Low ethanol consumption induces enhancement of insulin sensitivity in liver of normal rats

Moderate amounts of alcohol intake have been reported to have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system and this may involve enhanced insulin sensitivity. We established an animal model of increased insulin sensitivity by low ethanol consumption and here we investigated metabolic parameters and molecular mechanisms potentially involved in this phenomenon. For that, Wistar rats have received drinking water either without (control) or with 3% ethanol for four weeks. The effect of ethanol intake on insulin sensitivity was analyzed by insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), intravenous insulin tolerance test (IVITT) and lipid profile. The role of liver was investigated by the analysis of insulin signaling pathway, GLUT2 gene expression and tissue glycogen content. Rats consuming 3% ethanol showed lower values of HOMA-IR and plasma free fatty acids (FFA) levels and higher hepatic glycogen content and glucose disappearance constant during the IVITT. Neither the phosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), nor its association with phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-kinase), was affected by ethanol. However, ethanol consumption enhanced liver IRS-2 and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation (3 times, P < 0.05), which can be involved in the 2-fold increased (P < 0.05) hepatic glycogen content. The GLUT2 protein content was unchanged. Our findings point out that liver plays a role in enhanced insulin sensitivity induced by low ethanol consumption. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The inhibition of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase as a model for development of novel antimicrobials

EPSP synthase (EPSPS) is an essential enzyme in the shikimate pathway, transferring the enolpyruvyl group of phosphoenolpyruvate to shikimate-3-phosphate to form 5-enolpyruvyl-3-shikimate phosphate and inorganic phosphate. This enzyme is composed of two domains, which are formed by three copies of βαβαββ-folding units; in between there are two crossover chain segments hinging the nearly topologically symmetrical domains together and allowing conformational changes necessary for substrate conversion. The reaction is ordered with shikimate-3-phosphate binding first, followed by phosphoenolpyruvate, and then by the subsequent release of phosphate and EPSP. N-[phosphomethyl]glycine (glyphosate) is the commercial inhibitor of this enzyme. Apparently, the binding of shikimate-3-phosphate is necessary for glyphosate binding, since it induces the closure of the two domains to form the active site in the interdomain cleft. However, it is somehow controversial whether binding of shikimate-3-phosphate alone is enough to induce the complete conversion to the closed state. The phosphoenolpyruvate binding site seems to be located mainly on the C-terminal domain, while the binding site of shikimate-3-phosphate is located primarily in the N-terminal domain residues. However, recent results demonstrate that the active site of the enzyme undergoes structural changes upon inhibitor binding on a scale that cannot be predicted by conventional computational methods. Studies of molecular docking based on the interaction of known EPSPS structures with (R)- phosphonate TI analogue reveal that more experimental data on the structure and dynamics of various EPSPS-ligand complexes are needed to more effectively apply structure-based drug design of this enzyme in the future. © 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Acute phase proteins in canine lymphoma during antineoplastic chemotherapy

The lymphoma is the main hematopoietic tumor in dogs and it is characterized by the proliferation of cells from lymphoid tissue, histiocytes and its precursors. Animals with lymphoma often show changes in biochemical and hematological parameters such as non-regenerative normochromic normocytic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hypocalcaemia and monoclonal gammopathy. The development of tumor can cause alterations in serum concentrations of acute phase proteins (APPs), consequent of hepatocytes stimulus by cytokines of inflammatory action. This study aimed to quantify and qualify APPs in dogs with lymphoma, at diagnosis time and during the time of chemotherapy sessions. After syneresis, centrifugation and fractioning the serum samples of 10 healthy and 10 dogs with lymphomas, the proteins fractions were separated by polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and its concentrations were determined by computer densitometry. Between 18 and 30 proteins were separated by eletrophoresis, with molecular weights ranging from 18 to 245 kDa (kilodaltons). The alpha-1-glicoprotein acid (AGP) and transferrin serum concentration showed significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma, when compared with healthy dogs at diagnosis. The alpha-1-antitripsin (AAT) serum concentrations showed significantly higher in healthy dogs, when compared with dogs with lymphoma at diagnosis. The dogs with lymphoma the albumin did not appear as negative APP. On the other hand, transferrin appeared as positive AAP at diagnosis time and during the chemotherapy sessions. Healthy dogs had AAT serum concentrations significantly higher when compared to dogs with lymphoma at diagnosis. So, in this trial, it is suggested that this protein has been shown as a negative APP in the dogs with lymphoma. These dogs presented significantly higher AGP serum concentrations, in relation to healthy dogs at diagnosis, evidencing this protein APP positive behavior in neoplasm.

