Background: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory states triggered by a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in superoxide dismutase manganese-dependent gene (Val16Ala-SOD2) have been associated with the risk of developing several chronic, nontransmissible diseases. However, it is still not clear whether the VV-SOD2 genotype that causes higher basal superoxide anion levels has any impact on the risk for depression and self-reported psychological stress in elderly people. Methods: In the present study, we tested this hypothesis using a case-control study where depression was detected using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15). A total of 612 Brazilian free-living elderly subjects with a mean age of 67.1 ± 7.1 years old (number of controls, C = 497, and depressive individuals, D = 115) were included in this study. All participants had similar social, health, and lifestyle variables, with the exception of polypharmacy (≥5 medicines daily intake), which was higher in the D group, compared to C subjects. Results: Our results showed that the VV-SOD2 genotype significantly increased the risk for depression and psychological stress in the elderly subjects, independently of sex/gender, age, and other prior diseases and health indicators (depression risk = 1.842, 1.109-3.061 95% CI, p = .018). VV-subjects also had a higher daily intake of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and anti-inflammatory drugs than A-allele subjects. 2 of 12 | da CRUZ JUNG et al. Conclusion:Our findings support the hypothesis that genetically induced oxidative superoxide-hydrogen peroxide imbalance may be involved in an increased risk for developing depression and psychological stress in free-living elderly people without other chronic nontransmissible diseases. K E Y W O R D Sdepression, elderly, psychological stress, superoxide dismutase polymorphism | 3 of 12 da CRUZ JUNG et al.

Chronic psycho-environmental stress can induce neurological dysfunction due to an increase in cortisol levels. It is possible that some food supplements could attenuate its negative impact, such as avocado oil (AO), which is rich in fatty acids with beneficial effects on the brain. This hypothesis was tested by an in vitro model using undifferentiated neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) exposed to hydrocortisone (HC), an active cortisol molecule with and without AO-supplementation. Cortisol can induce oxidative stress, apoptosis events, and a lowering effect on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurogenic molecule. As AO protective effects on HC-exposed cells could involve these routes, some markers of these routes were compared among neuroblastoma cultures. In the first assay, the range concentrations of HC exposure that trigger cell mortality and range AO-concentrations that could revert the HC effect. AO at all concentrations tested (2-30 µg/ml) did not present a cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells, whereas HC at 0.3-10 ng/ml had a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on these cells. From these results, HC at 10 ng/ml and AO at 5 µg/ml were chosen for mechanistic analysis. AO was able to decrease the oxidative molecules; however, both AO-and HC-induced differential and varied gene expression modulation of these enzymes. AO partially reverted the protein and gene expression of apoptotic markers that were higher in HC-exposed cells. AO also increases the BDNF levels, which are lower HC-exposed cultures. The results indicate that AO could be a beneficial supplement in situations where cortisol levels are elevated, including chronic psycho-environmental stress. Practical applications Psychological chronic stress that induces high cortisol exposure has been linked to premature aging and decreased healthy life expectancy. Neurobiological models involving cortisol have suggested a neurotoxic effect of this molecule, increasing the risk of psychiatric and other CNTDs. This effect can have a high impact mainly in How to cite this article: Motta JR, Jung IEDC, Azzolin VF, et al. Avocado oil (Persea americana) protects SH-SY5Y cells against cytotoxicity triggered by cortisol by the modulation of BDNF, oxidative stress, and apoptosis molecules.

