title: Effects of babassu nut oil on ischemia/reperfusion-induced leukocyte adhesion and macromolecular leakage in the microcirculation: observation in the hamster cheek pouch.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The babassu palm tree is native to Brazil and is most densely distributed in the Cocais region of the state of Maranhão, in northeastern Brazil. In addition to the industrial use of refined babassu oil, the milk, the unrefined oil and the nuts in natura are used by families from several communities of African descendants as one of the principal sources of food energy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of babassu oil on microvascular permeability and leukocyte-endothelial interactions induced by ischemia/reperfusion using the hamster cheek pouch microcirculation as experimental model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twice a day for 14 days, male hamsters received unrefined babassu oil (0.02 ml/dose [BO-2 group], 0.06 ml/dose [BO-6 group], 0.18 ml/dose [BO-18 group]) or mineral oil (0.18 ml/dose [MO group]). Observations were made in the cheek pouch and macromolecular permeability increase induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) or topical application of histamine, as well as leukocyte-endothelial interaction after I/R were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean value of I/R-induced microvascular leakage, determined during reperfusion, was significantly lower in the BO-6 and BO-18 groups than in the MO one (P < 0.001). In addition, histamine-induced increase of microvascular permeability was significantly less pronounced in BO groups compared to MO one. No significant differences among groups in terms of leukocyte adhesion, concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1, and interleukin 6 were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that unrefined babassu oil reduced microvascular leakage and protected against histamine-induced effects in postcapillary venules and highlights that these almost unexploited nut and its oil might be secure sources of food energy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Basic and Applied Immunology, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, Bacanga Campus, Av, dos Portugueses s/n, Bloco 3, sala 3A, 65085-580, São Luís MA, Brazil. carminha13032009@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Maria do Carmo L
authors.initials: Mdo C
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Eliete
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bouskela
authors.forename: Fátima Z G A
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Cyrino
authors.forename: Ana Paula S
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Maria Célia P
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Maria das Graças C
authors.initials: Md
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Debora S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Felipe L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Luiz Felipe A
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Maria do Desterro S B
authors.initials: Mdo D
authors.lastname: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002610:Cheek / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D006224:Cricetinae; D006632:Histamine / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D020011:Protective Agents; D000073878:Palm Oil; D008899:Mineral Oil; D006632:Histamine