Figure 1
Brazil nuts ameliorated the renal function impaired by ischemia-reperfusion (IR). Kidney function decreased significantly in the group subjected to the IR process. These animals showed increased plasma urea and proteinuria and reduced urinary volume and creatinine clearance. Treatment with 75 mg of Brazil nuts (BN75) abrogated the IR effects on kidney function, compared to control groups (SHAM) treated or not with Brazil nuts and IR group. However, 150 mg of Brazil nuts (BN150) elevated plasma creatinine, urea, and phosphorus. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation. *p < 0.05, IR vs. all groups; +p < 0.05 IR vs. IR+BN75 and IR+BN150; $p < 0.05 IR vs. SHAM groups; #p < 0.05 IR + BN150 vs. all groups; ##p < 0.01 IR + BN150 vs. SHAM groups; n = 6/group (one-way ANOVA test).
Figure 2
Brazil nuts reduces macrophage influx to kidney. (D) IR Group showed an increase of macrophages (arrows). There was no difference in influx of macrophages in the SHAM (A), SHAM treated with 75 mg (B) or 150 mg (C) of Brazil nuts and IR treated with 75 mg (E) or 150 mg (F) of Brazil nuts. (G) Control of reaction (CR). Counterstain: Hematoxylin. (H) Number of positive cells per field. Bars: 50 μm. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation of protein immunoreactivity, n = 6/group. **p < 0.01 IR vs. all groups; ***p < 0.001 IR + BN150 vs. IR; one-way ANOVA test.
Figure 3
Brazil nuts reduced oxidative stress in kidney and blood. 3.1. Nitrotyrosine expression in the kidney. (D) IR Group showed increased expression of nitrotyrosine (arrows) compared to SHAM group (A). There was no difference in expression among the groups SHAM (A), SHAM treated with 75 mg (B) or with 150 mg (C), and IR treated with 75 mg (E) or with 150 mg (F) of Brazil nut. 3.2. iNOS expression in kidney. (D) IR Group showed increased expression of iNOS (arrows) compared to SHAM group treated with 150 mg of Brazil nut (C). There was no difference in expression among the groups SHAM (A), SHAM treated with 75 mg (B) or with 150 mg (C), and IR treated with 75 mg (E). 3.3. TBARS and TEAC levels in plasma. (A) IR group presented increased plasmatic TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), compared to IR group treated with 150 mg of Brazil nuts (IR+BN150). There were no differences among SHAM, SHAM+BN75 or SHAM+BN150 and IR treated with 75 or 150 mg of Brazil nuts. (B) The TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) level was similar among all groups (p > 0.05). (G) Control of reaction (CR). Counterstain: Hematoxylin. Bars: 50 μm. (H) Average score or positive cells per field. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation of protein immunoreactivity, n = 6/group. *p < 0.05 IR vs. SHAM + BN150; **p < 0.01 IR vs. SHAM; ***p < 0.001 IR + BN150 vs. IR; ++p < 0.01 IR vs. IR + BN150, Kruskal-Wallis test.