Effect of the oral administration of monosodium glutamate during pregnancy and breast-feeding in the offspring of pregnant Wistar rats / Efeito da administração de glutamato monossódico durante a gestação e amamentação na prole de ratas Wistar prenhes

PURPOSE: Determine the effects of the MSG (monosodium glutamate) in the offspring of pregnant rats through the comparison of the weight, NAL (nasal-anal length) and IL (Index of Lee) at birth and with 21 days of life. METHODS: Pregnant Wistar rats and their offspring were divided into 3 groups: GC, G10 and G20. Each of the groups received 0 percent, 10 percent and 20 percent of MSG, respectively from coupling until the end of the weaning period. RESULTS: Neither weight nor NAL were different among the groups at birth. The group G20 at birth had an IL lower than the group GC (p<0,05) and with 21 days of life presented weight and NAL lower than the groups G10 and this lower than the GC (p<0,01). Otherwise the G20 at 21 days of life had the IL similar to the other two groups. The weight profit percentage from birth to the 21st day of life was lower in the G20 regarding the other two groups (p<0,01). The G20 had a NAL increase percentage from birth to the 21st day of life lower than the G10 and this lower than the GC (p<0,01). CONCLUSIONS: MSG presented a dose-dependent relation in the variables weight and NAL. It caused a decrease in the growth pattern as well as in the weight gain pattern until the 21st day of life. The IL of the group 20 percent had an increased in relation to the control group after 3 weeks of follow up.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do glutamato monossódico (GMS) nos fetos de ratas prenhes por meio da comparação do peso, comprimento nasal-anal (CNA) e índice de Lee (IL) ao nascimento e com 21 dias de vida. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas ratas prenhes da linhagem Wistar distribuídas em três grupos: grupo controle (GC), G10 e G20. Estes, respectivamente, foram alimentados com ração contendo 0, 10 e 20 por cento de GMS desde o período de acasalamento até o final da amamentação. RESULTADOS: O peso e o CNA não foram diferentes entre os grupos ao nascimento. O grupo G20, ao nascimento, teve IL menor que o grupo GC (p < 0,05) e, aos 21 dias de vida, apresentou peso e CNA menores que o grupo G10, o qual foi menor que o GC (p < 0,01). O grupo G20, aos 21 dias de vida, teve IL semelhante aos outros dois grupos. O percentual de ganho de peso do nascimento ao 21º dia de vida foi menor no G20 em relação aos outros dois grupos (p < 0,01). O grupo G20 teve percentual de aumento de CNA do nascimento ao 21º dia de vida menor que o grupo G10, e este menor que o grupo GC (p < 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: O GMS nas concentrações de 10 e 20 por cento na ração de ratas prenhes Wistar apresentou uma relação dose-dependente nas variáveis peso e CNA. Houve diminuição no padrão de ganho de peso e de aumento de CNA do nascimento ao 21º dia de vida com uso de GMS. O IL na prole do grupo G20 aumentou em relação ao do grupo GC após 3 semanas de acompanhamento.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae) / Actividad antibacteriana y antioxidante del aceite esencial extraído de Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae)

Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae) is commonly known in Argentina as “ajenjo”. Many studies report high efficacy of essential oils against food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial activity and minimal inhibitory concentration of A. echegarayi essential oil were evaluated against seven bacterial species of significant importance in food hygiene, by using the disc diffusion assay and the micro-well dilution method, respectively. Volatile components of the extract were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and major components were determined. Furthermore, the essential oil was tested for its antioxidant activity. The essential oil inhibited the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative tested bacteria, with the exception of Proteus mirabilis. A. echegarayi essential oil presented the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration against Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Two terpenes, thujone and camphor, were identified from this essential oil as the principal constituents responsible for antibacterial activity. The oil showed a free radical scavenging activity equivalent to 50% of the reference compound. These preliminary studies showed promising results since this essential oil may provide an alternative to promote its use as a natural food additive.

Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae), conocida como “ajenjo”, es una planta típica de la región de Cuyo (Argentina). En este trabajo se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana in vitro y la concentración inhibitoria mínima del aceite esencial extraído de sus partes aéreas frente a especies bacterianas que con frecuencia contaminan los alimentos. Se utilizaron las técnicas de difusión con discos en agar y microdilución en placa respectivamente. Además, se determinó la actividad antioxidante de este aceite esencial in vitro por espectrofotometría. En general, tanto las bacterias gram-positivas como las gram-negativas fueron inhibidas por este aceite, con excepción de Proteus mirabilis. Listeria monocytogenes y Bacillus cereus resultaron ser las bacterias más sensibles. El análisis por croma-tografía en fase gaseosa y espectrometría de masa permitió la identificación cualitativa y cuantitativa de los componentes mayoritarios del aceite esencial del ajenjo. Entre ellos, la tuyona y el alcanfor se destacaron como los principales responsables de la actividad antibacteriana observada. Los datos preliminares obtenidos en el presente estudio sugieren que el aceite esencial de Artemisia echegarayi representa una alternativa para promover su empleo como aditivo natural en alimentos.

Aceptabilidad de sopas deshidratadas de leguminosas adicionadas de realzadores del sabor (UMAMI) / Acceptability of dehydrated legume soups with the addition of flavor enhancers (UMAMI)

The enhancer effect of glutamate monosodium (MSG) flavor was evaluated and its synergistic action with 5'-ribonucleotides: ionone rib nucleotides 5'-monophosphate (IMP) and guano sine monophosphate (GMP) in dehydrated soups consisting of lentils and peas. Four formulations were developed for both soups: the first was the target with the original level of MSG, the following had different concentrations and mixtures of these enhancers (6 percent MSG; 6 percent MSG and 0.26 percent IMP; 0.6 MSG and 0.12 percent IMP-GMP). A five-.point Graphic Hedonic Scale test was used, where 1 represented the most upset face and 5 represented the happiest face. The most accepted soup was selected by thirty elderly adults. The lentils soup with 0,6 MSG and 0J2 percent IMP-GMP and the pea's soup with 6 percent MSG and 0.26 percent IMP obtained the greatest level of acceptance. So, the effectiveness of the synergistic action between the MSG and 5'-ribonucleotides was demonstrated, because they can improve the acceptance of the evaluated formulation.

Se evaluó el efecto realzador del sabor del glutamato monosódico (GMS) y su acción sinergista con 5'-ribonucleótidos: inosinato monofosfato (IMP) y guanilato monofosfato (GMP), cuando se adicionaron a sopas deshidratadas de lentejas y arvejas. Se elaboraron 4 formulaciones para cada sopa, la primera formulación correspondió al control con su nivel de GMS original, las siguientes formulaciones contaron con distintas concentraciones y mezclas de estos realzadores (6 por ciento GMS; 6 por ciento GMS mas 0,26 por ciento IMP y 0,6 GMS mas 0,12 por ciento IMP-GMP). Se utilizó la evaluación sensorial de Escala Hedónica Gráfica, con una escala de 1 al 5, donde 1: representa "la carita más disgustada" y 5: "la más feliz". Treinta adultos mayores determinaron la formulación más aceptada. La sopa de lentejas con 6 por ciento de GMS mas 0,12 por ciento de IMP-GMP fue la que tuvo mayor aceptación, mientras que para la sopa de arvejas fue aquella que contenía 6 por ciento de GMS más 0,26 por ciento de IMP. Por tanto, se pudo demostrar la efectividad de la acción sinergista entre el GMS y los 5'-ribonucleótidos, al mejorar las aceptación de las formulaciones evaluadas.

