Evaluation of the biochemical, inflammatory and oxidative profile of obese patients given clinical treatment and bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the biochemical and inflammatory parameters as well as biomarkers of oxidative stress in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery and clinical treatment. METHODS: This study was conducted using 60 individuals (10 men and 50 women) distributed into 3 groups: the control group, 20 non-diabetic obese patients given clinical treatment, the bariatric group, 20 non-diabetic obese patients given a Roux-en-Y bypass gastroplasty, and the bariatric diabetic group, 20 diabetic obese patients given a Roux-en-Y bypass gastroplasty. Measurements were made before and 1, 3, 6, and 12months after surgery and clinical treatment. RESULTS: We showed a significant decrease in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, accompanied by a decrease in the lipid profile and glucose and glycated hemoglobin concentrations in the groups that received bariatric surgery. The concentrations of lipid peroxidation, carbonyl protein and NPSH, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, significantly decreased in both groups after surgery. The concentrations of inteleukin-6, inteleukin-1, TNF-α and resistin were also significantly lower, while adiponectin concentrations significantly increased 12months after bariatric surgery. No significant alterations were observed in the biochemical, inflammatory or oxidative parameters of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate a decrease in body mass and a subsequent improvement in biochemical, metabolic and anthropometric parameters in patients given bariatric surgery. This may contribute to the reduction of oxidative damage in these patients and consequently a reduction in the risk of the development and progression of multiple co-morbidities associated with obesity.

Alterations of ectonucleotidases and acetylcholinesterase activities in lymphocytes of Down syndrome subjects: relation with inflammatory parameters.

BACKGROUND: Subjects with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune disorders. ATP, adenosine, and acetylcholine contribute to the immune response regulation, and NTPDase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are important enzymes in the control of the extracellular levels of these molecules. We evaluated the activities of these enzymes and the cytokine levels in samples of DS individuals. METHODS: The population consisted of 23 subjects with DS and 23 healthy subjects. Twelve milliliters of blood was obtained from each subject and used for lymphocyte and serum preparation. Lymphocytes were separated on Ficoll density gradients. After isolation, NTPDase and AChE activities were determined. RESULTS: The NTPDase activity using ADP as substrate was increased in lymphocytes of DS patients compared to control (P<0.05); however, no alterations were observed in the ATP hydrolysis. An increase was observed in the AChE activity in lymphocytes and in ADA activity in serum of DS patients when compared to healthy subjects (P<0.05). In DS subjects, an increase in the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ and a decrease in the IL-10 levels were also observed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in the NTPDase, ADA and AChE activities as well changes in the cytokine levels may contribute to immunological alterations observed in DS.

Acute exposure to glyphosate herbicide affects oxidative parameters in piava (Leporinus obtusidens).

In recent years, commercial glyphosate herbicide formulations have been widely used in agriculture to control aquatic weeds. These pesticides may result in disruption of ecological balance, causing damage to nontarget organisms including fish. Teleostean fish (Leporinus obtusidens) were exposed to commercial glyphosate herbicide formulation at 0 (control), 3, 6, 10 or 20 mg L(-1) for 96 h. The effects of herbicide on plasmatic metabolic parameters, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase activity, protein carbonyl, and mucus layer parameters were studied. Plasmatic glucose and lactate levels increased but protein levels showed reduction after herbicide exposure. TBARS levels in brain showed a reduction at all tested concentrations. However, liver demonstrated increased TBARS levels at all tested concentrations, whereas in white muscle TBARS production did not change after exposure to herbicide. Fish exposed to all concentrations of glyphosate showed increase in liver catalase activity and protein carbonyl. Herbicide exposure increased protein and carbohydrate levels of the mucus layer at all tested concentrations. The present results showed that, in 96 h, glyphosate changed toxicological parameters analyzed in piava. Parameters measured in this study may be useful in environmental biomonitoring.

Eletroforese das proteínas plasmáticas em emas (Rhea americana) de diferentes faixas etárias / Eletrophoretic plasma protein profile in rhea (Rhea americana) of different age groups

A rheacultura vem crescendo em todo o Brasil. Porém, ainda há uma escassez de informações sobre esta espécie e de médicos veterinários especializados na área. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar as diferenças existentes na eletroforese plasmática (gel de agarose) em idades distintas de emas (Rhea americana). Utilizaram-se 45 emas, separadas em quatro grupos: grupo 1 (n=10), animais com 15 dias de idade; grupo 2 (n=10), animais com 30 dias; grupo 3 (n=10), animais com 45 dias e grupo 4 (n=15), animais com 1 ano. Verificou-se homogeneidade nos valores eletroforéticos analisados nas aves dentro de cada faixa etária. Houve diferença entre grupos etários em valores de proteína plasmática total, albumina, globulinas e relação albumina/globulinas. Também houve diferença entre grupos para as frações alfa1, alfa2, ß e gama. Os resultados encontrados demonstram que o perfil eletroforético de emas sofre variações conforme a idade analisada. Dessa forma, exige-se maior atenção por parte do médico veterinário quanto à interpretação desse tipo de exame conforme a idade da ave. Os parâmetros obtidos neste estudo indicam divergência de valores quando comparados com os de outras espécies aviárias, evidenciando a importância de se conhecer tais valores nesta espécie.

Breeding of rheas has been growing throughout Brazil. However, there is still lack of information about this species and of professionals specialized in the area. This study was aimed at verifing the differences in plasmatic electrophoresis (agarosis gel) at different ages of rheas (Rhea americana). Fourty-five rheas were separated into 4 groups: group 1: (n=10), 15 day old animals; group 2: (n=10), 30 day old animals; group 3: (n=10), 45 day old animals; group 4: (n=15), 1 year old animals. The electrophoretic values analyzed presented homogeneity within each age group. There were differences between different age groups in the values of total plasmatic protein, albumin, globulins and the albumin/globulin relation. There was also a difference between age groups for fractions alpha1, alpha2, ß and gamma. These results demonstrated that the electrophoretic profile of rheas undergoes variations according to the age analyzed. Therefore, more attention, is needed by the professionals in the interpretation of this type of examination. The parameters obtained from this study show a divergence of values, when compared to from those obtained from other avian species, showing up the importance of understanding these values in this species.

Effect of glyphosate herbicide on acetylcholinesterase activity and metabolic and hematological parameters in piava (Leporinus obtusidens).

In this study, teleostean fish Leporinus obtusidens (piava) were exposed to different concentrations of Roundup, a glyphosate (acid equivalent) herbicide: 0 (control), 3, 6, 10, and 20 mg/L for 96 h (short-term). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was verified in brain and muscle tissues. Metabolic parameters in the liver and muscle (lactate, glycogen, glucose, protein, and ammonia), as well as some hematological parameters, were determined. Unexposed fish exhibited significantly higher brain AChE activity when compared to that of the muscle (P<0.05) (13.8+/-0.76 and 6.1+/-1.31 micromol/min/g protein, respectively). Results indicated that AChE activity significantly decreased in the brain of fish exposed to all glyphosate concentrations tested, but in the muscle this parameter was not altered. In addition, fish exposed to all glyphosate concentrations showed a significant increase in hepatic glycogen and glucose, but a significant reduction in muscle glycogen and glucose. Lactate and protein of fish exposed to all glyphosate concentrations presented a significant decrease in the liver, but did not change significantly in the muscle. Levels of ammonia in both tissues increase in fish at all glyphosate concentrations. Exposure to this herbicide produced a decrease in all hematological parameters tested. These results indicate that AChE activity as well as metabolic and hematological parameters may be good early indicators of herbicide contamination in L. obtusidens.