Non-Status Epilepticus female rats show seizure-like behaviors in the chronic phase of Pilocarpine experimental model / Ratas sem Status Epilepticus apresentam comportamento do tipo crise epiléptica na fase crônica do modelo experimental da Pilocarpina

Only few studies have focus on animals that received Pilocarpine (Pilo) and did not develop behavioral status epilepticus (SE) and, whether they may become epileptic in the model's chronic phase. Previews works observed mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus of Non-SE (NSE) rats, while others observed spontaneous and recurrent seizures (SRS) 6 - 8 months after animals received Pilo. It is known that neuronal excitability is influenced by female hormones, as well as, the occurrence of SE in castrated and non-castrated female rats. However, it is not known whether females that received Pilo and did not show SE, may have SRS. The aim of this work was to investigate whether castrated and non-castrated female rats that did not show behavioral SE after Pilo, will develop SRS in the following one-year. For that, animals received 360 mg/kg of Pilo and were video monitored for 12 months. SE females from castrated and non-castrated groups became epileptic since the first month after drug injection. Epileptic behaviors were identified watching video monitoring recordings in the fast speed. Castrated and Non castrated NSE animals showed behaviors resembling seizures described by Racine Scale stages 1 - 3. Motor alterations showed by NSE groups could be observed only when recordings were analyzed in slow speed. In addition, behavioral manifestations as, rhythmic head movements, sudden head movements, whole body movements and immobility were also observed in both, SE and NSE groups. We concluded that NSE female rats may have become epileptic. Adding to it, slow speed analysis of motor alterations was essential for the observation of NSE findings, which suggests that possibly many motor alterations have been underestimated in epilepsy experimental research.

Poucos são os estudos com foco em animais que receberam Pilocarpina (Pilo) e não desenvolveram status epilepticus (SE) comportamental e, se os mesmos se tornarão epilépticos na fase crônica do modelo. Autores observaram o brotamento das fibras musgosas no hipocampo de ratos Não-SE (NSE), enquanto outros observaram crises espontâneas e recorrentes (CER) 6 - 8 meses após receberam a droga. A excitabilidade neuronal é influenciada pelos hormônios femininos e, da mesma forma, a ocorrência de SE em ratas castradas e não-castradas. Entretanto, não é sabido se as fêmeas que não apresentam SE terão CER. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar se fêmeas castradas e não castradas que não tiveram SE comportamental após a injeção de Pilo desenvolverão CER dentro de um ano. Para isto, os animais receberam 360 mg/kg de Pilo e foram videomonitorados por 12 meses. As fêmeas SE castradas e não-castradas se tornaram epilépticas desde o primeiro mês pós Pilo. O comportamento epiléptico foi identificado assistindo as gravações na velocidade rápida. As fêmeas NSE castradas e não-castradas apresentaram comportamentos similares aos estágios 1 - 3 da Escala de Racine. As alterações motoras nestes grupos (NSE) foram observadas apenas quando as videomonitoração foi analisada na velocidade lenta. Além destas, manifestações comportamentais como movimentos rítmicos da cabeça, movimentos súbitos da cabeça, movimentos de todo o corpo e imobilidade também foram observadas em ambos grupos, SE e NSE. Concluímos que as fêmeas NE podem ter se tornado epilépticas. Adicionado a isto, a análise das alterações motoras na velocidade lenta foi essencial para a observação dos achados das fêmeas NSE, o que sugere que possivelmente muitas alterações motoras têm sido subestimados na pesquisa em epilepsia experimental.

Non-Status Epilepticus female rats show seizure-like behaviors in the chronic phase of Pilocarpine experimental model

Abstract Only few studies have focus on animals that received Pilocarpine (Pilo) and did not develop behavioral status epilepticus (SE) and, whether they may become epileptic in the models chronic phase. Previews works observed mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus of Non-SE (NSE) rats, while others observed spontaneous and recurrent seizures (SRS) 6 - 8 months after animals received Pilo. It is known that neuronal excitability is influenced by female hormones, as well as, the occurrence of SE in castrated and non-castrated female rats. However, it is not known whether females that received Pilo and did not show SE, may have SRS. The aim of this work was to investigate whether castrated and non-castrated female rats that did not show behavioral SE after Pilo, will develop SRS in the following one-year. For that, animals received 360 mg/kg of Pilo and were video monitored for 12 months. SE females from castrated and non-castrated groups became epileptic since the first month after drug injection. Epileptic behaviors were identified watching video monitoring recordings in the fast speed. Castrated and Non-castrated NSE animals showed behaviors resembling seizures described by Racine Scale stages 1 - 3. Motor alterations showed by NSE groups could be observed only when recordings were analyzed in slow speed. In addition, behavioral manifestations as, rhythmic head movements, sudden head movements, whole body movements and immobility were also observed in both, SE and NSE groups. We concluded that NSE female rats may have become epileptic. Adding to it, slow speed analysis of motor alterations was essential for the observation of NSE findings, which suggests that possibly many motor alterations have been underestimated in epilepsy experimental research.

