Energy Drink Administration in Combination with Alcohol Causes an Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in the Hippocampus and Temporal Cortex of Rats

Energy drinks (EDs) are often consumed in combination with alcohol because they reduce the depressant effects of alcohol. However, different researches suggest that chronic use of these psychoactive substances in combination with alcohol can trigger an oxidative and inflammatory response. These processes are regulated by both a reactive astrogliosis and an increase of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOS, causing cell death (apoptosis) at the central and peripheral nervous systems. Currently, mechanisms of toxicity caused by mixing alcohol and ED in the brain are not well known. In this study, we evaluated the effect of chronic alcohol consumption in combination with ED on inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the temporal cortex (TCx) and hippocampus (Hp) of adult rats (90 days old). Our results demonstrated that consuming a mixture of alcohol and ED for 60 days induced an increase in reactive gliosis, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide, in the TCx and Hp. We also found immunoreactivity to caspase-3 and a decrease of synaptophysin in the same brain regions. The results suggested that chronic consumption of alcohol in combination with ED causes an inflammatory response and oxidative stress, which induced cell death via apoptosis in the TCx and Hp of the adult rats

Inter-acciones: apuestas regionales de la investigación en comunicación

Transformación social, desarrollo y gestión de la comunicación en investigación; Educación y comunicación en procesos de transformación cultural; y Medios, convergencia y cibercultura. Además, responde a la pregunta: ¿qué líneas aborda la investigación en Comunicación Social desde la modalidad virtual y a distancia de UNIMINUTO? Lo anterior, con el objetivo de acoplar la investigación básica y aplicada desde el nivel de pregrado, en atención a los retos que afronta la formación del nuevo comunicador social con respecto al componente de investigación e innovación desde los semilleros de investigación; además, en consideración a que los semilleros son un espacio institucional para el fomento de la cultura investigativa institucional y de programas, propiciar la interacción entre la comunidad académica con miras al fortalecimiento de la excelencia académica, el desarrollo social y el progreso científico de la comunidad, así como la generación de la capacidad de trabajo en grupo, la interdisciplinariedad y el establecimiento de redes de investigación

La marihuana y el sistema endocanabinoide: De sus efectos recreativos a la terapéutica

The use of hallucinogenic substances has being part of the human experience since ever in life. It is only now that a meticulous study of the active compound of these plants has gained major interest in those that are hallucinogenic and the consequences of their recreational use and their potential use as therapeutic. At present, we are still awaiting for results that will allow us to fully value the therapeutic effects that might be obtained by the rational use of the active compounds of the psychoactive plants. Marijuana has been stigmatized by the negative effects of its recreational use, though in traditionalmedicine it has been demonstrated a positive effect on the relief of various human sufferings. Because of that knowledge, we reviewed the recreational and therapeutic effects of Cannabis spp. We also described the endogenous system that recognizes the active principle of this plant: the endocannabinoid system. This system is widely distributed in the central nervous system and has drawn the attention of investigators, whose recent studies are cited in this review. It has been shown that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in neuromodulation of neurotransmitters such as γ-aminobutiric acid, glutamate and serotonin. On this way, the recently discovered endocannabinoid system would be an important pharmacological target and the therapeutic effects of Cannabis spp. is gaining confidence day by dayEl uso de plantas alucinógenas ha formado parte de la experiencia humana por milenios. Sin embargo, sólo recientemente se ha iniciado el estudio minucioso de los principios activos de éstas, generando un crecimiento vertiginoso en el interés por los alucinógenos, las consecuencias de su uso recreativo y su posible valor terapéutico. Por el momento, aún nos encontramos en espera de los resultados que permitan valorar plenamente los beneficios que, en el ámbito de la salud, podrían obtenerse del uso racional de los principios activos de las plantas psicoactivas. En el caso de la marihuana, ésta ha sido estigmatizada por los efectos de su uso recreativo; sin embargo, en la medicina tradicional ha demostrado un efecto benéfico para aliviar diversos padecimientos humanos. Debido a ello, en este texto se hace una revisión de los efectos recreativos y terapéuticos de Cannabis spp. en el humano; además, se describe el sistema endógeno que reconoce los principios activos de esta planta: el sistema endocanabinoide. Éste se encuentra ampliamente distribuido en el sistema nervioso central y ha despertado la curiosidad de los investigadores, cuyos recientes estudios apoyan la idea de que el sistema endocanabinoide desempeña un papel muy importante en la neuromodulación de ciertos neurotransmisores, como el ácido γ-aminobutírico, el glutamato y la serotonina. El recién descubierto sistema endocanabinoide pudiera ser un blanco farmacológico importante y, por lo tanto, el uso terapéutico de Cannabis spp. se va fortaleciendo día a día

Metabolic Syndrome Exacerbates the Recognition Memory Impairment and Oxidative-Inflammatory Response in Rats with an Intrahippocampal Injection of Amyloid Beta 1–42

