Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response to curcumin supplementation in hemodialysis patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are vulnerable to malnutrition and cardiovascular complications due to many factors, including oxidative stress and inflammation. Curcumin supplementation is associated with attenuation of proinflammatory cytokines and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, but its effects in HD patients are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumin supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammation in HD patients. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 43 HD patients and divided them into two groups: supplemented with curcumin (1 g/day) or placebo (corn starch) for 12 weeks. Demographic information and blood samples were taken at the start and the end of the study to determine serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, antioxidant enzyme activity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). RESULTS: The curcumin group showed a significant increase in catalase activity [Δ = 1.13 ± 2.87 versus Δ = -1.08 ± 2.68; p = 0.048] and preserved glutathione peroxidase activity [Δ = -4.23 ± 11.50 versus Δ = -14.44 ± 13.96; p < 0.01] compared with the placebo group. However, no significant changes were found in MDA concentrations, glutathione reductase activity, and hs-CRP concentrations after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Curcumin supplementation for 12 weeks had potential effects on antioxidant response, but it was not enough to reduce oxidative stress markers and inflammation in HD patients. This trial was registered at EnsaiosClínicos.gov.br under registration number RBR-2t5zpd.

Baru Almonds Increase the Activity of Glutathione Peroxidase in Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity-induced inflammation is frequently associated with higher oxidative stress. In vitro and experimental studies have considered baru almonds (Dipteryx alata Vog) as a legume seed with high antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether baru almonds are capable of improving the inflammatory and antioxidant status in overweight and obese women. METHODS: In a parallel-arm, randomized placebo-controlled trial, 46 overweight and obese women (age: 40 ± 11 years; body mass index: 33.3 ± 4.3) were randomly assigned to receive advice to follow a normocaloric and isoenergetic diet with placebo (PLA, n = 22) or similar advice plus 20 g baru almonds (BARU, n = 24) for 8 wk. Malondialdehyde (MDA), adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase-CAT; glutathione peroxidase-GPx; superoxide dismutase-SOD), and minerals were analyzed in plasma samples. RESULTS: At baseline, groups were similar regarding the body composition, oxidative, and inflammatory parameters. The BARU group increased the activity of GPx (+0.08 U/mg, 95%CI + 0.05 to +0.12 vs. -0.07, 95%CI -0.12 to -0.03, p < 0.01) and plasma copper concentration (p = 0.037) when compared to the PLA group. No differences were observed between groups in CAT and SOD activity or MDA and cytokines concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Baru almond supplementation increased the GPx activity in overweight and obese women.

Avaliação da toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de Apeiba tibourbou Aubl (Tiliaceae), em camundongos e ratos / Assessment of acute toxicity of water extract from Apeiba tibourbou Aubl (Tiliaceae) in mice and rats

O teste de toxicidade aguda estima a dose letal mediana (DL50 ) e classifica os toxicantes quanto à periculosidade, inclusive para extratos de plantas. A espécie Apeiba tibourbou Aubl (Tiliaceae), conhecida como pau-de-jangada ou pente-de-macaco, é empregada popularmente como antirreumática, antiespasmódica e expectorante, embora seja desconhecida quanto aos seus efeitos tóxicos. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar o potencial de toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de A. tibourbou (EAT), administrado por gavagem, em camundongos fêmeas e ratos fêmeas, seguindo as diretrizes OECD Guideline 423/2001 e o screening hipocrático. Os camundongos fêmeas foram divididos em três grupos de três animais cada (C1 – controle, água filtrada, 0,25 mL; C2 –300 mg/kg de EAT; e C3 – 2000 mg/kg de EAT). Os ratos fêmeas foram divididos em dois grupos de três animais cada (R1 – controle, água filtrada, 0,5 mL; e R2 – 2000 mg/kg de EAT). O grupo C2 consumiu 28% de água a mais que o grupo C1 (p < 0,05); o grupo C3 produziu 31% de excretas a mais que o grupo C1 (p < 0,0001); o grupo R2 reduziu o consumo de ração e a produção de excretas em 20% e 28% em relação ao grupo R1 (p < 0,05), respectivamente. No screening hipocrático, nenhuma alteração motora e/ou sensorial foi observada. Não houve morte nem estado moribundo de nenhum animal. Conclui-se que o EAT possui DL50 estimada maior que 2000 mg/kg (Classe 5 de toxicidade, segundo o Globally Harmonized System – GHS, ONU), demonstrando reduzido potencial de toxicidade aguda.

