Relação entre desmame precoce e alergias alimentares / Relationship between early weaning and food allergies / Relación entre el destete precoz y las alergias alimentarias

Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre o desmame precoce e o desenvolvimento de alergias alimentares por meio de uma revisão integrativa. Método:Revisão integrativa da literatura realizada através das bases de dados Pubmed, Mesh e Scielo.Resultados:Através da busca pelos descritores determinados, foram selecionados 25 estudos científicos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Devido sua grande composição, o leite humano é responsável pela promoção do crescimento das bactérias com efeito bifidogênico, estando em quantidades superiores nos lactentes em AME. Conclusão: Apesar de alguns dos estudos não mostrarem resultados significativos em relação ao leite materno ser um fator protetor contra as alergias alimentares, nenhum deles deixoude incentivar o AM ou mostrar os seus benefícios já cientificamente comprovados.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between early weaning and the development of food allergies through an integrative review. Method: Integrative literature review performed through the Pubmed, Mesh and Scielo databases. Results: Through the search for the descriptors determined, 25 scientific studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Due to its large composition, human milk is responsible for promoting the growth of bacteria with bifidogenic effect, being in higher amounts in infants in EBF. Conclusion: Although some of the studies did not show significant results regarding breast milk being a protective factor against food allergies, none of them failed to encourage BF or show its scientifically proven benefits.

Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre el destete precoz y el desarrollo de alergias alimentarias a través de una revisión integradora. Metodo:Revisión integradora de la literatura realizada a través de las bases de datos Pubmed, Mesh y Scielo. Resultados: A través de la búsqueda de los descriptores determinados, se seleccionaron 25 estudios científicos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Debido a su gran composición, la leche humana es responsable de promover el crecimiento de bacterias con efecto bifidogénico, estando en mayores cantidades en bebés en LME. Conclusión:Aunque algunos de los estudios no mostraron resultados significativos con respecto a que la leche materna sea un factor protector contra las alergias alimentarias, ninguno de ellos falló en fomentar la BF o mostrar sus beneficios científicamente probados.

Ômega 3 na gestação e os impactos na depressão pós-parto: uma revisão narrativa / Omega 3 during pregnancy and impacts on postpartum depression: a narrative review / Omega 3 durante el embarazo e impactos en la depresión postparto: una revisión narrativa

Objetivo: Evidenciar através de uma revisão integrativa os resultados clínicos atuais do impacto do consumo de ômega 3 frente a depressão pós-parto. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura realizada no período de Fevereiro a Julho de 2023 nas bases de dados Pubmed, LILACS, Medline e Scielo. Resultados:Foi realizada uma busca pelos descritores em saúde determinados e foram selecionadas 5 produções científicas que atenderam os critérios de inclusão. De modo geral, os trabalhos mostraram relações com a saúde do bebê e da mãe. No bebê, observou-se aumento do crescimento intrauterino, maior resposta do sistema nervoso central, melhor desenvolvimento neural, de retina, imunológico, cognitivo e físico. Já na saúde materna, observou-se aumento no processo antiinflamatório, melhor resposta imune, melhora no efeito neurotrófico do cérebro, aumento do metabolismo, melhora hormonal, menor risco cardiovascular, menores distúrbios neurológicos (incluindo a depressão) e distúrbios visuais. Conclusão:Mais estudos são necessários para elucidar os benefícios da suplementação de ômega-3 em gestantes no pós-parto

Objective: To show, through an integrative review, the current clinical results of the impact of omega 3 consumption on postpartum depression. Method:Integrative literature review carried out from February to July 2023 in the Pubmed, LILACS, Medline and Scielo databases. Results:A search was performed for specific health descriptors and 5 scientific productions that met the inclusion criteria were selected. In general, the studies showed relationships with the health of the baby and the mother. In the baby, there was an increase in intrauterine growth, greater response of the central nervous system, better neural, retinal, immunological, cognitive and physical development. In maternal health, there was an increase in the anti-inflammatory process, better immune response, improvement in the neurotrophic effect of the brain, increased metabolism, hormonal improvement, lower cardiovascular risk, lesser neurological disorders (including depression) and visual disturbances. Conclusion:More studies are needed to elucidate the benefits of omega-3 supplementation in postpartum pregnant women.

