Examinando por Autor "Uranga Ocio, Jose Antonio"

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Ameliorative effects of egg white hydrolysate on recognition memory impairments associated with chronic exposure to low mercury concentration
(Elsevier, 2016-12) Rizzetti, Danize Aparecida; Caroline Dalla Colletta Altermann; Caroline Silveira Martinez; Franck Maciel Peçanha; Dalton Valentim Vassallo; Uranga Ocio, Jose Antonio; Miguel, Marta; Wiggers, Giulia Alessandra; Pâmela Billig Mello-Carpes
The study aimed to investigate if the EWH is able to prevent the recognition memory disorders associated with long-term Hg exposure in rats. For this, male Wistar rats were treated for 60 days with: a) Untreated: saline solution (i.m.); b) Hydrolysate: EWH (1 g/kg/day, gavage); c) Mercury: HgCl2 (1st dose 4.6 μg/kg, subsequent doses 0.07 μg/kg/day, i.m.); d) Hydrolysate-Mercury. Object recognition memory test was performed to verify Short (STM) and Long-Term Memory (LTM) and Open Field, Plus Maze and Tail Flick tests were performed as control for behavioral experiments. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in hippocampus were determined by dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) method, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by TBARS, antioxidant power by FRAP assay and total Hg concentration by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. We confirm that the STM and LTM were impaired in adult rats exposed to Hg at low concentrations, which may be related to the increased metal deposition, ROS production and subsequently the oxidative damage in hippocampus. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time that EWH treatment is able to prevent memory impairment induced by Hg exposure, reducing Hg content and ROS production in hippocampus. In conclusion, EWH ameliorates memory impairments induced by chronic exposure to low doses of Hg. These findings may represent a good public health strategy since they indicate that EWH is a promising candidate as a new natural therapy for heavy metals intoxication.
Cannabinoid pharmacology and therapy in gut disorders
(Elsevier, 2018-08-02) Uranga Ocio, Jose Antonio; Vera, Gema; Abalo, Raquel
Cannabis sp. and their products (marijuana, hashish…), in addition to their recreational, industrial and other uses, have a long history for their use as a remedy for symptoms related with gastrointestinal diseases. After many reports suggesting these beneficial effects, it was not surprising to discover that the gastrointestinal tract expresses endogenous cannabinoids, their receptors, and enzymes for their synthesis and degradation, comprising the so-called endocannabinoid system. This system participates in the control of tissue homeostasis and important intestinal functions like motor and sensory activity, nausea, emesis, the maintenance of the epithelial barrier integrity, and the correct cellular microenvironment. Thus, different cannabinoid-related pharmacological agents may be useful to treat the main digestive pathologies. To name a few examples, in irritable bowel syndrome they may normalize dysmotility and reduce pain, in inflammatory bowel disease they may decrease inflammation, and in colorectal cancer, apart from alleviating some symptoms, they may play a role in the regulation of the cell niche. This review summarizes the main recent findings on the role of cannabinoid receptors, their synthetic or natural ligands and their metabolizing enzymes in normal gastrointestinal function and in disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer and gastrointestinal chemotherapy-induced adverse effects (nausea/vomiting, constipation, diarrhea).
Egg white hydrolysate promotes neuroprotection for neuropathic disorders induced by chronic exposure to low concentrations of mercury
(Elsevier, 2016-09-01) Rizzetti, Danize Aparecida; Fernández, Francisca; Silvia Moreno; Uranga Ocio, Jose Antonio; Franck Maciel Pecanha; Vera, Gema; Vassallo, Dalton Valentim; Miguel, Marta; Wiggers, Giulia Alessandra
This study aims to investigate whether the egg white hydrolysate (EWH) acts on the neuropathic disorders associated with long-term Mercury (Hg) exposure in rats. 8-week-old male Wistar rats were treated for 60 days with: a) Control - saline solution (i.m.); b) Mercury - HgCl2 (1st dose 4.6 μg/kg, subsequent doses 0.07 μg/kg/day, i.m.); c) Hydrolysate - EWH (1 g/kg/day, gavage); d) Mercury and Hydrolysate. Mechanical allodynia was assessed using Von Frey Hairs test; heat hyperalgesia by the plantar test; catalepsy by a modification of the “ring test” and spontaneous locomotor activity by a photocell activity chambers. Analyses were performed at 0, 30 and 60 days of treatment. Brain and plasma MDA, plasma NPSH and TNF-α determination and skin immunohistochemistry were performed at 60 days. Hg induced a reduction in mechanical sensitivity threshold at 30 and 60 days and in thermal sensitivity threshold at 60 days. At the end of treatment catalepsy was developed, but there was not significant alteration in spontaneous locomotor activity. Hg also increased brain and plasma MDA, plasma NPSH and TNF- α levels and the number of Merkel cell–neurite complex in the skin. EWH prevented the development of mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and catalepsy induced by Hg and the increase in MDA concentration in brain and plasma and in the number of Merkel cell–neurite complex in the skin. In conclusion, EWH promotes neuroprotection against the toxic effects caused by Hg, demonstrating a beneficial therapeutic potential.