Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) supplementation on cholinesterase enzymes and its relationship with animal behavior of weaning piglets exposed to mycotoxin contaminated diets. To achieve these objectives, two experimental design approaches were used. Male piglets (7.15±0.61kg) were allocated in four groups: CTL group received a regular diet; SDPP group received a regular diet and 6% SDPP; MYC group received a diet containing desired contamination of 210 µg/kg aflatoxins and 6.690 µg/kg fumonisins; group MYC+SDPP received 253 µg/kg aflatoxins, 6930 µg/kg fumonisins and 6% SDPP. The animals treated with mycotoxin co-contaminated diets showed an increase in AChE and BChE activities in peripheral system (MYC) when compared to control (CTL). Furthermore, supplementation with SDPP (MYC+SDPP group) prevented the mycotoxin-related reduction of AChE in blood and brain. Behavioral tests showed that sleeping and resting behaviors were more often observed in the MYC group; this group also fed fewer times when compared to the other groups, characterizing the deleterious effect of mycotoxins. Taken together, the data suggest changes in AChE and BChE activities may indicate alterations in cholinergic neurotransmission and consequently in the behavior of piglets.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of subcutaneous mineral supplementation would affect metabolic parameters, immunological response, milk quality and composition of dairy cows in the postpartum period. Twelve pregnant primiparous Holstein cows, were divided into two groups: six animals supplemented with the mineral complex (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and copper), and six animals used as controls. Milk samples were collected every two other weeks postpartum up to sixty days of lactation to analyze composition and quality. Blood samples were collected, and the levels of ketone bodies, total proteins, glucose, albumin, and globulin were measured. The catalase and superoxide enzymes, reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukins were determined. Animals supplemented with minerals showed lower levels of ketone bodies and somatic cell counts on days 30, 45 and 60 of the experiment, without changes in milk composition compared to the control group. Supplemented cows had lower levels reactive oxygen species and increased superoxide enzymes activity. Total protein, globulin and cytokine levels were higher in cows supplemented with mineral complexes. Therefore, we can conclude that subcutaneous mineral supplementation improved the immune response and minimized the oxidative stress in dairy cows during lactation.

Rhamdia quelen (jundiá) e Leporinus obtusidens (piava) foram expostos a formulação comercial Roundup(r), um herbicida a base de glifosato nas concentrações de 0,2 e 0,4 mg/L por 96h. Os efeitos do herbicida foram analisados na atividade da alanina aminotransferase (ALT), aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e glicose no plasma, glicose e proteína na camada de muco, hidrólise de nucleotídeos no cérebro e a proteína carbonil no fígado. Os parâmetros foram escolhidos devido à falta de informação com relação a análises integradas, considerando parâmetros oxidativo, danos no fígado, efeitos na composição da camada do muco e atividade da trifosfato difosfoidrolase (NTPDase). Níveis de glicose plasmática foram reduzidos em ambas às espécies, enquanto a atividade das transaminases (ALT e AST) aumentou após exposição ao herbicida. A exposição ao herbicida aumentou a proteína e níveis de glicose na camada de muco em ambas as espécies. Houve uma redução em ambas atividades de NTPDase e ecto-5'-nucleotidase no cérebro de piava, e um aumentou a atividade destas enzimas em jundiás em ambas as concentrações testadas. As espécies mostraram um aumento na proteína carbonil no fígado após exposição a ambas as concentrações de glifosato. Nossos resultados demonstraram que a exposição ao Roundup(r) causou danos no fígado, como evidenciado pelo aumento das transaminases plasmáticas e proteína carbonil no fígado em ambas as espécies de peixes estudadas. A composição do muco alterou e uma hipoglicemia foi detectada após a exposição ao Roundup(r) em ambas espécies. A hidrólise de nucleotídeos em cérebro mostrou diferente resposta para cada espécie estudada. Esses parâmetros indicam alguns importantes e indicadores potenciais da contaminação do glifosato no ecossistema aquático.

Rhamdia quelen (silver catfish) and Leporinus obtusidens (piava) were exposed to a commercial formulation Roundup(r), a glyphosate-based herbicide at concentrations of 0.2 or 0.4 mg/L for 96 h. The effects of the herbicide were analyzed on the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and glucose in plasma, glucose and protein in the mucus layer, nucleotide hydrolysis in the brain, and protein carbonyl in the liver. The parameters were chosen, owing to a lack of information concerning integrated analysis, considering oxidative damage parameters, liver damage, and effects on the mucus layer composition and triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase) activities. Plasmatic glucose levels were reduced in both species, whereas the transaminase activities (ALT and AST) increased after exposure to the herbicide. Herbicide exposure increased protein and glucose levels in the mucus layer in both species. There was a reduction in both NTPDase and ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in the brain of piava, and increased enzyme activity in silver catfish at both concentrations tested. The species showed an increase in protein carbonyl in the liver after exposure to both concentrations of the glyphosate. Our results demonstrated that exposure to Roundup(r) caused liver damage, as evidenced by increased plasma transaminases and liver protein carbonyl in both of the fish species studied. The mucus composition changed and hypoglycemia was detected after Roundup(r) exposure in both species. Brain nucleotide hydrolysis showed a different response for each fish species studied. These parameters indicated some important and potential indicators of glyphosate contamination in aquatic ecosystems.

