Avaliação de neurônios mioentéricos NADPH-diaforase positivos do íleo de ratos diabéticos suplementados com Acetil-L-Carnitina / Evaluation of positive NADPH-diaphorase myenteric neurons in diabetic rats supplemented with Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação com acetil-L-carnitina (ALC) sobre os neurônios mioentéricos do íleo de ratos após a indução de diabetes. Foram usados animais diabéticos suplementados com ALC (DC), diabéticos (D), normoglicêmicos suplementados com ALC (CC) e normoglicêmicos (C). Neurônios NADPH-d foram quantificados e mensurados. Observou-se redução na glicemia e na ingestão de água no grupo DC. A densidade neuronal em 12,72mm² de íleo foi semelhante nos quatro grupos (p>0,05): DC (558,8 ± 220,2), D (513,4 ± 72,01), CC (645,2 ± 144,9) e C (934 ± 248,5). A área média do corpo celular dos neurônios (µm²) nos animais diabéticos, DC (303,9 ± 114,2) e D (285,4 ± 111,8), foram maiores que nos grupos normoglicêmicos, CC (173,6 ± 53,78) e C (158,4 ± 53,73). A área do íleo (mm²) também mostrou-se maior nos animais dos grupos diabéticos, DC (190,96) e D (171,62) quando comparados aos normoglicêmicos: CC (138,04) e C (130,06). Entretanto no grupo DC, ambas as áreas foram maiores que no D (P<0,05). Assim, pode se inferir discreto incremento na população neuronal. Os dados indicaram que a ALC não interferiu nos mecanismos que promovem aumento na produção de óxido nítrico (NO) pelos neurônios mioentéricos do íleo e que a maior dilatação do íleo no grupo DC poderia ser resultante de efeito colateral da dose de carnitina empregada.

The objective was to evaluate supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats after induction of diabetes. Diabetic animals supplemented with ALC (DC), diabetic (D), normoglycemic animals supplemented with ALC (CC) and normoglycemic (C) were used. NADPH-d neurons were quantified and measured. There was a reduction in blood glucose and water intake in the DC group. The neuronal density in 12.72mm² of ileum was similar in the four groups (p>0.05): DC (558.8 ± 220.2), D (513.4 ± 72.01), CC (645.2 ± 144.9) and C (934 ± 248.5). The mean cell body area of neurons (µm²) in diabetic animals, DC (303.9 ± 114.2) and D (285.4 ± 111.8), were greater than in the normoglycemic groups, CC (173.6 ± 53.78) and C (158.4 ± 53.73). The ileum area (mm²) was larger in animals of the diabetic groups, CD (190.96) and D (171.62) compared to the normoglycemic groups: CC (138.04) and C (130.04). However, in the DC group, both areas were larger than in D (p<0.05). Thus, a slight increase in neuronal population can be inferred. The data indicated that ALC did not interfere with mechanisms that promote an increase in the production of nitric oxide (NO) by myenteric neurons of the ileum and that the greater dilation of the ileum in the DC group could be the result of a side effect of the dose of carnitine used.

Effects of quercetin-supplementation in NADH-diaphorase positive neurons subpopulations in the ileum of rats with experimental diabetes mellitus / Efectos de la suplementación con quercetina en subpoblaciones de neuronas NADH-diaforasa positivas en el Ileon de ratas con diabetes mellitus experimental

The effects of quercetin supplementation in NADH-diaphorase positive (NADH-d) neurons of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was carried in this study. Fifteen male rats were divided into three groups: normoglycemic (N), diabetic (D) and diabetic supplemented with quercetin (DQ). Whole mount preparations of the muscular layer of the ileum underwent NADH-d histochemistry for evidencing the NADH-d neuronal subpopulation. Quantitative analyzes were performed on 30 random fields, and morphometric analyzes in 100 neuronal bodies and nuclei per animal. The supplementation promoted a 44 % reduction in the neuronal density in D group when compared to N group (p <0.001); a 24.5 % reduction was observed in the DQ group when compared to N (p <0.01). Animals in D group presented an 18.7 % increase in the cell body areas of myenteric neurons when compared to N (p <0.001); DQ group showed a 14.2 % decrease in neuronal areas when compared to D (p <0.01); the nuclear area were similar among the three groups. We conclude that quercetin supplementation was positive for animals with diabetes mellitus.

