PMID: 

J Alzheimers Dis. 2018 ;63(2):551-560. PMID: 29630549

Abstract Title: 

Brazilian Green Propolis Prevents Cognitive Decline into Mild Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People Living at High Altitude.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation is known as a risk factor of cognitive decline.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of propolis on cognitive decline and systemic inflammation in elderly people living at high altitude.METHODS: Sixty participants (average 72.8 years) living at altitude (2,260 meters) were randomized to receive propolis (0.83 g, n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 24 months. Cognitive outcomes were assessed using MMSE and serum cytokine levels were measured for 24 months in a double-blind study.RESULTS: MMSE scores were 26.17 at baseline and 23.87 at 24 months in placebo group. Compared to placebo group, improvements of MMSE scores were significant in propolis-treated subjects (p = 0.007) with a response emerging over time (time points×group interaction, p = 0.016). In addition, the serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were significantly different across treatments (p 

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PMID: 

Inflammopharmacology. 2018 Oct ;26(5):1283-1292. Epub 2018 Apr 9. PMID: 29633104

Abstract Title: 

Brazilian green propolis hydroalcoholic extract reduces colon damages caused by dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

Abstract: 

This study investigated the effects of Brazilian green propolis hydroalcoholic extract (BPE) in 3% w/v dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The effects of BPE (3, 30 and 300 mg/kg, p.o, by 7 days) on the morphological (colon length and colon weight), clinical (disease activity index and weight loss), microscopic (histological score and mucin levels) and biochemical parameters were determined. The effects of BPE (300 mg/kg, p.o) in the gastrointestinal transit of mice were also evaluated. As expected, the DSS ingestion damaged the colonic tissue, lowered the body weight, decreased the mucin levels, increased MPO activity, reduced SOD activity and GSH amount. In contrast, the treatment with BPE (300 mg/kg) significantly reduced macroscopic colonic injury and the mucosal damage in colon on histopathological examination and reversed the decrease in mucin levels induced by DSS. It also significantly normalized the SOD activity and the levels of GSH, but did not elicit any effect on MPO activity in the colon. In addition, BPE did not change the gastric emptying or the intestinal transit rate of mice. Together, these results suggested that BPE reduced the signs of DSS-induced colitis in mice through maintenance of intestinal mucin barrier and favoring intestinal antioxidant defenses.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2018 Apr 18 ;10(4). Epub 2018 Apr 18. PMID: 29670038

Abstract Title: 

Taiwanese Green Propolis Ethanol Extract Delays the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats Treated with Streptozotocin/High-Fat Diet.

Abstract: 

Taiwanese green propolis ethanol extract (TGPE) is produced only in Taiwan and has a different composition from other types of propolis. TGPE is known for its anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-microbial properties, but the effects and mechanisms of TGPE in the modulation of diabetes are unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of TGPE on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a streptozotocin/high-fat-diet (STZ/HFD)-induced T2DM rat model. The results revealed that TGPE delayed the development and progression of T2DM and reduced the severity ofβ-cell failure. TGPE also attenuated inflammation and reactive oxygen species ROS in the rats. Moreover, there were higher levels of oxidant cytokines, leptin, and adiponectin in the serum of the TGPE-treated group. Unlike Brazilian propolis, TGPE promoted hepatic genesand, which were related to lipid catabolism and removal. TGPE may thus delay the progression of T2DM through anti-inflammation effects, anti-oxidation effects, and balancing lipid metabolism. It is suggested that TGPE can be a potential alternative medicine for T2DM.

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PMID: 

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018 09 ;62(17):e1800080. Epub 2018 Aug 5. PMID: 29889351

Abstract Title: 

Propolis from Different Geographic Origins Decreases Intestinal Inflammation and Bacteroides spp. Populations in a Model of DSS-Induced Colitis.

