Plasma levels and placental expression of vaspin in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus

The present study aimed to investigate visceral adipose tissue-specific serpin (vaspin) concentrations in serum and term placentas and relate these values to insulin resistance and lipid parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 30 GDM subjects and 27 age-matched pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, control) were included. Serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, insulin, and vaspin were measured at the end of pregnancy, and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were calculated. Vaspin mRNA and protein levels in placentas were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Serum vaspin levels were significantly lower in the GDM group than in controls (0.49±0.24 vs 0.83±0.27 ng/mL, respectively; P<0.01). Three days after delivery, serum vaspin levels were significantly decreased in subjects with GDM (0.36±0.13 vs0.49±0.24 ng/mL, P<0.01). However, in the GDM group, serum vaspin levels were not correlated with the parameters evaluated. In contrast, in the control group, serum vaspin levels were positively correlated with triglycerides (TG; r=0.45, P=0.02) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C; r=0.42, P=0.03). Placental mRNA vaspin (0.60±0.32 vs0.68±0.32, P=0.46) and protein (0.30±0.08 vs0.39±0.26; P=0.33) levels in the GDM group did not differ significantly from those in the control group, but were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight in the GDM group (r=-0.48, P=0.03; r=-0.88; P<0.01). Our findings indicated that vaspin may be an important adipokine involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and may also play a role in fetal development.

Decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasma levels in psoriasis patients

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with neuroplasticity and synaptic strength, and is decreased in conditions associated with chronic stress. Nevertheless, BDNF has not yet been investigated in psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory systemic disease that is exacerbated by stress. Therefore, our aim was to determine BDNF plasma levels in psoriasis patients and healthy controls. Adult patients (n=94) presenting with psoriasis for at least 1 year were enrolled, and age- and gender-matched with healthy controls (n=307) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Participants had neither a previous history of coronary artery disease nor current episode of major depression. BDNF plasma levels were determined using the Promega ELISA kit. A general linear model was used to compare BDNF levels in psoriasis patients and controls, with age, gender, systolic blood pressure, serum fasting glucose, blood lipid levels, triglycerides, smoking status, and body mass index examined. After adjusting for clinical and demographic variables, significantly decreased BNDF plasma levels were observed in psoriasis patients (P=0.01) (estimated marginal means of 3922 pg/mL; 95%CI=2660-5135) compared with controls (5788 pg/mL; 95%CI=5185-6442). Similar BDNF levels were found in both mild and severe cases of psoriasis. Our finding, that BDNF is decreased in psoriasis, supports the concept of a brain-skin connection in psoriasis. Further studies should determine if BDNF is increased after specific psoriasis treatments, and associated with different disease stages.

Specific alterations in plasma proteins during depressed, manic, and euthymic states of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common psychiatric mood disorder affecting more than 1-2% of the general population of different European countries. Unfortunately, there is no objective laboratory-based test to aid BD diagnosis or monitor its progression, and little is known about the molecular basis of BD. Here, we performed a comparative proteomic study to identify differentially expressed plasma proteins in various BD mood states (depressed BD, manic BD, and euthymic BD) relative to healthy controls. A total of 10 euthymic BD, 20 depressed BD, 15 manic BD, and 20 demographically matched healthy control subjects were recruited. Seven high-abundance proteins were immunodepleted in plasma samples from the 4 experimental groups, which were then subjected to proteome-wide expression profiling by two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight/time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Proteomic results were validated by immunoblotting and bioinformatically analyzed using MetaCore. From a total of 32 proteins identified with 1.5-fold changes in expression compared with healthy controls, 16 proteins were perturbed in BD independent of mood state, while 16 proteins were specifically associated with particular BD mood states. Two mood-independent differential proteins, apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 and Apo L1, suggest that BD pathophysiology may be associated with early perturbations in lipid metabolism. Moreover, down-regulation of one mood-dependent protein, carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA-1), suggests it may be involved in the pathophysiology of depressive episodes in BD. Thus, BD pathophysiology may be associated with early perturbations in lipid metabolism that are independent of mood state, while CA-1 may be involved in the pathophysiology of depressive episodes.

