ß-Carotene Supplementation Improves Pancreas Function during Moderate Ethanol Consumption: Initial Characterization from a Morphological Overview.

Alcohol is believed to harm acinar cells, pancreatic ductal epithelium, and pancreatic stellate cells. After giving ethanol and/or ß-carotene to C57BL/6 mice, our goal was to evaluate their biochemistry, histology, and morpho-quantitative features. There were six groups of C57BL/6 mice: 1. Group C (control), 2. Group LA (low-dose alcohol), 3. Group MA (moderate-dose alcohol), 4. Group B (ß-carotene), 5. Group LA + B (low-dose alcohol combined with ß-carotene), and 6. Group MA + B (moderate-dose alcohol combined with ß-carotene). After the animals were euthanized on day 28, each specimen's pancreatic tissue was taken. Lipase, uric acid, and amylase were assessed using biochemical assessment. Furthermore, the examination of the pancreatic structure was conducted using Ammann's fibrosis scoring system. Finally, the morpho-quantitative characteristics of the pancreatic islets and acinar cells were determined. In the serum of the MA + B group, there were higher amounts of total amylase (825.953 ± 193.412 U/L) and lower amounts of lipase (47.139 ± 6.099 U/L) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Ammann's fibrosis punctuation in the pancreas revealed significant variations between the groups (p < 0.001). Finally, the stereological analysis of pancreatic islets showed that the groups were different (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that antioxidant treatments might help decrease the negative effects of ethanol exposure in animal models.

Analysis of Muscle Lipidome in Juvenile Rainbow Trout Fed Rapeseed Oil and Cochayuyo Meal.

This study aimed to analyze the effects on the lipidome of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss muscle fed 90% Brassica napus "rapeseed" oil and different amounts of Durvillaea antarctica "Cochayuyo" meal (1.5, 3 and 6%) as a replacement for cellulose. The analysis allowed for the identification of 329 lipids, mainly represented by phospholipids and fatty esters. The inclusion of Brassica napus oil significantly increased the levels of C18:2 species and fatty esters of hydroxylated fatty acids, which could play a bioactive role in human health. One of the most abundant lipids in all fillets was Phosphatidylcholine 33:6, which, according to the literature, could be considered a biomarker for the identification of Oncorhynchus mykiss. In all experimental diets, the species Phosphatidylethanolamine 15:1-18:24 showed four-fold higher levels than the control; increments of n-3- and n-6-rich phospholipids were also observed. Diets containing Durvillaea antarctica meal did not generate more significant variation in fish muscle phospholipids relative to the muscle of the rapeseed-oil-only group. These lipid species consist of medium- and long-chain fatty acids with different degrees of unsaturation. Still, it appears that the rapeseed oil masks the lipid contribution of the meal, possibly due to the low levels of total lipids in the macroalgae.

Vitamin Supplements as a Nutritional Strategy against Chronic Alcohol Consumption? An Updated Review.

Several studies have shown that blood vitamin levels are low in alcoholic patients. In effect, alcohol use abuse is considered a chronic disease that promotes the pathogenesis of many fatal diseases, such as cancer and liver cirrhosis. The alcohol effects in the liver can be prevented by antioxidant mechanisms, which induces enzymatic as well as other nonenzymatic pathways. The effectiveness of several antioxidants has been evaluated. However, these studies have been accompanied by uncertainty as mixed results were reported. Thus, the aim of the present review article was to examine the current knowledge on vitamin deficiency and its role in chronic liver disease. Our review found that deficiencies in nutritional vitamins could develop rapidly during chronic liver disease due to diminished hepatic storage and that inadequate vitamins intake and alcohol consumption may interact to deplete vitamin levels. Numerous studies have described that vitamin supplementation could reduce hepatotoxicity. However, further studies with reference to the changes in vitamin status and the nutritional management of chronic liver disease are in demand.

Effect of exogenous lipids on cryotolerance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) spermatozoa.

