Microbial synergies drive simultaneous biodegradation of ethoxy and alkyl chains of Nonylphenol Ethoxylate in fluidized bed reactors.

The widely-used surfactant Nonylphenol Ethoxylate (NPEO) produces endocrine-disrupting compounds during biodegradation, with these byproducts being more harmful than untreated NPEO. This study investigates the effectiveness of a Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR) in reducing the production of 4-Nonylphenol (4-NP) during the biodegradation of NPEO. Two identical FBR filled with sand were used to assess the NPEO degradation and to enhance the microbial consortia capable of breaking down the complex byproducts, ethanol and fumarate were introduced as co-substrates. Our findings demonstrate the significant potential of the FBR, especially when coupled with fumarate, for enhancing the surfactant degradation. It outperforms the efficiency achieved with ethanol as the primary electron donor, albeit with a higher rate of byproduct production. Microbial community taxonomy and metabolic prediction revealed the high abundance of Geobacter (1.51-31.71%) and Methanobacterium (1.08-13.81%) in non-conductive sand. This may hint a new metabolic interaction and expand our understanding of Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer (DIET) in bioreactors applied to micropollutants degradation. Such an intricate relationship between facultative and anaerobes working together to simultaneously biodegrade the ethoxy and alkyl chains presents a new perspective on NPEO degradation and can potentially be extended to other micropollutants.

Bio-CH4 yield of swine manure and food waste optimized by co-substrate proportions diluted in domestic sewage and pH interactions using the response surface approach.

This research aimed at evaluating optimal conditions to obtain value-added metabolites, such as bio-CH4, by co-digesting swine manure and food waste diluted in domestic sewage. The assays were carried out in batches using the statistical methods of Rotational Central Composite Design (RCCD) and Surface Response to evaluate the ranges of food waste (1.30-9.70 gTS.L-1), pH (6.16-7.84) and granular Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket sludge as inoculum (2.32-5.68 gTS.L-1), besides about 250 mL of swine manure in 500 mL Duran flasks. According to the RCCD matrix, bio-CH4 yields among 600.6 ± 60.1 and 2790.0 ± 112.0 mL CH4 gTS.L-1 were observed, besides the maximum CH4 production rate between 0.4 ± 0.5 and 49.7 ± 2.0 mL CH4 h-1 and λ between ≤0.0 and 299.3 ± 4.5 h. In the validation assay, the optimal conditions of 9.98 gTS.L-1 of food waste, pH adjusted to 8.0 and 2.20 gTS.L-1 of inoculum were considered, and the bio-CH4 yield obtained (5640.79 ± 242.98 mL CH4 gTS.L-1 or also 5201.83 ± 224.07 mL CH4 gTVS.L-1) was 11.3 times higher than in assays before optimization (499.3 ± 16.0 mL CH4 gTS.L-1) with 5 gTS.L-1 of food waste, 3 gTS.L-1 of inoculum and pH 7.0. Besides, the results observed about the energetic balance of the control and validation assays highlight the importance of process optimization, as this condition was the only one with energy supply higher than the energy required for its operation, exceeding max consumption sevenfold. Based on the most dominant microorganisms (Methanosaeta, 31.06%) and the metabolic inference of the validation assay, it could be inferred that the acetoclastic methanogenesis was the predominant pathway to CH4 production.

Application of nanoparticles to increase biological hydrogen production: the difference in metabolic pathways in batch and continuous reactors.

An alternative to improve the production of biorefinery products, such as biohydrogen (H2) and volatile fatty acids (VFA), is the combination of nanotechnology and biological processes. In order to compare the use of both processes in two different reactor configurations, batch reactors and continuous anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBR) were studied under the same conditions (37°C, pH 6.8, Clostridium butyricum as an inoculum and glucose as a substrate) to evaluate the influence of zero valence iron and nickel nanoparticles (NPs) on H2 and VFA production. There was a shift in the production of acetic and butyric acids to produce mainly valeric acid when NPs were added in batch reactors. Meanwhile, in AFBR the change was from lactic acid to butyric and acetic acids with the addition of NPs. It showed that the effect of NPs on the fermentation process was different when the configuration of batch and continuous reactors was compared. The H2 yield in both reactor configurations increased with the addition of NPs. In batch reactors from 6.6 to 8.0 mmol H2 g-1 of COD and in AFBR from 4.9 to 6.2 mmol of H2 g-1 of COD. Therefore, given the simplicity and low cost of the synthesis of metallic NPs, it is a promising additive to optimize the fermentation process in different reactor configurations.

