Nutritional status and inflammatory markers as survival predictors in pediatric central nervous system tumors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Central nervous system tumors (CNS) are the second most common malignancies in childhood. Inflammation and changes in nutritional status play an important role and can be used as prognostic markers. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of nutritional status and inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS) of pediatric patients with CNS. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 103 patients were followed for 5 years. Clinical, anthropometric, and hematological data were collected. Body mass index for age (BMI/A), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were calculated. OS curves were calculated using the Kaplan Meier method and evaluated using the Log-Rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was performed to identify independent variables associated with prognostic factors, generating hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Nutritional status did not significantly affect OS. However, patients with NLR ≥2.18 and SIRI ≥1249.18 had significantly lower OS in 5 years. Only treatment and high NLR were identified as independent prognostic factors for worse OS. Treatment with exclusive radiotherapy or chemotherapy (HR: 16.22, 95% CI: 2.19-120.07) and NLR (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.02-3.69) were identified as independent prognostic factors for worse OS at 5 years. CONCLUSION: High pretreatment NLR was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for OS in pediatric patients with CNS.

Low body mass index is associated with reduced intratumoral CD4+ T-lymphocyte infiltration in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Tumor size, inflammation, and nutritional status may be correlated with the immune response to cancer. Our hypothesis is that there is an interrelationship among tumor size, inflammatory response, and body mass index (BMI), and that these variables could alter T-lymphocyte infiltration in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). A retrospective cohort of 91 surgical LSCC patients treated at a Brazilian National Cancer Reference Center was followed for 5 years. We collected data regarding BMI, clinical factors, patients' lifestyle, C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Data were obtained in the medical records within a maximum interval of 7 days before surgery. The stromal and intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltrations were obtained by immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrated a significant correlation among tumor size and BMI, NLR, PLR, and LMR. Similarly, PLR and LMR were significantly correlated with BMI. Tumor size and inflammatory parameters were not associated with changes in T-cell infiltrations. However, patients with low BMIs had a significantly lower density of intratumoral CD4+ T lymphocytes infiltrated when compared with normal/high BMI patients (odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.58; P = .007). CD8+ T-lymphocyte infiltration did not change in low-BMI patients. In conclusion, we observed a correlation among tumor size, inflammation, and BMI. Tumor size/inflammation axis may be responsible for the change in BMI and, therefore, may have influenced the reduction of intratumoral CD4+ T-lymphocyte infiltration in LSCC patients.

Body Mass Index Alters the Predictive Value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Systemic Inflammation Response Index in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a frequent cancer subtype among head and neck cancers. Exacerbated inflammation and nutritional deficit are common features in this type of cancer and can be used as a prognostic marker. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) on overall survival (OS) of LSCC patients. In this retrospective cohort study, 168 patients were followed for 5 years. Data on clinical factors, patients' life habits, height, weight, and hematological parameters were collected. BMI, NLR, and SIRI were calculated. Pretreatment NLR≥ 2.02 and SIRI≥ 1160.85 were independent prognostic factors for poor OS. Low BMI did not significantly affect the OS. However, the inflammatory parameters had their predictive capacity altered when stratified by the BMI classification. NLR≥ 2.02 + Low BMI or SIRI≥ 1160.85 + Low BMI increased in 8.6 and 3.8 times the risk of death, respectively. In contrast, stratification by normal/high BMI classification eliminated the predictive capacity of NLR and SIRI. Here, we demonstrated the possible ability of BMI to change the prognostic capacity of inflammatory markers NLR and SIRI in patients with LSCC.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2021.1952447.

