Oxidative metabolism and muscle biochemical profile of polo horses supplemented with an ADE vitamin complex

Horses used for the game of polo experience abrupt and frequent changes in exercise intensity. To meet this variable energy demand, the horses use both aerobic and anaerobic pathways in varying proportions and intensities. In this context, there must be a balance between the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the action of antioxidants to prevent oxidative stress and its consequences. The effect of supplementation with an ADE vitamin complex on oxidative metabolism was evaluated in 18 crossbred horses randomly divided between a treated group (TG) and a control group (CG). The TG animals received the ADE vitamin complex (1mL/50 kg of body weight) by deep intramuscular injection at 30 and 15 days before the game. The CG horses received 10ml of saline by the same administration route and schedule. During the polo match, the animals played for a total of 7.5 min. Blood samples were collected on the same days as the treatments were administered, and immediately before and at 15, 90 and 180 minutes after the game. The concentrations of creatine phosphokinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactate, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the blood samples. After the game, the TG demonstrated higher levels of AST, lactate and glucose than the CG, suggesting more efficient energy use by the treated animals. The higher GSH and lower lactate levels in the TG before the game suggest the presence of a greater antioxidant supply in the treated animals. The maintenance of the MDA levels indicates that neither of the groups exhibited oxidative stress.

Resposta de linfonodos em bovinos inoculados a campo com a vacina recombinante rSBm7462 anti Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus)

A dependência exclusiva de compostos químicos para o controle de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tornou-se uma das maiores preocupações científicas e econômicas dos últimos anos, e como consequência, estão sendo realizadas pesquisas para o desenvolvimento de vacinas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resposta de linfonodos de bovinos imunizados a campo com o peptídeo rSBm7462 anti R. (B.) microplus. Foram utilizados 14 bovinos mestiços (Bos taurus x Bos indicus), com idades entre 4-10 meses, mantidos em duas propriedades rurais do norte do estado de Minas Gerais. Os animais receberam três imunizações do peptídeo rSBm7462, aplicados por via subcutânea, com intervalo de 30 dias. Após 15 dias de cada imunização, os linfonodos pré-escapulares foram coletados e fixados por 18 horas em formol. Posteriormente, foram incluídos em Paraplast e as amostras foram coradas pela técnica hematoxilina-eosina (HE) para a observação de eventos celulares. Para a identificação do antígeno nos linfonodos dos animais imunizados, foi realizada a técnica de imuno-histoquímica (IHQ) com o método peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP). A resposta de linfonodos dos bovinos inoculados foi avaliada pelas análises de formação de centros germinais (CG), hiperplasia de cordões medulares (CM) e a presença do antígeno rSBm7462 em células PAP+, demonstrando que o peptídeo recombinante rSBm7462 induz uma resposta imune adaptativa T-dependente, caracterizada nos tecidos linfóides secundários pela formação de estruturas que conferem afinidade e memória imunológica.

Sodium bicarbonate as prevention of metabolic acidosis in sheep submitted to experimental ruminal acidosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of sodium bicarbonate on systemic acidosis due to ruminal acidosis, which was induced by ingestion of concentrate after prolonged fasting. Fourteen sheep were divided into three experimental groups: control group (Cg), with four sheep, submitted to fasting without development of ruminal acidosis; no-treated group (NTg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis without preventive treatment; and treated group (Tg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis and preventively treated with sodium bicarbonate. Assessments of ruminal pH and arterial hemogasometry were performed for 48 hours after ingestion of the concentrate. There was a reduction in the ruminal pH in all groups, whereas the Cg showed a reduction only after 24 hours. A reduction in the arterial pH, bicarbonate and base excess in all groups was also noted, indicating systemic metabolic acidosis, but the NTg presented the greatest alteration. It is concluded that sodium bicarbonate prevents systemic metabolic acidosis, reducing its severity in sheep subjected to ruminal acidosis.

