Physiological responses and microbiota shifts after spermidine administration as a postbiotic on rodents fed a high-fat high-fructose diet.

The consumption of a high-fat high-fructose diet partly resemble the western dietary patterns, which is closely associated with excessive body adiposity and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, this unhealthy regime produces unfavourable changes on the faecal microbiota, potentially interfering with microorganisms postbiotic function, such as spermidine, a natural polyamine that has been involved in the control of weight gain. The study aimed to analyse the repercussions of spermidine supplementation on somatic measurements, metabolic markers, and the faecal microbiota profile of rats fed a diet rich in fat and fructose. Indeed, Wistar males with oral administration of spermidine (20 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks were evaluated for food and energy intake, biochemical markers, and faecal microbiota signatures. The daily use of spermidine decreased weight gain ( P < 0.01), reduced feed efficiency ( P < 0.01), and attenuated visceral fat deposition ( P < 0.01), although no effect on energy intake, hepatic weight, triglyceride and glucose index and atherogenic indexes. Similarly, the consumption of spermidine partially restored the presence of microbial species, notably Akkermansia muciniphila. Elevated concentrations of this species were linked to a decrease in triglycerides ( P = 0.04), indicating that the supplementation of spermidine might contribute to managing energy fuel homeostasis in association with an obesogenic diet.

Growth and production of cowpea beans under potassium doses in soil of cerrado in Amapá, Brazil.

The cowpea bean [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], a legume of great socioeconomic importance, it was previously cultivated exclusively for subsistence and commercial purposes, especially in the North and Northeast regions. This crop has a low production cost and high nutritional value, in addition to a high potential for productivity growth and expansion to other regions. The objective of this work was to evaluate parameters of growth and production in cowpea culture, as a function of potassium fertilization in soil of the cerrado of Amapá. The parameters of growth and production of the cowpea culture were evaluated, as a function of potassium fertilization in the soil of the cerrado of Amapá. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized experimental design, with four replications, in a 5x2 factorial scheme, totaling 40 experimental units, which were composed of plastic pots containing 7 dm3 of soil collected from the arable layer (0-20 cm ) of a typical Hyperdystrophic Yellow Argisol, with a sandy clay loam texture, in a cerrado area in the municipality of Porto Grande-AP. The factors consisted of the control treatment (without K), four doses of K (45, 90, 135 and 180 kg ha-1) in the form of potassium chloride, and two cowpea cultivars (Pretinho and BRS Tumucumaque). The cultivar BRS Tumucumaque shows better growth and production of cowpea plants. Doses of 90 kg ha-1 provided greater height (98.75 cm) and stem diameter (10.0 mm). As for production, the dose of 135 kg ha-1 caused greater grain weight gain (5.25 g) and dry mass of pods (13.92 g), and the doses of 90 and 180 kg ha-1 induced greater number and length of pods (3.16 pods) respectively. These results show better responsiveness of the BRS Tumucumaque cultivar at doses of 90, 135 and 180 kg ha-1 in the type of soil where the study was conducted.

Collapsing glomerulopathy associated with proliferative lupus nephritis: reversible acute kidney injury.

Collapsing glomerulopathy is a rare form of glomerular injury, characterized by segmental or global collapse of the glomerular capillaries, wrinkling and retraction of the glomerular basement membrane, and marked hypertrophy and hyperplasia of podocytes. Prognosis is usually poor, with most cases developing end-stage renal disease, in spite of treatment. The association of collapsing glomerulopathy and systemic lupus erythematosus is very unusual. In this report, we describe the first case of a simultaneous diagnosis of collapsing glomerulopathy and diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. The case presented with acute kidney injury and nephrotic syndrome and evolved with partial remission of nephrotic syndrome and recovery of renal function after aggressive treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone.