We aimed to evaluate the potential protective effect of atorvastatin (ATO) against GM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and methods. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of six animals each: control, GM (100 mg/kg/day), ATO (10 mg/kg/day), GM + ATO, and GM + Vehicle. Kidney function tests, tissue oxidative stress parameters, and histopathological and immunohistochemical studies clarified GM nephrotoxicity. Results. GM caused a marked reduction in renal functions and increased

oxidative stress parameters. Histopathological examination Selleck JNK-IN-8 revealed tubular necrosis especially in the renal cortex in GM rats. On immunohistochemical evaluation, GM rat showed more intense expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) compared

with control. Kidney function tests and tissue oxidative stress parameters were normalized in the GM + ATO group. Histopathological and immunohistochemical pictures were also greatly ameliorated. Conclusions. ATO acts in the kidney as a potent scavenger of free radicals to prevent the toxic PI3K inhibitor effects of GM via the inhibition of MAPK and NF-kB signaling pathways and iNOS expression.”
“Yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) is a tropical fruit with increasing acceptance in both national and international fruit markets. The aim of this work was to evaluate the centesimal composition, mineral content, total phenolics, antioxidant activity, and characterize the carotenoids of frozen yellow mombin pulp. Results indicated that the yellow mombin pulp contained an important amount of potassium and copper. The antioxidant activity and total phenolic BMS-754807 concentration values scored 17.5 mmol TEAC g(-1) and 260 mg galic acid/100 g respectively, higher than those reported for other fruits. Five carotenoids were identified, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeinoxanthin, alpha and beta carotene, being beta-cryptoxanthin the major

one, accounting for the high level of pro-vitamin A activity in the pulp. A 100 g portion of yellow mombin pulp can provide more than 37% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“With an increasing demand, organs from elderly donors are more frequently utilized for transplantation. Herein, we analyzed the impact of donor age on CD4+ T-cell responses with regard to regulatory and effector mechanisms. Young (3 months) BM12 recipients were engrafted with young or old (18 months) B6 cardiac allografts. Systemic CD4+ T-cell responses and intragraft changes were monitored and compared to age-matched syngenic transplant controls. While elderly, nonmanipulated hearts contained significantly elevated frequencies of donor-derived leukocytes prior to transplantation, allograft survival was age-independent. T-cell activation, however, was delayed and associated with a compromised immune response in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLR; P = 0.