Composição química da cera epicuticular e caracterização da superfície foliar em genótipos de cana-de-açúcar

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a composição química da cera epicuticular e caracterizar a superfície foliar dos cultivares de cana-de-açúcar RB855113 (sensível à mistura de herbicidas trifloxysulfuron-sodium + ametryn), SP80-1842 e SP80-1816, do clone RB957689 (com média sensibilidade à mistura de herbicidas) e do cultivar RB867515 (tolerante). A cera epicuticular foi extraída e quantificada e os seus constituintes analisados por cromatografia a gás, acoplada a espectrômetro de massa (CG-EM). Para determinação da composição química, assim como a caracterização da superfície foliar dos cultivares avaliados, amostras de lâmina foliar foram coletadas e submetidas à microscopia eletrônica de varredura, para caracterização das faces adaxial e abaxial. A análise das amostras revelou a presença de hidrocarbonetos, esteróides, ésteres graxos, álcoois e aldeídos. A cera do cultivar sensível à mistura (RB855113) apresentou menor número de componentes químicos e predominância de ésteres graxos de cadeia mais curta que os encontrados nos demais cultivares, bem como pequena proporção de esteróides e hidrocarbonetos. Nos cultivares com média sensibilidade (SP80-1842 e RB867515), a cera apresentou maior proporção de hidrocarbonetos e esteróides. A cera do cultivar RB855113 apresentou polaridade intermediária, porém menos polar que a cera do cultivar RB867515 (tolerante à mistura). Não foram observadas diferenças marcantes entre os cultivares no que se refere à micromorfologia foliar.

Estudo fitoquímico e alelopático do extrato de caule de sucupira-branca (Pterodon emarginatus)

A alelopatia é um dos fenômenos pouco estudados no Cerrado. Trata-se de uma ocorrência natural, resultante da liberação de substâncias capazes de estimular ou inibir o desenvolvimento de outras plantas. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a ação alelopática de extratos da sucupira-branca (Pterodon emarginatus) sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento da raiz e parte aérea do capim-colonião (Panicum maximum). Bioensaios de germinação realizados em placas de Petri comprovaram que o extrato metanólico do tronco dessa planta, a 150 ppm, inibiu 83% do desenvolvimento da raiz, 75% da parte aérea e 30% da germinação de sementes de capim-colonião. Em casa de vegetação, os resultados de inibição foram de 83% para a parte aérea, 80% para a raiz e 63% para a germinação, mas somente na concentração de 400 ppm. Frações do extrato metanólico bruto obtidas por cromatografia de coluna cromatográfica não reproduziram os resultados de inibição obtidos inicialmente. A fração mais ativa (diclorometano/clorofórmio) foi analisada por CG/EM. Ela é constituída fundamentalmente por substâncias alifáticas de cadeia longa: fitol (13,5%), ácido oléico (12,8%), linoleiladato de metila (10,9%) e ácido palmítico (6,9%). Foram detectados, também, os compostos 1,2,4-trimetil e isopropilbenzenos (12,2%) e as cetonas isoméricas isopropenilmetilcetona e 3-penten-2-ona (7,3%). Três compostos desconhecidos também se destacaram: um de baixa massa molar (98 Da, 13,5%) e dois de massa molar elevada (13,6%).

Ação alelopática de extratos de embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya) no crescimento de capim-colonião (Panicum maximum)

Cecropia pachystachya (embaúba) é uma planta da família Urticaceae, característica de margens de florestas. Possui rápido desenvolvimento e é abundante em todo o território brasileiro. Neste estudo, foram analisados os potenciais alelopáticos dos extratos metanólicos da casca, do tronco e das raízes da embaúba por meio de bioensaios de germinação e medida do desenvolvimento da parte aérea do capim-colonião (Panicum maximum). O maior efeito foi observado no extrato das raízes na concentração de 150 ppm. Os principais constituintes voláteis identificados por CG/EM foram: na casca: geranilacetona, ácido láurico, ácido palmítico, octadecanal e alcanos de cadeia longa; nas raízes: geranilacetona, farnesol, farnesilacetona, ácido palmítico, octadecanal e alcanos de cadeia longa; e no tronco: geranilacetona, ácido palmítico e alcanos de cadeia longa.

