Protective Effect of Tilia americana var. mexicana Against Kainic Acid-induced Damage in Brain, Liver, and Kidney: Behavioral and Biochemical Changes.

Tiliaamericana var. mexicana (Tilia) possesses anticonvulsant, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. The spectrum of anticonvulsant activity in status epilepticus models has not been sufficiently explored. We evaluated the effects of ethyl acetate (EAc), and methanol (ME) extracts on kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures by measuring rats'behavior (severity and latency) and lipoperoxidation in different brain areas (cerebellum, brain hemispheres, cortex, and medulla), kidneys, and liver. Male Wistar rats were administered KA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) after three days of pretreatment with Tilia extract (100 mg/kg). The EAc and ME Tilia extracts significantly decreased the severity of phase 1 and phase 2 seizures, respectively. The ME Tilia extract increased the latency to seizure (27 ± 2 min) compared to the control (13 ± 2 min). The ME and EAc Tilia extracts significantly prevented the increased lipid peroxidation caused by KA-induced seizures in the cerebellum, brain hemispheres, cortex, medulla, liver, and kidneys. The vehicle olive oil (OO) also showed anticonvulsant effects, decreasing the severity of seizures to phase 3 and lipoperoxidation levels in the cerebellum, brain hemispheres, cortex, medulla, liver, and kidneys. The anticonvulsant activity of Tilia is mediated by antioxidant effects in central and systemic areas that involve synergistic interactions among the chemical constituents of these extracts (glucosides of quercetin and kaempferol), while vehicle OO showed the same effects, probably due to its constituent oleuropein.

Composición química y calidad de la grasa contenida en frituras de maíz elaboradas y consumidas en Navojoa, estado de Sonora, México / Chemical Composition and Fat Quality in Fried Foods Made with Corn that Are Prepared and Consumed in Navojoa, State of Sonora, Mexico

Antecedentes: el consumo de frituras en México es alto, aunque las grasas se asocian con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Objetivo: evaluar la composición química y calidad de la grasa obtenida de churros fritos de maíz elaborados y consumidos en Navojoa, estado de Sonora, México. Materiales y métodos: a cuatro muestras obtenidas en establecimientos comerciales se les realizó análisis químico proximal y determinación de índices de calidad de la grasa (acidez, peróxidos, yodo y anisidina), según normas mexicanas. Resultados: el aporte nutricional de las muestras estuvo en los siguientes rangos expresados en g %: grasas (23,7±0,2 y 35,2±1,0 g %), proteínas (2,5±0,0 y 8,1±1,4 g %), carbohidratos (54,1±0,3 y 64,40±0,5 g %) y energía (485±3 y 531±1 kcal %) con diferencias entre ellas (p<0,05). El mayor contenido de grasa y energía lo presentó B2 y el mejor perfil nutricional B4. La muestra B1 superó los límites máximos permitidos de acidez (4,8) y de peroxidación (10,6) con diferencias respecto a las otras muestras (p<0,05). Conclusiones: la densidad energética de los churros de maíz analizados es alta (superior a 4 kcal/g) al igual que el aporte de grasas, especialmente en la muestra B2. B4 presenta el mejor perfil nutricional y B1 el mayor deterioro oxidativo.

Background: Consumption of fried foods in Mexico is high, even though fats in fried foods are associated with noncommunicable chronic diseases. Objective: Evaluate the chemical composition and fat quality obtained from fried corn churros prepared and consumed in Navojoa, state of Sonora, Mexico. Materials and Methods: Four samples obtained from commercial establishments were subjected to proximal chemical analysis and determination of fat quality indices (acidity, alkalinity, iodine and anisidine), according to Mexican standards. Results: The nutritional breakdown of the samples is shown in the following ranges, expressed as grams % (g %): fats (23.7 ± 0.2 and 35.2 ± 1.0 g %), proteins (2.5 ± 0.0 and 8.1 ± 1.4 g %), carbohydrates (54.1 ± 0.3 and 64.4 ± 0.5 g %), and energy (kcal) (485 ± 3 and 531 ± 1) with significant differences between samples (p<0.05). The highest fat and energy content was presented by sample B2 and the best nutritional profile by sample B4. Sample B1 exceeded the maximum limits of acidity (4.8) and alkalinity (10.6) with a significant inter-sample difference (p <0.05). Conclusion: The energy density of the sampled fried corn churros is high (above 4 kcal/gram), as well as the fat content, especially in sample B2. Sample B4 presents the best nutrition profile and sample B1 the greatest oxidative deterioration.

