RESUMEN
ABSTRACT Background The inherent complications of cirrhosis include protein-calorie malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.Changes in taste are detrimental to the nutritional status, and the mechanism to explain these changes is not well documented in the cirrhotic patients. Objective To evaluate the taste buds of cirrhotic rats. Methods Fourteen male Wistar rats were evaluated. After 16 weeks, the liver was removed to histologically diagnose cirrhosis, and blood was collected to perform liver integrity tests. The tongue was removed for histological examination and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against protein gene product PGP 9.5 and the sweet taste receptors T1R2 and T1R3. Morphological changes were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Serum zinc levels were measured. Results The cirrhotic animals, but not the control animals, exhibited zinc deficiency. In both groups, there was positive immunoreactivity for type II and III cells and T1R2 receptors. The cirrhotic animals had no immunoreactivity for T1R3 receptors. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the cirrhotic group revealed a uniform tapering of the gustatory papillae. Conclusion In conclusion the experimental cirrhosis model mimicked the biochemical and histological parameters of human cirrhosis, therefore enabling a study of the gustatory papillae and taste buds.
RESUMO Contexto As complicações inerentes de cirrose incluem a desnutrição proteico-calórica e deficiências de micronutrientes. Alterações no paladar são prejudiciais para o estado nutricional e o mecanismo para explicar essas mudanças não é bem documentada nos pacientes cirróticos. Objetivo Avaliar as papilas gustativas de ratos cirróticos. Métodos Foram avaliados 14 ratos Wistar machos. Após 16 semanas, o fígado foi removido para diagnosticar histologicamente cirrose, e o sangue foi colhido para efetuar testes de integridade hepática. A língua foi removida para exame histológico e imuno-histoquímica utilizando anticorpos contra o gene da proteína PGP 9.5 e os receptores de sabor doce T1R2 e T1R3. As alterações morfológicas foram determinadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e os níveis de zinco no soro foram medidos. Resultados Os animais cirróticos, em relação aos animais controle, apresentaram deficiência de zinco significativa. Em ambos os grupos, houve imunorreatividade positiva para o tipo II e células III e receptores T1R2. Os animais cirróticos não tinham imunoreactividade para receptores T1R3. Microscopia eletrônica de varredura do grupo cirrótico revelou um afilamento uniforme das papilas gustativas. Conclusão O modelo de cirrose experimental imitou os parâmetros bioquímicos e histológicos de cirrose humana, portanto, permitindo um estudo das papilas gustativas e paladar.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Animales , Masculino , Ratas , Papilas Gustativas/patología , Lengua/patología , Cirrosis Hepática Experimental/inducido químicamente , Papilas Gustativas/fisiopatología , Lengua/fisiopatología , Zinc/deficiencia , Inmunohistoquímica , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
The circumvallate papillae differ from other gustatory structures in the number of taste buds and the presenceof a secretory apparatus associated with specialized serous glands, the Von-Ebners glands. This study evaluatedthe histopathological alterations in these structures and their associated tissues in relation to the smokinghabit. Thirty-two tongues, from a previously selected sample of 45 were studied, of which 16 belonged tosmokers and 16 to non-smoker individuals. They were obtained at necropsies from the morgue of the DeathVerification Service of UFPE, in agreement with the Secretary of Health of Pernambuco in Recife. A totalof 94 circumvallate papillae were studied. The samples were classified in two groups: smokers (S) and nonsmokers(NS). Three main alterations - inflammation, hyperplasia, and hyperkeratosis - were more frequentlyobserved in the analyzed samples. Many of these alterations can also be the result of other external factorsrather than cigarette smoking.