Publications by authors named "Livia Bracht"

Capsicum oleoresin has potential health benefits, particularly against obesity markers. Due to its high pungency, few studies have been done to explore the intake of this ingredient. The objective of this study was to use the Capsicum oleoresin (CO) microencapsulated into a high-fat diet to evaluate its metabolic effect on mice.

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Objectives: Resveratrol has been studied as a potential agent for treating rheumatic conditions; however, this compound suppresses glucose synthesis and glycogen catabolism when infused in perfused livers of both arthritic and healthy rats. This study investigated the effects of oral administration of resveratrol on inflammation and liver metabolism in rats with arthritis induced by Freund's adjuvant, which serves as rheumatoid arthritis model.

Methods: Holtzman rats, both healthy and exhibiting arthritic symptoms, were orally treated with resveratrol at doses varying from 25 to 500 mg/kg for a 5-day period preceding arthritis induction, followed by an additional 20-day period thereafter.

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This study aimed to provide an updated critical review of the nutritional, therapeutic, biotechnological, and environmental aspects involved in the exploitation of Willd and its biowastes. Special attention was devoted to investigations of the therapeutic and nutritional properties of different parts and varieties of quinoa as well as of the use of the biowaste resulting from the processing of grain. Studies published from 2018 onward were prioritized.

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The actions of arsenite and arsenate on carbohydrate metabolism in the once-through perfused rat liver were investigated. The compound inhibited lactate gluconeogenesis with an IC of 25 µM. It also increased glycolysis and fructolysis at concentrations between 10 and 100 µM.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on extracting coffee husk residues, which contain valuable bioactive compounds, and encapsulating them for enhanced stability and effectiveness.
  • Encapsulated coffee husks extract (ECHE) showed higher thermal stability, increased phenolic content, and improved antioxidant activity compared to the raw extract (CHE).
  • Inhibiting pancreatic α-amylase was more effective with ECHE, highlighting its potential use in dietary supplements for managing blood glucose levels in diabetes treatment.
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Miller and Haw, known as 'ora-pro-nobis', are unconventional vegetables belonging to the Cactaceae family, native to the Americas and common in the northeast and southeast regions of Brazil. This review attempts to present a balanced account of both the methods used for obtaining extracts from the diverse parts of the plants and the results that were obtained in terms of their applicability to foods and other products with biological activities. Attention will also be devoted to the properties of their bioactives and their applications to real food products.

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The beneficial effects of high-fat low-carbohydrate (HFLC) diets on glucose metabolism have been questioned and their effects on liver metabolism are not totally clear. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of an HFLC diet under different energy conditions on glucose homeostasis, fatty liver development, and hepatic gluconeogenesis using the isolated perfused rat liver. HFLC diet (79% fat, 19% protein, and 2% carbohydrates in Kcal%) was administered to rats for 4 weeks under three conditions: ad libitum (hypercaloric), isocaloric, and hypocaloric (energy reduction of 20%).

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Chlorhexidine (CHX) is an over-the-counter antiseptic amply used by the population. There are reports that CHX acts in mitochondria as an uncoupler and inhibitor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of CHX on hepatic metabolic pathways linked to energy metabolism in the perfused rat liver.

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The aim of this work was to compare the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of three natural coumarins: 1,2-benzopyrone, umbelliferone and esculetin. The antioxidant capacity of coumarins was evaluated using both chemical and biological in vitro assays. Chemical assays included DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging as well as ferric ion reducing ability power (FRAP) assay.

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The alkaloid boldine occurs in the Chilean boldo tree (). It acts as a free radical scavenger and controls glycemia in diabetic rats. Various mechanisms have been proposed for this effect, including inhibited glucose absorption, stimulated insulin secretion, and increased expression of genes involved in glycemic control.

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Conventional treatments for liver diseases are often burdened by side effects caused by chemicals. For minimizing this problem, the search for medicines based on natural products has increased. The objective of this review was to collect data on the potential hepatoprotective activity of plants of the Brazilian native flora.

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The present study prepared, optimized, and characterized solid lipid microparticles that contained trans-anethole (SLMAN), evaluated their antiinflammatory activity in acute and chronic inflammation models, and investigated their effects on the gastric mucosa in arthritic rats. The microparticles were obtained by a hot homogenization process and characterized by physicochemical analyses. The acute inflammatory response was induced by an intradermal injection of 0.

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Aims: to investigate the effects of resveratrol on glycogen catabolism and gluconeogenesis in perfused livers of healthy and arthritic rats. The actions of resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide (R3G) and the biotransformation of resveratrol into R3G was further evaluated in the livers.

