Influence of acute renal failure on the mononuclear phagocytic system

Several studies show the ability of macrophages to remove particles injected into the bloodstream. This function seems to be increased in the presence of acute renal failure. The objective of the present study was to assess the phagocytic function of the main organs (spleen, liver and lung) of the mononuclear phagocytic system in renal and postrenal failures. Fifteen rats (250-350 g) were divided into three groups (N = 5): group I - control; group II - ligature of both ureters, and group III - bilateral nephrectomy. On the third postoperative day, all animals received an iv injection of 1 ml/kg 99mTc sulfur colloid. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of plasma urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium concentrations and arterial gasometry. Samples of liver, spleen, lung and blood clots were obtained and radioactivity was measured. Samples of liver, spleen, lung and kidney were prepared for routine histopathological analysis. Plasma urea, creatinine and potassium concentrations in groups II and III were higher than in group I (P<0.05). Plasma sodium concentrations in groups II and III were lower than in group I (P<0.05). Compensated metabolic acidosis was observed in the presence of postrenal failure. Group II animals showed a lower level of radioactivity in the spleen (0.98) and lung (2.63), and a higher level in the liver (105.51) than control. Group III animals showed a lower level of radioactivity in the spleen (11.94) and a higher level in the liver (61.80), lung (11.30) and blood clot (5.13) than control. In groups II and III liver steatosis and bronchopneumonia were observed. Renal and postrenal failures seem to interfere with blood clearance by the mononuclear phagocytic system

Preparo do 99mTc - DTPA para estudos de cintilografia renal / 99mTc DTPA for renal scintilography studies

O objetivo deste trabalho foi preparar, em condiçöes adequadas, o fármaco (DTPA) marcado com isótopo radioativo para estudos de cinrilografia renal. Além de avaliar a funçäo renal, este fármaco permite diagnosticar, precocemente, alteraçöes que indicam rejeiçäo de tecido, em casos de transplante de rins. Inicialmente, foram realizados experimentos com camundongos para investigar a distribuiçäo biológica do radiofármaco. Os resultados mostraram que, alguns minutos após a administraçäo, os rins apresentavam uma captaçäo de radioatividade. Estes dados e os resultados dos testes de esterilidade, apirogenicidade e pureza radioquímica confirmaram a qualidade do radiofármaco, permitindo o seu emprego em cintilografias de pacientes com comprometimento renal

Morning steroid profile in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia under different hydrocortisone schedules.

We studied 13 children with 21-hydroxyalse deficiency to explore the immediate potential suppressive effect of hydrocortisone dose schedule on the adrenal cortex. They were given 20 mg/m2 daily in a controlled trial. After random administration of a greater dose in the morning (7 patients) or at night (6 patients), we measured plasma levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione at times-24, 0, 2, 4, and 6h. Considerable fluctuation of the steroid levels, unrelated to the drug intake, was observed. There was no statistically significant differences between the "morning dose" and "night dose" groups for any steroid. We conclude that; (i) the greater night dose did not avoid the 17-hydroxyprogesterone morning peaks, and (ii) the variation in plasma steroid levels is so marked that a single morning sample is unreliable to reflect the degree of adrenal suppression.

Comparison of the anti-inflammatory effects of topically applied aspirin and indomethacin following photocoagulation of the rabbit iris

A comparative study of the inhibitory action of topically applied indomethacin and aspirin (1% (w/v) 2 h before and immediately after trauma, totaling 4 mg each) on myosis, increase in intraocular pressure and breakdown of the blood aqueous barrier was performed. Argon laser photocoagulation on the anterior surface of the left iris of pigmented rabbits, totaling 2,250 mJ, was used as traumatic stimulus. The untraumatized eye was used as a reference for measurements. Four groups of 10 animals each (control, photocoagulated plus indomethacin and photocoagulated plus aspirin) were studied. Both drugs similarly inhibited the increase in the total protein concentration in aqueous humor and in intraocular pressure at 10,20 and 40 min. Only aspirin showed some inhibitory action on the pupillary response 10 min after photocoagulation

Uveíte esquistossomótica: alteraçöes fundoscópicas; achados histológicos do ovo do S. mansoni, abordagem da etiologia e tratamento / Uveitis caused by schistosomiasis: fundus changes, histopathological finding of S. mansoni's egg and clinical boarding and treatment

Este trabalho vem acrescentar mais uma entidade etiológica ao capítulo das Uveites - a Coroidite Esquistossomótica - fato inédito na literatura mundial. Apresentamos 6 casos clínicos, os quais säo descritos através de estudo laboratorial, anamnéstico, biomicroscópico, fundoscópico e angioretinográfico. O aspecto morfológico em 5 dos casoselhante e bilateral, caracterizado por nódulos branco-amarelados, de tamanhos variados, distribuidos pela coroide, e 1 caso foi unilateral, com nódulos e papilite. Além desses casos, descrevemos 1 caso no qual tivemos a felicidade de constatar, pela histologia de 100 cortes, a presença de S. mansoni na coroide. Também fazemos uma discussäo sobre os diagnósticos diferenciais e as possíveis vías pelas quais o parasita alcança a coroide, e outras formas de uveite