Concentration of Zinc,Copper, Iron,Calcium, and Magnesium in the Serum,Tissues, and Urine of Streptozotocin-Induced Mild Diabetic Rat Model

A survey carried out in Lake Tana in 2015 found that Hg levels in some fish species exceeded internationally accepted safe levels for fish consumption. The current study assesses human exposure to Hg through fish consumption around the Lake Tana. Of particular interest was that a dietary intake of fishes is currently a health risk for Bihar Dar residents and anglers. Hair samples were collected from three different groups: anglers, college students and teachers, and daily laborers. A questionary includes gender, age, weight, activity. Frequency of fish consumption and origin of the eaten fish were completed by each participant. Mercury concentrations in hair were significantly higher (P value <0.05) for anglers (mean?±?standard deviation 0.120?±?0.199 μg/g) than college students (mean?±?standard deviation 0.018?±?0.039 μg/g) or daily workers (mean?±?standard deviation 16?±?9.5 ng/g). Anglers consumed fish more often than daily workers and college group. Moreover, there was also a strong correlation (P value <0.05) between the logarithms of total mercury and age associated with mercury concentration in scalp hair. Mercury concentrations in the hair of men were on average twice the value of the women. Also, users of skin lightening soap on a daily basis had 2.5 times greater mercury in scalp hair than non-users. Despite the different sources of mercury exposure mentioned above, the mercury concentrations of the scalp hair of participants of this study were below levels deemed to pose a threat to health.     

Serum Trace Element Levels in Febrile Convulsion

Febrile convulsion is the most common disorder in childhood with good prognosis. There are different hypotheses about neurotransmitters and trace element changes in biological fluids which can have a role in pathogenesis of febrile convulsion. In this study, serum selenium, zinc, and copper were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the children with febrile convulsion (n?=?30) and in the control group (n?=?30). The age and sex of the subjects were registered. Selenium and zinc were found to be significantly lower in febrile convulsion cases than in the control group (p?<?0.0001 and p?<?0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the value of copper between the two groups (p?=?0.16). While selenium and zinc levels were 44.92?±?10.93 μg/l and 66.13?±?18.97 μg/dl in febrile convulsion, they were found to be 62.98?±?9.80 μg/l and 107.87?±?28.79 μg/dl in healthy children. Meanwhile, copper levels were 146.40?±?23.51 μg/dl in the patients and 137.63?±?24.19 μg/dl in the control group, respectively. This study shows that selenium and zinc play an important role in the pathogenesis of febrile convulsion.     

Altered Plasma Concentrations of Trace Elements in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Before and After Surgery

Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is a classical surgery for ulcerative colitis patients. However, knowledge on trace element alteration in patients who had undergone this surgery is limited. This study was conducted to assess trace element alteration in patients with ulcerative colitis before and after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Preoperative (40) and postoperative (35) ulcerative colitis patients were studied. The dietary assessment of trace element intake was undertaken by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Patients' trace element status of zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, calcium, iron, and vitamin D₃ was assessed by measuring their blood concentrations. We found that with the similar dietary intake, there was no statistical difference in the concentrations of plasma copper, iron, calcium, and vitamin D₃ in the two groups (P?>?0.05). Compared with preoperative patients, postoperative patients had higher concentrations of plasma zinc (14.51?±?4.75 μmol/l) and manganese (0.21?±?0.11 μmol/l) and lower concentrations of plasma selenium (0.86?±?0.58 μmol/l). Both preoperative and postoperative mean concentrations of plasma calcium and vitamin D₃ were below their reference range, respectively. We conclude that IPAA does not seem to alter patients' abnormal trace elements completely. It is important to monitor and supply some specified trace elements even in postoperative patients.     