Resumo Poucos são os estudos com foco em animais que receberam Pilocarpina (Pilo) e não desenvolveram status epilepticus (SE) comportamental e, se os mesmos se tornarão epilépticos na fase crônica do modelo. Autores observaram o brotamento das fibras musgosas no hipocampo de ratos Não-SE (NSE), enquanto outros observaram crises espontâneas e recorrentes (CER) 6 - 8 meses após receberam a droga. A excitabilidade neuronal é influenciada pelos hormônios femininos e, da mesma forma, a ocorrência de SE em ratas castradas e não-castradas. Entretanto, não é sabido se as fêmeas que não apresentam SE terão CER. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar se fêmeas castradas e não castradas que não tiveram SE comportamental após a injeção de Pilo desenvolverão CER dentro de um ano. Para isto, os animais receberam 360 mg/kg de Pilo e foram videomonitorados por 12 meses. As fêmeas SE castradas e não-castradas se tornaram epilépticas desde o primeiro mês pós Pilo. O comportamento epiléptico foi identificado assistindo as gravações na velocidade rápida. As fêmeas NSE castradas e não-castradas apresentaram comportamentos similares aos estágios 1 - 3 da Escala de Racine. As alterações motoras nestes grupos (NSE) foram observadas apenas quando as videomonitoração foi analisada na velocidade lenta. Além destas, manifestações comportamentais como movimentos rítmicos da cabeça, movimentos súbitos da cabeça, movimentos de todo o corpo e imobilidade também foram observadas em ambos grupos, SE e NSE. Concluímos que as fêmeas NE podem ter se tornado epilépticas. Adicionado a isto, a análise das alterações motoras na velocidade lenta foi essencial para a observação dos achados das fêmeas NSE, o que sugere que possivelmente muitas alterações motoras têm sido subestimados na pesquisa em epilepsia experimental.

Non-Status Epilepticus female rats show seizure-like behaviors in the chronic phase of Pilocarpine experimental model / Ratas sem Status Epilepticus apresentam comportamento do tipo crise epiléptica na fase crônica do modelo experimental da Pilocarpina

Abstract Only few studies have focus on animals that received Pilocarpine (Pilo) and did not develop behavioral status epilepticus (SE) and, whether they may become epileptic in the model's chronic phase. Previews works observed mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus of Non-SE (NSE) rats, while others observed spontaneous and recurrent seizures (SRS) 6 - 8 months after animals received Pilo. It is known that neuronal excitability is influenced by female hormones, as well as, the occurrence of SE in castrated and non-castrated female rats. However, it is not known whether females that received Pilo and did not show SE, may have SRS. The aim of this work was to investigate whether castrated and non-castrated female rats that did not show behavioral SE after Pilo, will develop SRS in the following one-year. For that, animals received 360 mg/kg of Pilo and were video monitored for 12 months. SE females from castrated and non-castrated groups became epileptic since the first month after drug injection. Epileptic behaviors were identified watching video monitoring recordings in the fast speed. Castrated and Non-castrated NSE animals showed behaviors resembling seizures described by Racine Scale stages 1 - 3. Motor alterations showed by NSE groups could be observed only when recordings were analyzed in slow speed. In addition, behavioral manifestations as, rhythmic head movements, sudden head movements, whole body movements and immobility were also observed in both, SE and NSE groups. We concluded that NSE female rats may have become epileptic. Adding to it, slow speed analysis of motor alterations was essential for the observation of NSE findings, which suggests that possibly many motor alterations have been underestimated in epilepsy experimental research.