The Impact of Pre-Exercise Carbohydrate Meal on the Effects of Yerba Mate Drink on Metabolism, Performance, and Antioxidant Status in Trained Male Cyclists.

INTRODUCTION: The consumption of yerba mate (YM), a source of antioxidants, in a fasted state increases fatty acid oxidation (FATox) during low-moderate-intensity exercise and improves performance in high-intensity exercise. However, the impact of a pre-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) meal on YM effects during exercise is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of yerba mate drink (YMD) consumed in the fasted state (YMD-F) or after a CHO meal (YMD-CHO) on measurements of metabolism, performance, and blood oxidative stress markers in cycling exercise. METHODS: In a randomized, repeated-measures, crossover design, eight trained male cyclists ingested (i) YMD-CHO, (ii) YMD-F, or (iii) control-water and CHO meal (Control-CHO). The YMD (an infusion of 5 g of ultrarefined leaves in 250 mL of water) was taken for 7 days and 40 min before exercise. CHO meal (1 g/kg body mass) was consumed 60 min before exercise. The cycling protocol included a 40-min low-intensity (~ 53% V̇O2peak) constant load test (CLT); a 20-min time trial (TT); and 4 × 10-s all-out sprints. Blood samples and respiratory gases were collected before, during, and/or after tests. RESULTS: During CLT, YMD-CHO increased FATox ~ 13% vs. YMD-F (P = 0.041) and ~ 27% vs. Control-CHO (P < 0.001). During TT, YMD-CHO increased FATox ~ 160% vs. YMD-F (P < 0.001) and ~ 150% vs. Control-CHO (P < 0.001). Power output during TT improved ~ 3% (P = 0.022) in YMD-CHO vs. Control-CHO and was strongly correlated with changes in serum total antioxidant capacity (r = -0.87) and oxidative stress index (r = 0.76) at post-exercise in YMD-CHO. Performance in sprints was not affected by YMD. CONCLUSION: CHO intake did not negate the effect of YMD on FATox or TT performance. Instead, a synergism between the two dietary strategies may be present. Clinical Trial Registration NCT04642144. November 18, 2020. Retrospectively registered.

Malacofauna of lotic environments in the Northeast and Brazilian semiarid region: current knowledge and new records.

Despite the great diversity, economic and environmental importance of limnic mollusks, the group is still little investigated in the Brazilian semiarid region, especially in the state of Piauí. Thus, this work aims to gather information on the diversity of limnic mollusks in the Brazilian Northeast and the semiarid region, including new records for the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil. For this, collections in the urban perimeter of the Itaim and Guaribas Rivers, municipalities of Itainópolis, and Picos, respectively, between October 2017 and September 2019. Besides, a literature review was conducted on studies of malacofauna in the Northeast and the Brazilian semiarid region. A total of 11 species from the classes Gastropoda and Bivalvia were collected on the rivers of Piauí, being the first record of Uncancylus concentricus for the Northeast region. For lotic environments in the state of Piauí, Drepanotrema schubarti, Pomacea canaliculata, Pisidium dorbignyi and Stenophysa marmorata were registered for the first time. Then, it was possible to verify that the Northeast of Brazil has 71 species registered, of which 34 occur in the semiarid. The diversity of species surveyed and the first record of the occurrence of several of them for the semiarid region demonstrate the importance of expanding studies involving this group to other areas. The present study is the first to gather and increase the information available on the fauna of limnic mollusks for the Northeast and Brazilian semiarid regions. The information gathered here may contribute to future research and to the species conservation and the environments they occupy, especially considering the presence of non- native and vector species.

