Ellen Carolina Zawoski Gomes

Background/Objectives: Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa (Be)) consumption, in the form of oil or seed, has been associated with health benefits in both the lean and obese conditions; however, the influence of sex on these effects is unknown. We analyzed the effects of oral Be-oil supplementation on adiposity and glucose homeostasis in hypothalamic obese and lean male and female rodents. Methods: Male and female Wistar rats were submitted to hypothalamic lesions by monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4 g/kg). An equimolar saline solution was administered to lean, or control (CON), rats. The MSG (obese) and CON (lean) males and females were subdivided into Be-oil-supplemented (1 mL/kg; 3 times/week/8 weeks) and non-supplemented (Ns; saline) groups. Food consumption, feed efficiency ratio, body weight, and white and brown adipose tissue (WAT/BAT) content were recorded. Fasting values of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and insulin resistance (IR) were assessed. Results: MSG-obese rats presented increased adiposity, IR, and metabolic dysfunction in both sexes without altering food intake. Independently of sex, long-term oral supplementation with Be-oil did not prevent obesity development and led to reduced feed efficiency. Sex-dependent effects of Be-oil supplementation were noted, with MSG_Be males showing slight improvements in glucose control and insulin responsiveness, despite worsened triglycerides and a reduction in islet number in the pancreas. In contrast, although MSG_Be females presented reduced visceral WAT hypertrophy, IR worsened without alterations in insulin secretion, islet histology, or oral glucose tolerance. Conclusions: In both sexes, oral Be-oil supplementation did not prevent obesity development in MSG-hypothalamic obese rats; however, it exerted sex-dependent metabolic effects, with more positive effects on glucose homeostasis in MSG-obese males.

Oxidative stress is a characteristic of obesity dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease. Copaiba oil‐resin (Co‐resin) is known for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties; however, its effects on the oxidative system of obese rodents are unknown, particularly with regard to potential sex differences. Here, we evaluated the effects of the oral Co‐resin supplementation on plasma and hepatic oxidative parameters in male and female rodents with hypothalamic‐induced obesity. Hypothalamic obesity was induced during the early postnatal days (PND) by monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4 g kg ⁻¹ ) administration, while control (CON) animals received equimolar saline solution. From 30 to 90 PND, MSG, and CON groups (both sexes) were divided into Co‐resin‐supplemented (0.5 mL kg ⁻¹ , three times a week/8 weeks) or non‐supplemented animals. Adiposity, plasma, and hepatic metabolic and oxidative markers were assessed. Hepatic tissue was used for histological analysis. Male and female MSG‐obese rats presented higher adiposity and metabolic dysfunction, associated with reductions in plasma and hepatic antioxidative activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, and catalase. Reduced hepatic glutathione peroxidase was also observed in MSG‐obese rats of both sexes. Moreover, plasma, and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and reactive species were increased in MSG‐obese (male and female) animals. MSG‐obese rats of both sexes displayed abnormal hepatic histopathology and reduced liver superoxide dismutase and catalase contents. Co‐resin oral supplementation effectively restored plasma and hepatic oxidative systems in MSG‐obese males and females without significantly adiposity change. However Co‐resin supplementation had more positive effects on the metabolic parameters of MSG‐obese females, since it restored liver structural abnormalities, plasma triglyceride levels, and insulin responsiveness.

The vagus nerve (VN) and spleen are involved in the anti-inflammatory vagal reflex, which influences the metabolic state, with unknown effects on iron metabolism. Here, we evaluate the impact of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (SV) and splenectomy (SPL) on iron homeostasis in lean and hypothalamic obese male rats after haemolytic anaemia induction. Hypothalamic obesity was induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4 g/kg), administered subcutaneously (s.c.) once every other day from post-natal day 2 (PND2) to PND10. Lean or control (CTRL) rats received equimolar saline (1.25 g/kg; s.c.). On PND60, rats underwent SV, SPL, SV + SPL, or SHAM surgeries. At PND90, haemolytic anaemia was induced by intraperitoneal phenylhydrazine (PHZ; 40 mg/kg). At PND120, the rats were evaluated for adiposity and metabolism, and plasma samples were used to measure iron, hepcidin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation (TSAT). MSG-obese rats exhibited normal amounts of iron and hepcidin (P > 0.05), associated with increased values of TIBC and TSAT (P < 0.05), compared with CTRL rats. SV reduced adiposity in both CTRL and MSG-obese rats without altering iron levels. However, in MSG-obese animals only, the anti-adiposity effects of SV were accompanied by positive effects on metabolism, especially in association with SPL and PHZ (P < 0.05). SV increased TSAT in MSG-obese animals (P < 0.05). PHZ-induced haemolytic anaemia increased the circulating levels of hepcidin (P < 0.05) in MSG-obese rats, with this response being influenced by the VN and spleen. In conclusion, vagal and splenic mechanisms regulate the adiposity and metabolism of MSG-hypothalamic obese rats, modulating hepcidin and iron transport capacity, independently of fluctuations in plasma iron levels.