Participação da via alfa-2 adrenérgica no controle da secreção do hormônio do crescimento no período prépúbere em novilhas da raça Nelore

This study investigated GH secretion after clonidine (alpha-2 adrenergic agonist) treatment in pre-pubertal Nelore heifers. Clonidine (10 mg/kg, IV, 15 min samples for 4 h) was administrated in the same Nelore heifers at eight (n = 4), 12 (n = 5) and 15 (n = 4) months of age. The GH concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay (sensivity = 0.25 ng/mL, CV = 16%). At eight months, clonidine increased GH average concentration, total area of peaks, the total area of GH secretion and increased peak amplitude and reduced time to onset of peak (P < 0.05). At 15 months, the administration of clonidine increased the GH average concentration and at 12 months the increased occurred only in restricted intervals (P < 0.05). Clonidine injection stimulated GH secretion in prepubertal heifers and this effect was more evident in Nelore heifers at eight months compared to 12 and 15 months of age.

Acute Phase Responses of Different Positions of High-Goal (Elite) Polo Ponies

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute phase response (APR) in 15 horses by quantifying physiological venous blood variables and serum acute phase proteins (APP) at 5 minutes and 6 and 12 hours after a training match of high-goal polo. The horses were divided into three experimental groups based on their team positions, including defense (n = 6), midfield (n = 5), and attack (n = 4). Serum proteinograms were obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Data were evaluated using analysis of variance for repeated measures. The match represented a high-intensity stimulus for all positions. Defenders appeared to use the anaerobic pathway more than the other positions, as shown by their lower pH and greater lactatemia. Alterations in muscle membrane permeability were observed in all horses, as seen by the increase in serum creatine kinase activity without a correlation with APR. Significant elevations in total serum protein, albumin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and 23-kDa protein were seen only during the course of the physical exertion of the match, although there were no differences in these values among positions of the team. After 6 hours of the match, the concentration of transferrin declined, whereas that of alpha-1 acid glycoprotein remained unaltered at all assessed times. These results demonstrated that the defenders required the most use of the anaerobic pathway during the match, and that equestrian polo exercise triggers an acute phase response of relatively short duration; this APR is characterized as noninflammatory, as APR appears to be a physiological alteration related to the stress inherent in physical exercise. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the presence of VEGF, BMP2 and CBFA1 proteins in autogenous bone graft: Histometric and immunohistochemical analysis

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins that participate in the osteoinduction stage (VEGF, BMP2 and CBFA1) of the process of bone regeneration of defects created in rat calvariae and filled with autogenous bone block grafts. Materials and methods: 10 adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar) were used, who received two bone defects measuring 5 mm each in the calvariae. The bone defects constituted two experimental groups (n = 10): Control Group (CONT) (defects filled with a coagulum); Graft Group (GR) (defects filled with autogenous bone removed from the contralateral defect). The animals were submitted to euthanasia at 7 and 30 days post-operatively. Results: Quantitative analysis demonstrated significantly greater bone formation in Group GR, but the presence of the studied proteins was significantly greater in the CONT Group in both time intervals of observation. Conclusion: It was not possible in this study in cortical bone block groups to detect the osteoinductive proteins in a significant amount during the repair process. © 2013 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

Immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia leaves

A possible immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effect of Baccharis dracunculifolia (Bd) and its major compound - caffeic acid (Ca) - on cytokines production (IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-10) by murine macrophages was investigated. Cells were incubated with Bd and Ca, and the inhibitory concentrations were tested before or after macrophages challenge with LPS. Bd and Ca stimulated IL-1b and inhibited IL-6 and IL-10 production. In LPS-challenge protocols, Bd prevented LPS action either before or after LPS challenge, whereas Ca prevented LPS effects only after LPS addition. Bd modulatory action on cytokines production may be at least in part mediated by Ca, since it has been shown to inhibit the transcription factor NF-kB. Further studies are still needed to evaluate Bd efficacy in inflammatory diseases, in order to explore its antiinflammatory activity in vivo. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Efeitos da hidratação sobre a modulação autonômica e parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios durante e após exercício físico de longa duração

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Proteínas de fase aguda no soro sanguíneo e no líquido peritoneal de equinos submetidos à obstrução intestinal experimental

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação do padrão de metilação de regiões promotoras dos genes ESR1, ESR2 e PGR na endometriose profunda intestinal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo sobre o efeito do atenolol na mineralização de dentes e ossos de filhotes de ratas espontaneamente hipertensas (SHR) e normotensas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Condicionamento com ácido cítrico e os efeitos biológicos na aplicação tópica de bFGF e BMP-7 em células relevantes para a regeneração periodontal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise da influência do calço e do movimento de inclinação lateral da coluna vertebral em indivíduos com escoliose idiopática

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

Efeitos biológicos da radioterapia na expressão do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGF) durante a odontotogênese em camundongos (Mus musculus)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fluxo lácteo em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis): aspectos ambientais e genéticos

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV