Maternal administration of cannabidiol promotes an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal wall in a gastroschisis rat model

Gastroschisis (GS) is an abdominal wall defect that results in histological and morphological changes leading to intestinal motility perturbation and impaired absorption of nutrients. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, cannabidiol (CBD) has been used as a therapeutic agent in many diseases. Our aim was to test the effect of maternal CBD in the intestine of an experimental model of GS. Pregnant rats were treated over 3 days with CBD (30 mg/kg) after the surgical induction of GS (day 18.5 of gestation) and compared to controls. Fetuses were divided into 4 groups: 1) control (C); 2) C+CBD (CCBD); 3) gastroschisis (G), and 4) G+CBD (GCBD). On day 21.5 of gestation, the fetuses were harvested and evaluated for: a) body weight (BW), intestinal weight (IW), and IW/BW ratio; b) histometric analysis of the intestinal wall; c) immunohistochemically analysis of inflammation (iNOS) and nitrite/nitrate level. BW: GCBD was lower than CCBD (P<0.005), IW and IW/BW ratio: GCBD was smaller than G (P<0.005), GCBD presented lower thickness in all parameters compared to G (P<0.005), iNOS and nitrite/nitrate were lower concentration in GCBD than to G (P<0.005). Maternal use of CBD had a beneficial effect on the intestinal loops of GS with decreased nitrite/nitrate and iNOS expression.

Exogenous enzyme complex prevents intestinal soybean meal-induced enteritis in Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836) juvenile

ABSTRACT Four soybean meal-based diets containing increasing levels of an enzyme complex (E50, E100, E150 and E200 at 50, 100, 150 and 200 g ton-1, respectively) and one soybean meal-based diet without the enzyme complex (E0) were fed in triplicate to M. liza juveniles in a semi-static flow system with 20 fish per tank for 75 days. There were no differences between the treatments for animal performance parameters, but fish fed the enzyme complex treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher values of calcium bone retention compared with control fish. Although there was no relationship between bacterial counts in different sections of the gastrointestinal tract or enzyme levels, filamentous bacteria were increased in E50 compared with E150. All of the treatments resulted in higher bacterial counts in the stomach than in intestinal segments. Histological screening showed serious to moderate infiltration of inflammatory cells, modification in villus morphology and necrosis in some cases in fish fed the E0 diet. In addition, fish from the E0 treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower lipid deposition in the peritoneal cavity. Therefore, the use of low levels of exogenous enzyme is recommended in diets for M. liza when soybean meal is used as the main source of protein.

The effect of amifostine on bacterial translocation after radiation induced acute enteritis

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of amifostine on bacterial translocation and overgrowth in colonic flora after acute radiation enteritis in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Group-1 (n=8): only normal saline was administered intraperitoneally. Group-2 (n=8): first serum saline was administered intraperitoneally and 30 minutes later 20 Gy radiation was applied to abdominopelvic region. Group-3 (n=8): only amifostine 200 ml/kg was administered intraperitoneally and radiation was not applied. Group-4 (n=8): first amifostine 200 ml/kg was administered intraperitoneally and 30 minutes later 20 Gy radiation was applied to abdominopelvic region. On the 5th day after radiation, samples of mesenteric lymph tissues and cecal contents were taken by laparotomy for microbiological culture. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal amifostine administration significantly decreased the bacterial overgrowth related to radiation in colon but did not significantly decrease the bacterial translocation. CONCLUSİON: Although not providing a full protection on the damaged mucosal barrier, amifostine significantly decreased the bacterial overgrowth in the cecal content after high dose radiation. There is a need to find out appropriate amifostine dose under different radiation applications avoiding bacterial translocation in gastrointestinal system.

Prevención y tratamiento de la enteritis actínica / Prevention and treatment of radiation enteritis

Chronic actinic enteritis is a severe complication that ocurrs in oncological patients under radiation therapy. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. This article is focused on the acute and chronic actinic enteritis and their predisposing factors. Due to the multifactorial etiology of the gastrointestinal symptoms in these patients, it is important to have a diagnostic approach based on clinical background information and tests, that will allow to establish one etiology and rule out differential diagnoses. As for the treatment, drugs with variable effectiveness and validity are mentioned. In more complex patients successful treatment with better results has been achieved, but these have a higher cost and are less available. In severe cases, parenteral nutrition and/or surgery have been used. From the point of view of prevention, the utility of the drugs has been documented for acute enteritis. However, in order to reduce the risk of chronic enteritis it is critical to take actions resulting in less toxicity during the radiation therapy. The participation of a multidisciplinary team is very important both in the management and prevention of actinic enteritis.

