Effects of subchronic manganese chloride exposure on tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) tissues: oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses.

This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) exposed to 3.88 mg l(-1) Mn(2+) for 96 hours. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, as well as content of reduced glutathione (GSH), were analyzed in gill, liver, brain, and kidney. The presence of Mn(2+) in the water corresponded to increased levels of Mn(2+) accumulation according to the following sequence: gill > kidney > brain > liver. There was a significant increase in TBARS levels (40 %) and SOD activity (80 %) in addition to a significant decrease in GSH content (41 %) in gills of fish exposed to waterborne Mn(2+). In hepatic tissue of the exposed animals, TBARS levels decreased significantly (35 %), whereas SOD (82 %) and GST activities (51 %) as well as GSH content (43 %) increased significantly. In brain of exposed juvenile fish, only significant decreases in SOD (32 %) and CAT activities (65 %) were observed. Moreover, the kidney of exposed fish showed a significant increase in TBARS levels (53 %) and a significant decrease in SOD activity (41 %) compared with the control. Thus, the changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress were different in the tissues, showing a specific toxicity of this metal to each organ.

Effects of parboiled rice diet on oxidative stress parameters in kidney of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The effect of parboiled rice (PR) and white rice (WR) diets on oxidative stress (OS) parameters was investigated in the kidneys of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (40 mg kg(-1), iv). The experimental groups (n=8) were control fed with PR (CPR), control fed with WR, diabetic fed with PR, and diabetic fed with WR. After 30 days of treatment, all animals were anesthetized and exsanguinated before removal of kidneys, which were used to determine thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides, carbonyl protein, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase activities, and levels of glutathione (GSH). Total phenolic compounds were determined in WR and PR grains. Our data indicated that diabetes induced increase in TBARS and lipid hydroperoxides levels. Although PR has not prevented the rise in the levels of these measurements, its consumption by our animals resulted in higher GPx activity and GSH content than that of the CPR. Moreover, PR also presented concentration of total phenolic compounds 127% higher than WR grains. Thus, its consumption in this diabetic condition is suggested because this seems to confer greater protection against OS in the renal tissue of diabetic animals.

Microalbuminúria: aviso de alerta às nefropatias diabéticas / Microalbuminuria: notice of alert to diabetics nephropathies

A microalbuminúria foi inicialmente detectada na urina de pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 e foi definida como a excreção subclínica de albumina na urina que não é detectada pelo métodos convencionais. O objetivo desse trabalho foi comparar pacientes diabéticos com não diabéticos relacionando a microalbuminúria, creatinina urinária e relação microalbuminúria/creatinúria. Foram analisados 50 pacientes sendo 12 diabéticos e 18 não diabéticos provenientes da cidade de Caçapava do Sul no Rio Grande do Sul. Eles foram analisados em um laboratório local, assinaram um termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido e preeencheram uma ficha contendo um questionário investigativo fechado. Para a estatística foi utilizado o teste t de Student e a correlação de Pearson, sendo utilizado p<0,05 como indice de significância. Não houve diferença estatistica entre os grupos quanto à creatinina urinária (p=0,25). Entretanto, o índice de massa corporal foi maior no grupo de pacientes diabéticos (p=0,001). A microalbuminúria foi maior nos pacientes diabéticos (p=0,013). A correlação de Pearson entre o tempo de diabetes e a relação microalbuminúria/creatinúria foi fraca (r+0,0099). Assim, concluimos que o monitoramento da microalbuminúria e a resução do índice de massa corporal têm papel importante no prognóstico de doença microvascular.

A high fat diet inhibits delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase and increases lipid peroxidation in mice (Mus musculus).

The aim of this study was examine the effects of high starch (HS) vs. high fat (HF) feeding on blood glycated hemoglobin (GHbA(1c)) level, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBA-RS) concentration and delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D) activity in mice. The GHbA(1c) level was significantly higher in mice fed the HF diet compared with those fed the HS diet. Hepatic, renal, and cerebral TBA-RS concentrations in mice fed the HF diet were significantly greater than in mice fed the HS diet. In addition, positive correlations were found between the GHbA(1c) and TBA-RS levels for hepatic (P < 0.05; r = 0.46), renal (P < 0.003; r = 0.65), and cerebral (P < 0.001; r = 0.69) tissues. The delta-ALA-D hepatic, renal and cerebral activities of mice fed the HF diet were significantly lower than those of mice fed the HS diet. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between the GHbA(1c) level and delta-ALA-D activity in hepatic (P < 0.001; r = -0.77), renal (P < 0.007; r = -0.60), and cerebral (P < 0.007; r = -0.60) tissues. The results of this study indicate that consumption of a high fat diet promotes oxidative stress related to hyperglycemia, which in turn can stimulate glycation of proteins leading to delta-ALA-D inhibition in mice.

Exame físico: uma face reveladora do cuidado humano / The phisical examining: revealing though

Este é um estudo qualitativo, fenomenológico, com sustentação filosófica à luz de Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Tem por objetivo o conhecimento, a compreensão e o significado do procedimento do exame físico como uma face reveladora do cuidado humano...