Isoflavone Protects the Renal Tissue of Diabetic Ovariectomized Rats via PPARγ

Diabetes associated with post-menopause is related to a worse condition of kidney disease. Taking into consideration that this disorder may be regulated by estrogenic mediators, we evaluated the renal protective effect of isoflavone. We investigated the role of the PPARγ in the pathogenesis of the disease. For this study, we used diabetic female rats in a postmenopausal model through ovariectomy. The animals were treated with isoflavone or 17β-estradiol. A dosage was administered to bring on blood glycemia, and through immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the immunoreactivity of PPARγ in the endometrium and renal tissue. We analyzed the immunoreactivity of renal injury molecule KIM-1 and the collagen and glycogen densities in the kidney. Through bioinformatics analysis, we observed PPARγ and COL1A1 gene expression under the influence of different glucose doses. In particular, we observed that isoflavone and 17β-estradiol regulate blood glycemia. Renal injury was inhibited by isoflavone, observed by a reduction in KIM-1, along with glycogen accumulation. These benefits of isoflavone may be associated with PPARγ overexpression in the kidneys and endometrium of diabetic ovariectomized rats.     

Association of Pre-S/S and Polymerase Mutations with Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infections in Patients from Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Several hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related factors, including the viral load, genotype, and genomic mutations, have been linked to the development of liver diseases. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the influence of HBV genetic variability during acute and chronic infection phases. A real-time nested PCR was used to detect HBV DNA in all samples (acute, n = 22; chronic, n = 49). All samples were sequenced for phylogenetic and mutation analyses. Genotype A, sub-genotype A1, was the most common genotype in the study population. A total of 190 mutations were found in the pre-S/S gene area and the acute profile revealed a greater number of nucleotide mutations (p < 0.05). However, both profiles contained nucleotide mutations linked to immune escape and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinomas (acute, A7T; chronic, A7Q). Furthermore, 17 amino acid substitutions were identified in the viral polymerase region, including the drug resistance mutations lamivudine and entecavir (rtL180M), with statistically significant differences between the mutant and wild type strains. Owing to the natural occurrence of these mutations, it is important to screen for resistance mutations before beginning therapy.     

Design,synthesis, structural characterization and in vitro cytotoxic activity of mononuclear Ru(II)complexes

The synthesis and characterization of ruthenium complexes (Ru-1–Ru-6) of the type [Ru(R)₂(K)]²⁺ (where R?=?1,10-phenanthroline/2,2′-bipyridyl and K?=?acetyl coumarin-inh, pyrazole-tch, acetyl coumarin-tsz, are described. These ligands form bidentate octahedral ruthenium complexes. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the complexes measurement against the human cancer T-lymphocyte cell lines. In vitro evaluation of these title complexes revealed cytotoxicity from 0.34 to 1.4?µg/mL against CEM, 0.28 to 1.8?µg/mL against L1210, 0.44 to 2.5?µg/mL against Molt4/C₈, 0.98 to 1.6?µg/mL against HL60, and 0.66 to 1.4?µg/mL against BEL7402. Ruthenium complexes Ru-5 & Ru-6 showed that quite significant anticancer activities over standard drugs.     

Sex-Dependent Effects of the Intake of NOVA Classified Ultra-Processed Foods on Syndrome Metabolic Components in Brazilian Adults

Longitudinal studies evaluating the relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of UPF consumption on the incidence of MetS and its components in adults. A prospective study was conducted with 896 participants from the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto cohort, São Paulo, Brazil. UPF consumption was evaluated in %kcal and %g at ages 23–25 years. Incidence of MetS and its components were estimated at ages 37–39 years, according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria. Poisson regression was used to assess associations, and interactions with sex were investigated. UPF consumption had no association with MetS (%kcal Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01; %g Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99–1.01). However, women with higher UPF consumption, in %kcal and %g, had a higher risk of abdominal obesity (%kcal: p = 0.030; %g: p = 0.003); and women with higher UPF consumption, in %g, had a higher risk of low HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.041). For the other components of MetS, no significant associations were observed in either sex. These findings suggest evidence of no association between UPF consumption and MetS; however, consumption of UPF was associated with increased WC and low HDL-c, but only in women.     

Anterior clear spaces in keratoconus

Anterior clear spaces were observed prospectively at slit-lamp examination in 26 of 69 consecutive eyes (38%) with keratoconus. Two corneal buttons with this finding were examined by light and electron microscopy and revealed breaks in Bowman's layer. Anterior clear spaces should be considered in the spectrum of clinical findings in keratoconus.     

Chemotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine for elderly patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background  

Although modest improvements in the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be achieved with cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CT), its value is disputed in the geriatric setting. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of vinorelbine/cisplatin CT for elderly NSCLC patients.     

Management of hydatid disease (echinococcosis) in pregnancy

Hydatid disease, manifesting as single or multiple hydatid cysts and caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is common in many parts of the world, especially the tropical countries. Although rare, this disease can also present during pregnancy, especially in endemic areas. Although much has been written about hepatic hydatidosis, there are only a few articles (mainly case reports) on hydatid disease in association with pregnancy. A literature search was done through Medline/PubMed and Medscape independently by the authors from 1950 to 2007 for key words "echinococcosis" and "pregnancy" and "management." All retrieved articles were reviewed. Manual cross-referencing was also done with inclusion of all relevant articles. In this review, we have attempted to summarize the presentation and available management approaches to hydatid disease, and have suggested evidence-based guidelines for its management during pregnancy.     

Evaluation of wound healing properties of Arrabidaea chica Verlot extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Arrabidaea chica Verlot. (Bignoniaceae), popularly known as Crajiru, has been traditionally used as wound healing agent. AIM OF THE STUDY: Investigate in vitro and in vivo healing properties of Arrabidaea chica leaves extract (AC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: AC was evaluated in vitro in fibroblast growth stimulation (0.25-250 microg/mL) and collagen production stimulation (250 microg/mL) assays. Allantoin (0.25-250 microg/mL) and vitamin C (25 microg/mL) were used as controls respectively. DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteau assays were used for antioxidant evaluation, using trolox (0.25-250 microg/mL) as reference antioxidant. To study wound healing properties in rats, AC (100mg/mL, 200 microL/wound/day) was topically administered during 10 days and wound area was evaluated every day. Allantoin (100mg/mL, 200 microL/wound/day) was used as standard drug. After treatment, wound sites were removed for histopathological analysis and total collagen determination. RESULTS: AC stimulated fibroblast growth in a concentration dependent way (EC50=30 microg/mL), increased in vitro collagen production and demonstrated moderate antioxidant capacity. In vivo, AC reduced wound size in 96%, whereas saline group showed only 36% wound healing. CONCLUSION: AC efficiency seems to involve fibroblast growing stimulus and collagen synthesis both in vitro and in vivo, beyond moderate scavenging activity, corroborating Crajiru folk use.     

Hancornia speciosa: indications of gastroprotective, healing and anti-Helicobacter pylori actions

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez) is a medicinal plant frequently cited in ethnopharmacological inventories of the central region of Brazil against gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, ulcer, gastritis and stomachache.

Aim of the study

The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and infusion (BI) of Hancornia speciosa bark were investigated for their ability to prevent and heal rodent gastric ulcer.

Materials and methods

The preventive and healing action of both preparations of Hancornia speciosa were evaluated in experimental models in rodents that simulated this disease in human gastric mucosa.

Results

BI did not exert gastroprotective effect, in contrast to HE (500 mg/kg, p.o.) that decreased (p < 0.05) the severity of gastric damage induced by HCl/ethanol (52%), indomethacin/bethanechol (51%), stress (52%) or pylorus ligature experiments (54%). HE increased (p < 0.05) the pH and decreased acid output of gastric juice. This extract promoted increase of mucus amount (3.62 mg/wt. tissue vs. 5.81 mg/wt. tissue), healing action (67%) and displayed anti-Helicobacter pylori effect.

Conclusions

The antiulcer action of Hancornia speciosa resulted in increase of gastric mucus formation and antioxidant properties of polymeric proanthocyanidins present in the bark composition of this medicinal plant.     

Antiproliferative properties of polyketides isolated from Virola sebifera leaves

An activity-guided fractionation of Virola sebifera Aubl. methylene chloride-soluble fraction provided novel 3,5-dihydro-2-(1'-oxo-3'-hexadecenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one (3), two known lignans (1, 2) and dehydro hexadecanoyl resorcinol (4). Isolation and purification were conducted with the application of column chromatography and structures were assigned by spetral analysis (1D and 2D NMR, HREIMS). Compounds 1-4 were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against human tumour cell lines UACC62 (melanoma), MCF-7 (breast), NCI 460 (lung, non-small cells), OVCAR03 (ovarian), PC-03 (prostate), HT-29 (colon), 786-0 (renal) and NCI-ADR (breast expressing phenotype multiple drugs resistance) in vitro. The new polyketide (3) showed selectivity against human OVCAR03 and NCI-ADR cell lines, ranging from 2 to 4 microg/mL.