Effects of La2O3 nanoparticles and bulk-La2O3 on the development of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen and respective nutrient element concentration.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been progressively applied in the last decades, which may impact the environment. Synthesis of pigments, growing, and nutrient element uptake by plants can also be affected by NPs. The influence of lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La2O3 NPs) on growth, pigment synthesis, and nutrient element uptake by Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, a medicinal plant native in South America, was evaluated in the present study. P. glomerata plantlets were cultivated for 28 days in the absence (control) and presence of 100, 200, and 400 mg L-1 of La2O3 NPs or bulk-La2O3 (b-La2O3) at the same cultivation conditions. Root development, aerial part growth, and pigment concentration in plants were affected by b-La2O3 and La2O3 NPs, mainly by La2O3 NPs. In spite of alteration of nutrient element concentration observed for the 100 and 200 mg L-1 of La2O3 NPs or b-La2O3 treatments, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, S, and Zn determination in stems and leaves revealed drastically and similar decrease of these elements in plants cultivated in the presence of 400 mg L-1 of La2O3 NPs or b-La2O3. Element distribution (mapping) determined by using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in leaves of plants submitted to treatment with 400 mg L-1 of b-La2O3 or La2O3 NPs showed differences in the distribution of elements, indicating distinct effects of b-La2O3 and La2O3 NPs on P. glomerata. As such, this study demonstrated that La2O3 NPs may impact plant growth. However, more investigations are necessary for better understanding of the effect of La2O3 on plants, including a broader range of concentration.

Use and response to phosphorus by potato clones in two cropping systems / Utilização e resposta ao fósforo por clones de batata em dois sistemas de cultivo

The selection of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) that are efficient in the use of phosphorus (P) plays an important role in increasing crop productivity, reducing the cost of production due to the high price of phosphate fertilizers, as well as reducing the pollution of the environment due to the better use of the applied fertilizers. The objective of this work was to compare the method of selection of potato clones for the efficiency of use and response to P between in vitro and off - soil systems with the use of sand as substrate. To that end, potato clones SMIC 148-A, Dakota Rose, SMINIA 793101-3, SMIB 106-7, SMIF 212-3, SMIJ 319-1 and P 150 were cultivated at low and high levels of P in the culture systems in vitro (1,935 and 19,346 mg P L-1) and off-soil (2.32 and 23.2 mg P L-1). The selection of potato clones using only as a criterion the accumulation of P under low nutrient level is not adequate, both in off-soil and in vitro cultivation. Clones selected as being more efficient in the use of P in in vitro cultivation do not prove to be necessarily more efficient in off-soil cultivation. No clone remains in the same classification group regarding the efficiency of use and response to P, based on the production of dry mass, in the two cropping systems.

A seleção de plantas de batata (Solanum tuberosum L.) que são eficientes no uso de fósforo (P) desempenha um papel importante no aumento da produtividade das culturas. reduzindo o custo de produção devido ao alto preço dos fertilizantes fosfatados. além de reduzir a poluição do meio ambiente devido ao melhor uso dos fertilizantes aplicados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o método de seleção de clones de batata quanto à eficiência de uso e resposta ao P entre sistemas in vitro e fora do solo com o uso de areia como substrato. Para o efeito. os clones de batata SMIC 148-A. Dakota Rose. SMINIA 793101-3. SMIB 106-7. SMIF 212-3. SMIJ 319-1 e P 150 foram cultivados a baixos e altos níveis de P nos sistemas de cultivo in vitro (1.935 e 19.346 mg P L-1) e fora do solo (2.32 e 23.2 mg P L-1). A seleção de clones de batata utilizando apenas como critério o acúmulo de P em baixo nível de nutrientes não é adequada. tanto no cultivo fora do solo quanto no in vitro. Clones selecionados como mais eficientes no uso de P em cultivo in vitro não se mostraram necessariamente mais eficientes no cultivo fora do solo. Nenhum clone permanece no mesmo grupo de classificação quanto à eficiência de uso e resposta ao P. baseado na produção de massa seca nos dois sistemas de cultivo.

