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Background Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory states triggered by a single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in superoxide dismutase manganese‐dependent gene (Val16Ala‐SOD2) have been associated with the risk of developing several chronic, nontransmissible diseases. However, it is still not clear whether the VV‐SOD2 genotype that causes higher basal superoxide anion levels has any impact on the risk for depression and self‐reported psychological stress in elderly people. Methods In the present study, we tested this hypothesis using a case‐control study where depression was detected using the Geriatric Depression Scale‐15 (GDS‐15). A total of 612 Brazilian free‐living elderly subjects with a mean age of 67.1 ± 7.1 years old (number of controls, C = 497, and depressive individuals, D = 115) were included in this study. All participants had similar social, health, and lifestyle variables, with the exception of polypharmacy (≥5 medicines daily intake), which was higher in the D group, compared to C subjects. Results Our results showed that the VV‐SOD2 genotype significantly increased the risk for depression and psychological stress in the elderly subjects, independently of sex/gender, age, and other prior diseases and health indicators (depression risk = 1.842, 1.109–3.061 95% CI, p = .018). VV‐subjects also had a higher daily intake of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and anti‐inflammatory drugs than A‐allele subjects. Conclusion Our findings support the hypothesis that genetically induced oxidative superoxide‐hydrogen peroxide imbalance may be involved in an increased risk for developing depression and psychological stress in free‐living elderly people without other chronic nontransmissible diseases., Our results showed that the VV‐SOD2 genotype significantly increased the risk for depression and psychological stress in the elderly subjects. VV‐subjects also had a higher daily intake of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and anti‐inflammatory drugs. The findings support the hypothesis that genetically induced oxidative superoxide‐hydrogen peroxide imbalance may be involved in an increased risk for developing depression and psychological stress in free‐living elderly people.

Aim To evaluate the in vitro toxicity of irrigating solutions and pharmacological associations used in the pulpectomy of primary teeth. Methodology The cell viability (MTT), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), alkaline comet assay and GEMO tests were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of solutions: sodium hypochlorite (1% and 2.5%), 2% chlorhexidine, 6% citric acid and 17% EDTA, which were tested, individually and in association, exposing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MTT, TBARS and alkaline comet assay), at 24 and 72 h, and dsDNA (GEMO). After performing the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, data were analysed by anova followed by Dunnett's post hoc test, and Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn post hoc test. A significance level was established at P

Objective Serotonin (5-HT) is a pleiotropic molecule that exerts several functions on brain and peripheral tissues via different receptors. The gene for the 5-HT2A receptor shows some variations, including a T102C polymorphism, that have been associated with increased risk of neuropsychiatric and vascular disorders. However, the potential impact of 5-HT2A imbalance caused by genetic variations on the human lifespan has not yet been established. Methods We performed a prospective study involving an Amazon riparian elderly free-living population in Maues City, Brazil, with a 5-year follow-up. Out of a cohort of 637 subjects selected in July, 2009, we genotyped 471 individuals, including 209 males (44.4%) and 262 females (55.6%), all averaging 72.3 ± 7.8 years of age (ranging from 60 to 100 years). Results The T102C-SNP genotypic frequencies were 14.0% TT, 28.0% CC, and 58.0% CT. From 80 elderly individuals who died during the period investigated, we observed significantly (P = .005) higher numbers of TT carriers (27.3%) and CC carriers (21.2%), compared to heterozygous CT carriers (12.5%). Cox-regression analysis showed that association between the T102C-SNP and elderly survival was independent of age, sex, and other health variables. Conclusions Our findings strongly suggest that imbalance in 5-HT2A may cause significant disturbances that lead to an increased susceptibility to death for individuals who are over 60 years of age.

This paper analyzes the interaction between resistance to free radicals, development under starvation conditions, sex, and its consequences to the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster populations selected for developmental time and longevity. Our data suggest that the interaction between these physiological and environmental parameters is modulated largely by the pre-imaginal developmental time, since the response to selection for longevity extremes depends strongly on the previous selection for developmental time extremes.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations of metabolic disorders and anthropometric and biochemical biomarkers of lipid, glucose and oxidative metabolism and the habitual ingestion of guarana (Paullinia cupana, Mart. Var. sorbilis) by an elderly population residing in the Amazon Riverine region of the Maues municipality (Brazil). A case-controlled study was performed that included 637 elderly (≥60 years of age) patients classified as either those who habitually drank guarana (GI, n = 421) or those who never drank guarana (NG, n = 239) based upon their self-reported intake of guarana. Indeed, the prevalence of various metabolic disorders was associated with guarana ingestion. The prevalence of hypertension, obesity and metabolic syndrome in the GI group was lower than the prevalence found in the NG group. The NG group exhibited lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. The males in the GI group exhibited a lower waist circumference, on average, than the circumference found in the NG group, whereas the females in the GI group had lower cholesterol (total and LDL-c) levels than the control cohort. Additionally, a significant association was found between lower levels of advanced oxidative protein product (AOPP) and habitual guarana consumption. The results constitute the first epidemiological study to suggest a potentially protective effect of habitual guarana ingestion against metabolic disorders in elderly subjects.