Efficacy of Carotenoid-Loaded Gelatin Nanoparticles in Reducing Plasma Cytokines and Adipocyte Hypertrophy in Wistar Rats.

The present study investigated the effect of gelatin-based nanoparticles (EPG) loaded with a carotenoid-rich crude extract (CE) on systemic and adipose tissue inflammatory response in a model with inflammation induced by a high glycemic index and high glycemic load diet (HGLI). Nanoparticles synthesized were characterized by different physical and chemical methods. The in vivo investigation evaluated Wistar rats (n = 20, 11 days, adult male with 21 weeks) subdivided into untreated (HGLI diet), conventional treatment (nutritionally adequate diet), treatment 1 (HGLI + crude extract (12.5 mg/kg)), and treatment 2 (HGLI + EPG (50 mg/kg)) groups. Dietary intake, caloric intake and efficiency, weight, inflammatory cytokines tissue concentration, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) weight, histopathological analysis, and antioxidant activity in plasma and VAT were investigated. EPG showed the same physical and chemical characteristics as previous batches (95.2 nm, smooth surface, and chemical interactions between materials). The EPG-treated group was the only group promoting negative ∆dietary intake, ∆caloric efficiency, and ∆weight. In addition, it presented a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in IL-6 and leptin levels and a greater presence of multilocular adipocytes. The results suggest that EPG can act as a nutraceutical in adjuvant therapy for treating inflammatory diseases associated with adipose tissue accumulation.

Anti-Inflammatory Protein Isolated from Tamarind Promotes Better Histological Aspects in the Intestine Regardless of the Improvement of Intestinal Permeability in a Preclinical Study of Diet-Induced Obesity.

Obesity is associated with metabolic and physiological effects in the gut. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) in vitro (interaction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibitory activity against human neutrophil elastase (HNE)), and using intestinal co-cultures of Caco-2:HT29-MTX cell lines inflamed with TNF-α (50 ng/mL) and a Wistar rat model of diet-induced obesity (n = 15). TTI was administered to animals by gavage (10 days), and the treated group (25 mg/kg/day) was compared to animals without treatment or treated with a nutritionally adequate diet. In the in vitro study, it showed inhibitory activity against HNE (93%). In co-cultures, there was no protection or recovery of the integrity of inflamed cell monolayers treated with TTI (1.0 mg/mL). In animals, TTI led to lower plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6, total leukocytes, fasting glucose, and LDL-c (p < 0.05). The intestines demonstrated a lower degree of chronic enteritis, greater preservation of the submucosa, and greater intestinal wall thickness than the other groups (p = 0.042). Therefore, the better appearance of the intestine not reflected in the intestinal permeability added to the in vitro activity against HNE point to possibilities for new studies and applications related to this activity.

Comparing different methods for fast screening of microbiological quality of beach sand aimed at rapid-response remediation.

There is scientific evidence that beach sands are a significant contributor to the pathogen load to which visitors are exposed. To develop beach quality guidelines all beach zones must be included in microbiological evaluations, but monitoring methods for beach sand quality are relatively longstanding, expensive, laborious and require moderate laboratory infrastructure. This paper aimed to evaluate the microorganism activity in different beach zones applying and comparing a classical method of membrane filtration (MF) with two colorimetric screening methods based on fluorescein (FDA) and tetrazolium (TTC) salt biotransformation to evaluate a new rapid and low-cost method for beach sand microbiological contamination assessments. The colorimetric results can help beach managers to evaluate rapidly and at low cost the microbiological quality of different beach zones in order to decide whether remedial actions need to be adopted to prevent exposure of the public to microbes due to beach sand and/or water contamination.

Soil genotoxicity assessment--results of an interlaboratory study on the Vicia micronucleus assay in the context of ISO standardization.

