (5.1 [4.2-8.5] mg/g of tissue; P<0.01) and control (6.2 [4.5-8.9] mg/g of tissue; P<0.05) animals. We conclude that SCFA may enhance mucosal re-epithelialization in experimental colitis, whereas hypertonic glucose is of no benefit