Resumo As substancias anabólicas tem sido cada vez mais utilizadas por fisiculturistas e atletas com o objetivo de melhorar o desempenho e a estética. No entanto, essa prática tem causado algumas preocupações aos médicos e pesquisadores, devido ao desconhecimento das consequencias que o uso indiscriminado e ilícito dessas substâncias podem causar. Diante disso, este estudo analisou os efeitos de dois esteroides anabolizantes (EA) comercialmente disponíveis, Winstrol Depot® (Stanozolol) e Deposteron® (cipionato de testosterona), na densidade neuronal das regiões corticais límbica, motora e sensitive bem como das áreas CA1, CA2, CA3 do hipocampo. Foram utilizados 60 camundongos Swiss (30 machos e 30 fêmeas), separados em três grupos: controle e dois grupos experimentais, que receberam o EA. De cada cérebro, foram coletadas amostras homotípicas e semi-seriadas em cortes frontais das áreas estabelecidas para o estudo. Os resultados mostraram que as fêmeas tratadas com cipionato de testosterona apresentaram uma redução em todas as regiões analisadas já as fêmeas tratadas com Stanozolol mostraram uma diminuição em algumas áreas do hipocampo. Em relação aos animais machos, o stanozolol levou a uma diminuição na densidade neuronal em uma região do hipocampo. Estes dados nos permitem concluir que doses supra fisiológicas de esteroides utilizadas neste estudo podem causar danos consideráveis ao tecido nervoso com comprometimento ultraestrutural e consequentemente comportamental. Essas alterações podem interferir na perda de rendimento físico e no desempenho de atletas e não atletas e podem causar danos irreparáveis a indivíduos que fazem uso irresponsável destes EA.

Abstract Anabolic substances have been increasingly used by bodybuilders and athletes with the goal of improving performance and aesthetics. However, this practice has caused some concern to physicians and researchers because of unknowledge of consequences that the indiscriminate and illicit use of these substances can cause. Thus, this study analyzed the effects of two commercially available anabolic steroids (AS), Winstrol Depot® (Stanozolol) and Deposteron® (Testosterone Cypionate), in the neuronal density of limbic, motor and sensory regions on the cerebral cortex and in CA1, CA2, CA3 regions of the hippocampus. A total of 60 Swiss mice were used (30 males and 30 females), separated into three groups: control and two experimental groups, which received the AAS. From each brain, homotypic and semi-serial samples were taken in frontal sections from areas established for the study. The results showed that females treated with testosterone cypionate presented a reduction in all regions tested and the ones treated with Stanozolol showed a decrease in some hippocampal areas. Regarding male animals, stanozolol led to a decrease in neuron number in one hippocampal region. These data allow us to conclude that supra-physiological doses of steroids used in this study, can cause considerable damage to nervous tissue with ultrastructural and consequently behavioral impairment. These changes could interfere with the loss of physical yield and performance of athletes and non-athletes and may cause irreparable damage to individuals making irresponsible use of anabolic steroids.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos do consumo de etanol e da desintoxicação alcoólica sobre a biomecânica, área e espessura do osso cortical e trabecular em fêmur de ratos. Este foi um estudo experimental no qual foram utilizados 18 ratos Wistar machos, com 40 dias de vida, pesando 179±2,5 g. Os ratos foram divididos em três grupos (n=06): CT (controle), AC (alcoolista crônico), e DT (desintoxicado). Após os procedimentos experimentais os animais foram eutanaziados por uma overdose de anestésico e os fêmures coletados para os testes mecânicos e processamento histológico. Todos os animais não apresentaram desnutrição ou desidratação durante o período de experimentação. As análises morfométrica do osso cortical e trabecular demonstraram que os animais do grupo AC apresentavam dimensões inferiores, enquanto nos animais do grupo DT observou-se um aumento na área e espessura do osso cortical e trabecular. Dados dos materiais e das propriedades estruturais óssea do grupo AC destacam os efeitos nocivos do etanol sobre as propriedades mecânicas do osso. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que os ratos do grupo AC apresentaram danos significativos no osso em todas as variáveis analisadas. Esses resultados sugerem que a desintoxicação alcoólica é recomendada no planejamento pré-operatório e isso corrobora para o sucesso de cirurgias e reparação no tecido ósseo. Agradecemos ao apoio financeiro oferecido pelo PROBIC – UNIFENAS.

