Swimming training and caffeine supplementation protects against metabolic syndrome-induced nuclear factor-κB activation and cognitive deficits in rats.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disorder that increasingly affects the world population, mainly because of changes in lifestyle and dietary habits. In this regard, both physical exercise and caffeine are low-cost and easily accessible therapies that separately have shown positive effects against metabolic disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that physical exercise combined with caffeine could have a synergistic effect in the treatment of MS, risk factors, and cognitive deficits.

MeHg exposure impairs both the catecholaminergic and cholinergic systems resulting in motor and non-motor behavioral changes in Drosophila melanogaster.

Human exposure to the natural environmental contaminant methylmercury (MeHg) has been associated to adverse health effects. Importantly, the mechanisms by which this organomercurial exerts its neurotoxicity have yet to be fully clarified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to MeHg alters dopamine (DA) and octopamine (OA) levels, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and impacts both motor and non-motor behaviours.

Protective effect of gamma-oryzanol against manganese-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element that, in excess, seems to be involved in the development of different neurodegenerative conditions. Gamma-oryzanol (Ory) was previously reported to possess antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Thus, we conducted this study to test the hypothesis that Ory can also protect flies in an Mn intoxication model.

Caffeic acid and caffeine attenuate toxicity associated with malonic or methylmalonic acid exposure in Drosophila melanogaster.

The deficiency in the activity of the mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM, EC 5.4.99.

Use of Pistia stratiotes for phytoremediation of water resources contaminated by clomazone.

The Pistia stratiotes L. was tested for phytoremediation potential of the compound clomazone in water. Clomazone is a post-emergent herbicide marketed as Gamit.

Thimerosal inhibits Drosophila melanogaster tyrosine hydroxylase (DmTyrH) leading to changes in dopamine levels and impaired motor behavior: implications for neurotoxicity.

Thimerosal (THIM) is a well-established antifungal and antiseptic agent widely used as a preservative in vaccines. Recent studies identified the neurotoxic effects of THIM, including malfunction of the monoaminergic system. However, the underlying cytotoxic mechanisms are not well understood.

Cellular Responses in Drosophila melanogaster Following Teratogen Exposure.

Studies focusing on the teratogenicity of a series of new chemicals that are produced in a daily basis represent an important focus in toxicological/pharmaceutical research, particularly due to the risks arising from occupational exposure of the subjects. However, the complex mating procedures, scheduling of treatments, requirements for trained personnel, and elevated costs of traditional teratological assays with mammals hamper this type of assessments. Accordingly, the use of Drosophila melanogaster as a model for teratological studies has received considerable attention.

Mentha pulegium crude extracts induce thiol oxidation and potentiate hemolysis when associated to t-butyl hydroperoxide in human's erythrocytes.

Mentha pulegium (Lamiaceae) tea has been used as a traditional medicine; however, the modulatory effect of M. pulegium extracts on damage to human erythrocytes associated to t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) exposure remains to be investigated. Accordingly, we perform this study in order to test the hypothesis that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M.

The phytoremediation potential of Plectranthus neochilus on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and the role of antioxidant capacity in herbicide tolerance.

The possible phytoremediation capacity of Plectranthus neochilus (boldo) exposed to the commercial pesticide (Aminol) in soil and water through consecutive extractions (days interval) was evaluated. After the exposure period, tea leaves from the plant were analyzed in terms of the presence of 2,4-D, total antioxidant capacity (DPPH), concentration of total polyphenols and flavonoids for plants exposed to soil and water. In water, 2,4-D remained up to 67% in the 60 days of experiment in the control group, which provided the use of two treatment groups with the plant (one group of plants for 30 days and another group in the remaining 30 days in the same system), thus, a decontamination up to 49% of the 2,4-D was obtained in this system with water.

Continuous liquid feeding: New method to study pesticides toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

Fly fruit Drosophila melanogaster (DM) has been extensively employed as an in vivo model system to study pesticides toxicity. Pesticide administration to the fly traditionally involves feeding in an agar-gelled feed fly's medium (AM). However, AM method has several limitations such as uncertainty regarding the bioavailability and amount of pesticides ingested.

Paraquat exposure-induced Parkinson's disease-like symptoms and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster: Neuroprotective effect of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy.

Extracts from the leaves of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy are used in traditional medicines, but their actions on the central nervous system have not been studied. In the present study, we investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy leaf extract (BG extract) against paraquat (PQ)-induced neurotoxicity. Male adult wild-type flies (1- 4days old) were exposed to PQ (3.

Peumus boldus (Boldo) Aqueous Extract Present Better Protective Effect than Boldine Against Manganese-Induced Toxicity in D. melanogaster.

The cellular, intracellular and molecular mechanism(s) underlying the toxicity of Mn are still incompletely understood, although several points concerning Mn neurotoxicity have been addressed. Importantly, oxidative changes have been reported to be involved in Mn-induced toxicity. As a consequence, antioxidants are expected to offer protection in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to this metal.

The influence of Bauhinia forficata Link subsp. pruinosa tea on lipid peroxidation and non-protein SH groups in human erythrocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Bauhinia forficata (BF) has been traditionally used as tea in folk medicine of Brazil for treatment of Diabetes mellitus (DM).

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the effects of BF leaf tea on markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant levels in an experimental model of hyperglycemia in human erythrocytes in vitro.

Materials And Methods: Human erythrocytes were incubated with high glucose concentrations or glucose and BF tea for 24h and 48h.