Contamination index. A novel parameter for metal and pesticide analyses in maternal blood and umbilical cord

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the contamination index of metals and pesticides in pregnant women, and to relate this to perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective, exploratory study, developed from existing secondary data analyses at Level III maternity center. A total of 40 mothers with their newborns (NB), living in a rural area in Botucatu- Brazil and surrounding region. Blood samples from mothers and newborn were collected to determine the total contamination index for metals and pesticides. The concentrations of each metal and each pesticide were determined in blood samples of mothers and their newborns by Rudge's results. After obtaining these concentrations, the total contamination index in mother and NB was calculated, along with its correlation with clinical parameters of NB. RESULTS: There was no correlation (p> 0.05) between maternal contamination index with NB clinical parameters, and NB contamination index versus NB clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: The maternal contamination index of metals and pesticides was not related to perinatal outcomes, but it could be used as baseline parameter in future toxicological studies, regarding to long-term toxic characteristics as persistent organic pollutants, its long half-lives, bioacumulative, and expected to impose serious health effects on humans.

Physiological and biochemical measurements before, during and after pregnancy of healthy rats

PURPOSE:To analyze the physiological and biochemical measurements before, during and after pregnancy of healthy rats.METHODS:Wistar adult females rats (n=8) were weighed and blood samples were obtained before, during and after pregnancy for biochemical determinations, chow intake, water consumption and milk production were evaluated. At day 10 postpartum, the rats were killed for weighing of organs and adipose tissues.RESULTS: The results showed increase in body weight, serum insulin and ingestion of water and chow. At day 17 pregnancy, presented normal values in the OGTT. At days 7, 14 and 20 of pregnancy, there was increase in triglyceride levels. At term pregnancy, there was weight gain due to fetal growth. In the postpartum period presented reduced blood glucose levels. The glycemic means were reduced during and after pregnancy compared to after pregnancy. The triglyceride concentrations were increased before and during pregnancy in relation to after pregnancy. The total cholesterol levels presented no changes.CONCLUSION: The use of experimental animals is suitable for evaluation of metabolic changes because the profile of answers found in this study was similar to human profile, showing the relevance of translational research to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms and possible treatment for diseases.

Effect of exercise on the maternal outcome in pregnancy of spontaneously hypertensive rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of exercise (swimming) on pregnancy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Thirty three pregnant female SHR were distributed into three groups (n=11 animals/group): SHR Control=non-exercised (sedentary); SHR Ex0 = exercised from day zero to day 20 of pregnancy; and SHR Ex7 = exercised from day 7 to 20 of pregnancy. Body weight and systolic blood pressure were indirectly measured during pregnancy. On gestational day 21, the rats were anaesthetized and uterine content was withdrawn for analysis of maternal reproductive outcome parameters and fetal development. RESULTS: The reduced blood pressure percentage was higher in SHR Ex0 and SHR Ex7 compared to SHR Control group. Weight gain was present in all pregnancy periods, but it was lower in SHR Ex7 than in SHR Control dams. The exercise increased the pre-implantation loss rate. The post-implantation loss rate was lower in SHR Ex0 group. SHR Ex7 group showed a significantly higher percentage of fetuses classified as small for gestational age as compared to others groups. CONCLUSION: The exercise contributed to lowering gestational blood pressure in SHR rats, but had a negative impact on the developing embryo. .

Effect of oral supplementation of the linoleic and gammalinolenic acids on the diabetic pregnant rats

The aim of this work was to evaluate the direct protective action of oral fatty acid supplementation against the deleterious effect of hyperglycemia on maternal reproductive outcomes; fetal growth and development on female Wistar rats. The animals were distributed into four experimental groups: G1= non-diabetic without supplementation (Control group); G2= non-diabetic treated with linoleic (LA) and gammalinolenic acid (GLA) (1 mL of Gamaline-V/day); G3= diabetic without supplementation and G4= diabetic treated with LA and GLA. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). At day 21 of pregnancy, the gravid uterus was weighed and dissected to count the dead and live fetuses, resorption, implantation, and corpora lutea numbers. The fetuses were analyzed for external and internal anomalies. The treatment with Gamaline-V supplementation to diabetic rats interfered in the maternal reproductive outcome (reduced number of live fetuses and embryonic implantation); however, it protected the deleterious on the incidence of congenital anomalies caused by hyperglycemia.

