Capybara Oil Improves Renal Pathophysiology and Inflammation in Obese Mice.

Obesity is an inflammatory disease associated with secondary diseases such as kidney disease, which can cause lipotoxicity, inflammation and loss of organ function. Polyunsaturated fatty acids act in the production of lipid mediators and have anti-inflammatory characteristics. In this work, the objective was to evaluate renal histopathology in obese mice and the effects of treatment with capybara oil (CO) (5000 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks). Parameters such as body mass, lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, urinary creatinine and protein excretion, structure and ultrastructure of the renal cortex, fibrosis, tissue inflammation and oxidative stress were analyzed. CO treatment in obese mice showed improvement in the lipid profile and reduction in systolic blood pressure levels, in addition to beneficial remodeling of the renal cortex. Our data demonstrated that CO decreased inflammation, oxidative stress and renal fibrosis, as evidenced by quantifying the expression of TNF-α, IL-10, CAT, SOD, α-SMA and TGF-ß. Although treatment with CO did not show improvement in renal function, ultrastructural analysis showed that the treatment was effective in restoring podocytes and pedicels, with restructuring of the glomerular filtration barrier. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that treatment with CO is effective in reducing kidney damage, being considered a promising treatment for obesity.

Aliskiren Reduces the Adrenal Zona Glomerulosa Apoptosis and Autophagy in Wistar Rats with 2K1C Hypertension.

Hypertension is a disease classified as primary or secondary, manifested not only by elevation of blood pressure but also involved in structural and functional changes of target organs. Renal artery stenosis is a leading factor of secondary hypertension, and its progress is associated with overactivation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Aliskiren is a renin inhibiting drug that suppresses RAAS and culminates in decreased renin release, plasma angiotensin II concentration, and inhibition of aldosterone secretion. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to analyze the structural and ultrastructural morphophysiology of the adrenal glomerular zone, after treatment with aliskiren in Wistar rats with 2K1C hypertension. Parameters as structure and ultrastructure of the adrenal glomerular zone, cellular apoptosis, nuclear cell proliferation, and AT1 receptor expression were analyzed by immunostaining and electron microscopy. Our results showed that the hypertensive animals treated with aliskiren presented a reestablishment of AT1 receptor expression and decrease in apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, treatment with aliskiren improves the cell aspects in the adrenal glomerular zone, evidenced by ultrastructural analysis through preserved nuclei and well-developed mitochondria. Therefore, our evidence suggests that aliskiren has a beneficial effect on the adrenal glomerular zone remodeling in animals with renovascular hypertension.

Aliskiren improves renal morphophysiology and inflammation in Wistar rats with 2K1C renovascular hypertension.

Hypertension is characterized by persistent elevated blood pressure levels, one of the leading causes of death in the world. Renovascular hypertension represents the most common cause of secondary hypertension, and its progress is associated with overactivation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), causing systemic and local changes. Aliskiren is a renin-inhibiting drug that optimizes RAAS suppression. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to analyze the morphophysiology of the left kidney in Wistar rats with renovascular hypertension after treatment with Aliskiren. Parameters such as systolic blood pressure, urinary creatinine and protein excretion, renal cortex structure and ultrastructure, fibrosis and tissue inflammation were analyzed. Our results showed that the hypertensive animals treated with Aliskiren presented a reestablishment of blood pressure, expression of renin, and renal function, as well as a remodeling of morphological alterations through the reduction of fibrosis. The treatment regulated the laminin expression and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines, restoring the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. Therefore, our findings suggest that Aliskiren has a renoprotective effect acting on the improvement of the morphology, physiology and pathology of the renal cortex of animals with renovascular hypertension.

Capybara Oil Improves Hepatic Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Steatosis, and Inflammation in a Murine Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as the most common cause of liver dysfunction worldwide and is commonly associated with obesity. Evidences suggest that NAFLD might be a mitochondrial disease, which contributes to the hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, cytokine release, and cell death. Capybara oil (CO) is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which is known to improve inflammation and oxidative stress. In order to determine the effects of CO on NAFLD, C57Bl/6 mice were divided into 3 groups and fed a high-fat diet (HFD) (NAFLD group and NAFLD + CO group) or a control diet (CG group) during 16 weeks. The CO (1.5 g/kg/daily) was administered by gavage during the last 4 weeks of the diet protocol. We evaluated plasma liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis, and cytokine expression in liver as well as hepatocyte ultrastructural morphology and mitochondrial function. CO treatment suppressed hepatic steatosis, attenuated inflammatory response, and decreased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in mice with NAFLD. CO was also capable of restoring mitochondrial ultrastructure and function as well as balance superoxide dismutase and catalase levels. Our findings indicate that CO treatment has positive effects on NAFLD improving mitochondrial dysfunction, steatosis, acute inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Non-invasive in vivo evaluation of in situ forming PLGA implants by benchtop magnetic resonance imaging (BT-MRI) and EPR spectroscopy.

In the present study, we used benchtop magnetic resonance imaging (BT-MRI) for non-invasive and continuous in vivo studies of in situ forming poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) implants without the use of contrast agents. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 was used as an alternative solvent to the clinically used NMP. In addition to BT-MRI, we applied electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to characterize implant formation and drug delivery processes in vitro and in vivo. We were able to follow key processes of implant formation by EPR and MRI. Because EPR spectra are sensitive to polarity and mobility, we were able to follow the kinetics of the solvent/non-solvent exchange and the PLGA precipitation. Due to the high water affinity of PEG 400, we observed a transient accumulation of water in the implant neighbourhood. Furthermore, we detected the encapsulation by BT-MRI of the implant as a response of the biological system to the polymer, followed by degradation over a period of two months. We could show that MRI in general has the potential to get new insights in the in vivo fate of in situ forming implants. The study also clearly shows that BT-MRI is a new viable and much less expensive alternative for superconducting MRI machines to monitor drug delivery processes in vivo in small mammals.

Mirtazapine (Remeron) as treatment for non-mechanical vomiting after gastric bypass.

Two morbidly obese patients are reported who underwent gastric bypass and suffered nausea and vomiting 1 month after the operation. Endoscopy and upper GI series showed no evidence of stomal stenosis or other mechanical cause for a GI obstruction. Control of vomiting by current antiemetic drugs such as bromopride and ondansetrone was unsuccessful. The patients were then given Remeron Soltab (mirtazapine, Organon, Brazil) 30 mg once per day orally for 2 to 8 months. Nausea and vomiting disappeared within days after beginning the medication. Stomal stenosis is the main cause of vomiting after gastric bypass. After ruling out mechanical causes, other reasons for postoperative vomiting must be considered. Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant, which blocks the 5HT3 receptor, leading to an antiemetic effect. It has successfully been used as an antiemetic drug in patients undergoing chemotherapy. We concluded that mirtazapine may be a successful option to treat non-mechanical postoperative vomiting in morbidly obese patients after gastric bypass.