This study investigates the cardioprotective effects of intense caloric restriction (ICR) from birth in ovariectomized rats, a model of estrogen deficiency mimicking menopause. Our findings demonstrate that ICR significantly improved both basal and post-ischemic cardiac function, even in the absence of estrogens. The restricted animals exhibited enhanced cardiac contractility and relaxation, particularly after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, with superior functional recovery compared to control groups. Notably, ICR reduced key cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure, heart rate, and adiposity, while improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, while mitochondrial biogenesis remained unaffected, ICR preserved mitochondrial integrity by reducing the number of damaged mitochondria. This was linked to a reduction in oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the hearts of restricted animals. These results suggest that ICR offers a protective effect against cardiovascular dysfunction induced by estrogen depletion, potentially through enhanced antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial protection.

Considerando os desafios educacionais enfrentados por comunidades rurais, marcadas por limitações de acesso à tecnologia, baixa escolaridade familiar e impactos pós-pandemia, estratégias pedagógicas inovadoras que promovam aprendizagem significativa e protagonismo juvenil tornam-se fundamentais para a transformação social desses territórios. Este estudo apresenta um relato de experiência do projeto de extensão “Sopa de Conhecimento”, desenvolvido pela Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) com estudantes do 7º ano da Escola Municipal de Sopa (MG), destacando como a vivência em práticas reais de investigação científica pode favorecer a autonomia, o pensamento crítico e a integração entre escola e comunidade. Para isso, implementou-se um programa baseado em etapas formativas sobre metodologia científica, seguido da organização dos alunos em grupos temáticos e do desenvolvimento de quatro pesquisas: qualidade da água, vacinação, gestão de resíduos e diagnóstico nutricional. O processo envolveu coleta e análise de dados, integração interdisciplinar (Ciências, Matemática, Português, Artes e Informática) e apresentação dos resultados no IV Congresso de Ciências da Saúde da UFVJM. Os estudantes demonstraram capacidade de aplicar o método científico, reconhecer problemas reais da comunidade, interpretar dados e comunicar suas conclusões em formato acadêmico. Os resultados evidenciaram contaminação em águas não tratadas, lacunas de informação sobre vacinas, práticas inadequadas de descarte de resíduos e variação no estado nutricional dos adolescentes da comunidade. Assim, conclui-se que a experiência promoveu uma aprendizagem contextualizada, ampliou a literacia científica e fortaleceu o protagonismo juvenil, reafirmando o papel transformador da extensão universitária em comunidades rurais.

Background/Objectives: Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) affect 70–80% of menopausal women, significantly impairing quality of life. Current treatments include hormone therapy, which is contraindicated for many patients, and non-hormonal alternatives with limited efficacy or adverse effects. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, has emerged as a potential therapeutic candidate due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. This study aimed to investigate whether a standardized Cannabis sativa extract containing isolated CBD attenuates heat dissipation in ovariectomized rats, a preclinical model of estrogen deficiency. Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to sham-operated vehicle-treated (SHAM-V), ovariectomized vehicle-treated (OVX-V), or ovariectomized CBD-treated (OVX-CBD; 10 mg/kg/day, oral gavage) groups. Treatment began on postoperative day 2 and continued for 21 days. Tail-skin temperature, a surrogate marker of heat dissipation, was assessed by infrared thermography on day 14. Energy metabolism was evaluated by indirect calorimetry on day 21. Uterine weight was measured as a biomarker of estrogen depletion. Results: Ovariectomy significantly increased tail temperature compared to SHAM-V. CBD treatment completely prevented this effect, with OVX-CBD animals exhibiting thermographic profiles similar to SHAM-V. Uterine atrophy was not reversed by CBD. No differences in the calorimetry parameter were observed among groups. Conclusions: This study provides novel preclinical evidence that cannabidiol attenuates ovariectomy-induced heat dissipation in rats, without detectable effects on uterine weight or metabolic parameters. These findings suggest that CBD may represent a potential non-hormonal approach for the management of menopausal vasomotor symptoms; however, further studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to determine its translational and clinical relevance.