Main Methods: arthritis was induced with Freund's adjuvant.

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Berberine is a plant alkaloid to which antihyperglycemic properties have been attributed. It is also known as an inhibitor of mitochondrial functions. In this work short-term translation of the latter effects on hepatic metabolism were investigated using the isolated perfused rat liver.

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Objective: In the present study, the hepatoprotective effects of β-myrcene (MYR) on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated.

Materials And Methods: A total of 40 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into five groups as follows: 1) Normal control group which received only carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), the vehicle used to dissolve acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP, paracetamol) and MYR; 2) APAP group which received a single dose of acetaminophen (250 mg/kg) orally on day 7; 3) Silymarin group which received 200 mg/kg/day of silymarin; and 4 and 5) pretreatment groups in which, mice were treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg/day of MYR. Liver and blood samples were collected to analyze serum aminotransferases, inflammatory response, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological insults.

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Background And Aim: The present study investigated the effects of orally administered α-tocopherol-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles on the articular inflammation and systemic oxidative status of middle-aged rats with Freund's adjuvant-induced polyarthritis, a model for rheumatoid arthritis. Intraperitoneally administered free α-tocopherol provided the reference for comparison.

Experimental Procedure: Two protocols of treatment were followed: intraperitoneal administration of free α-tocopherol (100 mg/kg i.

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Triclosan (5-chloro-2'-[2,4-dichlorophenoxi]-phenol) is a polychlorinated biphenolic antimicrobial, utilized as antiseptic and preservative in hygiene products and medical equipment. Triclosan causes mitochondrial dysfunction (uncoupling, inhibition of electron flow), as demonstrated in isolated rat liver mitochondria. These actions in the mitochondria could compromise energy-dependent metabolic fluxes in the liver.

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This study investigated whether a 30-day co-treatment with 1 g/kg glutamine dipeptide (GdiP) and 1 U/kg regular (rapid acting) or 5 U/kg degludec (long acting) insulins modifies glucose homeostasis and liver metabolism of alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic (T1D) male Swiss mice undergoing insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH). Glycemic curves were measured in fasted mice after IIH with 1 U/kg regular insulin. One hour after IIH, the lipid profile and AST and ALT activities were assayed in the serum.

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The objective of this work was to determine the potential bioactive properties of extracts from bio-residues of ( (Bertol.) Kuntze) seeds, namely the α-amylase and cholinesterase inhibition, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory properties. The extracts evaluated were obtained from cooking water (CW) and as an ethanolic extract from residual seed shells (PS).

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Aims: Quercetin has been investigated as an agent to treat rheumatoid arthritis. At high doses it improves inflammation and the antioxidant status of arthritic rats, but it also exerts mitochondriotoxic and pro-oxidant activities. Beneficial effects of quercetin have not been found at low doses because of its chemical instability and low bioavailability.

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The purpose of this study was to perform a parallel and comparative investigation of the effects of a Myrciaria jaboticaba (common name jabuticaba) peel extract and of its constituent cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on the overall process of starch and triglyceride intestinal absorption. The peel extract inhibited both the porcine pancreactic α-amylase and the pancreatic lipase but was 13.6 times more potent on the latter (IC values of 1963 and 143.

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Cerebral ischemia-induced hyperglycemia has been reported to accentuate neurological damage following focal or global cerebral ischemia. Hyperglycemia found in rats following focal brain ischemia occurs in the first 24 h and has been claimed to be caused by increased liver gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. However, liver gluconeogenesis and the mechanisms leading to hyperglycemia after global cerebral ischemia remain uncertain.

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The actions of resveratrol in brain and plasma of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis were investigated. Resveratrol was administered orally during a period of 23 days. A major concern of the present work was to explore an ample range of daily doses (10-200 mg/kg).

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The low water solubility and low bioavailability of natural bioactive substances such as polyphenols and flavonoids, either in pure form or extracts, are a major concern in the pharmaceutical field and even on the food development sector. Although encapsulation has demonstrated success in addressing these drawbacks, it is important to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the encapsulated compounds. This article reviews the encapsulation of bioactive compounds from natural sources focusing their antioxidant activity after encapsulation.

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Anethole (AN) is a natural compound that has attracted great scientific interest because of its numerous biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects. However, these effects were obtained with high doses of AN, which may be one limitation of its therapeutic use. This study evaluated the effects of a low-dose AN and ibuprofen (IB) combination on inflammatory parameters in Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) and arthritis-induced hepatic metabolic changes.

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