Paraprobiotics and Postbiotics-Current State of Scientific Research and Future Trends toward the Development of Functional Foods.

The potential of paraprobiotics and postbiotics to be used as beneficial agents for human health has caused an effort by the scientific community to gather information about the bioactivity of these compounds and production methods. Understanding the evolution of scientific research in this area of study is important to understand the future perspectives and the main bottlenecks of scientific and technological development involving these compounds. In this scenario, this review work used a bibliometric analysis tool intending to improve the scientific documentation, bringing information and communicating the results to the scientific community through the quantitative analysis of the current literature, available in one of the main databases, the Web of Science, also providing recent information on the evolution and future perspectives in the field of paraprobiotic and postbiotic development. The results of this study showed that the main studies discuss the bioactivity of these compounds. Concerning the development of functional foods, there is a need for extensive research on production methods and the interaction of these compounds with food. However, it concluded that much still needs to be studied to prove the claims of bioactivity, especially when used for the development of functional foods.

Transformation of Residual Açai Fruit (Euterpe oleracea) Seeds into Porous Adsorbent for Efficient Removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide from Waters.

Brazil's production and consumption of açai pulp (Euterpe oleracea) occur on a large scale. Most of the fruit is formed by the pit, which generates countless tons of residual biomass. A new purpose for this biomass, making its consumption highly sustainable, was presented in this study, where activated carbon (AC) was produced with zinc chloride for later use as an adsorbent. AC carbon formed by carbon and with a yield of 28 % was satisfactorily used as an adsorbent in removing the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Removal efficiency was due to the highly porous surface (Vp = 0.467 cm3 g-1; Dp = 1.126 nm) and good surface área (SBET = 920.56 m2 g-1). The equilibrium data fit the Sips heterogeneous and homogeneous surface model better. It was observed that the increase in temperature favored adsorption, reaching a maximum experimental capacity of 218 mg g-1 at 328 K. The thermodynamic behavior indicated a spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic behavior. The magnitude of the enthalpy of adsorption was in agreement with the physical adsorption. Regardless of the herbicide concentration, the adsorbent displayed fast kinetics, reaching equilibrium within 120 min. The linear driving force (LDF) model provided a strong statistical match to the kinetic curves. AC with zinc chloride (ZnCl2), created from leftover açai biomass, is a potential alternative as an adsorbent for treating effluents containing 2,4-D.

Highly Efficient Adsorption of Tetracycline Using Chitosan-Based Magnetic Adsorbent.

Herein, tetracycline adsorption employing magnetic chitosan (CS·Fe3O4) as the adsorbent is reported. The magnetic adsorbent was synthesized by the co-precipitation method and characterized through FTIR, XRD, SEM, and VSM analyses. The experimental data showed that the highest maximum adsorption capacity was reached at pH 7.0 (211.21 mg g-1). The efficiency of the magnetic adsorbent in tetracycline removal was dependent on the pH, initial concentration of adsorbate, and the adsorbent dosage. Additionally, the ionic strength showed a significant effect on the process. The equilibrium and kinetics studies demonstrate that Sips and Elovich models showed the best adjustment for experimental data, suggesting that the adsorption occurs in a heterogeneous surface and predominantly by chemical mechanisms. The experimental results suggest that tetracycline adsorption is mainly governed by the hydrogen bonds and cation-π interactions due to its pH dependence as well as the enhancement in the removal efficiency with the magnetite incorporation on the chitosan surface, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters indicate a spontaneous and exothermic process. Finally, magnetic chitosan proves to be efficient in TC removal even after several adsorption/desorption cycles.

