Anti-genotoxic and anti-mutagenic effects of melatonin supplementation in a mouse model of melanoma.

Melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer originating from melanocytes, can metastasize to the lungs, liver, cortex, femur, and spinal cord, ultimately resulting in DNA mutagenic effects. Melatonin is an endogenous hormone and free radical scavenger that possesses the ability to protect the DNA and to exert anti-proliferative effects in melanoma cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of B16F10 melanoma cells and the effects of melatonin supplementation on genotoxic parameters in murine melanoma models. Thirty-two male C57Bl/6 mice were divided in the following four groups: PBS + vehicle (n = 6), melanoma + vehicle (n = 10), PBS + melatonin (n = 6), and melanoma + melatonin (n = 10). The melanoma groups received a B16F10 cell injection, and melatonin was administered during 60 days. After treatment, tumor sizes were evaluated. DNA damage within the peripheral blood, lungs, liver, cortex, and spinal cord was determined using comet assay, and the mutagenicity within the bone marrow was determined using the micronucleus test. B16F10 cells effectively induced DNA damage in all tissues, and melatonin supplementation decreased DNA damage in the blood, liver, cortex, and spinal cord. This hormone exerts anti-tumor activity via its anti-proliferative, antioxidative, and pro-apoptotic effects. As this result was not observed within the lungs, we hypothesized that melatonin can induce apoptosis in cancer cells, and this was not evaluated by comet assay. This study provides evidence that melatonin can reduce the genotoxicity and mutagenicity caused by B16F10 cells.

Vitamin D3 as adjuvant in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: modulation of genomic and biochemical instability.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has undergone a worldwide growth in incidence in the world and has now acquired epidemic status. There is a strong link between type 2 diabetes and vitamin D deficiency. Because vitamin D has beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of vitamin D3 supplementation on the modulation of glycaemic control and other metabolic effects, as well as modulation of genomic instability in patients with type 2 diabetes. We evaluated 75 patients with type 2 diabetes, registered in the Integrated Clinics of the University of Southern Santa Catarina. Participants received 4000 IU of vitamin D3 (25(OH)D) supplementation daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of the supplementation, and 4 weeks after the end of supplementation. The glycidic and lipid profiles [total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides], oxidative stress, DNA damage and 25(OH)D levels were evaluated. Vitamin D3 supplementation for 8 weeks showed enough to significantly increase blood levels of 25(OH)D. A significant difference in lipid profile was observed only in non-HDL cholesterol. Significant changes were observed in glucose homeostasis (fasting glucose and serum insulin) and, in addition, a reduction in the parameters of oxidative stress and DNA damage. There was a significant reduction in the values of 25(OH)D 4 weeks after the end of the supplementation, but levels still remained above baseline. Use of vitamin D supplementation can be an ally in the health modulation of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases DNA damage in brain of rats subjected to a chemically induced chronic model of Tyrosinemia type II.

Tyrosinemia type II is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a mutation in a gene encoding the enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase leading to an accumulation of tyrosine in the body, and is associated with neurologic and development difficulties in numerous patients. Because the accumulation of tyrosine promotes oxidative stress and DNA damage, the main aim of this study was to investigate the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of omega-3 treatment in a chemically-induced model of Tyrosinemia type II in hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex of rats. Our results showed chronic administration of L-tyrosine increased the frequency and the index of DNA damage, as well as the 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in the hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex. Moreover, omega-3 fatty acid treatment totally prevented increased DNA damage in the striatum and hippocampus, and partially prevented in the cerebral cortex, whereas the increase in 8-OHdG levels was totally prevented by omega-3 fatty acid treatment in hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the main accumulating metabolite in Tyrosinemia type II induce DNA damage in hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex, possibly mediated by free radical production, and the supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids was able to prevent this damage, suggesting that could be involved in the prevention of oxidative damage to DNA in this disease. Thus, omega-3 fatty acids supplementation to Tyrosinemia type II patients may represent a new therapeutic approach and a possible adjuvant to the curren t treatment of this disease.

