Concentración de titanio en tejido respiratorio obtenido de autopsias en residentes de la ciudad de México / Concentration of titanium in respiratory tissue obtained from autopsies in Mexico city residents

RESUMEN Objetivos. Cuantificar la cantidad de titanio (Ti) en tejido respiratorio obtenidas por autopsia en personas que residieron en la Ciudad de México. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio exploratorio en el cual se obtuvieron 216 muestras de tejido respiratorio de lóbulos pulmonares y nódulos linfáticos peribronquiales, procedentes de autopsias médico legales de 36 cadáveres con antecedente de haber residido un mínimo de dos años en la Ciudad de México. Se realizaron análisis histopatológicos de las muestras y se cuantificó el Ti existente en ellas mediante plasma de inducción acoplado a la espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Resultados. La cantidad de Ti en tejido respiratorio se distribuyó entre 0 microgramos de Ti en tejido seco (µg Ti/g ts) y 39,7 µg Ti/g ts, se identificó la presencia de Ti distribuido hasta en seis veces mayor cantidad en los nódulos linfáticos que en lóbulos pulmonares. El análisis de conglomerados mostró que la muestra estaba conformada por cuatro grupos de individuos agrupados de acuerdo a la cantidad y distribución del Ti en el tracto respiratorio bajo, a la edad, índice de masa corporal, lugar y tiempo de residencia en la ciudad de México. Conclusiones. Debido al patrón de distribución observado el Ti encontrado en las muestras de tejido respiratorio podría provenir del aire urbano, la cantidad de Ti en conjunto con otros elementos podría ser causante de patologías respiratorias.

ABSTRACT Objetivos. To quantify the levels of titanium (Ti) in respiratory tissue obtained by autopsy in people who resided in Mexico City. Materials and Methods. An exploratory study was conducted in which 216 samples of respiratory tissue from pulmonary lobes and peribronchial lymph nodes were obtained from legal medical autopsies of 36 corpses with a minimum of two years of residence in Mexico City. Histopathological analyses of the samples were performed and the Ti existing in them was quantified by induction plasma coupled to atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results. The amount of Ti in respiratory tissue was distributed between 0 micrograms of Ti in dry tissue (µg Ti/g ts) and 39.7 µg Ti/g ts; the presence of Ti was identified as distributed in up to six times a higher quantity in the lymph nodes than in pulmonary lobes. Cluster analysis showed that the sample consisted of four groups of individuals grouped according to the amount and distribution of Ti in the lower respiratory tract, age, body mass index, place and time of residence in Mexico City. Conclusions . Due to the distribution pattern observed, Ti found in respiratory tissue samples may come from urban air; the amount of Ti in conjunction with other elements may be the cause of respiratory pathologies.

Treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 induced HDAC2 expression and reduced NF-κB p65 expression in a rat model of OVA-induced asthma

Recent evidence indicates that a deficiency of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) may influence asthma pathogenesis; however, its roles in regulating specific molecular transcription mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the expression and enzyme activity of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and its synergistic effects with dexamethasone (Dx) in the inhibition of inflammatory cytokine secretion in a rat asthma model. Healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, asthma, 1,25(OH)2D3 pretreatment, 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, Dx treatment, and Dx and 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Pulmonary inflammation was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge (OVA/OVA). Inflammatory cells and cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and histological changes in lung tissue were examined. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and HDAC2 expression levels were assessed with Western blot analyses and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Enzyme activity measurements and immunohistochemical detection of HDAC2 were also performed. Our data demonstrated that 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced the airway inflammatory response and the level of inflammatory cytokines in BAL. Although NF-κB p65 expression was attenuated in the pretreatment and treatment groups, the expression and enzyme activity of HDAC2 were increased. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 and Dx had synergistic effects on the suppression of total cell infusion, cytokine release, and NF-κB p65 expression, and they also increased HDAC2 expression and activity in OVA/OVA rats. Collectively, our results indicated that 1,25(OH)2D3 might be useful as a novel HDAC2 activator in the treatment of asthma.

