ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the modulatory properties of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) (C. officinalis) extract on cafeteria diet-fed rats. Methods: A cafeteria diet was administered ad libitum for 45 days to induce dyslipidemia. Then, the rats were treated with the formulations containing C. officinalis in the doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg or only with the vehicle formulation; the control group received a commercial ration. Results: The cafeteria diet decreased glutathione S-transferase activity and high-density lipoprotein plasmatic levels and damaged the hepatic architecture. The C. officinalis extract was able to reduce lipid infiltration in liver tissue and to modulate oxidative stress and lipid profile markers. Conclusions: The correlations between the variables suggest a pathological connection between oxidative stress markers and serum lipid profile.

Abstract Aims Although reduced life expectancy in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients has been related to severe cardiac arrhythmias due to autonomic dysfunctions, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate the role of cardiac β1-Adrenergic (β1AR) and A1-Adenosine (A1R) receptors in these dysfunctions, the pharmacological effects of stimulation of cardiac β1AR (isoproterenol, ISO), in the absence and presence of cardiac β1AR (atenolol, AT) or A1R (1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentyl xanthine, DPCPX) blockade, on the arrhythmias induced by Ischemia/Reperfusion (CIR) in an animal PD model were studied. Methods PD was produced by dopaminergic lesions (confirmed by immunohistochemistry analysis) caused by the injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 6 μg) in rat striatum. CIR was produced by a surgical interruption for 10 min followed by reestablishment of blood circulation in the descendent left coronary artery. On the incidence of CIR-Induced Ventricular Arrhythmias (VA), Atrioventricular Block (AVB), and Lethality (LET), evaluated by Electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis, the effects of intravenous treatment with ISO, AT and DPCPX (before CIR) were studied. Results VA, AVB and LET incidences were significantly higher in 6-OHDA (83%, 92%, 100%, respectively) than in control rats (58%, 67% and 67%, respectively). ISO treatment significantly reduced these incidences in 6-OHDA (33%, 33% and 42%, respectively) and control rats (25%, 25%, 33%, respectively), indicating that stimulation of cardiac β1AR induced cardioprotection. This response was prevented by pretreatment with AT and DPCPX, confirming the involvement of cardiac β1AR and A1R. Conclusion Pharmacological modulation of cardiac β1AR and A1R could be a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce severe arrhythmias and increase life expectancy in PD patients.

RESUMO A erosão em encostas ou taludes demanda o uso de técnicas que promovam a coesão do solo, aumentando sua resistência ao cisalhamento, ao mesmo tempo que contribuam para a recuperação florístico-paisagística. Objetivou-se analisar as características morfológicas dos capins vetiver e paspalum, a fim de compreender sua contribuição para a estabilização do solo, em casa-de-vegetação. Os seguintes parâmetros foram avaliados: altura da planta; número de perfilhos por planta; comprimento, diâmetro, volume e matéria seca da raiz. Ambas as espécies mostraram valores semelhantes para comprimento e diâmetro da raiz, embora o número de perfilhos por planta tenha sido maior para o capim paspalum. Em relação à altura da planta, não foram identificadas diferenças estatísticas, mostrando que ambas podem promover boa cobertura do solo. O capim paspalum apresentou desempenho semelhante em várias características morfométricas, quando comparado ao capim vetiver, demonstrando forte potencial para ser adotado como parte das técnicas de recuperação de áreas degradadas relacionadas à estabilização do solo.

