COVID-Inconfidentes - SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in two Brazilian urban areas during the pandemic first wave: study protocol and initial results

Background: A population study is an important tool that can be used to understand the actual epidemiological scenario of the Covid-19 in different territories, identify its magnitude, understand its transmission dynamics, and its demographic, geographical, and social distribution. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population of two Brazilian cities during the pandemic first wave and subsequent socioeconomic and health effects. Materials & methods: This paper described the methodological procedures adopted and the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population. A household survey was conducted between October and December 2020, in two historic cities of Brazil's mining region. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was detected using the Wondfo® rapid test. The face-to-face interview consisted of administration of a questionnaire containing registration data, sociodemographic and economic variables, living habits, general health condition, mental health, sleep habits, and eating and nutrition. Results: We evaluated 1,762 residents, of which 764 (43.4%) were in Mariana and 998 (56.6%) in Ouro Preto. For both cities, 51.9% of the interviewees were female, with a predominance of the age range 35 to 59 years old (47.2%). The prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was 5.5% in all cities, 6.2% in Ouro Preto, and 4.7% in Mariana. The prevalence was similar between cities (P>0.05). Conclusion: The study was effective in verifying the seroprevalence of infection by the virus and its findings will enable further analyses of the health conditions of the population related to social isolation and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) Peel Supplementation Prevents Hepatic Steatosis Through Hypolipidemic Effects and Cholesterol Metabolism Modulation in Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Rat Model.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora), a Brazilian fruit, is a good source of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds, which are concentrated mainly in the peel. These compounds have been considered promising in prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hepatic steatosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of 4% jaboticaba peel powder (JPP) supplementation on cholesterol metabolism and hepatic steatosis in livers of rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. The rats were fed a standard AIN-93M (control) diet or an HF diet containing 32% lard and 1% cholesterol, both with and without 4% JPP. The M. cauliflora peel composition revealed a low-lipid high-fiber content and phenolic compounds. The phenolic compounds in JPP, tentatively identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis, were confirmed to contain phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Moreover, JPP presented significant antioxidant activity in vitro and was not cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, as determined by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. After 6 weeks of treatment, our results showed that JPP supplementation increased lipid excretion in feces, reduced serum levels of total cholesterol and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and attenuated hepatic steatosis severity in rats fed the HF diet. Furthermore, JPP treatment downregulated expression of ACAT-1, LXR-α, CYP7A1, and ABCG5 genes. Therefore, jaboticaba peel may represent a viable dietary strategy to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as the JPP treatment alleviated hepatic steatosis through improvement of serum lipid profiles and modulation of mRNA expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism.

Effects of açai on oxidative stress, ER stress, and inflammation-related parameters in mice with high fat diet-fed induced NAFLD.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most predominant liver disease worldwide, is a progressive condition that encompasses a spectrum of disorders ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis, and, ultimately, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the underlying mechanism is complex and multifactorial, several intracellular events leading to its progression have been identified, including oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and altered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis. Phenolic compounds, such as those present in açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), are considered promising therapeutic agents due to their possible beneficial effects on the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. We tested in vitro effects of aqueous açai extract (AAE) in HepG2 cells and its influence on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation in a murine model of high fat diet-induced NAFLD. In vitro AAE exhibited high antioxidant capacity, high potential to inhibit reactive oxygen species production, and no cytotoxicity. In vivo, AAE administration (3 g/kg) for six weeks attenuated liver damage (alanine aminotransferase levels), inflammatory process (number of inflammatory cells and serum TNFα), and oxidative stress, through the reduction of lipid peroxidation and carbonylation of proteins determined by OxyBlot and modulation of the antioxidant enzymes: glutathione reductase, SOD and catalase. No change was observed in collagen content indicating an absence of fibrosis, stress-related genes in RE, and protein expression of caspase-3, a marker of apoptosis. With these results, we provide evidence that açai exhibits hepatoprotective effects and may prevent the progression of liver damage related to NAFLD by targeting pathways involved in its progression.

Açai improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by fructose.

INTRODUCTION: the excessive consumption of fructose can cause liver damage, characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with changes in lipid metabolism and antioxidant defenses. Açai, the fruit of Euterpe oleraceaMart., has demonstrated numerous biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid metabolism modulating action. OBJECTIVE: we evaluated the benefits of açai supplementation on liver damage caused by replacing starch with fructose in rats. METHODS: thirty male Fischerrats were divided into two groups, the control group (C, 10 animals), which consumed a standard diet (AIN-93M), and the fructose (F, 20 animals) group, which consumed a diet containing 60% of fructose. After eight weeks, 10 animals from the fructose group received 2% of lyophilized açai, and were called the açai fructose group (FA). The animals were fed ad libitumwith these diets for another ten weeks. Serum, hepatic and fecal lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and carbonylated protein were assessed and histopathological characterization of the liver was performed. RESULTS: açai promoted the reduction of ALT activity in relation to the fructose group (F), reduced alkaline phosphatase to a level similar to that of the control group (C) in relation to the fructose group (F), and reduced catalase activity. The fruit also increased the ratio of total/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and reduced the degree of macrovesicular steatosis and the number of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION: the replacement of starch by fructose during this period was effective in promoting NAFLD. Açai showed attenuating effects on some markers of hepatic steatosis and inflammation.

