Síndrome metabólica: o novo desafio da Nutrição

A síndrome metabólica (SM) consiste em um conjunto de fatores de risco cardiovascular relacionados à obesidade abdominal e à resistência à insulina, refletindo no aumento da glicemia e da pressão arterial e na ocorrência de dislipidemia. Critérios recentes utilizados para a classificação da síndrome consideram a circunferência da cintura e a pressão arterial elevadas, pré-diabetes, hipertrigliceridemia e HDL colesterol reduzido. A SM pode aumentar consideravelmente o risco de desenvolvimento e de mortalidade por doenças e agravos não transmissíveis, como diabetes e doenças cardiovasculares. Sua ocorrência é multifatorial, envolvendo aumento ponderal, alimentação inadequada, inatividade física, predisposição genética e tabagismo. Ações preventivas mostram-se mais efetivas para a diminuição de riscos, quando comparadas ao tratamento de suas consequências, sendo importante a promoção da alimentação saudável, que envolve incentivo ao consumo de fibras e de gorduras insaturadas e moderação das saturadas e trans e de sódio

Lineage divergence detected in the malaria vector Anopheles marajoara (Diptera: Culicidae) in Amazonian Brazil

Background: Cryptic species complexes are common among anophelines. Previous phylogenetic analysis based on the complete mtDNA COI gene sequences detected paraphyly in the Neotropical malaria vector Anopheles marajoara. The ""Folmer region"" detects a single taxon using a 3% divergence threshold. Methods: To test the paraphyletic hypothesis and examine the utility of the Folmer region, genealogical trees based on a concatenated (white + 3' COI sequences) dataset and pairwise differentiation of COI fragments were examined. The population structure and demographic history were based on partial COI sequences for 294 individuals from 14 localities in Amazonian Brazil. 109 individuals from 12 localities were sequenced for the nDNA white gene, and 57 individuals from 11 localities were sequenced for the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Results: Distinct A. marajoara lineages were detected by combined genealogical analysis and were also supported among COI haplotypes using a median joining network and AMOVA, with time since divergence during the Pleistocene (< 100,000 ya). COI sequences at the 3' end were more variable, demonstrating significant pairwise differentiation (3.82%) compared to the more moderate 2.92% detected by the Folmer region. Lineage 1 was present in all localities, whereas lineage 2 was restricted mainly to the west. Mismatch distributions for both lineages were bimodal, likely due to multiple colonization events and spatial expansion (similar to 798 - 81,045 ya). There appears to be gene flow within, not between lineages, and a partial barrier was detected near Rio Jari in Amapa state, separating western and eastern populations. In contrast, both nDNA data sets (white gene sequences with or without the retention of the 4th intron, and ITS2 sequences and length) detected a single A. marajoara lineage. Conclusions: Strong support for combined data with significant differentiation detected in the COI and absent in the nDNA suggest that the divergence is recent, and detectable only by the faster evolving mtDNA. A within subgenus threshold of >2% may be more appropriate among sister taxa in cryptic anopheline complexes than the standard 3%. Differences in demographic history and climatic changes may have contributed to mtDNA lineage divergence in A. marajoara.

Effect of physical exercise on risk factors for chronic diseases in obeses women

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise on body weight reduction. For 12 weeks, 22 obese women (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) were submitted to a physical exercise program. At the beginning and at the final of the program there were evaluated: BMI, waist (WC) and hip circumferences (HC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR); body composition by DEXA; hemoglobin and erythroctye, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, triacylglycerol and blood glucose; aerobic power. At the final of the program, aerobic power, hemoglobin and erythrocyte values were significantly increased, confirming the physical training effects. Related to anthropometric values, only the visceral fat (WC, HC and WHR) were reduced. The exercise shows to be an important supporting in the body weight loss program, not exactly promoting body weight loss, but lowering risk factors to develop chronic diseases.