Composição química da cera epicuticular de biótipos de azevém resistente e suscetível ao glyphosate

Objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar a composição química da cera epicuticular dos biótipos de azevém (Lolium multiflorum) resistente e suscetível ao glyphosate, buscando relações entre suas características e a resistência dos biótipos ao herbicida. A cera epicuticular foi extraída e quantificada e os seus constituintes analisados por cromatografia em fase gasosa, acoplada a espectrômetro de massa (CG-EM). Para determinação da composição química, amostras de lâmina foliar foram retiradas 30 dias após a emergência das plantas, coletando-se a primeira folha com lígula totalmente visível. A quantidade de cera epicuticular extraída não diferiu entre os biótipos. Entre os compostos que constituem a cera epicuticular, os álcoois são os mais abundantes, sendo representados por apenas um composto: o hexacosan-1-ol (46,80% no biótipo resistente e 52,20% no biótipo suscetível). Ao comparar a polaridade da cera epicuticular dos biótipos de azevém, constatou-se que tanto no biótipo resistente quanto no suscetível a cera epicuticular apresentou mais de 50% de componentes polares (álcoois e aldeídos) em sua constituição, sendo esse valor igual a 69,80% no biótipo resistente e 64,94% no biótipo suscetível. Por meio da caracterização apresentada, pode-se afirmar que existem pequenas diferenças na cera epicuticular dos biótipos de azevém resistente e suscetível ao glyphosate; o biótipo resistente apresentou grau de polaridade pouco superior ao do biótipo suscetível, porém essa diferença não pode ser considerada marcante a ponto de determinar maior ou menor tolerância de um biótipo ou outro ao herbicida glyphosate.

Organização das comunidades infestantes de plantas daninhas na cultura da cana-de-açúcar em agrupamentos-padrão

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a possibilidade de agrupar talhões de cana-de-açúcar colhida mecanicamente e sem queima prévia da palha na região de Ribeirão Preto-SP, de acordo com o potencial de infestação de plantas daninhas, por meio de análise de agrupamento por método hierárquico e outras técnicas de análise multivariada, utilizando como variável o índice de infestação relativa atribuído por avaliações visuais, em duas etapas. A primeira contemplou 20 talhões de cana-planta com ciclo de 18 meses; essas áreas foram utilizadas para comparação de dois métodos de estimativa da composição específica da flora daninha: análise fitossociológica e por meio da porcentagem visual de cobertura geral (CG) e específica (CE). A segunda etapa consistiu no levantamento da composição específica da comunidade de plantas daninhas em 189 talhões, em áreas de cana-soca colhidas durante a safra de 2008, incluindo nesses talhões apenas CG e CE. Com as informações sobre os levantamentos da comunidade infestante foi construído um banco de dados, posteriormente submetido a análises exploratórias por técnicas de estatística multivariada. Para as principais espécies dentro dos talhões, que foram DIGNU, ARACH, IPOHF, MRRCI e IPOQU, seguidas de CYPRO, ELEIN e EPHHS, foram verificados 75% de coincidências de resultados entre os dois métodos de avaliação. Também notou-se que as avaliações visuais de porcentagem de cobertura das espécies podem substituir, para fins de praticidade, agilidade e aplicabilidade, as avaliações fitossociológicas, uma vez que proporcionaram boa capacidade de detecção das principais plantas daninhas dentro de cada talhão. As técnicas de estatística multivariada demonstraram que os talhões podem ser agrupados de acordo com semelhanças na intensidade da infestação e na composição específica.

Role of the hippocampus in contextual memory after classical aversive conditioning in pigeons (C. livia)

We investigated the effects of hippocampal lesions with ibotenic acid (IBO) on the memory of the sound-context-shock association during reexposure to the conditioning context. Twenty-nine adult pigeons were assigned to a non-lesioned control group (CG, N = 7), a sham-lesioned group (SG, N = 7), a hippocampus-lesioned experimental group (EG, N = 7), and to an unpaired nonlesioned group (tone-alone exposure) (NG, N = 8). All pigeons were submitted to a 20-min session in the conditioning chamber with three associations of sound (1000 Hz, 85 dB, 1 s) and shock (10 mA, 1 s). Experimental and sham lesions were performed 24 h later (EG and SG) when EG birds received three bilateral injections (anteroposterior (A), 4.5, 5.25 and 7.0) of IBO (1 µl and 1 µg/µl) and SG received one bilateral injection (A, 5.25) of PBS. The animals were reexposed to the training context 5 days after the lesion. Behavior was videotaped for 20 min and analyzed at 30-s intervals. A significantly higher percent rating of immobility was observed for CG (median, 95.1; range, 79.2 to 100.0) and SG (median, 90.0; range, 69.6 to 95.0) compared to EG (median, 11.62; range, 3.83 to 50.1) and NG (median, 7.33; range, 6.2 to 28.1) (P<0.001) in the training context. These results suggest impairment of contextual fear in birds who received lesions one day after conditioning and a role for the hippocampus in the modulation of emotional aversive memories in pigeons.

