Publications by authors named "Ana H A Morais"

Obesity is associated with metabolic and physiological effects in the gut. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) in vitro (interaction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibitory activity against human neutrophil elastase (HNE)), and using intestinal co-cultures of Caco-2:HT29-MTX cell lines inflamed with TNF-α (50 ng/mL) and a Wistar rat model of diet-induced obesity (n = 15). TTI was administered to animals by gavage (10 days), and the treated group (25 mg/kg/day) was compared to animals without treatment or treated with a nutritionally adequate diet.

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The study aimed to evaluate the nanoparticles (ECW) containing tamarind trypsin inhibitor (TTI) concerning the storage effect under different conditions on antitrypsin activity and the bioactive potential in a preclinical model. ECW was exposed to different pH and temperatures to evaluate the interaction between TTI and its encapsulating agents, monitored by antitrypsin activity. Wistar rats (n = 25) with obesity induced by diet were divided into groups: untreated; treatment with nutritionally adequate diet; treatment with nutritionally adequate diet and ECW/12.

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Several studies have sought new therapies for obesity and liver diseases. This study investigated the effect of the trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI), nanoencapsulated in chitosan and whey protein isolate (ECW), on the liver health status of the Wistar rats fed with a high glycemic index (HGLI) diet. The nanoformulations without TTI (CW) and ECW were obtained by nanoprecipitation technique, physically and chemically characterized, and then administered to the animals.

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Introduction: Obesity has emerged as one of the main public health problems. This condition triggers a series of hormonal and metabolic changes related to a low-grade chronic inflammatory condition. The trypsin inhibitor purified from tamarind (TTIp) seeds is a promising anti-inflammatory molecule, but its safety needs to be evaluated.

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The association between obesity and vitamin A has been studied. Some studies point to the anti-obesity activity related to this vitamin, carotenoids with provitamin A activity, and carotenoid conversion products. This performance has been evaluated in respect of adipogenesis, metabolic activity, oxidation processes, secretory function, and oxidative stress modulation, showing a new property attributed to vitamin A in preventing and treating obesity.

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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia. Proteins in plant sources that enable the maintenance of the glycemic profile may be of interest in the context of T2DM. However, their mechanisms of action are unclear, unlike other bioactive compounds.

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Infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus worldwide has led the World Health Organization to declare a COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is no cure or treatment for this virus, it is emergingly urgent to find effective and validated methods to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection. In this context, alternatives related to nutritional therapy might help to control the infection.

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In vivo studies show the benefits of the trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind ( L.) (TTI) seeds in satiety and obesity. In the present study, TTI nanoencapsulation (ECW) was performed to potentialize the effect of TTI and allow a controlled release in the stomach.

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The increasing prevalence of obesity and, consequently, chronic inflammation and its complications has increased the search for new treatment methods. The effect of the purified tamarind seed trypsin inhibitor (TTIp) on metabolic alterations in Wistar rats with obesity and dyslipidemia was evaluated. Three groups of animals with obesity and dyslipidemia were formed, consuming a high glycemic index and glycemic load (HGLI) diet, for 10 days: Obese/HGLI diet; Obese/standard diet; Obese/HGLI diet + TTIp (730 μg/kg); and one eutrophic group of animals was fed a standard diet.

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Objective: This study evaluated the effect of a protein, the isolated Trypsin Inhibitor (TTI) from Tamarindus indica L. seed, as a CCK secretagogue and its action upon food intake and leptin in obese Wistar rats.

Methods: Three groups of obese rats were fed 10 days one of the following diets: Standard diet (Labina®) + water; High Glycemic Index and Load (HGLI) diet + water or HGLI diet + TTI.

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Trypsin inhibitors are studied in a variety of models for their anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory bioactive properties. Our group has previously demonstrated the satietogenic effect of tamarind seed trypsin inhibitors (TTI) in eutrophic mouse models and anti-inflammatory effects of other trypsin inhibitors. In this study, we evaluated TTI effect upon satiety, biochemical and inflammatory parameters in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

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Ingestion of peanuts may have a beneficial effect on weight control, possibly due to the satietogenic action of trypsin inhibitors. The aim of this study was to isolate a new trypsin inhibitor in a typical Brazilian peanut sweet (paçoca) and evaluate its effect in biochemical parameters, weight gain and food intake in male Wistar rats. The trypsin inhibitor in peanut paçoca (AHTI) was isolated.

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Inhibitors of peptidases isolated from leguminous seeds have been studied for their pharmacological properties. The present study focused on purification, biochemical characterization and anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant evaluation of a novel Kunitz trypsin inhibitor from Erythrina velutina seeds (EvTI). Trypsin inhibitors were purified by ammonium sulfate (30-60%), fractionation followed by Trypsin-Sepharose affinity chromatography and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography.

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