Adair Roberto Soares Santos

The role of the gut–brain axis is crucial in maintaining homeostasis and regulating neural, hormonal, and immunological activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prebiotics or synbiotics on serum markers related to emotional disorders in individuals with morbid obesity in a triple-blind, randomized trial. The sample consisted of 22 subjects (16 women and 6 men) with a mean age of 41.8 ± 8.5 years and a mean BMI of 47.7 ± 6.8 kg/m². Serum BDNF concentrations decreased significantly after 30 days of prebiotic supplementation (p = 0.017). Serum cortisol concentrations increased in all groups between the evaluated time points, with the increase being statistically significant in the synbiotic-supplemented group (p = 0.028). Serum TNF-α concentrations increased significantly after 30 days of prebiotic supplementation when compared to the group’s baseline (p = 0.035); however, this variation did not produce a significant difference between the groups evaluated after 30 days of supplementation. The results suggest that a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state may be related to the neuroendocrine changes present in emotional disorders, but the absence of significant results in the primary outcomes is possibly due to severe underpowering. Findings from additional secondary outcomes are hypothesis-generating only, requiring confirmation in adequately powered trials.

The role of the gut-brain axis is crucial in maintaining homeostasis and regulating neural, hormonal, and immunological activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prebiotic or synbiotic on serum markers related to emotional disorders in individuals with morbid obesity in a triple-blind randomized trial. The sample consisted of 22 subjects, 16 women and 6 men, with a mean age of 41.8 ± 8.5 years and a mean BMI of 47.7 ± 6.8 kg/m². Serum BDNF concentrations decreased significantly after 30 days of prebiotic supplementation (p=0.017), and when analyzing the difference between the evaluated moments, only this group showed a reduction in this parameter. Serum cortisol concentrations were increased in all groups between the moments evaluated, being statistically significant in the synbiotic supplemented group (p=0.028). Serum TNF-α concentrations increased significantly after 30 days of prebiotic supplementation when compared to the baseline of the group itself (p=0.035): however, this variation did not promote significant difference between the groups evaluated after 30 days of supplementation. The results suggest that low grade chronic inflammatory state may be related to neuroendocrine changes present in emotional disorders, but studies with greater sampling power and correlations with clinical findings are necessary to strengthen this evidence.

The few effective itch treatments in clinical use have attracted attention to plants as possible sources of new drugs. This study investigated the chemical profile, toxicity, and mechanisms involved in the anti-scratching effect of leaf extract of Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret (ACEAs). No signs of toxicity were observed in the toxicological tests performed on Artemia salina and mice. Chemical composition of ACEAs included several phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, and flavonols. ACEAs treatment clearly diminished scratching behaviour induced by substance P, trypsin, and histamine (ID₅₀ = 2.8 ± 0.76 mg/kg). Results indicate the possible participation of NK-1, PAR-2/PAR-4, H1/H4, TRPV1, TRPA1, and PKC receptors. In the proof-of-concept acetone/ether/water (AEW) dry skin model, ACEAs drastically decreased the scratching behaviour. This is the first report showing the anti-scratching action of ACEAs in acute and chronic itch models, which can be considered as a potential source of new phytomedicines.

Is missing (Short communication)

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is an umbrella term encompassing various clinical complaints involving the temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles, and/or associated orofacial structures. Myogenous TMDs are the most frequent cause of chronic orofacial pain. Musculoskeletal pain is commonly associated with myofascial trigger points (MTPs), for which dry needling (DN) is a routine treatment.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a operacionalização do I Webinar NeuroRehab com o tema de “Neurociências com foco em Reabilitação” desenvolvido em meio ao distanciamento social em decorrência dos efeitos da pandemia COVID-19. Métodos Estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, realizado on-line pela plataforma Conference web.RNP, desenvolvido no dia 18 junho de 2020. Nesse projeto de ação extensionista participaram 205 inscritos, 10 experts convidados e três organizadores. Resultados Tendo como tema de conhecimento a neurociência com foco em reabilitação, os pesquisadores [...] RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a operacionalização do I Webinar NeuroRehab com o tema de “Neurociências com foco em Reabilitação” desenvolvido em meio ao distanciamento social em decorrência dos efeitos da pandemia COVID-19. Métodos Estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, realizado on-line pela plataforma Conference web.RNP, desenvolvido no dia 18 junho de 2020. Nesse projeto de ação extensionista participaram 205 inscritos, 10 experts convidados e três organizadores. Resultados Tendo como tema de conhecimento a neurociência com foco em reabilitação, os pesquisadores

The understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in root resorption in deciduous teeth is important to the future development of preventive measures and treatments of this condition. The aim of the present study was to compare the expression and immunostaining of iNOS, MMP-9, OPG and RANKL in the periodontal ligament (PDL) of deciduous teeth with physiologic root resorption (GI), inflammatory pathological root resorption (GII) and permanent teeth (GIII), the negative control. Teeth in GI (n = 10), GII (n = 10) and (GIII) (n = 10) were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis to determine the expression of iNOS, MMP-9, OPG, and RANKL. The immunostaining was analysed by optical density. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test (p < 0.05). The results showed that iNOS, MMP-9 and RANKL expression in the PDL was higher in GII compared to GI and GIII (p < 0.05). Moreover, RANKL expression was higher in GI compared to GIII (p < 0.001), while OPG immunolabelling was lower in GII compared to GI and GIII (p < 0.001). The PDL of deciduous teeth bearing inflammatory processed exhibited upregulation of resorption-associated factors as well as enzymes related to tissue degradation which, in turn explains the exacerbation and greater susceptibility of those teeth to root resorption process.

Adipose tissue accumulation, resulting from the consumption of hypercaloric foods, can cause a dysfunction of the endocrine system. Such endocrine changes can influence the expression of various neurochemicals including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) - associated with cognitive and emotional problems. Here, we investigated the effects of a hypercaloric diet on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in young rats along with concomitant changes in BDNF expression levels in the hippocampus. Eight week-old Wistar rats (n = 20) were divided in: control diet (CD) group which received industrial food (n = 8) and hypercaloric diet (HD) group which received animal fat and soybean oil (n = 12). After 45 days on the diet, the animals were evaluated: body weight and blood biochemical analisys. Changes in mood disposition were evaluated using forced swim test and the elevated plus-maze, whereas hippocampal BDNF expression levels were quantified by ELISA. After 45 weeks, the CD group showed a significant increase in body weight relative to the HD group. However, the HD rats had a body fat percentage and exhibited increased level of the biochemical markers. Furthermore, the animals in the HD group presented increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, as well as reduced response to plus-maze test suggesting a depression- and anxiety-like emotional state. In addition, the HD group also showed lower BDNF expression levels in the hippocampus. This study demonstrates that a hypercaloric diet induced increase in adipose tissue concentration in young rats was associated with reduced hippocampal BDNF expression and resulted in an increase in depression- and anxiety-like behaviors.