Babassu (Attalea glassmanii Zona) Nut Oil Is More Effective than Olive Oil for Treating Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Western civilizations. The type of fatty acid which makes up the diet is related to the cardiovascular morbimortality and the formation of atheromas. Populations with high consumption of oils and fats have a higher number of deaths from CVD. PURPOSE: In the present study, the objective was to comparatively analyze the microcirculatory effects of unrefined babassu oil with olive oil in microcirculation and liver of male hamsters of the species Mesocricetus auratus, checking the permeability to macromolecules after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) without and with topical application of histamine 5 × 10-6 M. This is an experimental study, using as model the hamster's cheek pouch, which was prepared for intravital microscopy. The hamsters were divided into seven groups and orally treated for 14 days, twice a day (at 8 AM and 4 PM), orally received treatments in the following doses: unrefined babassu oil (BO) 0.02 mL/dose (group BO-2), 0.06 mL/dose (group BO-6), and 0.18 mL/dose (BO-18 group); extra virgin olive oil (OI) 0.02 mL/dose (group OI-2), 0.06 mL/dose (group OI-6), and 0.18 mL/dose (OI-18 group); and mineral oil (MO) 0.18 mL/dose (MO-18 group). The observations were made on the 15th day on the hamsters' cheek pouch; the increase of vascular permeability induced by I/R with and without histamine application was evaluated, and in the liver the biological material was collected aseptically then fixed in 10% buffered formalin. RESULTS: Microcirculatory analyses showed a significant reduction in the number of leaks after I/R with and without the topical use of histamine in animals treated with unrefined BO 0.06 mL/dose (BO-6) and 0.18 mL/dose (BO-18) compared to animals treated with OI. The BO group (p < 0.001) presented a dose-response relationship for decreasing leaks after I/R with and without topical use of histamine. Histological liver analyses showed no fat deposition changes in any of the treatment groups. Phytochemical analyses evidenced a chemical compound (C31H60NO8) in unrefined BO but not in OI. CONCLUSIONS: This experiment demonstrates the protective effect of unrefined BO on the microcirculatory system and its greater dose effect than that of OI. Finding a chemical compound (C31H60NO8) that is present in BO but not in OI opens the possibility of investigating whether this chemical compound was responsible for the protective effect on membrane permeability.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) Consumption and Prevention of Chronic Diseases: Is There an Association? A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids from a variety of fruits, including açaí, have beneficial antioxidant activity in several diseases, including cancer. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among Brazilian women. Studies have shown the action of flavonoids on neoplastic cells, as well as on diabetes and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the consumption of açaí and the presence of chronic diseases in women residing in the rural area of São Luís, Maranhão. METHODS: A convenience sample of 150 women residing in the Maracanã neighborhood in São Luís, Maranhão, was used; the collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, habits, sexual and reproductive history, consumption of açaí, and history of cancer and other chronic diseases. The sample was divided into women who consumed açaí at least once a week (cases) and women who did not consume açaí (controls). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationships between those variables and the consumption of açaí. RESULTS: A total of 141 women (94%) consumed açaí. Among these, 79.3% were aged between 20 and 50 years, 78.67% were farmers or housewives, 64.67% were Pardo (mixed race), 76.67% were nonsmokers, 70% were not receiving hormonal therapy, 40.67% had already undergone mammography, 28% had already undergone breast ultrasound, and 27.33% had a family history of cancer, with breast cancer being the second most prevalent cancer. There was a higher prevalence of hypertension among women who did not consume açaí than that among those who did; however, previous cancer, family history of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes were more prevalent among the consumers of açaí. There were no statistically significant relationships. CONCLUSION: Flavonoids are known to have a beneficial effect on some types of neoplastic cells and other diseases; therefore, larger studies are necessary to better evaluate the beneficial effects of consuming foods containing flavonoids on these diseases.

Diversity of Soil Filamentous Fungi Influenced by Marine Environment in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: In recent decades, there has been an intensification of environmental problems, which are becoming increasingly critical and frequent due to population growth. Microorganisms, including soilborne fungi, play an essential role in maintaining and balancing the environment. One of the most impacted ecosystems in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, is the Jansen Lagoon State Park, an important tourist spot, which has suffered anthropogenic actions such as the dumping of household waste (sewage) in its body of water. As a consequence, these pollutants can accumulate in the adjacent soil, since the body of water is near this substrate. The objectives were to isolate and identify filamentous fungi from the soil of the Jansen Lagoon State Park. METHODS: Monthly soil samples were collected and later processed using the modified suspension technique according to Clark (1965). RESULTS: The isolated genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Absidia, and Fusarium. Aspergillus is the fungal genus of greater dominance in the soil of the Jansen Lagoon State Park. Aspergillus niger was the dominant species (37%), followed by A. tamarii (21.6%). CONCLUSION: The main isolated fungi from the Jansen Lagoon State Park were Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tamrii. These fungi can be used as biological markers of pollution and as biodegraders and/or bioremediators to improve the area studied.

Cellulitis in a Liver Transplant Patient as an Initial Manifestation of Disseminated Cryptococcal Disease.

A 50-year-old male underwent liver transplantation due to cryptogenic cirrhosis and was admitted with severe pain in the left leg as well as phlogosis. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was prescribed, assuming bullous erysipelas. Among the tests performed, the latex agglutination test for the Cryptococcus sp. antigen was positive, and in both the blood culture and blister culture Cryptococcus sp. was isolated. Daily fluconazole was started. Even though liposomal amphotericin B has been started on the fifth day of hospitalization, the patient progressed to death.