Higher immunoexpression of CK14 from the Wnt-1/β-catenin pathway in the development of odontomas

Abstract Tooth development depends on a series of reciprocal signaling interactions between the oral epithelium and ectomesenchyme. This study aimed to investigate the role of CK14, a protein involved in Wnt-1/β-catenin signaling, in odontogenesis and the development of odontomas. This cross-sectional, retrospective, immunohistochemical study analyzed 30 compound odontomas, 30 complex odontomas, and 17 tooth germs. Higher immunoexpression of CK14 was observed in odontogenic epithelial cells of tooth germs (p < 0.001) and odontogenic epithelial cells of odontomas (p < 0.001). There was higher immunoexpression of Wnt-1 and β-catenin proteins in epithelial cells of tooth germs (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively), as well as in the ectomesenchyme of odontomas (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). β-Catenin was moderately and significantly correlated with CK14 in the membrane of reduced enamel epithelial cells in odontomas (p = 0.007). Higher immunoexpression of CK14 was observed in the odontogenic epithelium during the bud and cap stages and lower immunoexpression in the internal enamel epithelium during the bell stage. In odontomas, lower expression of Wnt-1/β-catenin and higher immunoexpression of CK14 were found in odontogenic epithelial cells, especially adjacent to the mineralized material resembling the tooth formed in these lesions.

Resumo O desenvolvimento dentário depende de uma série de interações de sinalização recíproca entre o epitélio oral e o ectomesênquima. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o papel da CK14 das vias WNT-1/β-catenina na odontogênese e no desenvolvimento de odontomas. Este estudo transversal, retrospectivo, imuno-histoquímico analisou 30 odontomas compostos, 30 odontomas complexos e 17 germes dentários. A CK14 apresentou maior imunoexpressão em células epiteliais odontogênicas de germes dentários (p<0,001) e em células epiteliais odontogênicas de odontomas (p<0,001). A Wnt-1 e a β-catenina apresentaram maior imunoexpressão de proteínas nas células epiteliais dos germes dentários (p = 0,002 e p<0,001, respectivamente), bem como no ectomesênquima dos odontomas (p = 0,003 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). A β-catenina correlacionou-se moderada e significativamente com a CK14 na membrana de células epiteliais reduzidas do esmalte em odontomas (p = 0,007). Maior imunoexpressão da CK14 foi observada no epitélio odontogênico nos estágios de botão e capuz com menor imunoexpressão no epitélio interno do órgão do esmalte no estágio de sino. Nos odontomas, foi observado menor expressão de Wnt-1/β-catenina e maior imunoexpressão da CK14 presente nas células epiteliais odontogênicas, especialmente, vizinhas ao material mineralizado semelhante ao dente formado nessas lesões.

Diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET in abdominal sepsis in rats

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET in the diagnosis of multibacterial abdominal sepsis by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats. Methods Adult Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus ), weighing 227±35g, were allocated into a sepsis group by CLP (n=10) and sham group (n=10). 18F-FDG-PET using microPET was performed on all rats after 24 hours. Results All animals survived for postoperative 24h. The abdomen/liver ratio of the standardized uptake value (SUV) percentage was significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the sham (p=0.004). The ROC curve showed an accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET to detect abdominal sepsis of 88.9% (p=0.001), sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 88.9%. When a cut-off point of 79% of the ratio between the SUV on the abdominal region and liver was established, the sensitivity was 90%, specificity of 88.9%; positive and negative predictive values of 90.0% and 88.9%, respectively. Conclusions The diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET in rats with abdominal sepsis was significantly high. It was also demonstrated the predictive ability of the abdomen/liver SUV ratio to diagnose abdominal sepsis. These findings may have implications for the clinical setting, locating septic foci with PETscan.