La enteritis actínica crónica es una complicación grave y creciente que se presenta en pacientes oncológicos sometidos a radioterapia. Se asocia a morbilidad y mortalidad significativas. El presente artículo está enfocado en las formas aguda y crónica de la enteritis actínica y sus factores predisponentes. Dada la etiología multifactorial de los síntomas gastrointestinales en estos pacientes, es importante una aproximación diagnóstica basada en los antecedentes clínicos y exámenes que permitan definir una etiología y excluir diagnósticos diferenciales. En cuanto al tratamiento, se mencionan fármacos con efectividad variable y validez limitada. En pacientes más complejos se han realizado tratamientos con resultados más exitosos, pero de mayor costo y de difícil disponibilidad. En casos graves se debe recurrir a la nutrición parenteral y/o cirugía. Desde el punto de vista de la prevención, se ha documentado la utilidad de fármacos en la enteritis aguda. Sin embargo, para reducir el riesgo de la enteritis crónica es fundamental adoptar medidas que conduzcan a una menor toxicidad durante la radioterapia. Tanto en el manejo como en la prevención de la enteritis actínica es importante el enfoque de un equipo multidisciplinario.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis in the State of Rio de Janeiro: 1995 - 2004

This paper relates the clinical and epidemiological aspects of canine parvovirus infection (CPV) in the State of Rio de Janeiro from April 1995 to March 2004. A total of 341 fecal samples were collected from up to 6-months-old puppies with gastroenteritis. The diagnosis of CPV infection was confirmed by hemagglutination/ hemagglutination inhibition tests, enzyme immunoassay, virus isolation in cell culture or polymerase chain reaction. One hundred and fifty-seven samples (46 percent) were positive for CPV. No correlation among sex, breed or age and the occurrence of CPV infection was observed. The classical signs of parvoviral enteritis (anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and hemorrhagic fluid diarrhea) were observed in 70 percent of CPV-positive and in 60 percent of CPV-negative puppies. Although CPV could be detected throughout the studied period, its occurrence was significantly higher from June to September and November to December. These results show that CPV is still circulating in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Este trabalho relata os aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos da infecção pelo CPV no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período de abril de 1995 a março de 2004. Coletaram-se 341 amostras fecais de cães com até seis meses de idade que apresentavam gastrenterite. O diagnóstico da infecção pelo CPV foi confirmado através dos testes de hemaglutinação/inibição da hemaglutinação, ensaio imunoenzimático, isolamento viral em cultura de células ou reação em cadeia pela polimerase. Cento e cinqüenta e sete amostras (46 por cento) foram consideradas positivas para CPV. Não foi observada correlação entre sexo, raça ou idade e a ocorrência da infecção por CPV. Os sinais clínicos clássicos de parvovirose (vômito, anorexia, apatia e diarréia líquida hemorrágica) foram observados em 70 por cento dos animais positivos e 60 por cento dos animais negativos para CPV. O CPV foi detectado ao longo do período estudado, entretanto observou-se um aumento do número de casos positivos nos períodos de junho a setembro e novembro a dezembro. Estes resultados mostram que o CPV ainda circula no Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Probióticos: perspectivas médicas / Probiotics: medical perspectives

Este artigo revisa o tema probióticos com o objetivo de avaliar seus possíveis potenciais como agentes bioterapêuticos na prevenção e/ou tratamento de algumas doenças relacionadas com a via intestinal. Os probióticos representam uma área de pesquisa em extensão. Muitas publicações enfatizam o potencial significado dessa emergente área, entretanto muito ainda necessita ser comprovado e realizado no sentido de definir o real significado do termo probiótico; se for efetivo, quais as cepas que preenchem os critérios de um real microorganismo probiótico e em quais circunstâncias clínicas são indicadas

This article reviews the theme probiotics with the objective to evaluate their potentials as possible biotherapeutic agents for the prevention and/or treatment of some illnesses related tothe intestinal tract. Probiotics represents an expanding research area. Many publications emphasizes the potential significance of this emerging field, meanwhile, much still remains to be proved and to be done in order to standardize the real meaning of the term probiotic and, if they are real, which strains actually fulfill the criteria of true probiotics microorganisms and in which clinical circumstances they are really useful

