Cinnamon powder intake enhances the effect of caloric restriction on white adipose tissue in male rats.

Caloric Restriction (CR) and cinnamon promote several benefits, including the modulation of lipid metabolism and body fat mass. We hypothesize that cinnamon may act as a mimetic of restriction or enhance the effects of caloric restriction on adipose tissue. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into Control (CT, n = 8) and Cinnamon (CIN, n = 7), with free access to standard chow; Calorie Restriction (CR, n = 8) and Calorie Restriction with Cinnamon (CIN-CR, n = 7), subjected to a 30% reduction in food intake compared to the average consumption of CT rats.

Short-Term Betanin Intake Reduces Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats.

Oxidative stress is a common condition described in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Betanin, a bioactive pigment from red beetroot demonstrates anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term intake of betanin against oxidative stress in a rodent model, a common condition described in several risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi Infection through the Oral Route Promotes a Severe Infection in Mice: New Disease Form from an Old Infection?

Oral transmission of Chagas disease has been documented in Latin American countries. Nevertheless, significant studies on the pathophysiology of this form of infection are largely lacking. The few studies investigating oral route infection disregard that inoculation in the oral cavity (Oral infection, OI) or by gavage (Gastrointestinal infection, GI) represent different infection routes, yet both show clear-cut parasitemia and heart parasitism during the acute infection.

Dynamics of Lymphocyte Populations during Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: From Thymocyte Depletion to Differential Cell Expansion/Contraction in Peripheral Lymphoid Organs.

The comprehension of the immune responses in infectious diseases is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we review current findings on the dynamics of lymphocyte subpopulations following experimental acute infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. In the thymus, although the negative selection process of the T-cell repertoire remains operational, there is a massive thymocyte depletion and abnormal release of immature CD4(+)CD8(+) cells to peripheral lymphoid organs, where they acquire an activated phenotype similar to activated effector or memory T cells.