Serum Levels of Antioxidants (Zn, Cu, Se) in Healthy Volunteers Living in Tehran

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) are well-known as essential trace elements. These elements attract a great interest, not only in the scientific world, but also in the public option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum Zn, Cu, and Se levels in healthy volunteers (60 females and 55 males) living in Tehran. The age (6–62 years) and sex of the subjects, as well as drug and tobacco consumption, were registered. The concentrations of these elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The serum levels of Zn, Cu, and Se in the normal population of Tehran was 0.89?±?0.16 mg/L, 0.95?±?0.20 mg/L, and 99.10?±?21.78 μg/L, respectively. There was no significant gender-related difference in serum Zn concentration (p?<?0.15). However, a significant difference (p?<?0.05) in both Cu and Se levels was observed between males and females.     

Comparison of ochratoxin A levels in edible pig tissues and in biological fluids after exposure to a contaminated diet

The aim of this study was to compare ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in pig tissues and biological fluids after animal exposure to contaminated diet (250 μg OTA/kg of feed) during 4 weeks of fattening. OTA concentrations were quantified using a validated immunoassay method (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD). The highest mean OTA concentration in pig tissues was determined in kidneys of exposed animals (13.87?±?1.41 μg/kg), followed by lungs (10.47?±?1.97 μg/kg), liver (7.28?±?1.75 μg/kg), spleen (4.81?±?0.99 μg/kg), muscle tissue (4.72?±?0.86 μg/kg), fat tissue (4.11?±?0.88 μg/kg), heart (3.71?±?1.09 μg/kg), and brain (3.01?±?0.25 μg/kg). Furthermore, on the last day of exposure (day 28), significantly higher mean OTA levels were determined in urine (16.06?±?3.09 μg/L) in comparison to serum (4.77?±?1.57 μg/L) showing that OTA urine analysis could be a good marker to identify elevated levels of this contaminant in porcine tissues used for human consumption. This study gave guidelines for the most efficient OTA control in pig-derived biological materials that can be exercised at slaughterhouses.     

Individual Intake of Free-Choice Mineral Mix by Grazing Beef Cows May Be Less Than Typical Formulation Assumptions and Form of Selenium in Mineral Mix Affects Blood Se Concentrations of Cows and Their Suckling Calves

The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the individual ad libitum intake of mineral mix by beef cows managed under a year-long, fall-calving, forage-based production regimen and (2) if Se form in the mineral mix affected the blood Se concentrations of cows and suckling calves. Twenty-four late-gestation (6 to 8 months) Angus-cross cows (2.7?±?0.8 years; body weight [BW]?=?585?±?58 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned (n?=?8) to a mineral supplement treatment (TRT) containing 35 ppm Se as either inorganic (ISe; sodium selenite), organic (OSe; Sel-Plex®), or a 1:1 combination of ISe/OSe (MIX). Cows commonly grazed a 10.1-ha predominately tall fescue pasture and had individual ad libitum access to TRT using in-pasture Calan gates. Cows calved from August to November and calves had common ad libitum access to creep feed and a mineral supplement that lacked Se. Cow jugular blood was taken at 28-day intervals (13 periods) and calf blood was taken with cows from birth through weaning. Individual cow mineral mix (mean?=?54.0?±?7.0 g/day, range?=?97.3 to 27.9?±?7.4 g/day) and Se (mean?=?1.82?±?0.25 mg/day, range?=?3.31 to 0.95?±?0.25 mg/day) intakes were affected by period (P?<?0.0001), but not by cow Se TRT (P?>?0.30). Cow blood Se (0.109 to 0.229?±?0.01 μg/mL) was affected (P?<?0.002) by period, Se form, and their interaction, with ISe?< MIX for periods 8 and 11, ISe?<?OSe for all periods except period 1, and MIX?<?OSe for periods 2 to 4, 7, 8, 10, and 12. Calf blood Se (in micrograms Se per milliliter) was correlated with cow blood Se and affected (P?<?0.0001) by cow Se TRT, with ISe (0.07 to 0.11)?<?MIX (0.10 to 0.15)?=?OSe (0.16 to 0.19). These data reveal that (1) mean supplemental ad libitum cow mineral intake was 36 % less than the typical formulation intake expectations (85 g/day) and, correspondingly, mean supplemental Se intake was 33 % less than that allowed by the FDA and (2) cow Se TRT differentially affected both cow and calf blood Se concentrations, resulting in adequate concentrations for all cows but inadequate concentrations for ISe calves.     

