Patrícia Martinez Oliveira

Protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tripodanthus acutifolius in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) are a major public health problem, as they are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Tripodanthus acutifolius (TA) is a hemiparasite plant used for medicinal purposes with great antioxidant capacity. However, little is known about its hypolipemic effect. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tripodanthus acutifolius leaves in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats. The animals were divided into: (1) NC (Normocaloric Control); (2) HC (Hypercaloric Control); (3) Oral Simvastatin Suspension 10mg/kg (SIM); (4) TA extract 50mg/kg (TA 50mg/kg) and (5) TA 100mg/kg. The in vitro antioxidant activity assay demonstrated that TA shows high antioxidant capacity. The in vivo findings demonstrated that TA supplementation resulted in significant decreases (p<0.05) in Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG) and Low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, whereas High density lipoprotein (HDL) levels increased significantly in all TA-supplemented groups in relation to the HC group. Hepatic, renal and cardiac function markers improved during supplementation. Serum adiponectin levels increased significantly, whereas C-reactive protein (PCRus) levels decreased in the TA-supplemented in relation to the HC group. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and gluthatione peroxidase (GPx) activities, as well as polyphenols, vitamin C (VitC) and total gluthatione (GSH), increased significantly in the TA-supplemented groups treated when compared to the HC group. Concerning oxidative damage to biomolecules, TA showed a protective effect on lipids, proteins and DNA. Regarding the histological analysis of the aortic artery, TA treatment was able to decrease aortic vasculature. Therefore, TA is rich in antioxidant compounds and may be an alternative for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Protective Role of Flaxseed Oil and Flaxseed Lignan Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside Against Oxidative Stress in Rats with Metabolic Syndrome

This study evaluated the protective effect of flaxseed oil (FO) and flaxseed lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) against oxidative stress in rats with metabolic syndrome (MS). 48 rats were allocated into the following 6 groups: Groups 1 (control), 5 (FO), and 6 (SDG) received water and were treated daily orally with saline, FO, and SDG, respectively. Groups 2 (MS), 3 (MS+FO), and 4 (MS+SDG) received 30% fructose in drinking water for MS induction and were treated daily orally with saline, FO, and SDG, respectively. After 30 d, animals were sacrificed, and blood was collected for biochemical and oxidative analysis. Body weight was recorded weekly. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured before and after treatment. Fructose could produce MS and oxidative stress. FO and SDG prevented changes in SBP, lipids, and glucose. FO and SDG prevented oxidative damage to lipids, and only FO prevented oxidative damage to proteins associated to MS. FO and SDG improved enzymatic antioxidants defenses and reduced glutathione levels, which was greater with SDG. Total polyphenol levels were enhanced in groups that received SDG. Thus, the results of this study demonstrated that treatment with a 30% fructose solution for 30 d is effective for MS induction and the oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of MS induced by fructose-rich diets. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the antioxidant effects attributed to flaxseed are mainly due to its high lignan content especially that of SDG, suggesting that this compound can be used in isolation to prevent oxidative stress associated with MS. PRACTICAL APPLICATION We report that the antioxidant effects attributed to flaxseed are mainly due to its high lignan content, especially that of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside. This is significant because suggests that this compound can be used in isolation to prevent oxidative stress associated with MS. Furthermore, this study was the only one to perform a comparison of the abilities of 2 components of flaxseed to protect against oxidative stress in an MS model, which brings a great advance in the medicines field, since it indicates another alternative for improve the health and the quality of life of patients with this disorder.

Metabolites of nitric oxide as a marker cardiometabolic in blacks.

Background The black population has a high cardiometabolic risk, however low incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this context, there seems to be a paradox related to the diagnostic criteria of MetS, which makes the presence of the same is underestimated in blacks. This condition brings the need to look for a more reliable markers of actual pathological conditions and cardiometabolic risk of these individuals. A possible marker is nitric oxide (NO). The dosage metabolites nitrite/nitrate (NOx) have been shown to be associated with some criteria of the metabolic syndrome, such as obesity and diabetes, however the literature lacks more specific studies to assess whether altered levels of nitric oxide are associated with metabolic and cardiovascular disease among blacks.

Evaluation of hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects in vivo of extracts hydroalcoholic of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and dyslipidemia a major risk factor. Feeding is recognized as the most important intervention in the prevention of diseases and plants are considered the best source of natural antioxidants. Yacon, a tuberous root, originates in the Andean region with fructooligosaccharides as the main reserve carbohydrate. In addition to these compounds, Yacon presents significant amount of polyphenols in both roots and leaves.