An important worldwide health problem as the result of current lifestyle is metabolic syndrome (MS). It has been shown that MS induced by a high-calorie diet (HCD) in rats produces cognitive deterioration in the novel object recognition test (NORt) and decreases synaptic connections and dendritic order in the hippocampus and temporal cortex. However, it is unknown whether MS induced by an HCD participates in the cognitive process observed with the injection of Aβ1–42 into the hippocampus of rats as a model of Alzheimer disease (AD). The induction of MS in rats produces a deterioration in NORt; however, rats with MS injected with Aβ1–42 show a major deterioration in the cognitive process. This event could be explained by the increment in the oxidative stress in both cases studied (MS and Aβ1–42): together, the hippocampus and temporal cortex produce an enhancer effect. In the same way, we observed an increment in interleukin-1β, TNF-α, and GFAP, indicative of exacerbated inflammatory processes by the combination of MS and Aβ1–42. We can conclude that MS might play a key role in the apparition and development of cognitive disorders, including AD. We propose that metabolic theory is important to explain the apparition of cognitive diseases

Streptozotocin-Induced Adaptive Modification of Mitochondrial Supercomplexes in Liver of Wistar Rats and the Protective Effect of Moringa oleifera

The increasing prevalence of diabetes continues to be a major health issue worldwide. Alteration of mitochondrial electron transport chain is a recognized hallmark of the diabetic-associated decline in liver bioenergetics; however, the molecular events involved are only poorly understood. Moringa oleifera is used for the treatment of diabetes. However, its role on mitochondrial functionality is not yet established. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of M. oleifera extract on supercomplex formation, ATPase activity, ROS production, GSH levels, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation. The levels of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation were increased in diabetic group. However, the levels were decreased in Moringa-treated diabetic rats. Analysis of in-gel activity showed an increase in all complex activities in the diabetic group, but spectrophotometric determinations of complex II and IV activities were unaffected in this treatment. However, we found an oxygen consumption abolition through complex I-III-IV pathway in the diabetic group treated with Moringa. While respiration with succinate feeding into complex II-III-IV was increased in the diabetic group. These findings suggest that hyperglycemia modifies oxygen consumption, supercomplexes formation, and increases ROS levels in mitochondria from the liver of STZ-diabetic rats, whereas M. oleifera may have a protective role against some alterations

Un Modelo de proceso de cuidado nutricional: Consenso para Latinoamérica

Introduction: Nutritional care models are standardized and systematized processes, whose objective is to provide consistency and linkage of information which generates a positive impact in terms of quality, service and costs.  The objective of the expert consensus was to propose a nutrition care model for Latin America taking into account principle #2 of the International Declaration of Cartagena. Method: A questionnaire was developed and submitted to expert opinion following the Delphi methodology.   The questionnaire initially consisted of 16 questions that evaluated the following issues: What are the stages and tools of the model? What approach should it have? On what pillars should the model be based? Consensus was considered when the questionnaire items achieved a score of ≥70% on the Likert scale 4 (agree) and 5 (strongly agree). Results: 3 rounds of expert consultation were carried out, where a model consisting of 5 steps was defined (starting with screening for malnutrition risk, ending with home care) which are based on 5 pillars: education, public policies, ethical foundations, economics of clinical nutrition and multidisciplinary/multisectoral approach.  Quality indicators for each of the 5 steps were proposed and analyzed. Conclusion: The nutrition care model for Latin America is based on 5 steps and 5 pillars. This model should be considered as a didactic tool and strategy to facilitate the implementation and teaching of nutritional care in the Latin American context in the clinical setting at all levels of care.Introducción: Los modelos de cuidado nutricional son procesos estandarizados y sistematizados, cuyo objetivo es brindar consistencia y vinculación de la información lo cual genera un impacto positivo en términos de calidad, servicio y costos.  El objetivo del consenso de expertos fue proponer un modelo de cuidado nutricional para Latinoamérica teniendo en cuenta el principio #2 de la Declaración Internacional de Cartagena. Método: Se desarrolló un cuestionario el cual fue sometido a la opinión de expertos siguiendo la metodología Delphi.   El cuestionario, contó inicialmente con 16 preguntas que evaluaban los siguientes temas: ¿Cuáles son las etapas y herramientas del modelo?  ¿Qué enfoque debe tener?  ¿Sobre qué pilares fundamentar el modelo? Se consideró consenso cuando los ítems del cuestionario lograron un puntaje de ≥70% en la escala de Likert 4 (de acuerdo) y 5 (totalmente de acuerdo). Resultados: Se realizaron 3 rondas de consulta a expertos, donde se definió un modelo consistente en 5 pasos (iniciando con el tamizaje del riesgo de desnutrición, terminando con los cuidados domiciliarios) los cuales se fundamentan en 5 pilares: educación, políticas públicas, fundamentos éticos, economía de la nutrición clínica y enfoque multidisciplinar/multisectorial.  Se propusieron y analizaron indicadores de calidad de cada uno de los 5 pasos. Conclusión:  El modelo de cuidado nutricional para Latinoamérica se basa en 5 pasos y 5 pilares. Este modelo se debe considerar como una herramienta y estrategia didáctica que facilite la implementación y enseñanza del cuidado nutricional en el contexto latinoamericano en el ámbito clínico en todo nivel de atención. &nbsp

100 Cartas para Paulo Freire de quienes pretendemos Enseñar

Realizar un texto colectivo como “100 Cartas para Paule Freire de quienes pretendemos Enseñar”, es un desafío al reunir el aprehender desde el sentido profesional de la educación y con el espíritu de transformación, desde la educación como un espacio endógeno de revolución y exógeno a las comunidades y sociedades, en busca de un sentido de identidad. Hoy desde una crítica decolonial, antirracista, feminista y ecologica en la construcción de un sentido real que busque enfrentar el sistema hegemónico y destructivo que se ha impuesto con explotación, sangre y libertades de nuestro pueblo