Alterações neuroendócrinas interferem com a mineralização do esmalte, a erupção dentária e a saliva em ratos

Neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in rats causes definite neuroendocrine disturbances which lead to alterations in many organ systems. The possibility that MSG could affect tooth and salivary gland physiology was examined in this paper. Male and female pups were injected subcutaneously with MSG (4 mg/g BW) once a day at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th day after birth. Control animals were injected with saline, following the same schedule. Lower incisor eruption was determined between the 4th and the 10th postnatal days, and the eruption rate was measured between the 43rd and the 67th days of age. Pilocarpine-stimulated salivary flow was measured at 3 months of age; protein and amylase contents were thereby determined. The animals treated with MSG showed significant reductions in the salivary flow (males, -27%; females, -40%) and in the weight of submandibular glands (about -12%). Body weight reduction was only about 7% for males, and did not vary in females. Saliva of MSG-treated rats had increased concentrations of total proteins and amylase activity. The eruption of lower incisors occurred earlier in MSG-treated rats than in the control group, but on the other hand the eruption rate was significantly slowed down. The incisor microhardness was found to be lower than that of control rats. Our results show that neonatal MSG treatment causes well-defined oral disturbances in adulthood in rats, including salivary flow reduction, which coexisted with unaltered protein synthesis, and disturbances of dental mineralization and eruption. These data support the view that some MSG-sensitive hypothalamic nuclei have an important modulatory effect on the factors which determine caries susceptibility.A administração neonatal de glutamato monossódico (MSG) em ratos provoca distúrbios neuroendócrinos que acarretam alterações em vários sistemas orgânicos. Neste trabalho, avaliamos as repercussões desse tratamento sobre dentes e glândulas salivares. Ratos machos e fêmeas recém-nascidos foram injetados com MSG (4 mg/g peso corporal, s.c.) uma vez ao dia nos 2º, 4º, 6º, 8º e 10º dias após o nascimento; o grupo controle recebeu solução salina no mesmo esquema. O momento da erupção do incisivo inferior foi determinado entre o 4º e o 10º dia de vida, e o ritmo de erupção foi medido entre o 43º e o 67º dia. O fluxo de saliva e o conteúdo salivar de proteína e amilase foram determinados sob estimulação com pilocarpina aos 3 meses de idade. Os animais tratados com MSG mostraram reduções significativas do fluxo salivar (machos: -27%; fêmeas: -40%) e do peso das glândulas submandibulares (cerca de -12%). Apenas em machos houve discreta redução do peso corporal (7%). A saliva dos animais tratados com MSG apresentou aumento na concentração de proteínas totais e na atividade amilásica. A erupção dos incisivos inferiores ocorreu mais precocemente nos ratos tratados do que nos controles, porém a taxa de erupção apresentou-se significativamente reduzida. A microdureza também foi menor nos animais tratados. Nossos resultados mostram que o tratamento de ratos recém-nascidos com MSG causa um quadro definido de alterações buco-dentais no animal adulto, traduzidas por redução do fluxo de saliva (sem redução da síntese protéica) e distúrbios de mineralização e erupção dentárias. Esses dados apontam para o importante papel modulador que certos núcleos hipotalâmicos sensíveis ao MSG exercem sobre os fatores que regulam a suscetibilidade à cárie

