Effects of ethanol intake on retinol concentration in the milk of lactating rats

The effect of the consumption of ethanol (5%) on retinol concentration in milk was studied in the rat on day 12 after delivery, together with the evolution of dam body weight and pup growth rate. Female Wistar rats receiving alcohol (5%) in drinking water during lactation (N = 7) were compared to normal controls fed ad libitum (N = 6). The mean maternal alcohol intake was 3.96 ± 0.23 g/kg body weight per day. To determine retinol levels in milk we used the Bessey and Lowry method, modified by Araújo and Flores ((1978) Clinical Chemistry, 24: 386-392). The pups were separated from dams for a 2-4-h period, after which the dams were injected intraperitoneally with anesthetic and oxytocin. The concentration of retinol in milk was 162.88 ± 10.60 µg/dl in the control group and 60.02 ± 8.22 µg/dl in the ethanol group (P<0.05). The ethanol group consumed less food than the controls and lost a significant amount of weight during lactation. On days 8, 10 and 12, the body weight of the pups from rats given ethanol (13.46 ± 0.43, 16.12 ± 0.48 and 18.60 ± 0.91 g, respectively) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the weight of pups from controls (15.2 ± 0.44, 18.36 ± 0.54, 20.77 ± 0.81 g). These data show that ethanol intake during the suckling period, even at low concentrations, decreases the amount of retinol in milk and, therefore, the amount available to the pups.

Comparison of voluntary ethanol intake by two pairs of rat lines used as genetic models of anxiety

The relationship between anxiety-related behaviors and voluntary ethanol intake was examined in two pairs of rat lines by the oral ethanol self-administration procedure. Floripa high (H) and low (L) rats selectively bred for contrasting anxiety responses in the open-field test, and two inbred strains, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Lewis rats which are known to differ significantly when submitted to several behavioral tests of anxiety/emotionality, were used (9-10 animals/line/sex). No differences in the choice of ethanol solutions (2%, days 1-4, and 4%, days 5-8, respectively) in a 2-bottle paradigm were detected between Floripa H and L rats (1.94 ± 0.37 vs 1.61 ± 0.37 g/kg for ethanol intake on day 8 by the Floripa H and L rat lines, respectively). Contrary to expectations, the less anxious SHR rats consumed significantly more ethanol than Lewis rats (respective intake of 2.30 ± 0.45 and 0.72 ± 0.33 g/kg on day 8) which are known to be both addiction-prone and highly anxious. Regardless of strain, female rats consumed more ethanol than males (approximately 46%). The results showed no relationship between high anxiety and voluntary intake of ethanol for Floripa H and L rats. A negative association between these two variables, however, was found for SHR and Lewis rat strains. Data from the literature regarding the association between anxiety and alcohol intake in animal models are not conclusive, but the present results indicate that factors other than increased inborn anxiety probably lead to the individual differences in ethanol drinking behavior.

An improved strategy for evaluating the extent of chronic arterial baroreceptor denervation in conscious rats

There is no index or criterion of aortic barodenervation, nor can we differentiate among rats that have suffered chronic sham, aortic or sino-aortic denervation. The objective of this study was to develop a procedure to generate at least one quantitative, reproducible and validated index that precisely evaluates the extent of chronic arterial barodenervation performed in conscious rats. Data from 79 conscious male Wistar rats of about 65-70 days of age with diverse extents of chronic arterial barodenervation and used in previous experiments were reanalyzed. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the heart rate (HR) of all rats were measured systematically before (over 1 h) and after three consecutive iv bolus injections of phenylephrine (PHE) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Four expressions of the effectiveness of barodenervation (MAP lability, PHE ratio, SNP ratio, and SNP-PHE slope) were assessed with linear fixed models, three-level average variance, average separation among levels, outlier box plot analysis, and overlapping graphic analysis. The analysis indicated that a) neither MAP lability nor SNP-PHE slope was affected by the level of chronic sodium intake; b) even though the Box-Cox transformations of both MAP lability [transformed lability index (TLI)] and SNP-PHE slope [transformed general sensitivity index (TGSI), {((3-(ΔHRSNP-ΔHRPHE/ΔMAPSNP-ΔMAPPHE))-0.4-1)/-0.04597}] could be two promising indexes, TGSI proved to be the best index; c) TLI and TGSI were not freely interchangeable indexes for this purpose. TGSI ranges that permit differentiation between sham (10.09 to 11.46), aortic (8.40 to 9.94) and sino-aortic (7.68 to 8.24) barodenervated conscious rats were defined.