Tissue hyaluronan expression, as reflected in the sputum of lung cancer patients, is an indicator of malignancy

Hyaluronan (HA) shows promise for detecting cancerous change in pleural effusion and urine. However, there is uncertainty about the localization of HA in tumor tissue and its relationship with different histological types and other components of the extracellular matrix, such as angiogenesis. We evaluated the association between HA and degree of malignancy through expression in lung tumor tissue and sputum. Tumoral tissue had significantly increased HA compared to normal tissue. Strong HA staining intensity associated with cancer cells was significant in squamous cell carcinoma compared to adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. A significant direct association was found between tumors with a high percentage of HA and MVD (microvessel density) in tumoral stroma. Similarly significant was the direct association between N1 tumors and high levels of HA in cancer cells. Cox multivariate analysis showed significant association between better survival and low HA. HA increased in sputum from lung cancer patients compared to cancer-free and healthy volunteers and a significant correlation was found between HA in sputum and HA in cancer tissue. Localization of HA in tumor tissue was related to malignancy and reflected in sputum, making this an emerging factor for an important diagnostic procedure in patients suspected to have lung cancer. Further study in additional patients in a randomized prospective trial is required to finalize these results and to validate our quantitative assessment of HA, as well as to couple it to gold standard sputum cytology.

Prospective analysis of 44 consecutive liver transplants performed at a university hospital

PURPOSE: To analyze the intraoperative and immediate postoperative biochemical parameters of patients submitted to orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS: Forty four consecutive orthotopic liver transplants performed from October 2009 to December 2010 were analyzed. The patients (38 male and eight female) were divided into two groups: group A, survivors, and group B, non-survivors. Fifty percent of group A patients were Chid-Pugh C, 40% Chid-Pugh B and 10% Chid-Pugh A. In group B, 52% of the patients were Chid-Pugh C, 41% Chid-Pugh B, and 17% Chid-Pugh A. All orthotopic liver transplants were performed by the piggy-back technique without a portacaval shunt in an anhepatic phase. ALT, AST, LDH and lactate levels were determined preoperatively, at five, 60 minutes after arterial revascularization of the graft and 24 and 48 hours after the end of the surgery.( or: after the surgery was finished). RESULTS: There were no preoperative clinical differences (Child and Meld) between the two groups. The times of warm and hypothermal ischemia were similar for both groups (p>0.05). Serum aminotransferases levels at five and 60 minutes after arterial revascularization of the graft were similar (p>0.05) for both groups, as also were lactate levels at the time points studied. There was no significant difference in Δ lactate between groups at any time point studied (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed between groups during the first 24 and 48 hours after surgery (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant difference in any of the parameters studied was observed between groups. Under the conditions of the present study and considering the parameters evaluated, no direct relationship was detected between the intraoperative situation and the type of evolution of the patients of the two groups studied.

Is there a therapeutic window for pentoxifylline after the onset of acute pancreatitis? / Existe uma janela terapêutica para a pentoxifilina após o início da pancreatite aguda?

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) in experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) starting drug administration after the induction of the disease. METHODS: One hundred male Wistar rats were submitted to taurocholate-induced AP and divided into three groups: Group Sham: sham-operated rats, Group Saline: AP plus saline solution, and Group PTX: AP plus PTX. Saline solution and PTX were administered 1 hour after induction of AP. At 3 hours after AP induction, peritoneal levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 levels were assayed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Determinations of lung myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), histological analysis of lung and pancreas, and mortality study were performed. RESULTS: PTX administration 1 hour after induction of AP caused a significant decrease in peritoneal levels of TNF-α and in serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 when compared to the saline group. There were no differences in lung MPO activity between the two groups with AP. A decrease in mortality was observed in the PTX treatment compared to the saline group. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of PTX after the onset of AP decreased the systemic levels of proinflammatory cytokines, raising the possibility that there is an early therapeutic window for PTX after the initiation of AP.

OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos da pentoxifilina (PTX) na pancreatite aguda (PA) experimental administrando a droga após a indução da doença. MÉTODOS: Cem ratos machos Wistar foram submetidos à indução da PA através da infusão de taurocolato de sódio e divididos em três grupos: Grupo Sham: sham-operated ratos, Grupo Salina: AP e solução salina, e Grupo PTX: AP e PTX. Solução salina e PTX foram administradas 1 hora após a indução da PA. Três horas após indução da PA os níveis de fator de necrose tumoral (TNF)-α no líquido peritoneal e os níveis séricos de interleucina (IL)-6 e IL-10 foram analisados pelo método de Enzima Imunoensaio (ELISA). A atividade da mieloperoxidase (MPO) foi analisada no pulmão e foram realizadas análises histológicas do pulmão e pâncreas, além do estudo da mortalidade. RESULTADOS: A administração de PTX 1 hora após a indução da PA reduziu significativamente os níveis de TNF-α peritoneal e os níveis séricos de IL-6 e IL-10 quando comparado ao grupo salina. Redução na mortalidade foi observado após o tratamento com PTX comparado ao grupo salina. CONCLUSÃO: A administração de PTX após a indução da PA diminuiu os níveis sistêmicos de citocinas pró-inflamatórias, sugerindo a possibilidade de que existe uma janela terapêutica para PTX após o início do PA.

Postmortem distribution of tetrodotoxin in tissues and body fluids of guinea pigs / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the postmortem distribution of tetrodotoxin in tissues and body fluids of guinea pig, and to provide method and evidence for forensic identification and clinical diagnosis and treatment.@*METHODS@#Guinea pigs were intragastric administrated with 100, 50, 15 microg/kg tetrodotoxin, respectively. The poisoning symptoms were observed. The samples of heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, stomach, intestines, bile, heart blood and urine were collected. The concentrations of tetrodotoxin in tissues and body fluids were measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).@*RESULTS@#After administrated with tetrodotoxin, all guinea pigs came out poisoning signs including tachypnea, weary and dead finally. Tetrodotoxin concentrations in lung, stomach, intestines and urine were higher, followed by blood, heart and brain. The concentration in bile was the lowest.@*CONCLUSION@#Postmortem distribution of tetrodotoxin in guinea pig is uneven. The concentration in the lung, stomach, intestines, urine and heart blood are higher, those tissues could be used for diagnosis of tetrodotoxin poisoning.

Determination of acid-resistant silicic particles in lung by micro-XRF and its application in diagnosis of drowning / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#Using microbeam X-ray fluorescence (Micro-XRF) analyzer for determination of acid-resistant silicic particles in lung, and to explore its potential application in diagnosis of drowning.@*METHODS@#Thirty two white rabbits were divided randomly into drowning group (n=12), post-mortem immersion group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Lungs and water sample were collected for determination of area concentration of acid-resistant silicic particles using Micro-XRF method.@*RESULTS@#The area concentration of acid-resistant silicic particles for the drowning water sample was 4.4 mm2/mL. For the lungs of drowning group, the post-mortem immersion group and the control group, the determined average values were (25.30 +/- 10.95) mm2/g, (1.68 +/- 0.63) mm2/g and (1.65 +/- 0.85) mm2/g, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the drowning group and the other two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#The area concentration of acid-resistant silicic particles in lungs may be used as an indicator of drowning. The method is highly sensitive and rapid. It provides a potential application in drowning diagnosis.

Pérdida de glutatión desde pulmones de conejo en solución de preservación para trasplante: efectos clínicos y funcionales a corto plazo / Loss of glutathione from rabbit lungs in transplant preservation solution

Introduction: Ischemia-reperfusion injury causes morbidity and mortality in lung transplant patients. It is unknown if the usual lung preservation solution favors antioxidant deficiency and thus, increased oxidative stress in the receptor. Objective: To evaluate if there is any loss of glutathione from rabbit lungs to the preservation solution. Results: We found a decrease in lung total glutathione content, without an increase in the oxidized form of this antioxidant. At the same time, we were able to measure increasing levels of glutathione in the preservation solution from 30 min on. Conclusions: There is loss of glutathione from the lung to the preservation solution that is not mediated by glutathione oxidation and likely due to passage of the reduced form along the concentration gradient, rendering the tissue vulnerable to oxidative stress once in the receptor.

