Potential of coffee straw biochal as a substrate conditioner in seed lettuce and sorghum germination and vigority.

The use of residues from coffee production to obtain biochar is a sustainable approach, which aims to minimize the environmental impact of these materials. In this study, the effect of adding coffee straw biochar on the physiological quality of lettuce and sorghum seeds was investigated. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the effect of adding different concentrations of coffee biochar in the substrate composition on the physiological quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) seeds. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with five concentrations of biochar (0; 7.5; 15; 30 and 60%), conducted with four replications of 25 seeds. The use of biochar in the concentrations studied does not provide an increase in the average germination percentage and vigor of lettuce and sorghum seeds. The increase in the concentration of biochar caused less seed vigor, suggesting a toxic effect. For seed germination, there was no significant difference between lettuce and sorghum species, regardless of treatment. For the germination speed index, sorghum seeds have higher means, except for the treatment with the addition of 15% coffee straw biochar. Lettuce seeds have higher shoot length averages, except for treatment with 100% commercial substrate. The sorghum seeds have higher mean root length and dry mass than lettuce, regardless of the treatment.

Microbial Culture in Minimal Medium With Oil Favors Enrichment of Biosurfactant Producing Genes.

The waste produced by petrochemical industries has a significant environmental impact. Biotechnological approaches offer promising alternatives for waste treatment in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner. Microbial consortia potentially clean up the wastes through degradation of hydrocarbons using biosurfactants as adjuvants. In this work, microbial consortia were obtained from a production water (PW) sample from a Brazilian oil reservoir using enrichment and selection approaches in the presence of oil as carbon source. A consortium was obtained using Bushnell-Haas (BH) mineral medium with petroleum. In parallel, another consortium was obtained in yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD)-rich medium and was subsequently compared to the BH mineral medium with petroleum. Metagenomic sequencing of these microbial communities showed that the BH consortium was less diverse and predominantly composed of Brevibacillus genus members, while the YPD consortium was taxonomically more diverse. Functional annotation revealed that the BH consortium was enriched with genes involved in biosurfactant synthesis, while the YPD consortium presented higher abundance of hydrocarbon degradation genes. The comparison of these two consortia against consortia available in public databases confirmed the enrichment of biosurfactant genes in the BH consortium. Functional assays showed that the BH consortium exhibits high cellular hydrophobicity and formation of stable emulsions, suggesting that oil uptake by microorganisms might be favored by biosurfactants. In contrast, the YPD consortium was more efficient than the BH consortium in reducing interfacial tension. Despite the genetic differences between the consortia, analysis by a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector showed few significant differences regarding the hydrocarbon degradation rates. Specifically, the YPD consortium presented higher degradation rates of C12 to C14 alkanes, while the BH consortium showed a significant increase in the degradation of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These data suggest that the enrichment of biosurfactant genes in the BH consortium could promote efficient hydrocarbon degradation, despite its lower taxonomical diversity compared to the consortium enriched in YPD medium. Together, these results showed that cultivation in a minimal medium supplemented with oil was an efficient strategy in selecting biosurfactant-producing microorganisms and highlighted the biotechnological potential of these bacterial consortia in waste treatment and bioremediation of impacted areas.

Effects of auriculotherapy and midazolam for anxiety control in patients submitted to third molar extraction.

Anxiety is common and still represents a barrier to appropriate professional care for patients requiring dental treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of auriculotherapy and midazolam for the control of anxiety in patients submitted to third molar extractions. This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover clinical trial. Thirty healthy volunteers requiring bilateral third molar extraction received midazolam 15mg (oral) and sham auriculotherapy during one session, and a placebo tablet (oral) and auriculotherapy during the other; the sessions were randomized. The level of anxiety was assessed through questionnaires and physical parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2)) at three time points: baseline, on the day of surgery, and at follow-up. No significant differences between the protocols were observed for blood pressure and SpO2. Auriculotherapy induced a lower heart rate than midazolam during some periods. Auriculotherapy induced more events remembered after surgery than midazolam (P<0.0001). More undesirable effects were observed with midazolam (P<0.0001). However, patient preference for auriculotherapy (53.3%) was not higher than preference for midazolam (46.7%). Auriculotherapy showed an anxiolytic effect equivalent to the midazolam effect, without the undesirable effects usually attributed to the benzodiazepine.

