Antioxidant effect of Morus nigra on Chagas disease progression

ABSTRACT Considering the widespread popular use of Morus nigra and the amount of scientific information on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, the effectiveness of this phytotherapeutic compound in the parasitemia progression during the acute phase of Chagas disease and its role in the development of the inflammatory process as well as its effects on the oxidative damage in the chronic phase of infection were evaluated. Thus, 96 male Swiss mice were randomly divided into eight groups, four groups were uninfected controls, and four groups were intraperitoneally infected with 5.0 x 104 blood trypomastigotes forms of T. cruzi QM2 strain. Four batches composed of one uninfected and one infected group were respectively treated with 70% alcohol solution and 25 μL, 50 μL and 75 μL of the phytotherapeutic compound. Levels of antioxidant elements (TBARS, FRAP, GSH and Sulfhydryl groups) were measured in plasma samples. The phytotherapeutic compound’s antioxidant activity was measured by polyphenol and total flavonoid quantification, DPPH, NO, and FRAP method. Our results showed that the vehicle influenced some of the results that may have physiological relevance in Chagas disease. However, an important action of M. nigra tincture was observed in the progression of Chagas disease, since our results demonstrated a reduction in parasitemia of treated groups when compared to controls, especially in the group receiving 25 µL. However, in the chronic phase, the 50-µL dosage presented a better activity on some antioxidant defenses and minimized the tissue inflammatory process. Results indicated an important action of M. nigra tincture on the Chagas disease progression

Qualidade de vida em idosos com distintos níveis de atividade física Quality of life in elderly subjects with different levels of physical activity

O estilo de vida saudável tem sido associado ao hábito de práticas de atividades físicas e, consequentemente, a melhores padrões de saúde e qualidade de vida. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a qualidade de vida em idosos com distintos níveis de atividade física. O tipo de estudo foi o transversal de base populacional e a amostra composta por 238 idosas, com media de idade de 69,2 (± 6,6) anos, escolhidas aleatoriamente em 23 grupos de convivência do município de Aracaju-SE. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado pelo IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) na sua versão longa e a qualidade de vida, por meio do SF-36 (The medical outcomes study 36-item short-form healthy survey). A análise estatística utilizou ferramentas da estatística descritiva e, para a comparação entre as variáveis, o teste de associação de Kruskal-Wallis com significância de p < 0,05. Foi identificada neste estudo diferença significativa entre o nível de atividade física e a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde. Mulheres idosas mais ativas apresentaram melhores resultados nos oito domínios da qualidade de vida investigados.<br>Healthy lifestyle has been associated with practice of physical activity and consequently with better health and quality of life standards. The aim of this study was to associate the levels of physical activity with the quality of life of the elderly. The study was transversal and a randomized sample was formed with 238 female elderly subjects (69.2 ±6.69 years) drafted from 23 elderly groups of Aracaju. The level of physical activity was evaluated by IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - long form) and quality of life by SF-36 (The medical outcomes study 36-item short-form healthy survey). Statistical analysis used descriptive statistics instruments and for analysis between variables Kruskal-Wallis test was used (p <0.05). Significant association was identified in this study between the level of physical activity and health-related quality of life. Elderly women with high physical activity level presented better results in the eight health domains investigated