Amifostine reduces inflammation and protects against 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis and hyposalivation

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and dose-limiting side effect of cancer treatment, including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and radiotherapy. The efficacy of the therapeutic measures to prevent OM is limited and disease prevention is not fully observable. Amifostine is a cytoprotective agent with a described anti-inflammatory potential. It is clinically used to reduce radiotherapy and chemotherapy-associated xerostomia. This study investigated the protective effect of amifostine on an experimental model of OM. Hamsters were divided into six groups: saline control group (5 mL/kg), mechanical trauma (scratches) of the right cheek pouch; 5-FU (60 and 40 mg/kg, ip, respectively, administered on days 1 and 2); amifostine (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg) + 5-FU + scratches. Salivation rate was assessed and the animals were euthanized on day 10 for the analysis of macroscopic and microscopic injury by scores. Tissue samples were harvested for the measurement of neutrophil infiltration and detection of inflammatory markers by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. 5-FU induced pronounced hyposalivation, which was prevented by amifostine (P<0.05). In addition, 5-FU injection caused pronounced tissue injury accompanied by increased neutrophil accumulation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) tissue levels, and positive immunostaining for TNF-α, IL-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Interestingly, amifostine prevented the inflammatory reaction and consequently improved macroscopic and microscopic damage (P<0.05 vs 5-FU group). Amifostine reduced inflammation and protected against 5-FU-associated oral mucositis and hyposalivation.

Applicability of polyamide 12 intramedullary locked rods in the stabilization of induced humeral fracture in cockerels (white plymouth rock) - in vivo study / Aplicabilidade da haste intramedular bloqueada de poliamida 12 na estabilização de fratura umeral induzida em galos (Plymouth Rock Branca) - estudo in vivo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of polyamide 12 intramedullary rods in osteotomized humerus in cockerels (White Plymouth Rock) and analyze, by radiography and histopathology, bone consolidation and the formation of bone callus. Ten cockerels were subjected to transverse osteotomy of the right humeral diaphysis followed by the insertion of polyamide 12 locked rods, with two nails in each bone fragment. Radiographies obtained at the immediate pre and post-operative period, and every 7 days for 3 months revealed no perioperatory complications. Radiography revealed a radiopaque bone callus between the 4th and 5th week post-surgery. Histopathology detected an amphophylic material (polyamide 12 rod) in the intramedullary region and the proliferation of highly vascularized connective tissue between the rod and the cortical bone. This connective tissue was highly cellular with differentiation into osteoblasts. The collagen fibers varied from loose to dense and a differentiated bone matrix, containing osteocytes in gaps and the development of bone marrow, was also observed; indicating the formation of a bone callus without signs of implant rejection. The polyamide 12 intramedullary rod was effective in the stabilization of the fractures used in this experimental model, with no rejection reaction for at least 90 days.(AU)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a implantação de hastes intramedulares de poliamida 12, em úmeros osteotomizados de galos (Plymouth Rock Branca), bem como avaliar a consolidação óssea, por meio da verificação da formação de calo ósseo, analisando exames radiográficos e histopatológicos. Os galos foram submetidos à osteotomia transversa da diáfise do úmero direito, sendo implantadas posteriormente as hastes de poliamida 12 bloqueada com dois parafusos em cada fragmento ósseo. Após o procedimento cirúrgico, foram realizadas radiografias nos momentos pré e pós-operatório imediato e, posteriormente, a cada sete dias, durante três meses, até a realização da eutanásia. Não houve complicações perioperatórias. Ao exame radiográfico, os animais apresentaram formação de calo ósseo radiopaco entre a quarta e quinta semanas de pós-operatório. Ao exame histopatológico, foi possível notar, em todos os animais, presença de material anfofílico (haste de poliamida 12) ocupando a região intramedular óssea, e entre a haste e as corticais ósseas, proliferação de tecido conjuntivo altamente vascularizado. Tal tecido apresentou-se altamente celular com diferenciação em osteoblastos. Notaram-se também fibras colágenas, variando de aspecto frouxo a denso, e observou-se formação de matriz óssea diferenciada com osteócitos em lacunas e formações de medula óssea, denotando formação de calo ósseo sem sinais de rejeição do implante. A haste intramedular de poliamida 12 foi eficaz para estabilização das fraturas utilizando-se esse modelo experimental, sem reação de rejeição pelo período de 90 dias.(AU)

Avaliação da atividade larvicida do óleo essencial do Zingiber officinale Roscoe (gengibre) frente ao mosquito Aedes aegypti / Evaluation of the larvicidal effectof the essential oil of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) against the mosquito Aedes aegypti

RESUMO Este trabalho analisa o efeito larvicida do óleo Zingiber officinale Roscoe contra larvas em terceiro estágio do mosquito Aedes aegypti. Extraiu-se quantitativamente o óleo essencial por hidrodestilação e calculou-se a CL50 do óleo, a partir dos métodos de Reed-Muench e Pizzi, respectivamente. O óleo essencial obteve CL50 de 76,07 (±2,24) μg mL-1 e rendimento de 0,52% m/v. Os resultados indicam que o óleo essencial avaliado é composto por substâncias que propiciam efeito larvicida contra Aedes aegypti.

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the larvicidal effect of the oil of Zingiber officinale Roscoe against larvae in third stage of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus 1792). The essential oil was extracted quantitatively by hydrodistillation and we calculated the oil’s LC50 from Reed-Muench (1938) and Pizzi (1950) methods, respectively. The essential oil obtained LC50 of 76.07 (±2.24) ug mL-1, and yield of 0.52% m/v. The results indicate that the essential oil assessed has substances that provide larvicidal effect against Aedes aegypti.