Protective effect of yerba mate intake on the cardiovascular system: a post hoc analysis study in postmenopausal women

The prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is increased in postmenopausal women, which contributes to the burden of illnesses in this period of life. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a native bush from Southern South America. Its leaves are rich in phenolic components, which may have antioxidant, vasodilating, hypocholesterolemic, and hypoglycemic proprieties. This post hoc analysis of the case-control study nested in the Obesity and Bone Fracture Cohort evaluated the consumption of yerba mate and the prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary diseases in postmenopausal women. Ninety-five postmenopausal women were included in this analysis. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the risk factors and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and consumption of yerba mate infusion. Student's t-test and chi-square test were used to assess significant differences between groups. The group that consumed more than 1 L/day of mate infusion had significantly fewer diagnoses of coronary disease, dyslipidemia, and hypertension (P<0.049, P<0.048, and P<0.016, respectively). Furthermore, the serum levels of glucose were lower in the group with a higher consumption of yerba mate infusion (P<0.013). The serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were similar between the groups. This pragmatic study points out the benefits of yerba mate consumption for the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. The ingestion of more than 1 L/day of mate infusion was associated with fewer self-reported cardiovascular diseases and lower serum levels of glucose. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the association between yerba mate infusion and reduction of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women.

Higher prevalence of clinical cardiovascular comorbidities in postmenopausal women with self-reported premenopausal hirsutism and/or oligo-amenorrhea

Hirsutism is a common condition, being present in about 5–15% of women. It is characterized by the growth of terminal hair in a pattern typical for men, like as hair growth in upper lip, chin, cheek and lower and upper abdomen. Not infrequently, hirsutism is followed by other signs of hyerandrogenism such as alopecia, acne, and seborrhea. The current study evaluated the association between a self-reported history of hirsutism and oligo-amenorrhea during reproductive age and the presence of several comorbidities in women after menopause. A total of 1057 women were investigated in a cross-sectional study, and information on the age at menarche, menstrual history, complaints about excessive hair growth, and disease development was obtained. Participants from the study were postmenopausal women aged >55 y who attended ac primary care service at least once during the 24-month period. Exclusion criteria included the presence of cognitive impairment and/or communication difficulties. Main outcomes were the presence of comorbidities after menopause. The prevalence of comorbidities was significantly higher in women with a history of hirsutism and/or oligo-amenorrhea [OR = 1.6 (95% CI 1.1–2.4), p = 0.002] or isolated hirsutism [OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.3–3.2), p = 0.004]. The prevalence of stroke, angina or myocardial infarction, cardiac failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and osteoarthritis were significantly higher in postmenopausal women who had experienced hirsutism and/or oligomenorrhea (p < 0.03). Limitations of the study came from the absence of a clear differentiation between hirsutism and hypertrichosis. According our results, the presence of hirsutism and oligo-amenorrhea during the female reproductive period may indicate susceptibility to important diseases at old age.

High Intensity Interval Training Reduces the Levels of Serum Inflammatory Cytokine on Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives: This study investigate the effects of a high intensity interval training (HIIT) and 2 weeks of detraining in functional and body composition parameters, lipoproteins, glucose metabolismand inflammation markers in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MS). Design: 17 untrained women with MS underwent a HIIT program for 12 weeks. Methods: The training was performed in treadmills, 3 days per week, with intensity ranging from 70-90% of the maximum heart rate (HR_max) and 2 weeks untrained (inactive). Functional and body composition parameters were evaluated before and after the training, while maximal oxygen uptake, lipoprotein and inflammation markers were analyzed before, after training and also in detraining. Results: The HITT program resulted in changesparameters as glucose, HbA1cand NOx after training. In addition, a reduction in pro-inflammatory interleukins and an increase in IL-10 after the HIIT program were found. However, an increase in plasma levels of lipoprotein was found and body composition parameters remain unaltered.Besides, only 2 weeks of detraining are able to revert the effects on inflammatory parameters afforded by the HIIT program. Conclusions: The HIIT program used here positively affected inflammatory profile and other parameters, as glucose, HbA1cand NOx, on postmenopausal women with MS. Moreover, 2 weeks of detraining can reverse the beneficial effects of HIIT program. Our results point out the necessity to aply acontinuous HITT program, in order maintain the benefits detected, to post menopausal women with MS.