Incidence of lung cancer and mortality among civil construction industry workers: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The construction sector is one of the most stable growth industries in the world. However, many studies have suggested an association between occupational exposure in civil construction and lung cancer risk. Thus, this study aims to assess lung cancer risk in civil construction workers occupationally exposed to physical and chemical agents through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS/DESIGN: Studies will be identified by searching PUBMED, Embase, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE and the reference list of included articles. Eligible study designs will be cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies that report occupational exposure to physical or chemical agents and lung cancer risk through mortality or incidence outcomes. A meta-analysis will be used to combine odds ratios (ORs) from case-control studies and relative risks (RR) from cohort studies. Two reviewers will independently screen articles, extract data, and assess scientific quality using standardized forms and ROBINS-E tool if available. Otherwise, the New-Castle Ottawa rating scale will be used. Any of those will also be used in combination with the GRADE approach for quality of evidence. Overall risk estimates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be obtained using the random-effects model meta-analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted following the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Results will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. DISCUSSION: This review will identify and synthesize studies investigating the association between occupational exposure in the construction industry and lung cancer. The findings will help governmental entities and researchers with evidence-based decision-making because they will integrate and validate the evidence on construction workers' health effects due to occupational exposure. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020164209.

Hepatic and neurobiological effects of foetal and breastfeeding and adulthood exposure to methylmercury in Wistar rats.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an organic bioaccumulated mercury derivative that strongly affects the environment and represents a public health problem primarily to riparian communities in South America. Our objective was to investigate the hepatic and neurological effects of MeHg exposure during the phases foetal and breast-feeding and adult in Wistar rats. Wistar rats (n = 10) were divided into 3 groups. Control group received mineral oil; The simple exposure (SE) group was exposed only in adulthood (0.5 mg/kg/day); and double exposure (DE) was pre-exposed to MeHg 0.5 mg/kg/day during pregnancy and breastfeeding (±40 days) and re-exposed to MeHg for 45 days from day 100. After, we evaluated possible abnormalities. Behavioral and biochemical parameters in liver and occipital cortex (CO), markers of liver injury, redox and AKT/GSK3ß/mTOR signaling pathway. Our results showed that both groups treated with MeHg presented significant alterations, such as decreased locomotion and exploration and impaired visuospatial perception. The rats exposed to MeHg showed severe liver damage and increased hepatic glycogen concentration. The MeHg groups showed significant impairment in redox balance and oxidative damage to liver macromolecules and CO. MeHg upregulated the AKT/GSK3ß/mTOR pathway and the phosphorylated form of the Tau protein. In addition, we found a reduction in NeuN and GFAP immunocontent. These results represent the first approach to the hepatotoxic and neural effects of foetal and adult MeHg exposure.

Development and characterization of blends formulated with banana peel and banana pulp for the production of blends powders rich in antioxidant properties.

The food product industry is increasingly looking for foods with nutritional properties that can provide health benefits. Additionally, a challenge for the food industry is the use of all raw materials. For these reasons, banana peel that is a raw material from Banana (Musa spp.) fruit emerges as potential for new food product development. Here, we developed powder blends using a lyophilization process for the preparation of flour to potential use in cookies, bread, and pasta products. Three formulations were designed; the main difference in the formulations was the use of banana peel concentration. Our results showed that blends produced with banana peel presented physical-chemical properties considered suitable for use in food industry. Moreover, the evaluated morphological parameters reveal the properties of the powders. The blends formulated with banana peel have more antioxidant properties, showing that the banana peel may be an attractive option to generate powders with high antioxidant properties.

