Ana Lucia Anjos Ferreira

Objective To investigate the effects of lycopene supplementation on inflammation, lung histopathology and systemic DNA damage in an experimentally induced lung injury model, ventilated by conventional mechanical ventilation and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, compared with a control group. Methods Fifty-five rabbits sampled by convenience were supplemented with 10mg/kg lycopene for 21 days prior to the […] ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effects of lycopene supplementation on inflammation, lung histopathology and systemic DNA damage in an experimentally induced lung injury model, ventilated by conventional mechanical ventilation and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, compared with a control group. Methods Fifty-five rabbits sampled by convenience were supplemented with 10mg/kg lycopene for 21 days prior to the […]

André Bruno Façanha de Negreiros (Organizador)

Age-related macular degeneration is the most important cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly and has been considered a severe public health problem. Current treatments have only been successful in delaying the loss of central vision. Due to increased life expectancy, governments and researchers have been challenged to seek more efficient and successful treatments for age-related macular degeneration. Considering its relevance for public health and the need of further research, this article aims to address age-related macular degeneration [...] ABSTRACT Age-related macular degeneration is the most important cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly and has been considered a severe public health problem. Current treatments have only been successful in delaying the loss of central vision. Due to increased life expectancy, governments and researchers have been challenged to seek more efficient and successful treatments for age-related macular degeneration. Considering its relevance for public health and the need of further research, this article aims to address age-related macular degeneration

Chronic kidney disease – mineral and bone disorders (CKD -MBD) tends to improve or to change phenotypically in the post -transplant period. Mineral and bone disorders post -transplantation (MBD -PT) seem to be associated with high fracture risk and cardiovascular morbidity, and so it is necessary to be aware of its presence to minimize the MBD -PT impact. In this article we summarize the features of MBD -PT.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a pathological manifestation with a progressive incidence in response to the epidemic of hepatic steatosis caused primarily by excessive energy intake. The present study unravels affected biological processes and functions by the presence of NASH in rats using a label‐free quantitative proteomic strategy. NASH was induced by a Western high‐sugar and high‐fat diet for 20 weeks. The liver tissue was collected for histology and for a mass spectrometry‐based proteomic protocol. The NASH group showed severe lipidosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and the presence of collagen deposition. Among upregulated proteins in NASH perilipin‐2 (Plin‐2; F6QBA3; difference [diff]: 2.29), ferritin heavy (Fth1; Q66HI5; diff: 2.19) and light (Ftl1; P02793; diff: 1.75) chains, macrophage migration inhibitory factor 1 (Mif; P30904; diff: 1.69), and fibronectin (Fn1; F1LST1; diff: 0.35) were observed, whereas among downregulated proteins, plectin (Q6S399; diff: −3.34), some Cyp2 family proteins of the cytochrome P450 complex, glutathione S‐transferases, flavin‐containing monooxygenase 1 (Fmo1; P36365; diff: −2.08), acetyl‐CoA acetyltransferase 2 (Acat2; Q5XI22; diff: −2.25), acyl‐CoA oxidase 2 (Acox2; F1LNW3; diff: −1.59), and acyl‐CoA oxidase 3 (Acox3; F1M9A7; diff: −2.41) were observed. Also, biological processes and functions such as LPS/IL‐1 inhibition of RXR, fatty acid metabolism, Nrf2‐mediated oxidative stress response, xenobiotic metabolism, and PXR/RXR and CAR/RXR activations were predicted to be affected. In conclusion, the liver of rats with NASH induced by Western diet shows a decreased capacity of metabolizing lipids, fatty acids, and xenobiotic compounds that predispose fibrosis development.

