Influência da suplementação de vitamina E na profilaxia e tratamento da broncopneumonia moderada e grave em bezerros

Estudou-se a broncopneumonia de ocorrência natural em bezerros e a influência da administração de acetato de DL-α-tocoferol na profilaxia e tratamento desta enfermidade. Foram avaliados 60 bezerros machos, com idade máxima de 10 dias, divididos em dois grupos experimentais: GSV (grupo sem vitamina) e GCV (grupo com vitamina). A suplementação com dose única de 4.500 UI de acetato de DL-α-tocoferol por via intramuscular (IM) foi precedida por exame físico, perfil hematológico, determinação de proteínas séricas, globulinas, gamaglutamiltransferase e citologia do lavado traqueobrônquico (D0) para verificar a sanidade e homogeinização dos grupos. Os bezerros foram mantidos em bezerreiro e distribuídos aleatoriamente, 2 a 2 em baias individuais de 2,40m², onde permaneceram até o 21º dia (D0 ao D21). Foram avaliados por exame físico diário e, na presença de sinais clínicos indicativos de broncopneumonia (DX), retirados do bezerreiro, avaliados por hemograma e citologia do lavado traqueobrônquico, e tratados com enrofloxacina (5mg/kg, IM). Durante o tratamento, o exame físico foi realizado diariamente, e o hemograma e a citologia do lavado traqueobrônquico repetidos uma semana após seu término (DY). Nos bezerros sadios foram repetidos hemograma e citologia do lavado traqueobrônquico, no último dia (D21) do experimento. Não houve diferença significativa quanto às variáveis gamaglutamiltrasfrase (p=0,09), proteínas séricas (p=0,27) e globulinas (p=0,10) e a idade dos bezerros (p=0,15) entre os grupos. Os bezerros do grupo GSV e GCV levaram em média 11 e 12 dias para adoecerem, respectivamente. Contudo, não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos (p=0,68). Em 34 bezerros (56,66%) foi diagnosticado broncopneumonia, sendo que 17 destes bezerros (50%) pertenciam ao grupo GCV e 17 (50%) ao grupo GSV. Com relação aos sinais clínicos, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos em nenhum dos momentos estudados. Dos 34 bezerros que adoeceram 73,52% morreram pela doença, sendo 64,7% do GCV e 82,35% do GSV. A citologia do lavado traqueobrônquico não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos em nenhum dos momentos estudados (D0, DX, DY e D21). A suplementação com vitamina E não teve influência na profilaxia e no tratamento de broncopneumonia de bezerros.

Effects of diazepam on Mycobacterium bovis-induced infection in hamsters

The in utero exposure of hamsters to low doses of diazepam results in impaired host defense against Mycobacterium bovis during adulthood. Delayed developmental immunotoxicity, however, represents a specific situation that might not be general. The present experiment was undertaken to investigate the effects of diazepam on hamster resistance to M. bovis using adult animals. The effects of diazepam treatment on serum cortisol levels were also studied. Adult hamsters (N = 10 for each group) were treated with diazepam (E1 = 1.0, E2 = 2.0 or E3 = 3.0 mg kg-1 day-1 subcutaneously) or with control solution (C) for 30 days. Seven days after the beginning of the treatment, the animals received identical inoculum concentrations of M. bovis. Hamsters treated with the higher (2.0 and 3.0 mg kg-1 day-1) doses of diazepam exhibited: 1) increased granuloma areas in the liver (C = 1.81 ± 1.39, E2 = 10.29 ± 4.64 and E3 = 15.80 ± 4.82) and lung (C = 0.54 ± 0.55, E2 = 6.28 ± 3.85 and E3 = 6.31 ± 3.56) and 2) increased scores of M. bovis colony-forming units isolated from liver (C = 2.0, E2 = 3.0 and E3 = 3.5), lung (C = 1.0, E2 = 3.0 and E3 = 3.5) and spleen (C = 1.0, E2 = 2.5 and E3 = 4.0). These effects were dose dependent, and were not detected or were less severe in animals treated with the lowest (1.0 mg/kg) dose of diazepam as well as in those of the control group. Furthermore, diazepam treatment (3.0 mg kg-1 day-1 for 30 days) increased (E3 = 71.32 ± 2.99; N = 10) the serum levels of cortisol compared to control hamsters (C = 22.61 ± 2.75; N = 10). The present data, that demonstrate an impaired defense against M. bovis in adult hamsters treated with diazepam, were tentatively explained on the basis of a direct and/or indirect action of diazepam on the cytokine network. The effects may be related to stimulation of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor binding sites (PBR) by macrophages and/or lymphocytes, or they may be mediated by PBR stimulation of the adrenals.