The Vicia micronucleus assay was standardized in an international protocol, ISO 29200, "Assessment of genotoxic effects on higher plants-Vicia faba micronucleus test," for soil or soil materials (e.g., compost, sludge, sediment, waste, and fertilizing materials). The aim of this interlaboratory study on the Vicia micronucleus assay was to investigate the robustness of this in vivo assay in terms of its applicability in different countries where each participant were asked to use their own seeds and reference soil, in agreement with the ISO 29200 standard. The ISO 29200 standard protocol was adopted for this study, and seven laboratories from three countries (France, Italy, and Brazil) participated in the study. Negative and positive controls were correctly evaluated by 100 % of the participants. In the solid-phase test, the micronucleus frequency (number of micronuclei/1,000 cells) varied from 0.0 to 1.8 for the negative control (i.e., Hoagland's solution) and from 5.8 to 85.7 for the positive control (i.e., maleic hydrazide), while these values varied from 0.0 to 1.7 for the negative control and from 14.3 to 97.7 for the positive control in the case of liquid-phase test. The variability in the data obtained does not adversely affect the robustness of the protocol assessed, on the condition that the methodology described in the standard ISO 29200 is strictly respected. Thus, the Vicia micronucleus test (ISO 29200) is appropriate for complementing prokaryotic or in vitro tests cited in legislation related to risk assessment of genotoxicity potential.

Arsenate (As V) in water: quantitative sensitivity relationships among biomarker, ecotoxicity and genotoxicity endpoints.

It is useful to test ecotoxicity and genotoxicity endpoints in the environmental impact assessment. Here, we compare and discuss ecotoxicity and genotoxicity effects in organisms in response to exposure to arsenate (As V) in solution. Eco(geno)toxicity responses in Aliivibrio fischeri, Lytechinus variegatus, Daphnia magna, Skeletonema costatum and Vicia faba were analyzed by assessing different endpoints: biomass growth, peroxidase activity, mitotic index, micronucleus frequency, and lethality in accordance with the international protocols. Quantitative sensitivity relationships (QSR) between these endpoints were established in order to rank endpoint sensitivity. The results for the QSR values based on the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) ratios varied from 2 (for ratio of root peroxidase activity to leaf peroxidase activity) to 2286 (for ratio of higher plant biomass growth to root peroxidase activity). The QSR values allowed the following sensitivity ranking to be established: higher plant enzymatic activity>daphnids≈echinoderms>bacteria≈algae>higher plant biomass growth. The LOEC values for the mitotic index and micronucleus frequency (LOEC=0.25mgAsL(-1)) were similar to the lowest LOEC values observed in aquatic organisms. This approach to the QSR of different endpoints could form the basis for monitoring and predicting early effects of pollutants before they give rise to significant changes in natural community structures.

Prevalência de esteatose hepática e consumo de álcool em participantes do Projeto Atividade Física na Vila / Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholism in the participants of the Physical Activity in Community Project / Prevalencia de esteatosis hepática y consumo de alcohol en participantes del Projeycto Actividad Física en la Vila

A esteatose hepática é um achado cada vez mais frequente em exames de rastreamento por estudo de imagem. Tem sido descrita associação entre esteatose, obesidade, resistência à insulina e síndrome metabólica (SM). Também parece existir sinergismo entre esteatose hepática, álcool e fibrose hepática. O objetivo foi descrever a prevalência de esteatose e de etilismo nos participantes do Projeto "Atividade Física na Vila" e avaliar sua associação com a presença de obesidade e obesidade visceral. Foi realizada ultrassonografia abdominal em 69 participantes, 53,02±1,26 anos, sendo avaliados a presença e o grau de esteatose e as medidas da gordura subcutânea e visceral (GV). Foram excluídos os pacientes com hepatite viral e com etilismo significativo na anamnese ou após teste AUDIT. Após análise inicial, 60 pacientes foram avaliados quanto aos dados antropométricos e divididos em 2 grupos: com e sem esteatose. A prevalência de etilismo foi de 8,7%. A esteatose hepática foi observada em 37% dos pacientes sendo a maioria classificada como leve e moderada (91%). O grupo com esteatose apresentou aumento significativo de IMC (34,±8,7 versus 29,8±6,5kg/m2), cintura abdominal (102,6±12,7 versus 95,3±12,3cm), peso (85,8±18,7 versus 74,5±17,7kg) e GV (47,9±10,5 versus 36,0±12,7mm). A esteatose hepática é comum em obesos, especialmente naqueles com obesidade visceral. Sabemos que o álcool e a obesidade visceral podem estar envolvidos em seu mecanismo fisiopatológico. Por isso, os pacientes com esteatose hepática e consumo excessivo de álcool podem apresentar maior chance de evoluir desfavoravelmente para a cirrose e insuficiência hepática.

