Carlos Kusano Bucalen Ferrari

Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress on Phagocytes’ Function: from Effective Defense to Immunity Evasion Mechanisms

Although oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine reactive species have been associated with disease pathogenesis, their partial absence is very harmful to the body’s innate immune defense. Lacking of adequate release of free radicals from activated phagocytes is related to impaired ability on fungi, bacteria, and protozoa killing. We constructed an updated conceptual landmark regarding the paramount role of free radicals in phagocyte defense systems (phagocyte oxidase, myeloperoxidase, and nitric oxide/peroxynitrite system) on natural immunity. Diverse fungal, bacterial and protozoal pathogens evade the phagocytes’ oxidative/nitrosative burst though antioxidant genes, enzymes and proteins. The most important evasion mechanisms were also described and discussed. These interconnected systems were reviewed and discussed on the basis of knowledge from relevant research groups around the globe. Phagocyte-derived free radicals are essential to destroy important human pathogens during the course of innate immunity.

Oxidation of Cholesterol in Foods and Its Importance for Human Health

Cholesterol oxidation products are present in different biological pathways and in oxidized cholesterol-containing food. More than 70 molecules have been identified and most of them present cytotoxic, atherogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. They can change important characteristics of the cellular membrane and inhibit the biosynthesis of several molecules. Foods of animal origin can develop these derivatives by the action of oxygen, heat, polyunsaturated fatty acids, water, pH, radiation, and inadequate packaging and storage, affecting their quality and exposing consumers to potential health problems. Despite the interest in cholesterol oxidation products, safe biological levels for them have not yet been established. The purpose of this review is to examine cholesterol oxidation products in foods and examine their importance for human health.

Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus: Does Gender Make a Difference?

Objective Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease considered an important public health problem. In recent years, its prevalence has been exponentially rising in many developing countries. Chronic complications of DM are important causes of morbidity and mortality among patients, which impair their health and quality of life. Knowledge on disease prevention, etiology, and management is essential to deal with parents, patients, and caregivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge regarding DM in an adult population from a Middle-western Brazilian city. Methods This was a cross-sectional study covering 178 adults, aged 18–64 years, who answered a diabetes knowledge questionnaire. In order to identify the difference between groups, analysis of variance was used. Results Higher knowledge scores were found regarding the role of sugars on DM causality, diabetic foot care, and the effects of DM on patients (blindness, impaired wound healing, and male sexual dysfunction). However, lower scores were found amongst types of DM, hyperglycemic symptoms, and normal blood glucose levels. Females tended to achieve better knowledge scores than males. Conclusion Women had better knowledge regarding types of DM, normal blood glucose values, and consequences of hyperglycemia revealed that diabetes education should be improved.

Diet, Sleep and Metabolic Syndrome Among a Legal Amazon Population, Brazil

Metabolic syndrome incidence is increasing worldwide then it is important to study the possible risk and protective factors. Our previous study suggested an association between coffee consumption and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to address possible associations between dietary lifestyle factors with metabolic syndrome. In a case-control study we compared 74 metabolic syndrome patients with 176-matched controls attended at a public health central unit. Incident cases diagnosed according to ATP III criteria were matched with control group composed of healthy subjects performing routine examinations. Having lower educational level compared to highest levels tend to increase metabolic syndrome prevalence, which was not statistically significant. Similar pattern was observed for marital status. No difference was found regarding gender and metabolic syndrome odds. Interestingly, daily drinking two to three cups of coffee (OR=0.0646, 95% CI, 0.0139-0.3005, p=0.0005) or until 2 cups of milk were inversely associated with metabolic syndrome odds (OR=0.5368, 95% CI, 0.3139-0.9181, p=0.0231). Sleeping seven to eight hours per night was also associated with decreased odds of metabolic syndrome (OR=0.0789, 95% CI, 0.0396-0.1570, p<0.0001). Eating at least two portions of chocolate was also associated with decreased risk of metabolic syndrome (OR=0.3475, 95%CI, 0.1865-0.6414, p=0.0009). Adequate sleeping and dietary intake of some foods materially decreased the metabolic syndrome.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Brazilian Wines and Grape Juices

Abstract The antioxidant activity of eight commercial Brazilian wines and two grape juices was evaluated using the inhibition of lipid oxidation (average 25.75 to 59.66%) and the reducing power methods. The total phenolic content was determined (average 1647, 803 and 305 mg/L/GAE for red, pink and white wines, respectively, and 1150 mg/L/GAE for grape juices), and the resulting values were well correlated with antioxidant activity (for the inhibition of lipid oxidation, r = 0.86, and for the reducing power, r = 0.84). These results confirm that Brazilian red wines and grape juices are good sources of in vitro antioxidants, therefore providing beneficial effects of a moderate daily intake.

Metabolismo mitocondrial, radicais livres e envelhecimento

O envelhecimento pode estar associado ao maior acumulo de lesoes celulares decorrentes das especies reativas do oxigenio e do nitrogenio derivadas do metabolismo mitocondrial. Com a progressao da idade, ha acumulo de proteinas, lipideos, carboidratos e DNA oxidados em relacao a organismos jovens, de acordo com a teoria dos radicais livres. Entretanto, nem sempre os idosos ou animais envelhecidos apresentam maior estresse oxidativo que os jovens. Este artigo discute o paradoxo da teoria dos radicais livres de acordo com a teoria da biogenese da manutencao adequada do metabolismo mitocondrial. Diversos fatores podem contribuir para a reducao do estresse oxidativo, como a hormese induzida pela pratica regular de exercicios fisicos, a restricao calorica, a ingestao de antioxidantes nutricionais e o aumento da producao de antioxidantes celulares que. Em conjunto, estes promovem a expressao das sirtuinas e das proteinas do choque termico, protegendo a integridade e funcionalidade mitocondriais, reduzindo o estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo, o que esta associado a reducao do envelhecimento e aumento da longevidade.

PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH IN A BRAZILIAN OLDER POPULATION

SUMMARY Background: Many health concerns, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, falls and inadequate drug use, can affect the vulnerable older population. The objectives of this study were to verify the use of prescription drugs in an older population, as well as their morbidities and the occurrence of falls. Methods: The study comprised 300 older people from the town of Barra do Garcas, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Data were collected during leisure sessions using a 23-item questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Mantel-Haenszel Chi-squared test, Student’s t test and odds ratio calculation. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical Classification System, and diseases were classified following the 10 th Review of the International Classification of Diseases and Health Problems. Results: The majority of the subjects were women aged 60–70. Circulatory health problems were the most prevalent diseases. There was a significant positive association between bone and skeletal muscle diseases and falls (odds ratio, 2.27). Overall, 82.3% of the subjects had used at least one medicinal drug in the last 15 days. During this time interval, 554 drugs were consumed, leading to an average of 2.4 remedies per subject. Cardiovascular drugs were the most prevalent therapeutic indications (39%). Although 87% of drugs used by the subjects were prescribed by a physician, 56.7% of the subjects had not been examined by a physician in the last 30 days. Conclusion: In this older population, the presence of morbidities and frequent use of drug use were commonly observed. Special care should be taken for older subjects with bone and skeletal muscle diseases to reduce the risk of falls. The high proportion of older people using drugs without a recent medical prescription indicated irrational medicinal drug use. [International Journal of Gerontology 2008; 2(3): 103–108]

Repercussions of Breastfeeding by Diabetic Women for Breast Cancer

Diabetes represents a serious health problem. In the diabetic state, alterations in metabolism, increased susceptibility to infections and immunological changes occur. The suppression of the immune response has been identified as a relevant factor that contributes to the increase in the rate of infections in these patients. At the same time, breast cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor in women. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer development have revealed that immune cells functionally regulate epithelial cancer development and progression. Breastfeeding has been hypothesized to reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, early systematic reviews have not yielded consistent findings for this association. The demand for human milk is increasing due to the promotion and consumer acceptance of the health benefits of consuming a natural product rich in bioactive components. However, due to changes in glucose metabolism, the components of the milk from diabetic women are modified depending on the time of evaluation. In this literature review, we summarize important new findings revealing the paradoxical role of breastfeeding in preventing the onset of breast cancer in diabetic mothers. We hypothesized that the milk component production in diabetic mothers is affected by changes in glucose metabolism. Therefore, adequate maternal glycemic control and an adequate duration of breastfeeding for diabetic mothers are crucial to ensure that the immunity components are able to confer protection against breast cancer.

Exercise modulation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC): towards a molecular signature of healthy aging

The objective of this article was to review the biochemical basis of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) test and its applications to exercise science and promotion of healthy aging. Measurement of TAC allows evaluation of the antioxidant content of muscle, heart and other exercise-target organs. Acute non-regular physical exercise and body exposition to higher altitude have been associated with a considerable decrease of blood TAC. However, regular practice of physical activity and exercise is associated with improved antioxidant response increasing TAC levels. TAC methodologies did not address lipophylic antioxidants and have some other limitations. However, TAC is useful as a complementary test for the evaluation of antiperoxidation assays and blood, erythrocyte and cytosolic antioxidant enzyme assays (glutathion reductase, glutathion peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase). Exercise induces both molecular antioxidant and hormetic responses which have been suggested to be linked with a healthy ...The objective of this article was to review the biochemical basis of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) test and its applications to exercise science and promotion of healthy aging. Measurement of TAC allows evaluation of the antioxidant content of muscle, heart and other exercise-target organs. Acute non-regular physical exercise and body exposition to higher altitude have been associated with a considerable decrease of blood TAC. However, regular practice of physical activity and exercise is associated with improved antioxidant response increasing TAC levels. TAC methodologies did not address lipophylic antioxidants and have some other limitations. However, TAC is useful as a complementary test for the evaluation of antiperoxidation assays and blood, erythrocyte and cytosolic antioxidant enzyme assays (glutathion reductase, glutathion peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase). Exercise induces both molecular antioxidant and hormetic responses which have been suggested to be linked with a healthy aging.

Chronopharmacological effects of growth hormone on the executive function and oxidative stress response in rats

Objective(s): To investigate the chronopharmacological effects of growth hormone on executive function and the oxidative stress response in rats. Materials and Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats (36-40 weeks old) had ad libitum access to water and food and were separated into four groups: diurnal control, nocturnal control, diurnal GH-treated, and nocturnal GH-treated animals. Levels of Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD), and superoxide release by spleen macrophages were evaluated. For memory testing, adaptation and walking in an open field platform was used. GH-treated animals demonstrated better performance in exploratory and spatial open-field tests. Results: The latency time in both GH-treated groups was significantly lower compared with the latency time of the control groups. The diurnal GH treatment did not stimulate superoxide release but increased the CuZn-SOD enzyme levels. The nocturnal GH treatment did not influence the superoxide release and CuZn-SOD concentration. GH treatment also resulted in heart atrophy and lung hypertrophy. Conclusion: Growth hormone treatment improved the performance of executive functions at the cost of oxidative stress triggering, and this effect was dependent on the circadian period of hormone administration. However, GH treatment caused damaging effects such as lung hypertrophy and heart atrophy.