Hydrogen sulfide postconditioning protects isolated rat hearts against ischemia and reperfusion injury mediated by the JAK2/STAT3 survival pathway

The JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway is an important component of survivor activating factor enhancement (SAFE) pathway. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway participates in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) postconditioning, protecting isolated rat hearts from ischemic-reperfusion injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (230-270 g) were divided into 6 groups (N = 14 per group): time-matched perfusion (Sham) group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, NaHS postconditioning group, NaHS with AG-490 group, AG-490 (5 µM) group, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; <0.2%) group. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts, with the exception of the Sham group, were subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by 90 min of reperfusion after 20 min of equilibrium. Heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and the maximum rate of increase or decrease of left ventricular pressure (± dp/dt max) were recorded. Infarct size was determined using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Myocardial TUNEL staining was used as the in situ cell death detection method and the percentage of TUNEL-positive nuclei to all nuclei counted was used as the apoptotic index. The expression of STAT3, bcl-2 and bax was determined by Western blotting. After reperfusion, compared to the I/R group, H2S significantly improved functional recovery and decreased infarct size (23.3 ± 3.8 vs 41.2 ± 4.7%, P < 0.05) and apoptotic index (22.1 ± 3.6 vs 43.0 ± 4.8%, P < 0.05). However, H2S-mediated protection was abolished by AG-490, the JAK2 inhibitor. In conclusion, H2S postconditioning effectively protects isolated I/R rat hearts via activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Association of sulfur dioxide exposure with circulatory system deaths in a medium-sized city in Brazil

There is a demonstrable association between exposure to air pollutants and deaths due to cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of exposure to sulfur dioxide on mortality due to circulatory diseases in individuals 50 years of age or older residing in São José dos Campos, SP. This was a time-series ecological study for the years 2003 to 2007 using information on deaths due to circulatory disease obtained from Datasus reports. Data on daily levels of pollutants, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone, temperature, and humidity were obtained from the São Paulo State Environmental Agency. Moving average models for 2 to 7 days were calculated by Poisson regression using the R software. Exposure to SO2 was analyzed using a unipollutant, bipollutant or multipollutant model adjusted for mean temperature and humidity. The relative risks with 95%CI were obtained and the percent decrease in risk was calculated. There were 1928 deaths with a daily mean (± SD) of 1.05 ± 1.03 (range: 0-6). Exposure to SO2 was significantly associated with mortality due to circulatory disease: RR = 1.04 (95%CI = 1.01 to 1.06) in the 7-day moving average, after adjusting for ozone. There was an 8.5% decrease in risk in the multipollutant model, proportional to a decrease of SO2 concentrations. The results of this study suggest that residents of medium-sized Brazilian cities with characteristics similar to those of São José dos Campos probably have health problems due to exposure to air pollutants.

Pamidronate for the treatment of osteoporosis secondary to chronic cholestatic liver disease in Wistar rats

Osteoporosis is a major complication of chronic cholestatic liver disease (CCLD). We evaluated the efficacy of using disodium pamidronate (1.0 mg/kg body weight) for the prevention (Pr) or treatment (Tr) of cholestasis-induced osteoporosis in male Wistar rats: sham-operated (Sham = 12); bile duct-ligated (Bi = 15); bile duct-ligated animals previously treated with pamidronate before and 1 month after surgery (Pr = 9); bile duct-ligated animals treated with pamidronate 1 month after surgery (Tr = 9). Rats were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. Immunohistochemical expression of IGF-I and GH receptor was determined in the proximal growth plate cartilage of the left tibia. Histomorphometric analysis was performed in the right tibia and the right femur was used for biomechanical analysis. Bone material volume over tissue volume (BV/TV) was significantly affected by CCLD (Sham = 18.1 ± 3.2 vs Bi = 10.6 ± 2.2%) and pamidronate successfully increased bone volume. However, pamidronate administered in a preventive regimen presented no additional benefit on bone volume compared to secondary treatment (BV/TV: Pr = 39.4 ± 12.0; Tr = 41.2 ± 12.7%). Moreover, the force on the momentum of fracture was significantly reduced in Pr rats (Sham = 116.6 ± 23.0; Bi = 94.6 ± 33.8; Pr = 82.9 ± 22.8; Tr = 92.5 ± 29.5 N; P < 0.05, Sham vs Pr). Thus, CCLD had a significant impact on bone histomorphometric parameters and pamidronate was highly effective in increasing bone mass in CCLD; however, preventive therapy with pamidronate has no advantage regarding bone fragility.