Resumo Poucos são os estudos com foco em animais que receberam Pilocarpina (Pilo) e não desenvolveram status epilepticus (SE) comportamental e, se os mesmos se tornarão epilépticos na fase crônica do modelo. Autores observaram o brotamento das fibras musgosas no hipocampo de ratos Não-SE (NSE), enquanto outros observaram crises espontâneas e recorrentes (CER) 6 - 8 meses após receberam a droga. A excitabilidade neuronal é influenciada pelos hormônios femininos e, da mesma forma, a ocorrência de SE em ratas castradas e não-castradas. Entretanto, não é sabido se as fêmeas que não apresentam SE terão CER. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar se fêmeas castradas e não castradas que não tiveram SE comportamental após a injeção de Pilo desenvolverão CER dentro de um ano. Para isto, os animais receberam 360 mg/kg de Pilo e foram videomonitorados por 12 meses. As fêmeas SE castradas e não-castradas se tornaram epilépticas desde o primeiro mês pós Pilo. O comportamento epiléptico foi identificado assistindo as gravações na velocidade rápida. As fêmeas NSE castradas e não-castradas apresentaram comportamentos similares aos estágios 1 - 3 da Escala de Racine. As alterações motoras nestes grupos (NSE) foram observadas apenas quando as videomonitoração foi analisada na velocidade lenta. Além destas, manifestações comportamentais como movimentos rítmicos da cabeça, movimentos súbitos da cabeça, movimentos de todo o corpo e imobilidade também foram observadas em ambos grupos, SE e NSE. Concluímos que as fêmeas NE podem ter se tornado epilépticas. Adicionado a isto, a análise das alterações motoras na velocidade lenta foi essencial para a observação dos achados das fêmeas NSE, o que sugere que possivelmente muitas alterações motoras têm sido subestimados na pesquisa em epilepsia experimental.

Elasticidad precio y elasticidad ingreso de la demanda de cerveza en México / Price elasticity and income elasticity of the demand for beer in Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar la elasticidad precio y la elasticidad ingreso de la demanda de cerveza en México. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron series mensuales de ventas y precios de cerveza de 2007 a 2019. Se estimó la elasticidad a largo plazo mediante un modelo de mínimos cuadrados ordinarios (MCO). La elasticidad en el corto plazo se estimó mediante un modelo de mínimos cuadrados ordinarios dinámicos (MCOD). Resultados: La elasticidad precio en el largo plazo fue de -1.40 (IC95%: -2.53 a -0.27) y -1.31 (IC95%: -2.46 a -0.15) en el corto plazo. La elasticidad ingreso de la demanda en el largo y en el corto plazo se estimó en 0.86 (IC95%: 0.44-1.29) y 0.93 (IC95%: 0.51-1.34), respectivamente. Conclusión: Los hallazgos de este estudio sugieren que las políticas fiscales pueden tener un impacto positivo en la salud de la población al reducir el consumo de cerveza.

Abstract: Objective: Estimate the price and income elasticities of the demand for beer in Mexico. Materials and methods: Monthly series on beer sales and prices from 2007 to 2019 were used. Long-term elasticity was estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS). Short-term elasticity was estimated using a dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) model. Results: The price elasticity was in the long term of -1.40 (95%CI: -2.53 to -0.27) and -1.31 (95%CI: -2.46 to -0.15) in the short term. The income elasticity of demand in the long and short term was estimated at 0.86 (95%CI: 0.44-1.29 and 0.93 (95%CI: 0.51-1.34), respectively. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that fiscal policies may have a positive impact on the health of the population by reducing beer consumption.

Mala nutrición a nivel municipal en población preescolar mexicana y cobertura del Programa Nacional México Sin Hambre / Municipal malnutrition in Mexican preschool children population and coverage of the Programa Nacional México Sin Hambre

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar las prevalencias municipales de mala nutrición en población preescolar en México, y describir su variabilidad y su relación con la cobertura del Programa Nacional México Sin Hambre. Material y métodos: A partir de datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición de 2012, la desigualdad del ingreso y marginación municipal se aplicó un modelo normal generalizado para obtener las distribuciones municipales de los indicadores de nutrición y estimar las prevalencias de mala nutrición. Resultados: Las prevalencias de talla baja variaron de 7.8% (IC95%: 5.9-8.9) a 64.2% (49.2-72.5), las de bajo peso de 0.6% (0.005-1.7) a 22.2% (13.5-34.9) y de sobrepeso u obesidad de 2.6% (0.2-3.9) a 14.4% (11.9-27.7). De los 554 municipios con prevalencias de talla baja mayor que 25%, 275 fueron cubiertos por el programa México Sin Hambre. Conclusiones: La estimación de prevalencias municipales de mala nutrición evidenció grandes diferencias al interior del país, mismas que podrían asistir la política pública.

