Adriana Dalpicolli Rodrigues

Neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of organic and conventional purple grape juices on seizures in Wistar rats induced by pentylenetetrazole

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder worldwide. Studies have shown that recurrent seizures may increase the concentration of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to oxidative stress and neuronal damage. These seizures result in substantial deleterious effects on an individuals health. Organic and conventional grape juices are rich in polyphenols, compounds with important antioxidant activity. However, these juices could have differences in their polyphenol content. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of organic and conventional grape juice treatments in Wistar rats against pentylenetetrazole (a convulsant drug)-induced damage. In addition, we evaluated potential behavioral changes in rats treated with the juices and the polyphenolic profile of those samples. Animals (n=16 in each group) received treatment with saline, organic or conventional grape juice for 17 days. On the eighteenth day, behavioral changes were evaluated by an open field test. Afterwards, half of the rats from each group received pentylenetetrazole and were observed for 30 min to evaluate possible seizure characteristics. The animals were subsequently killed by decapitation and their hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral cortex tissues were isolated. The results of this study showed that neither organic nor conventional grape juice altered the behavior parameters, and no statistical differences were observed in the seizure characteristics of the groups. Nevertheless, both juice types were able to protect from lipid and protein oxidative damage, decrease nitric oxide content and increase enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (sulfhydryl protein) antioxidant defenses in brain tissues following pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. In general, organic juice showed superior results in each test, probably due to its higher polyphenol content relative to conventional juice. These results indicate that grape juices can provide further insight into natural neuroprotective compounds and may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for epileptic patients.

Purple grape juices prevent pentylenetetrazol-induced oxidative damage in the liver and serum of Wistar rats

Oxidative damages in hepatocytes may be caused by epilepsy and/or anticonvulsant drugs. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, characterized by recurrent seizures, which may increase the content of reactive oxygen species. Organic and conventional grape juices are rich in polyphenols, compounds with important antioxidant activity. It is hypothesized that organic and conventional purple grape juices may have protective effect against oxidative damage induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (a standard convulsant drug) in the liver and serum of Wistar rats. Animals (n = 16 in each group) received, by gavage, saline, organic grape juice or conventional grape juice (10 μL/g of body weight) for 17 days. Subsequently, half of the rats in each group received PTZ (60 mg/kg). After 30 minutes, the animals were euthanized by decapitation. Liver and blood samples were isolated to evaluate oxidative parameters (lipid and protein oxidation, nitric oxide metabolite content, antioxidant defenses, and protein sulfhydryl content). The results of this study showed that although organic juice contains higher polyphenol content than conventional juice, both juices conferred protection against lipid and protein oxidative damage and limited the increase in PTZ-induced nitric oxide metabolite content in the liver and serum. In addition, both juices inhibited the PTZ-induced reduction in enzymatic antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) and sulfhydryl protein content in the liver and serum. In summary, both organic and conventional grape juices were able to reduce oxidative damage induced by PTZ in the liver and serum of Wistar rats.

Comparação das técnicas de captura de híbridos e PCR para a detecção de HPV em amostras clínicas

INTRODUCAO E OBJETIVOS: Sao conhecidos mais de 100 tipos de papilomavirus humano (HPV), dos quais 30 tem sido reportados em infeccoes anogenitais. A infeccao tem importância clinica, pois alguns tipos virais estao associados a lesoes que podem progredir para o câncer cervical. Sabe-se que os metodos moleculares sao muito importantes para o diagnostico dessa infeccao. O objetivo do estudo e comparar a deteccao de HPV de alto risco pelo metodo de captura hibrida 2 (CH2) com a deteccao do virus pela reacao em cadeia da polimerase convencional (PCRc) e em tempo real (PCR-TR). METODOLOGIA: Foram analisadas 56 amostras ectocervicais por CH2 e, apos, por PCRc e PCR-TR. RESULTADOS: Ambas, PCRc e PCR-TR, apresentaram alta concordância entre si (95,1%), enquanto a comparacao entre as PCRs e a CH2 mostrou concordância razoavel entre os resultados (PCRc = 90,2% e PCR-TR = 87,8%). DISCUSSAO E CONCLUSAO: A CH e aceita para a deteccao do HPV, entretanto pode ser menos sensivel em comparacao com as tecnicas de PCR. A PCR-TR tem a vantagem sobre a PCRc em termos de velocidade, sendo tambem um pouco mais sensivel. Devido a alta sensibilidade e a rapidez, os metodos de PCR poderiam ser usados para a triagem de HPV em amostras ectocervicais.

Organic and Conventional Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil) Improves Metabolic Redox Status of Liver and Serum in Wistar Rats

Organic and conventional yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is widely used in South America to prepare nonalcoholic drinks rich in polyphenols. These compounds are able to prevent the generation of reactive species, thus minimizing the incidence of several diseases. In this perspective, we hypothesized that yerba mate may have protective effects against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced oxidative damage in liver and serum of rats. Animals (n = 42) received distilled water (control) or yerba mate (organic or conventional) for fifteen days. Then, half of the rats of each group received 60 mg/kg PTZ intraperitoneally or saline solution. After 30 min the animals were euthanized and the liver and blood were collected. The results showed that organic and conventional yerba mate avoided PTZ-induced oxidative damage and nitric oxide production in the liver and serum of the rats. Moreover, both kinds of yerba mate prevented the decrease in enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (sulfhydryl protein content) defenses in the liver and serum. In addition, histopathologic analysis of the liver showed that yerba mate reduced PTZ-induced cell damage. These findings indicate that yerba mate provides hepatoprotection and improves antioxidant status in the serum, which may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies using nutraceuticals drinks.