Abstract: 

SCOPE: Dietary supplementation with polyphenol-rich propolis can protect against experimentally induced colitis. We examined whether different polyphenol compositions of Chinese propolis (CP) and Brazilian propolis (BP) influence their ability to protect against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.METHODS AND RESULTS: HPLC-DAD/Q-TOF-MS analysis confirmed that polyphenol compositions of CP and BP were dissimilar. Rats were given CP or BP by gavage (300 mg kgbody weight) throughout the study, starting 1 week prior to DSS treatment for 1 week followed by 3 d without DSS. CP and BP significantly reduced the colitis disease activity index relative to controls not receiving propolis, prevented significant DSS-induced colonic tissue damage, and increased resistance to DSS-induced colonic oxidative stress as shown by reduced malonaldehyde levels and increased T-AOC levels. CP and BP significantly reduced DSS-induced colonic apoptosis. Colonic inflammatory markers IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1 were suppressed by CP and BP, whereas only BP-induced expression of TGF-β. CP, not BP, increased the diversity and richness of gut microbiota populations. Both forms of propolis significantly reduced populations of Bacteroides spp.CONCLUSIONS: Despite the dissimilar polyphenol compositions of CP and BP, their ability to protect against DSS-induced colitis is similar. Nevertheless, some different physiological impacts were observed.

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PMID: 

Microbiol Res. 2018 Sep ;214:74-82. Epub 2018 May 4. PMID: 30031483

Abstract Title: 

Brazilian red propolis: Chemical composition and antibacterial activity determined using bioguided fractionation.

Abstract: 

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics is causing an increase in bacterial resistance, complicating therapeutic planning. In this context, natural products have emerged as major providers of bioactive compounds. This work performs a bioguided study of Brazilian red propolis to identify compounds with antibacterial potential and to evaluate their cytotoxicity against non-tumour cells. Using bioguided fractionation performed with the hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis from Alagoas, it was possible to obtain subfractions with remarkable bacteriostatic activity compared with the precursor fractions. The SC2 subfraction was highlighted and showed the best results with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 56.75, 28.37, 454.00, and 227.00 μg mLagainst Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. However, this study also revealed a cytotoxic effect against the non-tumour Vero cell line. Furthermore, through chemical analyses using high resolution mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection, and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, we verified the presence of important marker compounds in the fractions and extracts, including formononetin (m/z 267.0663), biochanin A (m/z 283.0601), and liquiritigenin (m/z 255.0655). The results obtained in this study suggest an important antibacterial potential of red propolis subfractions. In this context, the bioguided fractionation has been a useful process, due to its ability to isolate and concentrate active compounds in a logical and rational way.

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PMID: 

J Toxicol Pathol. 2018 Oct ;31(4):275-282. Epub 2018 Jul 1. PMID: 30393431

Abstract Title: 

Brazilian green propolis suppresses acetaminophen-induced hepatocellular necrosis by modulating inflammation-related factors in rats.

Abstract: 

Propolis is a resin-like material produced by honey bees from bud exudates and sap of plants and their own secretions. An ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis (EEBGP) contains prenylated phenylpropanoids and flavonoids and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Acetaminophen (-acetyl–aminophenol; APAP) is a typical hepatotoxic drug, and APAP-treated rats are widely used as a model of drug-induced liver injury. Oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions cause APAP-induced hepatocellular necrosis and are also related to expansion of the lesion. In the present study, we investigated the preventive effects of EEBGP on APAP-induced hepatocellular necrosis in rats and the protective mechanism including the expression of antioxidative enzyme genes and inflammation-related genes. A histological analysis revealed that administration 0.3% EEBGP in the diet for seven days reduced centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration induced by oral administration of APAP (800 mg/kg) and significantly reduced the area of necrosis. EEBGP administration did not significantly change the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes in the liver of APAP-treated rats but decreased the mRNA expression of cytokines includingand, with a significant difference inexpression. In addition, the decrease in the mRNA levels of theandgenes significantly correlated with the decrease in the percentage of hepatocellular necrosis. These findings suggest that EEBGP could suppress APAP-induced hepatocellular necrosis by modulating cytokine expression.

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PMID: 

Am J Epidemiol. 2002 May 1 ;155(9):810-8. PMID: 11978584

Abstract Title: 

Cancer in Korean war navy technicians: mortality survey after 40 years.

