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1.
Omega (Westport) ; : 302228231209654, 2023 Oct 26.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37884277

RESUMO

Intervention in Palliative Care aims to provide physical, psychosocial, and spiritual relief for patients and family members. Brief interventions with a psycho-existential approach have shown positive responses; however, cultural adaptations are needed. This pilot study aimed to develop the Meaning of Life Therapy (MLT), a novel psycho-existential intervention, rooted in the Dignity Therapy, Life Review, and Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy. MLT was culturally adapted to the Portuguese context to include questions about forgiveness, apology, reconciliation, farewell, and a legacy document, i.e., the Life Letter. Nine PC cancer patients answered a 14-question MLT protocol, intended to help patients find purpose and meaning in life. Eight themes emerged: Family, Preservation of Identity, Life Retrospective, Clinical Situation, Achievements, Socio-Professional Valorization, Forgiveness/Apology/Reconciliation, and Saying Goodbye. MLT has proved its ability to respond to the psycho-existential needs of PC patients. Further studies should be conducted to gain extensive knowledge of the effectiveness of culturally responsive interventions.

2.
Neurol Sci ; 43(7): 4381-4386, 2022 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35150351

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment and retinal atrophy have been proposed as two potential markers of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed at assessing the relation between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell layer (mGCL) atrophy and cognitive performance in early MS. METHODS: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study on patients with early MS (clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing-remitting MS), with an EDSS score ≤ 3.0. Patients with previous optic neuritis, other ocular diseases, psychiatric illness, or recent relapse were excluded. All patients underwent standardized optical coherence tomography (OCT) and neuropsychological evaluation with validated tests for MS patients. Cognitive impairment was defined as having two cognitive tasks below age- and education-adjusted norms. RESULTS: We recruited 52 patients with early MS, with an average age of 37 years (SD = 10.5), an average disease duration of 3.69 years (SD = 2.3), and a median EDSS of 1.0 (IQR = 0.5). In this sample, 15/52 patients presented cognitive impairment. Regarding OCT measurements, 7/52 patients had an average pRNFL below the 5th percentile and 2/52 had an average mGCL below the 5th percentile. The average pRNFL thickness was comparable in cognitively impaired and cognitively preserved patients (100.3 µm vs 103.1 µm, p = 0.52); the average mGCL thickness had also similar values between groups (50.5 µm vs 53 µm, p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment was frequent in our sample of early MS. However, no association with reduced pRNFL or mGCL thickness was found. When compared to OCT, cognitive assessment could provide an earlier marker of neurodegeneration in MS.


Assuntos
Disfunção Cognitiva , Esclerose Múltipla , Neurite Óptica , Adulto , Atrofia/patologia , Biomarcadores , Disfunção Cognitiva/diagnóstico por imagem , Disfunção Cognitiva/etiologia , Disfunção Cognitiva/patologia , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Esclerose Múltipla/complicações , Esclerose Múltipla/diagnóstico por imagem , Esclerose Múltipla/patologia , Neurite Óptica/patologia , Retina/patologia , Tomografia de Coerência Óptica/métodos
3.
J Pharmacol Exp Ther ; 373(3): 445-452, 2020 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32245883

RESUMO

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common cause of visual loss in patients with diabetes. Antivascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) agents are first-line therapy for DME. Nevertheless, up to 60% of patients (depending on the anti-VEGF drug used) have an inadequate response to anti-VEGF treatment. Several cytokines are increased in aqueous humor of patients with DME. Differences in response to treatment may be related to baseline cytokine levels. Intravitreal corticosteroids may be used as an alternative to anti-VEGF agents. Steroids have a different pharmacological profile and act on different pathophysiologic mechanisms. Their effect on aqueous humor cytokines is different from the effect of anti-VEGF therapy. This review highlights the major cytokines involved in DME and evaluates whether baseline cytokine levels could be predictors of response to treatment in DME. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents are efficient as diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment. However, in some cases, DME fails to respond to anti-VEGF intravitreal injections. Changes in cytokine levels after treatment supported the idea that other cytokines than VEGF are implicated in DME pathogenesis and could be predictors of response to anti-VEGF treatment or corticosteroids allowing targeted and individualized therapy guided by cytokine levels.