Phytotherapy in reducing glycemic index and testicular oxidative stress resulting from induced diabetes: a review / Fitoterapia na redução da glicemia e do estresse oxidativo testicular resultantes do diabetes experimental: uma revisão

Abstract Oxidative stress plays a main role in the development of diabetes complications. The impairment of gonadal antioxidant potential and endocrine disturbance in diabetic males causes testicular damage and failure in sperm production. Plants have been widely used to control diabetes due their hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential, contributing towards the recovery of testicular function. Current study comprises a review of the literature on the main medicinal plants used in the recovery of testicular oxidative damage in animals with experimental diabetes. Eighteen plant species in the nineteen studies selected from the search strategy were evaluated. Plant extracts were evaluated according to their effects on blood glucose and insulin levels, antioxidant enzymes and oxidant levels, lipid peroxidation, total protein, testosterone levels, gonadosomatic index, diameter of seminiferous tubules, seminiferous epithelium height and integrity, number of germ cells at stage VII and apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium, sperm production, motility, viability and morphology. After the analysis of the studies, it was observed that plant species, used alone or in combination, may control testicular oxidative damage triggered by diabetes. The antioxidant potential varies among species, with some plants proving to have a better performance in the recovery of reproduction parameters than others.

Resumo O estresse oxidativo desempenha um dos principais papéis no desenvolvimento das complicações do diabetes. Em machos diabéticos, as alterações ao potencial antioxidante gonadal e os distúrbios endócrinos resultam em danos testiculares e falhas na produção de espermatozoides. Plantas têm sido amplamente utilizadas como um método de controle do diabetes devido aos seus potenciais hipoglicemiante e antioxidante, contribuindo para a recuperação da função testicular. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é fazer uma revisão da literatura sobre as principais plantas medicinais utilizadas na recuperação de danos oxidativos testiculares em animais induzidos ao diabetes experimental. Nos dezenove estudos selecionados a partir da estratégia de busca, dezoito espécies de plantas foram utilizadas. Os extratos das espécies vegetais foram avaliados de acordo com os seus efeitos nas concentrações de glicose e insulina, níveis das enzimas antioxidantes e dos oxidantes, peroxidação lipídica, quantidade de proteínas totais, níveis de testosterona, índice gonadossomático, diâmetro dos túbulos seminíferos, altura e integridade do epitélio seminífero, número de células germinativas no estágio VII, número de células em apoptose no epitélio seminífero, produção, motilidade, viabilidade e morfologia espermática. Depois das análises aos estudos, foi observado que as espécies vegetais, sozinhas ou em combinação, podem ajudar a controlar os danos oxidativos testiculares desencadeados pelo diabetes. Contudo, o potencial antioxidante varia entre as espécies, algumas tenho uma melhor performance na recuperação dos parâmetros reprodutivos do que outras.

Phytotherapy in reducing glycemic index and testicular oxidative stress resulting from induced diabetes: a review.

Oxidative stress plays a main role in the development of diabetes complications. The impairment of gonadal antioxidant potential and endocrine disturbance in diabetic males causes testicular damage and failure in sperm production. Plants have been widely used to control diabetes due their hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential, contributing towards the recovery of testicular function. Current study comprises a review of the literature on the main medicinal plants used in the recovery of testicular oxidative damage in animals with experimental diabetes. Eighteen plant species in the nineteen studies selected from the search strategy were evaluated. Plant extracts were evaluated according to their effects on blood glucose and insulin levels, antioxidant enzymes and oxidant levels, lipid peroxidation, total protein, testosterone levels, gonadosomatic index, diameter of seminiferous tubules, seminiferous epithelium height and integrity, number of germ cells at stage VII and apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium, sperm production, motility, viability and morphology. After the analysis of the studies, it was observed that plant species, used alone or in combination, may control testicular oxidative damage triggered by diabetes. The antioxidant potential varies among species, with some plants proving to have a better performance in the recovery of reproduction parameters than others.

