This research provides initial evidence favouring the use of text warnings as a public policy tool to curb the powerful influence of highly appetitive ultra-processed food cues.

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Although the kidney is a major target in hypertension, several studies have correlated important immune alterations with the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), like increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory infiltration in kidneys and thymic atrophy. Because adenosine-triphosphate-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1; P-glycoprotein) and adenosine-triphosphate-binding cassette sub-family C member 1 (ABCC1; multidrug resistance protein 1), two proteins first described in multidrug resistant tumors, physiologically transport several immune mediators and are required for the adequate functioning of the immune system, we aimed to measure the expression and activity of these proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), thymocytes, and also kidneys of normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats and SHR. Our results showed that ABCB1, but not ABCC1, activity was diminished (nearly 50%) in PBMC. Moreover, Abcb1b gene was downregulated in PBMC and kidney of SHR and this was not counterbalanced by an upregulation of its homolog Abcb1a, suggesting that the diminished activity is due to downregulation of the gene. No alteration was detected in ABCB1 activity in SHR thymocytes, indicating that this downregulation occurs after lymphocytes leave the primary lymphoid organs. Even though it is not known at present which parameter(s) is(are) responsible for this downregulation, it may contribute for the altered immune response observed in hypertension and to possible altered drug disposition in hypertensive individuals, resulting in greater drug interaction and increased drug toxicity.

Implicit cues and obesity: protection strategies against food marketingResumo A proteção contra o marketing de alimentos não saudáveis constitui importante estratégia de controle da obesidade e de doenças crônico-degenerativas. A indústria de alimentos aplica técnicas de neuromarketing como forma de persuasão implícita e promoção dos seus produtos, assim torna-se urgente a aplicação deste conhecimento no âmbito das estratégias de defesa, aumentando suas chances de sucesso. Propõe-se, com base em diversos estudos já realizados, agregar o conhecimento científico interdisciplinar na fundamentação teórica das ações públicas voltadas para a promoção da alimentação saudável. Palavras AbstractProtection against marketing of unhealthy food is an important strategy to curb obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases. Given that food industry applies neuromarketing techniques as a form of implicit promotion, the use of such knowledge to ground defense strategies becomes urgent and increases their chances of success. We propose, based on several studies, an interdisciplinary research effort to guide public actions to promote healthy eating.

Background: Although cyclosporin A (CSA) inhibits P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), the relationship between this inhibition and CSA-induced nephrotoxicity is not established. Methods: Three renal cell lines were used to investigate the effects of CSA in cellular viability and accumulation of rhodamine 123 (Rho123): LLC-PK1, which does not express ABCB1 substantially; MDCK, expressing moderate amounts of this protein, and Ma104 cells, which express high amounts of ABCB1. Results: The viability was significantly reduced in the three cell lines after treatment with CSA concentrations >10 µM. Ma104 was the more resistant and LLC-PK1 the more sensitive. CSA increased Rho123 accumulation in the three cell lines when incubated simultaneously, MDCK presenting the higher increase. However, different results were achieved when the periods of incubation with Rho123 and CSA were disconnected: a post-incubation with CSA was more effective in Ma104 cells, while MDCK and LLC-PK1 showed no difference between pre-, co- and post-incubation with CSA. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the effects of CSA may be divided into two groups: ABCB1-independent (direct injury), and ABCB1-dependent toxicity, due to modulation of its activity. This could result in increased accumulation of noxious ABCB1 substrates, contributing to CSA-induced nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, the mechanisms of ABCB1 modulation by CSA may be different for different cell lines.