The role of seed proteins, especially soyabean 7S globulins, in controlling dyslipidaemia is widely acknowledged. Amino acid sequence homology among the proteins of this family could reflect similar biological functions in other species. The aim of the present study was to unveil a hypolipidaemic effect of the 7S globulins from cowpeas (7S-C) and adzuki beans (7S-A), administered orally to rats fed a hypercholesterolaemic (HC; high cholesterol and TAG) diet for 28 d. A total of forty-five rats were divided into five groups (nine rats per group): (1) standard (STD) diet; (2) HC diet; (3) HC diet + 7S-C (300 mg/kg per d); (4) HC diet + 7S-A (300 mg/kg per d); and (5) HC diet + simvastatin (SVT; 50 mg/kg per d), as a control. Significant decreases in food intake and final body weight of rats receiving HC + 7S-C and HC + 7S-A diets compared with groups fed the HC and STD diets were observed. Significant decreases in serum total and non-HDL-cholesterol of 7S-C, 7S-A and SVT groups were also observed. HDL-cholesterol levels increased in the 7S-C, 7S-A and SVT groups, while hepatic cholesterol and TAG concentrations were significantly lower than in the HC diet group for the 7S-C-supplemented group only. Faecal excretions of fat and cholesterol in HC diet groups were considerably higher in animals consuming the 7S globulins. The results show that cowpea and adzuki bean 7S globulins promote cholesterol-decreasing effects in hypercholesterolaemic rats even at low dosages, as already observed for other legume seed storage proteins of this family. This main effect is discussed in relation to the possible mechanisms of action.

Purpose-The hypocholesterolemic activity of legume vicilins and the structural homology among mung bean, soybean and adzuki bean vicilins (8S) suggest that this protein may play a role in lipid metabolism. Thus, in the present study, the authors aim to isolate the mung bean vicilin and assess its in vitro effect on 3-hydroxy-3methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG CoAr), the enzyme responsible for endogenous cholesterol synthesis. Design/methodology/approach-Chromatographic and electrophoretic characterization identified the molecular mass and polypeptide composition of mung bean vicilin. The hydrolysate of this globulin was obtained by sequential hydrolysis with pepsin-pancreatin and the fragments were characterized by molecular filtration, SDS PAGE and HPLC. Findings-The molecular mass of vicilin was estimated as 158.

Purpose – This paper aims to determine the effects of 11S globulin isolated from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) on lipid metabolism in animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic diet and compared to the drug simvastatin. Design/methodology/approach – Thirty-six male Wistar rats, kept in individual cages and under appropriate conditions, were separated into groups that were fed a normal diet (STD) containing casein as protein source and according to AIN-93G; a high-cholesterol diet (HC), normal diet plus 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid and 20 per cent coconut oil; HC diet plus the isolated 11S globulin (300 mg/kg/day); and HC diet plus the simvastatin (50 mg/kg/day), both dissolved in saline and administered by gavage for 28 days. After this time, the animals were killed. Findings – The results indicated that the addition of 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid induced hypercholesterolemia in the animals without interfering with their weight gain. Analyses of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) in the plasma, and TC and TG in the liver were made. The results show that the protein isolated from chickpea, and given as a single daily dose, did not affect the levels of plasma TC and its fractions, although decreasing the TG levels. Unlike the simvastatin, the chickpea protein significantly reduced TC and TG in the liver relative to HC group. Originality/value – A single daily dose of 11S globulin from chickpea contributed as only as additional 2.8 per cent of dietary protein intake. These findings demonstrate that 11S chickpea protein acts as a functional agent in the lipid metabolism in addition to its nutritional properties.

No abstract

RESUMO para o A Constituição Federal de 1988, ao dar novo desenho institucional ao MINISTÉRIO PÚBLICO (MP), aumentou, sobremaneira, o leque de suas atribuições, permitindo que temas antes afetos à esfera eminentemente política atribuídos aos Poderes Executivo e Legislativo pudessem ser questionados perante o Poder Judiciário.A ampliação dessa gama de matérias possíveis de serem submetidas ao crivo do Poder Judiciário tem chamado a atenção dos pesquisadores da área da ciência política. Alguns deles passaram a denominar essa forma de intervenção engendrada pela atividade jurisdicional de "politização da justiça e "ativismo judiciar.A proposta do presente trabalho é verificar se a atuação do PGR refletiu, até o momento, efetivamente, o alargamento de atribuições dado ao MP. Para tanto, escolheu-se como critério de verificação o controle concentrado da constitucionalidade das leis e atos normativos, viabilizado pelas denominadas ações diretas de inconstitucionalidade, as ADIn's.Com o auxílio de dados secundários, da literatura e estatísticos, constatou-se não serem as matérias, objeto das antigas representações de inconstitucionalidade, distintas das tratadas nas ações diretas de inconstitucionalidade -ADIn's.De um modo geral, não obstante o aumento do rol dos co-legitimados para a propositura da ADIn, o PGR continuou sendo o principal provocador do STF, ressalvada a atuação de alguns partidos políticos, assumindo, vez ou outra, a liderança quanto à formulação de ADIn's.Alguns fatores detectados pelo presente trabalho apontam esvaziamento do instituto.