Qualidade de vida e sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em idosas com e sem dor musculoesquelética crônica

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several studies look for an isolated relationship between anxiety, depression and quality of life and musculoskeletal pain in the elderly population. However, there are few studies comparing such variables among individuals with and without chronic musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed at evaluating anxiety and depression symptoms levels and quality of life in elderly females with and without chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with females aged 60 years or above, participants of mothers’ clubs of the city of Caxias do Sul/RS. Participants were divided in two groups; group G1 (with chronic musculoskeletal pain) and group G2 (without pain). Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to evaluate anxiety symptoms, Beck II Depression Inventory was used to evaluate depression symptoms and WHOQOL-bref was used to evaluate quality of life. RESULTS: Participated in the study 178 elderly females and four were excluded for not meeting all inclusion criteria. From remaining 174, 95 were included in G1 and 79 in G2. G1 has presented higher anxiety (p<0.001) and depression (p<0.001) symptoms levels and worse quality of life (p<0.05) as compared to G2. CONCLUSION: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is frequent in the elderly population and is associated to higher incidence of depressive and anxious symptoms, in addition to negatively affecting quality of life.JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Diversos estudos buscam uma relacao isolada entre ansiedade, depressao e qualidade de vida com a dor musculoesqueletica em idosos. No entanto, ha poucos que comparam essas variaveis entre individuos com e sem dores musculoesqueleticas cronicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os niveis de sintomas de ansiedade e depressao e a qualidade de vida em idosas com dores musculoesqueleticas cronicas e idosas sem dores. METODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com mulheres com 60 anos ou mais, participantes dos clubes de maes da cidade de Caxias do Sul/RS. As idosas foram divididas em dois grupos, grupo G1 (com dor musculoesqueletica cronica) e grupo G2 (sem dor). Para avaliar os sintomas de ansiedade foi utilizado o Inventario de Ansiedade de Beck, para os sintomas depressivos o Inventario de Depressao de Beck II e para a qualidade de vida o WHOQOL-bref. RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 178 idosas, sendo que 4 idosas foram excluidas por nao se adequarem em todos os criterios de inclusao. Das 174 restantes, 95 foram incluidas do grupo G1 e 79 no grupo G2. O grupo G1 apresentou niveis mais elevados de sintomas de ansiedade (p<0,001) e sintomas depressivos (p<0,001) e pior qualidade de vida (p<0,05) que o grupo G2. CONCLUSAO: A dor musculoesqueletica cronica e frequente na populacao idosa e esta associada com maior incidencia de sintomas depressivos e ansiosos, alem de afetar negativamente a qualidade de vida dos individuos.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in poultry workers of city in southern Brazil

Intestinal parasites infection, a serious public health problem, can be transmitted by ingestion contaminated food and inadequate hygiene habits. Therefore, birds and those handling the birds can be parasites propagation means. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in poultry workers who parasitological examinations (EPF) periodically. The collection was made in the database of EPF results for the years 2011 and 2012 in a laboratory of Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In the 446 samples evaluated in 2011, we observed the presence of parasites in 15.9% of samples, with 9.41% infected Endolimax nana; 2.91% Entamoeba coli; 2.24% Giardia lamblia; 0.45% Iodamoeba butschlii, 0.22% Strongyloides stercoralis and 0.67% for multiple worms. In the year 2012, 187 samples, which also observed a higher incidence of protozoan cysts with 9.09% of Endolimax nana, 2.67% Entamoeba coli, 1.07% Giardia lamblia and 1.06% infected by more than one parasite. Infected workers can be a source of contamination food and parasites dissemination. Faced with this, it emphasizes the importance of periodic stool examinations in workers involved in the handling and distribution of food, as a way to reduce or cure the current contamination.

AVALIAÇÃO DO PERFIL HEPÁTICO E CONSUMO ALIMENTAR DE TRABALHADORES DE UMA INDÚSTRIA METALÚRGICA NA CIDADE DE CAXIAS DO SUL – RS

O figado e um orgao muito suscetivel a danos por substâncias quimicas, alimentacao e/ou habitos de vida inadequados. Em vista disso, o presente estudo teve como objetivo a valiar o perfil hepatico e consumo alimentar de trabalhadores de uma industria metalurgica da cidade de Caxias do Sul – RS. Aplicou-se um questionario de frequencia de consumo alimentar padronizado em 240 trabalhadores, dos quais tambem foram realizadas analises bioquimicas, com seus valores obtidos em banco de dados de um laboratorio de analises clinicas. A a tividade das enzimas hepaticas fosfatase alcalina, aspartato aminotransferase , alanina aminotransferase e gama glutamil transpeptidase apresentou-se aumentada em 11,7%, 18,3%, 16,2% e 14,3% dos funcionarios, respectivamente. No questionario, observou-se 50,8% de trabalhadores com alimentacao inadequada, mas 68,3% relataram o consumo frequente de frutas, verduras e legumes e pouco frequente de frituras (35%). Relacionando o perfil hepatico com o consumo alimentar, nao houve associacao significativa. Apesar da exposicao quimica frequente e o percentual alto de alimentacao inadequada, nao houve alteracoes significativas no perfil hepatico. Contudo, deve-se ter um controle periodico nos exames, visto que, o tempo prolongado de exposicao a quimicos e alimentacao inadequada pode ser prejudicial a saude.