This work evaluated the antitumor effects of albendazole (ABZ) and its relationship with modulation of oxidative stress and induction of DNA damage. The present results showed that ABZ causes oxidative cleavage on calf-thymus DNA suggesting that this compound can break DNA. ABZ treatment decreased MCF-7 cell viability (EC50=44.9 for 24 h) and inhibited MCF-7 colony formation (~67.5% at 5 μM). Intracellular ROS levels increased with ABZ treatment (~123%). The antioxidant NAC is able to revert the cytotoxic effects, ROS generation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential of MCF-7 cells treated with ABZ. Ehrlich carcinoma growth was inhibited (~32%) and survival time was elongated (~50%) in animals treated with ABZ. Oxidative biomarkers (TBARS and protein carbonyl levels) and activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GR) increased, and reduced glutathione (GSH) was depleted in animals treated with ABZ, indicating an oxidative stress condition, leading to a DNA damage causing phosphorylation of histone H2A variant, H2AX, and triggering apoptosis signaling, which was confirmed by increasing Bax/Bcl-xL rate, p53 and Bax expression. We propose that ABZ induces oxidative stress promoting DNA fragmentation and triggering apoptosis and inducing cell death, making this drug a promising leader molecule for development of new antitumor drugs.
Xyloglucan-block-polycaprolactone (XGO-PCL) copolymer nanoparticles have been proposed as nanocarriers for drug delivery. However, the possible harmful effects of exposure to nanoparticles still remain a concern. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the potential toxicity of XGO-PCL nanoparticles using in vitro and in vivo assays. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies were conducted on MRC-5 human fetal lung fibroblast cells upon exposure to XGO-PCL nanoparticles. No significant reduction in the cell viability and no DNA damage were observed at the different concentrations tested. Erythrocyte toxicity was assessed by the incubation of nanoparticles with human blood. XGO-PCL nanoparticles induced a hemolytic ratio of less than 1%, indicating good blood compatibility. Finally, the subacute toxicity of XGO-PCL nanoparticles (10 mg/kg/day) was evaluated in BALB/c mice when administered orally or intraperitoneally for 14 days. Results of the in vivo toxicity study showed no clinical signs of toxicity, mortality, weight loss, or hematological and biochemical alterations after treatment with nanoparticles. Also, microscopic analysis of the major organs revealed no histopathological abnormalities, corroborating the previous results. Thus, it can be concluded that XGO-PCL nanoparticles induced no effect indicative of toxicity, indicating their potential use as drug delivery systems.
The reddish colour to shrimp, which has been associated with its high quality, is one of the major factors for its acceptability by consumers. The aim of this work was to analyse consumer preference regarding colour in raw and cooked shrimps. Farmed shrimps Litopenaeus vannamei (13.8 + 1.16 g) were fed with control or supplemented food (60 ppm of carotenoids). The shrimp samples were analysed in naked eye, confirmed by colorimetry and sorted in the following categories: dark grey (L* 27.99; h 168.16), grey (L* 32.58; h 124.60), and light grey (L* 36.2; h 119.35) for raw shrimps; and intense orange (L* 61.49; h 54.69), orange (L* 65.97; h 57.79) and light orange (L* 72.65; h 70.17) for cooked shrimps. A preference ranking test was performed with 35 judges invited to rank the samples in descending order of preference. Consumers prefer lighter raw shrimp (light grey and grey) and brightly orange cooked shrimps (orange and intense orange), which indicates that supplementing shrimp food for pigmentation should be followed by improving its acceptance by consumer. These results indicate a challenge for the shrimp industry, as the lightest raw shrimps are also not so brightly orange coloured after cooking.
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