NMR-based metabolomics analysis reveals the effect of environmental contamination exposure on fishermen living around the Mundaú Lagoon in Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil).

The Mundaú lagoon in Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil) is a crucial resource for the local population, particularly fishing communities. Recent studies have revealed potential toxic metal contamination in the lagoon, particularly with mercury (Hg) levels exceeding the maximum regulated values. This inorganic contaminant may be impacting the health of fishermen and the local population.

The tissue-specific nature of physiological zebrafish mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Zebrafish are a powerful tool to study a myriad of experimental conditions, including mitochondrial bioenergetics. Considering that mitochondria are different in many aspects depending on the tissue evaluated, in the zebrafish model there is still a lack of this investigation. Especially for juvenile zebrafish.

Consequences of thimerosal on human erythrocyte hemoglobin: Assessing functional and structural protein changes induced by an organic mercury compound.

Background: Thimerosal (TM) is an organic mercury compound used as a preservative in many pharmacological inputs. Mercury toxicity is related to structural and functional changes in macromolecules such as hemoglobin (Hb) in erythrocytes (Ery).

Method: Human Hb and Ery were used to evaluate O uptake based on the TM concentration, incubation time, and temperature.

Role of Modulation of Hippocampal Glucose Following Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus.

Status epilepticus (SE) is defined as continuous and self-sustaining seizures, which trigger hippocampal neurodegeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and energy failure. During SE, the neurons become overexcited, increasing energy consumption. Glucose uptake is increased via the sodium glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) in the hippocampus under epileptic conditions.

Toxicity of thimerosal in biological systems: Conformational changes in human hemoglobin, decrease of oxygen binding capacity, increase of protein glycation and amyloid's formation.

Thimerosal (TH), an organomercurial compound, is used as a preservative in vaccines and cosmetics. Its interaction with human hemoglobin (Hb) was investigated under physiological conditions using biophysical and biological assays, aiming to evaluate hazardous effects. TH interacts spontaneously with Hb (stoichiometry 2:1, ligand-protein), preferably by electrostatic forces, with a binding constant of 1.

Saturated Fatty Acid-Enriched Diet-Impaired Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Liver From Undernourished Rats During Critical Periods of Development.

The nutritional transition that the western population has undergone is increasingly associated with chronic metabolic diseases. In this work, we evaluated a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (hyperlipidic, HL) after weaning of the offspring rats submitted to maternal protein restriction on the hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetics. Wistar rats were mated and during gestation and lactation, mothers received control diets (NP, normal protein content 17%) or low protein (LP, 8% protein).

Neonatal treatment with fluoxetine improves mitochondrial respiration and reduces oxidative stress in liver of adult rats.

Recent studies have shown that exposure to fluoxetine treatment induces excessive production of ROS, and alters the antioxidant defense system in various tissues and cell types, mainly the liver. When fluoxetine is administered intraperitoneally, the drug rapidly reaches high concentrations in the liver, has potentially multiple toxic effects on energy metabolism in rat liver mitochondria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacological treatment with fluoxetine during critical period for development on the mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative stress in liver of rat adult.

Neonatal fluoxetine exposure modulates serotonergic neurotransmission and disturb inhibitory action of serotonin on food intake.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) acts as an important regulator of the critical neurodevelopmental processes and thus alterations in 5-HT signaling early promotes permanent structural and functional changes in brain. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as fluoxetine and citalopram, blocking serotonin transporter (SERT) at the presynaptic neuron, which regulates extracellular 5-HT levels. Evidence suggests that the exposure to SSRIs in the neurodevelopmental period may alters 5-HT signaling sensitivity on food intake control.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative status disruption in brainstem of weaned rats: Immediate response to maternal protein restriction.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics dysfunction has been postulated as an important mechanism associated to a number of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. One of the hypotheses is that this is caused by the metabolic challenge generated by the mismatch between prenatal predicted and postnatal reality. Perinatal low-protein diet produces several effects that are manifested in the adult animal, including altered sympathetic tone, increased arterial blood pressure and oxidative stress in the brainstem.