Evidence that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric and 3-methylglutaric acids induce DNA damage in rat striatum.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase (HL) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorderaffecting the final step of leucine degradation and ketogenesis and biochemically characterized by the predominant accumulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric (HMG) and 3-methylglutaric (MGA) acids in biological fluids and tissues of affected patients. Considering that previous studies reported that HMG and MGA have pro oxidant properties, the present study evaluated the ex vivo and in vitro effects of HMG and MGA on frequency and index of DNA damage in cerebral cortex and striatum of young rats. The ex vivo effects of both organic acids on 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (OHdG) levels and their in vitro effects on 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCFH) oxidation and glutathione (GSH) concentrations in rat striatum were also determined. We also investigated the ex vivo effects of both organic acids on 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (OHdG) levels in rat striatum. In the ex vivo experiments, DNA damage was determined in striatum homogenates prepared 30 min after a single intrastriatal administration of HMG or MGA. On the other hand, the in vitro evaluation was performed after an incubation of rat cerebral cortex or striatum homogenates or slices in the presence of HMG or MGA during 1 h at 37 °C. We observed that the intrastriatal administration of HMG and MGA increased the frequency and the index of DNA damage, as well as OHdG staining in rat striatum. We also verified that MGA, but not HMG, increased DNA damage frequency and index in vitro in striatum of rats. In contrast, no alterations were verified in vitro in cerebral cortex. Finally, we found that HMG and MGA increased DCFH oxidation and decreased GSH concentrations in rat striatum. Therefore, it may be presumed that DNA damage provoked by HMG and MGA possibly via reactive species generation is involved, at least in part, in the pathophysiology of brain injury, particularly in the striatum of HL-deficient patients.

Organização sociopolítica de Psicólogas(os) na Bahia: formação das suas entidades de classe / Social and political organization of psychologists in Bahia: formation of their class entities / Organización sociopolítica de Psicólogas(los) en Bahia:: formación de sus entidades de clase

O presente artigo teórico propõe-se a debater sobre o processo de organização sociopolítica dos psicólogos na Bahia, trazendo como objetivo uma reflexão sobre o papel das entidades representativas da classe nesse processo. Com esse fim, foi realizada uma revisão de literatura que tratou da conjuntura histórica da regulamentação e do desenvolvimento da Psicologia no Brasil, assim como sobre a sua organização sociopolítica. Além disso, devido à escassez de estudos que abordam esse tema, foram incluídos depoimentos coletados durante a realização deste artigo, e, para isso, foram feitas entrevistas semiestruturadas com alguns membros envolvidos com as entidades representativas dos psicólogos no Estado da Bahia. Este estudo buscou discutir, principalmente, a atuação e a função do Conselho Regional de Psicologia - Região 03 e do Sindicato dos(as) Psicólogos(as) no Estado da Bahia - SINPSI-BA. Ao final, são levantadas algumas reflexões sobre a atuação e o engajamento das (os) psicólogas (os) bem como a análise do papel desse profissional na sociedade baiana.

The present theoretical article proposes to discuss about Bahia's psychologists socio-political organization process, having as objective the reflection about the class representative entities role in this process. With this aim a literature review about the historic conjuncture on psychology regulation and development in Brazil has been done, as well as on its socio-political organization. Furthermore, due to the scarcity of works about this issue, interviews done while during the execution of this article were included. With this target, semi-structured interviews with some members involved in the psychologists representative entities in Bahia state have been made. This study aimed at discussing primarily Psychology Regional Council - Third Region and Bahia State Psychology Labor Union - SINPSI BA performance and function. In the end, some thoughts about psychologist's action and engagement are listed, as well as an analysis of this professional's role in Bahia's society.