Se estudiaron los efectos de la suplementación con quercetina en neuronas NADH-diaforasa positiva (NADH-d) de ratas diabéticas inducidas por estreptozotocina. Quince ratas machos se dividieron en tres grupos: normoglicémico (N), diabéticos (D) y diabéticos suplementados con quercetina (DQ). Las cortes montados de la capa muscular del íleon fueron sometidos a histoquímica de NADH-d para evidenciar la subpoblación neuronal NADH-d. Se realizaron análisis cuantitativos en 30 campos aleatorios y análisis morfométricos en 100 cuerpos y núcleos neuronales, por animal. La suplementación promovió una reducción del 44 % en la densidad neuronal en el grupo D cuando se comparó con el grupo N (p <0,001). Se observó una reducción del 24,5 % en el grupo DQ en comparación con N (p <0,01). Los animales del grupo D presentaron un aumento del 18,7 % en las áreas del cuerpo celular de las neuronas mientéricas cuando se compararon con N (p <0,001). El grupo DQ mostró una disminución de 14,2 % en las áreas neuronales en comparación con D (p <0,01). El área nuclear fue similar entre los tres grupos. Se concluye que la suplementación con quercetina fue positiva para animales con diabetes mellitus.

Diabetic neuropathy: an evaluation of the use of quercetin in the cecum of rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of quercetin supplementation on the myenteric neurons and glia in the cecum of diabetic rats. METHODS: Total preparations of the muscular tunic were prepared from the ceca of twenty-four rats divided into the following groups: control (C), control supplemented with quercetin (200 mg/kg quercetin body weight) (CQ), diabetic (D) and diabetic supplemented with quercetin (DQ). Immunohistochemical double staining technique was performed with HuC/D (general population)/nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), HuC-D/S-100 and VIP. Density analysis of the general neuronal population HuC/D-IR, the nNOS-IR (nitrergic subpopulation) and the enteric glial cells (S-100) was performed, and the morphometry and the reduction in varicosity population (VIP-IR) in these populations were analyzed. RESULTS: Diabetes promoted a significant reduction (25%) in the neuronal density of the HuC/D-IR (general population) and the nNOS-IR (nitrergic subpopulation) compared with the C group. Diabetes also significantly increased the areas of neurons, glial cells and VIP-IR varicosities. Supplementation with quercetin in the DQ group prevented neuronal loss in the general population and increased its area (P < 0.001) and the area of nitrergic subpopulation (P < 0.001), when compared to C group. Quercetin induced a VIP-IR and glial cells areas (P < 0.001) in DQ group when compared to C, CQ and D groups. CONCLUSION: In diabetes, quercetin exhibited a neuroprotective effect by maintaining the density of the general neuronal population but did not affect the density of the nNOS subpopulation.

Cochlear Implants in Children Diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome.

Introduction The CHARGE association (coloboma of the eyes; heart disease; atresia of the choanae; retarded growth and development; genital hypoplasia/genitourinary anomalies; ear anomalies and/or hearing loss) was first described in 1979 by Hall, and among its main features is hearing loss. This study presents a case aiming to establish relationships between performance on Infant Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) and Meaningful Use of Speech Scales (MUSS) tests and the analysis of hearing and language categories of a patient diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, before and after cochlear implant (CI) surgery. Case Report A 7-year-old girl was diagnosed with CHARGE. She had severe sensorineural hearing loss and was a prelingual unilateral CI user. We analyzed data from the patient's medical records regarding therapies and video recordings. Results The patient showed positive results in all evaluations after CI. IT-MAIS rose from 5 to 90% following the use of CI. MUSS also rose, from 75 to 72.5%, after use of CI. Classification of Auditory Skills changed from category 1 before use of CI to category 6 after use of CI. Classification of Language Skills changed from category 1 before use of CI to category 3 after use of CI. The CI is an aid but there are many factors in the therapeutic process, and great heterogeneity in individuals diagnosed with CHARGE should be investigated. Conclusion The development of listening and language skills after CI use was demonstrated by IT-MAIS and MUSS tests, and categorization of speech and hearing in this child with a diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome shows that CI can be an effective technological resource to provide information on hearing as one source for language construction.

