Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells present clinical potential to recover and regenerate injured tissues in diverse pathologies. The in vitro expansion and characterization of these cells contribute to elucidation of the mechanisms of senescence and strategies involving cell therapies. This study aimed to compare specific characteristics between initial and advanced passages of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue and bone marrow. Both cell types were characterized according to immunophenotype, osteogenic differentiation, genomic instability, migration assay, doubling population time and colony forming ability. Our results demonstrated that both cell types were able to maintain an immunophenotypic profile typical of mesenchymal stem cells during increasing passages. Adipose stem cells at initial passage presented greater migration capacity compared to advanced passage cells, and advanced passage cells proliferated faster than initial passage cells. Bone marrow stem cells at early passages presented higher osteogenic potential than advanced. At advanced passages they presented higher colony forming capacity and genetic damage than those at initial passage. These results suggest that mesenchymal stem cells maintained in culture presented characteristics of senescence that should be monitored prior the use in regenerative medicine and cells derived from bone marrow at initial passage have better potential for therapeutic use in bone tissue engineering.

Abstract Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome that affects the central nervous system and generates disability, which is characterized by generalized pain, fatigue, and functional decline. In this review, we aimed to identify the polymorphisms related to the pathophysiology of FM and the clinical characteristics generated by genetic influence. Only original studies with genes related to FM were considered, totaling 27 articles. The genes found were: MTHFR, RGS4, MYT1L, TACR1, SCN9A, DRD3, ADRB2, IL-4, HLA-DRB1, EDN1, CNR1, TAAR1, OPRM1, ADRA1A, ADRB3, BDNF, GRIA4, HTR3A, HTR3B, HTR2A, SERPINA 1 or A1AT, NRXN3, GCH1, MEFV, TRPV3, SLC6A4, ACE I/D, TSPO, COMT, and MAOA. Several genes related to different pain syndromes and altered pain thresholds have been identified and some polymorphisms were related to susceptibility to FM. It was observed that 73.33% of the genes related to FM were also associated with some psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive and compulsive disorder, and 40.00% with pain sensitivity and/or migraine, besides other disorders associated (drug addiction, autoimmune disorders, circulatory problems, and metabolic alterations). This review demonstrated an association of FM and genetic polymorphisms that can expand our knowledge about the pathophysiology of this disease.

Resumo Comunidades rurais são geralmente cobertas de forma precária por serviços básicos, incluindo serviços de abastecimento de água (SAAs). Neste contexto, a gestão comunitária da água é uma alternativa promissora para tratar essa questão, com muitos casos de sucesso pelo mundo. Essa abordagem também contribui para atingir o ODS (Objetivo do Desenvolvimento Sustentável) 6, que pretende universalizar o acesso à água. Este artigo visa avaliar os serviços de abastecimento de água prestados por onze organizações comunitárias do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Todas as comunidades participam do programa de saneamento “Pró-Rural” criado pela Cesan (Companhia Espiritosantense de Saneamento), a concessionária de água do estado, a fim de alcançar comunidades rurais de pequeno porte. Para isso, o Siasar foi utilizado, uma ferramenta de informação que permite a identificação de elementos nos sistemas de abastecimento de água rurais (SAARs) que melhoram ou fragilizam a sua performance. Como resultado, foi verificado que as comunidades eram capazes de manter um nível satisfatório de qualidade dos SAAs, entretanto havia fragilidades relacionadas a atores internos (comunidades e prestadores de serviço) e externos (prestadores de assistência técnica), que podem reduzir a qualidade do SAA ou até mesmo levar a sua interrupção caso não tratadas.

Abstract Rural communities usually are poorly covered by basic services, including water supply services (WSSs). Within this context, community management of water is a promising alternative to address this issue, with many successes all over the world. This approach also contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which intends to universalize water access. This paper evaluates the WSSs provided by eleven rural community organizations from Espírito Santo, Brazil. All of those participate in the sanitation program “Pró-Rural” created by Cesan (Companhia Espiritosantense de Saneamento), the state water concessionaire, to reach small-sized rural settlements. For this purpose, Siasar was used, an informational tool that enables the identification of elements in the rural water supply systems (RWSSs) that can enhance or hinder their performance. The results verified that the communities were able to maintain a satisfactory level of quality of the WSSs, although there were perceptible fragilities regarding the distance between internal (communities and service providers) and external (technical assistance providers) actors that can decrease the quality of the WSS or even lead to its interruption if not addressed.

