Plasma concentrations and placental immunostaining of interleukin-10 and tumornecrosis factor-α as predictors of alterations in the embryo-fetal organism and the placental development of diabetic rats

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) appears to be the key cytokine for the maintenance of pregnancy and inhibits the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). However, there are no studies evaluating the profile of these cytokines in diabetic rat models. Thus, our aim was to analyze IL-10 and TNF-α immunostaining in placental tissue and their respective concentrations in maternal plasma during pregnancy in diabetic rats in order to determine whether these cytokines can be used as predictors of alterations in the embryo-fetal organism and in placental development. These parameters were evaluated in non-diabetic (control; N = 15) and Wistar rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (N = 15). At term, the dams (100 days of life) were killed under anesthesia and plasma and placental samples were collected for IL-10 and TNF-α determinations by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The reproductive performance was analyzed. Plasma IL-10 concentrations were reduced in STZ rats compared to controls (7.6 ± 4.5 vs 20.9 ± 8.1 pg/mL). The placental scores of immunostaining intensity did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). Prevalence analysis showed that the IL-10 expression followed TNF-α expression, showing a balance between them. STZ rats also presented impaired reproductive performance and reduced plasma IL-10 levels related to damage during early embryonic development. However, the increased placental IL-10 as a compensatory mechanism for the deficit of maternal regulation permitted embryo development. Therefore, the data suggest that IL-10 can be used as a predictor of changes in the embryo-fetal organism and in placental development in pregnant diabetic rats.

Ocorrência do uso de plantas medicinais por moradores de um bairro do município de Marília-SP / The use of herbal medicine by inhabitants of a part of the city of Marília (SP, Brazil)

As plantas medicinais continuam ocupando lugar de destaque no arsenal terapêutico e muitas vezes, é o único recurso de muitas comunidades e grupos étnicos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi pesquisar a ocorrência do uso de plantas medicinais em residências de um bairro do município de Marília-SP. Foram entrevistados moradores de 150 residências do Jardim Lavínia, no período de março a julho de 2006. Foram aplicados questionários semi-estruturados para o levantamento dos dados. Os resultados mostraram que 19,34% das residências, possuíam plantas e destas, 41,37% de Melissaofficinalis, 31,03% de Matricaria chamomilla, 13,79% de Camellia sinensis, Mentha piperita e Foeniculum vulgare, 6,89% de Valeriana officinalis, Baccharis triptera, Peumus boldus e 27,52% outros. A indicação do uso foi de 55,17% por amigos/parentes, 13,79% por TV/Rádio, 13,79% por cultura/crenças, 6,89% não responderam e apenas 10,34% por prescrição médica. Das plantas medicinais encontradas, 31,25% eram utilizados de modo contrário à sua finalidade. Dos moradores entrevistados, 41,37% apresentavam idade acima de 46 anos e 31,03% possuíam ensino superior completo. Estes dados permitem concluir que mesmo o consumo sendo amplo no Brasil, ainda existe escassez de informação e a falta desta se dá também em indivíduos de nível superior, podendo gerar uso incorreto. Os meios de comunicação já não são mais os grandes vilões do estímulo do uso das plantas medicinais, a cultura popular faz com que as indicações sejam transmitidas de pessoa para pessoa, atingindo também a população mais favorecida economicamente

Medicinal herbs continue to occupy an important place in the therapeutic arsenal and frequently are the only available resource for some communities and ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of medicinal herbs in the population of Marília (São Paulo State, Brazil). The occupants of 150 houses in a popular residential district (Jardim Lavinia) were interviewed between March and July 2006, with the aid of semi-structured questionnaires. The results showed that 19.34% of the households had medicinal herbs; of these, 41.37% had Melissa officinalis, 31.03% Matricaria chamomilla, 13.79% Camellia sinensis, Mentha piperita and Foeniculum vulgare, 6.89% Valeriana officinalis, Baccharis triptera and Peumus boldus and 27.52% had others. Their use was recommended in 55.17% of cases by friends?family, 13.79% by TV?radio, 13.79% by received culture or belief, only 10.34% by medical prescription and 6.89% did not answer. 31.25% of the herbs found were used in ways contrary to their recommended use. 41.37% of the interviewees were more than 46 years old and 31.03% had completed university courses. It can be concluded from these data that, although medicinal herbs are widely consumed in Brazil, there is still a shortage of information about them, even among people with higher education, which can lead to incorrect use. The media is no longer the big promoter of herbal medication; popular culture enables indicated treatments to spread from person to person, also reaching the more advantaged population.