Positive association of a Sirt1 variant and parameters of oxidative stress on Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder and the most common type of dementia in the elderly. Although its cause is not completely known, several studies suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of this disease. The SIRT1 and SOD2 proteins are linked to pathways that may impair oxidative stress. In this study, we analyzed the association between polymorphisms in these genes and in the APOE gene, through RT-PCR, as well as between environmental factors and the risk of AD. Additionally, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay was performed to estimate the plasma level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a biomarker of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, some cytogenetic studies indicate that cells of AD patients show increased chromosomal damage; thus, we performed the micronucleus cytome assay to assess cytogenetic damage in AD patients. As expected, the APOE polymorphisms were found to be highly associated with AD. Additionally, the CT genotype of the SIRT1 gene showed a positive association with the disease. The frequencies of genomic damage (micronucleus, buds, nucleoplasmic bridges and binucleated cells), the presence of cell death biomarkers (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis and pyknosis), and the plasma level of MDA were significantly greater in AD patients than in controls. Our results support the hypothesis that AD is a condition with increased oxidative stress and genomic instability, which may contribute to the neurodegeneration in AD.

An association study of FOXO3 variant and longevity.

Human longevity is a polygenic and multifactorial trait. Pathways related to lifespan are complex and involve molecular, cellular, and environmental processes. In this analytical observational study, we evaluated the relationship between environment factors, oxidative stress status, DNA integrity level, and the association of FOXO3 (rs2802292), SOD2 (rs4880), APOE (rs429358 and rs7412), and SIRT1 (rs2273773) polymorphisms with longevity in oldest-old individuals from southeastern Brazil. We found an association between the FOXO3 GG genotype and gender. While lifestyle, anthropometric, and biochemical characteristics showed significant results, DNA damage and oxidative stress were not related to lifespan. We found that long-lived individuals with FOXO3 GT genotype had low levels of triglycerides. This study is the first to demonstrate that FOXO3 could be a candidate gene for longevity in the Brazilian population. These results are important in terms of provisions of health care for age-related diseases and lifespan, and provide insight for further research on epigenetic, gene regulation, and expression in oldest-old individuals.

In vivo antimutagenic and antiatherogenic effects of the (1 → 3)(1 → 6)-ß-d- glucan botryosphaeran.

The antimutagenic effect of botryosphaeran, an exocellular (1 → 3)(1 → 6)-ß-d-glucan, from the ascomyceteous and plant-borne endophytic fungus, Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05, was evaluated in young (6-8 weeks) and elderly (18 months) Swiss albino mice of both genders. The hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and antiatherogenic potential was also evaluated in 18-month old male LDL receptor knockout (LDLr-/-) mice. Administration of botryosphaeran by gavage (doses: 7.5, 15, 30 mg/kg b.w./day) in a 30-day pretreatment protocol (young mice), or 15-day protocol (older mice), did not cause genotoxicity as assessed by the micronucleus test in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow cells (BMCs). Furthermore, there was no cytotoxic effect of this ß-d-glucan in the treatments. A lower frequency of micronuclei was observed in BMCs from young and old mice that received botryosphaeran, indicating its antimutagenic effect. Botryosphaeran (30 mg/kg b.w./day) promoted 102.22% (young) and 103.45% (elderly) reductions in cyclophosphamide-induced damage in male mice. Botryosphaeran also exerted chemoprotective effects in LDLr-/- and wild-type (C57BL/6) mice. Botryosphaeran treatment for 15 days at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.w./day improved the lipidic profile (reductions of 53.8-84.3%), and decreased aortic lipid deposition (32.8%) in the LDLr-/- atherosclerotic mice. The results indicate botryosphaeran has relevant biologic effects, making it a promising candidate for the development of new therapeutic agents.

Avaliação do entendimento e da atitude do consumidor diante das informações veiculadas na rotulagem de produtos alimentícios na Grande Vitória, Espírito Santo / Evaluation of consumer understanding and attitude before the information provided on the labeling of food products in Vitória, Espírito Santo state, Brazil

Objetivo: O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o entendimento de consumidores sobre as informa��es contidas em r�tulos de produtos aliment�cios comercializados em supermercados dos munic�pios da Grande Vit�ria, Esp�rito Santo. M�todos: Durante 180 dias no ano de 2011, 601 consumidores foram questionados, atrav�s de um formul�rio estruturado, sobre sua compreens�o em rela��o � rotulagem nutricional. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que, dos entrevistados, 60,2% liam os r�tulos de alimentos, sendo que, destes, 72% possu�am Ensino Superior. Os aposentados (75%) foram os que tiveram maior conhecimento sobre as informa��es nutricionais. A internet apresentou-se como um significativo meio de busca para informa��es sobre o assunto e ter computador no domic�lio exerceu influ�ncia nas compras. Quando questionados sobre o objetivo de consulta dos r�tulos, 89% buscavam o prazo de validade, seguidos de 55,9% que pesquisavam a quantidade de nutrientes. Observou-se que a popula��o estudada apresentava pouco conhecimento sobre alimentos irradiados e transg�nicos. Apenas 21,1% dos consumidores confiavam completamente nas informa��es dos r�tulos. Conclus�es: Com este estudo, p�de-se concluir que os consumidores preocupam-se com as informa��es contidas nos r�tulos de alimentos, sendo aqueles com grau de escolaridade mais elevado, acesso aos meios de comunica��o e mais tempo livre durante o dia os que conferem maior import�ncia a esses dados.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the understanding of consumers about the information contained on the labels of food products marketed in supermarkets of the metropolitan area of Vitoria, Esp�rito Santo state, Brazil. Methods: The study was carried out along 180 days in 2011, when 601 consumers were questioned with the use of a structured form on their understanding regarding nutrition labeling. Results: The results showed that 60.2% of the respondents read food labels, and that 72.0% of these presented higher educational level. The retirees (75.0%) showed the highest knowledge about nutritional information. The use of the internet was a significant means of searching for information on the subject and having a computer at home influenced the purchases. When questioned about the purpose of consultation with labels, 89% sought the expiration date, followed by 55.9% for quantity of nutrients. It was possible to observe that the study population showed little knowledge about irradiated and genetically modified foods. Only 21.1% of consumers trusted completely in the label information. Conclusions: We conclude that consumers are concerned about the information contained on food labels and that those with higher educational level, access to the media, and more free time during the day give the greatest importance to this information.