Curcumin-functionalized gold nanoparticles attenuate AAPH-induced acute cardiotoxicity via reduction of lipid peroxidation and modulation of antioxidant parameters in a chicken embryo model.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained considerable attention due to their biocompatibility, customizable optical properties and ease of synthesis. In this study, an environmentally friendly method was used for synthesize curcumin-functionalized AuNPs (AuNP-C). AuNP-C exhibited a spherical shape, uniformity, and an average diameter of 6 nm. The in vitro antioxidant activity was analyzed, and cytotoxicity properties of AuNP-C were assessed in fibroblast and macrophage cells. Additionally, the effects of AuNP-C on oxidative stress in chicken embryo liver and hearts were investigated. AuNP-C demonstrated potent free radical scavenging properties without exhibiting cytotoxicity and hepatotoxicity effects. Administration of 300 µg/mL of AuNP-C in chicken embryos, subjected to oxidative damage induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species levels in the cardiac tissue. Moreover, the activities of cardiac superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase were restored, accompanied by an increase in overall antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, at higher concentrations, AuNP-C normalized the reduced glutathione content. AuNP-C preserved the normal structure of blood vessels; however, it resulted in an increase in protein carbonylation. This study provides initial evidence for the modulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms by green-synthesized AuNPs and underscores the importance of investigating the in vivo safety of phytoantioxidant-functionalized nanoparticles.

Associação da cromogranina a com a ansiedade e o estresse em profissionais de enfermagem

Objetivo: Avaliar a associação da concentração de Cromogranina A com a ansiedade e estresse em profissionais de enfermagem e a associação da ansiedade e estresse com fatores sociodemográficos, epidemiológicos e laborais. Método: Estudo transversal desenvolvido com 210 profissionais de enfermagem de uma instituição hospitalar do Sudeste de Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre 2018/2019, por meio de preenchimento de um questionário de caracterização, do Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck e do Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp, bem como da coleta de saliva dos participantes para verificar a concentração de Cromogranina A dos participantes. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva e inferencial, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A maioria dos profissionais apresentou estresse (58,1%) e ansiedade (51,9%). Fatores como faixa etária, número de filhos, tempo de atuação na instituição, carga horária de trabalho, falta de atividade física, uso de medicamentos e outro emprego, aumentaram as chances desses trabalhadores terem ansiedade e estresse em níveis mais altos (P< 0,001). A Cromogranina A apresentou maiores alterações nos profissionais do turno da tarde. Observou-se associação entre o grupo que tinha estresse e ansiedade com a Cromogranina A, no turno da noite, bem como do grupo que tinha apenas ansiedade em horários do turno da manhã (P< 0,05). Conclusão: Os profissionais apresentaram níveis de ansiedade e estresse, que foram associados às alterações da CgA em alguns horários, demonstrando que essa proteína pode ser um possível biomarcador de ansiedade e de estresse.

Objective: To evaluate the association of Chromogranin A concentration with anxiety and stress in nursing professionals and the association of anxiety and stress with sociodemographic, epidemiological, and occupational factors. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 210 nursing professionals from a hospital in the southeast of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2018 and 2019, by completing a characterization questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults, as well as the collection of saliva from the participants to verify the concentration of Chromogranin A. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Most of the professionals had stress (58.1%) and anxiety (51.9%). Factors such as age group, number of children, time working in the institution, workload, lack of physical activity, use of medication and having other jobs, increased the likelihood of these workers experiencing higher levels of anxiety and stress (P< 0.001). Chromogranin A showed greater changes among the nursing professionals working the evening shift. A relationship was observed between the group that presented stress and anxiety with Chromogranin A, during the night shift, as well as the group that presented only anxiety during the morning shift (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Nursing professionals showed levels of anxiety and stress that were associated with changes in CgA at certain times, demonstrating that this protein may be a possible biomarker of anxiety and stress.

Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación de la concentración de Cromogranina A con la ansiedad y el estrés en profesionales de enfermería y la asociación de la ansiedad y el estrés con factores sociodemográficos, epidemiológicos y laborales. Método: Estudio transversal desarrollado con 210 profesionales de enfermería de un hospital del Sudeste de Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre 2018/2019, mediante la realización de un cuestionario de caracterización, el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck y el Inventario de Síntomas de Estrés para Adultos de Lipp, así como la recolección de saliva de los participantes para verificar la concentración de Cromogranina A de los participantes. Los datos fueron analizados de forma descriptiva e inferencial, con un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: La mayoría de los profesionales tenían estrés (58,1%) y ansiedad (51,9%). Factores como grupo de edad, número de hijos, tiempo de trabajo en la institución, carga de trabajo, falta de actividad física, uso de medicamentos y otros empleos, aumentaron las posibilidades de que estos trabajadores tuvieran ansiedad y estrés en niveles más altos (P< 0,001). La Cromogranina A mostró mayores cambios en los profesionales del turno vespertino. Se observó asociación entre el grupo que presentó estrés y ansiedad con Cromogranina A, en el turno de la noche, así como el grupo que presentó únicamente ansiedad en el turno de la mañana (P< 0,05). Conclusión: Los profesionales presentaron niveles de ansiedad y estrés, que se asociaron con cambios en la CgA en determinados momentos, demostrando que esa proteína puede ser un posible biomarcador de ansiedad y estrés.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects of topical silver-doped zinc oxide and silver oxide nanocomposites.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), silver oxide nanoparticles (AgO-NPs), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have healing, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs also have anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we synthesized a nanocomposite using Ag-ZnO and AgO-NPs (Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs). The structural and morphological properties of nanocrystals and nanocomposite were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electronics microscopic. The wurtzite crystalline structure of Ag-ZnO and two morphologies for the nanocomposite (nanorods and nanoplatelets) were determined. Topical treatment with 1% Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs was compared to untreated wounds (control group). Wounds were induced in the dorsal region of BALB/c mice and evaluated after 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of treatment. The nanocomposite demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. In addition, wounds treated with Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs showed accelerated closure, non-cytotoxicity, especially on keratinocytes and collagen deposition, and increased metalloproteinases 2 and 9 activity. The nanocomposite improved healing by reducing the inflammatory process, protecting tissues from damage caused by free radicals, and increasing collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix. These characteristics contributed to the accelerated wound closure process. Thus, Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs show potential for can be a strategy for topical use in formulations of new drugs to treat wounds.

Cholinesterase inhibitors assessment of aporphine alkaloids from Annona crassiflora and molecular docking studies.

Annona crassiflora Mart. is an endemic plant from Brazilian Cerrado (savanna) biome, commonly employed in traditional medicine to treat wounds, diarrhea, and scalp infections. The pulp of the fruits is edible and has a characteristic taste, being employed to prepare sweets like jam, cakes, and ice cream by the people who live in the region of the Cerrado, although the peels are discarded. In this way, the A. crassiflora fruit peels ethanol extract was prepared and subjected to liquid-liquid extraction, which yielded the alkaloidal fraction (CH2Cl2). Subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography separations, this fraction allowed the purification of the aporphine alkaloids stephalagine (1), liriodenine (2), and atherospermidine (3), that were structurally characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses. Aporphine alkaloids are recognized for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, an important target in Alzheimer's disease therapy. Thus, the ethanol extract, alkaloidal fraction, and compounds1,2,and3were evaluated for acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities. Compound1(IC50 104.2 µmol L-1) exhibited better BChE inhibitory activity than the standard compound galanthamine (IC50 162.7 µmol L-1), while2had a comparable result(and IC50 167.3 µmol L-1). Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to predict the compound's binding mode to the human AChE at a molecular level. Semiempirical calculation results show that the enthalpy interaction energy (ΔHint) between AChE and BChE active sites and all ligands were favorable for both enzymes, with the ligands interacting even more strongly with AChE, corroborating with IC50 results.