Este estudo investigou os efeitos do óleo essencial (OE) de Lippia alba sobre parâmetros bioquímicos relacionados ao estresse oxidativo em cérebro e fígado de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen), após seis horas de transporte. Os peixes foram transportados em sacos plásticos e divididos em três tratamentos: controle, 30 µL L-1 e 40 µL L-1 de OE de L.alba. Antes do transporte, os peixes foram tratados com o OE de L. alba (200 µL L-1 por três minutos), exceto para o grupo controle. Os peixes transportados em sacos contendo o OE não tiveram alterações na atividade da acetilcolinesterase (AChE), ecto-nucleosídeo trifosfato difosfohidrolase (NTPDase) e 5'nucleotidase, em cérebro ou superóxido dismutase (SOD) no fígado. O tiol não proteico (NPSH), os níveis de ácido ascórbico, catalase (CAT), glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e glutationa-peroxidase (GPx) hepáticos, foram significativamente mais baixos em comparação com o grupo controle. No entanto, as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), os níveis de oxidação proteica e a taxa de peroxidação lipídica/catalase+glutationa peroxidase (LPO/ CAT+GPx) foram significativamente maiores nos peixes transportados com ambas as concentrações de OE, indicando estresse oxidativo no fígado. Em conclusão, considerando os parâmetros de estresse oxidativo do fígado analisados no presente experimento, o transporte de jundiás previamente sedados em água contendo 30 ou 40 µL L-1 de OE de L.alba é menos efetivo que utilizando concentrações menores.

This study investigated the effects of the essential oil (EO) from Lippia alba on biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress in the brain and liver of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) after six hours of transport. Fish were transported in plastic bags and divided into three treatments groups: control, 30 µL L- 1 EO from L.alba and 40 µL L-1 EO from L.alba. Prior to transport, the fish were treated with the EO from L. alba (200 µL L -1 for three minutes), except for the control group. Fish transported in bags containing the EO did not have any alterations in acetylcholinesterase, ecto -nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase and 5'nucleotidase activity in the brain or superoxide dismutase activity in the liver. The hepatic catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), nonprotein thiol and ascorbic acid levels were significantly lower compared to the control group. However, the hepatic thiobarbituric acid- reactive substances, protein oxidation levels and the lipid peroxidation/catalase+glutathione peroxidase (LPO/CAT+GPx) ratio were significantly higher in fish transported with both concentrations of the EO, indicating oxidative stress in the liver. In conclusion, considering the hepatic oxidative stress parameters analyzed in the present experiment, the transport of previously sedated silver catfish in water containing 30 or 40 µL L-1 of EO from L. alba is less effective than the use of lower concentrations.

No presente estudo, os efeitos do cádmio (Cd) sobre a peroxidação lipídica, o extravazamento de eletrólitos, a oxidação protéica, a atividade das enzimas peroxidase do ascorbato (APX; E.C. 1.11.1.11), catalase (CAT; E.C. 1.11.1.6) e dismutase do superóxido (SOD; E.C. 1.15.1.1) e as concentrações de ácido ascórbico, de grupos tióis não-protéicos e de proteínas solúveis totais foram investigados em plântulas de pepino (Cucumis sativus L.). As plântulas foram cultivadas in vitro em um substrato solidificado com ágar contendo quatro concentrações de Cd na forma de CdCl2 (0, 100, 400 e 1000 µmol L-1), durante 10 d. A menor concentração de Cd diminuiu a concentração de aldeído malônico. O extravazamento de eletrólitos aumentou somente em 1000 µmol Cd L-1, enquanto a oxidação protéica e a concentração de proteínas solúveis totais foram aumentadas somente em 400 e 1000 µmol Cd L-1. A atividade da APX foi inibida, enquanto as atividades da CAT e SOD foram aumentadas em todas as concentrações de Cd. A concentração de ácido ascórbico aumentou sob 400 e 1000 µmol Cd L-1, enquanto a de grupos tióis não-protéicos aumentou em todas as concentrações de Cd. Os resultados evidenciam a importância do sistema antioxidante enzimático e não-enzimático na resposta à toxicidade de cádmio em plântulas de pepino.

In this study, the effects of cadmium (Cd) on lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, protein oxidation, ascorbate peroxidase (APX; E.C. 1.11.1.11), catalase (CAT; E.C. 1.11.1.6) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; E.C. 1.15.1.1) activities, and ascorbic acid, non-protein thiol groups and total soluble protein contents in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated. Seedlings were grown in vitro in an agar-solidified substrate containing four Cd levels as CdCl2 (0, 100, 400, and 1000 µmol L-1) for 10 d. The lowest Cd level decreased the malondialdehyde concentration. Electrolyte leakage increased only at 1000 µmol Cd L-1, whereas protein oxidation and total soluble protein content were enhanced at 400 and 1000 µmol Cd L-1. Activity of APX was inhibited while the activities of CAT and SOD were increased at all Cd concentrations. Ascorbic acid was enhanced at 400 and 1000 µmol Cd L-1 whereas non-protein thiol groups were increased at all Cd supplies. The results evidence the importance of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system in response to cadmium toxicity in cucumber seedlings.