El daño por isquemia-reperfusión es causa de morbimortalidad en pacientes con trasplante pulmonar. Se desconoce si la solución de preservación habitual del pulmón puede contribuir a la deficiencia de antioxidantes, favoreciendo el estrés oxidativo en el receptor. Objetivo: Evaluar si existe pérdida de glutatión desde pulmones de conejo a la solución de preservación para trasplante. Resultados: Encontramos una disminución en el contenido de glutatión total del pulmón, sin aumento en el contenido de glutatión oxidado. Esto se asoció a la aparición y aumento sostenido de glutatión en la solución de preservación desde los 30 min. Conclusiones: Existe salida de glutatión desde el pulmón no mediada por oxidación de éste y posiblemente favorecida por el gradiente de concentración de glutatión reducido. Esta pérdida deja al tejido vulnerable frente a las condiciones de estrés oxidativo en el receptor.

Selectively Decreased Expression of Peroxiredoxins Induced by Silica in Pulmonary Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Peroxiredoxin (Prx) belongs to a ubiquitous family of antioxidant enzymes that regulates many cellular processes through intracellular oxidative signal transduction pathways. Silica-induced lung damage involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) that trigger subsequent toxic effects and inflammatory responses in alveolar epithelial cells resulting in fibrosis. Therefore, we investigated the role of Prx in the development of lung oxidant injury caused by silicosis, and determined the implication of ROS in that process. METHODS: Lung epithelial cell lines A549 and WI26 were treated with 1% silica for 0, 24, or 48 hours, following pretreatment of the A549 cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine and diphenylene iodonium and no pretreatment of the WI26 cells. We transfected an HA-ubiquitin construct into the A549 cell line and then analyzed the cells via Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: Silica treatment induced cell death in the A549 lung epithelial cell line and selectively degraded Prx I without impairing protein synthesis in the A549 cells, even when the ROS effect was blocked chemically by N-acetyl-L-cysteine. A co-immunoprecipitation study revealed that Prx I did not undergo ubiquitination. CONCLUSIONS: Silica treatment induces a decrease of Prx I expression in lung epithelial cell lines regardless of the presence of ROS. The silica-induced degradation of Prx does not involve the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway.

Pré-condicionamento isquêmico por oclusão seletiva da artéria pulmonar em ratos / Ischemic preconditioning by selective occlusion of the pulmonary artery in rats

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do pré-condicionamento isquêmico (PCI) em modelo de isquemia e reperfusão (I/R) pulmonar normotérmica em ratos, quantificando a produção de espécies reativas do oxigênio. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e sete ratos Wistar foram randomizados em quatro grupos: controle, sham, I/R e PCI. Após anestesia, animais do grupo controle foram sacrificados por decapitação, pneumonectomizados, e os pulmões esquerdos armazenados em nitrogênio líquido. Animais dos grupos sham, I/R e PCI foram anestesiados, traqueostomizados, ventilados, anticoagulados e submetidos a uma toracotomia esquerda com dissecção da artéria pulmonar esquerda para clampeamento. No grupo sham procedeu-se a dissecção da artéria pulmonar esquerda; no grupo I/R, clampeamento hilar total de 30 min e no grupo PCI, clampeamento da artéria pulmonar esquerda por 5 min seguido por reperfusão de 10 min e um clampeamento hilar total de 30 min. Pulmões foram reperfundidos por 90 min e ventilados com os mesmos parâmetros, acrescidos de pressão expiratória final positiva de 1 cmH2O. Foram obtidas medidas hemodinâmicas e gasométricas antes da toracotomia, antes do clampeamento hilar total, aos 30 e 90 min de reperfusão. A peroxidação lipídica foi estabelecida por meio da determinação das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico. RESULTADOS: A determinação das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico analisada nos grupos controle, sham, I/R, PCI não revelou diferenças significativas, o mesmo ocorrendo com a pressão parcial arterial de oxigênio, pressão parcial arterial de gás carbônico e medidas hemodinâmicas entre os grupos sham, I/R e PCI. CONCLUSÕES: O PCI de 5 min da artéria pulmonar esquerda em modelo de I/R in situ em ratos não atenua a lesão de I/R.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of lung ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on normothermic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a rat model, quantifying the production of reactive oxygen species. METHODS: Forty-seven male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control, sham, I/R and IPC. Control group animals were anesthetized and killed by decapitation, after which pneumonectomy was performed and the left lungs were stored in liquid nitrogen. Sham, IPC and I/R group rats were anesthetized, tracheostomized, ventilated, anticoagulated and submitted to left thoracotomy with dissection of the left pulmonary artery for clamping. Sham group rats underwent dissection of the left pulmonary artery, I/R group rats underwent 30 min of total hilar clamping, and IPC group rats underwent 5-min clamping of the left pulmonary artery followed by 30 min of total hilar clamping. Lungs were reperfused for 90 min and ventilated with the same parameters, with additional positive end-expiratory pressure of 1 cmH2O. Hemodynamic and blood gas values were obtained prior to thoracotomy, prior to total hilar clamping, after 30 min of reperfusion and after 90 min of reperfusion. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Nor were there any significant differences among the sham, I/R and IPC groups in terms of arterial oxygen tension, arterial carbon dioxide tension or hemodynamic values. CONCLUSIONS: In an in situ I/R rat model, 5-min IPC of the left pulmonary artery does not attenuate I/R injury.

