Consumption of mate Ilex paraguariensis: a folk beverage with antioxidant power against myocardial ischemic injury

The effects of the aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis (Ip)and the flavonoid quercetin were tested during the induction of in vivomyocardial ischemia/ reperfusion in Rattus norvegicus. The antioxidant power of the extract and quercetin were chemically determined. The experimental groups were: control, ischemia/reperfusion induction, Iporal treatment, Iporal treatment and ischemia /reperfusion, quercetin oral treatment, and quercetin oral treatment and ischemia/reperfusion. Rats were anesthetized with sodium thiopental and xylazine via intraperitoneal injection and subsequently underwent 15 minutes of ischemia followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion. Ischemia was promoted by tying the left anterior descending coronary artery. Areas of risk and infarction were stained by intravenous Evans blue and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant capacity against peroxylradicals, and lipid peroxidation of the myocardium were quantified. A significant reduction in areas of risk and infarction was detected in the ischemic myocardium treated with Ipand quercetin; ROS generation and lipid peroxidation were significantly reduced, and the antioxidant capacity was elevated. Oral administration of Ippromoted antioxidant benefits in the myocardium during ischemia and reperfusion, which reduced infarction. We suggest that Mate (a hot drink made from steeped dried leaves of Ip) consumption is a potential cardioprotective habit of indigenous people from southern South American countries, which must be better understood scientifically and ethnographically.

Elevated Iron Chelating Activity of Ilex paraguariensis Leaf Infusion: in vitro and in vivo Pilot Studies

Abstract This study presents an Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion with important potential as natural iron-chelating. The impact of infusion time and the water volume to obtain an Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion with high phenolic content and iron chelating activity, such as the stability of these proprieties in the storage time and temperature (immediately and after 24 h at 8 and 25 (C) were assessed. The acute consumption effect of this infusion to reduce iron absorption in vivo was also evaluated. A preliminary crossover trial with volunteers that ingested a meal containing non-haem iron (11.4 mg) with the treatments: Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion with the highest phenolic content and iron chelating activity (200 mL) or control (200 mL water). Blood samples were withdrawn before and 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after the meal for serum iron measurement. The highest phenolic content (18.1 mg/mL) and iron chelating activity ((100%) were observed for 10 min infusion time using 30 g leaves/300 mL water. Storage at 8 or 25 (C for 24 h decreased total phenolics and di-caffeoylquinic acids by 23.5% and 25.5%, respectively (p< 0.05), without affecting the iron-chelating activity due to a saturating chelating effect at 3.34 mg/mL phenolic content. Inhibition of the iron absorption in vivo by infusion was 78% considering the iron recovery at peak maximum. The in vitro and preliminary in vivo results showed a functional property of the Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion that may be useful for adjuvant management of iron overload diseases.

Consumo excesivo de cafeína y eventuales poblaciones de riesgo / Excessive caffeine consumption and eventual risk populations

