Disfunção miocárdica e alterações no trânsito de cálcio intracelular em ratos obesos

Abstract Background: Several mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to cardiac dysfunction in obesity models, such as alterations in calcium (Ca2+) handling proteins and β-adrenergic receptors. Nevertheless, the role of these factors in the development of myocardial dysfunction induced by obesity is still not clear. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether obesity induced by hypercaloric diets results in cardiac dysfunction. Furthermore, it was evaluated whether this functional abnormality in obese rats is related to abnormal Ca2+ handling and the β-adrenoceptor system. Methods: Male 30-day-old Wistar rats were fed with standard food (C) and a cycle of five hypercaloric diets (Ob) for 15 weeks. Obesity was defined as increases in body fat percentage in rats. Cardiac function was evaluated by isolated analysis of the left ventricle papillary muscle under basal conditions and after inotropic and lusitropic maneuvers. Results: Compared with the control group, the obese rats had increased body fat and glucose intolerance. The muscles of obese rats developed similar baseline data, but the myocardial responsiveness to post-rest contraction stimulus and increased extracellular Ca2+ were compromised. There were no changes in cardiac function between groups after β-adrenergic stimulation. Conclusion: Obesity promotes cardiac dysfunction related to changes in intracellular Ca2+ handling. This functional damage is probably caused by reduced cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2) activation via Ca2+ calmodulin kinase. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2011; 97(3) : 232-240).

Influence of sperm motility factors on spermatozoa obtained from diffent epididymal segments

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

Revisão dos procedimentos operacionais padrão da farmácia-escola Prof. Dr. Antonio Alonso Martinez conforme RDC 67/07

O Projeto de Iniciação Científica foi desenvolvido na Farmácia-Escola Prof. Dr. Antônio Alonso Martinez, uma unidade auxiliar da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas da UNESP-Araraquara e que é parte integrante do NAC (Núcleo de Atendimento à Comunidade). Por ser vinculada à uma instituição pública ela serve como modelo para toda a comunidade, além de ser um estabelecimento de ensino, pesquisa e extensão. Por isso, ela tem o compromisso de cumprir com todas as exigências legais de maneira exemplar, garantindo a qualidade dos produtos manipulados. Realizou-se a revisão e adequação dos Procedimentos Operacionais Padrão (POPs) presente no Manual de Boas Práticas de Manipulação da Farmácia-Escola, baseando-se nas diretrizes da RDC 67/07 (Anexo I - Boas Práticas de Manipulação em Farmácia) e também uma inspeção na rotina dos processos envolvidos na manipulação e dispensação dos produtos manipulados. Fez-se a aplicação do Roteiro de Inspeção para Farmácia - Anexo VII da RDC 67/07 com a finalidade de constatar e avaliar o cumprimento das Boas Práticas de Manipulação em Farmácias (BPMF). Verificou-se que a Farmácia-Escola ainda não está em conformidade com todos os critérios estabelecidos pela RDC 67/07, mas que mesmo com as dificuldades enfrentadas para se adequar ela atende à quase todos os itens considerados imprescindíveis. Segundo as farmacêuticas responsáveis, medidas corretivas vêm sendo estudadas para que aos poucos todos os itens constantes na Resolução em questão sejam cumpridos.

Revisão dos procedimentos operacionais padrão da farmácia-escola Prof. Dr. Antonio Alonso Martinez conforme RDC 67/07

O Projeto de Iniciação Científica foi desenvolvido na Farmácia-Escola Prof. Dr. Antônio Alonso Martinez, uma unidade auxiliar da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas da UNESP-Araraquara e que é parte integrante do NAC (Núcleo de Atendimento à Comunidade). Por ser vinculada à uma instituição pública ela serve como modelo para toda a comunidade, além de ser um estabelecimento de ensino, pesquisa e extensão. Por isso, ela tem o compromisso de cumprir com todas as exigências legais de maneira exemplar, garantindo a qualidade dos produtos manipulados. Realizou-se a revisão e adequação dos Procedimentos Operacionais Padrão (POPs) presente no Manual de Boas Práticas de Manipulação da Farmácia-Escola, baseando-se nas diretrizes da RDC 67/07 (Anexo I - Boas Práticas de Manipulação em Farmácia) e também uma inspeção na rotina dos processos envolvidos na manipulação e dispensação dos produtos manipulados. Fez-se a aplicação do Roteiro de Inspeção para Farmácia - Anexo VII da RDC 67/07 com a finalidade de constatar e avaliar o cumprimento das Boas Práticas de Manipulação em Farmácias (BPMF). Verificou-se que a Farmácia-Escola ainda não está em conformidade com todos os critérios estabelecidos pela RDC 67/07, mas que mesmo com as dificuldades enfrentadas para se adequar ela atende à quase todos os itens considerados imprescindíveis. Segundo as farmacêuticas responsáveis, medidas corretivas vêm sendo estudadas para que aos poucos todos os itens constantes na Resolução em questão sejam cumpridos.

