Background Oxidative stress is a key feature of sepsis and could be a common pathophysiological pathway between septic shock and acute kidney injury (AKI) Our objective was to evaluate the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD1) activity as predictor of AKI in patients with septic shock.MethodsThis is a prospective observational study that evaluated 175 consecutive patients over the age of 18 years with septic shock upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, 43 patients were excluded (27 due to AKI at ICU admission). Thus, 132 patients were enrolled in the study. At the time of the patients’ enrollment, demographic information was recorded. Blood samples were taken within the first 24 h of the patient’s admission to determine the erythrocyte SOD1 activity. All patients were followed throughout the ICU stay, and the development of AKI was evaluated. In addition, we also evaluated 17 control subjects.ResultsThe mean age of patients with septic shock was 63.2 ± 15.7 years, 53 % were male and the median ICU stay was 8 days (4–16). Approximately 50.7 % developed AKI during the ICU stay. The median erythrocyte SOD1 activity was 2.92 (2.19–3.92) U/mg Hb. When compared to control subjects, septic shock patients had a higher serum malondialdehyde concentration and lower erythrocyte SOD1 activity. In univariate analysis, erythrocyte SOD1 activity was lower in patients who developed AKI. The ROC curve analysis revealed that lower erythrocyte SOD1 activity was associated with AKI development (AUC 0.686; CI 95 % 0.595–0.777; p < 0.001) at the cutoff of <3.32 U/mg Hb. In the logistic regression models, SOD1 activity higher than 3.32 U/mg Hb was associated with protection of AKI development when adjusted by hemoglobin, phosphorus and APACHE II score (OR 0.309; CI 95 % 0.137–0.695; p = 0.005) and when adjusted by age, gender, chronic kidney disease, admission category (medical or surgery) and APACHE II score (OR 0.129; CI 95 % 0.033–0.508; p = 0.003).ConclusionsIn conclusion, our data suggest that erythrocyte SOD1 activity could play a role as an early marker of septic AKI and could be seen as a new research avenue in the field of biomarker in AKI. However, our study did not show a strong correlation between SOD activity and AKI. Nevertheless, these original data do warrant further research in order to confirm or not this hypothesis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly involves synovial joints and affects up to2% of adults worldwide. Poor nutrient status in RA patients has been reported and some drug therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prescribed to alleviate RA symptoms, may increase the requirement for some nutrients and reduce their absorption. The importance of micronutrients in this disease is related to their cofactor role in immune system functions and in different metabolic processes in articular tissues. Dietary interventions can assist with the management of disease symptoms that accompany RA, such as pain, tender swollen joints, stiffness, and associated disability and disease progression. This paper reviews the scientific evidence for the role of diet and nutrient supplementation in the management of RA, by alleviating symptoms or decreasing progression of the disease.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are processes that occur simultaneously in obesity and contribute to an increase in the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The mineral selenium (Se), whose main food source is the Brazil nut, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Considering the importance of the inflammatory process in obesity and the potential role of Se as an anti-inflammatory by means of selenoproteins, the study of the influence of this micronutrient in this context is of great relevance. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Brazil nut intake on inflammatory biomarkers and nutritional status of Se in obese women. In total, 72 participants randomly assigned to Brazil nut group (BN) or control group (CO) were recruited and followed up for 2 months. The BN group consumed 1 unit of Brazil nut (~ 409.5 μg/Se) per day and the CO group did not received any intervention. On baseline and after two months of follow-up, the evaluation of anthropometry and food consumption, and of the biochemical parameters related to Se, oxidative stress, lipid profile and inflammatory biomarkers were performed. Twenty-nine participants of BN group and twenty-six of the CO group completed the trial, with a mean age of 40.3 (9.0) and 39.4 (9.5) years (p= 0.714), respectively. At the baseline of the study, it was observed that this population did not present Se deficiency. In BN group, there was an increase in all Se biomarkers evaluated. After 8 weeks of intervention, a significant increase was observed in gene expression of several pro-inflammatory parameters in BN group (IL-6, TNF-α, TLR2 and TLR4). Although there have been no changes in plasma concentrations related to these parameters, a significant increase in gene expression may be an indicative of a pro-inflammatory stimulus induced by the intake of Brazil nuts with high Se concentrations.

Gostaria de agradecer aos meus pais, Claudia e Salvador, por tudo o que fizeram e fazem por mim! Esse trabalho não seria possível sem vocês! Mãe, obrigada por sempre me receber com aquele carinho e aquela comidinha deliciosa depois de um longo dia de trabalho e trânsito! Pai, sem você, sem suas caronas para casa naquele trânsito de cada dia, não sei se teria tido forças para realizar esse trabalho! Obrigada por me ensinarem tanto e me apoiarem em cada decisão em minha vida! Obrigada por tudo! Amo muito vocês! À minha querida irmã Isabela Biude Silva, por sempre estar ao meu lado, me ajudando, incentivando! Saiba que adoro nossas discussões cientificas... mesmo quando não concordamos em certos pontos! Irmãs, nutri e farma! Estaremos sempre juntas! Obrigada por todo carinho e preocupação! Amo você Sis! Ao meu companheiro, melhor amigo e grande amor Mauricio Duarte. Você foi mais que essencial para que eu conseguisse realizar este grande sonho! Obrigada por resgatar na USP várias vezes tarde noite, pelas idas e vindas de Guarulhos à Universidade nos momentos de intenso trabalho e cansaço. Obrigada por entender o meu mau humor, o meu desespero em vários momentos, a distancia necessária...e também pelas inúmeras conversas, conselhos, pelas risadas de doer a barriga, por me dizer que tudo vai dar certo e por estar sempre ao meu lado, me apoiando em todas as minhas decisões e torcendo junto em todos os momentos da minha vida! TE AMO muito! Á minha linda e querida orientadora Silvia Maria Franciscato Cozzolino que abriu as portas do universo cientifico ainda na iniciação cientifica e me deu a oportunidade de conhecer esse mundo fascinante da pesquisa! Obrigada por sempre me receber de braços abertos, com aquele sorriso acolhedor de mãe, dizer que tudo vai dar certo e apoiar cada passo que damos durante a pós-graduação. Obrigada pelas grandes oportunidades que nos dá, pela amizade e pela sua alegria que sempre nos contagia! Agradeço pela confiança de sempre! Com certeza levarei muito da sua personalidade tanto como professora como pessoa! Á minha querida amiga e parceira de trabalho Kátia Rau de Almeida Callou que COM CERTEZA fez com esse trabalho se tornasse muito melhor e muito mais divertido! Acho que toda convivência tem altos e baixos, mas ainda bem que a nossa teve muitos altos!! Rsrsrs!! Obrigada por me ensinar tanta coisa, pela paciência, pelas inúmeras conversas...por me abrigar em sua casa nos dias de coleta! Quanta coisa boa vivenciamos nesses anos de conviviencia! Adorei ir à França contigo! Obrigada pela sua linda amizade, que tenho certeza que levaremos para a vida toda, mesmo com a distância! Você é como uma irmã para mim! Obrigada por me ajudar a tornar esse sonho realidade! Vou sentir muitoooo, mas muitooo a sua falta... Á minha mega best friend Janaina Lombello...amiga, obrigada por todos os seus ensinamentos desde a época da iniciação cientifica! Obrigada pelas conversas cientificas, pelas broncas, pela sua linda sinceridade! Com certeza amigos de verdade fazem isso, apontam os erros, estão sempre ali q...