Coffee and Caffeine Protect against Liver Injury Induced by Thioacetamide in Male Wistar Rats

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Antitumoural effect of an L-amino acid oxidase isolated from Bothrops jararaca snake venom

An L-amino acid oxidase (BjarLAAO-I) from Bothrops jararaca snake venom was highly purified using a stepwise sequential chromatography on Sephadex G-75, Benzamidine Sepharose and Phenyl Sepharose. Purified BjarLAAO-I showed a molecular weight around 60,000 under reducing conditions and about 125,000 in the native form, when analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration, respectively. BjarLAAO-I is a homodimeric acidic glycoprotein, pI similar to 5.0, and N-terminal sequence showing close structural homology with other snake venom LAAOs. The purified enzyme catalysed the oxidative deamination of L-amino acids, the most specific substrate being L-Phe. Five amino acids, L-Ser, L-Pro, L-Gly, L-Thr and L-Cys were not oxidized, clearly indicating a significant specificity. BjarLAAO-I significantly inhibited Ehrlich ascites tumour growth and induced an influx of polymorphonuclear cells, as well as spontaneous liberation of H(2)O(2) from peritoneal macrophages. Later, BjarLAAO-I induced mononuclear influx and peritoneal macrophage spreading. Animals treated with BjarLAAO-I showed higher survival time.

Influence of diet on oxidative DNA damage, uracil misincorporation and DNA repair capability

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Plasma glutathione of HIV+ patients responded positively and differently to dietary supplementation with cysteine or glutamine

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Influence of microgap location and configuration on the periimplant bone morphology in submerged implants. An experimental study in dogs

Objectives: The vertical location of the implant-abutment connection influences the periimplant bone morphology. It is unknown, however, whether different microgap configurations cause different bone reactions. Therefore, in this study the bone morphologies of two different implant systems were compared.Material and methods: Three months after tooth extraction in eight mongrel dogs, two grit-blasted screw implants with internal Morse taper connection (ANK group) were placed on one side whereas the contralateral side received two oxidized screw implants with external hex (TIU group). One implant on each side was placed level with the bone (equicrestal), the second implant was inserted 1.5mm below bone level (subcrestal). After 3 months the implants were uncovered. Three months after stage two surgery, histometrical evaluations were performed in order to assess the periimplant bone levels (PBL), the first bone-to-implant contact points (BICP), the width (HBD) and the steepness (SLO) of the bone defect.Results: All implants osseointegrated clinically and histologically. Bone overgrowth of the microgap was seen in ANK implants only. No significant differences between ANK and TIU could be detected in neither vertical position for PBL and BICP. However, a tendency in favor of ANK was visible when the implants were placed subcrestally. In the parameters HBD (ANK equicrestal -0.23mm; TIU equicrestal -0.51mm; ANK subcrestal +0.19mm; TIU subcrestal -0.57mm) and SLO (ANK equicrestal 35.36 degrees; TIU equicrestal 63.22 degrees; ANK subcrestal 20.40 degrees; TIU subcrestal 44.43 degrees) more pronounced and significant differences were noted.Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it is concluded that different microgap designs cause different shapes and sizes of the periimplant ('dish-shaped') bone defect in submerged implants both in equicrestal and subcrestal positions.

Influence of Microgap Location and Configuration on Peri-implant Bone Morphology in Nonsubmerged Implants: An Experimental Study in Dogs

Purpose: It is unknown whether different micro gap configurations can cause different pen-implant bone reactions. Therefore, this study sought to compare the peri-implant bone morphologies of two implant systems with different implant-abutment connections. Materials and Methods: Three months after mandibular tooth extractions in six mongrel dogs, two oxidized screw implants with an external-hex connection were inserted (hexed group) on one side, whereas on the contralateral side two grit-blasted screw implants with an internal Morse-taper connection (Morse group) were placed. on each side, one implant was inserted level with the bone (equicrestal) and the second implant was inserted 1.5 mm below the bony crest (subcrestal). Healing abutments were inserted immediately after implant placement. Three months later, the peri-implant bone levels, the first bone-to-implant contact points, and the width and steepness of the peri-implant bone defects were evaluated histometrically. Results: All 24 implants osseointegrated clinically and histologically. No statistically significant differences between the hexed group and Morse group were detected for either the vertical position for peri-implant bone levels (Morse equicrestal -0.16 mm, hexed equicrestal -0.22 mm, Morse subcrestal 1.50 mm, hexed subcrestal 0.94 mm) or for the first bone-to-implant contact points (Morse equicrestal -2.08 mm, hexed equicrestal -0.98 mm, Morse subcrestal -1.26 mm, hexed subcrestal -0.76 mm). For the parameters width (Morse equicrestal -0.15 mm, hexed equicrestal -0.59 mm, Morse subcrestal 0.28 mm, hexed subcrestal -0.70 mm) and steepness (Morse equicrestal 25.27 degree, hexed equicrestal 57.21 degree, Morse subcrestal 15.35 degree, hexed subcrestal 37.97 degree) of the pen-implant defect, highly significant differences were noted between the Morse group and the hexed group. Conclusion: Within the limits of this experiment, it can be concluded that different microgap configurations influence the size and shape of the peri-implant bone defect in nonsubmerged implants placed both at the crest and subcrestally. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2010;25:540-547