The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of proteins extracted from Acacia farnesiana seeds / Efeito antiiflamatório e antinociceptivo de proteínas extraídas de sementes de Acacia farnesiana

ABSTRACT Seeds of Acacia farnesiana are commonly sold in the local markets of northeastern Brazil as a therapeutic agent. The present work aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of proteins obtained from A. farnesiana seeds. Five different protein fractions (albumin, globulin, prolamin, acidic and basic glutelins) were obtained and investigated for the protein pattern, the presence of hemagglutinating and proteolytic activities. The globulin fraction (GLB) was also evaluated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Globulins reduced the paw edema induced by carrageenan in a dose-dependent manner, which was accompanied by a reduction of myeloperoxidase activity (p < 0.05). Additionally, GLB reduced the neutrophil peritoneal migration induced by carrageenan. However, GLB was not able to inhibit the edema triggered by dextran. Pre-treatment with globulins reduced the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid as well as the paw licking time induced by formalin (69.1% at first phase). However, it did not produce a significant antinociceptive effect in the hot plate test (55-56 °C). Treating the GLB with heat (at 100 °C for 30 min) abolished its anti-edematogenic and hemagglutinating activities. Our results showed that seeds from A. farnesiana are a source of proteins with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

RESUMO Sementes de Acacia farnesiana são comumente vendidas em feiras locais no nordeste do Brasil como agente terapêutico. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar as atividades antiinflamatória e antinociceptiva de proteínas obtidas de sementes de A. farnesiana. Cinco frações protéicas distintas (albuminas, globulinas, prolaminas, glutelinas ácidas e básicas) foram obtidas e investigadas quanto o perfil de proteínas, presença de atividade hemaglutinante e proteolítica. A fração globulina (GLB) também foi avaliada quanto a presença de atividade antiinflamatória e analgésica. Globulinas reduziram o edema de pata induzido por carragenina de modo dependente da dose que foi acompanhada da redução da atividade da mieloperoxidase (p < 0,05). Em adição, GLB reduziu a migração de neutrófilos para cavidade peritoneal induzida por carragenina. Entretanto, GLB não foi capaz de inibir o edema induzido por dextrana. O pré-tratamento com globulinas reduziu as contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético, bem como o tempo de lambedura da pata induzida por formalina (69.1% na primeira fase). Por outro lado, GLB não produziu um efeito antinociceptivo significante no teste de placa quente (55-56 °C). O pré-tratamento de GLB com calor (100 °C por 30 min) aboliu sua atividade anti-edematogênica e hemaglutinante. Nossos resultados mostraram que sementes de A. farnesiana são fonte de proteínas com propriedades antiinflamatórias e analgésicas.

Avaliação de extratos das espécies Helianthus annuus, Brachiariabrizanthae Sorghum bicolor com potencial alelopático para uso como herbicida natural / Evaluation of extracts from Helianthus annuus, brizantha and Sorghum bicolor with allelopathic potential for use as a natural herbicide

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o potencial alelopático de extratos aquosos de braquiária, girassol e sorgo na germinabilidade e crescimento inicial de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) visando o uso destes extratos como herbicida natural. O estudo foi realizado no Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal da Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia. Foi instalado um experimento no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições. Os tratamentos foram extratos de braquiária, girassol, sorgo e como controle, água destilada. Os extratos foram obtidos, utilizando 200 g de material vegetal para 1000 mL de água destilada. Os aquênios de alface foram distribuídos em caixa gerbox contendo duas folhas de papel germitest umedecidas com os tratamentos e levadas para câmara de germinação. A germinação foi acompanhada diariamente. Foram avaliados o tempo médio de germinação e, após dez dias, o crescimento inicial, medindo-se o comprimento da parte aérea (CPA) e o comprimento do sistema radicular (CSR). Os dados gerados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Com base nos resultados, os extratos de braquiária, girassol e sorgo não afetaram a germinação da alface, mas os de braquiária e sorgo aumentaram o tempo médio de germinação. Os extratos causaram aumento na parte aérea, diminuíram o crescimento do sistema radicular e a formação de plântulas normais. Por causarem inibição no crescimento do sistema radicular da alface, apresentam potencial para serem utilizados como herbicidas naturais.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of aqueous extracts of Brachiaria, sunflower, sorghum germination and early growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), in the attempt of employing these extracts as a natural herbicide. The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Physiology of the Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia. A trial was arranged in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 6 replications. The treatments were extracts of Brachiaria, sunflower, sorghum, and, as a control, distilled water. The extracts were obtained by using 200 g of plant material in 1000 mL of distilled water. First, the lettuce seeds were distributed in a seedling box containing two sheets of germitest moistened paper with treatments, and then were taken to a germination chamber. The germination was daily monitored. The average germination time and the initial growth were evaluated after ten days, through the measuring of the aerial part length (APL) and the root system length (RSL). The data generated were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey test. Based on the results, the extracts of Brachiaria, sunflower and sorghum did not affect the germination of lettuce, but, on the other hand, the Brachiaria and sorghum increased the germination time. The extracts caused an increase in the aerial part and reduced the root system growth and the formation of normal seedlings. Since they caused inhibition on the growth of the lettuce root system, have also potential to be used as natural herbicides.

