Proteinuria : clinical and laboratory approach

Proteinúria é um forte indicador de doença renal, e está presente em diversas síndromes. No presente artigo, os mecanismos fisiopatológicos que levam à proteinúria foram revisados, assim como os métodos disponíveis para sua detecção e quantificação, incluindo a fita reagente, proteinúria de 24 horas e o índice proteína/creatinina na urina. Atenção especial é dada à avaliação clínica dos pacientes com proteinúria, abordando os exames disponíveis e as situações em que são indicados. Um fluxograma para a investigação de pacientes com proteinúria é apresentado. Também ressaltamos a importância da proteinúria persistente na sua relação com a progressão de doenças renais.Proteinuria is a strong indicator of renal disease and it is present in many syndromes. Our objective is to review the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to proteinuria, as well as the available methods for its detection and quantitation, including the dipstick, 24-hour proteinuria, and the urinary protein-creatinine ratio. We gave special attention to clinical evaluation of proteinuric patients, including the available exams and the situations in which they are indicated. An algorithm for the investigation of patients with proteinuria is presented. We also emphasized the importance of persistent proteinuria in its relation with the progression of renal diseases

Adipose tissue dysfunction as a central mechanism leading to dysmetabolic obesity triggered by chronic exposure to p,p'-DDE

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), are bioaccumulated in the adipose tissue (AT) and have been implicated in the obesity and diabetes epidemic. Thus, it is hypothesized that p,p'-DDE exposure could aggravate the harm of an obesogenic context. We explored the effects of 12 weeks exposure in male Wistar rats' metabolism and AT biology, assessing a range of metabolic, biochemical and histological parameters. p,p'-DDE -treatment exacerbated several of the metabolic syndrome-accompanying features induced by high-fat diet (HF), such as dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance and hypertension. A transcriptome analysis comparing mesenteric visceral AT (vAT) of HF and HF/DDE groups revealed a decrease in expression of nervous system and tissue development-related genes, with special relevance for the neuropeptide galanin that also revealed DNA methylation changes at its promoter region. Additionally, we observed an increase in transcription of dipeptidylpeptidase 4, as well as a plasmatic increase of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Our results suggest that p,p'-DDE impairs vAT normal function and effectively decreases the dynamic response to energy surplus. We conclude that p,p'-DDE does not merely accumulate in fat, but may contribute significantly to the development of metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. Our findings reinforce their recognition as metabolism disrupting chemicals, even in non-obesogenic contexts.This article was supported by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the operation POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007746 funded by the Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização – COMPETE2020 and by National Funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UID/IC/4255/2013); PEst-OE/SAU/UI0038/2011; SFRH/BPD/109158/2015; SFRH/BD/46640/2008, SFRH/BD/64691/2009, SFRH/BD/78367/2011, SFRH/BD/93073/2013, SFRH/BPD/109153/2015, SFRH/BD/47200/2008, SFRH/BPD/75294/2010; and SFRH/BPD/40110/2007

Proteinuria : clinical and laboratory approach

Proteinúria é um forte indicador de doença renal, e está presente em diversas síndromes. No presente artigo, os mecanismos fisiopatológicos que levam à proteinúria foram revisados, assim como os métodos disponíveis para sua detecção e quantificação, incluindo a fita reagente, proteinúria de 24 horas e o índice proteína/creatinina na urina. Atenção especial é dada à avaliação clínica dos pacientes com proteinúria, abordando os exames disponíveis e as situações em que são indicados. Um fluxograma para a investigação de pacientes com proteinúria é apresentado. Também ressaltamos a importância da proteinúria persistente na sua relação com a progressão de doenças renais.Proteinuria is a strong indicator of renal disease and it is present in many syndromes. Our objective is to review the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to proteinuria, as well as the available methods for its detection and quantitation, including the dipstick, 24-hour proteinuria, and the urinary protein-creatinine ratio. We gave special attention to clinical evaluation of proteinuric patients, including the available exams and the situations in which they are indicated. An algorithm for the investigation of patients with proteinuria is presented. We also emphasized the importance of persistent proteinuria in its relation with the progression of renal diseases

Antihypertensive effect of spent brewer yeast peptide

Numerous studies have investigated dietary approaches to prevent chronic lifestyle-related diseases, including hypertension. Spent brewer’s yeast is the second largest byproduct originated by the brewing industry and it deserves considerable attention because of its high nutritional value, ca. 40% of its dry mass is rich in protein which can be hydrolyzed into biologically active peptides. To upgrade this byproduct, the aim of this study was initially in vitro assessment of biological properties, e.g. ACE inhibition and antioxidant activity, and then, the in vivo effect in short-term oral antihypertensive effect of hydrolyzed yeast fractions on a well characterized model to study hypertension - Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Here, it was demonstrated that the fraction with molecular weight below 3 kDa containing tri and tetra- peptides with hydrophobic amino acid residues – SPQW, PWW and RYW, causes the most noticeable decrease in systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure of SHR and shows highest antioxidant effect. These properties highlight the potential use of yeast extract as nutraceutical or functional food ingredient for the management and treatment of hypertension with antioxidant effect.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Substance P antagonist improves both obesity and asthma in a mouse model