Effect of indomethacin on the pregnant rat

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a performance reprodutiva, estudo morfológico do fígado e caracteríswticas post mortem de ratas wistar prenhes tratadas com indometacina, um inibidor geral de COX. Indometacina foi administrada oralmente, nas doses de 0(controle), 0,32, 1,68 e 8,40 mg/kg/dia (n+10/grupo), nos dias 3 e 4 de prenhez (dia 0=primeiro dia de prenhez= esperma positivo). Os animais foram eutanasiados sob anestesia no 11 dia de prenhez, e foram realizadas necropsia e cultura de microorganismos. Os resultados mostraram que as doses de 0,32 e 1.68mg/kg de peso corpóreo (dose terapêutica para humanos) de indometacina não causaram efeitos embiotéxicos ou letais. A maior dose (8,40 mg/kg) de indometacina prejudicou o processo de implantação e, portanto, interferiu no desenvolvimento fetal. A peritonite foi detectada na necrópsia e nos estudos bacteriológicos dos animais tratados com 8,4mg/kg e considerada a causa-morte destes animais. PortaNTO, este estudo analisou um agente farmacológico que a indometacina apresentou efeitos embiotóxicos e letais na maior dose empregada, mas foi nsegura na dose terapêutica usada pelo homem.

Avaliação do efeito do exercício físico no metabolismo de ratas diabéticas prenhes / Evaluation of the effect of physical exercise in the metabolism of pregnant diabetic rats

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se a prática do exercício físico (natação), iniciada em diferentes momentos da prenhez de ratas diabéticas, promove alterações no metabolismo materno. Após confirmação do diabete, induzido por Streptozotocin, ratas Wistar foram acasaladas e randomizadas em três grupos (n = 13 ratas/grupo): não-praticante (G1) ou praticante de exercício desde o dia zero (G2) ou sétimo dia (G3) de prenhez. O exercício consistiu de um programa de natação com intensidade moderada. Durante a prenhez, glicemia e peso corpóreo foram avaliados semanalmente. No final da prenhez, as ratas foram anestesiadas e dessangradas para obtenção de amostras de sangue para determinação de proteínas totais, triglicérides, colesterol total e VLDL-colesterol. Fígado e músculo foram coletados para dosagem de glicogênio hepático e muscular, respectivamente. Independente do momento em que foi iniciado, o exercício não alterou os níveis glicêmicos, a evolução do peso corpóreo e as concentrações de proteínas totais e glicogênio hepático e muscular. Porém, a natação iniciada no sétimo dia de prenhez diminuiu as taxas de triglicérides (G1 = 369,10 ± 31,91mg/dL; G2 = 343,32 ± 162,12mg/dL; G3 = 212,35 ± 70,32mg/dL), colesterol total (G1 = 176,48 ± 28,25mg/dL; G2 = 141,33 ± 19,77mg/dL; G3 = 129,86 ± 33,16mg/dL) e VLDL (G1 = 64,92 ± 24,41mg/dL; G2 = 63,54 ± 28,31mg/dL; G3 = 42,53 ± 14,12mg/dL) comparando com o grupo G1. Apesar de não se comprovar a influência do exercício físico sobre os níveis glicêmicos maternos, a prática diária de natação a partir do sétimo dia de prenhez mostrou-se benéfica para o perfil lipídico de ratas diabéticas. Esse resultado reforça a validade da associação da atividade física regular à dieta e insulina na gestação complicada pelo diabete.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate if physical exercise (swimming program), begun in different periods of pregnancy of diabetic rats, promotes changes in the maternal metabolism. Severe diabetes was induced in female rats using Streptozotocin. The rats were mated and randomly assigned to three groups (n = 13 rats/group): sedentary (G1) or exercised from day zero (G2) or day seven (G3) to day 21 of pregnancy. The exercise consisted of a moderate swimming program. During pregnancy, the body weight and glycemic level were weekly evaluated. All the female rats were killed on day 21 of pregnancy to carry out laparotomy. The blood samples were collected to determine total protein, triglycerides, total cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol. Liver and muscle samples were collected to determine hepatic and muscular glycogen, respectively. Regardless the initial moment, the exercise did not alter glycemic level, body weight evolution and total protein, hepatic and muscular glycogen concentrations. However, the swimming program begun on the 7th day of the pregnancy decreased the triglyceride rate (G1 = 369.10 ± 31.91 mg/dL; G2 = 343.32 ± 162.12 mg/dL; G3 = 212.35 ± 70.32 mg/dL), total (G1 = 176.48 ± 28.25 mg/dL; G2 = 141.33 ± 19.77 mg/dL; G3 = 129.86 ± 33.16 mg/dL), and VLDL (G1 = 64.92 ± 24.41 mg/dL; G2 = 63.54 ± 28.31 mg/dL; G3 = 42.53 ± 14.12 mg/dL) cholesterol concentrations compared to G1 group. Physical exercise did not interfere on the maternal glycemic levels. Thus, the swimming program began on the day seven of the pregnancy was a beneficial treatment for the lipidic profile of the diabetic rats. This result validates an association of regular physical activity to diet and insulin treatment in pregnancy complicated by diabetes.