As representações sociais no casamento

A relevância dessa pesquisa está relacionada com a questão socialmente presente no imaginário e na vida cotidiana da população que é o casamento, o que se expressa tanto pelo aumento crescente de uniões, assim como de divórcios. Uniões e separações revelam-se indissociáveis e percebidas de forma significativa tanto por homens, como por mulheres, constituindo assim, objetos de representações sociais. A Teoria das Representações Sociais de Serge Moscovici serviu de embasamentoteórico ao estudo. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo, compreender as representações sociais do casamento, por parte de quatro cônjuges heterossexuais, procurando entender os motivos que deram origem ao casamento, assim como ressaltar as representações pelas quais, os casais mantêm-se casados, identificando questões e vivências do mesmo. A coleta de dados qualitativos foi realizada através do roteiroda entrevista semiestruturada, enfocando a análise de temas relacionados às percepções dos casais tais como: trabalho, filhos, sexo, dinheiro, vida familiar e social, que foram interpretados sob a epistemologia da subjetividade na pesquisa qualitativa de Fernando González Rey. A discussão dos resultados mostrou que há representações de união no casamento assim como representações relacionadas deaprovação familiar do cônjuge, a divisão de tarefas domésticas, a diminuição da prática sexual após o nascimento dos filhos, a administração do dinheiro e a negociação para resolver os conflitos.

The relevance of this research is related to the question in this social imaginary and the everyday life of the population that is marriage, which is expressed both by the increasing number of marriages, and divorces. Unions and separations reveal themselves inseparable and perceived significantly both by men as by women, thus, objects of social representations. The Theory of Social Representations Serge Moscovici served as the theoretical study. This research aimed to understand thesocial representations of marriage by four heterosexual spouses, trying tounderstand the reasons that led to marriage, as well as highlight the representations by which the couples remain married, identifying issues and experiences of same.The qualitative data collection was performed using semi-structured interview script, focusing on the analysis of issues related to perceptions of couples such as: work, kids, sex, money, family and social life, which were interpreted under the epistemology of subjectivity in qualitative research Fernando González Rey the discussion of the results showed that there are representations of unity in marriage as well as representations related to family approval of the spouse, the division oflabor, sexual practice after the birth of children, money management and how to resolve conflicts.

As representações sociais no casamento

A relevância dessa pesquisa está relacionada com a questão socialmente presente no imaginário e na vida cotidiana da população que é o casamento, o que se expressa tanto pelo aumento crescente de uniões, assim como de divórcios. Uniões e separações revelam-se indissociáveis e percebidas de forma significativa tanto por homens, como por mulheres, constituindo assim, objetos de representações sociais. A Teoria das Representações Sociais de Serge Moscovici serviu de embasamentoteórico ao estudo. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo, compreender as representações sociais do casamento, por parte de quatro cônjuges heterossexuais, procurando entender os motivos que deram origem ao casamento, assim como ressaltar as representações pelas quais, os casais mantêm-se casados, identificando questões e vivências do mesmo. A coleta de dados qualitativos foi realizada através do roteiroda entrevista semiestruturada, enfocando a análise de temas relacionados às percepções dos casais tais como: trabalho, filhos, sexo, dinheiro, vida familiar e social, que foram interpretados sob a epistemologia da subjetividade na pesquisa qualitativa de Fernando González Rey. A discussão dos resultados mostrou que há representações de união no casamento assim como representações relacionadas deaprovação familiar do cônjuge, a divisão de tarefas domésticas, a diminuição da prática sexual após o nascimento dos filhos, a administração do dinheiro e a negociação para resolver os conflitos.

The relevance of this research is related to the question in this social imaginary and the everyday life of the population that is marriage, which is expressed both by the increasing number of marriages, and divorces. Unions and separations reveal themselves inseparable and perceived significantly both by men as by women, thus, objects of social representations. The Theory of Social Representations Serge Moscovici served as the theoretical study. This research aimed to understand thesocial representations of marriage by four heterosexual spouses, trying tounderstand the reasons that led to marriage, as well as highlight the representations by which the couples remain married, identifying issues and experiences of same.The qualitative data collection was performed using semi-structured interview script, focusing on the analysis of issues related to perceptions of couples such as: work, kids, sex, money, family and social life, which were interpreted under the epistemology of subjectivity in qualitative research Fernando González Rey the discussion of the results showed that there are representations of unity in marriage as well as representations related to family approval of the spouse, the division oflabor, sexual practice after the birth of children, money management and how to resolve conflicts.