Detection of renal dysfunction based on serum creatinine levels in a Brazilian community: the Bambuí Health and Ageing Study

There are few population-based studies of renal dysfunction and none conducted in developing countries. In the present study the prevalence and predictors of elevated serum creatinine levels (SCr > or = 1.3 mg/dl for men and 1.1 mg/dl for women) were determined among Brazilian adults (18-59 years) and older adults (>60 years). Participants included all older adults (N = 1742) and a probabilistic sample of adults (N = 818) from Bambuí town, MG, Southeast Brazil. Predictors were investigated using multiple logistic regression. Mean SCr levels were 0.77 ± 0.15 mg/dl for adults, 1.02 ± 0.39 mg/dl for older men, and 0.81 ± 0.17 mg/dl for older women. Because there were only 4 cases (0.48%) with elevated SCr levels among adults, the analysis of elevated SCr levels was restricted to older adults. The overall prevalence of elevated SCr levels among the elderly was 5.09% (76/1494). The prevalence of hypercreatinemia increased significantly with age (chi² = 26.17, P = 0.000), being higher for older men (8.19%) than for older women (5.29%, chi² = 5.00, P = 0.02). Elevated SCr levels were associated with age 70-79 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-4.42), hypertension (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.34-6.92), use of antihypertensive drugs (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.26-4.82), chest pain (OR = 3.37, 95% CI: 1.31-8.74), and claudication (OR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.30-9.09) among men, and with age >80 years (OR = 4.88, 95% CI: 2.24-10.65), use of antihypertensive drugs (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 1.67-9.86), physical inactivity (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.11-4.02) and myocardial infarction (OR = 3.89, 95% CI: 1.58-9.62) among women. The prevalence of renal dysfunction observed was much lower than that reported in other population-based studies, but predictors were similar. New investigations are needed to confirm the variability in prevalence and associated factors of renal dysfunction among populations.

The effect of a low dose of clenbuterol on rat soleus muscle submitted to joint immobilization

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of joint immobilization on morphometric parameters and glycogen content of soleus muscle treated with clenbuterol. Male Wistar (3-4 months old) rats were divided into 4 groups (N = 6 for each group): control, clenbuterol, immobilized, and immobilized treated with clenbuterol. Immobilization was performed with acrylic resin orthoses and 10 µg/kg body weight clenbuterol was administered subcutaneously for 7 days. The following parameters were measured the next day on soleus muscle: weight, glycogen content, cross-sectional area, and connective tissue content. The clenbuterol group showed an increase in glycogen (81.6%, 0.38 ± 0.09 vs 0.69 ± 0.06 mg/100 g; P < 0.05) without alteration in weight, cross-sectional area or connective tissue compared with the control group. The immobilized group showed a reduction in muscle weight (34.2%, 123.5 ± 5.3 vs 81.3 ± 4.6 mg; P < 0.05), glycogen content (31.6%, 0.38 ± 0.09 vs 0.26 ± 0.05 mg/100 mg; P < 0.05) and cross-sectional area (44.1%, 2574.9 ± 560.2 vs 1438.1 ± 352.2 µm²; P < 0.05) and an increase in connective tissue (216.5%, 8.82 ± 3.55 vs 27.92 ± 5.36%; P < 0.05). However, the immobilized + clenbuterol group showed an increase in weight (15.9%; 81.3 ± 4.6 vs 94.2 ± 4.3 mg; P < 0.05), glycogen content (92.3%, 0.26 ± 0.05 vs 0.50 ± 0.17 mg/100 mg; P < 0.05), and cross-sectional area (19.9%, 1438.1 ± 352.2 vs 1724.8 ± 365.5 µm²; P < 0.05) and a reduction in connective tissue (52.2%, 27.92 ± 5.36 vs 13.34 ± 6.86%; P < 0.05). Statistical analysis was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and homoscedasticity tests. For the muscle weight and muscle glycogen content, two-way ANOVA and the Tukey test were used. For the cross-sectional area and connective tissue content, Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey tests were used. This study emphasizes the importance of anabolic pharmacological protection during immobilization to minimize skeletal muscle alterations resulting from disuse.