La cafeína (1,3,7-trimetilxantina), es uno de los componentes alimentarios más consumidos y estudiados. Aunque un consumo moderado no implica riesgos para la salud, un ingesta excesiva puede conducir a efectos adversos, tales como ansiedad, irritabilidad, palpitaciones e insomnio. Con el propósito de caracterizar el riesgo para la salud en mujeres adultas de 18 a 70 años en Argentina, se abordaron los siguientes objetivos: determinar el contenido de cafeína en cinco bebidas disponibles en el mercado argentino y con estos datos y otros de fuentes bibliográficas estimar la ingesta media diaria de esta sustancia en dicha población para establecer si existen grupos en riesgo, estudiar la relación de dicha ingesta con el lugar de residencia y determinar el aporte de cada bebida y alimento a la ingesta diaria total. La determinación de cafeína se realizó por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). A través de un cuestionario distribuido en la web, se obtuvieron datos de consumo de cafeína de 1947 mujeres que cumplieron el criterio de inclusión. Se encontraron contenidos más altos de cafeína en café expreso (1300 mg/L) y mate cebado (950 mg/L). En el total de la muestra el consumo promedio de cafeína fue de 340 mg/día (5,5 mg/kg/día), excediendo, el 31% de las participantes la ingesta recomendada de 400 mg/día. De las mujeres en edad fértil, el 37% excedió la ingesta de 300 mg/día y el 52% la de 200 mg/día, recomendadas durante la gestación y la lactancia. En el percentil 90 estas mujeres consumieron 851 mg/día y 775 mg/día de cafeína, respectivamente. El mate cebado y el café resultaron los mayores contribuyentes a la ingesta diaria de cafeína en este grupo de mujeres y en la muestra total. Se encontraron diferencias regiona­les en el consumo del mate cebado, resultando Misiones y Corrientes las provincias de mayores ingestas. Si bien el 68% de las personas entrevistadas consumieron dosis moderadas de cafeína, más de un cuarto de las mujeres en edad reproductiva excedió las ingestas recomendadas para el embarazo y la lactancia.

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is one of the most consumed and studied food ingredients. Although moderate consumption does not imply health risks, excess intake may lead to adverse effects, such as anxiety, irritability, palpitations and insomnia. In order to characterize the health risk in adult women aged 18 to 70 in Argentina, the following objectives were ad­dressed: to determine the caffeine content in five beverages available in the Argentine market and with these data and others from bibliographic sources estimate the daily intake of caffeine in this population to establish if there are groups at risk; to study the relation of this intake with the place of residence and to determine the contribution of each beverage and food to the total daily intake. The determination of caffeine was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Through a questionnaire distributed on the web, caffeine consumption data were obtained from 1947 women who met the inclusion criteria. Higher caf­feine contents were found in espresso coffee (1300 mg/L) and mate "cebado" (950 mg/L). In the sample, mean caffeine intake was 340 mg/day (5.5 mg/kg/day), with 31% of the participants exceeding the recommended intake of 400 mg/day. Of the women of childbearing age, 37% exceeded the intake of 300 mg/day and 52% the intake of 200 mg/day recommended during gestation and lactation. In the 90th percentile, these women consumed 851 mg/day and 775 mg/day of caffeine, respectively. Mate "cebado" and coffee were the major contributors to daily caffeine intake in this group of women and in the total sample. Regional differences were found in the consumption of mate "cebado", being Misiones and Corrientes the provinces with the highest intakes. Although 68% of the people interviewed consumed moderate doses of caffeine, more than a quarter of the women of reproductive age exceeded the recommended intakes for pregnancy and lactation.

Cancer and yerba mate consumption: a review of possible associations / Cáncer y consumo de yerba mate: revisión de posibles asociaciones

OBJECTIVE: To identify any possible link between mate consumption and cancer, mainly of the esophagus, larynx, and oral cavity. METHODS: A review of literature, published through August 2008, pertaining to the carcinogenic risk of mate consumption was undertaken by searching the two databases, MEDLINE and TOXLINE, for relevant articles. The bibliographies of the articles were examined for additional relevant sources. In addition, a search on the name of each author having published on the topic was conducted. The epidemiological studies are presented by cancer site; experimental works are examined in dedicated sections; and the discussion combines epidemiological and experimental evidence. RESULTS: Almost all epidemiological studies shared similar methodology: hospital-based, case-control studies where participants were personally interviewed on the main risk factors, using similar questionnaires. Several studies found an association between the temperature of the mate infusion and oral, esophageal, and/or laryngeal cancer risks; while a few focused on carcinogenic contaminants introduced during the industrial processing of the leaves. The cancer most frequently mentioned in association with hot mate with bombilla (drunk through a metal straw) was the esophagus. Size, exposure assessment, methods of analysis, and quality were different among the studies reviewed. The results varied greatly. The higher risk estimate (odds ratio = 34.6) was found for women who drank 1 L or more daily; for men it was only 4.8. Risk increased with duration, daily quantity, and temperature at drinking. The synergic action between mate, alcohol, and tobacco was a clear result in several studies, and in some, nutritional deficiencies and poor oral hygiene played a role. No increased risk was associated with cold mate beverages. CONCLUSIONS: The role of hot mate in increasing the risk of cancer of esophagus, larynx, and oral cavity seems to be supported by several...

