Avaliação da prevalência de Síndrome Metabólica, Microalbuminúria e Risco Cardiovascular em mulheres com Síndrome dos Ovários Policísticos

Avaliar fatores de risco cardiovascular em mulheres brasileiras com síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP), através da utilização de múltiplos parâmetros, incluindo a determinação da prevalência de síndrome metabólica e seus componentes e pesquisa de microalbuminúria como marcador de um possível dano renal precoce nessas pacientes. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 102 mulheres de 20-34 anos de idade, com diagnóstico de SOP pelo Consenso de Rotterdam, tendo sido analisados parâmetros clínicos, antropométricos, bioquímicos e hormonais. Para diagnóstico de síndrome metabólica, foram adotados critérios do National Cholesterol Education Program s Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). Para avaliação da microalbuminúria foi utilizada a relação albumina/creatinina (A/C), calculada a partir dos níveis de albumina e creatinina em amostra isolada de urina. Foram realizados testes estatísticos para avaliar associações e correlações entre variáveis, bem como comparação de médias ou medianas, adotando-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A prevalência de síndrome metabólica foi de 28,4% (29 em 102 pacientes), estando associada ao aumento do índice de massa corporal (IMC). Quanto à análise da prevalência dos componentes individuais da síndrome metabólica, evidenciou-se: HDL-colesterol < 50 mg/dl em 69,6%, circunferência da cintura ≥ 88 cm em 57,9%, triglicerídeos ≥150 mg/dl em 31,7%, pressão arterial ≥130/85 mmHg em 18,6% e glicemia de jejum ≥110 mg/dl em 2,9%. Quando definida pelos limites convencionais para a relação A/C (3,5 35 mg/mmol), a microalbuminúria esteve presente em apenas três pacientes (3,3%). Entretanto, considerando diferentes limites de corte estabelecidos em recentes estudos que demonstraram aumento do risco cardiovascular associado a níveis muito baixos da relação A/C, a prevalência em mulheres com SOP foi alta, variando de 17,7 a 43,3% (para valores ≥ 0,58 e ≥ 0,37 mg/mmol, respectivamente). Mulheres com intolerância à glucose apresentaram nível significativamente mais elevado da relação A/C, quando comparadas às mulheres com normoglicemia. Os valores de microalbuminúria não apresentaram correlação significativa com IMC, níveis pressóricos, índices de sensibilidade insulínica ou perfil lipídico. Conclusões: Os dados evidenciam uma alta prevalência de síndrome metabólica e seus componentes individuais em mulheres brasileiras com SOP. Além do mais, observou-se elevado percentual de mulheres com níveis de excreção urinária de albumina em faixas significativamente associadas com aumento do risco para eventos cardiovasculares. Em conjunto, esses dados alertam para a necessidade da abordagem interdisciplinar e multidisciplinar das pacientes com SOP, visando à instituição de medidas voltadas para a prevenção primária cardiovascular

Correlato hormonal do comportamento reprodutivo de machos de sagüi comum (Callithrix jacchus) em ambiente natural

Contrary to what is recorded for Callithrix jacchus females, the social interactions and hormonal profiles of males are less studied, and mainly in wild groups. The goal of this study was to investigate the behavioral and endocrine profiles of reproductive (RMs) and non-reproductive (NRs) common marmoset adult free-ranging males living in two natural groups (GC1 and GR2). The groups inhabited the area of the Escola Agrícola de Jundiaí/UFRN, located in Macaíba, Brazil. Fecal collection for cortisol and androgen measurement and behavioral monitoring was carried out during the active phase from April to September, 2005. For behavioral data collection the focal instantaneous method was used every 5 min, for a total of 11.563 records. Statistical analysis was performed using non parametric tests and p < 0.05. Besides showing diurnal variation, the frequency of affiliative behaviors was significantly higher for RMs toward reproductive females than for NRs. Affiliative interactions of RMs with both reproductive females and NRs were similar, probably related to pair bond formation and helper recruitment, respectively. Parental care was also similar for both RMs and NRs. Both androgen and cortisol levels increased after the birth of the infants, mainly in RMs. The longitudinal profile of androgens fluctuates more in response to agonistic encounters and sexual behavior than that of cortisol. The mean basal excretion of both hormones was significantly higher in RMs and seems to reflect their higher participation in territorial vigilance and mate guarding behaviors. Significant positive correlations were found between agonism and cortisol and androgen hormones. These results describe, for the first time, the behavioral and hormonal profiles of common marmosets living in free-ranging groups and suggest that reproductive males are more responsive both behaviorally and hormonally to social group dynamics

Quintosana e seus derivados conjugados com ácido gálico: avaliação de seu potencial antioxidante e de interferência na formação de cristais de oxalato de cálcio

Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature and its derivative chitosan has been widely studied due to its unique chemical and pharmacological properties. However, studies show that when this molecule is used as food, drug, etc. it tends to accumulate in renal tissue and promotes an increase in calcium excretion. Nevertheless, the effect of chitosan on the formation of calcium oxalate (OxCa) crystals has never been evaluated. The formation of kidney stones (urolithiasis) is the disease that most often affects the kidneys and the urinary system. In addition, this is a disease with high prevalence and recurrence. Many molecules with antioxidant activity have been shown to decrease the potential for in vitro OxCa crystals formation. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low molecular weight chitosan and its derivatives conjugated to gallic acid (AG) as antioxidant and inhibitor of OxCa crystals formation. The physico-chemical analysis confirmed the identity of chitosan. This molecule was subjected to five antioxidant tests and showed an excellent copper chelating activity. However, chitosan did not show other significant antioxidant activity. When chitosan was subjected to in vitro crystal formation tests, it increased the number of OxCa monohydrate crystals, modified the morphology of the crystals, modified the proportions between populations of crystals in solution and increased the zeta potential of these crystals formed. Four molecules of chitosan conjugated with GA were obtained. The physico-chemical analysis confirmed that chitosan and AG were covalently bonded. However, the amount of GA liked to chitosan did not increase even when 10 times more GA was used in experiment. When these derivatives were subjected to antioxidant tests, all chitosan conjugates showed higher antioxidant potential than their precursors. However, they showed different activity between them, which indicating that the position where AG is conjugated is an important factor for chitosan-GA activity. When conjugated chitosans were submitted to in vitro crystal formation tests, a reduction in the crystals number was observed when compared with those formed in the presence of unconjugated chitosan. Chitosan has a strong capacity for inducing OxCa monohydrate crystal formation, as well as modify their morphology and zeta potential. Over all, the process of conjugating AG to chitosan led to an increase in antioxidant potential of this molecule and was also able to decrease its capacity of inducing in vitro crystal formation