Evaluation of the efficacy of probiotic VSL#3 and synbiotic VSL#3 and yacon-based product in reducing oxidative stress and intestinal permeability in mice induced to colorectal carcinogenesis.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic VSL#3 isolated or associated with a yacon-based product (synbiotic) on oxidative stress modulation and intestinal permeability in an experimental model of colorectal carcinogenesis. Forty-five C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: control (standard diet AIN-93 M); probiotic (standard diet AIN-93 M and multispecies probiotic VSL#3, 2.25 × 109 CFU), and synbiotic (standard diet AIN-93 M with yacon-based product, 6% fructooligosaccharides and inulin, and probiotic VSL#3, 2.25 × 109 CFU). The experimental diets were provided for 13 weeks. The probiotic and the yacon-based product showed antioxidant activity, with the percentage of DPPH radical scavenging equal to 69.7 ± 0.4% and 74.3 ± 0.1%, respectively. These findings contributed to reduce hepatic oxidative stress: the control group showed higher concentration of malondialdehyde (1.8-fold, p = 0.007 and 1.5-fold, p = 0.035) and carbonylated protein (2-fold, p = 0.008 and 5.6-fold, p = 0.000) compared to the probiotic and synbiotic groups, respectively. Catalase enzyme activity increased 1.43-fold (p = 0.014) in synbiotic group. The crypt depth increased 1.2-fold and 1.4-fold with the use of probiotic and synbiotic, respectively, compared to the control diet (p = 0.000). These findings corroborate the reduction in intestinal permeability in the probiotic and synbiotic groups, as measured by the percentage of urinary lactulose excretion (CON: 0.93 ± 0.62% × PRO: 0.44 ± 0.05%, p = 0.048; and CON: 0.93 ± 0.62% × SYN: 0.41 ± 0.12%, p = 0.043). In conclusion, the probiotic and synbiotic showed antioxidant activity, which contributed to the reduction of oxidative stress markers. In addition, they protected the mucosa from damage caused by chemical carcinogen and reduced intestinal permeability. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The relationship between intestinal health and the occurrence of various organic disorders has been demonstrated in many studies. The use of probiotics and prebiotics is currently one of the main targets for modulation of intestinal health. We demonstrated that the use of a commercial mix of probiotic bacteria (VSL#3) isolated or associated with a yacon-based prebiotic, rich in fructooligosaccharides and inulin, is able to reduce the oxidative stress and intestinal permeability in a colorectal carcinogenesis model. These compounds have great potential to be used as a food supplement, or as ingredients in the development of food products.

Preoperative Fasting Abbreviation With Whey Protein Reduces the Occurrence of Postoperative Complications in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgery has become the treatment of choice for head and neck cancer (HNC) in most cases. Preoperative fasting abbreviation and nutrition screening have been suggested to reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications. This study aimed to evaluate the addition of whey protein in the preoperative fasting abbreviation and to analyze the association of nutrition status on postoperative complications in patients with HNC. METHODS: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial was performed. Patients recruited from March to November 2018 at a national cancer reference center in Brazil were divided into 2 groups: intervention group (clear fluids with carbohydrate plus whey protein [CHO-P]) and control group (clear fluids with carbohydrate only [CHO]). All patients were evaluated by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and body mass index. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations between the studied variables, generating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 49 patients met the eligibility criteria and enrolled in the study. A PG-SGA score of 4-8, indicating moderate malnutrition (OR, 10.91; 95% CI, 1.05-112.91), was an independent factor that increased the risk of postoperative complication, whereas the CHO-P group (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.26) was found to be an independent factor in reducing such risk. CONCLUSION: The addition of whey protein to clear fluids (CHO-P group) was associated with a reduced risk of postoperative complications compared with the CHO group. Furthermore, moderate malnourishment was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications for patients with HNC.

Advanced Stage of Disease and Systemic Inflammation as Factors Associated With Referral of Patients With Colorectal Cancer to a Palliative Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with referral to an exclusive palliative care unit (PCU) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with patients having CRC of both sexes treated at a hospital unit, aged ≥20 years. Data were extracted from the medical records of pretreatment patients between January 2008 and August 2014. The outcome was referral to the PCU within 5 years. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess whether sociodemographic, clinical, nutritional, and biochemistry data were associated to referral, generating odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Four hundred fifteen patients were evaluated. The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment demonstrated a prevalence of malnutrition of 57.3%. One hundred one (24.3%) patients were referred to the PCU after 16.3 months (interquartile range: 7.2-33.5). These patients were more likely to be at an advanced stage of the disease and have malnutrition and exacerbated systemic inflammation. Tumor stage III and IV (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.12-3.76) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥3 (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.12-3.17) were predictors of an increased chance of referral to the PCU. CONCLUSION: Advanced disease stage and NLR were associated with referral of patients with CCR to a PCU.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and nutritional status are clinically useful in predicting prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and nutritional status may provide a prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of nutritional status and NLR in CRC patients.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in CRC patients. The independent variables were body mass index (BMI), weight loss (WL) and NLR. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds chance of low NLR. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were used to evaluate the overall survival at 5 years old.Results: In the 148 patients evaluated, the most prevalent nutritional status was overweight/obesity (43.2%) and 27.0% had severe WL. Sixty-seven subjects (45.3%) had NLR ≥ 3 that was associated with the lower OS (P < 0.001). There was a higher OS for overweight/obese patients (P = 0.002) and a lower among subjects with severe WL (P = 0.009). The NLR ≥3 (HR: 3.639; 95% CI, 1.708-7.771) was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS. Patients without WL (HR: 0.367, 95% CI, 0.141-0.954) and classified as overweight/obesity (HR: 0.260; 95% CI, 0.106-0.639) presented better prognostic.Conclusion: NLR, WL, BMI assessments are promising prognostic indicators in the CRC.

