Antioxidant Action of an Aqueous Extract of Royal Sun Medicinal Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis (Agaricomycetes), in Rats with Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible effects of the administration of an aqueous Agaricus brasiliensis extract on the oxidative state of the liver, brain, and plasma in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats, a model for human rheumatoid arthritis. Daily doses of 400 mg · kg-1 were administered by gavage for 23 days. This treatment produced significant diminutions in protein carbonylation and lipid damage in the liver, brain, and plasma.

Agaricus blazei Bioactive Compounds and their Effects on Human Health: Benefits and Controversies.

Background: The mushroom Agaricus blazei has evoked considerable scientific and practical interest in several fields, especially those linked to its medicinal properties. This review aims to summarize and evaluate the past decade findings related to nutritional and therapeutic uses of A. blazei, with especial emphasis on the most recent discoveries regarding its chemical composition and clinical investigations.

Resveratrol promotes myenteric neuroprotection in the ileum of rats after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Aims: The present study evaluated the effects of resveratrol in the myenteric plexus after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury caused by occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 45min, followed by 7days of reperfusion.

Main Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups: control (C group), untreated sham surgery control (SC group), sham surgery control treated with resveratrol before surgery (STA group), sham surgery control treated with resveratrol before and after surgery (STAD group), ischemic control (IRC group), ischemic treated before I/R (IRTA group), and ischemic treated before and after I/R (IRTAD group). Resveratrol (10mg/kg) was administered for 4days and 2h prior to surgery and/or 7days later.

Resveratrol Reduces Morphologic Changes in the Myenteric Plexus and Oxidative Stress in the Ileum in Rats with Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury can be caused by surgical procedures and inflammatory bowel disease. It is normally associated with the increased production of free radicals and changes in the enteric nervous system.

Aims: Given the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of resveratrol, the present study assessed its influence on oxidative stress in the intestinal wall and the morphology of myenteric neurons in the ileum of rats subjected to ischemia/reperfusion.

High-fat diet promotes neuronal loss in the myenteric plexus of the large intestine in mice.

Background: Obesity is considered a risk factor for other chronic diseases, and diets rich in lipids can cause alterations in the intestinal functions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on the myenteric plexus of the large intestine in mice.

Methods: Swiss mice were distributed into four groups: Control animals fed standard chow for 8 and 17 weeks (C8 and C17 groups) and hyperlipidic animals fed HFD for 8 and 17 weeks (Ob8 and Ob17 groups).

Degradation of diuron by Phanerochaete chrysosporium: role of ligninolytic enzymes and cytochrome P450.

The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated for its capacity to degrade the herbicide diuron in liquid stationary cultures. The presence of diuron increased the production of lignin peroxidase in relation to control cultures but only barely affected the production of manganese peroxidase. The herbicide at the concentration of 7 μ g/mL did not cause any reduction in the biomass production and it was almost completely removed after 10 days.