Phosphorus allocation and phosphatase activity in grasses with different growth rates.

Different growth rates of grasses from South American natural grasslands are adaptations to soils of low fertility. Grasses with fast growth rate are species with an accumulation of nutrients in soluble forms, with a high metabolic rate. This work aimed to study whether grasses with different growth rates have different phosphorus (P) uptake and efficiency of P use with high and low P availability in soil, as well as whether phosphatase activity is related to the species growth rate and variations in P biochemical forms in the tissues. Three native grasses (Axonopus affinis, Paspalum notatum, and Andropogon lateralis) were grown in pots with soil. Along plant growth, biomass production and its structural components were measured, as well as leaf acid phosphatase activity and leaf P chemical fractions. At 40 days of growth, leaf acid phosphatase activity declined by about 20-30% with an increase of P availability in soil for A. affinis and P. notatum, respectively. Under both soil P levels, P. notatum showed the highest plant total biomass, leaf dry weight and highest P use efficiency. A. affinis presented the higher P uptake efficiency and soluble organic P concentration in the leaf tissues. A. lateralis showed P-Lipid concentration 1.6 and 1.3 times higher than A. affinis and P. notatum, respectively. In conclusion, acid phosphatase activity in grass of higher growth rate is related to higher remobilization of P due to higher demand, as in A. affinis, and higher growth rates are associated with higher P uptake efficiency.

Effect of phosphorus on arsenic uptake and metabolism in rice cultivars differing in phosphorus use efficiency and response.

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of phosphorus (P) nutrition on arsenic (As) uptake and translocation within the seedlings of rice cultivars. The experiment occurred in three stages: I 5 days of acclimatization (nutritive solution); II 10 days under P (0.0 and 0.09 mM) and As (0.0 and 100 mM) treatments; III 5 days under recovery. The As exposure had significant effect reducing dry weights of shoots or roots, resulted in elevated concentrations of As in shoot tissues. BR-IRGA 409 showed the highest susceptibility to As in biomass production and root system parameters regardless the P level. This cultivar showed contrasting responses of As translocation to shoot tissue dependent on P levels, with the highest As concentration under low P and lowest under normal P levels. P nutrition was most striking on plants recovery for all cultivars under As exposure. Clearer separation of cultivars for phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) occurred at lower shoot P contents, that was, at higher levels of P deficiency stress. IRGA 424 showed higher PUE as compared to the others cultivars. Our results go some way to understanding the role of P nutrition in controlling the effects of As in rice shoots.

Effect of phosphorus on arsenic uptake and metabolism in rice cultivars differing in phosphorus use efficiency and response

ABSTRACT A hydroponic experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of phosphorus (P) nutrition on arsenic (As) uptake and translocation within the seedlings of rice cultivars. The experiment occurred in three stages: I 5 days of acclimatization (nutritive solution); II 10 days under P (0.0 and 0.09 mM) and As (0.0 and 100 mM) treatments; III 5 days under recovery. The As exposure had significant effect reducing dry weights of shoots or roots, resulted in elevated concentrations of As in shoot tissues. BR-IRGA 409 showed the highest susceptibility to As in biomass production and root system parameters regardless the P level. This cultivar showed contrasting responses of As translocation to shoot tissue dependent on P levels, with the highest As concentration under low P and lowest under normal P levels. P nutrition was most striking on plants recovery for all cultivars under As exposure. Clearer separation of cultivars for phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) occurred at lower shoot P contents, that was, at higher levels of P deficiency stress. IRGA 424 showed higher PUE as compared to the others cultivars. Our results go some way to understanding the role of P nutrition in controlling the effects of As in rice shoots.

EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL ON SEVERITY OF CIRRHOSIS IN HUMANS.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: to examine the relationship between the antioxidant potential and severity parameters of cirrhosis in humans. METHODS: fifteen patients with hepatic cirrhosis (nine subjects - Child group B, and six subjects - Child group C) and nine control subjects were enrolled in the study. The main criteria taken into account to characterize the diagnosis of cirrhosis and its complications were the AST: ALT ratio, AST to platelet ratio index, Bonacini score, Meld score and Child classification. Those parameters were determined based on laboratory results and patient's clinical records. Se, Zn, ascorbic acid (AA) levels and oxidative stress parameters were measured in blood samples of cirrhotic patients. RESULTS: the analysis of plasma levels of Se and AA showed low concentrations in cirrhotic patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.05). Though, there was a positive correlation between plasma of Se and severity parameters of cirrhosis in patients of Child group B and C. In the activity of the antioxidant enzymes only catalase was lower in patients of Child group C compared with control group. CONCLUSION: we found low plasma levels of Se and AA among cirrhotic patients. However, is not clear why selenium levels tend to increase with the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Introducción/Objetivos: examinar la relación entre los potenciales antioxidantes y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en los seres humanos. Métodos: quince pacientes con cirrosis hepática (nueve sujetos - grupo Child B, y seis sujetos - grupo Child C) y nueve sujetos control fueron incluidos en el estudio. Los principales criterios que se tuvieron en cuenta para caracterizar el diagnóstico de la cirrosis y sus complicaciones fueron la AST: relación de ALT, AST índice de la relación de plaquetas, clasificación Bonacini, clasificación MELD y clasificación de Child. Estos parámetros fueron determinados con base en los resultados de laboratorio y los registros clínicos del paciente. Se midieron los niveles de Zn, ácido ascórbico (AA) y los parámetros de estrés oxidativo en muestras de sangre de pacientes cirróticos. Resultados: el análisis de los niveles plasmáticos de Se y AA mostraron bajas concentraciones en los pacientes cirróticos en comparación con los sujetos control (P < 0,05); sin embargo, hubo una correlación positiva entre el plasma de Se y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en pacientes del grupo Child B y C. En la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes catalasa solamente fue menor en los pacientes del grupo Child C, en comparación con el grupo control. Conclusión: se encontraron niveles bajos en plasma de Se y AA en pacientes cirróticos. Sin embargo, no está claro por qué los niveles de selenio tienden a aumentar con la gravedad de la cirrosis hepática.

Effect of antioxidant potential on severity of cirrhosis in humans / Efecto del potencial antioxidante para las complicaciones de la cirrosis en los seres humanos

Background/Aims: to examine the relationship between the antioxidant potential and severity parameters of cirrhosis in humans. Methods: fifteen patients with hepatic cirrhosis (nine subjects - Child group B, and six subjects - Child group C) and nine control subjects were enrolled in the study. The main criteria taken into account to characterize the diagnosis of cirrhosis and its complications were the AST: ALT ratio, AST to platelet ratio index, Bonacini score, Meld score and Child classification. Those parameters were determined based on laboratory results and patient’s clinical records. Se, Zn, ascorbic acid (AA) levels and oxidative stress parameters were measured in blood samples of cirrhotic patients. Results: the analysis of plasma levels of Se and AA showed low concentrations in cirrhotic patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.05). Though, there was a positive correlation between plasma of Se and severity parameters of cirrhosis in patients of Child group B and C. In the activity of the antioxidant enzymes only catalase was lower in patients of Child group C compared with control group. Conclusion: we found low plasma levels of Se and AA among cirrhotic patients. However, is not clear why selenium levels tend to increase with the severity of liver cirrhosis (AU)