MTP -493G/T gene polymorphism is associated with steatosis in hepatitis C-infected patients

The reduction of hepatic microsomal transfer protein (MTP) activity results in fatty liver, worsening hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The G allele of the MTP gene promoter, -493G/T, has been associated with lower transcriptional activity than the T allele. We investigated this association with metabolic and histological variables in patients with CHC. A total of 174 untreated patients with CHC were genotyped for MTP -493G/T by direct sequencing using PCR. All patients were negative for markers of Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis and autoimmune diseases and had current and past daily alcohol intake lower than 100 g/week. The sample distribution was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Among subjects with genotype 1, 56.8% of the patients with fibrosis grade 3+4 presented at least one G allele versus 34.3% of the patients with fibrosis grade 1+2 (OR = 1.8; 95%CI = 1.3-2.3). Logistic regression analysis with steatosis as the dependent variable identified genotypes GG+GT as independent protective factors against steatosis (OR = 0.4, 95%CI = 0.2-0.8; P = 0.01). The results suggest that the presence of the G allele of MTP -493G/T associated with lower hepatic MTP expression protects against steatosis in our CHC patients.

Évolution du risque cardiométabolique sur une période de quatre ans : étude chez des adultes béninois (Afrique de l’Ouest)

Les objectifs de l’étude de l’évolution du risque cardiométabolique (RCM) sur une période de quatre ans (2006-2010) chez des adultes béninois consistaient à: • Examiner les relations entre l’obésité abdominale selon les critères de la Fédération Internationale du Diabète (IFD) ou l’insulino-résistance mesurée par le Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) et l’évolution des autres facteurs de RCM, • Examiner les liens entre les habitudes alimentaires, l’activité physique et les conditions socio-économiques et l’évolution du RCM évalué conjointement par le score de risque de maladies cardiovasculaires de Framingham (FRS) et le syndrome métabolique (SMet). Les hypothèses de recherche étaient: • L’obésité abdominale telle que définie par les critères de l’IDF est faiblement associée à une évolution défavorable des autres facteurs de RCM, alors que l’insulino-résistance mesurée par le HOMA lui est fortement associée; • Un niveau socioéconomique moyen, un cadre de vie peu urbanisé (rural ou semi-urbain), de meilleures habitudes alimentaires (score élevé de consommation d’aliments protecteurs contre le RCM) et l’activité physique contribuent à une évolution plus favorable du RCM. L’étude a inclus 541 sujets âgés de 25 à 60 ans, apparemment en bonne santé, aléatoirement sélectionnés dans la plus grande ville (n = 200), une petite ville (n = 171) et sa périphérie rurale (n = 170). Après les études de base, les sujets ont été suivis après deux et quatre ans. Les apports alimentaires et l’activité physique ont été cernés par deux ou trois rappels de 24 heures dans les études de base puis par des questionnaires de fréquence simplifiés lors des suivis. Les données sur les conditions socioéconomiques, la consommation d’alcool et le tabagisme ont été recueillies par questionnaire. Des mesures anthropométriques et la tension artérielle ont été prises. La glycémie à jeun, l’insulinémie et les lipides sanguins ont été mesurés. Un score de fréquence de consommation d’« aliments sentinelles » a été développé et utilisé. Un total de 416 sujets ont participé au dernier suivi. La prévalence initiale du SMet et du FRS≥10% était de 8,7% et 7,2%, respectivement. L’incidence du SMet et d’un FRS≥10% sur quatre ans était de 8,2% et 5%, respectivement. Le RCM s’était détérioré chez 21% des sujets. L’obésité abdominale définie par les valeurs seuils de tour de taille de l’IDF était associée à un risque plus élevé d’insulino-résistance: risque relatif (RR) = 5,7 (IC 95% : 2,8-11,5); d’un ratio cholestérol total/HDL-Cholestérol élevé: RR = 3,4 (IC 95% : 1,5-7,3); mais elle n’était pas associée à un risque significativement accru de tension artérielle élevée ou de triglycérides élevés. Les valeurs seuils de tour de taille optimales pour l’identification des sujets accusant au moins un facteur de risque du SMet étaient de 90 cm chez les femmes et de 80 cm chez les hommes. L’insulino-résistance mesurée par le HOMA était associée à un risque élevé d’hyperglycémie: RR = 5,7 (IC 95% : 2,8-11,5). En revanche, l’insulino-résistance n’était pas associée à un risque significatif de tension artérielle élevée et de triglycérides élevés. La combinaison de SMet et du FRS pour l’évaluation du RCM identifiait davantage de sujets à risque que l’utilisation de l’un ou l’autre outil isolément. Le risque de détérioration du profil de RCM était associé à un faible score de consommation des «aliments sentinelles» qui reflètent le caractère protecteur de l’alimentation (viande rouge, volaille, lait, œufs et légumes): RR = 5,6 (IC 95%: 1,9-16,1); et à l’inactivité physique: RR = 6,3 (IC 95%: 3,0-13,4). Les sujets de niveau socioéconomique faible et moyen, et ceux du milieu rural et semi-urbain avaient un moindre risque d’aggravation du RCM. L’étude a montré que les relations entre les facteurs de RCM présentaient des particularités chez les adultes béninois par rapport aux Caucasiens et a souligné le besoin de reconsidérer les composantes du SMet ainsi que leurs valeurs seuils pour les Africains sub-sahariens. La détérioration rapide du RCM nécessité des mesures préventives basées sur la promotion d’un mode de vie plus actif associé à de meilleures habitudes alimentaires.