OBJETIVO: Identificar posibles vínculos entre el consumo de mate y el cáncer, en particular de esófago, laringe y cavidad bucal. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía publicada hasta agosto de 2008 sobre el riesgo carcinogénico del consumo de mate en dos bases de datos, MEDLINE y TOXLINE. Se revisaron las referencias bibliográficas de los artículos para encontrar fuentes adicionales y se buscó por cada autor que hubiera publicado sobre el tema. Los estudios epidemiológicos se presentan según la localización del cáncer, los trabajos experimentales se examinan en secciones separadas y en la discusión se combinaron los datos epidemiológicos y experimentales. RESULTADOS: Casi todos los estudios epidemiológicos siguieron la misma metodología: estudios de casos y controles basados en hospitales donde se entrevistaba personalmente a los participantes acerca de los principales factores de riesgo mediante cuestionarios similares. En algunos estudios se encontró una asociación entre la temperatura de la infusión de mate y el riesgo de cáncer bucal, de esófago y de laringe, mientras que unos pocos se concentraron en los contaminantes carcinogénicos introducidos durante el procesamiento industrial de las hojas. El tipo de cáncer más frecuentemente mencionado en asociación con el mate caliente en bombilla (tomado a través de una cañita metálica) fue el de esófago. El tamaño de la muestra, la evaluación de la exposición, el método de análisis y la calidad variaron de un estudio a otro. Los resultados variaron considerablemente. Se estimó un mayor riesgo (razón de posibilidades = 34,6) en las mujeres que tomaban 1 L diario o más; en los hombres este riesgo fue solo de 4,8. El riesgo aumentó con el tiempo de consumo, la cantidad diaria y la temperatura de la infusión consumida. En algunos estudios se observó una clara sinergia entre el consumo de mate, alcohol y tabaco, mientras que en otros las deficiencias nutricionales y la inadecuada...

Erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) como agente etiológico de neoplasia de língua / Yerba / erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis) as na ethyological agent of lingual neoplasia

Introdução: A erva-mate tem sido implicada como possível fator de risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer de língua. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo é o de avaliar as alterações patológicas bem como a expressão imuno-histoquímica nas amostras de língua de ratos “bebedores de erva-mate”. Material e método: No estudo foram analisados 75 ratos Wistar adultos com 5 meses de vida (peso acima de 300 gramas cada um) que fizeram a ingestão de erva-mate diariamente por 9 semanas. Após, foram eutanasiados e a língua retirada para avaliação anatomopatológica e imuno-histoquímica. Resultados: Não foram observadas alterações ao exame anatomopatológico e imuno-histoquímico compatível com processo neoplásico nas 75 peças analisadas. Conclusão: Não foram observadas associações nas amostras de língua de ratos “bebedores de erva-mate” nos exames anatomopatológico e imuno-histoquímico

Introduction: mate has been implicated as a possible risk factor for the development of cancer of the tongue.Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the pathological alterations as well as the immunohistochemical expression in samples from the tongues of “mate drinking” rats. Material and Method: In the study, 75 adult Wistar, aged 5 months (weighing over 300 grams each) that had ingested mate on a daily basis for 9 weeks were analyzed.Following sacrifice, the tongue was removed for anatomical-pathological and immunohistochemical evaluation.Results: In the anatomical-pathological and immunohistochemical examination, no alterations compatible with neoplasic processes were observed in the 75 pieces analyzed. Conclusion: No associations were found in the samples of tongue from “matedrinking” rats in the anatomical-pathological and immunohistochemical examinations