Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. belonging to the family Asteraceae is an edible medicinal plant distributed worldwide. This study aimed to determine the gastroprotective effects of aqueous extract of T. officinale (AETo) in rats using ultrasound, histological, and biochemical analyses. In this study, gastric ulceration was induced by ethanol or piroxicam. Rats were then treated with AETo (3, 30, or 300 mg/kg). The area and histological appearance of gastric ulcers were quantified, and histochemical analysis was performed. The activity of AETo on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers was assessed in the ulcerated tissue. In addition, we investigated the thickness of the gastric wall using the ultrasound technique. Moreover, chemical analyses of AETo were performed. In rats with ethanol- or piroxicam-induced ulcers, AETo reduced the ulceration area, elevated mucin level, and the gastroprotective effect was confirmed by histological analysis. The gastroprotective effect was accompanied by increased activities of SOD, CAT, and GST, as well as an increase in GSH level and reduction in MPO activity. Furthermore, AETo reduced the thickness of the gastric wall in rats. Phytochemical analysis of AETo indicated phenolic acids and flavonoids as the main active compounds. In conclusion, the gastroprotective effect of AETo involves reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory injury and increase in mucin content. This study advances in the elucidation of mechanisms of gastric protection of T. officinale, contributes to the prospection of new molecules gastroprotective, and proposes the ultrasonographic analyses as a new gastroprotective assessment tool in preclinical studies.

Background: Vegetarian diets have been linked to reduced risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases, since they positively modulate biochemical parameters, particularly those related with glycemic control and lipemia, and considered as potential strategy for weight control.Objective: To compare the nutritional status, lifestyle and lipid profile of adult vegetarians with omnivores in a sample of individuals in the city of São Paulo.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric, biochemical and lifestyle variables were compared between vegetarians and omnivores. A significance level of 5% was considered for all analyses.Results: Vegetarians were more likely to practice physical activity (64.3% vs 42.5%, p = 0.056) and consuming dietary supplements (48.1% vs 20.5%, p = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference for the variables: age, sex, triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein between the two groups. Vegetarians had significantly lower weight [60.8 kg (56.7 -69.4) vs 71.1 kg (58.0 -75.4), p = 0.038], BMI [22.4 kg/m2 (20.9 -23.8) vs 24.6 kg/m2 (21.7 -26.1), p = 0.001], and waist circumference [(81.8 ± 8.2 vs 87.8 ± 10.9 cm, p = 0.003)], and higher high-density lipoprotein (54.88 ± 14.44 vs 47.30 ± 12.27 mg /dL p = 0.008) than omnivores. Conclusion:Compared with omnivores, vegetarians had a better nutritional status, with lower BMI and waist circumference, significantly higher levels of plasma lipoprotein high-density, and healthier lifestyle. (Int J

BDNF is a basic protein, a member of the neurotrophin family, and which plays an essential role in neurobiology, as it positively interferes in brain neuroplasticity and, in particular, in neural survival,

Agradeço ao Pai, ao Filho e ao Espírito Santo. Amém! A Profa. e orientadora Dra. Tirza Aidar, que confiou em mim sem mesmo me conhecer e me incentivou, desde o primeiro e-mail trocado e que com paciência e dedicação soube me conduzir neste caminho e, principalmente, pela compreensão pelas dificuldades enfrentadas na conclusão deste trabalho. Minha gratidão e meu respeito pelo profissionalismo e por ser tão humana!

Introdução: A obesidade decorre do balanço energético positivo que favorece o acúmulo de gordura. É considerado um problema de saúde pública, de difícil tratamento por ser de causas multifatoriais. Objetivo: descrever o perfil de pacientes obesos atendidos na rede de Atenção Básica do município de Chapecó. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa do tipo transversal, com pacientes maiores de 18 anos, com IMC maior ou igual a 30 kg/m2, de ambos os sexos. Foram realizadas medidas antropométricas dos pacientes e aplicado questionários sociodemográfico e de frequência alimentar, bem como, questões relacionadas à ansiedade e ao estresse. O banco de dados foi construído no Software Excel for Windows e a análise estatística foi realizada por meio do software Past (versão 3) através de estatística descritiva (frequência) e comparadas por meio de testes não paramétricos (Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis). Resultados: Ao todo, 50 pacientes participaram do estudo. O IMC variou significativamente (p0,05) segundo o acesso ao serviço de saúde, ao consumo de frutas e frituras e ao sentimento de culpa. Não foi encontrada relação estatisticamente significativa (p0,05) segundo sexo, escolaridade, estado civil, zona de residência, ocupação, horas diárias trabalhadas, renda, meio de transporte, saneamento básico, número de consultas anuais e frequências de consumo de saladas, legumes, verduras, feijão, leite e derivados, hambúrguer e embutidos, biscoitos e salgadinhos, doces e refrigerantes e estresse. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam relação da obesidade com fator psicológico, além da frequência e das escolhas alimentares. O atendimento multiprofissional assegura a integralidade da atenção básica e pode ser um fator favorável no controle da obesidade.