Aluminio en el tracto respiratorio bajo de residentes de la Ciudad de México / Aluminium in the lower respiratory tract of people living in México City

Objetivo Se investigó la presencia de aluminio (Al) y de patologías respiratorias en el tracto respiratorio bajo de personas que habían residido en Ciudad de México por un tiempo mínimo de dos años. Métodos Se obtuvo 250 muestras de tejido respiratorio (lóbulos pulmonares, nódulo linfático peribronquial, bronquios e hilio), durante la autopsia médico legal de 36 individuos. Para la cuantificación de Al se utilizó plasma de inducción acoplado (ICP -OES) a la espectrofotometría de absorción atómica previo a lo cual las muestras fueron sometidas a un proceso de secado, trituración y digestión. Resultados Se identificaron 13 diferentes patologías, solo tres de ellas: enfisema pulmonar, bronquitis y antracosis, se correlacionan con la presencia de Al, elemento distribuido en concentraciones muy variables (rango:2,7 a 836,1 microgramos de Al por gramo de tejido seco (ì g Al/g ts). En lóbulos, bronquios e hilio la cantidad de Al encontrada fue mucho menor que la encontrada en nódulos peribronquiales, siendo la diferencia estadísticamente significativa. El análisis multivariado por conglomerados mostró que la muestra estaba conformada por tres clases de individuos, agrupados de acuerdo a la cantidad y distribución del Al en el tracto respiratorio bajo, a la edad, tiempo de residencia en la ciudad de México y presencia de patologías. Conclusión Se postula que el Al encontrado en el tracto respiratorio bajo de residentes de ciudad de México proviene del aire; la cantidad y el patrón de distribución dependen del tiempo y del lugar de residencia y al depositarse puede provocar enfermedades respiratorias.

Objective Investigating the presence of aluminium (Al) and respiratory pathologies in the lower respiratory tract of people who had lived in Mexico City for a minimum of two years. Methods 250 respiratory tissue samples were obtained from pulmonary lobes, lymph nodes, bronchial and hilum regions during 36 individuals' autopsies. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for quantifying Al; the samples has been previously dried, ground and digested. Results 13 different pathologies were identified but only three of them (pulmonary emphysema, bronchitis and anthracosis) were correlated with the presence of Al, an element being distributed in very variable concentrations (range: 2,7 to 836,1 micrograms of Al per gram of dry tissue (ì g Al/g ts)). The amount of Al found in lobes, bronchial and hilum regions was much smaller than that found in lymph nodes; such difference was statistically significant. Multivariate analysis by conglomerates revealed that the sample consisted of three classes of individuals, grouped according to the amount and distribution of Al in the lower respiratory tract, age, time spent living in Mexico City and the presence of pathologies. Conclusions The Al found in the lower respiratory tract of residents of Mexico City would thus seem to have come from the air. The amount of Al and its distribution pattern depended on the time and place of residence and can lead to respiratory illness.