Antimicrobial drug administration errors identified in Brazilian multicentric study

Medication administration errors (MAE) are the most frequent kind of medication errors. Errors with antimicrobial drugs (AD) are relevant because they may interfere inpatient safety and in the development of microbial resistance. The aim of this study is to analyze the AD errors detected in a Brazilian multicentric study of MAE. It was a devcriptive and explorotory study carried out in clinical units in five Brazilian teaching hospitals. The hospitals were investigated during 30 days. MAE were detected by observation technique. MAE were classified in categories: wrong route(WR), wrong patient(WP), wrong dose(WD) wrong time (WT) and unordered drug (UD). AD with MA E were classified by Anatomical-Therapeutical-Chemical Classification System. AD with narrow therapeutic index (NTI) wet-e identified A descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.5 software. A total of 1500 errors were observed, 277 (18.5%) of them were error with AD. The hopes of AD error were: WT87.7%, QD 6.9%, WR 1.5%, UD 3.2% and WP 0.7%. The number of AD found was 36. The mostly ATC class were fluoroquinolones 13.9%, combinations of penicillin 13.9%, macrolides 8.3% and third-generation cephalosporines 5.6%. The parenteral drug dosage form was associated with 55.6% of AD. 16.7% of AD were NTI. 47.4% of WD and 21.8% WT were with NTI drugs. This study shows that these errors should be considered potential areas for improvement in the medication process and patient safety plus there is requirement to develop rational drug use of AD.

Antioxidant properties in cashew apple byproduct (Anacardium occidentale L.): effect on lipoperoxidation and on the polyunsaturated fatty acids profile in rats

The cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) contains phenolic compounds usually related with antioxidant properties. Then, the aim of this study was to investigate its antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant capacity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the cashew apple pulp (EHAlc.) was assessed for the scavenging of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) by in vitro method and by an in vivo essay. For this essay a 30-day oral (gavage, EHAlc. 200 and 400 mg/kg) study was conducted in Wistar male rats, evaluating hepatic, plasma and brain tissues. In DPPH model, the extract demonstrated antioxidant activity of 95% (largest concentration, 1000 mu g/mL). There were found no relevant peroxidation comparing the treated animals with the control group. However, the treated group presented a lower level of brain lipoperoxidation. Also in the treated animals brain tissue was found the largest amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly docosahexaenoic (DHA). Therqfore, the analyzed extract from cashew apple pulp clone CCP-76 contains effective natural antioxidants, responsible for free radical scavenging in vitro and also for decreasing the brain lipoperoxidation and keeping the PUFAS levels in Wistar rats.

Standardization and determination of photostability of leaf extracts of Pothomorphe umbellata L. Miq (pariparoba) and evaluation of the inhibition in vitro of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in skin

Most researches that have been done until today about the beneficial effects of hariparoha (Pothomorphe umbellata L. Miq) have been done with root extract of this species, but the use in large scale would compromise the sustainable exploration of this natutral resource. In this sense, the utilization of pariparoha leaves, substituting the roots, in the cosmetic industry does not put in risk the existence of the species. In this work the concentration of 4-nerolidyl-cathecol (4-NC) in leaf extract was determined by the analytical methodology validated in our laboratory. The concentration of 4-NC in leaf extract was around 30% less than that of root extract, obtained in the same way. Concerning the study of the photostability of a leaves extract solution containing 4-NC did not demonstrate meaningful alterations in the spectrometry, profile after 2 hours of exposure under UVB radiation, showing its stability under this conditions. Metalloproteinases (MMPs) cure endopeptidases that are zinc-dependent, involved in remodeling extracellular matrix (ECM), that are important in the appearance of typical photoaging wrinkles. In this work the capacity of leaf extract of P. umbellata to inhibit MMP-2 and 9 activities of hairless mouse skin in vitro by zymography gel was also evalutated. The leaf extract (0,1 mg/mL) inhibit in 80% activity of this enzymes, according to the densitometric zymography evaluation.

