Can a hypercholesterolemic diet change the basal brain electrical activity and during status epilepticus in rats?

The brain is an organ rich in lipids, including cholesterol, in which these lipids are associated to structure and brain function. Thus alterations in lipid levels of diets may interfere in the brain electrical activity. Our aim was to evaluate the interference of hypercholesterolemic diets in the brain electrical activity in normal individuals and with epilepsy. Histological analysis and electrocorticograms (ECoG) were performed in animals fed with and without hypercholesterolemic diet before and during the status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine. The power spectrum of ECoG was used to estimate the contribution of different brain rhythms in ECoG signal. The animals submitted to the status epilepticus showed cell death, vacuolization with destructuration of the cell layers. Both animal groups, those with status epilepticus and status epilepticus with hypercholesterolemic diet, showed cellular lesions similar. The hyperlipid diet promoted increase of brain electrical activity, this was revealed by increase in the average power of beta wave (14-30 Hz) and decrease in the average power of the delta wave (0,5-4 Hz). This increase of brain electrical activity was even higher when the animals were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and submitted to status epilepticus. Animals fed with hypercholesterolemic diet and submitted to status epilepticus presented a higher increase in brain excitability compared to control animals. We observed that hypercholesterolemic diet favored a greater severity of the status epilepticus.

Characterisation of phenolic compounds by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS of geopropolis from the stingless bee Melipona subnitida (jandaíra).

INTRODUCTION: Melipona subnitida Ducke (jandaíra) is a stingless bee native to north-eastern Brazil, which produces geopropolis, a mixture of beeswax, plant resins, pollens and earth that is used for sealing beehives. OBJECTIVE: To extend the knowledge on phenolic compounds in fractions obtained by C18-solid phase extraction (SPE) of nine geopropolis samples from Melipona subnitida collected at different times. METHODOLOGY: Chromatographic profiles of nine samples of geopropolis from jandaíra were analysed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS) and combined with the use of data-independent acquisition (MSE) for the profiling and structural characterisation of the phenolic compounds. The isolated compound was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance of hydrogen and carbon (1 H- and 13 C-NMR). RESULTS: The present study with geopropolis of jandaíra resulted in the characterisation of 51 phenolics by UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS/MS: four galloyl glucosides, one ellagic acid, 11 acyl-hexosides, 23 acyl-galloyl-hexosides and 12 flavonoids. The structures of two compounds (1,6-di-O-(E)-coumaroyl-2-O-galloyl-ß-d-glucopyranoside and 1-O-cinnamoyl-6-O-(E)-coumaroyl-2-O-galloyl-ß-d-glucopyranoside) were established by 1 H and the attached proton test (APT) experiments as well as high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS) analysis. CONCLUSION: The geopropolis of jandaíra showed phenolic compounds galloyl hexosides, ellagic acid, acyl-(cinnamoyl/coumaroyl)-hexosides, acyl-(cinnamoyl/coumaroyl)-galloyl-hexosides and flavonoids (aglycones and acylated-O-glycosides).

Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Geopropolis Collected by Melipona subnitida (Jandaíra) Bees.

An investigation of the geopropolis collected by Melipona subnitida (jandaíra) stingless bee led to the isolation and characterization of two phenylpropanoids, 6-O-p-coumaroyl-D-galactopyranose (1) and 6-O-cinnamoyl-1-O-p-coumaroyl- ß -D-glucopyranose (2), and seven flavonoids, 7-O-methyl-naringenin (3), 7-O-methyl aromadendrin (4), 7,4'-di-O-methyl aromadendrin (5), 4'-O-methyl kaempferol (6), 3-O-methyl quercetin (7), 5-O-methyl aromadendrin (8), and 5-O-methyl kaempferol (9). The structure of the new phenylpropanoid (1) was established from IR, LC-ESI-MS, and NMR spectral data, including 2D NMR experiments. The extract and fractions demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, and ß -carotene/linoleic acid tests.

