Effect of methylprednisolone on perivascular pulmonary edema, inflammatory infiltrate, VEGF and TGF-beta immunoexpression in the remaining lungs of rats after left pneumonectomy

Pneumonectomy is associated with high rates of morbimortality, with postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema being one of the leading causes. An intrinsic inflammatory process following the operation has been considered in its physiopathology. The use of corticosteroids is related to prevention of this edema, but no experimental data are available to support this hypothesis. We evaluated the effect of methylprednisolone on the remaining lungs of rats submitted to left pneumonectomy concerning edema and inflammatory markers. Forty male Wistar rats weighing 300 g underwent left pneumonectomy and were randomized to receive corticosteroids or not. Methylprednisolone at a dose of 10 mg/kg was given before the surgery. After recovery, the animals were sacrificed at 48 and 72 h, when the pO2/FiO2 ratio was determined. Right lung perivascular edema was measured by the index between perivascular and vascular area and neutrophil density by manual count. Tissue expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry light microscopy. There was perivascular edema formation after 72 h in both groups (P = 0.0031). No difference was observed between operated animals that received corticosteroids and those that did not concerning the pO2/FiO2 ratio, neutrophil density or TGF-β expression. The tissue expression of VEGF was elevated in the animals that received methylprednisolone both 48 and 72 h after surgery (P = 0.0243). Methylprednisolone was unable to enhance gas exchange and avoid an inflammatory infiltrate and TGF-β expression also showed that the inflammatory process was not correlated with pulmonary edema formation. However, the overexpression of VEGF in this group showed that methylprednisolone is related to this elevation.

Effects of exercise training on atrophy gene expression in skeletal muscle of mice with chronic allergic lung inflammation

We evaluated the effects of chronic allergic airway inflammation and of treadmill training (12 weeks) of low and moderate intensity on muscle fiber cross-sectional area and mRNA levels of atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in the mouse tibialis anterior muscle. Six 4-month-old male BALB/c mice (28.5 ± 0.8 g) per group were examined: 1) control, non-sensitized and non-trained (C); 2) ovalbumin sensitized (OA, 20 µg per mouse); 3) non-sensitized and trained at 50 percent maximum speed _ low intensity (PT50 percent); 4) non-sensitized and trained at 75 percent maximum speed _ moderate intensity (PT75 percent); 5) OA-sensitized and trained at 50 percent (OA+PT50 percent), 6) OA-sensitized and trained at 75 percent (OA+PT75 percent). There was no difference in muscle fiber cross-sectional area among groups and no difference in atrogin-1 and MuRF1 expression between C and OA groups. All exercised groups showed significantly decreased expression of atrogin-1 compared to C (1.01 ± 0.2-fold): PT50 percent = 0.71 ± 0.12-fold; OA+PT50 percent = 0.74 ± 0.03-fold; PT75 percent = 0.71 ± 0.09-fold; OA+PT75 percent = 0.74 ± 0.09-fold. Similarly significant results were obtained regarding MuRF1 gene expression compared to C (1.01 ± 0.23-fold): PT50 percent = 0.53 ± 0.20-fold; OA+PT50 percent = 0.55 ± 0.11-fold; PT75 percent = 0.35 ± 0.15-fold; OA+PT75 percent = 0.37 ± 0.08-fold. A short period of OA did not induce skeletal muscle atrophy in the mouse tibialis anterior muscle and aerobic training at low and moderate intensity negatively regulates the atrophy pathway in skeletal muscle of healthy mice or mice with allergic lung inflammation.

Acute hepatotoxicity of Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American rattlesnake) venom in rats

Venom of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt), presents myotoxic and neurotoxic outcomes, but reports on its effects on the liver are scarce. This study examined the hepatotoxicity resulting from Cdt venom administration (100, 200 and 300 miug/kg) in male Wistar rats. Animais were studies at 3, 9 and 12 hours after venom injection. The hepatotoxicity was assessed through serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirrubin and also by histopathological evaluation. All the different concentrations of Cdt venom resulted in increased levels of hepatic enzymes, when compared with the control group, except for the 100 miug/kg dose, which presented normal levels at 9 and 12 hours after venom administration. Bilirrubin levels remained unchanged by Cdt venom. Histological analysis revealed endothelial damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as sinusoidal and portal congestion. Based on these observations, we may conclude that Cdt venom causes dose- and time-dependent hepatic damage in rats, characterized by elevated hepatic enzyme levels and histological alterations