The development of semen cryopreservation strategies is necessary to improve the semen storage technologies of species of great commercial interest for aquaculture. Recent studies demonstrate that lipids play an important role in the fertility and cryotolerance of fish gametes. This study investigated the effect of exogenous lipids in the freezing medium on the post-thaw functional parameters of Salmo salar spermatozoa. Semen samples (n = 12) were incubated in standard extender supplemented with different concentrations of oleic acid (OA, C18:1n9), linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n6), arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4n6) and cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC). Post-thaw motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), superoxide anion (O2•-) and fertility rates were analyzed. The results revealed that the semen incubated with 0.003 mmol/L OA increased the motility (~7%) and ΔΨm (~2%) (P < 0.05), but membrane integrity and fertility were not increased. The addition of 0.003 mmol/L LA increased the motility (~4%) and all LA extenders increased the ΔΨm (P < 0.05); however, LA increased the O2•- levels and decreased the membrane integrity and fertility (P < 0.05). Semen incubated with ARA improved sperm motility (~5%), membrane integrity (~10.5%) and fertility rates (~11%) (P < 0.05). The maximum improvement in post-thaw sperm functionality was observed by adding 0.003 mmol/L ARA. In contrast, sperm quality parameters and fertility were decreased by the CLC addition (P < 0.05). This study showed that ARA could be considered as an additive for semen cryopreservation and could be relevant in the reproductive process and reproductive management of Salmo salar.

Antioxidant Therapeutic Strategies for Cardiovascular Conditions Associated with Oxidative Stress.

Oxidative stress (OS) refers to the imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability to scavenge these ROS by endogenous antioxidant systems, where ROS overwhelms the antioxidant capacity. Excessive presence of ROS results in irreversible damage to cell membranes, DNA, and other cellular structures by oxidizing lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases related to hypoxia, cardiotoxicity and ischemia-reperfusion. Here, we describe the participation of OS in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial infarction, anthracycline cardiotoxicity and congenital heart disease. This review focuses on the different clinical events where redox factors and OS are related to cardiovascular pathophysiology, giving to support for novel pharmacological therapies such as omega 3 fatty acids, non-selective betablockers and microRNAs.

Dietary inclusion of fish oil changes the semen lipid composition but does not improve the post-thaw semen quality of ram spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary fish oil (FO) time-response on the fatty acid profile, cholesterol levels and sperm cryosurvival in ram semen. Criollo Araucano rams were randomly assigned to two groups (n=4) according to the type of supplementation: a control group without FO and a supplemented group fed a diet with 3% FO for 8 weeks. The semen lipid profile and post-thaw sperm quality were analyzed at weeks 0 (pre-supplementation), 4, 8, 12 and 16 (post-supplementation) to evaluate the effects of FO supplementation by time interaction. Post-thaw sperm quality was determined by CASA and flow cytometry. In spermatozoa, the supplemented group increased the linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n3) with levels higher at week 16 (P<0.05). The effect of FO on cholesterol concentration in sperm was significant at the end of the experiment (week 16). In seminal plasma, statistical differences of butyric acid (C4:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n3) and DHA were observed at week 12. The cholesterol concentration was not affected by dietary treatments (P>0.05). However, the post-thaw sperm quality of the FO treatment group decreased. Motility percentage decreased 50% and spermatozoa with permeable plasma membrane and reacted acrosome were higher (63%) at week 16 than the control group. These results showed that DHA was effectively incorporated into semen through dietary supplementation with FO, but evaluations of post-thaw sperm quality confirm alteration specificity related to the structure of the lipid bilayer.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid induces cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion through the inhibition of NF-kappaB and induction of Nrf2.

The mechanistic evidence to support the cardioprotective effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are controversial. The aim was to test cardioprotective mechanisms induced by PUFA supplementation against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Ten-week-old male Wistar rats (225 ± 14 g, n = 14) were divided in two groups: rats without supplementation ( n = 7) and a PUFA group, supplemented by PUFA (0.6 g/kg/day; DHA:EPA = 3:1) for eight weeks ( n = 7). Hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 20 min (control conditions); others were subjected to control conditions, 30 min of global ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion (IR group). Infarct size (IS) and left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) were measured at 120 min of reperfusion. Oxidative stress biomarkers (TBARS, total carbonyls), antioxidant status (CAT, catalase; SOD, superoxide dismutase; GSH-Px, glutathione peroxidase activity and GSH/GSSG ratio), myeloperoxidase activity, ATP levels and nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) were determined in both experimental conditions. At the end of reperfusion, hearts supplemented with PUFA showed lower IS and a higher LVDP compared with the nonsupplemented rats. Hearts in the group supplemented with PUFA showed lower levels of oxidative stress markers and higher antioxidant activity, decreased MPO activity and NF-κB and Nrf2 activation compared with the nonsupplemented group. Cardioprotective effects of PUFA are exerted through induction of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanism at tissue level.