Evidence suggests a causal relationship between obesity and asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Substance P (SP), involved in neurogenic inflammation by acting through its receptor NK1-R, seems to participate in obese–asthma phenotype in mice. To evaluate the effect of a selective substance P receptor antagonist on a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and asthma. Diet-induced obese Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and treated with a selective NK1-R antagonist or placebo. Serum glucose, insulin, IL-6, resistin, and OVA-specific IgE levels were quantified. A score for peribronchial inflammation in lung histology was used. Cells were counted in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Adipocyte sizes were measured. Ovalbumin-obese mice treated with NK1-R antagonist had lower weight (P = 0.0002), reduced daily food intake (P = 0.0021), reduced daily energy intake (P = 0.0021), reduced surface adipocyte areas (P < 0.0001), lower serum glucose (P = 0.04), lower serum insulin (P = 0.03), lower serum IL-(P = 0.0022), lower serum resistin (P = 0.0043), lower serum OVA-specific IgE (P = 0.035), and lower peribronchial inflammation score (P < 0.0001) than nontreated OVA-obese mice. We observed an interaction between obesity, allergen sensitization, and treatment with NK1-R antagonist for metabolic and systemic biomarkers, and for allergen sensitization and bronchial inflammation, showing a synergy between these variables. In an experimental model of obesity and asthma in mice, NK1-R blockade improved metabolic and systemic biomarkers, as well as allergen sensitization and bronchial inflammation. These positive effects support a common pathway in the obese–asthma phenotype and highlight SP as a target with potential clinical interest in the obese–asthma epidemics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeitos do alopurinol sobre a lipoperoxidação de membranas celulares renais na síndrome da isquemia e reperfusão : estudo experimental em ratos

Objetivo: Vários estudos têm demonstrado que Radicais Livres de Oxigênio (RLO) contribuem para o dano celular decorrente da isquemia e reperfusão. Este estudo foi desenvolvido como o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da isquemia e reperfusão renal em ratos, tratados ou não com alopurinol, sobre a lipoperoxidação (LPO) das membranas celulares renais. Método: Foram usados ratos Wistar distribuídos em 4 grupos e submetidos a períodos de isquemia e reperfusão renal ou não, dependendo do grupo. Também foram submetidos ou não a tratamento com alopurinol na dose de 50 e 150 mg/Kg por via intraperitoneal, 5 e 1 horas antes do procedimento. Na avaliação da lipoperoxidação utilizou-se os métodos do TBARS e QL.Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram aumento da LPO nos animais submetidos a isquemia e reperfusão renal. No entanto, estes efeitos deletérios foram reduzidos com o pré-tratamento com alopurinol (p<0,05). Conclusão: O dano causado em animais submetidos a isquemia e reperfusão renal pode ser demonstrado e quantificado pela LPO. Além disso, o alopurinol demonstrou proteção renal contra o dano decorrente desta síndrome, diminuindo a LPO nestes animais. Estes resultados sugerem que a via da xantina oxidase é uma das mais importantes rotas metabólicas envolvidas na geração de RLO, estes responsáveis em parte pelos danos funcionais do rim na síndrome da isquemia e reperfusão deste órgão.Background:Evidence has accumulated that oxygen free radical (OFR) contribute to the cellular damage induced by ischemiareperfusion. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of renal ischemia-reperfusion in rats, treated or not with allopurinol evaluating the lipid peroxidation (LPO) of renal cellular membranes. Method: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10) and submitted to 50 minutes of renal ischemia and reperfusion and treated or not with allopurinol (50 and 150 mg/Kg of body, 5 and 1 hour before ischemia, respectively). The lipid peroxidation was assessed by TBARS method (Thiobarbituric acid reactives substances) and CL method (Chemiluminescence). Results:The results showed that animals submitted to renal ischemia-reperfusion had renal LPO damage. These effects of ischemia and reperfusion were reduced by treatment with allopurinol (p<0,05). Conclusion: These results suggest that xanthine oxidase is one of the most important pathway envolved in the generation of OFR and chemical reactives elements with injury potencial at the renal cellular membranes due to ischemia-reperfusion syndrome. At least, allopurinol showed benefical effects preventing damage due to renal ischemiareperfusion injury

Antihypertensive effect of spent brewer yeast peptide

Numerous studies have investigated dietary approaches to prevent chronic lifestyle-related diseases, including hypertension. Spent brewer's yeast is the second largest byproduct originated by the brewing industry and it deserves considerable attention because of its high nutritional value, ca. 40% of its dry mass is rich in protein which can be hydrolyzed into biologically active peptides. To upgrade this byproduct, the aim of this study was initially in vitro assessment of biological properties, e.g. ACE inhibition and antioxidant activity, and then, the in vivo effect in short-term oral antihypertensive effect of hydrolyzed yeast fractions on a well characterized model to study hypertension - Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Here, it was demonstrated that the fraction with molecular weight below 3 kDa containing tri and tetra- peptides with hydrophobic amino acid residues - SPQW, PWW and RYW, causes the most noticeable decrease in systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure of SHR and shows highest antioxidant effect. These properties highlight the potential use of yeast extract as nutraceutical or functional food ingredient for the management and treatment of hypertension with antioxidant effect.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio