Cell therapy with adipose tissue-derived human stem cells in the urinary bladder improves detrusor contractility and reduces voiding residue.

Detrusor hypocontractility (DH) is a disease without a gold standard treatment in traditional medicine. Therefore, there is a need to develop innovative therapies. The present report presents the case of a patient with DH who was transplanted with 2 x 106 adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells twice and achieved significant improvements in their quality of life. The results showed that cell therapy reduced the voiding residue from 1,800 mL to 800 mL, the maximum cystometric capacity from 800 to 550 mL, and bladder compliance from 77 to 36.6 mL/cmH2O. Cell therapy also increased the maximum flow from 3 to 11 mL/s, the detrusor pressure from 08 to 35 cmH2O, the urine volume from 267 to 524 mL and the bladder contractility index (BCI) value from 23 to 90. The International Continence on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form score decreased from 17 to 8. Given the above, it is inferred that the transplantation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is an innovative and efficient therapeutic strategy for DH treatment and improves the quality of life of patients affected by this disease.

Bauhinia variegata candida Fraction Induces Tumor Cell Death by Activation of Caspase-3, RIP, and TNF-R1 and Inhibits Cell Migration and Invasion In Vitro.

Metastasis remains the most common cause of death in cancer patients. Inhibition of metalloproteinases (MMPs) is an interesting approach to cancer therapy because of their role in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), cell-cell, and cell-ECM interactions, modulating key events in cell migration and invasion. Herein, we show the cytotoxic and antimetastatic effects of the third fraction (FR3) from Bauhinia variegata candida (Bvc) stem on human cervical tumor cells (HeLa) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). FR3 inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, indicated by zymogram. This fraction was cytotoxic to HeLa cells and noncytotoxic to PBMCs and decreased HeLa cell migration and invasion. FR3 is believed to stimulate extrinsic apoptosis together with necroptosis, assessed by western blotting. FR3 inhibited MMP-2 activity in the HeLa supernatant, differently from the control. The atomic mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) characterization suggested the presence of glucopyranosides, D-pinitol, fatty acids, and phenolic acid. These findings provide insight suggesting that FR3 contains components with potential tumor-selective cytotoxic action in addition to the action on the migration of tumor cells, which may be due to inhibition of MMPs.

Effects of Moquiniastrum polymorphum ssp floccosum ethnolic extract on colorectal carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Moquiniastrum polymorphum ssp floccosum ethanolic extract (MPEE) on 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in mice. Forty-two male Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were subdivided into six groups (N = 7/group): negative control, DMH, MPEE, pre-treatment, simultaneous, and post-treatment. Results showed that MPEE has antigenotoxic potential on the tested protocols pre- and silmultaneous treatment, and the percent damage reductions (%DRs) were 81.88 and 93.12%, respectively. The micronucleus test demonstrated that MPEE has great antimutagenic activity, with %DRs higher than 77.09 in the associated groups. The aberrant crypt focus assay demonstrated anticarcinogenic potential of MPEE as the associated groups showed %DRs that ranged from 62.13 to 95.14%. The study shows that MPEE is nontoxic and has chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic activity, thus it may prove to be a promising medicinal plant in view of its demonstrated properties.

Prevention of DNA damage and anticarcinogenic activity of Activia® in a preclinical model.

Colorectal cancer is a global public health issue. Studies have pointed to the protective effect of probiotics on colorectal carcinogenesis. Activia® is a lacto probiotic product that is widely consumed all over the world and its beneficial properties are related, mainly, to the lineage of traditional yoghurt bacteria combined with a specific bacillus, DanRegularis, which gives the product a proven capacity to intestinal regulation in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic proprieties of the Activia product, in response to damage caused by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in Swiss mice. Activia does not have shown antigenotoxic activity. However, the percent of DNA damage reduction, evaluated by the antimutagenicity assay, ranged from 69.23 to 96.15% indicating effective chemopreventive action. Activia reduced up to 79.82% the induction of aberrant crypt foci by DMH. Facing the results, it is inferred that Activia facilitates the weight loss, prevents DNA damage and pre-cancerous lesions in the intestinal mucosa.

Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp floccosum extract: screening for mutagenic and antimutagenic activity.

Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp floccosum (Cabrera) G. Sancho is used in traditional Brazilian medicine to treat inflammation and infection, which is supported by scientific data. However, only one study has been conducted on the mutagenic activity of the extract, which has important safety implications. This study evaluated the mutagenic/antimutagenic activity of M. polymorphum ethanolic extract (MPEE) in Allium cepa meristematic cells. Commercial A. cepa seeds were cultured for 120 h. Treatments were performed for 48 h with MPEE (10 mg/mL), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; 0.01 mg/mL), or in combination (MPEE + MMS). All of the experiments were performed in triplicate. A total of 15,000 cells per treatment were analyzed for chromosomal aberrations and the mitotic index. The results showed that MPEE was not mutagenic. In combination with MMS, MPEE decreased the number of damaged cells and the mitotic index. Interestingly, the most pronounced effect was observed post-treatment when the mitotic index also decreased, suggesting that MPEE may affect the cell cycle. MPEE exhibited antimutagenic activity, and may induce cell cycle arrest in A. cepa.

Twisting of the spermatic cord: ischemia and reperfusion, toxicogenetic evaluation, and the effects of phosphatidylcholine in pre-clinical trials.

Phosphatidylcholine is the main phospholipid present in cell membranes and in lipoproteins, and can interfere with various biological processes. This lipid also has antioxidant activity, and protects against damage caused by free radicals under conditions of ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate toxicogenetic damage caused by twisting of the spermatic cord in ischemia/reperfusion, and whether phosphatidylcholine plays a role in conditions of ischemia/reperfusion in preclinical trials. The results indicate that spermatic cord torsion does not cause genotoxic damage or mutagenesis. A dose of 300 mg/kg of phosphatidylcholine is toxic and is thus not recommended. However, a dose of 150 mg/kg does not promote toxicogenetic damage, and though it does not statistically prevent tissue damage occurring from lack of oxygenation and nutrition of testicular cells, it has a tendency to reduce this damage. Therefore, this research suggests that further studies should be conducted to clarify this tendency and to provide a better explanation of the possible therapeutic effects of phosphatidylcholine in cytoprotection of germ cells affected by ischemia/reperfusion.

Campomanesia adamantium extract induces DNA damage, apoptosis, and affects cyclophosphamide metabolism.

Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg. is originally from Brazil. Its leaves and fruits have medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal and antiseptic properties. However, the mutagenic potential of this species has been reported in few studies. This study describes the mutagenic/antimutagenic, splenic phagocytic, and apoptotic activities of C. adamantium hydroethanolic extract with or without cyclophosphamide in Swiss mice. The animals orally received the hydroethanolic extract at doses of 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg with or without 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide. Mutagenesis was evaluated by performing the micronucleus assay after treatment for 24, 48, and 72 h, while splenic phagocytic and apoptotic effects were investigated after 72 h. Short-term exposure of 30 and 100 mg/kg extract induced mild clastogenic/aneugenic effects and increased splenic phagocytosis and apoptosis in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. When the extract was administered in combination with cyclophosphamide, micronucleus frequency and apoptosis reduced. Extract components might affect cyclophosphamide metabolism, which possibly leads to increased clearance of this chemotherapeutic agent. C. adamantium showed mutagenic activity and it may decrease the effectiveness of drugs with metabolic pathways similar to those associated with cyclophosphamide. Thus, caution should be exercised while consuming these extracts, especially when received in combination with other drugs.

Acrocomia aculeata prevents toxicogenetic damage caused by the antitumor agent cyclophosphamide.

