Acute blockade of endogenous melatonin by Luzindole, with or without peripheral LPS injection, induces jejunal inflammation and morphological alterations in Swiss mice

This study investigated the acute blockade of endogenous melatonin (MLT) using Luzindole with or without systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and evaluated changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the mouse jejunum. Luzindole is an MT1/MT2 MLT receptor antagonist. Both receptors occur in the small intestine. Swiss mice were treated with either saline (0.35 mg/kg, ip), Luzindole (0.35 mg/kg, ip), LPS (1.25 mg/kg, ip), or Luzindole+LPS (0.35 and 1.25 mg/kg, ip, respectively). Jejunum samples were evaluated regarding intestinal morphometry, histopathological crypt scoring, and PAS-positive villus goblet cell counting. Inflammatory Iba-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor (NF)-kB, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and oxidative stress (NP-SHs, catalase, MDA, nitrate/nitrite) markers were assessed. Mice treated with Luzindole, LPS, and Luzindole+LPS showed villus height shortening. Crypt damage was worse in the LPS group. Luzindole, LPS, and Luzindole+LPS reduced the PAS-goblet cell labeling and increased Iba-1-immunolabelled cells compared to the saline group. Immunoblotting for IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-kB was greater in the Luzindole group. The LPS-challenged group showed higher MPO activity than the saline and Luzindole groups. Catalase was reduced in the Luzindole and Luzindole+LPS groups compared to saline. The Luzindole group showed an increase in NP-SHs, an effect related to compensatory GSH activity. The acute blockade of endogenous MLT with Luzindole induced early changes in inflammatory markers with altered intestinal morphology. The other non-detectable deleterious effects of Luzindole may be balanced by the unopposed direct action of MLT in immune cells bypassing the MT1/MT2 receptors.

Produção de frutos para uso medicinal em Bromelia antiancatha (caraguatá): fundamentos para um extrastivismo sustentável / Fruit production for medicinal use in Bromelia antiacantha ("caraguatá"): foundations for sustainable extraction

Entre as várias espécies que têm sido utilizadas como fontes de subprodutos florestais estão a Bromelia antiacantha, espécie nativa da Mata Atlântica com grande potencial de uso com características alimentícias, ornamentais, industriais e farmacológicas. Os frutos da espécie são utilizados tradicionalmente no Planalto Norte Catarinense na confecção de xaropes para tratamento de males das vias respiratórias. Neste contexto, objetivou-se quantificar a produção de frutos e fundamentar estratégias para possível manejo de populações naturais de B. antiacantha. Foram acompanhadas 39 infrutescências de Janeiro/2008 a Agosto/2008 distribuídas em área de mata secundária na FLONA de Três Barras, SC. Nesta mesma área, indivíduos da espécie foram acompanhados através de estudos demográficos de 2001 a 2008. As infrutescências apresentaram em média 0,68m de comprimento, número médio de 187 frutos/infrutescência, o diâmetro médio dos frutos foi de 1,9 cm e o peso médio das infrutescências de 3,6 kg. A média de frutos aproveitáveis foi de 157 frutos/infrutescência totalizando 2,5 kg. A safra estimada para 2005 foi de 146 kg de frutos ha-1 e 80 kg de frutos ha-1 para 2008, e a renda líquida a partir da produção de xarope foi estimada em R$ 1168,00 por hectare, por ano. Os resultados mostraram que o manejo de B. antiacantha consiste em atividade economicamente interessante e que esta possibilidade, além de complementar a renda de comunidades locais onde a espécie se faz presente, também amplia o valor das áreas com cobertura florestal.

Among the large number of species that have been used as sources of forest byproducts is Bromelia antiacantha, a species native to the Atlantic Forest and that has great potential of use with nourishing, ornamental, industrial and pharmacological characteristics. The fruits of this species are traditionally used in the Northern Plateau of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, in the preparation of syrup for the treatment of respiratory disorders. In this context, the aim of this study was to quantify the production of fruits and to find strategies for the possible management of natural populations of B. antiacantha. A total of 39 inflorescences were observed from January/2008 to August/2008 distributed in a secondary forest area at FLONA (National Forest), Três Barras, Santa Catarina State. In this same area, B. antiacantha individuals were accompanied by demographic studies from 2001 to 2008. The inflorescences presented on average 0.68 m of length, mean number of 187 fruits/inflorescence, mean diameter of fruits of 1.9 cm and mean weight of inflorescences of 3.6 kg. The mean number of usable fruits was 157 fruits/inflorescence and the mean weight of these fruits was 2.5 Kg. The estimated harvest for 2005 was 146 Kg of fruits ha-1 and for 2008, 80 kg of fruits ha-1, and the net income from the syrup production could reach R$ 1168.00 per hectare per year. The results showed that the management of B. antiacantha consists in an economically interesting activity and that this possibility complements the income of local communities where the species occurs, besides increasing the value of forest areas.