Acute hypothalamic administration of L-arginine increases feed intake in rats / Administração hipotalâmica aguda de L-arginina aumenta a ingestão alimentar em ratos

Objective: This study investigated the chronic (oral) and acute (hypothalamic infusion) effects of L-arginine supplementation on feed intake, body composition, and behavioral changes in rats. Methods: Twenty rats were divided into two groups treated orally for 60 days; one group received L-arginine (1 g/kg body weight) and one group received saline (1 mL/NaCl 0.9%). Daily consumption of water and food were evaluated, and weight monitored. After the oral treatment, the rats underwent stereotactic biopsy and a group was injected with 2 µL of L-arginine (0.5 mM) and another received an injection of saline (0.9% NaCl), in the hypothalamic route, through micro infusion. Immediately after micro infusion, the animal behavior was evaluated through tests in the open field. Food and water consumption were evaluated at 12 and 24 hours after the micro infusion. Daily water consumption and weight gain evolution were evaluated. At the end of treatments, rats were euthanized and blood was collected for glucose, glycerol, and cholesterol evaluation, and histological analysis of vital organs. Results: Oral supplementation with L-arginine increased water intake (11%, p<0.05) and promoted weight gain (3%, p<0.05). However, hypothalamic infusion promoted a significant increase in chow intake (30%, p<0.05) after 24 hours of L-arginine administration. Conclusion: Chronic oral treatment with L-arginine was not effective on appetite modulation; however, an effect was observed when L-arginine was administered directly into the hypothalamus, suggesting a central regulation on appetite through nNOS sensitization. Chronic use of L-arginine did not cause substantial changes in anthropometric, biochemical, behavioral, or histological variables. .

Objetivo: Este estudo investigou os efeitos da suplementação crônica (oral) e aguda (infusão no hipotálamo) com L-arginina sobre a saciedade, composição corporal e mudanças comportamentais em ratos. Métodos: Vinte ratos foram divididos em dois grupos e tratados por via oral durante 60 dias; um grupo recebeu uma dose de L-arginina (1 g/kg de peso corporal), outro grupo recebeu uma dose de solução salina (1 mL/NaCl 0.9%). O consumo diário de água e comida e a evolução do ganho de peso foram avaliados. Após o tratamento por via oral, os ratos foram submetidos à estereotaxia: um grupo recebeu uma injeção com 2 µl de L-Arginina (0.5 mM) e outro recebeu uma injeção de solução salina (NaCl 0,9%), no hipotálamo, através de microinfusão. Imediatamente após a microinfusão, foi avaliado o comportamento dos animais através do teste em campo aberto. O consumo de água e de comida foi avaliado nas 12 e 24 horas seguintes à microinfusão. No final dos tratamentos, os ratos foram eutanasiados para coleta de amostras para dosagem de glicose, glicerol e colesterol, além da análise histológica dos órgãos. Resultados: A suplementação oral com L-arginina promoveu aumento do consumo de água (11%, p<0,05) e ganho de peso (3%, p<0,05). Além disso, a infusão hipotalâmica promoveu um aumento significativo do consumo alimentar (30%, p<0,05) após 24 horas da administração de L-arginina. Conclusão: O tratamento oral crônico com L-arginina não obteve efeitos na modulação do apetite. No entanto, ocorreu aumento da ingestão de alimento quando a L-arginina foi administrada diretamente no hipotálamo, sugerindo que exista uma estimulação do apetite através da sensibilização da nNOS nessa região. O uso crônico de L-arginina não causou mudanças substanciais nos dados antropométricos, bioquímicos, comportamentais ou histológicos. .

Effect of Administration with Bacharris Dracunculifolia on Glycemic Basal Levels in Healthy Individuals.

Some compounds found in B. dracunculifolia could be part of human diets, directly and indirectly through green propolis intake, because of their possible effect on blood glucose that could be of great relevance in the control of hyperglycemia; however, this effect has not been extensively studied. This study analyzed the effect of acute administration of B. dracunculifolia extracts on glycemic response in healthy individuals during rest. The study group consisted of eight healthy individuals at the age of 19 ± 1.3 years old, four in the treatment group (TG) and four in the control group (CG), with and without intake of 20 g/Kg of body weight of B. dracunculifolia extract, respectively. The cardiovascular parameters of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), and blood glucose (BG) were analyzed before and after treatments Statistical significance was determined using an unpaired Student's ttest and considering p<0.05. The TG group showed increase of 3% in heart rate (2 beats min-1, P<0.05), 11% in DBP scores, and reduction of 27% (20 mg/dl, P<0.05) in BG levels. The intake of B. dracunculifolia extract may help control blood glucose levels; however, its effects on the cardiovascular system must be evaluated in further studies.