The role of cyclooxygenase (COXs) isoforms in maintaining colonic mucosal integrity is not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the role of COX-1 and -2 on colonic mucosal integrity in an experimental colitis model. Colitis was induced in Wistar rats by intracolonic administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (20 mg + 50% ethanol). The control group (sham group) received saline only. After 7, 14, or 28 days, colonic samples were removed, and macroscopic lesion scores, wet weight, myeloperoxidase activity, and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were determined. In other rat groups, colonic samples from the sham group and a 7th day post-colitis group were mounted in Üssing chambers with the luminal side exposed to a buffer solution (control), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), SC-560 (COX-1 inhibitor), or celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor). TER and epithelial permeability to fluorescein were measured. The 7th day colitis group had higher macroscopic damage scores, wet weight, and myeloperoxidase activity and lower basal TER than the sham, 14th day colitis, and 28th day colitis groups. Inhibition of COX-1 but not COX-2 significantly decreased TER and increased permeability to fluorescein in the 7th day post-colitis group compared to the sham group. Additionally, ASA decreased the colonic mucosal integrity on day seven post-colitis compared to the sham group. A decrease in the colonic mucosa integrity in the experimental colitis model can be aggravated only by the inhibition of COX-1, which demonstrated the importance of this enzyme in the maintenance of colonic mucosal integrity.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a influência de fatores gestacionais e perinatais na composição corporal e no peso de nascimento de recém-nascidos a termo. Método: Estudo transversal, dentro de uma coorte prospectiva, composto por 124 puérperas e seus recém-nascidos. Os dados incluíram: idade materna; etnia; índice de massa corpórea pré-gestacional; ganho de peso gestacional; paridade; morbidades gestacionais, (hipertensão arterial e diabetes mellitus gestacional); idade gestacional do nascimento; peso de nascimento; e sexo do recém-nascido. Os dados antropométricos e de composição corporal dos recém-nascidos foram coletados com a pletismografia por deslocamento de ar (PeaPod®). Foi aplicada a técnica de stepwise no modelo de regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: As variáveis significativas do modelo que explicou 84% da variação da massa livre de gordura neonatal foram: peso de nascimento; idade materna; sexo do recém-nascido; e idade gestacional. Para a massa de gordura corporal: peso de nascimento; sexo do recém-nascido; hipertensão arterial gestacional; diabetes gestacional; e ganho de peso gestacional. Essas variáveis explicaram 60% e 46% da massa de gordura, em gramas e percentual, respectivamente. Em relação ao peso de nascimento os fatores significativos foram: idade gestacional; IMC pré-gestacional; e ganho de peso gestacional. Os recém-nascidos do sexo feminino apresentaram maior massa de gordura corporal e os do sexo masculino maior massa livre de gordura. Conclusão: Fatores gestacionais e perinatais influenciam a composição corporal neonatal. A identificação precoce desses fatores gestacionais, que podem ser modificáveis, é necessária para prevenção de obesidade e de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis no futuro.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the influence of gestational and perinatal factors on body composition and birth weight of full-term newborns. Method: This was a cross-sectional study, within a prospective cohort, consisting of 124 postpartum women and their newborns. Data included the following: maternal age; ethnicity; pre-gestational body mass index; gestational weight gain; parity; gestational morbidities (hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus); gestational age at birth; birth weight; and newborn’s gender. Anthropometric and body composition data of the newborns were collected using air-displacement plethysmography (PeaPod® Infant Body Composition System–LMI; Concord, CA, USA). The stepwise technique was applied to a multiple linear regression model. Results: The significant variables in the model that explained 84% of the variation in neonatal fat-free mass were: birth weight; maternal age; newborn’s gender and gestational age. For body fat mass: birth weight; newborn’s gender; gestational arterial hypertension; gestational diabetes; and gestational weight gain. These variables explained 60% and 46% of fat mass, in grams and as a percentage, respectively. Regarding birth weight, the significant factors were gestational age, pre-gestational BMI, and gestational weight gain. Female newborns showed higher body fat mass and male newborns had higher fat-free mass. Conclusion: Gestational and perinatal factors influence neonatal body composition. Early identification of these gestational factors, which may be modifiable, is necessary to prevent obesity and chronic noncommunicable diseases in the future.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is habitually ingested by people in the Amazon region and is a key ingredient in various energy drinks consumed worldwide. Extension in longevity and low prevalence of chronic age-related diseases have been associated to habitual intake of guarana. Anti-aging potential of guarana was also demonstrated in Caenorhabditis elegans; however, the mechanisms involved in its effects are not clear. Herein, we investigated the putative pathways that regulate the effects of guarana ethanolic extract (GEE) on lifespan using C. elegans. The major known longevity pathways were analyzed through mutant worms and RT-qPCR assay (DAF-2, DAF-16, SKN-1, SIR-2.1, HSF-1). The possible involvement of purinergic signaling was also investigated. This study demonstrated that GEE acts through antioxidant activity, DAF-16, HSF-1, and SKN-1 pathways, and human adenosine receptor ortholog (ADOR-1) to extend lifespan. GEE also downregulated skn-1, daf-16, sir-2.1 and hsp-16.2 in 9-day-old C. elegans, which might reflect less need to activate these protective genes due to direct antioxidant effects. Our results contribute to the comprehension of guarana effects in vivo, which might be helpful to prevent or treat aging-associated disorders, and also suggest purinergic signaling as a plausible therapeutic target for longevity studies.