Atoxicidade do alumínio é um problema sério em solos brasileiros e a seleção de clones de batata é uma estratégia importante para produzir essa cultura em tais solos. Clones de batata, Macaca, SMIC148-A, Dakota Rose e Solanum microdontum, foram cultivados em solução nutritiva (pH 4.0) com 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 mg Al L-1. Após 7 d, o teor de Al em raízes e parte aérea em todos clones aumentou linearmente com o suprimento de Al. Baseado no crescimento relativo da raiz, os clones S. microdontum e SMIC148-A foram considerados tolerantes ao Al, enquanto os clones Macaca e Dakota Rose foram considerados sensíveis. O crescimento da parte aérea do clone Macaca diminuiu linearmente com o Al. A concentração de H2O2 nas raízes de ambos os clones sensíveis ao Al aumentou com o suprimento de Al, enquanto nos clones tolerantes houve decréscimo (SMIC148-A) ou falta de resposta (S. microdontum). A concentração de H2O2 na parte aérea aumentou linearmente em Macaca, enquanto em Dakota Rose houve uma relação quadrática com os níveis de Al. Por outro lado, nos clones tolerantes ao Al a concentração de H2O2 não foi alterada (S. microdontum) ou foi reduzida (SMIC148-A). A atividade da catalase (CAT) nas raízes de ambos clones sensíveis ao Al aumentou com o suprimento de Al, enquanto nos clones tolerantes não houve alteração (SMIC148-A) ou, então, redução (S. microdontum). Na parte aérea, a atividade da CAT em S. microdontum aumentou com o suprimento de Al. Em todos clones de batata, a concentração de clorofila variou curvilinearmente em relação ao suprimento de Al; nos clones sensíveis, a concentração de clorofila diminuiu pela adição de Al em níveis acima de 100 mg L-1, porém em SMIC148-A houve aumento na presença de Al (na faixa próxima a 100 e 150 mg L-1) e diminuição em S. microdontum, independentemente do tratamento de Al. A concentração de carotenóides nos clones sensíveis ao Al diminuiu linearmente, em resposta ao Al. O Al aumentou a peroxidação lipídica em raízes dos clones sensíveis, enquanto na parte aérea houve aumento linear nesses clones e também em S. microdontum (próximo a 50 mg Al L-1). A oxidação protéica foi observada principalmente nas raízes dos clones sensíveis ao alumínio. Entretanto, foi observada oxidação protéica na parte aérea de todos clones de batata, em resposta ao Al. Estes resultados indicam que o estresse oxidativo causado por Al em batata pode prejudicar vários componentes celulares, principalmente nos clones sensíveis ao metal.

Aluminum toxicity is a serious problem in Brazilian soils and selecting potato clones is an important strategy to produce this crop on these kinds of soils. Potato clones, Macaca, SMIC148-A, Dakota Rose, and Solanum microdontum, were grown in a nutrient solution (pH 4.0) with 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg Al L-1. After 7 d, Al concentration in both root system and shoot of all clones increased linearly with increasing Al levels. Based on relative root growth, S. microdontum and SMIC148-A were considered Al-tolerant clones, whereas Macaca and Dakota Rose were considered Al-sensitive. Shoot growth in Macaca linearly decreased with increasing Al levels. Root H2O2 concentration in both Al-sensitive clones increased with increasing Al supply, whereas in Al-tolerant clones it either decreased (SMIC148-A) or demonstrated no alteration (S. microdontum). Shoot H2O2 concentration increased linearly in Macaca, whereas for Dakota Rose it showed a quadratic relationship with Al levels. On the other hand, shoot H2O2 concentration in the Al-tolerant clones either demonstrated no alteration (S. microdontum) or presented lower levels (SMIC148-A). Root catalase (CAT) activity in both Al-sensitive clones increased with increasing Al levels, whereas in Al-tolerant clones it either demonstrated no alteration (SMIC148-A) or presented lower levels (S. microdontum). Shoot CAT activity in the S. microdontum increased curvilinearly with increasing Al levels. In all potato clones, chlorophyll concentration showed a curvilinear response to Al supply, where in Al-sensitive clones it decreased upon addition of Al exceeding 100 mg L-1, but in SMIC148-A it increased at levels between approximately 100 and 150 mg L-1, and decreased in S. microdontum regardless of the Al level. Carotenoid concentrations in the Al-sensitive clones were linearly decreased with increasing Al levels. Aluminum supply caused root lipid peroxidation only in the Al-sensitive clones, whereas in the shoot it increased linearly in the Al-sensitive clones and in S. microdontum it only increased at around 50 mg L-1. Most of root protein oxidation was only observed in the Al-sensitive clones. However, shoot protein oxidation was increased with increasing Al levels for all potato clones. These results indicate that oxidative stress caused by Al in potato may harm several components of the cell, mainly in Al-sensitive clones.