Disruptions in iron homeostasis are common during obese states and are related to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Exercise exerts well-recognized anti-adiposity and anti-inflammatory effects, besides modulating iron control. The vagus nerve (VN) influences immune and metabolic responses, in a spleen-dependent manner with an unknown impact on iron. Here, we evaluated the effects of the absence of the VN and of the spleen on adiposity, metabolism, and iron homeostasis in non-obese and hypothalamic-obese rats submitted to swimming training. Hypothalamic obesity was induced by the administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4 g/Kg) during the initial postnatal days (PNDs). Non-obese control (CTL) rats received equimolar saline. At PND 60, MSG and CTL were submitted to surgery consisting of bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (Sv), splenectomy (Spl), Sv + Spl, or sham surgery. At PND 80, the rats were subdivided into exercised (Ex) or sedentary (Sd). Exercised rats swam for 30 min/day for 40 days. At PND 120, the growth, adiposity, metabolism, and iron homeostasis of rats were evaluated. Major results indicate that the absence of the VN and spleen favors the anti-adiposity effects of exercise, particularly in MSG-obese rats. In CTL rats, exercise increased plasma iron, in association with changes in iron transport capacity and a reduction in circulating hepcidin levels, a response that is influenced by the VN and spleen. In contrast, in the MSG-obese animals, vagal and splenic absence resulted in increased hepcidin, including following exercise, via a response that is independent of systemic iron fluctuations, suggesting disturbed hepcidin–iron homeostasis during hypothalamic obesity.

O presente estudo avaliou a frequência de obesidade e de síndrome metabólica (SM) em acampados do Movimento Sem Terra (MST) da região Oeste do Paraná. A pesquisa transversal envolveu 109 adultos de 18 a 60 anos residentes em três acampamentos no município de Cascavel-PR. Segundo o índice de massa corpórea (IMC), mais de 70% dos acampados estão acima do peso: 39,45% com sobrepeso, e 32,11%, obesos. Considerando-se obesidade abdominal, alterações metabólicas e de pressão arterial, 37% dos acampados apresentavam SM e 44% estavam com valores elevados de relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), indicando risco cardiovascular. Em conclusão, o estudo demonstrou, pela primeira vez, que há elevada frequência de obesidade e de SM em acampados do MST, o que aponta que as condições socioeconômicas precárias nos acampamentos podem estar elevando a vulnerabilidade à obesidade e a suas comorbidades. Portanto, é urgente estabelecer políticas públicas que incluam educação nutricional, produção de alimentos saudáveis, espaços para atividades físicas, acesso à saúde e cooperação entre órgãos governamentais e comunidades, para o enfrentamento da obesidade e suas comorbidades nas comunidades campesinas do MST.

Introduction: Lung and bronchus cancers are significant public health issues worldwide, accounting for one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Objective: The goal of this study is to describe the epidemiology of lung and bronchus cancer cases in the municipality of Cascavel, Paraná, from 2012 to 2022. Methods: This is a descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective study conducted in the municipality of Cascavel, based on data from Hospital Cancer Registries. Cases of bronchus and lung cancer (category C34 of the International Classification of Diseases - ICD 10) from the ten-year period between 2012 and 2022 were included. Results: The final sample comprised 1,151 patients with lung and bronchus cancer. There was a prevalence of males (61.4%), whites (70.6%), and individuals aged between 60 and 69 years (34.6%). Regarding staging, 55.8% were categorized as stage IV. A total of 501 deaths (53.1%) were recorded during the period. Conclusion: The data presented provide essential information for formulating public health policies and clinical practices aimed at reducing the incidence, diagnosing early, and effectively treating lung cancer.

