Avaliação in vitro e in vivo da Atividade Antioxidante do Extrato Hidroetanólico de Folhas de Turnera ulmifolia Linn. var. elegans (Turneraceae)

Recently, it has been a increasing interest in the antioxidative role of natural products to aid the endogenous protective biological systems against the deleterious effects of oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) reactive species. Many antioxidant compounds, naturally occurring from plant sources. Natural antioxidants can protect and prevent the human body from oxidative stress and retard the progress of many diseases in which free radical are involved. Several plants used in the folk medicine to treat certain disorders that are accompanied by inflammation and other pharmacological properties have been proved their attributed properties, such antioxidant activity. Turnera ulmifolia Linn. var. elegans (Turneraceae), frequently employed by population as a medicinal plant, demonstrated antioxidant activity by in vitro and in vivo assays, using its leaf hydroethanolic extract (10%) he in vitro DPPH radical-scanvenging activity showed a strong antioxidant activity (86.57% ± 0.14), similar to Carduus marianus and catequine effects. For the in vivo assays, adult female Wistar rats (n=48) with carbon tetrachloride hepatic injury induced (2,5mL/kg i.p.) were used, Six groups or rats were uses (n=8) [G1 = control (1,25 mL/kg i.p. vehicle); G2 = CCl4 (2,5 mL/kg i.p.); G3 = CCl4 + extract 7 days (500 mg/kg p.o.); G4 = CCl4 + Legalon® 7 days (50 mg/kg p.o.), G5 = CCl4 + extract 21 days (500 mg/kg p.o.) e G6 = CCl4 + Legalon® 21 days (50 mg/kg p.o.)]. The hepatic oxidative injury was evaluated through biochemical parameters [alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST)] histopathological study, while thiobarbituric acid reactive products (TBAR), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were used to evaluate proantioxidant parameters. The plant extract tested was found effective as hepatoprotective as evidenced by a decreasing in the ALT and AST activities (p<0.001) and TBAR (plasma, p<0.001 and liver, p<0.001). Levels of GSH (blood, p<0.001 and liver, p<0.001) and antioxidant enzymes [CAT erythrocyte (p<0.05) and hepatic (p<0.01); SOD erythrocyte (p<0.001) and hepatic (p<0.001); GPx erythrocyte (p<0.001) and hepatic (p<0.001)] were also significantly increased. Histopathological changes induced by CCl4 were significantly reduced by the extract treatment. The data obtained were comparable to that of Legalon®, a reference hepatoprotective drug. The results showed that T. ulmifolia leaf extract protects against CCl4 induced oxidative damage. Therefore, this effect must be associated to its antioxidant activity, attributed to the phenolic compounds, present in these extract, which can act as free radical scavengers

Avaliação da presença de osteopatia decorremte do diabetes tipo 1 em criança e adolecentes do Rio Grande do Norte

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and osteoposes are chronic diseases with great socioeconomic consequences, mainly due to the late complications and consequent disabilities. The potential effects of DM on bone metabolism remain a very conroversial issue, and disagreement exists with regard to the clinical implications of diabetic osteopenia and the mechanism of its ocurrence. The issue is further complicated by the contribuicion of the especific factors, such as duration of disease an dthe degree of metabolic control. The objective of this study is to identify the osteopathy in children and adolescents with DM 1 assisted in the hospital of pediatrics, UFRN, through biochemical markers of bone and mineral metabolism and the extent of bone mineral density. The study was composed by 74 diabetics type 1 patients (DM1) of both gender and aged 6 to 20 yars. Normoglicêmic group was composed by 97 healthy subjects of both genders, which showed the same age range of DM1, in addition to same socioeconomic class. These individuals qere students from the networks of public education in the city of Natal-RN, randomly invited to paticipate in our study. Both groups DM1 and NG were divided intofour subgroups, according to the classification of tanner , T1, T2, T3, T4 for achieving a benchmark. Diabetic individuals showed up with a poor glycemic control. the group DN1 T4 showed an incresead value for total protein, albumin, urea and microalbumiuria are predictors of grumelura injury in DM1 patients . The total alkaline phosphatase activitywas kept on high levels for both groups because they are in a stature development age. For osteocalcin there were decreased levels for groups Dm1 T1, T2, and T3 when compared to their NG (s), suggesting that this decrease could be associated with reduction in the number and/or differentiation os osteoblasts thereby contributing to reducing bone formation. There were no changes in the activity of TRAP. The serum concentrations of total and ionized calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were included within the RV. It was observed that the BMD (Z- SCORE ) has always been within the RV for both groups, despite to DM1 T4. Taking all together, our results support the hypothesis that children and adolescents with type 1 DM present the risk in the long run to suffer a reduction in the bone mass, associated to poor glicemic control and disease duration. It could limit the bone growth and increase the probality of development of osteopenia, as well as other complications surch as retinopathy and renal failure