Screening image studies have shown that the frequency of hepatic steatosis findings has been progressivly increasing. The risk of developing NAFLD has been described and associated with obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. There seems to be a correlation between NAFLD, alcohol e hepatic fibrosis. Our objective was to describe the prevalence of NAFLD and alcoholism in the participants of the of the Physical Activity in Community Project and to evaluate the associations between hepatic steatosis and presence of obesity and visceral obesity. Abdominal ultrasound was performed in 69 patients, 53.02±1.26 years old, looking for the presence and for the degree of fatty liver as well as subcutaneous and visceral fat. Patients with viral hepatitis and significant alcoholism were excluded after the AUDIT test. After this analysis, 60 patients were evaluated according to their anthropometrics data and were allocated into two groups: with and without fatty liver disease. The prevalence of alcoholism was 8.7%. Thirty seven percent of the patients showed up with NAFLD and were considered low to moderate risk (91%). The NAFLD showed a significant rise in the body mass index (34.1±8.7 versus 29.8±6.5kg/m2), waist circumference (102,6±12,7 versus 95.3±12.3cm), overall weight, (85,8±18,7 versus 74,5± 17.7kg), and visceral fat (47.9±10.5 versus 36.0±12.7mm). Hepatic steatosis is common in obese, especially in those with visceral obesity. We know that alcohol and visceral obesity are involved in the physiopathologic process of hepatic steatosis. For this reason, patients with Hepatic steatosis and excessive alcohol consumption may be at greater risk for Cirrhossis and hepatic insufficiency.

La esteatosis hepática es un descubrimiento cada vez más frecuente en exámenes de rastreamento por estudio de imágenes. Ha sido descripta asociación entre esteatosis, obesidad, resistencia a la insulina y síndrome metabólica (SM) .También parece existir sinergismo entre esteatosis hepática, alcohol y fibrosis hepática. El objetivo ha sido de describir la prevalencia de esteatosis hepática y de etilismo en los participantes del Proyecto Actividad Física en Vila y evaluar su asociación con la presencia de obesidad y obesidad visceral. Ha sido realizada ultrasonido abdominal en 69 participantes, 53,02±1,26 años, siendo evaluado la presencia y el grado de esteatosis y las medidas de grasa subcutánea y visceral (GV). Han sido excluidos los pacientes con la hepatitis viral y con etilismo significativo en las anamnesis o después del teste AUDIT. Después del análisis inicial, 60 pacientes se evaluaron cuanto a los datos antropométricos y divididos en 2 grupos: con y sin esteatosis. La prevalencia de etilismo ha sido de 8,7%.La esteatosis hepática ha sido observada en 37% de los pacientes siendo la mayoría clasificada como leve y moderada (91%). El grupo con esteatosis ha presentado aumento significativo de IMC (34,±8,7 x 29,8±6,5Kg/m2), cintura abdominal (102,6±12,7 x 95,3±12,3cm) peso (85,8±18,7 x 74,5±17,7 Kg) e GV (47,9±10,5 x 36,0±12,7 mm). La esteatosis hepática es común en obesos, especialmente en aquellos con obesidad visceral. Sabemos que el alcohol y la obesidad visceral pueden estar envueltos en su mecanismo fisiopatológico. Por eso, los pacientes con esteatosis hepática y consumo excesivo de alcohol pueden presentar mayor chance de evolucionar desfavorablemente para la cirrosis y insuficiencia hepáticas.

The relationship between ovarian structure and serum insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its binding protein (IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3) levels in premature pubarche.