Ursolic acid has no additional effect on muscle strength and mass in active men undergoing a high-protein diet and resistance training: A double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ursolic acid (UA) is thought to have an anabolic effect on muscle mass in humans. This study sought to compare the effects of UA and a placebo on muscle strength and mass in young men undergoing resistance training (RT) and consuming a high-protein diet. METHODS: A clinical, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted for 8 weeks. The Control + RT group (CON n = 12) received 400 mg/d of placebo, and the UA + RT group (UA n = 10) received 400 mg/d of UA. Both groups ingested ~1.6 g/kg of protein and performed the same RT program. Pre- and post-intervention, both groups were evaluated for anthropometric measures, body composition, food intake and muscle strength. RESULTS: Food intake remained unchanged throughout the study. Both groups showed significant increases in body weight (CON Δ: 2.12 ± 0.47 kg, p = 0.001 vs. UA Δ: 2.24 ± 0.67 kg, p = 0.009), body mass index (BMI) (CON Δ: 0.69 ± 0.15 kg/m2, p = 0.001 vs. UA Δ: 0.75 ± 0.23, p = 0.011) and thigh circumference (CON Δ: 1.50 ± 0.36, p = 0.002 vs. UA Δ: 2.46 ± 0.50 cm, p = 0.003 vs. UA 1.84 ± 0.82 cm, p = 0.001), with differences between them. There was no difference in the arm, waist and hip circumferences. Both groups showed increases in muscle mass (CON Δ: 1.12 ± 0.26, p = 0.001 vs. UA Δ: 1.08 ± 0.28 kg, p = 0.004), but there was no significant difference between them. Additionally, there were significant increases in the one repetition maximum test in the bench press and in the 10-repetition maximum test in the knee extension (CON Δ: 5.00 ± 2.09, p = 0.036 vs. UA Δ: 7.8 ± 1.87, p = 0.340 and CON Δ: 3.58 ± 1.15, p = 0.010 vs. UA Δ: 1.20 ± 0.72, p = 0.133), respectively, with no difference between them. CONCLUSIONS: Ursolic acid had no synergic effect on muscle strength and mass in response to RT in physically active men consuming a high-protein diet. BRAZILIAN CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY (REBEC): RBR-76tbqs.

The Karyotype of Salvator merianae (Squamata, Teiidae): Analyses by Classical and Molecular Cytogenetic Techniques.

In this study, we analyzed the karyotype of Salvator merianae (Teiidae) from the Brazilian semiarid region using different cytogenetic markers. Chromosomes were examined by classical (Giemsa and AgNOR staining) and molecular (FISH with ribosomal, telomeric, and microsatellite probes) cytogenetic approaches. S. merianae showed a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 38 (10 biarmed macrochromosomes + 28 microchromosomes). No sex-linked chromosome heteromorphisms were observed. Clusters of 18S/28S rDNA were localized in the terminal region of the long arm of pair 2. In addition to the typical telomeric signals, (TTAGGG)n repeats were detected in the pericentromeric region of some macrochromosome pairs, which might indicate the occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements via chromosome fusions. Hybridization signals of the microsatellite probes (GA)n, (GAA)n, and (GAG)n were uniformly distributed across all chromosomes, while (CA)n, (CAA)n, and (CAC)n produced brighter signals in the telomeric and pericentromeric regions of specific chromosome pairs. The comparison with previous studies demonstrates that, despite the wide distribution of S. merianae, the macrostructure organization of the karyotype remained unchanged, showing stability in diploid number and chromosome morphology.

Diet Quality Is Associated with Serum Antioxidant Capacity in Women with Breast Cancer: A Cross Sectional Study.

Oxidative stress produced by adjuvant treatments is associated with cell injury; however, a healthy diet can help mitigate it. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between diet quality and oxidative stress parameters in women subjected to adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. The sample comprised 70 women. Oxidative stress biomarkers and diet quality parameters based on the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised (BHEI-R)-were evaluated at baseline (p0) and after adjuvant treatment (p1). Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) was associated with diet quality at p0. BHEI-R scores were not different between p0 and p1; however, scores from total vegetables, total fruits, milk and dairy products, and meat, eggs and legumes were lower during treatment. On the other hand, lower sodium and saturated fat intake observed at p1 counterbalanced the BHEI-R score. Oxidative stress parameters have increased at p1, but they were not associated with diet quality; thus, changes in component intake were not enough to promote changes in oxidative stress during treatment. It appears that diet can enhance patients' antioxidant defense before treatment, which could lead to better outcomes in the long term. Further investigations may help to clarify the association between diet and oxidative stress in women with breast cancer.

Apple intake improves antioxidant parameters in hemodialysis patients without affecting serum potassium levels.