Protein phosphatase activities in the serum and saliva of healthy children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activities of the total acid phosphatase (TAP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes, as well as the possible correlation in the serum and in unstimulated whole saliva of children. Enzymatic activities were measured in pairs of concurrently obtained serum and salivary samples from 32 children in good oral and systemic health (16 of each sex) with a median age of 6.4 ± 3.3 years (range 1.08 – 12.92 years). All collections were made between the hours of 08:00 – 10:00 a.m. We used p-nitrophenyl phosphate as the substrate in the enzymatic assay for TAP, TRAP and LMW-PTP, and thymolphthalein monophosphate as the substrate for ALP. The enzymatic activities of all the studied enzymes were higher in serum than in saliva. The mean of enzymatic activities of serum TAP, TRAP, LMW-PTP and ALP were 36.51 ± 8.21, 23.99 ± 5.73, 11.16 ± 5.65 and 76.50 ± 17.32 U/L, respectively, while the mean salivary TAP, TRAP, LMW-PTP and ALP enzymatic activities were 9.60 ± 5.04, 1.36 ± 0.87, 5.65 ± 3.07 and 4.08 ± 1.83 U/L in this order. The TRAP revealed a positive linear correlation between its activity in the serum and saliva (Spearman r = 0,4685, p < 0,05). We concluded that the salivary TRAP has a potential to be use as biomarkers of pathologies and states that modify its activity in the serum.O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as atividades das enzimas fosfatase ácida total (FAT), fosfatase ácida resistente ao tartarato (TRAP), proteína tirosina fosfatase de baixa massa molar (LMW-PTP) e fosfatase alcalina (FAL), como também a possível correlação no soro e na saliva total não estimulada de crianças. As atividades enzimáticas foram mensuradas simultaneamente no soro e na saliva de 32 crianças (16 de cada sexo) com boa saúde oral e sistêmica, com média de idade de 6,4 ± 3,3 anos (variando entre 1,08 – 12,92 anos). Todas as coletas foram realizadas entre 8 e 10 h da manhã. Foi utilizado como substrato p-nitrofenil fosfato para a análise de FAT, TRAP e LMW-PTP, e timolftaleína monofosfato para análise de FAL. As atividades enzimáticas de todas as enzimas estudadas foram maiores no soro que na saliva. As médias ± dp das atividades enzimáticas para FAT, TRAP, LMW-PTP e FAL no soro foram 36,51 ± 8,21, 23,99 ± 5,73, 11,16 ± 5,65 e 76,50 ± 17,32 U/L, respectivamente, enquanto para a saliva foram, na mesma sequência, 9,60 ± 5,04, 1,36 ± 0,87, 5,65 ± 3,07 e 4,08 ± 1,83 U/L. A TRAP mostrou uma correlação linear positiva entre sua atividade no soro e na saliva (Spearman r = 0,4685, p < 0,05). Conclui-se que a TRAP salivar possui potencial para ser utilizada como biomarcador de patologias e estados que alterem sua atividade no soro

Femoral Biomechanic and microtomography from male rats submitted to dietary restricition supplemented with sucrose

Food restriction reduces body weight and influence bone mass and also is correlated with bone mineral density (BMD). Mechanisms have been proposed for the loss of BMD after body weight reduction, including reduced energy intake. Growing 8 wk-old Wistar male rats were randomly divided into Control and Calorie restriction associated with sucrose 30% (CRS). These animals were subjected to intermittent food restriction during 8 weeks and had free access to tap water and sucrose30% in distilled water. The rats were euthanized at the end of week 8, blood collected from abdominal aorta artery, femurs cleaned of adherent soft tissues, scanned using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, structural and material properties determined by three-point bending testing in the mid-diaphyseal region, bone surface tested in a microhardness tester and microstructure was assessed in a microcomputer tomography. In CRS animals body weight decreased significantly relative to the Control animals. There was a clear option for high-sucrose beverage in CRS animals. No difference was observed in biochemical, densitometric and biomechanical analyzes. Results from micro CT showed only significant difference in connectivity of trabecular bone. It has been suggested that rats submitted to food restriction consumed sugar not because of its inherent palatability, but in order to alter their macronutrient balance and animals need to meet energy demands in high-sucrose

Erva mate minimiza as alterações do perfil lipídico promovidas por elevado consumo de sacarose

The yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is composed of bioactive that interfere with lipid metabolism. The objective was to evaluate if daily consumption of mate tea (MT) change the lipid deposits and dyslipidemia caused by excessive consumption of sucrose. Thirty male Wistar rats (40 days old) were divided into four groups: Group C - free access to commercial chow and deionized water; S - free access to commercial food, water and sucrose solution 30% (w/v) in water; MTS and deionized - free access to commercial feed solution, water, 30% sucrose (w/v) and treated with daily infusion of MT (soluble mate Leão Júnior®) via orogastric tube at a dose of 100 mg/kg/mc for 8 weeks. After the trial period the lipid profile was evaluated by the following parameters: a) direct weighing of the retroperitoneal (RP) and epididymal (EPI) adipose tissues; b) determination of plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol concentration. The MT promoted the reduction of 1.4 times in both tissues RP and EPI in MTS group compared to group S. Treatment with MT decreased 2.7 times triglyceride in the MTS group compared with the group S. The sucrose consumption did not alter the plasma cholesterol concentration, however the consumption of MT significantly reduced total cholesterol circulating. The HDL cholesterol concentration, in the MTS group, showed higher concentration than in group S (1.3 times). MT prevents in young male rats the increase of lipid deposits and dyslipidemia caused by excessive consumption of sucrose.La yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis ) se compone de bioactivo que interfieren con el metabolismo de los lípidos. El objetivo fue evaluar si el consumo diario de té mate ( CM ) altera los depósitos de lípidos y dislipidemia causados por el consumo excesivo de sacarosa. Treinta ratas Wistar machos ( 40 días de edad) se dividieron en cuatro grupos: Grupo C - el libre acceso a comida comercial y agua desionizada S - el libre acceso a los alimentos comerciales , agua y una solución de sacarosa al 30 % ( p / v ) en agua SMC y desionizada - libre acceso a la solución comercial de alimentación , agua , sacarosa al 30% ( p / v ) y se trató con infusión diaria de CM (Mate Leão Junior soluble® ) a través de una sonda orogástrica a una dosis de 100 mg / kg / mc durante 8 semanas . Después del período de prueba el perfil lipídico fue evaluada por los siguientes parámetros : peso del tejido adiposo retroperitoneal ( RETRO ) y epidídimo ( EPI ) , y la medición de las concentraciones plasmáticas de colesterol total , HDL- colesterol y triglicéridos . El CM promueve la reducción de 1,4 veces , tanto en tejidos RETRO y EPI en el grupo SCM que en el grupo S. El tratamiento con CM disminuyó los triacilgliceroles 2,7 veces en el grupo de SMC en comparación con el grupo S. El consumo de sacarosa no alteró la concentración de colesterol en plasma , sin embargo el consumo de CM redujo significativamente el colesterol total de circulación . La concentración de colesterol HDL, el grupo SMC mostró una mayor concentración que en el grupo S ( 1,3 veces) . La CM en ratas macho jóvenes evita el aumento de los depósitos de lípidos y la dislipemia causados por el consumo excesivo de sacarosa.A erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis) é composta por bioativos que interferem no metabolismo lipídico. O objetivo foi avaliar se o consumo diário de chá mate (CM) alteraria os depósitos lipídicos e a dislipidemia causada pelo consumo excessivo de sacarose. Trinta ratos Wistar machos (40 dias de idade) foram distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: Grupo C – livre acesso à ração comercial e água deionizada; S – livre acesso à ração comercial, água e solução de sacarose 30% (p/v) em água deionizada e SCM – livre acesso à ração comercial, água, solução de sacarose 30% (p/v) e tratamento com infusão diária de CM (mate solúvel Leão Júnior®) através de sonda orogástrica na dose de 100 mg/Kg/m.c. durante 8 semanas. Após o período experimental o perfil lipídico foi avaliado pelos seguintes parâmetros: pesagem do tecido adiposo retroperitoneal (RETRO) e epididimal (EPI), e dosagem das concentrações plasmáticas de colesterol total, triacilglicerois e HDL-colesterol. O CM promoveu a redução de 1,4 vezes em ambos os tecidos RETRO e EPI no grupo SCM quando comparado ao grupo S. O tratamento com o CM diminuiu 2,7 vezes o triacilglicerois no grupo SCM, quando comparado com o grupo S. O consumo de sacarose não alterou a concentração plasmática de colesterol, entretanto o consumo do CM reduziu de forma significativa o colesterol total circulante. A concentração do HDL-Colesterol, no grupo SCM, mostrou maior concentração em relação ao grupo S (1,3 vezes). O CM previne em ratos machos jovens o aumento dos depósitos lipídicos e a dislipidemia causados pelo consumo excessivo de sacarose

Chá mate melhora a resistência à natação e reduz o dano oxidativo induzido pelo exercício em ratos submetidos à única sessão de natação

Several nutritional interventions are performed in order to reduce the impact of EO induced by exercise. Some studies suggest that mate tea (CM) have compounds, which can act as antioxidants reducing EO. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CM induced under the EO after a single bout of aerobic exercise. Methods: We used male Wistar rats (50 days and 200g) distributed in four experimental groups: control (CON); mate tea (CM), Swimming (N); Swimming+mate tea (N + CM) . The CM and N+CM groups received CM diluted in distilled water at 96 ° C for five days, oropharyngeal route (50 mg / kg body weight, 0.5 mL). Both groups were adapted to the aquatic environment prior to experimental day, after a single swimming session, with 5% of body weight attached to the tail, until the animals reached exhaustion. Immediately after the state of exhaustion, peripheral blood was collected for further analysis. Results: The animals of the group N + CM showed improved resistance swimming compared to group C (p < 0.0001). No increase in lipid oxidative damage and production of lactate in group N + CM , compared to group N , may be attributed to the significant increase in plasma uric acid concentrations demonstrated in this study was observed . Conclusion: Therefore, the results indicate that consumption of CM may be natural strategy for improving aerobic exercise endurance and reduce the impact of EO induced by aerobic exercise.Varias intervenciones nutricionales se realizan con el fin de reducir el impacto de EO inducida por el ejercicio. Algunos estudios sugieren que el té mate (CM) tienen compuestos que pueden actuar como antioxidantes que reducen EO. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de los CM inducida bajo la EO después de una sola sesión de ejercicio aeróbico. Métodos : Se utilizaron ratas macho Wistar (50 días y 200 g) distribuidas en cuatro grupos experimentales : control (CON) , yerba mate (CM) , natación (N) ; Natación del Mate + N+CM . Los grupos CM y N+CM hay recebido CM diluyeron en agua destilada a 96 ° C durante cinco días , la vía orofaríngea (50 mg / kg de peso corporal , 0,5 mL) . Ambos grupos fueron adaptados al medio acuático antes del día experimental, después de una sola sesión de natación , con un 5 % del peso corporal se adjunta a la cola, hasta que los animales llegaran al agotamiento . Imediatamente después de que el estado de agotamiento, se recogió sangre periférica para su posterior análisis. Resultados: Los animales del grupo N + CM mostraron mejor resistencia nadando en comparación con el grupo C (p < 0,0001). No hay un aumento en el daño oxidativo de los lípidos y la producción de lactato en el grupo N+CM , en comparación con el grupo N, puede ser atribuido al aumento significativo en las concentraciones de ácido úrico en plasma demostrado en este estudio se observó. Conclusión: Por lo tanto, los resultados indican que el consumo de CM puede ser la estrategia natural para mejorar la resistencia aeróbica de ejercicio y reducir el impacto de EO inducido por el ejercicio aeróbico.Várias intervenções nutricionais são realizadas a fim de reduzir o impacto do EO induzido pelo exercício. Alguns estudos sugerem que o chá mate (CM) possui compostos que podem atuar como antioxidantes reduzindo o EO. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do CM sob o EO induzido após uma única sessão de exercício aeróbico. Métodos: Foram utilizados ratos machos Wistar (50 dias e 200g) distribuídos em quatro grupos experimentais: Controle (CON); Chá mate (CM); Natação (N); Natação+chá mate (N+CM). Os grupos CM e N+CM receberam o CM diluído em água destilada a 96°C, durante cinco dias, via orofaríngea (50 mg/kg de massa corporal, 0,5 mL). Ambos os grupos foram adaptados ao ambiente aquático previamente ao dia experimental, submetidos a uma única sessão de natação, com 5% do peso corporal acoplado à cauda, até que os animais atingissem a exaustão. Imediatamente após o estado de exaustão, o sangue periférico foi coletado para posteriores análises. Resultados: Os animais pertencentes ao grupo N+CM apresentaram melhora da resistência à natação quando comparado ao grupo N (p<0,0001). Não foi observado aumento no dano oxidativo lipídico e produção de lactato plasmático no grupo N+CM, em relação ao grupo N, podendo ser atribuído ao aumento significativo das concentrações plasmáticas de ácido úrico demonstrado neste estudo. Conclusão: Portanto, os resultados indicam que o consumo de CM pode ser estratégia natural para melhorar a resistência aeróbica do exercício e reduzir o impacto do EO induzido pelo exercício aeróbi