The acute toxicity test estimates the median lethal dose (LD50) against a given test organism and classifies toxic substances, including plant extracts, according to their intrinsic toxicity. Apeiba tibourbou Aubl (Tiliaceae), a tree known in Brazil as “raft-wood” or “monkey’s comb”, is popularly used as an antirheumatic, antispasmodic and expectorant agent, although its toxic effects are unknown. The objective of this research was therefore to investigate the potential acute toxicity to female mice and rats of a water extract of A. tibourbou leaves (WET), administered by gavage, following OECD Guideline 423/2001 and hippocratic screening. The female mice were divided into three groups of three animals each (C1 – control, given 0.25 mL filtered water; C2 – treated with 300 mg/kg WET; C3 – with 2000 mg/kg WET). The female rats were divided into two groups of three animals each (R1 – control, given 0.5 mL filtered water; R2 – 2000 mg/kg WET). Group C2 consumed 28% more water than group C1 (p < 0.05); group C3 produced 31% more excreta than group C1 (p < 0.0001); group R2 reduced food consumption and excretion by 20% and 28%, relative to group R1 (p < 0.05), respectively. During the Hippocratic screening, no motor and/or sensorial alterations were observed. Neither death nor symptoms of impending death were observed in any animals. It can be concluded that WET has an estimated LD50greater than 2000 mg/kg (Class 5 toxicity, according to the UN Globally Harmonized System – GHS), demonstrating low acute toxicity potential.

Healing activity of laser InGaAlP (660nm) in rats / Atividade cicatrizante do laser AlGaInP (660nm) em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect the healing activity of diode laser Indium Gallium Aluminum Phosphorus (InGaAlP) ë660nm on healing of surgical wounds in rats. METHODS: Fifty-four female Wistar rats were used, divided into three groups (n=18) and subdivided into three subgroups (n=6) to be studied in 5, 10 and 15th days after surgical procedures. The wound was induced in the dorsal-cervical using punch. The lesions were irradiated on alternate days with InGaAlP laser, the energy densities of 3J/cm² (L3) or 6J/cm² (L6). The control group received no irradiation. At 5, 10 and 15th days after surgery the animals were euthanized and the repair area was removed and histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrossírius. We evaluated macroscopic and histological lesions in the times cited, as well as morphometric analysis of angiogenesis and collagen content. RESULTS: The wound healing activity InGaAlP laser was evidenced by increased angiogenesis group L3 and L6 in relation to control group (CG) at the 5th day (p=0.0001) and decreased polymorphonuclear infiltrate and hemorrhage (p=0.045 and p=0.07 respectively) in the groups L3 and L6 in relation to control group (GC). On the 10 and 15th days was also observed in groups treated with laser L3 and L6 stimulation was pronounced fibroplasia (p=0.0003 and p=0.034 respectively) when compared with the control group (CG). CONCLUSION: The InGaAlP laser acted positively on the healing of skin wounds in rats.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a atividade cicatrizante do laser diodo Alumínio Gálio Índio Fósforo (AlGaInP), ë660nm em feridas cutâneas induzida em ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 54 ratos Wistar, fêmeas, divididos em três grupos (n=18) e subdivididos em três subgrupos (n=6) animais para serem estudados no 5, 10 e 15º dias após o procedimento cirúrgico. A ferida foi induzida em região dorso-cervical utilizando punch. As lesões foram irradiadas em dias alternados com laser AlGaInP, nas densidades de energia de 3J/cm² (L3) ou 6J/cm²(L6). O grupo controle não recebeu irradiação. No 5,10 e 15º dia após o procedimento cirúrgico os animais foram eutanasiados e a área de reparo foi removida e os cortes histológicos foram corados com hematoxilina-eosina e picrossírius. Foram avaliados aspectos macroscópicos e histológicos das lesões nos tempos citados, bem como análises morfométricas da angiogênese e do conteúdo de colágeno. RESULTADOS: A atividade cicatrizante do laser AlGaInP foi evidenciada pelo aumento da angiogênese do grupo L3 e L6 em relação ao grupo controle (GC) no 5º dia (p=0,0001) e diminuição do infiltrado de polimorfonucleares e hemorragia (p=0,045 e p=0,007 respectivamente) dos grupos L3 e L6 em relação ao controle. No 10 e 15ºdias observou-se também que nos grupos tratados com laser L3 e L6 houve estimulo acentuado a fibroplasia(p=0,0003 e p=0,034 respectivamente), quando comparados ao grupo controle (GC). CONCLUSÃO: O laser AlGaInP atuou de forma positiva sobre a cicatrização de feridas cutâneas em ratos.

Healing activity of laser InGaAlP (660nm) in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect the healing activity of diode laser Indium Gallium Aluminum Phosphorus (InGaAlP) ë660nm on healing of surgical wounds in rats. METHODS: Fifty-four female Wistar rats were used, divided into three groups (n=18) and subdivided into three subgroups (n=6) to be studied in 5, 10 and 15(th) days after surgical procedures. The wound was induced in the dorsal-cervical using punch. The lesions were irradiated on alternate days with InGaAlP laser, the energy densities of 3J/cm(2) (L3) or 6J/cm(2) (L6). The control group received no irradiation. At 5, 10 and 15(th) days after surgery the animals were euthanized and the repair area was removed and histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrossírius. We evaluated macroscopic and histological lesions in the times cited, as well as morphometric analysis of angiogenesis and collagen content. RESULTS: The wound healing activity InGaAlP laser was evidenced by increased angiogenesis group L3 and L6 in relation to control group (CG) at the 5(th) day (p=0.0001) and decreased polymorphonuclear infiltrate and hemorrhage (p=0.045 and p=0.07 respectively) in the groups L3 and L6 in relation to control group (GC). On the 10 and 15(th) days was also observed in groups treated with laser L3 and L6 stimulation was pronounced fibroplasia (p=0.0003 and p=0.034 respectively) when compared with the control group (CG). CONCLUSION: The InGaAlP laser acted positively on the healing of skin wounds in rats.

