Análise do efeito do contraste iodado sobre marcadores renais de pacientes submetidos à angiografia coronariana

Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da administração de contraste iodado sobre marcadores renais clássicos em pacientes submetidos à angiografia coronariana. Métodos: Este foi um estudo do tipo coorte e contou com 17 pacientes do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 65 anos, que foram submetidos à angiografia coronariana. Resultados: Em relação aos dados antropométricos, foi evidenciada a prevalência de sobrepeso em 64% dos pacientes. Quanto às doenças pré-existentes, destacamos que 82% da amostra era de indivíduos hipertensos. Além disso, 59% dos pacientes eram tabagistas. Sobre os medicamentos utilizados, entre os pacientes hipertensos, 53% faziam uso de losartana sódica, 22% de beta-bloqueadores e 11% de diuréticos. A avaliação do hemograma evidenciou que 72 horas após o procedimento houve redução significativa de hemoglobina, hematócrito, leucócitos e plaquetas. Com relação à creatinina, 41,2% dos pacientes apresentaram risco de comprometimento renal. Já, quando utilizamos os níveis de ureia plasmática, observamos que 29,5% dos pacientes apresentaram risco de comprometimento renal. Por fim, também avaliamos a TFG que mostrou risco de lesão renal em 23% dos pacientes. Considerações Finais: No presente estudo, observamos que que o uso de contraste iodado em pacientes idosos submetidos à angiografia coronariana é um risco que deve ser considerado para o desenvolvimento de nefropatia induzida por contraste e que o uso do protocolo de hidratação venoso após o procedimento é importante para evitar lesão renal

Oxidative Stress and Dementia in Alzheimer’s Patients: Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in elderly patients. Recently, several studies have shown that inflammation and oxidative stress precede the cardinal neuropathological manifestations of AD. In view of the proven antioxidant effects of probiotics, we proposed that continuous dietary supplementation with milk fermented with kefir grains might improve cognitive and metabolic and/or cellular disorders in the AD patients. Methods. This study was designed as an uncontrolled clinical investigation to test the effects of probiotic-fermented milk supplementation (2 mL/kg/daily) for 90 days in AD patients exhibiting cognitive deficit. Cognitive assessment, cytokine expression, systemic oxidative stress levels, and blood cell damage biomarkers were evaluated before (T0) and after (T90) kefir synbiotic supplementation. Results. When the patients were challenged to solve 8 classical tests, the majority exhibit a marked improvement in memory, visual-spatial/abstraction abilities, and executive/language functions. At the end of the treatment, the cytometric analysis showed an absolute/relative decrease in several cytokine markers of inflammation and oxidative stress markers (⋅ O2 – , H2O2, and ONOO− , ~30%) accompanied by an increase in NO bioavailability (100%). In agreement with the above findings by using the same technique, we observed in a similar magnitude an improvement of serum protein oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage/repair, and apoptosis. Conclusion. In conclusion, we demonstrated that kefir improves cognitive deficits, which seems to be linked with three important factors of the AD—systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood cell damage—and may be a promising adjuvant therapy against the AD progression.This study was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the State Agency for the Development of Science and Technology (FAPES) through the Edital 24/2018 -PRONEx #84321148, TO 569/2018S

Protective effects of kefir in the angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

Recently, we have reported cardiovascular protective effects of the probiotic kefir in a model of primary hypertension. Now, we evaluated the beneficial effects of kefir in a model of secondary hypertension under hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin-system by partially clipping one kidney artery (2K1C) for 60 days and compared with Sham rats. Maximum levels of arterial pressure were reached 7–14 days post-clipping in both 2K1C and 2K1C-Kefir, but after that time the values were approximately 20% lower in 2K1C-Kefir rats. Also, kefir attenuated the angiotensin converting enzyme activity (intrarenal-40%/plasma-25%) preventing the increase of angiotensin II in both samples. Isolated aortic rings showed an impaired relaxation to acetylcholine in 2K1C (-38%) compared to the Sham group and this difference was attenuated in 2K1C-Kefir rats (~15%). Additional analysis revealed that kefir protected kidney and vascular endothelium against the synergistic oxidative stress/angiotensin II-axis. Thus, kefir is an effective nutraceutical therapy for prevention/treatment of hypertensionThis work was supported by the CNPq/FAPES -Brazil (PRONEX CNPq # 24/2018; Termo Outorga 569/2018); FAPES-Universal (# 21/2018, Termo Outorga 120/2019); FAPES (BPC 552/2018;120/2019) and CNPq (BVN 160990/2019-0; SSM 312056/2018-5, TMCP 309277/2019-1 and ECV 305740/2019-9)S