Esse artigo buscou avaliar a mortalidade por complicações agudas do diabetes mellitus no Estado do Paraná e no Brasil, entre 2012 e 2022. Para isso, foram utilizados dados sobre mortalidade de indivíduos brasileiros, de ambos os sexos, e de todas as faixas etárias, disponíveis no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM), do Ministério da Saúde (DATASUS). Os resultados demonstram que, entre 2012 e 2022, houve aumento da taxa de mortalidade por complicações agudas do diabetes mellitus no Brasil (33,7%), assim como no estado do Paraná (30%). No Paraná, a macrorregião com maior número de óbitos foi a Leste (44,6%), seguido pelas regiões Norte (20,8%) e Noroeste (19,3%). Tanto a nível nacional (19%), como no estado do Paraná (12%), as mulheres apresentaram maior taxa de mortalidade em relação aos homens. Ainda, em ambos cenários, indivíduos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos foram os mais afetados, representando mais de 50% da mortalidade por diabetes. Embora a prevalência do diabetes no Paraná tenha reduzido nos últimos 10 anos, a taxa de mortalidade continua a aumentar. Dessa forma, o desenvolvimento e manutenção de políticas públicas para controle e prevenção do diabetes são de suma importância.

Vagus nerve (VN) and spleen dysfunctions are often associated with obesity (Ob). Aim: We evaluated the effects of VN and spleen ablation on adiposity, metabolism, and insulin secretion in hypothalamic obese male rats. Methods: Ob was induced by neonatal subcutaneous injection of monosodium glutamate (4 g/kg). At 60 days of life, Ob animals were randomly distributed into four groups ( n = 16 rats/group): sham operation (SHAM), vagotomy (VAG), splenectomy (SPL), and VAG + SPL. Body weight and food intake were monitored for 8 weeks postsurgery. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (ipGTT) and intraperitoneal pyruvate tolerance test (ipPTT) were performed at 148 days of life, and VN activity was recorded at 150 days. After euthanasia (150 days), adiposity, plasma biochemical parameters, glucose‐induced insulin secretion (GIIS), and cholinergic and adrenergic islet responsiveness were evaluated. The pancreas was submitted for histopathological analysis, and the protein content of OXPHOS and IL‐10 was evaluated in isolated pancreatic islets. Results: Decreased VN activity was confirmed in the Ob‐VAG groups, associated with lower visceral adiposity, triglycerides, and plasma insulin, together with improved insulin sensibility and pyruvate tolerance, compared to Ob‐SHAM rats. Spleen absence reduced VN activity and cholinergic insulinotropic responses, with deleterious effects on the endocrine pancreas. Furthermore, Ob‐VAG + SPL rats presented greater reductions in GIIS and more severe endocrine pancreas histopathology, compared to the Ob‐SHAM group, without altered islet size or number or protein content of OXPHOS or IL‐10. Conclusion: Vagal and splenic interactions contribute to glucose homeostasis control in hypothalamic obese rats, modulating insulin secretion and pancreas histology.

Establishing a microorganism as an endophyte involves complex molecular interactions with its host plant and a broader microbial community. Precise detection methods and comprehensive metabolite annotation are essential to study these interactions. This study focused on characterizing the chemical composition of metabolites produced by two endophytic fungi, Colletotrichum siamense and Xylaria berteroi, isolated from Tibouchina granulosa leaves in axenic conditions and coculture. We examined the fungal metabolites using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HR‐MS/MS) and analysis tools like Cytoscape and Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking. Co‐cultivation revealed unique compounds not produced in isolation, including N‐acetyltryptamine. A total of 32 compounds were identified, many with biotechnological potential due to their bioactivities. The untargeted metabolomics approach demonstrated that interactions among these T. granulosa endophytes can activate inactive metabolic pathways under axenic conditions, potentially producing novel bioactive molecules. This study is the first study of the chemical profile and interaction between endophytes isolated from T. granulosa.

Objetivo: Avaliar a incidência da obesidade em adolescentes, nos períodos pré e pós-pandemia da COVID-19. Métodos: Estudo realizado a partir da coleta de dados públicos disponíveis no Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (SISVAN), entre os anos de 2012 e 2023, no município de Cascavel, Paraná, Brasil. Resultados: No Brasil, a incidência de sobrepeso e obesidade em adolescentes cresce desde 2012. No período pós pandemia, observa-se aumento de 66% nos casos de obesidade e 109% de obesidade grave. No estado do Paraná, ambos sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade grave aumentaram no período pós-pandemia (52, 109 e 207%, respectivamente). Na cidade de Cascavel, percebem-se variações ao longo dos anos, com aumento significativo de obesidade grave (227%) no período pós-pandemia. Conclusão: O isolamento social, devido à pandemia da COVID-19, pode afetar os hábitos de vida, desencadeando sobrepeso/obesidade.