Acrocomia aculeata is a plant rich in antioxidant compounds. Studies suggest that this plant has anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and diuretic potential. We assessed the antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, immunomodulation, and apoptotic potentials of A. aculeata alone and in combination with an antitumor agent, cyclophosphamide. Swiss male mice (N = 140) were used. The animals were divided into 14 experimental groups as follows: a negative group, a positive group (100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide), groups that only received the oil extracted from the almond (AO) and from the pulp (PO) of A. aculeata at doses of 3, 15, and 30 mg/kg, and the associated treatment groups (oils combined with cyclophosphamide) involving pretreatment, simultaneous, and post-treatment protocols. Data suggest that both oils were chemopreventive at all doses, based on the tested protocols. The highest damage reduction percentages, observed for AO and PO were 88.19 and 90.03%, respectively, for the comet assay and 69.73 and 70.93%, respectively, for the micronucleus assay. Both AO and PO demonstrated immunomodulatory activity. The oils reduced the capacity of cyclophosphamide to trigger apoptosis in the liver, spleen, and kidney cells. These results suggest that A. aculeate AO and PO can be classified as a functional food and also enrich other functional foods and nutraceuticals with chemopreventive features. However, they are not appropriate sources for chemotherapeutic adjuvants, in particular for those used in combination with cyclophosphamide.

Genomic lesions and colorectal carcinogenesis: the effects of protein-calorie restriction and inulin supplementation on deficiency statuses.

The present study investigated the effects of restricting protein and calories and supplementation of inulin, a fiber comprising a linear type of polydisperse carbohydrates composed primarily of fructil-fructose bonds (ß-(2→1), on the deficiency statuses of animals in which genomic lesion development and colorectal carcinogenesis had been induced. This experiment involved adult male Swiss mice (N = 11/group). The experimental groups were as follows: Negative Control (vehicle), Positive Control, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), Inulin, and Associate. DMH, which promoted colorectal cancer, was administered intraperitoneally in 4 20-mg/kg body weight (bw) doses during a 2-week period; inulin was administered orally at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg bw. Each group was bifurcated; half of each group was fed a normal protein diet and the other half was fed a low-protein diet. The results indicated that a correlation existed between malnutrition and an increased frequency of genomic lesions but that malnutrition did not predispose animals to colorectal cancer development. Inulin exhibited genotoxic activity, which requires further investigation, and low anti-genotoxic activity. Moreover, inulin reduced the levels of intestinal carcinogenesis biomarkers in both malnourished and healthy animals. These data suggest that inulin holds therapeutic potential and is a strong candidate for inclusion among the functional foods used for cancer prevention in both properly nourished and malnourished individuals.

Morphological study of rat skin flaps treated with subcutaneous dimethyl sulfoxide combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

This study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in tissue necrosis, genotoxicity, and cell apoptosis. Random skin flaps were made in 50 male Wistar rats, randomly divided into the following groups. Control group (CT), wherein a rectangular skin section (2 x 8 cm) was dissected from the dorsal muscle layer, preserving the cranial vessels, lifted, and refixed to the bed; distilled water (DW) group, in which DW was injected into the distal half of the skin flap; DMSO group, wherein 5% DMSO was injected; HBOT group, comprising animals treated only with HBOT; and HBOT + DMSO group, comprising animals treated with 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute for 1 h, 2 h after the experiment, daily for 10 consecutive days. A skinflap specimen investigated by microscopy. The percentage of necrosis was not significantly different between groups. The cell viability index was significantly different between groups (P < 0.001): 87.40% (CT), 86.20% (DW), 84.60% (DMSO), 86.60% (DMSO + HBO), and 91% (HBO) (P < 0.001), as was the cell apoptosis index of 12.60 (CT), 12.00 (DW), 15.40 (DMSO), 9.00 (HBO), and 12.00 (DMSO + HBO) (P < 0.001). The genotoxicity test revealed the percentage of cells with DNA damage to be 22.80 (CT), 22.60 (DW), 26.00 (DMSO), 8.80 (DMSO + HBO), and 7.20 (HBO) (P < 0.001). Although the necrotic area was not different between groups, there was a significant reduction in the cellular DNA damage and apoptosis index in the HBOT group.

Evaluation of the antimutagenic activity and mode of action of carrageenan fiber in cultured meristematic cells of Allium cepa.

