Nephroprotective effect of exercise training in cisplatin-induced renal damage in mice: influence of training protocol

Cisplatin is an effective antineoplastic agent, but its use is limited by its nephrotoxicity caused by the oxidative stress in tubular epithelium of nephrons. On the other hand, regular exercise provides beneficial adaptations in different tissues and organs. As with many drugs, dosing is extremely important to get the beneficial effects of exercise. Thus, we aimed to investigate the influence of exercise intensity and frequency on cisplatin-induced (20 mg/kg) renal damage in mice. Forty male Swiss mice were divided into five experimental groups (n=8 per group): 1) sedentary; 2) low-intensity forced swimming, three times per week; 3) high-intensity forced swimming, three times per week; 4) low-intensity forced swimming, five times per week; and 5) high-intensity forced swimming, five times per week. Body composition, renal structure, functional indicators (plasma urea), lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity, expression of genes related to antioxidant defense, and inflammatory and apoptotic pathways were evaluated. Comparisons considered exercise intensity and frequency. High lipid peroxidation was observed in the sedentary group compared with trained mice, regardless of exercise intensity and frequency. Groups that trained three times per week showed more benefits, as reduced tubular necrosis, plasma urea, expression of CASP3 and Rela (NFkB subunit-p65) genes, and increased total glutathione peroxidase activity. No significant difference in Nfe2l2 (Nrf2) gene expression was observed between groups. Eight weeks of regular exercise training promoted nephroprotection against cisplatin-mediated oxidative injury. Exercise frequency was critical for nephroprotection.

Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor is higher after combat training (Randori) than incremental ramp test in elite judo athletes

Elite judo demands high levels of physical and psychological skills. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be of particular interest in sports medicine for its ability to promote neuroplasticity. We investigated the plasma BDNF before and after a judo training session (Randori) and the maximal incremental ramp test (MIRT) in athletes from the Brazilian national judo team and compared the results between both exercise stimuli and sexes. Fifty-six elite judo athletes were recruited who performed each task on a separated day. Anthropometric, physiological, athletic parameters, and plasma BDNF levels were measured before and after the tasks (Randori and MIRT). The groups presented similar anthropometric and physiological characteristics at baseline for the two tasks. All athletes reached maximal performance for the tasks. Plasma levels of BDNF increased significantly after Randori and MIRT for all subjects, both men and women. When comparing both exercise stimuli, a greater increase in BDNF was observed after Randori. There was no significant difference in the delta BDNF between sexes. Our findings indicate that training specificity of sport gestures influenced the increase of blood BDNF levels.

Determination of calcium and magnesium in hydroethanolic extracts of propolis by atomic absorption flame spectrophotometry

Propolis is a natural product collected by honeybees and has a large range of pharmacological activity, including antimicrobial, antitumoral, antioxidant andanti-inflammatory. Its use as a popular medicine is increasing all over the world, creating a need for quality control of the commercial products. In this study the levels of calcium and magnesium in commercial hydroalcoholic propolis extracts from varios states of Brazil were determined by atomic absorption flame spectrophotometry and different values were obtained for northern and southern states. This study can beextended to the analysis of metals that are harmfulto health. The results showed that the calibration curves were linear over a wide concentration range (0.5-4.0 miug.mL-1 for calcium and 0.05-0.4 miug.mL-1 formagnesium) with good correlation coefficients (0.999 and 0.988, respectively). Good analytical recovery (94%) was obtained. The proposed method showed adequate precision and relative standard deviation lower than 2%. The method is accurate and precise as well as having advantages such as simplicity and speed.

Efeitos do acetato de chumbro diluido e dinamizado (preparacao homeopatica) no tratamento do Saturnismo / Effects of diluted and dynamised lead acetate in the treatment of Saturnism

Os autores estudam o efeito do acetato de chumbo diluido e dinamizado (preparacao homeopatica) em ratos machos(Wistar) intoxicados por acetato de chumbo. Os resultados evidenciaram a eficacia da preparacao homeopatica comparavel a do EDTA na diminuicao da plumbemia.

Characterization of a new Kinin potentiating peptide obtained from human plasma proteins

Partially purified kinin potentiating peptide (KPP) obtained from kininogen-depleted human plasma inhibited lung angiotensin converting enzyme in vitro and potentiated guinea-pig ileum contractions induced by bradykinin (BK), Lys-BK, Met-Lys-BK, Ile-Ser-BK, and Lys-Lys-BK. Contractions evoked by angiotensin II, histamine, acetylcholine, and barium cloride were not potentiated. KPP also potentiated kinin-induced contractions of rat uterus and of guinea-pig ileum pre-incubated with 1,10-phenbabthroline. It in suggested that KPP potentiation is due, at least in part, to a direct effect on kinin receptor(s)