Abstract Cell cycle alterations are among the principle hallmarks of cancer. Consequently, the study of cell cycle regulators has emerged as an important topic in cancer research, particularly in relation to environmental exposure. Particulate matter and coal dust around coal mines have the potential to induce cell cycle alterations. Therefore, in the present study, we performed chemical analyses to identify the main compounds present in two mineral coal samples from Colombian mines and performed systems chemo-biology analysis to elucidate the interactions between these chemical compounds and proteins associated with the cell cycle. Our results highlight the role of oxidative stress generated by the exposure to the residues of coal extraction, such as major inorganic oxides (MIOs), inorganic elements (IEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on DNA damage and alterations in the progression of the cell cycle (blockage and/or delay), as well as structural dysfunction in several proteins. In particular, IEs such as Cr, Ni, and S and PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene may have influential roles in the regulation of the cell cycle through DNA damage and oxidative stress. In this process, cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, zinc finger proteins such as TP53, and protein kinases may play a central role.

Abstract Cotinine is the main metabolite of nicotine, which is metabolized in the liver through a cytochrome P450 enzyme. Different studies point to genetic instability caused by nicotine, such as single and double DNA strand breaks and micronuclei formation, but little is known about the effect of cotinine. Therefore, the present in vitro study assessed the effects of cotinine on cell viability and DNA damage in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, as well as genotoxicity related to oxidative stress mechanisms. Comparisons with nicotine were also performed. An alkaline comet assay modified by repair endonucleases (FPG, OGG1, and Endo III) was used to detect oxidized nucleobases. SH-SY5Y neuronal cells were cultured under standard conditions and exposed for 3 h to different concentrations of cotinine and nicotine. Cytotoxicity was observed at higher doses of cotinine and nicotine in the MTT assay. In the trypan blue assay, cells showed viability above 80% for both compounds. Alkaline comet assay results demonstrated a significant increase in damage index and frequency for cells treated with cotinine and nicotine, presenting genotoxicity. The results of the enzyme-modified comet assay suggest a DNA oxidative damage induced by nicotine. Unlike other studies, our results demonstrated genotoxicity induced by both cotinine and nicotine. The similar effects observed for these two pyridine alkaloids may be due to the similarity of their structures.

Resumo Este estudo investigou as associações entre o nível de atividade física com os fatores sociodemográficos, ambientais e escolares de adolescentes. Participaram 2.545 jovens de 14 a 18 anos dos municípios da Grande Florianópolis. Foi utilizada a versão curta do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). A prevalência de jovens inativos foi de 48,6%, sendo maior no sexo feminino (53,9%). Para as moças, a inatividade física esteve associada com a falta de lugares apropriados e gratuitos para a prática de atividade física (OR = 1,30 IC95%1,05-1,82), independente da influência das outras variáveis. Já para os rapazes, aqueles que não possuíam atividade profissional (OR = 1,54 IC95%1,14-2,08), mães de menor instrução (OR = 0,41 IC95% 0,27-0,75) ou mães com ensino superior (OR = 0,35 IC95% 0,17- 0,73), pertencentes a cidades de grande porte (OR = 1,64 IC95%1,17-2,31) e classificação socioeconômica baixa quando comparada à média (OR = 0,69 IC95% 0,49-0,97), apresentaram maior chance de inatividade física. Observou-se que as variáveis sociodemográficas estiveram associadas ao comportamento inativo dos rapazes e às variáveis ambientais se associaram a inatividade física das moças. Já dentre os fatores escolares, apenas a reprovação escolar foi associada com inatividade, e somente para as moças.