Oxidative stress (OS) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients, and the consumption of fruits seems to improve OS due to their antioxidant properties. Therefore, we hypothesized that Fuji apple intake improves OS markers in HD patients due to its polyphenolic compounds without increasing serum potassium levels. This trial was a 1-group, pre- and posttest comparison between 16 patients who had been on hemodialysis for at least 3 months without any acute illness or hyperkalemia. Each volunteer consumed 2 Fuji apples (~360 g) per day for 1 week. Blood samples were collected at the baseline period and after 8 days for the measurement of total antioxidant status, ascorbic acid, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, potassium, phosphorus, uric acid, glucose, and fructosamine. For tolerance evaluation, participants were asked about their bowel habits. Apple intake increased glutathione peroxidase (P = .006) and superoxide dismutase activities (P = .006) and ascorbic acid levels (P = .002). No significant changes were observed in uric acid, potassium, phosphorus, glucose, and fructosamine levels. Additionally, there was a decrease in the catalase activity (P = .021) and in the total antioxidant status values (P = .004). However, increased total oxidant status (P = .003) and oxidative stress index (P = .033) levels were observed after apple intake. In conclusion, the intake of 2 Fuji apples per day for 1 week was well tolerated and improved antioxidant parameters in HD patients without affecting serum potassium levels.

Simultaneous determination of anionic and nonionic surfactants in commercial laundry wastewater and anaerobic fluidized bed reactor effluent by online column-switching liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

This study presents a new method developed for the simultaneous determination of anionic surfactant (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate - LAS, 4 homologs) and nonionic surfactant (linear alcohol ethoxylate - LAE) in commercial laundry wastewater. The surfactants were identified and quantified using online column-switching solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Ten and three transitions (m/z) were identified for LAS and LAE, respectively. The detection and quantification limits were 75 and 200µg/L for LAS, respectively, and 75µg/L for LAE. This method was applied to the determination of the surfactants in the influent and effluent of an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor that was used for the treatment of commercial laundry wastewater. After 480days of operation with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 18h, the removal of 45.9±5.6% LAS and 99.2±4.3% LAE from an influent with surfactant concentrations of 26.1±12.9mg/L and 23.8±6.8mg/L, respectively, was obtained. Under these conditions, the breakage of longer-chain LAS homologs with the release of carbon units was observed with an increase in the number of shorter homolog chains. This SPE online sample treatment method is simple, fast and effective for the analysis of both surfactants. This technique is pioneering in its simultaneous measurement of two surfactant categories in anaerobic fluidized bed reactors.

Kinetics of methane production and biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate from laundry wastewater.

This study evaluates the kinetics of methane production and degradation of standard linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) (50 ± 3.5 mg/L) and LAS from laundry wastewater (85 ± 2.1 mg/L) in anaerobic batch reactors at 30°C with different sources of inoculum. The inocula were obtained by auto-fermentation (AFM) and UASB reactors from wastewater treatment of poultry slaughterhouse (SGH), swine production (SWT) and wastewater treatment thermophilic of sugarcane industry (THR). The study was divided into three phases: synthetic substrate (Phase I), standard LAS (Phase II) and LAS from laundry wastewater (Phase III). For SGH, the highest values for cumulative methane productions (1,844.8 ± 149 µmol-Phase II), methane production rate (70.8 ± 88 µmol/h-Phase II and 4.01 ± 07 µmol/h-Phase III) were observed. The use of thermophilic biomass (THR) incubated at 30°C was not favorable for methane production and LAS biodegradation, but the highest kinetic coefficient degradation (k1app) was obtained for LAS (0.33 ± 0.3 h) compared with mesophilic biomass (SGH and SWT) (0.13 ± 0.02 h). Therefore, both LAS sources influenced the kinetics of methane production and organic matter degradation. For SGH, inoculum obtained the highest LAS degradation. In the SGH inoculum sequenced by MiSeq-Illumina was identified genera (VadinCA02, Candidatus Cloacamonas, VadinHB04, PD-UASB-13) related to degrade toxic compounds. Therefore, it recommended the reactor mesophilic inoculum UASB (SGH) for the LAS degradation.

Biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in commercial laundry wastewater by an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor.

The biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) from commercial laundry wastewater was evaluated in an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (FBR) fed with synthetic substrate (598 mg L(-1) to 723 mg L(-1) of organic matter) supplemented with 9.5±3.1 mg L(-1) to 27.9±9.6 mg L(-1) of LAS. The average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was 89% and the biodegradation of LAS was 57% during the 489 days of anaerobic FBR. Higher levels of volatile fatty acids (VFA) were observed in the effluent at the stage with the best LAS removal performance. Increasing the surfactant concentration did not increase the VFA production in the effluent. The predominant VFAs after the addition of LAS were as follows: isovaleric acid and valeric acid, followed by propionic acid, caproic acid and formic acid. The similarities of 64% and 45% to Archaea and Bacteria domains were observed in the samples taken in the operating period of anaerobic FBR fed with 23.6±10 mg L(-1) and 27.9±10 mg L(-1) of LAS. During the operation stages in the reactor, Gemmatimonas, Desulfobulbus and Zoogloea were determined as the most abundant genera related to surfactant degradation using 454-Pyrosequencing.