Public Speaking in Social Phobia: A Pilot Study of Self-Ratings and Observers' Ratings of Social Skills

Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) differ from controls in the quality of skill-related behaviors displayed during a speech and in overall behavioral adequacy as perceived by observers and by the patients themselves. Design: A total of 18 SAD patients and 18 controls were screened by a diagnostic interview and took part in a 3-minute speech of their own choosing. For each videotaped speech, observers rated the adequacy of the skill-related behaviors and overall performance adequacy. After the experiment, participants were asked to rate their own overall performance adequacy. Results: The results showed that SAD patients exhibited significantly worse voice intonation and fluency of the speech, however no differences were found in global self-ratings. Moreover, the performance evaluations of the SAD group were consistent with the observers, while the controls evaluated their performance lower than the observers. Conclusions: The results are inconsistent with the cognitive model, because patients with SAD did not underestimate their performance. Compared with spontaneous interactions, the clear rules established for such social situations as speeches may result in less cognitive distortion for SAD patients. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Clin. Psychol. 68:397-402, 2012.

Immune receptors and adhesion molecules in human pulmonary leptospirosis

Pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis has been increasingly reported in the last 20 years, being related to the severity and mortality of the disease. The pathogenesis of pulmonary hemorrhage in leptospirosis is not understood. Lung endothelial cells have been proposed as targets in the pathogenesis of lung involvement in leptospirosis through the activation of Toll-like receptor 2 or the complement system, which stimulates the release of cytokines that lead to the activation of adhesion molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of immune pathways and of the intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule and vascular cell adhesion molecule, respectively) in the lungs of patients with pulmonary involvement of leptospirosis. We studied the lungs of 18 patients who died of leptospirosis and compared them with 2 groups of controls: normal and noninfectious hemorrhagic lungs. Using immunohistochemistry and image analysis, we quantified the expression of the C3a anaphylatoxin receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule, and Toll-like receptor 2 in small pulmonary vessels and in the alveolar septa. There was an increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (P <.03) and C3a anaphylatoxin receptor (P <.008) in alveolar septa in the leptospirosis group compared with the normal and hemorrhagic controls. In the vessels of the leptospirosis group, there was an increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (P=.004), vascular cell adhesion molecule (P=.030), and Toll-like receptor 2 (P=.042) compared with the normal group. Vascular cell adhesion molecule expression in vessels was higher in the leptospirosis group compared with the hemorrhagic group (P=.015). Our results indicate that immune receptors and adhesion molecules participate in the phenomena leading to pulmonary hemorrhage in leptospirosis. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparative Genomics of Early-Diverging Brucella Strains Reveals a Novel Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis Pathway

Brucella species are Gram-negative bacteria that infect mammals. Recently, two unusual strains (Brucella inopinata BO1(T) and B. inopinata-like BO2) have been isolated from human patients, and their similarity to some atypical brucellae isolated from Australian native rodent species was noted. Here we present a phylogenomic analysis of the draft genome sequences of BO1(T) and BO2 and of the Australian rodent strains 83-13 and NF2653 that shows that they form two groups well separated from the other sequenced Brucella spp. Several important differences were noted. Both BO1(T) and BO2 did not agglutinate significantly when live or inactivated cells were exposed to monospecific A and Mantisera against O-side chain sugars composed of N-formyl-perosamine. While BO1(T) maintained the genes required to synthesize a typical Brucella O-antigen, BO2 lacked many of these genes but still produced a smooth LPS (lipopolysaccharide). Most missing genes were found in the wbk region involved in O-antigen synthesis in classic smooth Brucella spp. In their place, BO2 carries four genes that other bacteria use for making a rhamnose-based O-antigen. Electrophoretic, immunoblot, and chemical analyses showed that BO2 carries an antigenically different O-antigen made of repeating hexose-rich oligosaccharide units that made the LPS water-soluble, which contrasts with the homopolymeric O-antigen of other smooth brucellae that have a phenol-soluble LPS. The results demonstrate the existence of a group of early-diverging brucellae with traits that depart significantly from those of the Brucella species described thus far. IMPORTANCE This report examines differences between genomes from four new Brucella strains and those from the classic Brucella spp. Our results show that the four new strains are outliers with respect to the previously known Brucella strains and yet are part of the genus, forming two new clades. The analysis revealed important information about the evolution and survival mechanisms of Brucella species, helping reshape our knowledge of this important zoonotic pathogen. One discovery of special importance is that one of the strains, BO2, produces an O-antigen distinct from any that has been seen in any other Brucella isolates to date.

