Buriti oil contains nutrients such as essential fatty acids and vitamins, which are directly involved with neonates' development. However, the refining process of this oil can change its nutrient profile. This study investigated the effects of maternal consumption of Buriti oil (crude or refined), on reflex and somatic development and retinol levels in neonatal rats. Thirty-six Wistar male neonate rats born from mothers who consumed diet with 7% lipids during gestation and lactation were used. Rats were randomized into three groups: rats receiving diet added of soybean oil (control-CG), crude Buriti oil (CB) and refined Buriti oil (RB). Offspring weight, tail length, reflex ontogeny and somatic maturation were assessed during lactation. At the end of the experiment, serum and liver retinol concentrations were measured. Animals from CB and RB groups showed delayed onset of palm grasp, righting reflex and cliff avoidance reflexes compared to the control group (CG). However, animals from RB group showed anticipation of auditory startle compared to those from BC group. Regarding somatic maturation indicators, animals from RB group showed delayed eye opening and eruption of superior and inferior incisors in relation to control and anticipation in the auditory conduit opening in relation to CB group. Rats from CB and RB groups showed higher serum and liver vitamin A contents. Buriti oil delays physical parameters and reflex maturation and increases serum and liver retinol deposition among neonatal rats.

The present study evaluated the effects of maternal dyslipidaemia on blood pressure (BP), cardiorespiratory physiology and biochemical parameters in male offspring. Wistar rat dams were fed either a control (CTL) or a dyslipidaemic (DLP) diet during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, both CTL and DLP offspring received standard diet. On the 30th and 90th day of life, blood samples were collected for metabolic analyses. Direct measurements of BP, respiratory frequency (RF), tidal volume (VT) and ventilation (VE) under baseline condition, as well as during hypercapnia (7 % CO2) and hypoxia (KCN, 0·04 %), were recorded from awake 90-d-old male offspring. DLP dams exhibited raised serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) (4·0-fold), TAG (2·0-fold), VLDL+LDL (7·7-fold) and reduced HDL-cholesterol (2·4-fold), insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis at the end of lactation. At 30 d of age, the DLP offspring showed an increase in the serum levels of TC (P<0·05) and VLDL+LDL (P<0·05) in comparison with CTL offspring. At 90 d of age, DLP offspring exhibited higher mean arterial pressure (MAP, approximately 34 %). In the spectral analysis, the DLP group showed augmented low-frequency (LF) power and LF:high-frequency (HF) ratio when compared with CTL offspring. In addition, the DLP animals showed a larger delta variation in arterial pressure after administration of the ganglionic blocker (P=0·0003). We also found that cardiorespiratory response to hypercapnia and hypoxia was augmented in DLP offspring. In conclusion, the present data show that maternal dyslipidaemia alters cardiorespiratory physiology and may be a predisposing factor for hypertension at adulthood.

Aims This study evaluated whether by‐products from industrial processing of acerola (Malpighia glabra L.; AB) and guava (Psidium guajava L.; GB) fruit may stimulate the growth and metabolism of probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and induce changes in human colonic microbiota. Methods and Results The ability of non‐digested and digested AB or GB to stimulate the growth ad metabolism of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA‐05, Lactobacillus casei L‐26 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12 was evaluated. Changes in populations of distinct bacterial groups of human colonic microbiota induced by digested AB and GB were evaluated using an in vitro colonic fermentation system. Non‐digested and digested AB and GB favoured probiotic growth. No difference among counts of probiotics in media with glucose, fructooligosaccharides and non‐digested and digested AB and GB was found during a 48‐h cultivation. Cultivation of probiotics in media with non‐digested and digested AB and GB resulted in decreased pH, increased organic acid production and sugar consumption over time. Digested AB and GB caused overall beneficial changes in abundance of Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus–Enterococcus, Eubacterium rectall–Clostridium coccoides and Bacteroides–Provotella populations, besides to decrease the pH and increase the short‐chain fatty acid production during a 24‐h in vitro colonic fermentation. Conclusion AB and GB could be novel prebiotic ingredients because they can stimulate the growth and metabolism of probiotics and induce overall beneficial changes in human colonic microbiota. Significance and Impact of the Study AB and GB stimulated the growth and metabolism of probiotics, in addition to induce beneficial alterations in human colonic microbiota composition and increase short‐chain fatty acid production. These results characterize AB and GB as potential prebiotic ingredients and fruit processing by‐products as sources of added‐value compounds.

Behavioral disorders affect most diabetic patients and Zinc (Zn) has been used among adjuvant therapies for involvement in the etiology of depression and anxiety, however, the results are still controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the antidepressant, anxiolytic and neuroprotective activity of the supplementation of two Zn compounds in an animal model of Diabetes Mellitus type 1 (DM1). Thirty-eight (38) adult rats were randomized into four groups: Control (C; n = 8); Diabetic (D; n = 10); Diabetic Zn Sulfate Supplement (DSZ; n = 10) and Diabetic Zn Gluconate Supplement (DGZ; n = 10). The DSZ group received Zn sulfate supplementation and the DGZ group received Zn gluconate supplementation at a dose of 15 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Data (mean ±SEM) were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results indicate that Zn gluconate supplementation in diabetic animals presented an antidepressant effect demonstrated through the results obtained in the Forced Swim Test, and neuroprotective effect by attenuating alterations in the cerebral cortex; while Zn sulfate supplementation in diabetic animals showed an anxiolytic effect demonstrated by the results obtained in the open field test and the elevated plus maze test. Considering the set of results, supplementation with both zinc compounds showed neurobehavioral benefits in diabetic animals with different effects depending on the type of anion associated with Zn.

A green, rapid and sensitive automated analytical method with imaging detection for the determination of sulfite in vinegars using the pararosaniline (PRA)–formaldehyde–sulfite reaction is demonstrated.

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Obesity-exacerbated asthma phenotype is characterized by more severe asthma symptoms and glucocorticoid resistance. The aimed of this study is to standardize an obesity-exacerbated asthma model by high glycemic level index (HGLI) diet and ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenges in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into groups: control (CG), obese (OG), asthmatic (AG), obese asthmatic (OAG) and obese asthmatic treated with dexamethasone (OADEXAG) and in vivo and in vitro functional and morphological parameters were measured. After HGLI consumption there was an increase in body weight, abdominal circumferences, body mass index, retroperitoneal, epididymal, inguinal adipose tissues and adiposity index. Respiratory function showed reduction in pulmonary tidal and minute-volume. In isolated trachea, the cumulative concentration-response curves for carbachol showed increase in contractile efficacy in OG, AG, OAG and OADEXAG, while OAG showed the greatest contractile efficacy. Histological sections of lungs showed an increased peribronchovascular inflammatory area on OAG, smooth muscle hypertrophy and remodeling area filled by extracellular matrix, and these changes were not reversed by treatment with dexamethasone. Obesity-exacerbated asthma model was successfully established. Therefore, this model allows further molecular investigations and the search for new therapeutic alternatives for the treatment and relief of symptoms of patients of obesity-induced resistant asthma.