ErbB4 signals Neuregulin1-stimulated cell proliferation and c-fos gene expression through phosphorylation of serum response factor by mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade

The temporal relationship of hepatic steatosis and changes in liver oxidative stress and fatty acid (FA) composition to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain to be clearly defined. Recently, we developed an experimental model of hepatic steatosis and NASH, the transgenic spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) that overexpresses a dominant positive form of the human SREBP-1a isoform in the liver. These rats are genetically predisposed to hepatic steatosis at a young age that ultimately progresses to NASH in older animals. Young transgenic SHR versus SHR controls exhibited simple hepatic steatosis which was associated with significantly increased hepatic levels of oxidative stress markers, conjugated dienes, and TBARS, with decreased levels of antioxidative enzymes and glutathione and lower concentrations of plasma α- and γ-tocopherol. Transgenic rats exhibited increased plasma levels of saturated FA, decreased levels of n?3 and n?6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), and increased n?6/n?3 PUFA ratios. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that excess fat accumulation in the liver in association with increased oxidative stress and disturbances in the metabolism of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids may precede and contribute to the primary pathogenesis of NASH.     

Anatomical Region Differences and Age-Related Changes in Copper,Zinc, and Manganese Levels in the Human Brain

Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after samples microwave-assisted acid digestion, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) levels were measured in 14 different areas of the human brain of adult individuals (n?=?42; 71?±?12, range 50–101 years old) without a known history of neurodegenerative, neurological, or psychiatric disorder. The main goals of the work were to establish the “normal” (reference) values for those elements in the human brain and to evaluate the age-related changes, a prior and indispensable step in order to enlighten the role of trace element (TE) in human brain physiology and their involvement in aging and neurodegenerative processes. Considering the mean values for the 14 regions, Zn (mean ± sd; range 53?±?5; 43–61 μg/g) was found at higher levels, followed by Cu (22?±?5; 10–37 μg/g) and Mn (1.3?±?0.3; 0.5–2.7 μg/g). The TE distribution across the brain tissue showed to be quite heterogeneous: the highest levels of Zn were found in the hippocampus (70?±?10; 49–95 μg/g) and superior temporal gyrus (68?±?10; 44–88 μg/g) and the lowest in the pons (33?±?8; 19–51 μg/g); the highest levels of Cu and Mn were found in the putamen (36?±?13; 21–76 μg/g and 2.5?±?0.8; 0.7–4.5 μg/g, respectively) and the lowest in the medulla (11?±?6; 2–30 μg/g and 0.8?±?0.3; 0.2–1.8 μg/g, respectively). A tendency for an age-related increase in Zn and Mn levels was observed in most brain regions while Cu levels showed to be negatively correlated with age.     

Selenium Deficiency as a Possible Contributor of Goiter in Schoolchildren of Isfahan, Iran

The prevalence of goiter still remains high in some areas of Iran in spite of iodine supplementation. In the present study, we investigated the role of selenium (Se) deficiency in the etiology of goiter in Isfahan. Two thousand three hundred thirty-one schoolchildren were selected by multistage random sampling. Thyroid size was estimated in each child by inspection and palpation. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and plasma Se were measured. Overall, 32.9% of the 2,331 children had goiter. The median UIC was 19.55 µg/dl. Plasma Se was measured in 96 goitrous and 72 nongoitrous children. The mean?±?SD of plasma Se in goitrous and nongoitrous children was 66.86?±?21.82 and 76.67?±?23.33 µg/l, respectively (P?=?0.006). Goitrous girls had lower plasma Se level than nongoitrous girls (65.62?±?21.64 vs. 76.51?±?22.61 µg/dl, P?=?0.02). Goitrous boys had lower plasma Se level than nongoitrous boys (68.45?±?22.21 vs. 76.91?±?24.76 μg/l, P?=?0.14). The prevalence of Se deficiency was significantly higher in goitrous boys and girls than nongoitrous children. Se deficiency is among the contributors of goiter in Isfahan goitrous schoolchildren. However, the role of other micronutrient deficiencies or goitrogens should be investigated in this region.     

