Background and aim Serum calprotectin is elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whether it correlates other markers of disease activity is unknown. The aim of this study was to correlate serum calprotectin with biochemical and histological measures of intestinal inflammation. Materials and methods TNBS colitis was induced in wistar rats, and serial blood samples were collected at 0, 3, and 12 days. Animals were subsequently sacrificed for pathological evaluation at day 12. Serum calprotectin and cytokines were measured by ELISA. Pathologic changes were classified at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Results TNBS colitis induced elevated serum calprotectin, TNF and IL-6 within 24 h. Levels of serum calprotectin remained elevated in parallel to persistence of loose stool and weight loss to day 12. Serum calprotectin levels correlated with serum levels of TNF-α and IL6 (p < 0.001), but not CRP. Animals with liquid stool had significantly higher levels of serum calprotectin than control animals. There was a correlation between macroscopic colitis scores, and levels of serum calprotectin. Conclusion Serum calprotectin levels correlate with biochemical and histological markers of inflammation in TNBS colitis. This biomarker may have potential for diagnostic use in patients with IBD.

In this experimental work the rheological behavior of umbu pulp has been studied by shear flow (pseudoplasticity, apparent viscosity) and in oscillatory mode (dynamic modules) in the linear domain of viscoelasticity. The studies were carried out with the use of a controlled stress Rheometer Haake RS 100, at different soluble solid concentrations (10, 15, 20 and 25 °Brix), measured at 30 °C. Tests in steady shear were conducted over a shear rate range of 0.1 - 300 s-1 and oscillatory measurements over a frequency range of 0.01 - 100 Hz. The results indicated that umbu pulp behaves as a non-Newtonian fluid, with pseudoplastic characteristics and yield stress appearance and exhibits tixotropic properties. Rheograms were fitted to the Herschel-Bulkey model. From the dynamic test the umbu pulp showed storage modulus (G') values that were always higher than loss modulus (G"), indicating weak gel-like behavior. Storage and loss modulus increased with increase in the concentration.

Desenvolveu-se este trabalho com o objetivo de se determinar a massa específica de polpa de açaí (Euterpe Oleracea, Mart.) em três concentrações (15,2, 12,5 e 9,7%) e em cinco temperaturas (10, 20, 30, 40 e 50 ºC). As massas específicas foram determinadas por métodos experimental e teórico. Os dados experimentais foram obtidos utilizando-se o método picnométrico. os dados teóricos foram obtidos utilizando-se equações propostas em literatura e uma equação proposta, especificamente, para polpa de açaí. Os valores de massa específica, determinados experimentalmente, variaram entre os valores mínimo e máximo de 1.007,2 e 1.024,9 kg m-3, respectivamente. As diferenças entre os valores experimentais e os resultados obtidos teoricamente se mantiveram, em todos os casos, abaixo de 1,2%.