Evaluation of the morphology and development of preantral ovarian follicles in mice submitted to a chronic diet of dietary supplementation with Pereskia aculeata Miller leaves.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of including mouse feed with different concentrations (5, 10, or 20%) of Pereskia aculeata Miller (PAM) leaves on the morphology and development of preantral ovarian follicles and ovarian stromal cell density. The oral toxicity was performed using repeated dose toxicity assays subdivided into experiments of 30 days and 90 days of treatment. After the experiments, the ovaries of each animal were collected and submitted to classical histology. At 30 and 90 days, there was an equivalent percentage of normal, primordial, and developing follicles (P > 0.05) between PAM treatments compared to the control. Regarding the different stages of follicular development, after 90 days, there was a higher percentage (P < 0.05) of developing follicles only in the control group compared to day 30. The PAM 5% treatment was the only one that affected the cell density in the stroma after 90 days of treatment. Thus, we observed that supplementing the diet with P. aculeata did not pose any risk concerning animal consumption; specifically, there were no toxic reproductive effects observed from adding Pereskia aculeata Miller to the mouse diet.

Cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: to identify cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents and verify correlations between these variables and biochemical markers, and between blood pressure percentiles, Body Mass Index, and biochemical markers. METHODS: a cross-sectional study, conducted at a Brazilian school, from August to September 2019, including 205 participants who were interviewed. After the interview, anthropometric assessments, including weight, height, arm circumference, blood pressure checking, and blood collection for laboratory tests were performed. Descriptive and inferential analysis using the chi-square test was conducted. RESULTS: a total of 18.5% had blood pressure percentiles >95%, 25.4% were overweight, and 25.9% were at very high cardiovascular risk. Statistically significant associations were found between cardiovascular risk and sex, Body Mass Index and blood pressure percentiles, and between blood pressure percentiles and triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: high prevalence of risk factors among school adolescents reinforces the need for interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction in this population.

Cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents / Risco cardiovascular e fatores de risco cardiovascular em adolescentes / Riesgo cardiovascular y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents and verify correlations between these variables and biochemical markers, and between blood pressure percentiles, Body Mass Index, and biochemical markers. Methods: a cross-sectional study, conducted at a Brazilian school, from August to September 2019, including 205 participants who were interviewed. After the interview, anthropometric assessments, including weight, height, arm circumference, blood pressure checking, and blood collection for laboratory tests were performed. Descriptive and inferential analysis using the chi-square test was conducted. Results: a total of 18.5% had blood pressure percentiles >95%, 25.4% were overweight, and 25.9% were at very high cardiovascular risk. Statistically significant associations were found between cardiovascular risk and sex, Body Mass Index and blood pressure percentiles, and between blood pressure percentiles and triglycerides. Conclusions: high prevalence of risk factors among school adolescents reinforces the need for interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction in this population.

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar o risco cardiovascular e os fatores de risco cardiovascular em adolescentes e verificar correlações entre essas variáveis e marcadores bioquímicos, e entre percentis de pressão arterial, Índice de Massa Corporal e marcadores bioquímicos. Métodos: estudo transversal, realizado em escola brasileira, de agosto-setembro de 2019, incluindo 205 participantes que foram entrevistados. Após a entrevista, foram realizadas avaliações antropométricas, incluindo peso, altura, circunferência do braço, aferição da pressão arterial e coleta de sangue. Foi realizada análise descritiva e inferencial por meio do Teste do Qui-Quadrado. Resultados: 18,5% apresentavam percentis de pressão arterial>95%, 25,4% com sobrepeso e 25,9% com risco cardiovascular muito alto. Foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significativas entre risco cardiovascular e sexo, Índice de Massa Corporal e percentis de pressão arterial e entre percentis de pressão arterial e triglicérides. Conclusões: a alta prevalência de fatores de risco em adolescentes escolares reforça a necessidade de intervenções para redução do risco cardiovascular nessa população.

RESUMEN Objetivos: identificar riesgo cardiovascular y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en adolescentes y verificar las correlaciones entre estas variables y marcadores bioquímicos, y entre percentiles de presión arterial, Índice de Masa Corporal y marcadores bioquímicos. Métodos: estudio transversal, realizado en una escuela brasileña, de agosto a septiembre de 2019, que incluyó a 205 participantes que fueron entrevistados. Después de la entrevista, se realizaron evaluaciones antropométricas que incluyeron peso, talla, perímetro del brazo, medición de la presión arterial y extracción de sangre para pruebas de laboratorio. El análisis descriptivo e inferencial se realizó mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado. Resultados: el 18,5% tenía percentiles de presión arterial>95%, el 25,4% tenía sobrepeso y el 25,9% tenía un riesgo cardiovascular muy alto.Se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre el riesgo cardiovascular y el sexo, el Índice de Masa Corporal y los percentiles de presión arterial, y entre los percentiles de presión arterial y los triglicéridos. Conclusiones: la alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo en estudiantes adolescentes refuerza la necesidad de intervenciones para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular en esta población.