Inflammatory cytokines and plasma redox status responses in hypertensive subjects after heat exposure

Hypertension is characterized by a pro-inflammatory status, including redox imbalance and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may be exacerbated after heat exposure. However, the effects of heat exposure, specifically in individuals with inflammatory chronic diseases such as hypertension, are complex and not well understood. This study compared the effects of heat exposure on plasma cytokine levels and redox status parameters in 8 hypertensive (H) and 8 normotensive (N) subjects (age: 46.5±1.3 and 45.6±1.4 years old, body mass index: 25.8±0.8 and 25.6±0.6 kg/m2, mean arterial pressure: 98.0±2.8 and 86.0±2.3 mmHg, respectively). They remained at rest in a sitting position for 10 min in a thermoneutral environment (22°C) followed by 30 min in a heated environmental chamber (38°C and 60% relative humidity). Blood samples were collected before and after heat exposure. Plasma cytokine levels were measured using sandwich ELISA kits. Plasma redox status was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Hypertensive subjects showed higher plasma levels of IL-10 at baseline (P<0.05), although levels of this cytokine were similar between groups after heat exposure. Moreover, after heat exposure, hypertensive individuals showed higher plasma levels of soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR1) and lower TBARS (P<0.01) and FRAP (P<0.05) levels. Controlled hypertensive subjects, who use angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitors), present an anti-inflammatory status and balanced redox status. Nevertheless, exposure to a heat stress condition seems to cause an imbalance in the redox status and an unregulated inflammatory response.

Determinação dos teores de minerais em sucos de frutas por espectrometria de emissão óptica em plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-OES)

Dois métodos de preparação de amostra para determinação de minerais em suco de uva foram comparados: extração com ácido clorídrico a frio com agitação e digestão em sistema fechado, sob pressão, empregando-se energia de microondas. As concentrações dos minerais foram obtidas empregando-se a técnica de Espectrometria de Emissão Óptica em Plasma Indutivamente Acoplado (ICP-OES). Os teores dos minerais Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn e Cu não diferiram significativamente ao nível de 5% (Teste F) para as duas metodologias empregadas. A precisão e exatidão dos métodos foi avaliada usando o suco de uva. A metodologia de extração com ácido clorídrico foi empregada para a determinação dos teores de minerais em sucos processados de abacaxi, acerola, caju, goiaba, manga, maracujá e uva. Para facilitar a interpretação dos teores dos minerais encontrados, foram utilizadas as técnicas de Análise por Componentes Principais (PCA) e Análise Hierárquica por Agrupamento (HCA).

Efeito da adição de NaCl sobre as propriedades funcionais do plasma bovino e de seus hidrolisados trípticos

O efeito da adição de NaCl, numa concentração de0,035 mol/L, sobre algumas propriedades funcionais do plasma e de seus hidrolisados trípticos foi estudado em dois valores de pH (5,0 e 6,0). Foram determinados a solubilidade protéica, a hidrofobicidade, a capacidade emulsionante (EC), o índice de atividade emulsionante (EAI) e a estabilidade da emulsão (ES). Os resultados obtidos indicam que, nos dois valores de pH estudados, a adição de NaCl levou a uma redução significativa da solubilidade, da hidrofobicidade e da EC do plasma, e de alguns de seus hidrolisados trípticos. Por outro lado, aumentou os valores de EAI do plasma, no pH 5,0 assim como da maioria de seus hidrolisados trípticos. Com relação à ES, este tratamento não exerceu qualquer influência sobre o plasma, tendo, entretanto, afetado positivamente alguns hidrolisados trípticos, especialmente no pH 5,0.

Efeito da hidrólise tríptica e do pH sobre as propriedades funcionais do plasma bovino

Visando a utilização do plasma bovino como agente funcional de alimentos, foram estudadas, na faixa de pH de 3,0 a 8,0, a solubilidade, a hidrofobicidade e a sua habilidade de formar e estabilizar emulsões. Para tal, foram determinados a capacidade emulsionante (EC), o índice de atividade emulsionante (EAI) e a estabilidade da emulsão (ES). O efeito da ação da tripsina sobre estas propriedades foi, também, verificado, tendo sido preparados cinco hidrolisados enzimáticos. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a hidrofobicidade e o EAI apresentaram um máximo em pH 3,0 e 7,0, respectivamente, enquanto que as outras propriedades praticamente não foram influenciadas pela variação de pH. A hidrólise tríptica provocou uma redução da solubilidade e da EC, não afetou o EAI e a ES, tendo contribuído para melhorar apenas a hidrofobicidade, em alguns tempos de reação.

Lead and cadmium content of Brazilian beers

The elements called heavy metals when ingested are not completely eliminated from animal bodies and are responsible for chronic and acute intoxications. Sixty-three samples of beer, produced in the states of São Paulo, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, and Pará, were analysed for lead and cadmium content by atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace atomization and Zeeman correction. The concentrations of Pb and Cd of dark differed significantly from light beers, being higher in the former. No significant difference was found between the beers produced in predominantly rural areas and the ones produced in industrialized areas. The concentrations of lead and cadmium in all samples were bellow the maximum accepted by present Brazilian regulations and ranged from not detected to 290mugPb/L and from not detected to 14.3mugCd/L. The average concentrations were 37mugPb/L and 1.6mugCd/L.