ABSTRACT Soil erosion on slopes demands the use of techniques that promote soil cohesion, increasing its shear strength, while contributing to the foristic-landscape recovery. This study aimed to analyze the morphological characteristics of vetiver and paspalum grasses, in order to understand their contribution to soil stabilization, under greenhouse conditions. The following parameters were evaluated: plant height; number of tillers per plant; root length, diameter, volume and dry matter. Both species showed similar values for root length and diameter, while the number of tillers per plant was higher for the paspalum grass. Concerning the plant height, no statistical differences were identified, showing that both can promote a good soil cover. The paspalum grass presented a similar performance in several morphometric characteristics, when compared to the vetiver grass, showing a strong potential to be adopted as part of the techniques on the recovery of degraded areas related to soil stabilization.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the preventive cardioprotective effects of resveratrol and grape products, such as grape juice and red wine, in animal model of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion. Methods Male Wistar rats orally pretreated for 21-days with resveratrol and grape products were anesthetized and placed on mechanical ventilation to surgically induce cardiac ischemia and reperfusion by obstruction (ischemia) followed by liberation (reperfusion) of blood circulation in left descending coronary artery. These rats were submitted to the electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis to evaluate the effects of pretreatment with resveratrol and grape products on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) resulting from cardiac ischemia and reperfusion. Results It was observed that the incidence of AVB was significantly lower in rats pretreated with resveratrol (25%), grape juice (37.5%) or red wine (12.5%) than in rats treated with saline solution (80%) or ethanol (80%). Similarly, incidence of LET was also significantly lower in rats pretreated with resveratrol (25%), grape juice (25%) or red wine (0%) than in rats treated with saline solution (62.5%) or ethanol (75%). Conclusions These results indicate that the cardioprotective response stimulated by resveratrol and grape products prevents the lethal cardiac arrhythmias in animal model of ischemia and reperfusion, supporting the idea that this treatment can be beneficial for prevention of severe cardiac arrhythmias in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the input of suspended sediment from the slope toe in the São Francisco River channel, in Northeast Brazil, under different soil bioengineering techniques. Sediments were collected in the years of 2013, 2014 and 2015, in five transects crossing the river channel. Sediment input in the sampling points was higher in the year of 2013, i.e., the year of the highest river discharge. Sediment supply to the river channel for a period of 3 years (2013, 2014 and 2015), was evaluated at 20, 40 and 60% depth, along five different transects (P1= riverbank, P2= beginning of the thalweg, P3= middle of the thalweg, P4= end of the thalweg, and P5 = margin of the side sandybar), oriented by the presence or absence of erosion control techniques (treatments) such as: 1-Natural Vegetated Slope; 2-Vegetated Riprap; 3-Eroded Slope; 4-Live Cribwall and 5-Vetiver grass Contour Line. Sediments input was different in all evaluated transects, and the one identified as Eroded Slope at 20% depth presented the lowest amount of suspended sediment load. There was a decrease in the total amount of suspended sediment in the evaluated periods, probably due to the progressive decrease in the river discharge, and the protection provided by the soil bioengineering techniques.

Resumen Este estudio evalúa la entrada de sedimentos en suspensión de la punta de la pendiente del cauce del río São Francisco, en el noreste de Brasil, bajo diferentes técnicas de bioingeniería de suelos. Los sedimentos se recolectaron en 2013, 2014 y 2015, en cinco transectos que cruzan el cauce del río. La entrada de sedimentos en los puntos de muestreo fue mayor en el año 2013, es decir, el año de la mayor descarga del río. El suministro de sedimentos al cauce del río por un período de 3 años (2013, 2014 y 2015), fue evaluado a 20, 40 y 60% de profundidad, a lo largo de cinco transectos diferentes (P1 = ribera, P2 = inicio del thalweg, P3 = medio del thalweg, P4 = final del thalweg, y P5 = margen de la barra arenosa lateral), orientados por la presencia o ausencia de técnicas de control de erosión (tratamientos) tales como: 1-Talud Vegetado Natural; Riprap de 2 vegetaciones; Pendiente 3-erosionada; 4-Live Cribwall y 5-Vetiver grass Contour Line. La entrada de sedimentos fue diferente en todos los transectos evaluados, y el identificado como Pendiente Erosionada al 20% de profundidad presentó la menor cantidad de carga de sedimentos en suspensión. Hubo una disminución en la cantidad total de sedimentos en suspensión en los períodos evaluados, probablemente debido a la disminución progresiva del caudal del río y la protección que brindan las técnicas de bioingeniería de suelos.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate whether the attenuation of mitochondrial Ca2+ overload produced by pharmacological blockade of mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) protects the myocardium against injuries caused by cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (CIR). Methods CIR was induced in adult male Wistar rats (300-350 g) by occlusion of the left anterior descendent coronary artery (10 min), followed by reperfusion (120 min). Rats were treated with different doses of MCU blocker ruthenium red (RuR), administered 5 min before ischemia or reperfusion. Results In untreated rats, the incidences of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and the lethality (LET) induced by CIR were 85%, 79% and 70%, respectively. In rats treated with RuR before ischemia, the incidences of VA, AVB and LET were significantly reduced to 62%, 25% and 25%, respectively. In rats treated with RuR after ischemia, the incidences of VA, AVB and LET were significantly reduced to 50%, 25% and 25%, respectively. Conclusion The significant reduction of the incidence of CIR-induced VA, AVB and LET produced by the treatment with RuR indicates that the attenuation of mitochondrial Ca2+ overload produced by pharmacological blockade of MCU can protect the myocardium against injuries caused by CIR.