The cognitive subscale of the "Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale" in a Brazilian sample

The cognitive subscale of the "Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale" (ADAS-Cog) is widely used for the evaluation of dementia and is very popular in dementia drug trials because of the characteristics of the scale. The objective of the present study was to adapt the ADAS-Cog for use for the Brazilian population. A major problem is that education is variable, a fact that may influence performance in cognitive evaluation. This study was conducted on a control group (CG) of 96 subjects (25 males and 71 females aged 68 ± 8.6 years) and on 44 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (19 males and 25 females aged 72 ± 6.4 years) with mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating score 1). For statistical analysis groups were divided into three educational levels: I, 0-4 years of schooling (65 CG/20 AD); II, 5-11 years of schooling (19 CG/7 AD), and III, 12 or more years of schooling (12 CG/17 AD). The battery was applied according to original instructions. Total mean score for CG and AD was 10.9 and 22.9 for level I, 7.8 and 22.4 for level II, and 6.2 and 15.4 for level III, respectively. These results indicate that our version of the ADAS-Cog is useful to identify mild dementia, though there may be an overlapping when comparing high education demented with low education non-demented subjects.

Can organic and transgenic soy be used as a substitute for animal protein by rats?

We evaluated the protein quality of organic and transgenic soy fed to rats throughout life. Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into three groups (N = 10): organic soy group (OSG) receiving organic soy-based diet, genetically modified soy group (GMSG) receiving transgenic soy-based diet, and a control group (CG) receiving casein-based diet. All animals received water and isocaloric diet (10% protein), ad libitum for 291 days. After this, the weight of GMSG animals (290.9 ± 9.1 g) was significantly lower (P <= 0.04) than CG (323.2 ± 7.9 g). The weight of OSG (302.2 ± 8.7 g) was between that of the GMSG and the CG. Protein intake was similar for OSG (308.4 ± 6.8 g) and GMSG (301.5 ± 2.5 g), and significantly lower (P <= 0.0005) than the CG (358.4 ± 8.1 g). Growth rate was similar for all groups: OSG (0.80 ± 0.02 g), GMSG (0.81 ± 0.03 g) and CG (0.75 ± 0.02 g). In addition to providing a good protein intake and inducing less weight gain, both types of soy were utilized in a manner similar to that of casein, suggesting that the protein quality of soy is similar to that of the standard protein casein. The groups fed soy-based diet gained less weight, which may be considered to be beneficial for health. We conclude that organic and transgenic soy can be fed throughout life to rats in place of animal protein, because contain high quality protein and do not cause a marked increase in body weight.

L-carnitine as an ergogenic aid for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease submitted to whole-body and respiratory muscle training programs

The effects of adding L-carnitine to a whole-body and respiratory training program were determined in moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Sixteen COPD patients (66 ± 7 years) were randomly assigned to L-carnitine (CG) or placebo group (PG) that received either L-carnitine or saline solution (2 g/day, orally) for 6 weeks (forced expiratory volume on first second was 38 ± 16 and 36 ± 12%, respectively). Both groups participated in three weekly 30-min treadmill and threshold inspiratory muscle training sessions, with 3 sets of 10 loaded inspirations (40%) at maximal inspiratory pressure. Nutritional status, exercise tolerance on a treadmill and six-minute walking test, blood lactate, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory muscle strength were determined as baseline and on day 42. Maximal capacity in the incremental exercise test was significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05). Blood lactate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate at identical exercise levels were lower in CG after training (P < 0.05). Inspiratory muscle strength and walking test tolerance were significantly improved in both groups, but the gains of CG were significantly higher than those of PG (40 ± 14 vs 14 ± 5 cmH2O, and 87 ± 30 vs 34 ± 29 m, respectively; P < 0.05). Blood lactate concentration was significantly lower in CG than in PG (1.6 ± 0.7 vs 2.3 ± 0.7 mM, P < 0.05). The present data suggest that carnitine can improve exercise tolerance and inspiratory muscle strength in COPD patients, as well as reduce lactate production.

