Impact of passive smoking on renal vascular morphology

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether passive smoking causes morphological and structural changes in the arcuate arteries of rats exposed for 7 to 28 days. Methods Wistar rats aged eight weeks and weighing 260g on average were allocated to a Control or a Smoker Group. Groups were further divided into 4 groups containing 5 animals each. Morphological-functional analysis of the right kidneys was carried out after 7 and 28 days of exposure to the smoke of 40 cigarettes per day. Cigarettes were burned at set times using automated cigarette-burning equipment ("Smoking Machine" - SM-MC-01). At the end of each exposure period, the kidneys were dissected and submitted to histological processing for morphological and quantitative analysis. Results Exposure to cigarette smoke for 7 days led to a decrease in inner vascular diameter. Decreased thickness of the vascular tunica media was observed after exposure for 28 days. Increased thickness of the tunica adventitia, increased total vascular wall thickness, increased total vascular diameter and qualitative increase in collagen deposition were observed. Vascular volume increased after 28 days of exposure. Conclusion Passive smoking has a negative impact on renal vasculature.

Morphofunctional study on the effects of passive smoking in kidneys of rats / Estudo morfofuncional sobre os efeitos do tabagismo passivo em rins de ratos

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze whether passive inhalation of cigarette smoke causes morphological, structural, and functional changes in kidneys of rats. Methods Wistar rats, aged eight weeks, weighing on average 260g, were divided into Control Group and Smoking Group. Each group was subdivided into four groups of ten animals for morphofunctional analysis, in a period of seven and 28 days. The Smoking Group was exposed to smoke of 40 cigarettes per day, at certain times and in automated equipment for cigarette burning, called smoking machine (SM-MC-01). After the exposure period, urine and blood samples were collected for the functional analyses, and the kidneys were dissected and submitted to histological procedures for morphoquantitative analyses. Results After exposure of animals of the Smoking Group, the following were observed: lower weight gain; lower water and feed intake; decreased renal weight, diameter, and volume; reduction in cortical thickness and glomerular volume density; decrease in glomerular and capsular diameter; increase in mesangial density; decreased urine volume; increased levels of glucose, serum creatinine and microalbuminuria; decreased urinary creatinine levels and creatinine clearance rate. Conclusion Passive smoking negatively influences renal morphology and glomerular filtration rate, with effects similar to those described in the literature regarding active smoking.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar se a inalação passiva da fumaça do cigarro proporciona alterações morfológicas, estruturais e funcionais nos rins de ratos. Métodos Ratos Wistar, com oito semanas de idade, pesando, em média, 260g, foram divididos em Grupo Controle e Grupo Tabagista. Cada grupo foi subdividido em quatro grupos de dez animais para análise morfofuncional, em um período de sete e 28 dias. O Grupo Tabagista foi exposto à fumaça de 40 cigarros por dia, em horários determinados e equipamento automatizado de queima de cigarros, denominado smoking machine (SM-MC-01). Após o período de exposição, foram coletadas amostras de urina e sangue para as análises funcionais, e os rins foram dissecados e submetidos a procedimentos histológicos para análises morfoquantitativas. Resultados Após a exposição dos animais do Grupo Tabagista, observou-se menor ganho de peso; menor consumo de água e ração; menor peso, diâmetro e volume renal; redução em espessura cortical e densidade de volume glomerular; diminuição no diâmetro glomerular e capsular; aumento na densidade mesangial; volume urinário diminuído; níveis aumentados de glicose, creatinina sérica e microalbuminúria; níveis reduzidos de creatinina urinária e redução da taxa de depuração da creatinina. Conclusão O tabagismo passivo influencia negativamente na morfologia renal e na taxa de filtração glomerular, com efeitos semelhantes aos descritos na literatura em relação ao tabagismo ativo.