Neuroendocrine alterations impair enamel mineralization, tooth eruption and saliva in rats Alterações neuroendócrinas interferem com a mineralização do esmalte, a erupção dentária e a saliva em ratos

Neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in rats causes definite neuroendocrine disturbances which lead to alterations in many organ systems. The possibility that MSG could affect tooth and salivary gland physiology was examined in this paper. Male and female pups were injected subcutaneously with MSG (4 mg/g BW) once a day at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th day after birth. Control animals were injected with saline, following the same schedule. Lower incisor eruption was determined between the 4th and the 10th postnatal days, and the eruption rate was measured between the 43rd and the 67th days of age. Pilocarpine-stimulated salivary flow was measured at 3 months of age; protein and amylase contents were thereby determined. The animals treated with MSG showed significant reductions in the salivary flow (males, -27%; females, -40%) and in the weight of submandibular glands (about -12%). Body weight reduction was only about 7% for males, and did not vary in females. Saliva of MSG-treated rats had increased concentrations of total proteins and amylase activity. The eruption of lower incisors occurred earlier in MSG-treated rats than in the control group, but on the other hand the eruption rate was significantly slowed down. The incisor microhardness was found to be lower than that of control rats. Our results show that neonatal MSG treatment causes well-defined oral disturbances in adulthood in rats, including salivary flow reduction, which coexisted with unaltered protein synthesis, and disturbances of dental mineralization and eruption. These data support the view that some MSG-sensitive hypothalamic nuclei have an important modulatory effect on the factors which determine caries susceptibility.<br>A administração neonatal de glutamato monossódico (MSG) em ratos provoca distúrbios neuroendócrinos que acarretam alterações em vários sistemas orgânicos. Neste trabalho, avaliamos as repercussões desse tratamento sobre dentes e glândulas salivares. Ratos machos e fêmeas recém-nascidos foram injetados com MSG (4 mg/g peso corporal, s.c.) uma vez ao dia nos 2&ordm;, 4&ordm;, 6&ordm;, 8&ordm; e 10&ordm; dias após o nascimento; o grupo controle recebeu solução salina no mesmo esquema. O momento da erupção do incisivo inferior foi determinado entre o 4&ordm; e o 10&ordm; dia de vida, e o ritmo de erupção foi medido entre o 43&ordm; e o 67&ordm; dia. O fluxo de saliva e o conteúdo salivar de proteína e amilase foram determinados sob estimulação com pilocarpina aos 3 meses de idade. Os animais tratados com MSG mostraram reduções significativas do fluxo salivar (machos: -27%; fêmeas: -40%) e do peso das glândulas submandibulares (cerca de -12%). Apenas em machos houve discreta redução do peso corporal (7%). A saliva dos animais tratados com MSG apresentou aumento na concentração de proteínas totais e na atividade amilásica. A erupção dos incisivos inferiores ocorreu mais precocemente nos ratos tratados do que nos controles, porém a taxa de erupção apresentou-se significativamente reduzida. A microdureza também foi menor nos animais tratados. Nossos resultados mostram que o tratamento de ratos recém-nascidos com MSG causa um quadro definido de alterações buco-dentais no animal adulto, traduzidas por redução do fluxo de saliva (sem redução da síntese protéica) e distúrbios de mineralização e erupção dentárias. Esses dados apontam para o importante papel modulador que certos núcleos hipotalâmicos sensíveis ao MSG exercem sobre os fatores que regulam a suscetibilidade à cárie

Ilex paraguariensis supplementation may be an effective nutritional approach to modulate oxidative stress during perimenopause

