Exploring Honeybee Abdominal Anatomy through Micro-CT and Novel Multi-Staining Approaches.

Continuous improvements in morphological and histochemical analyses of Apis mellifera could improve our understanding of the anatomy and physiology of these insects at both the cellular and tissue level. In this work, two different approaches have been performed to add new data on the abdomen of worker bees: (i) Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), which allows the identification of small-scale structures (micrometers) with adequate/optimal resolution and avoids sample damage and, (ii) histochemical multi-staining with Periodic Acid-Schiff-Alcian blue, Lactophenol-Saphranin O and pentachrome staining to precisely characterize the histological structures of the midgut and hindgut. Micro-CT allowed high-resolution imaging of anatomical structures of the honeybee abdomen with particular emphasis on the proventriculus and pyloric valves, as well as the connection of the sting apparatus with the terminal abdominal ganglia. Furthermore, the histochemical analyses have allowed for the first-time description of ventricular telocytes in honeybees, a cell type located underneath the midgut epithelium characterized by thin and long cytoplasmic projections called telopodes. Overall, the analysis of these images could help the detailed anatomical description of the cryptic structures of honeybees and also the characterization of changes due to abiotic or biotic stress conditions.

Beneficial effects of legumes on parameters of the metabolic syndrome: a systematic review of trials in animal models.

Legume consumption plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aimed to highlight the beneficial effects of legume interventions for the prevention and/or improvement of parameters related to the MetS and the implicated metabolic pathways so far reported. The methodology involved a search in four electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library) from January 2007 to December 2014, considering as descriptors 'Metabolic Syndrome' and 'Fabaceae' and adequately adjusting the equation in each one of them. In total, forty-one studies were finally included. The majority of the studies described a regulating effect on glucose and lipid metabolism due to legume administration, whereas effects on blood pressure and renal parameters are not fully described. Regarding the metabolic pathways involved, they include the up-regulation of genes related to ß-oxidation and acetyl-CoA degradation and the down-regulation of glycolytic and lipogenesis genes, as well as those associated with the acetyl-CoA synthesis. The ameliorating effects of legume consumption on the alterations associated with the MetS are clearly reported and coincide with changes in the expression of protein and genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. More research needs to be conducted including more legume species that are highly consumed as part of a healthy dietary pattern.

[MEDICAGO SATIVA L: IMPROVEMENT AND NEW APPROACHES OF ITS NUTRITIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL VALUE BY BACTERIAL CO-INOCULATION]. / MEDICAGO SATIVA L: MEJORA Y NUEVOS ASPECTOS DE SU VALOR NUTRITIVO Y FUNCIONAL POR COINOCULACIÓN BACTERIANA.

OBJECTIVE: to study the effect of co-inoculation with Ensifer meliloti and Halomonas maura of the leguminous Medicago sativa L., on growth, nutritional and functional value, grown under salinity conditions. METHODS: plants of M. sativa were grown in a solution with a mixture of salts (CaSO4, MgCl, NaCl and NaHCO 3) and were co-inoculated with its specific rhizobium and the halophilic moderated bacterium H. maura. Different physiologic parameters were determined, as well as, nitrogen and minerals content. Furthermore, an assay of in vitro digestibility was carried out. RESULTS: salinity had a negative effect on the plants; however, co-inoculation increased yield, nitrogen content, total minerals, Ca and Mg. Moreover, physiologic parameters as water potential and leghemoglobin content in fresh nodules were higher compared to those of plants inoculated only with E. meliloti. Both, salinity and bacterial treatment with E. meliloti and H. maura increased the antioxidant capacity of the legume, in dialyzates and retentates collected after an in vitro digestibility assay. CONCLUSION: co-inoculation of plants with E. meliloti and H. maura could improve the alfalfa yield under specific salinity conditions, increasing the nutritional and functional value of the plants. M. sativa could be considered in the formulations of nutritional supplements for the human diet.

Objetivo: estudiar el efecto de la inoculación con Ensifer meliloti y Halomonas maura sobre el crecimiento y el valor nutricional y funcional de la leguminosa Medicago sativa L., cultivada bajo condiciones de salinidad. Método: las plantas de M. sativa se cultivaron con una solución de mezcla de sales CaSO4, MgCl, NaCl and Na- HCO3 y se coinocularon con su rizobio específico y la bacteria H. maura. Se determinaron los parámetros fisiológicos de las plantas, así como el contenido en nitrógeno y minerales, y se llevó a cabo un proceso de digestibilidad in vitro. Resultados: la salinidad ejerció un efecto negativo sobre las plantas; sin embargo, la coinoculación de las mismas incrementó su productividad, el contenido en nitrógeno, minerales totales, Ca y Mg. Además, los parámetros fisiológicos de potencial hídrico y concentración de leghemoglobina se incrementaron. Tanto la salinidad como la coinoculación de las plantas aumentaron la capacidad antioxidante de la leguminosa en los dializados y retenidos obtenidos tras someter a la planta a un proceso de digestibilidad in vitro. Conclusión: la coinoculación con E. meliloti y H. maura podría mejorar el cultivo de la alfalfa bajo condiciones específicas de salinidad, aumentando su composición nutricional y funcional, pudiendo considerarse en la formulación de suplementos nutricionales para el consumo humano.