Homocysteine-lowering exercise effect is greater in hyperhomocysteinemic people living with HIV: a randomized clinical trial.

Elevated concentration of homocysteine has been identified as an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and is frequently associated with oxidative stress. Moreover, studies have shown that people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) present elevated concentration of homocysteine and oxidative stress compared with people without HIV. Our purpose was to describe blood homocysteine and oxidative stress markers in PLHIV and those without HIV infection, and to examine the effects of a 16-week combined training exercise program (CTE) on oxidative stress and homocysteine concentrations of PLHIV. We included 49 PLHIV (21 men, 28 women) and 33 people without HIV infection (13 men, 20 women). After baseline evaluations, 30 PLHIV were randomized to either CTE (trained group, n = 18) or the control group (n = 12); CTE consisted of aerobic and strength exercise sessions during 16 weeks, 3 times a week. Plasma homocysteine, oxidative damage markers, folate, and vitamin B12 were assessed pre- and post-training and by hyperhomocysteinemia (homocysteine ≥ 15 µmol/L) status. At baseline, PLHIV had higher levels of homocysteine and malondialdehyde, as well as reduced circulating folate when compared with people without HIV infection. CTE resulted in a 32% reduction (p < 0.05) in homocysteine concentration and a reduction in lipid hydroperoxide in PLHIV with hyperhomocysteinemia, which was not observed in those without hyperhomocysteinemia. Hyperhomocysteinemic participants experienced a 5.6 ± 3.2 µmol/L reduction in homocysteine after CTE. In summary, 16 weeks of CTE was able to decrease elevated homocysteine concentration and enhance redox balance of PLHIV with hyperhomocysteinemia, which could improve their cardiovascular risk.

Carbon Monoxide Modulates Connexin Function through a Lipid Peroxidation-Dependent Process: A Hypothesis.

Hemichannels are ion channels composed of six connexins (Cxs), and they have the peculiarity to be permeable not only to ions, but also to molecules such as ATP and glutamate. Under physiological conditions they present a low open probability, which is sufficient to enable them to participate in several physiological functions. However, massive and/or prolonged hemichannel opening induces or accelerates cell death. Therefore, the study of the molecular mechanisms that control hemichannel activity appears to be essential for understanding several physiological and pathological processes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous transmitter that modulates many cellular processes, some of them through modulation of ion channel activity. CO exerts its biological actions through the activation of guanylate cyclase and/or inducing direct carbonylation of proline, threonine, lysine, and arginine. It is well accepted that guanylate cyclase dependent pathway and direct carbonylation, are not sensitive to reducing agents. However, it is important to point out that CO-through a lipid peroxide dependent process-can also induce a secondary carbonylation in cysteine groups, which is sensitive to reducing agents. Recently, in our laboratory we demonstrated that the application of CO donors to the bath solution inhibited Cx46 hemichannel currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes, a phenomenon that was fully reverted by reducing agents. Therefore, a plausible mechanism of CO-induced Cx46 hemichannel inhibition is through Cx46-lipid oxidation. In this work, I will present current evidence and some preliminary results that support the following hypothesis: Carbon monoxide inhibits Cx46 HCs through a lipid peroxidation-dependent process. The main goal of this paper is to broaden the scientific community interest in studying the relationship between CO-Fatty acids and hemichannels, which will pave the way to more research directed to the understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) that control the opening and closing of hemichannels in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Análise de correlação do perfil lipídico e dano oxidativo em pacientes diabéticos / Correlation analysis of the lipid profile and oxidative damage in diabetic patients

O diabete mellitus (DM) é uma doença multifatorial que acomete diversos sistemas corporais com complicações teciduais e vasculares. Diversas hipóteses bioquímicas estão implicadas na indução das complicações tardias da diabete, como: radicais livres, rota dos polióis e glicação não enzimática de proteínas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi correlacionar o perfil lipídico e lipoperoxidação em indivíduos diabéticos. Realizou-se uma análise do perfil lipídico de 30 pacientes diabéticos do tipo 2, com uma média de 4 anos da evolução da doença. Analisou-se a concentração sanguínea de glicose, colesterol total, HDLc, LDLc, VLDLc, triglicerídeos, hemoglobina glicada e peroxidação lipídica (TBARS). Encontrou-se uma forte correlação entre a concentração de triglicerídeos, colesterol total e VLDLc com o dano oxidativo e uma fraca correlação com colesterol LDLc e HDLc. A análise dos resultados mostra uma forte correlação da lipoperoxidação lipídica com o perfil lipídico dos pacientes que pode reafirmar a necessidade de monitoramento dos lipídios plasmáticos como forma de prevenir complicações tardias inerentes ao diabete.

