Simone Morelo Dal Bosco

Role for the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway in the protective effects of carnosic acid against methylglyoxal-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Glycation, a process that occurs endogenously and generates advanced glycation end products (AGEs), presents an important role in cases of neurodegeneration, as for instance Alzheimers disease (AD). Methylglyoxal (MG), a dicarbonyl compound, is the most potent inducer of AGEs, whose levels have been found increased in samples obtained from subjects suffering from AD. Moreover, MG induces protein cross-linking and redox impairment in vitro and in vivo. Carnosic acid (CA), a phenolic diterpene isolated from Rosmarinus officinalis, exerts protective effects in neuronal cells by increasing antioxidant defenses and detoxification systems. In the present work, we aimed to investigate whether there is a role for CA against MG-induced neurotoxicity. Data obtained here clearly demonstrate that CA pretreatment (1 μM for 12 h) caused cytoprotective effects and counteracted the damage elicited by MG in SH-SY5Y cells. CA inhibited loss of mitochondrial membrane polarity (MMP) and cytochrome c release from mitochondria, consequently blocking activation of pro-apoptotic caspase enzymes. Furthermore, CA alleviated MG-induced oxidative and nitrosative damage. CA prevented MG-dependent neurotoxicity by activating the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway and the antioxidant enzymes modulated by Nrf2 transcription factor. Overall, the data presented here show the protective role of CA by its ability to counteract MG negative effects.

Fatores associados à hipertensão arterial sistêmica e ao estado nutricional de hipertensos inscritos no programa Hiperdia

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with hypertension and its relation with nutritional status of hypertensive subjects enrolled in the program Hiperdia in a municipality of Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: We evaluated patients with hypertension enrolled in Hiperdia. The data related with risk factors for hypertension were collected through a semi structured questionnaire composed of the following variables: age, education, exercise, smoking, drugs consumed, genetics, chronic diseases, weight, height and waist circumference. RESULTS: Among the 402 hypertensive patients studied, 138 (34.3%) were adults and 264 (65.7%) were elderly, and the majority were female. The prevalence of overweight was 76.8% in adults, while 35% of them were normal weight. When compared the ages, 11% of the elderly were significantly associated with illiteracy. The adults and the elderly presented waist circumference and BMI classification above desired levels. CONCLUSION: In this study, hypertension was associated with increase of age, excess of weight, waist circumference, low education, smoking and alcohol consumption. Excess of weight was configured as one of the most aggravating factors in this population.

Escolha da via de parto pela mulher: autonomia ou indução?

This study aimed to assess the perception and preference of pregnant and postpartum women for vaginal and cesarean section. Cross-sectional survey of exploratory, quantitative and qualitative approach, which occurred in four Basic Health Units (BHUs) of a small citys of Taquari Valley. The sample consisted of 81 pregnant women, which means 20.88% of annual births, and 28.72% of pregnant women registered in System Information Program for Humanization of Prenatal and Birth of the Ministry of Health (SISPRENATAL); of these, 75% (n=61) would prefer the vaginal and 25% (n=20), abdominal delivery. These data indicates that the preference reported by pregnant women is not influencing the type of delivery, because the rate of cesarean delivery in the municipality in question is 89%. Three postpartum women who underwent abdominal delivery and for these vaginal birth is more risky during labor were interviewed. It is clear that one is necessary to perform more humanized care in prenatal and delivery care, along with medical recommendations, so that it can reduce the cesarean delivery and induce abdominal delivery and the belief that this offers less risk in parturition.

Estado nutricional e prevalencia de doencas cronicas em idosos de um municipio do interior do Rio Grande do Sul

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors affecting the nutritional status of socially active elderly in a municipality in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study where 284 subjects participated voluntarily. A structured individual questionnaire containing questions relating to eating habits was administered and anthropometric data (weight, height, waist circumference) were collected. RESULTS: 60.3% of men and 62.5% of women were overweight. Based on the assessment of waist circumference (WC) there was increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 98.5% of men and 92.5% women. Most women (56.9%) reported some solid drug use, whereas among men (52.5%), most reported no medicine consumption. No significant difference between the different nutritional status and dietary habits investigated was observed. Among married, overweight was found in 47.1% of men and 35.6% of women. CONCLUSION: The majority of the elderly population was overweight and waist circumference was large among men and women. No association between nutritional status and the number of meals, water intake, daily intake of fruits and vegetables, type of milk consumed, weekly consumption of meat, candies, fried foods and legumes was observed.

