L-glutamine supplementation reduced morphological damage in the renal glomerulus of rats with Walker-256 tumor

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the experimental subcutaneous Walker-256 tumor and L-glutamine supplementation, an antioxidant, on the glomerular morphology of rats. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 5): control (C); control treated with 2% L-glutamine (CG); rats with Walker-256 tumor (WT); and rats with Walker-256 tumor treated with 2% L-glutamine (WTG). Renal histological samples were submitted to periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's Trichrome staining to analyze glomerular density, morphometry of glomerular components and glomerulosclerosis; and to immunohistochemistry for fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Results: WT showed 50% reduction in body mass gain and cachexia index > 10%, while WTG demonstrated reduction in cachexia (p < 0.05). WT revealed reduction of glomerular density, increase in the glomerular tuft area, mesangial area, matrix in the glomerular tuft, decrease in the urinary space and synechia, and consequently higher glomerulosclerosis (p < 0.05). L-glutamine supplementation in the WTG improved glomerular density, and reduced glomerular tuft area, urinary space, mesangial area, and glomerulosclerosis compared to WT(p < 0.05). WT showed higher collagen area and FGF-2 expression compared to C (p < 0.05). WTG presented lower collagen fibers and FGF-2 expression compared to WT (p < 0.05). Conclusions: L-glutamine supplementation reduced cachexia and was beneficial for glomerular morphology of the rats, as well as it reduced kidney damage and improved the remaining glomeruli morphology.

Lacticaseibacillus casei decrease long-chain fatty acids and most substances in an experimental model of intestinal mucositis

Purpose: To evaluate the long-chain fatty acid and major compounds levels in the feces after prophylactic oral use of Lacticaseibacillus casei in an experimental model of intestinal mucositis. Methods: Fifteen Swiss mice were randomly divided into three groups (n=5/group): The negative or positive control groups (n = 5) received saline orally for 18 days and an the intraperitoneal (i.p.) of saline or 5 Fluorouracil (450 mg/kg) in 15th day, respectability. L. casei group received oral concentration of L. casei (1x109 CFU/mL) for 18 days, the i.p. injection of 5-fluorouracil (450 mg/kg) in 15th days. Tissue samples from colon and each small intestine segment were collected for histopathological analysis. Stool samples were collected. Fecal composition of long-chain fatty acids and sterols were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on the 15th and the 18th day. Results: The mucosa layer of all small intestine segments of animals from L. casei showed well preserved epithelium and glands, without necrosis signs, but Goblet cells number decreased. Several long-chain fatty acids and sterols have been identified before and after in the groups. L. casei administration after 5-FU treatment reduced concentrations of linoleic acid (18:2) (p < 0.001) and oleic acid (18:1) (p < 0.001) in feces. Conclusions: L. casei prevented the mucosal damage associated with 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis reduced long-chain fatty acid levels in the feces.

Gliclazide reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss in an experimental periodontal disease model

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gliclazide on oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss in an experimental periodontal disease model. Material and Methods Male albino Wistar rats were divided into no ligature, ligature, and ligature with 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg gliclazide groups. Maxillae were fixed and scanned using micro-computed tomography to quantify linear and bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) and volumetric bone loss. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to examine matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), cathepsin K, members of the receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β (RANK), osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1), NFKB p 50 (Cytoplasm), NFKB p50 NLS (nuclear localization signal), PI3 kinase and AKT staining. Myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde and glutathione levels, while interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were evaluated by spectroscopic ultraviolet-visible analysis. A quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the gene expression of the nuclear factor kappa B p50 subunit (NF-κB p50), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k), protein kinase B (AKT), and F4/80. Results Micro-computed tomography showed that the 1 mg/kg gliclazide treatment reduced linear bone loss compared to the ligature, 5 mg/kg gliclazide, and 10 mg/kg gliclazide treatments. All concentrations of gliclazide increased bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) compared to the ligature group. Treatment with 1 mg/kg gliclazide reduced myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels (p≤0.05), and resulted in weak staining for COX-2, cathepsin k, MMP-2, RANK, RANKL, SOD-1, GPx-1,MIF and PI3k. In addition, down-regulation of NF-κB p50, PI3k, AKT, and F4/80 were observed, and OPG staining was strong after the 1 mg/kg gliclazide treatment. Conclusions This treatment decreased neutrophil and macrophage migration, decreased the inflammatory response, and decreased bone loss in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis.