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy Improves the Symptomatology of Allergic Rhinitis

Introduction The relevance of allergic rhinitis is unquestionable. This condition affects people s quality of life and its incidence has increased over the last years. Objective Thus, this study aims to analyze the effectiveness of subcutaneous injectable immunotherapy in cases of nasal itching, sneeze, rhinorrhea and nasal congestion in allergic rhinitis patients. Methods In the present study, the same researcher analyzed the records of 281 patients. Furthermore, the researchers identified allergens through puncture cutaneous tests using standardized extracts containing acari, fungi, pet hair, flower pollen, and feathers. Then, the patients underwent treatment with subcutaneous specific immunotherapy, using four vaccine vials for desensitization, associated with environmental hygiene. The authors analyzed conditions of nasal itching, sneeze, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion throughout the treatment, and assigned them with a score ranging from zero (0), meaning absence of these symptoms to three (3), for severe cases. The symptoms were statistically compared in the beginning, during, and after treatment. Results In this study, authors analyzed the cases distribution according to age and the evolution of symptomatology according to the scores, comparing all phases of treatment. The average score for the entire population studied was 2.08 before treatment and 0.44 at the end. These results represent an overall improvement of ±79% in symptomatology of allergic rhinitis in the studied population. Conclusion The subcutaneous immunotherapy as treatment of allergic rhinitis led to a reduction in all symptoms studied, improving the quality of life of patients, proving itself as an important therapeutic tool for these pathological conditions.

A Different Origin of the Right Gastro-omental Artery / Un Origen Diferente de la Arteria Gastro-omental Derecha

The gastro-omental artery is one of the branches of the common hepatic artery. Alterations in the embryonic development of the ventral splanchnic arteries can cause marked variations. A rare variant of the right gastro-omental artery was observed during dissection of a 50-year-old male cadaver. The occurrence of this variant has not been reported in the specialized literature. This case of a different origin of the gastro-omental artery is described in detail in order to provide information that may contribute to upper abdominal surgeries.

La arteria gastro-omental es una de las ramas de la arteria hepática común. Las alteraciones en el desarrollo embrionario de las arterias ventrales pueden causar variaciones marcadas. Se observó una variante rara de la arteria gastro-omental derecha durante la disección de un cadáver de un hombre de 50 años de edad. La presencia de esta variante no se ha informado en la literatura especializada. Este caso de origen diferente de la arteria gastro-omental se describe detalladamente con el fin de proporcionar información que pueda contribuir a la cirugía abdominal superior.

Ultra-structural alterations of the palatal mucosa in rats subject to a diet of alcohol / Alterações ultraestruturais da mucosa palatina de ratos submetidos a dieta alcoólica

Objective: To evaluate the possible morphological alterations of the palatal mucosa in rats subject to a diet of alcohol. Methods: Twelve adult male animals were used, divided into two groups: control and treated. The control group received food and water ad libitum, while the treated group received the same solid diet and a solution of water and ethanol diluted to 25%. After 160 days, the animals were sacrificed and the samples of palatal mucosa were submitted to methods of transmission electronic microscopy. Results: In the macroscopic results, a coloring alteration was seen in the palatal mucosa in the alcoholic group. In addition, the control animals presented a greater gain in body mass in relation to the treated animals (p<0.05). However, the treated animals did not lose weight during the experiment; on the contrary, they gained body mass, despite gaining less when compared to the control. In the ultra-structure of the treated group, an increase in inter-cellular space, fusion of the secretory granules and the presence of cells in a degenerative state were observed.Conclusion: It may be deduced that there were serious morphological alterations in the palatal mucosa of rats subject to an alcoholic diet.

Objetivo: Avaliar as possíveis alterações morfológicas da mucosa palatina de ratos submetidos a uma dieta alcoólica. Métodos: Foram utilizados doze animais adultos, machos, divididos em dois grupos sendo um controle e outro tratado. O grupo controle recebeu ração e água ad libitum, enquanto o grupo tratado recebeu a mesma dieta sólida e uma solução de água e etanol diluído a 25%. Após 160 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e as amostras da mucosa palatina foram submetidas aos métodos de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Resultados: Nos resultados macroscópicos, notou alteração da coloração da mucosa palatina do grupo alcoolizado. Além disso, os animais controle apresentaram maior ganho de massa corporal em relação aos animais tratados (p<0,05). Todavia, os animais tratados não perderam peso durante o período de experimento, ao contrário, os mesmos ganharam massa corporal, apesar de menor quando comparado com o controle. Na ultra-estrutura do grupo tratado, notou aumento dos espaços intercelulares, fusão dos grânulos secretores e presença de células em processo degenerativo.Conclusão: Pode inferir que houve graves alterações morfológicas na mucosa palatina de ratos submetidos à dieta alcoólica.