No abstract

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a natural honeybee product exhibits a spectrum of biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumoral actions. CAPE is also chemopreventive against intestinal, colon and skin cancer. Our aim was to extend the study of its chemoprotective features to the promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis. Male Wistar rats were subjected to a protocol under a modified promotion regimen of the resistant hepatocyte model. The altered hepatic foci (AHF) were quantitatively analyzed by histochemistry and image processing. When given during promotion, CAPE (20 mg/kg) decreased the expression of number and area ␥-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) positive AHF by 91% and 97%, respectively. When GGT expression was analyzed by RT-PCR, CAPE drastically decreased and prevented expression of almost all GGT transcripts at this stage of the carcinogenic process. Glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P), another protein marker for preneoplastic lesions was measured by Western blot and a decrease of 82% was observed. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of CAPE on the expression of nuclear factor NF-B and found an 85% decrease in nuclear localization of the p65 subunit of NF-B; however, their repressor, I B␣ was not modified. Our results showed that CAPE given during promotion in hepatocarcinogenesis protects against induction of GGT-positive AHF, GST-P protein, GGT mRNA expression and translocation of p65. This phenomenon was independent of I B␣ degradation.

Background: Among the epigenetic alterations occurring in cancer, DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation are the focus of intense research because their pharmacological inhibition has shown to produce antineoplastic activity in a variety of experimental models. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined antineoplastic effect of the DNA methylation inhibitor hydralazine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid in a panel of cancer cell lines.

Our results demonstrated that CAPE possesses anti-genotoxic and antineoplastic capabilities, by an anti-oxidative and free-radical scavenging mechanism.

Background. Obesity and pregnancy increase levels of maternal oxidative stress (OS). However, little is known about the maternal, placental, and neonatal OS status. Objective. To analyze the relation between prepregnancy obesity and the expression of OS markers and antioxidant capacity in the fetomaternal unit and their association with dietary intake. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 33 women with singleton, noncomplicated pregnancies. Two groups were formed: women with prepregnancy body mass index (pBMI) within normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n = 18) and women with pBMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, suggestive of obesity (n = 15). Dietary and clinical information was obtained by questionnaire and from clinical records. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured on maternal and cord serum by colorimetric techniques, and placental expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results. Placental GPx4 expression was lower in the group with pBMI suggestive of obesity than in the normal weight group (ß = -0.08, p = 0.03, adjusted for gestational age and magnesium intake). Concentrations of TAC and MDA in maternal and cord blood were not statistically different between groups (p>0.05). Cord MDA concentration was related to maternal MDA concentration (ß = 0.40, p < 0.01), vitamin A intake (tertile 2: ß = -0.04, p = 0.40, tertile 3: ß = 0.13, p = 0.03, vs tertile 1), and placental GPx4 expression (ß = -0.09, p = 0.02). Conclusion. Prepregnancy obesity is associated with a decrease in GPx4 expression in the placenta, which is related to OS in the newborn. The influence of micronutrient intake on OS biomarkers highlights the importance of nutritional assessment during pregnancy and adequate prenatal care.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar el somatotipo en una muestra de futbolistas universitarias de una institución del norte de México, de acuerdo a su posición en el terreno de juego y compararlo contra el somatotipo de un equipo homólogo latinoamericano. Participaron 19 jugadoras de futbol soccer pertenecientes al equipo representativo de una Universidad del norte de México en la temporada competitiva. Las jugadoras fueron clasificadas por su posición en el campo, en tres categorías: defensas, medias y delanteras. Se determinó el somatotipo a partir de 10 variables antropométricas de acuerdo al método Heath & Carter y se comparó con un referente de jugadoras universitarias campeonas en su país pertenecientes a la Pontificia Universidad de Valparaíso (PUCV). La categoría general de las jugadoras universitarias fue endomorfo – mesomorfico con un somatotipo 4.3-3.6-2.0, y con una distancia somatotipica (SAD) entre grupos mayor a una unidad del referente homologo. Las jugadoras evaluadas presentaron un somatotipo similar por posición de juego con un SAD menor a 1, las defensas y medias fueron endomorfo-mesomorfico, mientras que las delanteras endomorfo-mesomorfo. En el grupo evaluado no existieron diferencias significativas por posición de juego, por lo que se hubiera esperado diferencias por las exigencias dentro del terreno de juego. El componente de adiposidad relativa resultó dominante en la muestra evaluada respecto al referente utilizado en el presente estudio, lo que podría ser un factor que influya en el rendimiento deportivo.Abstract: The aim of the present study was to characterize the somatotype of a sample of university female soccer players from an institution in the north of Mexico according to their position on the field, and to compare them against the somatotype of a similar team from Latin America. A total of 19 soccer players from the university representative team participated in the study, developed during the competitive season. The players were classified in three categories based on their position on the field: defenses, midfielders, and forwards. Anthropometric somatotypes were determined using 10 variables according to the Heath & Carter method, and they were compared with those of athletes from the Pontifical University of Valparaíso (PUCV), who are champions in their country. The overall category of the players evaluated was mesomorphic endomorph with a 4.3-3.6-2.0 somatotype, with a difference bigger than 1 unit in the somatotype distance (SAD) with the PUCV reference team. The evaluated players have a similar somatotype according to their position, where SAD does not show bigger difference than 1. Defenses and midfielders presented mesomorphic-endomorph, whereas forwards mesomorph-endomorph somatotype. In the evaluated group, there were no significant differences by position on the field, which is unexpected considering the different requirements of the game per position. The relative adiposity component proved to be dominant in the players from our sample compared to the reference team, which could be a factor that influences sport performance.