A vitamin D pathway gene–gene interaction affects low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels

Much evidence suggests an association between vitamin D deficiency and chronic diseases such as obesity and dyslipidemia. Although genetic factors play an important role in the etiology of these diseases, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between vitamin D-related genes and anthropometric and lipid profiles. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of three vitamin D-related genes with anthropometric and lipid parameters in 542 adult individuals. We analyzed the rs2228570 polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR), rs2134095 in the retinoid X receptor gamma gene (RXRG) and rs7041 in the vitamin D-binding protein gene (GC). Polymorphisms were genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination. Gene-gene interactions were evaluated by the general linear model. The functionality of the polymorphisms was investigated using the following predictors and databases: SIFT (Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant), PolyPhen-2 (Polymorphism Phenotyping v2) and Human Splicing Finder 3. We identified a significant effect of the interaction between RXRG (rs2134095) and GC (rs7041) on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels (P=.005). Furthermore, our in silico analysis suggested a functional role for both variants in the regulation of the gene products. Our results suggest that the vitamin D-related genes RXRG and GC affect LDL-c levels. These findings are in agreement with other studies that consistently associate vitamin D and lipid profile. Together, our results corroborate the idea that analyzing gene-gene interaction would be helpful to clarify the genetic component of lipid profile.

Prevalência e fatores associados à constipação intestinal em idosos residentes em instituições de longa permanência

Objective: Constipation is a frequent motility disorder and while a common complaint among the overall population, is particularly prevalent among the elderly. The increase of this population group is creating a growing demand for long term care institutions. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with Palavras-chave: Constipacao

Alimentação na escola e estado nutricional de estudantes do ensino fundamental

Objective: To relate the nutritional status and sex of elementary students with the intake of free school meals, meals bought at canteens and meals brought from home. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study performed in 2013 with 120 students from 5th to 9th grade of two elementary and public school of a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul. A structured questionnaire was applied to investigate free school meals, meals purchased at school or brought from home. Weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were measured. The distribution of percentiles of Body Mass Index (BMI) was analyzed and the nutritional status was ranked, using the Fishers Exact Test for analysis. Results: Female students (n=36; 46.8%) reported not consuming the free school meals because they dislike it, and male students (n=22; 51.2%) because they do not feel hungry (p=0.028). Regarding the food purchased at school, females’ preference (n=12; 27.9%) was for candies and males’ (n=21; 48.8%) was for hot dog (p=<0.001). The majority of the students classified as eutrophic (n=28; 33.3%) consumed the food because they were hungry, and those classified as overweight/obese (n=24; 70.6%), because they considered it healthy and nutritious (p=0.028). Conclusion: Most eutrophic, overweight and obese students in both genders consume 2-3 free meals offered at school per week and they give preference to bringing from home some biscuits, snacks and sandwiches made with white bread. Females prefer soft drinks, goodies, candies, and cakes, while males prefer the hot dog. doi: 10.5020/18061230.2014.p349

Investigation of polymorphisms rs7903146 and rs12255372 in the TCF7L2 gene in biochemical markers of severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a sample of adults with T2DM

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a metabolic disease that involves complex multifactorial genetic and environmental factors [1]. Studies on the molecular genetics has suggested that many genes may be important in susceptibility to DM26. Recently, large-scale studies such as genome-wide associations studies (GWAS) have shown several important genes associated with T2DM. Among these genes, one of the most strongly associated with the disease is TCF7L2. This gene has many polymorphisms described, however the majority of studies indicate variants rs7903146 and rs12255372 as the most important within this gene.

Estado nutricional e avaliação do perfil lipídico em pacientes soropositivos atendidos em um Serviço de Assistência Especializada no Vale do Taquari - RS

Resumen pt: Introducao: O virus da imunodeficiencia humana e o causador da AIDS, e individuos soropositivos podem ser dependentes de antirretrovirais. Objetivos: Ava...