Desempenho e morfologia intestinal de frangos de corte alimentados com rações contendo aditivos alternativos a antimicrobianos / Performance and intestinal morphology of broilers of cut fed with rations containing alternative additive instead of antimicrobials

Este estudo avaliou o efeito de um prebiótico e de um probiótico sobre o desempenho e morfologia intestinal de frangos de corte, atuando como aditivos alternativos a antimicrobianos. Foram utilizados 960 pintos de corte, criados sobre cama reutilizada. O delineamento era inteiramente casualizado, com 4 tratamentos: Antibiótico (Avilamicina); Prebiótico (MOS); Probiótico (poolbacteriano); Controle (sem aditivo), sendo 8 repetições/tratamento. Considerando-se o período total de criação, os aditivos alternativos testados pioraram o GP em relação ao antibiótico não demonstrando efeito sobre o ganho de peso (GP) e consumo de ração (CR). Por suavez, a conversão alimentar (CA) dos tratamentos com aditivos alternativos foi similar à do antibiótico, entretanto, não diferiu do controle. Não foi possível observar efeito benéfico dos aditivos alternativos testados sobre a morfologia intestinal de frangos de corte.

This study evaluated the effect of a prebiotic (MOS) and of a probiotic(bacterial pool), acting as alternative additives instead of antibiotics, on the performance and on the intestinal morphology of broilers. In this experiment, 960 chicks were used on litter previously used. The birds were randomly assigned to four different treatments: Antibiotic; Prebiotic; Probiotic; and the control treatment, with eight repetitions for each treatment. For the whole breeding period (42 days) the alternative additives did not show any effect on the weight gain and feed intake. The feed conversion in the alternative additives groups was similar to that of the antibiotic group, however, it was not significantly different from that of the control group. It was not possible to observe any beneficial effect of the alternative additives,used in this essay, on the intestinal morphology of broilers.

Efecto de un yogur con inulina sobre la función intestinal de sujetos sanos o constipados / Effect of an inulin containing yougurt on intestinal function of healthy and constipated volunteers

The effect of the consumption of a yogurt with 2.36 g inulin and 1.77g polydextrose was evaluated in 33 healthy and 37 constipated adults, compared with the same product without inulin. The study includes two 5-week periods, one with the experimental product and the other with the control product, separated by a three week wash-out. The subjects had to ingest 1 yougurt/day during the first week of each period, 2/day during the third week and 3/day during the fifth week; simultaneously they had to register daily the intensity of the digestive symptoms as well as the frequency and consistency of their stools. The results showed that in healthy subjects, the intake of 2 yogurts with inulin or more per day significantly increased the digestive symptoms (p=0.03), due to a greater emission of rectal gas (p=0.000). Similar findings were observed in the constipated subjects consuming 3 yogurts daily (p=0.0085 y p=0.0048, respectively); stool frequency and consistency were significantly improved in these subjects (p=0.0039 and p=0.014, respectively). These results suggest that the consumption of 2 yogurts with inulin by day help to fight constipation in subjects with this complain while the intake of this same amount may increase discomfort in healthy subjects.

En 33 adultos sanos y 37 constipados se evaluó el efecto del consumo de un yogur que contenía 2.36 g de inulina y 1.77 g de polidextrosa, en comparación con un yogur control sin inulina. El estudio incluyó dos períodos de 5 semanas separados por tres semanas de reposo: uno con el producto experimental y otro con el control. Los sujetos consumieron 1 yogur al día la primera semana de cada período, 2 al día en la tercera y 3 al día en la quinta, y anotaron diariamente la intensidad de los síntomas digestivos así como el número de deposiciones emitidas y su consistencia. Los resultados muestran que a partir de un consumo diario de 2 yogures con inulina existe un aumento significativo de la sintomatología digestiva en los sujetos sanos (p=0.03), debido principalmente a la mayor emisión de gases rectales (p=0.000). Observaciones similares se realizaron en los sujetos constipados con el consumo de 3 productos diarios (p=0.0085 y p=0.0048, respectivamente); sin embargo en aquellos se observó además un mejoramiento significativo tanto en la frecuencia de las deposiciones (p= 0.0039) como en su consistencia (p= 0.014). Este estudio sugiere que el consumo del producto con inulina contribuye a aliviar las molestias de los individuos constipados pero que en los sujetos sanos un consumo de dos yogur al día aumenta los síntomas desagradables.