Introduction: Studies on the elderly living in the Brazilian North Region are incipient and must be carried out to support health public policies. Objectives: this study describes the methodological design on the Projeto Idoso da Floresta, that analyzes the main health indicators of the elderly inserted in the Family Health Strategy, a Brazilian health public care program, in Manaus-AM. Methodology: a two-stage epidemiologic study was conducted as follows: (1st) selection of basic health units (UBS) as unit selection; (2nd) elderly selection as randomized sample unit from each UBS. Results: 1,509 elderly were included in the analysis, 810 (53.6%) women (67.6±7.7 years old) and 699 (46.4%) men (66.8± 6,9 years old). In general, the elderly investigated here were married/widowed 94,8%), illiterate or with very low educational level (46.5%), lived in houses (94.7%), received some external support (57.5%), retired (64.5%) ,without or with lower economic income (67.9%). From the sample analyzed, 85.5% were independent and 10.3% reported to have > 4 morbidities. These results tended to be different in Manaus's health districts. Conclusion: in general, the variables analyzed tended to be similar to results described in other Brazilian epidemiological studies. However, there are differences among districts that must be considered in the elderly's health care strategy. Complementary analysis of the data described here, with sex, age and socioeconomic stratification need to be performed.

Background Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) has several clinical applications; however, its benefits are not universal. Therefore, combination therapy with LLLT and extracts from the guarana (Paullinia cupana) plant may improve its effectiveness as guarana extracts exhibit anti‐aging properties. Objectives To evaluate the antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐apoptotic, and proliferative effects of combined LLLT and guarana extract therapy on human dermal fibroblasts. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts (HFF‐1) were cultured and initially exposed to several concentrations (1, 3, 5, 10, 30 µg/mL) of guarana extract. The experimental concentration of guarana extract was selected by analyzing cytokine levels, DNA oxidation, and apoptotic markers in LLLT‐exposed (4 J/cm2) and LLLT‐unexposed fibroblast cultures. After 72 hours, the cells were analyzed using spectrophotometric, fluorimetric, immunological, and gene expression (qRT‐PCR) assays. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effect of each treatment on cell cycle. Results Fibroblasts treated with guarana (5 µg/mL) exhibited anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic properties been used in complementary protocols. Combined guarana and LLLT treatment significantly decreased protein carbonylation, lipoperoxidation, and DNA oxidation, downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of pro‐inflammatory molecules, and upregulated IL‐10 gene and protein expression. Guarana plus LLLT also decreased the levels of caspases 1, 3, and 8, increased the percentage of S‐phase cells, and decreased FGF‐1 and KGF‐1 levels. Some of these changes were also observed after treatment with guarana or LLLT alone. Conclusions Our results suggest that concomitant treatment with guarana and LLLT may promote fibroblast biostimulation and thus is clinically relevant.

Introdução: Células endoteliais sintetizam o óxido nítrico (ON), responsável pelo relaxamento e contração da parede arterial. A disfunção endotelial contribui para um desbalanço na produção de ON, e pode contribuir com o desenvolvimento de vários fatores de risco de doenças cardiovasculares como a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), que está relaciona com a idade, por isso apresenta maior prevalência em idosos, bem como o aumento no estresse oxidativo. Objetivos: Analisar a relação entre ON, um biomarcador plasmático do estresse oxidativo, com os níveis elevados de pressão arterial sistêmica em idosos ribeirinhos da Amazônia. Metodologia: Selecionou-se 593 idosos (275 homens, 318 mulheres), inseridos na Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF-SUS) do município de Maués-AM com idade média de 72,28 ± 8,05 anos. Foi aplicada entrevista estruturada para avaliar a história clínica e estilo de vida. O aferimento da pressão arterial sistólico-diastólica (PAS/PAD), foi realizada por dois profissionais da saúde em dois momentos distintos, seguindo as instruções da V Diretriz Brasileira de Hipertensão Arterial. Os níveis de ONp foram medidos através da quantificação plasmática espectrofotométrica dos níveis de nitrato e nitrito. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Resultados: Os níveis médios de ON foram de 32,82 ± 26,46 mmol/mL. Foi usado o valor do percentil 75 para comparação entre hipertensão grupo homens (41 mmol/mL) e mulheres (45 mmol/mL). Nos homens os níveis elevados de PAS (> 140 mm/Hg) foram associados a níveis elevados de ON, independente da idade, história de hipertensão, diabetes, obesidade e outras doenças cardiovasculares. Nas mulheres esta associação não foi observada. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que níveis elevados de ON podem indicar em homens idosos com HAS não controlada, independente de outros fatores de risco cardiovascular.