Influence of implant surface topography on early osseointegration: A histological study in human jaws

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the oxidized surface on bone-to-implant contact (BIC%), the bone density in the threaded area (BA %), as well as the bone density outside the threaded area (BD%) in human jaws after 2 months of unloaded healing. Thirteen subjects (mean age 42.61 +/- 6.15 years) received two microimplants (2.5 mm diameter and 6 mm length) each, during conventional mandible or maxilla implant surgery. The microimplants with commercially pure titanium surfaces (machined) and oxidized surfaces served as the control and test surfaces, respectively. After 2 months, the microimplants and the surrounding tissue were removed and prepared for histomorphometric analysis. All microimplants, except two machined and one oxidized microimplant surfaces, were found to be clinically stable after the healing period. Histometric evaluation indicated that the mean BIC % was (21.71 +/- 13.11) % and (39.04 +/- 15.75) % for machined and oxidized microimplant surfaces, respectively. The BD% was higher for the oxidized surface, although there was no difference for maxilla and mandible. The oxidized surface impacted the BA% for the type-IV bone. Data suggest that the oxidized surface presented a higher bone-to-implant contact rate compared with machined surfaces under unloaded conditions, after a healing period of 2 months. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Argon-based atmospheric pressure plasma enhances early bone response to rough titanium surfaces

This study investigated the effect of an Argon-based atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) surface treatment operated chairside at atmospheric pressure conditions applied immediately prior to dental implant placement in a canine model. Surfaces investigated comprised: rough titanium surface (Ti) and rough titanium surface + Argon-based APP (Ti-Plasma). Surface energy was characterized by the Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble method and chemistry by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Six adult beagles dogs received two plateau-root form implants (n = 1 each surface) in each radii, providing implants that remained 1 and 3 weeks in vivo. Histometric parameters assessed were bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO). Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskall-Wallis (95% level of significance) and Dunn's post-hoc test. The XPS analysis showed peaks of Ti, C, and O for the Ti and Ti- Plasma surfaces. Both surfaces presented carbon primarily as hydrocarbon (C?C, C?H) with lower levels of oxidized carbon forms. The Ti-Plasma presented large increase in the Ti (+11%) and O (+16%) elements for the Ti- Plasma group along with a decrease of 23% in surface-adsorbed C content. At 1 week no difference was found in histometric parameters between groups. At 3 weeks significantly higher BIC (>300%) and mean BAFO (>30%) were observed for Ti-Plasma treated surfaces. From a morphologic standpoint, improved interaction between connective tissue was observed at 1 week, likely leading to more uniform and higher bone formation at 3 weeks for the Ti-Plasma treated implants was observed. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 2012.

Lipid Peroxidation Is Associated with the Severity of Periodontal Disease and Local Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

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Growth hormone and heart failure: Oxidative stress and energetic metabolism in rats

Several evidences point for beneficial effects of growth hormone (GH) in heart failure (HF). Taking into account that HF is related with changes in myocardial oxidative stress and in energy generation from metabolic pathways, it is important to clarify whether GH increase or decrease myocardial oxidative stress and what is its effect on energetic metabolism in HF condition. Thus, this study investigated the effects of two different doses of GH on energetic metabolism and oxidative stress in myocardium of rats with HF. Male Wistar rats (n = 25) were submitted to aortic stenosis (AS). The HF was evidenced by tachypnea and echocardiographic criteria around 28 weeks of AS. The rats were then randomly divided into three groups: (HF) with HF, treated with saline (0.9% NaCl); (HF-GHI), treated with 1 mk/kg/day recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), and (HF-GH2) treated with 2 mg/kg/day rhGH. GH was injected, subcutaneously, daily for 2 weeks. A control group (sham; n = 12), with the same age of the others rats was evaluated to confirm data for AS. HF had lower IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor-I) than sham-operated rats, and both GH treatments normalized IGF-I level. HF-GH1 animals had lower lipid hydroperoxide (LH), LH/total antioxidant substances (TAS) and glutathione-reductase than HF. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were higher in HF-GH1 than in HF. HF-GH2 compared with HF, had increased LH/TAS ratio, as well as decreased oxidized glutathione and LDH activity. Comparing the two GH doses, GSH-Px, superoxide dismutase and LDH were lower in HF-GH2 than in HF-GHI. In conclusion, GH effects were dose-dependent and both tested doses did not aggravate the heart dysfunction. The higher GH dose, 2 mg/kg exerted detrimental effects related to energy metabolism and oxidative stress. The lower dose, 1 mg/kg GH exerted beneficial effects enhancing antioxidant defences, reducing oxidative stress and improving energy generation in myocardium of rats with heart failure. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diet compounds, glycemic index and obesity-related cardiac effects

