Hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis exerts protective effects on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in a rodent model.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common intestinal inflammatory disease with an etiology that is not well understood. Although the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (HERP) have been reported in various experimental models, its protective effect in models of UC have not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the chemopreventive effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (HERP) in acetic acid-induced colitis (AAIC) using a rodent model. The HERP was chemically characterised by HPLC/DAD analyses. Male rats were randomly assigned into four groups: sham, vehicle (with AAIC, treated with vehicle), P10 (with AAIC, treated with 10mg/kg HERP), and P100 (with AAIC, treated with 100mg/kg HERP). Treatments were performed for 7days, and colitis was induced on day seven. Animals were euthanized 24h after colitis induction and body weight, colon length, gross and histological scores, malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations in colon tissue, and the immunohistochemical expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were assessed. The major compounds found in HERP were liquiritigenin (68.8mg/g), formononetin (54.29mg/g), biochanin A (30.97mg/g), and daidzein (19.90mg/g). Rats treated with 10mg/kg HERP demonstrated significant decreases in MPO concentrations, gross and histological scores of tissue damage, and iNOS expression (p<0.05). Similarly, rats treated with 100mg/kg HERP demonstrated significant decreases in MPO levels (p<0.05) and histological scores of tissue damage (p<0.05). The results of this study indicate that oral administration of HERP attenuates AAIC in rats, which may be due to anti-inflammatory effects related to iNOS inhibition.

Biomarker responses of cardiac oxidative stress to high intensity interval training in rats

Abstract Aim: The present study aimed to verify the cardiac oxidative stress biomarker responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in rats. Methods: Sixteen male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 300 g were equally divided into two groups (8 animals/group): sedentary control (SC) and trained group (HIIT). The exercise protocol consisted of high-intensity swimming (14% of body weight, 20 s of activity with 10 s of pause performed 14 times) which was performed for 12 consecutive days. Results: The cardiac tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde and carbonylated proteins showed no significant changes; on the other hand, hydroperoxide levels were higher in the HIIT group than in the SC group. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymes and the levels of reduced glutathione and sulfhydryl remained unchanged. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that short-term high-intensity interval training induces changes in the cardiac oxidative stress biomarker but with no effect on the antioxidant enzymes.

Vibration associated with cryotherapy to relieve pain in children / Vibração associada à crioterapia no alívio da dor em crianças

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The administration of intramuscular drugs and peripheral venous puncture are procedures that use needles cause pain, especially in children. This painful experience generates distress, phobia, tachycardia, refusal to further treatments, anxiety, and sadness in parents. The use of non-pharmacological methods such as vibration and cold for pain relief in children has become a reliable alternative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between vibration and cryotherapy as a strategy for the relief of pain in children undergoing procedures with the use of needles. CONTENTS: This is an integrative review, in which articles were searched in the Pubmed, Medline, BDENF and LILACS databases, using the descriptors: "Child", "Vibration", "Cryotherapy" and "Pain" associated with the Boolean operator "and". After the selection and reading of the articles in full, they were systematically synthesized and classified with a level of scientific evidence 2. Studies have shown that the association between vibration and cryotherapy is effective in reducing pain in children with or without cognitive alterations, also reducing their and parents' anxiety during procedures performed with needles. CONCLUSION: The implementation of vibration associated with cryotherapy during the administration of injectable drugs and the installation of a peripheral venous device can reduce the fear, anguish, and anxiety in children, calming the parents and benefiting health professionals.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A administração de fármacos por via muscular e a punção venosa periférica são procedimentos que utilizam agulhas e causam dor, especialmente em crianças. Essa experiência dolorosa gera angústia, fobia, taquicardia, recusa em tratamentos posteriores, além da ansiedade e desconforto na família. A utilização de métodos não farmacológicos, como a vibração e a crioterapia para o alívio da dor em crianças tem se tornado uma forte alternativa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a utilização da associação entre a vibração e a crioterapia como estratégia para o alívio da dor em crianças submetidas a procedimentos com a utilização de agulhas. CONTEÚDO: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, na qual, buscou-se artigos nas bases de dados: Pubmed, Medline, BDENF e LILACS, com a utilização dos descritores: "Criança", "Vibração", "Crioterapia" e "Dor" associados entre si com o operador booleano "and". Após a seleção e leitura dos artigos na íntegra, os mesmos foram sistematicamente sintetizados e classificados com nível de evidência científica 2. Os estudos demonstraram que a associação entre a vibração e a crioterapia apresentou eficácia na redução da dor em crianças com ou sem alterações cognitivas, além de reduzir a ansiedade das crianças e dos pais durante os procedimentos executados com agulhas. CONCLUSÃO: A implementação da vibração associada à crioterapia na administração de fármacos injetáveis ou na instalação de dispositivo venoso periférico, pode reduzir o medo, a angústia e a ansiedade nas crianças, tranquilizando os pais e beneficiando os profissionais de saúde.