Avaliação do estado nutricional relativo ao selênio e da expressão gênica de selenoproteínas em pacientes com aterosclerose tratados com estatinas

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the use of rosuvastatin in patients with atherosclerosis, in relation to blood parameters of selenium and selenoproteins, and also observe possible changes in gene expression of selenoproteins in these patients. The sample consisted of 27 adult and elderly patients with a clinical diagnosis of coronary artery disease undergoing angioplasty, treated at Natal Hospital Center hospital, Natal, RN. Patients were treated with rosuvastatin 10 mg/day during four months. Anthropometric variables such as body mass index (BMI) and Waist circumference (WC) were measured before and after treatment, as well as lipid profile, blood glucose and liver enzymes (AST and ALT). The diet of the patients was also analyzed using 24-hour diet recall. We analyzed the concentrations of selenium in plasma and erythrocytes, and also the activity of Glutathione Peroxidase and gene expression by Real Time PCR of selenoproteins GPx1, SelP1 and SelN1. Patients had mean age of 61.0 ± 9.4 years, 59.3% were men and 40.7% were women. After four months of treatment there was significant reduction of CA and, according to BMI, most were overweight. The intake of macronutrients, cholesterol, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and saturated was adequate, but the energy and fiber intake was below the recommendations. Regarding the selenium intake was observed a high prevalence of inadequacy. As expected, after treatment with rosuvastatin, a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL and glucose, which was not observed for HDL. Selenium concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes showed no changes, keeping within the established cutoffs. We observed a significant increase in GPx enzyme activity and mRNA expression of GPX1 and SEPN1, but not for gene SEPP1. Thus, it was found that treatment with rosuvastatin did not reduce the expression of selenoproteins. More studies are needed to clarify the effects of rosuvastatin on gene expression of selenoproteins in patients with atherosclerosis

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana de sistemas emulsionados contendo óleos naturais para o tratamento de infecções cutâneas

Natural oils have shown a scientific importance due to its pharmacological activity and renewable character. The copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii) and Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana Shaw) oils are used in folk medicine particularly because the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Emulsion could be eligible systems to improve the palatability and fragrance, enhance the pharmacological activities and reduce the toxicological effects of these oils. The aim of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of emulsions based on copaiba (resin-oil and essential-oil) and bullfrog oils against fungi and bacteria which cause skin diseases. Firstly, the essential oil was extracted from copaiba oil-resin and the oils were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Secondly, emulsion systems were produced. A microbiological screening test with all products was performed followed (the minimum inhibitory concentration, the bioautography method and the antibiofilm determination). Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and clinical samples were used. The emulsions based on copaiba oil-resin and essential oil improved the antimicrobial activity of the pure oils, especially against Staphylococcus e Candida resistant to azoles. The bullfrog oil emulsion and the pure bullfrog oil showed a lower effect on the microorganisms when compared to the copaiba samples. All the emulsions showed a significant antibiofilm activity by inhibiting the cell adhesion. Thus, it may be concluded that emulsions based on copaiba and bullfrog oils are promising candidates to treatment of fungal and bacterial skin infections

Avaliação da composição química, atividade antioxidante, antibacteriana, antinoceptiva, antiinflamatória e toxicidade do extrato metanólico e frações de folhas de Spondias sp. (Anacardiaceae)

Spondias sp. (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as cajá-umbu, is an endemic plant from Northeastern Brazil, where their leaves are widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory processes, while their fruits have a great agro industrial potential. This study was designed to evaluate hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the acute toxicity and repeated dose 28, using a methanolic extract (MES), a fraction rich in flavonoids (FRF) and a precipitate from Spondias sp.leaves. The antioxidant activity of them was valued to evaluate their free radical scavenger capacity by DPPH test, whereas MES and FRF were used to evaluate while the preventive action on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Seven groups (n=5) of female Wistar rats were used as follows: control group, CCl4-intoxicated group treated with EMS (500 mg/kg) for 7 days, three CCl4-intoxicated groups treated with FRF (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) for 7 days and the CCl4-intoxicated group treated with Legalon ® (silimarina; (phytotherapeutic reference) (50 mg/kg; 7 days). MES and FRF showed a protective action against liver injury induced by CCl4, being observed a significant reduction of serum enzyme activity marker of liver damage (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase). On the other hand, the lipid peroxidation (SRAT) decrease, as well as the increase of glutathione content and enzyme activity of antioxidant defense system (SOD, CAT, GPx) toward near normal values indicated the ability of EMS to restore the oxidative imbalance induced by CCl4. The histological analysis confirmed the hepatoprotection, compared to degenerative changes in CCl4-treated group. This hepatoprotetor effect was similar to that shown by Legalon®. The in vitro high antioxidant capacity of extract (93.16 ± 1.00%) showed analogous results to those obtained by Carduus marianus BHT (reference standard). This fact explains the obtained results in vivo. Although no antimicrobial activity was detected, EMS and FRF promoted the antinociceptive effect induced in the second phase by the intraplantar formalin test, evidencing the anti-inflammatory action; confirmed by the carrageenan-induced peritonitis model. The evaluation of the mechanical allodynia (CFA a 80%) demonstrated the involvement of the Spondias sp. chemical composition in the anti-inflammatory activity toward the acute processes. The acute exposure and repeated dose during 28 days did not produce significant changes in the parameters that evaluate toxicity. Together the experimental results reveal, that Spondias sp. leaf extracts have a promising potential in pharmaceutical area, and due to its non-toxic condition present efficiency and security