Docosahexaenoic acid promotes cell cycle arrest and decreases proliferation through WNT/ß-catenin modulation in colorectal cancer cells exposed to γ-radiation.

The effects of radiation are known to be potentiated by N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which modulate several signaling pathways, but the molecular mechanisms through which these fatty acids enhance the anticancer effects of irradiation in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment remain poorly elucidated. Here, we aimed to ascertain whether the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exerts a modulating effect on the response elicited by radiation treatment (RT). Two CRC cell lines, Caco-2 and HT-29, were exposed to RT, DHA, or both (DHA + RT) for various times, and then cell viability, proliferation, and clonogenicity were assessed. Moreover, cell cycle, apoptosis, and necrosis were analyzed using flow cytometry, and the involvement of WNT/ß-catenin signaling was investigated by immunofluorescence to determine nuclear ß-catenin, GSK3ß phosphorylation status, and TCF/LEF-activity reporter. DHA and RT applied separately diminished the viability of both HT-29 and Caco-2 cells, and DHA + RT caused a further reduction in proliferation mainly in HT-29 cells, particularly in terms of colony formation. Concomitantly, our results verified cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, a reduction of cyclin D1 expression, and a decrease in GSK3ß phosphorylation after the combined treatment. Furthermore, immunofluorescence quantification revealed that nuclear ß-catenin was increased in RT-exposed cells, but this effect was abrogated in cells exposed to DHA + RT, and the results of TCF/LEF-activity assays confirmed that DHA attenuated the increase in nuclear ß-catenin activity induced by irradiation. Our finding shows that DHA applied in combination with RT enhanced the antitumor effects of irradiation on CRC cells, and that the underlying mechanism involved the WNT/ß-catenin pathway. © 2018 BioFactors, 45(1):24-34, 2019.

Estado Nutricional de Pacientes Pediátricos Recém-Diagnosticados com Leucemia Linfoblástica Aguda em um Instituto de Referência em Oncologia do Rio de Janeiro / Nutritional Status of Pediatric Patients Newly Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at an Institute of Reference in Oncology of Rio de Janeiro / Estado Nutricional de Pacientes Pediátricos Recién diagnosticados con leucemia linfoblástica Aguda en un Instituto de Referencia en Oncología de Río de Janeiro

Introdução: a leucemia linfoblástica aguda (lla) constitui a neoplasia mais comum em pediatria e a avaliação nutricional é um instrumento essencial para conhecer as condições de saúde dos pacientes. o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar e descrever o estado nutricional de pacientes pediátricos recém-diagnosticados com lla e verificar a relação do índice de massa corporal para idade (iMc/i) com as demais medidas antropométricas. Método: estudo observacional, transversal, realizado com pacientes de 1 a 18 anos, recém- -diagnosticados com lla, no período de janeiro/2004 a dezembro/2009. os dados coletados foram idade, peso corporal, estatura, prega cutânea tricipital (Pct), circunferência do braço (cB) e circunferência muscular do braço (cMB). o iMc foi calculado e a classificação iMc/i utilizada na análise. o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson e exato de Fisher foram utilizados para analisar a associação entre os parâmetros antropométricos. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 54 pacientes. a classificação do "estado nutricional adequado" foi a mais frequente em todos os parâmetros antropométricos. em adição, observou-se que a associação do estado nutricional pela cMB com o iMc/i (p=0,001) demonstra que este último pode ser adequado para classificação dos pacientes pediátricos com lla ao diagnóstico. e a concordância da cB com a cMB (p=0,01) de 43% (p=0,001) também ratifica a utilização da cB frente à cMB, por ser uma medida mais simples. Conclusão: na população estudada, o estado nutricional encontrava-se preservado. assim como a associação da cMB com o iMc/i, a cB demonstrou ser um parâmetro sensível para classificar eutrofia.

