RESUMO
Background: Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that analysis of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is essential to evaluate nutritional requirements and disease risk. We describe a simple, sensitive and non-invasive method for estimating the n-3 index and arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio in dried blood spots (DBSs). Experimental: After obtaining DBSs on a spot card, PUFAs were transesterified (direct, acidic transesterification) and subsequently extracted with n-hexane. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was used to analyze the extracted PUFAs, and then n-3 index and AA/EPA ratio were calculated. Method validation showed satisfactory precision and linearity. Conclusion: This analysis is simple and reliable to estimate PUFA status, and it was successfully applied to samples from 20 subjects, demonstrating its applicability.
Assuntos
Ácido Eicosapentaenoico , Ácidos Graxos Insaturados , Ácido Araquidônico , Cromatografia Gasosa , HumanosRESUMO
Pesticides and warfare nerve agents are frequently organophosphates (OPs) or related compounds. Their acute toxicity highlighted more than ever the need to explore applicable strategies for the sensing, decontamination and/or detoxification of these compounds. Herein, we report the use of two different thermostable enzyme families capable to detect and inactivate OPs. In particular, mutants of carboxylesterase-2 from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and of phosphotriesterase-like lactonases from Sulfolobus solfataricus and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, have been selected and assembled in an optimized format for the development of an electrochemical biosensor and a decontamination formulation, respectively. The features of the developed tools have been tested in an ad-hoc fabricated chamber, to mimic an alarming situation of exposure to a nerve agent. Choosing ethyl-paraoxon as nerve agent simulant, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.4 nM, after 5 s of exposure time was obtained. Furthermore, an optimized enzymatic formulation was used for a fast and efficient environmental detoxification (>99%) of the nebulized nerve agent simulants in the air and on surfaces. Crucial, large-scale experiments have been possible thanks to production of grams amounts of pure (>90%) enzymes.
Assuntos
Técnicas Biossensoriais/métodos , Substâncias para a Guerra Química/análise , Descontaminação/métodos , Agentes Neurotóxicos/análise , Compostos Organofosforados/análise , Compostos Organofosforados/metabolismo , Praguicidas/análise , Alicyclobacillus/enzimologia , Alicyclobacillus/genética , Hidrolases de Éster Carboxílico/genética , Hidrolases de Éster Carboxílico/metabolismo , Substâncias para a Guerra Química/metabolismo , Limite de Detecção , Agentes Neurotóxicos/metabolismo , Praguicidas/metabolismo , Hidrolases de Triester Fosfórico/genética , Hidrolases de Triester Fosfórico/metabolismo , Sulfolobus acidocaldarius/enzimologia , Sulfolobus acidocaldarius/genética , Sulfolobus solfataricus/enzimologia , Sulfolobus solfataricus/genéticaRESUMO
During the lipidomic analysis of red blood cell membranes, the distribution and percentage ratios of the fatty acids are measured. Since fatty acids are the key constituents of cell membranes, by evaluating their quantities it possible to understand the general health of the cells and to obtain health indicators of the whole organism. However, because the analysis is precise, it is necessary to ensure that the blood does not undergo significant variations between the point of collection and analysis. The composition of the blood may vary dramatically weeks after collection, hence, here an attempt is made to stabilize these complex matrixes using antioxidants deposited on the paper cards on which the blood itself is deposited.
Assuntos
Coleta de Amostras Sanguíneas/normas , Teste em Amostras de Sangue Seco/normas , Ácidos Graxos Insaturados/análise , Ácidos Graxos/análise , Ácidos Graxos trans/análise , Antioxidantes/química , Ácido Ascórbico/química , Hidroxitolueno Butilado/química , Ácido Gálico/química , Humanos , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. is one of the most important medicinal plants that grows in tropical forests in India and South East Asia. Its active ingredients and extracts of leaves and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments and they are present in the market for pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical products. Commercial products based on substances of plant origin that are generally connoted as natural have to be subjected to monitoring and evaluation by health authorities for their potential impacts on public health. The monitoring and evaluation of these products are critical because the boundary between a therapeutic action and a functional or healthy activity has not yet been defined in a clear and unambiguous way. Therefore, these products are considered borderline products, and they require careful and rigorous studies, in order to use them as complement and/or even replacement of synthetic drugs that are characterized by side effects and high economic costs. This review explores the traditional uses, chemical composition and biological activity of G. sylvestre extracts, providing a general framework on the most interesting extracts and what are the necessary studies for a complete definition of the range of activities.