Patogenesia do óleo essencial e homeopatias de Eucalyptus citriodora em plantas de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris) / Pathogenesis of essential oil and homeopathies of Eucalyptus citriodora in bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris)

A homeopatia baseia-se no princípio da cura pelos semelhantes, e na experimentação no indivíduo sadio, doses mínimas e medicamento único. O uso de tratamentos a base de soluções dinamizadas aplicadas em vegetais aumentou nas ultimas décadas, sendo assim necessária a experimentação patogenésica para aplicação de todos os princípios homeopáticos e consolidação da Matéria Vegetal Homeopática. O ensaio patogenésico com plantas de feijão tratadas diariamente via pulverização e irrigação utilizando óleo essencial de Eucalyptus citriodora em diluições (0,5 e 1%) e dinamizados (12 e 30CH) revelaram sintomas externos semelhantes aos provocados por Pseudocercospora griseola, agente causal da mancha angular em feijoeiro. O estudo patogenésico com E. citriodora levanta a possibilidade deste ser utilizado no controle da mancha angular de acordo com o princípio homeopático da cura pela similitude.

Homeopathy is based on the principle of cure by similarity and on the prescription of minimal doses and single medicine to healthy individuals. In plants, performing treatments on the basis of drug dynamisation has increased in the recent decades. In these treatments, it is necessary to conduct a pathogenetic experimentation in order to apply homeopathic principles and to consolidate homeopathic plant material. Through a pathogenetic test with bean plants treated daily by pulverization and irrigation, using diluted and dynamized essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora - (dilutions: 0.5 and 1%) (oil dynamisation: 12 and 30CH) -, there appeared external symptoms similar to those symptoms caused by Pseudocercospora griseola, i.e., the causal agent of angular leaf spot of bean. The pathogenetics study with E. citriodora raises the possibility of its application to control angular leaf spot in bean plants in accordance with the homeopathic principle of cure by similarity.

Modelagem comparativa da cinética da fase sólida do capim-elefante picado, suplementado ou não com concentrados, e fornecido a vacas Holandês x Zebu em lactação / Comparative modeling of chopped elephantgrass particulate kinectics in crossbred lactating cows receiving or not concentrate supplement

Foram comparadas as estimativas da cinética da fase sólida do capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) picado, mordentado com cromo (Cr), obtidas do ajuste de dois modelos não-lineares (bicompartimental tempo-independente e multicompartimental tempo-dependente) a resultados de excreção fecal de vacas Holandês x Zebu em lactação. Utilizaram-se dados de dois experimentos realizados em anos diferentes com capim-elefante cortado aos 60 e 45 dias, e suplementado, 3,3kg/vaca/dia, base matéria natural, ou não com concentrados. Foram utilizadas quatro e três vacas, respectivamente, no primeiro e no segundo ano de experimentação, havendo sempre duas fases de coleta de dados, necessárias para permitir que cada vaca pudesse ser avaliada em cada tratamento. As taxas de passagem ruminal estimadas variaram de 3,0 a 3,2 por cento/h no modelo bicompartimental tempo-independente, e de 2,6 a 3,0 por cento/h no modelo multicompartimental tempo-dependente, enquanto as respectivas taxas de passagem pós-ruminal variaram de 4,9 a 7,4 por cento/h e de 7,4 a 10,9 por cento/h. Os tempos médios de retenção do capim-elefante no trato gastrintestinal das vacas variaram de 66,0 a 76,2h no modelo bicompartimental tempo-independente, e de 48,1 a 57,8h no modelo multicompartimental tempo-dependente. O processo de dependência de tempo imposto pelo modelo multicompartimental permitiu melhor ajuste aos dados de excreção fecal do Cr, em relação ao modelo bicompartimental.