Creatine-induced glucose uptake in type 2 diabetes: a role for AMPK-alpha?

This study focused on understanding the signaling mechanisms leading to GLUT-4 translocation and increased skeletal-muscle glucose uptake that follow creatine (Cr) supplementation in type 2 diabetes (n = 10). AMPK-alpha protein content presented a tendency to be higher (p = 0.06) after Cr supplementation (5 g/d for 12w). The changes in AMPK-alpha protein content significantly related (p < 0.001) to the changes in GLUT-4 translocation (r = 0.78) and Hb1Ac levels (r = -0.68), suggesting that AMPK signaling may be implicated in the effects of supplementation on glucose uptake in type 2 diabetes.

Medium Light and Medium Roast Paper-Filtered Coffee Increased Antioxidant Capacity in Healthy Volunteers: Results of a Randomized Trial

We compared the effects of medium light roast (MLR) and medium roast (MR) paper-filtered coffee on antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in healthy volunteers. In a randomized crossover study, 20 volunteers consumed 482 +/- 61 ml/day of MLR or MR for four weeks. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), oxidized LDL and 8-epi-prostaglandin F2 alpha, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity were measured at baseline and after the interventions. MLR had higher chlorogenic acids-(CGA; 334 mg/150 mL) and less caffeine (231 mg/150 ml) than MR had (210 and 244 mg/150 ml, respectively). MLR also had fewer Maillard reaction products (MRP) than MR had. Compared with baseline, subjects had an increase of 21 and 26 % in TAS, 13 and 13 % in CAT, 52 and 75 % in SOD, and 62 and 49 % in GPx after MLR and MR consumption (P < 0.001), respectively. ORAC increased after MLR (P = 0.004). No significant alteration in lipid peroxidation biomarkers was observed. Both coffees had antioxidant effects. Although MLR contained more CGA, there were similar antioxidant effects between the treatments. MRP may have contributed as an antioxidant. These effects may be important in protecting biological systems and reducing the risk of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Anthropometric, physiological, performance, and nutritional profile of the Brazil National Canoe Polo Team

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological, anthropometric, performance, and nutritional characteristics of the Brazil Canoe Polo National Team. Ten male canoe polo athletes (age 26.7 +/- 4.1 years) performed a battery of tests including assessments of anthropometric parameters, upper-body anaerobic power (Wingate), muscular strength, aerobic power, and nutritional profile. In addition, we characterized heart rate and plasma lactate responses and the temporal pattern of the effort/recovery during a simulated canoe polo match. The main results are as follows: body fat, 12.3 +/- 4.0%; upper-body peak and mean power, 6.8 +/- 0.5 and 4.7 +/- 0.4 W . kg(-1), respectively; 1-RM bench press, 99.1 +/- 11.7 kg; peak oxygen uptake, 44.3 +/- 5.8 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1); total energy intake, 42.8 +/- 8.6 kcal . kg(-1); protein, carbohydrate, and fat intakes, 1.9 +/- 0.1, 5.0 +/- 1.5, and 1.7 +/- 0.4 g . kg(-1), respectively; mean heart rate, 146 +/- 11 beats . min(-1); plasma lactate, 5.7 +/- 3.8 mmol . L-1 at half-time and 4.6 +/- 2.2 mmol . L-1 at the end of the match; effort time (relative to total match time), 93.1 +/- 3.0%; number of sprints, 9.6 +/- 4.4. The results of this study will assist coaches, trainers, and nutritionists in developing more adequate training programmes and dietary interventions for canoe polo athletes.

Seeing with the eyes shut: Neural basis of enhanced imagery following ayahuasca ingestion

The hallucinogenic brew Ayahuasca, a rich source of serotonergic agonists and reuptake inhibitors, has been used for ages by Amazonian populations during religious ceremonies. Among all perceptual changes induced by Ayahuasca, the most remarkable are vivid seeings. During such seeings, users report potent imagery. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging during a closed-eyes imagery task, we found that Ayahuasca produces a robust increase in the activation of several occipital, temporal, and frontal areas. In the primary visual area, the effect was comparable in magnitude to the activation levels of natural image with the eyes open. Importantly, this effect was specifically correlated with the occurrence of individual perceptual changes measured by psychiatric scales. The activity of cortical areas BA30 and BA37, known to be involved with episodic memory and the processing of contextual associations, was also potentiated by Ayahuasca intake during imagery. Finally, we detected a positive modulation by Ayahuasca of BA 10, a frontal area involved with intentional prospective imagination, working memory and the processing of information from internal sources. Therefore, our results indicate that Ayahuasca seeings stem from the activation of an extensive network generally involved with vision, memory, and intention. By boosting the intensity of recalled images to the same level of natural image, Ayahuasca lends a status of reality to inner experiences. It is therefore understandable why Ayahuasca was culturally selected over many centuries by rain forest shamans to facilitate mystical revelations of visual nature. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reduced muscle carnosine content in type 2, but not in type 1 diabetic patients