Abstract This study investigated the associations between the level of physical activity with sociodemographic, environmental and academic factors of adolescents. Two thousand five hundred and forty-five adolescents aged between 14 and 18 from Florianópolis and neighboring cities participated in this study. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. The prevalence of inactive adolescents was 48.6%, being higher among females (53.9%). For girls, physical inactivity was associated with the lack of appropriate and free places for physical activity (OR = 1.30 95% CI 1.05 to 1.82), with no influence of other variables. For boys who had no professional activity (OR = 1.54 95% CI 1.14 to 2.08), less educated mothers (OR = 0.41 95% CI 0.27 to 0.75), or graduate mothers (OR = 0.35 95% CI 0,17- 0,73), living in major cities (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.17 to 2.31) and low socioeconomic classification when compared to the average (OR = 0.69 95% CI 0.49 to 0.97) were more prone to physical inactivity. It was observed that the socio-demographic variables were associated with the inactive behavior of boys and environmental variables were associated with the physical inactivity of girls. Among the academic factors, only having to repeat a year was associated with inactivity, and only for girls.

Abstract Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells distributed in all tissues and characterized by adherence, morphology, immunophenotype and trilineage differentiation potential. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize adherent MSC-like populations from different tissues of Ctenomys minutus, a threatened wildlife rodent popularly known as tuco-tuco. Adherent cells were isolated from bone marrow, brain, liver, pancreas and adipose tissue of three adult animals collect in southern Brazil. Cultures showed typical morphology and proliferation potential. Adipose-derived MSCs showed trilineage potential. Cultures derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow and brain were immunophenotyped with negative results for CD31, CD44, CD45, CD106, and MHC class II, as well as strong positive results for CD29. Low fluorescence levels were seen for CD49d, CD90.2 and CD117. Cultures were negative for CD49e, except for brain-derived cultures that were weakly positive. CD11b was negative in adipose-derived MSCs, but positive in brain and bone marrow-derived cultures. The scratch assay showed high migration potential for pancreas and adipose tissue-derived cells. This study represents the first report of isolation and characterization of cultures having characteristics of MSCs from Ctenomys minutus. The collection of biological information for biobanks represents an important contribution to the creation of strategies for prevention of loss of genetic diversity.

ABSTRACT: Owing to the lack of information in the literature about the ideal feeding frequency adopted by feedlot systems, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of different feeding frequencies on performance, carcass traits, feeding behavior and rumen morphometrics of Nellore cattle. Forty-eight yearling bulls were housed in individual pens with an average initial body weight of 358.2 kg. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block and the treatments were the feeding of cattle one, two, three, or four times daily (n = 12 per treatment). Orthogonal contrasts were used to assess linear, quadratic and cubic relationship between feeding frequency and the dependent variable. As feeding frequency increased, final body weight (p = 0.03) and average daily gain (p = 0.01; one: 0.98 kg d–1; two: 0.96 kg d–1; three: 1.18 kg d–1; four: 1.14 kg d–1) increased linearly and the feed:gain ratio decreased (p = 0.02). Also, as feeding frequency increased, hot carcass weight was affected cubically (p = 0.01; one: 246.9 kg; two: 243.0 kg; three: 263.1 kg; four: 258.1 kg). During the adaptation period dry matter intake variation was affected cubically (p ≤ 0.05; one: 16 %; two: 23 %; three: 14 %; four: 16 %). Increases in feeding frequency affected papillae height (p < 0.01) and papillae surface area (p < 0.01) cubically, as well as producing increases in the mitotic index (p = 0.05; one: 9 %; two: 11 %; three: 13 %; four: 13 %) and cells in proliferation (p = 0.05) linearly. Thus, Nellore yearling bulls should be fed three times daily in feedlot operations.

Resumo Este estudo investigou as associações entre o nível de atividade física com os fatores sociodemográficos, ambientais e escolares de adolescentes. Participaram 2.545 jovens de 14 a 18 anos dos municípios da Grande Florianópolis. Foi utilizada a versão curta do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). A prevalência de jovens inativos foi de 48,6%, sendo maior no sexo feminino (53,9%). Para as moças, a inatividade física esteve associada com a falta de lugares apropriados e gratuitos para a prática de atividade física (OR = 1,30 IC95%1,05-1,82), independente da influência das outras variáveis. Já para os rapazes, aqueles que não possuíam atividade profissional (OR = 1,54 IC95%1,14-2,08), mães de menor instrução (OR = 0,41 IC95% 0,27-0,75) ou mães com ensino superior (OR = 0,35 IC95% 0,17- 0,73), pertencentes a cidades de grande porte (OR = 1,64 IC95%1,17-2,31) e classificação socioeconômica baixa quando comparada à média (OR = 0,69 IC95% 0,49-0,97), apresentaram maior chance de inatividade física. Observou-se que as variáveis sociodemográficas estiveram associadas ao comportamento inativo dos rapazes e às variáveis ambientais se associaram a inatividade física das moças. Já dentre os fatores escolares, apenas a reprovação escolar foi associada com inatividade, e somente para as moças.

