Mg depletion is common in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes, especially in those with neuropathy or coronary disease. More prolonged use of Mg in doses that are higher than usual is needed to establish its routine or selective administration in patients with type 2 diabetes to improve control or prevent chronic complications.

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by deficits in the individual's ability to socialize, communicate, and use the imagination, in addition to stereotyped behaviors. These disorders have a heterogenous phenotype, both in relation to symptoms and regarding severity. Organic problems related to the gastrointestinal tract are often associated with ASD, including dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease, indigestion, malabsorption, food intolerance, and food allergies, leading to vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition. In an attempt to explain the pathophysiology involved in autism, a theory founded on opioid excess has been the focus of various investigations, since it partially explains the symptomatology of the disorder. Another hypothesis has been put forward whereby the probable triggers of ASDs would be related to the presence of bacteria in the bowel, oxidative stress, and intestinal permeability. The present update reviews these hypotheses.

BackgroundTo evaluate the effect of magnesium (Mg) replacement on insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in women with metabolic syndrome (MS) without diabetes.MethodsThis 12-week clinical randomized double-blind study compared the effects of 400 mg/day of Mg with those of a placebo (n = 72) on fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile and CRP. Mg was measured in serum (SMg) and in mononuclear cells (MMg).ResultsHypomagnesemia (SMg < 1.7 mg/dL) was seen in 23.2% of patients and intracellular depletion in 36.1% of patients. The MMg means were lower in patients with obesity (0.94 ± 0.54 μg/mg vs. 1.19 ± 0.6 μg/mg, P = 0.04), and insulin resistance (0.84 ± 0.33 μg/mg vs. 1.14 ± 0.69 µg/mg, P < 0.05). Mg replacement did not alter SMg (1.82 ± 0.14 mg/dL vs. 1.81 ± 0.16 mg/dL, P = 0.877) and tended to increment MMg (0.90 ± 0.40 μg/mg vs. 1.21 ± 0.73 μg/mg, P = 0.089). HOMA-IR did not alter in interventions nor in placebo group (3.2 ± 2.0 to 2.8 ± 1.9, P = 0.368; 3.6 ± 1.9 to 3.2 ± 1.8, respectively), neither did other metabolic parameters.ConclusionSerum and intracellular Mg depletion is common in patients with MS; however, Mg replacement in recommended dosage did not increase significantly Mg levels, neither reduced insulin resistance or metabolic control.

This work studied the effects caused by five different formulae of gasoline on the stability of the lysosomes isolated from the liver of the tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus). The functional integrity of the lysosomal membranes was evaluated via the acid phosphatase activity.The results showed that there were significant changes in the stability of the lysosomes exposed to the presence of the hydrocarbons in the environment. Therefore, considering the method's simplicity, the sensitivity of the responses and its low cost the assessment of the lysosomal activity could be an important tool for the study of the effects of pollution in the aquatic environments.

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The "aroeira" (Schinus terebenthifolius, RADDI), known as a toxic plant is actually very used in popular medicine, mainly in the treatment of general inflammatory processes. Many of its properties or of its curative effects mayPertencente à família das anacardiáceas, a aroeira vermelha, Schinus terebenthifolius (RADDI), é apreciada pela boa qualidade de sua madeira e, na medicina popular, usada no tratamento dos processos inflamatórios em geral, úlceras da pele e diarréias. Na maioria desses empregos terapêuticos, usa-se o extrato aquoso bruto, obtido da casca, do caule e de suas folhas. É considerada, no meio popular, como uma planta tóxica porque contém princípios ativos hipersensibilizantes. Relatos feitos por (Cruz, 1982) indicaram que certas pessoas podem desenvolver irritações da pele, prurido, urticária, febre e transtornos visuais, quando em contato mais íntimo com a planta. Sua resina contém traços de óleos voláteis que apresentam felandrenos, carvacrol e pinenos. Esta última substância, provavelmente, confere a propriedade picante característica dos extratos desta planta (Schvartsman, 1979). Candela et al. (1995) demonstraram que a resistência de três cultivares de Capsicum annuum à infecção pelo Phytophora capsici deve-se, muito provavelmente, ao efeito inibitório no crescimento deste fungo, provocado pelo ácido trans-cinâmico e pelos fenóis, p-hidroxibenzóico, vanílico e salicílico. A resistência do lenho da aroeira do sertão (Astronium orindeuva) à decomposição parece ser decorrente, também, da presença de substâncias fenólicas em sua constituição. Tais substâncias podem ser responsáveis pela maioria das qualidades úteis destas espécies, como fontes naturais de fenóis para a indústria, além da capacidade de influenciar na interação ecológica desta espécie com outras. Matsuki (1996) resume esta regulação biossintética, a nível molecular e bioquímico. A síntese dos compostos fenólicos nos vegetais, é dependente do estágio de desenvolvimento do órgão e,