Assuntos
Citocinas/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolismo , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intercelular/metabolismo , Edema Macular/metabolismo , Humor Aquoso/metabolismo , Retinopatia Diabética/metabolismo , Humanos
4.
Microsc Microanal ; 26(5): 1061-1068, 2020 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32811591

RESUMO

Kalanchoe delagoensis is adapted to intense solar irradiation, drought, and heat, partially due to the presence of phenols, important photo-protective compounds and antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of flavonoids and phenolic acid derivatives throughout the erect-tubular leaves of K. delagoensis. Specimens grown under sunny conditions were used for histochemical and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (liquid HPLC-DAD) analysis. The NP (2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate) test suggested the presence of phenolic acids throughout the leaf blade below the epidermis and in chloroplasts, mainly in the leaf base. Flavonoids were detected specifically in chloroplasts, on the adaxial side of the middle third and at the leaf apex, near the meristematic cells. There was a tendency of flavonoid accumulation from the middle third to the apex, especially surrounding the gem, while phenolic acids were observed mainly in the base. This can be explained by the more exposed leaf apex and to the presence of apical buds (high production and regulation sites of ROS). The HPLC-DAD analysis showed different classes of flavonoids and phenolic acid derivatives in the leaf extracts, agreeing with the NP test results. This is the first time that the substitution of phenolic acids by flavonoids from the leaf base to the apex has been described.


Assuntos
Crassulaceae/química , Flavonoides/química , Hidroxibenzoatos/química , Kalanchoe/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Antioxidantes/análise , Antioxidantes/química , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão/métodos , Crassulaceae/efeitos da radiação , Flavonoides/análise , Kalanchoe/citologia , Kalanchoe/efeitos da radiação , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Fenóis/análise , Extratos Vegetais/análise , Folhas de Planta/química , Folhas de Planta/citologia
5.
Palliat Support Care ; 18(1): 39-46, 2020 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31164179

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the cutoff and the specificity and sensitivity of the Emotion Thermometers (ET) in a Portuguese sample of cancer patients. METHOD: A total of 147 patients (mean age = 49.2; SD = 12.6) completed the ET, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Subjective Experiences of Illness Suffering Inventory. Data were collected in a cancer support institution and in a major hospital in the North of Portugal. RESULT: The optimal cutoff for the Anxiety Thermometer was 5v6 (until 5 and 6 or more), which identified 74% of the BSI-anxiety cases and 70% of noncases. The Depression Thermometer cutoff was 4v5 (until 4 and 5 or more), which identified 85% of BSI-depression cases and 82% of noncases. Cutoff for the Anger Thermometer was 4v5 (until 4 and 5 or more), which identified 83% of BSI-hostility cases and 73% of noncases; for the Distress Thermometer, the optimal cutoff was 4v5 (until 4 and 5 or more), which identified 84% of the suffering cases and 73% of noncases. Finally, for the Help Thermometer, it was 3v4 (until 3 and 4 or more), which helped to identify 93% of the suffering cases and 64% of noncases. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Results supported the Portuguese version of the ET as an important screening tool for identifying the emotional distress in cancer patients.


Assuntos
Emoções , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Oncologia/instrumentação , Neoplasias/psicologia , Adulto , Ansiedade/complicações , Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Ansiedade/psicologia , Depressão/complicações , Depressão/diagnóstico , Depressão/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Programas de Rastreamento/estatística & dados numéricos , Oncologia/métodos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias/complicações , Portugal , Psicometria/instrumentação , Psicometria/métodos , Inquéritos e Questionários
6.
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) ; 28(4): e13042, 2019 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30990936

RESUMO

Caregiving can be experienced as a stressful process, which can cause psychological and physical consequences. The combination of prolonged stress and the physical demands of caregiving may impair the physiological functioning of caregivers and increase the risk of health problems creating considerable stress in the life of caregivers regarding emotional, physical, social and financial areas. This literature review explored studies that used measures of the autonomic nervous system in caregivers of oncology patients such as electrodermal and cardiovascular (re)activity. The results revealed that caregivers had elevated stress levels and a serious autonomic imbalance that may, in the long term, trigger negative health consequences such as infectious diseases, cancer progression, cardiovascular disease and even premature death. The results showed the need to carry out preventive strategies in this population, in order to improve the autonomic profile of caregivers of cancer patients.