Experimental model to induce obesity in rats

The etiology of obesity is multifactorial and is becoming a problem of public health, due to its increased prevalence and the consequent repercussion of its comorbidities on the health of the population. The great similarity and homology between the genomes of rodents and humans make these animal models a major tool to study conditions affecting humans, which can be simulated in rats. Obesity can be induced in animals by neuroendocrine, dietary or genetic changes. The most widely used models to induce obesity in rats are a lesion of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) by administering monosodium glutamate or a direct electrical lesion, ovariectomy, feeding on hypercaloric diets and genetic manipulation for obesity.

A obesidade tem etiologia multifatorial e está se tornando um problema de saúde pública devido ao aumento da sua prevalência e a conseqüente repercusão das suas comorbidades na saúde da população. A grande similaridade e homologia entre os genomas dos roedores e dos humanos tornam esses modelos animais uma importante ferramenta para o estudo de condições que afetam os humanos e que podem ser simuladas em ratos. A obesidade pode ser induzida em animais com alterações neuroendócrinas, dietéticas ou genéticas. Os modelos mais utilizados para indução de obesidade em ratos são lesão do núcleo hipotalâmico venteromedial (VMH) através da administração de glutamato monossódico ou lesão elétrica direta, ooforectomia, alimentação com dietas hipercalóricas e manipulação genética para obesidade.

Study of the effects of ß-myrcene on rat fertility and general reproductive performance

Beta-Myrcene (MYR) is a monoterpene found in the oils of a variety of aromatic plants including lemongrass, verbena, hop, bay, and others. MYR and essential oils containing this terpenoid compound are used in cosmetics, household products, and as flavoring food additives. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of MYR on fertility and general reproductive performance in the rat. MYR (0, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) in peanut oil was given by gavage to male Wistar rats (15 per dose group) for 91 days prior to mating and during the mating period, as well ass to females (45 per dose group) continuously for 21 days before mating, during mating and pregnancy, and throughout the period of lactatiomn up to postnatal day 21. On day 21 of pregnancy one-third of the females of each group were submitted to cesarean section. Resorption, implantation, as well as dead and live fetuses were counted. All fetuses were examined for external malformation, weighed, and cleared and stained with Alizarin Red S for skeleton evaluation. The remaining dams were allowed to give birth to their offspring. The progeny was examined at birth and subsequently up to postnatal day 21. Mortality, weight gain and physical signs of postnatal development were evaluated. Except for an increase in liver and kidney weights, no other sign of toxicity was noted in male and female rats exposed to MYR. MYR did not affect the mating index (proportion of females impregnated by males) or the pregnancy index (ratio of pregnant to sperm-positive females). No sign of maternal toxicity and no increase in externally visible malformations were observed at any dose level. Only at the highest dose tested (500 mg/kg) did MYR induce an increase in the resorption rate and a higher frequency of fetal skeleton anomalies. No adverse effect of MYR on postnatal weight gain was noted but days of appearance of primary coat, incisor eruption and eye opening were slightly delayed in the exposed offspring. On the basis of the data presented in this paper the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for toxic effects on fertility and general reproductive performance can be set at 300 mg of Beta-myrcene/kg body weight by the oral route.

Evaluation of the modulatory influence of food additive-garam masala on hepatic detoxication system.

Potential chemopreventive role of an Indian food additive-garam masala has been assessed through its impact on the hepatic levels of detoxication enzymes like glutathione S-transferase (GST), cytochrome b5 (cyt. b5) and cytochrome P-450 (cyt. P-450), and acid soluble sulfhydryl (-SH) content in 8-9 weeks old Swiss albino mice of either sex fed on the 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% (w/w) garam masala in the diet for 10 days. The data from this short term study revealed the significant but dose-independent alteration in the levels of detoxication system enzymes. The results suggest the possible chemopreventive potency of this widely used food additive by being a bifunctional inducer of detoxication system.