Trypsin inhibitor from tamarindus indica L. seeds reduces weight gain and food consumption and increases plasmatic cholecystokinin levels

OBJECTIVES: Seeds are excellent sources of proteinase inhibitors, some of which may have satietogenic and slimming actions. We evaluated the effect of a trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus indica L. seeds on weight gain, food consumption and cholecystokinin levels in Wistar rats. METHODS: A trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus was isolated using ammonium sulfate (30-60%) following precipitation with acetone and was further isolated with Trypsin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Analyses were conducted to assess the in vivo digestibility, food intake, body weight evolution and cholecystokinin levels in Wistar rats. Histological analyses of organs and biochemical analyses of sera were performed. RESULTS: The trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus reduced food consumption, thereby reducing weight gain. The in vivo true digestibility was not significantly different between the control and Tamarindus trypsin inhibitor-treated groups. The trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus did not cause alterations in biochemical parameters or liver, stomach, intestine or pancreas histology. Rats treated with the trypsin inhibitor showed significantly elevated cholecystokinin levels compared with animals receiving casein or water. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the isolated trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus reduces weight gain by reducing food consumption, an effect that may be mediated by increased cholecystokinin. Thus, the potential use of this trypsin inhibitor in obesity prevention and/or treatment should be evaluated. .

Parâmetros clínicos patológicos como indicadores de prognósticos emn carcinoma epidermóide oral / Clinical-pathological parameters as prognostic indicators in oral squamous cells

Objetivo: Correlacionar a classificação TNM com os escores histológicos de malignidade e estes parâmetros com o prognóstico em 38 casos de carcinoma epidermóide oral.Método: Os casos foram selecionados dos arquivos do Hospital Dr. Luiz Antonio, Natal, RN, Brasil. Após a análise dos prontuários foram obtidos os dados relativos à classificação clínica TNM e o prognóstico (seguimento de cinco anos). A classificação morfológica dos casos foi realizada de acordo com o sistema de gradação histológica de malignidade proposto por Bryne (1998). Resultados: Houve correlação significante entre escore histológico de malignidade e o prognóstico em carcinoma epidermóide oral e do estadiamento clínico TNM com o prognóstico. Conclusão: Diante destes resultados concluímos que o estadiamento clínico TNM e agradação histológica de malignidade constituem indicadores de prognóstico importantes do carcinoma epidermóide oral.

Estudo epidemiológico da doença da célula de langerhans: análise de 33 casos em Natal/RN / Epidemiologic estudy of the langerhans cell disease: analysis of 33 cases in Natal/RN

A doença da célula da Langerhans é uma desordem de etiologia incerta, caracterizada por um amplo aspecto clínico e comportamento bastante variado. Neste estudo foram analisados 33 casos de pacientes com diagnóstico de Doenca de célula de Langerhans no Hospital Infantil Varela Santiago em Natal, RN-Brasil, entre 1997 e 1999. Deste total, 42,4 por cento dos pacientes manifestaram o Granuloma Eosinofílico Solitário, 33 por cento dos pacientes tinham a Doença de Hand-Schüller- Christian e 24,3 por cento destes pertenciam a forma clínica da Doença de Letterer-Siwe. Do total, 54,5 por cento dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 45,5 por cento do feminino, com uma média de idade de 3 anos e 7 meses (variando de 06 meses a 15 anos). Setenta por cento dos pacientes apresentavam envolvimento extra-oral, sendo os ossos do crânio e extremidades inferiores, os sítios mais comuns da doença. O tratamento consistiu primariamente da excisão cirúrgica para pacientes com lesões localizadas e terapia com drogas para aquelas com a Doença de Letterer-Siwe. Nosso estudo demonstrou que a forma clínica mais freqüente foi o Granuloma Eosinofílico Solitário e que pacientes mais jovens com disfunção orgânica têm prognóstico pouco favóravel

Manifestaçöes orais em pacientes com AIDS em uma populaçäo brasileira / Oral manifestations in HIV - infected patients in a Brazilian population

Foram analisados 100 pacientes HIV+/AIDS no Hospital Giselda Trigueiro - Natal/RN, Brasil no período de 1996-97 quanto a presença de manifestaçöes orais nestes pacientes. Setenta e quatro pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 26 do feminino. A idade média dos pacientes do sexo masculino foi 40 anos, variando de 24 a 67 anos e no feminino 29,8 anos variando de 17 a 48 anos. As manifestaçöes orais mais freqüentes foram candidíase (homens - 79,7 por cento; mulheres - 80,7 por cento), gengivite e periodontite (homens - 79,7 por cento; mulheres - 73,0), leucoplasia pilosa (homens - 6,7 por cento; mulheres - 3,8 por cento), herpes labial (homens - 5,4 por cento; mulheres - 7,6 por cento), sarcoma de Kaposi (homens - 6,7 por cento). Verificou-se que 62,2 por cento dos homens eram homo- ou bissexuais e 100 por cento das mulheres eram heterossexuais. Nosso resultados revelaram semelhanças com outros trabalhos realizados em pacientes de outras regiöes do mundo