Cristina Machado Bragança de Moraes

Dismorfia muscular e o uso de suplementos ergogênicos em desportistas

Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) is a body image disorder that affects especially men, who despite the large muscular hypertrophy, consider themselves tiny and weak. Considering the increasing use of ergogenic substances to increase muscular mass and the large number of individuals with body disorders, this research aim was to evaluate the presence of MD and the use of ergogenic supplements by athletes who go to health clubs. The study sample was formed by 23 male individuals with mean age of 24±3.8 years, who practice strength exercises and and aged between 18 and 35 years. Body was assessed through a bioimpedance test from which it was possible to get the data of lean and fat mass, which were 66.5±10.1Kg and 10.5±3.1Kg, respectively. DM risk was detected with a scale (MASS- Muscle appearance satisfaction scale). If the result was above 52 points, it presented DM risk. Additionally, a questionnaire was answered to provide information about the use of supplements. The results analysis showed that among the evaluated sample, 17.4% (n=4) demonstrated positive risk to the development of body disorders, but only 25% of them declared the use of food supplements. It was concluded that there was not correlation between use of supplements and presence of muscle dysmorphia.

Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil

Several studies have investigated the antinociceptive, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of compounds found in the lavender essential oil (LEO), however to date, there is still lack of substantial data. The objective of this study was to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of lavender essential oil. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical decolorization assay was used for antioxidant activity evaluation. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using two models of acute inflammation: carrageenan-induced pleurisy and croton oil-induced ear edema. The antinociceptive activity was tested using the pain model induced by formalin. LEO has antioxidant activity, which is dose-dependent response. The inflammatory response evoked by carrageenan and by croton oil was reduced through the pre-treatment of animals with LEO. In the pleurisy model, the drug used as positive control, dexamethasone, was more efficacious. However, in the ear swelling, the antiedematogenic effect of the oil was similar to that observed for dexamethasone. In the formalin test, LEO consistently inhibited spontaneous nociception and presented a similar effect to that of tramadol. The results of this study reveal (in vivo) the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of LEO and demonstrates its important therapeutic potential.

PROFILE OF PATIENTS WHO SEEK THE BARIATRIC SURGERY

Background : Nowadays obesity is a chronic disease considered one of the greatest problems in public healthy. Showing to be effective in a short and long term, the bariatric surgery has emerged as an optional treatment for morbid obesity. Aim: Identify the profile of patients seeking bariatric surgery. Methods: Were interviewed 100 patients in preoperative nutritional monitoring of bariatric surgery. The study was conducted by applying a questionnaire prepared according to the research objectives. Results: From the individuals that were seeking bariatric surgery, 78% were female, 62% were married and 69% reported physical activity. The average age of those surveyed was 37±10.83 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.51± 6.25 kg/m². The comorbidity more prevalent in this group was high blood pressure (51%). In previous treatments for weight reduction, 92% have already done hypocaloric diet followed by anorectic drug (83%). The success of these treatments was reported by 92% of patients; however, the weight lost was recovered in less than one year of 75%. Patients with diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia had higher BMI values. The patients with comorbidities showed lower levels of BMI. Conclusion: The profile of patients who sought surgical treatment for their obesity were predominantly women with a family background of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, especially hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Catechin attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells

(+)‐Catechin is a type of catechin present in large amounts in açaí fruits and cocoa seeds. Besides its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, little is known about its effects in the liver, especially during hepatic fibrosis. We report here the effects of (+)‐catechin on hepatic stellate cells. (+)‐Catechin induced quiescent phenotype in GRX cells, along with an increase in lipid droplets. Proliferator‐activated receptor γ mRNA expression was upregulated, whereas type I collagen mRNA expression was downregulated. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines were not influenced by (+)‐catechin, whereas the levels of interleukin 10 were significantly increased. The data provide evidence that (+)‐catechin can reduce hepatic stellate cell activation.

N-acetylcysteine and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate: immunomodulatory effects on mononuclear cell culture

INTRODUCAO: A sepse e uma sindrome complexa causada pela resposta inflamatoria sistemica descontrolada. As citocinas inflamatorias representam papel central na patogenese do choque septico. Tem sido testadas estrategias terapeuticas a fim de modular a geracao ou a funcao excessiva de mediadores na sepse. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito terapeutico da N-acetilcisteina (NAC) e sua associacao com a frutose-1,6-bisfosfato (FBP) sobre a proliferacao de linfocitos T e a geracao de interleucina-1β (IL-1β) e proteina quimiotatica de monocitos 1 (MCP-1) em cultura celular. MATERIAL E METODOS: Foram isoladas celulas mononucleares de sangue periferico de individuos saudaveis. Os linfocitos T foram estimulados por 96 horas com fitohemaglutinina e submetidos a diferentes concentracoes de NAC ou NAC associada a FBP (1,25 mM). RESULTADOS: O tratamento com NAC (10 e 15 mM) ou NAC (15 mM) associado a FBP reduziu a proliferacao celular. Os niveis de IL-1β aumentaram com a presenca de NAC (15 mM) e NAC + FBP. A concentracao de MCP-1 mostrou-se reduzida apenas no grupo tratado com NAC associada a FBP. CONCLUSAO: Os resultados sugerem que tanto a NAC quanto a NAC associada a FBP sao capazes de inibir a proliferacao celular, atuando como potentes agentes imunomoduladores, sugerindo seu uso em doencas inflamatorias.