Relationship of macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in PBMCs, lesional skin and serum with disease severity and activity in vitiligo vulgaris

Melanocyte loss in vitiligo vulgaris is believed to be an autoimmune process. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is involved in many autoimmune skin diseases. We determined the possible role of MIF in the pathogenesis of vitiligo vulgaris, and describe the relationship between MIF expressions and disease severity and activity. Serum MIF concentrations and mRNA levels in PBMCs were measured in 44 vitiligo vulgaris patients and 32 normal controls, using ELISA and real-time RT-PCR. Skin biopsies from 15 patients and 6 controls were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Values are reported as median (25th-75th percentile). Serum MIF concentrations were significantly increased in patients [35.81 (10.98-43.66) ng/mL] compared to controls [7.69 (6.01-9.03) ng/mL]. MIF mRNA levels were significantly higher in PBMCs from patients [7.17 (3.59-8.87)] than controls [1.67 (1.23-2.42)]. There was also a significant difference in MIF mRNA levels in PBMCs between progressive and stable patients [7.86 (5.85-9.13)vs 4.33 (2.23-8.39)] and in serum MIF concentrations [40.47 (27.71-46.79) vs 26.80 (10.55-36.07) ng/mL]. In addition, the vitiligo area severity index scores of patients correlated positively with changes of both serum MIF concentrations (r = 0.488) and MIF mRNA levels in PBMCs (r = 0.426). MIF mRNA levels were significantly higher in lesional than in normal skin [2.43 (2.13-7.59)vs 1.18 (0.94-1.83)] and in patients in the progressive stage than in the stable stage [7.52 (2.43-8.84)vs 2.13 (1.98-2.64)]. These correlations suggest that MIF participates in the pathogenesis of vitiligo vulgaris and may be useful as an index of disease severity and activity.

Association of adult weight gain and nonalcoholic fatty liver in a cross-sectional study in Wan Song Community, China

Our objective was to examine associations of adult weight gain and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cross-sectional interview data from 844 residents in Wan Song Community from October 2009 to April 2010 were analyzed in multivariate logistic regression models to examine odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between NAFLD and weight change from age 20. Questionnaires, physical examinations, laboratory examinations, and ultrasonographic examination of the liver were carried out. Maximum rate of weight gain, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and alanine transaminase were higher in the NAFLD group than in the control group. HDL-C in the NAFLD group was lower than in the control group. As weight gain increased (measured as the difference between current weight and weight at age 20 years), the OR of NAFLD increased in multivariate models. NAFLD OR rose with increasing weight gain as follows: OR (95%CI) for NAFLD associated with weight gain of 20+ kg compared to stable weight (change <5 kg) was 4.23 (2.49-7.09). Significantly increased NAFLD OR were observed even for weight gains of 5-9.9 kg. For the “age 20 to highest lifetime weight” metric, the OR of NAFLD also increased as weight gain increased. For the “age 20 to highest lifetime weight” metric and the “age 20 to current weight” metric, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) increased as weight gain increased (P<0.001). In a stepwise multivariate regression analysis, significant association was observed between adult weight gain and NAFLD (OR=1.027, 95%CI=1.002-1.055, P=0.025). We conclude that adult weight gain is strongly associated with NAFLD.

Silibinin improves palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes by attenuating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway inhibition

The present study investigated the effect of silibinin, the principal potential anti-inflammatory flavonoid contained in silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans extracted from Silybum marianum seeds, on palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes and its potential molecular mechanisms. Silibinin prevented the decrease of insulin-stimulated 2-NBDG (2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose) uptake and the downregulation of glutamate transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation in C2C12 myotubes induced by palmitate. Meanwhile, silibinin suppressed the palmitate-induced decrease of insulin-stimulated Akt Ser473 phosphorylation, which was reversed by wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). We also found that palmitate downregulated insulin-stimulated Tyr632 phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and up-regulated IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation. These effects were rebalanced by silibinin. Considering several serine/threonine kinases reported to phosphorylate IRS-1 at Ser307, treatment with silibinin downregulated the phosphorylation of both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor-κB kinase β (IKKβ), which was increased by palmitate in C2C12 myotubes mediating inflammatory status, whereas the phosphorylation of PKC-θ was not significantly modulated by silibinin. Collectively, the results indicated that silibinin prevented inhibition of the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, thus ameliorating palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes.

