Efeitos da suplementação de óleo de abacate sobre o perfil lipídico e índices aterogênicos em intervenção duplo-cego e randomizada em pacientes com síndrome metabólica / Effects of avocado oil supplementation on lipid profile and atherogenic indices in a double-blind and randomised intervention in patients with metabolic syndrome

Introdução: A síndrome metabólica é definida como um conjunto de condições clínicas que acometem cerca de 25% da população mundial e 29,6% dos brasileiros. Essa síndrome está relacionada ao aumento dos desfechos cardiovasculares, que podem ser preditos através do perfil lipídico. Compostos bioativos, tais como os ácidos graxos monoinsaturados (MUFA), são fortes aliados na prevenção desses desfechos. Um alimento importante por conter compostos bioativos e MUFA em abundância é o abacate. Há, porém, poucos estudos avaliando o efeito do óleo puro/virgem de abacate sobre o perfil lipídico em humanos com síndrome metabólica, e seus efeitos sobre os índices aterogênicos inexistem. Objetivo: O estudo buscou avaliar a suplementação de óleo de abacate sobre os níveis lipídicos e índices aterogênicos em pacientes portadores de síndrome metabólica. Método: 31 indivíduos adultos e obesos foram randomizados em grupo controle (óleo de soja) e grupo intervenção (óleo de abacate). Estes foram avaliados nos períodos pré e pós-intervenção (12 semanas) através de anamnese clínica e avaliação nutricional. Resultados: Observou-se que tanto o grupo controle quanto o grupo intervenção tinham a ingestão de lipídeos e gordura saturada maior que o recomendável. Quanto ao perfil lipídico e índices aterogênicos, não foi observada diferença significativa entre os períodos pré e pós. Conclusão: Os resultados podem ter se dado pela ausência do controle alimentar, sobrecarga de medicamentos, duração da intervenção, modo de administração e dose do suplemento. Logo, são necessários estudos futuros sobre os efeitos do óleo de abacate nessa população, que controlem melhor essas variáveis.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is defined as a set of clinical conditions that affect approximately 25% of the world's population and 29.6% of Brazilians. This syndrome is related to increased cardiovascular outcomes, which may be predicted by the lipid profile. Bioactive compounds, such as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), are strong allies in preventing these outcomes. Avocado is an important food because it contains abundant bioactive compounds and MUFAs. However, few studies evaluated the effects of pure/virgin avocado oil on the lipid profile in humans with metabolic syndrome, and its effects on atherogenic indices are not known. Objective:This study evaluated avocado oil supplementation on lipid levels and atherogenic indices in patients with metabolic syndrome. Method: Thirty-one obese adults were randomised into a control group (soybean oil) and an intervention group (avocado oil). These groups were evaluated in the pre- and post-intervention periods (12 weeks) via clinical anamnesis and nutritional assessment. Results: The control group and the intervention group had higher intakes of lipids and saturated fat than recommended. For the lipid profile and atherogenic indices, no significant difference was observed between the pre- and postintervention periods. Conclusion: These results may have been due to the absence of dietary control, medication overload, intervention duration, mode of administration and dose of the supplement. Therefore, future studies on the effects of avocado oil are needed in this population to better control these variables.

An Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometric Method for Screening and Simultaneous Determination of Anorexic, Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, Diuretic, Laxative and Stimulant Drugs in Dietary Supplements Marketed for Weight Loss.

The consumption of dietary supplements is increasing every year all over the world and has been accompanied by an increased frequency of adulteration of these products with synthetic pharmaceuticals. Analytical methods that allow testing for the presence of synthetic drugs in dietary supplements are needed to detect such fraudulent practices. To investigate the adulteration of dietary supplements marketed for weight loss using different commercial appeals, we developed an analytical method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) for simultaneous determination of 32 drugs, including anorexics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, diuretics, laxatives and stimulants. Separation was accomplished in 19 minutes using a Zorbax SB-C18 column and a gradient elution program with 0.05% formic acid in water/acetonitrile as a mobile phase. Limits of quantification ranged from 0.14 to 3.92 µg L-1, and accuracy ranged from 80.00 to 119.48%. A simple extraction procedure was used in the pretreatment step by dissolving the samples in 100% methanol followed by a 1000 to 10,000-fold dilution in the mobile phase and filtration through a Teflon membrane (0.2 µm). The method was applied to the screening and quantification of the drugs in 108 formulations marketed as food supplements for slimming, weight loss, thermogenics, and supplements for meal replacement. Caffeine and p-synephrine were found as stimulants in 80 samples, listed or not on the label.

Obesity, Xenobiotic Intake and Antimicrobial-Resistance Genes in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract: A Comparative Study of Eutrophic, Overweight and Obese Individuals.