Determinação de elementos essenciais maiores e traço em queijos por espectrometria de emissão atômica com plasma de argônio induzido após digestão parcial

Concentrações de Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P e Zn foram determinadas em amostras de quatro tipos de queijo (mussarela, minas, prato e parmesão) por espectrometria de emissão atômica com plasma de argônio acoplado indutivamente após dissolução parcial (hidrólise com HCl) e total da matéria orgânica (digestão por via seca). As concentrações da maioria dos elementos essenciais maiores e traço, usando o método de dissolução parcial, foram consideradas estatisticamente iguais às obtidas com o método de dissolução total da matéria orgânica, demonstrando a potencialidade da digestão parcial em análises de rotina.

Salame elaborado com Lactobacillus plantarum fermentado em meio de cultura de plasma suíno

Este trabalho teve por objetivo produzir uma cultura starter com uma cepa de Lactobacillus plantarum em um meio de cultura com plasma suíno e verificar a viabilidade de sua aplicação em salame. O meio de cultura foi preparado com plasma suíno e água destilada (1:1, pH 11,0). Após a esterilização, 300 mL foram adicionados de 400 mL de uma solução estéril de glicose e difosfato de potássio. A cepa de Lb. plantarum foi semeada no meio de cultura e submetida à fermentação em pH 7,0, durante 36 horas (100 rpm, 37 ± 0,1 °C). Ao alcançar a fase estacionária, a cultura foi centrifugada e ressuspendida em leite desnatado estéril, liofilizada e aplicada em salame. A influência do inóculo foi avaliada nas características microbiológicas, físico-químicas e sensoriais de salames. Os resultados encontrados foram comparados com tratamentos sem adição de cultura starter e com uma cultura comercial. O microrganismo Lb. plantarum teve um crescimento máximo de 9,82 Log UFC.mL-1, após 30 horas de fermentação. Os salames elaborados com a cultura starter produzida apresentaram uma queda de pH significativamente maior, e menor valor de atividade de água que os demais tratamentos. O microrganismo Lb. plantarum melhorou significativamente o sabor dos salames.

Determination of presence and quantification of cadmium, lead and copper in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets obtained from three cold storage plants in the state of Parana, Brazil

Pisciculture is an economic activity that is steadily growing in the state of Parana, Brazil, and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the widely cultivated species in this state. Tilapia is not only a very nutritious food, but also an important indicator of environmental contamination. This study aimed to verify contamination by cadmium, copper and lead in tilapia fillets, and to compare the found values to international legislations. Were collected 135 samples of tilapia fillets, between July 2006 and May 2007, in three fish stores located in regions west and north of Paraná State. Samples of tilapia fillet were analyzed in relation to the presence of cadmiun, lead and copper, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Lead has not been detected in the analyses. Cadmium has been detected in three samples, on concentrations of 0.012 µg.g-1, 0.011 µg.g-1 and 0.014 µg.g-1. Copper has been detected in all fillets, and the average concentration of each cold storage plant was of 0.122 µg.g-1, 0.106 µg.g-1 and 0.153 µg.g-1. The concentrations found in this study are within the limits allowed by both the European and the Australian legislations.

Selenium plasma levels in hemodialysis patients: Comparison between North and Southeast of Brazil

Introduction: Patients with chronic kidney disease present selenium (Se) plasma deficiency which is an essential trace element with important biological functions and, the best known biological role is attributed to its presence in the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The Se content of foods depends on soil and some authors have suggested that Amazon soil (North Brazilian region) has high Se concentrations when compared to other regions of Brazil. Objective: The objective of this work was to compare the Se status in hemodialysis (HD) patients from North and Southeast of Brazil. Methods: Thirty-eight patients from Southeast region (22 men and 16 women, 15% diabetic, 53.5 ± 26.4 yrs) were compared to 40 patients from North region (28 men and 12 women, 22.5% diabetic, 63.5 ± 11.9 yrs). Se in plasma was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry with hydride generation. Results: The plasma Se levels in patients from Southeast region were significantly lower (17.5 ± 11.9 μg/L) when compared to patients from the North (37.1 ± 15.8 μg/L) (p < 0.001). However, both patient groups presented low Se plasma levels when compared to recommended values (60- 120 μg/L). There was no correlation between plasma Se levels and analyzed parameters. Conclusion: We concluded that patients from North (Amazon) region present higher plasma Se levels when compared to the patients from Southeast of Brazil. However, independently of the region, HD patients presented Se deficiency.