Assuntos
Cuidadores/psicologia , Neoplasias/enfermagem , Estresse Psicológico/fisiopatologia , Sistema Nervoso Autônomo/fisiopatologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/fisiopatologia , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , Assistência ao Paciente , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia
7.
Microsc Microanal ; 25(1): 203-213, 2019 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30068399

RESUMO

This work used a multi-analytical approach to characterize two 19th century ambrotypes and was motivated by the lack of insight on these historical objects. Photographic imaging and optical microscopy (OM) were used to identify abrasions, cracks related to reticulation, tarnishing, and other aspects associated to production and degradation processes. With variable pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) these processes were seen with great detail and further characterized. Elemental point analysis and elemental mapping showed that the photosensitive material used was silver iodide. Degradation compounds were found as silver and chlorine-containing compounds. In one of the items, the tarnishing area also contained redeposited silver in a ring-shape surrounding a nucleus rich in silver, copper, and sulfur, in addition to copper-based salts. EDS analyses also identified that the supports were common soda-lime-silica glasses, refined with arsenic; and showed that a pigment rich in iron was used in both items to hand color the cheeks, extended with aluminum silicates alone or mixed with barium sulfate. The µ-Raman study pointed out that a synthetic Mars pigment was employed. µ-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses identified collodion as the binder. Shellac was used as a protective varnish in one of the items and a gum was possibly employed on the other. Bitumen was used for the background in one ambrotype.

8.
J Bioenerg Biomembr ; 50(2): 93-105, 2018 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29589262

RESUMO

Breast cancer is the major cause of death by cancer in women worldwide and in spite of the many drugs for its treatment, there is still the need for novel therapies for its control. Ocimum species have been used by traditional medicine to control several diseases, including cancer. We have previously characterized the antidiabetic properties of the unfractionated aqueous leaf extracts of Ocimum basilicum (OB) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG), modulating glucose metabolism in diabetic mice. Since glucose metabolism is primordial for cancer cells survival, we hypothesized that these extracts are effective against cancer cells. The unfractionated aqueous leaf extracts of OB and OG were chemically characterized and tested for their cytotoxic, cytostatic and anti-proliferative properties against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Both extracts presented cytostatic effects with an 80% decrease in MCF-7 cell growth at 1 mg/mL. However, only OB promoted cytotoxic effects, interfering with the cell viability even after interruption of the treatment. Moreover, OB but not OG affected the cell proliferation and metabolism, evaluated in terms of lactate production and intracellular ATP content. After 24 h of treatment, OB treated cells presented an apoptotic profile, while OG treated cells were more necrotic. The treatment with both extracts also activated AMPK, but OB was much more efficient than OG in promoting this. The activation of mTOR signaling, another survival pathway was promoted by OB, whereas OG failed to activate it. In the end, we conclude that OB extract is efficient against the human breast cancer cell line.


Assuntos
Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Redes e Vias Metabólicas/efeitos dos fármacos , Ocimum basilicum/toxicidade , Ocimum/toxicidade , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Células MCF-7/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases S6 Ribossômicas 70-kDa/metabolismo , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR/metabolismo
9.
Curr Top Microbiol Immunol ; 399: 175-199, 2017.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27744505

RESUMO

A key aspect of bacterial pathogenesis is the colonization and persistence within the host and, later on, its dissemination to new niches. During evolution, bacteria developed a myriad of virulence mechanisms to usurp the host's sophisticated defense mechanisms in order to establish their colonization niche. Elucidation of the highly dynamic and complex interactions between host and pathogens remains an important field of study. Here, we highlight the conserved manipulation of the actin cytoskeleton by some Gram-negative gastrointestinal pathogens, addressing the role of type III secreted bacterial GEFs at the different steps of pathogenesis. As a final topic, we review cytoskeleton dynamics induced by EPEC/EHEC strains for pedestal formation.


