Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate-exposition in male rats during the peripubertal period impairs inflammatory mechanisms, antioxidant activity, and apoptosis process in kidneys of male pubertal rats.

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, which has been widely recommended for the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There are still no data in the literature relating the possible toxic effects of LDX in the kidney. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of LDX exposure on morphological, oxidative stress, cell death and inflammation parameters in the kidneys of male pubertal Wistar rats, since the kidneys are organs related to the excretion of most drugs. For this, twenty male Wistar rats were distributed randomly into two experimental groups: LDX group-received 11,3 mg/kg/day of LDX; and Control group-received tap water. Animals were treated by gavage from postnatal day (PND) 25 to 65. At PND 66, plasma was collected to the biochemical dosage, and the kidneys were collected for determinations of the inflammatory profile, oxidative status, cell death, and for histochemical, and morphometric analyses. Our results show that there was an increase in the number of cells marked for cell death, and a reduction of proximal and distal convoluted tubules mean diameter in the group that received LDX. In addition, our results also showed an increase in MPO and NAG activity, indicating an inflammatory response. The oxidative status showed that the antioxidant system is working undisrupted and avoiding oxidative stress. Therefore, LDX-exposition in male rats during the peripubertal period causes renal changes in pubertal age involving inflammatory mechanisms, antioxidant activity and apoptosis process.

Modulation of Broiler Intestinal Changes Induced by Clostridium perfringens and Deoxynivalenol through Probiotic, Paraprobiotic, and Postbiotic Supplementation.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a predisposing factor for necrotic enteritis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a DON and Clostridium perfringens (CP) challenge on the intestinal morphology, morphometry, oxidative stress, and immune response of broilers. Additionally, we evaluated the potential of a Lactobacillus spp. mixture as an approach to mitigate the damage induced by the challenge. One-day-old broiler chickens (n = 252) were divided into seven treatment groups: Control, DON, CP, CP + DON, VL (DON + CP + viable Lactobacillus spp. mixture), HIL (DON + CP + heat-inactivated Lactobacillus spp. mixture), and LCS (DON + CP + Lactobacillus spp. mixture culture supernatant). Macroscopic evaluation of the intestines revealed that the CP + DON group exhibited the highest lesion score, while the VL and HIL groups showed the lowest scores. Microscopically, all Lactobacillus spp. treatments mitigated the morphological changes induced by the challenge. DON increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the jejunum, and CP increased ROS levels in the jejunum and ileum. Notably, the Lactobacillus spp. treatments did not improve the antioxidant defense against CP-induced oxidative stress. In summary, a Lactobacillus spp. mixture, whether used as a probiotic, paraprobiotic, or postbiotic, exerted a partially protective effect in mitigating most of the intestinal damage induced by DON and CP challenges.

Oxidative activity of corpus luteum and ovarian parenchyma in Bos taurus indicus heifers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress in ovaries and corpus luteum (CL) of Bos taurus indicus females and the oxidant effect of CL in ovarian tissues in regions near, intermediate, or distant from it. Ovaries (n=12) of Nelore heifers (n=6) were collected from a slaughterhouse and fragmented. Experiment 1, each ovary was obtained from three fragments, resulting in 18 fragments of ovaries with CL (OV+CL) and another 18 fragments of ovaries without CL (OV-CL). Three fragments were generated from CL, totaling 18 CL fragments. In experiment 2, the ovarian fragments were removed from specific regions near, intermediate, or distant from the CL. All the fragments were placed in Eppendorf-type microtubes (1 mL), kept in a thermal container at 4 ºC, and then stored in a -80 ºC freezer for analysis of oxidative stress (TBARS and NBT) and antioxidant potential (FRAP and ABTS). In the antioxidant activity analysis, luteal tissues showed more antioxidant activity than ovarian tissue (FRAP = P < 0.0001; ABTS = P < 0.02). In the oxidative stress analysis, CL had lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS; TBARS = P < 0.03; NBT = P < 0.0001) than ovarian tissues. There was no difference in antioxidant activity and oxidative stress between the fragments obtained from different regions (OV+CL versus OV-CL; P > 0.05). The presence of CL in the ovaries of Bos taurus indicus females did not influence the oxidative stress or antioxidant potential of the gonad. Thus, the removal of ovarian fragments with or without the presence of CL indicates that biotechnologies such as in vitro follicle cultivation is possible.