Advances in research of diagnosis of drowning in forensic medicine / 法医学杂志

The current macroscopical and microscopical signs in the fresh drowning victim are non-specific. Moreover, putrefaction will vanish these autopsy findings quite rapidly. The study of additional detecting methods to diagnose drowning has become one of the hottest topics in forensic medicine. This article reviewed several methods commonly used in the determination of drowning in forensic practice. The advantages and disadvantages of various methods were also discussed.

Purified aged garlic extract modulates allergic airway inflammation in Balb/c Mice

Garlic is known as a potent spice and a medicinal herb with broad therapeutic properties ranging from antibacterial to anticancer and anticoagulant. Our previous studies have shown some immunoregulatory effects for aged garlic extract, suggesting a key role for 14-kD glycoprotein of garlic in shifting the cytokine pattern to T helper-1. In present study, we investigated the effect of 1, 2, and 3 times intraperitoneal injections of aged garlic extract on an established allergic airway inflammation in murine model [BALB/c mice]. The garlic extract, isolated by biochemical method, includes proteins precipitation by ammonium sulfate. After injection of the aged garlic extract, IFN-gamma, anti allergen specific IgE and IgG1 were measured in lavage and serum by ELISA and histological assessment was performed on the lung tissues. The results indicated that three-time intra peritoneal injections of the aged garlic extract caused a significant decrease in the hallmark criteria of allergic airway inflammation levels which included eosinophil percentage in lavage, peribronchial lung eosinophils, IgG1 level in lavage and serum, mucous producing goblet cells grade and peribronchial and perivascular inflammation. Our findings in the present research suggested that aged garlic extract has the potential of attenuation of inflammatory features of allergic airway inflammation in murine model

Effects of paraquat on anti-oxidant system in rats.

The toxic effects of paraquat on the anti-oxidant defense system of male albino rats were evaluated, after administering either a single dose (1.5 and 7.5 mg/kg of body weight) or continuous daily doses (same as above, i.e., 1.5 mg/kg and 7.5 mg/kg of body weight) for 3 and 7 days. Glutathione levels in blood cells, liver, lung and kidney tissues decreased in a dose and time dependent manner. Glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity decreased, whereas the activity of glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase increased in paraquat exposure. Malondialdehyde formation also increased in a dose and time dependent manner. The alterations of anti-oxidant system particularly glutathione can be utilized as biomarkers during management of paraquat poisoning.

Protective effect of hesperidin on nicotine induced toxicity in rats.

Nicotine administration (2.5 mg/kg of body weight, sc, 5 days a week for 22 weeks) enhanced lipid peroxidative indices (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides) accompanied by a significant increase in the marker enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase and elevated levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and free fatty acids in Wistar rats. There was a significant protection by hesperidin administration at different doses (25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight) in nicotine-treated rats. However, the effect of hesperidin was more significant at 25mg/kg dose. The results suggest that hesperidin exerts the protective effects by modulating the extent of lipid peroxidation. The results are supported by histopathological observations of lung, liver and kidney.

Use of the histopathology in the differential diagnosis of drowning in fresh and salty water: an experimental model establishment in rats

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver um método de diagnóstico diferencial de afogamento, pela análise quantitativa dos macrófagos alveolares, em ratos submetidos à afogamento induzido em água doce e água salgada. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 15 ratos adultos, machos Wistar EPM-1, pesando 360g (DP=21,3), randomizados em três grupos: G1 – controle; G2 – Água doce; G3 – Água salgada, cada um com n=5. Os animais foram anestesiados e traqueostomizados para inserção de uma cânula endotraqueal, para indução do afogamento. Os pulmões foram removidos, pesados, preparados para histologia e corados por imunohistoquímica. Os macrófagos foram contados em ambos os pulmões (direito e esquerdo) de cada animal. O teste estatístico utilizado foi o ANOVA (SPSS.10) com p<0,05.