Toxicomanía: el alcohol y la cultura colombiana

Por medio del siguiente trabajo se busca explorar, a través de una revisión de la literatura, el tema de la toxicomanía teniendo al alcohol como tóxico principal, así como el rol de dicha sustancia dentro de la cultura colombiana, específicamente en jóvenes, esto desde el modelo psicoanalítico. Se tuvo en cuenta entonces, el aporte de autores que desde el psicoanálisis han hecho investigaciones, así como aquellas fuentes disponibles de estudios realizados en Colombia. Se realizó un acercamiento a los conceptos del consumo de sustancias y sus aspectos generales, desde la literatura psicoanalítica existente. Se desarrolló además, la relación entre la cultura y el alcohol, y por último la contextualización de Colombia, los aspectos históricos y culturales relevantes. Se encontró que hay pocas investigaciones en cuanto la relación del alcoholismo y la cultura colombiana desde el psicoanálisis, por lo que consideramos que este documento aporta a la continuación de la investigación.

Carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of urine and faeces as novel nutritional biomarkers of meat and fish intake

Purpose Meat and fish consumption are associated with changes in the risk of chronic diseases. Intake is mainly assessed using self-reporting, as no true quantitative nutritional biomarker is available. The measurement of plasma fatty acids, often used as an alternative, is expensive and time-consuming. As meat and fish differ in their stable isotope ratios, δ13C and δ15N have been proposed as biomarkers. However, they have never been investigated in controlled human dietary intervention studies. Objective In a short-term feeding study, we investigated the suitability of δ13C and δ15N in blood, urine and faeces as biomarkers of meat and fish intake. Methods The dietary intervention study (n = 14) followed a randomised cross-over design with three eight-day dietary periods (meat, fish and half-meat–half-fish). In addition, 4 participants completed a vegetarian control period. At the end of each period, 24-h urine, fasting venous blood and faeces were collected and their δ13C and δ15N analysed. Results There was a significant difference between diets in isotope ratios in faeces and urine samples, but not in blood samples (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.0001). In pairwise comparisons, δ13C and δ15N were significantly higher in urine and faecal samples following a fish diet when compared with all other diets, and significantly lower following a vegetarian diet. There was no significant difference in isotope ratio between meat and half-meat–half-fish diets for blood, urine or faecal samples. Conclusions The results of this study show that urinary and faecal δ13C and δ15N are suitable candidate biomarkers for short-term meat and fish intake.

High plasma uric acid concentration: causes and consequences

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

IGFR-I expression and structural analysis of the hard palatine mucosa in an ethanol-drinking rat strain (UChA and UChB)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Polymorphisms of the TLR2 and TLR4 genes are associated with risk of gastric cancer in a Brazilian population

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

Grading and staging chronic hepatitis C and its relation to genotypes and epidemiological factors in brazilian blood donors

Progression of chronic hepatitis C is known to be associated with some factors, but influence of HCV genotypes is still controversial. Association between HCV genotypes and other risk factors was examined to determine which factors are associated with progression of infection. One hundred consecutive anti-HCV positive volunteer blood donors were evaluated for several risk factors, examined for HCV genotypes, and submitted to hepatic biopsy and biochemical exams.HCV genotyping were carried out in 89 patients and hepatic biopsy in 78. Transmission routes were found to be illicit intravenous drug use (26%), Gluconergan® use in a non-safe manner (48%) and blood transfusion (15%). HCV genotype was 1 in 45%, 3 in 40%, and it was not associated with the stage of fibrosis or with inflammatory activity. There was no significant association of factors related to infection, chronic alcohol use, or duration of illness, with progression of the lesion. There was a significant association of aminotransferase levels and the fibrosis stage. Univariate analysis showed that the age at contamination, patient's age, GT-gamma, and aminotransferase levels over three times the upper normal limits, were associated with fibrosis stages 2 to 4. Multivariate analysis detected age (odds ratio=1.19), and GT-gamma (odds ratio=2.02) as independent factors.