Effect of Arrabidaea chica extract against chemically induced breast cancer in animal model

Abstract Purpose: To examine the effects of Arrabidaa chica (Bignoniacea) extract, a native plant of the Amazon known as crajiru, on a 7,12-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer model in Wistar rats. Methods: We compared the response of breast cancer to the oral administration of A. chica extract (ACE) for 16 weeks, associated or not with vincristine. Groups: normal control; DMBA (50mg/kg v.o,) without treatment; DMBA+ACE (300 mg/kg); DMBA+vincristine. 500μg/kg injected i.p; DMBA+ACE+Vincristine 250μg/kg i.p. Imaging by microPET and fluorescence, biochemistry, oxidative stress, hematology and histopathology were used to validate the treatments. Results: All animals survived. A gradual weight gain in all groups was observed, with no significant difference (p>0.05). The oral administration of ACE and ACE+vincristine 50% significantly reduced breast tumors incidence examined with PET-18FDG and fluorescence (p<0.001). Significant reduction of serum transaminases, oxidative stress and hematological toxicity were observed in these groups. Antioxidant enzyme levels in breast tissue were significantly higher compared to the DMBA and DMBA+vincristine groups. Conclusion: These results demonstrate for the first time that ACE positively influences the treatment of DMBA-induced breast cancer in animal model, inducing a reduction in oxidative stress and chemotherapy toxicity, meaning that ACE may have clinical implication in further studies.

Influence of the colon in liver regeneration of rats submitted to hepatectomy and colectomy / Influência do cólon na regeneração do fígado de ratos submetidos à hepatectomia e colectomia

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate whether colectomy, associated with 70% hepatectomy, influences liver regeneration in rats. Methods: we distributed 18 Wistar rats in three groups of six animals each. In group I (sham), we performed laparotomy; In group II, colectomy + 70% hepatectomy; In group III, only 70% hepatectomy. On the 6th postoperative day, we collected blood by cardiac puncture under anesthesia, followed by euthanasia. We performed serum dosages of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin and alkaline phosphatase (AF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α). We calculated liver regeneration by the formula: liver weight ratio per 100g body weight at the time of euthanasia / liver weight preoperatively projected for 100g body weight × 100. Results: ALT and AST levels were significantly lower in group II when compared with group III (p<0.001). Albuminemia showed significantly higher levels in group II. Levels of HGF and TGF-α in group II were significantly higher than in group III. The percentage of hepatic regeneration was significantly higher in group II than in group III. Conclusion: Colectomy performed simultaneously with 70% hepatectomy had a positive influence on liver regeneration in rats. Further research is needed to reveal the molecular mechanisms of this effect and to characterize the colon influence in liver physiology.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar se a colectomia, associada à hepatectomia 70%, influencia a regeneração do fígado em ratos. Métodos: foram utilizados 18 ratos Wistar distribuídos em três grupos de seis animais cada. No grupo I (sham) foi realizada laparotomia; no grupo II colectomia + hepatectomia 70%; no grupo III apenas hepatectomia 70%. No sexto dia pós-operatório foi colhido sangue por punção cardíaca, sob anestesia, seguido de eutanásia. Foram realizadas dosagens séricas de aspartato aminotransferase (AST), alanina aminotransferase (ALT), albumina e fosfatase alcalina (FA), fator de crescimento de hepatócitos (HGF) e fator de crescimento transformador-α (TGF-α). A regeneração do fígado foi calculada pela fórmula: razão peso do fígado por 100g do peso corporal no momento da eutanásia/peso do fígado no pré-operatório projetado por 100g de peso corporal ×100. Resultados: Os níveis de ALT e AST foram significativamente menores no grupo II quando comparados com o grupo III (p<0,001). A albuminemia mostrou níveis significativamente mais elevados no grupo II. Os níveis de HGF e TGF-α no grupo II foram significativamente mais elevados que no grupo III. O percentual de regeneração hepática foi significativamente mais elevado no grupo II do que no grupo III. Conclusão: o estudo demonstrou que a colectomia realizada simultaneamente à hepatectomia 70% influenciou positivamente na regeneração do fígado em ratos. Pesquisas adicionais são necessárias para revelar os mecanismos moleculares deste efeito e para caracterizar a influência do cólon na fisiologia do fígado.

The renoprotective effect of oral Tadalafil pretreatment on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of tadalafil in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats Methods: Group I/R saline rats (n=6) were subjected to 45 minutes of left renal ischemia and treated with saline; the I/R tadalafil rats (n=6) received oral 10mg/kg tadalafil microemulsion one hour before ischemia. In both groups, 8 hours after ischemia, laboratory analysis were performed Results: Better tissue perfusion was lower in ischemic left/kidney than in right/kidney in saline group, suggesting reduced kidney clearance. Fluorescence in left/kidneys of tadalafil treated rats was lower than in right/kidneys (difference not significant). The fluorescence signal intensity in kidneys of tadafil treated rats was higher than in saline rats. TNF-α levels were significantly lower in I/R tadalafil group rats compared to I/R saline group (154±10.3 vs 391.3±12.3), as well as IL-1β (163.4±13.2 vs 279±11.5pg/dL), and IL-6 (122.9±8.1 vs 173.7±6.3 respectively; p=0.0001). Urea, creatinine and C-reactive protein were significantly lower in tadafil treated rats then in saline group Conclusion: Tadalafil therapy decreased the expression of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in a renal I/R rodent model, while improving kidney function proofs.