A deferoxamina na profilaxia da enterite actínica: estudo experimental em ratos

O autor realizou estudo experimental com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia da deferoxamina na profilaxia de enterite actínica induzida em ratos. Para tanto utilizou ratos Wistear machos adultos jovens. Criou oito grupos, a saber: I- Controle, II- "Sham" ou simulação, III- Irradiação mais deferoxamina profilática e sacrifício 15 horas após, V- Irradiação sem deferoxamina profilática e sacrifício 5 dias após, VI- Irradiação mais deferoxamina profilática e sacrifício 5 dias após, VII- Irradiação sem deferoxamina profilática e sacrifício 30 dias após e VIII- Irradiação mais deferoxamina profilática e sacrifício 30 dia após. Para produzir o modelo experimental da enterite actínica o autor submeteu os animais dos grupos III A VIII a irradiação de um segmanto de 10cm de íleo terminal proximais à válvula ileo-cecal com 1.000 cGy em dose única, utilizando aparelho de cobaltoterapia, com campo de 5X5cm, e distância de 80cm entre a fonte e a superfície. A deferoxamina foi aplicada por via intraperitoneal na dose de 100mg por quilo de peso corpóreo uma hora antes do início da irradiação. Os parâmetros de avaliação foram os seguintes: bioquímico (dosagem das substâncias reativas com o ácido tiobarbitúrico- dentre elas o malondialdeído visando avaliar o grau de perodixidação lipídica, histológicos qualitativos e quantitativos (morfometria com mensuração da parede, vilosidades e criptas), e taxa de mortalidade. Os métodos estatísticos utilizados visaram vertical a significância estatística da diferença das médias e seus respectivos desvios-padrão (t de Student), com p significado para valores menores que 0,05 no estudo bioquímico e os testes F de Brieger para análise de variância e de tukey para a comparação entre as médias nos estudos histopatológicos. O modelo experimental se mostrou adequado produzindo nos grupos irradiados sem profilaxia uma resposta histológica compatível com o esperado evolutivamente: diminuição precoce da altura das vilosidades e da profundidade das criptas, seguida de uma recuperação gradativa e um efeito “rebote” tardio aos 30 dias, com medidas de parede, vilosidade e criptas maiores que os do grupo controle. Os resultados encontrados demostraram maior mortalidade nos grupos de 5 e 30 dias sem profilaxia em comparação com seu correspondente com profilaxia; níveis de malondialdeído significativamente maiores no grupo de 15 horas sem deferoxamina em comparação com seu correspondente com profilaxia; lesões exsudativas mais proeminentes nos grupos que não receberam profilaxia. Na morfometria as medidas do grupo de 30 dias com profilaxia encontravam-se dentro da normalidade. O autor concluiu que a deferoxamina foi eficaz na profilaxia da enterite actínica a nível histológico e atribuiu este efeito da droga à capacidade de diminuição precoce da peroxidação lipídica

The author performed a study aiming to evaluate the efficacy of deferoxamine in the prophylaxis of experimentally induced radiation enteritis in rats. Young adult male Wistar rats were used in the eight groups: I-Control, II- Sham, III- Radiation wihthout deferoxamine and sacrifice 15 hours after, IV- Radiation plus deferoxamine and sacrifice 15 hours after, V- Radiation wihthout deferoxamine and sacrifice 5 days after, VI- Radiation plus deferoxamine and sacrifice 5 days after, VII- Radiation without deferoxamine and sacrifice 30 days after and VIII- Radiation plus deferoxamine and sacrifice 30 days after. The model which groups III to VIII were submitted to consisted of exposure of a segment of 10 cm ileus proximal to the ileal-cecal valve to 1.000cGy delivered by a cobalt source device, in a field with 5x5, and a distance between the source and the surface of 80cm. Deferoxamine (100mg per 1kg of body weight) was given intraperitoneally one hour before radiation. Evaluation parameters were clinical (mortality), biochemical (MDA dosage) morphological and death rate. For statistical analysis the tests of Student t, Brieger and tukey were used. The model showed to be adequate producing a histological response compatible with the expected course of radiation enteritis in the irradiated groups without prophylatic deferoxamine: an early decrease in the height of villosities and in the depth of the crypts, followed by a gradative restoration and a late “rebound” effect within 30 days with villosities, , crypts and walls thicker than normal. The outcome consisted of higher mortality rate in the group of 5 and30 days without prophylaxis compared to its correspondent with prophylaxis; higher MDA Levels in the group of 15 hours without deferoxamine in comparison to its correspondent with it; more prominent exudative lesions in the group that did not receive prophylaxis. Morphometry was normal in the group of 30 days with deferoxamine. The author concluded that deferoxamine was efficient in the prophylaxis of radiation enteritis. The author concludes this to be due to the capacity of deferoxamine of decreasing significantly early lipid peroxidation