A morphometric ultrastructural study of the seminal vesicle of rats submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism

The effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on the secretory epithelium of the seminal vesicle were studied in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Male adult albino Wistar rats were divided into two groups: alcoholic and control. Tips of the seminal vesicle were removed and prepared for light and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural observations on the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle showed reduced epithelial cell size, decreased apical secretory vacuoles, irregularly shaped nuclei with deep infoldings, increased lipid droplets and dense bodies, a small number of microvilli covering the cell surface, and signs of degeneration. In addition to the hormonal effects, alcohol may act on the secretory epithelium of the seminal vesicle.

Morphological alterations on the prostate of Calomys callosus submitted to chronic ethanol ingestion

The objective of the present study was to assess the possible toxic effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on the ultrastructure of the glandular epithelium of the prostate of the rodent Calomys callosus, in order to contribute to the understanding of the consequences of alcohol abuse for the morphology of the male reproductive apparatus. Sixteen adult animals aged three months were divided into two experimental groups. The control group received a solid diet and tap water, and the alcoholic group received the same solid diet and ethanol P.A. diluted 20% in water (v/v). After 120 days of treatment, all animals were anesthetized, weighed and sacrificed. At the end of treatment, mean body weight did not differ between control and alcoholic animals. The prostate epithelial cells of the alcoholic group showed intense atrophy and ultrastructural alterations such as the presence of lipid droplets, altered nuclei, ruptured mitochondrial cristae, and intense dilatation of the cisterns of the granular endoplasmic reticulum. It was concluded that 20% ethanol provokes marked lesions on the epithelium of the prostate probably interfering on the glandular secretion.

Tabagismo associado a outros fatores comportamentais de risco de doenças e agravos crônicos não transmissíveis

Foram entrevistados via ligação telefônica 1.410 indivíduos, amostra aleatória e representativa da população acima de 18 anos residente em domicílios conectados à rede de telefonia fixa. A prevalência de tabagismo foi de 21,8%, maior em homens (25%) e em indivíduos na faixa entre 18 e 29 anos. Tabagismo e sedentarismo juntos ocorrem em 13,9% dos homens e 14,2% das mulheres; tabagismo e baixo consumo de frutas em 12,9% dos homens e 12,3% das mulheres; e tabagismo e baixo consumo de legumes em 5,8% dos homens e 5,1% das mulheres. A associação de tabagismo e consumo excessivo de álcool foi observada apenas nos homens (em 3,5% deles) e, da mesma forma que verificada para tabagismo isoladamente, sua ocorrência concomitante a outros fatores comportamentais de risco de doenças e agravos crônicos não transmissíveis (DANT) associou-se inversamente à escolaridade. Os dados apontam indícios de efeito de aglomeração entre tabagismo e sedentarismo, tabagismo e álcool em excesso, tabagismo e dieta inadequada, justificando intervenções focadas na prevenção e redução concomitante dos principais fatores comportamentais de risco de DANT.

Monitoramento por entrevistas telefônicas de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas: experiência de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil

Este estudo descreve alguns resultados do sistema de monitoramento de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas por entrevistas telefônicas no Município de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil, 2005. Foi estudada amostra probabilística (n = 2.002) da população adulta servida por linhas telefônicas residenciais fixas. Foram analisadas variáveis comportamentais (consumo alimentar, atividade física, tabagismo e consumo de bebida alcoólica), peso e altura referidos e referência a diagnóstico médico de doenças crônicas. Foram calculadas estimativas de prevalência e valores de qui-quadrado. Observou-se baixo consumo de frutas e hortaliças (47,1%), alta freqüência de inatividade física ocupacional (86,6%), no deslocamento para o trabalho (92,6%) e lazer (61,9%), consumo excessivo de bebidas alcoólicas (23,2%), excesso de peso (36,5%), obesidade (10,6%), hipertensão arterial (22,4%), dislipidemias (18,4%) e diabetes (4,4%). A maioria dos fatores de risco apresentou associação inversa com escolaridade e direta com idade, com diferenças significativas entre sexos (p < 0,05). Observou-se alta prevalência dos fatores de risco de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e de auto-referidas. Aspectos positivos do sistema: baixo custo operacional, possibilidade de monitorar a carga e a tendência das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis no nível local.