Probiotic consumption promotes numerous health benefits. The aim of this study is 1) to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of kefir in a hypertension rat model caused by the administration of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, L-NAME, and 2) to evaluate the acute angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of the soluble nonbacterial fraction (SNBF) of kefir. To develop the first aim, male rats were separated into three groups: control group (C) treated with 0.3 mL/100 g of milk; L-NAME group (LN) received 10 mg/kg of said inhibitor; and Kefir group (K) treated with 0.3 mL/100 g of kefir plus L-NAME (10 mg/kg of said inhibitor). The treatments were given by oral gavage twice a day for four weeks. For the second aim”instead additionally, male rats received angiotensin I (in bolus) in three doses (Ang I: 0.03, 3 and 300 µg/kg) and were separated into two groups: a) received captopril (30 mg/kg i.v.) and b)received SNBF of kefir (5 mL/kg i.v.). Blood pressure were evaluated before and after Ang I. After treatment, hemodynamic parameters were evaluated, heart weight was recorded, and body weight gain was calculated. SNBF of kefir did not decrease the blood pressure for L-NAMEtreated animals, and no changes were observed in the cardiac parameters. However, the SNBF of kefir demonstrated acute inhibition of ACE in vivo similar to that of captopril. Thus, our results suggest that kefir may improve human cardiovascular systems by using mechanisms independent of nitric oxide syntheses. Additionally, the renin angiotensin system is probably the most important system involved in kefir effect regarding hypertension.

Metabolism of anabolic androgenic steroids is important for its physiological effects. The aim was to investigate the effects of finasteride (a 5α-reductase inhibitor - 5αR) on cardiac and mutagenic effects promoted by ND. Male Wistar rats were separated into three groups: CONT, received the vehicles of ND and finasteride (Peanut oil+Saline); DECA group, received ND (20 mg.kg.week-1, i.m.), and DECAF received ND and finasteride (100 µg.kg-1, i.p.), for four weeks. After, hypertrophy, cytokines and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) activity was determined in heart. Bone marrow was used for micronucleus evaluation. Treatment with ND promotes increase in cardiac hypertrophy, ACE activity and disbalance among pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and combination with finasteride worsened those effects. Association with finasteride ameliorates the toxic effects of ND on bone marrow cells, as was observed by a normalization of the number of micronucleate polychromatic erythrocytes and the mitotic index. Our data demonstrates that deleterious effects promoted by ND are depend, at least in part, of its metabolization. Also, inhibition of 5αR by finasteride present variated effects dependent on organ studied. It can promote increase on cardiac damage and a reduction on mutagenic effects of ND, which demonstrated that dehydronandrolone has diverse role on ND effects..

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o perfil químico de folhas de Alpinia purpurata K. Schum (AP), assim como a reatividade vascular e o efeito hipotensor agudo (EHA) do extrato etanólico de folhas de AP (EEAP). Avliou-se o perfil químico utilizando-se HPLC-UV, ICP-OES e quantificação colorimétrica de flavonoides e polifenóis totais. A reatividade vascular foi determinada utilizando leito mesentérico isolado de ratos WKY. Curvas dose-resposta do EEAP e do material inorgânico da AP (IAP) foram realizadas em animais SHR e WKY. Determinaram-se a segurança citotóxica e mutagênica pelo teste de micronúcleos. Flavonoides tipo rutina foram quantificados no EEAP (1,8±0,03%) e flavonoide total e polifenóis foram de 4,1±1,8% e 5,1±0,3%, respectivamente. Observou-se ação vasodilatadora do EEAP, mediada parcialmente pelo óxido nítrico (·NO). O IAP revelou a presença de cálcio (137,76±4.08 μg.mg-1 de Ca). O EEAP e IAP apresentaram EHA em animais WKY e SHR. Não se observaram efeitos citotóxicos e alterações cromossômicas provocadas pelo EEAP. O EEAP mostrou um EHA que poderia resultar de ação vascular dependente do endotélio. Rutina, entre outros polifenóis e flavonoides, poderia estar contribuindo para essas atividades biológicas e o cálcio presente no EEAP, poderia agir de maneira sinérgica.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the chemical profile, vascular reactivity, and acute hypotensive effect (AHE) of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (EEAP). Its chemical profile was evaluated using HPLC-UV, ICP-OES, and colorimetric quantification of total flavonoids and polyphenols. The vascular reactivity of the extract was determined using the mesenteric bed isolated from WKY. AHE dose-response curves were obtained for both EEAP and inorganic material isolated from AP (IAP) in WKY and SHR animals. Cytotoxic and mutagenic safety levels were determined by the micronucleus test. Rutin-like flavonoids were quantified in the EEAP (1.8 ± 0.03%), and the total flavonoid and polyphenol ratios were 4.1 ± 1.8% and 5.1 ± 0.3%, respectively. We observed that the vasodilation action of EEAP was partially mediated by nitric oxide (·NO). The IAP showed the presence of calcium (137.76 ± 4.08 μg mg-1). The EEAP and IAP showed an AHE in WKY and SHR animals. EEAP did not have cytotoxic effects or cause chromosomic alterations. The AHE shown by EEAP could result from its endothelium-dependent vascular action. Rutin-like flavonoids, among other polyphenols, could contribute to these biological activities, and the calcium present in EEAP could act in a synergistic way.