Efeitos dos métodos de abate e sexo na composição centesimal, perfil de ácidos graxos e colesterol da carne de capivaras

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de métodos de abate (MA) (humanitário (MH) e por tiro (MT)) e sexo na composição centesimal, perfil de ácidos graxos (AG) e colesterol da carne de capivara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L. 1766). Foram abatidos 20 animais (13 machos (M) e 7 fêmeas (F)) com peso médio de 45,71kg. No músculo longissimus dorsi (LD) foram determinados: umidade, lipídios totais (LT), proteína e cinzas e no semimembranosus (SM), o colesterol por colorimetria e o perfil de AG por cromatografia gasosa. O LD apresentou: 75,87% de umidade, 1,37% de LT, 22,11% de proteínas e 1,09% de cinzas. Houve diferença (p<0,01) nos teores de LT de M (1,75%) e F (0,98%). Os fatores sexo e MA não influenciaram: umidade, proteína e cinzas. Os AG encontrados em maior proporção (%) foram: C16:0 (29,57); C18:1w9 (27,87); C18:2w6 (19,19); C18:0 (6,57); C18:3w3 (4,97); C14:0 (3,64); C20:4w6 (3,45); C18:1w7 (3,31) e C16:1w7 (1,90). A relação AG poliinsaturados/saturados foi 0,82. As médias de AG w6 e w3 foram 23,41 e 5,63%. Os fatores sexo e MA não influenciaram os poliinsaturados e colesterol (28,11mg/100g). A carne de capivara apresentou teores elevados de proteína e valores reduzidos de lipídios totais e de colesterol e relação w6/w3 nutricionalmente adequada.

Uso de sílica e sílica-titânia organofuncionalizadas para a remoção de Cu(II) em aguardentes

Devido a necessidade da presença de cobre nos alambiques e as exigências cada vez mais acirradas com relação ao seu teor no destilado, é de interesse o desenvolvimento de metodologias para o controle deste metal nos destilados e/ou a sua remoção até níveis aceitáveis, em conformidade com as legislações nacional e internacional. Este trabalho investigou a potencialidade de dois sólidos: sílica modificada com trimetóxisili(propil)etilenodiamina (Si-Dia), e sílica-titânia, também modificada com trimetóxisili(propil)etilenodiamina (Si-Ti-Dia), como agentes removedores de íons Cu2+. Foram empregadas tanto soluções padrão de Cu2+, com teor alcoólico que simulavam aguardentes, como amostras reais de destilados. Os resultados indicam que um grama das matrizes Si-Dia e Si-Ti-Dia adsorvem 1,39 e 73,5mmol de Cu2+, respectivamente, a partir das soluções padrão, nas seguintes condições: tempo de contato 22h, pH 4,0; temperatura 25 ± 1,0°C e agitação constante. Para amostras reais, sob as mesmas condições de análises, o sólido Si-Dia reduziu as concentrações dos íons divalentes Cu, Zn e Fe em, respectivamente, 82, 83 e 64%, enquanto o Si-Ti-Dia, reduziu os mesmos íons em 88, 31 e 22%, respectivamente.

Effect of pectinolitic enzymes on the physical properties of caja-manga (Spondias cytherea Sonn.) pulp

Cajá-manga, also known as golden apple and hog-plum, is an exotic fruit native from Îles de la Société (French Polynesia), which was first introduced in Brazil in 1985. The pulp of ripe fruit was treated with the commercial enzymatic pool and its effect was evaluated in terms of yield, as well as the physical properties viscosity, turbidity and color (L* values). Response surface methodology was used and three levels were adopted for the independent variables temperature (30, 40, and 50 ºC), incubation time (30, 60 and 90 minutes) and enzyme concentration (0.01, 0.05, 0.09 v/v%). A central composite statistical design was used to guide the experimental work. The enzyme treatment highly increased both juice yield (up to 56%) and color (up to 8.6%) and strongly decreased viscosity (up to 57.4%), clarity (up to 77%) and turbidity (up to 85.5%). Incubation time was the most interacting facto, whereas temperature was the least one. Optimization analysis was carried out to reduce enzyme concentration to a minimum by superposing the contour plots of the tested properties, and the recommended ranges of the variables enzyme concentration, process temperature and incubation time were, respectively, 0.042-0.068%, 47.0-49.0 ºC and 82-90 minutes.

