Protective effects of D-005, a lipid extract from Acrocomia crispa fruits, against ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in rats

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) is associated with enhanced production of reactive oxygen species in renal tissues. D-005, a lipid extract obtained from Acrocomia crispa fruit, has previously shown antioxidant effects. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of D-005 on renal IR-induced AKI in rats.METHODS: Rats were randomized into seven groups including a negative control group (vehicle) without AKI and six groups with renal IR-induced AKI as follows: a positive control (vehicle); D-005 treatment at 25, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg; and dexamethasone at 3 mg/kg. All treatments were orally administered as single doses 1 hour before AKI induction. Biomarkers (serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid concentrations), oxidative variables, and histopathological AKI changes were evaluated in blood and kidney tissues.RESULTS: All D-005 doses protected against IR-induced AKI in rats by significantly decreasing biomarkers and histopathological AKI changes as assessed by reduced serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, and uric acid. In addition, all D-005 doses decreased tubular damage, as shown by fewer detached cells and casts in the tubular lumen. D-005 reversed oxidation disturbance markers by decreasing malondialdehyde and sulfhydryl group concentrations in plasma and in kidney homogenates and by increasing kidney catalase activity. Dexamethasone, the reference substance, protected against IR-induced AKI in rats by reducing biochemical and histological variables of renal damage in a similar manner.CONCLUSION: Administration of single oral doses of D-005 markedly and significantly protected against renal IRinduced AKI, possibly due to its known antioxidant effects.

Antioxidant effects of D-004, a lipid extract from the Roystonea regia fruit, on the plasma of healthy men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The aim of this study was to conduct a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of D-004, a lipid extract of the Roystonea regia fruit that prevents testosterone- and phenylepinephrine-induced prostate hyperplasia in rodents, on plasma oxidative markers in healthy men. We enrolled male volunteers (20-55 years) in good health and without lower urinary tract symptoms. Thirty-four eligible participants were randomized to placebo or D-004 (320 mg) capsules administered daily for 6 weeks. An interim check-up and a final visit were conducted after 3 and 6 weeks of therapy, respectively. Physical examinations were performed at each visit, and laboratory tests were performed at baseline and at treatment completion. Oxidative variables included plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total hydroxyperoxides (TOH), sulphydryl (SH) groups and total antioxidant status (TAS). We assessed treatment compliance and addressed adverse experiences (AEs) at weeks 3 and 6. At week 6, with D-004, the mean reductions of plasma MDA (26.7%), TOH (18.8%) and SH groups (31.6%), and the mean increase of TAS (35.3%) were significantly different from those of placebo (P<0.001 for plasma TAS, P<0.0001 for all other comparisons). D-004 did not differ from the placebo in safety indicators. There were two withdrawals (both in the D-004 group), with one due to dyspepsia (the only AE during the trial). In conclusion, D-004 displayed antioxidant effects on plasma oxidative markers in healthy men, which was consistent with findings from laboratory experimental studies.

Síndrome metabólico y factores de riesgo asociados con el estilo de vida de adolescentes de una ciudad de Argentina, 2005 / Metabolic syndrome and risk factors associated with life style among adolescents in a city in Argentina, 2005