In this study, we evaluated the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide, and described its mode of action by using an Allium cepa assay. The results indicate that carrageenan is not mutagenic, rather it has significant chemopreventive potential that is mediated by both demutagenic and bio-antimutagenic activities. This compound can adsorb agents that are toxic to DNA and inactivate them. Additionally, carrageenan can modulate enzymes of the DNA repair system. The percentage of damage reduction ranged from 62.54 to 96.66%, reflecting the compound's high efficiency in preventing the type of mutagenic damage that may be associated with tumor development. Based on these findings and information available in the literature, we conclude that carrageenan is an important fiber that should be considered as a possible base for functional foods and/or diets with potential anticancer activity.

Mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of aqueous extract of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on meristematic cells of Allium cepa.

Polyphenolic compounds present in rosemary were found to have antioxidant properties, anticarcinogenic activity, and to increase the detoxification of pro-carcinogens. The aim of the study was to determine the effect the aqueous extract of rosemary (AER) on mutagenicity induced by methylmethane sulfonate in meristematic cells of Allium cepa, as well as to describe its mode of action. Anti-mutagenicity experiments were carried out with 3 different concentrations of AER, which alone showed no mutagenic effects. In antimutagenicity experiments, AER showed chemopreventive activity in cultured meristematic cells of A. cepa against exposure to methylmethane sulfonate. Additionally, post-treatment and simultaneous treatment using pre-incubation protocols were the most effective. Evaluation of different protocols and the percent reduction in DNA indicated bioantimutagenic as well desmutagenic modes of action for AER. AER may be chemopreventive and antimutagenic.

Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of glutamine supplementation on mice treated with cisplatin.

We evaluated the effects of glutamine on clastogenic and genotoxic damage prevention caused by the administration of cisplatin. Forty Swiss mice were divided into 8 experimental groups: G1 and G2, which were control groups; G3, G4, and G5, which were administered [2 doses of glutamine (orally)] separated by a 24-h period (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, respectively), and a dose of phosphate-buffered saline by intraperitoneal injection; G6, G7, and G8, which were treated in the same manner as the previous groups, but received cisplatin rather than phosphate-buffered saline. The antimutagenicity groups showed damage reduction percentages of 79.05, 80.00, and 94.27% at the time point T1, 53.18, 67.05, and 64.74 at time point T2 for the 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg doses of glutamine, respectively. Antigenotoxic activity was evident for all 3 doses with damage reduction percentages of 115.05, 119.06, and 114.38 for the doses of glutamine of 150, 300, and 600 mg/ kg, respectively. These results suggest that further studies are needed to confirm the clastogenic activity of glutamine. However, our results may lead to rational strategies for supplementation of this antioxidant as an adjuvant in cancer treatment or for preventing genomic lesions.

Evaluation of mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunomodulatory effects of Annona nutans hydromethanolic fraction on pregnant mice.

Plants such as Annona nutans used in folk medicine have a large number of biologically active compounds with pharmacological and/or toxic potential. Moreover, pregnant women use these plants indiscriminately, mainly in the form of teas, without being aware of the harm that they could cause to the health of the embryo/fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the potential toxic effects of medicinal plants during gestation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of A. nutans hydromethanolic fraction leaves (ANHMF) on mutagenic and immunomodulatory activity, reproductive performance, and embryo-fetal development in pregnant female mice. The animals (N=50 female and 25 male) were divided into 5 groups: Control, Pre-treatment, Organogenesis, Gestational, and Pre+Gestational. The results indicate that ANHMF mainly contains flavonoid and other phenolic derivatives. It was found that it does not exhibit any mutagenic or immunomodulatory activity, and it does not cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Based on the protocols used in the present studies, our analyses confirm that it is safe to use ANHMF during pregnancy.

Effects of Maytenus ilicifolia on reproduction and embryo-fetal development in Wistar rats.

Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae), popularly known as espinheira-santa, is a native plant from the Atlantic forest and is commonly used in popular medicine to treat inflammation and as an abortifacient. To evaluate the effects of M. ilicifolia on pregnant rats during the organogenic period (T1) or throughout the gestational period (T2), an extract obtained using an acetone-water mixture at a 70:30 ratio was administered via gavage at a dose of 15.11 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) over 2 treatment periods (T1 and T2). No clinical signs of maternal toxicity were observed. Term fetuses did not present malformations or anomalies as the number of implantations, reabsorptions, live, and dead fetuses were similar to the control group. In conclusion, M. ilicifolia hydroacetonic extract is non-toxic to pregnant rats and appears to not interfere with the progress of embryo-fetal development.

Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi in Allium cepa and Swiss mice: a comparative study.

It is estimated that 60% of anticancer drugs are derived directly or indirectly from medicinal plants. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) is traditionally used in Brazilian medicine to treat inflammation, ulcers, and tumors. Because of the need to identify new antimutagenic agents and to determine their mechanism of action, this study evaluated the chemopreventive activity of the methanolic extract from leaves of S. terebinthifolius (MEST) in Allium cepa cells and in Swiss mice analyzing different protocols of MEST in association with DNA-damaging agents. The antigenotoxic and antimutagenic aspects in peripheral blood were evaluated using the comet and micronucleus assays, respectively. The percentage of damage reduction was used to compare the A. cepa and mice results. Our results showed for the first time that MEST can act as a chemopreventive compound that promotes cellular genome integrity by desmutagenic and bioantimutagenic activities in vegetal and animal models. This finding may therefore have therapeutic applications that can indirectly correlate to the prevention and/or treatment of the degenerative diseases such as cancer.

Evaluation of the antimutagenic activity and mode of action of the fructooligosaccharide inulin in the meristematic cells of Allium cepa culture.

This study evaluated the mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of inulin in a chromosomal aberration assay in cultures of the meristematic cells of Allium cepa. The treatments evaluated were as follows: negative control--seed germination in distilled water; positive control--aqueous solution of methyl methanesulfonate (10 µg/mL MMS); mutagenicity--aqueous solutions of inulin (0.015, 0.15, and 1.50 µg/mL); and antimutagenicity--associations between MMS and the different inulin concentrations. The antimutagenicity protocols established were pre-treatment, simultaneous simple, simultaneous with pre-incubation, and post-treatment. The damage reduction percentage (DR%) was 43.56, 27.77, and 55.92% for the pre-treatment; -31.11, 18.51, and 7.03% for the simultaneous simple; 30.43, 19.12, and 21.11% for the simultaneous with pre-incubation; and 64.07, 42.96, and 53.70% for the post-treatment. The results indicated that the most effective treatment for inhibiting damages caused by MMS was the post-treatment, which was followed by the pre-treatment, suggesting activity by bioantimutagenesis and desmutagenesis. The Allium cepa assay was demonstrated to be a good screening test for this type of activity because it is easy to perform, has a low cost, and shows DR% that is comparable to that reported studies that evaluated the prevention of DNA damage in mammals by inulin.

Evaluation of the mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of soy phytoestrogens using micronucleus and comet assays of the peripheral blood of mice.

Studies show that soy imparts many favorable properties in the human body, including the prevention of chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Soy is rich in isoflavones, and it is a candidate for the chemoprevention of diseases owing to its low toxicity. In this study, a soy phytoestrogen (with high levels of the isoflavones genistin and daidzein) was tested in mice to investigate its mutagenicity and genotoxicity using micronucleus and comet assays of mouse peripheral blood. Phytoestrogen (0.083, 0.83 and 8.3 mg/kg body weight) was evaluated with and without the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide. For the micronucleus assay, blood was collected before treatment and after 24 and 48 h. For the comet assay, blood was collected only after 24 h. Phytoestrogen was not mutagenic and reduced cyclophosphamide-induced DNA damage. The results from the comet assay revealed a reduction of DNA damage; however, phytoestrogen did induce genotoxic damage during the 24-h treatment. This genotoxic damage could have been repaired and was therefore not identified in the micronucleus assay, which detects mutations. The results suggested that the reduction of DNA damage observed in associated treatments could also reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Moreover, they suggested that phytoestrogen might be a candidate of interest for the chemoprevention of cancer because it protects against DNA damage.

Water extracts of Brassica oleracea var. costata potentiate paraquat toxicity to rat hepatocytes in vitro.

