Cristina da Costa Krewer

Habitual Intake of Guaraná and Metabolic Morbidities: An Epidemiological Study of an Elderly Amazonian Population

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations of metabolic disorders and anthropometric and biochemical biomarkers of lipid, glucose and oxidative metabolism and the habitual ingestion of guaraná (Paullinia cupana, Mart. Var. sorbilis) by an elderly population residing in the Amazon Riverine region of the Maués municipality (Brazil). A case‐controlled study was performed that included 637 elderly (≥60 years of age) patients classified as either those who habitually drank guaraná (GI, n = 421) or those who never drank guaraná (NG, n = 239) based upon their self‐reported intake of guaraná. Indeed, the prevalence of various metabolic disorders was associated with guaraná ingestion. The prevalence of hypertension, obesity and metabolic syndrome in the GI group was lower than the prevalence found in the NG group. The NG group exhibited lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. The males in the GI group exhibited a lower waist circumference, on average, than the circumference found in the NG group, whereas the females in the GI group had lower cholesterol (total and LDL‐c) levels than the control cohort. Additionally, a significant association was found between lower levels of advanced oxidative protein product (AOPP) and habitual guaraná consumption. The results constitute the first epidemiological study to suggest a potentially protective effect of habitual guaraná ingestion against metabolic disorders in elderly subjects. Copyright

Inflammatory cytokines in vitro production are associated with Ala16Val superoxide dismutase gene polymorphism of peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Obesity is considered a chronic low-grade inflammatory state associated with a chronic oxidative stress caused by superoxide production (O(2)(-)). The superoxide dismutase manganese dependent (SOD2) catalyzes O(2)(-) in H(2)O(2) into mitochondria and is encoded by a single gene that presents a common polymorphism that results in the replacement of alanine (A) with a valine (V) in the 16 codon. This polymorphism has been implicated in a decreased efficiency of SOD2 transport into targeted mitochondria in V allele carriers. Previous studies described an association between VV genotype and metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. However, the causal mechanisms to explain this association need to be more elucidated. We postulated that the polymorphism could influence the inflammatory response. To test our hypothesis, we evaluated the in vitro cytokines production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) carriers different Ala16Val-SOD2 genotypes (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ). Additionally, we evaluated if the culture medium glucose, enriched insulin, could influence the cytokine production. Higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in VV-PBMCs when compared to AA-PBMCs. However, the culture medium glucose and enriched insulin did not affect cytokine production. The results suggest that Ala16Val-SOD2 gene polymorphism could trigger the PBMCs proinflammatory cytokines level. However, discerning if a similar mechanism occurs in fat cells is an open question.

Equilíbrio dinâmico, estilo de vida e estados emocionais em adultos jovens

UNLABELLED A one hypothesis to explain some vestibular peripheral disorders is their association with life style. Thus, studies with young adults are relevant. AIM to analyze the prevalence of dynamic balance alterations in young adults and their possible association with life style variables, health and negative emotional states (since they can impact the outcome). MATERIALS AND METHODS we carried out a non-probabilistic cross-sectional, clinical-retrospective study with young adults (18-32 years of age) from a university with 751 individuals, with a mean age of 22.45+/- 3.32 years. Life style, health and negative emotional states (NES) variables - depression, stress and anxiety, were collected by means of an interview. The Unterberger test was used in order to check for indications of dynamic balance alterations. Individuals with altered dynamic balance (ADB) were compared to those without these alterations (controls). RESULTS From our sample, 642 (83.6%) had less than 45 masculine of deviation, while 109 (14.2%) had greater than 45 masculine deviation and were the considered with ADB. The ADB group had a greater prevalence of smoking, alcohol abuse/dependence, high blood pressure and NES. CONCLUSION the study highlights the occurrence of ADB which needs to be corroborated in future studies.

Effects of gallic acid on delta – aminolevulinic dehydratase activity and in the biochemical, histological and oxidative stress parameters in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterised by hyperglycaemia associated with the increase of oxidative stress. Gallic acid has potent antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gallic acid on the biochemical, histological and oxidative stress parameters in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats. Male rats were divided in groups: control, gallic acid, diabetic and diabetic plus gallic acid. DM was induced in the animals by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65mg/kg). Gallic acid (30mg/kg) was administered orally for 21days. Our results showed an increase in reactive species levels and lipid peroxidation, and a decrease in activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in the liver and kidney of the diabetic animals (P<0.05). Gallic acid treatment showed protective effects in these parameters evaluated, and also prevented a decrease in the activity of catalase and glutathione S-transferase, and vitamin C levels in the liver of diabetic rats. In addition, gallic acid reduced the number of nuclei and increased the area of the core in hepatic tissue, and increased the glomerular area in renal tissue. These results indicate that gallic acid can protect against oxidative stress-induced damage in the diabetic state.

Molecular characterization of Rhodococcus equi Isolates of horse breeding farms from an endemic region in South of Brazil by multiplex PCR.