Medicago sativa L: mejora y nuevos aspectos de su valor nutritivo y funcional por coinoculación bacteriana / Medicago sativa l: improvement and new approaches of its nutritional and functional value by bacterial co-inoculation

Objetivo: estudiar el efecto de la inoculación con Ensifer meliloti y Halomonas maura sobre el crecimiento y el valor nutricional y funcional de la leguminosa Medicago sativa L., cultivada bajo condiciones de salinidad. Método: las plantas de M. sativa se cultivaron con una solución de mezcla de sales CaSO4 , MgCl, NaCl and NaHCO3 y se coinocularon con su rizobio específico y la bacteria H. maura. Se determinaron los parámetros fisiológicos de las plantas, así como el contenido en nitrógeno y minerales, y se llevó a cabo un proceso de digestibilidad in vitro. Resultados: la salinidad ejerció un efecto negativo sobre las plantas; sin embargo, la coinoculación de las mismas incrementó su productividad, el contenido en nitrógeno, minerales totales, Ca y Mg. Además, los parámetros fisiológicos de potencial hídrico y concentración de leghemoglobina se incrementaron. Tanto la salinidad como la coinoculación de las plantas aumentaron la capacidad antioxidante de la leguminosa en los dializados y retenidos obtenidos tras someter a la planta a un proceso de digestibilidad in vitro. Conclusión: la coinoculación con E. meliloti y H. maura podría mejorar el cultivo de la alfalfa bajo condiciones específicas de salinidad, aumentando su composición nutricional y funcional, pudiendo considerarse en la formulación de suplementos nutricionales para el consumo humano (AU)

Objective: to study the effect of co-inoculation with Ensifer meliloti and Halomonas maura of the leguminous Medicago sativa L., on growth, nutritional and functional value, grown under salinity conditions. Methods: plants of M. sativa were grown in a solution with a mixture of salts (CaSO4 , MgCl, NaCl and NaHCO3 ) and were co-inoculated with its specific rhizobium and the halophilic moderated bacterium H. maura. Different physiologic parameters were determined, as well as, nitrogen and minerals content. Furthermore, an assay of in vitro digestibility was carried out. Results: salinity had a negative effect on the plants; however, co-inoculation increased yield, nitrogen content, total minerals, Ca and Mg. Moreover, physiologic parameters as water potential and leghemoglobin content in fresh nodules were higher compared to those of plants inoculated only with E. meliloti. Both, salinity and bacterial treatment with E. meliloti and H. maura increased the antioxidant capacity of the legume, in dialyzates and retentates collected after an in vitro digestibility assay. Conclusion: co-inoculation of plants with E. meliloti and H. maura could improve the alfalfa yield under specific salinity conditions, increasing the nutritional and functional value of the plants. M. sativa could be considered in the formulations of nutritional supplements for the human diet (AU)

High-protein diet induces oxidative stress in rat brain: protective action of high-intensity exercise against lipid peroxidation / Una dieta alta en proteína produce estrés oxidativo en el cerebro de ratas: acción protectora del ejercicio de alta intensidad sobre la peroxidación lipídica

Introduction: It is well established that soy protein diets as well as aerobic exercise could promote antioxidant capacity and consequently reduce free radicals overproduction on brain. However, little is know regarding to the high-protein diets and high intensity exercise on oxidative stress production. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of high-protein diets and high-intensity exercise (HIE) on brain oxidative stress markers. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups (n=10): normal-protein or high-protein diets with or without HIE for an experimental period of 12 weeks. Main oxidative damage markers in brain such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) were assessed. In addition, brain manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), cooper/ zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) antioxidant enzymes activity, and protein level of Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) were measured. Results and discussion: Brain TBARs, PCC, tSOD, Mn-SOD, CuZn-SOD and CAT levels were higher in the high-protein compared to the normal-protein groups (all, p<0.05). In addition, the expression of Nrf2 protein was higher in the high-protein and HIE groups compared to the normal-protein and sedentary groups, respectively (both, p<0.01). A protein amount*HIE interaction was found on brain TBARs content, and tSOD and CuZn- SOD activity derived from a HIE-induced decrease in the high-protein but not in the normal-protein group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The high-protein diets consumption produce higher levels of brain lipid peroxidation, in spite of higher levels of antioxidant enzymatic capacity. However, HIE may attenuate the deleterious effect of a high-protein diet on brain lipid peroxidation when both effects are combined (AU)