Análise físico-química dos méis das abelhas Apis mellifera e Melipona scutellaris produzidos em regiões distintas no Estado da Paraíba

The honeybee is a product very appreciated, however, of easy adulteration with sugars or boiled musts. Then, it is necessary that it has some analyses for the determination its quality for commercialization. The objective of this work was the physical-chemical analysis of honeybee Apis mellifera and Melipona scutellaris to Brejo and Cariri (Paraíba State) Brazil. With the gotten results, it was observed that the honeybee M. scutellaris presents a bigger water text (25.25% humidity) when compared with the honeybee A. mellifera (18.76%), making difficult its storage, with lower time of shelf life. It had, as reply to the hidroximetilfurfural analyses, higher value for the honey produced in the Cariri when compared with the honey produced in the Brejo, what it can be explained by the difference temperature, of being higher in the Cariri. For the pH values was made as to the significance of the differences between the honeys was gotten, with the honey of the Cariri presenting lower value (3.8). For Total Acidity, the honeybee A. mellifera of the Brejo presented 41.6 meq/kg of honey, while the native honey presented 28.3 meq/kg of honey. For the too much studied parameters it didn't have significant difference between the group. As conclusion the analytical results on the honeys produced indicate a good level of quality both A.mellifera and M. scutellaris. The parameters indicatiing a shelf life of the product were most satisfactory.

O mel de abelhas é um produto muito apreciado, no entanto, de fácil adulteração com açúcares ou xaropes. Desta forma, é necessário que haja algumas análises para a determinação da sua qualidade para que seja comercializado. Este trabalho teve como objetivo fazer a análise físico-química dos méis de abelha Apis mellifera. e Melipona scutellaris para a comparação entre as espécies e entre as localidades do Brejo e do Cariri (regiões do Estado da Paraíba). Observou-se que o mel de abelha nativa apresenta um maior teor de água (umidade de 25,25%) quando comparado com o mel de abelha africanizada (18,76%), dificultando o seu armazenamento, pois o alto teor de água do produto diminui a sua vida útil de prateleira. Para as análises de hidroximetilfurfural, o valor mais alto foi para o mel produzido na região do Cariri, quando comparado com o mel produzido na região do Brejo, o que pode ser explicado pela diferença de temperatura, sendo mais alta no Cariri. Para os valores de pH, obteve-se diferença significativa entre os méis, com o mel do Cariri apresentando valor mais baixo (3,8). Para Acidez Total, o mel de abelha africanizada do Brejo Paraibano apresentou 41,6 meq/kg de mel, enquanto o mel de abelha nativa apresentou 28,3 meq/kg de mel. Para os demais parâmetros estudados, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. Conclui-se que os méis produzidos pelas abelhas africanizadas (A. mellifera) e pela abelha nativa Melipona scutellaris na Estação Experimental do Cariri e da Chã-de-Jardim pertencentes ao CCA/UFPB apresentam valores diferentes dos padrões da Regulamento Técnico de Identidade e Qualidade do Mel (Ministério da Agricultura e do Abastecimento) para alguns parâmetros, o que pode dificultar o seu armazenamento por um longo período.

Análise físico-química dos méis das abelhas Apis mellifera e Melipona scutellaris produzidos em regiões distintas no Estado da Paraíba

The honeybee is a product very appreciated, however, of easy adulteration with sugars or boiled musts. Then, it is necessary that it has some analyses for the determination its quality for commercialization. The objective of this work was the physical-chemical analysis of honeybee Apis mellifera and Melipona scutellaris to Brejo and Cariri (Paraíba State) Brazil. With the gotten results, it was observed that the honeybee M. scutellaris presents a bigger water text (25.25% humidity) when compared with the honeybee A. mellifera (18.76%), making difficult its storage, with lower time of shelf life. It had, as reply to the hidroximetilfurfural analyses, higher value for the honey produced in the Cariri when compared with the honey produced in the Brejo, what it can be explained by the difference temperature, of being higher in the Cariri. For the pH values was made as to the significance of the differences between the honeys was gotten, with the honey of the Cariri presenting lower value (3.8). For Total Acidity, the honeybee A. mellifera of the Brejo presented 41.6 meq/kg of honey, while the native honey presented 28.3 meq/kg of honey. For the too much studied parameters it didn't have significant difference between the group. As conclusion the analytical results on the honeys produced indicate a good level of quality both A.mellifera and M. scutellaris. The parameters indicatiing a shelf life of the product were most satisfactory.

