Euterpe Oleracea Mart. (Açaí) Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Energetic Metabolism in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats / Euterpe Oleracea Mart. (Açaí) Reduz o Estresse Oxidativo e Melhora o Metabolismo Energético da Lesão de Isquemia-Reperfusão Miocárdica Em Ratos

Abstract Background: Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) is a fruit with high antioxidant capacity and could be an adjuvant strategy to attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Objective: To evaluate the influence of açaí in global ischemia-reperfusion model in rats. Methods: Wistar rats were assigned to 2 groups: Control (C: receiving standard chow; n = 9) and Açaí (A: receiving standard chow supplemented with 5% açaí; n = 10). After six weeks, the animals were subjected to the global ischemia-reperfusion protocol and an isolated heart study to evaluate left ventricular function. Level of significance adopted: 5%. Results: There was no difference between the groups in initial body weight, final body weight and daily feed intake. Group A presented lower lipid hydroperoxide myocardial concentration and higher catalase activity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase than group C. We also observed increased myocardial activity of b-hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, complex I, complex II and ATP synthase in the A group as well as lower activity of the lactate dehydrogenase and phosphofructokinase enzymes. The systolic function was similar between the groups, and the A group presented poorer diastolic function than the C group. We did not observe any difference between the groups in relation to myocardial infarction area, total and phosphorylated NF-kB, total and acetylated FOXO1, SIRT1 and Nrf-2 protein expression. Conclusion: despite improving energy metabolism and attenuating oxidative stress, açai supplementation did not decrease the infarcted area or improve left ventricular function in the global ischemia-reperfusion model.

Resumo Fundamento: Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí) é uma fruta com alta capacidade antioxidante e pode ser uma estratégia adjuvante para atenuar a lesão de isquemia-reperfusão. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do açaí no modelo global de isquemia-reperfusão em ratos. Metodologia: Ratos Wistar foram divididos em 2 grupos: Controle (C: recebendo ração padrão; n = 9) e Açaí (A: recebendo ração padrão suplementada com 5% de açaí; n = 10). Após seis semanas, os animais foram submetidos ao protocolo global de isquemia-reperfusão e a estudo do coração isolado para avaliar a função ventricular esquerda. Nível de significância adotado: 5%. Resultados: Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto ao peso corporal inicial e final, e a ingestão diária de ração. O grupo A apresentou menor concentração miocárdica de hidroperóxido lipídico e maior atividade de catalase, superóxido dismutase e glutationa peroxidase do que o grupo C. Também observamos aumento da atividade miocárdica da b-hidroxiacil coenzima-A desidrogenase, piruvato desidrogenase, citrato sintase, complexo I, complexo II e ATP sintase no grupo A, bem como menor atividade das enzimas lactato desidrogenase e fosfofructoquinase. A função sistólica foi semelhante entre os grupos, e o grupo A apresentou função diastólica pior que C. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos em relação à área de infarto do miocárdio, e expressão proteica de NF-kB total e fosforilado, e das proteínas FOXO1, SIRT1 e Nrf-2. Conclusão: apesar de melhorar o metabolismo energético e atenuar o estresse oxidativo, a suplementação de açaí não diminuiu a área infartada nem melhorou a função ventricular esquerda no modelo global de isquemia-reperfusão.

Vitamin D role in smoking women and cardiac remodeling

Background: The objective of the study is to evaluate the influence of serum vitamin D concentrations and smoking status in cardiac structure and function. Methods: The participants of this study were healthy women smokers (n = 18, mean age 52.8 years), ex-smokers ( n = 18, mean age 51.7 years), and never smokers ( n = 19, mean age 44.4 years). All participants underwent assessment of body composition, dietary intake, sun exposure frequency, vitamin D serum determination, and echocardiographic assessment. All data underwent statistical analysis. Results: The three groups were classified as overweight. The group of ex-smokers showed significantly higher vitamin D serum concentrations. Smoker group showed a higher posterior wall thickness (PW), left ventricular mass, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). We identified positive correlations between LVMI and smoking history, PW and vitamin D serum, and body mass index and time of smoking history. Multiple linear regressions showed positive association of smoking history and LVMI and PW, also that serum vitamin D has a positive association with PW. PW was associated with smoking history and serum vitamin D, showing a deleterious effect on the heart of both variables. Conclusions: Smoking habit in adult women was associated with cardiac remodeling, and excess of vitamin Dis associated with the action of smoking on cardiac variables. Thus, higher serum vitamin D values have a deleterious effect on the heart in this model.