Objetivo: Mostrar, a través de una revisión integradora, los resultados clínicos actuales del impacto del consumo de omega 3 en la depresión posparto. Método:Revisión integrativa de la literatura realizada de febrero a julio de 2023 en las bases de datos Pubmed, LILACS, Medline y Scielo. Resultados:Se realizó una búsqueda de determinados descriptores de salud y se seleccionaron 5producciones científicas que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. En general, los estudios mostraron relaciones con la salud del bebé y de la madre. En el bebé hubo un aumento del crecimiento intrauterino, mayor respuesta del sistema nervioso central,mejor desarrollo neural, retiniano, inmunológico, cognitivo y físico. En salud materna, hubo aumento del proceso antiinflamatorio, mejor respuesta inmunológica, mejora del efecto neurotrófico del cerebro, aumento del metabolismo, mejora hormonal, menor riesgo cardiovascular, menos trastornos neurológicos (incluyendo depresión) y alteraciones visuales. Conclusión:Se necesitan más estudios para dilucidar los beneficios de la suplementación con omega-3 en mujeres embarazadas posparto

Avaliação de constipação intestinal em estudantes de nível superior em uma universidade do extremo sul catarinense / Evaluation of intestinal constipation in higher level students at a university in the extreme south of catarina / Evaluación del estreñimiento intestinal en estudiantes de nivel superior de una universidad del extremo sur de catarina

Objetivo: Avaliar a presença de CI em estudantes das fases iniciais e finais dos cursos de Medicina, Nutrição e Engenharia Civil de uma Universidade no Extremo Sul Catarinense -Criciúma, através da ingestão alimentar e hídrica, dos tipos de fezes, se fazem uso, ou não, de alternativas de evacuação, comparando os hábitos alimentares com influência na constipação nos estudantes das três diferentes áreas. Método:Tal estudo foi realizado através de um questionário adaptado com questões sobre os hábitos de vida do indivíduo, juntamente com os critérios de Roma III, Roma IV e Escala de Bristol. Resultados:Caracterizou-se por 158 estudantes, sendo 71,5% (n=113) representam o sexo feminino e apenas 28,5% (n=45), o sexo masculino. A ingestão de líquidos demonstrou-se ser baixa, sendo 33,5% (n=53) ingerem mais que 1600ml/dia. Através da Escala de Bristol, 15,8% (n=25) revelaram evacuar o Tipo 1 e 2, caracterizando CI. Sobre os laxantes, apenas 3,2% (n=5) confirmaram a utilização. Foi verificada CI em 18,6% (n=21) das mulheres e 8,9% (n=4) dos homens. Conclusão:a alimentação destacou ser pobre em fibras. É notório que os estudantes sofrem com sintomas de CI. Através do auxílio de um profissional de nutrição, é necessário que equilibrem sua alimentação com fibras, consumem mais água diariamente e, consequentemente, auxiliem no bom funcionamento intestinal e na melhora da qualidade de vida.

Objective: To evaluate the presence of IC in students in the initial and final stages of Medicine, Nutrition and Civil Engineering courses at a University in the extreme south of Santa Catarina -Criciúma, through food and water intake, types of feces, whether they use, or no, of evacuation alternatives, comparing eating habits with influence on constipation in students from three different areas. Method: This study was carried out through a questionnaire answered with questions about the individual's life habits, together with the criteria of Rome III, Rome IV and Bristol Scale. Results: Characterized by 158 students, 71.5% (n=113) female and only 28.5% (n=45) male. Liquid intake was low, with 33.5% (n=53) ingesting more than 1600ml/day. Through the Bristol Scale, 15.8% (n=25) revealed to evacuate Type 1 and 2, characterizing CI. Regarding laxatives, only 3.2% (n=5) confirmed their use. CI was found in 18.6% (n=21) of women and 8.9% (n=4) of men. Conclusion:the highlighted diet is low in fiber. It is notorious that students suffer from HF symptoms. Through the help of a nutrition professional, it is necessary that they balance their diet with fiber, consume more water daily and, consequently, help in the good intestinal functioning and in the improvement of the qualityof life.

