Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal with great neurotoxic potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a long‐term Pb intoxication on the global proteomic profile, oxidative biochemistry and neuronal density in motor cortex of adult rats, and the possible outcomes related to motor functions. For this, Wistar rats received for 55 days a dose of 50 mg/Kg of Pb acetate by intragastric gavage. Then, the motor abilities were evaluated by open field and inclined plane tests. To investigate the possible oxidative biochemistry modulation, the levels of pro‐oxidant parameters as lipid peroxidation and nitrites were evaluated. The global proteomic profile was evaluated by ultraefficiency liquid chromatography system coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) followed by bioinformatic analysis. Moreover, it was evaluated the mature neuron density by anti‐NeuN immunostaining. The statistical analysis was performed through Student’s t‐test, considering p < 0.05. We observed oxidative stress triggering by the increase in malonaldehyde and nitrite levels in motor cortex. In the proteomic analysis, the motor cortex presented alterations in proteins associated with neural functioning, morphological organization, and neurodegenerative features. In addition, it was observed a decrease in the number of mature neurons. These findings, associated with previous evidences observed in spinal cord, cerebellum, and hippocampus under the same Pb administration protocol, corroborate with the motor deficits in the rats towards Pb. Thus, we conclude that the long‐term administration to Pb in young Wistar rats triggers impairments at several organizational levels, such as biochemical and morphological, which resulted in poor motor performance.

Lead (Pb) is an environmental contaminant that presents a high risk for human health. We aimed to investigate the possible alterations triggered by the exposure to Pb acetate for a long period in motor performance and the possible relationship with biochemical, proteomic and morphological alterations in the cerebellum of rats. Male Wistar rats were exposed for 55 days, at 50 mg/Kg of Pb acetate, and the control animals received distilled water. Open field (OF) and rotarod tests; biochemistry parameters (MDA and nitrite); staining/immunostaining of Purkinje cells (PC), mature neurons (MN), myelin sheath (MS) and synaptic vesicles (SYN) and proteomic profile were analyzed. Pb deposition on the cerebellum area and this study drove to exploratory and locomotion deficits and a decrease in the number of PC, MN, SYN and MS staining/immunostaining. The levels of MDA and nitrite remained unchanged. The proteomic profile showed alterations in proteins responsible for neurotransmitters release, as well as receptor function and second messengers signaling, and also proteins involved in the process of apoptosis. Thus, we conclude that the long-term exposure to low Pb dose promoted locomotion and histological tracings, associated with alterations in the process of cell signaling, as well as death by apoptosis.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) juice is rich in phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity. It has been observed that the use of antioxidants may be an additional strategy to nonsurgical periodontal therapy as well as to prevent alveolar bone loss. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of açaí supplementation on experimental periodontitis in rats. Twenty male Rattus norvegicus (Wistar) rats were assigned into control, açaí, experimental periodontitis, and experimental periodontitis with açaí supplementation groups. Periodontitis was induced by placing ligatures around the lower first molars. Animals in the açaí groups received 0.01 mL/g of clarified açaí juice for 14 days by intragastric gavage. At the end of the experimental period, blood was collected to assess the reduced glutathione (GSH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) levels. Moreover, hemimandibles were analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for alveolar bone loss and bone quality. Açaí supplementation increased blood total antioxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation. It also reduced alveolar bone loss when compared to the experimental periodontitis group. Moreover, clarified açaí per se modulated the oxidative biochemistry and bone microstructure. Thus, açaí may be considered a viable alternative for managing periodontal oxidative stress and preventing alveolar bone loss.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a common microvascular complication in diabetic patients and is considered the main cause of visual loss worldwide. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition, which compromises dental supporting tissues. The chronic bacterial challenge in periodontitis is a persistent source of inflammatory mediators that may be associated with insulin resistance, increasing the risk of complications of diabetes mellitus. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence in the association between diabetic retinopathy and periodontitis.Methods: This review was registered under the number CRD 42019142267. A search strategy in five electronic databases and a gray literature source was performed based on the PECO acronym. After data extraction, the qualitative synthesis and risk of bias analyses were performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. The level of evidence of all studies taken together was evaluated through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.Results: Out of the 253 citations screened, five cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis, in which two were judged to be of good quality, one as fair quality, and two as poor quality. Among the included studies, a significant relationship between the severity of periodontitis (CAL > 5 mm) and the severity of diabetic retinopathy (p < 0.05) was reported by four studies. Also, an association between both diseases in non-obese adults was found after adjustments [OR 2.206 (1.114–4.366); p = 0.0232). However, the analysis of evidence by GRADE assessment was rated as low.Conclusions: Although the results of individual studies suggest an association between diabetic retinopathy and periodontitis, the quality of the body of evidence was judged to be low by the GRADE approach. Further studies with larger sample sizes, adequate models of cofounders' adjustments, and prospective analysis of periodontitis and diabetes conditions ought to be conducted to clarify this association.

Salivary content has been reported as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress assessments especially in context of exercise-induced oxidative stress. This systematic review following PRISMA guidelines aimed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise and changes promoted in oxidative stress identified in saliva. Methods: Studies published up to May 2022 were searched in online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, LILACS, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar). Risk of bias evaluation were performed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies with No Control Group. Results: A total of 473 references were identified and 22 considered eligible. In this case 14 studies reported increase of antioxidant parameters in saliva while eight studies demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation after exercise. Regarding nitrite levels, two studies showed higher levels after exercise. The quality of evidence was very low due to high heterogeneity, inconsistency and indirectness among studies according Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation analysis. Conclusion: Increase of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in saliva appears to be present after exercise, especially at moderate intensity. However, the wide variety of methods leads to divergent data. For precision in salivary assessments, new research with larger sample sizes and better participant matching are recommended.

Several studies have investigated the effects of natural products in the treatment of diseases. Traditional Amazonian populations commonly use copaiba due to its well-known anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of systemic administration of copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera reticulata Ducke) on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. To do so, 21 adult rats were divided into three groups (n = 7 each): a control group, ligature-induced periodontitis group, and ligature-induced periodontitis group treated with copaiba oleoresin (200 mg/kg/day). The ligature remained from day 0 to 14, and the copaiba oleoresin was administered via oral gavage during the last seven days. On day 14, the animals were euthanized, and mandibles were collected for histopathological evaluation and microcomputed tomography analysis. Our data showed that the administration of copaiba considerably reduced the inflammatory profile. Moreover, copaiba oleoresin limited alveolar bone loss, increased trabecular thickness and bone-to-tissue volume ratio, and decreased the number of trabeculae compared with those of the untreated experimental periodontitis group. Our findings provide pioneering evidence that supports the potential of copaiba oleoresin in reducing periodontitis-induced alveolar bone damage in rats.