Enalapril improves obesity associated liver injury ameliorating systemic metabolic markers by modulating Angiotensin Converting Enzymes ACE/ACE2 expression in high-fat feed mice.

Obesity is a chronic disease caused multiple associated factors that results in excessive body fat accumulation. The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) unbalance is now recognized as a key factor on regulating body energy and metabolism. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Enalapril (ACE inhibitor) effects on the metabolic function and hepatic steatosis of obese mice evaluating Angiotensin Converting Enzymes (ACEs) expression. METHODS: The experiment was performed using 32 male Swiss mice (8 weeks old) equally and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): standard diet (ST), standard diet plus Enalapril (ST + ENAL), hyperlipidic diet (HF) and hyperlipidic diet plus Enalapril (HF + ENAL). Weekly measurements of animal weight and feed consumption were performed. At the end of treatment period a glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin sensitivity test (IST) were performed. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate hepatic and epididymal fat pad. Liver samples were submitted to HE histology and gene expression analyses were performed using Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: The main results showed a decrease in body weight after treatment with Enalapril, as well as a reduced size of epididymal fat pad (EFP). Hepatic echogenicity and steatosis measurement were lower in the obese groups treated with Enalapril also modulating ACE2/ACE expressions. CONCLUSIONS: Enalapril use improved metabolism reducing hepatic steatosis, decreasing ACE expression and increasing ACE2 expression.

Lychnophora ericoides Mart. (Brazilian arnica) ethanol extract accelerates the skin wound healing process: Evidence for its mechanism of action.

BACKGROUND: Lychnophora ericoides Mart, also known as the Brazilian arnica or fake arnica, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Leaves and roots are used in alcoholic and hydroalcoholic preparations for the treatment of wounds, inflammation, and pain. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of L. ericoides ethanolic extract (EELE) on cutaneous wound healing and the mechanisms of action involved. METHODS: A total of 72 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each. An excisional wound was made in the dorsal region of each mouse. The test groups were topically treated with the vehicle, a positive control commercial reference drug, EELE ointment (5%), and EELE ointment (10%). The treatments were applied over 14 days. The wound area was measured every two days to verify the wound closure kinetics. On days 3, 7, and 14 the wound tissue samples were processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson-Trichrome, and Toluidine blue staining. The expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, the vascular growth factor-A (VEGF-A), the basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), and type I collagen genes were evaluated. Phytochemical analyses were performed using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS. RESULTS: The EELE (10%) significantly reduced the wound area compared to the treatments used for the other groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that wounds treated with L. ericoides for 14 days developed improved anatomical skin features, healed with hair follicles and sebaceous glands, increased collagen production and angiogenesis, and decreased the number of mast cells at the injury site. Real-time PCR data demonstrated that groups treated with EELE (10%) showed increased Type I collagen, VEGF-A, FGF-2, and AT1R and decreased ACE II and receptor MAS. The healing action of L. ericoides may be related to the presence of phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid derivatives, and C-glycoside flavonoids. CONCLUSION: Topical treatment with EELE increases important factors for wound healing: FGF, VEGF, collagen formation, and the expression of the proliferative axis of the renin-angiotensin system. For the first time, the present study shows the healing action of L. ericoides at the molecular level in an animal model. This process can be used as an alternative therapy for wound healing and the development of herbal therapy.

Sirtuins, brain and cognition: A review of resveratrol effects.

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are a protein family with high preservation degree among evolutionary scale. SIRTs are histone deacetylases regulatory enzymes of genetic material deeply involved in numerous physiological tasks including metabolism, brain function and aging. Mammals sirtuins comprise seven enzymatic components (SIRT1-SIRT7). The highest studied sirtuin is SIRT1, which plays an essential position in the prevention and evolution of neuro-disorders. Resveratrol (3,5,4-trihydroxystylbene) (RSV) is a polyphenol, which belongs to a family compounds identified as stilbenes, predominantly concentrated in grapes and red wine. RSV is the must studied Sirtuin activator and is used as food supplementary compound. Resveratrol exhibits strong antioxidant activity, reducing free radicals, diminishing quinone-reductase-2 activity and exerting positive regulation of several endogenous enzymes. Resveratrol is also able to inhibit pro-inflammatory factors, reducing the stimulation of the nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) and the release of endogenous cytokines. Resveratrol treatment can modulate multiple signaling pathway effectors related to programmed cell death, cell survival, and synaptic plasticity. In this context, the present review looks over news and the role of Sirtuins activation and resveratrol effects on modulating target genes, cognition and neurodegenerative disorders.

Condições sociodemográficas e de saúde autorreferidas de homens em uma unidade de saúde / Social demographic aspects and self-referred health conditions of men attending a health care unit

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar as condições sociodemográficas e de saúde em homens atendidos em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde da Família de Montes Claros, MG, Brasil correlacionar essas variáveis à percepção da saúde e identificar as dificuldades dos homens no atendimento prestado pelo serviço. Entrevistou-se 115 homens adultos que buscaram a unidade de saúde entre abril e maio de 2013. A maioria tinha ensino médio completo, era casada e adotava práticas saudáveis embora consumisse álcool. A maior reclamação sobre o serviço de saúde foi a demora para o atendimento. Os fatores que mais contribuíram para autoavaliação negativa da saúde foram ter um companheiro, doenças crônicas e baixa escolaridade; e os mais significativos para autoavaliação positiva da saúde foram ser jovens, ter um trabalho e não fazer uso regular de medicamentos (p<0.05). Os resultados podem ser subsidiar políticas de prevenção de doenças e promoção de saúde para população masculina...

This study aimed at characterizing social demographic aspects and health conditions of men attending a Primary FamilyHealth Care unit in Montes Claros, MG, Brazil, correlating these variables with health self-perception and identifying men’sdifficulty in using the health service. 115 adult men were interviewed who had attended the service in April and May, 2013.Most of them had completed high school, were married and adopted healthy practices, although they consumed alcoholicbeverages. The main complaint regarding the health service was the long waiting time for attendance. The main factorsthat contributed for negative self-perception of health were: being married, suffering from chronic diseases and having loweducation; whereas those that contributed to the positive self-perception of health were: being young, being employed andnot making regular use of medication (p<0.05). Those findings can subsidize policies to prevent diseases in promoting men’shealth...

El objetivo fue caracterizar las condiciones sociodemográficas y de salud de hombres atendidos en una Unidad Básica deSalud de Montes Claros, MG, Brasil, y correlacionar estas variables con la percepción de salud e identificar las dificultades delos hombres en servicio. Se entrevistaron 115 hombres adultos que buscaban la unidad de salud, entre abril y mayo de 2013.La mayoría tenía enseñanza secundaria completa, era casada y adoptaba prácticas saludables, sin embargo consumieraalcohol. La mayor queja sobre el servicio fue el retraso para la atención. Los factores que más contribuyeron a la percepciónnegativa de la salud fueron tener un compañero, enfermedades crónicas y bajo nivel educativo; y los más importantes parala autopercepción positiva de salud fueron ser joven, tener un trabajo y no hace uso regular de medicamentos (p<0,05). Losresultados pueden reforzar las políticas de prevención de enfermedades y promoción de salud la población masculina...