Abstract: 

This study reports on over 40 years of mortality follow-up of 40,581 Navy veterans of the Korean War with potential exposure to high-intensity radar. The cohort death rates were compared with mortality rates for White US men using standardized mortality ratios, and the death rates for men in occupations considered a priori to have high radar exposure were compared with the rates for men in low-exposure occupations using Poisson regression. Deaths from all diseases and all cancers were significantly below expectation overall and for the 20,021 sailors with high radar exposure potential. There was no evidence of increased brain cancer in the entire cohort (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7, 1.1) or in high-exposure occupations (SMR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5, 1.0). Testicular cancer deaths also occurred less frequently than expected in the entire cohort and high-exposure occupations. Death rates for several smoking-related diseases were significantly lower in the high-exposure occupations. Nonlymphocytic leukemia was significantly elevated among men in high-exposure occupations but in only one of the three high-exposure occupations, namely, electronics technicians in aviation squadrons (SMR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.7). Radar exposure had little effect on mortality in this cohort of US Navy veterans.

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PMID: 

J Occup Environ Med. 2000 Oct ;42(10):993-1005. PMID: 11039163

Abstract Title: 

Semen quality and hormone levels among radiofrequency heater operators.

Abstract: 

Approximately 9,000,000 US workers are occupationally exposed to radiofrequency (RF) radiation; over 250,000 operate RF dielectric heaters. Our purpose was to determine whether male RF heater operators experience increased adverse reproductive effects reflected in reduced semen quality or altered hormone levels. We measured incident RF heater radiation exposures and RF-induced foot currents at four companies. For 12 male heater operators and a comparison group of 34 RF-unexposed men, we measured 33 parameters of semen quality and four serum hormones. Despite wide variation in individual exposure levels, near field strengths and induced foot currents did not exceed current standard levels and guidelines. We observed minor semen quality and hormonal differences between the groups, including a slightly higher mean follicle-stimulating hormone level for exposed operators (7.6 vs 5.8 mIU/mL). Further occupational studies of RF-exposed men may be warranted.

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PMID: 

Oral Dis. 2010 Mar ;16(2):146-50. Epub 2009 Sep 8. PMID: 19744173

Abstract Title: 

The influence of handheld mobile phones on human parotid gland secretion.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Handheld mobile phones (MPHs) have become a 'cultural' accessory device, no less so than a wrist watch. Nevertheless, the use of MPHs has given rise to great concern because of possible adverse health effects from exposure to the radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by the device. Previous studies suggested correlation between MPH and salivary gland tumors.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether MPH induces physiologic changes in the adjacent parotid gland, located on the dominant side, in terms of secretion rates and protein levels in the secreted saliva.MATERIALS AND METHOD: Stimulated parotid saliva was collected simultaneously from both glands in 50 healthy volunteers whose MPH use was on a dominant side of the head.RESULTS: A significantly higher saliva secretion rate was noticed in the dominant MPH side compared with that in the non-dominant side. Lower total protein concentration was obtained in the dominant compared with the non-dominant MPH side among the right dominant MPH users.CONCLUSIONS: Parotid glands adjacent to handheld MPH in use respond by elevated salivary rates and decreased protein secretion reflecting the continuous insult to the glands. This phenomenon should be revealed to the worldwide population and further exploration by means of large-scale longitudinal studies is warranted.

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PMID: 

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2011 Jan ;214(1):59-65. Epub 2010 Sep 15. PMID: 20833106

Abstract Title: 

Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment.

Abstract: 

Due to increased usage of microwave radiation, there are concerns of its adverse effect in today's society. Keeping this in view, study was aimed at workers occupationally exposed to pulsed microwave radiation, originating from marine radars. Electromagnetic field strength was measured at assigned marine radar frequencies (3 GHz, 5.5 GHz and 9.4 GHz) and corresponding specific absorption rate values were determined. Parameters of the comet assay and micronucleus test were studied both in the exposed workers and in corresponding unexposed subjects. Differences between mean tail intensity (0.67 vs. 1.22) and moment (0.08 vs. 0.16) as comet assay parameters and micronucleus test parameters (micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds) were statistically significant between the two examined groups, suggesting that cytogenetic alterations occurred after microwave exposure. Concentrations of glutathione and malondialdehyde were measured spectrophotometrically and using high performance liquid chromatography. The glutathione concentration in exposed group was significantly lower than in controls (1.24 vs. 0.53) whereas the concentration of malondialdehyde was significantly higher (1.74 vs. 3.17), indicating oxidative stress. Results suggests that pulsed microwaves from working environment can be the cause of genetic and cell alterations and that oxidative stress can be one of the possible mechanisms of DNA and cell damage.

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