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido el de verificar si la práctica de ejercicio físico (natación), iniciada en diferentes momentos de preñez de ratas diabéticas, promueve alteraciones en el metabolismo materno. Después de la confirmación de la diabetes, inducido por Streptozotocin, ratonas Wistar fueron acasaladas y randomizadas en tres grupos (n = 13 ratonas/grupo): no practicante (G1) o practicante de ejercicio desde el día cero (G2) o séptimo día (G3) de preñez. El ejercicio se constituyó de un programa de natación con intensidad moderada. Durante la preñez, glicemia y peso corpóreo fueron evaluados semanalmente. Al final de la preñez, las ratonas fueron anestesiadas y desangradas para la obtención de muestras de sangre para la determinación de proteínas totales, triglicéridos, colesterol total y VLDL-colesterol. Hígado y músculo se colectaron para dosaje de glicógeno hepático y muscular, respectivamente. Independiente del momento en que fue iniciado, el ejercicio no alteró los niveles glicéricos, la evolución del peso corpóreo y las concentraciones de proteínas totales y glicógeno hepático y muscular. Sin embargo, la natación iniciada en el séptimo día de preñez disminuyó las tasas de triglicéridos (G1 = 369,10 ± 31,91 mg/dL; G2 = 343,32 ± 162,12 mg/dL; G3 = 212,35 ± 70,32 mg/dL), colesterol total (G1 = 176,48 ± 28,25 mg/dL; G2 = 141,33 ± 19,77 mg/dL; G3 = 129,86 ± 33,16 mg/dL) y VLDL (G1 = 64,92 ± 24,41 mg/dL; G2 = 63,54 ± 28,31 mg/dL; G3 = 42,53 ± 14,12 mg/dL) comparado al grupo G1. A pesar de no comprobarse la influencia del ejercicio físico sobre los niveles glicéricos maternos, la práctica diaria de natación a partir del séptimo día de preñez se mostró benéfica para el perfil lipídico de ratonas diabéticas. Este resultado refuerza la validez de la asociación de la actividad física regular a la dieta e insulina en los embarazos complicados por diabetes.

Mixture of vitamin C, hesperidin and piperidol exposure in pregnancy: maternal-fetal repercussions

To evaluate the reproductive performance and the development of their offspring on rat pregnancy, Wistar pregnant rats were gavaged with 0 mg/kg wb/day (control group, n = 20) and 166.5 mg/kg/day of a mixture of vitamin C, hesperidin and piperidol (experimental group, n= 20) during the organogenic period (from day 5 to 14 of pregnancy; positive vaginal smear = day 0). The female rats were killed on day 21 of pregnancy. The number of implantations, resorptions (dead embryos), and live/dead fetuses were counted for the analysis of the postimplantation loss rates. There was neither alteration in maternal reproductive performance, but it was verified an increase of the number of fetuses presenting dilated urether, hydronephrosis, and reduced ossification of skull due to the treatment of female rats with a mixture of vitamin C, hesperidin and piperidol, these abnormalities were considered transitory and may not interfere on offspring development. It was not verified other type of major malformation neither the appearance of fetuses presenting atrophy of upper limbs that it could be associated to use of this drug.

Efeito do ácido acetilsalicílico na performance reprodutiva e na prole de ratas wistar / Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the reproductive performance and on offspring from wistar rats

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um estudo randomizado, controlado e "cego" para investigar se a dose terapêutica de ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS), usado por mulheres grávidas, pode causar efeito tóxico ao embriäo ou anormalidades congênitas nos animais de experimentaçäo. MÉTODOS: Foi confirmada a prenhez das fêmeas através da observaçäo da presença de espermatozóides no esfregaço vaginal (1º dia de prenhez - GD1). As ratas acasaladas foram colocadas em gaiolas individualizadas e divididas aleatoriamente para compor os grupos experimentais. Os animais receberam 50 mg/kg/dia de AAS, por via oral (gavage), durante dois períodos diferentes de prenhez. Um grupo de ratas (n=11) recebeu aspirina do 1º ao 4º dia de prenhez (antes de implantaçäo embrionária) para avaliaçäo dos blastocistos, e outro grupo recebeu aspirina do 6º ao 15º dia (período de organogênese) para avaliaçäo fetal. Os grupos controle (n=12) receberam água destilada com mesmo volume e durante os mesmos períodos, semelhante aos respectivos grupos experimentais. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÄO: O tratamento de ratas prenhes com AAS, de acordo com dose terapêutica mínima usada por mulheres, näo causou efeitos embriotóxicos ou malformaçöes maiores, mas foi responsável pelo aumento das taxas de fetos com dilataçäo de ureter. Pode ser verificada uma divergência muito grande entre os dados obtidos experimentalmente e em humano, mas näo há ainda uma evidência conclusiva dos efeitos adversos em humanos. Existe uma dose de perigo potencial, portanto o uso indiscriminado de ácido de acetilsalicílico (aspirina) é contra-indicado