The administration of a high refined carbohydrate diet promoted an increase in pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress in mice exposed to cigarette smoke.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a high refined carbohydrate diet and pulmonary inflammatory response in C57BL/6 mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). Twenty-four male mice were divided into four groups: control group (CG), which received a standard diet; cigarette smoke group (CSG), which was exposed to CS; a high refined carbohydrate diet group (RG), which received a high refined carbohydrate diet; and a high refined carbohydrates diet and cigarette smoke group (RCSG), which received a high refined carbohydrate diet and was exposed to CS. The animals were monitored for food intake and body weight gain for 12 weeks. After this period, the CSG and RCSG were exposed to CS for five consecutive days. At the end of the experimental protocol, all animals were euthanized for subsequent analyses. There was an increase of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of CSG compared to CG and RCSG compared to CG, CSG, and RG. In addition, in the BALF, there was an increase of tumor necrosis factor alpha in RCSG compared to CG, CSG, and RG; interferon gamma increase in RCSG compared to the CSG; and increase in interleukin-10 in RCSG compared to CG and RG. Lipid peroxidation increased in RCSG compared to CG, CSG, and RG. Furthermore, the oxidation of proteins increased in CSG compared to CG. The analysis of oxidative stress showed an increase in superoxide dismutase in RCSG compared to CG, CSG, and RG and an increase in the catalase activity in RCSG compared with CG. In addition, there was a decrease in the glutathione reduced/glutathione total ratio of CSG, RG, and RCSG compared to CG. Therefore, the administration of a high refined carbohydrate diet promoted an increase in pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress in mice exposed to CS.

The Effects of the Combination of a Refined Carbohydrate Diet and Exposure to Hyperoxia in Mice.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease with genetic, social, and environmental influences. This study aims at analyzing the effects of the combination of a refined carbohydrate diet and exposure to hyperoxia on the pulmonary oxidative and inflammatory response in mice. Twenty-four mice were divided into four groups: control group (CG), hyperoxia group (HG), refined carbohydrate diet group (RCDG), and refined carbohydrate diet + hyperoxia group (RCDHG). The experimental diet was composed of 10% sugar, 45% standard diet, and 45% sweet condensed milk. For 24 hours, the HG and RCDHG were exposed to hyperoxia and the CG and RCDG to ambient air. After the exposures were completed, the animals were euthanized, and blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lungs were collected for analyses. The HG showed higher levels of interferon-γ in adipose tissue as compared to other groups and higher levels of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α compared to the CG and RCDHG. SOD and CAT activities in the pulmonary parenchyma decreased in the RCDHG as compared to the CG. There was an increase of lipid peroxidation in the HG, RCDG, and RCDHG as compared to the CG. A refined carbohydrate diet combined with hyperoxia promoted inflammation and redox imbalance in adult mice.

Influence of sexual dimorphism on pulmonary inflammatory response in adult mice exposed to chloroform.

Chloroform is an organic solvent used as an intermediate in the synthesis of various fluorocarbons. Despite its widespread use in industry and agriculture, exposure to chloroform can cause illnesses such as cancer, especially in the liver and kidneys. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of chloroform on redox imbalance and pulmonary inflammatory response in adult C57BL/6 mice. Forty animals were divided into 4 groups (N = 10): female (FCG) and male (MCG) controls, and females (FEG) and males (MEG) exposed to chloroform (7.0 ppm) 3 times/d for 20 minutes for 5 days. Total and differential cell counts, oxidative damage analysis, and protein carbonyl and antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) activity measurements were performed. Morphometric analyses included alveolar area (Aa) and volume density of alveolar septa (Vv) measurements. Compared to FCG and MCG, inflammatory cell influx, oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, and CAT activity were higher in FEG and MEG, respectively. Oxidative damage and enzyme CAT activity were higher in FEG than in FCG. The Aa was higher in FEG and MEG than in FCG and MCG, respectively. The Vv was lower in FEG and MEG than in FCG and MCG, respectively. This study highlights the risks of occupational chloroform exposure at low concentrations and the intensity of oxidative damage related to gender. The results validate a model of acute exposure that provides cellular and biochemical data through short-term exposure to chloroform.