A Prospective Study of Selenium Concentration and Risk of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Iranian Women: a Nested Case–Control Study

Preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide; however, its specific etiology still remains obscure. Some studies implicate poor maternal selenium status predisposing the mother to preeclampsia. This study was designed to determine changes in plasma selenium levels in women having preeclampsia as compared with those with normal pregnancy. In a nested case–control study, 650 normal primigravida in their first 24–28 weeks participated in the study. After 3 months of follow-up of all subjects, blood selenium levels were measured in 38 women presenting consecutively with preeclampsia and in 38 women having a normal pregnancy by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Birth outcomes were recorded, such as gestational age at delivery, height, weight, birth head circumflex and 1-min Apgar score. Preeclampsia affects about 5.84 % of pregnancies, and in our study, there were no significant differences in age, anthropometric indices, and family history of preeclampsia between the preeclamptic and control groups. The selenium concentrations in plasma in women with preeclampsia were significantly lower as compared with those in women with normal pregnancy (70.63?±?21.41 versus 82.03?±?15.54 μg/L, p?<?0.05). Being in the bottom tertile of selenium concentration (less than 62.2 μg/L) was associated with greater risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. The reduced selenium in the maternal circulations observed in the preeclamptic mothers support the hypothesis that insufficient selenium concentration may be a contributing factor to the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with preeclampsia, and optimizing the dietary selenium intake through supplementation could produce demonstrable clinical benefits.     

Effect of Fixed Orthodontic Therapy on Urinary Nickel Levels: A Long-term Retrospective Cohort Study

Nickel constitutes about 8?C60?% of orthodontic alloys. It is known as an allergenic/cytotoxic trace metal. Therefore, it should be investigated in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment which might last for 2 or 3?years. However, no controlled studies have assessed the influence of orthodontic treatments of longer than 5?months on its systemic levels. Thus, the aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate systemic nickel in patients undergoing orthodontic therapy for a minimum period of 1?year. In this study, urinary nickel concentrations in 20 female and 10 male patients being treated with stainless steel appliances were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The same procedure was done on a control group of the patients?? same-gender near-age siblings (n?=?30). The effect of treatment and gender on urinary nickel levels were assessed using a repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a Tukey test (???=?0.05). The mean treatment duration was 17.1?±?6.4?months (range, 12?C21). The mean nickel concentrations in male and female patients were 9.67?±?3.25 and 9.9?±?3.83???g/L, respectively. These statistics for male and female control subjects were 6.65?±?2.57 and 8.43?±?2.94???g/L, respectively. The ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference between the urinary nickel levels of the treatment and the control groups (P?=?0.009) but not between the genders (P?=?0.194). The interaction between gender and treatment was also nonsignificant (P?=?0.337). The Tukey test indicated that the increase in nickel was higher in male patients, in comparison to their brothers (P?<?0.05). It could be concluded that orthodontic therapy for longer durations with stainless-steel archwires might elevate slightly, but significantly, urinary nickel levels.     

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Thyroid Hormone Metabolism of Adolescents with Down Syndrome

