Reproductive traits in different Nile tilapia genetic groups / [Características reprodutivas em diferentes grupos genéticos de tilápia do Nilo]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive traits of the non-inbred and inbred AquaAmérica, GIFT and AquaAmérica × GIFTgenetic groups. Six fish from each genetic group were used (2 females:1 male). Females were examined for the presence of eggs in their mouth at every four days, for 12 weeks. Reproduction occurred in all genetic groups (GIFT: 100%; non-inbred AquaAmérica and AquaAmérica ×GIFT: 75%; inbred AquaAmérica: 50%). Female weight, female standard length, total spawning weight, absolute fecundity, relative fecundity, spawn index and hatching rate did not differ significantly between the genetic groups. However, the non-inbred AquaAmérica variety showed lower values (P<0.05) for egg diameter (2.4mm) and egg weight (4.2mg) and higher values (P<0.05) for relative number of eggs (247.6 eggs/g of egg) than GIFT (egg diameter: 2.8mm; egg weight: 5.7mg; relative number of eggs: 175.4 eggs/g of egg) and AquaAmérica ×GIFT (egg diameter: 2.8mm; egg weight: 5.9mg; relative number of eggs: 168.8 eggs/g of egg). In conclusion, the non-inbred AquaAmérica variety produces smaller, lighter eggs but a higher relative number of eggs than the GIFT variety and the AquaAmérica ×GIFT cross; and inbreeding negatively affects spawning rate.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características reprodutivas dos grupos genéticos AquaAmérica não endogâmicos e endogâmicos, GIFT e AquaAmérica × GIFT. Foram utilizados seis peixes de cada grupo genético (duas fêmeas:um macho). As fêmeas foram examinadas quanto à presença de ovos na boca a cada quatro dias, durante 12 semanas. A reprodução ocorreu em todos os grupos genéticos (GIFT: 100%; AquaAmérica não endogâmica e AquaAmérica × GIFT: 75%; AquaAmérica endogâmica: 50%). Peso e comprimento padrão de fêmea, peso total de desova, fecundidade absoluta, fecundidade relativa, índice de desova e taxa de eclosão não diferiram significativamente entre os grupos genéticos. Entretanto, a variedade não endogâmica da AquaAmérica apresentou valores mais baixos (P<0,05) para diâmetro do ovo (2,4mm) e peso do ovo (4,2mg) e maiores valores (P<0,05) para número relativo de ovos (247,6 ovos/g de ovo ) que GIFT (diâmetro do ovo: 2,8mm; peso do ovo: 5,7mg; número relativo de ovos: 175,4 ovos/g de ovo) e AquaAmérica × GIFT (diâmetro do ovo: 2,8mm; peso do ovo: 5,9mg; número relativo de ovos: 168,8 ovos/g de ovo). Em conclusão, a variedade AquaAmérica não endogâmica produz ovos menores e mais leves, mas um número relativo maior de ovos que a variedade GIFT e o cruzamento AquaAmérica × GIFT; a consanguinidade afeta negativamente a taxa de desova.(AU)

Fatty acid composition of vegetable oil blend and in vitro effects of pharmacotherapeutical skin care applications

Vegetable oils have been used for a plethora of health benefits by their incorporation in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products, especially those intended for skin care. This study aimed to investigate the cutaneous benefits of a vegetable oil blend (VOB) formulation and its fatty acid composition. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied in macrophages of RAW 264.7 cells by investigating the release of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion generation (O2-), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). ABTS cation radical scavenging capacity assay, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and NO free radical scavenging assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. VOB was tested for its ability to stimulate fibroblast proliferation and migration using the scratch assay, and antibacterial activity by the microdilution test. The fatty acid profile of a freshly prepared VOB formulation was determined by gas chromatography before and after accelerated stability testing. Chemical composition of VOB revealed the presence of oleic acid (C18:1n-9; 63.3%), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6; 4.7%), and linolenic acid (C18:3n-6; 5.1%) as major mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. No changes in the organoleptic characteristics and fatty acid composition were observed after the accelerated stability test. VOB 100 µg/mL reduced the healing time by increasing the total number of cells in the wounded area by 43.0±5.1% compared to the negative control group. VOB also suppressed the pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, and NO and O2- production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cells. In conclusion, the VOB formulation contributed to the improvement of current therapeutic strategies for cutaneous applications in skin care.

Enhancement of anti-OVA IgG2c production in vivo by enalapril

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have non-hemodynamic, pleiotropic effects on the immune response. The effects of ACE inhibitors on the production of cytokines and T-cell functions are well established. However, little is known on the effects of these medicines on humoral response to foreign antigens. In this study, we investigated the effect of enalapril treatment on ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgG1 and IgG2c production in mice determined by ELISA. Two groups of 8-week-old C57BL/6 females mice (3–4/group) were subcutaneously immunized with OVA (10 μg/animal) in presence of Alhydrogel (1 mg/mouse) and boosted at day 21. The mice were treated with enalapril (5 mg/kg daily, po) or were left without treatment for one month. The animals were bled from the orbital plexus on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after the first immunization and the sera were stored at –20°C until usage. OVA-specific serum IgG1 and IgG2c were determined by ELISA using serum from each individual animal. The results showed that enalapril significantly increased anti-OVA serum IgG2c in the secondary response without affecting IgG1 synthesis. These data expand our understanding on the properties of enalapril on the immune response, including antibody production.