Introducción: Es conocido que la proteína de soja así como la práctica de ejercicio físico aeróbico pueden incrementar la capacidad antioxidante y con ello reducir la sobreproducción de radicales libres en el cerebro. Sin embargo, existe desconocimiento sobre el efecto del consumo de dietas hiperproteicas y el entrenamiento de alta intensidad (EAI) sobre dicho estrés oxidativo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la influencia del consumo de una dieta hiperproteica y de EAI sobre marcadores de estrés oxidativo en cerebro. Métodos: Cuarenta ratas Wistar macho adultas fueron aleatoriamente distribuidas en 4 grupos experimentales (n=10): dieta normoproteica o hiperproteica, con o sin EAI durante un periodo experimental de 12 semanas. Se determinaron los principales marcadores de daño oxidativo en cerebro como sustancias reactivas del ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARs) y el contenido de grupos carbonilos (PCC). Además, se midieron las actividades enzimáticas superóxido dismutasa del manganeso (Mn-SOD), de cobre/ zinc (CuZn-SOD) y catalasa (CAT), así como el nivel de proteína del factor nuclear eritroide-2 (Nrf2). Resultados: Los niveles de TBARs, PCC, tSOD, Mn- SOD, CuZn-SOD y CAT fueron significativamente mayores en los grupos hiperproteicos en comparación con los normoproteicos (todas, p<0,05). La expresión de la proteína Nrf2 fue mayor en los grupos hiperproteicos y con EAI en comparación con los grupos normorpoteicos y sedentarios, respectivamente (ambos, p<0,01). Se observó una interacción en la disminución de los niveles de TBARs, tSOD y CuZn-SOD producida por el EAI en el grupo hiperproteico que no fue reflejada en el grupo normoproteico (p=0,05). Conclusión: El consumo de una dieta hiperproteica produce altos niveles de peroxidación lipídica en el cerebro, a pesar de los altos niveles de capacidad enzimática antioxidante detectados. Sin embargo, el efecto del EAI podría atenuar los niveles de peroxidación lipídica producidos por el consumo de una dieta hiperproteica (AU)

High-protein diet induces oxidative stress in rat brain: protective action of high-intensity exercise against lipid peroxidation.

INTRODUCTION: It is well established that soy protein diets as well as aerobic exercise could promote antioxidant capacity and consequently reduce free radicals overproduction on brain. However, little is know regarding to the high-protein diets and high intensity exercise on oxidative stress production. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of high-protein diets and high-intensity exercise (HIE) on brain oxidative stress markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups (n=10): normal-protein or high-protein diets with or without HIE for an experimental period of 12 weeks. Main oxidative damage markers in brain such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) were assessed. In addition, brain manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), cooper/ zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) antioxidant enzymes activity, and protein level of Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Brain TBARs, PCC, tSOD, Mn-SOD, CuZn-SOD and CAT levels were higher in the high-protein compared to the normal-protein groups (all, p.

Introducción: Es conocido que la proteína de soja así como la práctica de ejercicio físico aeróbico pueden incrementar la capacidad antioxidante y con ello reducir la sobreproducción de radicales libres en el cerebro. Sin embargo, existe desconocimiento sobre el efecto del consumo de dietas hiperproteicas y el entrenamiento de alta intensidad (EAI) sobre dicho estrés oxidativo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la influencia del consumo de una dieta hiperproteica y de EAI sobre marcadores de estrés oxidativo en cerebro. Métodos: Cuarenta ratas Wistar macho adultas fueron aleatoriamente distribuidas en 4 grupos experimentales (n=10): dieta normoproteica o hiperproteica, con o sin EAI durante un periodo experimental de 12 semanas. Se determinaron los principales marcadores de daño oxidativo en cerebro como sustancias reactivas del ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARs) y el contenido de grupos carbonilos (PCC). Además, se midieron las actividades enzimáticas superóxido dismutasa del manganeso (Mn-SOD), de cobre/ zinc (CuZn-SOD) y catalasa (CAT), así como el nivel de proteína del factor nuclear eritroide-2 (Nrf2). Resultados: Los niveles de TBARs, PCC, tSOD, Mn- SOD, CuZn-SOD y CAT fueron significativamente mayores en los grupos hiperproteicos en comparación con los normoproteicos (todas, p.