Comparison of olive leaf, olive oil, palm oil, and omega-3 oil in acute kidney injury induced by sepsis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and inflammation are all observed in experimental models of sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an ethanolic extract of Brazilian olive leaf (Ex), Brazilian olive oil (Olv), Ex + Olv (ExOlv), and palm oil (Pal) in comparison to the effects of omega-3 fish oil (Omg) in a rat model of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. MATERIALS: Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (seven per group), which were either untreated (control) or treated with LPS, LPS + Ex, LPS + ExOlv, LPS + Olv, LPS + Omg, or LPS + Pal. RESULTS: Lower values of creatinine clearance and blood pressure were observed in the LPS-treated group, and these values were not affected by Ex, Olv, ExOlv, Pal, or Omg treatment. Mortality rates were significantly lower in rats exposed to LPS when they were also treated with Ex, ExOlv, Olv, Pal, or Omg. These treatments also decreased oxidative stress and inflammation (Tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta) and increased interleukin-10 levels and cell proliferation, which were associated with decreased apoptosis in kidney tissue. CONCLUSION: Ex and Pal treatments were beneficial in septic rats, since they increased survival rate and did not aggravate inflammation. However, the most effective treatments for septic rats were Olv in comparison to Omg. These natural food substances could enable the development of effective therapeutic interventions to sepsis.

Essential Elements as Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury and Spontaneous Reversion.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important health problem and can be caused by number of factors. The use of aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, is one of these factors. Recently, an effort has been made to find biomarkers to guide treatment protocols. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to estimate the contents of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn in serum and urine of the healthy, AKI, and spontaneous recovery (SR) groups of animals. The animal model of AKI and SR was validated by measuring serum and urinary urea and creatinine. The quantitative determination of the elements showed a decrease in serum levels of Ca, and Fe in the AKI group (P<0.01 vs. healthy), with a return to normal levels in the SR group, without a significant difference between the healthy and SR groups. In the urine samples, there was a decrease in P and Na levels in the AKI group (P<0.001 and P<0.01 vs. healthy), but Ca levels were increased in this group compared with the healthy and SR groups (P<0.01). These findings indicate that mineral elements might be useful as biomarkers for AKI.

[Effects of high doses of genistein on mammary gland of female rat]. / Efeitos de altas doses de genisteína sobre o epitélio mamário de ratas.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the effects of high doses of genistein on the mammary glands of adult female rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight days after oophorectomy, 50 adult female rats were divided into five groups, as follows: a control group (Ctrl), three rats that received genistein (GEN) at the doses of 46 mg/kg (GEN46;), 125 mg/kg (GEN125) and 250 mg/kg (GEN250); one group received conjugated equine estrogen at the dose of 50 µg/g (ECE50). The substances were administered daily for 30 consecutive days by gavage and in the last week of the period of treatment, colpocytological exams were carried out for seven consecutive days. After treatment, the animals were anesthetized, blood samples were collected for estradiol and progesterone determination and the first pair of inguinal mammary glands was removed and processed for histomorphometric analysis. Collected data were subjected to analysis of variance supplemented by the Tukey-Kramer test (p<0.05). RESULTS: the ctrl group and the ones treated with different doses of GEN showed atrophic mammary glands, whereas the glands were more developed in the ECE group, where numerous mammary ducts and alveoli were observed. Morphometry showed a larger area of mammary parenchyma in the ECE group (98.870.1 ± 550.4 µm²* per mm²; p<0.05) compared with other groups (Ctrl=36.875.6 ± 443.4; GEN46=37.001.7 ± 557.4; GEN125=36.480.8 ± 658.3 and GEN250=37.502.8 ± 669.3). The same occurred in the number of alveoli in the ECE group (33.2 ± 6.9* per mm²; p<0.05) compared to the other groups (Ctrl=10.4 ± 2.1, GEN46=11.2 ± 3.1; GEN125=11.6 ± 2.1 and GEN250=12.3 ± 2.3). The estradiol level was higher in the ECE group compared to the other groups (9.4 ± 1.7 pg/mL; p<0.05), whereas serum levels of progesterone were similar in all groups. CONCLUSION: the administration of genistein at high doses had no trophic effect on the mammary glands of rats.

Efeitos de altas doses de genisteína sobre o epitélio mamário de ratas / Effects of high doses of genistein on mammary gland of female rat

