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Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with systemic toxicity, represented by changes in biomarkers associated with mood episodes, leading to neurological damage, which may reflect cognitive functions and functionality and the progression of the disease. We aimed to analyze the effect of four biomarkers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS), related to oxidative stress in BD and to correlate them with cognitive functions and functionality. We studied 50 bipolar types I/II patients in the euthymic phase, which was divided into two subgroups with 25 patients each (≤ 3 years and ≥ 10 years of diagnosis, from the first episode of mania) and 25 control patients. To analyze frontal cognitive functions and functionality, we used the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) tests, respectively. The scores of the FAST and FAB tests showed an increase and decrease respectively, in both bipolar groups, when compared to the control group, demonstrating impairment in cognitive functions and functionality since the disease onset. In addition, changes occurred in all six domains of the FAST test, and in four domains of the FAB test in bipolar patients when compared to the control group. Regarding oxidative stress biomarkers, we did not find changes in SOD and GSH-Px activities; however, a significant increase in CAT activity and lipid peroxidation was observed in both groups, although the patients were euthymic and medicated. These results allow us to raise the hypothesis that since the beginning of the disease, the euthymic bipolar patient has presented a level of oxidative stress, which gets worse with the evolution of the disease, promoting impairments in the frontal cognitive functions and functionality gradually.

Fish is one of the healthiest food sources once it has proteins, vitamins, minerals and the omega-3 polyunsaturated lipids. Nevertheless, to be healthy, the protein in fish meat must not have contaminants further than allowed. This study aimed to investigate the preclinical toxicologic effects of consumption of fish meat from Cachoeira river (Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil). Groups of rats were divided and received for a month: standard ration, farmed fish meat and fish meat from Cachoeira river twice a week. One day after the last exposition, animals were euthanized and blood, spleen, heart, liver, kidney, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex were collected to measure oxidative stress, biochemical and hematological parameters. Metals levels were also analyzed in fish meat by atomic emission spectrometry. Significant elevation of carbonylated proteins were observed in heart and liver and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in liver, plasma and cerebellum were observed. Total sulfhydryl content decreased significantly in cerebellum, liver and heart, and decreased catalase activity in the liver and superoxide dismutase activity in the kidneys were also present among rats who consumed fish meat from Cachoeira river. No modification of hematological parameters was observed, and only significant decrease of HDL occurred among biochemical parameters. Analysis of metals in river fish meat showed a fivefold increase in zinc and aluminum compared to farmed fish meat. Short-term exposure to fish meat from the Cachoeira River resulted in increased oxidative stress, liable to be transferred through the food chain, possibly associated with the increased presence of heavy metals.

We investigated the effects of dichloromethane extract (DME) from Myrcia splendens on alterations caused by type 2 diabetes in the blood and kidney of rats, in order to reduce side effects caused by synthetic drugs. Rats received streptozotocin (60 mg/kg), 15 minutes after nicotinamide (120 mg/kg) or water. After 72 hours, the glycemic levels were evaluated to confirm diabetes and the animals received (15 days) DME (25, 50, 100 or 150mg/Kg) or water. DME partially reversed hyperglycemia and (100 and 150 mg/kg) reversed hypertriglyceridemia. Histopathological findings elucidated that DME reduced damage to pancreatic islets. DME 150 mg/kg reversed the increases in TBA-RS, the reduction in the sulfhydryl content, 100 and 150 mg/kg increased CAT, reversed the decrease in GSH-Px and increased it activity in the blood. DME 150 mg/kg reversed CAT and GSH-Px reductions in the kidney. We believe that DME effects might be dependent on the presence of phenolic compounds.