Intensity of swimming exercise influences aortic reactivity in rats

Exercise is known to cause a vasodilatory response; however, the correlation between the vasorelaxant response and different training intensities has not been investigated. Therefore, this study evaluated the vascular reactivity and lipid peroxidation after different intensities of swimming exercise in rats. Male Wistar rats (aged 8 weeks; 250-300 g) underwent forced swimming for 1 h whilst tied to loads of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8% of their body weight, respectively (groups G3, G4, G5, G6 and G8, respectively; n=5 each). Immediately after the test, the aorta was removed and suspended in an organ bath. Cumulative relaxation in response to acetylcholine (10−12-10−4 M) and contraction in response to phenylephrine (10−12-10−5 M) were measured. Oxidative stress was estimated by determining malondialdehyde concentration. The percentages of aorta relaxation were significantly higher in G3 (7.9±0.20), G4 (7.8±0.29), and G5 (7.9±0.21), compared to the control group (7.2±0.04), while relaxation in the G6 (7.4±0.25) and G8 (7.0±0.06) groups was similar to the control group. In contrast, the percentage of contraction was significantly higher in G6 (8.8 ±0.1) and G8 (9.7±0.29) compared to the control (7.1±0.1), G3 (7.3±0.2), G4 (7.2±0.1) and G5 (7.2±0.2%) groups. Lipid peroxidation levels in the aorta were similar to control levels in G3, G4 and G5, but higher in G6 and G8, and significantly higher in G8 (one-way ANOVA). These results indicate a reduction in vasorelaxing activity and an increase in contractile activity in rat aortas after high-intensity exercise, followed by an increase in lipid peroxidation.

Caracterização de propriedades funcionais do isolado protéico de sementes de algaroba (Prosopis juliflora(SW) D.C.). modificado por acetilação

O isolado protéico das sementes de algaroba (Prosopis juliflora (SW) D.C.) foi modificado com anidrido acético nas concentrações de 5, 10, 20 e 30% (V/P), resultando, portanto, nos respectivos graus de modificação: 69,5; 83,2; 89,7 e 91,1% da lisina disponível. Caracterizou-se a funcionalidade do isolado nas formas não modificada e acetilada. O isolado não modificado apresentou alta solubilidade em pH ácido e básico, com exceção da faixa de pH 4 a 6. A acetilação deslocou o ponto isoelétrico das proteínas do pH 5 para o pH 4,5 , diminuiu em pequena extensão a solubilidade abaixo do ponto isoelétrico e aumentou a partir do pH 5, principalmente em pH 7. A capacidade de absorção de água e de óleo do isolado não modificado, que por sua vez se mostrou baixa (1,89 e 1,04g/g proteína), não melhorou satisfatoriamente após a modificação. O efeito de modificação nas propriedades espumantes foi maior com relação ao volume e a expansão da espuma formada do que na sua estabilidade. A capacidade emulsificante do isolado acetilado aumentou em grande extensão, no entanto, a atividade emulsificante e estabilidade de emulsão revelaram pequenos incrementos, em comparação com o isolado não modificado.

Tratamentos de pré-resfriamento e resfriamento sobre a qualidade de carne de peito de frango