OBJETIVOS: Determinar la prevalencia de síndrome metabólico (SM) en adolescentes de una ciudad argentina y establecer su asociación con algunos factores de riesgo vinculados con el estilo de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo transversal en una muestra representativa de 532 estudiantes de enseñanza secundaria de 11 a 20 años (promedio: 15,3 años; mujeres: 60,0 por ciento) de la ciudad de Posadas, Misiones, Argentina, entre julio y octubre de 2005. Se realizaron encuestas personales y sobre hábitos alimentarios, mediciones antropométricas, pruebas de sedentarismo, mediciones de la tensión arterial y pruebas de laboratorio. Se diagnosticó SM si se presentaban tres o más de las siguientes condiciones: glucemia > 110 mg/dL, triglicéridos > 110 mg/dL, colesterol de HDL < 40 mg/dL, tensión arterial sistólica o diastólica > percentil 90 y circunferencia de la cintura > percentil 90. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de SM fue de 4,5 por ciento; significativamente mayor en varones que en mujeres (7,5 por ciento frente a 2,5 por ciento; P = 0,006) y en el grupo de 15 a 20 años que en el de 11 a 14 años (6,3 por ciento frente a 2,5 por ciento; P = 0,037). De los adolescentes, 44,7 por ciento tenía uno o más componentes del SM. El riesgo de los adolescentes con obesidad de padecer SM fue elevado (OR = 119,73; IC95 por ciento: 27,6 a 519,41). Los hábitos alimentarios y la frecuencia de consumo de alimentos fueron similares en los estudiantes con SM y sin SM, pero los primeros consumían alimentos obesogénicos con mayor frecuencia. Del total de adolescentes de la muestra, 84,8 por ciento eran sedentarios (100 por ciento de los que tenían SM). CONCLUSIONES: En Posadas, unos 1 400 estudiantes padecerían de SM y alrededor de 13 000 tendrían al menos un componente del SM. Se necesitan programas conjuntos del Estado y la comunidad para modificar los hábitos alimentarios y aumentar la actividad física, principalmente en varones, el grupo de 15-20 años y los obesos, ...

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adolescents in a city in Argentina and to establish its association with certain risk factors linked to life style. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 532 middle and high school students from 11-20 years of age (mean: 15.3 years; females: 60 percent) in the city of Posadas, province of Misiones, Argentina, from July-October 2005. Surveys were conducted of individuals' dietary habits, anthropometric measurements, sedentary levels, blood pressure readings, and laboratory results. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed if three or more of the following conditions were present: fasting glucose > 110 mg/dL; triglycerides > 110 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol < 40 mg/dL; arterial systolic or diastolic pressure > 90th percentile; and waist circumference > 90th percentile. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 4.5 percent; significantly higher among males than among females (7.5 percent vs. 2.5 percent; P = 0.006) and among the 15-20 year old age group than among the 11-14 year old group (6.3 percent vs. 2.5 percent; P = 0.037). Of the adolescents, 44.7 percent had one or more components of metabolic syndrome. The risk of metabolic syndrome among obese adolescents was elevated (odds ratio = 119.73; 95 percent confidence interval: 27.6-519.41). Dietary habits and frequency of food consumption were similar among students with and without metabolic syndrome; however, the first group consumed fattening foods more frequently. Of all the adolescents in the sample, 84.8 percent were sedentary (100 percent of those with metabolic syndrome). CONCLUSIONS: In the city of Posadas, some 1 400 students suffer from metabolic syndrome and about 13 000 have at least one metabolic syndrome component. Joint efforts by the state government and the community are needed to change dietary habits and increase physical activity, mainly among boys, those 15-20 years of age, and ...

Ex vivo antioxidant effects of D-004, a lipid extract from Roystonea regia fruits, on rat prostate tissue / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone (T)-treated rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In our first experiment, normal rats were distributed into five groups: one group treated with the vehicle and four groups treated with D-004 (100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg). In our second experiment, rats were randomized into five groups: a negative control group and four T-injected groups. The latter were comprised of a positive control group treated with the vehicle, and three groups treated with D-004 (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In normal rats, D-004 (100-800 mg/kg) inhibited significantly and dose-dependently iron-initiated malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation in prostate homogenates (35.7%-80.0%) vs the controls. D-004 (200-800 mg/kg) significantly reduced baseline MDA and carbonyl groups in prostate homogenates of normal rats to approximately 80% and 50%, respectively, and totally (100%) in T-treated rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral treatment with D-004 reduced MDA and carbonyl groups dose-dependently and markedly in normal and T-injected rats. These findings show that D-004 given at doses effective to prevent prostate hyperplasia also produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue.</p>