Tronchuda cabbage extracts have been proven to have antioxidant potential against various oxidative species in cell free systems, though its antioxidant potential in cellular models remained to be demonstrated. In the present study, we used primary cultures of rat hepatocytes for the cellular assay system and paraquat PQ exposure as a pro-oxidant model agent, to test whether tronchuda cabbage hydrolysed water extracts provide protective or aggravating effects towards PQ-induced oxidative stress and cell death. For this purpose cellular parameters related to oxidative stress were measured, namely the generation of superoxide anion, glutathione oxidation, lipid peroxidation, intracellular ATP levels, activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), activity of antioxidant enzymes, and cell death. The obtained results demonstrated that the studied hydrolysed water extracts of tronchuda cabbage, especially rich in kaempferol (84%) and other polyphenols, namely hydroxycinnamic acids and traces of quercetin, can potentiate the toxicity of PQ in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. These results highlight that prospective antioxidant effects of plant extracts, observed in vitro, using non-cellular systems, are not always confirmed in cellular models, in which the concentrations required to scavenge pro-oxidant species may be highly detrimental to the cells.

Efeitos do Tai Chi Chuan na força dos músculos extensores dos joelhos e no equilíbrio em idosas / Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on knee extensor muscle strength and balance in elderly women

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Alguns estudos têm indicado que o Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) é capaz de melhorar o condicionamento físico, a força muscular e o equilíbrio entre os praticantes idosos, prevenindo quedas, fraturas e dependência física. OBJETIVO: Verificar os efeitos do TCC no equilíbrio (EQ) e na força dos músculos extensores dos joelhos (F) em mulheres idosas. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 77 mulheres saudáveis, não praticantes de atividade física orientada. No Grupo Experimental (G1) foram incluídas 38 voluntárias (68 ± 5 anos) e no Grupo Controle (G2), 39 voluntárias (69 ± 7 anos). O G1 praticou o TCC estilo Yang de 24 movimentos durante 12 semanas, três vezes por semana, com duração de 50 minutos. O G2 não realizou atividades físicas orientadas. A força foi mensurada pelo teste de 1-RM na cadeira extensora e o equilíbrio foi avaliado utilizando o teste de apoio unipodal com os olhos fechados. Na análise estatística, utilizou-se teste de normalidade, split-plot análise de variância (ANOVA) e correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: O Grupo Experimental apresentou incrementos de 17,83 por cento na F e 26,10 por cento no EQ. O Grupo Controle não apresentou alteração significativa em nenhuma variável. Não foi observada correlação significativa entre estas duas variáveis no G1 (r= 0,09; p= 0,554) e no G2 (r= 0,07; p= 0,660). CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados sugerem que o TCC melhora F e EQ em mulheres idosas. Entretanto, a força dos músculos extensores dos joelhos não está necessariamente ligada ao equilíbrio nesta modalidade.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have indicated that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is capable of improving physical fitness, muscle strength and balance in elderly people. This improvement could prevent falls, fractures and physical dependence. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of TCC on balance and knee extensor muscle strength among elderly women. METHODS: Seventy-seven healthy women who were not engaged in any guided physical activity participated in this study. There were 38 volunteers (68 ± 5 years) in the Experimental Group and 39 volunteers (69 ± 7 years) in the Control Group. The Experimental Group practiced 24-movement Yang-style TCC for 12 weeks, consisting of 50-minute sessions three times per week. The Control Group did not perform any guided physical activities. Strength was measured using the one maximum repetition test in an extensor chair and balance was evaluated using the unipodal support test with the eyes closed. The statistical analysis consisted of the normality test, split-plot analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The Experimental Group presented increases of 17.83 percent in knee extensor muscle strength and 26.10 percent in balance. The Control Group did not show any significant changes in these variables. No significant correlation was observed between these two variables in the Experimental (r= 0.09; p= 0.554) or in the Control Groups (r= 0.07; p= 0.660). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that TCC improves knee extensor muscle strength and balance among elderly women. However, knee extensor muscle strength was not necessarily linked to balance in this activity.