Nutrition education intervention for women with breast cancer: effect on nutritional factors and oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of a nutrition education intervention on nutritional factors and oxidative stress during treatment of breast cancer. DESIGN: Nonrandomized clinical trial conducted in 2010-2011, including an evaluation at baseline and after 12 months. PARTICIPANTS: Women from Brazil who had breast cancer, divided into an intervention group (IG) (n = 18) and comparison group (n = 75). INTERVENTION: To increase intake of fruits and vegetables and reduce red and processed meats, via telephone and printed materials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Food intake, anthropometry, and levels of lipid hydroperoxide, carbonyl proteins, reduced glutathione, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. ANALYSES: Chi-square, Mann-Whitney or t tests for baseline data; Wilcoxon or paired t tests for intra-group outcomes, linear regression models, and Bonferroni multiplicity adjustment. RESULTS: The researchers observed an increase in fruit and vegetable intake, reduction in red and processed meat intake, no change in body weight, and an increase in glutathione in the IG over the comparison group. However, after Bonferroni adjustment, only the consumption of fruits and vegetables and fruit was significantly higher in IG. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study presents improved dietary changes after a theory-driven nutrition education intervention. Although the sample size is small, it has proven to be clinically relevant.

Simultaneous prediction of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in school children in Santa Catarina State, Brazil based on waist circumference measurement.

OBJECTIVES: Waist circumference (WC) is highly associated with metabolic risk factor clusters (RFC) for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In this study, we evaluated the use of WC measurements to detect hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in children and adolescents using the WC cutoff points reported in the Bogalusa Heart study and the New Zealand study. DESIGN AND METHODS: Students (n=1011; aged 6 to 14years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric indices, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles were measured. The associations between WC measures and serum parameters were investigated by logistic regression models, and the clinical accuracy of the studied parameters was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of increased WC was 30.2% using the New Zealand cutoff points and 13.7% using the Bogalusa cutoff values. In general, children with increased WC exhibited higher concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) of the WC measurements were 0.770 (95% CI: 0.744-0.797) and 0.600 (95% CI: 0.569-0.631) using, respectively, the New Zealand and Bogalusa cutoff points for WC, indicating the prediction of simultaneous hyperglycemia, increased levels of non-HDL-cholesterol, and reduced HDL-cholesterol for students with increased WC. There was a significant difference between AUC values (P=0.001). Furthermore, the sensitivity of using WC for detecting RFC in students was 2.0 to 2.5-fold higher with the New Zealand study cutoff values for WC than with those from the Bogalusa study. Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased WC was associated with simultaneous hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia after controlling for differences in sex and age (P<0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents exhibited a high prevalence of increased WC associated with other RFCs for NCDs. Increased WC may be used to screen and identify students with elevated clusters of metabolic risk factors for NCDs.

Influence of organic loading rate on the anaerobic treatment of sugarcane vinasse and biogás production in fluidized bed reactor.

This study evaluated an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR) that contained polystyrene particles as a support material for the treatment of vinasse that resulted from the alcoholic fermentation of sugarcane molasses. The AFBR was inoculated with sludge from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor that treated poultry slaughterhouse wastewater. The AFBR was operated with a hydraulic retention time of 24 h at a temperature of 30°C with influent vinasse concentrations that ranged from 2273 to 20,073 mg COD L(-1). The reactor was subjected to increased organic loading rates (OLR) that ranged from 3.33 to 26.19 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), with COD removal efficiencies that ranged from 51% to 70% and maximum removal at an OLR of 13.93 ± 2.18 kg COD m(-3) d(-1). The maximum biogas productivity was 5.37 m(3) CH4 m(-3) d(-1) for an OLR of 25.32 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) (average removal of 51%)..

Simultaneous removal of phenol and nitrate in an anoxic fluidized bed reactor.