The effect of a low dose of clenbuterol on rat soleus muscle submitted to joint immobilization

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of joint immobilization on morphometric parameters and glycogen content of soleus muscle treated with clenbuterol. Male Wistar (3-4 months old) rats were divided into 4 groups (N = 6 for each group): control, clenbuterol, immobilized, and immobilized treated with clenbuterol. Immobilization was performed with acrylic resin orthoses and 10 µg/kg body weight clenbuterol was administered subcutaneously for 7 days. The following parameters were measured the next day on soleus muscle: weight, glycogen content, cross-sectional area, and connective tissue content. The clenbuterol group showed an increase in glycogen (81.6 percent, 0.38 ± 0.09 vs 0.69 ± 0.06 mg/100 g; P < 0.05) without alteration in weight, cross-sectional area or connective tissue compared with the control group. The immobilized group showed a reduction in muscle weight (34.2 percent, 123.5 ± 5.3 vs 81.3 ± 4.6 mg; P < 0.05), glycogen content (31.6 percent, 0.38 ± 0.09 vs 0.26 ± 0.05 mg/100 mg; P < 0.05) and cross-sectional area (44.1 percent, 2574.9 ± 560.2 vs 1438.1 ± 352.2 µm²; P < 0.05) and an increase in connective tissue (216.5 percent, 8.82 ± 3.55 vs 27.92 ± 5.36 percent; P < 0.05). However, the immobilized + clenbuterol group showed an increase in weight (15.9 percent; 81.3 ± 4.6 vs 94.2 ± 4.3 mg; P < 0.05), glycogen content (92.3 percent, 0.26 ± 0.05 vs 0.50 ± 0.17 mg/100 mg; P < 0.05), and cross-sectional area (19.9 percent, 1438.1 ± 352.2 vs 1724.8 ± 365.5 µm²; P < 0.05) and a reduction in connective tissue (52.2 percent, 27.92 ± 5.36 vs 13.34 ± 6.86 percent; P < 0.05). Statistical analysis was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and homoscedasticity tests. For the muscle weight and muscle glycogen content, two-way ANOVA and the Tukey test were used. For the cross-sectional area and connective tissue content, Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey tests were used. This study emphasizes the importance of anabolic pharmacological...

The effects of low-level laser on muscle damage caused by Bothrops neuwiedi venom

The present study aimed to assess the effects of low-level laser (660 nm) on myonecrosis caused by the insertion of Bothrops neuwiedi venom in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n equal 24 each): Group S (0.9 percent saline solution); Group V (venom) and Group VLLL (venom plus low-level laser). These categories were subdivided into four additional groups (n equal 6) based on the euthanasia timing (3 hours, 24 hours, 3 days and 7 days). The groups V and VLLL were inoculated with 100 miL of concentrated venom (40 mig/mL) in the gastrocnemius muscle. The muscle was irradiated using a gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser (GaAlAs) at 35 mW power and 4 J/cm² energy density for 3 hours, 24 hours, 3 days or 7 days after venom inoculation. To evaluate the myotoxic activity of the venom, CK activity was measured and the muscle was histologically analyzed. The low-level laser reduced venom-induced CK activity in the groups euthanized at 3 hours, 24 hours and 3 days (p smaller that 0.0001). Histological analysis revealed that low-level laser reduced neutrophilic inflammation as well as myofibrillar edema, hemorrhage and myonecrosis following B. neuwiedi envenomation. These results suggest that low-level laser can be useful as an adjunct therapy following B. neuwiedi envenomation.

Exploring the biotechnologial applications in the archaeal domain

Archaea represent a considerable fraction of the prokaryotic world in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, indicating that organisms from this domain might have a large impact on global energy cycles. The extremophilic nature of many archaea has stimulated intense efforts to understand the physiological adaptations for living in extreme environments. Their unusual properties make them a potentially valuable resource in the development of novel biotechnological processes and industrial applications as new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, molecular probes, enzymes, and fine chemicals. In the present mini-review, we show and discuss some exclusive characteristics of Archaea domain and the current knowledge about the biotechnological uses of the archaeal enzymes. The topics are: archaeal characteristics, phylogenetic division, biotechnological applications, isolation and cultivation of new microbes, achievements in genomics, and metagenomic.

