Potential of piperine for neuroprotection in sepsis-associated encephalopathy.

AIMS: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common complication that increases mortality and leads to long-term cognitive impairment in sepsis survivors. However, no specific or effective therapy has been identified for this complication. Piperine is an alkaloid known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, which are important characteristics for treatment of SAE. The objective of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of piperine on SAE in C57BL/6 mice that underwent cecum ligation and perforation surgery (CLP). MAIN METHODS: C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to groups that underwent SHAM surgery or CLP. Mice in the CLP group were treated with piperine at doses of 20 or 40 mg/kg for short- (5 days) or long-term (10 days) periods after CLP. KEY FINDINGS: Our results revealed that untreated septic animals exhibited increased concentrations of IL-6, TNF, VEGF, MMP-9, TBARS, and NLRP3, and decreased levels of BDNF, sulfhydryl groups, and catalase in the short term. Additionally, the levels of carbonylated proteins and degenerated neuronal cells were increased at both time points. Furthermore, short-term and visuospatial memories were impaired. Piperine treatment reduced MMP-9 activity in the short term and decreased the levels of carbonylated proteins and degenerated neuronal cells in the long term. It also lowered IL-6 and TBARS levels at both time points evaluated. Moreover, piperine increased short-term catalase and long-term BDNF factor levels and improved memory at both time points. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, our data demonstrate that piperine exerts a neuroprotective effect on SAE in animals that have undergone CLP.

Silymarin inhibits the lipogenic pathway and reduces worsening of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice.

CONTEXT: The role of silymarin in hepatic lipid dysfunction and its possible mechanisms of action were investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of silymarin on hepatic and metabolic profiles in mice fed with 30% fructose for 8 weeks. METHODS: We evaluated the antioxidant profile of silymarin; mice consumed 30% fructose and were treated with silymarin (120 mg/kg/day or 240 mg/kg/day). We performed biochemical, redox status, and histopathological assays. RT-qPCR was performed to detect ACC-1, ACC-2, FAS, and CS expression, and western blotting to detect PGC-1α levels. RESULTS: Silymarin contains high levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids and exhibited significant antioxidant capacity in vitro. In vivo, the fructose-fed groups showed increased levels of AST, ALT, SOD/CAT, TBARS, hepatic TG, and cholesterol, as well as hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, and increased ACC-1 and FAS. Silymarin treatment reduced these parameters and increased mRNA levels and activity of hepatic citrate synthase. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that silymarin reduces worsening of NAFLD.

Fatores relacionados à adesão farmacoterapêutica de pacientes hipertensos acolhidos na estratégia de saúde da família / Factors associated with pharmacotherapy adherence of hypertensive patients received in the Family Health Strategy

Uma das dificuldades encontradas no atendimento a pessoas portadoras de HAS é a falta de adesão ao tratamento. A problemática da adesão ao tratamento é complexa, pois vários fatores estão associados. A má comunicação entre a equipe de saúde e o paciente, a má organização dos serviços de saúde, a dificuldade de acesso aos medicamentos, sensação de melhora do paciente, número de medicamentos a serem administrados, bem como o aparecimento de reações adversas podem ser entendidos como algumas das razões pelas quais não se cumprem as indicações mé-dicas. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar o perfil dos pacientes portadores de HAS acolhidos em uma Estratégia Saúde da Família de um Município do interior de Minas Gerais e avaliar o grau de adesão ao tratamento da HAS e seus fatores determinantes. Trata-se de um estudo não-experimental, descritivo e transversal. Os dados foram coletados por meio do Teste de Medida de Adesão ao Tratamento (MAT), específico para determinar o grau de adesão e um formulário, contendo variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas, clínicas e terapêuticas. Para verificar a associação entre as variáveis, foi utilizado o Teste Exato de Fisher. O perfil demográfico e socioeconômico dos pacientes com HAS participantes deste estudo mostrou um predomínio de pessoas do sexo feminino (76,5%), com idades superiores a 50 anos (82,1%), casadas (64,7%), com baixa escolaridade (74,5%), baixa renda (84,3%), composto de donas-de-casa e aposentados (82,4%). Dos 51 pacientes entrevistados, aproximadamente 33% não aderiam ao tratamento da HAS. A falta de informação sobre o medicamento prescrito influenciou diretamente na não adesão do paciente à farmacoterapia da HAS (p<0,05).O médico foi o profissional mais citado pelos pacientes como o responsável por transmitir as informações sobre a doença e sobre o medicamento e o farmacêutico, o profissional menos citado. Dessa maneira, mostra-se a necessidade de construir mecanismos efetivos para promover a adesão à farmacoterapia. Espera-se que os resultados apresentados ofereçam subsídios para repensar as estraté-gias de intervenção utilizadas. Acredita-se que a constru-ção de um trabalho multidisciplinar no âmbito do SUS em que o profissional farmacêutico possa atuar efetivamente na forma como os medicamentos vêm sendo utilizados torna-se essencial para o sucesso dos investimentos públicos no âmbito da atenção primária à saúde.

One of the difficulties encountered in caring for people suffering from systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is the lack of adherence to treatment. The issue of adherence to treatment is complex because several factors are associated. Poor communication between health staff and patient, poor organization of health services, difficulties in access to medicines, the patient's sensation of improvement, number of medications to be administered, as well as the appearance of adverse reactions can be understood as some of the reasons why medical indications are not met. This study aimed to identify the profile of patients with SAH admitted at a Family Health Strategy center in a municipality in Minas Gerais, and assess the degree of adherence to treatment of SAH and its determining factors. It is a non-experimental study, descriptive and transversal. Data were collected through the Treatment Adherence Measure (TAM) test, specifically for determining the degree of adherence, and a form containing demographic, socio-economic, clinical, and therapeutic variables. To investigate the association between the variables, Fisher's Exact Test was used. The demographic and socio-economic profile of the patients with SAH participating in this study showed a predominance of females (76.5%), over 50 years old (82.1%), married (64.7%), with a low educational level (74.5%), low income (84.3%), comprising housewives and retirees (82.4%). Of the 51 patients interviewed, roughly 33% did not adhere to the SAH treatment. The lack of information about the prescribed drug directly influenced the patient's non-adherence to the SAH pharmacotherapy (p<0.05). The doctor was theprofessional most often cited by patients as the person responsible for conveying information about the disease and the drug, and the pharmacist was the professional least mentioned. Thus the need is demonstrated to build effective mechanisms to promote adherence to pharmacotherapy. It is hoped that these results offer help in rethinking the intervention strategies used. It is believed that the construction of a multidisciplinary approach in the health care system, in which the pharmacist can play an effective role in how medications are being used, is essential to the success of the public investment in primary health care.