Soybean oil increases SERCA2a expression and left ventricular contractility in rats without change in arterial blood pressure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Our aim was to evaluate the effects of soybean oil treatment for 15 days on arterial and ventricular pressure, myocardial mechanics and proteins involved in calcium handling.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Wistar rats were divided in two groups receiving 100 μL of soybean oil (SB) or saline (CT) i.m. for 15 days. Ventricular performance was analyzed in male 12-weeks old Wistar rats by measuring left ventricle diastolic and systolic pressure in isolated perfused hearts according to the Langendorff technique. Protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures did not differ between CT and SB rats. However, heart rate was reduced in the SB group. In the perfused hearts, left ventricular isovolumetric systolic pressure was higher in the SB hearts. The inotropic response to extracellular Ca²⁺and isoproterenol was higher in the soybean-treated animals than in the control group. Myosin ATPase and Na⁺-K⁺ATPase activities, the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA2a) and sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) were increased in the SB group. Although the phosfolamban (PLB) expression did not change, its phosphorylation at Ser¹⁶was reduced while the SERCA2a/PLB ratio was increased.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In summary, soybean treatment for 15 days in rats increases the left ventricular performance without affecting arterial blood pressure. These changes might be associated with an increase in the myosin ATPase activity and SERCA2a expression.</p

Utilização de medicamentos e plantas medicinais por gestantes atendidas na unidade de saúde da mulher em Alegre, ES, Brasil

A automedicação é um problema universal, portanto, gestantes também estão sujeitas a utilizarem medicamentos constantemente. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi identificar a utilização de medicamentos e plantas medicinais junto às gestantes atendidas na Unidade Saúde da Mulher, no município de Alegre, ES. O estudo foi realizado por meio de entrevistas. Foram entrevistadas 115 gestantes, e a idade variou de 14 a 43 anos. Dessas, 99,1% eram alfabetizadas, e 48,69% não realizavam atividade remunerada. A maioria das gestantes tinha renda familiar baixa. Em relação ao tratamento de água e coleta de lixo, 24% relataram utilizar água de poços e 18% não contavam com a coleta de lixo semanal. A maior parte das gestantes estava no terceiro trimestre da gravidez. Das entrevistadas, 80% afirmaram utilizar pelo menos um medicamento na gestação, sendo que somente 64% das gestantes afirmaram saber a finalidade do medicamento prescrito e 21% utilizaram por automedicação. Foi constatado que 9,5% apresentavam algum tipo de doença crônica. Os medicamentos mais utilizados foram antianêmicos e analgésicos não opióides. De acordo com a classificação de risco do FDA, 13,2% das gestantes utilizavam medicamentos que podem causar efeitos adversos. No que se refere ao consumo de chás, 17% afirmaram utilizar no mínimo um tipo durante o período gestacional, e o mais utilizado foi o de capim-cidreira. Foi possível notar que a automedicação faz parte do cotidiano das gestantes no município de Alegre, evidenciando a necessidade da orientação farmacêutica

Use of medicinal plants during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Abstract Medicinal plants are an integrative and complementary health practice widely used by the population. However, its use is not without risks. This study assessed the profile and associated factors with the traditional use of medicinal plants. To this end, a cross-sectional survey study was conducted in a southeastern Brazilian city. Descriptive analysis was performed by frequency distribution and median and interquartile range. Associated factors with the use of medicinal plants were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance. A total of 641 people were interviewed, of whom 258 (40.2%) reported using medicinal plants. A total of 79 distinct plants were identified, of whom Melissa officinalis (31.0%), Peumus boldus (24.4%), Mentha spicata (20.9%), Matricaria recutita L. (18.2%), Rosmarinus officinalis (17.0%), and Foeniculum vulgare (14.7%) were the most used. There were no reports of medicinal plants used to treat COVID-19. However, anxiety was the most frequently cited indication for using medicinal plants, a health condition exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the use of medicinal plants for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those in COVID-19 has been identified. There was an association between the use of medicinal plants and females, non-white, lower schooling, higher income, and comorbidities