Morphometric investigation of neurons in the hippocampal CA1, CA3 areas and dentate gyrus in a rat model of sepsis / Investigación morfométrica de neuronas en las áreas hipocampales CA1, CA3 y giro dentado en un modelo de sepsis en rata

Approximately, half of the patients with progressive sepsis develop encephalopathy, but there is scarce knowledge onto question that how the sepsis associated encephalopathy contributes brain dysfunction. Hippocampus is one of the most vulnerable regions during experimental sepsis. In the present study, effects of sepsis on the neuronal density and morphology in CA1, CA3 and DG areas were investigated in a rat model of intraperitoneal sepsis. Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into three different groups: faecal peritonitis group, sham-operated and un-operated control groups. Pyramidal neuron volume density was significantly higher in CA1 area of the faecal peritonitis group compared to both un-operated (p<0.05) and sham-operated (p<0.05) groups. Pyramidal neuron volume density was also significantly higher in CA3 area of the faecal peritonitis group compared to both un-operated (p<0.05) and sham-operated (p<0.05) groups. Mean nuclear diameter of pyramidal neurons in CA1 area of the faecal peritonitis group was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to un-operated control group. Dark, shrunken neurons were frequently observed and neuroglial cells appeared to be prevalent in the faecal peritonitis group compared to control groups. These results collectively suggest that intraperitoneal sepsis does not initiate cell death in the early stages of sepsis, although morphological signs of neurodegeneration start to appear.

Aproximadamente, la mitad de los pacientes con sepsis progresiva desarrollan encefalopatía, pero hay escaso conocimiento en cuestión de como la sepsis asociada con encefalopatía contribuye a la disfunción cerebral. El hipocampo es una de las regiones más vulnerables durante la sepsis experimental. En el presente estudio, fueron analizados los efectos de la sepsis sobre la densidad neuronal y la morfología en las áreas CA1, CA3 y giro dentado en un modelo de sepsis intraperitoneal en rata. Veinticuatro ratas Wistar se dividieron en tres grupos diferentes: grupo de peritonitis fecal, operación simulada y control no operado. La densidad del volúmen piramidal fue significativamente mayor en el área CA1 del grupo con peritonitis fecal en comparación con los grupos no operados (p<0,05) y la operación simulada (p<0,05). La densidad de volumen de las neuronas piramidales fue significativamente mayor en el área CA3 del grupo peritonitis fecal en comparación con los no operado (p<0,05) y la operación simulada (p<0,05). El diámetro promedio nuclear de las neuronas piramidales en la zona CA1 del grupo de peritonitis fecal fue significativamente menor (p<0,05) en comparación con el grupo de control no operado. Las neuronas fueron observadas con frecuencia reducidas y las células neurogliales parecen ser frecuentes en el grupo de peritonitis fecal en comparación con grupos de control. Estos resultados en conjunto sugieren que la sepsis intraperitoneal no inicia la muerte celular en las primeras etapas de la sepsis, aunque los signos morfológicos de la neurodegeneración empiezan a aparecer.

Minimally invasive lumbar microendoscopic discectomy in the pregnant patient: report of two cases

While back pain is a common occurrence during pregnancy, having been reported in up to 50% of all gestations, rarely are hemiated intervertebral discs found. Hemiated lumbar intervertebral discs have a reported incidence of 1 in 10,000 pregnant patients, and therefore surgical intervention is rarely necessary during gestation. Minimally invasive lumbar microendoscopic discectomy during pregnancy has not been reported in the literature. Here, we describe two cases where this technique was used in pregnant patients. Two cases are presented. A 35-year-old G4P3 female presented with left leg radicular symptoms. An MRI revealed a large left L4 - 5 disc hemiation. After failing conservative therapy, she underwent a left minimally invasive L4 - 5 microendoscopic discectomy at 15 weeks gestation. A 36-year-old G2P1 female developed left leg radicular symptoms at 19 weeks gestation. An EMG was performed which showed a left S1 radiculopathy, and an MRI showed a large left L5 - S1 disc hemiation. She failed conservative therapy and underwent a left minimally invasive L5 - S1 microendoscopic discectomy in the lateral decubitus position at 27 weeks gestation. Both patients had full recovery of their radicular symptoms after surgery. Hospital stay was less than 24 hours, and both patients delivered without complication at full term. They suffered no deleterious effects from anaesthetic administration. Minimally invasive lumbar microendoscopic discectomy is a viable option for the surgical treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc hemiations in symptomatic pregnant patients. While the surgical technique may need to be modified due to the gravid abdomen by using the lateral decubitus position and minimizing radiographic exposure, this procedure provides the added benefit of shorter operative time, decreased narcotic requirement, and shorter length of hospital stay

Effects of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) (scorpiones: buthidae) venom on rats: correlation among acetylcholinesterase activities and electrolytes levels

Scorpions can be considered living fossils because they have changed so little during the last 400 million years. They are venomous arthropods of the Arachnida class and regarded as relatives of spiders, ticks and mites. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) venom and its effects on the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity and on electrolytes levels in rats. Animals were divided into seven groups of five rats each. Test groups received 250æg/kg of venom solution while control group was treated with 200æl of physiological saline solution (PSS). Blood samples were collected from the animals on the 1st, 2nd 4th, 8th, 12th, and 24th hours after subcutaneous injection of venom. Animals were monitored for 24 hours. Androctonus crassicauda venom significantly reduced AchE activity on the 12th hour when compared with control group. A statistically negative correlation between Na+ and K+ (p<0.05) and a positive correlation between Na+ and CL- (p<0.001) ions levels were observed after the administration of A. crassiccauda venom to rats. We can conclude that the differences in the electrolytes levels are due to acute renal failure, since elimination of toxin occurs primarily via the kidney.(AU)