Tyramine exerts hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effects in vivo

Abstract Obesity and dyslipidemia are conditions often associated with cardiovascular risk, inflammation, oxidative stress, and death. Thus, a new approach has been highlighted to promote research and development of pharmacological tools derived from natural sources. Among the most widely studied groups of substances, polyphenols such as tyramine stand out. This study investigated hypolipidemic and anti-obesity properties of tyramine. Oral toxicity evaluation, models of dyslipidemia and obesity were used. To induce dyslipidemia, Poloxamer-407 (P-407) was administered intraperitoneally. In the hypercholesterolemic and obesity model, specific diet and oral tyramine were provided. After 24h of P-407 administration, tyramine 2 mg/kg (T2) decreased triglycerides (TG) (2057.0 ± 158.5 mg/dL vs. 2838 ± 168.3 mg/dL). After 48h, TG were decreased by T2 (453.0 ± 35.47 vs. 760.2 ± 41.86 mg/dL) and 4 mg/kg (T4) (605.8 ± 26.61 760.2 ± 41.86 mg/dL). T2 reduced total cholesterol (TC) after 24h (309.0 ± 11.17 mg/dL vs. 399.7 ± 15.7 mg/dL); After 48h, 1 mg/kg (T1) (220.5 ± 12.78 mg/dL), T2 (205.8 ± 7.1 mg/dL) and T4 (216.8 ± 12.79 mg/dL), compared to P-407 (275.5 ± 12.1 mg/dL). The treatment decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitrite in liver, increased superoxide dismutase, reduced the diet-induced dyslipidemia, decreasing TC around 15%. Tyramine reduced body mass, glucose, and TC after hypercaloric feed. Treatment with 5 mg/L (0.46 ± 0.04 ng/dL) and 10 mg/L (0.44 ± 0.02 ng/dL) reduced plasma insulin (1.18 ± 0.23 ng/dL). Tyramine increased adiponectin at 5 mg/L (1.02 ± 0.02 vs. 0.83 ± 0.02 ng/mL) and 10mg/L (0.96 ± 0.04 ng/mL). In conclusion, tyramine has low toxicity in rodents, has antioxidant effect, reduces plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels. However, further studies should be conducted in rodents and non-rodents to better understand the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of tyramine

Conhecimento dos fatores de risco de doenças cardiovasculares por estudantes universitários: evidências científicas / Knowledge of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases by university students: scientific evidences

Objetivo: Identificar e avaliar as evidências científicas em relação ao conhecimento de estudantesuniversitáriossobre os fatores de risco de Doenças Cardiovasculares(DCV). Método: Trata-se de revisão integrativa, realizada em 2020, nas bases de dados MEDLINE, CINAHL,PubMed,Scopus e Web of Science.Baseado na pergunta norteadora, foi feita a busca dos artigos, utilizando-se descritores "Estudantes", "Universidades", "Conhecimento", "Doenças cardiovasculares" e "Fatores de riscos"e seus correspondentes em inglês.Resultados: Dos 17 artigos incluídos, 6 estavam disponíveis no Scopuse todos estavam em língua inglesa. Observou-se que estudantes tinham baixos níveis de conhecimento sobre osfatores de risco de DCV e não reconheciam a vulnerabilidade a elas, além de não adotarem medidas preventivas e um estilo de vida saudável.As publicações sugeriram a necessidade de profissionais de saúde em ambientes educacionais, visando aprimorar o conhecimento relacionado à saúde, incorporar práticas de estilo de vida saudáveis e desenvolver estratégias de redução dos níveis de risco de DCV. Conclusão:O aprofundamento do conhecimento e o olhar crítico sobre a literatura apontaram carência na produção de estudosbrasileiros sobre a temática, despertando a necessidade de condução de mais pesquisas e revisões da literatura para fortalecimento da prática baseada em evidências.

Objective: To identify and assess scientific evidence regarding university students' knowledge about risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). Method: This is an integrative review, carried out in 2020, in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Webof Science databases. Based on the guiding question, the search for articles was made, using the descriptors "Students", "Universities", "Knowledge", "Cardiovascular Diseases", and "Risk Factors" and their correspondents in English.Results:Of the 17 articles included, six were available from Scopus, and all were in English. It was observed that students have a low level of knowledge about risk factors for CVD and do not recognize their vulnerability to them, and not adopting preventive measures and a healthy lifestyle. Publications suggestedthe need for health professionals in educational settings to improve knowledge related to health, incorporate healthy lifestyle practices, and develop strategies to reduce CVD risk levels.Conclusion:Thedeepening of knowledge and a critical look at the literature showed a lack in producing Brazilian studies on the subject, arousing the need to conduct more research and literature reviews to strengthen evidence-based practice.

