Maria Rosa Chitolina Schetinger

Bio: Maria Rosa Chitolina Schetinger is an academic researcher from Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. The author has contributed to research in topics: TBARS & Adenine nucleotide. The author has an hindex of 44, co-authored 447 publications receiving 9147 citations. Previous affiliations of Maria Rosa Chitolina Schetinger include Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.

Acute effects of glyphosate herbicide on metabolic and enzymatic parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen).

Abstract: Silver catfish ( Rhamdia quelen ; Teleostei) were exposed to commercial formulation Roundup®, a glyphosate herbicide: 0 (control), 0.2 or 0.4 mg/L for 96 h. Fish exposed to glyphosate showed an increase in hepatic glycogen, but a reduction in muscle glycogen at both concentrations tested. Glucose decreased in liver and increased in muscle of fish at both herbicide concentrations. Glyphosate exposure increased lactate levels in liver and white muscle at both concentrations. Protein levels increased in liver and decreased in white muscle while levels of ammonia in both tissues increased in fish at both glyphosate concentrations. Specific AChE activity was reduced in brain after treatments, no changes were observed in muscle tissue. Catalase activity in liver did not change during of exposure. Fish exposed to glyphosate demonstrated increased TBARS production in muscle tissue at both concentrations tested. For both glyphosate concentrations tested brain showed a reduction of TBARS after 96 h of exposure. The present results showed that in 96 h, glyphosate changed AChE activity, metabolic parameters and TBARS production. The parameters measured can be used as herbicide toxicity indicators considering environmentally relevant concentration.

NTPDase and 5'-nucleotidase activities in physiological and disease conditions: new perspectives for human health.

Abstract: Extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides act as signaling molecules involved in a wide spectrum of biological effects. Their levels are controlled by a complex cell surface-located group of enzymes called ectonucleotidases. There are four major families of ectonucleotidases, nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases/CD39), ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterases (E-NPPs), alkaline phosphatases and ecto-5'-nucleotidase. In the last few years, substantial progress has been made toward the molecular identification of members of the ectonucleotidase families and their enzyme structures and functions. In this review, there is an emphasis on the involvement of NTPDase and 5'-nucleotidase activities in disease processes in several tissues and cell types. Brief background information is given about the general characteristics of these enzymes, followed by a discussion of their roles in thromboregulatory events in diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and cancer, as well as in pathological conditions where platelets are less responsive, such as in chronic renal failure. In addition, immunomodulation and cell-cell interactions involving these enzymes are considered, as well as ATP and ADP hydrolysis under different clinical conditions related with alterations in the immune system, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and infections associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Finally, changes in ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis induced by inborn errors of metabolism, seizures and epilepsy are discussed in order to highlight the importance of these enzymes in the control of neuronal activity in pathological conditions. Despite advances made toward understanding the molecular structure of ectonucleotidases, much more investigation will be necessary to entirely grasp their role in physiological and pathological conditions.

Heavy metals, occurrence and toxicity for plants: a review

Abstract: Metal contamination issues are becoming increasingly common in India and elsewhere, with many documented cases of metal toxicity in mining industries, foundries, smelters, coal-burning power plants and agriculture. Heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, lead, chromium and mercury are major environmental pollutants, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. Heavy metal accumulation in soils is of concern in agricultural production due to the adverse effects on food safety and marketability, crop growth due to phytotoxicity, and environmental health of soil organisms. The influence of plants and their metabolic activities affects the geological and biological redistribution of heavy metals through pollution of the air, water and soil. This article details the range of heavy metals, their occurrence and toxicity for plants. Metal toxicity has high impact and relevance to plants and consequently it affects the ecosystem, where the plants form an integral component. Plants growing in metal-polluted sites exhibit altered metabolism, growth reduction, lower biomass production and metal accumulation. Various physiological and biochemical processes in plants are affected by metals. The contemporary investigations into toxicity and tolerance in metal-stressed plants are prompted by the growing metal pollution in the environment. A few metals, including copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc and chromium are, however, essential to plant metabolism in trace amounts. It is only when metals are present in bioavailable forms and at excessive levels, they have the potential to become toxic to plants. This review focuses mainly on zinc, cadmium, copper, mercury, chromium, lead, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, manganese and iron.