The pharmacology of synthetic organoselenium compounds indicates that they can be used as antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, neuroprotectors, anti-tumor and anti-infectious agents, and immunomodulators. In this review, we focus on the effects of diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) in various biological model organisms. DPDS possesses antioxidant activity, confirmed in several in vitro and in vivo systems, and thus has a protective effect against hepatic, renal and gastric injuries, in addition to its neuroprotective activity. The activity of the compound on the central nervous system has been studied since DPDS has lipophilic characteristics, increasing adenylyl cyclase activity and inhibiting glutamate and MK-801 binding to rat synaptic membranes. Systemic administration facilitates the formation of long-term object recognition memory in mice and has a protective effect against brain ischemia and on reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia in rats. On the other hand, DPDS may be toxic, mainly because of its interaction with thiol groups. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the molecule acts as a pro-oxidant by depleting free glutathione. Administration to mice during cadmium intoxication has the opposite effect, reducing oxidative stress in various tissues. DPDS is a potent inhibitor of d-aminolevulinate dehydratase and chronic exposure to high doses of this compound has central effects on mouse brain, as well as liver and renal toxicity. Genotoxicity of this compound has been assessed in bacteria, haploid and diploid yeast and in a tumor cell line.

A análise de performance psicomotora de crianças institucionalizadas é de fundamental importância no planejamento de atividades educativas. Estudos anteriores têm mostrado prejuízos desta função em crianças de creches. OBJETIVO. Comparar o desempenho no teste de triagem de Denver em crianças de 2 a 6 anos de idade, de creches conveniadas com a Prefeitura de São Paulo, antes e após seis meses de intervenção nutricional com suplemento alimentar enriquecido com ferro. MÉTODO. Foram analisadas 130 crianças de 2 a 6 anos de idade, em três creches municipais de São Paulo, aplicando-se o teste de Denver, por psicólogas treinadas, comparando-se os resultados de acordo com o sexo, faixa etária e estado nutricional, antes e após período de suplementação alimentar. RESULTADOS. A maior parte das crianças teve desempenho normal, tanto na primeira aplicação (70,80%), como na segunda (80,80%), sem modificação do estado nutricional. Na comparação dos resultados, 76,92% não modificaram o desempenho e 18,46% melhoraram significativamente. Em relação ao sexo, não foram encontradas diferenças significantes, enquanto que, para a faixa etária, houve melhora significante entre as crianças de 4 a 6 anos. CONCLUSÕES. Além do aspecto nutricional, fatores como prontidão para aprendizagem, organização familiar e orientação psicopedagógica das creches devem estar favorecendo o desenvolvimento, mesmo considerando-se o baixo nível socioeconômico da população estudada.

Psychomotor and development analysis must be emphasized when studying institutionalized children. Many previous investigations have been showing deleterious effects of day care centers over developmental performance in children. OBJECTIVE. This study is aimed at comparing the performance in the Development Screening Test (Denver) in children attending day care centers, before and after nutritional intervention with an energetic supplement enriched with iron. METHOD. 130 children from 2 to 6 years old, attending three municipal day care centers, were evaluated by means of the application of the Denver test, by trained psychologists, comparing the collected data according to sex and age group, before and after six months intervention with iron enriched protein energetic supplement. RESULTS. Most of the children had normal performance, both in first application (70.80%), and in the second one (80.80%). When comparing these results, 76.92% of the children had not altered their performance and 18.46% improved it substantially. As to sex, no significant differences were found and as to age group, there was significant improvement among children aged 4 to 6 years of age. CONCLUSIONS. Besides the nutritional aspects, factors such as learning readiness, family organization, and psychopedagogic orientation to the day care centers, must have fostered development, even if the low socioeconomic level of the studied population is considered.