Guarana supplementation attenuated obesity, insulin resistance, and adipokines dysregulation induced by a standardized human Western diet via brown adipose tissue activation.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder associated with adverse health consequences that has increased worldwide at an epidemic rate. This has encouraged many people to utilize nonprescription herbal supplements for weight loss without knowledge of their safety or efficacy. However, mounting evidence has shown that some herbal supplements used for weight loss are associated with adverse effects. Guarana seed powder is a popular nonprescription dietary herb supplement marketed for weight loss, but no study has demonstrated its efficacy or safety when administered alone. Wistar rats were fed four different diets (low-fat diet and Western diet with or without guarana supplementation) for 18 weeks. Metabolic parameters, gut microbiota changes, and toxicity were then characterized. Guarana seed powder supplementation prevented weight gain, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by Western diet compared with the control diet. Guarana induced brown adipose tissue expansion, mitochondrial biogenesis, uncoupling protein-1 overexpression, AMPK activation, and minor changes in gut microbiota. Molecular docking suggested a direct activation of AMPK by four guarana compounds tested here. We propose that brown adipose tissue activation is one of the action mechanisms involved in guarana supplementation-induced weight loss and that direct AMPK activation may underlie this mechanism. In summary, guarana is an attractive potential therapeutic agent to treat obesity.

The effects of retinol oral supplementation in 6-hydroxydopamine dopaminergic denervation model in Wistar rats.

Vitamin A (retinol) is involved in signaling pathways regulating gene expression and was postulated to be a major antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound of the diet. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons, involving oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory activation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of retinol oral supplementation against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 12 µg per rat) nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation in Wistar rats. Animals supplemented with retinol (retinyl palmitate, 3000 IU/kg/day) during 28 days exhibited increased retinol content in liver, although circulating retinol levels (serum) were unaltered. Retinol supplementation did not protect against the loss of dopaminergic neurons (assessed through tyrosine hydroxylase immunofluorescence and Western blot). Retinol supplementation prevented the effect of 6-OHDA on Iba-1 levels but had no effect on 6-OHDA-induced GFAP increase. Moreover, GFAP levels were increased by retinol supplementation alone. Rats pre-treated with retinol did not present oxidative damage or thiol redox modifications in liver, and the circulating levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-10 were unaltered by retinol supplementation, demonstrating that the protocol used here did not cause systemic toxicity to animals. Our results indicate that oral retinol supplementation is not able to protect against 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic denervation, and it may actually stimulate astrocyte reactivity without altering parameters of systemic toxicity.

Sex-dependent effect on mitochondrial and oxidative stress parameters in the hypothalamus induced by prepubertal stress and access to high fat diet.

OBJECTIVE: Some factors related to lifestyle, including stress and high-fat diet (HFD) consumption, are associated with higher prevalence of obesity. These factors can lead to an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses and to mitochondrial dysfunctions, which, in turn, could cause metabolic impairments, favoring the development of obesity. However, little is known about the interplay between these factors, particularly at early ages, and whether long-term sex-specific changes may occur. Here, we evaluated whether social isolation during the prepubertal period only, associated or not with chronic HFD, can exert long-term effects on oxidative status parameters and on mitochondrial function in the whole hypothalamus, in a sex-specific manner. METHODS: Wistar male and female rats were divided into two groups (receiving standard chow or standard chow + HFD), that were subdivided into exposed or not to social isolation during the prepubertal period. Oxidative status parameters, and mitochondrial function were evaluated in the hypothalamus in the adult age. RESULTS: Regarding antioxidant enzymes activities, HFD decreased GPx activity in the hypothalamus, while increasing SOD activity in females. Females also presented increased total thiols; however, non-protein thiols were lower. Main effects of stress and HFD were observed in TBARS levels in males, with both factors decreasing this parameter. Additionally, HFD increased complex IV activity, and decreased mitochondrial mass in females. Complex I-III activity was higher in males compared to females. CONCLUSION: Stress during the prepubertal period and chronic consumption of HFD had persistent sex-specific effects on oxidative status, as well as on its consequences for the cell and for mitochondrial function. HFD had more detrimental effects on females, inducing oxidative imbalance, which resulted in damage to the mitochondria. This HFD-induced imbalance may be related to the development of obesity.

Neurobehavioral and oxidative stress alterations following methylmercury and retinyl palmitate co-administration in pregnant and lactating rats and their offspring.

