Assessment of the effects of Zincum metallicum in maternal deprivation-induced behavioral disturbances in female rats

Background: Clinical studies have shown that adverse events in early life are quite stressful and can lead to the development of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, in adolescence and adulthood in humans. Experimental models of maternal deprivation (MD) in rats can be a useful tool for the understanding how these events in the early period of development can lead to behavioral changes in adulthood. Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of Zincum metallicum (Zinc met) homeopathic treatment in rats subjected to maternal deprivation (MD) in their early days of life. Methods: Newborn female rats were subjected to MD during 10 days, one hour per day, from PND10 to PND21, and treated from the 10th day of lactation (PND10) up to weaning (PND21). On the PND21 the rats were divided in 4 groups (N=8): a) treated with Zinc met 30c; b) treated with Zinc met 6c; c) treated with 10% hydroalcoholic solution (HS); and "blank control", rats without any treatment nor experienced deprivation (ND). The medicines were administered in blind trials, identified by codes. The animals were weighed weekly, from weaning until the end of the experiment, and evaluated in the Open Field (OF) and in the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) devices, to evaluate mobility, emotionality and anxiety, in 3 moments of life: in PND21 (childhood), during puberty (PND 40) and adulthood (PND75). Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA, followed by the Bonferroni's Multiple Comparison Test, being p≤0.05. Results: 1) relative to ND group the Zinc met 6c showed reduced body weight while no differences were observed between the other groups; 2) In the OF, the MD group showed increased rearing behavior at PND 40. The Zinc met 6c group reversed this effect showing similar profile as the ND group. Moreover, Zinc met 6c group showed increase in the immobility time at this age; 3) In the EPM, the MD group showed increased time in closed arms and decreased head dips relative to ND group in PND21 period of observation. Treatment with Zinc met 6c but not with Zinc met 30c was effective to reduce this anxiety-like behavior in PND21. Conclusion: According to the proposed model, Zincum metallicum 6c seems to be able to prevent in anxiety-like behavior induced by maternal deprivation in the childhood, mainly in behavioral models related to anxiety. However, other studies still need to be developed to understand the physio-pathological basis of these effects. (AU)

In vitro study activity proliferative fibroblast human submitted to treatment Zincummetallicum and Calendula officianlis in homeopathic ultra dilutions

Cicatrization can be divided into three phases: inflammation, fibroblastic, maturation and remodeling [1]. The extracellular matrix may be replaced by a stronger and more elastic connective tissue. In a scar collagen is the major component of the mature connective tissue [2]. In homeopathic area, the greater is the investigated segment ultra dilutions [6]. However, little research has been done to explore the effect of dynamized drugs in in vitro cell culture [4]. Using the Zincum metallicum 6CH and Calendula officinalis 6CH applied independently in different concentrations in fibroblast cultures sought to determine the increase in proliferative activity using techniques such as IC50, MTT, flow cytometry and quantification of collagen. As expected from the literature, ie both homeopathic according to the literature are used for treatments that Require skin healing, both showed increased proliferative activity, having Calendula most cellular response, presenting as cell cycle stimulating checked via flow cytometry.

Transtorno esquizotípico e homeopatia: relato de caso / Schizotypal personality disorder and homeopathy: case report

Transtornos da personalidade são um grupo de condições caracterizadas por incapacidade para se relacionar com outras pessoas e aprender da experiência. Sujeitos com transtornos da personalidade podem vir a perceber que as suas crenças e atitudes são diferentes daquelas da maioria das pessoas. Outros descobrem que a sua conduta é inusual, inesperada e mesmo ofensiva. No presente artigo é discutido o caso de um paciente de sexo masculino e 42 anos de idade com transtorno esquizotípico, tendo a alucinação típica de ser sujeito de abuso e perseguição, e posterior sensação de formigamento. Com o medicamento homeopático corretamente selecionado a autoconfiança, sintomas somáticos, estresse e preocupação, ansiedade e alucinações melhoraram, o que sugere que a homeopatia pode ser muito útil no tratamento deste tipo de transtornos da personalidade...

Personality disorders are a group of conditions characterized by an inability to get on with other people and learn from experience. People with a personality disorder may find that their beliefs and attitudes are different from those of most other people. Others may find their behavior unusual, unexpected or perhaps offensive. In this paper, we discuss a case of a 42- year-old man with schizotypal personality disorder with typical delusions of being abused and persecuted and subsequent formication. With a properly selected homoeopathic medicine the patient experienced symptom improvement in self-confidence, somatic complaints, stress and worry, anxiety, and delusions, suggesting that homoeopathy is quite useful in the treatment of such personality disorders...

Contenido de zinc, cobre, hierro, calcio, fósforo y magnesio en leche materna en los primeros días de lactanción / Zinc, copper, iron, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium content of maternal milk at early stage of lactation

Se determinó, el contenido de Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca, P y Mg en leche temprana en 72 madres de la ciudad de Caracas. Las muestras fueron colectadas durante tres etapas de lactación: calostro (3 días), transicional (7 días) madura (21 días). Los cambios más marcados en las concentraciones de los elementos estudiados se observan principalmente durante las primeras semanas de lactación, tendiendo a estabilizarse hacia la tercera semana de lactación. El contenido de Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca, P y Mg en leche calostro, fue de 7,1 ñ 2,5 µg/ml, 0,52 ñ 0.15 µg/ml, 0,49 ñ 0,14 µg/ml, 214 ñ 62 µg/ml, 107 ñ 27 µg/ml y 33,3 ñ 5,5 µg/ml. En leche transicional 4,0 ñ 1,0 µg/ml, 0,5 ñ 0,10 µg/ml, 0,38 ñ µg/ml, 292 ñ 62 µg/ml, 213 ñ 36 µg/ml y 30,4 ñ 5,2 µg/ml y en leche madura 2,8 ñ 2,7 µg/ml, 0,47 ñ 0,08 µg/ml, 0,36 ñ 0,09 µg/ml, 224 ñ 49 µg/ml, 175 ñ 35 µg/ml y 25,2 ñ 3,3 µg/ml. Las concentraciones de los elementos traza estudiados (Zn, Fe, Cu) se mantienen dentro de los niveles considerados normales. Los valores de los elementos mayoritarios (Ca, P, Mg) son comparables a los reportados en la bibliografía para otros países. Estos resultados sugieren que el estado nutricional de esta población de madres es adecuado, para satisfacer las demandas del lactante en las primeras etapas de su vida