Biochemical and genotoxic effects of a commercial formulation of the herbicide tebuthiuron in Oreochromis niloticus of different sizes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Potential utility of melatonin as an antioxidant therapy in the management of sickle cell anemia

This study aimed to assess antioxidant effects of melatonintreatment compared to N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and to their combination in asickle cell suspension. Sickle erythrocytes were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, composing external control group. They were alsosuspended and incubated at 37°C either in the absence (experimental controlgroup) or in the presence of NAC, melatonin and their combination atconcentrations of 100 pM, 100 nM and 100 lM for 1 hr (treatment groups).The melatonin influences were evaluated by spectrophotometric [hemolysisdegree, catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathioneperoxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase (G6PDH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities] andchromatographic methods [glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)levels]. Incubation period was able to cause a rise about 64% on hemolysisdegree as well as practically doubled the lipid peroxidation levels (P < 0.01).However, almost all antioxidants tested treatments neutralized this incubationeffect observed in MDA levels. Among the antioxidant biomarkers evaluated,we observed a modulating effect of combined treatment on GPx and SODactivities (P < 0.01), which showed ~25% decrease in their activities. Inaddition, we found an antioxidant dose-dependent effect for melatonin onlipid peroxidation (r = 0.29; P = 0.03) and for combined antioxidanttreatments also on MDA levels (r = 0.37; P = 0.01) and on SOD activity(r = 0.54; P < 0.01). Hence, these findings contribute with important insightthat melatonin individually or in combination with NAC may be useful forsickle cell anemia management.

Prostate hyperplasia caused by long-term obesity is characterized by high deposition of extracellular matrix and increased content of MMP-9 and VEGF

Recent studies have shown a positive association of cancer and obesity, but the morphological and molecular mechanisms involved in this relationship are still unknown. This study analysed the impact of long-term obesity on rat prostate, focusing on stromal changes. Male adult Wistar rats were treated with high-fat diet to induce obesity, while the control group received a balanced diet. After 30 weeks of feeding, the ventral prostate was analysed by immunohistochemistry for cell proliferation, smooth muscle α-actin, vimentin, chondroitin sulphate and metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9). The content of androgen receptor (AR), oestrogen receptors (ERs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured by Western blotting, and activity of catalase and Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) were quantified by enzymatic assay. Long-term obesity decreased testosterone plasma levels by 70% and resulted in stromal prostate hyperplasia, as evidenced by increased collagen fibres. Such stromal hyperplasia was associated with increased number of blood vessels and raised VEGF content, and increased expression of chondroitin sulphate, vimentin, α-actin and MMP-9. In spite of the high cell density in prostate, the proliferative activity was lower in the prostates of obese rats, indicating that hyperplasia was established during the early phases in this obesity model. AR levels increased significantly, whereas the ERα decreased in this group. Moreover, the levels of catalase and GST were changed considerably. These findings indicate that long-term obesity, besides disturbing the antioxidant control, causes intense stromal remodelling and release of factors that create an environment that can promote proliferative disorders in the gland, culminating with diffuse hyperplasia.

Expressão de genes no embrião e endosperma durante a germinação de sementes de lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Leishmaniose Visceral canina: Clonagem e expressão das proteínas Lc24 e Lc36 de L. chagasi com potencial aplicação no diagnóstico e desenvolvimento de vacina

Pós-graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia - FCFAR

Biomarker evaluation in fish after prolonged exposure to nano-TiO2: influence of illumination conditions and crystal phase

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of melatonin intake on oxidative stress biomarkers in male reproductive organs of rats under experimental diabetes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Biochemical responses, morphometric changes, genotoxic effects and CYP1A expression in the armored catfish Pterygoplichthys anisitsi after 15 days of exposure to mineral diesel and biodiesel

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Geoffroy's side-necked turtle [Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812), Testudines: Chelidae] as a model for evolutionary ecotoxicology: relationship between environmental contamination, conditions and genetic variability

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

E2 potentializes benzo(a)pyrene-induced hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in Nile tilapia at high concentrations

In the aquatic environment, biotransformation enzymes are established biomarkers for assessing PAH exposure in fish, but little is known about the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on these enzymes during exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). In this study, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed for 3, 5, and 10 days to BaP (300 μg L(-1)) and E2 (5 μg L(-1)). These substances were applied isolated or mixed. In the mixture experiment, fish were analyzed pre- and postexposure in order to better understand whether preexposure to the hormone masks the responses activated by PAH or vice versa. Phase I enzymes ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), pentoxyresorufin-O-depenthylase (PROD), and benzyloxyresorufin-O-debenzylase (BROD) activities as well as the phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) were analyzed. Isolated E2 treatment decreased EROD activity after 3 days, but this enzyme activity returned to control values after 5 and 10 days of exposure. Isolated BaP treatment significantly induced EROD activity after 3 and 5 days, and the activity returned to control levels after ten exposure days. Combined treatment (E2 + Bap) significantly increased EROD activity, both in the pre- and postexposure. This increase was even higher than in the isolated BaP treatment, suggesting a synergism between these two compounds. When E2 and BaP were used singly, they did not change BROD and PROD activities. However, combined treatment (E2 + Bap) significantly increased PROD activity. Isolated BaP treatment increased GST activity after 10 days. However, this response was not observed in the mixture treatment, suggesting that E2 suppressed the GST induction modulated by BaP. The results put together indicated that E2 altered the biotransformation pathway regarding enzymes activated by BaP in Nile tilapia.

Genetic diversity strategy for the management and use of rubber genetic resources: more than 1,000 wild and cultivated accessions in a 100-genotype core collection

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biochemical responses in mussels Perna perna exposed to diesel B5

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The immune system is limited by oxidative stress: dietary selenium promotes optimal antioxidative status and greatest immune defense in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reactive molecules containing oxygen, that form as byproducts of aerobic metabolism, including immune system processes. Too much ROS may cause oxidative stress. In this study, we examined whether it can also limit the production of immune system compounds. To assess the relationship between antioxidant status and immunity we evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with organic selenium, given at various levels for 10 days, on the antioxidant and immune system of the pacu fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Fish fed a diet containing 0.6 mg Se-yeast kg(-1) showed significant improvement in antioxidant status, as well as in hematological and immunological profiles. Specifically, they had the highest counts for catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), red blood cells, and thrombocytes; the highest leukocyte count (particularly for monocytes); and the highest serum lysozyme activity. There was also a positive correlation between GPx and lysozyme in this group of fish. These findings indicate that short-term supplementation with 0.6 mg Se-yeast kg(-1) reestablished the antioxidative status, allowing the production of innate components which can boost immunity without the risk of oxidative stress. This study shows a relationship between oxidative stress and immunity, and, from a practical perspective, shows that improving immunity and health in pacu through the administration of selenium could improve their growth performance.

Avaliação bioquímica e imunohistoquímica dos efeitos subletais do tiametoxam sobre Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação sazonal de alguns parâmetros indicadores da qualidade de água no reservatório da usina hidrelétrica de Ilha Solteira-SP, Brasil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)