Antitumor Effect of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Seed Extract in LNCaP Cells and in the Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma Model.

Euterpe oleracea (açaí) fruit has approximately 15% pulp, which is partly edible and commercialized, and 85% seeds. Although açaí seeds are rich in catechins-polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects-almost 935,000 tons/year of seeds are discarded as industrial waste. This work evaluated the antitumor properties of E. oleracea in vitro and in vivo in a solid Ehrlich tumor in mice. The seed extract presented 86.26 ± 0.189 mg of catechin/g of extract. The palm and pulp extracts did not exhibit in vitro antitumor activity, while the fruit and seed extracts showed cytotoxic effects on the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line, inducing mitochondrial and nuclear alterations. Oral treatments were performed daily at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of E. oleracea seed extract. The tumor development and histology were evaluated, along with immunological and toxicological parameters. Treatment at 400 mg/kg reduced the tumor size, nuclear pleomorphism, and mitosis figures, increasing tumor necrosis. Treated groups showed cellularity of lymphoid organs comparable to the untreated group, suggesting less infiltration in the lymph node and spleen and preservation of the bone marrow. The highest doses reduced IL-6 and induced IFN-γ, suggesting antitumor and immunomodulatory effects. Thus, açaí seeds can be an important source of compounds with antitumor and immunoprotective properties.

Effect of Photobiomodulation in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Myoblasts.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) on cell viability, synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin (IL)-6 inflammatory cytokine production in myoblasts cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Methods: C2C12 myoblasts were treated with LPS and PBM using different parameters (wavelength: 780 nm; beam spot: 0.04 cm2; power output: 10 or 40 mW; energy density: 5 or 20 J/cm2; and 20-sec exposure time). Nonirradiated cells were used to the control group. Results: An increase in cell viability was found in both LPS groups in comparison with the control. PBM with the higher power output (40 mW) induced a reduction in cell viability. PBM also modulated the synthesis of NO in the myoblasts, but did not alter the expression of IL-6. Conclusions: Based on these findings, PBM is capable of modulating the cell viability and the production of NO in LPS-treated myoblasts and it is, therefore, a possible tool for the treatment of muscle injury caused by infection.

Salivary levels of inflammatory cytokines and their association to periodontal disease in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. A case-control study.

Both Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and periodontal disease (PD) present a similar immunological profile mainly characterized by altered cytokine levels. In this study we sought to investigate the salivary levels of inflammatory cytokines and their association with PD in SLE patients. 60 patients with SLE and 54 systemically healthy individuals underwent a full periodontal clinical examination. They were then grouped according to their periodontal status. Stimulated saliva was collected in order to evaluate the salivary levels of interferon (IFN-γ), Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17, IL-1ß, and IL-4. Systemically healthy individuals with periodontitis (group P) presented higher levels of cytokines when compared to systemically healthy individuals, with no periodontal disease (group S) (p<0.05). Additionally, in the P group, patients presented similar levels of cytokines to those of the patients with SLE, regardless of the presence of PD (p>0.05), for most of the analyzed cytokines. There was a positive correlation in SLE patients, including IL-1ß and all periodontal clinical parameters (p<0.05), and between IL-4 and gingival bleeding index and the presence of biofilm (p<0.05). Thus, our results confirmed, that patients with PD showed higher salivary levels of cytokines and, in SLE patients, the increased levels of salivary cytokines were observed even in the absence of periodontitis. IL-1ß and IL-4 salivary levels were also positively correlated with periodontal status indicating their potential as markers of the amount and extent of periodontal damage in patients with SLE.

Ultrassom terapêutico na atividade mitocondrial e diferenciação de células musculares C2C12 / Therapeutic ultrasound in the mitochondrial activity and differentiation of muscle cells C2C12

Introdução: O ultrassom terapêutico (US) é muito utilizado na prática clínica, mas há poucos estudos sobre seu efeito na regeneração muscular. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos do US sobre a atividade mitocondrial e diferenciação de células musculares C2C12, quando aplicado concomitantemente à indução do processo de diferenciação. Métodos: As células musculares foram submetidas ao processo de diferenciação pela adição de meio de cultura DMEM, suplementado com 2% de soro de cavalo, e receberam simultaneamente tratamento com US (pulsado a 20%, 3 MHz, 0,2 e 0,5 W/cm², 5 minutos). A atividade mitocondrial foi avaliada após 24h, 48h e 96h pelo método MTT, e a diferenciação celular após um e três dias pela atividade de creatina quinase (CK). Resultados: Não houve alteração da atividade mitocondrial e de CK nos grupos que receberam tratamento com US nos diferentes períodos avaliados. Conclusão: O US, nos parâmetros avaliados, não foi capaz de alterar a atividade mitocondrial e a diferenciação de células musculares C2C12.

Introduction: The therapeutic ultrasound (US) has been widely used in clinical practice, but there are few studies on its effect on muscle regeneration. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the US on mitochondrial activity and differentiation of muscle cells C2C12 when applied concomitantly the induction of the differentiation process. Methods: Muscle cells were subjected to differentiation process by addition of DMEM culture medium supplemented with 2% horse serum and received concomitant treatment with US (pulsed at 20%, 3 MHz, 0.2 and 0.5 W/cm², 5 minutes). The mitochondrial activity was assessed after 24, 48 and 96 hours by MTT assay and cell differentiation after one and three days for the activity of creatine kinase (CK). Results: There was no change in mitochondrial activity and CK in the groups receiving US treatment in different periods. Conclusion: In the evaluated parameters, the US was not able to change mitochondrial activity and differentiation of muscle cells C2C12.