Studies have evidenced that zinc metabolism is altered in the presence of Down syndrome, and zinc seems to have a relationship with the metabolic alterations usually present in this syndrome. In this work, the effect of zinc supplementation on thyroid hormone metabolism was evaluated in adolescents with Down syndrome. A prospective study was carried out on 16 adolescents with Down syndrome (age: 10–19 years) who were randomized for treatment with 30 mg zinc daily for 4 weeks. Diet evaluation was accomplished y using a 3-day dietary record, and the analysis was performed by the NutWin program, version 1.5. Anthropometric measurements were performed for evaluation of body composition. The Zn-related nutritional status of the groups was evaluated by means of zinc concentration determinations in plasma and erythrocytes using the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the thyroid hormone was obtained by radioimmunoassay. The diet of patients with Down syndrome, before and after the intervention presented reduced energy level and adequate zinc concentrations. Mean plasma zinc values were 59.2?±?13.2 and 71.0?±?21.9 μg/dL before and after the intervention, respectively. Erythrocyte concentrations of the mineral before supplementation, instead, were 51.5 μg/dL?±?11.1 μg Zn/gHb, and at the end of the experiment, they were 42.9?±?8/5 μg Zn/gHb, with a significant statistical difference (p?<?0.05). Serum concentrations of T₄ hormone before and after zinc supplementation were 1.26?±?0.20 and 1.54?±?0.63 pg/mL, respectively. Mean T₃ values before intervention were 2.47?±?037 pg/mL and, after supplementation, 2.25?±?0.67 pg/mL, without significant statistical difference (p?>?0.05). Intervention with zinc showed to be effective in the stabilization of the concentrations of this mineral in plasma and erythrocytes, but had no influence on the metabolism of thyroid hormones.     

A Pilot Study on Neopterin Levels and Tryptophan Degradation in Zinc-Exposed Galvanization Workers

Hot-dip galvanization is a zinc-coating process to protect the metal items from corrosion. Zinc oxide nanoaerosol fume rising from hot metal bath surface in nano dimensions contains the greatest risk for workers in galvanization process. In the present study, it was evaluated whether inhalation of zinc causes any alteration in cellular immunity and tryptophan degradation by measuring neopterin, tryptophan, kynurenine, and zinc levels in 63 male galvanization workers and 23 male office personnel as controls. Serum and urinary zinc levels were found as 14.90?±?0.90 and 102?±?4.7 μg/dL in workers while 12.87?±?1.45 and 75?±?4.2 μg/dL in controls, respectively (both, p?<?0.05). Similarly, the mean urinary neopterin levels and serum neopterin and kynurenine levels were found to be statistically higher in galvanization workers than the controls (all, p?<?0.05). Significant correlations were found between urinary neopterin levels and kynurenine to tryptophan ratio or serum zinc levels. The results indicated cellular immune activation by occupational zinc exposure. It was estimated that neopterin, in parallel with kynurenine pathway, could reflect occupational exposure to zinc nanoaerosols and might be useful in early diagnosis of immune alterations due to nano-scale exposures.     

Chemical composition and ethanol production potential of Thai seaweed species

This study evaluated the potential use of several Thai seaweed species for ethanol production. The high biomass of the green algae Ulva intestinalis and Rhizoclonium riparium and the red algae Gracilaria salicornia and Gracilaria tenuistipitata in an earthen pond culture led us to select these species for our study. The seaweed species were analyzed for chemical composition, resulting in ash contents of 37.62?±?0.15 % and fiber of 11.93?±?0.16 %, with the highest values in R. riparium. Low lipid values were found in all species, with the highest value (p?<?0.05) in G. salicornia (1.69?±?0.07 %) and the lowest in R. riparium (0.28?±?0.01 %) and G. tenuistipitata (0.26?±?0.01 %). The highest carbohydrate contents were found in G. tenuistipitata (54.89 %), and the lowest were in R. riparium (29.53 %). G. tenuistipitata (8.58?±?0.36 %) and U. intestinalis (8.24?±?0.28 %) had higher sulfate contents compared with G. salicornia (4.69?±?0.04 %) and R. riparium (1.97?±?0.20 %). The monosugar algal tissue components were analyzed by HPLC; rhamnose, xylose, fucose, arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose were used as reference sugars. Total sugar was found to be highest in G. tenuistipitata (98.21 %). Arabinose, glucose, and galactose were the main sugar components in all species. Glucose obtained from G. tenuistipitata (6.55 %) and R. riparium (6.52 %) was higher than in G. salicornia (0.27 %) and U. intestinalis (2.78 %). G. tenuistipitata fermentation gave a higher yield of ethanol (4.17?×?10^?3 g ethanol g^?1 sugars; 139.12 μg ethanol g^?1 glucose) than R. riparium (0.086?×?10^?3 g ethanol g^?1 sugars; 33.84 μg ethanol g^?1 glucose), U. intestinalis (0.074?×?10^?3 g ethanol g^?1 sugars; 9.98 μg ethanol g^?1 glucose), and G. salicornia (0.031?×?10^?3 g ethanol g^?1 sugars; 1.43 μg ethanol g^?1 glucose).     

Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase Status in Adult Egyptian Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This study was undertaken to evaluate selenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) status in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) before and after induction therapy. Twenty-five patients with newly diagnosed AML and 15 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in this study. Serum Se level by the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric technique and GPX activity by an adaptation of Beutler method was performed for the patients before and after receiving the induction therapy. Serum Se level was significantly lower in patients with AML versus control subjects (63.1?±?8.8 versus 77?±?8.8 µg/L before therapy with a P value <0.01 and 69?±?6.8 versus 77?±?8.8 µg/L after therapy with a P value <0.01).GPX activity was significantly lower in patients with AML versus control subjects (1.6?±?0.4 versus 3.4?±?0.7 µ/g protein pretreatment with a P value <0.01and 1.9?±?0.6 versus 3.4?±?0.7 µ/g protein post induction treatment with P value <0.01).Se level and GPX activity significantly increased in AML patients after treatment. Patients who accomplished complete remission after induction harbored significantly higher Se levels than resistant patients before and after treatment. There was no significant correlation between serum Se level and GPX activity. Decreased Se level and reduced GPX activity in AML patients support the association of carcinogenesis and subnormal Se states.     

Spatial ecology of shark-like batoids in a large coastal embayment

Understanding how spatial ecology varies between life stages, and whether there is an overlap of critical areas (e.g., nursery areas, breeding sites), may provide significant benefits to conservation planning. The present work examined the space use and residency of shark-like batoids (families Rhynchobatidae and Rhinobatidae) in a nearshore system. An array of 63 acoustic receivers deployed in Cleveland Bay, north Queensland, Australia, passively tracked 15 G. typus and 20 Rhynchobatus spp. between 2009 and 2011. Glaucostegus typus were monitored between 1 and 766 days (mean?=?333?±?69 days) and were present in the site from 1 to 198 days (mean 73?±?25 days). Both adult male and female G. typus exhibited philopatric behaviour patterns, leaving the bay and returning after periods of about 9–12 months to use the same areas where they were detected in previous years. Individuals with lower residency had larger activity spaces. Rhynchobatus spp. were monitored for 1 to 707 days (mean?=?231?±?50 days) and were present in the site from 1 to 350 days (mean 82?±?24 days). Rhynchobatus spp. exhibited no synchronicity in use of the bay. Both G. typus male and female residency changed with size of individuals, in comparison size had no effect on the residency of Rhynchobatus spp. The present study improves our understanding of shark-like batoid spatial ecology in nearshore waters and may provide useful information for the management of these populations.     

Lead Accumulation as Possible Risk Factor for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between preeclampsia and iodine levels and magnesium concentration in the blood of subjects in the northeast Anatolia region where iodine deficiency is common. Blood specimens were obtained from 24 preeclamptic and 16 healthy pregnant women. Iodine levels in blood were determined by the Foss method based on the Sandell–Kolthoff reaction. Serum protein-bound iodine (PBI) levels and magnesium concentration in maternal blood were lower in patients with severe preeclampsia compared to normal pregnant women (8.46?±?1.22 vs. 11.46?±?1.71 μg/dL, p?<?0.001, 1.63?±?0.05 vs. 1.86?±?0.05 mg/dL, p?<?0.001, respectively). Serum PBI levels and magnesium concentration in umbilical cord blood were higher in patients with severe preeclampsia than in normal pregnant women (8.84?±?1.9 vs. 7.33?±?1.07 μg/dL, p?<?0.05, 2.48?±?0.03 vs. 2.02?±?0.01 mg/dL, p?<?0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the serum PBI levels in maternal blood and magnesium concentration in maternal blood in patients with severe preeclampsia (r?=?0.41, p?<?0.05). Thus, iodine may be one factor contributing to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Iodine supplementation may be effective therapy in preeclamptic in pregnant women.     