Cochlear Implants in Children Diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome

The CHARGE association (coloboma of the eyes; heart disease; atresia of the choanae; retarded growth and development; genital hypoplasia/genitourinary anomalies; ear anomalies and/or hearing loss) was first described in 1979 by Hall, and among its main features is hearing loss. This study presents a case aiming to establish relationships between performance on Infant Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) and Meaningful Use of Speech Scales (MUSS) tests and the analysis of hearing and language categories of a patient diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, before and after cochlear implant (CI) surgery. Case Report: A 7-year-old girl was diagnosed with CHARGE. She had severe sensorineural hearing loss and was a prelingual unilateral CI user. We analyzed data from the patient's medical records regarding therapies and video recordings. Results: The patient showed positive results in all evaluations after CI. IT-MAIS rose from 5 to 90% following the use of CI. MUSS also rose, from 75 to 72.5%, after use of CI. Classification of Auditory Skills changed from category 1 before use of CI to category 6 after use of CI. Classification of Language Skills changed from category 1 before use of CI to category 3 after use of CI. The CI is an aid but there are many factors in the therapeutic process, and great heterogeneity in individuals diagnosed with CHARGE should be investigated. Conclusion: The development of listening and language skills after CI use was demonstrated by IT-MAIS and MUSS tests, and categorization of speech and hearing in this child with a diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome shows that CI can be an effective technological resource to provide information on hearing as one source for language construction...

Neuroprotective effect of quercetin on the duodenum enteric nervous system of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: In diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperglycemia promotes changes in biochemical mechanisms that induce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been closely linked to adverse consequences that affect the function of the gastrointestinal tract caused by injuries to the enteric nervous system (ENS) that in turn cause neurodegeneration and enteric glial loss. Therapeutic approaches have shown that diet supplementation with antioxidants, such as quercetin, reduce oxidative stress. AIMS: This work sought to evaluate neurons and enteric glial cells in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the duodenum in diabetic rats supplemented with quercetin. METHODS: The duodenum of 24 rats, including a control group (C), control quercetin supplementation group (CQ), diabetic group (D), and diabetic quercetin supplementation group (DQ), were used to investigate whole mounts of muscular and submucosal layers subjected to immunohistochemistry to detect vasoactive intestinal peptide in the myenteric layer and double-staining for HuC-D/neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and HuC-D/S100. RESULTS: A reduction of the general neuronal population (HuC/D) was found in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses (p < 0.001) in the D and DQ groups. The nitrergic subpopulation (nNOS) decreased only in the myenteric plexus (p < 0.001), and glial cells decreased in both plexuses (p < 0.001) in the D and DQ groups. In diabetic rats, quercetin supplementation reduced neuronal and glial loss. Diabetes promoted an increase in the cell body area of both the general and nitrergic populations. Quercetin supplementation only prevented neuronal hypertrophy in the general population. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with quercetin eased the damage caused by diabetes, promoting a neuroprotective effect and reducing enteric glial loss in the duodenum.

Neuroprotection and neurodegeneration in submucosal VIP-IR neurons in the jejunum of ascorbic acid supplemented aging Wistar rats.

The present work studied the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation (1 mg/ml in water daily) on submucosal vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive (VIP-IR) neurons in the jejunum of aging rats. Twenty-five male rats were divided into the following groups: Y90 (young, 90-day-old rats), A345 (aged, 345-day-old rats), A428 (aged, 428-day-old rats), AA345 (ascorbic acid-supplemented rats, 90-345-day old), and AA428 (ascorbic acid-supplemented rats, 90-428-day old). Whole mounts of the submucosal layer were subjected to immunohistochemistry for determination of VIP-IR. Morphometric analyses were carried out in 100 submucosal VIP-IR neuron cell bodies from each group. At 345 days, neurons from supplemented animals were larger than those of non-supplemented animals of the same age. These results indicate that ascorbic acid neutralized free radicals and played a neuroprotective role. At 428 days, no significant differences between cell body areas were seen with or without ascorbic acid supplementation, indicating that, from a certain age onward, the role of ascorbic acid as a VIP-IR antioxidant was reduced. This supposition is supported by the fact that both supplemented and non-supplemented animals had higher blood concentrations of ascorbic acid on Day 428 compared with Day 345. The possible neuroprotective and neurodegenerative effects of ascorbic acid appear to depend on the age of the animals, dose, and its interaction with other antioxidants.