Fish consumption and ubiquitous methylmercury (MeHg) exposure represent a public health problem globally. Micronutrients presented in fish affects MeHg uptake/distribution. Vitamin A (VitA), another fish micronutrient is used in nutritional supplementation, especially during pregnancy. However, there is no information about the health effects arising from their combined exposure. The present study aimed to examine the effects of both MeHg and retinyl palmitate administered to pregnant and lactating rats. Thirty Wistar female rats were orally supplemented with MeHg (0,5 mg/Kg/day) and retinyl palmitate (7500 µg RAE1/Kg/day), either individually or in combination from the gestational day 0 to weaning. In dams, maternal behavior was scored. In neonatal and infant offspring, associative learning and neurodevelopment were evaluated. Further periadolescent male and female pups were assessed for open field, habituation and object recognition using episodic-like memory paradigm. Maternal and offspring redox parameters were evaluated. Our results showed no effects of MeHg-VitA co-administration in the quality of maternal care but showed subtle alterations in the pro-oxidant response of the hippocampus. In offspring, MeHg-VitA co-exposure affected early associative learning in neonatal pups, with no further modifications in neurodevelopment, and no locomotor or exploratory alterations in later developmental stages. Habituation was altered in a sex-dependent manner, but no overall memory disturbances were encountered. Finally, MeHg-VitA co-administration reduced lipoperoxidation in male offspring hippocampus. In conclusion, VitA co-administration in dams, under our exposure protocol, can counteract the deleterious neurodevelopmental effects solely attributed to low-dose MeHg in a tissue-specific mechanism, suggesting a protective effect of VitA against MeHg-induced oxidative damage in the central nervous system, especially in the offspring. Further work is needed to confirm our findings and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of MeHg-VitA modulation. Pre-clinical assays are necessary to demonstrate the potential therapeutical use of VitA in populations directly or indirectly exposed to MeHg.

Effects of methylmercury and retinol palmitate co-administration in rats during pregnancy and breastfeeding: Metabolic and redox parameters in dams and their offspring.

Ubiquitous low-dose methylmercury (MeHg) exposure through an increased fish consumption represents a global public health problem, especially among pregnant women. A plethora of micronutrients presented in fish affects MeHg uptake/distribution, but limited data is available. Vitamin A (VitA), another fish micronutrient is used in nutritional supplementation, especially during pregnancy. However, there is no information about the health effects arising from their combined exposure. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effects of both MeHg and retinyl palmitate administered on pregnant and lactating rats in metabolic and redox parameters from dams and their offspring. Thirty Wistar female rats were orally supplemented with MeHg (0,5 mg/kg/day) and retinyl palmitate (7500 µg RAE/kg/day) via gavage, either individually or in combination from the gestational day 0 to weaning. For dams (150 days old) and their offspring (31 days old), glycogen accumulation (hepatic and cardiac) and retinoid contents (plasma and liver) were analyzed. Hg deposition in liver tissue was quantified. Redox parameters (liver, kidney, and heart) were evaluated for both animals. Cytogenetic damage was analyzed with micronucleus test. Our results showed no general toxic or metabolic alterations in dams and their offspring by MeHg-VitA co-administration during pregnancy and lactation. However, increased lipoperoxidation in maternal liver and a disrupted pro-oxidant response in the heart of male pups was encountered, with apparently no particular effects in the antioxidant response in female offspring. GST activity in dam kidney was altered leading to possible redox disruption of this tissue with no alterations in offspring. Finally, the genomic damage was exacerbated in both male and female pups. In conclusion, low-dose MeHg exposure and retinyl palmitate supplementation during gestation and lactation produced a potentiated pro-oxidant effect, which was tissue-specific. Although this is a pre-clinical approach, we recommend precaution for pregnant women regarding food consumption, and we encourage more epidemiological studies to assess possible modulations effects of MeHg-VitA co-administration at safe or inadvertently used doses in humans, which may be related to specific pathologies in mothers and their children.

