Histology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Cell Biology, Parasitology
87
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Therapeutic Efficacy of HPβ-CD-Angiotensin-(1-7) Oral Formulation in Muscle Injury Recovery in Rat Nádia Lúcia Totou, Ana Maria Sampaio Rocha, Samara Silva de Moura, César Henrique Pereira, Fabricio Sampaio Coelho, et al. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 2025 To evaluate the therapeutic effect of oral treatment with HPβ‐CD‐angiotensin‐(1‐7) (Ang‐(1‐7)) on muscle recovery after laceration injury. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control (n = 10); HPβ‐CD‐Ang‐(1‐7) (n = 10); muscle injury + HPβ‐CD (MI + Placebo) (n = 24); and muscle injury + HPβ‐CD‐Ang‐(1‐7) (MI + Ang‐(1‐7)) (n = 24). After 7–21 days of treatment, physical performance, histological features and the expression of pro‐ and anti‐fibrotic genes were evaluated. The MI + Ang‐(1‐7) group showed improved control of the inflammatory phase and reduced deposition of collagen types I and III compared to MI + Placebo. CTGF gene expression analysis revealed lower levels of pro‐fibrotic markers and higher expression of proteins involved in blocking fibrotic pathways. In treadmill tests, MI + Ang‐(1‐7) animals also showed superior physical performance at all evaluated time points. Oral treatment with Ang‐(1‐7) is effective in promoting recovery from muscle injuries, particularly fibrotic lesions, while preserving muscle function and enhancing physical performance.
Piperine as an Herbal Alternative for the Prevention of Drug-Induced Liver Damage Caused by Paracetamol Aline Meireles Coelho, Isabela Ferreira Queiroz, Luiza Oliveira Perucci, Tatiana Prata Menezes, Wanderson Geraldo Lima, et al. Pharmaceuticals, 2024 Background/Objective: Hepatic drug intoxication is becoming increasingly common with the increasing use of chronic medications. Piperine has emerged as a promising alternative for protecting the liver against drug-induced injury. We evaluated the prophylactic effects of piperine in C57BL/6 mice with an acute liver injury induced by a paracetamol (APAP) overdose. Methods: Piperine was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg (P20) or 40 mg/kg (P40) for eight consecutive days before the animals were exposed to a hepatotoxic dose of paracetamol (500 mg/kg). The animals were euthanized 3 h after the paracetamol overdose. Results: The prophylactic treatment with piperine (P20 and P40) maintained the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the biomarkers of oxidative damage (TBARS and carbonylated proteins), which were statistically similar to those for the control group. The extent of hepatocyte necrosis and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) levels were lower than those in the group exposed to liver injury (APAP group). Piperine modulated the gene expression of CYP2E1 (cytochrome P4502E1) and the inflammasome pathway (NLRP3, CASP-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), which play a crucial role in the inflammatory response. In the P40 group, the degree of hepatic hyperemia was similar to that in the control group, as was the increase in metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity. Conclusion: Piperine has demonstrated beneficial and promising effects for the prevention of liver injury resulting from paracetamol-induced drug intoxication.
Oropouche virus infection induces ROS production and oxidative stress in liver and spleen of mice Marília Bueno da Silva Menegatto, A. Ferraz, R. Lima, Letícia T. Almeida, R. D. De Brito, et al. Journal of General Virology, 2023 Oropouche virus (OROV) is the aetiological agent of Oropouche fever, the symptoms of which are common to most arboviruses, such as fever, headache, malaise, nausea and vomiting. More than half a million people have been infected with OROV since its isolation in 1955. Although Oropouche fever is classified as a neglected and emerging disease, to date, there are no antiviral drugs or vaccines available against the infection and little is known about its pathogenicity. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis. Since oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the progression of various viral diseases, in this study, redox homeostasis in the target organs of OROV infection was evaluated using an animal model. Infected BALB/c mice exhibited reduced weight gain, splenomegaly, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, development of anti-OROV neutralizing antibodies, increased liver transaminases, and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The OROV genome and infectious particles were detected in the liver and spleen of infected animals, with liver inflammation and an increase in the number and total area of lymphoid nodules in the spleen. In relation to redox homeostasis in the liver and spleen, infection led to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increased oxidative stress biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein, and decreased activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Taken together, these results help elucidate some important aspects of OROV infection that may contribute to the pathogenesis of Oropouche.
Hatchery tanks induce intense reduction in microbiota diversity associated with gills and guts of two endemic species of the São Francisco River Maria Rosilene Alves Damasceno, Camila Gracyelle de Carvalho Lemes, Lucélia Sandra Silva Barbosa Braga, Polyana Cristine Tizioto, Horácio Montenegro, et al. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2022 The São Francisco River (SFR), one of the main Brazilian rivers, has suffered cumulative anthropogenic impacts, leading to ever-decreasing fish stocks and environmental, economic, and social consequences. Rhinelepis aspera and Prochilodus argenteus are medium-sized, bottom-feeding, and rheophilic fishes from the SFR that suffer from these actions. Both species are targeted for spawning and restocking operations due to their relevance in artisanal fisheries, commercial activities, and conservation concerns. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we characterized the microbiome present in the gills and guts of these species recruited from an impacted SFR region and hatchery tanks (HT). Our results showed that bacterial diversity from the gill and gut at the genera level in both fish species from HT is 87% smaller than in species from the SFR. Furthermore, only 15 and 29% of bacterial genera are shared between gills and guts in R. aspera and P. argenteus from SFR, respectively, showing an intimate relationship between functional differences in organs. In both species from SFR, pathogenic, xenobiont-degrading, and cyanotoxin-producer bacterial genera were found, indicating the critical pollution scenario in which the river finds itself. This study allowed us to conclude that the conditions imposed on fish in the HT act as important modulators of microbial diversity in the analyzed tissues. It also raises questions regarding the effects of these conditions on hatchery spawn fish and their suitability for restocking activities, aggravated by the narrow genetic diversity associated with such freshwater systems.
Piperine as Therapeutic Agent in Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice Aline Meireles Coelho, Isabela Ferreira Queiroz, Luiza Oliveira Perucci, Melina Oliveira de Souza, Wanderson Geraldo Lima, et al. Pharmaceutics, 2022 High doses of paracetamol (APAP) can cause irreversible liver damage. Piperine (P) inhibits cytochrome P450, which is involved in the metabolism of various xenobiotics, including paracetamol. We evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of piperine with or without N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The mice were treated with two doses of piperine (P20 or P40) and/or NAC at 2 h after administration of APAP. The NAC+P20 and NAC+P40 groups showed a reduced area of necrosis, MMP-9 activity, and Casp-1 expression. Furthermore, the NAC+P20 group was the only treatment that reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and increased the levels of sulfhydryl groups (-SH). In the NAC+P40 group, NLRP-3 expression was reduced. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and IL-1β expression decreased in the NAC, NAC+P20, and NAC+P40 groups compared to the APAP group. The liver necrosis area, TNF levels, carbonylated protein, and IL-18 expression decreased in the P40, NAC, NAC+P20, and NAC+P40 groups compared to the APAP group. The cytokine IL-6 was reduced in all treatments. Piperine can be used in combination with NAC to treat APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.