Cyclohexanol is a basic industrial chemical widely used because of its versatility as an industrial solvent. No studies have been conducted to evaluate the carcinogenic/co-carcinogenic hazards associated with cyclohexanol exposure. In male Fisher 344 rats liver preneoplastic lesions were induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (150 mg/Kg) i.p., followed by the tumor promoter 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF: 20 mg/kg) orally administered on three consecutive days before partial hepatectomy. The cyclohexanol administration in this hepatocarcinogenesis assay revealed that it has a strong tumor co-promoter potential. There is clear evidence that oxidative stress and the CYP2E1 are components of carcinogenesis. Although no changes in the lipid peroxidation levels were observed between treated and untreated animals, a significant increase in CYP2E1 expression was observed when cyclohexanol was administered 24 h after the last 2-AAF dose. On the other hand, levels of the proliferation markers PCNA and Ki-67 were not increased after treatment with cyclohexanol, but a marked downregulation of the Bax proapoptotic protein was found exclusively in mitochondrial extracts of animals treated with cyclohexanol. This study represents the first report of the ability of cyclohexanol-induced lesions, when administered simultaneously with 2-AAF, to potentiate the development of preneoplastic liver.

El dolor muscular tardío (DMT) es uno de los indicadores del daño muscular y regularmente está asociado con la realización de una actividad física desacostumbrada. A través de los años se han buscado diversas formas de contrarrestarlo, entre ellas se encuentra el uso los suplementos nutricionales. Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad de los suplementos nutricionales en la prevención y tratamiento del DMT. Método: Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos PubMeb, Scopus, SportDiscus y Web of Science, las palabras utilizadas para la búsqueda fueron delayed onset muscle soreness y exercise induced muscle damage combinadas con prevention y/o treatment. Resultados: Se identificaron 1257 estudios de los cuales 43 cumplieron con los criterios establecidos para ser incluidos en la revisión. Los principales suplementos usados son la leche, los ácidos grasos Omega 3 y la curcumina. Del total de estudios analizados, en el 46 % hubo una disminución del DMT con el uso del suplemento. Conclusión: lo suplementos nutricionales analizados no tienen efectividad en la prevención y tratamiento de DMT.Abstract. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is one of the indicators of muscle damage regularly associated with performance in individuals not used to physical activity. Several strategies to counteract DOMS appeared over the years, including the use of nutritional supplements. Objective: to determine the effectiveness of nutritional supplements in the prevention and treatment of DOMS. Method: a systematic review was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, Sport Discuss, and Web of Science databases. Words used for the search were “delayed onset muscle soreness” and “exercise induced muscle damage” combined with “prevention” and / or “treatment”. Results: we identified 1,257 studies, 43 of which met the criteria established to be included in the review. The main supplements used are milk, omega-3 fatty acids, and curcumin. In 46% of the studies analyzed, a decrease in DOMS was shown after using a supplement. Conclusion: the nutritional supplements analyzed have no effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of DOMS.