The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an anabolic steroid, stanozolol, in a model of atherosclerosis and to investigate the involvement of the modulation of the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in vascular lipid deposition.Low-density lipid receptor-deficient (LDLr−/−) mice were fed a standard chow diet and were each week injected subcutaneously either saline (control C group) or 20 mg/kg stanozolol (S group). After 8 weeks, the levels of cholesterol, oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and cytokines were measured in plasma, lipid deposition in aorta was evaluated by en face analysis, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and oxidation protein were determined in liver. The S group demonstrated increases in vascular lipid deposition, triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol levels. Stanozolol increased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and decreased interleukin-10 as well as increased the TNF-α/IL-10 ratio. Furthermore, oxidative stress was observed in the S group, as indicated by an increase in the plasma OxLDL, as well as by lipid peroxidation and oxidation of proteins in the liver. Chronic treatment with stanozolol promoted lipid deposition in the LDLr −/− mice that could be attributed to a modification of the circulating cytokine levels and systemic oxidative stress. Our results suggest that the anabolic steroid stanozolol in the absence of functional LDL receptors by increasing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress may increase the risk of development and progression of atherosclerosis.
To evaluate the gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of pretreatment with water kefir on ulcers induced with HCl/ethanol. All pretreatments lasted 14 days. Male mice were separated into five groups: the control (C) group received vehicle without ulcer induction; the ulcerated (U) group received vehicle; the lansoprazole (L) group received 30 mg/kg/day lansoprazole; the water kefir (WK15 and WK30) groups received WK at a dose of 0.15 or 0.30 ml/kg/day, respectively. Gastroprotection was measured by ulcer area, ulcer index and ulcer reduction percentage. Antioxidant effects were quantified by measuring advanced oxidized protein products (AOPPs), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activity in the stomach. Pretreatment with WK at both doses promoted gastroprotection against HCl/ethanol-induced ulcers much like the pretreatment with lansoprazole. In addition, WK decreased protein oxidation while increasing SOD and catalase activity. We concluded that pretreatment with water kefir increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes, preventing gastric lesions induced by HCl/ethanol by maintaining the antioxidant performance in gastric tissue.
Background: Juçara açaí is a Brazilian berry with high anthocyanidin content and high antioxidant properties. A correlation between oxidative stress, hypertension and baroreflex impairment is known, however, no previous studies investigate the effect of juçara fruit pulp on hypertension. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate antihypertensive effect of juçara (Euterpe edulis) fruit pulp in SHR animals, its antioxidant capacity and influence on baroreflex sensitivity. Methods: Chemical profile was obtained by ESI(-)-FT-ICR-MS. For biological analysis, male SHR were separated into groups: control (S), which received water; captopril (SC), which received captopril (30 mg/kg), and juçara (SJ), which received juçara pulp (4.4mL/kg). Treatments were daily performed by gavage and remained for 8 weeks. Baroreflex evaluation was made by in bolus injection of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside, after the analysis the heart was frozen (-80ºC) for biomolecular evaluations (AOPP, TBARS, SOD and catalase activity and protein expression). Results: The treatments promoted decrease in arterial pressure (S: 163.3±2.2; SC: 154.0±0.6; SJ: 149.0±3.8 mmHg) and improved the baroreflex sensitivity after nitroprusside activation. In addition, it promoted a decrease in AOPP and an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. However, no changes were observed in protein expression. Conclusion: It was shown that juçara can promote cardiovascular benefits and its consume should be stimulated for prevention of hypertension.
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