Objective: Discuss the influence of rHuEPO on physical performance, as well as the adverse effects of this practice, exposing results from experimental and clinical studies. Methods: Were selected articles published in the basis, PubMed and SciELO databases, in the period 1985-2013, using the following keywords eritropoetina/erythropoietin, desempenho atlético/athletic performance, resistência física/physical endurance, efeitos adversos/adverse effects e doping nos esportes/doping in sports. Results: All articles (n = 10) related to the influence of treatment with rHuEPO on sports performance, found improvement in the variables of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and time to exhaustion in humans, using different protocols dosages between 50 to 60 IU/kg during the first weeks with reduced throughout treatment. Among the most common adverse effects are the thrombovascular accidents, iron deficiency and hypertension. Conclusion: Treatment with rHuEPO doses and at different periods, can enhance physical performance in humans, because of the different generated effects, including increased O2 transport, reduction of blood lactate concentrations, increased concentrations of free fatty acids in the blood and muscle glycogen.

Objetivo: Discutir os resultados acerca dos efeitos do uso da eritropoietina humana recombinante (rHuEPO) sobre o desempenho físico, bem como relatar os efeitos adversos decorrentes desta prática, correlacionando os achados de estudos experimentais e clínicos. Métodos: Foram selecionados artigos científicos publicados nas bases de dados PubMed e SciELO, no período de 1985-2013, utilizando as seguintes palavras-chaves: eritropoietina/erythropoietin, desempenho atlético/athletic performance, resistência física/physical endurance, efeitos adversos/adverse effects e doping nos esportes/doping in sports. Resultados: Todos os estudos (n = 10) encontraram melhora nas variáveis de consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2máx) e tempo de exaustão em humanos, utilizando diferentes protocolos de dosagens, que podem variar de 50-60 UI/kg nas primeiras semanas, com redução ao longo do tratamento. Dentre as reações adversas mais frequentes estão os acidentes trombovasculares, deficiência de ferro e hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Conclusão: O tratamento com rHuEPO em diferentes doses e períodos pode potencializar o desempenho físico de humanos, em virtude dos diferentes efeitos gerados, incluindo aumento no transporte de O2, redução das concentrações de lactato sanguíneo, aumento das concentrações de ácidos graxos livres no sangue e do glicogênio muscular.

Objetivo: Discutir los resultados relativos a los efectos del uso de la eritropoyetina humana recombinante (rHuEPO), sobre el rendimiento físico, así como los efectos adversos de su uso, así como la relación de los resultados de estudios experimentales y clínicos. Métodos: Se seleccionaron los artículos científicos publicados en revistas incluidas en PubMed y SciELO, en el período de 1985-2013, usando las siguientes palabras clave: eritropoietina/erythropoietin, desempenho atlético/athletic performance, resistência física/physical endurance, efeitos adversos/adverse effects e doping nos esportes/doping in sports. Resultados: Todos los artículos (n = 10), en relación con la influencia del tratamiento con rHuEPO en el rendimiento deportivo, mostraron una mejoría en las variables de consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2máx) y el tiempo hasta el agotamiento en seres humanos, utilizando diferentes protocolos de dosis, que oscilan desde 50-60 UI/kg en las primeras semanas con reducción progresiva durante el tratamiento. Entre los efectos adversos más frecuentes se encuentran los accidentes vasculares trombóticos, la ferropenia y la hipertensión arterial. Conclusión: El tratamiento con dosis de rHuEPO y en diferentes períodos puede mejorar el rendimiento físico en los seres humanos, debido a los diferentes efectos generados, incluyendo el aumento del transporte de O2, la reducción de las concentraciones de lactato en sangre, aumento de las concentraciones de ácidos grasos libres en la sangre y glucógeno muscular.

Polymeric materials are greatly used in industry due to their versatility in application generating therefore, large quantities of solid waste. Population growth in urban areas, with living quarters mainly in residential buildings, face discomfort caused by noise, particularly by impact noise. Aiming at reducing the amount of polymeric material disposed of in the environment and at providing alternatives of reuse, together with the possibility of reducing noise impact from construction works, agglomerates of polyurethane skin (PUs) have been developed. The recycling process of PUs was developed through variations in particle size and pressing temperature of agglomerates. PU agglomerates of coarse particle size, hot pressing process and close cell structure presented reductions in noise level up to 20 dB, showing that it is suitable for acoustic insulation.

Objectives. To verify the relationship between postural changes, osteoarthritis, and bone mineral density in women with osteoporosis in a research group of participants in this area. Methods. Seventy four Brazilian women aged 50 years or older with osteoporosis sent to Clinical Hospital were assessed. After anamnesis the subjects were evaluated in posture with a postural framework. The experimental protocol consisted of two groups: control group (without postural changes) and study group (with postural changes). Results. The age average in the study group was greater than in the control group. In the joint changes, 65 subjects showed osteoarthritis in some part of the body. In the whole group assessed, 19 showed change in posture and all of them have osteoarthritis too. Conclusion. This research showed that posture changes are direct relationship with advanced age. It concluded that posture assessment is essential to prescribe the most objective and efficient exercise program, with understanding of the biomechanical incidence forces, but not forgetting to strengthen the muscles to maintain the corporal posture.

Objetivos. Verificar la relación entre los cambios posturales, la osteoartritis y la densidad mineral ósea en mujeres con osteoporosis en un grupo de investigación de los participantes en esta área. Métodos. Se evaluó a setenta y cuatro mujeres brasileñas de 50 años o mayores con osteoporosis en el Hospital Clínico. Después de anamnesis las mujeres fueron evaluadas respecto a la postura con una cuadrícula postural. El protocolo experimental consistió en dos grupos: grupo control (sin cambios posturales) y el grupo de estudio (con los cambios posturales). Resultados. El promedio de edad en el grupo de estudio fue mayor que en el grupo control. En los cambios en las articulaciones, 65 mujeres mostraron osteoartritis en alguna parte del cuerpo. En todo el grupo evaluado, 19 mostraron un cambio en la postura y todas ellas tenían osteoartritis también. Conclusión. Esta investigación mostró que los cambios posturales tienen relación directa con la edad avanzada. Concluye que la evaluación de la postura es esencial para prescribir el programa de ejercicios más objetivo y eficiente, con la comprensión de las fuerzas biomecánicas de incidencia, pero sin olvidar fortalecer los músculos para mantener la postura corporal.

Venom of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt), presents myotoxic and neurotoxic outcomes, but reports on its effects on the liver are scarce. This study examined the hepatotoxicity resulting from Cdt venom administration (100, 200 and 300 µg/kg) in male Wistar rats. Animals were studies at 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours after venom injection. The hepatotoxicity was assessed through serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirrubin and also by histopathological evaluation. All the different concentrations of Cdt venom resulted in increased levels of hepatic enzymes, when compared with the control group, except for the 100 µg/kg dose, which presented normal levels at 9 and 12 hours after venom administration. Bilirrubin levels remained unchanged by Cdt venom. Histological analysis revealed endothelial damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as sinusoidal and portal congestion. Based on these observations, we may conclude that Cdt venom causes dose- and time-dependent hepatic damage in rats, characterized by elevated hepatic enzyme levels and histological alterations.

This article reports the anti-inflammatory effect of Blutaparon portulacoides (B. portulacoides), specifically the ethanolic extract of its aerial parts, on the edema formation and leukocyte influx caused by Bothrops jararacussu (B. jararacussu) snake venom and Bothropstoxin-I and II (BthTX-I and II) isolated from this venom as an alternative treatment for Bothrops snakebites. The anti-inflammatory effect of B. portulacoides ethanolic extract was compared with an animal group pretreated with dexamethasone. B. portulacoides ethanolic extract significantly inhibited paw edema induced by B. jararacussu venom and by BthTX-I and II. Also, results demonstrated that the extract caused a reduction of the leukocyte influx induced by BthTX-I. However, the extract was not capable of inhibiting the leukocyte influx induced by the venom and by BthTX-II. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ethanolic extract of this plant possess components able to inhibit or inactivate toxins present in B. jararacussu venom, including its myotoxins, responsible for the edema formation. However, the leukocyte migration caused by the venom and BthTX-II was not inhibited by the plant, probably due to the different mechanisms involved in the edema formation and leukocyte influx. This is the first report of B. portulacoides extract as anti-inflammatory against snake venoms and isolated toxins.