Abstract This study investigated the associations between the level of physical activity with sociodemographic, environmental and academic factors of adolescents. Two thousand five hundred and forty-five adolescents aged between 14 and 18 from Florianópolis and neighboring cities participated in this study. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. The prevalence of inactive adolescents was 48.6%, being higher among females (53.9%). For girls, physical inactivity was associated with the lack of appropriate and free places for physical activity (OR = 1.30 95% CI 1.05 to 1.82), with no influence of other variables. For boys who had no professional activity (OR = 1.54 95% CI 1.14 to 2.08), less educated mothers (OR = 0.41 95% CI 0.27 to 0.75), or graduate mothers (OR = 0.35 95% CI 0,17- 0,73), living in major cities (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.17 to 2.31) and low socioeconomic classification when compared to the average (OR = 0.69 95% CI 0.49 to 0.97) were more prone to physical inactivity. It was observed that the socio-demographic variables were associated with the inactive behavior of boys and environmental variables were associated with the physical inactivity of girls. Among the academic factors, only having to repeat a year was associated with inactivity, and only for girls.

RESUMO Os agricultores envolvidos na colheita do tabaco estão regularmente expostos a grande quantidade de agroquímicos. Para determinar como esta exposição a pesticidas induz alterações genéticas nestes agricultores, amostras de sangue foram obtidas de 77 indivíduos expostos e de 60 indivíduos não expostos. O dano ao DNA foi analisado pelo Ensaio Cometa e pelo Teste de Micronúcleos (MN). A capacidade antioxidante foi avaliada pela atividade da enzima superóxido dismutase (SOD), e a influência do polimorfismo do gene PON1 foi usada como um biomarcador de susceptibilidade. O teor de elementos inorgânicos foi determinado nas amostras de sangue pela análise PIXE. Nossos resultados mostraram que a freqüência de danos, índice de danos, freqüência de MN e a atividade da SOD foram significativamente mais elevados no grupo exposto em relação ao não exposto. O gene PON1 demonstrou influenciar a frequência de MN observada no grupo exposto. As concentrações de elementos inorgânicos foram maiores no grupo exposto em relação ao não exposto. Neste estudo observamos que danos genéticos e alterações no balanço oxidativo foram induzidos pela exposição dos agricultores a misturas complexas de pesticidas na presença de componentes inorgânicos, e pelas quais a influência do genótipo foi evidente.

ABSTRACT Agricultural workers involved in the harvest of tobacco crops are regularly exposed to large quantities of pesticides. In order to determine how this exposure to pesticides induces genetic alterations in these workers, blood samples were obtained from 77 exposed individuals, as well as from 60 unexposed subjects. DNA damage was analyzed by the Comet assay and by the micronucleus (MN) test. The antioxidant profile was evaluated by activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the polymorphism of gene PON1 was used as a susceptibility biomarker. The content of inorganic elements in the blood samples was determined by PIXE analysis. Our results demonstrated that the damage frequency, damage index, the MN frequency, and the SOD activity were significantly elevated in the exposed relative to the unexposed group. A modulation of the MN results for the PON1 gene was observed in the exposed group. The concentrations of inorganic elements in the exposed group were higher compared to those of the unexposed group. In this study, we observed that genetic damage, and change in oxidative balance were induced by the exposure of workers to complex mixtures of pesticides in the presence of inorganic compounds, whereby an influence of the genotype was evident.

