Ozone Exposure Controls Oxidative Stress and the Inflammatory Process of Hepatocytes in Murine Models.

(1) Background: Ozone exposure is a promising tool for treating liver damage since it is known to control the release of free radicals and increase the expression of antioxidant enzymes. The objective is to investigate the main intracellular pathways activated after exposure to ozone, considering the dosage of antioxidant enzymes and markers of oxidative stress. (2) Methods: This systematic review was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines and using a structured search in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science. Bias analysis and methodological quality assessments were examined using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias tool. (3) Results: Nineteen studies were selected. The results showed that the exposure to ozone has a protective effect on liver tissue, promoting a decrease in inflammatory markers and a reduction in oxidative stress in liver tissue. In addition, ozone exposure also promoted an increase in antioxidant enzymes. The morphological consequences of controlling these intracellular pathways were reducing the tissue inflammatory process and reducing areas of degeneration and necrosis. (4) Conclusions: Ozone exposure has a beneficial effect on models of liver injury through the decrease in oxidative stress in tissue and inflammatory markers. In addition, it regulates the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant pathway and blocks the NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

Arsenic pools in soils under native vegetation on a steatite outcrop in Brazil.

Pristine soils under native vegetation can present high levels of potentially toxic elements when developed from the weathering of some unusual parent materials, especially ultramafic rocks and some metal ores. Here, we used various selective extractions in order to study the partition and potential availability of As in eight soils developed from steatite (a talc-rich rock) on an ultramafic hill in Brazil. Soils varied from shallow Entisols on the summit to Inceptisols and Oxisols on slopes and footslopes, where total As contents (determined by X-ray fluorescence) reached levels as high as 225 mg kg-1, which might raise concerns about their potential agricultural use and occupation. Despite these high values for pristine soils, water- and Mehlich-available As were nil or negligible in all soils, whereas oxalate-extractable As reached a maximum 4.2 mg kg-1, and the highest semi-total (nitric acid digestion) was 9.3 mg kg-1. However, As relative availability (compared to total As) varied widely among soils, with one Inceptisol (with a total 11-19 mg kg-1) reaching 100% of its total As extractable by nitric acid, whereas an Oxisol showed <0.1% in nitric acid extract. Generally, we can conclude that, in soils with the highest total As concentrations, most As is contained within resistant, coarse phases such as primary magnetite, chromite and others, and a minor but still considerable part is bound to secondary Fe oxides. Thus, despite the unusually high As contents for soils under pristine savannic and forest native vegetations, the different As pools assessed here apparently do not raise immediate concerns where ultramafic rocks rich in Fe oxides give rise to soils under tropical climate. However, it is theoretically possible that subsoil saturation and Fe oxide reduction release some As in ground- and surface waters, which deserves further investigation.

Assessing experience in the deliberate practice of running using a fuzzy decision-support system.

The judgement of skill experience and its levels is ambiguous though it is crucial for decision-making in sport sciences studies. We developed a fuzzy decision support system to classify experience of non-elite distance runners. Two Mamdani subsystems were developed based on expert running coaches' knowledge. In the first subsystem, the linguistic variables of training frequency and volume were combined and the output defined the quality of running practice. The second subsystem yielded the level of running experience from the combination of the first subsystem output with the number of competitions and practice time. The model results were highly consistent with the judgment of three expert running coaches (r>0.88, p<0.001) and also with five other expert running coaches (r>0.86, p<0.001). From the expert's knowledge and the fuzzy model, running experience is beyond the so-called "10-year rule" and depends not only on practice time, but on the quality of practice (training volume and frequency) and participation in competitions. The fuzzy rule-based model was very reliable, valid, deals with the marked ambiguities inherent in the judgment of experience and has potential applications in research, sports training, and clinical settings.

Schizocalyx cuspidatus (A. St.-Hil.) Kainul. & B. Bremer extract improves antioxidant defenses and accelerates the regression of hepatic fibrosis after exposure to carbon tetrachloride in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leaves extract of Schizocalyx cuspidatus (A. St.-Hil.) Kainul. & B. Bremer on hepatic morphofunctional dysfunction induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Liver lesions were induced via intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 every 48 h for 12 days. Forty-nine rats were randomised into seven groups: G1: CCl4; G2: CCl4 (animals euthanised 24 h after last CCl4 application); G3: CCl4 + DMSO; G4: SCE 400 mg/kg; G5: DMSO (700 µl); G6: CCl4 + SCE 200 mg/kg and G7: CCl4 + SCE 400 mg/kg. SCE administration resulted in reduction in hydroperoxide levels, lipidic droplets and necrosis compared to G1, G2 and G3. There was an increase in the amount of collagen fibres in G1, G2 and G3 compared to the groups. These results show that the extract of SCE leaves has great potential for the recovery of liver damage after the application of CCl4.

Bathysa cuspidata extract modulates the morphological reorganization of the scar tissue and accelerates skin wound healing in rats: a time-dependent study.

The technological development of pharmaceutical products based on plant extracts is currently responsible for a large number of recent innovations in healthcare. The objective of this study was to develop and investigate the effect and potential applicability of an ointment-based Bathysa cuspidata extract (BCE) for the management of skin wounds in rats. Three skin wounds of 12 mm in diameter were made on the backs of the animals, which were randomized into 4 groups according to the application received, i.e. the SAL group: 0.9% saline solution, the LAN group: lanolin, the BCE 2.5% group: 2.5% BCE emulsified in lanolin and the BCE 5% group: 5% BCE emulsified in lanolin. The applications were made daily over 21 days, and every 7 days tissue from different wounds was removed. On days 7, 14 and 21, the BCE 2.5% and BCE 5% groups showed the best results in relation to wound closure, and a higher proportion (in length, density and volume) of blood vessels and fibroblasts compared to the other groups. On days 7 and 14, there was a significant increase in the number of mast cells in these 2 groups when compared to the SAL and LAN groups. On day 21, they also had a higher proportion of collagen I than collagen III. B. cuspidata in an ointment base was effective in stimulating tissue cellularity, mast cell recruitment, neoangiogenesis, synthesis and maturation of collagen, epidermal thickness and surface area in scar tissue. These events were potentially related to the best quality and speed for skin regeneration in the rats treated with the BCE ointment.

