Riboflavin did not provide anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects in an experimental model of sepsis

We aimed to evaluate whether the administration of riboflavin to septic animals reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, and mortality. C57BL/6 mice, 6-8 weeks old, were allocated to the study group (polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) + antibiotic + iv riboflavin), control (CLP + antibiotic + iv saline), or naïve (non-operated controls). Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), urea, and creatinine, and markers of inflammation [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2)], and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured 12 h after the experiment. Animal survival rates were calculated after 7 days. Means between groups were compared using linear regression models adjusted under the Bayesian approach. No significant difference was observed between control and study groups in serum concentrations of IL-6 (95% credible interval) (-0.35 to 0.44), TNF-α (-15.7 to 99.1), KC (-0.13 to 0.05), MIP-2 (-0.84 to 0.06), MDA (-1.25 to 2.53), or ALT (-6.6 to 11.5). Serum concentrations of CK-MB (-145.1 to -30.1), urea (-114.7 to -15.1), and creatinine (-1.14 to -0.01) were higher in the study group. Survival was similar in both groups (P=0.8). Therefore, the use of riboflavin in mice undergoing sepsis induced by CLP did not reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, organ dysfunction, or mortality compared with placebo.

An interleukin-33/ST2 signaling deficiency reduces overt pain-like behaviors in mice

Interleukin (IL)-33, the most recent member of the IL family of cytokines, signals through the ST2 receptor. IL-33/ST2 signaling mediates antigen challenge-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in the joints and cutaneous tissues of immunized mice. The present study asked whether IL-33/ST2 signaling is relevant to overt pain-like behaviors in mice. Acetic acid and phenyl-p-benzoquinone induced significant writhing responses in wild-type (WT) mice; this overt nociceptive behavior was reduced in ST2-deficient mice. In an antigen-challenge model, ST2-deficient immunized mice had reduced induced flinch and licking overt pain-like behaviors. In the formalin test, ST2-deficient mice also presented reduced flinch and licking responses, compared with WT mice. Naive WT and ST2-deficient mice presented similar responses in the rota-rod, hot plate, and electronic von Frey tests, indicating no impairment of motor function or alteration in basal nociceptive responses. The results demonstrate that IL-33/ST2 signaling is important in the development of overt pain-like behaviors.

Desenvolvimento de modelo de peritonite bacteriana para avaliação do tratamento mediante acesso laparotômico e video-laparoscópico

Introduction: The use of videolaparoscopy in the treatment of digestive diseases, associated with generalized peritonitis, is controverted. Objective: To develop a model of bacterial peritonitis for the evaluation of the treatments through laparotomy and through videolaparoscopy. Methods: Male Wistar rats were submitted to occlusion of the ceacum (CLP) on a rigid mold of 3mm diameter, followed by 14 punctures of the ceacum with a 15 x 10 needle. Six hours after the induction of peritonitis, the animals were treated by laparotomy or videolaparoscopy, while analysing blood cultures and the mortality rates. The treatment involved typhlectomy followed or no by peritoneal lavage with saline solution. Results: The mortality rate in one week, after CLP without treatment, was 90%. The blood cultures were positive in 80 to 100% of the animals after 3 hours, and in 60 to 80% after 24 hours, in the animals when treated with laparotomy without peritoneal lavage and in the animals treated through videolaparoscopy with or without peritoneal lavage. The mortality rate after laparotomy was 20%, whereas after videolaparoscopy it was 80%. Conclusion: The experimental model induced severe peritonitis, and the bactereamia associated with videolaparoscopy has a high mortality rate.

Introdução: O emprego do acesso videolaparoscópico no tratamento das afecções digestivas que cursam com peritonite generalizada é motivo de controvérsia. Objetivo: Desenvolver um modelo de peritonite bacteriana para avaliação do tratamento mediante acesso laparotômico e videolaparoscópico. Métodos: Ratos machos Wistar foram submetidos à ligadura de ceco (CLP) sob molde rígido de 3mm de diâmetro; na seqüência foram feitas 14 punções no ceco com agulha 15X10. Após 6 horas de indução da peritonite, os animais foram tratados mediante laparotomia ou videolaparoscopia e avaliados com base nas hemoculturas e na taxa de mortalidade. O tratamento consistiu de tiflectomia seguida ou não de lavagem da cavidade peritoneal com solução fisiológica. Resultado: A mortalidade após CLP sem tratamento foi de 90% em uma semana. As hemoculturas positivas para bactérias após 3 horas variaram de 80 a 100% e após 24 horas de 60 a 80%, nos animais tratados com laparotomia sem lavagem do peritôneo e com videolaparoscopia seguida ou não de lavagem peritoneal. Todavia, a mortalidade após laparotomia foi de 20% e após videolaparoscopia foi de 80%. Conclusão: O modelo experimental desenvolvido induz a peritonite grave, e a bacteremia associada ao tratamento videolaparoscópico tem alta letalidade.