Particulate kinetics estimates of chopped elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) mordanted with Chromium (Cr) were obtained and compared by the adjustment of two nonlinear models - age-independent double-compartmental model and age-dependent multicompartmental model - to a Cr faecal excretion dates of lactating crossbred Holstein x Zebu cows. Results from two trials carried out in different years with elephantgrass cut at 60 and 45 days of growth and supplemented, 3,3 kg/cow/day, wet basis, or not with concentrates were used. Four cows in the first and three cows in the second year were used and in each year there were two phases of collection of data, necessary to allow that each cow could be evaluated in each treatment. The ruminal particulate passage rates of chopped elephantgrass ranged from 3.0 to 3.2 percent/h in age-independent double-compartmental model, and from 2.6 to 3.0 percent/h in age-dependent-multicompartmental model, while that the respective post-ruminal passage rates ranged from 4.9 to 7.4 percent/h and from 7.4 to 10.9 percent/h. The total mean retention time of the elephantgrass in the gastrointestinal tract ranged from 66.0 to 76.2 h in age-independent double-compartmental model, and from 48.1 to 57.8 h in age-dependent-multicompartmental model. The implicit assumption of age-dependence for the multicompartimental model allowed better fit to the data of faecal excretion Cr than that one of the double-compartmental model.

Immunological and allergenic responses induced by latex fractions of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br.

Immunological and allergenic responses against the latex of Calotropis procera were investigated in mice by oral and subcutaneous routes. The latex was fractionated according to water solubility and molecular size of its components. The fractions were named as non-dialyzable latex (NDL) corresponding to the major latex proteins, dialyzable latex (DL) corresponding to low molecular size substances and rubber latex (RL) which was highly insoluble in water. Anti-sera against these fractions were assayed for total IgG and IgA titration by ELISA and IgE and IgG(1) were quantified by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and mice, respectively. None of the fractions induced antibodies level increases when mice received latex fractions by oral route and thus, did not develop allergy. Nonetheless, anti-sera of mice sensitized with NDL and RL by subcutaneous route displayed considerable immunological response while DL did not. IgG level augmented consistently against NDL and RL while IgA response was detected only to NDL. NDL and RL induced very strong PCA reactions suggesting that both fractions would contain latex substances involved in allergy. Furthermore, protein analysis of NDL and RL suggests that RL still retain residual proteins abundantly found in NDL that could explain its similar allergenic effect. No IgG(1) reaction was detected in any of the anti-sera tested. According to the results, the proteins of latex of Calotropis procera can provoke allergy by subcutaneous route. The NDL has previously shown to display anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities by intraperitoneal injection. It should be relevant to determine whether NDL could induce such activities when assayed by oral route since it was ineffective to induce allergy by this way.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the latex from Calotropis procera in three different experimental models: peritonitis, paw edema and hemorrhagic cystitis.

Latex from Calotropis procera is widely used in folk medicine as a rich source of biologically active compounds capable of promoting diverse benefits such as control of dermal fungal infections, antimicrobial activities and pain relief among other useful properties. The aim of this work was to characterize the anti-inflammatory effect of a non-dialysable protein fraction recovered from the rubber-free latex using three different experimental models when administrated intravenously. In vivo neutrophil migration induced by carrageenin (500 microg) was severely inhibited by doses of latex proteins reaching maximum inhibition (80%) at 100 mg/kg. Paw edema exacerbated by the effect of carrageenin was almost completely suppressed after 4 hours and was controlled within the first hour following latex protein administration. However, the same latex fraction was completely unable to control the paw edema invoked with dextran stimulation (400 microg), suggesting that the inhibitory effect of the latex is likely to be cell-mediated. Iphosphamide-induced vesical edema in mice was also largely prevented by the latex protein fraction. These results indicate that an effect similar to that of mesna, the classical drug used for this purpose, is operative. Our findings suggest that the sample tested seems to act over a wide spectrum as a novel anti-inflammatory agent. The results also suggest that the active molecules are of a proteinaceous nature despite the presence of numerous secondary metabolites naturally occurring in the C. procera latex.

