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The contents of stilbene monomers, cis-resveratrol, trans-resveratrol, cis-piceid, trans-piceid, and tyrosol, were quantified in Vitis vinifera red wines, cvs. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah, 2006 and 2007 vintages, from the São Joaquim region, a new grape-growing region at southern Brazil. Moreover, the effect of chronic consumption of these wines on the antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities was monitored in C57BL6 LDL receptor knockout mice and treated with a hypercholesterolemic diet. Red wines from this region had substantial levels of resveratrols (the predominant forms were glycoside and trans) and tyrosol. Biomonitoring of antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities in vivo revealed that consumption of these wines increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced the hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia promoted by the hypercholesterolemic diet. Significant correlations were found between the increase of antioxidant capacity markers, the decrease of lipid levels promoted by wine consumption, and the contents of stilbenes and tyrosol, supporting the important biological activity of these compounds.

BackgroundThis study investigated the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant properties of phloroacetophenone (2′,4′,6′-trihydroxyacetophenone – THA), an acetophenone derived from the plant Myrcia multiflora.Material & MethodThe free radical scavenging activity in vitro and induction of oxidative hepatic damage by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) were tested in male Swiss mice (25±5 g).ResultsThis compound exhibited in vitro antioxidant effects on FeCl2–ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mouse liver homogenate, scavenging hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The in vivo assays showed that THA significantly (p<0.01) prevented the increases of hepatic LPO as measured by the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, mitochondrial swelling. It also protected hepatocytes against protein carbonylation and oxidative DNA damage. Consistent with these observations, THA pre-treatment normalized the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, and increased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in CCl4-treated mice. In addition, THA treatment significantly prevented the elevation of serum enzymatic activities of alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, as well as histological alterations induced by CCl4. Silymarin (SIL) (24 mg/kg), a known hepatoprotective drug used for comparison, led to a significant decrease (p<0.01) in activities of theses enzymes in way very similar to that observed in pre-treatment with THA.ConclusionThese results suggest that the protective effects are due to reduction of oxidative damage induced by CCl4 resulting from the antioxidant properties of THA.

The 3D metal-organic framework (MOF) [Eu(BTC)] (where BTC = trimesic acid) was synthesized in 20 min by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method with a yield of 89%. A structural and spectroscopic study, performed by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, showed that this framework has high crystallinity, thermal stability, and luminescence. This MOF had a red-orange luminescence when excited with ultraviolet (UV) radiation (λ = 254 nm) and a high potential for use as a luminescent marker for gunshot residues (GSR). When added to 9 mm nontoxic ammunition, it greatly improved quality of the crime scene investigation, allowing for direct visualization of the luminescent GSR on the shooter's hand and firearm and at the firing range using only a portable UV lamp. The marked luminescent GSR was easily collected and characterized by nondestructive techniques, including with a Video Spectral Comparator and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy, wherein the presence of Eu ions was confirmed. Furthermore, the oral acute toxicity of this MOF was assessed in adult female Wistar rats using the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 423 guidelines. This study classified the MOF [Eu(BTC)] in a less toxic Globally Harmonized System category (category 5), with a LD (lethal dose) of 5000 mg/kg, ensuring a wide security range for its application.

This study aimed to verify the association between autonomic cardiac function (CAF) and the integration of caloric expenditure by physical activity (PA) intensity, sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep quality (PSQI) in active young men. Thirty-five subjects were included, and caloric expenditure in moderate-to-vigorous and light-intensity PA, SB, and PSQI were assessed using questionnaires. Heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded for short periods of time in the supine and orthostatic positions. Multiple linear regression was realized unadjusted and adjusted for covariables, such as age, body mass index, and fat mass. No adjusted analysis indicated that, in the supine position, there were negative associations between the SB and the TP, HF, and NorHF indices, and positive associations between SB and NorLF and LF/HF. In the orthostatic position, an interaction between SB and NorLF was found. Significance of proportion with the TP, HF, and LF/HF indices was confirmed. When adjusted, for the supine position, negative interactions were documented between SB and the TP as well as the HF indices, and between PSQI and the LF/HF index, with interference under the HF and LF/HF indices. Finally, our findings indicate that the proposed approach interacts with CAF, and SB is significantly related to CAF in young active men.

The antioxidant potential of crude extracts and fractions from leaves of Ouratea parviflora, a Brazilian medicinal plant used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, was investigated in vitro through the scavenging of radicals 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), hydroxyl radical (HO*), superoxide anion (O2*-), and lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate. The crude extract (CEOP) and hydro-alcoholic fraction (OP4) showed strong inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation induced by tert-butyl peroxide (IC50 = 2.3 +/- 0.2 and 1.9 +/- 0.1 microg/ml, respectively). The same products exhibited a strong concentration-dependent inhibition of deoxyribose oxidation (14.9 +/- 0.2 and 0.2 +/- 0.1 microg/ml, respectively), and also showed a considerable antioxidant activity against O2*- (87.3 +/- 0.1 and 73.1 +/- 0.4 microg/ml, respectively) and DPPH radicals (55.4 +/- 0.3 and 38.3 +/- 0.4 microg/ml, respectively). The protective effects of CEOP and OP4 were also studied in mouse liver. CCl4 significantly increased (by 90%) levels of lipid hydroperoxides, carbonyl protein content (64%), DNA damage index (133%), aspartate aminotransferase (261%), alanine aminotransferase (212%), catalase activity (23%), and also caused a decrease of 60% in GSH content. The results showed that CEOP and OP4 exerted cytoprotective effects against oxidative injury caused by CCl4 in rat liver, probably related to the antioxidant activity showed by the in vitro free radical scavenging property.