Organophosphate and carbamate poisonings in the northwest of Parana state, Brazil from 1994 to 2005: clinical and epidemiological aspects

In the present study, clinical and epidemiological aspects of 529 intoxication cases of organophosphate or carbamate pesticides in the northwest of the state of Parana, Brazil, over a twelve-year period (1994-2005), are presented. One hundred-five of 257 patients (40.8%) who attempted suicide were admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs), with an average hospital stay of two days (range 1-40 days). Men corresponded to 56.4% of the cases of suicide attempts and sixteen individuals died. One hundred-forty patients intoxicated due to occupational exposure were all young adults and nine of them were admitted to ICU, with average hospital stays of eight days (range 1-16 days). Of these cases, two patients died. One hundred twenty-four patients intoxicated due to accidental exposure were mainly children and had a hospital average stay of four days. Twenty patients were admitted to the ICU, and one of them died. Overall complications included respiratory failure, convulsions, and aspiration pneumonia. Deliberate ingestion of organophosphates and carbamates Was much more toxic than occupational and accidental exposure. Men aged 15-39 years were the most likely to attempt suicide with these agents and had more prolonged ICU with significant complications and mortality

Capacity of the extracellular matrix of the bone marrow to induce proliferation of myeloid cells in vitro in model of protein malnutrition in mice

The aim of this study was to verify the capacity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) obtained from bone marrow of malnourished mice to sustain survival and to induce the proliferation of myeloid cells. We also verified the capacity of the tests to interact with in vitro hematopoietic cytokines. Male ""Swiss"" mice were submitted to protein malnutrition with a diet contents of 4% casein until they lost 20% of the original weight, while the group-control was kept with a diet content of 14% of casein. The bone marrow was extracted with 1.0 mg of aprotinin/mL in PBS. The proliferation tests were carried out with myeloid cell line FDCP-1, by the colorimetric method of reduction of the MTT. The obtained ECM from nourished and undernourished mice induced cellular proliferation in vitro. Tests performed with Il-3 and GM-CSF cytokines in a concentration of 10 and 500 rho g/mL displayed synergic and regulatory effects respectively. The ECM obtained from the malnourished group submitted to the binding to GM-CSF demonstrated higher cellular proliferation than the ECM obtained from the control group (p<0.05). The results suggest that the alterations in the composition of ECM of bone marrow caused by malnutrition might lead to modification of the GM-CSF activity modulation.

Spectrophotometric determination of fenoterol hydrobromide in pharmaceutical preparations

A simple spectrophotometric method has been developed,for the determination of fenoterol hydrobromide (FH) in tablets, drops and syrup, as the only active principle and associated with ibuprofen. The method is based on the oxidative coupling reaction of the FH with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) and ceric sulphate as oxidant reagent. The mixture of the drug, MBTH and ceric sulfate, in acid medium, produces a red brown color compound, with absorption maximum at 475 nm. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range from 3.0 to 12.0 mu g/mL, with correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the color compound were carefully studied and optimized. The method was applied successfully to assay FH in dosage forms and simulated samples. The coefficient of variation was from 0.25 % to 0.82 % and average recoveries of the standard from 98 % to 102 %. The excipients (tablets and drops) did not interfere in the analysis and the results showed that method can be used for determination of the FH isolated or associated with ibuprofen with precision, accuracy and specificity. In case of syrup, the interference in the analysis suggests a possible reaction between vehicle components with MBTH.