Abstract Metal ions such as iron can induce DNA damage by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Vitamin C is one of the most widely consumed antioxidants worldwide, present in many fruits and vegetables, especially inMalpighia glabra L., popularly known as acerola, native to Brazil. Acerola is considered a functional fruit due to its high antioxidant properties and phenolic contents, and therefore is consumed to prevent diseases or as adjuvant in treatment strategies. Here, the influence of ripe and unripe acerola juices on iron genotoxicity was analyzed in vivo using the comet assay and micronucleus test. The comet assay results showed that acerola juice exerted no genotoxic or antigenotoxic activity. Neither ripe nor unripe acerola juices were mutagenic to animals treated with juices, in micronucleus test. However, when compared to iron group, the pre-treatment with acerola juices exerted antimutagenic activity, decreasing significantly micronucleus mean values in bone marrow. Stage of ripeness did not influence the interaction of acerola compounds with DNA, and both ripe and unripe acerola juices exerted protective effect over DNA damage generated by iron.

O estudo objetivou investigar a associação do senso de autoeficácia com o desempenho escolar, as dificuldades de aprendizagem, o sexo e a idade de crianças das séries iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Participaram 406 escolares (56,9% meninas), com idades entre sete e dez anos, matriculados em uma escola da região metropolitana de Florianópolis/SC. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Teste de Desempenho Escolar (TDE) e o Roteiro de Avaliação do Senso de Autoeficácia (RASAE). Foi identificada associação significativa entre autoeficácia e desempenho escolar para todos os níveis de habilidades escolares, e aqueles com melhor desempenho apresentavam maior autoeficácia (p<0,001). Quanto ao sexo, as meninas mostraram-se mais autoeficazes do que os meninos (p<0,05). Crianças de diferentes grupos etários (7 a 8 e 9 a 10 anos) tiveram níveis semelhantes de autoeficácia. Sugere-se que ações com vista ao aumento da autoeficácia sejam direcionadas especialmente aos meninos e grupos com baixo desempenho, de forma a repercutirem na motivação e aprendizagem escolar.

In this study we aim at investigating the association of the feeling of self-efficacy with academic performance, learning difficulties, gender and age of children in the early grades of elementary school. The sample was composed of 406 children (56% girls), aged 7 to 10 years, enrolled in a school in the metropolitan area of Florianópolis/SC. The instruments used were the Academic Performance Test (TDE) and Sense of self-efficacy Assessment Guide (RASAE). Statistically significant association was found between self-efficacy and academic performance for all levels of school skills and those with the best performance had higher self-efficacy (p <0.001). Regarding the results between gender, girls were more self-efficacy than boys (p <0,05). Children of different age groups (7-8 and 9-10 years) had similar levels of self-efficacy. The results suggest that actions which target the increase of self-efficacy are directed especially to boys and groups with low academic performance. This produces impacts on the motivation and school learning.

El estudio tuvo por objetivo investigar la asociación del censo de autoeficacia con el desempeño escolar, las dificultades de aprendizaje, el sexo y la edad de niños de las series iniciales de la Enseñanza Fundamental. Participaron 406 escolares (el 56,9% de muchachas), con edades entre siete y diez años, inscriptos en una escuela de la región metropolitana de Florianópolis/SC. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el test de Desempeño Escolar (TDE) y el Rutero de Evaluación del Censo de Autoeficacia (RASAE). Se identificó asociación significativa entre autoeficacia y desempeño escolar para todos los niveles de habilidades escolares, y aquellos con mejor desempeño presentaban mayor autoeficacia (p<0,001). Respeto al sexo, las muchachas se mostraron más auto eficaces de que los muchachos (p<0,05). Niños de distintos grupos eterios (7 a 8 y 9 a 10 años) tuvieron niveles semejantes de autoeficacia. Se sugiere que acciones con vista al aumento de la autoeficacia sean direccionadas especialmente a los muchachos y grupos con bajo desempeño, de forma a repercutir en la motivación y aprendizaje escolar.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the frequency of micronuclei (MN) and the cellular changes detected in the conventional Papanicolaou test. One hundred and seventy-four Papanicolaou test smears with cellular changes were examined. MN screening was done in cytopathological smears by counting 1,000 cervical cells in a light microscope. MN frequencies were significantly higher in the group with cellular changes compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The mean MN frequencies were 0.95 ± 1.12 (mean ± SD) in the control group (n = 223), 2.98 ± 1.20 in individuals with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) (n = 50), 4.04 ± 1.45 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I (n = 52), 5.97 ± 1.83 in CIN II (n = 30), 7.29 ± 1.55 in CIN III (n = 17) and 8.64 ± 1.55 in invasive cancer (n = 25). These findings suggest that MN monitoring should be included as an additional criterion for the early detection of cytogenetic damage in routine examinations. This monitoring should be done in the same smear as used for cytopathological examination. More specific and systematic studies are necessary to confirm this proposal.