Assuntos
Actinas/metabolismo , Bactérias/metabolismo , Infecções Bacterianas/metabolismo , Infecções Bacterianas/microbiologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Sistemas de Secreção Tipo III/metabolismo , Fatores de Virulência/metabolismo , Actinas/genética , Animais , Bactérias/genética , Infecções Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Humanos , Transdução de Sinais , Sistemas de Secreção Tipo III/genética , Fatores de Virulência/genética
10.
Phytochem Anal ; 29(3): 308-315, 2018 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29349835

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: The medicinal plant Kalanchoe pinnata is a phenolic-rich species used worldwide. The reports on its pharmacological uses have increased by 70% in the last 10 years. The leaves of this plant are the main source of an unusual quercetin-diglycosyl flavonoid (QAR, quercetin arabinopyranosyl rhamnopyranoside), which can be easily extracted using water. QAR possess a strong in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVE: To optimize the aqueous extraction of QAR from K. pinnata leaves using a three-level full factorial design. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After a previous screening design, time (x1 ) and temperature (x2 ) were chosen as the two independent variables for optimization. Freeze-dried leaves were extracted with water (20% w/v), at 30°C, 40°C or 50°C for 5, 18 or 30 min. QAR content (determined by HPLC-DAD) and yield of extracts were analyzed. The optimized extracts were also evaluated for cytotoxicity. RESULTS: The optimal heating times for extract yield and QAR content were similar in two-dimensional (2D) surface responses (between 12.8 and 30 min), but their optimal extraction temperatures were ranged between 40°C and 50°C for QAR content and 30°C and 38°C for extract yield. A compromise region for both parameters was at the mean points that were 40°C for the extraction temperature and 18 min for the total time. CONCLUSION: The optimized process is faster and spends less energy than the previous one (water; 30 min at 55°C); therefore is greener and more attractive for industrial purposes. This is the first report of extraction optimization of this bioactive flavonoid. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/análise , Flavonoides/análise , Kalanchoe/química , Modelos Químicos , Folhas de Planta/química , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta
11.
J Nat Prod ; 80(12): 3267-3275, 2017 12 22.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29192771

RESUMO

Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum basilicum are plants ethnopharmacologically used to treat diabetes mellitus, a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people worldwide. In order to further understand their antidiabetic potential, which has been previously demonstrated in animal models, we aimed to investigate the acute and chronic effects of major phenolic substances from both plants on insulin secretion and gene expression in pancreatic islets isolated from NMRI mice. Insulin secretion was measured after acute (1 h) and long-term (72 h) incubation of islets with one of four cinnamic acid derivatives (caftaric, caffeic, chicoric, and rosmarinic acids) or a C-glucosylated flavonoid (vicenin-2). All substances acutely enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from islets at concentrations from 10-10 to 10-6 M. They also increased GSIS after chronic incubation (10-8 M). None of them increased insulin secretion in the presence of low glucose concentration. Furthermore, these substances markedly changed the gene expression profile of key insulin regulatory genes INS1, INS2, PDX1, INSR, IRS1, and proliferative genes as well as glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), in treated islets. Thus, they may play an important role in diabetes treatment. This is the first report on the insulin-secretory activity of caftaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and vicenin-2.


Assuntos
Glucose/metabolismo , Secreção de Insulina/efeitos dos fármacos , Insulina/metabolismo , Ilhotas Pancreáticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Ocimum basilicum/química , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Animais , Transporte Biológico/efeitos dos fármacos , Cinamatos/química , Cinamatos/farmacologia , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolismo , Feminino , Flavonoides/química , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Ilhotas Pancreáticas/metabolismo , Camundongos
12.
Biochim Biophys Acta ; 1852(10 Pt A): 2116-22, 2015 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26209012

RESUMO

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of still unknown etiology and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Besides its main neuropathological hallmarks, a dysfunctional homeostasis of transition metals has been reported to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Dysregulation of iron (Fe) metabolism in AD has been suggested, particularly at the level of cellular iron efflux. Herein, we intended to further clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying Fe homeostasis in AD. In order to achieve this goal, the expression of specific Fe metabolism-related genes directly involved in Fe regulation and export was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 73AD patients and 74 controls by quantitative PCR. The results obtained showed a significant decrease in the expression of aconitase 1 (ACO1; P=0.007); ceruloplasmin (CP; P<0.001) and amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP; P=0.006) genes in AD patients compared with healthy volunteers. These observations point out to a significant downregulation in the expression of genes associated with ferroportin-mediated cellular Fe export in PBMCs from AD patients, when compared to controls. Taken together, these findings support previous studies suggesting impairment of Fe homeostasis in AD, which may lead to cellular Fe retention and oxidative stress, a typical feature of this disease.