Abstract: Objective: To estimate malnutrition prevalence of preschool children at the level of municipality in Mexico, describe prevalence heterogeneity and its relationship with the Programa Nacional México Sin Hambre´s coverage. Materials and methods: Using the 2012 Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition, municipal income inequality and marginality, we applied a generalized normal model to obtain municipal distributions of nutrition status indicators from which we estimated malnutrition prevalence. Results: Stunting prevalence ranged from 7.8% (95%CI: 5.9-8.9) to 64.2% (49.2-72.5), low weight prevalence ranged from 0.6% (0.005-1.7) to 22.2% (13.5-34.9) and overweight-obesity prevalence ranged from 2.6% (0.2-3.9) to 14.4% (11.9-27.7). A total of 275 out of 554 municipalities with stunting prevalence above 25% were covered by the Programa Nacional México Sin Hambre. Conclusions: Municipal malnutrition prevalence estimation showed wide differences within Mexico; this knowledge could assist public policy.

Situación de las prácticas de lactancia materna y alimentación complementaria en México: resultados de la Ensanut 2018-19 / Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in Mexico: results from Ensanut 2018-19

Resumen Objetivo . Actualizar prevalencias de indicadores de prácticas de lactancia materna y alimentación complementaria (PLMAC) en menores de 24 meses en México. Material y métodos. Análisis de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut 2018-19) con diseño probabilístico. Población: Mujeres 12-59 años y sus hijos <24 meses. Cálculo de indicadores propuestos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) por variables sociodemográficas utilizando el diseño muestral. Se usó la prueba de Wald para comparar entre categorías. Resultados. El 28.3% de los niños <6 meses recibió lactancia materna exclusiva (LME), 42.9% de los niños <12 meses consumió fórmula infantil y 29% continuó lactando a los dos años. Sólo 49.4% de los niños de 6-11 meses consumió alimentos ricos en hierro. Conclusiones: Existen mejoras en las prácticas de lactancia materna, aunque las cifras siguen siendo bajas. Se requiere de la contribución de todos los sectores de la sociedad para mejorar las prácticas de alimentación infantil.

Abstract: Objective. To update the prevalence of infant and young child feeding indicators (IYCFI) in children under 24 months in Mexico. Materials and methods: Ensanut 2018-19 national representative survey with probabilistic design. Population: Women 12-59 years and their children <24 months. The indicators proposed by the World Health Organization were assessed by sociodemographic variables of the mothers using the sample design. Wald's test was used to compare between categories. Results: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children under six months was 28.3%, 42.9% of children under 12 months consumed infant formula and 29% continued breastfeeding at two years. Around 30% of children between 6 and 11 months did not meet the recommended minimum dietary diversity and only 49.4% consumed iron-rich foods. Conclusions: There are improvements in breastfeeding practices in Mexico, although the figures are low. The coordinated contribution from all sectors of society is required to improve infant feeding practices.

Salud y seguridad laboral: intervención educativa en trabajadores de limpieza en áreas de investigación / Occupational health and safety: educational intervention for cleaning workers in research sectors

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de una intervención educativa sobre salud y seguridad laboral bajo principios de bioseguridad en trabajadores y trabajadoras de limpieza de una institución de salud. Material y métodos: Evaluación con métodos mixtos concurrentes sobre conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas en bioseguridad y percepción de riesgos, con medición basal y dos seguimientos, en 31 trabajadores y trabajadoras. Se realizaron modelos fraccionales separados para estimar interacciones de las mediciones. Se hizo análisis cualitativo temático y triangulación metodológica. Resultados: Los conocimientos (+33.3 puntos, escala 0-100), actitudes (+10.6) y prácticas (+23.5) incrementaron significativamente en el primer seguimiento; los conocimientos disminuyeron en el segundo seguimiento (p<0.001). Los hallazgos cualitativos revelaron mejora en actitudes y prácticas de prevención frente al riesgo, enmarcados por experiencias de vulnerabilidad, estigma y discriminación. Conclusiones: El estudio aporta elementos clave para la investigación en bioseguridad relacionada con grupos vulnerables y es efectivo para la promoción de la salud de un sector desfavorecido e invisibilizado.

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the results of educational intervention on health and safety regarding principles of biosafety in cleaning workers of a health institution. Materials and methods: Using concurrent mixed methods, we evaluated a total of 31 workers on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices of biosafety and risk perception. We conducted baseline measurements and two follow-ups. Fractional logistic regression models were fitted with study stage as covariate. Additional models included interactions of study stage with key workers characteristics. Thematic qualitative analysis and triangulation was developed. Results: The knowledge (+33.3 points, scale 0-100), attitudes (+10.6), and practices (+23.5) increased significantly in the first follow-up; knowledge decreased in the second follow-up (p<0.001). The qualitative findings revealed an improvement in risk prevention attitudes and practices, framed by experiences of vulnerability, stigma, and discrimination. Conclusions: The study provides key elements for biosafety research related to vulnerable groups and it is effective in promoting the health of a disadvantaged and invisible sector.

Bias correction of nutritional status estimates when reported age is used for calculating WHO indicators in children under five years of age / Corrección de sesgos de estimación cuando se utiliza la edad reportada para calcular los indicadores del estado de nutrición de la OMS en niños menores de cinco años de edad

Abstract: Objective: To assess the performance of a simple correction method for nutritional status estimates in children under five years of age when exact age is not available from the data. Materials and methods: The proposed method was based on the assumption of symmetry of age distributions within a given month of age and validated in a large population-based survey sample of Mexican preschool children. Results: The main distributional assumption was consistent with the data. All prevalence estimates derived from the correction method showed no statistically significant bias. In contrast, failing to correct attained age resulted in an underestimation of stunting in general and an overestimation of overweight or obesity among the youngest. Conclusions: The proposed method performed remarkably well in terms of bias correction of estimates and could be easily applied in situations in which either birth or interview dates are not available from the data.

Resumen: Objetivo: Estudiar el desempeño de un método simple de corrección para los estimadores del estado de nutrición en niños menores de cinco años cuando no se cuenta con la edad exacta en los datos. Material y métodos: El método se basó en el supuesto de simetría en las distribuciones de las edades dentro de un mes de edad dado y se validó utilizando una encuesta representativa de la población mexicana de preescolares. Resultados: El principal supuesto distribucional utilizado por el método fue consistente con los datos. Ninguna de las prevalencias obtenidas a partir del método propuesto presentó sesgos estadísticamente significativos. Cuando se utilizó la edad cumplida sin corregir, se subestimó la prevalencia de talla baja y se sobreestimó la prevalencia de sobrepeso u obesidad en el grupo de menor edad. Conclusiones: El método tuvo un desempeño sobresaliente para la corrección de sesgos y podría ser aplicado cuando no se tienen fechas de entrevista o de nacimiento en los datos.

An Integrated Strategy for Attention in Nutrition (EsIAN) Increases Physicians' and Nurses' Nutrition Knowledge and Perceptions in Mexico.

Objectives: To assess changes in physicians' and nurses nutrition knowledge and perceptions from EsIAN. EsIAN was developed to attend to the nutritional needs of Oportunidades beneficiary families. Oportunidades is the Mexican conditional cash transfer program. In Mexico, appropriate attention to undernutrition and anemia is needed simultaneous with attention to overweight and obesity. EsIAN includes nutritional supplements and a behavior change communication strategy with nutrition counseling tools. The strategy was implemented on pilot scale; we report here the effects on health-care providers' nutrition knowledge and perceptions. Methods: EsIAN was implemented in 2008 in 91 clinics in central Mexico. Effectiveness was assessed in 2012 using a mixed methods approach. Data from two cross-sectional samples were analyzed adjusting standard errors by health care center clusters. Results: Physicians' and nurses' (PN) perceived they have more than 90% capacity to implement the EsIAN in their everyday's practice. Compared to baseline, in 2012 a significantly higher proportion of PN reported recommending exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (85.7% vs. 23.4%) and breastfeeding techniques (79.8% vs. 12.8%) (p<0.001). More than 88% monitored children growth using weight-for-height and height-for-age indicators as recommended by EsIAN. Nutritional supplements seemed appropriate to 97.8% and 92.3% urban and rural PN, respectively. Conclusions: EsIAN is a highly accepted strategy that can be nationally implemented and is effective to improve providers knowledge and perceptions of essential nutrition actions.

