Juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) Supplementation Reduces Aberrant Crypt Foci and Increases SOD1 Expression in the Colorectal Mucosa of Carcinogenesis-Induced Rats

Abstract

Antioxidants present in food can act as a protective factor against the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) by reducing the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF). This study aimed to analyze the effects of supplementation with juçara fruit pulp on the number of ACF and the SOD1 expression in an experimental model of CRC. Colorectal carcinogenesis was induced with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in 16 young female rats (Rattus norvegicus) given a diet supplemented with either juçara fruit pulp (DMH+/juçara+) or control (DMH+/juçara–). Five animals were used as a negative control (DMH–/juçara–). The (DMH+/juçara+) group received 14?days of supplementation (100?ml/animal/day) at 2-day intervals for 1 month. The number of ACF, area of positive staining for SOD1, and SOD1 expression score were evaluated. The (DMH+/juçara+) group presented a lower number of ACF, ACF > 3 crypts, and greater SOD1 expression in the colorectal mucosa. Based on the reduction in the number of lesions and possible positive impact on antioxidant enzymes, juçara fruit pulp appears to support the prevention of CRC, opening new possibilities for its use in dietary supplementation, as well as in the development of products and medications for the prevention and treatment of CRC.     

Critical-size defect ossification: effect of leporid age in a cranioplasty model

The ability of the human cranium to ossify full-thickness defects depends on the size of the area and the age of the patient. An adult leporid cranioplasty model is commonly used to study inlay cranioplasty materials; the influence of age on ossification is unknown in this model. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of age on healing of a rabbit critical-size defect. Nineteen rabbits were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (n = 5) aged 4 months, group 2 (n = 4) aged 8 months, group 3 (n = 5) aged 12 months, and group 4 (n = 5) aged 16 months. A 17 × 17-mm defect was created in the parietal bones with preservation of the underlying dura. Animals underwent micro-computed tomography 4 months postoperatively to determine ossification of the defect. Group 1 defects healed by 28.5% (SD, 12.5%), group 2 defects ossified by 37.2% (SD, 5.7%), group 3 defects closed by 28.2% (SD, 11.9%), and group 4 defects healed by 39.4% (SD, 11.0%). No difference in ossification was found between groups (P = 0.31).Leporids as young as 4 months do not close a 17 × 17-mm defect; ossification is similar to animals as old as 16 months. Rabbits 4 months or older are suitable for a calvarial critical-size defect model.     

Utilization of Subcutaneous Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients After Failure or Intolerance to Oral Methotrexate: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Introduction

Low-dose weekly methotrexate (MTX) is the mainstay in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It can be given via oral, intramuscular or subcutaneous (SC) route. This study sought to determine the real-world pattern of treatment with SC MTX in Portuguese adult patients with active RA.

Methods

Utilization of Metoject^® in Rheumatoid Arthritis (UMAR) was a non-interventional, cohort multicenter study with retrospective data collection. Eligible patients had active RA, at least 18 years of age, and started SC MTX treatment in 2009 or 2010 after failure or intolerance to oral MTX. Data were collected from patient’s clinical records. Both non-parametric and parametric survival methods were used to obtain a detailed understanding of SC MTX treatment duration.

Result

Fifty patients were included, of which only 9 discontinued SC MTX during the study follow-up period. The probability of discontinuation after 1, 2, and 3 years of treatment of SC MTX treatment is expected to be 6.10%, 8.50%, and 23.20%, respectively. The extrapolated median duration of SC MTX using an exponential model was 106.4 months/8.87 years. Mean dose of SC MTX was 18.36 mg. The reasons for treatment discontinuation were occurrence of adverse events in six patients and lack of efficacy in three.

Conclusion

The long treatment duration of SC MTX highlights its excellent tolerability compared to oral MTX, especially concerning the frequent adverse gastrointestinal events of MTX. Furthermore, long MTX treatment duration provides the opportunity to postpone or even avoid expensive therapies with biologics. The results obtained from the UMAR study provide important information for the utilization and public financing of SC MTX in Portugal.

     

Postpartum depression: A systematic review of the genetics involved

Postpartum depression is one of the most prevalent psychopathologies. Its prevalence is estimated to be between 10% and 15%. Despite its multifactorial etiology, it is known that genetics play an important role in the genesis of this disorder. This paper reviews epidemiological evidence supporting the role of genetics in postpartum depression (PPD). The main objectives of this review are to determine which genes and polymorphisms are associated with PPD and discuss how this association may occur. In addition, this paper explores whether these genes are somehow related to or even the same as those linked to Major Depression (MD). To identify gaps in the current knowledge that require investigation, a systematic review was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, LILACS and SciELO using the index terms “postpartum depression” and “genetics”. Literature searches for articles in peer-reviewed journals were made until April 2014. PPD was indexed 56 times with genetics. The inclusion criteria were articles in Portuguese, Spanish or English that were available by institutional means or sent by authors upon request; this search resulted in 20 papers. Genes and polymorphisms traditionally related to MD, which are those involved in the serotonin, catecholamine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tryptophan metabolism, have been the most studied, and some have been related to PPD. The results are conflicting and some depend on epigenetics, which makes the data incipient. Further studies are required to determine the genes that are involved in PPD and establish the nature of the relationship between these genes and PPD.     

Intermittent stretching induces fibrosis in denervated rat muscle

Introduction: Stretching (St) has been used for treating denervated muscles. However, its effectiveness and safety claims require further study. Methods: Rats were divided into: (1) those with denervated (D) muscles, evaluated 7 or 15 days after sciatic nerve crush injury; (2) those with D muscles submitted to St during 7 or 15 days; and (3) those with normal muscles. Muscle fiber cross‐sectional area, serial sarcomere number, sarcomere length, and connective tissue density were measured. MMP‐2, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, TGF‐β1, and myostatin mRNAs were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activity was evaluated by zymography. Collagen I was localized using immunofluorescence. Results: St did not prevent muscle atrophy due to denervation, but it increased fibrosis and collagen I deposition at day 15. St also upregulated MMP‐9 and TGF‐β1 gene expressions at day 7, and myostatin at day 15. Conclusions: Stretching denervated muscle does not prevent atrophy, but it increases fibrosis via temporal modulation of TGF‐β1/myostatin and MMP‐9 cascades. Muscle Nerve 53 : 118–126, 2016