Introduction: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (all) is the most common neoplasm in pediatrics, and nutritional assessment is an essential tool for understanding patients' health conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate and describe the nutritional status of pediatric patients newly diagnosed with all and to verify the relation between body mass index for age (BMi-for-age) and other anthropometric measurements. Method: a cross-sectional, observational study was performed with patients from 1 to 18 years of age, newly diagnosed with all, from January 2004 to december 2009. The data collected were age, body weight, height, triceps skinfold (ts), arm circumference (ac) and arm muscle circumference (aMc). The BMi was calculated and the BMi-for-age classification used in the analysis. Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the association between anthropometric parameters. Results: 54 patients were included in the study. The classification of "adequate nutritional status" was the most frequent in all anthropometric parameters. in addition, we observed that the association of nutritional status by aMc with BMi-for-age (p=0.001) shows that the BMi-for-age may be adequate for classification of pediatric patients with all at diagnosis. in addition, ac agreement with aMc (p=0.01) of 43% (p=0.001) also confirmed the use of ac versus aMc, as it is a simpler measure. Conclusion: in the studied population the nutritional status was preserved. Just as the association of aMc with BMi-for-age, ac has been shown to be a sensitive parameter for classifying eutrophy

Introducción: la leucemia linfoblástica aguda (lla) constituye la neoplasia más común en pediatría y la evaluación nutricional es un instrumento esencial para conocer las condiciones de salud de los pacientes. el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar y describir el estado nutricional de pacientes pediátricos recién diagnosticados con lla y verificar la relación del Índice de masa corporal por edad (iMc/i) con las demás medidas antropométricas. Método: estudio observacional, transversal, realizado con pacientes de 1 a 18 años recién diagnosticados con lla en el período de enero / 2004 a diciembre / 2009. los datos recogidos fueron edad, peso corporal, estatura, pliegue cutáneo tricipital (Pct), circunferencia del brazo (cB) y circunferencia muscular del brazo (cMB). el iMc fue calculado y la clasificación iMc/i utilizada en el análisis. la prueba chi-cuadrado de Pearson y exacto de Fisher se utilizaron para analizar la asociación entre los parámetros antropométricos. Resultados: se incluyeron en el estudio 54 pacientes. la clasificación del "estado nutricional adecuado", fue la más frecuente, en todos los parámetros antropométricos. en adición, se observo que la asociación del estado nutricional por la cMB con el iMc/i(p=0,001) demuestra que este último puede ser adecuado para clasificación de los pacientes pediátricos con lla al diagnóstico. Y la concordancia de la cB con la cMB (p=0,01) del 43% (p=0,001), también ratifica la utilización de la cB frente a la cMB, por ser una medida más simple. Conclusión: en la población estudiada el estado nutricional se encontraba preservado. así como la asociación de la cMB con el iMc/i, la cB demostró ser un parámetro sensible para clasificar eutrofia.

Estado nutricional e desfechos clínicos em pacientes pediátricos com leucemia linfoblástica aguda / Nutritional status and clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia / Estado nutricional y los resultados clínicos en pacientes pediátricos con leucemia linfoblástica aguda