OBJETIVO: avaliar os efeitos de altas doses de genisteína sobre o epitélio mamário de ratas adultas. MÉTODOS: após 28 dias da ooforectomia, cinquenta ratas adultas foram divididas em cinco grupos, a saber: um controle (Ctrl), três que receberam genisteína (GEN) nas doses de 46 mg/kg (GEN46), 125 mg/kg (GEN125) e 250 mg/kg (GEN250), e um que recebeu estrogênios conjugados equinos na dose de 50 µg/kg (ECE). As substâncias foram administradas diariamente durante 30 dias consecutivos por gavagem e na última semana de tratamento foi efetuado exame colpocitológico durante sete dias consecutivos. Após o tratamento, os animais foram anestesiados, amostras de sangue foram retiradas para determinação do estradiol e da progesterona, e o primeiro par de mamas inguinais retirado e processado para análise histomorfométrica. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância complementada pelo teste de Tukey-Kramer (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: nos grupos Ctrl e tratados com as diferentes doses de GEN as mamas apresentaram-se atróficas, no entanto mostraram-se desenvolvidas no grupo ECE, onde se notou a presença de inúmeros ductos e alvéolos mamários contendo material eosinófilo em seu interior. A morfometria mostrou maior área de parênquima mamário no grupo ECE (98.870,1±550,4 µm²* por mm²; p<0,05) comparado aos outros grupos (Ctrl=36.875,6±443,4; GEN46=37.001,7±557,4; GEN125=36.480,8±658,3 e GEN250=37.502,8±669,3). O mesmo ocorreu em relação ao número de alvéolos e ductos mamários no grupo ECE (33,2±6,9* por mm²; p<0,05) em relação aos outros grupos (Ctrl=10,4±2,1, GEN 46=11,2±3,1; GEN 125=11,6±2,1 e GEN 250=12,3±2,3). Os níveis de estradiol mostraram-se aumentados no grupo ECE em relação aos outros grupos (9,4±1,7 pg/mL; p<0,05), sendo que os níveis séricos de progesterona mostraram-se semelhantes em todos os grupos de estudo. CONCLUSÃO: a administração de genisteína em altas doses não apresentou efeito proliferativo no tecido mamário de ratas.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the effects of high doses of genistein on the mammary glands of adult female rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight days after oophorectomy, 50 adult female rats were divided into five groups, as follows: a control group (Ctrl), three rats that received genistein (GEN) at the doses of 46 mg/kg (GEN46;), 125 mg/kg (GEN125) and 250 mg/kg (GEN250); one group received conjugated equine estrogen at the dose of 50 µg/g (ECE50). The substances were administered daily for 30 consecutive days by gavage and in the last week of the period of treatment, colpocytological exams were carried out for seven consecutive days. After treatment, the animals were anesthetized, blood samples were collected for estradiol and progesterone determination and the first pair of inguinal mammary glands was removed and processed for histomorphometric analysis. Collected data were subjected to analysis of variance supplemented by the Tukey-Kramer test (p<0.05). RESULTS: the ctrl group and the ones treated with different doses of GEN showed atrophic mammary glands, whereas the glands were more developed in the ECE group, where numerous mammary ducts and alveoli were observed. Morphometry showed a larger area of mammary parenchyma in the ECE group (98.870.1±550.4 µm²* per mm²; p<0.05) compared with other groups (Ctrl=36.875.6±443.4; GEN46=37.001.7±557.4; GEN125=36.480.8±658.3 and GEN250=37.502.8±669.3). The same occurred in the number of alveoli in the ECE group (33.2±6.9* per mm²; p<0.05) compared to the other groups (Ctrl=10.4±2.1, GEN46=11.2±3.1; GEN125=11.6±2.1 and GEN250=12.3±2.3). The estradiol level was higher in the ECE group compared to the other groups (9.4±1.7 pg/mL; p<0.05), whereas serum levels of progesterone were similar in all groups. CONCLUSION: the administration of genistein at high doses had no trophic effect on the mammary glands of rats.

Abordagens atuais para a recuperação da perda óssea em portadoras de osteoporose / Current approaches to recovery from bone loss in patients with osteoporosis

Fraturas osteoporóticas constituem um grave problema de saúde pública, e sua prevenção é fundamental. As medidas preventivas incluemmodificações no estilo de vida, nos hábitos nutricionais e na prática de exercícios. A terapia estrogênica ainda é muito usada no tratamento da osteoporose após a menopausa. Porém, seus efeitos adversos limitam o seu uso. Os moduladores seletivos do receptor estrogênico (SERMs) são uma nova classe de medicamentos que foram desenvolvidos com o objetivo de manter os efeitos benéficos da terapia hormonal, porém sem seus efeitos adversos, sendo o raloxifeno, o mais usado contra a perda. Para mulheres na pós-menopausa ou àqueles pacientes muito idosos que não podem fazer exercícios físicos, muitos trabalhos têm demonstrado que a vibração mecânica de baixa intensidade tem sido considerada uma alternativa não-medicamentosa e não-invasiva no tratamento e/ou prevenção da osteoporose. Os mecanismos de ação da vibração mecânica debaixa intensidade ainda são pouco conhecidos.

Osteoporotic fractures are a public health problem and their prevention is an important issue. Prevention of osteoporosis requires changes in life style, in healthy eating habits, as well as in physical exercises. Estrogen therapy is still very used in the treatment of osteoporosis after menopause. However, its adverse effects limit its use. Selective estrogen receptor modulators are a new class of drugs developed to maintain the beneficial effects of the hormone replacement therapy, but without its adverse effects, and raloxifen is the most used selective estrogen receptor modulator to prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thus, the demand for alternatives for the treatment postmenopausal bone loss has increased. Lowmagnitude mechanical vibration has been proposed as noninvasive and nonpharmacological alternative for prevention of osteoporosis of elderly people who are unable to practice regular physical exercises. However, the action mechanisms of low-magnitude mechanical vibration are not fully understood.

