Evaluation of oxidative stress and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels related to crack-use detoxification.

Crack is a central nervous system stimulant extracted from the Erythroxylum coca plant. It is considered the most potent and addictive form of cocaine, and its euphoric effects are attained within a few seconds after consumption. Alteration of biological markers of oxidative stress and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could be related to the severity of crack withdrawal symptoms in patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Study of conicity index, body mass index and waist circumference as predictors of coronary artery disease.

Introduction And Objective: Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to assess whether the conicity index (CI), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) can be used as predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) and mortality in a middle-aged population of the north-western region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Methods: This was a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, based on the medical records of patients seen in a cardiology institution in a rural area of Rio Grande do Sul.

Triglycerides Revisited to the Serial.

This review discusses the role of triglycerides (TGs) in the normal cardiovascular system as well as in the development and clinical manifestation of cardiovascular diseases. Regulation of TGs at the enzymatic and genetic level, in addition to their possible relevance as preclinical and clinical biomarkers, is discussed, culminating with a description of available and emerging treatments. Due to the high complexity of the subject and the vast amount of material in the literature, the objective of this review was not to exhaust the subject, but rather to compile the information to facilitate and improve the understanding of those interested in this topic.

Inhibitory effect of Campomanesia xanthocarpa in platelet aggregation: Comparison and synergism with acetylsalicylic acid.

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular diseases of thrombotic origin are related to high mortality and standard therapeutic agent used in this case is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), but serious adverse events may occur. However, recent data has suggested the plant Campomanesia xanthocarpa has antiplatelet activity and could be a viable alternative. In this study we investigated the effects of the encapsulated powder of this plant in human platelet aggregation.

Natural Products with Antiplatelet Action.

Background: Complex hemostatic mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Among them, dysregulation of platelet activity is linked to the progression of atherosclerosis and mainly involves platelet aggregation and a decrease in blood flow in the vascular endothelium. The major platelet activation pathways mediated by agonists involve the arachidonic acid pathway, adenosine diphosphate pathway, serotonin pathway, nitric oxide pathway, and action of free radicals on molecules involved in platelet aggregation.

Study of oxidative and inflammatory parameters in LDLr-KO mice treated with a hypercholesterolemic diet: Comparison between the use of Campomanesia xanthocarpa and acetylsalicylic acid.

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that affects the arterial wall leading to myocardial, cerebral, and peripheral ischemic syndromes. The use of low doses of aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and inflammation and prevents cardiovascular mortality. However, ASA may produce hemorrhagic events.

Biomarkers of Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Natural Products as Complementary Alternative Medicine.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are considered the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases in the world. In addition, about 20% of first and recurrent acute myocardial infarctions (MI) are silent. In this context, subclinical atherosclerosis culminates in evident CVD, through the evolution of early risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and others.

Association between hypertriglyceridemia and protein oxidation and proinflammatory markers in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Background: Although hypercholesterolemia is a well-established risk factor for coronary heart disease, evidence suggests that increased triglyceride (TG) concentrations are also an independent risk factor. TG concentrations >150mg/dl are observed nearly twice as often in subjects with atherosclerosis. We assessed the association between hypertriglyceridemia and protein oxidation and proinflammatory markers in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Hospitalization due to conditions sensitive to primary care and expansion of the Family Health Program in Brazil: an ecological study.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between hospitalization due to conditions that are sensitive to primary care and the population coverage by the Family Health Strategy (ESF) Units of the Brazilian Federation Units in the last decade.

Methods: This is an ecological study that investigated preventable hospitalizations and coverage of primary health care in Brazil in the historic series from 1998 to 2006. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test and simple linear regression.

Effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa on inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and lipid biomarkers in hypercholesterolemic individuals.

In Brazil, the edible plant Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as "guavirova," has been studied in hypercholesterolemic individuals. The present work investigated the effects of C.

[Mortality due to circulatory disorders and the evolution of family health in Brazil: an ecological study].

The scope of this study was to analyze deaths due to circulatory disorders in parallel with the evolution of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Brazil. It is an ecological and retrospective study based on the temporal evolution of the FHS and mortality rates due to circulatory disorders in Brazil. A description of the inhabitant x FHS coverage ratio and health indicators related to mortality due to circulatory disorders was carried out.

Cardiorespiratory fitness of a Brazilian regional sample distributed in different tables.

Background: Most classification tables of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) used in clinical practice are international and have not been validated for the Brazilian population. That can result in important discrepancies when that classification is extrapolated to our population.

Objective: To assess the use of major CRF tables available in a Brazilian population sample of the Central High Plan of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS).

Antiplatelet, Antithrombotic, and Fibrinolytic Activities of Campomanesia xanthocarpa.

In a previous work based on popular belief, Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg., popularly known as "guavirova", showed to have a potential effect in the control of a number of conditions associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of C.

Blood pressure reduction in hyper-reactive individuals after aerobic exercise.

Background: Some normotensive sedentary individuals have an exaggerated increase in blood pressure (BP) during physical activity, which is a behavior that is called blood pressure hyper-reactivity.

Objective: To investigate the effect of an aerobic exercise program (AEP) on blood pressure in individuals with blood pressure hyper-reactivity (BPH).

Methods: Ten male volunteers with BPH, aged 45 ± 10 years, referred to as the experimental group (EG), took part in an AEP on a treadmill, 3 times a week for two months.

[Lack of influence of body mass on blood pressure reduction after exercising].

Background: Hypertension (H) is associated with a large number of co-morbidities, including obesity. The correlation between two variables has been investigated.

Objective: To analyze the correlation between the loss of body mass and blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients undergoing exercising programs (EP).

Effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa on biochemical, hematological and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In Southern Brazil, the plant Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as "guavirova", has been empirically used for its potential effect in reducing blood cholesterol levels.

Aim Of The Study: Since there are no scientific data confirming its popular use, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Campomanesia xanthocarpa on biochemical, hematological, anthropometrical and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Dose-response curve to exercise in hypertensive individuals: analysis of the number of sessions to the hypotensive effect.

Background: The effect of exercise on blood pressure (BP) is already known; however, the dose-response curve of the hypotensive effect of exercise in hypertensive individuals is yet to be clarified.

Objective: To evaluate the dose-response curve of the number of sessions that are necessary to cause a hypotensive effect in hypertensive individuals.

Methods: 88 individuals, aged 58 +/- 11 years, divided in Experimental group (EG), with 48 that participated in a physical exercise program (PEP), which consisted of 40 minutes of aerobic exercises performed 3x/week, for 3 months, at 70% of the VO2max, and muscular exercises at 40% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and Control Group (CG) with 40 individuals that did not participate in the PEP.