Introdução: A leucemia linfoblástica aguda é a neoplasia mais comum na população pediátrica, e estudos apontam o estado nutricional como um fator prognóstico importante. Objetivo: Avaliar o estado nutricional de uma coorte de crianças e adolescentes durante o tratamento para leucemia linfoblástica aguda, determinar a sua associação com o risco de recaída e com a sobrevida em cinco anos de seguimento. Método: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, com 54 pacientes de 1 a 18 anos com leucemia linfoblástica aguda, tratados em um hospital de referência em oncologia, entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2009. Os dados antropométricos foram coletados pela equipe de pesquisadores, nos prontuários, no período de junho a outubro de 2015. Verificaram-se a incidência de recaída e o óbito nos pacientes estudados em cinco anos de seguimento. Resultados: Houve predomínio do sexo masculino (55,6%) e a mediana de idade foi de 7,0 anos no início do seguimento. Observou-se um aumento significativo no escore-z médio do índice de massa corporal para idade durante o tratamento de 0,13±1,19 ao diagnóstico para 0,72±1,07 no início da fase de manutenção (p=0,000). No presente estudo, o estado nutricional ao diagnóstico não foi determinante para o risco de recaída. As curvas de sobrevida não foram diferentes entre os pacientes com ou sem excesso de peso ao diagnóstico. Conclusão: Na população estudada, observou-se um ganho ponderal significativo durante o tratamento, porém não foi encontrada associação entre estado nutricional ao diagnóstico e risco de recaída, e não se verificou influência do excesso de peso na sobrevida.

Introduction: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is the most common neoplasm in the pediatric population, and studies point to nutritional status as an important prognostic factor. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of a cohort of children and adolescents during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, to determine its association with risk of relapse and survival at five years of follow-up Method: Observational retrospective study of 54 patients aged 1 to 18 years old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated at an oncology reference hospital, between January 2004 and December 2009. The anthropometric data were collected by the team of researchers from the medical records, from June to October 2015. The incidence of relapse and death was verified in the patients studied at five years of follow-up. Results: There was a predominance of males (55.6%) and the median age was 7.0 years at the beginning of followup. A significant increase was observed in the mean z-score of the Body Mass Index for age during treatment, from 0.13±1.19 at diagnosis to 0.72±1.07 at the beginning of the maintenance phase (p=0.000). In the present study, the nutritional status at diagnosis was not decisive for the risk of relapse. Survival curves did not differ between patients who were and were not overweight at diagnosis. Conclusion: In the studied population, a significant weight gain was observed during treatment, but no association was found between nutritional status at diagnosis and risk of relapse, and no influence of overweight on survival was observed.

Introducción: La leucemia linfoblástica aguda es el cáncer más común en los pacientes pediátricos, y los estudios indican el estado nutricional como un factor pronóstico importante. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado nutricional de una cohorte de niños y adolescentes durante el tratamiento para la leucemia linfoblástica aguda, determinar su asociación con el riesgo de recaídas y la supervivencia a los cinco años de seguimiento. Método: estudio observacional, retrospectivo con 54 pacientes de 1 a 18 años con leucemia linfoblástica aguda tratados en un hospital de referencia en oncología, entre enero de 2004 y diciembre de 2009. Los datos antropométricos fueron recogidos por el equipo de investigadores, en los prontuarios, en el período de junio a octubre de 2015. Se verificó la incidencia de recaída y muerte en los pacientes en cinco años de seguimiento. Resultado: Hubo un predominio del sexo masculino (55,6%) y la edad mediana fue de 7,0 años al inicio del estudio. Se observó un aumento significativo en el escore-z medio del índice de masa corporal para la edad durante el tratamiento, de 0,13±1,19 en el diagnóstico para 0,72±1,07 en el período de mantenimiento (p=0,000). En este estudio, el estado nutricional al momento del diagnóstico no fue decisivo para el riesgo de recaída. Las curvas de supervivencia no fueron diferentes entre los pacientes con o sin exceso de peso al momento del diagnóstico. Conclusión: En la población estudiada, hubo un aumento significativo de peso durante el tratamiento, pero no se encontró asociación entre el estado nutricional al momento del diagnóstico y el riesgo de recaída y no hubo influencia del exceso de peso en la supervivencia.ncia, basándose en los estudios de las necesidades físicas, emocionales, sociales y económicos de este creciente grupo.