13.
Chem Biodivers ; 13(6): 686-94, 2016 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27218231

RESUMO

Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae) are used to treat diabetes mellitus in Africa. In a previous work, we identified chicoric acid as a hypoglycemic substance in O. gratissimum. This study aims to compare the chemical metabolite profile and the hypoglycemic activity of unfractionated aqueous extracts from leaves of both Lamiaceae species. The metabolite composition of OB and OG decoctions (10% w/v) was analyzed using HPLC-DAD and NMR tools. Chicoric acid showed to be the major phenolic in both extracts, besides caftaric, caffeic, and rosmarinic acids; nevertheless, there is approximately three times more of this substance in OG. From 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses, 19 substances were identified in OB, while 12 in OG. The in vivo acute hypoglycemic activity of the extracts was assessed intraperitoneally in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg of both extracts significantly reduced their glycemia, compared to controls (P < 0.05). OB was a little more effective than OG, despite the lower content of chicoric acid in OB. This result strongly suggests that components other than chicoric acid contribute to the hypoglycemic activity of the two extracts. Despite the abundance of caffeic and rosmarinic acids in OB, their hypoglycemic activity observed at 8.3 µmol/kg was low. This is the first chemical profile of crude extracts from Ocimum species by NMR. Our findings confirmed the potential of both species in DM treatment in spite of marked differences in their chemical composition. However, long-term studies are necessary in order to identify the most promising of the two species for the development of an herbal medicine.


Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Ocimum/química , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Folhas de Planta/química , Animais , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/induzido quimicamente , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Hipoglicemiantes/química , Hipoglicemiantes/metabolismo , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Camundongos , Estrutura Molecular , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/metabolismo , Folhas de Planta/metabolismo , Especificidade da Espécie , Estreptozocina , Água/química
14.
Chem Biodivers ; 13(12): 1707-1714, 2016 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27472283

RESUMO

Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Crassulaceae) is a medicinal plant native to Madagascar. The aim of this study was to investigate the flavonoid content of an aqueous leaf extract from K. daigremontiana (Kd), and assess its antiherpetic potential. The major flavonoid, kaempferol 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1), was isolated from the AcOEt fraction (Kd-AC). The BuOH-soluble fraction afforded quercetin 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (2) and the new kaempferol 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (3), named daigremontrioside. The crude extract, Kd-AC fraction, flavonoids 1 and 2 were evaluated using acyclovir-sensitive strains of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Kd-AC was highly active against HSV-1 (EC50  = 0.97 µg/ml, SI > 206.1) and HSV-2 (EC50  = 0.72 µg/ml, SI > 277.7). Flavonoids 1 and 2 showed anti-HSV-1 (EC50  = 7.4 µg/ml; SI > 27 and EC50  = 5.8 µg/ml; SI > 8.6, respectively) and anti-HSV-2 (EC50  = 9.0 µg/ml; SI > 22.2 and EC50  = 36.2 µg/ml; SI > 5.5, respectively) activities, suggesting the contribution of additional substances to the antiviral activity.


Assuntos
Antivirais/farmacologia , Glicosídeos/farmacologia , Herpesvirus Humano 1/efeitos dos fármacos , Herpesvirus Humano 2/efeitos dos fármacos , Quempferóis/farmacologia , Kalanchoe/química , Antivirais/química , Antivirais/isolamento & purificação , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Glicosídeos/química , Glicosídeos/isolamento & purificação , Quempferóis/química , Quempferóis/isolamento & purificação , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Estrutura Molecular , Relação Estrutura-Atividade
15.
Ann Bot ; 116(5): 763-9, 2015 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26346722

RESUMO

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: UV-B radiation can be stressful for plants and cause morphological and biochemical changes. Kalanchoe pinnata is a CAM leaf-succulent species distributed in hot and dry regions, and is rich in flavonoids, which are considered to be protective against UV-B radiation. This study aims to verify if K. pinnata has morphological or anatomical responses as a strategy in response to high UV-B levels. METHODS: Kalanchoe pinnata plants of the same age were grown under white light (control) or white light plus supplemental UV-B radiation (5 h d(-1)). The plants were treated with the same photoperiod, photosynthetically active radiation, temperature and daily watering system. Fragments of the middle third of the leaf blade and petiole were dehydrated and then embedded in historesin and sectioned in a rotary microtome. Sections were stained with toluidine blue O and mounted in Entellan®. Microchemical analyses by optical microscopy were performed on fresh material with Sudan III, Sudan IV and phloroglucinol, and analysed using fluorescence microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Supplemental UV-B radiation caused leaf curling and the formation of brown areas on the leaves. These brown areas developed into a protective tissue on the adaxial side of the leaf, but only in directly exposed regions. Anatomically, this protective tissue was similar to a wound-periderm, with outer layer cell walls impregnated with suberin and lignin. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of wound-periderm formation in leaves in response to UV-B radiation. This protective tissue could be important for the survival of the species in desert regions under high UV-B stress conditions.


