Prebiotics may reduce serum concentrations of C-reactive protein and ghrelin in overweight and obese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Biochemical markers correlate positively with the development and severity of obesity, depression, and anxiety, and can be modulated by changes in intestinal microbiota composition. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of prebiotics or synbiotics on blood biomarkers of obesity, depression, and anxiety (including: ACTH [adrenocorticotropic hormone], cortisol, leptin, ghrelin, TSH [thyroid-stimulating hormone], PTH [parathyroid hormone], vitamin D, BDNF [brain-derived neurotrophic factor], and PCR [polymerase chain reaction]) in individuals with overweight or obesity. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases were searched, along with the reference lists of included articles. Authors were contacted for unpublished data. STUDY SELECTION: RCT in individuals with overweight or obesity, supplemented with prebiotics or synbiotics, assessing any of the outcomes of interest. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted independently by three researchers. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were identified up to March 7, 2018. Regarding outcomes, 1 study assessed leptin, 4 studies assessed ghrelin, and 10 studies assessed CRP (C-reactive protein). Meta-analysis showed reduction in serum concentrations of ghrelin (-37.17 pg/mL; 95%CI = -69.62, -4.73; P = 0.025) and CRP (SMD [standardized mean difference] = -0.31; 95%CI = -0.58, -0.04; P = 0.027) after supplementation of inulin-type fructans. CONCLUSIONS: Prebiotics may help regulate blood concentrations of ghrelin and CRP in overweight or obese individuals.

Aerobic Exercise Decreases Lung Inflammation by IgE Decrement in an OVA Mice Model.

Aerobic exercise (AE) reduces lung function decline and risk of exacerbations in asthmatic patients. However, the inflammatory lung response involved in exercise during the sensitization remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of exercise for 2 weeks in an experimental model of sensitization and single ovalbumin-challenge. Mice were divided into 4 groups: mice non-sensitized and not submitted to exercise (Sedentary, n=10); mice non-sensitized and submitted to exercise (Exercise, n=10); mice sensitized and exposed to ovalbumin (OVA, n=10); and mice sensitized, submitted to exercise and exposed to OVA (OVA+Exercise, n=10). 24 h after the OVA/saline exposure, we counted inflammatory cells from bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), lung levels of total IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-1ra, measurements of OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE, and VEGF and NOS-2 expression via western blotting. AE reduced cell counts from BALF in the OVA group (p<0.05), total IgE, IL-4 and IL-5 lung levels and OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 titers (p<0.05). There was an increase of NOS-2 expression, IL-10 and IL-1ra lung levels in the OVA groups (p<0.05). Our results showed that AE attenuated the acute lung inflammation, suggesting immunomodulatory properties on the sensitization process in the early phases of antigen presentation in asthma.

Antiplatelet, Antithrombotic, and Fibrinolytic Activities of Campomanesia xanthocarpa.

In a previous work based on popular belief, Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg., popularly known as "guavirova", showed to have a potential effect in the control of a number of conditions associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of C. xanthocarpa extract (CXE) on antiplatelet, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities in mice and in human blood. Mice were treated orally for 5 days with CXE or acetylsalicylic acid and at the end of the treatment period animals were challenged for bleeding, acute thromboembolism and ulcerogenic activity. In addition, we have assessed the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) after oral administration. In in vitro assays, antiplatelet effects of CXE was evaluated on platelet aggregation, and fibrinolytic activity of the extract was observed by mice or human artificial blood clot degradation. Platelet citotoxicity of the extract was also determined by the LDH assay. Results demonstrated that CXE has a significant protective effect on thrombosis. It also inhibits platelet aggregation without demonstrating cytotoxicity on platelets. CXE slightly prolonged aPTT and showed no ulcerogenic activity after oral administration. In addition, CXE showed a fibrinolytic activity. Thus, C. xanthocarpa showed antiplatelet, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activities in mice.

Effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa on biochemical, hematological and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Southern Brazil, the plant Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as "guavirova", has been empirically used for its potential effect in reducing blood cholesterol levels. AIM OF THE STUDY: Since there are no scientific data confirming its popular use, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Campomanesia xanthocarpa on biochemical, hematological, anthropometrical and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty three patients were selected according to total cholesterol (TC) levels: 200-240 mg/dL, undesirable level (UL), and >240 mg/dL, hypercholesterolemic level (HL). UL or HL patients were randomly divided into control group (CG), which received placebo capsules, and experimental group 250 (EG 250) or 500 (EG 500), which received either 250 or 500 mg of encapsulated Campomanesia xanthocarpa. All groups received a cholesterol restriction diet and capsules once a day. The biochemical (TC, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL), hematological (hematocrit and hemoglobin), anthropometrical (weight and abdominal circumference) and oxidative stress (protein carbonyl) parameters were measured before, 45 and 90 days after the treatment started. RESULTS: There was no alteration on biochemical, hematological, anthropometric or oxidative stress parameters in UL patients of all groups. However, a significant decrease in TC and LDL levels was observed in HL patients from EG 500 group (reduction of 28+/-3% and 45+/-4% to levels before treatment) in relation to CG group patients (reduction of 12+/-2% and 29+/-4%). Moreover, a significant reduction in oxidative stress was observed in HL patients of EG 250 (51+/-12%) and EG 500 groups (34+/-18%) when compared to levels before treatment. A positive correlation between plasma oxidative stress PC and TC levels was observed. Finally, we found that Campomanesia xanthocarpa extract possesses anti-oxidant properties and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitory activity in vitro. CONCLUSION: Confirming its popular use, the treatment with Campomanesia xanthocarpa encapsulated reduced blood TC and LDL levels in hypercholesterolemic patients.

17ß-estradiol decreases methylmercury-induced neurotoxicity in male mice.

There is increasing evidence that health effects of toxic metals, including methylmercury (MeHg), differ in prevalence or are manifested differently in men and women. The present study was aimed at investigating the potential differential susceptibility of male and female Swiss mice against MeHg-induced neurotoxicity, which was evaluated by biochemical (cerebellar oxidative stress-related parameters) and behavioral (locomotor activity and motor performance) variables. We also aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of 17ß-estradiol against such toxicity in MeHg-exposed male animals. MeHg exposure (40mg/L, diluted in tap water, during 2 weeks) decreased locomotor activity and motor performance in both male and female animals, but such phenomena were higher in males. 17ß-estradiol co-treatment (10µg/animal, in alternate days) prevented MeHg-induced locomotor deficits in males. MeHg exposure caused a significant increase (60%) in cerebellar lipid peroxidation in male mice, but did not in females. In close agreement, MeHg exposure decreased (43%) cerebellar glutathione peroxidase activity in males, but did not in females. These events were prevented by 17ß-estradiol administration. Cerebellar GR activity was increased (25%) in MeHg-exposed males and such event was partially prevented by 17ß-estradiol administration. These results indicate that the low susceptibility of female mice to the neurotoxicity elicited by MeHg is linked to neuroprotective effects of sex steroids, which appear to modulate the activities of glutathione-related enzymes. Our experimental observation corroborates previous epidemiological studies showing the greater developmental effects in male than in female humans exposed to MeHg.