Sub-lethal effects of moxidectin on the Neotropical dung beetle Onthophagus landolti Harold (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae)

Roger Iván Rodríguez-Vivas,Gertrudis del Socorro Basto-Estrella,Enrique Reyes-Novelo,William Arcila-Fuentes,Melina Ojeda-Chi,Iris Trinidad-Martínez,Imelda Martínez-M 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.1

Macrocyclic lactones can have adverse effects in dung beetles exposed to manure containing them. An assessment of the survival and fertility of adult Onthophagus landolti Harold fed with manure from cows treated with moxidectin was performed, as well as the emergence rate of the imagoes from the masses. Three cows (Bos indicus x B. taurus) were subcutaneously injected with 1% moxidectin (0.2 mg kg −1 b.w.) and another three were injected with 10% moxidectin (1.0 mg/kg −1 b.w.). Manure was collected from these animals one day prior to moxidectin administration, five days post-treatment in the 1% and 10% treatments, and fourteen days in the 10% treatment. Four bioassays were done: a control using manure without moxidectin; 1% moxidectin at five days post-treatment; 10% moxidectin at five days post-treatment; and 10% moxidectin at fourteen days posttreatment. In each replicate, for each pair of adult O. landolti was daily fed with 30 g manure according to the treatments. No lethal effects were observed in any of the four treatments. Sub-lethal effects (P < .05) were present in the 10% moxidectin treatments at five and fourteen days post-treatment. Fecundity was reduced by 78.2% at five days and 54.9% at fourteen days, and imago emergence was negatively affected at both times. Current moxidectin application methods may have negative effects on the environmental services provided by dung beetles, and therefore need to be modified to minimize any impacts they might have on these vital members of tropical livestock systems

Curcumin promotes oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts

Iván Zepeda‑Quiróz,Helen Sánchez‑Barrera,Zaira Colín‑Val,Diana Xochiquetzal Robledo‑Cadena,Sara Rodríguez‑Enríquez,Rebeca López‑Marure 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2020 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.16 No.4

Background Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, has some adverse efects on heart; however, its toxic efects on cardiac cells are poorly understood. Objective To evaluate the toxicity of curcumin on H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts. To this, H9c2 cells were exposed to diferent concentrations of curcumin and proliferation, viability, cell cycle, oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), death and autophagy were evaluated. Results Curcumin caused concentration-dependent inhibition of H9c2 cells proliferation and viability. A higher sub-G1 population was observed in cells treated with curcumin, which was related with phosphatidylserine translocation and increase of activated caspase-9, indicating apoptotic death. Curcumin induced oxidative stress and decreased ΔΨm causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, it promoted autophagy, revealed by higher LC3B and beclin-1 protein expression and mitophagy. Conclusion Curcumin exhibited toxic efects in cardiac cells and further studies are required to validate its therapeutic potential and use as anti-infammatory and anti-oxidant agent in the cardiovascular system.

Effect of Tomato Industrial Processing (Different Hybrids, Paste, and Pomace) on Inhibition of Platelet Function In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo

Rosio Rodríguez-Azúa,Adriana Treuer,Rodrigo Moore-Carrasco,Daniel Cortacáns,Margarita Gutiérrez,Luis Astudillo,Eduardo Fuentes,Iván Palomo 한국식품영양과학회 2014 Journal of medicinal food Vol.17 No.4

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Healthy eating is among its safeguards, especially the daily intake of fruits and vegetables. In this context it has been shown that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) presents antiplatelet activity. In the present study, we evaluated in vitro antiplatelet activity of fresh hybrid tomato process (nine hybrids: Apt 410, H 9888, Bos 8066, Sun 6366, AB3, HMX 7883, H 9665, H 7709, and H 9997), paste and its byproduct of industrial processes (pomace). We assessed antiplatelet activity ex vivo and bleeding time in rats that ingested 0.1 and 1.0 g/kg of pomace each day. In studies in vitro, no significant differences in antiplatelet activity was observed in fresh tomato hybrids. Furthermore, the agro-industrial process did not affect the antiplatelet activity of paste and pomace. Likewise, pomace intake of 1.0 g/kg per day prolonged bleeding time and reduced ex vivo platelet aggregation in rats. The data obtained indicate that tomato has one or more compounds that caused antiplatelet activity. Regular consumption of tomato and its industrial derivatives could be part of a CVD prevention regimen.

Effects of D-002, a mixture of high molecular weight beeswax alcohols, on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

José Illnait,Iván Rodríguez,Sarahí Mendoza,Yolanda Fernández,Rosa Mas,Mirtha Miranda,Jesús Piñera,Julio César Fernández,Meilis Mesa,Lilia Fernández,Daisy Carbajal,Rafael Gámez 대한내과학회 2013 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.28 No.4

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is intimately related to insulin resistance and ranges from a benign course to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. NAFLD management mainly involves dietary modification and weight loss. Although no fully successful pharmacological intervention is available, alternative therapies to treat NAFLD have shown promising results. Experimental studies have shown that D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols with antioxidant effects, is hepatoprotective. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of D-002 in patients with NALFD. Methods: Fifty patients with NAFLD were randomized to receive a placebo or D-002 (100 mg/day) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was a significant ultrasonography-detected reduction of liver fat infiltration versus a placebo. Secondary endpoints were decreases in the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index,insulin levels, serum liver enzymes, increases in plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) and improved clinical symptoms versus the placebo recipients. Results: At randomization, all indicators were comparable in both groups. At study completion, seven (28.0%) D-002-patients, but none of the placebo recipients,exhibited a normal liver echo pattern on ultrasonography (p < 0.01). Also,D-002 significantly reduced (p < 0.01 vs. baseline and placebo) the HOMA index and insulin levels and increased the TAS, but did not affect other parameters. The proportion of D-002-patients (12/25, 48.0%) showing symptom improvement was higher (p < 0.001) than that of the placebo group (1/25, 4.0%). The treatment was safe and well tolerated. Three patients in each group withdrew from the study. Conclusions: D-002 (100 mg/day) improved ultrasonographic findings, indicators of insulin resistance, plasma TAS and clinical evolution on NAFLD patients. Further studies, however, are needed to confirm these results.

Antiplatelet Activity of Cucurbita maxima

Sigrid Sanzana,Lyanne Rodríguez,Hayleen Barraza Barrionuevo,César Albornoz Poblete,Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior,Eduardo Fuentes Quinteros,Iván Palomo 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.11

Natural extracts constitute an important source in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. The pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima, is widely consumed in Chile. Pumpkin seeds, despite having crude protein, lipids, and carbohydrates, are regarded as agro-industrial waste. In this work, we correlated the antiplatelet activity of aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts from pumpkin seeds with their bioactive compounds. In vitro platelet aggregation and activation studies were performed by turbidimetry and flow cytometry, respectively. Results reveal that the extracts inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, thrombin receptor activator peptide 6 (TRAP-6), and collagen. Pumpkin seed extracts inhibited P-selectin secretion and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa activation on TRAP-6-activated platelets. They were found to be rich in fatty acids and a powerful source of plant-based protein, which could be related to the high antiplatelet potential identified in extracts. This research demonstrated that pumpkin seed extracts could be a candidate in the prevention of thrombotic events.