Objetivo:Evaluar la presencia de CI en estudiantes de las etapas inicial y final de las carreras de Medicina, Nutrición e Ingeniería Civil de una Universidad del extremo sur de Santa Catarina -Criciúma, a través de la ingesta de alimentos y agua, tipos de heces, si utilizan , o no, de alternativas de evacuación, comparando los hábitos alimentarios con influencia sobre el estreñimiento en estudiantes de las tres diferentes áreas. Método:Este estudio se realizó mediante un cuestionario adaptado con preguntas sobre el estilo de vida del individuo, junto con los criterios de Roma III, Roma IV y la Escala de Bristol. Resultados:Se caracterizó por 158 estudiantes, 71,5% (n=113) mujeres y sólo 28,5% (n=45) hombres. La ingesta de líquidos resultó ser baja, con un 33,5% (n=53) ingiriendo más de 1.600 ml/día. A través de la Escala de Bristol, el 15,8% (n=25) reveló evacuar Tipo 1 y 2, caracterizando CI. Respecto a los laxantes, sólo el 3,2% (n=5)confirmó su uso. La CI se verificó en el 18,6% (n=21) de las mujeres y en el 8,9% (n=4) de los hombres. Conclusión:la dieta era baja en fibra. Es notorio que los estudiantes padecen síntomas de CI. Con la ayuda de un profesional de la nutrición, es necesario que equilibren su dieta con fibra, consuman más agua diariamente y, en consecuencia, ayuden en el buen funcionamiento intestinal y en la mejora de la calidad de vida.

Ansiedade e comportamento alimentar de estudantes de diferentes áreas de uma Universidade do sul catarinense / Anxiety and eating behavior of students from different areas of a University of southern catarinense / Ansiedad y comportamiento alimentario de estudiantes de diferentes áreas de un Universidad catarinense del sur

Objetivo: analisar a relação entre a ansiedade e a alimentação em estudantes de diversas áreas da graduação de uma Universidade do Sul Catarinense. Método: A pesquisa aconteceu durante o primeiro semestre de 2023. Para a obtenção de dados foi elaborado um questionário pelas pesquisadoras responsáveis via Google Forms ®. Foram realizadas perguntas sobre as condições socioeconômicas dos estudantes, estado de ansiedade, hábitos alimentares, dados como peso e altura e informações sobre o comportamento alimentar. Resultados: Observou-se uma amostra de 85 universitários das três áreas da graduação pesquisadas. Foi aplicado um questionário para verificar o estado nutricional dos estudantes, questões relacionadas com ansiedade, bem como alimentação, comportamento alimentar e comer compulsivamente. Identificou-se que 58,82% (n=50) do IMC dos universitários foi adequado/eutrófico, 78,82% (n=67) se sentiam ansiosos no dia a dia e 82,35% (n=70) relatam que a ansiedade tem relação com o comer compulsivo. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a ansiedade e o comer compulsivo são prejudiciais tanto para a saúde do estudante quanto para seu desempenho em seus estudos, bem como sua saúde física e mental.

Objective: to analyze the relationship between anxiety and eating in students from different areas of graduation at a University in Southern Santa Catarina. Method: The research took place during the first semester of 2023. To obtain data, a questionnaire was prepared by the responsible researchers via Google Forms ®. Questions were asked about the students' socioeconomic conditions, state of anxiety, eating habits, data such as weight and height, and information about eating behavior. Results: A sample of 85 university students from the three undergraduate areas surveyed was observed. A questionnaire was applied to verify the nutritional status of students, issues related to anxiety, as well as food, eating behavior and compulsive eating. It was identified that 58.82% (n=50) of the BMI of university students was adequate/eutrophic, 78.82% (n=67) felt anxious in their daily lives and 82.35% (n=70) reported that anxiety is related to compulsive eating. Conclusion: It is concluded that anxiety and compulsive eating are harmful both for the student's health and for their performance in their studies, as well as their physical and mental health.