Introdução: os frutos de Carica papaya L. são amplamente consumidos em todo o mundo e no Brasil, porém pouco se sabe sobre seu efeito citotóxico, antimutagênico e quimioprotetor. Objetivos: avaliar o potencial antimutagênico e quimiprotetor de frutos de Carica papaya e quantificar as suas substâncias fenólicas. Métodos: a atividade antimutagênica foi avaliada pelo método de micronúcleo e as substâncias fenólicas foram analisadas pelo método de Folin-Ciacalteau (fenólicos totais), e pelo método colorimétrico cloreto de alumínio (flavonóides totais). Resultados: o extrato hidroetanólico de frutos de Carica papaya possui potencial antimutagênico e quimioprotetor (370 mg/100 g peso corporal). O teor de substâncias fenólicas do extrato hidroetanólico de frutos foi inferior a 0,001 µg/mg. Conclusão: o efeito antimutagênico e quimioprotetor observado nos extratos dos frutos de Carica papaya pode estar associado a outras substâncias. Estudos químicos precisam ser conduzidos para identificar as substâncias envolvidas na atividade.

Introduction: the fruits of Carica papaya L. are widely consumed around the world and in Brazil, but little is known about its cytotoxic, antimutagenic and chemoprotector effects. Objectives: to evaluate the antimutagenic and chemoprotector potential of fruits of Carica papaya and quantify the phenolic substances present in those fruits. Methods: mutagenic activity was evaluated by micronucleus assay and phenolic substances were analyzed by the Folin-Ciacalteau method (total phenolics), and by aluminum chloride colorimetric method (total flavonoids). Results: the hidroetanolic extract of fruits of Carica papaya elicited antimutagenic and chemoprotector effects (370 mg/100 g body weight). The content of phenolic substances of hidroetanolic extract of fruits was lower than 0.001 µg/mg. Conclusions: the antimutagenic and chemoprotector effects observed must be related to other compounds. Chemical studies must be conducted to identify the substances involved in the activity.

Introducción: los frutos de Carica papaya L. son ampliamente consumidos en todo el mundo y en Brasil, pero poco se sabe acerca de su efecto citotóxico, antimutagénico y quimioprotector. Objetivos: evaluar el efecto antimutagénico y quimiprotector de los frutos de Carica papaya y cuantificar las sustancias fenólicas. Métodos: la actividad mutagénica se evaluó por micronúcleos y las sustancias fenólicas se analizaron por el método Folin-Ciacalteau (fenólica), y el método colorimétrico cloruro de aluminio (flavonoides). Resultados: el extracto hidroetanólico de frutas de Carica papaya tiene efecto antimutagénico y quimioprotector (370 mg/100 g de peso corporal). El contenido de sustancias fenólicas de extracto hidroetanólico resultó inferior a 0,001 µg/mg. Conclusión: el efecto antimutagénico y quimioprotector observado en extractos de frutos de Carica papaya puede estar asociado con otras sustancias. Estudios químicos deben llevarse a cabo para identificar las sustancias que intervienen en la actividad.