Açai improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by fructose / El açai mejora la enfermedad de hígado graso no alcohólico (NAFLD) inducida por la fructosa

Introduction: the excessive consumption of fructose can cause liver damage, characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with changes in lipid metabolism and antioxidant defenses. Açai, the fruit of Euterpe oleracea Mart., has demonstrated numerous biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid metabolism modulating action. Objective: we evaluated the benefits of açai supplementation on liver damage caused by replacing starch with fructose in rats. Methods: thirty male Fischer rats were divided into two groups, the control group (C, 10 animals), which consumed a standard diet (AIN-93M), and the fructose (F, 20 animals) group, which consumed a diet containing 60% of fructose. After eight weeks, 10 animals from the fructose group received 2% of lyophilized açai, and were called the açai fructose group (FA). The animals were fed ad libitum with these diets for another ten weeks. Serum, hepatic and fecal lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and carbonylated protein were assessed and histopathological characterization of the liver was performed. Results: açai promoted the reduction of ALT activity in relation to the fructose group (F), reduced alkaline phosphatase to a level similar to that of the control group (C) in relation to the fructose group (F), and reduced catalase activity. The fruit also increased the ratio of total/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and reduced the degree of macrovesicular steatosis and the number of inflammatory cells. Conclusion: the replacement of starch by fructose during this period was effective in promoting NAFLD. Açai showed attenuating effects on some markers of hepatic steatosis and inflammation

Introducción: el consumo excesivo de fructosa puede causar daño hepático, característico de la enfermedad hepática grasa no alcohólica (EHGNA), asociada con cambios en el metabolismo de los lípidos y defensas antioxidantes. El açai, fruto del Euterpe oleracea Mart., ha demostrado desempeñar numerosas actividades biológicas, incluidas acciones antiinflamatorias, antioxidantes y moduladoras del metabolismo lipídico. Objetivo: se evaluaron los beneficios de la suplementación con açai en el daño hepático causado por la sustitución del almidón por fructosa en ratas. Métodos: se distribuyeron 30 ratas Fischer macho en dos grupos: 10 ratas en el grupo control (C), que consumía una dieta estándar (AIN-93M), y 20 ratas en el grupo fructosa (F), que consumía una dieta que contenía un 60% de fructosa. Después de ocho semanas, diez animales del grupo fructosa recibieron un 2% de açai liofilizado, por lo que pasaron a integrar el grupo açai fructosa (FA). Los animales fueron alimentados ad libitum con estas dietas durante otras diez semanas. Se analizaron el perfil lipídico hepático y fecal, las enzimas antioxidantes y la proteína carbonilada, y se realizó la caracterización histopatológica del hígado. Resultados: el açai promovió la reducción de la actividad de ALT en relación al grupo de fructosa (F) y la reducción de la fosfatasa alcalina a niveles similares a los hallados en el grupo control (C) en relación con el grupo de fructosa (F). El fruto también aumentó la proporción de glutatión total/oxidado (GSH/GSSG) y redujo el grado de esteatosis macrovesicular y el número de células inflamatorias. Conclusión: la sustitución de almidón por fructosa durante este periodo fue eficaz en la promoción de NAFLD. El açai mostró efectos atenuantes en algunos marcadores de esteatosis hepática y de inflamación

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Upregulates Paraoxonase 1 Gene Expression and Activity with Concomitant Reduction of Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a fruit from the Amazon region, has emerged as a promising source of polyphenols. Açai consumption has been increasing owing to ascribed health benefits and antioxidant properties; however, its effects on hepatic injury are limited. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of filtered açai pulp on the expression of paraoxonase (PON) isoforms and PON1 activity in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The rats were fed a standard AIN-93M (control) diet or a high-fat (HF) diet containing 25% soy oil and 1% cholesterol with or without açai pulp (2 g/day) for 6 weeks. Our results show that açai pulp prevented low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, increased serum and hepatic PON1 activity, and upregulated the expression of PON1 and ApoA-I in the liver. In HF diet-fed rats, treatment with açai pulp attenuated liver damage, reducing fat infiltration and triglyceride (TG) content. In rats receiving açai, increased serum PON1 activity was correlated with a reduction in hepatic steatosis and hepatic injury. These findings suggest the use of açai as a potential therapy for liver injuries, supporting the idea that dietary antioxidants are a promising approach to enhance the defensive systems against oxidative stress.