Modifications in life-style and/or pharmacotherapies contribute to weight loss and ameliorate the metabolic profile of diet-induced obese humans and rodents. Since these strategies fail to treat hypothalamic obesity, we have assessed the possible mechanisms by which duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) surgery regulates hepatic lipid metabolism and the morphophysiology of pancreatic islets, in hypothalamic obese (HyO) rats. During the first 5 days of life, male Wistar rats received subcutaneous injections of monosodium glutamate (4 g/kg body weight, HyO group), or saline (CTL). At 90 days of age, HyO rats were randomly subjected to DJB (HyO DJB group) or sham surgery (HyO Sham group). HyO Sham rats were morbidly obese, insulin resistant, hypertriglyceridemic and displayed higher serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and hepatic triglyceride (TG). These effects were associated with higher expressions of the lipogenic genes and fatty acid synthase (FASN) protein content in the liver. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in β-oxidation and TG export were down-regulated in HyO rats. In addition, these rats exhibited hyperinsulinemia, β-cell hypersecretion, a higher percentage of islets and β-cell area/pancreas section, and enhanced nuclear content of Ki67 protein in islet-cells. At 2 months after DJB surgery, serum concentrations of TG and NEFA, but not hepatic TG accumulation and gene and protein expressions, were normalized in HyO rats. Insulin release and Ki67 positive cells were also normalized in HyO DJB islets. In conclusion, DJB decreased islet-cell proliferation, normalized insulinemia, and ameliorated insulin sensitivity and plasma lipid profile, independently of changes in hepatic metabolism.

Improving overall health and quality of life, preventing diseases and increasing life expectancy are key concerns in the field of public health. The search for antioxidants that can inhibit oxidative damage in cells has received a lot of attention. Rosmarinus officinalis L. represents an exceptionally rich source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties. In the present study, we explored the effects of the ethanolic extract of R. officinalis (eeRo) on stress resistance and longevity using the non-parasitic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. We report for the first time that eeRo increased resistance against oxidative and thermal stress and extended C. elegans longevity in an insulin/IGF signaling pathway-dependent manner. These data emphasize the eeRo beneficial effects on C. elegans under stress.

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (Fabaceae) é uma árvore do Cerrado conhecida popularmente como "sucupira branca, faveiro, fava de sucupira e sucupira lisa" e utilizada na medicina popular em preparações anti-reumáticas, antiinflamatórias, analgésicas e antiinfecciosas. Esse trabalho teve por objetivo fazer a triagem fitoquímica do pó e avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana do extrato etanólico bruto das cascas da P. emarginatus contra bactérias Gram-positivas, Gram-negativas e o fungo Candida albicans. O extrato etanólico bruto foi obtido a partir das cascas dessecadas e pulverizadas. A concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) do extrato bruto foi determinada utilizando-se o inoculador de Steers. Os testes fitoquímicos detectaram a presença de flavonóides, heterosídeos saponínicos, resinas e traços de esteróides e triterpenóides. As CIM do extrato etanólico foram de 0,18 mg mL-1 para as bactérias Gram-positivas Rhodococcus equi ATCC 25923, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Micrococcus roseus IPTSP/UFG e para as bactérias Gram-negativas Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756 e Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027; de 0,37 mg mL-1 para a Enterobacter cloacae FT 505 LEMC/EPM/UFG e de 0,74 mg mL-1 para as demais bactérias testadas e para o fungo C. albicans. O presente estudo abre perspectivas para o uso da cascas da P. emarginatus como antimicrobiano.