Maresin-2 inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic trigeminal pain and reduces neuronal activation in the trigeminal ganglion.

Pain is a common symptom associated with disorders involving the orofacial structures. Most acute orofacial painful conditions are easily recognized, but the pharmacological treatment may be limited by the adverse events of current available drugs and/or patients' characteristics. In addition, chronic orofacial pain conditions represent clinical challenges both, in terms of diagnostic and treatment. There is growing evidence that specialized pro-resolution lipid mediators (SPMs) present potent analgesic effects, in addition to their well characterized role in the resolution of inflammation. Maresins (MaR-1 and MaR-2) were the last described members of this family, and MaR-2 analgesic action has not yet been reported. Herein the effect of MaR-2 in different orofacial pain models was investigated. MaR-2 (1 or 10 ng) was always delivered via medullary subarachnoid injection, which corresponds to the intrathecal treatment. A single injection of MaR-2 caused a significant reduction of phases I and II of the orofacial formalin test in rats. Repeated injections of MaR-2 prevented the development of facial heat and mechanical hyperalgesia in a model of post-operative pain in rats. In a model of trigeminal neuropathic pain (CCI-ION), repeated MaR-2 injections reversed facial heat and mechanical hyperalgesia in rats and mice. CCI-ION increased c-Fos positive neurons and CGRP+ activated (nuclear pNFkB) neurons in the trigeminal ganglion (TG), which were restored to sham levels by MaR-2 repeated treatment. In conclusion, MaR-2 showed potent and long-lasting analgesic effects in inflammatory and neuropathic pain of orofacial origin and the inhibition of CGRP-positive neurons in the TG may account for MaR-2 action.

Oxidative activity of corpus luteum and ovarian parenchyma in Bos taurus indicus heifers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress in ovaries and corpus luteum (CL) of Bos taurus indicus females and the oxidant effect of CL in ovarian tissues in regions near, intermediate, or distant from it. Ovaries (n=12) of Nelore heifers (n=6) were collected from a slaughterhouse and fragmented. Experiment 1, each ovary was obtained from three fragments, resulting in 18 fragments of ovaries with CL (OV+CL) and another 18 fragments of ovaries without CL (OV-CL). Three fragments were generated from CL, totaling 18 CL fragments. In experiment 2, the ovarian fragments were removed from specific regions near, intermediate, or distant from the CL. All the fragments were placed in Eppendorf-type microtubes (1 mL), kept in a thermal container at 4 ºC, and then stored in a -80 ºC freezer for analysis of oxidative stress (TBARS and NBT) and antioxidant potential (FRAP and ABTS). In the antioxidant activity analysis, luteal tissues showed more antioxidant activity than ovarian tissue (FRAP = P < 0.0001; ABTS = P < 0.02). In the oxidative stress analysis, CL had lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS; TBARS = P < 0.03; NBT = P < 0.0001) than ovarian tissues. There was no difference in antioxidant activity and oxidative stress between the fragments obtained from different regions (OV+CL versus OV-CL; P > 0.05). The presence of CL in the ovaries of Bos taurus indicus females did not influence the oxidative stress or antioxidant potential of the gonad. Thus, the removal of ovarian fragments with or without the presence of CL indicates that biotechnologies such as in vitro follicle cultivation is possible.(AU)

Conhecimento atual sobre transmissão vertical de SARS-CoV-2: uma revisão de literatura / Current knowledge about vertical transmission of SARS­CoV­2: aliterature review

Frente sua especificidade, nota-se a dimensão e a complexidade de Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus no cenário atual. Até o momento, há dúvidas pertinentes sobre o potencial de contaminação nas gestantes e recém-nascidos, assim, por meio de uma revisão integrativa, o presente estudo teve como objetivo elencar os riscos eminentes à saúde desse grupo Após a seleção dos artigos no período estabelecido (até setembro de 2020) utilizamos 37 artigos e 3 documentos oficiais para análise da literatura. Evidenciamos a eminente necessidade de compreender a relação de Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus e as possíveis complicações desencadeadas por esse vírus no binômio mãe e filho. Em suma, há fortes indícios da existência da transmissão vertical de Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, assim, torna-se extremamente necessário a elaboração de cuidados assistenciais ao binômio mãe e filho, por intermédio da inserção de protocolos nacionais e adesão de cuidados básicos pertinentes à prevenção. (AU)