Assuntos
Kalanchoe/imunologia , Kalanchoe/efeitos da radiação , Imunidade Vegetal , Folhas de Planta/efeitos da radiação , Raios Ultravioleta , Kalanchoe/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Folhas de Planta/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Folhas de Planta/imunologia
16.
IUBMB Life ; 66(5): 361-70, 2014 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24817132

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of a leaf extract and flavonoids from Sedum dendroideum (SD). Additionally, our goals were to establish a possible structure/activity relationship between these flavonoids and to assess the most active flavonoid on the glycolytic enzyme 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK). SD juice (LJ), a flavonoid-rich fraction (BF), and separately five flavonoids were evaluated intraperitoneally for their acute hypoglycemic activity in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. First, the major flavonoids kaempferol 3,7-dirhamnoside or kaempferitrin (1), kaempferol 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside (2), and kaempferol 3-neohesperidoside-7-rhamnoside (3) were tested. Then, the monoglycosides kaempferol 7-rhamnoside (5) and kaempferol 3-rhamnoside (6) were assayed to establish their structure/activity relationship. The effect of 1 on PFK was evaluated in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue from treated mice. LJ (400 mg/kg), BF (40 mg/kg), and flavonoid 1 (4 mg/kg) reduced glycemia in diabetic mice (120 min) by 52, 53, and 61%, respectively. Flavonoids 2, 3, 5, and 6 were inactive or showed little activity, suggesting that the two rhamnosyl moieties in kaempferitrin are important requirements. Kaempferitrin enhanced the PFK activity chiefly in hepatic tissue, suggesting that it is able to stimulate tissue glucose utilization. This result is confirmed testing kaempferitrin on C2C12 cell line, where it enhanced glucose consumption, lactate production, and the key regulatory glycolytic enzymes. The hypoglycemic activity of kaempferitrin depends on the presence of both rhamnosyl residues in the flavonoid structure when intraperitoneally administered. Our findings show for the first time that a flavonoid is capable of stimulating PFK in a model of diabetes and that kaempferitrin stimulates glucose-metabolizing enzymes. This study contributes to the knowledge of the mechanisms by which this flavonoid exerts its hypoglycemic activity.


Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Hipoglicemiantes/farmacologia , Quempferóis/farmacologia , Fosfofrutoquinases/metabolismo , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Sedum/química , Animais , Metabolismo dos Carboidratos/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular , Proliferação de Células , Sobrevivência Celular , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/enzimologia , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Hipoglicemiantes/isolamento & purificação , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Gordura Intra-Abdominal/efeitos dos fármacos , Gordura Intra-Abdominal/enzimologia , Quempferóis/isolamento & purificação , Quempferóis/uso terapêutico , Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos , Fígado/enzimologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Músculo Esquelético/efeitos dos fármacos , Músculo Esquelético/enzimologia , Mioblastos/metabolismo , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico
18.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 577, 2024 May 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38755434

RESUMO

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare disease characterized by ectopic calcification, however, despite the widely spread effect of pro/anti-calcifying systemic factors associated with this genetic metabolic condition, it is not known why elastic fibers in the same patient are mainly fragmented or highly mineralized in clinically unaffected (CUS) and affected (CAS) skin, respectively. Cellular morphology and secretome are investigated in vitro in CUS and CAS fibroblasts. Here we show that, compared to CUS, CAS fibroblasts exhibit: a) differently distributed and organized focal adhesions and stress fibers; b) modified cell-matrix interactions (i.e., collagen gel retraction); c) imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases; d) differentially expressed pro- and anti-calcifying proteoglycans and elastic-fibers associated glycoproteins. These data emphasize that in the development of pathologic mineral deposition fibroblasts play an active role altering the stability of elastic fibers and of the extracellular matrix milieu creating a local microenvironment guiding the level of matrix remodeling at an extent that may lead to degradation (in CUS) or to degradation and calcification (in CAS) of the elastic component. In conclusion, this study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms of the mineral deposition that can be also associated with several inherited or age-related diseases (e.g., diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic kidney diseases).