Fructose and methylglyoxal-induced glycation alters structural and functional properties of salivary proteins, albumin and lysozyme.

Glycation process refers to reactions between reduction sugars and amino acids that can lead to formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which are related to changes in chemical and functional properties of biological structures that accumulate during aging and diseases. The aim of this study was to perform and analyze in vitro glycation by fructose and methylglyoxal (MGO) using salivary fluid, albumin, lysozyme, and salivary α-amylase (sAA). Glycation effect was analyzed by biochemical and spectroscopic methods. The results were obtained by fluorescence analysis, infrared spectroscopy (total attenuated reflection-Fourier transform, ATR-FTIR) followed by multivariate analysis of principal components (PCA), protein profile, immunodetection, enzymatic activity and oxidative damage to proteins. Fluorescence increased in all glycated samples, except in saliva with fructose. The ATR-FTIR spectra and PCA analysis showed structural changes related to the vibrational mode of glycation of albumin, lysozyme, and salivary proteins. Glycation increased the relative molecular mass (Mr) in protein profile of albumin and lysozyme. Saliva showed a decrease in band intensity when glycated. The analysis of sAA immunoblotting indicated a relative reduction in intensity of its correspondent Mr after sAA glycation; and a decrease in its enzymatic activity was observed. Carbonylation levels increased in all glycated samples, except for saliva with fructose. Thiol content decreased only for glycated lysozyme and saliva with MGO. Therefore, glycation of salivary fluid and sAA may have the potential to identify products derived by glycation process. This opens perspectives for further studies on the use of saliva, an easy and non-invasive collection fluid, to monitor glycated proteins in the aging process and evolution of diseases.

Alkaloid and acetogenin-rich fraction from Annona crassiflora fruit peel inhibits proliferation and migration of human liver cancer HepG2 cells.

Plant species from Annonaceae are commonly used in traditional medicine to treat various cancer types. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative potential of an alkaloid and acetogenin-rich fraction from the fruit peel of Annona crassiflora in HepG2 cells. A liquid-liquid fractionation was carried out on the ethanol extract of A. crassiflora fruit peel in order to obtain an alkaloid and acetogenin-rich fraction (AF-Ac). Cytotoxicity, proliferation and migration were evaluated in the HepG2 cells, as well as the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vinculin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. In addition, intracellular Ca2+ was determined using Fluo4-AM and fluorescence microscopy. First, 9 aporphine alkaloids and 4 acetogenins that had not yet been identified in the fruit peel of A. crassiflora were found in AF-Ac. The treatment with 50 µg/mL AF-Ac reduced HepG2 cell viability, proliferation and migration (p < 0.001), which is in accordance with the reduced expression of PCNA and EGFR levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, AF-Ac increased intracellular Ca2+ in the HepG2 cells, mobilizing intracellular calcium stores, which might be involved in the anti-migration and anti-proliferation capacities of AF-Ac. Our results support the growth-inhibitory potential of AF-Ac on HepG2 cells and suggest that this effect is triggered, at least in part, by PCNA and EGFR modulation and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. This study showed biological activities not yet described for A. crassiflora fruit peel, which provide new possibilities for further in vivo studies to assess the antitumoral potential of A. crassiflora, especially its fruit peel.

The influence of a hot environment on physiological stress responses in exercise until exhaustion.

