The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemia is infecting millions of people and some studies relate conditions that might increase the risk of developing a fatal course for the disease, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. In COVID-19 physiopathology, one of the main inflammation mechanisms is the "cytokine storm", causing a pro-inflammatory state, related to cardiac and pulmonary damage. There is also a less effective role of lymphocyte B and T in the humoral immunity due to the reduction of their proliferative response. The physiopathology of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) involves several modifications at the genetic and at the immune level, such as the increase of inflammatory cytokines and abnormal immune response in several levels. We hypothesize that ASD could be a risk-factor as the other conditions are. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Clinically, the infection and the immune response manifest in two phases. Initially there is an endogenous immune response, which depends on individual health and genetic characteristics, which prevents the virus from spreading through organism. It is believed that has close relation to specific HLA and histocompatibility complex to activate the immunity. The response is linked to the destruction level of the virus, the patient's innate response, and it determines its inflammation status and symptomatology [12]. Studies that investigate COVID-19 physiopathology demonstrate that there is a second phase of hyper-activation of cytokines (known as
Protium heptaphyllum Aubl. belongs to the Burseraceae family. It is commonly called 'almecegueira' and is known to produce an amorphous resin which has constituents such as α- and β-amyrin, taraxastan-3-oxo-20-ol and sitostenonein. The α- and β-amyrin from P. heptaphyllum have pharmacological activities in several systems, such as central and peripheral nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and immunological system. In this study, our objective was to review pharmacological activities and to gather more information on the mixture of α- and β-amyrin obtained from P. heptaphyllum to guide future preclinical and clinical studies using this compound. This review consisted of searches performed using scientific databases such as PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, SciFinder and Science Direct. Some uses of α- and β-amyrin have been partially confirmed by previous studies demonstrating analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antidepressive, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antipancreatitic, anticholytic, antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. It is noteworthy that there are no α- and β-amirin toxicity tests described in the literature as recommended in the international guidelines, and such tests are one of the research stages to proceed in clinical and preclinical trials if this compound was to be used.
In the present work, we demonstrated that the mixture of alpha- and beta-amyrin (AMI) from Protium heptaphyllum has antinociceptive activity as was evident from the writhing and formalin tests in mice. AMI (10 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited writhing in 73 and 94%, respectively, while preferentially inhibiting the 2nd phase of the response (37 and 51; and 60 and 73% inhibitions of the 1st and 2nd phases, respectively) to the formalin test. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, did not reverse the antinociceptive effect. AMI (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was also active in the hot plate test, increasing the reaction time to thermal stimulus after 30 and 60 min, by 62 and 71%, respectively. A preventive antiedematogenic effect was observed in mice that had a carrageenan-induced paw edema. Paw volume was significantly and dose-dependently decreased by 39, 42 and 53%, three hours after administration of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg doses, i.p., respectively. AMI (25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was also able to reverse the edema already induced by carrageenan (curative effect). AMI (10 and 25 mg/kg, i.p.) was equally effective in the dextran- induced paw edema (preventive effect), reducing the paw volume by 50 and 60% at the 2nd hour, and by 63 and 73% at the third hour post-dose. AMI (50 mg/kg, i.p.) reverted the edema already formed after the dextran injection (curative effect). In conclusion, AMI demonstrated peripheral and central analgesic effects independent of the opioid system, and also showed a potent anti-inflammatory activity. The antiinflammatory activity was potentiated by both indomethacin and thalidomide, suggesting a potential involvement of prostaglandins and TNFalpha inhibitions.
Whey protein is composed of soluble whey proteins and its benefits are well described in the literature. However, there are not many studies investigating the potential adverse effect of a diet with indiscriminate use of this supplement. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of papers that addressed this theme. A search was conducted in Medline, Lilacs, Toxnet, Web of science, and Scopus electronic databases. In the end, 11 documents composed this review. The majority of the papers associated the damaging effect with the chronic and abusive use of whey protein, the kidneys and liver being the main organs affected. The other studies related whey protein to aggravation of aggression, presence of acne and modification of the microbiota. Therefore, excessive consumption over a long period of protein supplementation may have some adverse effects on the body, being aggravated when associated with sedentary lifestyle. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020140466.
Novelty Bullets:
• A systematic review of experimental and randomized studies about the use of whey proteins supplements and its impact on physical health.
• Analysis revealed that chronic and without professional guidance use of whey protein supplementation may cause some adverse effects specially on kidney and liver function.
• Presented data support a need for future studies co-relating the use of different types of whey protein with and without exercise to better see the impact on human physical health.
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