ABSTRACT
Water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are quite well adapted to climatic conditions in the Amazon, and in this biome, they are noted for the considerable amount of meat and milk they produce and how hard they are able to work. Because of a lack of research dedicated to improving the rearing of buffaloes in the Amazon, the objective of this study was to genetically characterize the Murrah and Mediterranean breeds, as well as a mixed-breed population, based on polymorphisms in the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 gene (DGAT1), and associate the genotypes with milk production. By using the polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism technique, the alleles A (0.79), B (0.20), and D (0.01) were found in the Murrah breed. In the Mediterranean and mixed-breed buffaloes, we found alleles A (0.69) and (0.77) and B (0.31) and (0.23), respectively. The Murrah breed had the genotypes AA (0.63), AB (0.29), BB (0.05), and AD (0.03), and the Mediterranean and mixed-breed buffaloes had the genotypes AA (0.44) and (0.61), AB (0.50) and (0.31), and BB (0.06) and (0.08), respectively. For the Murrah, Mediterranean, and mixed-breed buffaloes, respectively, the expected heterozygosity values were 0.34, 0.43, and 0.35, the inbreeding coefficients were 0.78, -0.15, and 0.17, and the Hardy-Weinberg probabilities were 0.70, 0.67, and 0.52. The genotypes evaluated did not have an effect on milk production; however, the single nucleotide polymorphisms can be used in studies on genetic variability.
Subject(s)
Buffaloes/genetics , Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase/genetics , Genetic Variation , Alleles , Animals , Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase/metabolism , Genotype , Milk/metabolism , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/geneticsABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is expected to affect more than 22 million people worldwide by 2025, causing devastating suffering and enormous costs to families and society. AD is a multifactorial disease, with a complex pathological mosaic. In rodents, AD-like dementia can be induced by cerebral microinjection of Aß peptide, leading to amyloid deposits, amnesia and various features of neurodegeneration. Marapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) is regarded as a "brain tonic" in the Amazon region and shows a nootropic profile in rodents. AIM OF THE STUDY: Because a specific extract (POEE) of Marapuama was shown to possess promnesic and anti-amnesic properties, the aim of this study was to verify if POEE is also effective against Aß(1-42)-induced cognitive deficit in mice. Additionally, Aß deposits (Congo red), GFAP immunoreactivity (immunohistochemistry), and neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampal pyramidal layer (Nissl) were examined as measures of Aß(1-42)-induced neurodegeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CF1 mice were subjected to the experimental Alzheimer model with the Aß(1-42) i.c.v. administration. The effects of POEE 800 mg/kg were evaluated over 14 consecutive days of treatment. RESULTS: The data show that 14 days of oral treatment with POEE (800 mg/kg) was effective in preventing Aß-induced cognitive impairment, without altering the levels of BDNF and with parallel reductions in Aß deposits and astrogliosis. CA1 hippocampus loss induced by Aß(1-42) was also diminished in POEE-treated mice. CONCLUSION: This study offers evidence of functional and neuroprotective effects of two weeks treatment with a Ptychopetalum olacoides extract against Aß peptide-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Given the multifactorial nature of neurodegeneration, the considerable potential for an AChE inhibitor displaying associated neuroprotective properties such as here reported warrants further clinic evaluation.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/drug therapy , Nerve Degeneration/drug therapy , Nootropic Agents/pharmacology , Olacaceae/chemistry , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Amyloid beta-Peptides/pharmacology , Animals , Brain/drug effects , Dementia/drug therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Disease Progression , Male , Mice , Neuroglia/pathology , Nootropic Agents/therapeutic use , Peptide Fragments/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plants, Medicinal/chemistryABSTRACT
The goal of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) used to treat Alzheimer's patients is an improvement in cholinergic transmission. While currently available AChEIs have limited success, a huge impediment to the development of newer ones is access to the relevant brain areas. Promnesic, anti-amnesic and AChEI properties were identified in a standardized ethanol extract from Ptychopetalum olacoides (POEE), a medicinal plant favored by the elderly in Amazon communities. The purpose of this study was to provide conclusive evidence that orally given POEE induces AChE inhibition in brain areas relevant to cognition. Histochemistry experiments confirmed that the anticholinesterase compound(s) present in POEE are orally bioavailable, inducing meaningful AChE inhibition in the hippocampus CA1 (â¼33%) and CA3 (â¼20%), and striatum (â¼17%). Ellman's colorimetric analysis revealed that G1 and G4 AChE isoforms activities were markedly inhibited (66 and 72%, respectively) in hippocampus and frontal cortex (50 and 63%, respectively), while G4 appeared to be selectively inhibited (72%) in the striatum. Western blotting showed that POEE did not induce significant changes in the AChE immunocontent suggesting that its synthesis is not extensively modified. This study provides definitive proof of meaningful anticholinesterase activity compatible with the observed promnesic and anti-amnesic effects of POEE in mice, reaffirming the potential of this extract for treating neurodegenerative conditions where a hypofunctioning cholinergic neurotransmission is prominent. Adequate assessment of the safety and efficacy of this extract and/or its isolated active compound(s) are warranted.
Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Brain/drug effects , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Nootropic Agents/pharmacology , Olacaceae , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Cognition/drug effects , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Neurodegenerative Diseases/drug therapy , Plant Roots , Protein IsoformsABSTRACT
Aromatherapy uses essential oils (EOs) for several medical purposes, including relaxation. The association between the use of aromas and a decrease in anxiety could be a valuable instrument in managing anxiety in an ever increasing anxiogenic daily life style. Linalool is a monoterpene commonly found as the major volatile component of EOs in several aromatic plant species. Adding to previously reported sedative effects of inhaled linalool, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhaled linalool on anxiety, aggressiveness and social interaction in mice. Additionally, we investigated the effects of inhaled linalool on the acquisition phase of a step-down memory task in mice. Inhaled linalool showed anxiolytic properties in the light/dark test, increased social interaction and decreased aggressive behavior; impaired memory was only seen the higher dose of linalool. These results strengthen the suggestion that inhaling linalool rich essential oils can be useful as a mean to attain relaxation and counteract anxiety.
Subject(s)
Aggression/drug effects , Anti-Anxiety Agents/therapeutic use , Aromatherapy , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Monoterpenes/therapeutic use , Oils, Volatile/therapeutic use , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Acyclic Monoterpenes , Administration, Inhalation , Animals , Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology , Anxiety/drug therapy , Darkness , Light , Male , Memory/drug effects , Mice , Monoterpenes/adverse effects , Monoterpenes/pharmacology , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacologyABSTRACT
This work has investigated the effects of prolonged exposure of young rats to nicotine on some physiological and biochemical parameters. Wistar male rats (30 days old) were treated (s.c.) with saline or nicotine 5mg/kg/day for 28 or 56 days. They received five injections (1mg/kg) per day (8, 10, 12:00 a.m., 2 and 4:00 p.m.) on the dark period of the cycle. Nicotine exposure for 56 days reduced body and liver weights. Moreover, nicotine exposure for 28 or 56 days decreased the hepatic glycogen but not blood glucose levels. The activities of blood and hepatic PBG-synthase, and blood and cerebral acetylcholinesterase were not affected by in vivo exposure. However, these activities were inhibited by nicotine in vitro. Results show that although high levels of plasma cotinine were found in both intervals of exposures, the parameters here analyzed were not affected by prolonged nicotine exposure except the storage of glucose, and body and liver weights.
Subject(s)
Aging/drug effects , Nicotine/toxicity , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Animals , Blood Glucose/drug effects , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Body Weight/drug effects , Brain/drug effects , Brain/enzymology , Cotinine/blood , Environmental Exposure , Injections, Subcutaneous , Liver/anatomy & histology , Liver/drug effects , Male , Nicotine/administration & dosage , Organ Size/drug effects , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
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Um caso de fistula nefroapendico cutanea e apresentado, salientando-se sua raridade quando o processo e primariamente renal