Supplementation with Achyrocline satureioides Inflorescence Extracts to Pregnant and Breastfeeding Rats Induces Tissue-Specific Changes in Enzymatic Activity and Lower Neonatal Survival.

Achyrocline satureioides (AS, family Asteraceae) is a plant widely used in traditional medicine for stomach, digestive, and gastrointestinal disorders during pregnancy. Studies regarding the indiscriminate use of plant infusions during pregnancy are limited. Recent reports have shown that chronic flavonoid supplementation induces toxicity in vivo and raises the mortality rates of healthy subjects. Therefore, we investigated whether supplementation of pregnant and lactating Wistar rats with two AS inflorescence extracts, consisting of an aqueous (AQ) extract similar to a tea (47 mg·kg-1·day) and a hydroethanolic (HA) extract (35 mg·kg-1·day-1) with a higher flavonoid content, could induce redox-related side effects. Total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), thiobarbituric reactive species (TBARS), and total reduced thiol (SH) content were evaluated. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were additionally quantified. Our data suggest that both AQ and HA of AS inflorescence extracts may induce symptoms of toxicity in concentrations of (47 mg·kg-1·day) and (35 mg·kg-1·day-1), respectively, in mothers regarding the delivery index and further decrease of neonatal survival. Of note, significant tissue-specific changes in maternal (liver, kidney, heart, and hippocampus) and pups (liver and kidney) biochemical oxidative parameters were observed. Our findings provide evidence that may support the need to control supplementation with the AQ of AS inflorescence extracts during gestation due to potential toxicity in vivo, which might be related, at least in part, to changes in tissue-specific redox homeostasis and enzymatic activity.

Oral administration of curcumin relieves behavioral alterations and oxidative stress in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of ovariectomized Wistar rats.

Menopause occurs gradually and is characterized by increased susceptibility to developing mood disorders. Several studies have suggested treatments based on the antioxidant properties of vitamins and herbal compounds as an alternative to hormone replacement therapies, with few or none reporting toxicity. The present study was performed to explore the effects of curcumin oral supplementation on anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress parameters in different central nervous system (CNS) areas of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into either sham-operated or OVX groups. Sham-operated group (n=8) and an OVX group (n=11) were treated with vehicle, and the other two OVX groups received curcumin at 50 or 100mg/kg/day doses (n=8/group). Elevated plus maze (EPM) test was performed on the 28th day of treatment. On the 30th day, animals were killed and the dissected brain regions were removed and stored at-80°C until analysis. Ovariectomy induced deficit in the locomotor activity and increased anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, OVX rats showed increased lipid oxidized in the frontal cortex and striatum, increased hippocampal and striatal carbonylated protein level, and decreased striatal thiol content of non-protein fraction indicative of a glutathione (GSH) pool. Curcumin oral treatment for 30days reduced oxidative stress in the CNS areas as well as the behavior alterations resulting from ovariectomy. Curcumin supplementation attenuated most of these parameters to sham comparable values, suggesting that curcumin could have positive effects against anxiety-like disturbances and brain oxidative damage due to hormone deprivation.

Curcumin Supplementation Decreases Intestinal Adiposity Accumulation, Serum Cholesterol Alterations, and Oxidative Stress in Ovariectomized Rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of curcumin oral supplementation (50 and 100 mg/Kg/day, for 30 days) in circumventing menopause-associated oxidative stress and lipid profile dysfunctions in a rat ovariectomy (OVX) model. Female Wistar rats were operated and randomly divided into either sham-operated or OVX groups. Sham-operated group (n = 8) and one OVX group (n = 11) were treated with vehicle (refined olive oil), and the other two OVX groups received curcumin at 50 or 100 mg/Kg/day doses (n = 8/group). OVX vehicle-treated animals presented a higher deposition of intestinal adipose tissue as well as increased serum levels of IL-6, LDL, and total cholesterol when compared to sham-operated rats. In addition, several oxidative stress markers in serum, blood, and liver (such as TBARS, carbonyl, reduced-sulphydryl, and nonenzymatic antioxidant defenses) were altered toward a prooxidant status by OVX. Interestingly, curcumin supplementation attenuated most of these parameters to sham comparable values. Thus, the herein presented results show that curcumin may be useful to ameliorate lipid metabolism alterations and oxidative damage associated with hormone deprivation in menopause.