As arqueas representam uma considerável fração dos procariotos nos ecossistemas marinhos e terrestes, indicando que estes organismos devem possuir um grande impacto nos ciclos energéticos. A natureza extremofílica de muitas arqueas tem estimulado intensos esforços para compreender sua adaptação fisiológica a ambientes extremos. Suas propriedades incomus as tornam uma fonte valiosa no desenvolvimento de novos processos biotecnológicos e aplicações industriais como novos fármacos, cosméticos, suplementos nutricionais, sondas moleculares, enzimas e reagentes. Na presente mini-revisão, mostramos e discutimos algumas de suas características exclusivas correlacionando-as com seu potencial biotecnológico e aplicação industrial. Os tópicos são: características das arqueas, divisão filogenética, aplicações biotecnológicas, isolamento e cultivo de novos microrganismos, genoma e metagenoma.

Avaliação da estabilidade de máscaras faciais peel-off contendo rutina / Stability assessment of peel-off face masks containing rutin

Máscaras faciais peel-off baseiam-se em resinas vinílicas formadoras de filme. O álcool polivinílico (PVOH) é amplamente utilizado neste produto cosmético e interfere nas propriedades da película formada. A rutina, flavonóide da classe dos flavonóis, é empregadacomo potente antioxidante. O presente estudo contemplou como objetivo a avaliação da estabilidade física, físico-química e química de máscaras faciais peel-off contendo rutina, adicionada ou não de agente quelante, EDTA dissódico. Máscaras faciais peel-off foram desenvolvidas com 12,0% p/p de PVOH e 0,05% p/p de rutina. As amostras em estudo foram avaliadas quanto ao valor de pH, viscosidade aparente (cP) e teor da rutina remanescente nas amostras quantificada por espectrofotometria na derivada de primeira ordem a 410,0 nm, previamente validada; durante 45 dias nas seguintes condições de armazenamento: (1) 40,0 mais 0,5 ºC; (2) exposição à luz solar indireta e direta, à temperatura ambiente (22 mais 2 ºC); e (3) 5,0 mais 0,5 ºC. Verificou-se que a presença do EDTA Na2 (0,1% p/p) na formulação contribuiu para elevar a estabilidade da rutina nas condições de 22 mais ou menos 2 ºC e 5,0 mais ou menos 0,5 ºC. Sem a presença do agente quelante, o princípio ativo sofreu degradação em todas as temperaturas de armazenamento. Observou-se que valor de pH para ambas as preparações apresentou tendência para redução quando estas foram armazenadas a 40,0 mais ou menos 0,5 ºC, porém, não interferiu na estabilidade da rutina. Os resultados permitem concluir que o EDTA Na2 contribuiu para elevar a estabilidade do flavonóide na máscara facial peel-off elaborada com PVOH em condições consideradas normais e de temperaturas reduzidas de armazenamento (22 mais ou menos 2 ºC e 5,0 mais ou menos 0,5 ºC).

Estudo ecopatológico sobre problemas em leitöes lactentes em criaçöes no Sul do Brasil / An ecopathological study on problems with suckling piglets in South Brazil

Durante o período de aleitamento, diarréia e morte de leitöes säo os principais problemas em criaçöes de suínos em confinamento na regiäo Sul do Brasil. Pesquisadores franceses desenvolveram um modelo de estudo ecopatológico para identificar fatores de risco para estas síndromes. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se um estudo ecopatológico na fase de maternidade em 29 rebanhos confinados, cujos plantéis variaram entre 30 e 1000 matrizes. De cada rebanho, quatro porcas e suas leitegadas foram acompanhadas desde o parto até a desmama. Quatro variáveis objetivas e 36 variáveis explicativas foram examinadas em cada rebanho. Os resultados foram analisados por métodos descritivos e através da classificaçäo hierárquica ascendente da análise fatorial de correspondência. As váriaveis objetivas estudadas foram: ocorrência de diarréia, ganho de peso diário, taxa de mortalidade e coeficiente de variaçäo do peso ao desmame. Quanto às variáveis explicativas, um conjunto de 16 delas estava regularmente associado às variáveis objetivas. Estas variáveis foram consideradas como fatores predisponentes para a ocorrência e severidade de diarréia e mortalidade em leitöes lactentes