Stability and in vitro penetration study of rutin incorporated in a cosmetic emulsion through an alternative model biomembrane

Rutin is employed as antioxidant and to prevent the capillary fragility and, when incorporated in cosmetic emulsions, it must target the action site. In vitro cutaneous penetration studies through human skin is the ideal situation, however, there are difficulties to obtain and to maintain this tissue viability. Among the membrane models, shed snake skin presents itself as pure stratum corneum, providing barrier function similar to human and it is obtained without the animal sacrifice. The objectives of this research were the development and stability evaluation of a cosmetic emulsion containing rutin and propylene glycol (penetration enhancer) and the evaluation or rutin in vitro cutaneous penetration and retention from the emulsion, employing an alternative model biomembrane. Emulsion was developed with rutin and propylene glycol, both at 5.0% w/w. Active substance presented on the formulation was quantified by a validated spectrophotometric method at 361.0 nm. Rutin Rutin cutaneous penetration and retention was performed in vertical diffusion cells with shed snake skin of Crotalus durissus, as alternative model biomembrane, and distilled water and ethanol 99.5% (1:1), as receptor fluid. The experiment was conducted for six hours, at 37.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C with constant stirring of 300 rpm. Spectrophotometry at 410.0 nm, previously validated, determined the active substance after cutaneous penetration/ retention. Emulsion did not promote rutin cutaneous penetration through C. durissus skin, retaining 0.931 +/- 0.0391 mu g rutin/mg shed snake skin. The referred formulation was chemically stable for 30 days after stored at 25.0 +/- 2.0 degrees C, 5.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 45.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C. In conclusion, it has not been verified the active cutaneous penetration through the model biomembrane, but only its retention on the Crotalus durissus stratum corneum, condition considered stable for 30 days.

In vitro safety assessment of papain on human skin: A qualitative Light and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) study

Papain is a thiol proteolytic enzyme widely used in dermatology that found applications in wound treatment. Recently, papain was also used as absorption enhancer which can modify the peptide/ protein material in the bilayer domain. We investigated papain safety using human skin that was exposed to papain in vitro at different times: 4, 24 and 48 hours. The samples were examined using Light and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to study of the mechanisms involved in enhancer-skin interaction. After 24 hours, changes occurred in corneosomes. However, samples of 48 hours did not show major changes in agreement with the control. These findings indicated that papain could be used safely onto the skin.

Influence of Lactobacillus paracasei and inulin on instrumental texture and sensory evaluation of fresh cream cheese

The influence of the addition of a potential probiotic culture of Lactobacillus paracasei and of the prebiotic fiber inulin on the texture profile and on the sensory evaluation of probiotic and synbiotic fresh cream-cheeses was monitored. Three cheese-making trials were prepared in quintuplicate, all supplemented with a Streptococcus thermophilus starter culture (T1, T2 and T3). L. paracasei subsp. paracasei was added to T1 and T2, and inulin, to T2. The instrumental texture profile was determined after 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of storage of the cheeses. Sensory evaluation was performed after 7 days of storage. The presence of Lactobacillus paracasei in cheeses T1 and T2 and of inulin in cheeses T2 did not alter the texture profile significantly. Cheeses T1 were the least preferred in the sensory evaluation and differed signifcantly from T2 and T3, due to acidic taste, according to panelists. On the other hand, T2 was the most preferred one, though not significantly different from T3. The addition of the prebiotic ingredient inulin to fresh cream cheese processed with a potentially probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei strain resulted in a product with appropriate features and with aggregated functional properties.

Evaluation of physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of different tinctures of barbatimao (Stryphnodendron barbatiman)

As a consequence of the large distribution and use of medicinal plants, the industries are producing products based on plant species in various pharmaceutical forms, which have been commercialized in pharmacies and natural products homes. However, there is no guarantee for the vast majority of these products, as to their effctiveness, safety, and quality, which may cause risks to the health of consumers. There it is important the establishment of standardized protocols of quality control for phytotherapeutic products. Tinctures of barbatimao are available in the Brazilian market proceeding from diverse manufacturers. With the purpose to evaluate the difference between the quality of tinctures of barbatimao proceeding from four manufactures, a comparative study of ph ysico-chenfical andphylocheinical characteristics was carried out. For physico-chemical analysis, the pH, density, dry residue and tannins content were evaluated. The phytochemical analysis was made using thin layer chromatography. The differences observed in physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics had evidenced the lack of standardization in the production of these tinctures.