In Vitro Neuroprotective Effect of Shikimic Acid Against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Shikimic acid (SA), originally extracted from Illicium verum Hook. fil., is an indispensable starting material for the synthesis of the antiviral drug Oseltamivir (Tamiflu(®)) with very limited number of studies regarding its biological effects in vitro. Therefore, we here evaluated the thermoanalytical profile, redox properties, and in vitro effects of SA on human neuronal-like cells (SH-SY5Y). The thermoanalytical profile of SA was studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) characterization. Both antioxidant potential and in vitro lipoperoxidation levels were analyzed. Cell viability and intracellular reactive species (RS) production was determined by DCF and SRB assays, respectively. Our results show in vitro antioxidant activity of SA without exerting cytotoxic effects on SH-SY5Y cells at tested concentrations of 10 nM, 10 µM, and 10 mM. In addition, SA protected the cells against H2O2-induced toxicity; effect that could be related, at least in part, with decreased intracellular RS production and its antioxidant potential. The present study shows evidence for neuroprotective actions of SA against oxidative stress-induced toxicity on SH-SY5Y cells, inviting for further investigation about its potential use in the context of oxidative stress-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Chronic retinyl palmitate supplementation to middle-aged Wistar rats disrupts the brain redox homeostasis and induces changes in emotional behavior.

SCOPE: Aging process makes older adults especially vulnerable to neurodegeneration and mental disorders. Overconsumption-related neurotoxic effects of certain dietary nutrients by older population could represent a contribution factor for the development of neuropsychiatric conditions by this subpopulation. Thus, we here investigated whether chronic supplementation with retinyl palmitate, at doses commonly found in vitamin supplements (300, 600, and 3000 mcg of RAE/kg/day), could have an impact on emotional behavior of middle-aged Wistar rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report that supplementation with retinyl palmitate for 28 days induces an altered emotional state of middle-aged Wistar rats and oxidative stress in cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, associated with imbalance of enzymatic antioxidant defenses, decrease in non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses, and increase in protein and lipid damages. CONCLUSION: Our data show evidence for (i) changes in emotional reactivity, similar to anxiety, in middle-aged rats chronically supplemented with retinyl palmitate; and (ii) suggest a possible interrelation between pro-oxidant events in the brain and these differences in the behavioral profile that cannot be attributed to hepatotoxicity. Our results invite for additional studies to further investigate such interrelation.

Supplementation of adult rats with moderate amounts of ß-carotene modulates the redox status in plasma without exerting pro-oxidant effects in the brain: a safer alternative to food fortification with vitamin A?

Despite the antioxidant potential of vitamin A, recent studies reported that chronic retinol ester supplementation can also exert pro-oxidant effects and neurotoxicity in vivo and raises the mortality rates among healthy subjects. Our aim was to find evidence for a safer (i.e., less toxic) molecule with provitamin A activity. Therefore, we investigated whether chronic supplementation of healthy Wistar rats with ß-carotene (0.6, 3, and 6 mg/kg/day) would demonstrate antioxidant characteristics without leading to pro-oxidant side effects in the brain. Total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), thiobarbituric reactive species level (TBARS), and total reduced thiol content (SH) were evaluated in plasma. TBARS and SH were additionally evaluated in selected brain regions together with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. In the present study, we show that ß-carotene is able to exert antioxidant activity in plasma without triggering pro-oxidant events in the brain, providing evidence that may justify its further evaluation as a safer nutritional supplement with provitamin A activity.