Introducción/Objetivos: examinar la relación entre los potenciales antioxidantes y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en los seres humanos. Métodos: quince pacientes con cirrosis hepática (nueve sujetos - grupo Child B, y seis sujetos - grupo Child C) y nueve sujetos control fueron incluidos en el estudio. Los principales criterios que se tuvieron en cuenta para caracterizar el diagnóstico de la cirrosis y sus complicaciones fueron la AST: relación de ALT, AST índice de la relación de plaquetas, clasificación Bonacini, clasificación MELD y clasificación de Child. Estos parámetros fueron determinados con base en los resultados de laboratorio y los registros clínicos del paciente. Se midieron los niveles de Zn, ácido ascórbico (AA) y los parámetros de estrés oxidativo en muestras de sangre de pacientes cirróticos. Resultados: el análisis de los niveles plasmáticos de Se y AA mostraron bajas concentraciones en los pacientes cirróticos en comparación con los sujetos control (P < 0,05); sin embargo, hubo una correlación positiva entre el plasma de Se y los parámetros de gravedad de la cirrosis en pacientes del grupo Child B y C. En la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes catalasa solamente fue menor en los pacientes del grupo Child C, en comparación con el grupo control. Conclusión: se encontraron niveles bajos en plasma de Se y AA en pacientes cirróticos. Sin embargo, no está claro por qué los niveles de selenio tienden a aumentar con la gravedad de la cirrosis hepática (AU)

Effect of Uncaria tomentosa Extract on Apoptosis Triggered by Oxaliplatin Exposure on HT29 Cells.

Background/Aim. The use of herbal products as a supplement to minimize the effects of chemotherapy for cancer treatment requires further attention with respect to the activity and toxicity of chemotherapy. Uncaria tomentosa extract, which contains oxindole alkaloids, is one of these herbal products. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Uncaria tomentosa extract modulates apoptosis induced by chemotherapy exposure. Materials and Methods. Colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT29 cells) were grown in the presence of oxaliplatin and/or Uncaria tomentosa extract. Results. The hydroalcoholic extract of Uncaria tomentosa enhanced chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, with an increase in the percentage of Annexin positive cells, an increase in caspase activities, and an increase of DNA fragments in culture of the neoplastic cells. Moreover, antioxidant activity may be related to apoptosis. Conclusion. Uncaria tomentosa extract has a role for cancer patients as a complementary therapy. Further studies evaluating these beneficial effects with other chemotherapy drugs are recommended.

Uncaria tomentosa-Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: Clinical Trial.

Breast cancer is the most frequent neoplasm affecting women worldwide. Some of the recommended treatments involve chemotherapy whose toxic effects include leukopenia and neutropenia. This study assessed the effectiveness of Uncaria tomentosa (Ut) in reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy through a randomized clinical trial. Patients with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma-Stage II, who underwent a treatment regimen known as FAC (Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide), were divided into two groups: the UtCa received chemotherapy plus 300 mg dry Ut extract per day and the Ca group that only received chemotherapy and served as the control experiment. Blood samples were collected before each one of the six chemotherapy cycles and blood counts, immunological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative stress were analyzed. Uncaria tomentosa reduced the neutropenia caused by chemotherapy and was also able to restore cellular DNA damage. We concluded that Ut is an effective adjuvant treatment for breast cancer.

Behavior and brain enzymatic changes after long-term intoxication with cadmium salt or contaminated potatoes.

This study investigated the cadmium (Cd) intoxication on cognitive, motor and anxiety performance of rats subjected to long-term exposure to diet with Cd salt or with Cd from contaminated potato tubers. Potato plantlets were micropropagated in MS medium and transplanted to plastic trays containing sand. Tubers were collected, planted in sand boxes and cultivated with 0 or 10 µM Cd and, after were oven-dried, powder processed and used for diet. Rats were divided into six groups and fed different diets for 5 months: control, potato, potato+Cd, 1, 5 or 25 mg/kg CdCl2. Cd exposure increased Cd concentration in brain regions. There was a significant decrease in the step-down latency in Cd-intoxicated rats and, elevated plus maze task revealed an anxiolytic effect in rats fed potato diet per se, and an anxiogenic effect in rats fed 25 mg/kg Cd. The brain structures of rats exposed to Cd salt or Cd from tubers showed an increased AChE activity, but Na+,K+-ATPase decreased in cortex, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. Therefore, we suggest an association between the long-term diet of potato tuber and a clear anxiolytic effect. Moreover, we observed an impaired cognition and enhanced anxiety-like behavior displayed by Cd-intoxicated rats coupled with a marked increase of brain Cd concentration, and increase and decrease of AChE and Na+,K+-ATPase activities, respectively.