The ileum as a determinant organ of the functional liver cell mass in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate if the ileum resection changes the functioning liver cell mass, the hepatic metabolism and the biodistribution of radiopharmaceutical in rats. METHODS: Twelve Wistar rats weighing 285g±34g were randomly divided into the ileum resection group (n = 6) and sham group rats (n = 6). After 30 days, they were anesthetized and 0.1mL of 99m-Tc-phytate (0.66MBq) was injected via femoral vein. After 30 minutes, blood samples were collected for red blood cells radioactive labeling and serum ALT, AST and gammaGT. Liver samples were used for 99m-Tc-phytate percentage of radioactivity/gram of tissue and histopathology. Student 's t test was used with significance 0.05. RESULTS: There was a higher uptake of 99m-Tc-phytate in the liver of sham rats, compared to the ileum resection group (p<0.05). GammaGT, ALT and AST were increased in ileum resection rats compared to sham (p<0.05). The he patocytes count was significantly lower in ileum resection group than in sham (p<0.05). Liver: body mass ratio was lower in experimental animals than in sham group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These data support that the ileum has important role in liver function and liver mass regulation, and they have potential clinical implications regarding the pathogenesis of liver injury following lower bowel resection.

Avalação de efeitos toxicológicos e comportamentais da Hypericum perforatum e da Pipe methysticum em ratos / Hypericum perforatum and Piper methysticum are phytotherapics frequently employed for the treatment of mild to moderate central nervous system depression

There is no conclusive information in literature about the adverse side effects in human health. The aim of this study was to assess if these phytotherapics can promote toxic and/or behavioral alterations in rats. Adult male Wistar rats (17) were randomly divided into three groups. Two experimental groups (n=6) were treated by gavage with an aqueous solution obtained from commercial extracts of H. perforatum (15 per cent m/v - 2 mg/kg/day of hypericine) or P. methysticum (7.5 per cent m/v - 85.7 mg/kg/day of kavapirones). The control group (n=5) received only water by gavage. At day 31 the animal behavior was analyzed in the open field, elevated plus-maze and employing the forced swimming test. The animals were sacrificed for serum and tissues samples collection, allowing the biochemical and histopathological studies. The statistical analysis employed revealed no behavioral changes and absence of alterations at the parameters body weight gain, foodand water intake, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine serum levels, and in the histopathological study. The data obtained show that rats treated with the respective plants aqueous solutions, did not present behavioral alterations or toxic effects.

As ervas Hypericum perforatum e Piper methysticum são frequentemente empregadas no tratamento de depressões leves a moderadas. O presente trabalho objetivou analisar efeitos tóxicos e alterações comportamentais desses fitoterápicos em ratos. Foram utilizados 17 ratos machos Wistar adultos, separados em três grupos: controle (n=5) e experimentais (n=6/grupo). Os animais experimentais receberam, por gavagem, soluções aquosas de H. perforatum (15 por cento m/v) contendo 2 mg/kg de hipericina, ou de P. methysticum (7,5 por cento m/v) contendo 85,7 mg/kg de kavapironas, diariamente durante 30 dias. Um dia após término do tratamento, os animais tiveram o comportamento avaliado no campo-aberto, no labirinto em cruz elevado e pelo emprego do teste da natação forçada. Em seguida, os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia para a coleta de amostras de sangue e tecidos para estudos bioquímicos e histopatológicos. A análise estatística dos dados indicou que as soluções aquosas empregadas não foram capazes de promover alterações comportamentais nem toxicidade, por não terem sido observadas alterações nos parâmetros ganho de peso, ingestão hídrica, consumo de ração, níveis séricos de ALT, AST, uréia e creatinina, e no estudo histopatológico. Portanto, o presente trabalho sugere que os fitoterápicos, nas dosagens e tempo de administração, empregados não foram capazes de causar toxicidade e alterações comportamentais em ratos.