The dimension and complexity of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus have become a major challenge for mankind and science and can trigger from sequels mild to lethal. So far, there are pertinent doubts about the potential for contamination in pregnant women and newborns, so, through an integrative review, the present study aimed to list the eminent health risks of this group that need extra attention, resulting from their existing immunological, physiological and physical weaknesses. After selecting the articles in the established period (articles published until September 2020), we included 37 articles and 3 official documents for literature analysis. In view of the pregnant woman's vulnerability and exposure to certain viruses that cause serious pathologies, there is a wide and distinct variety of complications that can affect the mother and child.Thus, there is an eminent need to understand the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the possible complications triggered by this virus in the pregnant woman's body. There is strong evidence of the existence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, it becomes relevant to observe and elaborate care provided to the mother and child, through the insertion of national protocols and adherence to basic care related to prevention. (AU)

Impact of the antioxidant quercetin on morphological integrity and follicular development in the in vitro culture of Bos indicus female ovarian fragments.

We evaluated the effect of quercetin on the in vitro culture of bovine ovarian fragments in relation to morphology, development, and oxidative stress. Ovaries (n = 12) from Nelore heifers (n = 6) were used. Each pair of ovaries was divided into nine fragments, and one fragment from each animal was fixed in Bouin solution for 24 h (histology control) or frozen (- 80°C; control for oxidative stress). Other ovarian fragments (n = 8) were distributed into concentrations of 0, 10, 25, and 50 µg/mL of quercetin added to the culture medium for 5 or 10 d. Data were analyzed by chi-square test or ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (P < 0.05). Treatment with 25 µg/mL quercetin resulted in the highest proportion of total intact follicles for 5 (67.3%) and 10 d (57.1%); the concentration of 25 µg/mL also presented the best proportion of developing follicles for 5 d (68.7%) and 10 d (62.8%). Treatment with 25 µg/mL quercetin resulted in significant ferric reduction for 10 d of culture, but not for 5 d. No difference (P > 0.1) was observed in the production of reactive oxygen species or in the oxidative degradation of lipids between treatments and non-cultivated controls. Treatment with 25 µg/mL quercetin preserved the morphological integrity of the developing follicles for 5 and 10 d of culture, in addition to promoting the best antioxidant potential after 10 d of culture in bovine ovarian fragments.

Flavonoids as Molecules With Anti-Zika virus Activity.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-born virus that is mainly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes spp. Since its first isolation in 1947, only a few human cases had been described until large outbreaks occurred on Yap Island (2007), French Polynesia (2013), and Brazil (2015). Most ZIKV-infected individuals are asymptomatic or present with a self-limiting disease and nonspecific symptoms such as fever, myalgia, and headache. However, in French Polynesia and Brazil, ZIKV outbreaks led to the diagnosis of congenital malformations and microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in adults. These new clinical presentations raised concern from public health authorities and highlighted the need for anti-Zika treatments and vaccines to control the neurological damage caused by the virus. Despite many efforts in the search for an effective treatment, neither vaccines nor antiviral drugs have become available to control ZIKV infection and/or replication. Flavonoids, a class of natural compounds that are well-known for possessing several biological properties, have shown activity against different viruses. Additionally, the use of flavonoids in some countries as food supplements indicates that these molecules are nontoxic to humans. Thus, here, we summarize knowledge on the use of flavonoids as a source of anti-ZIKV molecules and discuss the gaps and challenges in this area before these compounds can be considered for further preclinical and clinical trials.

Antidiarrhoeic effect and dereplication of the aqueous extract of Annona crassiflora (Annonaceae).

We investigated the antidiarrhoeic effect of the aqueous extract of Annona crassiflora leaves (AEAC). The AEAC decreased the diarrhoeic stools and enteropooling induced by castor oil, without altering total faecal output; moreover, the distance travelled by charcoal meal in the intestine was increased. Twenty-eight compounds were identified by LC-DAD-MS in the AEAC, including flavonoids, alkaloids and proanthocyanidins. In addition, two oligomeric series of condensed tannins of up to nine flavan-3-ol units were characterised by MALDI-MS. These data suggest that the antidiarrhoeic effect of the AEAC is related to its ability to inhibit intestinal secretion and/or to increase intestinal absorption. Moreover, the prokinetic effect of AEAC, together with its inhibitory effect on enteropooling induced by castor oil, explains why this extract decreased diarrhoeic faeces without altering the total faecal output. All these effects are in agreement with the pharmacological activity reported in the literature for many of the secondary metabolites identified.