Uncaria tomentosa stimulates the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Asháninkas, indigenous people of Peru, use cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) to restore health. Uncaria tomentosa has antioxidant activity and works as an agent to repair DNA damage. It causes different effects on cell proliferation depending on the cell type involved; specifically, it can stimulate the proliferation of myeloid progenitors and cause apoptosis of neoplastic cells. Neutropenia is the most common collateral effect of chemotherapy. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, the administration of a drug that stimulates the proliferation of healthy hematopoietic tissue cells is very desirable. It is important to assess the acute effects of Uncaria tomentosa on granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (CFU-GM) and in the recovery of neutrophils after chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, by establishing the correlation with filgrastim (rhG-CSF) treatment to evaluate its possible use in clinical oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vivo assay was performed in ifosfamide-treated mice receiving oral doses of 5 and 15 mg of Uncaria tomentosa and intraperitoneal doses of 3 and 9 µg of filgrastim, respectively, for four days. Colony-forming cell (CFC) assays were performed with human hematopoietic stem/precursor cells (hHSPCs) obtained from umbilical cord blood (UCB). RESULTS: Bioassays showed that treatment with Uncaria tomentosa significantly increased the neutrophil count, and a potency of 85.2% was calculated in relation to filgrastim at the corresponding doses tested. An in vitro CFC assay showed an increase in CFU-GM size and mixed colonies (CFU-GEMM) size at the final concentrations of 100 and 200 µg extract/mL. CONCLUSIONS: At the tested doses, Uncaria tomentosa had a positive effect on myeloid progenitor number and is promising for use with chemotherapy to minimize the adverse effects of this treatment. These results support the belief of the Asháninkas, who have classified Uncaria tomentosa as a 'powerful plant'.

Alterations in the mitotic index of Allium cepa induced by infusions of Pluchea sagittalis submitted to three different cultivation systems.

We evaluated the antiproliferative effect of infusions from Pluchea sagittalis using the Allium cepa test. Infusions in three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 25 g dm-3) of leaves cultivated in three environments (in vitro, acclimatized growth chamber, and field) were used. Six onion bulbs were used for each of the eight treatments, and the mitotic index was obtained from 6000 cells per treatment. In conclusion, leaf infusions of P. sagittalis cultivated in the field have a high antiproliferative activity, as well as the cultivation system influences the antiproliferative potential.

Alterations in the mitotic index of Allium cepa induced by infusions of Pluchea sagittalis submitted to three different cultivation systems

We evaluated the antiproliferative effect of infusions from Pluchea sagittalis using the Allium cepa test. Infusions in three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 25 g dm-3) of leaves cultivated in three environments (in vitro, acclimatized growth chamber, and field) were used. Six onion bulbs were used for each of the eight treatments, and the mitotic index was obtained from 6000 cells per treatment. In conclusion, leaf infusions of P. sagittalis cultivated in the field have a high antiproliferative activity, as well as the cultivation system influences the antiproliferative potential.

Avaliou-se o efeito antiproliferativo de infusões de Pluchea sagittalis usando o teste de Allium cepa. Foram usadas infusões em três concentrações (2,5, 5 e 25g dm-3) de folhas cultivadas em três ambientes (in vitro, sala de crescimento climatizada e em campo). Foram usados seis grupos de bulbos para cada um dos 8 tratamentos e o os índices mitóticos foram obtidos a partir de 6000 células por tratamento. Concluiu-se que a infusão de folhas de P. sagittalis cultivadas em campo possui grande atividade antiproliferativa, bem como o sistema de cultivo de plantas influencia o potencial antiproliferativo.