O mel de abelhas é um produto muito apreciado, no entanto, de fácil adulteração com açúcares ou xaropes. Desta forma, é necessário que haja algumas análises para a determinação da sua qualidade para que seja comercializado. Este trabalho teve como objetivo fazer a análise físico-química dos méis de abelha Apis mellifera. e Melipona scutellaris para a comparação entre as espécies e entre as localidades do Brejo e do Cariri (regiões do Estado da Paraíba). Observou-se que o mel de abelha nativa apresenta um maior teor de água (umidade de 25,25%) quando comparado com o mel de abelha africanizada (18,76%), dificultando o seu armazenamento, pois o alto teor de água do produto diminui a sua vida útil de prateleira. Para as análises de hidroximetilfurfural, o valor mais alto foi para o mel produzido na região do Cariri, quando comparado com o mel produzido na região do Brejo, o que pode ser explicado pela diferença de temperatura, sendo mais alta no Cariri. Para os valores de pH, obteve-se diferença significativa entre os méis, com o mel do Cariri apresentando valor mais baixo (3,8). Para Acidez Total, o mel de abelha africanizada do Brejo Paraibano apresentou 41,6 meq/kg de mel, enquanto o mel de abelha nativa apresentou 28,3 meq/kg de mel. Para os demais parâmetros estudados, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. Conclui-se que os méis produzidos pelas abelhas africanizadas (A. mellifera) e pela abelha nativa Melipona scutellaris na Estação Experimental do Cariri e da Chã-de-Jardim pertencentes ao CCA/UFPB apresentam valores diferentes dos padrões da Regulamento Técnico de Identidade e Qualidade do Mel (Ministério da Agricultura e do Abastecimento) para alguns parâmetros, o que pode dificultar o seu armazenamento por um longo período.

Adaptation and foraging behavior of the stingless bee (Melipona subnitida) Ducke in a caged environment - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1777 / Adaptação e comportamento de pastejo da abelha jandaíra (Melipona subnitida Ducke) em ambiente protegido - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1777

The effect of caged environment on the foraging behavior of the stingless bee Melipona subnitida Ducke was studied in the state of Ceará, NE Brazil. Species adaptation to enclosures, foraging behavioral aspects and daily foraging pattern were investigated in a greenhouse sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crop. Data were analyzed by Anova and means were compared a posteriori using Tukey test. The results showed that M. subnitida Ducke adapts well to greenhouses and forages throughout the day. It may be concluded that this bee species can be used for crop pollination in protected environments.

A influência do ambiente protegido no comportamento de pastejo da abelha sem ferrão jandaíra (Melipona subnitida Ducke) foi estudada no Estado do Ceará, região Nordeste do Brasil. Foram investigados aspectos como comportamento, adaptação das abelhas à casa de vegetação e o padrão diário de forrageamento destas na cultura do pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.), cultivada em ambiente protegido. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por meio de análise de variância, com médias comparadas a posteriori, pelo teste de Tukey. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que M. subnitida Ducke adapta-se bem ao uso em casa de vegetação e realiza vôos de forrageamento durante todo o dia, podendo ser utilizada para polinização de culturas agrícolas, sob cultivo protegido.

Adaptation and foraging behavior of the stingless bee (Melipona subnitida) Ducke in a caged environment - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1777 / Adaptação e comportamento de pastejo da abelha jandaíra (Melipona subnitida Ducke) em ambiente protegido - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1777

The effect of caged environment on the foraging behavior of the stingless bee Melipona subnitida Ducke was studied in the state of Ceará, NE Brazil. Species adaptation to enclosures, foraging behavioral aspects and daily foraging pattern were investigated in a greenhouse sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crop. Data were analyzed by Anova and means were compared a posteriori using Tukey test. The results showed that M. subnitida Ducke adapts well to greenhouses and forages throughout the day. It may be concluded that this bee species can be used for crop pollination in protected environments.

A influência do ambiente protegido no comportamento de pastejo da abelha sem ferrão jandaíra (Melipona subnitida Ducke) foi estudada no Estado do Ceará, região Nordeste do Brasil. Foram investigados aspectos como comportamento, adaptação das abelhas à casa de vegetação e o padrão diário de forrageamento destas na cultura do pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.), cultivada em ambiente protegido. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por meio de análise de variância, com médias comparadas a posteriori, pelo teste de Tukey. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que M. subnitida Ducke adapta-se bem ao uso em casa de vegetação e realiza vôos de forrageamento durante todo o dia, podendo ser utilizada para polinização de culturas agrícolas, sob cultivo protegido.