Evaluation In Vitro of Toxicity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves and Roots from Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius).

Yacon is an Andean plant that has been used in folk medicine for its medicinal properties. The beneficial effects of this plant are possibly due to the high content of phenolic compounds present in its leaves and roots. This study evaluated the in vitro toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and roots from yacon (1, 10, 50, and 100 µg/mL) through cell viability tests, genotoxic and mutagenic activity in leukocytes culture cells; and cytotoxicity and apoptosis cell death (1, 10, 50, 100, and 500 µg/mL) in cell line originally established from the primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells that were cultured by the designated protocol, so-called 3T3 protocol "3-day transfer, inoculum 3 × 105 cells" (3T3 cell line). No mutagenic and cytotoxic activities were observed in leukocyte cultures. Cytotoxic activity was evidenced in the highest concentrations of yacon leaf extract (50 and 100 µg/mL), whereas all concentrations tested with yacon leaf extract there was induction for apoptosis in the 3T3 cells. Genotoxic potential was observed only at higher doses of leaf (50 and 100 µg/mL) and root (100 µg/mL) extract. These results suggest that yacon leaf at high concentrations may present toxic potential showing concentration-dependent behavior; however, in vivo studies should be performed to validate these results.

Virgin Coconut Oil Associated with High-Fat Diet Induces Metabolic Dysfunctions, Adipose Inflammation, and Hepatic Lipid Accumulation.

Obesity reaches an epidemic level worldwide, and this condition is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and secondary comorbidities, largely driven by global changes in lifestyle and diet. Various dietary approaches are proposed for the obesity treatment and its associated metabolic disorders. Good taste, antioxidant functions, and vitamins have been attributed to virgin coconut oil (VCO). However, VCO contains a large amount of saturated fatty acids, and the consumption of this fat is associated with a number of secondary diseases. We evaluate the effects of VCO supplementation on biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters in rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD). After feeding with HFD for 12 weeks, the animals were supplemented with VCO for 30 days. HFD+VCO group increased in diet intake, weight gain, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. These findings were accompanied by increased in hepatic lipid profile and fat deposition in the liver. Adipocyte hypertrophy was observed in the HFD+VCO group, which was associated with elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in adipose tissue. These results revealed that VCO associated with HFD induced important metabolic alterations, adipose inflammation, and hepatic lipid accumulation in rats.

Análise do exame citopatológico e captura híbrida em mulheres atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde / Analysis of cytopathologic examination and hybrid capture in women receiving care in basic health units

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent cancers among Brazilian women and its relationship with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is well established. Objective: To analyze the presence of DNA/HPV using Hybrid Capture method for women in the city of Uruguaiana (RS). Methods: During the period of January to December 2015, 51 cervicovaginal samples were collected from patients who sought care at Basic Health Units in the city. After the collection, conventional and liquid-based cytological analysis was performed. Results: The results of the study indicate the prevalence of genital HPV infection in 5.9% of the samples; low-risk DNA/HPV was detected in 3.9% of patients of reproductive age (PIR); and 2.0% of PIR presented highrisk DNA/HPV. By stratifying the prevalence of HPV in age, we found positivity between 16 and 31 years. Conclusion: Conventional cytology is often inconclusive and, in such cases, using molecular biology methods that detect the DNA/HPV presence would be very useful.

O câncer de colo de útero é um dos mais frequentes entre as mulheres brasileiras e a sua relação com o Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) é bem estabelecida. Objetivo: Analisar a presença de DNA/HPV por meio do método de captura híbrida em mulheres no município de Uruguaiana (RS). Métodos: No período compreendido entre janeiro e dezembro de 2015, foram coletadas 51 amostras cervicovaginais de pacientes que buscaram atendimento nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde do município. Após a coleta, foi realizada a análise citológica convencional e em base líquida. Resultados: Os resultados encontrados no estudo indicam a prevalência de infecção genital por HPV em 5,9% das amostras analisadas, sendo DNA/HPV de baixo risco em 3,9% e DNA/HPV de alto risco em 2,0% das infecções. Ao estratificar a prevalência de HPV por faixa etária, observou-se positividade entre 16 e 31 anos. Conclusão: A citologia convencional pode ser, muitas vezes, inconclusiva e, nesses casos, utilizar uma metodologia de biologia molecular que detecte a presença do DNA/HPV seria muito útil.

14 Days of supplementation with blueberry extract shows anti-atherogenic properties and improves oxidative parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats model.

The effects of supplementation with blueberry (BE) extract (Vaccinium ashei Reade) for 14 consecutive days on biochemical, hematological, histopathological and oxidative parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats were investigated. After supplementation with lyophilized extract of BE, the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were decreased. Histopathological analysis showed significant decrease (p < 0.05) of aortic lesions in hypercholesterolemic rats. Oxidative parameters showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in oxidative damage to lipids and proteins and an increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The BE extract showed an important cardioprotective effect by the improvements in the serum lipid profile, antioxidant system, particularly in reducing oxidative stress associated with hypercholesterolemia and anti-atherogenic effect in rats.