Stability of the anthocyanins extracted from residues of the wine industry

Anthocyanins are highly important due to their antioxidant capacity. They are the most important among the phenolic compounds and one of the main natural dyes used in the food industry. In this research, residue of processed grapes was used to investigate the presence of anthocyanins, the possibility of their extraction from the residue, and their stability. The extraction solution consisted of 70 mL of ethanol 70% and 30 mL of HCl 0.1% at pH 2.0. The results found for the processed grapes residue was 26.20 mg.100 g-1. In order to evaluate stability, caffeic acid was added at 0.5:1 w/v; 0.8:1 w/v; and 1:1 w/v concentrations. Anthocyanins extract reached the greatest stability at 0.5:1 w/v concentration, with 82.47% color retention and a half-life period of 15 days. Therefore, the use of this organic acid as a stabilizer for anthocyanins is feasible.

Nutritional characteristics of biofortified common beans

Iron and zinc deficiency can cause anemia and alterations in the immune response and impair work capacity. To minimize this problem, biofortification has been developed to improve and/or maintain the nutritional status of the population. Beans are an important source of carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals. The objective of this study is to characterize biofortified beans, quantify the minerals in different cultivars, and determine mineral dialysis. Grains of raw and cooked beans were analyzed for moisture, protein, lipids, fiber, minerals, and in vitro availability using four treatments and one control. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, and the Tukey test (p<0.05). The chemical composition of the raw and cooked treatments showed a moisture content ranging from 13.4 to 81.4%, protein from 22.24 to 31.59%, lipids from 1.66 to 2.22%, fiber from 16.81 to 40.63%, carbohydrates from 27.80 to 34.78%, and ash from 4.1 to 4.82%. Different varieties of beans showed statistically significant differences in iron and zinc content compared to the control cultivar (Pérola). The iron content differed significantly from that of the Pérola cultivar in the raw treatment, while in the cooked treatment, the control cultivar did not differ from the Piratã. The same behavior was observed for the zinc content in both treatments. There was no significant difference between the cultivars in the treatments in terms of the content of the dialysis of Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), and Zinc (Zn).

Variações nos níveis de adiponectina nos pacientes com doença renal crônica: um estudo prospectivo de 12 meses

INTRODUÇÃO: As complicações cardiovasculares permanecem como a principal causa de mortalidade nos pacientes portadores de doença renal crônica (DRC). A adiponectina é uma proteína produzida pelo tecido adiposo que apresenta importante propriedade cardioprotetora. O nosso objetivo foi investigar os determinantes dos níveis de adiponectina nos pacientes com DRC. MÉTODOS: Este estudo prospectivo observacional incluiu 98 pacientes [taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) 36,1+-14,4 ml/min; 56,5+-10,4 anos; 63% homens; 31% diabéticos e índice de massa corporal (IMC) 27,1+-5,2 kg/m²]. A avaliação da adiponectina (teste imunoenzimático), dos parâmetros laboratoriais, do estado nutricional (avaliação global subjetiva), da gordura corporal total (absortometria de raios-x de dupla energia) e da gordura abdominal visceral e subcutânea (tomografia computadorizada) foi realizada no início e após 12 meses. RESULTADOS: A adiponectina correlacionou-se com a TFG (r = -0,45; p < 0,001), a proteinúria (r = 0,21; p = 0,04), o IMC (r = -0,33; p < 0,01) e a gordura visceral (r = -0,49; p < 0,001). Na análise de regressão múltipla, os determinantes das concentrações de adiponectina foram o sexo (feminino β = 3,8; p < 0,01), a idade (β = 0,14; p = 0,03), a TFG (β = -0,15; p < 0,01) e a gordura visceral (β = -0,04; p < 0,001) (R² = 0,41). Após 12 meses, a progressão da DRC foi evidenciada pela diminuição da TFG (-1,6+-6,3 ml/min; p = 0,01) e aumento da proteinúria (0,3+-0,8 g/d; p < 0,01). Houve um aumento da gordura visceral de 97+-73 cm² para 111+-82 cm² (p < 0,001) e concomitante redução dos níveis de adiponectina, de 27,6+-7,5 mg/l para 22,2+-11,6 mg/l (p < 0,001). O peso corporal, o IMC, a gordura corporal total e a gordura abdominal subcutânea não se alteraram neste período. Ajustando pelos fatores associados à adiponectina, observamos que somente o acúmulo de gordura visceral ao longo do tempo determinou a redução nos níveis de adiponectina (β = -0,04; p = 0,025; R² = 0,21). CONCLUSÃO: A idade, o sexo, a função renal e a gordura visceral estiveram independentemente associados com os níveis de adiponectina nos pacientes com DRC na fase não dialítica. No entanto, a mudança da gordura visceral foi o único preditor das variações nos níveis de adiponectina ao longo de 12 meses.