Objetivo: analizar la relación entre la ansiedad y la alimentación en estudiantes de diferentes áreas de graduación de una Universidad del Sur de Santa Catarina. Método: La investigación se desarrolló durante el primer semestre de 2023. Para la obtención de datos se elaboró un cuestionario por parte de los investigadores responsables a través de Google Forms®. Se realizaron preguntas sobre las condiciones socioeconómicas de los estudiantes, estado de ansiedad, hábitos alimentarios, datos como peso y talla e información sobre la conducta alimentaria. Resultados: Se observó una muestra de 85 estudiantes universitarios de las tres carreras encuestadas. Se aplicó un cuestionario para verificar el estado nutricional de los estudiantes, temas relacionados con la ansiedad, así como la alimentación, conducta alimentaria y alimentación compulsiva. Se identificó que el 58,82% (n=50) del IMC de universitarios fue adecuado/eutrófico, el 78,82% (n=67) se sintió ansioso en su cotidiano y el 82,35% (n=70) refirió que la ansiedad está relacionada con la alimentación compulsiva. Conclusión: Se concluye que la ansiedad y la alimentación compulsiva son perjudiciales tanto para la salud del estudiante como para su desempeño en sus estudios, así como su salud física y mental

Effects of maternal folic acid supplementation on nuclear methyltransferase activity of adult rats subjected to an animal model of schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia is considered one of the most disabling and severe human diseases worldwide. The etiology of schizophrenia is thought to be multifactorial and evidence suggests that DNA methylation can play an important role in underlying pivotal neurobiological alterations of this disorder. Some studies have demonstrated the effects of dietary supplementation as an alternative approach to the prevention of schizophrenia, including folic acid. However, no study has ever investigated the role of such supplementation in altering the DNA methylation system in the context of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to investigate the effects of maternal folic acid supplementation at different doses on nuclear methyltransferase activity of adult rat offspring subjected to an animal model schizophrenia induced by ketamine. METHODS: Adult female Wistar rats, (60 days old) received folic acid-deficient diet, control diet, or control diet plus folic acid supplementation (at 5, 10, or 50 mg/kg) during pregnancy and lactation. After reaching adulthood (60 days), the male offspring of these dams were subjected to the animal model of schizophrenia induced by 7 days of ketamine intraperitoneal injection (25 mg/kg). After the 7-day protocol, the activity of nuclear methyltransferase was evaluated in the brains of the offspring. RESULTS: Maternal folic acid supplementation at 50 mg/kg increased methyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex, while 10 mg/kg increased methyltransferase activity in the hippocampus. In the striatum of offspring treated with ketamine, maternal deficient diet, control diet, and folic acid supplementation at 5 mg/kg decreased methyltransferase activity compared to the control group. The folic acid supplementation at 10 and 50 mg/kg reversed this ketamine effect. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal FA deficiency could be related to schizophrenia pathophysiology, while FA supplementation could present a protective effect since it demonstrated persistent effects in epigenetic parameters in adult offspring.

Folic Acid Supplementation in the Gestational Phase of Female Rats Improves Age-Related Memory Impairment and Neuroinflammation in Their Adult and Aged Offspring.

Folic acid (FA) supplementation is important during pregnancy to avoid malformations in the offspring. However, it is unknown if it can affect the offspring throughout their lives. To evaluate the offspring, female mother rats (dams) were separated into 5 groups: Four groups received the AIN-93 diet, divided into control and FA (5, 10, and 50 mg/kg), and an additional group received a FA-deficient diet, and the diet was performed during pregnancy and lactation. We evaluated the female offspring of these dams (at 2 and 18 months old). The aged offspring fed with FA-deficient diet presented habituation, spatial and aversive memory impairment and the FA maternal supplementation prevented this. The natural aging caused an increase in the TNF-α and IL-1ß levels in the hippocampus from 18-month-old offspring. FA maternal supplementation was able to prevent the increase of these cytokines. IL-4 levels decreased in the prefrontal cortex from aged control rats and FA prevented it. FA deficiency decreased the levels of IL-4 in the hippocampus of the young offspring. In addition, natural aging and FA deficiency decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the hippocampus and nerve growth factor levels in the prefrontal cortex and FA supplementation prevented it. Thus, the present study shows for the first time the effect of FA maternal supplementation on memory, cytokines, and neurotrophins in the aged offspring.