Rhodococcus equi e um coco-bacilo gram positivo que causa pneumonia em potros. Trata-se de um patogeno oportunista amplamente detectado no ambiente e isolado de varias fontes, como solo, fezes e intestino de potros doentes e sadios. O presente estudo visa caracterizar a situacao epidemiologica de criatorios equinos da regiao de Bage, RS, Brasil, pela tecnica de PCR multiplex. Cento e dezoito isolados de R. equi foram identificados por testes bioquimicos e, posteriormente, submetidos a um PCR multiplex para caracterizacao da especie e da presenca do gene vapA. Estes isolados eram provenientes de tres haras com historico da doenca, dois haras onde nao havia casos da doenca e uma propriedade onde a infeccao por R. equi e relatada frequentemente. Todos os isolados clinicos provenientes de haras onde a doenca e endemica e/ou esporadica foram vapA positivos. Nenhum isolado ambiental foi vapA positivo. Nos tres haras onde a doenca e esporadica, 11,54% dos isolados de fezes de equinos adultos foram positivos para o gene vapA. A tecnica de PCR multiplex mostrou-se efetiva para caracterizacao epidemiologica e molecular dos criatorios equinos, estando de acordo com o historico da propriedade. Um fato relevante demonstrado pela aplicacao desta tecnica foi a deteccao de R. equi vapA positivo nas fezes de equinos adultos. Esta observacao pode pressupor que haja outras vias de disseminacao da bacteria dentro de uma propriedade.

Ascophyllum nodosum in the diet of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and its effect after inoculation of Aeromonas hydrophila

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ascophyllum nodosum brown seaweed meal (FAM) on the health of Nile tilapia submitted to inoculation with Aeromonas hydrophila. The experiment was conducted for a period of 40 days using 120 Nile tilapia fingerlings, with age of 40 days, distributed in 20 tanks. A diet including Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed meal at 20g.kg-1 and a control diet (without FAM) were provided which constituted the treatments. Thirty days after beginning the experiment, A. hydrophila was inoculated by bacterial inoculum diluted in sterile saline solution at a concentration of 106 CFU ml-1. Except for the width, which was greater for the treatment with the provision of FAM (P<0.05), there was no influence on the performance parameters of the fingerlings, but the occurrence of lesions in animals inoculated with A. hydrophila and fed with FAM was lower and they also exhibited a decline in the lesions in a shorter period of time than the control group. FAM prevents hepatopancreatic congestion in infected animals. Ascophyllum nodosum brown seaweed meal reduced the number of lesions in fish in a shorter time when compared to the control group.

Caffeine prevents changes in muscle caused by high-intensity interval training

The use of ergogenic substances such as caffeine has become a strategy to enhance sports performance. In the present study we evaluated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) associated with caffeine intake on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Ca2+ATPase activity and glycogen levels in the muscles of rats were evaluated. The animals were divided in groups: control, caffeine 4 or 8mg/kg, HIIT, HIIT plus caffeine 4 or caffeine 8mg/kg. Our results showed a decrease in glycogen levels in muscle in all trained groups after acute session exercise, while that an increase in glycogen levels was observed in all groups in relation to control in chronic exercise protocol. HIIT increases the thickness of the left ventricle and the Ca2+-ATPase activity and decrease the AChE activity in gastrocnemius muscle. Caffeine treatment prevents changes in enzymes activities as well as left ventricular hypertrophy adaptation induced by HIIT. Our findings suggest that caffeine modulates crucial pathways for muscle contraction in HIIT.

Salmonella spp. e Coliformes em Amostras de Manteiga de Garrafa Comercializadas no Município de Petrolina, PE

A manteiga de garrafa e um produto muito apreciado nos estados do nordeste do Brasil. Nesse trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade microbiologica do produto, ja que sua producao e na maioria, feita de forma artesanal, em propriedades rurais sem padroes de qualidade. Coletou-se 18 amostras em diferentes pontos de venda do municipio de Petrolina-PE e levou-se ao Laboratorio de Microbiologia e Imunologia Animal da Universidade Federal do Vale do Sao Francisco, onde foram realizadas pesquisas para identificacao de Salmonella spp. e coliformes. Em 39% (7/18) das amostras, encontrou-se positividade para isolamento de coliformes a 35 oC, em uma amostra foi isolada Klebsiella spp., e em outra Shigella spp., nao foi encontrado em nenhuma das amostras contaminacao por Salmonella spp., nem Escherichia coli. DOI: 10.15528/2176-4158/rcpa.v12n1p117-120

Susceptibilidade antimicrobiana de Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis isolado de bovinos

Venereal campylobacteriosis is associated with infection of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis. The etiological agent is transmitted by natural bull breeding or artificial insemination using contaminated semen. The present study aimed to determine the in vitro susceptibility of C. fetus subsp. venerealis isolates to antimicrobial drugs generally used in clinical and semen treatment. Reference strains of C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis and 21 C. fetus isolates were tested. The susceptibility test was performed by using the modified Kirby-Bauer diffusion disc method. C. fetus subsp. fetus reference strain was resistant to lincomycin and penicillin. C. fetus subsp. venerealis was susceptible to all antimicrobial tested, with exception to C.C. KrewerDnalidixic acid. C. fetus subsp. venerealis samples were sensible to amikacin, ampicillin, cefalotin, streptomycin, gentamycin, penicillin and tetracycline. Drug resistance was observed on 42.86% of lincomycin, 4,76 % of enrofloxacin, and 100% to nalidixic acid. In addition 4.76% of the isolates showed intermediate susceptibility to enrofloxacin, neomycin, polimixin B and 9.52% to lincomycin. The susceptibility of C. fetus isolates to antimicrobial drugs commonly used in clinical and semen treatment was demonstrated.