Leaf and root extracts of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon), have antihyper-glycemic activity and antioxidant properties. The present study aims to compare the in vivo hepatic antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of yacon leaves and roots in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in terms of their in vitro antioxidant capacity. Rats were treated during 14 days with 1060 mg•Kg −1 root extract or 400 mg•Kg −1 leaf extract. The latter was richer in phenolics and possessed a much higher in vitro antioxidant activity. Both extracts prevented hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. The liver of diabetic rats presented increased levels of protein carbonyls and ROS and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes. Treatment with both root and leaf extracts restored the protein carbonyl levels to normality. The root extract also restored the ROS levels to normality, but the leaf extract was not effective. The root extract was also more effective in restoring the activity of at least two important antioxidant enzymes (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase). In terms of the antioxidant load (which was 17 times lower in the root extract treatment), the in vivo action of the root extract was more effective than the leaf extract in reducing the hepatic oxidative stress that accompanies diabetes.

Cardiac dysfunctions are described in diabetes. However, the role of purinergic neurotransmission in diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the purinergic neurotransmission in isolated atria from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The animals were grouped as control and diabetic with 30 days (D30) and 60 days (D60) after streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The isolated left and right atria were used in functional experiments. The effects of adenosine triphosphate, uridine diphosphate, and adenosine were evaluated on atrial inotropism and chronotropism. The antagonists 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine and pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonate were also used, as blockers of P1 and P2 receptors, respectively. A negative inotropic effect followed by a positive inotropic effect was induced by adenosine triphosphate in isolated atria. This negative inotropic effect was decreased by 25% in left atria of D30. Additionally, the apparent affinity for adenosine was diminished in left atria of D30, suggesting changes in P1 receptor function. No changes were found in the right atria of D30 stimulated by adenosine. The left atria and right atria stimulated by uridine diphosphate showed an increased inotropic effect of 92% and 17%, respectively. No changes were observed in left and right atria of D30 stimulated by uridine diphosphate. Our data showed the involvement of purinergic neurotransmission in diabetes-related cardiovascular changes.

RESUMO:O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ação cicatrizante do extrato hidroetanólico de folhas de Tropaeolum majus em lesões cutâneas em ratos. Para isso foram utilizados 15 ratos Wistar distribuídos em 3 grupos denominados de G7, G14 e G21, de acordo com o período de observação em 7, 14 e 21 dias após o procedimento cirúrgico. Na região dorsal de cada animal foram realizadas duas feridas de 1 cm de diâmetro, sendo a da esquerda tratada com gel base de Carbopol, e a da direita com gel de Tropaeolum majus. Os tratamentos nas lesões ocorreram diariamente nos períodos citados. Realizou-se estudo comparativo entre os dois grupos por meio da análise micro e macroscópica. Observou-se formação de crosta em todas as feridas até o sétimo dia. Na avaliação histológica, as lesões tratadas com o extrato de Tropaeolum majus apresentaram uma menor quantidade de infiltrado inflamatório e de proliferação fibloblástica com relação às lesões tratadas com o gel base e uma maior colageneização bem como mais acentuada angiogênese no 7º, 14º e 21º dia do pós-operatório. Conclui-se que o extrato hidroetanólico de folhas de Tropaeolum majus promoveu melhora do processo de cicatrização por aumento da formação de neovasos e colageneização. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Cicatrização; Plantas Medicinais; Tropaeolum majus. INFLUENCE OF HYDROETHANOLIC EXTRACT FROM THE LEAVES OF Tropaeolum majus FOR TISSUE RESTORATION OF SKIN LESIONS ABSTRACT:The healing activity of the hydroethanolic extract of Tropaeolum majus leaves on rats´ skin lesions is provided. Fifteen Wistar rats were used, distributed in three groups, G7, G14 and G21, according to observation period 7, 14 and 21 days after surgery. Two wounds, diameter 1 cm, on the dorsal region of each animal, were treated with Carbopol gel on the left side and by Tropaeolum majus on the right side. Lesions were treated daily during the periods above. A comparative study was undertaken between the two groups by microand macroscopy. The formation of a wound scab on all wounds up to the seventh day was observed. Histological assessment revealed that lesions treated with Tropaeolum majus extract had a lower inflammatory infiltrate rate and fibroblastic proliferation when compared to lesions treated with gel, coupled to a greater collagenization and deeper angiogenesis on the 7 th , 14 th and 21 st day after surgery. Results showed that hydroethanolic extract of Tropaeolum majus leaves caused a better improvement in the healing process through the increase in the formation of neo-vases and collagenization.

To verify whether high-fat diet prepared from commercial diet plus chocolate, roasted peanuts and corn cookies induces hypercholesterolemia in mice and whether there is any hepatic involvement in this type of animal testing. Swiss mice received a high-fat diet for 15 and 30 days; plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose rates were determined. Hepatic impairment was evaluated by histopathological analysis. Cholesterol levels increased 43% in animals treated with high-fat diet for 30 days. Further, histopathological analysis revealed that treatment of animals for 15 and 30 days produced hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis, respectively. Experimental model is suitable for assessing the action of anti-hypercholesterolemia and the treatment of steatohepatitis.

Among the postoperative complications in the digestive system, the fistulae are the most common ones. The changes resulting from these fistulae are very important, once they can determine the patient's situation and the development of multiple organic failures. This paper reports the case of a patient who had relevant complications after having undergone temporary ileostomy to maintain the colon fistulized. About 90 to 95% of the digestive tract fistulae have spontaneous resolution. In some cases, the general state of the patient compromises the spontaneous closure. In this study, after one month of nutritional support and medicine treatment, the spontaneous closure of the colon fistula did not occur, thus, a surgical intervention was necessary to solve the case.
Dentre as complicações pós-operatórias do aparelho digestório, as fístulas apresentam alta incidência. As alterações decorrentes dessas fístulas são muito importantes, pois podem determinar o agravamento do estado geral do paciente e o desenvolvimento de insuficiências orgânicas múltiplas. O presente trabalho relata o caso de um paciente com complicações relevantes após a realização de uma ileostomia temporária para preservação do cólon fistulizado. A maioria (90-95%) das fístulas do trato digestório tem resolução espontânea; entretanto, em alguns casos, o estado geral do paciente compromete o fechamento espontâneo. No caso em estudo, após um mês de suporte nutricional e tratamento medicamentoso, o fechamento espontâneo da fístula de cólon não ocorreu, sendo necessária a intervenção cirúrgica para resolução do caso

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