The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Spirulina Platensis supplementation on selected blood markers of oxidative stress, muscle damage, inflammation, and performance in trained rats. Rats (250 g - 300 g) were submitted to a strength training program (eight weeks), divided into four groups: control (GT) (trained without supplementation), trained with daily-supplementation of 50 mg/kg (GT50), 150 mg/kg (GT150) and 500 mg/kg (GT500). Training consisted of a jump protocol in PVC-cylinder containing water, with increasing load over experimental weeks. We evaluated the markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde - MDA and antioxidant capacity) and inflammation (C-reactive protein) at the end of the training. Among groups submitted to strength training, concentration of C-reactive protein decreased after 8 weeks of intervention in the trained group and GT500. Strength training enhanced plasma MDA concentration of malondialdehyde with supplementation of S. platensis in GT150 and GT500. In plasma analysis, strength training enhanced the percentage of oxidation inhibition, with spirulina supplementation in rates of 150 and 500 mg/kg. Spirulina supplementation for 8 weeks (in a dose-effect manner) improved antioxidant capacity as well as attenuated exercise-induced increases in ROS and inflammation. As a practical application, the use as high doses did not cause a reduction in positive physiological adaptations to exercise training. Additional studies are necessary to test the application of Spirulina Platensis in other contexts, as collective sports (basketball, football, soccer).

Resumo O crescente fluxo de imigração venezuelana provocou discussões acerca da inserção dessa comunidade no território brasileiro. Atualmente, o sistema de saúde roraimense tem o desafio de efetivar a universalização do acesso à saúde ao imigrante. Logo, este estudo objetiva conhecer as repercussões desse fenômeno sob a ótica de profissionais de saúde. Para isso, trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com abordagem exploratória que analisou a percepção dos técnicos de enfermagem do maior hospital de Roraima sobre os reflexos da imigração nos serviços de saúde e na qualidade da assistência. A análise das entrevistas semiestruturadas foi pautada na técnica de avaliação de conteúdo, sendo elencadas categorias. Por meio de análise da categoria de entraves na assistência de saúde, observaram-se problemas estruturais, como as fragilidades de infraestrutura e a carência de profissionais técnicos, resultando na sobrecarga de trabalho, e étnicos-culturais, como a barreira linguística, que representa um fator limitante para a realização de um atendimento de saúde com qualidade, além da maior fragilidade na condição de saúde dos imigrantes. Os achados deste trabalho podem auxiliar o estado de Roraima a refletir criticamente acerca do emprego correto dos investimentos na saúde, para garantir eficácia, dignidade e humanidade aos imigrantes, bem como aos brasileiros.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways related to epithelial damage, bronchial hyperresponsiveness to contractile agents, tissue remodeling, and luminal narrowing. Currently, there are many data about the pathophysiology of asthma; however, a new aspect has emerged related to the influence of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) on the origin of this disease. Several studies have shown that an imbalance between the production of ROS and RNS and the antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Considering this aspect, this study is aimed at gathering data from the scientific literature on the role of oxidative distress in the development of inflammatory airway and lung diseases, especially bronchial asthma. For that, articles related to these themes were selected from scientific databases, including human and animal studies. The main findings of this work showed that the respiratory system works as a highly propitious place for the formation of ROS and RNS, especially superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxynitrite, and the epithelial damage is reflected in an important loss of antioxidant defenses that, in turn, culminates in an imbalance and formation of inflammatory and contractile mediators, such as isoprostanes, changes in the activity of protein kinases, and activation of cell proliferation signalling pathways, such as the MAP kinase pathway. Thus, the oxidative imbalance appears as a promising path for future investigations as a therapeutic target for the treatment of asthmatic patients, especially those resistant to currently available therapies.

Spirulina platensis, an important source of bioactive compounds, is a multicellular, filamentous cyanobacterium rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its nutrient composition, the alga is considered a complete food and is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiobesity, and reproprotective effects. All of which are important for prevention and treatment of organic and metabolic disorders such as obesity and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory role of Spirulina platensis food supplementation and the mechanisms of action involved in reversing the damage caused by a hypercaloric diet on the erectile function of rats. The animals were divided into a standard diet group (SD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group (HCD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group supplemented with S. platensis at doses of 25 (HCD+SP25, n=5), 50 (HCD+SP50, n=5), and 100 mg/kg (HCD+SP100, n=5); and a hypercaloric diet group subsequently fed a standard diet (HCD+SD, n=5). In the rats fed a hypercaloric diet, dietary supplementation with S. platensis effectively increased the number of erections while decreasing latency to initiate penile erection. Additionally, S. platensis increases NO bioavailability, reduces inflammation by reducing the release of contractile prostanoids, enhances the relaxation effect promoted by acetylcholine (ACh), restores contractile reactivity damage and cavernous relaxation, reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increases cavernous total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Food supplementation with S. platensis thus restores erectile function in obese rats, reduces production of contractile prostanoids, reduces oxidative stress, and increases NO bioavailability. Food supplementation with S. platensis thus emerges as a promising new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as induced by obesity.

The blue alga Spirulina platensis has presented several pharmacological activities, highlighting its actions as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In addition, there are few studies with the influence of strength training on physiological parameters, as intestinal contractility and oxidative cell damage. We evaluated the influence of S. platensis supplementation, strength training, and its association on contractile reactivity of rat ileum, as well as the balance of oxidative stress/antioxidant defenses. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into; sedentary (S); S + supplemented with algae at 50 (S50), 150 (S150), and 500 mg/kg (S500); trained (T); and T + supplemented (T50, T150, and T500). Contractile reactivity was analyzed by kymographs; oxidative stress on ileum by the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation; and the antioxidant capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. S. platensis supplementation reduced the reactivity of rat ileum to carbachol (CCh) and KCl, while training reduced only the CCh efficacy. In addition, association potentiated the reduction on contractile reactivity. Supplementation reduced the oxidative stress and increased oxidation inhibition; training alone did not alter this parameter, however association potentiated this beneficial effect. Therefore, this study demonstrated that both supplementation and its association with strength training promote beneficial effects regarding intestinal contractile reactivity and oxidative stress, providing new insights for intestinal disorders management.

Resumo Este trabalho relata uma experiência de extensão universitária que teve como objetivo integrar e divulgar os cursos de saúde da Universidade Estadual de Roraima (UERR), com foco em estudantes que estão concluindo o ensino médio ou cursando cursinhos pré-vestibulares. Os estudantes convidados têm a oportunidade de conhecer mais sobre os cursos da saúde, os professores, os alunos, as carreiras e a estrutura da UERR, servindo como um espaço de orientação profissional. O evento contou com a participação dos cursos de Medicina, Enfermagem, Educação Física e Ciências Biológicas da UERR através de dez estações onde os visitantes poderiam conhecer um pouco mais sobre os cursos, disciplinas e matérias relacionadas à área de saúde e biológicas.