Exhaustive exercise in a hot environment can impair performance. Higher epinephrine plasma levels occur during exercise in heat, indicating greater sympathetic activity. This study examined the influence of exercise in the heat on stress levels. Nine young healthy men performed a maximal progressive test on a cycle ergometer at two different environmental conditions: hot (40°C) and normal (22°C), both between 40% and 50% relative humidity. Venous blood and saliva samples were collected pre-test and post-test. Before exercise there were no significant changes in salivary biomarkers (salivary IgA: p = 0.12; α-amylase: p = 0.66; cortisol: p = 0.95; nitric oxide: p = 0.13; total proteins: p = 0.07) or blood lactate (p = 0.14) between the two thermal environments. Following exercise, there were significant increases in all variables (salivary IgA 22°C: p = 0.04, 40°C: p = 0.0002; α-amylase 22°C: p = 0.0002, 40°C: p = 0.0002; cortisol 22°C: p = 0.02, 40°C: p = 0.0002; nitric oxide 22°C: p = 0.0005, 40°C: p = 0.0003, total proteins 22°C: p<0.0001, 40°C: p<0.0001 and; blood lactate 22°C: p<0.0001, 40°C: p<0.0001) both at 22°C and 40°C. There was no significant adjustment regarding IgA levels between the two thermal environments (p = 0.74), however the levels of α-amylase (p = 0.02), cortisol (p<0.0001), nitric oxide (p = 0.02) and total proteins (p = 0.01) in saliva were higher in the hotter conditions. Blood lactate was lower under the hot environment (p = 0.01). In conclusion, enduring hot temperature intensified stressful responses elicited by exercise. This study advocates that hot temperature deteriorates exercise performance under exhaustive stress and effort conditions.

Adaptogenic potential of royal jelly in liver of rats exposed to chronic stress.

Restraint and cold stress increase both corticosterone and glycemia, which lead to oxidative damages in hepatic tissue. This study assessed the effect of royal jelly (RJ) supplementation on the corticosterone level, glycemia, plasma enzymes and hepatic antioxidant system in restraint and cold stressed rats. Wistar rats were allocated into no-stress, stress, no-stress supplemented with RJ and stress supplemented with RJ groups. Initially, RJ (200mg/Kg) was administered for fourteen days and stressed groups were submitted to chronic stress from the seventh day. The results showed that RJ supplementation decreases corticosterone levels and improves glycemia control after stress induction. RJ supplementation also decreased the body weight, AST, ALP and GGT. Moreover, RJ improved total antioxidant capacity, SOD activity and reduced GSH, GR and lipoperoxidation in the liver. Thus, RJ supplementation reestablished the corticosterone levels and the hepatic antioxidant system in stressed rats, indicating an adaptogenic and hepatoprotective potential of RJ.

Proteomic analysis of honey bee brain upon ontogenetic and behavioral development.

The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a social insect that shows complex and integrated behaviors. Its ability to read and respond to several sets of extrinsic and intrinsic signals is fundamental for the modulation of individual activities and social systems. For instance, A. mellifera behavior changes upon the ontogenetic differentiation from nurse to forager worker subcastes. In this work, brain proteomes of nurses and foragers were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis within pH range of 4-7 in order to find proteins related to such an ontogenetic and behavioral development. Twenty differentially expressed proteins were detected by gel image computational analysis, and identified by peptide mass fingerprinting using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Nurse brain showed increased expression of major royal jelly proteins (MRJP1, MRJP2 and MRJP7), which are related to determination of castes during the honey bee larvae differentiation. Immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy showed that MRJP1 was localized in the cytoplasm of brain cells, seemingly along filaments of the cytoskeleton, in the antennal lobe, optical lobe and mushroom body. Also, MRJP1 was deposited on the rhabdom, a structure of the retinular cells, composed of numerous tubules. Such evidence suggests that MRJP1 could be associated to proteins of filamentous structures. MRJP1 was also found in intercellular spaces between cells in mushrooms bodies, indicating that it is a secreted protein. Other proteins implicated in protein synthesis and putative functions in the olfactory system were also up-regulated in the nurse brain. Experienced foragers overexpressed proteins possibly involved in energy production, iron binding, metabolic signaling and neurotransmitter metabolism. Such differential expression of proteins may be related to ontogenetic and behavior changes in A. mellifera.