Clozapine linked to nanocapsules minimizes tissue and oxidative damage to biomolecules lipids, proteins and DNA in brain of rats Wistar.

Clozapine, atypical antipsychotic, can change oxidative stress parameters. It is known that reactive species, in excess, can have a crucial role in the etiology of diseases, as well as, can potentiating adverse effects induce by drugs. The nanocapsules have attracted attention as carriers of several drugs, with consequent reduction of adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate histopathology and oxidative damage of biomolecules lipids, proteins and DNA in the brain of Wistar rats after treatment with nanocapsules containing clozapine. The study consisted of eight groups of male Wistar rats (n = 6): saline (SAL), free clozapine (CZP) (25 mg/Kg i.p.), blank uncoated nanocapsules (BNC), clozapine-loaded uncoated nanocapsules (CNC) (25 mg/Kg i.p.), blank chitosan-coated nanocapsules (BCSN), clozapine-loaded chitosan-coated nanocapsules (CCSN) (25 mg/Kg i.p.), blank polyethyleneglycol-coated nanocapsules (BPEGN), clozapine-loaded polyethyleneglycol-coated nanocapsules (CPEGN) (25 mg/Kg i.p.). The animals received the formulation once a day for seven consecutive days and euthanized in the eighth day. After euthanasia, the brain was collected and homogenate was processed for further analysis. The histopathology showed less brain tissue damage in nanocapsules-treated groups. The lipid peroxidation and carbonylation of proteins showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) induced by CZP. CNC and CPEGN groups obtained a reduction membrane of lipids damage and nanocapsules-treated groups showed significant improvement protein damage. CZP was able to induce genetic oxidative damage, while the nanocapsules causing less damage to DNA. The findings show that different coatings can act protecting target tissues decreasing oxidative damage, suggesting that the drug when linked to different nanocapsules is able to mitigate the harmful effects of clozapine.

Perfil citopatológico de mulheres atendidas nas unidades básicas do município de Uruguaiana, RS / Cytopathological profile of women met in the basic units of the municipality of Uruguaiana, RS

O câncer do colo de útero tem sido apontado como o terceiro tipo de câncer mais comum entre as mulheres e sua relação com a infecção por papilomavírus humano (HPV) é bem estabelecida. Objetivo: conhecer o perfil citopatológico de mulheres atendidas nas Unidades Básicas de Saúdedo município de Uruguaiana, RS. Métodos: análise retrospectiva de corte transversal e descritivo dos laudos de exames citopatológicos de pacientes querealizaram a citopatologia ginecológica (Papanicolaou) e respectivos prontuários, emitidos entre os anos de 2003 e 2011. Foram selecionadas as variáveis referentes à idade e a alteração citopatológica e classificadas segundo Bethes da, 2001. Resultados: da totalidade de laudos de exames citopatológicos analisados, 15,5% possuem alguma alteração celular e a que apresentou maior prevalência foi a atipia de células escamosas de significado indeterminado(ASC-US), com 50,28%, seguida das lesões intraepiteliais de baixo grau (LIEBG), com 35,45%. Em ambos os casos as mulheres com idade inferior a 25anos foram as que apresentaram maior prevalência. Cerca de 13% das pacientes apresentaram infecção pelo HPV e a maior prevalência foi observada nafaixa etária inferior a 25 anos (47,84%). Conclusão: a faixa etária de maior prevalência de lesões cervicais está em mulheres com idade inferior a 25 anose muitas das alterações celulares estão associadas à infecção pelo HPV. Salienta-se, portanto, a necessidade de políticas de rastreamento de lesões cervicais em mulheres nesta faixa etária, evitando assim a progressão das lesões que evoluem ao câncer.

Cancer of the cervix has been named as the third most common type of cancer among women and its relation to infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) is well established. Objective: cytopathologic know the profile of women attending the Basic Health Units in the municipality of Uruguaiana, RS. Methods: retrospective analysis of cross-sectional and descriptive the reports of cytopathology from patients who underwent gynecologic cytology (Papanicolaou) and their medical records, issued between the years 2003 and 2011. We selected the variables related to age and change and cytopathological sorted by Bethesda, 2001. Results: of all reports of reports of cytopathology analyzed, 15.5% have a cell phone and some change withthe highest prevalence was atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), with 50.28%, followed by low-grade intraepithelial lesions(LSIL), with 35.45%. In both cases, women younger than 25 years showed the highest prevalence. About 13% of patients had HPV infection and the highestprevalence was observed in the age group below 25 years (47.84%). Conclusion: the age group with the highest prevalence of cervical lesions in womenis under the age of 25 years and many of the cellular changes associated with HPV infection. It is noteworthy, therefore, the need for political screening ofcervical lesions in women in this age group, thus preventing the progression of lesions that evolve to cancer.