We investigated the hypocholesterolemic and liver-protective effects of cooked and germinated whole mung beans. Hamsters were fed for 28 days on diets rich in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, differing only in protein source (20%): casein, cooked whole mung bean, and germinated mung bean. After 28 days, we found reduced plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, increased faecal cholesterol excretion, and reduced levels of asparagine aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes in the liver. Reduction in hepatic lipid deposition was observed between each of the mung bean groups relative to the casein group. In addition, the animals of the geminated mung bean group showed a lack of inflammatory infiltrate and better vascularisation of the hepatic tissue. Results from this study show significant hypocholesterolemic and liver-protective properties of the mung bean, which are further enhanced after germination.

This work assessed the effects of a 28-day treatment with lycopene-rich extract (LRE) from red guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.) on the lipid profile and oxidative stress in an experimental model of dyslipidemia. Male hamsters (116.5 ± 2.16 g) were fed with the AIN 93G diet containing casein (20%), coconut fat (13.5%) and cholesterol (0.1%). The animals were divided into four groups: normolipidemic control (standard feed; NC, n = 7); hypercholesterolemic control (HC, n = 7); LRE 25 mg/kg/day (LRE-25, n = 7) and LRE 50 mg/kg/day (LRE-50, n = 9). After treatment, plasma concentrations of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-c), malondialdehyde (MDA-p) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), as well as erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD-e) and the atherogenic index, were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA-h), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD-h) levels were assessed. Feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG) were also determined. The LRE-25 group presented significantly lower TG levels and atherogenic index than did the HC group (p < 0.05). Both LRE-25 and LRE-50 groups presented lower levels of MDA-p and MPO than did the HC group (p < 0.05). LRE demonstrated a promising effect against dyslipidemia and oxidative stress.

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Objetivo: Descrever a participação da vitamina E como agente imunomodulador e possível papel na prevenção e manejo da COVID-19. Revisão bibliográfica: Infecções virais como a COVID-19 afetam o sistema respiratório, causando síndrome respiratória aguda grave e até morte. Não há um tratamento específico para a infecção produzida pelo vírus e torna-se imprescindível um bom estado nutricional com o fortalecimento do sistema imune. A participação da vitamina E na resposta imune está relacionada com a modulação da diferenciação das células T, da atividade de células natural killer e da produção de prostaglandinas. Na COVID-19, esta vitamina pode atuar na redução da produção de citocinas e melhorando a proliferação das células T, uma vez que devido a fisiopatologia dessa doença ocorre aumento da produção de citocinas e quimiocinas pró-inflamatórias que podem ser minimizadas pela ação da vitamina E. Considerações finais: Não está bem elucidado o papel da vitamina E na COVID-19, no entanto acredita-se que um consumo alimentar e concentrações séricas adequadas possam ter potencial para atuar na prevenção ou tratamento.