Publications (2)3.33 Total impact
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Article: Antioxidant activity of tryptophan in rats under experimental endotoxic shock.
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ABSTRACT: Tryptophan (TRP), the precursor of the scavenger or immunomodulator molecules melatonin (MLT) and picolinic acid, can be found in the diet; and could be an alternative nutritional supplement used to regulate the immune response in the generation of free radicals. In an experimental model, the systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to promote the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidant enzymes, was performed on adult female, pregnant and lactating rats fed with a diet of TRP content (0.5mg/100g protein). Lung tissue was evaluated for levels of the products of lipoperoxidation (LPO's), malonaldehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy alkenals (4-HDA); nitrites (NO2), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) enzyme activity, and the serum concentration of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which were measured in the following groups: control (CTRL), LPS, MLT, TRP, LPS plus MLT (LPS+MLT), and LPS plus TRP (LPS+TRP). Results showed that the lung tissue levels of MDA and 4-HDA in the LPS+TRP group were significantly lower than in the TRP group. Statistically significant differences were not observed in nitric oxide levels among the groups LPS+MLT and LPS+TRP compared to the group under endotoxic shock (LPS). The Gpx enzyme activity was modified in the LPS+MLT vs the LPS group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The LPS+MLT group showed a smaller serum concentration (98%) of IFN-gamma than the LPS group. Statistically significant differences were not observed among the animals of the LPS+TRP and the LPS groups.Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie 10/2009; 64(1):77-81. · 2.24 Impact Factor -
Article: Cerebral cholinergic neurotransmission in protein and tryptophan-restricted adult rats.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the effects of protein and tryptophan restriction on cholinergic neurotransmission in terms of choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity and its expression as well as muscarinic receptors number at cerebral cortex and hippocampus, Wistar rats were raised on a chronically protein and tryptophan restricted diets with 8% protein based on either Purina chow or corn. There was a significant decrease in both body and cerebral weight in the restricted animals compared with the control group fed with 23% protein diet. In cerebral cortex CAT activity and its expression were significantly increased in corn fed (C) versus protein restricted (HP) and control (T) animals, without no significant changes in muscarinic receptors number. On the other hand, hippocampus CAT activity and its expression were significantly lesser and muscarinic receptors significantly increased in C group and CAT activity in HP group was significantly increased without significant changes in muscarinic receptors related to T group. These results indicate that a reduction in 5-HT disponibility on brain induced by tryptophan restricted diet during development affects clearly the cholinergic system modifying probably the short term memory and learning.Advances in experimental medicine and biology 02/2003; 527:415-21. · 1.09 Impact Factor