Comparison of early cardiovascular risk among Brazilian and African university students.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the main causes of mortality worldwide, and dyslipidemia is a principal factor risk. Hence the study of biochemical markers is necessary for early diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate biomarkers to diagnose the risks of cardiovascular diseases in healthy Brazilian and African young adults. DESIGN & METHODS: Weight, height, waist circumference, percentage of body fat and systemic blood pressure were measured; and fasting blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, and apolipoproteins A-I and B were measured on automated equipment using commercially available kits, in addition to the tests of antioxidant capacity of HDL and the enzymatic activity of Paraoxonase 1. RESULTS: After statistical analysis, it was found that BMI, WC, fat (%), triglycerides, ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and Vmax were higher in Brazilians, while HDL-c, ApoA-I, Lag Time, Vmax and PON1 activity were higher in Africans. In Brazilians, the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio was related to obesity factors and lipid profile, but in Africans it was related only to lipids. The antioxidant capacity of HDL and PON1 activity was better in Africans. Through independence testing, we observed an association with moderate risk of myocardial infarction with gender in Africans. In the binary logistic regression analysis, it was found that men in general - and particularly African men - have higher risk of myocardial infarction than women; Odds Ratio 2144 (CI95%: 1343-3424) and 2281 (CI95%: 1082-4811), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The anthropometric and biochemical parameters of Brazilians, especially men, predispose them to greater risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Saúde bucal: dos hábitos e conhecimento de higiene ao comportamento e acesso a serviços odontológicos de universitários brasileiros e estrangeiros / Oral health: from the hygiene habits and knowledge to the behavior and access to dental services of Brazilian and foreing university students

Objetivo: o estudo objetivou investigar os hábitos, o conhecimento sobre higiene oral e o comportamento em saúde bucal bem como o acesso aos serviços odontológicos de estudantes brasileiros e principalmente estudantes africanos, recém-ingressos à universidade.Sujeitos e método: trata-se de estudo exploratório, descritivo,transversal e quantitativo, conduzido em universidade pública brasileira. Após assinatura do termo e consentimento livre e esclarecido, foi aplicado um questionário aos acadêmicos. Os dados foram tabuladose analisados. Resultados: entre os brasileiros, 90%escovavam os dentes no mínimo 3 vezes ao dia, 50%não utilizavam fio dental, 55% não faziam uso de colutório,e 80% higienizavam a língua. Entre os estrangeiros,55% escovavam 2 vezes ao dia, 85% não usavamfio dental, 80% não utilizavam colutório, e 65%higienizavam a língua. Todos os brasileiros conheciam fio dental e colutório, enquanto que 70% dos acadêmicos estrangeiros sabiam o que era fio dental, e 60%desconheciam o que era colutório. Observou-se uma associação entre ser estudante estrangeiro e não utilizar fio dental. Dos participantes, 95% dos brasileiros e 50%dos estrangeiros já tinham buscado atendimento odontológico.Sobre a autopercepção de higiene bucal, 95%dos brasileiros e 60% dos estrangeiros consideravam-na boa. Constatou-se ainda uma relação entre ser acadêmico recém-ingresso e ter uma boa percepção de higiene oral sem utilizar fio dental. Conclusão: concluiu-se que há diferenças entre hábitos, conhecimento e comportamento em saúde bucal de acadêmicos de acordo com anacionalidade. A pesquisa contribuiu para caracterização,comparação e relação de importantes variáveis em saúde bucal nos contextos universitário e étnico. (AU)

Objective: the study aimed to investigate the oral hygiene habits and knowledge, and the oral health behavior, as well as the access to dental services of Brazilian and international students recently admitted to the university. Subjects and method: this is an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study conducted in a Brazilian public university. After signing the Informed Consent Form, a questionnaire was applied to the students. The data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: among the Brazilian students, 90% brushed their teeth at least 3 times a day, 50% did not use dental floss, 55% did not use mouthwash, and 80% cleaned their tongue. Among the international students, 55% brushed their teeth 2 times a day, 85% did not use dental floss, 80% did not use mouthwash, and 65% cleaned their tongue. All Brazilians were aware of dental floss and mouthwash, while 70% of international students knew dental floss and 60% were unaware of the mouthwash. There was an association between being an international student and not using dental floss. From the participants, 95% of Brazilians and 50% of international students had already sought dental care. Regarding oral hygiene self-perception, 95% of Brazilians and 60% of international students considered it satisfactory. Additionally, being a newly enrolled student and having a good perception of oral hygiene were associated with not using dental floss. Conclusion: it was concluded that there are differences between oral health habits, knowledge, and behavior of students according to nationality. The research contributed to the characterization, comparison, and association of major oral health variables in the university and ethnic context. (AU)

The renal effects and initial characterization of venom from Philodryas nattereri Steindachner, 1870.

