Palmatine, a natural alkaloid, attenuates memory deficits and neuroinflammation in mice submitted to permanent focal cerebral ischemia.

Ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of human morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke involves complex events, including oxidative stress and inflammation, that lead to neuronal loss and cognitive deficits. Palmatine (PAL) is a naturally occurring (Coptidis rhizome) isoquinoline alkaloid that belongs to the class of protoberberines and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological and biological effects. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of Palmatine on neuronal damage, memory deficits, and inflammatory response in mice submitted to permanent focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery (pMCAO) occlusion. The animals were treated with Palmatine (0.2, 2 and 20 mg/kg/day, orally) or vehicle (3% Tween + saline solution) 2 h after pMCAO once daily for 3 days. Cerebral ischemia was confirmed by evaluating the infarct area (TTC staining) and neurological deficit score 24 h after pMCAO. Treatment with palmatine (2 and 20 mg/kg) reduced infarct size and neurological deficits and prevented working and aversive memory deficits in ischemic mice. Palmatine, at a dose of 2 mg/kg, had a similar effect of reducing neuroinflammation 24 h after cerebral ischemia, decreasing TNF-, iNOS, COX-2, and NF- κB immunoreactivities and preventing the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Moreover, palmatine (2 mg/kg) reduced COX-2, iNOS, and IL-1ß immunoreactivity 96 h after pMCAO. The neuroprotective properties of palmatine make it an excellent adjuvant treatment for strokes due to its inhibition of neuroinflammation.

Association between Berlin Questionnaire Index and lipid profile.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the Berlin questionnaire index and the lipid profile, according to gender. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study. The group investigated was composed of the Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health (EBMSP) employees by a sequential non-probabilistic sampling. Study design: The data were obtained by applying a validated questionnaire and collecting laboratory blood samples at the Outpatient Clinics of EBMSP. RESULTS: The total sample consisted of 94 employees, 21 of whom were excluded because they had not been submitted to blood collection. The sample profile evaluation had a total of 73 employees and obtained the following results in the study: the female was the most prevalent with (54.8%); the age ranged from 18 to 65 years, with a mean 38 ± 10.6 years; in men with positive Berlin (with respiratory sleep disorder), higher values of total cholesterol and LDL-c, and lower HDL-c were observed when compared to men without respiratory sleep disorder, as follows: total cholesterol (202 ± 19 vs. 180±40; p=0.040); LDL-c (137± 17 vs. 113 ± 34; p=0.048); lower HDL-c (37 ± 6 vs. 42,5 ±8; p=0.047). While in women, no significant change was observed among those with positive Berlin when compared with those with negative Berlin. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that men with positive Berlin (with a respiratory sleep disorder) had higher values of total cholesterol, LDL-c, and lower HDL-c when compared to men without a respiratory sleep disorder.

(-)-α-bisabolol prevents neuronal damage and memory deficits through reduction of proinflammatory markers induced by permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke involves multiple events such as inflammation and oxidative stress which will lead to neuronal death and cognitive deficits. The (-)-α-bisabolol is a monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found in various plants and mainly in Matricaria chamomilla, which exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities. The aim of this work was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of (-)-α-bisabolol in mice underwent permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (pMCAO). Animals were treated with (-)-α-bisabolol (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, orally) or vehicle (3% tween 80) one day before and 1 h after pMCAO and the treatment continued once daily for the following five days. The treatment with (-)-α-bisabolol (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the infarcted area and neurological deficits caused by pMCAO. (-)-α-bisabolol at the 200 mg/kg dose increased cell viability and decreased neuronal degeneration, as evaluated by cresyl violet and Fluoro-Jade C stainings, respectively. (-)-α-bisabolol also increased the locomotor activity which was reduced by cerebral ischemia and improved pMCAO-induced working, spatial, object recognition, and aversive memories deficits. (-)-α-bisabolol (200 mg/kg) significantly prevented the increase of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, TNF-α immunoreactivity in the temporal cortex, and the increase of iNOS both in the temporal cortex and in the striatum. (-)-α-bisabolol treatment also prevented astrogliosis in these areas. These data showed that (-)-α-bisabolol provides neuroprotective action probably due to its anti-inflammatory activity, although other mechanisms cannot be discarded.

Influência dos fatores biológicos e socioeconômicos no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor de pré-escolares / The influence of biological and socio-economic factors in neuro-psychomotor development of kindergarten children

O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar as variáveis socioeconômicas e psicossociais de crianças que frequentam creches públicas e avaliar a influência destes fatores no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor. Realizou-se um estudo analítico-observacional transversal com 61 crianças, de ambos os sexos, com idade de quatro a seis anos, frequentadoras das creches públicas na cidade de Goiânia (GO). O desenvolvimento infantil foi avaliado pelo teste de triagem de Denver II e foi aplicado questionário socioeconômico, classificação ABEP e questionários sobre os dados biológicos e clínicos da criança com os pais. Verificou-se que 77% das crianças avaliadas apresentaram risco na classificação global do teste de Denver II, sendo típicas nas áreas psicossocial, motor fino, motor amplo e linguagem. A análise da influência dos fatores revelou que a renda familiar (até R$2.000,00) esteve associada com maior porcentagem de risco no desenvolvimento da linguagem (64%). Os demais fatores não tiveram diferença estatisticamente significativa. Conclui-se que crianças aparentemente normais possam apresentar risco em seu desenvolvimento e a necessidade de novos estudos que apontem a influência significativa dos fatores socioeconômicos e psicossociais sobre o desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor.

Socio-economic and psycho-social variables of children in government-run kindergartens are characterized and the influence of such factors on neuro-psychomotor development evaluated. A transversal analytic-observational study was undertaken with 61 children, males and females, aged 4 ­ 6 years, in kindergartens in Goiânia GO Brazil. Child development was assessed by Denver Selection Test II and a socio-economic questionnaire, ADEP classification and questionnaires on the children´s biological and clinical data were undertaken. Seventy-seven percent of children rank risk mark in global classification of Denver Test II, typically within the psychosocial area, fine motor, wide motor and language. Analysis for factor influence revealed that family income (up to R$ 2000) was associated with greater risk percentage in language development (64%). There was no statistical difference for the other factors. Although results revealed that apparently normal children showed development risk, further studies are required to weigh the significant influence of socio-economic and psycho-social factors on neuro-psychomotor development.