Carnosine is present in high concentrations in skeletal muscle where it contributes to acid buffering and functions also as a natural protector against oxidative and carbonyl stress. Animal studies have shown an anti-diabetic effect of carnosine supplementation. High carnosinase activity, the carnosine degrading enzyme in serum, is a risk factor for diabetic complications in humans. The aim of the present study was to compare the muscle carnosine concentration in diabetic subjects to the level in non-diabetics. Type 1 and 2 diabetic patients and matched healthy controls (total n = 58) were included in the study. Muscle carnosine content was evaluated by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (3 Tesla) in soleus and gastrocnemius. Significantly lower carnosine content (-45%) in gastrocnemius muscle, but not in soleus, was shown in type 2 diabetic patients compared with controls. No differences were observed in type 1 diabetic patients. Type II diabetic patients display a reduced muscular carnosine content. A reduction in muscle carnosine concentration may be partially associated with defective mechanisms against oxidative, glycative and carbonyl stress in muscle.

Beta-alanine (Carnosyn (TM)) supplementation in elderly subjects (60-80 years): effects on muscle carnosine content and physical capacity

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on exercise capacity and the muscle carnosine content in elderly subjects. Eighteen healthy elderly subjects (60-80 years, 10 female and 4 male) were randomly assigned to receive either beta-alanine (BA, n = 12) or placebo (PL, n = 6) for 12 weeks. The BA group received 3.2 g of beta-alanine per day (2 x 800 mg sustained-release Carnosyn (TM) tablets, given 2 times per day). The PL group received 2 x (2 x 800 mg) of a matched placebo. At baseline (PRE) and after 12 weeks (POST-12) of supplementation, assessments were made of the muscle carnosine content, anaerobic exercise capacity, muscle function, quality of life, physical activity and food intake. A significant increase in the muscle carnosine content of the gastrocnemius muscle was shown in the BA group (+85.4%) when compared with the PL group (+7.2%) (p = 0.004; ES: 1.21). The time-to-exhaustion in the constant-load submaximal test (i.e., TLIM) was significantly improved (p = 0.05; ES: 1.71) in the BA group (+36.5%) versus the PL group (+8.6%). Similarly, time-to-exhaustion in the incremental test was also significantly increased (p = 0.04; ES 1.03) following beta-alanine supplementation (+12.2%) when compared with placebo (+0.1%). Significant positive correlations were also shown between the relative change in the muscle carnosine content and the relative change in the time-to-exhaustion in the TLIM test (r = 0.62; p = 0.01) and in the incremental test (r = 0.48; p = 0.02). In summary, the current data indicate for the first time, that beta-alanine supplementation is effective in increasing the muscle carnosine content in healthy elderly subjects, with subsequent improvement in their exercise capacity.

Creatine but not betaine supplementation increases muscle phosphorylcreatine content and strength performance

We aimed to investigate the role of betaine supplementation on muscle phosphorylcreatine (PCr) content and strength performance in untrained subjects. Additionally, we compared the ergogenic and physiological responses to betaine versus creatine supplementation. Finally, we also tested the possible additive effects of creatine and betaine supplementation. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were assigned to receive betaine (BET; 2 g/day), creatine (CR; 20 g/day), betaine plus creatine (BET + CR; 2 + 20 g/day, respectively) or placebo (PL). At baseline and after 10 days of supplementation, we assessed muscle strength and power, muscle PCr content, and body composition. The CR and BET + CR groups presented greater increase in muscle PCr content than PL ( = 0.004 and = 0.006, respectively). PCr content was comparable between BET versus PL ( = 0.78) and CR versus BET + CR ( = 0.99). CR and BET + CR presented greater muscle power output than PL in the squat exercise following supplementation ( = 0.003 and = 0.041, respectively). Similarly, bench press average power was significantly greater for the CR-supplemented groups. CR and BET + CR groups also showed significant pre- to post-test increase in 1-RM squat and bench press (CR: = 0.027 and < 0.0001; BET + CR: = 0.03 and < 0.0001 for upper- and lower-body assessments, respectively) No significant differences for 1-RM strength and power were observed between BET versus PL and CR versus BET + CR. Body composition did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, we reported that betaine supplementation does not augment muscle PCr content. Furthermore, we showed that betaine supplementation combined or not with creatine supplementation does not affect strength and power performance in untrained subjects.