Diabete mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease that affects several body systems, with vasculacomplications and tissue damage. Several biochemical mechanisms are hypothetically implicated in the induction of the late complications of diabete, such as the action of free radicals, glucose metabolism by the polyol pathway and non-enzymatic glycation of proteins. The aim of this study was to correlate the lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in diabetic subjects. An analysis of the lipid profile of 30 diabetic patients, with an average of 4 years since diagnosis. We analyzed the concentration of glucose, total cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, VLDLc, triglycerides, glycated hemoglobin and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Oxidative damage (TBARS) showed a strong correlation with the concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol and VLDLc, and a weak correlation with LDLc cholesterol and HDLc. The strong correlation found between lipid peroxidation and the lipid profile of these patients reinforces the need to monitor plasma lipids in order to prevent late complications associated with diabete.

Altered testicular morphology and oxidative stress induced by cadmium in experimental rats and protective effect of simultaneous green tea extract / Morfología testicular alterada y stress oxidativo inducido por cadmio en ratas de experimentación y el efecto protector del extracto simultáneo del té verde

Cadmium (Cd), is an environmental and industrial pollutant that affects the male reproductive system. Cd induces its effect by affecting tissue antioxidant enzyme systems. Green tea extract (GTE) is an antioxidant and free radicals scavenger and has a chelating property. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of GTE against testes damage induced by Cd. Four groups of male rats, were utilized as following: Controls, GTE treated, Cd treated and Cd + GTE, treated rats at the same doses. The rats received GTE and or Cd orally in drinking water. After 5 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and testes were removed for microscopic and Biochemical evaluation. The levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) were detected in the tissue homogenates of rat testes. The current study showed marked morphological changes in the form of swelling, congestion, hemorrhage and necrosis in testes of rats treated with Cd alone. However, the rats treated with Cd+GTE showed milder edema, congestion and minute foci of necrosis in the testes. The LPO levels were significantly higher as compared to control and of GSH were significantly lower in Cd-treated rats but when GTE was co-administrated with Cd, there was an effective reduction in oxidative stress as shown by a significant rise of GSH level. In conclusion, the rats received GTE + Cd could enhance antioxidant/ detoxification system which consequently reduced the oxidative stress in rat testes. The beneficial effect of GTE is thus potentially reducing Cd toxicity and tissue damage.

El cadmio (Cd), es un contaminante del medio ambiente e industrial que afecta al sistema reproductivo masculino. Cd induce su efecto por afección de los sistemas enzimáticos antioxidantes de los tejidos. El extracto de té verde (ETV) es un antioxidante y buscador de radicales libres y tiene una propiedad quelante. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto protector de ETV contra daños provocado por Cd a los testículos. Cuatro grupos de ratas macho, se utilizaron: Controles, tratados con ETV, tratados con Cd y tratados con Cd + ETV, todas las ratas tratadas con las mismas dosis. Las ratas recibieron ETV o Cd por vía oral en el agua potable. Después de 5 semanas, los animales fueron sacrificados y los testículos fueron retirados para la evaluación microscópica y bioquímica. Los niveles de peróxidos lípidos (LPO) y de glutation (GSH) fueron detectados en el tejido homogenizado de rata testículos. El estudio demostró marcados cambios morfológicos como inflamación, congestión, hemorragia y necrosis en los testículos de las ratas tratadas solamente con Cd. Sin embargo, las ratas tratadas con Cd + ETV mostraron leves signos de edema, congestión y focos de necrosis en los testículos. Los niveles de LPO fueron significativamente mayores en comparación con el control y la de GSH fue significativamente menor en las ratas tratadas con Cd, pero cuando ETV fue co-administrado con Cd, hubo una reducción efectiva en el estrés oxidativo, como lo demuestra el aumento significativo del nivel de GSH. En conclusión, las ratas recibieron GTE + Cd que podría aumentar el sistema antioxidante / desintoxicación, por tanto, reducir el estrés oxidativo en los testículos de ratas. El efecto beneficioso de GTE es reducir la toxicidad y el daño tisular causado Cd.