ABSTRACT
AIM: To analyse the correlation between production of angiogenic [vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and interleukin 8 (IL-8)] and lymphangiogenic factors (VEGF-C and D) and adaptation to high altitude (>8000 m). Erythropoietin (EPO) served as a positive control. METHODS: We analysed the percentage of oxygen saturation and the plasmatic contents of VEGF-A, C, D, IL-8 and EPO in seven mountaineers and four Sherpas during an expedition to Mount Everest. Acute mountain sickness was also evaluated using the Lake Louise score. RESULTS: Whereas VEGF-A, IL-8, VEGF-C and EPO were transiently up-regulated at 5000 m and decreased at the highest altitudes, VEGF-D remained elevated throughout the ascent. Sherpas had increased basal levels of VEGF-A, C, IL-8 and EPO and up-regulation of all the tested factors when they passed the altitude at which they lived. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that expression of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors is up-regulated directly or indirectly by altitude-dependent hypoxia. Both factors could be involved in a mechanism of adaptation to high altitudes.
Subject(s)
Acclimatization/physiology , Altitude , Angiogenic Proteins/blood , Mountaineering , Adult , Altitude Sickness/diagnosis , Erythropoietin/blood , Female , Humans , Hypoxia/blood , Interleukin-8/blood , Lymphangiogenesis/physiology , Middle Aged , Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology , Oxygen/blood , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/blood , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C/blood , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D/bloodABSTRACT
The composition of eight samples of commercial copaiba oils, used in the Amazonian region as antiinflammatory agents and available in popular markets, were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS). Major differences were observed in their chemical composition and some adulterations were pointed out. When tested in vivo oils 1 and 3, and to a lesser extent oil 6, significantly inhibited bradykinin-induced oedema formation. The other tested oils had no effect. When assessed in carrageenan-induced oedema formation, oils 1, 2 and 6, but not oil 3, significantly attenuated the oedema formation. The other tested oils failed to affect carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Oils 1 and 6 were further fractionated and several sesquiterpenes and diterpenes were detected. It is suggested that the naturally occurring sesquiterpenes present in the copaiba oils seem to be responsible for the antiinflammatory action reported in the folk medicine. Furthermore, our results clearly show an adulteration in copaiba oils available in Brazil.
Subject(s)
Edema/drug therapy , Fabaceae , Plant Oils/chemistry , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Bradykinin/pharmacology , Brazil , Carrageenan/pharmacology , Diterpenes/analysis , Diterpenes/chemistry , Drug Contamination , Edema/chemically induced , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Herbal Medicine , Inflammation/drug therapy , Male , Phytotherapy , Plant Oils/therapeutic use , Plants, Medicinal , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sesquiterpenes/analysis , Sesquiterpenes/chemistryABSTRACT
Bioassay-directed fractionation of the bioactive alcoholic extracts of Vellozia candida yielded a new 6,7-seco-rosane diterpenoid, candidalactone (1), which showed moderate toxicity toward DNA repair-deficient mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Another new but inactive rosane diterpenoid, candidenodiol (3), was also obtained.