Effects of Vitamin K1 Supplementation on the Risk Factors to the Stroke and on Memory in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Stroke Prone (SHR-sp)

A number of risk factors have been associated to the stroke and many strategies have been proposed in order to control them as well. Vitamin K has been largely found in brain, which suggests a possible function at that tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of this vitamin on the prevention of risk factors to stroke and on cognitive function on SHRSP rats. Twelve SHRSP males, 15 weeks old, were divided into two groups (n= 6 each), receiving the vehicle-coconut oil (control group) or 40 μg of phylloquinone (treated group) during 28 days. Biological parameters, systolic blood pressure and lipid profile were evaluated. Both groups were submitted to the neurological tasks. The data was treated by Student's t test and ANOVA one-way test being P<0.05 considered significant. The phylloquinone supplementation showed a statistically significant reduction in the treated group of all parameters of lipid profile and systolic blood pressure when compared to the control group. Neurological evaluation indicated a statistically significant improvement in the performance of long term memory tests in the treated group, without similar findings in the evaluation of short memory. In sum, phylloquinone supplementation was shown to modulated lipid profile and protect neuronal suffering in this model.

Effects of alpha-tocopherol associated with lovastatin on brain tissue and memory function in SHRSPs.

Strokes are preceded by oxidative stress and inflammation, two processes linked to atherosclerosis and hypertension. Statins have been widely employed to control atherosclerosis; however, there could be neurological implications to its use­including cognitive impairment. Thus,we aimed to determine whether alpha-tocopherol is capable of reversing the neurological side effects of statins and enhancing its anti-inflammatory properties. To assess these effects, 15-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs) were divided into four groups (n = 6, each): alpha-tocopherol (AT), lovastatin (LoV), alpha-tocopherol + lovastatin (AT + LoV), and control (C).We administered 120 IU of alpha-tocopherol diluted in 0.1 ml of coconut oil,whereas the dose of lovastatin was administered at a ratio of 1 mg/kg of rat body weight. The control group received 0.1 ml coconut oil. All animals received the treatments via orogastric gavage.We assessed body weight, diuresis, food and water intake, oxidative stress (malondialdehyde levels), the total cellular injury marker (lactate dehydrogenase), short and long-term memory, cognition, and histopathological changes in the hippocampus. The results demonstrated that lovastatin treatment did not negatively affect the memory of our animal model. In fact, the animals treated with AT and LoV showed improvement in memory and cognition. Additionally, both treatments decrease lactate dehydrogenase and oxidative stress levels. Furthermore, our study also demonstrated hippocampal tissue preservation in the treated groups.

Alpha-tocopherol in the brain tissue preservation of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Oxidative stress has an important role in neuronal damage during cerebral ischemia and can lead to cognitive and behavioral impairment. Alpha-tocopherol, a powerful antioxidant, may be able to preserve neuronal tissue and circumvent neurological deficits. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the influence of alpha-tocopherol in the preservation of brain tissue and the maintenance of memory formation in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). To achieve this aim, twenty-four 15-week-old male SHRSP rats were separated into the following four groups (n = 6 each) that received different treatments over a 4-week period: the alpha-tocopherol group, the control group, the L-NAME group, and the L-NAME + alpha-tocopherol group. We evaluated the physiological parameters (body weight, diuresis, and food and water intake), an oxidative stress marker (malondialdehyde levels), and neurological responses (the Morris Water Maze and Novel Objects Recognition tests). Afterwards, the brains were removed for histopathological analysis and quantification of the number of cells in the hippocampus. Statistically, the alpha-tocopherol group demonstrated better results when compared to all groups. The data indicated a reduction in oxidative stress and the preservation of neurological responses in groups treated with alpha-tocopherol. In contrast, the L-NAME group exhibited increased malondialdehyde levels, impairment of neurological responses, and several hippocampus tissue injuries. The others groups exhibited nerve tissue changes that were restricted to the glial nodes. No significant alterations were observed in the physiologic parameters. Based on these findings, we suggest that alpha-tocopherol can prevent stroke, preserve the structure of the hippocampus, and maintain both memory and cognition functions.

Alpha-tocopherol protects against memory impairment caused by L-NAME and modulates the injury marker and blood coagulant parameters.

Cerebrovascular disease studies have shown similarity between humans and spontaneously hypertensive rats stroke-prone rats in the development of spontaneous stroke and transitory ischemic attacks (TIA). In addition, nitric oxide (NO) suppression by L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) can precipitate several vascular diseases including TIA and strokes. On the other hand, alpha-tocopherol (AT) has been associated with beneficial effects on vascular disorders. Four groups were tested to evaluate AT effects on NO inhibition: AT, control (C), AT + L-NAME, and L-NAME. During 4 weeks, all groups had their physiologic parameters evaluated and were submitted to neurological tests. After the sacrifice of the animals, total L-lactate dehydrogenase, fibrinogen levels, and platelet counts were measured. Our results demonstrated improvement in memory function and sensory-motor function of the rats treated with AT. The AT treatment also demonstrated a significant difference on the injury identifier, fibrinogen levels, and platelet count between the treated groups and the L-NAME group. In conclusion, AT reversed damaging L-NAME neurological effects and could be considered as a possible protective agent in neurological diseases.