Involvement of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in the development of non-alcoholic steatosis and steatohepatitis in mice and humans

Insulin resistance (IR) and obesity are important risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is involved in the development of IR and obesity in vivo. However, its possible contribution to NAFLD and/or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) independently of its role on IR or fat mass accretion has not been explored. Here, we used wild-type (WT) or GRK2 hemizygous (GRK2±) mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or a methionine and choline-deficient diet (MCD) as a model of NASH independent of adiposity and IR. GRK2± mice were protected from HFD-induced NAFLD. Moreover, MCD feeding caused an increased in triglyceride content and liver-to-body weight ratio in WT mice, features that were attenuated in GRK2± mice. According to their NAFLD activity score, MCD-fed GRK2± mice were diagnosed with simple steatosis and not overt NASH. They also showed reduced expression of lipogenic and lipid-uptake markers and less signs of inflammation in the liver. GRK2± mice preserved hepatic protective mechanisms as enhanced autophagy and mitochondrial fusion and biogenesis, together with reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress. GRK2 protein was increased in MCD-fed WT but not in GRK2± mice, and enhanced GRK2 expression potentiated palmitic acid-triggered lipid accumulation in human hepatocytes directly relating GRK2 levels to steatosis. GRK2 protein and mRNA levels were increased in human liver biopsies from simple steatosis or NASH patients in two different human cohorts. Our results describe a functional relationship between GRK2 levels and hepatic lipid accumulation and implicate GRK2 in the establishment and/or development of NASH.     

Anti-herpesvirus bovine type 5 activities of extracts obtained from Plocamium brasiliense

Bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) is an important etiologic agent of meningoencephalitis in cattle and has been frequently identified in outbreaks of neurological disease in bovine in the southern hemisphere including Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and the antiviral properties of extracts obtained from Plocamium brasiliense (Greville) Howe and Taylor in BoHV-5 RJ42/01 replication. The cytotoxic effects were measured in Madin-Darbin bovine kidney cells (MDBK) and cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) values have been determined for acyclovir (ACV) (223 μg?±?2.0), ethyl acetate extract from P. brasiliense (2,109 μg?±?10), hexane extract from P. brasiliense (7.181 μg?±?5), dichloromethane extract from P. brasiliense (2.356 μg?±?6.5), and hydroalcoholic extract from P. brasiliense (1.408 μg?±?5.8). As a first approach to characterize the action of these extracts on BoHV-5 RJ42/01, a virucidal assay activity was performed. A virus suspension containing 1?×?10⁵ plaque-forming units (PFU) of the BoHV-5 RJ42/01 was mixed with 600 μg of extract and acyclovir and kept at room temperature (24 °C) for 3 h. Meanwhile, a control of untreated infected virus was performed in the same conditions. Then, treated virus suspension and untreated control were diluted, and percentage of inhibition of infectivity was determined by plaque assay: ethyl acetate extract (99 %), hexane extract (90 %), dichloromethane extract (99 %), and hydroalcoholic extract (27 %). Acyclovir had a slight virucidal activity on viral particle. The inhibition of attachment was performed in MDBK cells inoculated with 100 PFU of BoHV-5 RJ42/01 in the presence or absence of various concentrations of extracts (0.3, 0.9, and 1.5 μg mL^?1). Acyclovir was also assayed at 2.8 and 11.25 μg mL^?1. The inhibition of adsorption was also tested in MDBK cells treated with the same concentrations of the extracts before virus inoculation. Results: hexane extracts inhibited virus attachment in pre-treated cell 0.9 μg (55 %) and 1.5 μg (71 %) and untreated MDBK cell only with 1.5 μg (63 %). Ethyl acetate extract on cell pre-treated with 0.3 μg (67 %), 0.9 μg (81 %), and 1.5 μg (91 %). Ethyl acetate extract on pre-treated cell 0.3 μg (67 %), 0.9 μg (81 %), and 1.5 (91 %) but discrete inhibition on cell untreated. Dichloromethane extract and acyclovir slightly inhibited virus binding on MDBK cell.