Schizophrenia-like behavior is not altered by melatonin supplementation in rodents.

An emerging area in schizophrenia research focuses on the impact of immunomodulatory drugs such as melatonin, which have played important roles in many biological systems and functions, and appears to be promising. The objective was to evaluate the effect of melatonin on behavioral parameters in an animal model of schizophrenia. For this, Wistar rats were divided and used in two different protocols. In the prevention protocol, the animals received 1 or 10mg/kg of melatonin or water for 14 days, and between the 8th and 14th day they received ketamine or saline. In the reversal protocol, the opposite occurred. On the 14th day, the animals underwent behavioral tests: locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition task. In both protocols, the results revealed that ketamine had effects on locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition, confirming the validity of ketamine construction as a good animal model of schizophrenia. However, at least at the doses used, melatonin was not able to reverse/prevent ketamine damage. More studies are necessary to evaluate the role of melatonin as an adjuvant treatment in psychiatric disorders.

Effects of ketamine on prepubertal Wistar rats: Implications on behavioral parameters for Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia.

Early childhood schizophrenia (COS) is a rare condition and has no established animal model to test new treatments. Previous studies have shown that repeated doses of 25 mg/kg ketamine produce schizophrenia-like changes in adult male Wistar rats, but adequate doses of ketamine in animal COS studies are not yet known. Male and female Wistar rats, 23 days old, received an injection of ketamine or intraperitoneal saline (i.p.) for 8 days. The animals underwent different behavioral tests: open field, social interaction, pre-pulse startle inhibition (PPI). Female rats showed behavioral changes at all ketamine doses (5, 15, 25 and 50 mg/kg), in contrast to males that only at 50 mg/kg dose had interrupted PPI and higher stereotypy in the open field test. The present study demonstrated that ketamine at a dose of 50 mg/kg once daily from 23 to 31 days postnatal reproduced changes similar to schizophrenia in pre-pubertal male and female Wistar rats and could be used, with other interventions, in future studies with animals in COS.

Olfactory deficit as a result of clozapine withdrawal syndrome in an animal model of schizophrenia: preliminary results.

Clozapine is an antipsychotic that produces serious withdrawal effects in schizophrenic patients. Olfactory deficits are well known as part of negative symptoms, but it is not known whether antipsychotic use and/or withdrawal are implicated. Then, we tested clozapine withdrawal in association with two widely used schizophrenia models: Neonatal immune challenge by Polycitidilic-polyinosinic acid (polyI:C) and ketamine. PolyI:C (or saline) was injected subcutaneously in neonatal period, dose of 5 mg/kg from 2 to 6 Post Natal Days, and ketamine or saline at the dose 25mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.), daily for 7 days from 53 to 60 post natal day. Clozapine 10mg/kg (or saline) was administered i.p. from 46 to 60 post natal day. Olfactory discrimination test (sensorial and cognitive deficit) was performed at 61 post natal day, 24h after the last injections. The association of PolyI:C, ketamine and clozapine disrupted Olfactory Discrimination, equating time in familiar and non-familiar compartments. PolyI:C plus ketamine increased crossings between compartments. It was produced, for the first time, an olfactory deficit induced by clozapine withdrawal in Wistar rats subjected to schizophrenia animal models.