Influência do fotoperíodo e da temperatura na intensidade de doença causada por Fusarium graminearum em Egeria densa e E. najas

Um isolado de Fusarium graminearum vem sendo estudado na UNESP, campus de Jaboticabal, como agente de controle biológico de Egeria densa e de E. najas, plantas aquáticas submersas que causam problemas em reservatórios de hidrelétricas. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos do fotoperíodo e da temperatura no controle dessas plantas em condições de laboratório. A cada dois dias foram avaliados os sintomas nas plantas inoculadas com F. graminearum, atribuindo-se notas de severidade da doença, por um período de oito dias após a inoculação. Também foi avaliado o crescimento das plantas por meio do ganho de massa fresca, expresso em porcentagem. A maior severidade da doença foi observada quando ambas as espécies foram mantidas no escuro, e a menor, em fotoperíodo de 12 horas. A temperatura de 30 ºC proporcionou maior severidade de doença em ambas as espécies. A espécie E. densa apresentou maior produção de massa fresca no regime de 12 horas de luz e de temperaturas abaixo de 25 ºC e menor produção no regime de escuro total e nas temperaturas de 30 e 35 ºC. Por sua vez, E. najas apresentou menor produção de massa fresca no regime de escuro e nas temperaturas de 25 a 35 ºC.

Efeito do uso de probiótico sobre o desempenho e atividade de enzimas digestivas de frangos de corte

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

Atividade microbiana do solo em pomar de laranja em resposta ao cultivo de adubos verdes

Adubos verdes (AVs) são condicionadores do solo utilizados para a melhoria da estrutura e fertilidade do solo. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de Crotalaria spectabilis Roth (crotalária), Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp (guandu) e Brachiaria decumbens Stapf (braquiária) nas propriedades microbiológicas e bioquímicas do solo sob laranjal. As leguminosas foram plantadas nas entrelinhas do laranjal e, após 3 meses, cortadas e lançadas nas entrelinhas. A braquiária, já estabelecida, foi roçada e lançada nas entrelinhas. Após 5 meses, as amostras de solo foram coletadas na entrelinha e na linha, na profundidade de 0-20 cm. O delineamento experimental foi em parcela subdividida. Efeito significativo (p< 0,05%) da aplicação dos AV sobre as contagens de bactérias, as atividades da desidrogenase e nitrificante foram obtidas e aumentaram, em média, de 20, 39 e 190%, respectivamente. O número de fungos diminuiu de 57%. A atividade da urease e a solubilizadora, e os conteúdos de matéria orgânica e umidade não foram influenciados pela aplicação dos AVs. Dentre as plantas, respostas significativas foram obtidas decorrentes do estímulo da atividade da desidrogenase em 57% pelo guandu, da urease em 58% pela braquiária, solubilizadora em 346% pela crotalária e nitrificante em 236% pelo guandu ou braquiária em relação aos demais AVs. Estes resultados sugerem que a aplicação de AVs durante anos consecutivos pode estimular a ação dos microrganismos e melhorar a qualidade do solo.

Atividade tóxica de isolados de Bacillus Thuringiensis a larvas de Aedes Aegypti (l.) (diptera: culicidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Brincar, atividade humana e ferramenta pedagógica no contexto escolar da região metropolitana de natal