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (Fabaceae) is a Cerrado tree popularly known as "sucupira branca", "faveiro", "fava de sucupira" and "sucupira lisa" and has been used in folk medicine as antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-infective. The aim of this work was to perform the phytochemical screening of the powder and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude ethanol extract from P. emarginatus barks against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. The crude ethanol extract was obtained from desiccated and pulverized barks. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using Steers inoculator. The phytochemical tests detected the presence of flavonoids, saponin heterosides, resins and traces of steroids and triterpenoids. Ethanol extract MICs were 0.18 mg mL-1 for the Gram-positive bacteria Rhodococcus equi ATCC 25923, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 and Micrococcus roseus IPTSP/UFG, and for the Gram-negative bacteria Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027; 0.37 mg mL-1 for Enterobacter cloacae FT 505 LEMC/EPM/UFG; and 0.74 mg mL-1 for the remaining tested bacteria and for the fungus C. albicans. This study opens perspectives for the use of P. emarginatus barks as an antimicrobial drug.

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. é empregada popularmente no tratamento de hemorróidas, diarréias e ferimentos. O propósito deste trabalho foi realizar o estudo farmacognóstico de folhas de D. elliptica de dois locais do Estado de Goiás. Cortes paradérmicos e transversais foram submetidos a técnicas usuais de microscopia óptica. As folhas de D. elliptica são hipoestomáticas, sendo os estômatos predominantemente paracíticos. Na epiderme observam-se tricomas unicelulares em ambas faces. O mesofilo é isobilateral e apresenta idioblastos cristalíferos. O sistema vascular na nervura principal é constituído por três feixes vasculares, formando uma estrutura circular. No pecíolo o sistema vascular apresenta uma estrutura circular formada, provavelmente, pela união de vários feixes vasculares. O material pulverizado foi submetido a testes de prospecção fitoquímica, de pureza e quantitativo. Foi constatada a presença de taninos, cumarinas, resinas, flavonóides, saponinas, esteróides e triterpenóides. Os teores de cinzas totais foram de 10,32% e 12,26%; os de cinzas insolúveis em ácido, 7,46% e 9,68%; e os de umidade, 9,92% e 9,50%. Os teores de flavonóides totais foram de 1,20% e 1,48%, e os de taninos 9,89% e 13,96%. Devido ao número reduzido de amostras, não é possível afirmar, através deste estudo, que o perfil farmacognóstico de D. elliptica seja influenciado por fatores abióticos.

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. is popularly used in the treatment of hemorrhoid, diarrhea and wounds. The aim of this work was to characterize pharmacognosticaly two leaves samples of D. elliptica. Paradermal and transversal sections had been submitted the usual techniques of optical microscopy. The leaves of D. elliptica are hypostomatics, and the stomata predominantly paracytic. In both epidermis were observed unicellular non-glandular trichomes. The mesophyll is isolateral and shows idioblasts with crystals in raphide. The vascular system in the midrib is constituted by three vascular bundles, forming a circular structure. The petiole shows a circular structure probably formed by union of many vascular bundles localized in the central region. The powdered plant material was submitted to tests of phytochemical prospection, of purity and quantitative. There had been evidenced the presence of tannins, coumarins, resins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. The content of total ashes was of 10,32% and 12,26%, insoluble in acid of 7,46% and 9,68%; the humidity of 9,92% and 9,50%. The flavonoids contents was of 1,20% and 1,48%; the tannins contents was of 9,89% and 13,96%. Because of the reduced number of samples, it was not possible to affirm through this study that the pharmacognostic profile de D. elliptica is influenced by abiotics factors.