The preventive effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on locomotor and acetylcholinesterase activity in an animal model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that schizophrenic patients seem to have nutritional deficiencies. Ascorbic acid (AA) has an important antioxidant effect and neuromodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AA on locomotor activity and the acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) in an animal model of schizophrenia (SZ). Rats were supplemented with AA (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), or water for 14 days (gavage). Between the 9th and 15th days, the animals received Ketamine (Ket) (25 mg/kg) or saline (i.p). After the last administration (30 min) rats were subjected to the behavioral test. Brain structures were dissected for biochemical analysis. There was a significant increase in the locomotor activity in Ket treated. AA prevented the hyperlocomotion induced by ket. Ket also showed an increase of AChE activity within the prefrontal cortex and striatum prevented by AA. Our data indicates an effect for AA in preventing alterations induced by Ket in an animal model of SZ, suggesting that it may be an adjuvant approach for the development of new therapeutic strategies within this psychiatric disorder.

The preventive effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on locomotor and acetylcholinesterase activity in an animal model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine.

Studies have shown that schizophrenic patients seem to have nutritional deficiencies. Ascorbic acid (AA) has an important antioxidant effect and neuromodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AA on locomotor activity and the acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) in an animal model of schizophrenia (SZ). Rats were supplemented with AA (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), or water for 14 days (gavage). Between the 9th and 15th days, the animals received Ketamine (Ket) (25 mg/kg) or saline (i.p). After the last administration (30 min) rats were subjected to the behavioral test. Brain structures were dissected for biochemical analysis. There was a significant increase in the locomotor activity in Ket treated. AA prevented the hyperlocomotion induced by ket. Ket also showed an increase of AChE activity within the prefrontal cortex and striatum prevented by AA. Our data indicates an effect for AA in preventing alterations induced by Ket in an animal model of SZ, suggesting that it may be an adjuvant approach for the development of new therapeutic strategies within this psychiatric disorder.

Pre-clinical investigation of Diabetes Mellitus as a risk factor for schizophrenia.

This study investigated the behavioral and biochemical parameters of DM1 as a risk factor in an animal model of schizophrenia (SZ). All groups: 1 Control (saline+saline); 2 Alloxan (alloxan+saline); 3 Ketamine (saline+ketamine); 4 (Alloxan+Ketamine) were fasted for a period of 18h before the subsequent induction of DM via a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of alloxan (150mg/kg). From the 4th to the 10th days, the animals were injected i.p with ketamine (25mg/kg) or saline, once a day, to induce a model of SZ and 30min after the last administration were subjected to behavioral testing. After, the animals were decapitated and the brain structures were removed. Ketamine induced hyperactivity and in the social interaction, ketamine, alloxan and the association of alloxan+ketamine increased the latency and decreased the number of contacts between animals. The animals from the ketamine, alloxan and alloxan+ketamine groups showed a prepulse startle reflex (PPI) deficit at the three intensities (65, 70 and 75dB). Ketamine was shown to be capable of increasing the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain structures. Combination of alloxan+ketamine seems to have an exacerbated effect within the cholinergic system. For lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls, alloxan+ketamine appear to have intensified lipid and protein damage in the three structures. Ketamine and the combination of ketamine+alloxan induced DNA damage in both frequency and damage index. This research found a relationship between DM1 and SZ.

Increased risk of developing schizophrenia in animals exposed to cigarette smoke during the gestational period.

Cigarette smoking during the prenatal period has been investigated as a causative factor of obstetric abnormalities, which lead to cognitive and behavioural changes associated with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate behaviour and AChE activity in brain structures in adult rats exposed to cigarette smoke during the prenatal period. Pregnant rats were divided into non-PCSE (non-prenatal cigarette smoke exposure) and PCSE (prenatal cigarette smoke exposure) groups. On post-natal day 60, the rats received saline or ketamine for 7days and were subjected to behavioural tasks. In the locomotor activity task, the non-PCSE+ketamine and PCSE+ketamine groups exhibited increased locomotor activity compared with the saline group. In the social interaction task, the non-PCSE+ketamine and PCSE+ketamine groups exhibited an increased latency compared with the control groups. However, the PCSE+ketamine group exhibited a decreased latency compared with the non-PCSE+ketamine group, which indicates that the cigarette exposure appeared to decrease, the social deficits generated by ketamine. In the inhibitory avoidance task, the non-PCSE+ketamine, PCSE, and PCSE+ketamine groups exhibited impairments in working memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. In the pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) test, cigarette smoke associated with ketamine resulted in impaired PPI in 3 pre-pulse (PP) intensity groups compared with the control groups. In the biochemical analysis, the AChE activity in brain structures increased in the ketamine groups; however, the PCSE+ketamine group exhibited an exacerbated effect in all brain structures. The present study indicates that exposure to cigarette smoke during the prenatal period may affect behaviour and cerebral cholinergic structures during adulthood.

