Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with extracorporeal circulation produces changes in the immune system accompanied by an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and a decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesize that dexmedetomidine (DEX) as an anesthetic adjuvant modulates the inflammatory response after coronary artery bypass graft surgery with mini-CPB. In a prospective, randomized, blind study, 12 patients (4 females and 8 males, age range 42-72) were assigned to DEX group and compared with a conventional total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) group of 11 patients (4 females and 7 males). The endpoints used to assess inflammatory and biochemical responses to mini-CPB were plasma interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (INF)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein, creatine phosphokinase, creatine phosphokinase-MB, cardiac troponin I, cortisol, and glucose levels. These variables were determined before anesthesia, 90 min after beginning CPB, 5 h after beginning CPB, and 24 h after the end of surgery. Endpoints of oxidative stress, including thiobarbituric acid reactive species and delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity in erythrocytes were also determined. DEX+TIVA use was associated with a significant reduction in IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and INF-γ (P<0.0001) levels compared with TIVA (two-way ANOVA). In contrast, the surgery-induced increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive species was higher in the DEX+TIVA group than in the TIVA group (P<0.01; two-way ANOVA). Delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity was decreased after CPB (P<0.001), but there was no difference between the two groups. DEX as an adjuvant in anesthesia reduced circulating IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and INF-γ levels after mini-CPB. These findings indicate an interesting anti-inflammatory effect of DEX, which should be studied in different types of surgical interventions.

INTRODUCTION: Peptic ulcer is a lesion of the mucosal lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract characterized by an imbalance between aggressive and protective factors of the mucosa, having H. pylori as the main etiologic factor. Dietotherapy is important in the prevention and treatment of this disease. AIM: To update nutritional therapy in adults' peptic ulcer. METHODS: Exploratory review without restrictions with primary sources indexed in Scielo, PubMed, Medline, ISI, and Scopus databases. RESULTS: Dietotherapy, as well as caloric distribution, should be adjusted to the patient's needs aiming to normalize the nutritional status and promote healing. Recommended nutrients can be different in the acute phase and in the recovery phase, and there is a greater need of protein and some micronutrients, such as vitamin A, zinc, selenium, and vitamin C in the recovery phase. In addition, some studies have shown that vitamin C has a beneficial effect in eradication of H. pylori. Fibers and probiotics also play a important role in the treatment of peptic ulcer, because they reduce the side effects of antibiotics and help reduce treatment time. CONCLUSION: A balanced diet is vital in the treatment of peptic ulcer, once food can prevent, treat or even alleviate the symptoms involving this pathology. However, there are few papers that innovate dietotherapy; so additional studies addressing more specifically the dietotherapy for treatment of peptic ulcer are necessary.

To investigate the potential antioxidant effects of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri, Euphorbiaceae) tea on healthy subjects. Five non-smoking, male healthy volunteers, 20 to 31 years old, were enrolled. Each subject was treated twice, following a randomized crossover fashion regarding the ingestion of P. niruri infusion (5 g/750 mL) (tea group) or 750 mL of water (control group). Fasting venous blood samples were collected prior to and at 1, 2 and 4 h after infusion drinking. Samples were tested for plasmatic gallic acid and ascorbic acid levels, erythrocytic catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and intracellular DCFH fluorescence in granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were not altered by tea ingestion. Plasma levels of gallic acid were significantly increased at 1, 2 and 4 h after P. niruri ingestion and plasma ascorbic acid at 1 h after P. niruri ingestion. Ingestion of P. niruri tea is associated with a slight increase in antioxidant markers in human blood (ascorbic acid and gallic acid), which may contribute to its pharmacological effects.

RACIONAL - A gastrite crônica é inflamação da mucosa do estômago, que tem como principal fator etiológico o Helicobacter pylori. OBJETIVO - Verificar fatores associados com a gastrite crônica em pacientes com presença e ausência do H. pylori, visando obter maior conhecimento sobre os fatores etiológicos, manifestações clínicas, hábitos alimentares e de vida nesses pacientes. MÉTODOS - Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo com dados de prontuário de pacientes com gastrite crônica atendidos em ambulatório. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de um questionário que investigava fatores etiológicos da gastrite crônica, bem como as manifestações clínicas das doenças, os hábitos alimentares e de vida, entre outros. Endoscopia digestiva e pesquisa do H. pylori foi a forma de diagnóstico da gastrite crônica. Para análise estatística foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS - Dos 94 pacientes avaliados a maioria era sintomático, apresentando pirose, eructações, dor epigástrica, plenitude gástrica e náuseas. Em 56,6% (n=54) dos individuos foi detectada a presença da bactéria e em 43,6% (n=40) não foi achado fator etiológico específico. Os resultados que se mostraram significativos foram em relação à distensão abdominal e refluxo gastroesofágico, observando-se aumento desses fatores em pacientes que tinham a bactéria. Além disso, tornou-se evidente que além do H. pylori outros fatores estão relacionados com a gastrite crônica como: utilização de medicamentos, tabaco, álcool e pacientes que apresentavam hábitos alimentares com alimentação inadequada, realização de refeições rápidas, e dialogar durante as refeições. Também foram verificados estarem relacionados ansiedade, estresse e doenças associadas que pudessem aumentar a secreção ácida. CONCLUSÃO - Vários fatores etiológicos oriundos de hábitos alimentares e estilo de vida, como tabagismo, alcoolismo, ansiedade, estresse, doenças associadas e nutrição inadequada, interagem para o início das manifestações clínicas, e a presença ou ausência de H. pylori não mostrou diferenças significativas no estado clínico dos pacientes.

Background/Aim. The use of herbal products as a supplement to minimize the effects of chemotherapy for cancer treatment requires further attention with respect to the activity and toxicity of chemotherapy. Uncaria tomentosa extract, which contains oxindole alkaloids, is one of these herbal products. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Uncaria tomentosa extract modulates apoptosis induced by chemotherapy exposure. Materials and Methods. Colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT29 cells) were grown in the presence of oxaliplatin and/or Uncaria tomentosa extract. Results. The hydroalcoholic extract of Uncaria tomentosa enhanced chemotherapy‐induced apoptosis, with an increase in the percentage of Annexin positive cells, an increase in caspase activities, and an increase of DNA fragments in culture of the neoplastic cells. Moreover, antioxidant activity may be related to apoptosis. Conclusion. Uncaria tomentosa extract has a role for cancer patients as a complementary therapy. Further studies evaluating these beneficial effects with other chemotherapy drugs are recommended.