The global population above 60 years has been growing exponentially in the last decades, which is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of age-related chronic diseases, highlighting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Aging is the main risk factor for these diseases. Such susceptibility to disease is explained, at least in part, by the increase of oxidative stress, in which it damages cellular components such as proteins, DNA, and lipids. In addition, the chronic inflammatory process in aging “inflammaging” also contributes to cell damage, creating a stressful environment which drives to the development of CVDs. Taken together, it is possible to identify the molecular connection between oxidative stress and the inflammatory process, especially by the crosstalk between the transcription factors Nrf-2 and NF-κB which are mediated by redox signalling and are involved in aging. Therapies that control this process are key targets in the prevention/combat of age-related CVDs. In this review, we show the basics of inflammation and oxidative stress, including the crosstalk between them, and the implications on age-related CVDs.

There is a need for more detailed elucidation of T-cell immunity in chikungunya infection. CD8 T cells are one of main actors against viruses. Here, we analysed CD8 T lymphocytes from patients in the acute and chronic phases of chikungunya disease (CHIKD). Our results demonstrate that CD8 T cells expressed higher ex vivo granzyme B, perforin and CD107A expression in patients in the acute phase of CHIKD compared with healthy individuals and higher ex vivo expression of CD69, interleukin-17A, interleukin-10 and CD95 ligand, and co-expression of CD95/CD95 ligand. These results elucidate the importance of these lymphocytes, demonstrating immune mechanisms mediated in human chikungunya infection.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual relations, and aging is one of the main risk factors involved. The D-(+)-Galactose aging model is a consolidated methodology for studies of cardiovascular aging; however, its potential for use with ED remain unexplored. The present study proposed to characterize a new experimental model for ED, using the D-(+)-Galactose aging model. For the experiments, the animals were randomly divided into three groups receiving: vehicle (CTL), D-galactose 150 mg/kg (DGAL), and D-(+)-galactose 150 mg/Kg + sildenafil 1.5 mg/Kg (DGAL+SD1.5) being administered daily for a period of eight weeks. All of the experimental protocols were previously approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals at the Federal University of Paraíba n° 9706070319. During the treatment, we analyzed physical, molecular, and physiological aspects related to the aging process and implicated in the development of ED. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging represents a suitable experimental model for ED assessment. This was evidenced by an observed hyper-contractility in corpora cavernosa, significant endothelial dysfunction, increased ROS levels, an increase in cavernous tissue senescence, and the loss of essential penile erectile components.

RESUMO -A semente da munguba (Pachira aquatica Aubl.) contém amêndoas que exibem um conteúdo excelente de óleo e um percentual significativo em proteínas. Propositou-se determinar algumas propriedades funcionais das proteínas de amêndoas da munguba com o objetivo de instituir sua utilização na indústria de alimentos. O teor lipídico foi de 46,62%, o proteico de 13,75% e na forma de torta apresentou um índice de 28,27% de proteínas. Obtiveram-se dois isolados proteicos, o IP 2,0 e o IP 10,0, decorrentes de duas condições de pH (2,0 e 10,0). Na obtenção dos isolados proteicos, os índices em proteínas extraídas foram de 38,52% para o IP 2,0 e 82,06% para o IP 10,0. Os índices de proteínas recuperadas através da precipitação isoelétrica foram de 23,35% para o IP 2,0 e de 70,94% para o IP 10,0, em pH 5,0. As propriedades funcionais exibiram solubilidade mínima em pH 5,0, no ponto isoelétrico (pI), sendo mais elevada em pH ácido e alcalino do pI. As melhores capacidades de absorção de água e de óleo exibidas foram para o IP 10,0. As propriedades emulsificantes foram dependentes do pH para os dois isolados, e o IP 10,0 indicou melhores resultados. As propriedades funcionais estudadas permitem o emprego dos isolados proteicos em produtos alimentícios que requerem alta solubilidade, tais como os produtos de panificação, massas em geral, sopas desidratadas e molhos, produtos que exigem desempenho na absorção do óleo, como as carnes simuladas, e em produtos que requerem poderes emulsificantes. Termos para indexação: munguba, proteína, isolado proteico, propriedades funcionais. FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF PROTEINS FROM ALMONDS OF THE GUIANA-CHESTNUT (Pachira aquatica Aubl.)ABSTRACT -Seeds of the Guiana-chestnut (Pachira aquatica Aubl.) contain almonds with excellent oil content and a significant percentage of proteins. The aim of this study was to determine some properties of proteins from Guiana-chestnut almonds in order to propose its use in the food industry. The content of lipids was of 46.62%, of proteins 13.75%, and in the form of cake, it has showed a protein rate of 28.27%. Two protein isolates were obtained, IP 2.0 and IP 10.0, resulting from two pH conditions (2.0 and 10.0). To obtain the protein isolates, the contents of extracted proteins were of 38.52% for IP 2.0 and of 82.06% for IP 10.0. The rates of proteins recovered by isoelectric precipitation were of 23.35% for IP 2.0 and of 70.94% for PI 10.0 at pH 5.0. The functional properties exhibited minimum solubility at isoelectric point pH 5.0, being higher at acidic and alkaline isoelectric point pH. The best water and oil absorption capacities were for IP 10.0. The emulsifying properties were dependent on pH for both isolates, and PI 10.0 showed better results. The functional properties studied allow the use of protein isolates in food products that require high solubility such as bakery products, pasta in general, dehydrated soups and sauces; products that require high performance in oil absorption such as simulated meat; and products that require emulsifying po...

Hypertension is a chronic disease and a global health problem. Due to its high prevalence, it constitutes the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fruit peels from Passiflora edulis fo. flavicarpa are rich in bioactive natural compounds that may have action in hypertension. This study aimed to perform a fingerprinting analysis of Passiflora edulis fruit peel extract and evaluate its actions on the cardiovascular system in an in vivo model. The extract was obtained from the dried and powdered fruit peels of Passiflora edulis. Glycoside flavonoids were identified in the extract by HPLC-ESI-MSn. The extract showed a significant hypotensive effect after 28 days of treatment and improved vascular function in the mesenteric artery. This effect was verified by decreased vascular hypercontractility and increased vasorelaxant in response to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine. There was also a decrease in endothelial dysfunction, which can be attributed to nitric oxideʼs increased bioavailability. Thus, we hypothesize that all these effects contributed to a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, leading to a significant hypotensive effect. These results are novel for fruit peels from P. edulis. Also, there was a decrease in plasma and cardiac malondialdehyde levels and an increase in glutathione, suggesting a reduction in oxidative stress, as well as an increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 in the plasma. This study demonstrated that the extract can be a new source of raw material to be applied as food or medicine adjuvant for treating hypertension.