Resveratrol plays important role in protective mechanisms in renal disease - mini-review / Resveratrol desempenha importante papel no mecanismo de proteção na doença renal - mini-revisão

Resveratrol (RESV) is a polyphenolic compound found in various plants, including grapes, berries and peanuts, and its processed foods as red wine. RESV possesses a variety of bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, anticancer, chemopreventive, neuroprotective, renal lipotoxicity preventative, and renal protective effects. Numerous studies have demonstrated that polyphenols promote cardiovascular health. Furthermore, RESV can ameliorate several types of renal injury in animal models, including diabetic nephropathy, hyperuricemic, drug-induced injury, aldosterone-induced injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, sepsis-related injury, and endothelial dysfunction. In addition, RESV can prevent the increase in vasoconstrictors, such as angiotensin II (AII) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), as well as intracellular calcium, in mesangial cells. Together, these findings suggest a potential role for RESV as a supplemental therapy for the prevention of renal injury.

Resveratrol (RESV) é um composto fenólico encontrado em várias plantas, como a uva e amendoim, e seus produtos derivados, como o vinho tinto. RESV possui uma variedade de bioatividades, incluindo antioxidantes, anti-inflamatória, cardioprotetoras, antidiabetes, anticancerígeno, quimiopreventivo, neuroprotetor, lipotoxicidade renal, e efeitos protetores renais. Numerosos estudos demonstraram que os polifenois promovem a saúde cardiovascular e podem reparar vários tipos de lesões renais em modelos animais, incluindo a nefropatia diabética, hiperuricemia, lesão induzida por droga, lesão induzida pela aldosterona, lesão de isquemia-reperfusão, lesões relacionadas com sepsis, e disfunção endotelial. Além disso, RESV pode prevenir o aumento de vasoconstritores, tais como angiotensina II (AII) e endotelina-1 (ET-1), bem como o cálcio intracelular, em células mesangiais. Em conjunto, estes resultados sugerem um importante papel para o RESV como uma terapia complementar na prevenção de lesões renais.

Magnetic bead technology for viral RNA extraction from serum in blood bank screening

Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) was recently recommended by Brazilian legislation and has been implemented at some blood banks in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in an attempt to reduce blood-born transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus. OBJECTIVE: Manual magnetic particle-based extraction methods for HIV and HCV viral nucleic acids were evaluated in combination with detection by reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) one-step. METHODS: Blood donor samples were collected from January 2010 to September 2010, and minipools of them were submitted to testing. ELISA was used for the analysis of anti-HCV/HIV antibodies. Detection and amplification of viral RNA was performed using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Out of 20.808 samples screened, 53 samples (29 for HCV and 24 for HIV) were confirmed as positive by serological and NAT methods. CONCLUSION: The manual magnetic bead-based extraction in combination with real-time PCR detection can be used to routinely screen blood donation for viremic donors to further increase the safety of blood products.

Signal to cut-off (S/CO) ratio and detection of HCV genotype 1 by real-time PCR one-step method: is there any direct relationship?

BACKGROUND: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods play an essential role in providing data related to diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. EIA results are reported as ''reactive'' or ''non reactive'' and EIA S/CO ratio may also be reported as ''high'' or ''low.'' This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a real-time RT-PCR and assess whether there is relationship between S/CO and PCR results. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sera from blood donors were analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR assay to detect HCV infection. RESULTS: The RT-PCR assay to genotypes 1a/b showed an acceptable linear response in serial dilutions. The samples were divided into two groups based on their serological results: group A - S/CO ratio < 3 (60 samples) and group B - S/CO ratio > 3 (41 samples). Viral loads were confirmed positive in group B samples in 90 percent, and in group A samples were confirmed positive in only 13 percent by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: The methodology used was able to detect the presence of RNA-HCV genotype I in 90 percent of the samples serologically positive in group B. All negative samples were sent to search for other genotypes of HCV (genotypes 2-6) and were confirmed as negative. These data suggests that these negative samples may have HCV RNA viral load below the detection limit of our test (310 IU/ mL), or a false positive result in serological test, or spontaneous viral clearance occurred.