Efeito do extrato aquoso de Allium sativum L. sobre parâmetros bioquímicos de ratas com diabete induzido por Streptozotocin

Many plants, even without scientific confirmation, are used in Brazil as hypoglycemic. The objective of the present work was to study the influence of the Allium sativum treatment, plant known popularly as garlic, on characteristic biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Female Wistar rats were injected with 40 mg kg-1 streptozotocin (STZ). Oral administration of an aqueous extract of A. sativum was given to the diabetic animals in 2 doses: 200 and 400 mg kg-1 (n=6 animals/group). Diabetic rats given distilled water constituted the control group. After 28 days of treatment, the female rats were anesthetized and died by decapitation for collection of the blood for biochemical determinations and retreat of liver samples for hepatic glycogen dosage. The treatment with Allium sativum in the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1 alter no concentrations of total proteins, hepatic glycogen, triglycerides and VLDL, but it promoted reduction in the total cholesterol rate (control=280.5 ± 30.9; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum =169.9 ± 19.5 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum =148.4 ± 26.6 mg dL-1) and LDL (control=128.8± 25.3; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum = 41.4 ± 16.2 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum=42.0 ± 26.0 mg dL-1). The extract presented beneficial effect because it decreased 13.0% of glycemia in the highest dose. Therefore, the of garlic extract reduced the HDL concentration in two tested doses (control= 81.4 ± 30.2; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum=49.6 ± 14.3 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum=41.7 ± 16.1 mg dL -1), presenting impaired effect. Thus, the garlic extract showed efficiency in the analyzed experimental conditions, and it could be used as complementary therapy to diabetic patients.

An assessment of a sequence of yoga exercises to patients with arterial hypertension

This quasi-experimental study describes the effects of a yoga sequence following hemodynamic and biochemical parameters in patients with hypertension. Thirty-three volunteers participated in the study (control = 16 and yoga = 17) for four months. Blood pressure measurements, cardiac and respiratory rate were collected monthly, while the biochemical profile was taken at the beginning and end of the program. To analyze the data, Student's t test and repeated measures analyses were performed. The yoga group showed a significant reduction of systolic blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate (p < 0.05). As for the biochemical profile, the yoga group showed correlation coefficients between initial values and final responses greater than the control of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. The elaborated sequence practice promoted significant cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. The yoga exercises performed in the proposed sequence constitute complementary non-pharmacological control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Efeitos de uma sequência de prática do yoga sobre parâmetros bioquímicos e hemodinâmicos de pacientes com hipertensão arterial

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo Farmacognóstico e Screening Biológico de Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill (Solanaceae)

Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas - FCFAR

Low-level laser therapy in pediatric bell's palsy: Case report in a three-year-old child

Objectives: The objective of this study was to apply low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to accelerate the recovery process of a child patient with Bell's palsy (BP). Design: This was a prospective study. Subject: The subject was a three-year-old boy with a sudden onset of facial asymmetry due to an unknown cause. Materials and methods: The low-level laser source used was a gallium aluminum arsenide semiconductor diode laser device (660 nm and 780 nm). No steroids or other medications were given to the child. The laser beam with a 0.04-cm2 spot area, and an aperture with approximately 1-mm diameter, was applied in a continuous emission mode in direct contact with the facial area. The duration of a laser session was between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the chosen points and the area being treated. Light was applied 10 seconds per point on a maximum number of 80 points, when the entire affected (right) side of the face was irradiated, based on the small laser beam spot size. According to the acupuncture literature, this treatment could also be carried out using 10-20 Chinese acupuncture points, located unilaterally on the face. In this case study, more points were used because the entire affected side of the face (a large area) was irradiated instead of using acupuncture points. Outcome measures: The House-Brackmann grading system was used to monitor the evolution of facial nerve motor function. Photographs were taken after every session, always using the same camera and the same magnitude. The three-year-old boy recovered completely from BP after 11 sessions of LLLT. There were 4 sessions a week for the first 2 weeks, and the total treatment time was 3 weeks. Results: The result of this study was the improvement of facial movement and facial symmetry, with complete reestablishment to normality. Conclusions: LLLT may be an alternative to speed up facial normality in pediatric BP. © Copyright 2013, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2013.

Influence of post-transplant immunosuppressive therapy on gastrointestinal transit using biomagnetic method: a pilot study

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)