Abstract The objective of this study was to verify the effects of ethanol consumption and alcohol detoxification on the biomechanics, area and thickness of cortical and trabecular bone in rat femur. This was an experimental study in which 18 male Wistar rats were used, with 40 days of age, weighing 179±2.5 g. The rats were divided into three groups (n=06): CT (control), AC (chronic alcoholic), DT (detoxification). After experimental procedures, the animals were euthanized by an overdose of the anesthetic and their femurs were collected for mechanical testing and histological processing. All animals did not present malnutrition or dehydration during experimentation period. Morphometric analysis of cortical and trabecular bones in rat femurs demonstrated that AC animals showed inferior dimensions and alcohol detoxification (DT) allowed an enhancement in area and thickness of cortical and trabecular bone. Material and structural properties data of AC group highlighted the harmful effects of ethanol on bone mechanical properties. The results of this study demonstrated that chronic alcoholic rats (AC) presented major bone damage in all analyzed variables. Those findings suggested that alcohol detoxification is highly suggested in pre-operative planning and this corroborates to the success of bone surgery and bone tissue repair. Thanks to the financial support offered by PROBIC – UNIFENAS.

The removal of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) was evaluated in a UASB reactor using short-chain alcohols (ethanol and methanol) and complex co-substrate (yeast extract). Using only methanol and ethanol as co-substrates resulted in removal of LAS between 30 and 41%. At the end, addition of a complex substrate (yeast extract) increased the removal of LAS to 50%. During the assay, water supply aeration increased the volatile fatty acid of the effluent (70 mg HAc.L-1) and decreased the removal of LAS (from 40 to 30%). According to the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results, the amount of Archaea decreased due to water supply aeration (from 64 to 48%). Furthermore, addition of complex co-substrate increased the total anaerobic bacteria and methanogenic archaea content (three and four log units, respectively), which were estimated using the most probable number technique.

Avaliaram-se o estado de frescor e a qualidade higiênica do pescado disponível em alguns estabelecimentos comerciais de Vila Real, uma cidade do interior de Portugal. Vinte e três amostras foram submetidas a uma análise sensorial e a análises fisico-químicas - determinação do teor de azoto básico volátil total (ABVT), do índice de refração do humor aquoso e do pH. A avaliação da qualidade higiênica do pescado foi feita por meio de diferentes análises microbiológicas na superfície e na profundidade do músculo do pescado. O pescado fresco, considerado por todos os métodos de análise, próprio para consumo, apresentou estado de frescor entre bom e satisfatório. O ABVT foi considerado o método objetivo de eleição, sempre que surgiram dúvidas relativamente ao grau de frescor do pescado. O pescado próprio para consumo apresentou valores que variaram entre os 20,60 e 27,36mgN/100g e perfil microbiológico aceitável, com contagens de microrganismos psicrotróficos entre 5,41 e 6,03 UFC/cm² na superfície e entre 4,79 e 5,28 UFC/cm² no músculo.

The freshness and hygienic quality of fresh fish sold in some fish markets of Vila Real, a Portuguese town, were evaluated. Twenty-three samples were examined by sensorial and physico-chemical analyses (total volatil basic nitrogen - TVBN, aqueous humour refraction rate and pH). The determination of hygienic quality of fish was carried out by different microbiological analysis on the surface and deepness of fish muscle. Fish was considered proper for consumption by all the methods used in the evaluation of fish freshness, and was classified between good and satisfactory. TVBN was considered the objective method of election, in case of doubt about fish freshness, and fish proper for consumption presented TVBN values between 20.60 and 27.36mgN/100g. The microbiological profile was considered acceptable with psychrotrophic microorganisms counts between 5.41 and 6.03 CFU/cm² on fish surface and between 4.79 and 5.28 CFU/g in muscle deepness.

The cytotoxic activity of amino (3a-e), aza-1-antraquinone (4a-e) lapachol derivatives against Ehrlich carcinoma and human K562 leukemia cells was investigated. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay, after 48 (Ehrlich) or 96 h (K562) of culture, and vincristine (for K562 leukemia) and quercetin (for Ehrlich carcinoma) were used as positive controls. The results showed dose-dependent growth-inhibiting activities and that the amino derivatives were active against the assayed cells, whereas the 4a-e derivatives were not. The allylamine derivative 3a was the most active against Ehrlich carcinoma, with IC50 = 16.94 ± 1.25 µM, and against K562 leukemia, with IC50 = 14.11 ± 1.39 µM. The analogous lawsone derivative, 5a, was also active against Ehrlich carcinoma (IC50 = 23.89 ± 2.3 µM), although the 5d and 5e derivatives showed lower activity. The interaction between 3a-d and calf thymus DNA was investigated by fluorimetric titration and the results showed a hyperchromic effect indicating binding to DNA as presented of ethidium bromide, used as positive control. The inhibitory action on DNA-topoisomerase II-a was also evaluated by a relaxation assay of supercoiled DNA plasmid, and the etoposide (200 µM) was used as positive control. Significant inhibitory activities were observed for 3a-d at 200 µM and a partial inhibitory action was observed for lapachol and methoxylapachol.