Efeito antioxidante da diosmina: revisão integrativa / The diosmin antioxidant effect: an integrative review

O estresse oxidativo está relacionado ao desenvolvimento de muitas enfermidades e atualmente tem-se utilizado a Diosmina visando reduzi-lo. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar através da literatura o efeito antioxidante da Diosmina. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo bibliográfico de revisão integrativa, realizada a partir artigos que abordassem o tema pesquisado publicados entre 2013 a 2017 oriundos das bases de dados eletrônicas PubMed e Bireme. Foram analisados 9 artigos. Os estudos avaliados evidenciam que com a utilização da Diosmina há uma elevação da quantidade no organismo de enzimas que combatem o estresse oxidativo como, catalase e outras. E também que ocorreu a redução do Malondialdeído. Conclui-se com esse estudo que a Diosmina contribui para o combate das lesões desencadeadas pelo desequilíbio no status redox que estimula o aumento de antioxidantes enzimáticos e inibe a formação de malondialdeído, assim colaborando para a diminuição de danos aos tecidos.

Oxidative stress is related to the development of multiple diseases and some studies objective to identify the effect of natural substances in lesions caused by it. One of these substances is Diosmin, a flavonoid found in citric fruits. The objective of this study was to identify through the literature the anti-oxidative effect of Diosmin. It is a descriptive and bibliographic study of integrative revision, based on articles which discussed the researched topic published between 2013 and 2017 using the electronic database PubMed and Bireme. 9 articles were analyzed. The studies evaluated show that the use of Diosmin rises the activity of enzymes which fight against oxidative stress, as catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. There was reduction of the concentration of malondialdehyde. It was proved with this study that Diosmin contributes to the fight against lesions caused by the unbalance between the redox status, stimulating the rise of activity of enzymatic anti-oxidants and reducing the production of malondialdehyde, collaborating to the reduction of damage to tissues generated by stress oxidative.

Functional cross-talk between aldosterone and angiotensin-(1-7) in ventricular myocytes.

High serum levels of aldosterone have been linked to the development of cardiac disease. In contrast, angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) was extensively shown to possess cardioprotective effects, including the attenuation of cardiac dysfunction induced by excessive mineralocorticoid activation in vivo, suggesting possible interactions between these 2 molecules. Here, we investigated whether there is cross-talk between aldosterone and Ang-(1-7) and its functional consequences for calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling in ventricular myocytes. Short-term effects of aldosterone on Ca(2+) transient were assessed in Fluo-4/AM-loaded myocytes. Confocal images showed that Ang-(1-7) had no effect on Ca(2+) transient parameters, whereas aldosterone increased the magnitude of the Ca(2+) transient. Quite unexpectedly, addition of Ang-(1-7) to aldosterone-treated myocytes further enhanced the amplitude of the Ca(2+) transient suggesting a synergistic effect of these molecules. Aldosterone action on Ca(2+) transient amplitude was mediated by protein kinase A, and was related to an increase in Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) density. Both changes were not altered by Ang-(1-7). When cardiomyocytes were exposed to aldosterone, increased Ca(2+) spark rate was measured. Ang-(1-7) prevented this change. In addition, a NO synthase inhibitor restored the effect of aldosterone on Ca(2+) spark rate in Ang-(1-7)-treated myocytes and attenuated the synergistic effect of these 2 molecules on Ca(2+) transient. These results indicate that NO plays an important role in this cross-talk. Our results bring new perspectives in the understanding of how 2 prominent molecules with supposedly antagonist cardiac actions cross-talk to synergistically amplify Ca(2+) signals in cardiomyocytes.