L-glutamine supplementation reduced morphological damage in the renal glomerulus of rats with Walker-256 tumor.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the experimental subcutaneous Walker-256 tumor and L-glutamine supplementation, an antioxidant, on the glomerular morphology of rats. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 5): control (C); control treated with 2% L-glutamine (CG); rats with Walker-256 tumor (WT); and rats with Walker-256 tumor treated with 2% L-glutamine (WTG). Renal histological samples were submitted to periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's Trichrome staining to analyze glomerular density, morphometry of glomerular components and glomerulosclerosis; and to immunohistochemistry for fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). RESULTS: WT showed 50% reduction in body mass gain and cachexia index > 10%, while WTG demonstrated reduction in cachexia (p < 0.05). WT revealed reduction of glomerular density, increase in the glomerular tuft area, mesangial area, matrix in the glomerular tuft, decrease in the urinary space and synechia, and consequently higher glomerulosclerosis (p < 0.05). L-glutamine supplementation in the WTG improved glomerular density, and reduced glomerular tuft area, urinary space, mesangial area, and glomerulosclerosis compared to WT(p < 0.05). WT showed higher collagen area and FGF-2 expression compared to C (p < 0.05). WTG presented lower collagen fibers and FGF-2 expression compared to WT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L-glutamine supplementation reduced cachexia and was beneficial for glomerular morphology of the rats, as well as it reduced kidney damage and improved the remaining glomeruli morphology.

L-glutamine supplementation reduced morphological damage in the renal glomerulus of rats with Walker-256 tumor

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the experimental subcutaneous Walker-256 tumor and L-glutamine supplementation, an antioxidant, on the glomerular morphology of rats. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 5): control (C); control treated with 2% L-glutamine (CG); rats with Walker-256 tumor (WT); and rats with Walker-256 tumor treated with 2% L-glutamine (WTG). Renal histological samples were submitted to periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's Trichrome staining to analyze glomerular density, morphometry of glomerular components and glomerulosclerosis; and to immunohistochemistry for fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Results: WT showed 50% reduction in body mass gain and cachexia index > 10%, while WTG demonstrated reduction in cachexia (p < 0.05). WT revealed reduction of glomerular density, increase in the glomerular tuft area, mesangial area, matrix in the glomerular tuft, decrease in the urinary space and synechia, and consequently higher glomerulosclerosis (p < 0.05). L-glutamine supplementation in the WTG improved glomerular density, and reduced glomerular tuft area, urinary space, mesangial area, and glomerulosclerosis compared to WT(p < 0.05). WT showed higher collagen area and FGF-2 expression compared to C (p < 0.05). WTG presented lower collagen fibers and FGF-2 expression compared to WT (p < 0.05). Conclusions: L-glutamine supplementation reduced cachexia and was beneficial for glomerular morphology of the rats, as well as it reduced kidney damage and improved the remaining glomeruli morphology.

Libidibia ferrea presents antiproliferative, apoptotic and antioxidant effects in a colorectal cancer cell line.

Colorectal cancer is noted for being one of the most frequent of tumors, with expressive morbidity and mortality rates. In new drug discovery, plants stand out as a source capable of yielding safe and high-efficiency products. Well known in Brazilian popular medicine, Libidibia ferrea (Mart. Ex Tul.) L.P. Queiroz var. ferrea (better known as "ironwood" or "jucá"), has been used to treat a wide spectrum of conditions and to prevent cancer. Using methodologies that involved flow cytometry, spectrophotometry and RT-qPCR assays, crude extracts of the fruits of L. ferrea (20T, 40T, 60T and 80T) were evaluated at 24h and/or 48h for: their ability to inhibit cell proliferation; induce apoptosis through Bcl-2, caspase-3 and Apaf-1; their antioxidant activity and effects on important targets related to cell proliferation (EGFR and AKT) in the HT-29 human colorectal cancer lineage. The results revealed high antiproliferative potential as compared to the controls, induction of apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway, and probable tumor inhibition activity under the mediation of important targets in tumorigenesis. In addition, L. ferrea revealed antioxidant, lipid peroxidation and chemoprotective effects in healthy cells. Thus, L. ferrea derivatives have important anticancer effects, and may be considered promising candidate for colorectal cancer therapy.

Maytenus ilicifolia dry extract protects normal cells, induces apoptosis and regulates Bcl-2 in human cancer cells.