The aim of this study was to determine serum insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its binding proteins (IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3) levels and their relationship with androgen levels and ovarian structure in 23 girls with premature pubarche (PP). Fasting levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione (delta4A), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), glucose (G), insulin (I), IGF-I, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3 were measured. Androgens or steroid hormone levels > 3 SD of normal postpubertal levels were considered as an exaggerated response to the ACTH test. The fasting I to G ratio (FIGR) was calculated and FIGR > 22 was suggestive of insulin resistance (IR). A pelvic ultrasound (US) was carried out and the ovarian structure was divided into five classes (c): c1--homogeneous, c2--microcystic, c3--multicystic, c4--polycystic and c5--follicular. The girls with PP were divided into two groups according to the main ovarian classes observed: PPc1 (n = 6) and PPc2 (n = 15). The FIGR showed IR in 44% of patients. The androgens, SHBG, G, I, FIGR, IGF-I and IGFBP-1 levels were similar among the groups (PPc1 vs PPc2). An exaggerated response to ACTH was more common and IGFBP-3 levels were higher in the PPc2 than in the PPc1 group (p = 0.04). Regression analysis revealed that I was correlated with DHEAS (r = -0.43, p = 0.04) and IGFBP-1 (r = -0.51, p = 0.01); IGF-I was correlated with DHEA (r = -0.42, p = 0.05), delta4A (r = -0.47, p = 0.02), SHBG (r = -0.43, p = 0.04), IGFBP-1 (r = -0.61, p = 0.002) and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.56, p = 0.005); IGFBP-1 was correlated with SHBG (r = 0.56, p = 0.005). These findings suggest that there might be interactions between the insulin-IGF-I-IGFBPs system and hyperandrogenism. However, the possible causal role of adrenal androgen hypersecretion on the insulin-IGF-I-IGFBPs axis and ovarian structure in girls with PP remains to be established. Since studies reveal that IGFBP-3 levels could be a negative predictor for insulin sensitivity throughout puberty, we hypothesize that girls with PP and microcystic ovaries are at risk of developing IR in the course of normal puberty.

Ovários policísticos em meninas e adolescentes normais: uma avaliação ultra-sonográfica / Polycystic ovaries in normal children and adolescent girls: ultrasound evaluation

Realizamos ultra-sonografia pélvica em tempo real e de alta resolução em 140 meninas com idade entre dois e 18 anos, para descrever a prevalência de ovários policísticos durante o desenvolvimento puberal normal. O volume dos ovários foi calculado e sua estrutura classificada como homogênea, microcística, multicística, policística e folicular. O volume aumentou e a freqüência das classes ovarianas variou de acordo com o status puberal. Os ovários eram de aspecto policístico em 8 por cento (duas meninas pré-puberais e nove pós-puberais), com volume normal em 8/11 pacientes. Consideramos que a utilização do volume como critério diagnóstico de ovários policísticos pode ser de difícil interpretação durante este período e enfatizamos a importância da avaliação da ecogenicidade do estroma pelo ultra-som. Uma hipótese atrativa, mas que necessita de confirmação através de estudos longitudinais, é se essas meninas com ovários policísticos na ultra-sonografia serão destinadas, em alguns casos, a tornar-se adultas com a síndrome dos ovários policísticos

Real-time high-resolution ultrasonography of the pelvic organs was performed in 140 healthy females aged 2-18 years. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of polycystic ovaries during normal pubertal development. The volume of the ovaries was calculated and ovarian structure was classified as homogeneous, microcystic, multycystic, polycystic and follicular. The volume of the ovaries increased and the ovarian structure varied according to sexual development. The ovaries exhibited a polycystic appearance in 8% of the cases (two prepubertal and nine postpubertal girls). The volume of the ovaries was normal in 8/11 patients with polycystic ovaries. We consider that the using of the volume of the ovaries as a diagnostic criterion for polycystic ovaries is difficult to interpret and we emphasize the importance of the evaluation of the ovarian stroma with ultrasound. An attractive hypothesis that needs confirmation by longitudinal studies is wether girls with ultrasound diagnosed polycystic ovaries are at risk of developing polycystic ovarian syndrome in adulthood.

Ultra-sonografia pélvica em 140 meninas normais pré e pós-puberais / Pelvic ultrasonography in prepuberal and postpuberal 140 normal girls

