Blue rubber bleb naevus: case report and literature review

Blue rubber bleb naevus syndrome is a rare cutaneous-digestive angiomatosis, described first by William Bean in 1958. Today, there are more than 200 cases published. The dangers of this syndrome include angiomata in the brain, kidneys or lungs (due to vasculature obliteration by in situ thrombosis). Patients are scanned with technetium-labelled red blood cells in order to identify the affected organs. Multiple techniques are used to treat the lesions by gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Antioxidant Effect of Flavonoids Present in Euterpe oleracea Martius and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are progressive, directly affecting the central nervous system (CNS), the most common and recurrent are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). One factor frequently mentioned in the etiology of NDDs is the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress, producing cellular damages. Studies have shown that the consumption of foods rich in polyphenols, especially those of the flavonoid class, has been related to the low risk in the development of several diseases. Due to the antioxidant properties present in the food, a fruit that has been gaining prominence among these foods is the Euterpe oleracea Mart. (açaí), because it presents in its composition significant amounts of a subclass of the flavonoids, the anthocyanins.

METHODS

In the case review, the authors receive a basic background on the most common NDDs, oxidative stress and antioxidants. In addition, revisiting the various studies related to NDDs, including flavonoids and consumption of açaí.

RESULTS

Detailed analysis of the recently reported case studies reveal that dietary consumption of flavonoid-rich foods, such as açaí fruits, suggests the efficacy to attenuate neurodegeneration and prevent or reverse the age-dependent deterioration of cognitive function.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review points out that flavonoids presenting in açaí have the potential for the treatment of diseases such as PD and AD and are candidates for drugs in future clinical research. However, there is a need for in vitro and in vivo studies with polyphenol that prove and ratify the therapeutic potential of this fruit for several NDDs.

Molecular Docking, Physicochemical Properties, Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity of Flavonoids Present in Euterpe oleracea Martius

BACKGROUND

Euterpe oleracea Martius, popularly known as açaí, is a fruit rich in α- tocopherols, fibers, lipids, mineral ions, and polyphenols. It is believed that the high content of polyphenols, especially flavonoids, provides several health-promoting effects to the açaí fruit, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant properties. Most of the flavonoids are antioxidant molecules of plant origin that act as a trap for free radicals, reacting and neutralizing them, thus offering perspectives in preventing oxidative damage.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aim to perform an in silico evaluation of flavonoids present in the pulp and the oil of Euterpe oleracea Martius, evaluating their potential to serve as antioxidant agents.

METHODS

Firstly, we selected 16 flavonoids present in Euterpe oleracea Martius pulp and oil, and then their physicochemical properties were analyzed concerning the Lipinski's Rule of Five. Moreover, we evaluated their pharmacokinetic properties using the QikProp module of the Schrödinger software as well as their toxicity profile, using the DEREK software. Docking simulations, using the GOLD 4.1 software, as well as pharmacophoric hypotheses calculation of molecules were also performed.

RESULTS

Flavonoids present in the açaí pulp including catechin, epicatechin, luteolin, chrisoeriol, taxifolin, apigenin, dihydrokaempferol, isovitexin, and vitexin presented good oral bioavailability. Regarding the pharmacokinetic properties, the compounds catechin, epicatechin, isovitexin, luteolin, chrisoeriol, taxifolin, and isorhamnetin rutinoside presented the best results, besides high human oral absorption. Regarding the prediction of toxicological properties, compounds isorhamnetin rutinoside and rutin presented mutagenicity for hydroxynaphthalene or derivate, and regarding the docking simulations, all the compounds investigated in this study presented key interactions with the corresponding targets.

CONCLUSION

The flavonoids catechin, chrysoeriol, and taxifolin presented the best results according to the evaluation conducted in this study. These computational results can be used as a theoretical basis for future studies concerning the development of drug candidates, as well as to enlighten biological tests in vitro and in vivo, which can contribute to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Synchronic signet ring carcinoma and adenocarcinoma complicating extensive and long-standing ulcerative colitis

We report the case of a 38 year-old woman with extensive ulcerative colitis (UC) for 9 years that had consistently been under close endoscopic surveillance. She had had two previous severe attacks requiring hospital admission, with good response to intravenous steroids. In the last relapse, a total colonoscopy demonstrated extensive lesions of UC throughout the entire colon. Multiple biopsies taken every 3 cm revealed only low-grade dysplasia and lesions characteristic of UC. Due to medical therapy failure, the patient was submitted for proctocolectomy. Pathological examination of the resected specimen showed a signet ring carcinoma and a synchronic adenocarcinoma in the sigmoid colon, both undetected by colonoscopy and biopsies. The issue of surveillance in patients with extensive and long-standing UC is discussed.

[Ileoanal pouch for the treatment of adenomatous polyposis and ulcerative colitis--clinical and functional results]

The results of the first 9 patients with proctocolectomy and ileal pouch operated on between 1983 and 1990 were analysed. This procedure was carried out in 8 patients with adenomatous polyposis. Three of these patients had an associated rectal cancer and one a degenerated sigmoid polyp. One patient had ulcerative colitis and was previously submitted to a colectomy related with perforated fulminant colitis. Three types of pouches were constructed: 3 S, 3 J and 3W, all with a temporary ileostomy. A circular stapler was used in 2 cases for ileoanal anastomosis. Three postoperative complications were observed: two patients with pouchitis during the presence of a diverting ileostomy and an ileal fistula following ileostomy closure, all medically treated. Clinical and functional results were evaluated 1 to 7 years after the procedure. The average daytime stool frequency was 4 with 1 nocturnal. All patients indicated normal continence. One patient had her professional life affected due to the increased number of defecations. Differences in the clinical results of the patients with S, J and W pouches were not statistically different. The functional results expressed as median and range were as follows: resting and pressure 45 cm H2O (20-60), voluntary anal pressure 70 cm H2O (34-120), compliance 3.70 ml/cm H2O (1.14-11.40), maximal tolerated volume (MTV) 320 ml (110-48) and threshold volume 95 ml (40-170). The MTV values of the groups with J and W pouches were 190 ml (180-200) and 370 ml (340-480), respectively (p = 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)