Introduction: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), used as pesticides in agriculture, can lead to irreversible injuries in living organisms, particularly in liver. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the liver pathogenesis induced by different molecules, including PCBs. It has been demonstrated that quercetin, an antioxidant flavonoid found in the diet, exhibits a potent antioxidant effect in different liver pathologies. Objective: To evaluate oxidative stress caused by PCBs in liver and the antioxidant activity of quercetin. Methodology: We used male Wistar rats (n = 36), divided in 4 groups: control, quercetin (50 mg/kg/day), PCBs (0.4 ml/kg/day), and rats treated with both PCBs and quercetin. On day 25 blood was collected to assess liver integrity (enzymes AST, ALT and ALP), and liver samples to measure oxidative stress (TBARS), activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) and DNA damage (micronucleus assay), and histological damage. Results: TBARS concentration and SOD activity were significantly higher in PCBs animals as compared to the PCB group receiving quercetin. CAT and GPx decreased in PCBs and increased when quercetin was added. The histological analysis showed damage to hepatocytes in PCBs, but quercetin was able to afford protection against such damage. The micronucleus test showed there was an increase in the production of microclenucleus compared to control, and quercetin was able to reduce this effect. Conclusion: Contamination with PCBs led to increased lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, and the use of antioxidant quercetin was effective in reducing PCBs-induced liver injury.

Introducción: los bifenilospoliclonados (PCBs) son pesticidas ampliamente usados en agricultura que pueden inducir daños irreversibles particularmente en el hígado. El estrés oxidativo ha sido implicado en diversas patogénesis hepáticas, incluidas las relacionadas conPCBs. La quercetina, un flavonoide de la dieta, ha demostrado tener un potente efecto antioxidante en diversos modelos de patología hepática. Objetivo: Evaluar el estrés oxidativo hepático inducido por PCBs y la actividad antioxidante de la quercetina. Metodología: Se usaron ratas macho de raza Wistar (n = 36), divididas en cuatro grupos: control, quercetina (50 mg/kg/día), PCBs (0,4 ml/kg/día) y ratas tratadas tanto con PCBs como con quercetina. Transcurridos 25 días de tratamiento se recogieron muestras de sangre, para evaluar la integridad hepática (AST, ALT y ALP), y de tejido para cuantificar el estrés oxidativo (TBARS), actividad antioxidante (SOD, CAT, GPx), daño al DNA (ensayo de micronúcleos) y daño histológico. Resultados: la concentración de TBARS y la actividad SOD fueron significativamente mayores en los animales que recibieron PCBs que en los que recibían quercetina. La actividad de CAT y GPx se redujo con los PCBs y se incrementó al administrar quercetina. Los análisis histológicos y de micronúcleos mostraron daño hepático y al DNA respectivamente inducido por PCBs que eran revertidos con el tratamiento con quercetina. Conclusion: La contaminación con PCBs induce un incremento en la peroxidación lipídica, modificación en la actividad de enzimas antioxidantes, daño histológico y al DNA en el hígado, siendo el antioxidante quercetina es capaz de reducir dichos cambios.

The genotoxicity of bloom head (BHE) and leaf (LE) extracts from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.), and their ability to modulate the mutagenicity and recombinogenicity of two alkylating agents (ethyl methanesulfonate - EMS and mitomycin C - MMC) and the intercalating agent bleomycin (BLM), were examined using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. Neither the mutagenicity nor the recombinogenicity of BLM or MMC was modified by co- or post-treatment with BHE or LE. In contrast, co-treatment with BHE significantly enhanced the EMS-induced genotoxicity involving mutagenic and/or recombinant events. Co-treatment with LE did not alter the genotoxicity of EMS whereas post-treatment with the highest dose of LE significantly increased this genotoxicity. This enhancement included a synergistic increase restricted to somatic recombination. These results show that artichoke extracts promote homologous recombination in proliferative cells of D. melanogaster.