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This study aimed to investigate the mineral profile and histopathological findings in the liver of Leptodactylus macrosternum (white-lipped frog) and to assess the association between melanomacrophage areas and hepatic fungal granuloma with several factors such as weight, snout-cloacal length, sex, hepatosomatic index, season (dry and rainy), and condition factor K. A total of 135 frogs of different ages were collected from three areas in the city of Petrolina, Pernambuco, with varying land use (conventional agriculture, organic agriculture, and Caatinga stricto sensu). The liver of all specimens exhibited changes such as granulomatous lesions, inflammatory cell infiltrate, blood vessel congestion, and sinusoid dilation. The melanomacrophage areas were influenced by weight, snout-cloacal length, and hepatosomatic index. Our findings revealed a positive correlation between body size (weight and snout-cloacal length) and melanomacrophage/hepatic granuloma, while the hepatosomatic index showed a negative relationship. For the condition factor K, only age presents relationship. Eleven elements were quantified for the mineral profile, with aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) being the most abundant in both liver and muscle. Although the histopathological findings and mineral profile of the liver and muscle in this study indicate an effect on the health of L. macrosternum in different collection areas, confirming the relationship between environmental characteristics and these findings requires future studies. Furthermore, long-term studies would be necessary to allow the monitoring of all stages of development of these populations, from tadpoles to adults, for a better evaluation of these effects in L. macrosternum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional treatments for liver diseases are often burdened by side effects caused by chemicals. For minimizing this problem, the search for medicines based on natural products has increased. The objective of this review was to collect data on the potential hepatoprotective activity of plants of the Brazilian native flora. Special attention was given to the modes of extraction, activity indicators, and identification of the active compounds. The databases were Science direct, Pubmed, and Google Academic. Inclusion criteria were: (a) plants native to Brazil; (b) studies carried out during the last 15 years; (c) high-quality research. A fair number of communications met these criteria. Various parts of plants can be used, e.g., fruit peels, seeds, stem barks, and leaves. An outstanding characteristic of the active extracts is that they were mostly obtained from plant parts with low commercial potential, i.e., by-products or bio-residues. The hepatoprotective activities are exerted by constituents such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, vitamin C, phytosterols, and fructose poly- and oligosaccharides. Several Brazilian plants present excellent perspectives for the obtainment of hepatoprotective formulations. Very important is the economical perspective for the rural producers which may eventually increase their revenue by selling increasingly valued raw materials which otherwise would be wasted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The evaluation of liver disease in HIV patients is cumbersome because may result from a number of different causes. The aim of this retrospective study was to estimate the incidence of severe drug induced liver injury (DILI) in a group of HIV inpatients and investigate potential risk factors. Material and methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of data from HIV-infected patients hospitalized between August 2010 and August 2011 in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Severe hepatotoxicity was defined as grade 3 (5.1 to 10 x ULN) or 4 (> 10 x ULN) of ALT and AST levels. Factors analyzed included demographics, infection with hepatitis viruses, alcohol history and use of hepatotoxic drugs prior to or during hospital admission. Results. A total of 149 patients with HIV were hospitalized during the study period. The majority were male over 42 years of age and 82 (55%) were taking HAART initiated prior to admission. Mean CD4 counts were 164 cells/mm3. Thirty three patients (22.1%) developed severe DILI during hospital stay, which had a mean duration of 26 days. Factors associated with severe DILI in the multivariate analysis were abnormal baseline ALT levels [OR 2.02 (95%CI 1.13-3.59); p = 0.017] and tuberculosis therapy [OR 2.31 (95% CI 1.27-4.19); p = 0.006]. In conclusion, in this group of HIV patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Brazil, we found a high incidence (22.1%) of severe DILI. The use of anti-tuberculosis drugs and baseline liver injury were independent factors associated with severe DILI during hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maytenus robusta Reissek (Celesteraceae), popularly named as cafezinho do mato or coração de bugre , is employed to treat inflammatory digestive diseases in the south of Brazil. However, despite popular usage, the effects of this species on an experimental model of ulcerative colitis are unknown. To evaluate the effects of M. robusta extract (HEMR) on colon and liver from mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Firstly, the cytotoxicity of HEMR and its effects on ROS and nitrite production in IEC-6 cells were evaluated. The experimental colitis was established by adding 3% DSS on drinking water of mice and the effects of HEMR (1–100 mg/kg, p.o, once a day by 7 days) in colonic and hepatic tissues were analyzed. The HEMR (1–100 μg/mL) did not alter the cell viability but reduced nitrite production of IEC-6 stimulated by LPS. Moreover, HEMR (100 mg/Kg) attenuates macro and microscopic alterations in the colon from mice exposed to DSS, as evidenced by a reduction of the colon shortening, attenuation of the epithelial erosion, submucosal edema and preservation of the Goblet cells integrity, as well as the restoration of mucin depletion. The treatment with HEMR increased GSH amount, reduced LOOH levels and normalizes CAT activity in the colon. The group treated with HEMR showed increased GST activity, reduced MPO activity and decreased inflammatory cytokines secretion (TNF and IL-6) in the colonic tissue. In the liver, HEMR increased GST activity, decreased the GPx activity and reduced IL-6 levels. Furthermore, the HEMR treatment reduced AST and ALT serum levels in mice exposed to DSS. Finally, the HEMR was able to reduce intestinal transit. HEMR treatment minimizes inflammation of the colon and maintaining the antioxidant homeostasis. In addition, HEMR may be a potential tool to prevent hepatic injury secondary to ulcerative colitis. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]