Although lifestyle and physiology in obese individuals are accepted to lead to changes in the intestinal microbiota, uncertainty remains about microbiota dysbiosis, and xenobiotics intake, as a source of selective pressure, independent of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance genetic markers (ARG) in faecal specimens of eutrophic, overweight and obese individuals, and their correlation with xenobiotic intake and gut bacteria density. Methods: This was a cross-sectional case-controlled study including 72 adult participants with no record of intestinal or systemic diseases, or recent use of antimicrobials, grouped as eutrophic, overweight, or obese. Anthropometric profile, eating habits and oral xenobiotics intake were recorded. Faecal metagenomic DNA was used to screen for ARG by PCR, and to measure bacterial groups by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Student's t and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare means and differences in ARG detection (95% confidence intervals). Correlation analyses (odds ratio) and relationships between bacteria density and ARG were determined. Results: Increase in abdominal circumference, waist circumference, hip, waist-hip ratio, BMI, carbohydrate, fibres, and total calorie intakes were different from eutrophic to obese participants. Habitual use of antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory drugs, antacids, and artificial sweeteners were associated mainly with obesity and overweight. Nutritional supplements were associated to the eutrophic group. ARG screening showed differences being more frequent among obese, and positive for 27 genetic markers related to ß-lactams, tetracyclines, the macrolide lincosamide and streptogramin group, quinolones, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, and efflux pump. Positive correlation between ARG and BMI, caloric intake, and intake of xenobiotics, was observed for obese individuals. Relationships among ARG detection and bacteria densities were also different. Conclusions: This study reinforces the hypothesis that obese individuals may harbour an altered gut microbiota, if compared to eutrophic. The overweight individuals display a transitional gut microbiota which seems to be between eutrophic and obese. Furthermore, the increased xenobiotic intake associated to obesity may play an important role in the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon.

Folic acid prevented cognitive impairment in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of bacterial meningitis, with a high mortality rate and neurological sequelae. In contrast, folic acid plays an important role in neuroplasticity and the preservation of neuronal integrity. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of folic acid on memory, oxidative damage, enzymatic defence, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in experimental pneumococcal meningitis. In animals that received folic acid at a dose of 10 or 50 mg, there was a reduction in both crossing and rearing during an open-field task compared with the training session, demonstrating habituation memory. During a step-down inhibitory avoidance task, there was a difference between the training and the test sessions, demonstrating aversive memory. In the hippocampus, BDNF expression decreased in the meningitis group; however, adjuvant treatment with 10 mg of folic acid increased BDNF expression, decreased lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, nitrate/nitrite levels, and myeloperoxidase activity and increased superoxide dismutase activity. In frontal cortex adjuvant treatment with 10 mg of folic acid decreased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation. There is substantial interest in the role of folic acid and related pathways in nervous system function and in folic acid's potential therapeutic effects. Here, adjuvant treatment with vitamin B9 prevented memory impairment in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

Capillary electrophoretic methods for the screening and determination of pharmacologic adulterants in herbal-based pharmaceutical formulations.

This review aims to describe the CE methods utilized for the determination of adulterants in herbal-based formulations marketed for different therapeutic purposes. The CE methods for screening and determination of pharmacologic adulterants are reviewed on the basis of the CE techniques and their detection methods. CZE and MEKC methods coupled to optical (UV), capacitively coupled contactless conductivity, and MS detection modes are discussed and reviewed. Worldwide adulteration cases related to pharmaceutical formulations containing herbs as the main active products are presented covering all the works published in the last four decades.

Role of growth arrest-specific gene 6 in the development of fungal allergic airway disease in mice.

Growth arrest-specific gene (Gas)6 is a secreted vitamin K-dependent protein with pleiotropic effects via activation of receptor tyrosine kinase Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk receptors, but little is known about its role in allergic airway disease. We investigated the role of Gas6 in the development of fungal allergic airway disease in mice. The immune response was evaluated in Gas6-deficient (Gas6-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice and in recombinant Gas6-treated WT mice during Aspergillus fumigatus-induced allergic airway disease. Gas6 plasma levels were significantly elevated in adult clinical asthma of all severities compared with subjects without asthma. In a murine model of fungal allergic airway disease, increased protein expression of Axl and Mertk were observed in the lung. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), whole lung Th2 cytokine levels, goblet cell metaplasia, and peribronchial fibrosis were ameliorated in Gas6-/- mice compared with WT mice with fungal allergic airway disease. Intranasal Gas6 administration into WT mice had a divergent effect on airway inflammation and AHR. Specifically, a total dose of 2 µg of exogenous Gas6 (i.e., low dose) significantly increased whole lung Th2 cytokine levels and subsequent AHR, whereas a total dose of 7 µg of exogenous Gas6 (i.e., high dose) significantly suppressed Th1 and Th2 cytokines and AHR compared with appropriate control groups. Mechanistically, Gas6 promoted Th2 activation via its highest affinity receptor Axl expressed by myeloid DCs. Intranasal administration of Gas6 consistently exacerbated airway remodeling compared with control WT groups. These results demonstrate that Gas6 enhances several features of fungal allergic airway disease.

Determination of diuretics and laxatives as adulterants in herbal formulations for weight loss.

A new method is described for the determination of the most common diuretic and laxative adulterants found in formulations of anorexics and antidepressants. The method is based on the separation of furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone and amiloride (diuretics), phenolphthalein (laxative), amfepramone (anorexic) and fluoxetine and paroxetine (antidepressants) by capillary zone electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. The method showed a precision ranging from 1.9% to 6.9% for a concentration of 25 mg/L, 0.6% to 5.3% for a concentration of 50 mg/L and 1.6% to 6.0% for a concentration of 100 mg/L for all analytes. The accuracy was 99% for amiloride, 102% for chlorthalidone, 101% for hydrochlorothiazide, 101% for furosemide, 94% for phenolphthalein, 105% for fluoxetine, 114% for paroxetine and 117% for amfepramone. The method allowed the drugs to be determined in the formulations at concentrations higher than 5.1 mg/kg for amiloride, 7.7 mg/kg for chlorthalidone, 6.8 mg/kg for hydrochlorothiazide, 10.7 mg/kg for furosemide, 8.4 mg/kg for phenolphthalein, 11.0 mg/kg for fluoxetine, 9.4 mg/kg for paroxetine and 11.0 mg/kg for amfepramone. Three of the 26 analysed herbal formulations were found to be adulterated (not declared on the label) with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. Five other samples contained diuretics declared on the label on the formulation. Thus, a total of eight samples, which were marketed as natural products, contained diuretics (declared or not) on the formulation.

Presence of synthetic pharmaceuticals as adulterants in slimming phytotherapeutic formulations and their analytical determination.

Obesity that is associated with a high consumption of slimming substances is considered a public health problem around the world. In this context, the increasing consumption of phytotherapeutic formulations as alternative obesity treatments has revealed the presence of synthetic pharmaceuticals as adulterants. The illegally added adulterants are frequently anorexic, anxiolytic, and antidepressant pharmaceuticals. This review aims to describe the analytical methodologies utilized for the determination of adulterants in slimming phytotherapeutic formulations. Furthermore, this review describes some important adulteration cases, which occurred mainly in Europe, Asia, Brazil, and the USA.

Marine Pseudomonas putida: a potential source of antimicrobial substances against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Bacteria isolated from marine sponges found off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were screened for the production of antimicrobial substances. We report a new Pseudomonas putida strain (designated P. putida Mm3) isolated from the sponge Mycale microsigmatosa that produces a powerful antimicrobial substance active against multidrug-resistant bacteria. P. putida Mm3 was identified on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypic tests. Molecular typing for Mm3 was performed by RAPD-PCR and comparison of the results to other Pseudomonas strains. Our results contribute to the search for new antimicrobial agents, an important strategy for developing alternative therapies to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Marine Pseudomonas putida: a potential source of antimicrobial substances against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Bacteria isolated from marine sponges found off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were screened for the production of antimicrobial substances. We report a new Pseudomonas putida strain (designated P. putida Mm3) isolated from the sponge Mycale microsigmatosa that produces a powerful antimicrobial substance active against multidrug-resistant bacteria. P. putida Mm3 was identified on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypic tests. Molecular typing for Mm3 was performed by RAPD-PCR and comparison of the results to other Pseudomonas strains. Our results contribute to the search for new antimicrobial agents, an important strategy for developing alternative therapies to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Ocratoxina A em café torrado e moído comercializado em Minas Gerais - 2006 / Ochratoxin A in roasted and ground coffee commercialized in Minas Gerais – 2006

Ocratoxina A (OTA) é uma das mais importantes micotoxinas de interesse para a saúde humana. OTA é potencialmente nefrotóxica, teratogênica e imunotóxica, afetando particularmente o sistema renal. É produzida por três espécies principais de fungos: Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus carbonarius e Penicillium verrucosum, com uma menor contribuição para Aspergillus niger. O café é produzido em países tropicais onde condições climáticas são favoráveis ao crescimento de fungos e produção de micotoxinas como OTA. Para avaliar a concentração de OTA em café torrado e moído consumido no estado de Minas Gerais (Brasil), 45 amostras foram coletadas pela Vigilância Sanitária do Estado de Minas Gerais, em 2006. A toxina foi isolada por coluna de imunoafinidade e quantificada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, utilizando detector de fluorescência. (...) Os resultados revelaram que o nível de contaminação de OTA em café não foi significativa.

Endometriose retal: relato de um caso / Rectal endometriosis: report of a case

Os autores relatam um caso de uma paciente portadora de sangramento retal cíclico, coincidindo com períodomenstrual, que iniciou um mês após histerectomia. Ao exame apresentava lesäo vegetante no reto e diagnóstico foi realizado após segunda biópsia, quando o exame histopatológico revelou a presença de tecido endometrial. O enema opaco era normal. A paciente apresentou, inicialmente, melhora do quadro com tratamento clínico. Posteriormente foi submetida à intervençäo cirúrgica devido à recidiva da sintomatologia