Perimenopause is a period in a woman´s life that precedes menopause and is characterized by hormonal changes that result in increased oxidative stress. Since oxidative stress is associated with age-related diseases and perimenopausal symptoms including somato-vegetative manifestations, nutritional antioxidant supplementation may be an effective approach to minimizing this stress. Mate tea (MT) (Ilex paraguariensis), a typical and inexpensive beverage consumed in the Brazilian south-east, Argentina and Uruguay, increases antioxidant defense. We hypothesized that MT could minimize oxidative stress during perimenopause by modulating enzymatic antioxidant defense. To test this, we analyzed the lipid oxidative damage and antioxidant defense in erythrocytes and liver of rats, after MT treatment. Female Wistar rats (aged 16 months) in proven perimenopause period received 20 mg/kg BW/day of mate tea, by gavage (PM + MT group) or water (PM group). Female rats aged 4 months (AD group) received water. Erythrocytes and liver were used to determine lipid oxidative damage, determined by malondialdehyde (MDA); superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities. Total plasma antioxidant capacity was examined by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and estrogen by radioimmunoassay. MT increased FRAP and did not change estrogen levels. Increased SOD and GPx, and reduced MDA were observed in both tissues studied. Increased CAT activity was observed only in the liver. We confirmed the hypothesis that MT was capable of minimizing oxidative stress in this period of life by modulating antioxidant defense.Fil: Pereira, Ariana Aparecida Ferreira. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Tirapeli, Keny Gonçalves. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Chaves Neto, Antonio Hernandes. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: da Silva Brasilino, Matheus. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: da Rocha, Cláudia Quintino. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Belló Klein, Adriane. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Llesuy, Susana Francisca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Dornelles, Rita Cássia Menegati. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Nakamune, Ana Cláudia de Melo Stevanato. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasi

The hypotensive effect of the ruthenium complex [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO](3+) is higher in male than in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

We have previously demonstrated that the hypotensive effect of the ruthenium complex [Ru(terpy)(bdq)NO](3+) (TERPY) is slow, long lasting, and does not lead to reflex tachycardia. TERPY's hypotensive effect is increased in hypertensive rats (SHR or 2 kidney-1clip) compared with normotensive rats. We hypothesized that sexual differences could interfere in the hypotensive effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors in SHR. Therefore, here we aimed to investigate the role of sexual differences and endogenous NO in the hypotension induced by TERPY. In conscious, unrestrained animals, we evaluated the hypotensive effect of TERPY before and after the administration of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (nonselective NO synthase inhibitor), APOCYNIN (NADPH/NOX inhibitor), and TEMPOL (superoxide dismutase mimetic). The hypotensive effect of TERPY was higher in male than in female SHR, but this difference was not observed in the normotensive Wistar group. The effect of TERPY increased after administration of L-NAME in Wistar rats; however, this effect was not altered by L-NAME in SHR. In SHR, sexual dimorphism in TERPY effect was still observed in animals treated with L-NAME. TEMPOL increases the effect of TERPY only in female SHR. After TEMPOL, the sexual dimorphism in TERPY effect was abolished in the SHR group. APOCYNIN increased the effect of TERPY in male and female Wistar and SHR, but maintained the previously observed difference between male and female SHR. Thus, this study shows that TERPY's hypotensive effect increased in male compared with female SHR and indicates that sexual dimorphism in TERPY effect is associated with oxidative stress.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Recovery of Cardiac Remodeling and Dysmetabolism by Pancreatic Islet Injury Improvement in Diabetic Rats after Yacon Leaf Extract Treatment

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a native Andean plant rich in phenolic compounds, and its effects on dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats was evaluated. The rats (10/group) were allocated as follows: C, controls; C + Y, controls treated with Yacon leaf extract (YLE); DM, diabetic controls; and DM + Y, diabetic rats treated with YLE. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg−1/kg body weight, single dose, i.p.), and treated groups received 100 mg/kg body weight YLE daily via gavage for 30 d. The YLE group shows an improvement in dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in the diabetic condition (DM versus DM + Y) promoting a significant reduction of glycemia by 63.39%, an increase in insulin concentration by 49.30%, and a decrease in serum triacylglycerol and fatty acid contents by 0.39- and 0.43-fold, respectively, by ameliorating the pancreatic islet injury, as well as increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) and decreasing the fibrosis and cellular disorganization in cardiac tissue. The apparent benefits of YLE seem to be mediated by ameliorating dysmetabolism and oxidative stress in pancreatic and cardiac tissues