Assuntos
Calcinose , Elastina , Fibroblastos , Pseudoxantoma Elástico , Pseudoxantoma Elástico/metabolismo , Pseudoxantoma Elástico/patologia , Pseudoxantoma Elástico/genética , Humanos , Elastina/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/patologia , Calcinose/metabolismo , Calcinose/patologia , Derme/metabolismo , Derme/patologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Células Cultivadas , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Tecido Elástico/metabolismo , Tecido Elástico/patologia
19.
J Health Psychol ; 29(6): 567-580, 2024 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38230561

RESUMO

University students were at an increased risk for psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a randomized controlled trial, we examined the efficacy of an online Kundalini Yoga intervention on students' psychological functioning. Healthy university students (N = 106) were randomly assigned to a Kundalini Yoga group, an active control group, or a passive control group in a 1:1:1 ratio. The experimental group attended six Yoga sessions over 6 weeks and the active control group attended to six autogenic relaxation sessions over 6 weeks. All participants completed the study protocol, which involved answering questionnaires related to psychological distress, emotion regulation, self-compassion, self-concept, spiritual well-being, and subjective happiness at three different time points: baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. Results showed that Yoga contributed to improving self-compassion, extrinsic affect improving, and personal and communal spiritual well-being, in comparison to the control groups.


Assuntos
COVID-19 , Estudantes , Yoga , Humanos , Yoga/psicologia , COVID-19/psicologia , Masculino , Feminino , Estudantes/psicologia , Universidades , Adulto Jovem , Saúde Mental , Adulto , SARS-CoV-2 , Autoimagem , Angústia Psicológica , Espiritualidade , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Estresse Psicológico/terapia
20.
Fitoterapia ; 175: 105894, 2024 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38461867

RESUMO

Thrombosis is currently among the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the World. New prevention and therapy alternatives have been increasingly sought in medicinal plants. In this context, we have been investigating parsley, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym, an aromatic herb with two leaf varieties. We report here the in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo anti-hemostatic and antithrombotic activities of a parsley curly-leaf variety. Aqueous extracts of aerial parts (PCC-AP), stems (PCC-S), and leaves (PCC-L) showed significant in vitro antiplatelet activity. PCC-AP extract exhibited the highest activity (IC50 2.92 mg/mL) when using ADP and collagen as agonists. All extracts also presented in vitro anticoagulant activity (APTT and PT) and anti-thrombogenic activity. PCC-S was the most active, with more significant interference in the factors of the intrinsic coagulation pathway. The oral administration of PCC-AP extract in rats caused a greater inhibitory activity in the deep vein thrombi (50%; 65 mg/kg) than in arterial thrombi formation (50%; 200 mg/kg), without cumulative effect after consecutive five-day administration. PCC-AP extract was safe in the induced bleeding time test. Its anti-aggregating profile was similar in ex vivo and in vitro conditions but was more effective in the extrinsic pathway when compared to in vitro results. Apiin and coumaric acid derivatives are the main compounds in PCC-AP according to the HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS profile. We demonstrated for the first time that extracts from different parts of curly parsley have significant antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and antithrombotic activity without inducing hemorrhage, proving its potential as a source of antithrombotic compounds.


Assuntos
Fibrinolíticos , Petroselinum , Extratos Vegetais , Folhas de Planta , Animais , Petroselinum/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Folhas de Planta/química , Ratos , Masculino , Fibrinolíticos/farmacologia , Fibrinolíticos/isolamento & purificação , Fibrinolíticos/química , Ratos Wistar , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Compostos Fitoquímicos/isolamento & purificação , Trombose/tratamento farmacológico , Inibidores da Agregação Plaquetária/farmacologia , Inibidores da Agregação Plaquetária/isolamento & purificação , Componentes Aéreos da Planta/química , Caules de Planta/química , Hemostáticos/farmacologia , Hemostáticos/isolamento & purificação , Anticoagulantes/farmacologia , Anticoagulantes/isolamento & purificação , Anticoagulantes/química , Plantas Medicinais/química
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