O total de 402 frangos foi processado em abatedouro comercial e submetido a seis tratamentos de resfriamento. Inicialmente as carcaças foram pré-resfriadas (PR) por imersão em água e gelo, seguido de resfriamento (R) a -35°C e estocagem a 4°C por 20 horas. Os tratamentos foram: a (0°C/30min, -35°C/3h e 15min), b (10°C/30min, 0°C/30min, -35°C/2h e 45 min), c (10°C/30min, -35°C/3h e 15min), d (20°C/30min, 0°C/30min, -35°C/2h e 45min), e (20°C/30min, -35°C/3h e 15min) e F (20°C/30min, 0°C/3h e 15min). Temperaturas baixas utilizadas após a evisceração aceleraram a instalação do rigor em músculos pectoralis major (PM). Aos 45min post mortem carcaças sem PR (A) ou PR a 10°C (B) tiveram músculo PM com menor (P<0,001) pH (5,75 e 5,81) do que carcaças PR a 20°C (D) (5,95). Às 4h p.m, nos tratamentos A e B as médias de valor R* foram (P<0,05) mais elevadas (1,51 e 1,44) que o no tratamento D (1,32). O teor de luminosidade foi influenciado (P<0,001) pelas temperaturas de R (nos tratamentos A, B e C as médias foram de 48,2; 47,7 e 47,6 e nos tratamentos D e E de 45,5 e 45,7, respectivamente). Os teores de luminosidade mais elevados coincidiram com tratamentos com rápida glicólise post mortem. A perda de peso por cozimento e a força de cisalhamento não revelaram efeito dos tratamentos. * razão entre as absorbâncias de 250nm e 260nm, que avalia a quantidade de monofosfato de inosina (IMP) para trifosfato de adenosina (ATP)

Uso de peróxido de hidrogênio e ácido cítrico na conservação de cogumelos Pleurotus sajor-caju in natura

Os cogumelos comestíveis Pleurotus sajor-caju apresentam uma delicada consistência, alto teor de umidade e aroma característico, sendo comercializados no varejo, preferencialmente in natura. Sua vida útil pode variar entre 2 a 7 dias, em função da umidade relativa e tmperatura de armazenamento. Neste trabalho, os cogumelos frescos foram imersos durante 2 minutos nas soluções de peróxido de hidrogênio, ácido cítrico e água destilada, drenados, acondicionados em bandejas de poliestireno e embalados em filme plástico. As bandejas foram mantidas sob refrigeração a 4°C e avaliou-se a cor, firmeza e variação de massa dos cogumelos no primeiro, quinto e décimo dia de armazenamento, após os tratamentos. Ocorreram perdas de firmeza e massa, bem como o escurecimento dos cogumelos em todos os tratamentos nas avaliações do quinto e décimo dia. Portanto, os tratamentos utilizados não apresentaram resultados satisfatórios na manutenção da firmeza, cor e massa dos cogumelos Pleurotus sajor-caju in natura nas concentrações utilizadas.

Shelf life of irradiated minimally processed (MP) watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

This study was carried out to evaluate the shelf life of minimally processed (MP) watercress exposed to gamma radiation with doses of 1.0; 3.0; 4.0 kGy. Packaged irradiated and non-irradiated MP watercress was subject to sensory analysis. A panel consisting of 25-30 non-trained members, aged 20-55 years, was used. Sensory evaluation was carried out on days 0, 2, 5, 7, 9 and 12 after treatment with packages maintained at 7 °C. The members of the panel rated each sample for overall liking on a hybrid 10 hedonic scale (0 = extremely dislike; 10 = extremely like). Microbiological analyses were also conducted. Compared to the non-irradiated sample, 1 kGy irradiated watercress increased its shelf life by one day (16 days). Shelf lives of samples exposed to higher doses were reduced to 9 days (3 kGy) and 6 days (4 kGy) due to changes in appearance. The microbiological quality was good throughout the experiment.

Qualidade do suco de maracujá-amarelo em diferentes épocas de colheita

A produção de maracujá-amarelo é sazonal e ocorre nas safras de inverno e de verão. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência de duas diferentes épocas de colheita sobre a qualidade do suco dos frutos de maracujá-amarelo, em sete estádios de maturação. Os experimentos foram constituídos de 2 épocas de colheita (EP 1 e EP 2) e 7 estádios de maturação, com 10 repetições. Os resultados foram avaliados pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Na EP 1, marcada por temperaturas mais amenas e menor precipitação total, os frutos apresentaram maior acidez titulável (AT), maior conteúdo de Sólidos Solúveis Totais (SST), maior conteúdo de MS e razão SST/AT, e menor pH até o estádio de amadurecimento com 65% de cor amarela, quando comparados com a EP 2. A partir deste estádio não foi encontrada diferença significativa no conteúdo de SST entre as épocas de colheita, porém o suco dos frutos totalmente maduros apresentou menores conteúdos de matéria seca e da razão SST/AT na EP 1, além de uma acidez mais elevada. Concluiu-se que os maracujás-amarelos podem ser colhidos com 65% de cor amarela da casca na época EP 1, pois não apresentam alterações químicas posteriores, mas na época EP 2 os frutos apresentaram um incremento da razão SST/AT até o estádio maduro.