Potential medicinal use of forest species of the Deciduous Seasonal Forest from Atlantic Forest Biome, South Brazil

The current paper focuses on potential medicinal use of forest species from Deciduous Seasonal Forest in central region of Rio Grande do Sul State, South Brazil. Floristic and phytosociological surveys were carried out in 2011 and 2012. Results were compared with the available information in scientific literature about popular knowledge and biological/pharmacological evidences. Each species was classified in use categories to diseases, symptoms our disorders based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD). In 2011, we found a total of 31 species, 77,4% of them with medicinal use. In 2012, we found 33 species,72,7% of them with medicinal use. The species most frequently mentioned were Casearia sylvestris, Eugenia uniflora, Cabralea canjerana, Luehea divaricata, Parapiptadenia rigida and Vitex megapotamica. The main species with biological/pharmacological properties were C. sylvestris, E. uniflora, L. divaricata, V. megapotamica and Zanthoxylum rhoifolium. We concluded that there is a considerable potential for medicinal purposes to forest species from Deciduous Seasonal Forest in the study region. We recommend further studies mainly about the species Prunus myrtifolia, Zanthoxylum rhoifolium, Cabralea canjerana and Casearia sylvestris which presented references to antitumoral properties.

Ω3 Supplementation and intermittent hypobaric hypoxia induce cardioprotection enhancing antioxidant mechanisms in adult rats.

Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IH) is linked with oxidative stress, impairing cardiac function. However, early IH also activate cardio-protective mechanisms. Omega 3 fatty acids (Ω3) induce cardioprotection by reducing infarct size and reinforcing antioxidant defenses. The aim of this work was to determine the combined effects of IH and Ω3 on cardiac function; oxidative balance and inflammatory state. Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into four groups: normobaric normoxia (N); N + Ω3 (0.3 g·kg-1·day-1); IH; and IH + Ω3. IH was induced by 4 intercalate periods of hypoxia (4 days)-normoxia (4 days) in a hypobaric chamber during 32 days. At the end of the exposure, hearts were mounted in a Langendorff system and subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. In addition, we determined HIF-1α and ATP levels, as well as oxidative stress by malondialdehyde and nitrotyrosine quantification. Further, the expression of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase was determined. NF-kappaB and myeloperoxidase levels were assessed in the hearts. Relative to N hearts, IH improved left ventricular function (Left ventricular developed pressure: N; 21.8 ± 3.4 vs. IH; 42.8 ± 7.1 mmHg; p < 0.05); reduced oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde: N; 14.4 ± 1.8 vs. IH; 7.3 ± 2.1 µmol/mg prot.; p < 0.05); and increased antioxidant enzymes expression. Supplementation with Ω3 induces similar responses as IH group. Our findings suggest that both, IH and Ω3 in an independent manner, induce functional improvement by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, establishing cardio-protection.

Protective effects of polyunsatutared fatty acids supplementation against testicular damage induced by intermittent hypobaric hypoxia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) induces changes in the redox status and structure in rat testis. These effects may be present in people at high altitudes, such as athletes and miners. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be effective in counteracting these oxidative modifications due to their antioxidants properties. The aim of the work was to test whether PUFA supplementation attenuates oxidative damage in testis by reinforcing the antioxidant defense system. The animals were divided into four groups (7 rats per group): normobaric normoxia (~750 tor; pO2 156 mmHg; Nx); Nx + PUFA, supplemented with PUFA (DHA: EPA = 3:1; 0.3 g kg(-1) of body weight per day); hypoxic hypoxia (~428 tor; pO2 90 mmHg; Hx) and, Hx + PUFA. The hypoxic groups were exposed in 4 cycles to 96 h of HH followed by 96 h of normobaric normoxia for 32 days. Total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) in plasma and reduced (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio, tissue lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and antioxidant enzymes activity were assessed at the end of the study in testis. Also, SIRTUIN 1 and HIF-1 protein expression in testis were determined. RESULTS: IHH increased lipid peroxidation in plasma and HIF-1 protein levels in testis. In addition, IHH reduced FRAP levels in plasma, antioxidant enzymes activities and SIRTUIN 1 protein levels in testis. PUFA supplementation attenuated these effects, inducing the increases in FRAP, in the antioxidant enzymes activity and HIF-1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the IHH model induces a prooxidant status in plasma and testis. The molecular protective effect of PUFA may involve the induction of an antioxidant mechanism.

Omega 3 chronic supplementation attenuates myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury through reinforcement of antioxidant defense system in rats.