Efeitos das isoflavonas da soja sobre o tecido ósseo de ratas / Effects of soy isoflavones on bone tissue of rats

Introdução: É sabido que as isoflavonas da soja exercem efeitos positivos contra a perda de massa óssea após a menopausa. No entanto, os efeitos de diferentes doses de isoflavonas e sua associação com o 17 beta-estradiol no tecido ósseo não são bem conhecidos. Objetivo: Nesse estudo, foram investigados os efeitos de diferentes doses de isoflavonas da soja e sua associação com o 17 beta-estradiol no tecido ósseo de ratas osteopênicas. Métodos: 50 ratas Wistar adultas foram ooforectomizadas e, após 90 dias, divididas em 5 grupos (10 ratas em cada): GI – grupo controle; GII, GIII e GIV – tratados diariamente com isoflavonas da soja por gavage nas doses de 80 mg, 200 mg e 350 mg/kg, respectivamente; GV – tratado com 350 mg/kg de isofl avonas da soja associadas ao 17 beta-estradiol (10 miug/kg/via subcutânea, diariamente). Após 90 dias, os fêmures e tíbias foram coletados, e seus comprimentos e espessuras foram medidos. Os fêmures distais foram processados para histomorfometria e as tíbias foram congeladas e,posteriormente, submetidas a testes físicos e biomecânicos. Resultados: Durante o período de tratamento, foi observada perda de peso no grupo submetido ao tratamento combinado. O comprimento dos fêmures e a espessura das tíbias foram maiores no grupo submetido ao tratamento combinado. O tratamento combinado promoveu maior área óssea trabecular e espessura do osso cortical. A densidade óssea e a capacidade das tíbias de receber carga foram maiores no grupo submetido ao tratamento combinado. Conclusão: Dessa forma, este estudo demonstrou que as isoflavonas da soja têm efeito positivo no tecido ósseo de ratas osteopênicas e sua associação com 17 beta-estradiol potencializa esse efeito.

Introduction: It has been shown that soy isoflavones counteract postmenopausal bone loss. However, the effects of different doses and its treatment combined with 17 beta-estradiol on bone tissue are not well-known. Objective: In this study we investigated the effects of different doses of soy isoflavones and their association with 17 beta-estradiol on bone tissue of osteopenic rats. Methods: 50 adult Wistar rats were ovariectomized and after90 days divided in 5 groups (10 rats in each): GI – control; GII, GIII and GIV – treated orally with soy isoflavones at the doses of 80 mg, 200 mg and 350 mg/kg/bodyweight/daily respectively; GV – soy isofl avones (350 mg/orally) + 17 beta-estradiol (10 miug/kg/body weight/subcutaneously, daily). After 90 days, the femurs and tibias were collected and its length and thickness were measured the distal femurs were processed for histomorphometry; the tibias were frozen and submitted to biomechanical tests. Results: During the period of treatment, loss of body weight in the group subjected to the combined treatment was observed. The femur length and the thickness of the tibias were higher in the combined treated group as well as.

Isoflavonas na pós-menopausa: uma revisão / Isoflavones in post-menopause: a review

Este artigo de revisão abordou os efeitos das isoflavonas na prevenção dos sintomas decorrentes da pós-menopausa na mulher. Isoflavonas são fenóis heterocíclicos com estrutura semelhante à do 17-beta-estradiol, atuando como modulador seletivo dos receptores de estrogênio (SERM). As ações na célula dependem do tecido-alvo, do status do receptor tecidual e dos níveis de estrogênios endógenos. As isoflavonas são produtos naturais que podem ser utilizados como uma alternativa à terapia hormonal na menopausa. Estudos in vitro e em modelos animais mostraram que agem de várias maneiras para exercer seus efeitos, podem atuar nas células através de vias genômicas e não-genômicas. Estudos epidemiológicos sugerem um efeito protetor das isoflavonas sobre o tecido mamário como é evidenciado pelas menores taxas de câncer de mama nos países do Leste Asiático, onde a soja é uma parte predominante da dieta. Os produtos que contêm isoflavonas também aliviam os sintomas da menopausa, reduzindo fogachos. No entanto ainda há necessidade de novos estudos relacionando a segurança em longo prazo de suplementos de isoflavonasna mulher na pós-menopausa.

This article review was designed to address the effects of isoflavones in postmenopausal women and their place in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal symptoms. Isoflavones are heterocyclic phenols with structural similarity to estradiol-17 beta and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM). Actions at the cellular level depend on the target tissue, receptor status of the tissue, and the level of endogenous estrogen. Isoflavones are natural products that could be used as an alternative to menopausal hormone therapy. In vitro and animal studies have shown that they act in multiple ways to exert their postmenopausal effects. They act on both cells of through genomic and nongenomic pathways. Epidemiological studies suggest a protective effect of isoflavone on breast tissue as evidenced by the lower rates of breast cancer in East Asian countries where soy is a predominant part of the diet. Soy products also alleviate menopausal symptoms by reducing hot flashes. However there is still need for further studies relating to long-term safety of isoflavone supplements in postmenopausal women.