Medidas antropométricas e acidente vascular encefálico / Anthropometric measures and stroke

Introdução: O acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é uma das maiores causas de morbidade e mortalidade em meios humanos,sendo seu tratamento vinculado com prolongada hospitalização e despesas econômicas elevadas. Dentro deste contexto, destacam-se as medidas antropométricas que podem ser consideradas importantes preditoras destes eventos cerebrovasculares. Objetivo: Investigar, através de revisão de literatura, a correlação entre as medidas antropométricas e o risco de AVE. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática, utilizando-se as bases de dados eletrônicos Medline, Pubmed e Scielo, reunindo pesquisas num período de 10 anos, entre 1996 e 2006, usando palavras chaves da língua inglesa como stroke, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio(WHR), procedendo em seguida com a análise crítica dos dados obtidos, apresentando-os por distribuição de freqüência e tabulação. Resultados: Em 53 por cento dos estudos houve correlação positiva entre índice de massa corporal (IMC) e AVE, entretanto em 20 por centodos estudos, esta relação foi negativa. As medidas que descreviam circunferências abdominais apareceram em 47 por cento dos estudos correlacionadas positivamente com risco de AVE, e as dobras cutâneas que apesar de citadas escassamente (13 por cento) tiveram relação positiva coma doença cerebrovascular. Conclusão: Esta revisão reafirmou a correlação positiva entre obesidade abdominal, elevado IMC e dobras cutâneas com risco de AVE. Contudo, autores preconizam a reduçãode peso corpóreo e da circunferência abdominal, através de dietas eatividades físicas, como a melhor forma de prevenir o AVE.

Introduction: Stroke is one of the major causes of morbity and mortality in the mankind. The treatment is associated with long hospitalization and high economic costs. In this context, werestood out the anthropometrics measures that may be consideredan important indicative of these cerebrovascular events. Aim: To investigate, through literature review, the correlation between anthropometrics measures and risk of stroke. Methods: The author scarried out a systematic review, using the bases of electronic data Medline, Pubmed and Scielo of the last 10 years, between 1996 and 2006, using the following key words: stroke, hypertension, bodymass index (BMI), waist hip ration (WHR), proceeding with critical analysis of the obtained data and introducing them by frequency distribution and tabulation. Results: In 53 percent of the studies there is correlation between body mass index (BMI) and stroke, however, in 20 percent of the studies, this correlation was negative. The measures that described abdominal circumferences appeared in 47 percent correlated with risk of stroke, and the skinfolds in spite of scarcely mentioned (13 percent), had positive correlation with the cerebrovascular disease. Conclusion: This review reaffirms the positive correlation between abdominal obesity, BMI and skin folds with risk of stroke. However, authors recommend the reduction of body weight and abdominal circunference, through diets and physical activities, as the best formto prevent stroke.

Effects of decylubiquinone (coenzyme Q10 analog) supplementation on SHRSP.

Decylubiquinone treatment in vitro has demonstrated a potent inhibitor effect on reactive oxidative species production. However, the effectin vivo has not been demonstrated yet. Thus, rats SHRSP male were divided in two groups: treated and controls (n=6, each). The treated group received 10 mg/Kg(-)/body weight of decylubiquinone diluted in coconut oil by oral gavage during four weeks. Control rats just received the vehicle. Body weight, diuresis, food and water intake, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose levels and malondialdehyde were determined. There were a significant (p<0.05) reduction on systolic blood pressure, plasma malondialdehyde, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in the treated group. Additionally, HDL-cholesterol also increased significantly. However, body weight, diuresis, food and water intake, blood glucose levels and triglycerides did not alter after treatment. Thus, decylubiquinone can be a new antihypertensive, hypolipidemic and antioxidant agent on the prevention and treatment of diseases linked to oxidative stress.