Bark Extract of Bathysa cuspidata in the Treatment of Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bark extract Bathysa cuspidata (BCE) in the reconstitution of hepatic parenchyma and stroma after dysfunction induced by the CCl4. Liver lesions were induced by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 (1 mL/kg) every 48 h for 12 days. The animals were treated with B. cuspidata extract (BCE) administered by gavage for another 12 days. Forty-nine rats were randomized into seven treatment groups with seven animals receiving CCl4, BCE (200, or 400 mg/kg) and the vehicle DMSO alone, or in different combinations. The extract alone showed no evidence of hepatic toxicity. In general, rats acutely exposed to CCl4 without the treatment with BCE presented high ALT and AST serum levels and high tissue content of lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde, and lipid droplets. BCE administration, especially at 400 mg/kg attenuated significantly all these parameters. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased in the groups receiving this extract. These results showed that the extract of B. cuspidata stem bark stimulated the antioxidant defense system and reduced the morphological and functional liver damage in Wistar rats previously exposed to CCl4.

Hepatoprotective effect of Bathysa cuspidata in a murine model of severe toxic liver injury.

The objective of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of a bark extract of Bathysa cuspidata extract (BCE) in a murine model of severe liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ). Forty-two Wistar rats were randomized into six groups of seven animals each: Group 1(G1): CCl(4) ; Group 2 (G2): dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + CCl(4) ; Group 3 (G3): BCE 400 mg/kg alone; Group 4 (G4): BCE 200 mg/kg + CCl(4) ; Group 5 (G5): BCE 400 mg/kg + CCl(4) ; Group 6 (G6): DMSO alone. The extract was administered by gavage for 18 days beginning 6 days prior to the first application of CCl(4) . After completing CCl(4) administration, the animals were euthanized. The animals in G1, G2, G4 and G5 experienced significant body weight loss and had an increased liver somatic index compared with G3 and G6 (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in serum aspartate and alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transferase (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in the activity of the anti-oxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase were found in G5 (P < 0.05). Lower proportions of cellular necrosis and lipid droplets were found in the livers of animals in G4 and G5 compared with G1 and G2 (P < 0.05). These results confirm the marked hepatoprotective activity of the bark extract of Bathysa cuspidata in severe injuries induced by CCl(4) in rats and suggest that this effect may be associated with the inhibition of oxidative damage.

Influência do laser arseneto de gálio e arseneto de gálio-alumínio e pomada cicatrizante sobre leucócitos sanguíneos de ratos Wistar após lesão cutânea / Influence of the gallium arsenide laser and gallium aluminum arsenide laser and healing ointment on blood leukocytes in Wistar rats after cutaneous lesion

O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos do laser arseneto de gálio-alumínio (GaAsAl), do laser arseneto de gálio (GaAs) e pomada cicatrizante DersaniÒ sobre leucócitos sanguíneos após realização de feridas cutâneas em ratos Wistar. Os parâmetros analisados foram os valores hematológicos dos animais. Foram utilizados 30 ratos Wistar, adultos jovens, machos, provenientes da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Cinco feridas de 12 mm foram feitas na região dorsal do ratos. Os animais foram separados em 5 grupos, com 6 animais cada. Grupo 1: animais tratados com o laser GaAs (4J/cm2), grupo 2: laser GaAsAl (30J/cm2), grupo 3: laser GaAsAl (60J/cm2), grupo 4: foi usada pomada DersaniÒ grupo 5: solução salina (controle). As aplicações foram feitas diariamente durante 20 dias. Foi coletado sangue no primeiro e último dia do experimento e foi armazenado com anticoagulante. A contagem global de leucócitos foi feita utilizando câmera de Neubauer. A contagem diferencial foi feita através de esfregaço após coloração com Giemsa. A contagem global de leucócitos nos diferentes tratamentos não apresentou diferença significativa, exceto nos animais tratados com DersaniÒ em que houve aumento significativo no número de monócitos. Os tratamentos com salina e Laser GaAsAl 30J/cm2 também apresentaram aumento no número de neutrófilos.

This study evaluated the effect of the gallium aluminum arsenide laser (GaAsAl), gallium arsenide laser (GaAs) and healing ointment Dersani® on blood leukocytes after performing cutaneous incision in Wistar rats. The analyzed parameters were the hematological values of the animals. 30 Wistar rats, young, adults, males, from Federal University of Viçosa, MG were used. Five incisions (12 mm long) were made in the dorsal region of the rats. The animals were divided into five groups, with six animals each. Group 1: animals treated with the GaAs laser (4J/cm2); Group 2: GaAsAl laser (30 J/cm2); Group 3: GaAsAl laser (60 J/cm2); Group 4: the DersaniÒ ointment was used; Group 5: saline solution (control). Therapy was applied daily for a period of 20 days. Blood samplings were carried out on the first and last day of the experiment and stored with anticoagulant. Total leukocytes count was performed using a Neubauer camera. Differential counts of Giemsa-stained smears were made. Total leukocytes count did not show significant difference in any treatment, except in the animals treated with Dersani® that a significant increase in monocytes number was found. The treatment with saline and the GaAsAl (30 J/cm2) laser showed also an increase in the number of neutrophils.