Currently, controversial clinical data about the protective effects in the consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in ischaemic heart diseases exist. Improved myocardial resistance to ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury results in non-lethal myocardial infarction, which is a relevant factor in the myocardial function. We hypothesized that chronic supplementation with PUFAs reduced infarct size (IS) and induced an improvement on oxidative stress-related parameters in IR model. Rats were supplemented with two doses of PUFAs D1 (n = 7) (0.6 g kg(-1) d(-1) ) and D2 (n = 7) (1.2 g kg(-1) d(-1) ) for 8 weeks. Control group (n = 7) received only standard diet. In ex vivo model, all rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischaemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. The IS and left ventricular function were assessed. Lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured in the whole heart. The results show a reduction in IS in a dose-dependent manner with PUFAs D1 (30.6%) and D2 (48.5%) and higher values of left ventricular developed pressure, at the end of the reperfusion, for each dose, respectively (p < 0.05). The two PUFAs groups showed higher values of GSH/GSSG ratio and lipid peroxidation, and higher values of activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase at basal condition (p < 0.05). At the end of reperfusion, the GSH/GSSG ratio and antioxidants enzyme activity did not show a significant drop in their values (p > 0.05). These findings suggested that the supplementation with PUFAs induces cardioprotection against IR injury, associated with reinforcement of the antioxidant defense system.

Antinociceptive effect and gastroprotective mechanisms of 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxyacetophenone from Ageratina pichinchensis.

The present study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity (in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models) and gastroprotective effect of the 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxyacetophenone (HYDP), isolated from Ageratina pichinchensis. The gastroprotective activity of this plant was previously reported by our workgroup, finding encesanescin to be one active compound. The present results show that HYDP reduced nociception in a dose-dependent manner in carrageenan and L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation, with efficacies of 72.6 and 57.1%, respectively, at doses of 100 and 562 mg/kg. HYDP also showed gastroprotective activity in the model of ethanol-induced gastric lesion, with a 75.59% maximum inhibition of ulcers at a dose of 100mg/kg. This gastroprotective effect was attenuated by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, indomethacin and N-ethylmaleimide, indicating that NO, prostaglandins and sulfhydryl groups are involved in the mechanisms of action. This is the first evidence, to our knowledge, of the antinociceptive and gastroprotective activities of HYDP.

Blueberry extracts protect testis from hypobaric hypoxia induced oxidative stress in rats.

Exposure to hypobaric hypoxia causes oxidative damage to male rat reproductive function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of a blueberry extract (BB-4) in testis of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. Morphometric analysis, cellular DNA fragmentation, glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated. Our results showed that supplementation of BB-4 reduced lipid peroxidation, decreased apoptosis, and increased GR and SOD activities in rat testis under hypobaric hypoxia conditions (P < 0.05). Therefore, this study demonstrates that blueberry extract significantly reduced the harmful effects of oxidative stress caused by hypobaric hypoxia in rat testis by affecting glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase activities.

Oxidative stress in rat testis and epididymis under intermittent hypobaric hypoxia: protective role of ascorbate supplementation.

Hypobaric hypoxia (HH), an environmental condition of high altitude encountered by mountaineers, miners, and observatory, rural health, border patrol, and rural education workers, jeopardizes normal physiologic functions in humans. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intermittent HH (IHH; equivalent to 4600 m above mean sea level) on oxidative stress and the protective role of dietary ascorbic acid on rat testis and epididymis. Ten-week-old male Wistar rats were assigned to 1 of 6 groups: 1) normobaric (Nx), 2) Nx + physiologic solution (Nx + PS), 3) Nx + ascorbic acid (Nx + AA), 4) IHH, 5) IHH + PS, or 6) IHH + AA. Animals subjected to IHH were exposed for 96 hours followed by normobaric conditions for 96 hours for a total of 32 days. The control groups (2 and 5) were injected with doses of PS, and the treated groups (3 and 6) were injected with doses of AA (10 mg x kg(-1) body weight) at an interval of 96 hours. Rats were sacrificed on day 32 after initiation of the protocol. The testis and epididymis were collected to determine the activity and expression of glutathione reductase and the levels of lipid peroxide formation. An epididymal sperm count was also performed in each animal. The results of this study revealed that IHH induced lipid peroxidation, a reduction in glutathione reductase activity in testis and epididymis, and a significant decrease in epididymal sperm count. Treatment with AA prevented these changes. In conclusion, AA was capable of decreasing oxidative stress in testis and epididymis under IHH. This protection by AA of the IHH-induced lipid peroxidation can be explained in part by the preservation of glutathione reductase activity in these organs.