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the cardioprotective response of the pharmacological modulation of β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) in animal model of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (CIR), in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (NWR) rats. Methods: CIR was induced by the occlusion of left anterior descendent coronary artery (10 min) and reperfusion (75 min). The SHR was treated with β-AR antagonist atenolol (AT, 10 mg/kg, IV) 5 min before CIR, and NWR were treated with β-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO, 0.5 mg/kg, IV) 5 min before CIR. Results: The treatment with AT increased the incidence of VA, AVB and LET in SHR, suggesting that spontaneous cardioprotection in hypertensive animals was abolished by blockade of β-AR. In contrast, the treatment with ISO significantly reduced the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, atrioventricular blockade and lethality in NWR (30%, 20% and 20%, respectively), suggesting that the activation of β-AR stimulate cardioprotection in normotensive animals. Serum CK-MB were higher in SHR/CIR and NWR/CIR compared to respective SHAM group (not altered by treatment with AT or ISO). Conclusion: The pharmacological modulation of β-AR could be a new cardioprotective strategy for the therapy of myocardial dysfunctions induced by CIR related to cardiac surgery and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (preIC) and postconditioning (postIC) in animal model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. Methods: Adult rats were submitted to protocol of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and randomized into three experimental groups: cardiac I/R (n=33), preCI + cardiac I/R (n=7) and postCI + cardiac I/R (n=8). After this I/R protocol, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) was evaluated using the electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis. Results: After reestablishment of coronary blood flow, we observed variations of the ECG trace with increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) (85%), atrioventricular block (AVB) (79%), and increase of lethality (70%) in cardiac I/R group. The comparison between I/R + preIC group with I/R group demonstrated significant reduction in VA incidence to 28%, AVB to 0% and lethality to 14%. The comparison of I/R + postIC group with I/R group was observed significance reduction in AVB incidence to 25% and lethality to 25%. Conclusion: The preconditioning strategies produce cardioprotection more efficient that postconditioning against myocardial dysfunctions and lethality by cardiac ischemia and reperfusion.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate in vivo animal model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion the cardioprotective activity of pancreatic lipase inhibitor of the orlistat. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were anesthetized, placed on mechanical ventilation and underwent surgery to induce cardiac I/R by obstructing left descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion to evaluation of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) with pancreatic lipase inhibitor orlistat (ORL). At the end of reperfusion, blood samples were collected for determination of triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). Results: Treatment with ORL has been able to decrease the incidence of VA, AVB and LET. Besides that, treatment with ORL reduced serum concentrations of CK and LDL, but did not alter the levels of serum concentration of TG, VLDL and HDL. Conclusion: The reduction of ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, and lethality and serum levels of creatine kinase produced by treatment with orlistat in animal model of cardiac isquemia/reperfusion injury suggest that ORL could be used as an efficient cardioprotective therapeutic strategy to attenuate myocardial damage related to acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of atenolol in inflammatory mediator and oxidative stress in a myocardial injury by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rat model. Methods: Adult Wistar male rats were randomly (n=8), anesthetized and divided in: Sham: submitted to operation only; group SS+IR: intravenous saline infusion following superior mesenteric artery occlusion during 60 minutes (ischemia) and open for 120 minutes (reperfusion); group AT+IR: intravenous atenolol infusion (2 mg/kg) following superior mesenteric artery occlusion during 60 minutes (ischemia) and open for 120 minutes (reperfusion); and group AT+I+AT+R: intravenous atenolol infusion following superior mesenteric artery occlusion during 60 minutes (ischemia) and in the time 45 minutes other atenolol doses were administrated and the artery was open for 120 minutes (reperfusion), all animals were submitted to muscular relaxation for mechanical ventilation. In the end of experiment the animals were euthanized and the hearts tissue were morphology analyzed by histology and malondialdehyde by ELISA, and the plasma were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha by ELISA. Results: The group SS+IR demonstrated the higher malondialdehyde levels when compared with the atenolol treated-groups (p=0.001) in the heart tissue. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha level in plasma decrease in the treated groups when compared with SS+IR group (p=0.001). Histology analyses demonstrate pyknosis, edema, cellular vacuolization, presence of inflammatory infiltrate and band contraction in the heart tissue of the rats. Conclusion: Atenolol significantly reduce the degree of cardiac damage after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion.

