This study aimed to evaluate the effects of C. sinensis extract, orlistat, and their combination on biochemical, hormonal, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters in female rats. The extract was characterized by the presence of citric acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin, along with antioxidant activity. Five experimental groups were established: (1) control; (2) obese; (3) orlistat (1.72 mg/kg); (4) C. sinensis extract (7.15 mg/kg); (5) a combination of both treatments. Treatment with the extract, orlistat, or their combination resulted in biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides) that were comparable to the control group and significantly different from the obese group. Notably, only the C. sinensis extract alone restored pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8) to values similar to the control. All treatments improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase, while a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity was observed only in the extract group. Among the oxidative damage markers, TBARS was the most responsive to treatment, whereas protein carbonylation was less affected. Histological analysis showed that all treatments promoted structural normalization. These results provide a rationale for further pre-clinical and clinical investigations into the use of C. sinensis extract as an adjunctive therapy for metabolic disorders.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, hematological, and oxidative stress profile of truck drivers. Method: It involved 63 drivers from the western border of a state in southern Brazil who completed a questionnaire, had vital signs and anthropometric evaluations, and provided blood samples. Hematological parameters, leukocytes, and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids were analyzed. Results: A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found among the drivers, with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues and hypertension. Obese drivers had higher monocyte counts, while those with normal weight had increased protein carbonylation levels. Conclusions: It is crucial to implement health interventions to prevent chronic diseases in truck drivers, given their high exposure to risk factors.

The present work carried out the quantification of total polyphenols in the aqueous extract of the leaves of Aloysia gratissima, and its oral absorption index in Wistar rats. For this, 20 adult rats were divided into five treatment groups: saline solution; 100 mg/Kg of A. gratissima extract; 50 mg/Kg and 100 mg/Kg of rutin and co-treatment with 50 mg/Kg of extract and 10 mg/Kg of rutin, performed orally for 14 days. For the quantification of total polyphenols, the Folin Ciocalteau method was used. In the extract, the concentration of total polyphenols was 7.11 mg GAE/mL, in the plasma of control animals the baseline level was 4.3 mg GAE/mL. In the treated groups, significantly higher values were observed, of 9.32 mg GAE/mL, 6.65 mg GAE/mL, 8.34 mg GAE/mL and 10.14 mg GAE/mL, respectively. Such data configure A. gratissima as a good source for obtaining total polyphenols due both to its high concentration in the extract and also to their good bioavailability.

Objetivo: comparar o dano oxidativo e a defesa antioxidante de indivíduos com e sem Covid-19 internados na UTI e acompanhar o processo de internação até apresentar um desfecho clínico de alta hospitalar ou óbito. Método: o estudo foi composto por 95 indivíduos (42 na UTI Covid e 53 na UTI adulto), que através de amostras sanguíneas foram analisados quanto o dano a lipídeos, proteínas e DNA e quantificado o lactato desidrogenase (LDH), vitamina C, vitamina D, Status Antioxidante Total (SAT) e glutationa total (GSH). Ademais, a predição de mortalidade foi acompanhada pelos escores Acute Physiology and Chronic Health disease Classification System II (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) e Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). Resultados: através dos dados obtidos, destaca-se um maior dano à proteína na última avaliação da UTI adulto e um aumento no dano ao DNA nos indivíduos internados na UTI adulto tanta na primeira quanto na última avaliação. Ademais, houve uma redução de vitamina D na UTI Covid na primeira avaliação e um aumento de LDH na última avaliação, sendo que os indivíduos da UTI adulto apresentaram aumento significativo no SAT e Glutationa em ambos os momentos de avaliação. Conclusão: através do exposto, acreditamos que a maior gravidade no momento de admissão e um maior dano à proteína pelo processo de internação de indivíduos internados na UTI adulto pode estar relacionado à sepse e que o aumento na gravidade e mortalidade dos casos de indivíduos internados na UTI Covid pode sugerir que essa doença acarreta em um dano oxidativo tardio, com baixa taxa de recuperação.

Background: In 2019, a new virus caused by SARS-CoV-2, called COVID-19, spread throughout the world, causing a pandemic state. As the pandemic progressed and cases continued to increase, safe vaccines were developed for the entire population. In Brazil, AstraZeneca^® (ChAdOx1-S) and Pfizer^® (BNT162b2) vaccines were among those administered to the population. Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze whether immunoglobulin G (IgG) is produced for COVID-19 in individuals immunized with two doses of AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S) and Pfizer (BNT162b2) vaccines and to evaluate several parameters in order to understand how our bodies respond to this immunization. Methods: The study involved the participation of 120 individuals: 49 in the control group, 44 vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, and 27 the vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine. Results: Hematological, biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidant/antioxidant parameters and the production of IgG antibodies were analyzed. An increase in some inflammatory parameters was observed in vaccinated individuals, which may have been caused by an immune reaction after vaccination. In terms of hematological parameters, the changes caused by vaccination appear to be transient and quickly resolved after immunization. In terms of biochemical parameters, an increase in IgG antibodies was observed in the group vaccinated with the Pfizer^® vaccine; however, the AstraZeneca^® and control groups also produced IgG, although to a lesser extent. In terms of the remaining parameters, there was little change after vaccination. Regarding the levels of oxidants/antioxidants, it was observed that there was a compensation by antioxidants due to the increase in oxidant parameters, which may act as corrective mechanism. Conclusions: Both the AstraZeneca^® and Pfizer^® vaccines induced anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG production, accompanied by inflammatory, hematological, and oxidative changes.

Obesity, characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, is associated with reduced vitamin D levels. Several polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor exist, such as TaqI (rs731236), although their association with obesity remains inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TaqI polymorphism on biomarkers in individuals with obesity. The study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), under approval number 5.308.525. A total of 275 individuals were included in the study, divided into groups according to Body Mass Index: eutrophic, overweight, and individuals with obesity. Blood samples and anthropometric data were collected for analysis and 246 individuals were genotyped for the VDR gene TaqI polymorphism. Results showed that vitamin D levels were higher in individuals with CC genotype compared with those with TT genotype. A decrease in biochemical parameter levels was observed in the obesity group. In contrast, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were increased in the overweight and obesity groups. Additionally, TBARS, IL-8, IL-10, and CRP were identified as independent risk factors for obesity, where vitamin D was identified as an independent protective factor. Although TaqI polymorphism was not an independent risk factor for obesity, our results emphasize the relevance of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in obesity risk assessment. Moreover, the modulation of vitamin D levels by genotype reinforces its potential as a target for preventive and therapeutic interventions due to its protective role.