The G genotyping of 74 group A rotavirus samples was done by RNA-DNA hybridization (dot-blot) using oligonucleotide probes for the VP7 gene region of the human rotavirus serotypes/genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Thirty-one samples could be genotyped by dot-blot showing the following results: G1 = 16, G4 = 6, G3 = 5, and G2 = 4. The data show circulation of genotypes G1-G4 and the predominance of G1. The knowledge of genotypes provides important information concerning rotavirus circulation in Central Brazil.

Analisou-se o comportamento da LTA em crianças e adolescentes na faixa etária de 0-15 anos, provenientes das áreas endêmicas de Buriticupu (MA) e Corte de Pedra (BA). Nestas regiões, foram cadastrados 214 pacientes no periodo de 1982 a 1993, sendo 78 (36,4%) oriundos de Corte de Pedra e 136 (63,6%) de Buriticupu. Em Corte de Pedra a faixa etária predominante foi de 0-5 anos com 29 (37,2%) casos. Destes, 62% pertenciam ao sexo masculino. Na região de Buriticupu, 88 (64,7%) casos ocorreram na faixa etária de 11-15 anos, sendo 73,8% do sexo masculino. Nas regiões estudadas, houve predomínio da cor parda com 65,4% em Corte de Pedra, e 75% em Buriticupu. Vinte e seis (33,3%) crianças provenientes de Corte de Pedra eram lavradores, sendo o sexo masculino maioria (57,7%), existindo diferença estatística significante (c2 = 11,21 p = 0,05). Vinte e um (80,8%) casos da ocupação lavrador pertenciam a faixa etária de 11-15 anos. Em Buriticupu 37,5% das crianças eram estudantes, destes 30,2% foram lavradores, todos do sexo masculino (c2 = 32,3 p = 0,05). A maioria dos lavradores, 39 (44,3%) casos eram da faixa etária de 11-15 anos. Tanto em Buriticupu como Corte de Pedra houve predomínio da lesão única, 57,7% e 53,7% dos casos, respectivamente. A duração das lesões destacou-se no período de 1 a 3 meses, com 54 (69,2%) casos em Corte de Pedra e 83 (61%) em Buriticupu (c2 = 11,82 p = 0,05). Quanto a localização das lesões, observou-se que nas duas regiões estudadas os MMII foram predominantes com 58,9% em Corte de Pedra e 77,2% em Buriticupu (c2 = 27,9 p = 0,05), havendo maior ocorrência de lesão ulcerada nas duas regiões. IDRM foi positiva em 61 (78,2%) crianças provenientes de Corte de Pedra, não havendo diferença estatística significativa entre as faixas etárias e a positividade do teste (c2 = 0,0669 p = 0,05).

A comparative study on children aged 0-15 years, with American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL), in the endemic regions of Buriticupu (MA) and Corte de Pedra (BA), whereby 214 cases were detected between 1982 and 1993, 78 (36.4%) of them originated from Corte de Pedra and 136 (63.6%) from Buriticupu. In Corte de Pedra, most cases were observed in patients aged between 0-5 years. Twenty nine (37.2%) cases; 62% of those were male. In the Buriticupu region, 88 (64.7%) cases occured in patients of 11-15 years of age, where in 73.8% consisted of male. In both researched regions, brunetts were predominant, with a ratio of 65.4% in Corte de Pedra and 75% in Buriticupu. Twenty six (33.3%) children in the village of Corte de Pedra were farmers, predominantly male (57.7%), generating statistical significance (c2 = 11.21). Twenty one (80.8%) farmers were aged 11-15 years. Thirty seven and a half per cent of the children from Buriticupu were students, however, 41 (30.2%) were farmers, representing 39 (44.3%) cases; all of them male. Both in Buriticupu and Corte de Pedra, the unique wound was predominant, corresponding to 57.7% and 53.7%, respectively. The wounding time stood out from one to three months, with 45 (69.2%) cases in Corte de Pedra and 73 (61%) in Buriticupu (c2 = 11.82). As to the wound locations, it has been observed that they were most constantly present on the lower limbs, with 77.2% in Corte de Pedra and 58.9% in Buriticupu (c2 = 27.9). The cutaneous case mostly found in Corte de Pedra was the ulcerous one (91%). IDRM was positive in 61 (78.2%) children originated from Corte de Pedra, wherein no statistical difference was detected between age ratio and positivity of the test (c2 = 0.0669).