This thesis talks about the use of guided educational tools in play and playful in public schools in the Metropolitan Region of Natal (MRN), contributing to the teaching and students learning of basic education in the contents of portuguese and mathematics. We assume that the play is an activity / human need and therefore implies the proper development of children in physical, psychological, biological, cultural, social and historical aspects. We consider the mediation exercised by the teacher in the classroom, and the affection existing between teacher and student, sine qua non terms, so that the truth and fact of the process of teaching and learning occur. Thus, theoretically collaborated Paulo Freire, with his dialogical vision; Lev S. Vygotsky says that we learn and why we develop; Lev S. Vygotsky that states that we learn and for that we develop ourselves; Pierre Bourdieu and the concept of habitus, as something embedded and therefore procedural, and the cultural capital that needs to be fed and (re)meaning at school; Luiz Pereira, Bernard Lahire, Gilles Brougère and others brought their theoretical contributions. The empirical field of research was composed by the Municipal School Professor Ulysses de Góis, located in the neighborhood of Nova Descoberta in Natal, and the Municipal School José Horacio de Góis, located in the community of Guanduba, in São Gonçalo do Amarante, municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Natal (MRN). We used as methodology the collaborative-action-research as a possible of effective participation of the research subjects, imputing them a voice and performance in the process, and not considering them just observers. The results indicate the effectiveness of the pedagogical tools in play and playful to the learning of students, but that alone is not able to solve all the problems of the school, other referrals need to be secured, as the planning of the actions to be developed in the school and in the classroom, systematized pedagogical orienttion for faculty, family participation/involvement in the school life of students, among other actions that need to be weighted so that education fulfills its role and promote the emancipation of the subject, because in the freireana liberating perspective, "the reading of the world preced the lecture of the word"

Obtenção de insumo farmacêutico a partir das folhas de Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl e seu efeito sobre mediadores inflamatórios relevantes para a asma

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Utilização intracoágulo de espuma fibrinolítica - preparação, caracterização e atividade in vitro de uma espuma de estreptoquinase e proposta de uma nova abordagem terapêutica

Foam was developed as a novel vehicle for streptokinase with the purpose of increasing the contact time and area between the fibrinolytic and the target thrombus, which would lead to a greater therapeutic efficacy at lower doses, decreasing the drug s potential to cause bleeding. Fibrinolytic foams were prepared using CO2 and human albumin (at different v:v ratios), as the gas and liquid phases, respectively, and streptokinase at a low total dose (100,000 IU) was used as fibrinolytic agent conveyed in 1 mL of foam and in isotonic saline solution. The foams were characterized as foam stability and apparent viscosity. The thrombolytic effect of the streptokinase foam was determined in vitro as thrombus lysis and the results were compared to those of a fibrinolytic solution (prepared using the same dose of streptokinase) and foam without the fibrinolytic. In vitro tests were conducted using fresh clots were weighed and placed in test tubes kept at 37 ° C. All the samples were injected intrathrombus using a multiperforated catheter. The results showed that both foam stability and apparent viscosity increased with the increase in the CO2:albumin solution ratio and therefore, the ratio of 3:1 was used for the incorporation of streptokinase. The results of thrombus lysis showed that the streptokinase foam presented the highest thrombolytic activity (44.78 ± 9.97%) when compared to those of the streptokinase solution (32.07 ± 3.41%) and the foam without the drug (19.2 ± 7.19%). We conclude that fibrinolytic foam showed statistically significant results regarding the enhancement of the lytic activity of streptokinase compared to the effect of the prepared saline solution, thus it can be a promising alternative in the treatment of thrombosis. However, in vivo studies are needed in order to corroborate the results obtained in vitro

Correlação da atividade de lactato desidrogenase e concentração de lactato com a classificação de efusões em cães

As efusões são problemas clínicos frequentes e que ocorrem em consequência de uma enfermidade que culmine com diminuição da pressão coloidosmótica intravascular, elevação da pressão hidrostática local, aumento da permeabilidade vascular e/ou comprometimento da drenagem realizada pelos vasos linfáticos. Dessa maneira, a avaliação laboratorial desse fluido torna-se relevante para que, em conjunto com os sinais clínicos apresentados pelo paciente, possa ser firmado um possível diagnóstico e instituída ação terapêutica adequada. Assim sendo, a classificação de uma efusão em transudato ou exsudato torna-se um dos pontos críticos para a elucidação do diagnóstico e condução do caso clínico. em Medicina Veterinária, o método tradicional de classificação de uma efusão é baseado na contagem celular e na concentração de proteínas do fluido. Contudo, diversos estudos evidenciam que tais parâmetros não são suficientes para a correta classificação de todas as efusões. Assim, o presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de verificar a correlação de outros parâmetros bioquímicos com a diferenciação das efusões transudativas e exsudativas e, para tal, foram avaliadas as atividades de lacatato desidrogenase (LDH) das efusões, a relação de sua atividade fluido/soro, concentração de lactato das efusões, o gradiente de concentração de lactato do soro para o fluido e a concentração de proteínas das efusões. Os resultados obtidos permitiram observar que a atividade de LDH, a relação LDH efusão/soro, a concentração de lactato e o gradiente de concentração de lactato soro/efusão apresentam diferença estatisticamente significativa (P<0,05), bem como alta correlação com a classificação de uma efusão exsudativa.

Clinical characterization of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy in dogs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)