Aspectos gerais e abordagem terapêutica da quercetina sobre as complicações do diabetes causadas pelo estresse oxidativo / General aspects and therapeutic of quercetin on the complications of diabetes caused by oxidative stress

Os flavonóides pertencem à classe de compostos fenólicos, que diferem entre si pela sua estrutura química e características particulares. Frutas, vegetais, grãos, flores, chá e vinho são exemplos de fontes destes compostos. A quercetina é o principal flavonóide presente na dieta humana, sendo a representante mais característica da subclasse flavonol da família dos flavonóides. Desde a sua descoberta, os estudos publicados na literatura científica apontam para o seu papel crucial no combate ao estresse oxidativo, associado a diversas condições patológicas. No diabetes mellitus (DM), por exemplo, também tem sido relatada sua eficiência na inibição da enzima aldose redutase que participa da via dos polióis. Nesta contextualização e considerando as graves consequências advindas do DM para a saúde e qualidade de vida, propôs-se neste trabalho uma revisão geral da literatura pertinente, a fim de reunir dados sobre aspectos biológicos e funcionais da quercetina, bem como, sua atuação benéfica nas complicações do diabetes causadas pelo estresse oxidativo.

Flavonoids belong to the class of phenolic compounds that differ by their chemical structure and characteristics. Fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers, tea and wine are examples of sources of these compounds. Quercetin is the major flavonoid present in the human diet and it is the most typical representative of the flavonol subclass of the flavonoid family. Since its discovery, studies published in scientific literature point to its crucial role in combating oxidative stress associated with various pathological conditions. In diabetes mellitus (DM), for example, it has been also reported the effectiveness in inhibiting aldose reductase enzyme that participates of polyol pathway. In this context and considering the dire consequences of diabetes to health and quality of life, it was proposed in this paper a general review of relevant literature in order to gather data on biological and functional aspects of quercetin and its beneficial role in the complications diabetes caused by oxidative stress.

Immunohistochemical study of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) enteric neurons in diabetic rats supplemented with L-glutamine.

The purpose of this work was to study the area of the varicosities of nerve fibers of myenteric neurons immunoreactive to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP-IR) and of the cell bodies of VIP-IR submucosal neurons of the jejunum of diabetic rats supplemented with 2% L-glutamine. Twenty male rats were divided into the following groups: normoglycemic (N), normoglycemic supplemented with L-glutamine (NG), diabetic (D) and diabetic supplemented with L-glutamine (DG). Whole-mounts of the muscle tunica and the submucosal layer were subjected to the immunohistochemical technique for neurotransmitter VIP identification. Morphometric analyses were carried out in 500 VIP-IR cell bodies of submucosal neurons and 2000 VIP-IR varicosities from each group. L-Glutamine supplementation to the normoglycemic animals caused an increase in the areas of the cell bodies (8.49%) and varicosities (21.3%) relative to the controls (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there was a decrease in the areas of the cell bodies (4.55%) and varicosities (28.9%) of group DG compared to those of group D (P < 0.05). It is concluded that L-glutamine supplementation was positive both to normoglycemic and diabetic animals.

Análise das investigações em enfermagem e o uso da teoria do cuidado cultural / Analisis of the investigations in nursing and the use of theory of cultural care / Análisis de las investigaciones en enfermería y el uso de la teoría del cuidado cultural

O estudo se constituiu de uma pesquisa bibliográfica com enfoque descritivo, a qual objetivou identificar eanalisar os objetos de estudo das dissertações e teses com enfoque na Teoria da Diversidade e Universalidadedo Cuidado Cultural. Selecionaram-se doze dissertações e seis teses de um programa de pós-graduação emenfermagem de uma universidade pública do Nordeste do Brasil, as quais corresponderam a 8,9% da produçãodo programa desde sua criação em 1998 até 2004. Da Universalidade e Diversidade do Cuidado Culturalemergiram as categorias “Manifestações de comportamento cultural do cliente” e “Ações de cuidados culturais deenfermagem”. A Teoria do Cuidado Cultural contribuiu nas pesquisas de enfermagem, envolvendo as áreassaúde da mulher, saúde da criança e práticas do cuidado. Os dados evidenciam que o processo saúde-doençarecebe influência socioeconômica e cultural, sendo necessário conhecer o contexto cultural do cliente para queas ações de saúde alcancem o resultado esperado. Concluiu-se que a Teoria do Cuidado Cultural possibilitaconhecer as crenças, valores e mitos presentes nas pessoas para assim desenvolver junto a estas os diferentesmodos de cuidar.

It is a bibliographic research with a descriptive approach which aimed to identify and analyze the study objects ofthesis and dissertations, focusing the Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory. Were selected twelvethesis and six dissertations, from a Post graduate Program in Nursing of a public university on Northeast of Brazil,which represent 8.9% of the scientific production of the program since its creation in 1998 until 2004. From theCultural Care Universality and Diversity emerged the categories: manifestation of client’s cultural behavior andactions of nursing cultural care. The Cultural Care Theory contributed to researches in Nursing with focus at areasof women health, child health and practice of care. The health-disease process is affected by social, economicand cultural influences, being necessary to know the client’s cultural context in order to allow the health actions toachieve the expected results. It was concluded that the Theory of Cultural Care facilitates to know the beliefs,values and myths among the people, with the aim to provide and develop different ways of taking care.

Investigación bibliográfica con enfoque descriptivo, que tuve como objetivo identificar y analizar los objetos deestudio de las disertaciones y tesis, con enfoque en la Teoría de la Diversidad y Universalidad del Cuidado Cultural.Se seleccionaron doce disertaciones y seis tesis de un Programa de Postgrado en Enfermería de una universidadpública en Nordeste – Brasil, las cuales correspondieron a 8.9% de la producción del programa desde su creaciónen 1998 hasta 2004. De la Universalidad y la Diversidad del Cuidado Cultural surgieron las categorías:Manifestaciones del Comportamiento Cultural del Cliente y Acciones de Cuidados Culturales de Enfermería. LaTeoría del Cuidado Cultural contribuyó en las investigaciones, envolviendo las áreas: salud de la mujer, salud delniño y prácticas del cuidado. Los datos evidencian que el proceso salud-enfermedad recibe influenciasocioeconómica y cultural, siendo necesario conocer el contexto cultural del cliente para que las acciones de saludalcancen el resultado deseado. Se concluyó que la Teoría del Cuidado Cultural posibilita conocer las creencias,valores y mitos presentes en las personas, a fin de proporcionar y desarrollar los diferentes modos de cuidar.

Aspectos morfoquantitativos de neurônios mioentéricos NADPH-diaforase positivos do estômago de ratos diabéticos / Morphoquantitative aspects of the NADPH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons from the stomach of diabetic rats

O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar as características morfoquantitativas de neurônios mioentéricos NADPH-diaforase positivos do estômago de ratos diabéticos. O estômago de cinco ratos normoglicêmicos e de cinco ratos diabéticos foi submetido a preparados de membrana corados pela técnica histoquímica da NADPH-diaforase. Verificou-se, nos animais diabéticos, diminuição do peso corporal, aumento do consumo diário de água, da glicemia em jejum e da hemoglobina glicada. Com os dados obtidos, foi observado aumento significante na densidade e nas áreas dos perfis celulares neuronais da região pilórica do estômago dos ratos diabéticos...

Carnitina: aspectos gerais e enfoque na neuropatia diabética / Carnitine: general aspects and focus in the diabetic neuropathy

A carnitina pertence a um grupo de componentes da dieta conhecido como nutrientes não vitamínicos e pode ser produzida pelo corpo e consumida na alimentação. Desde a sua descoberta, os estudos publicados na literatura científica versam desde seu principal papel no organismo que é o transporte de ácidos graxos para o interior da mitocôndria, até a multiplicidade de seus efeitos benéficos no tratamento de várias doenças. No diabetes mellitus (DM), por exemplo, é relatada deficiência dos níveis orgânicos de carnitina. Nesta contextualização e considerando as graves conseqüências advindas do DM para a saúde e qualidade de vida, propôs-se neste trabalho uma revisão geral da literatura pertinente, a fim de reunir dados sobre os tipos de deficiência, aspectos biológicos e funcionais da carnitina, bem como sua relação com a neuropatia diabética

Evaluation of the nitrergic myenteric neurons in the distal colon of diabetic rats treated with acetyl-L-Carnitine

In this work, we evaluated the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine supplmentation on the presence of NADPH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons in the distal colon of rats with diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin. Rats 105 days old were divided into four groups: normoglycemic, normoglycemic supplemented with acetyl-L-carnitine, diabetic and diabetic supplemented with acetyl-L-carnitine. Diabetes was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, i. v.). Supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine was done for 105 days. The neuronal density was similar in all groups. In diabetic rats, the area of neuronal cell body profile was greater (p<0, 05) than in normoglycemic rats, whereas in diabetic rats receiving acetyl-L-carnitine the areas were smaller than in the non-supplemented diabetic rats (p<0, 05). The increase in the colonic area of diabetic rats was greater than in diabetic rats treated with acetyl-L-carnitine (p<0, 05), indicating that the increment in the population of these neurons was higher in treated diabetic rats. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of carnitine is restricted to preventing an excessive increase in neuronal area. The greater dilatation of the distal colon seen in diabetic rats supplemented with acetyl-L-carnitine probably represents and adverse effect of this compound.