Synadenium umbellatum: citotoxicidade e danos ao DNA de células da medula óssea de camundongos / Synadenium umbellatum: cytotoxicity and DNA damage to bone marrow cells from mice

No presente estudo investigamos o potencial citotóxico e mutagênico, in vitro e in vivo, respectivamente, do extrato etanólico de Synadenium umbellatum (EESU) sobre células da medula óssea de camundongos. A citotoxicidade in vitro foi avaliada por meio da exposição de células da medula óssea de animais normais a diferentes concentrações (40-0,312 mg/mL) do EESU, por 12, 24 ou 48 h, utilizando os testes de redução do MTT e o de exclusão do azul de tripano. O ensaio de micronúcleo foi realizado para investigar potenciais efeitos mutagênicos do EESU (10, 25 ou 50 mg/kg/dia) sobre a medula óssea de camundongos. Os animais foram expostos a uma única dose, por via oral, e 24 h após à exposição, sacrificados para realização do estudo (n=5/grupo). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o EESU possui potencial efeito citotóxico e mutagênico, de forma dose-dependente, sobre as células da medula óssea de camundongos, in vitro e in vivo, respectivamente. Maiores estudos são necessários para expandir o conhecimento acerca do potencial toxicológico/farmacológico do EESU.

In the present study we investigated, in vitro and in vivo, the cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of the Synadenium umbellatum ethanolic extract (SUEE) on the bone marrow cells of mice. In vitro cytotoxicity was assayed incubating bone marrow cells with different concentrations (40-0.312 mg/mL) of SUEE for 12, 24 or 48 h using the MTT tetrazolium reduction test and the trypan blue exclusion test. The micronuclei assay was performed to determine mutagenic effects of mice orally exposed to different doses of SUEE (10, 25 or 50 mg/kg/day) in 24 h. Our results demonstrated that SUEE has, in a dose-dependent manner, potential cytotoxic and mutagenic effects on the bone marrow cells of mice. Further studies are needed to expand the knowledge of the toxicological/pharmacological potential of the SUEE.

Quimioprofilaxia da doença de Chagas experimental: avaliaçäo da atividade de Zanthoxylum minutiflorum Tul / Experimental Chagas' disease chemoprofilaxy. Activities of crude extracts and fractions of Zanthoxylum minutiflorum Tul

A doença de Chagas é endêmica no continente americano e afeta milhöes de habitantes. O seu agente causal, Trypanosoma cruzi, encontrado no sangue de mais de uma centena de espécies de mamíferos, é transmitido ao homem por aproximadamente cem espécies de triatomíneos. Atualmente, em regiöes de grande incidência, nas quais näo säo realizadas seleçöes de doadores de sangue é cada vez maior a imprtância da transmissäo transfuncional desta doença. Este problema poderia ser solucionado pelo uso de uma droga tripanossomicida, atóxica para homem q que, adicionada ao sangue vai ser transfundido, eliminasse os parasitas presentes. Levando-se em conta a importância da transmissäo transfunsional, as dificuldades na seleçäo de doadores e a inexistência de um produto eficaz e seguro contra o tripanossoma, empreendemos um estudo visando encontrar em Zanthoxylum minutiflorum Tul. (Rutaceae), uma droga que, adicionada ao sangue a ser transfundido, fosse atóxica para animais de laboratório e prevenisse a transmissäo da doença de Chagas experimental. Para tanto, primeiramente,realizamos o estudo farmacognóstico que nos deu condiçöes de caracterizar e analisar esta nova droga vegetal. A seguir, os extratos, fraçöes e substâncias obtidas de Z. minutiflorum foram espectrofotometriacamente analisadas para determinaçäo de seus perfis químicos e estruturais. Estas análises comprovaram os resultados dos ensaios prévios do estudo farmacognóstico e nos permitiram sugerir que os compostos isolados do Extrato Hexânico eram: um triterpenóide pentacíclico livre - Lupeol, uma mistura de substâncias com núcleo esteroidal-Beta-Sitostero/Estigmasterol e um alcalóide ou amida. Continuando o estudo, produtos obtidos de Zanthoxylum minutiflorum foram submetidos a ensaio biológicos e demonstramos que vários deles desenvolveram potente açäo contra cepas Bolívia de T. cruzi, in vitro. Finalmente, determinamos que o Extrato Alcoólico de caules de Z. minutiflorum, nas concentraçöes de 25 e 50 mg/ml de sangue, possui potente açäo tripanossomicida, baixa toxicidade ppara hemácias e alta DL50 e pode ser útil no controle da transmissöo transfusional da doença de Chagas experimental