Effect of folic acid on oxidative stress and behavioral changes in the animal model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine.

Recent studies have shown benefits for the supplementation of folic acid in schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of folic acid addition on adult rats, over a period of 7 or 14 days. It also sets out to verify any potential protective action using an animal model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine, in behavioral and biochemical parameters. This study used two protocols (acute and chronic) for the administration of ketamine at a dose of 25 mg/kg (i.p.). The folic acid was given by oral route in doses of 5, 10 and 50 mg/kg, once daily, for 7 and/or 14 days in order to compare the protective effects of folic acid. Thirty minutes after the last administration of ketamine, the locomotor and social interaction activities were evaluated, and immediately the brain structure were removed for biochemical analysis. In this study, ketamine was administered in a single dose or in doses over the course of 7 days increasing the animal's locomotion. This study showed that the administration of folic acid over 7 days was unable to prevent hyper locomotion. In contrast, folic acid (10 and 50 mg/kg) administrated over a period of 14 days, was able to partially prevent the hyper locomotion. Our data indicates that both acute and chronic administrations of ketamine increased the time to first contact between the animals, while the increased latency for social contact was completely prevented by folic acid (5, 10 and 50 mg/kg). Chronic and acute administrations of ketamine also increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in brain. Folic acid (10 and 50 mg/kg) supplements showed protective effects on the oxidative damage found in the different brain structures evaluated. All together, the results indicate that nutritional supplementation with folic acid provides promising results in an animal model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine.

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on interleukin and neurotrophin levels in an animal model of schizophrenia.

New studies suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3, may reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia. The present study evaluated the preventive effect of omega-3 on interleukines (IL) and neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brains of young rats subjected to a model of schizophrenia. Treatment was performed over 21 days, starting on the 30th day of rat's life. After 14 days of treatment with omega-3 or vehicle, a concomitant treatment with saline or ketamine (25 mg/kg) was started and maintained until the last day of the experiment. BDNF levels in the rat's prefrontal cortex were decreased at 1 h and 24 h after the last administration of ketamine, whereas the group administered with ketamine and omega-3 showed a decrease in BDNF levels only after 24 h. In contrast, both interventions induced similar responses in levels of IL-1ß and IL6. These findings suggest that the similarity of IL-1ß and IL6 levels in our experimental groups is due to the mechanism of action of ketamine on the immune system. More studies have to be carried out to explain this pathology. In conclusion, according to previous studies and considering the current study, we could suggest a prophylactic role of omega-3 against the outcome of symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

Maternal deprivation disrupts mitochondrial energy homeostasis in the brain of rats subjected to ketamine-induced schizophrenia.