Características qualitativas de produtos elaborados com carne de frango pálida e normal

Foram elaborados hambúrgueres e filés empanados com peitos de frango pálidos e normais e foram realizadas as seguintes análises de qualidade: cor, Perda de Peso por Cozimento (PPC), cisalhamento, Encolhimento por Fritura (EF), TBA, avaliação microbiológica e sensorial para os hambúrgueres, e TBA, análise microbiológica e análise sensorial para os filés empanados. As amostras de hambúrgueres elaboradas não diferiram significativamente (p > 0,05) nos parâmetros de coloração, EF, PPC e análise microbiológica e sensorial. Para análise de força de cisalhamento, houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) entre os hambúrgueres no período de 7, 60 e 120 dias, sendo que os hambúrgueres elaborados com carne pálida (1,92; 1,31 e 1,46, respectivamente) apresentaram as menores médias quando comparados com os de carne normal (2,34; 1,85 e 1,73, respectivamente). Na análise de TBA, as amostras elaboradas com carne pálida também tiveram os maiores resultados com 90 a 180 dias de estocagem (5,28; 7,78; 8,89; 5,02) quando comparadas às de carne normal (2,62; 7,05; 8,08; 3,89). Para os filés empanados, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) entre a elaboração com carne de coloração normal e pálida para os parâmetros avaliados. Estes resultados demonstram que a carne pálida pode ser utilizada para a elaboração de produtos industrializados sem causar prejuízos em sua qualidade.

Survey of aflatoxins in tomato products

Tomatoes are highly susceptible to fungi contamination in the field, during transportation, processing, and storage. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus have been isolated from tomatoes and tomato products, and both fungi species can produce aflatoxin, mycotoxin with hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects on all animal species tested so far. In order to verify a possible aflatoxin contamination of tomato products commercialized in Brazil, 63 samples of tomato products (pulp, paste, purée, ketchup, dehydrated tomatoes, and dried tomatoes preserved in oil) produced in 5 Brazilian states and 1 imported sample (ketchup), totalizing 29 brands, were analyzed by thin layer chromatography. The analytical method showed an average recovery of 86% for all aflatoxins at two spiking levels. The limits of detection for the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 varied with the type of the product ranging from 2 to 7 µg/kg. Aflatoxins were not detected in any evaluated sample indicating that they did not pose a risk to human health since there was no invasion of raw materials by toxigenic fungi or no conditions for toxin production.

Nutrientes e propriedades funcionais em sementes de abóbora (Cucurbita maxima) submetidas a diferentes processamentos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência dos processamentos térmicos sobre os nutrientes e propriedades funcionais das sementes da abóbora Cucurbita maxima. As sementes foram, em quatro repetições, submetidas aos seguintes processamentos: utilizadas na forma crua; cozidas em água em ebulição por três tempos: 5, 10 e 15 minutos; e cozidas no vapor por 10 minutos. Posteriormente foram liofilizadas, trituradas e armazenadas em temperatura ambiente até a realização das análises de composição centesimal, minerais e propriedades funcionais. Não houve diferença significativa entre os processamentos para os níveis de proteína bruta, fibra alimentar, extrato etéreo, cinzas, S, P, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, solubilidade do nitrogênio (nos pH 4, 5 e 6), absorção de água e óleo, volume de espuma e estabilidade de emulsão. O cozimento em água em ebulição reduziu o teor de K. Todos os processamentos térmicos diminuíram os níveis de Mn e Fe. As sementes cruas apresentaram a maior solubilidade do nitrogênio nos pH 2, 3, 7, 8 e 9. Conclui-se que os processamentos acarretaram diferença significativa apenas nos teores de K, Mn, Fe e solubilidade do nitrogênio; e que as sementes apresentam potencial para serem incorporadas, provavelmente, em alimentos que requeiram elevada taxa de absorção de óleo.