Compensatory lung growth: protein, DNA and RNA lung contents in undernourished trilobectomized rats

OBJETIVO: demonstrar se ocorre crescimento pulmonar compensatório (CPC) representado pelos conteúdos de proteínas, DNA e RNA no rato adulto jovem, subnutrido, submetido à trilobectomia pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Utilizamos 137 ratos "Wistar", machos, distribuídos por sorteio, em 9 grupos, submetidos a três tratamentos (controle, toracotomia, trilobectomia), sacrificados em três momentos (7, 30 e 90 dias). Na trilobectomia foram extirpados os lobos médio, acessório e caudal direitos. Variáveis estudadas: conteúdos pulmonares de proteínas, DNA e RNA. RESULTADOS: No lobo cranial e pulmão esquerdo o conteúdo protéico foi maior nos trilobectomizados. Ocorreu CPC insuficiente para suprir a perda desta variável, sendo menor nos pulmões dos trilobectomizados. O incremento nos conteúdos de DNA do lobo cranial e pulmão esquerdo dos trilobectomizados foram suficientes para compensar a perda desta variável, resultando num conteúdo de DNA dos pulmões semelhante aos controle. O conteúdo de RNA, nos trilobectomizados, foi maior no lobo cranial e pulmão esquerdo, com maior eficiência no primeiro, insuficiente para que se aproximassem aos obtidos nos demais grupos, ficando menores. CONCLUSÃO: Nos trilobectomizados ocorreu CPC, provavelmente com hiperplasia celular e pouca hipertrofia, devido a grande compensação do DNA e pequena do RNA. Esta foi a grande diferença quando comparamos este resultado ao obtido com animais nutridos, que apresentavam hipertrofia pronunciada.

Avaliação da influência da idade e do volume do espaçador na deposição pulmonar de aerossóis / Evaluation of the influence of patient age and spacer device volume on aerosol lung deposition

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, através de estudo da deposição pulmonar de 99m tecnécio-fitato, a eficácia de três espaçadores freqüentemente utilizados na prática clínica e comparar esta deposição de acordo com diferentes faixas etárias. MÉTODOS: Nove pacientes voluntários sadios, sem história de doença pulmonar, foram estudados, sendo três adultos e seis crianças de diferentes faixas etárias. Através de verificação qualitativa e semiquantitativa da deposição de 99m tecnécio-fitato em vias aéreas, procedeu-se a análise comparativa entre dois espaçadores de pequeno volume (Aerochamber® e Inal-Air®) e um espaçador de grande volume (Flumax®). Cada paciente recebeu inalação de 99m tecnécio-fitato. O espaçador foi preenchido, durante 30 segundos, por radioaerossóis impulsionados por fluxo de oxigênio. Por 10 segundos, os pacientes procederam à inalação com máscara acoplada ao espaçador. Por 4 minutos, realizou-se contagem de radiação emitida nas faces anterior e posterior do tórax. Realizou-se, ainda, contagem de radiação presente no interior de cada espaçador. RESULTADOS: Na avaliação semiquantitativa da deposição pulmonar, verificou-se que, em todas as faixas etárias, houve uma menor deposição percentual quando se utilizou o espaçador de grande volume (Flumax®), sendo esta diferença relativa inversamente proporcional à faixa etária. Em outras palavras, quanto menor a criança, menor a deposição de aerossol radioativo ao se utilizar espaçadores de grande volume. Por outro lado, não se verificou diferença significativa entre os espaçadores de pequeno volume (Inal-Air® e Aerochamber®) nas faixas etárias estudadas. CONCLUSAO: Os dados obtidos indicam que espaçadores de pequeno volume são os mais indicados para utilização na faixa pediátrica, devendo-se restringir o uso de espaçadores de grande volume a adolescentes e adultos.

Titanium pigment in tissues of drug addicts: report of 5 necropsied cases

O objetivo deste relato é descrever os achados anatomopatológicos de cinco casos de toxicômanos com pigmento de titânio em vários órgãos, após injeção de comprimidos esmagados de cloridrato de propoxifeno. Foram obtidos fragmentos do fígado, baço, pulmões, linfonodos e medula óssea e, após a avaliação macroscópica, amostras foram submetidas à microscopia de luz comum e de luz polarizada. Em todos os cinco casos, foi encontrado um pigmento com características de dióxido de titânio nas amostras dos órgãos estudados. Nossos achados sugerem que a pesquisa sobre pigmento de titânio em tecidos corporais deva ser complementada, considerando-se a contribuição de dados morfológicos em Patologia Forense.