Lack of relationship between glycemic control and bone mineral density in type 2 diabetes mellitus

We assessed the effect of chronic hyperglycemia on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone remodeling in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We investigated 42 patients with type 2 diabetes under stable control for at least 1 year, 22 of them with good metabolic control (GMC: mean age = 48.8 ± 1.5 years, 11 females) and 20 with poor metabolic control (PMC: mean age = 50.2 ± 1.2 years, 8 females), and 24 normal control individuals (CG: mean age = 46.5 ± 1.1 years, 14 females). We determined BMD in the femoral neck and at the L2-L4 level (DEXA) and serum levels of glucose, total glycated hemoglobin (HbA1), total and ionic calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, follicle-stimulating hormone, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D), insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI), osteocalcin, procollagen type I C propeptide, as well as urinary levels of deoxypyridinoline and creatinine. HbA1 levels were significantly higher in PMC patients (12.5 ± 0.6 vs 7.45 ± 0.2% for GMC and 6.3 ± 0.9% for CG; P < 0.05). There was no difference in 25-OH-D, iPTH or IGFI levels between the three groups. BMD values at L2-L4 (CG = 1.068 ± 0.02 vs GMC = 1.170 ± 0.03 vs PMC = 1.084 ± 0.02 g/cm²) and in the femoral neck (CG = 0.898 ± 0.03 vs GMC = 0.929 ± 0.03 vs PMC = 0.914 ± 0.03 g/cm²) were similar for all groups. PMC presented significantly lower osteocalcin levels than the other two groups, whereas no significant difference in urinary deoxypyridine was observed between groups. The present results demonstrate that hyperglycemia is not associated with increased bone resorption in type 2 diabetes mellitus and that BMD is not altered in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Impact of marked weight loss induced by bariatric surgery on bone mineral density and remodeling

Data about the impact of bariatric surgery (BS) and subsequent weight loss on bone are limited. The objective of the present study was to determine bone mineral density (BMD), bone remodeling metabolites and hormones that influence bone trophism in premenopausal women submitted to BS 9.8 months, on average, before the study (OGg, N = 16). The data were compared to those obtained for women of normal weight (CG, N = 11) and for obese women (OG, N = 12). Eight patients in each group were monitored for one year, with the determination of BMD, of serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and osteocalcin, and of urinary calcium and deoxypyridinoline. The biochemical determinations were repeated every three months in the longitudinal study and BMD was measured at the end of the study. Parathyroid hormone levels were similar in the three groups. IGF-I levels (CG = 332 ± 62 vs OG = 230 ± 37 vs OGg = 128 ± 19 ng/mL) were significantly lower in the operated patients compared to the non-operated obese women. Only OGg patients presented a significant fall in BMD of 6.2% at L1-L4, of 10.2% in the femoral neck, and of 5.1% in the forearm. These results suggest that the weight loss induced by BS is associated with a significant loss of bone mass even at sites that are not influenced by weight overload, with hormonal factors such as IGF-I being associated with this process.

Apolipoprotein CIII polymorphism and triglyceride levels of a Japanese population living in Southern Brazil

Apolipoprotein CIII (apo-CIII) participates in the regulation of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism. Several polymorphic sites have been detected within and around the apo-CIII gene. Here, we examined the relationship between apo-CIII SstI polymorphism (CC, CG, GG genotypes) and plasma triglyceride (TG) levels in a group of 159 Japanese individuals living in Southern Brazil. The sample was divided into a group of Japanese descendants (N = 51) with high TG (HTG; >200 mg/dL) and a group of Japanese descendants (N = 108) with normal TG (NTG; <200 mg/dL). TG and total cholesterol levels were analyzed by an enzymatic method using the Labtest-Diagnostic kit and high- and low-density lipoproteins by a direct method using the Labtest-Diagnostic kit and DiaSys Diagnostic System International kit, respectively. A 428-bp sequence of apo-CIII gene was amplified using oligonucleotide primers 5' GGT GAC CGA TGG CTT CAG TTC CCT GA 3' and 5' CAG AAG GTG GAT AGA GCG CTG GCC T 3'. The PCR products were digested with a restriction endonuclease SstI. Rare G allele was highly prevalent in our study population (0.416) compared to Caucasians (0.00-0.11). G allele was almost two times more prevalent in the HTG group compared to the NTG group (P < 0.001). The genotype distribution was consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was a significant association between rare G allele and HTG in Japanese individuals living in Southern Brazil as indicated by one-way ANOVA, P < 0.05.