Treatment with low doses of aspirin during chronic phase of experimental Chagas' disease increases oesophageal nitrergic neuronal subpopulation in mice.

Patients with Chagas' disease may develop dysfunctions of oesophageal and colonic motility resulting from the degeneration or loss of the myenteric neurons of the enteric nervous system. Studies have shown that the use of aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), influences the pathogenesis of the disease. However, this remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of treatment with low doses of aspirin during the chronic phase of Chagas' disease on oesophageal function. Twenty male Swiss mice, 60 days of age, were used. The animals were infected with Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, injected intraperitoneally. Aspirin was given at a dose of 50 mg/kg to some of the infected animals, from the 55th to 63rd day after inoculation on consecutive days, and from the 65th to 75th day on alternate days. We investigated food passage of time, wall structure and nitrergic neuronal population of the distal oesophagus. Our data revealed that the use of low doses of aspirin in chronic Chagas' disease caused an increase in the number of nitrergic neurons and partially prevented hypertrophy of the oesophagus. In addition, the aspirin administration impeded Chagas' diseases associated changes in intestinal transit time. Thus treatment with aspirin in the chronic phase of Chagas' disease changes the natural history of the disease and raises the possibility of using it as a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of this aspect of Chagas' disease pathology.

Quantificação de minerais em sucos industrializados / Measurement of minerals inprocessed juices

Os sucos de frutas são considerados como uma boa opção de fonte de minerais e vitaminas. O consumo de sucos de frutas industrializados cresceu muito no Brasil, principalmente aqueles envasados em embalagens cartonadas da Tetra Pak®. Para avaliar o teor de minerais em sucos industrializados, foram analisadas as quantidades de sete metais (Zn, Ni, Pb, Fe, Cu, Cr e Na) em sucos de uva e pêssego (integral e light). Os minerais foram extraídos por meio da digestão com ácido clorídrico, e detectados por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com atomização em chama. Não foram detectadas em quantidades significativas a presença dos metais Zn, Ni, Pb e Cu nos sucos. No entanto, Na, Cr e Fe foram detectados, sendo que o Cr apresentou uma concentração maior que a permitida pelas especificações da ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária), indicando uma possível contaminação destes produtos. Vale ressaltar que o suco light de pêssego foi o que apresentou os maiores teores de ferro.

The fruit juices are considered a good option as a source of minerals and vitamins. The consumption of fruit juices has grown industrialized in Brazil, especially those packaged in cartons from Tetra Pak ®. To evaluate the content of minerals in industrialized juices were analyzed amounts of seven metals (Zn, Ni, Pb, Fe, Cu, Cr and Na) in grape juice and peach juice (integral and light). The minerals were extracted by digestion with hydrochloric acid, and detected by atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization. It was not detected in significant amounts to the presence of the metals Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu in the juices. However Na, Cr and Fe were detected, and Cr showed a higher concentration than allowed by the specifications of ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária), indicating a possible contamination of these products. It is interesting to say that light peach juice showed the highest levels of iron.