Preventive supplementation with fresh and preserved peach attenuates CCl4-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and tissue damage.

The present study was elaborated to comparatively evaluate the preventive effect of different peach-derived products obtained from preserved fruits (Syrup and Preserve Pulp Peach [PPP]) and from fresh peels and pulps (Peel and Fresh Pulp Peach [FPP]) in a model of liver/renal toxicity and inflammation induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Tissue damage (carbonyl, thiobarbituric acid reactive species and sulfhydril), antioxidant enzymes activity (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and inflammatory parameters [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels, and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and nuclear factor (NF)κB-p65 immunocontent] were investigated. Our findings demonstrated that Peel, PPP and FPP (200 or 400 mg/kg) daily administration by oral gavage for 30 days conferred a significant protection against CCl4-induced antioxidant enzymes activation and, most importantly, oxidative damage to lipids and proteins as well as blocked induction of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, RAGE and NFκB. This antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect seems to be associated with the abundance of carotenoids and polyphenols present in peach-derived products, which are enriched in fresh-fruit-derived preparations (Peel and FPP) but are also present in PPP. The Syrup - which was the least enriched in antioxidants - displayed no protective effect in our experiments. These effects cumulated in decreased levels of transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase leakage into serum and maintenance of organ architecture. Therefore, the herein presented results show evidence that supplementation with peach products may be protective against organ damage caused by oxidative stress, being interesting candidates for production of antioxidant-enriched functional foods.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) prevents ß-amyloid aggregation, generation of advanced glycation-end products (AGEs), and acrolein-induced cytotoxicity on human neuronal-like cells.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are considered potent molecules capable of promoting neuronal cell death and participating in the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that AGEs exacerbate ß-amyloid (Aß) aggregation and AGE-related cross-links are also detected in senile plaques. Acrolein (ACR) is an α, ß-unsaturated aldehyde found in the environment and thermally processed foods, which can additionally be generated through endogenous metabolism. The role of ACR in AD is widely accepted in the literature. Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) is popularly consumed by the population in Brazil, mainly for its stimulant activity. In the present study, we showed that guarana (10, 100, and 1000 µg/mL) is able to prevent protein glycation, ß-amyloid aggregation, in vitro methylglyoxal, glyoxal, and ACR (20 µM)-induced toxicity on neuronal-like cells (SH-SY5Y). Since these are considered typical AD pathological hallmarks, we propose that guarana may deserve further research as a potential therapeutic agent in such a neurodegenerative disease.

The association effect of insulin and clonazepam on oxidative stress in liver of an experimental animal model of diabetes and depression.

CONTEXT: It is known that oxidative stress occurs in peripheral blood in an experimental animal model of diabetes and depression, and acute treatment with insulin and clonazepam (CNZ) has a protective effect on oxidative stress in this model. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of insulin plus CNZ on oxidative stress parameters in the liver of diabetic male rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ) and subjected to forced swimming test (FST). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of STZ 60 mg/kg in male Wistar rats. Insulin (4 IU/kg) plus CNZ acute i.p. treatment (0.25 mg/kg) was administered 24, 5 and 1 h before the FST. Nondiabetic control rats received i.p. injections of saline (1 mL/kg). Protein oxidative damage was evaluated by carbonyl formation and the antioxidant redox parameters were analyzed by the measurements of enzymatic activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glyoxalase I (GLO). Glycemia levels also were determined. RESULTS: Our present study has shown an increase in carbonyl content from diabetic rats subjected to FST (2.04 ± 0.55), while the activity of catalase (51.83 ± 19.02) and SOD (2.30 ± 1.23) were significantly decreased in liver from these animals, which were reverted by the treatment. Also, the activity of GLO (0.15 ± 0.02) in the liver of the animals was decreased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that insulin plus CNZ acute treatment ameliorate the antioxidant redox parameters and protect against protein oxidative damage in the liver of diabetic rats subjected to FST.