Background: Diet compounds may influence obesity-related cardiac oxidative stress and metabolic sifting. Carbohydrate-rich diet may be disadvantageous from fat-rich diet to cardiac tissue and glycemic index rather than lipid profile may predict the obesity-related cardiac effects.Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n=8/group): (C) receiving standard chow (3.0 kcal/g); (CRD) receiving carbohydrate-rich diet (4.0 kcal/g), and (FRD) receiving fat-rich diet (4.0 kcal/g). Rats were sacrificed after the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 60 days of dietary treatments. Lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters were determined in serum. Myocardial samples were used to determine oxidative stress, metabolic enzymes, glycogen and triacylglycerol.Results: FRD rats showed higher final body weight and body mass index than CRD and C. Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein were higher in FRD than in CRD, while triacylglycerol and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in CRD than in FRD. CRD rats had the highest myocardial lipid hydroperoxide and diminished superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Myocardial glycogen was lower and triacylglycerol was higher in CRD than in C and FRD rats. Although FRD rats had depressed myocardial-reducing power, no significant changes were observed in myocardial energy metabolism. Myocardial beta-hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase and citrate synthase, as well as the enhanced lactate debydrogenase/citrate synthase ratio indicated that fatty acid degradation was decreased in CRD rats. Glycemic index was positively correlated with obesity-related cardiac effects.Conclusions: Isoenergetic carbohydrate-rich and fat-rich diets induced different degree of obesity and differently affected lipid profile. Carbohydrate-rich diet was deleterious relative to fat-rich diet in the heart enhancing lipoperoxidation and shifting the metabolic pathway for energy production. Glycemic index rather than dyslipidemic profile may predict the obesity effects on cardiac tissue. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural insights for fatty acid binding in a Lys49-phospholipase A(2): crystal structure of myotoxin II from Bothrops molojeni complexed with stearic acid

The crystal structure of dimeric Lys49-phospholipase A2 myotoxin-II from Bothrops moojeni (MjTX-II) co-crystallized with stearic acid (C18H36O2) has been determined at a resolution of 1.8 angstrom. The electron density maps permitted the unambiguous inclusion of six stearic acid molecules in the refinement. Two stearic acid molecules could be located in the substrate-binding cleft of each monomer in positions, which favor the interaction of their carboxyl groups with active site residues. The way of binding of stearic acids to this Lys49-PLA(2)s is analogous to phospholipids and transition state analogues to catalytically active PLA(2)s. Two additional stearic acid molecules were located at the dimer interface region, defining a hitherto unidentified acyl-binding site on the protein surface. The strictly conserved Lys122 for Lys49-PLA(2)s may play a fundamental role for stabilization of legend-protein complex. The comparison of MjTX-II/satiric acid complex with other Lys-PLA(2)s structures whose putative fatty acids were located at their active site is also analysed. Molecular details of the stearic acid/protein interactions provide insights to binding in croup I/II PLA(2)s and to the possible interactions of Lys49-PLA(2)s with target membranes. (c) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Crystal structures of BnSP-7 and BnSP-6, two Lys49-phospholipases A(2): quaternary structure and inhibition mechanism insights

Phospholipases A(2) are components of Bothrops venoms responsible for disruption of cell membrane integrity via hydrolysis of its phospholipids. A class of PLA(2)-like proteins has been described which despite PLA(2) activity on artificial substrate, due to a D49K mutation, is still highly myonecrotic. This work reports the X-ray structure determination of two Lys49-PLA(2)s from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis (BnSP-7 and BnSP-6) and, for the first time, the comparison of eight dimeric Lys49-PLA2s. This comparison reveals that there are not just two (open and closed) but at least six different conformations. The binding of fatty acid observed in three recent Lys49-PLA(2) structures seems to be independent of their quaternary conformation. Cys29 polarization by Lys122 is not significant for BnSP-7 and BnSP-6 or other structures not bound by fatty acids. These structures may be in an active state when nothing is bound to them and the Lys122/Cys29 interactions are weak or absent. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structure of an acidic platelet aggregation inhibitor and hypotensive phospholipase A(2) in the monomeric and dimeric states: insights into its oligomeric state

Phospholipases A(2) belong to the superfamily of proteins which hydrolyzes the sn-2 acyl groups of membrane phospholipids to release arachidonic acid and lysophospholipids. An acidic phospholipase A(2) isolated from Bothrops juraracussu snake venom presents a high catalytic, platelet aggregation inhibition and hypotensive activities. This protein was crystallized in two oligomeric states: monomeric and dimeric. The crystal structures were solved at 1.79 and 1.90 Angstrom resolution, respectively, for the two states. It was identified a Na+ ion at the center of Ca2+-binding site of the monomeric form. A novel dimeric conformation with the active sites exposed to the solvent was observed. Conformational states of the molecule may be due to the physicochemical conditions used in the crystallization experiments. We suggest dimeric state is one found in vivo. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural, functional, and bioinformatics studies reveal a new snake venom homologue phospholipase A(2) class

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