Genotoxicity of instant coffee and of some phenolic compounds present in coffee upon nitrosation.

Instant coffee exhibits genotoxic activity upon nitrosation at acidic pH values in the Ames tester strain TA100. Using adsorption chromatography (Amberlit XAD-2) it was observed that the major fraction of molecules responsible for the genotoxic activity upon nitrosation was not retained on this resin, suggesting that the polar molecules present in instant coffee could be responsible for the genotoxicity observed upon nitrosation. Some phenolic molecules present in instant coffee (catechol, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid) were also genotoxic upon nitrosation under the same experimental conditions. The concentrations of nitrosatable phenolic compounds in the studied coffee were determined by HPLC and their contributions to the total genotoxicity observed were studied. The results obtained suggest that besides phenolic compounds other molecules were also involved in the genotoxicity of this beverage upon nitrosation. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 20:241-249, 2000.

[Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease guideline on gamma irradiation of blood components]. / Doença do enxerto contra hospedeiro pós-transfusional-guia para irradiação gama de hemocomponentes.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare and usually fatal syndrome. Clinical manifestations are fever, maculopapular skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis and pancytopenia owing to bone marrow hypoplasia. It can occur in recipients with severe immunosuppression and in immunocompetent recipients after transfusion of cellular components from HLA homozygous donor to recipients heterozygous for that HLA haplotype. The diagnosis is made by clinical manifestation and skin biopsy. Antithymocyte globulin and high dose systemic corticosteroids are both the most used therapy. The back of knowledge about this syndrome, the rapid evolution and the absence of treatment response are related to patients bad evolution. Gamma irradiation of blood products has been the mainstay of TA-GVHD prevention. Dose of 2500 cGy is required to completely inactivate T cells. Irradiation damage red cells membrane and the red celis units can not be storage for long time after irradiation. High potassium levels is the mainly change in red cells units. White cell-reduction filters do not prevent TA-GVHD and gamma irradiation does not prevent alloimmunization or blood reactions. Only cellular components like whole blood, red cells, platelets and granulocytes need be irradiated. Ali blood components should be irradiated to: first or second-degree relatives, patients need HLA-matched platelets, recipients of allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation, patients with Hodgkin's disease, patients treated with purine analogue drugs, intrauterine transfusion, pre-term infants and when congenítal immunodeficiency states is suspected. It is recommended irrradiated blood to patients with neoplastic disease when they receive intensive chemotherapy.

Genotoxicity of instant coffee: possible involvement of phenolic compounds.

Instant coffee exhibits direct genotoxic activity in the tester strains TA 98, 100, 102, 104 and YG 1024. In the Ames tester strain TA 100, the presence of S9 mix, S100 mix, S9 mix without cofactors led to a significant decrease of the genotoxicity observed. The decrease observed in the presence of S9 mix seems to be highly correlated with the catalase content of S9 mix. The genotoxicity of instant coffee detected in strain TA 100 was dependent on the pH, with higher genotoxic effects at pH values above neutrality. Also, dependent on the pH was the ability of some phenolic molecules present in coffee promoting the degradation of deoxyribose in the presence of Fe3+/EDTA. These results suggest that apart from other molecules present in instant coffee responsible for their genotoxicity in several short term assays, phenolic molecules could also be implicated in the genotoxicity of coffee, via reactive oxygen species arising from its auto-oxidation.

Hepatic damage produced by long-term alcohol consumption in well-nourished rats.

A study of the effect of long-term alcohol consumption on the liver of well-nourished rats is described. Rats fed for 16 weeks on a semipurified diet supplemented with high levels of vitamins and lipotropic factors and alcohol corresponding to 35% of the total caloric intake developed marked fatty changes of the liver. Mild fatty changes were observed in pair-fed controls receiving as isoenergetic equivalent of sucrose instead of alcohol. Intracellular hyaline bodies, corresponding ultrastructurally to giant mitochondria were abundantly found in the hepatocytes of alcoholic rats, while in the controls they were not seen. Te findings in this investigation are postulated to provide further evidence that the long-term intake of alcohol exerts a direct causative role in the pathogenesis of liver damage.