Maytenus is the largest genus of the family Celastraceae and the species Maytenus ilicifolia (popularly known as 'Espinheira Santa'). It is widely used in traditional Brazilian medicine to treat stomach conditions including nausea, gastritis, and ulcers. In this study, the apoptotic effects of a spray-dried extract of M. ilicifolia (SDEMI) was evaluated using human hepatocellular cells (HepG2), colorectal carcinoma cells (HT-29), and normal keratinocytes (HaCaT). Cells were treated with SDEMI for 4 and 24 h, then were assayed for levels of apoptosis, caspase-3, and Bcl-2 by flow cytometry, immunostaining, and Western blot, respectively. Significant differences between groups were determined using analysis of variance (P < 0.05). For HepG2 and HT-29 cells treated with SDEMI, various cytotoxic effects were observed compared with control cells at all timepoints assayed (P < 0.001). Furthermore, positive caspase-3 staining and down-regulation of Bcl-2 were observed, consistent with the induction of cell death detected in these cell lines. In contrast, treatment of HaCaT cells with SDEMI was associated with a protective effect compared with control cells at both timepoints (P < 0.001). For example, increased expression of Bcl-2 and negative caspase-3 staining were detected. Taken together, these results suggest that SDEMI protects normal cells, while SDEMI mediates induction of apoptosis via down-regulation of Bcl-2 and involvement of caspase-3 in human carcinoma cells.

Prevalência e caracterização dos casos de mielomeningocele no Rio Grande do Norte / Prevalence of myelomeningocele and patient characteristics in Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Objetivo: Identificar o coeficiente de prevalência e caracterizar os casos de crianças com mielomeningocele. Métodos:Foi realizado um levantamento dos casos ocorridos de ielomeningocele no Hospital Infantil Varela Santiago, Rio Grande do Norte, nos anos 2004 e 2005. Foi aplicado um questionário com as variáveis: sexo da criança, má-formação congênita associada, escolaridade da mãe, renda familiar, tipo de água, tipo de farinha, assistência social, diagnóstico pré-natal de mielomeningocele e história familiar da doença. Resultados: O coeficiente de prevalência em 2004 foi de 6:10.000 nascidos-vivos, enquanto, em 2005, foi de 2:10.000 nascidos-vivos. Um percentual de 59,1% dos pacientes foi do sexo masculino, sendo a má-formação associada à mielomeningocele a hidrocefalia, em 82,6% dos casos. Em 56,5% das famílias entrevistadas, a renda mensal era menor ou igual a um salário-mínimo. A água consumida em 91,0% das famílias era encanada. A farinha de mandioca caseira foi consumida em 50,0%. Apenas 4,3% das crianças apresentavam assistência social. Quanto à escolaridade, 47,8% das mães tinham ensino fundamental incompleto (menos de quatro anos de estudo). Todas as mães realizaram pré-natal, sendo que 40,9% iniciaram apenas no segundo trimestre de gestação. Em somente 22,7% das crianças foi dado o diagnóstico pré-natal de mielomeningocele por meio do exame ultrassonográfico. Em relação ao histórico familiar, 13,6% dos pais relataram mielomeningocele na família. Finalmente, quanto à utilização de suplementos, 13,6% não fizeram suplementação de vitaminas, e apenas 21,1% fizeram uso do ácido fólico. Conclusão: O estudo chama a atenção para o fato de que parte das mães iniciou o pré-natal no segundo trimestre de gestação, com o agravante de que a doença, na maior parte das vezes, não foi diagnosticada no exame ultrassonográfico. O estudo aponta a necessidade de ações educativas na área de saúde da mulher, com melhoria na qualidade dos serviços de diagnóstico

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of children with myelomeningocele and describe their characteristics. Methods: A questionnaire was used for collecting the following data from children with myelomeningocele who visited the Hospital Infantil Varela Santiago in Rio Grande do Norte between 2004 and 2005: sex, associated congenital malformation, mother’s education level, household income, home’s water source, Social Assistance, prenatal diagnosis of myelomeningocele and family history of the disease. Results: Myelomeningocele prevalences in 2004 and 2005 were 6:10,000 and 2:10,000 live births, respectively. Most (82.6%) patients also had hydrocephalus, 59.1% were male, 22.7% had been diagnosed before birth by ultrasound, 13.6% had a family history of myelomeningocele, 4.3% had Social Assistance, 56.5% had a household income equal to or below one minimum wage, 91.0% of the households had piped water, 50.0% of the households consumed homemade cassava flour, 47.8% of the children’s mothers had less than 4 years of formal education, all mothers had attended prenatal care, 40.9% of the mothers started prenatal care on the second trimester of pregnancy, and 13.6% of the mothers did not take vitamin supplements during pregnancy. Conclusion:The study draws attention to the fact that some mothers only began prenatal care on the second trimester of pregnancy, and worse, the disease was often not detected by ultrasound. The study shows that education actions on woman’s health and better quality diagnostic services are necessary.