Maternal deprivation (MD) appears to be one of the environmental factors involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. A widely used animal model of the schizophrenia involves the administration of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, NMDA receptors noncompetitive antagonist, that induce symptoms such as schizophrenia. To clarify the molecular mechanism of schizophrenia induced by MD, we investigated alterations in energetic metabolism, oxidative stress and neurotrophic factor levels in the brain of rats following MD and/or a single administration of ketamine during adulthood. Male Wistar rats were subjected to MD for 10 days. Additionally, these animals received acute ketamine (5, 15 or 25 mg/kg by intraperitoneal route, i.p.) during adulthood, and 30 min later, they were killed and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the hippocampus and the striatum were removed for molecular analyses. Ketamine 25 mg/kg and/or MD and Ketamine 15 and 5 mg/kg with MD decreased the creatine kinase (CK) activity in the hippocampus. The enzyme activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the Krebs cycle had increased in the striatum following the administration of ketamine 25 mg/kg, MD per se or MD plus ketamine 5 and 15 mg/kg. MD per se or MD combined with ketamine in different doses increased the activity of mitochondrial complexes. The PFC of animals subjected to MD and administered with ketamine 5 mg/kg exhibited increased protein carbonyl content. In the hippocampus, ketamine 15 mg/kg, ketamine 25 mg/kg and MD each increased the carbonyl content. In the striatum, the TBARS levels were increased by the administration of ketamine 25 mg/kg. Finally, in the hippocampus, MD alone or in combination with ketamine reduced the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) levels; however, the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels were unaltered. In the present study, we suggest that MD increased the risk of psychotic symptoms in adulthood, altering different parameters of energy and oxidative stress. Our results suggest that adverse experiences occurring early in life may sensitize specific neurocircuits to subsequent stressors, inducing vulnerability, and may help us understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this disorder.

Omega-3 fatty acids prevent the ketamine-induced increase in acetylcholinesterase activity in an animal model of schizophrenia.

AIMS: Schizophrenia is a debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with dysfunction in the cholinergic system. Early prevention is a target of treatment to improve long-term outcomes. Therefore, we evaluated the preventive effects of omega-3 fatty acids on AChE activity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum in an animal model of schizophrenia. MAIN METHODS: Young Wistar rats (30 days old) were initially treated with omega-3 fatty acids or vehicle alone. Animals received ketamine to induce an animal model of schizophrenia or saline plus omega-3 fatty acids or vehicle alone for 7 consecutive days beginning on day 15. A total of 22 days elapsed between the treatment and intervention. Animals were sacrificed, and brain structures were dissected to evaluate AChE activity and gene expression. KEY FINDINGS: Our results demonstrate that ketamine increased AChE activity in these three structures, and omega-3 fatty acids plus ketamine showed lower values for the studied parameters, which indicate a partial preventive mechanism of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. We observed no effect on AChE expression. Together, these results indicate that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation effectively reduced AChE activity in an animal model of schizophrenia in all studied structures. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that ketamine and omega-3 fatty acids affect the cholinergic system, and this effect may be associated with the physiopathology of schizophrenia. Further studies are required to investigate the mechanisms that are associated with this effect.

Effects of omega-3 dietary supplement in prevention of positive, negative and cognitive symptoms: a study in adolescent rats with ketamine-induced model of schizophrenia.

Omega-3 has shown efficacy to prevent schizophrenia conversion in ultra-high risk population. We evaluated the efficacy of omega-3 in preventing ketamine-induced effects in an animal model of schizophrenia and its effect on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Omega-3 or vehicle was administered in Wistar male rats, both groups at the 30th day of life for 15days. Each group was split in two to receive along the following 7days ketamine or saline. Locomotor and exploratory activities, memory test and social interaction between pairs were evaluated at the 52nd day of life. Prefrontal-cortex, hippocampus and striatum tissues were extracted right after behavioral tasks for mRNA BDNF expression analysis. Bloods for serum BDNF were withdrawn 24h after the end of behavioral tasks. Locomotive was increased in ketamine-treated group compared to control, omega-3 and ketamine plus omega-3 groups. Ketamine group had fewer contacts and interaction compared to other groups. Working memory and short and long-term memories were significantly impaired in ketamine group compared to others. Serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in ketamine plus omega-3 group. There was no difference between groups in prefrontal-cortex, hippocampus and striatum for mRNA BDNF expression. Administration of omega-3 in adolescent rats prevents positive, negative and cognitive symptoms in a ketamine animal model of schizophrenia. Whether these findings are consequence of BDNF increase it is unclear. However, this study gives compelling evidence for larger clinical trials to confirm the use of omega-3 to prevent schizophrenia and for studies to reinforce the beneficial role of omega-3 in brain protection.