Realizamos ultra-sonografia (USG) pélvica em tempo real e de alta resolução em 140 meninas normais pré e pós-puberais, entre 2 e 18 anos incompletos, para descrever as mudanças da morfologia e do tamanho do útero e dos ovários com a idade e durante o desenvolvimento puberal. Os volumes do útero (VU) e dos ovários (VO) foram calculados, a morfologia uterina foi descrita como pré-puberal (corpo/colo <1) ou não e a microcística (4-10 cistos < 9mm), multicística (+ 10 cistos < 9 mm), policística (+ 10 cistos e estroma hiperecogênico) e folicular (pelo menos uma área cística ü 9 mm). Na fase pré-puberal, os volumes do útero e ovários foram de 1,0+0,7 cm3 e 0,9+0,5 cm3, respectivamente, mas aumentaram com a puberdade. Consideramos como normal pré-puberal os volumes até 2DP da média (VU £ 2,5 cm3 e VO £ 2,0 cm3) e como sinal de puberdade os volumes maiores que 4DP da média pré-puberal (VU ü 4 cm3 e VO ü 3 cm3). A morfologia uterina, a presença de eco endometrial e a freqüência das classes ovarianas dependem do status puberal (p>0,005). Os ovários homogêneos foram encontrados somente em pré-puberes (52 por cento); a classe microcística foi a mais comum no início (Tanner II-III, 5,1 por cento) e a multicística no final da puberdade (Tanner IV-V, 47 por cento); a estrutura policística foi achada em todos os estádios puberais (4-11 por cento) e a folicular (6 por cento) apenas na puberdade. O útero e os ovários aumentam progressivamente durante a infância e a puberdade. O desenvolvimento normal do ovário é contínuo e dinâmico. Ainda não é claro se a presença de ovários policísticos na infância possa representar uma predisposição futura para a síndrome dos ovários policísticos.

Hiperandrogismo e/ou anovulaçäo crônica de causa näo definida: ênfase no papel da insulina / Hyperandrogenism and or chronic unovulation with undefined cause: enphasis in the insulin rule

Comparamos clinicamente 55 mulheres hirsutas e 45 mulheres sem manifestaçöes de excesso de hormônios androgênios, com o objetivo de avaliar diferenças clínicas na fase do desenvolvimento puberal. Para determinar se existe relaçäo entre insulinemia, nível de androgênio, ciclo menstrual e morfologia ovariana, selecionamos as primeira 27 pacientes hirsutas devido a hiperandrogenismo e/ou anovulaçäo crônica de causa näo definida (15 com ciclos regulares [grupo 1] e 12 com ciclos irregulares [grupo 2]), e realizamos dosagem dos androgênios, nível de insulina (jejum e após 2 horas da ingesta de 75g de dextrosol) e ultra-sonografia pélvica. Consideramos ovários policísticos quando havia mais de 10 cistos periféricos envoltos por estroma aumentado e ovários multicísticos quando havia mais de 10 cistos periféricos sem aumento de estroma. Observamos que as mulheres com hirsutismo tiveram desenvolvimento da menarca e pubarca mais cedo; o hirsutismo e a irregularidade menstrual surgiram na época do desenvolvimento puberal e observamos relaçao entre oligomenorréia nos primeiros ciclos e a persistência da irregularidade até na vida adulta. Considerando apenas as hirsutas com índice de massa corporal (IMC) maior do que 25, observamos que as pacientes do grupo 2 apresentaram maior nível de testoterona, LH e volume ovariano em relaçäo as pacientes do grupo 1. Observamos correlaçao entre testosterona e nsulinemia de jejum. Ovários policísticos foram mais freqëntes no grupo 2 e ovários multicísticos no grupo 1. Concluímos que as pacientes com hirsutismo com ciclos irregulares apresentam uma tendência a apresentarem maior insulinemia e ovários policísticos e as pacientes hirsutas com ciclos regulares menor insulinemia e ovários multicísticos.

Estudo clinico, laboratorial e por métodos de imagens da puberdade precoce verdadeira em meninas / Study of true precocius puberty in girls using clinical, laboratorial and imaging techniques

Este estudo tem como finalidade rever as principais características clínicas, a reserva de gonatropinas hipofisárias, os níveis de estradiol e androgênios, os achados radiológicos e ultra-sonográficos em meninas com puberdade precoce verdadeira para detreminar o valor desses métodos diagnósticos no manejo clínico de tais pacientes e melhor compreender a patogênese dessa desordem. Como observado em outras séries, a aceleraçäo do crescimento é uma das primeiras características da PPV e a idade óssea ja pode estar significativamente avançada no diagnóstico. Em três pacientes (18 por cento) foi evidenciada presença de lesäo intracraniana. A USG pélvica mostrou mudanças similares àquelas vistas na puberdade normal. Concluímos que a introduçäo de métodos de imagem de alta resoluçäo(TC e RM de crânio) e da USG pélvica simplificou a investigaçäo clínica da PPV em meninas.