The general purpose of this study was to characterize a biological treatment system for phenol removal in an anoxic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR) that employed nitrate as the final electron acceptor. The average influent phenol concentrations in the study were 52, 107, 201, 335, and 518 mg/L so that phenol was not detected in the effluent for influent concentrations up to 335 mg/L. The removal efficiency dropped to 70% when the AFBR was operated with influent phenol concentrations above 500 mg/L. The ratio of carbon (derived solely from phenol) to nitrate (N-NO(3)) was approximately 1. Hence, the average influent N-NO(3) concentrations in the study were 45, 79, 157, 260, and 362 mg/L, with corresponding nitrogen removal efficiencies of 94%, 89%, 86%, 79%, and 51%. Nitrite accumulation was not observed because the average effluent N-NO(3) concentration during the entire reactor operation period was 1.5 mg/L.

Green tea extract reverses endothelial dysfunction and reduces atherosclerosis progression in homozygous knockout low-density lipoprotein receptor mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of green tea extract (GTE) administration on vascular reactivity and atherosclerosis progression in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. We hypothesized that GTE intake may ameliorate atherosclerosis by improving endothelial dysfunction. Animals (n = 12 per group) were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and received either water or GTE at a dose of 50, 100, or 300 mg/kg once a day by gavage (100 µL/10 g weight). After 4 weeks, atherosclerosis extension and vascular reactivity were evaluated in the aorta, and the levels of lipids, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor α were measured in the plasma. Administration of GTE at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly decreased the area of atherosclerotic lesions by 35%, improved the vascular reactivity in the isolated thoracic aorta, and lowered the plasma levels of both MCP-1 and triglycerides. Delivery of 100 mg/kg of GTE only promoted vasocontraction and vasorelaxation (P < .05), whereas a dose of 300 mg/kg was ineffective. Maximum contraction and relaxation negatively correlated with the lesion area (r = -0.755 and -0.767, respectively), whereas the plasma levels of MCP-1 and triglycerides positively correlated with plaque size (r = 0.549 and 0.421, respectively). In summary, our results supported the hypothesis that administration of GTE at low doses may contribute to a decrease in atherosclerosis progression by reversing endothelial dysfunction.

Application of a modified precipitation method for the measurement of small dense LDL-cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) in a population in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In the study reported herein, we used the precipitation method employing heparin-Mg(2+), with slight modifications to avoid lipemia interference, to measure small dense-low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) in Brazilian subjects with a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Lipemic samples were diluted with various solvents prior to precipitation with heparin-Mg(2+). Validation assays were performed with ultracentrifugation (n=100) and the reproducibility of sd-LDL-C measured in diluted serum (n=50). The applicability of this modification was evaluated by measuring sd-LDL-C in 434 southern Brazilian normolipidemic, dyslipidemic and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) individuals. RESULTS: Lipemic serum diluted with 100 mmol/L phosphate buffer pH 8.5 was effective for the quantification of sd-LDL-C, which was correlated with non-diluted serum (r=0.961; p<0.0001) and with ultracentrifugation (r=0.705; p<0.0001). Ultracentrifugation sd-LDL-C was 0.08 mmol/L (CI 95%: -0.42-0.58 mmol/L) higher than the precipitation method (p>0.05). Subjects with dyslipidemias and T2DM had, respectively, 2.3 and 2.6-fold higher sd-LDL-C concentrations than normolipidemic individuals (p<0.05). The incidence of normolipidemic subjects with a high concentration of sd-LDL-C was only 2.2%. The sd-LDL-C was found to be enhanced by 8.3% every 10 years and young normolipidemic men had 24% higher sd-LDL-C than young women (p<0.05). Lipid-lowering therapy reduced sd-LDL-C by 26% (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this paper we described a simple and inexpensive approach to improving the measurement of sd-LDL-C in high-triglycerides serum. Furthermore, we showed that southern Brazil dyslipidemic and T2DM individuals have increased sd-LDL-C concentrations.

Improvement of serum antioxidant status in humans after the acute intake of apple juices.

It is hypothesized that apples of 2 Brazilian cultivars with different content of sugars and antioxidant compounds promote similar effects on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in human serum after acute intake. Nine healthy women ingested 300 mL of Golden Delicious or Catarina apple juice (AJ) or water, and blood samples were collected before and 1 hour after intake. After intake of both AJ, a similar and significant increase in serum antioxidant capacity and ascorbic and uric acid levels and a significant decrease in serum lipid peroxidation was observed. The increase in serum antioxidant capacity after consumption of both AJ was correlated directly with the uric acid levels and inversely with serum lipid peroxidation. In summary, the acute intake of AJ of 2 cultivars promoted a similar effect on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in human blood serum.