Benefits of Vine Leaf on Different Biological Systems

For centuries, the therapeutic benefits of grapes and other byproducts have been empirically used for medical purposes such as bleeding, pain, inflammation, nausea, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, or skin diseases. Moderated intake of the red wine improves parameters as blood lipids, endothelial dysfunction, platelet aggregation, and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have been explored the potential benefits from vine byproducts. Vine leaves, a waste product from the vine, are also rich source of polyphenols and other therapeutic compounds. In this chapter, we explored the therapeutic properties from vine leaf in different biological systems

Resveratrol and Red Wine Function as Antioxidants in the Nervous System without Cellular Proliferative Effects during Experimental Diabetes

Chronic hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress status and has been associated with neurological complications in diabetic individuals. This study compared the antioxidant properties of red wine or resveratrol in different brain areas of diabetic and non-diabetic rats, and investigated the effect of them on hippocampal cell proliferation in hippocampal dentate gyrus of diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control rats were treated with red wine (4 mL/kg), resveratrol (20 mg/kg) or saline, by oral gavage, for 21 days. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), catalase and superoxide dismutase were measured to evaluate the oxidative stress and the BrdU-positive cells were assessed to measure changes in cellular proliferation. In diabetic animals, resveratrol showed antioxidant property in the hippocampus and in the striatum, while red wine had an antioxidant effect only in the hippocampus. Neither red wine nor resveratrol reversed the lower hippocampal cell proliferation in diabetic rats. Daily doses of red wine or resveratrol have an antioxidant effect in rats depending on the brain area and the glycemic status

Smoking fewer than 20 cigarettes per day and remaining abstinent for more than 12 hours reduces carboxyhemoglobin levels in packed red blood cells for transfusion

The prevalence of smokers among blood donors and the effect of smoking on the quality of donated blood have not been extensively explored. In the present study, we determined the prevalence of smoker donors in a large blood bank in Southern Brazil and evaluated the quality of packed red blood cells (RBCs) from these donors through recommended quality control tests and measurement of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels. We then assessed the influence of smoking habits and abstinence before donation on these parameters. Material and methods An observational study was conducted to determine the prevalence of smoking donors, while a prospective cohort study compared conventional hematological and serological parameters and COHb levels at 0, 15, and 30 days after donation in RBCs donated by smokers (N = 31) and nonsmokers (N = 31) and their association with smoking habits and abstinence before donation. Results Of 14,428 blood donations received in 1 year, 5.9% were provided by smokers. Storage over time slightly altered some quality parameters, such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, hemolysis, and COHb levels, in RBC packs. COHb levels were higher in RBC packs from smokers (8%) than from non-smokers (2%), and increased as a function of the number of cigarettes smoked daily and time elapsed since the last cigarette smoked before donation. Lower levels were found in RBC packs from donors who smoked fewer than 20 cigarettes per day or remained abstinent for more than 12h before giving blood. Conclusion Although cigarette smoke had no significant effect on blood quality parameters such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, or hemolysis, it quadrupled COHb levels in packed RBCs. Abstinence from smoking for more than 12h or smoking fewer than 20 cigarettes daily helped decrease COHb levels. Implications Given the increasing prevalence of tobacco use worldwide, we suggest blood banks recommend 12h of tobacco abstinence before donation and analyze COHb levels in donated blood as an approach to reduce risk for high-risk recipients

Interactions among medicines under special control in the District Pharmacy Centro in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

A politerapia é uma prática útil no tratamento de patologias coexistentes ou para potencializar o efeito farmacológico em condições pouco responsivas, porém apresenta um grande risco para interações medicamentosas. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar em prescrições atendidas pela Farmácia Distrital Centro em Porto Alegre, RS, as interações medicamentosas de medicamentos sujeitos a controle especial e classificá-las quanto a potenciais interações medicamentosas e grau de severidade com auxílio da base de dados MICROMEDEX®. Após análise de 2.839 receituários, os resultados mostraram que grande parte dos pacientes pertencia ao sexo feminino e que 75% do total das prescrições apresentavam algum tipo de interação. Das 291 associações analisadas, 44,4% apresentavam risco forte de interação, 23,9% risco moderado e 6,5% risco leve. A maioria das interações com risco forte apresentava como principal risco a cardiotoxicidade. A elevada frequência de interações e o risco de efeitos tóxicos, aponta para a necessidade de um sistema adequado de informações sobre o uso de medicamentos e de orientação farmacêutica nessas unidades de saúde.Polytherapy is a useful practice in the treatment of coexisting conditions or to enhance the pharmacological effect in less responsive conditions, but it presents a significant risk for drug interactions. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify in prescriptions issued by the Farmácia Distrital Centro in Porto Alegre, RS, possible drug interactions of medicines under special control and to classify them about potential drug interactions and degree of severity using the database MICROMEDEX®. After analyzing 2,839 prescriptions, the results showed that the majority of the patients were female and 75% of prescriptions presented some interaction. Out of 291 drug-drug associations analyzed. 44.4% gave a substantial risk of interaction, 23.9% moderate risk and 6.5% minor risk. Most of the strong-risk interactions showed cardiotoxicity as the main risk. The high frequency of interactions and the risk of toxic effects, also point to the need for an adequate information system on the use of medications as well as pharmaceutical guidance in these health facilities

Biochemical and physiological parameters in rats fed with high-fat diet : the protective effect of chronic treatment with purple grape juice (bordo variety)

High-fat-diet (HFD) has been related to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Consumption of grapes and their byproducts containing phenolic compounds has been reported due to the benefits they produce for human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and protective effect of chronic intake of purple grape juice on certain biochemical and physiological changes promoted by the consumption of HFD. Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups to receive standard or HFD diet and/or conventional (CGJ) or organic grape juice (OGJ) for three months. Dietary intake, body weight gain, cardiometabolic parameters, and serum lipoperoxidation were investigated. Results showed that consumption of CGJ and OGJ changed the pattern of food and drink intake of the animals. There was a reduction in the body weight of animals that consumed grape juices and an increase in the weight gain in HFD and OGJ rats. HFD increased abdominal fat and the abdominal fat/weight ratio, and both grape juices prevented these modifications. HFD increased hepatic enzymes levels (aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)) and reduced urea. Purple grape juices prevented some of these changes. HFD enhanced lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) in serum and CGJ and OGJ prevented this increase. The consumption of purple grape juice has the potential to prevent and ameliorate most of the alterations provoked by HFD, therefore regular intake of grape products could promote beneficial effects