Introduction: Coronaviruses have been shown to infect humans. Such viral types were the causing agents of the outbreaks of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Specific malnutrition leads to deleterious effects on immunity. Thus, the treatment of these deficiencies, both in outpatients and inpatients with suspected SARS-CoV-2, could help the immune system to play its role in an optimal level of defense. Objective: This review aims to discuss the beneficial effects of treatments for specific deficiencies related to vitamins A, D, C, zinc, and selenium. Methods: This is a narrative review. The search included research in electronic databases and manual search for citations in LILACS and MEDLINE, developed between June 2020 and December 2020. Results and Discussion: The immune system undergoes changes throughout life and depends on an adequate supply of nutrients. Some micronutrients of the diet have very specific roles to develop and maintain an effective immune system. The most needed micronutrients to support immunocompetence are vitamins A, C, D, E, B2, B6, B12, folic acid and the minerals zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, and copper. The diet is expected to supply an adequate amount of these nutrients. However, the daily intake of these necessary substances may be greater during infection. This is particularly important in acute respiratory tract infections. Conclusion: This article demonstrates the importance of maintaining a balanced diet, with adequate intake of micronutrients, especially when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The higher consumption of fat and sugar are associated with obesity development and its related diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lycopene is an antioxidant whose protective potential on fatty liver degeneration has been investigated. The aim of this study was to present the therapeutic effects of lycopene on NAFLD related to the obesity induced by a hypercaloric diet. Methods: Wistar rats were distributed in two groups: Control (Co, n = 12) and hypercaloric (Ob, n = 12). After 20 weeks, the animals were redistributed into the control group (Co, n = 6), control group supplemented with lycopene (Co+Ly, n = 6), obese group (Ob, n = 6), and obese group supplemented with lycopene (Ob+Ly, n = 6). Ob groups also received water + sucrose (25%). Animals received lycopene solution (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (corn oil) via gavage for 10 weeks. Results: Animals which consumed the hypercaloric diet had higher adiposity index, increased fasting blood glucose, hepatic and blood triglycerides, and also presented in the liver macro and microvesicular steatosis, besides elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Lycopene has shown therapeutic effects on blood and hepatic lipids, increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), mitigated TNF-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and further improved the hepatic antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Lycopene shows therapeutic potential to NAFLD.

The transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is one of the most important oxidative stress regulator in the human body. Once Nrf2 regulates the expression of a large number of cytoprotective genes, it plays a crucial role in the prevention of several diseases, including age-related disorders. However, the involvement of Nrf2 on these conditions is complex and needs to be clarified. Here, a brief compilation of the Nrf2 enrollment in the pathophysiology of the most common age-related diseases and bring insights for future research on the Nrf2 pathway is described. This review shows a controversial response of this transcriptional factor on the presented diseases. This reinforces the necessity of more studies to investigate modulation strategies for Nrf2, making it a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of age-related disorders.

The high consumption of fat and sugar contributes to the development of obesity and co-morbidities, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dyslipidemia and cardiac dysfunction induced by western diet consumption. Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups and fed ad libitum for 20 weeks with a control diet (Control, n = 12) or a high-sugar and high-fat diet (HSF, n = 12). The HSF group also received water + sucrose (25%). Evaluations included feed and caloric intake; body weight; plasma glucose; insulin; uric acid; HOMA-IR; lipid profile: [total cholesterol (T-chol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL Chol, triglycerides (TG)]; systolic blood pressure, and Doppler echocardiographic. Compared to the control group, animals that consumed the HSF diet presented higher weight gain, caloric intake, feed efficiency, insulin, HOMA-IR, and glucose levels, and lipid profile impairment (higher TG, T-chol, non-HDL chol and lower HDL). HSF diet was also associated with atrial-ventricular structural impairment and systolic-diastolic dysfunction. Positive correlation was also found among the following parameters: insulin versus estimated LV mass (r = 0.90, p = 0.001); non-HDL versus deceleration time (r = 0.46, p = 0.02); TG versus deceleration time (r = 0.50, p = 0.01). In summary, our results suggest cardiac remodeling lead by western diet is associated with metabolic parameters.

Summary Objective: The aim of our study was to assess body composition status and its association with inflammatory profile and extent of intestinal damage in ulcerative colitis patients during clinical remission. Method: This is a cross-sectional study in which body composition data (phase angle [PhA], fat mass [FM], triceps skin fold thickness [TSFt], mid-arm circumference [MAC], mid-arm muscle circumference [MAMC], adductor pollicis muscle thickness [APMt]), inflammatory profile (C-reactive protein [CRP], a1-acid glycoprotein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and disease extent were recorded. Results: The mean age of the 59 patients was 48.1 years; 53.3% were women. Most patients were in clinical remission (94.9%) and 3.4% was malnourished according to body mass index. PhA was inversely correlated with inflammatory markers such as CRP (R=-0.59; p<0.001) and ESR (R=-0.46; p<0.001) and directly correlated with lean mass: MAMC (R=0.31; p=0.01) and APMt (R=0.47; p<0.001). Lean mass was inversely correlated with non-specific inflammation marker (APMt vs. ESR) and directly correlated with hemoglobin values (MAMC vs. hemoglobin). Logistic regression analysis revealed that body cell mass was associated with disease extent (OR 0.92; 95CI 0.87-0.97; p<0.01). Conclusion: PhA was inversely correlated with inflammatory markers and directly correlated with lean mass. Acute inflammatory markers were correlated with disease extent. Body cell mass was associated with disease extent.