Impact of the Ile105Val Polymorphism of the Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) Gene on Obesity and Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk in Young Adult Population

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene polymorphism with obesity and markers of cardiometabolic risk. A cross-sectional study was carried out in individuals aged≥18 and ≤30 years. The study included 54 normal weight, 27 overweight and 68 obese volunteers. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were evaluated, the DNA was extracted from blood samples and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to measure GSTP1 Ile¹⁰⁵Val gene polymorphism of the study participants. Also, biochemical analysis and hormone assays were carried out. A positive association between GSTP1 polymorphism and obesity was observed on subjects carrying at least one G allele (AG and GG). GG genotype was found only in the obese group. The G allele carriers presented 2.4 times higher chance of obesity when compared to those with the AA genotype. These results were independent of sex and age. We suggest that despite a study in population regional (south of Brazil), the GSTP1 gene polymorphism may play a significant role in the increase of susceptibility of obesity and contribute to identify the cardiovascular risk in young adults.

Relationship Between Pathological Findings and Cholinesterase Activity and Nitric Oxide Levels in Cattle Infected Naturally by Eurytrema coelomaticum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (in the serum and pancreas), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (in the whole blood and pancreas) and nitric oxide (NO) (in the serum and pancreas) in cattle infected naturally by Eurytrema coelomaticum. Fifty-one cattle were studied, including 33 infected by E. coelomaticum and 18 uninfected animals. Significantly greater AChE activity was found in the pancreas of infected animals (P <0.01); however, these cattle had lower AChE activity in whole blood. BChE activity was greater in the sera of infected animals (P = 0.05), but was less in pancreatic samples. NO levels were significantly higher in the sera (P <0.05) and pancreas (P <0.001) of infected cattle compared with uninfected animals. A positive correlation was found between AChE activity in the pancreas and parasite load, but there was negative correlation between pancreatic BChE activity and parasitic load. Expression of AChE, BChE and NO is therefore linked to the inflammation caused by E. coelomaticum in cattle.

Serum levels of nitric oxide and protein oxidation in goats seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum

The aim of this study was to assess and analyze the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in serum of goats naturally infected by Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, or concomitantly infected by these two parasites. Thus, it was measured NOx and AOPP levels in twenty (n=20) sera samples of goats seronegative for T. gondii and N. caninum [negative control group (A)]; while the positive groups were composed by sera of infected animals, twelve (n=12) seropositive for N. caninum [group B]; eighteen (n=18) positive for T. gondii [group C]; and thirteen (n=13) seropositive for N. caninum and T. gondii [group D]. As results, it was observed that animals seropositive for N. caninum and T. gondii (Groups B to D) showed higher serum levels of NOx (P<0.001; F=9.5), when compared with seronegative animals. Additionally, it was observed a positive correlation between NOx levels and antibodies titrations for N. caninum (P<0.01; r=0.68) and T. gondii (P<0.05; r=0.56). AOPP levels were increase in groups C and D (P>0.05). Interestingly, group B did not show increase in AOPP, what led us to hypothesize that the major protein damage is linked to T. gondii infection. Therefore, our results showed an increased in NOx levels, which was probably related to the immune response, since it is an important inflammatory mediator; and AOPP were increased in groups where there was seropositivity for T. gondii, but not for the group composed only by animals seropositive for N. caninum, allowing us to suggest higher protein damage in toxoplasmosis.

Association between advanced oxidation protein products and 5-year mortality risk among amazon riparian elderly population

Proteins are important targets of several modifications caused by oxidative stress, leading to structural changes and consequently partial or total loss of their functions. The oxidized proteins include advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) derived from oxidation-modified albumin, as well as fibrinogen and lipoproteins. An increase in AOPP levels indicates an oxidative stress state and the presence of coexisting inflammation. Several investigations have also suggested an association between high AOPP levels and aging-related diseases. However, the link between elevated AOPP levels and elderly mortality risk has not yet been investigated. Here, we report on a 5-year longitudinal study that investigated the potential association between AOPP levels and mortality using a population-based representative sample of riparian elders living in Brazilian Amazon region (Maués-AM). Age, sex, socioeconomic and cultural conditions, chronic morbidities, polypharmacy, and previous morbidities were also tested as potential confounders. The AOPP levels were measured in 540 (84.78%) individuals, all of whom were followed over a 5-year period in order to establish the mortality rate. Within this study period, 74 (13.7%) elders died and 466 (86.3%) survived. The AOPP levels were higher among the elders who died within the 5-year period (46.27 ± 40.6 mmol/L) compared with those who survived (36.79 ± 20.84 mmol/L) (p = 0.002). The analysis confirmed the link between high AOPP levels and mortality risk, independent of other intervenient factors. These results suggest that elevated AOPP levels could be used to predict mortality risk in elderly patients.

Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase activity in HIV-seropositive subjects and its association with lactate dehydrogenase and protein levels

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of ADA as additional marker of HIV infection as well as its association with other biochemical markers. This study included 55 patients, 26 being diagnosed as HIV positive and 29 patients diagnosed as HIV negative. Glucose, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity were measured on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). ADA activity on CSF was statistically different in HIV-seropositive subjects compared with HIV-negative subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of ADA activity on CSF was 50 and 82.76%, respectively. ADA activity was positively correlated with lactate dehydrogenase and protein in patients with HIV positive and it was negatively correlated with glucose levels. ADA determination in CSF could add information about inflammatory processes in patients with HIV infection.

Syzygium cumini inhibits adenosine deaminase activity and reduces glucose levels in hyperglycemic patients

Syzigium cumini (L.) Skeels from the Myrtaceae family is among the most common medicinal plants used to treat diabetes in Brazil. Leaves, fruits, and barks of S. cumini have been used for their hypoglycemic activity. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an important enzyme that plays a relevant role in purine and DNA metabolism, immune responses, and peptidase activity. ADA is suggested to be an important enzyme for modulating the bioactivity of insulin, but its clinical significance in diabetes mellitus (DM) has not yet been proven. In this study, we examined the effect of aqueous leaf extracts of S. cumini (L.) (ASC) on ADA activity of hyperglycemic subjects and the activity of total ADA, and its isoenzymes in serum and erythrocytes. The present study indicates that: (i) the ADA activity in hyperglycemic serum was higher than normoglycemic serum and ADA activity was higher when the blood glucose level was more elevated; (ii) ASC (60-1000 microg/mL) in vitro caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of total ADA activity and a decrease in the blood glucose level in serum; (iii) ADA1 and 2 were reduced both in erythrocytes and in hyperglycemic serum. These results suggest that the decrease of ADA activity provoked by ASC may contribute to control adenosine levels and the antioxidant defense system of red cells and could be related to the complex ADA/DPP-IV-CD26 and the properties of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors which serve as important regulators of blood glucose.

Effect of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate in the cold storage solution after 12 and 36 hours of rat liver preservation

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) has been reported to have a protective effect on liver injury following ischemic/reperfusion periods because it maintains ATP levels during cold preservation. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of addition of FBP to storage solutions for cold liver preservation during 12 or 36 hours. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups. The hepatic perfusion and preservation were performed with these solutions: UW; UW plus 10 mmol/L FBP; and FBP 10 mmol/L (FBPS) alone. The biochemical measurements of AST and ALT were performed on samples of the cold storage solution after 12- or 36-hour preservation. UW and FBPS solutions showed similar preservation grades at 12 hours. Addition of 10 mmol/L of FBP to UW solution induced liver injury and a poor preservation grade during 12 or 36 hours. UW solution was better than FBPS after 36 hours preservation. UW solution continues to offer a superior performance for liver preservation during long times; however, FBPS may be an alternative for short cold preservation times.

Protective effect of Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate in the cold storage solution for liver preservation in rat hepatic transplantation

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) has been reported to have a protective effect on liver injury following ischemic/reperfusion periods. FBP maintains ATP levels and thereby cellular energy metabolism, which is important to the liver during cold preservation. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of FBP on the composition of storage solutions for cold liver preservation. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups. Hepatic perfusion and preservation were performed with UW, UW plus 10 mmol/L FBP (UWM), and FBP 10 mmol/L (FBPS) alone solutions. Biochemical measurements of AST, ALT, and TBARS were performed on samples of the cold storage solution at 0, 12, 18, and 24 hours preservation. FBPS and UW solutions showed similar preservation grades during 18 hours. Addition of 10 mmol/L of FBP to UW solution induced liver injury and a poor preservation grade. FBP appears to protect the liver from injury caused by free radicals when the preservation time is less than 18 hours. Therefore, FBP may exert a protective effect for the preservation of livers during cold storage, and could represent an important component of new cold storage solutions.