Implante de células embrionárias em um modelo experimental de epilepsia / Embryons cells implanted in a experimental model of epilepsy

Estudos experimentais mostram que celulas nervosas provenientes de embriöes säo capazes de sobreviver, em diversas regiöes do SNC de animais adultos. Uma vez integrados ao hospedeiro, esses neurônios podem liberar neurotransmissores específicos em regiöes previamente desnervadas. Essa abordagem oferece a possibilidade de se restabelecer a neurotransmissäo, em patologias nervosas diversas, particularmente as degenerativas. Resultados bastantes favoráveis têm sido obtidos utilizando modelos experimentais de patologias extrapiramidais e quadros demenciais. Em epileptologia, no entanto, resultados favoráveis e desfavoráveis têm sido encontrados. Uma das razöes para a ocorrência de dados conflitantes pode estar relacionada a escolha de modelos experimentais, que nem sempre reproduzem os mesmos fenômenos fisiopatológicos. O objetivo deste trabalho é o de avaliar o efeito do implante de células embrionárias noradrenérgicas sobre um modelo de crises espontâneas no rato. Neste modelo, as crises espontâneas säo observadas após a induçäo de status epilepticus através da administraçäo sistêmica de pilocarpina. Estudos realizados têm indicado ser este modelo muito semelhante às crises parciais complexas humanas associadas a escleose mesial temporal. Células embrionárias provenientes do locus coeruleus foram implantadas no hipocampo de animais epilépticos, sendo os animais acompanhados por 3 meses. A avaliaçäo histológica (imunohistoquímica para tirosina hidroxilase), 90 dias após o implante, demonstrou a presença de neurônios noradrenérgicos em várias regiöes do hipocampo. No entanto, o procedimento näo interferiu na freqüência de crises. Estes resultados diferem de estudos utilizando outros modelos animais, onde o mesmo tipo de transplante apresentou efeito positivo e indicam que, no modelo da pilocarpina, é provável que outros sistemas neurotransmissores estejam envolvidos, além da simples participaçäo isolada do sistema noradrenérgico

HPLC determination of norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytyramine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat brain using sodium dodecyl sulphate as ion-pair

1. A simple HPLC method using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and elelctrochemical detection for the determination of norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytyramine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in brain regions is described. 2. the tissue extraction procedure involved only two stepes: protein precipitation with perchloriac acid and pH adjustment to near 3.0. When used in combination with methanol as ion-pair in the mobile phase, sodium dodecyl sulgate effectively separated NE (6.6 min), epinephrine (EPI), 7.9 min), DA (14.3 min) and 5-HT (29.5 min) and the high methanol concentration used prevente the overlapping of the metabolites and monoamines in their chromatographic peaks. 3. the method was sensitive (40 to 70 pg of monoamine can be quantified) and reproducible and the values obtained for cortex, hippocampus, striatum and substantia nigra were consoant with most literature data

Effect of amygdaloid kindled seizures during pregnancy on neonatal brain biogenic amines

The effects of amygdaloid kindled seizures during pregancy on the concentrations of noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) and of their repective metabolites, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), normetanephrine (NMN), homovanilic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5HIAA), have been studied in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and cerebellum of rat offspring at bith. The levels of DA and NE were invreased and those of HVA and MHPG wee not modified in the cortex. The levels of DA, NE, 5HT, MHPG and 5HIAA were increased in the cerebellum. The brain stem presented a decrease in DA and 5HT levels, but increased MHPG and HVA levels. It is suggested that, in order to investigate possible changes in the biogenic amine loevels on the postnatal period, carefully planned prospective studies are needed

The renal effects of kainic acid

the respone of juvenile cultivated Piaractus mesopotamicus to handling stress, whthout anesthesia, was determined over 3-5 min (T1), 1 h (T2) and 6 h (T3) afeter capture. Plasma cortisol, glucose and total cholesterol were measured. Hyperglycemia present at T2 continued to rise until T3 while plasma cortisol levels increased but were similar at T2 and T3. Total plasma cholesterol was altered only at T3. Hyperglycemic changes were greater in fish without than stomach contents during the T2-T3 period. These differences in hyperglycemic changes may reflect the role of hormones other than cortisol in the regulation of glucose release in these fish

Effects of intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid on estrous cycle in rats

Kainic acid (KA) is a powerful convulsant and neurotoxic agent. In the present paper the acute and long term effects of intrahippocampal KA administration on estrous cycle and on serum concentrations of progesterone were studied in adult female rats. Following KA injection, 3 distinct periods were observed: 1) acute period (24-48 h), 2) silent period (21-30 days), and 3) chronic period, characterized by the appearance of spontaneous of spontaneous recurrent seizures (30-45 days). KA administration did not affect progesterone levels during the acute period. In contrast, during the sislent period, KA treated animals exhibited irregular estrous cycling and decreased progesterone levels. These results are of interest in view of a possible link between epileptic phenomena and hormone secretion