Aline Vieira

Memory deficits and oxidative stress in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion: Neuroprotective role of physical exercise and green tea supplementation

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Among impairments observed in survivors there is a significant cognitive learning and memory deficit. Neuroprotective strategies are being investigated to minimize such deficits after an ischemia event. Here we investigated the neuroprotective potential of physical exercise and green tea in an animal model of ischemia-reperfusion. Eighty male rats were divided in 8 groups and submitted to either transient brain ischemia-reperfusion or a sham surgery after 8 weeks of physical exercise and/or green tea supplementation. Ischemia-reperfusion was performed by bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries during 30 min. Later, their memory was evaluated in an aversive and in a non-aversive task, and hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were removed for biochemical analyses of possible oxidative stress effects. Ischemia-reperfusion impaired learning and memory. Reactive oxygen species were increased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Eight weeks of physical exercise and/or green tea supplementation before the ischemia-reperfusion event showed a neuroprotective effect; both treatments in separate or together reduced the cognitive deficits and were able to maintain the functional levels of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione.

Physical exercise prevents motor disorders and striatal oxidative imbalance after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death worldwide, and most stroke survivors present some functional impairment. We assessed the striatal oxidative balance and motor alterations resulting from stroke in a rat model to investigate the neuroprotective role of physical exercise. Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups: a) control, b) ischemia, c) physical exercise, and d) physical exercise and ischemia. Physical exercise was conducted using a treadmill for 8 weeks. Ischemia-reperfusion surgery involved transient bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 30 min. Neuromotor performance (open-field and rotarod performance tests) and pain sensitivity were evaluated beginning at 24 h after the surgery. Rats were euthanized and the corpora striata was removed for assay of reactive oxygen species, lipoperoxidation activity, and antioxidant markers. Ischemia-reperfusion caused changes in motor activity. The ischemia-induced alterations observed in the open-field test were fully reversed, and those observed in the rotarod test were partially reversed, by physical exercise. Pain sensitivity was similar among all groups. Levels of reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxidation increased after ischemia; physical exercise decreased reactive oxygen species levels. None of the treatments altered the levels of antioxidant markers. In summary, ischemia-reperfusion resulted in motor impairment and altered striatal oxidative balance in this animal model, but those changes were moderated by physical exercise.

PERFIL COGNITIVO DE IDOSOS INSTITUCIONALIZADOS DE URUGUAIANA/RS

O processo de envelhecimento e acompanhado por uma serie de alteracoes psicossociais e biologicas, dentre as quais esta incluido o declinio cognitivo. Dependendo das condicoes de vida, atividades realizadas e interacoes sociais do idoso, o declinio cognitivo pode ser acelerado ou retardado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o perfil cognitivo de idosos institucionalizados da cidade de Uruguaiana/RS. Foram avaliados 10 idosos de ambos os sexos utilizando como instrumentos o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, a Escala Geriatrica de Depressao e o IDATE traco/estado. Os resultados apontaram para a presenca de declinio cognitivo em 40% dos idosos avaliados, indicios de depressao em 60% deles etendencia ao desenvolvimento de ansiedade. Estes resultados devem estar relacionados ao estilo de vida adotado pela maioria dos idosos institucionalizados e pelo abandono por parte da familia, muito comum nos casos de institucionalizacao;estas situacoes costumam colaborar para a aceleracao do declinio cognitivo.

VELHICE E ENVELHECER: Percepções de Idosos Institucionalizados de Uruguaiana/RS Acerca do Envelhecimento Humano

O objetivo deste trabalho e verificar as percepcoes de idosos institucionalizados de Uruguaiana/RS sobre o envelhecimento humano. A amostra foi composta por 9 idosos que vivem em uma instituicao voltada ao cuidado de idosos em Uruguaiana. Os idosos que concordaram participar responderam a um questionario de identificacao e, em seguida, realizaram uma avaliacao cognitiva geral atraves do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM). Apos, foi realizada uma entrevista em profundidade, atraves de um questionario semi-estruturado. As entrevistas foram gravadas e posteriormente transcritas. O material foi lido, explorado e agregado em categorias. Verificou-se que as percepcoes dos idosos institucionalizados de Uruguaiana/RS sao norteadas por ideias relacionadas a concepcao biologica do envelhecimento, tambem predominante em nossa sociedade. O envelhecimento nao e pensado ou programado previamente, os idosos o veem como um processo natural, mas que traz consigo inumeros aspectos negativos, entre os quais destacam-se as perdas (de funcoes fisiologicas, da beleza, da saude fisica e mental) e a tristeza, relacionada ao abandono e a solidao.

Processo de envelhecimento: percepções de docentes da rede básica de educação do município de Uruguaiana-RS

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perception about the human aging process of teachers from public elementary schools in the city of Uruguaiana, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: This is a descriptive study, with sample composed by 13 teachers who responded to a questionnaire previously validated by researchers, containing eight questions, which was subsequently read, analyzed and categorized through the content analysis technique. RESULTS: There were positives and negatives in that investigation, in accordance with the sociocultural values of each teacher. Educators see aging as a step for the transfer and sharing of experiences and knowledge, and in spite of adversity and health problems that supposedly will face, they have an optimistic view of this process. CONCLUSIONS: The reports stated that the future quality of life is a reflection of the current, so self-perception can change the behavior of a community by providing different perspectives of this biological cycle. We emphasize the importance of investing in studies to suppress prejudices and stereotypes common to people concerning this stage of life, especially with this audience that is an opinion maker.