Nos últimos anos notou-se considerável aumento na procura e consumo de pescado, além de seus derivados. Contudo, os peixes são hospedeiros ideais de inúmeros parasitas, evidenciando a necessidade de desenvolvimento de novas metodologias de pesquisa para sua detecção. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar a eficácia da extração de metacercárias de Ascocotyle (Trematoda: Digenea) em tecidos viscerais de Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 (Teleostei: Mugilidae), mediante duas metodologias: homogeneização por liquidificador ou por mixer. Foram coletadas 26 amostras, sendo 16 amostras de fígado e 10 amostras de tecido muscular de espécimes de M. liza. Cerca de 5g de cada amostra foram processadas pela técnica de homogeneização por liquidificador e pela técnica de homogeneização por mixer para a extração de metacercárias. Em amostras de fígado, até 46 metacercárias foram encontradas na homogeneização em liquidificador. A menor quantidade encontrada foi de 2 metacercárias, para liquidificador e mixer. Em amostras de tecido muscular, observaram-se até 4 metacercárias na extração por mixer. A menor quantidade encontrada em amostras positivas foi de 1 parasita, para liquidificador e mixer. As médias de metacercárias encontradas e extraídas, por liquidificador e mixer, de tecido muscular foram de 0,2 (±0,357) e 1,2 (±0,963), respectivamente. Já as médias de metacercárias encontradas e extraídas, por liquidificador e mixer, do fígado dos peixes foram de 24 (±15,145) e 18 (±8,246), respectivamente. As técnicas de homogeneização, por liquidificador e mixer mostraram-se eficazes para extração de metacercárias dos tecidos de peixes mugilídeos, sugerindo que podem se aplicáveis diretamente no campo de estudo, especialmente pela facilidade de realização do ensaio.

The demand and consumption of fish and their derivatives has increased considerably in recent years. However, fish are ideal hosts of numerous parasites, highlighting the need to develop new research methodologies for its detection. The aim of present study was to compare the efficacy of Ascocotyle metacercariae (Trematoda: Digenea) extraction from visceral tissues of Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 (Teleostei: Mugilidae) by two methods: homogenization by blender or mixer. Twenty-six samples of M. liza were collected, being 16 liver samples and 10 samples of muscle tissue. Approximately 5g of each sample were processed by blender and mixer techniques homogenization for metacercariae extraction. In liver samples, up to 46 metacercariae were found in samples homogenized in blender. The lowest amount found was 2 metacercariae for blender and mixer techniques. In samples of muscle tissue, 4 metacercariae were observed in the mixer extraction. The lowest amount was found to be 2 parasites to blender and mixer. The mean metacercariae found and extracted from muscle tissue were 0.2 (+0.357) and 1.2 (+0.963) for blender and mixer, respectively. The averages of metacercariae found and extracted from fish liver, in blender and mixer, were 24 (+15.145) and 18 (+8.246), respectively. The homogenization techniques for blender and mixer were effective for the extraction of metacercariae of mullet fish tissues, suggesting that they may be directly applicable in the field of study, especially due to the ease of testing.