The Protective Effects of Oral Low-dose Quercetin on Diabetic Nephropathy in Hypercholesterolemic Mice

Aims: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease, and the incidence of DN is increasing worldwide. Considering our previous report indicating that chronic treatment with oral low-dose quercetin (10 mg/Kg) demonstrated renoprotective, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects in the C57BL/6J model of diabetic nephropathy, we investigated whether this flavonoid could also have beneficial effects in concurrent DN and spontaneous atherosclerosis using the apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse (apoE-/-). Methods: DN was induced by streptozotocin (100 mg/kg/day, for 3 days) in adult apoE-/-mice. Six weeks later, the mice were divided into the following groups: diabetic apoE-/- mice treated with quercetin (DQ, 10 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks), diabetic ApoE-/- mice treated with vehicle (DV) and non-treated non-diabetic (ND) mice.Results: Quercetin treatment caused a reduction in polyuria (~30%), glycemia (~25%), abolished the hypertriglyceridemia and had significant effects on renal function, including decreased proteinuria (~15%) and creatininemia (~30%), which were accompanied by beneficial effects on the renal structural changes, including normalization of the index of glomerulosclerosis and kidney weight.Conclusions: Our data revealed that quercetin treatment significantly reduced DN in hypercholesterolemic mice by inducing biochemical and morphological modifications. Thus, this translational study highlights the importance of quercetin as a potential nutraceutical for the management of DN, including in diabetes associated with dyslipidemia

Coadjuvants in the Diabetic Complications: Nutraceuticals and Drugs with Pleiotropic Effects

Because diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disease, its prevention and treatment has been a constant challenge for basic and clinical investigators focused on translating their discoveries into clinical treatment of this complex disorder. In this review, we highlight recent experimental and clinical evidences of potential coadjuvants in the management of DM, such as polyphenols (quercetin, resveratrol and silymarin), cultured probiotic microorganisms and drugs acting through direct/indirect or pleiotropic effects on glycemic control in DM. Among several options, we highlight new promising therapeutic coadjuvants, including chemical scavengers, the probiotic kefir and the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, which besides the reduction of hyperglycemia and ameliorate insulin resistance, they reduce oxidative stress and improve endothelial dysfunction in the systemic vascular circulation. In the near future, experimental studies are expected to clear the intracellular pathways involving coadjuvants. The design of clinical trials may also contribute to new strategies with coadjuvants against the harmful effects of diabetic complications

In vitro cytotoxic activity of five commercial samples of Tribulus terrestris Linn in Espírito Santo (Brazil)

<div><p>ABSTRACT The objective was to investigate the total saponin and protodioscin concentrations and the cytotoxicity in vitro, of five samples of the plant Tribulus terrestris, commercially available in the metropolitan region of Vitória - Espirito Santo, Brazil, and to compare them with the aqueous extract of the plant. The chromatographic profile and quantification of protodioscin in commercial samples and plant extract were evaluated by LC-MS/MS. The percentage of total saponins were determined by the colorimetric method. Extracts and protodioscin cytotoxicity were analyzed by the MTT assay in three cell lineages: fibroblasts (L929), ovarian cancer (Ovcar3) and murine hepatoma (Hepa1c1c7). All extracts displayed high levels of total saponins (207.2 to 780.3 mg g-1 of dry extract). The chromatographic profile revealed a wide diversity of compounds, and the saponin protodioscin was detected in only two extracts. One extract displayed high cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 157.0, 38.2 and 7.4 µg mL-1 for the Ovcar3, Hepa1c1c7 and L929 cell lines, respectively. The other extracts displayed cytotoxic effects only at concentrations equal to or greater than 125.0 µg mL-1. Surprisingly, the most cytotoxic extract displayed the highest protodioscin concentration. Therefore, it is suggested that these products be marketed with caution, and followed-up by a certified healthcare professional.</p></div