The venom of the snake Philodryas nattereri is a mixture of proteins and toxic peptides with several important local and systemic actions, which are similar to those occurring in Bothrops snake bites. The mechanisms involved in the local and systemic actions of this venom are unknown. The aims of the work were to initial characterization of P. nattereri venom and investigate the effects of the poison in the renal perfusion system and in cultured renal tubular cells of the type MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney). The P. nattereri venom is composed majority of proteins (86.3%) and this poison promoted changes in all the evaluated renal parameters, mainly decreasing renal perfusion pressure (PP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) and increasing urine flow (UF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The most relevant result was that this venom was highly detrimental to the renal tubules independent of the PP reduction, which was shown by a decrease in sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) electrolyte transport in the studied concentrations. The glomeruli and tubules contain protein bodies and blood extravasation, which were observed by histological analysis. The venom of P. nattereri reduced viability of the MDCK cells only at high concentrations (50 and 100 µg/mL) with an IC50 of 169.5 µg/mL.

The renal effects of alginates isolated from brown seaweed Sargassum vulgare.

Alginates isolated from Sargassum vulgare, present a strong antitumor activity, associated with kidney reversible damage, as analysed by histopathology of treated animals. In the present study, the renal alteration mechanisms of S. vulgare alginates were investigated using the isolated perfused rat kidney and the isolated perfused rat mesenteric blood vessel methods. The results showed that the effects of Sargassum vulgare low viscosity (SVLV) alginate were more potent than those of Sargassum vulgare high viscosity (SVHV) alginate in the isolated rat kidney. The SVLV alginate caused considerable changes in renal physiology, as shown by an increase in parameters such as perfusion pressure, renal vascular resistance, glomerular filtration rate, urinary flow and sodium, potassium and chloride excretion and by reduction of chloride tubular transport. The effects of SVHV were weaker than those of SVLV. The effects of SVLV on kidney could be related to direct vascular action as demonstrated with SVLV alginate on mesenteric blood vessels. In conclusion, the Sargassum vulgare alginate altered the renal function parameters evaluated. S. vulgare low viscosity alginate renal effects were more potent than S. vulgare high viscosity alginate. It is suggested that physicochemical differences between SVHV and SVLV could explain the differences found in the results.

Renal effects and vascular reactivity induced by Tityus serrulatus venom.

Tityus serrulatus, popularly known as yellow scorpion, is one of the most studied scorpion species in South America and its venom has supplied some highly active molecules. The effects of T. serrulatus venom upon the renal physiology in human showed increased renal parameters, urea and creatinine. However, in perfused rat kidney the effects were not tested until now. Isolated kidneys from Wistar rats, weighing 240-280 g, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 6% (g weight) of previously dialysed bovine serum albumin. The effects of T. serrulatus venom were studied on the perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), urinary flow (UF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), sodium tubular transport (%TNa+), potassium tubular transport (%TK+) and chloride tubular transport (%TCl-). Tityus serrulatus venom (TsV; 10 microg/mL) was added to the system 30 min after the beginning of each experiment (n=6). This 30 min period was used as an internal control. The mesenteric bed was perfused with Krebs solution kept warm at 37 degrees C by a constant flow (4 mL/min), while the variable perfusion pressure was measured by means of a pressure transducer. The direct vascular effects of TsV (10 microg/mL/min; n=6), infused at a constant rate (0.1 mL/min), were examined and compared to the infusion of the vehicle alone at the same rate. TsV increased PP (PP30'=127.8+/-0.69 vs PP60'=154.2+/-14 mmHg*, *p<0.05) and RVR (RVR30'=6.29+/-0.25 vs RVR60'=8.03+/-0.82 mmHg/mLg(-1)min(-1)*, *p<0.05), decreased GFR (GFR30'=0.58+/-0.02 vs GFR60'=0.46+/-0.01mLg(-1)min(-1)*, *p<0.05) and UF (UF30'=0.135+/-0.001 vs UF60'=0.114+/-0.003mLg(-1)min(-1)*, *p<0.05). Tubular transport was not affected during the whole experimental period (120 min). On the other hand, the infusion of TsV (10 microg/mL/min) increased the basal perfusion pressure of isolated arteriolar mesenteric bed (basal pressure: 74.17+/-3.42 vs TsV 151.8+/-17.82 mmHg*, *p<0.05). TsV affects renal haemodynamics probably by a direct vasoconstrictor action leading to decreased renal flow.