El presente artículo teórico se propone debatir sobre el proceso de organización sociopolítica de los psicólogos en Bahía, trayendo como objetivo una reflexión sobre el papel de las entidades representativas de la clase en ese proceso. Con ese fin, fue realizada una revisión de la literatura que trató la coyuntura histórica de la reglamentación y del desarrollo de la Psicología en Brasil, así como sobre su organización sociopolítica. Además, debido a la escasez de estudios que abordan ese tema, fueron incluidas declaraciones recolectadas durante la realización de este artículo, y, para eso, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con algunos miembros involucrados con las entidades representativas de los psicólogos en el Estado de Bahía. Este estudio buscó discutir, principalmente, la actuación y la función del Consejo Regional de Psicología - Región 03 y del Sindicato de los (las) Psicólogos (las) en el Estado de Bahía - SINPSI-BA. Al final, son realizadas algunas reflexiones sobre la actuación y el compromiso de los psicólogos así como el análisis del papel de ese profesional en la sociedad bahiana.

Organização sociopolítica de Psicólogas(os) na Bahia: formação das suas entidades de classe / Social and political organization of psychologists in Bahia: formation of their class entities / Organización sociopolítica de Psicólogas(los) en Bahia:: formación de sus entidades de clase

O presente artigo teórico propõe-se a debater sobre o processo de organização sociopolítica dos psicólogos na Bahia, trazendo como objetivo uma reflexão sobre o papel das entidades representativas da classe nesse processo. Com esse fim, foi realizada uma revisão de literatura que tratou da conjuntura histórica da regulamentação e do desenvolvimento da Psicologia no Brasil, assim como sobre a sua organização sociopolítica. Além disso, devido à escassez de estudos que abordam esse tema, foram incluídos depoimentos coletados durante a realização deste artigo, e, para isso, foram feitas entrevistas semiestruturadas com alguns membros envolvidos com as entidades representativas dos psicólogos no Estado da Bahia. Este estudo buscou discutir, principalmente, a atuação e a função do Conselho Regional de Psicologia - Região 03 e do Sindicato dos(as) Psicólogos(as) no Estado da Bahia - SINPSI-BA. Ao final, são levantadas algumas reflexões sobre a atuação e o engajamento das (os) psicólogas (os) bem como a análise do papel desse profissional na sociedade baiana.(AU)

The present theoretical article proposes to discuss about Bahia's psychologists socio-political organization process, having as objective the reflection about the class representative entities role in this process. With this aim a literature review about the historic conjuncture on psychology regulation and development in Brazil has been done, as well as on its socio-political organization. Furthermore, due to the scarcity of works about this issue, interviews done while during the execution of this article were included. With this target, semi-structured interviews with some members involved in the psychologists representative entities in Bahia state have been made. This study aimed at discussing primarily Psychology Regional Council - Third Region and Bahia State Psychology Labor Union - SINPSI BA performance and function. In the end, some thoughts about psychologist's action and engagement are listed, as well as an analysis of this professional's role in Bahia's society.(AU)

El presente artículo teórico se propone debatir sobre el proceso de organización sociopolítica de los psicólogos en Bahía, trayendo como objetivo una reflexión sobre el papel de las entidades representativas de la clase en ese proceso. Con ese fin, fue realizada una revisión de la literatura que trató la coyuntura histórica de la reglamentación y del desarrollo de la Psicología en Brasil, así como sobre su organización sociopolítica. Además, debido a la escasez de estudios que abordan ese tema, fueron incluidas declaraciones recolectadas durante la realización de este artículo, y, para eso, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con algunos miembros involucrados con las entidades representativas de los psicólogos en el Estado de Bahía. Este estudio buscó discutir, principalmente, la actuación y la función del Consejo Regional de Psicología - Región 03 y del Sindicato de los (las) Psicólogos (las) en el Estado de Bahía - SINPSI-BA. Al final, son realizadas algunas reflexiones sobre la actuación y el compromiso de los psicólogos así como el análisis del papel de ese profesional en la sociedad bahiana.(AU)