Ghrelin plasma levels, gastric ghrelin cell density and bone mineral density in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Generalized bone loss can be considered an extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may lead to the occurrence of fractures, resulting in decreased quality of life and increased healthcare costs. The peptide ghrelin has demonstrated to positively affect osteoblasts in vitro and has anti-inflammatory actions, but the studies that correlate ghrelin plasma levels and RA have contradictory results. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between total ghrelin plasma levels, density of ghrelin-immunoreactive cells in the gastric mucosa, and bone mineral density (BMD) in twenty adult women with established RA with 6 months or more of symptoms (mean age of 52.70±11.40 years). Patients with RA presented higher ghrelin-immunoreactive cells density in gastric mucosa (P=0.008) compared with healthy females. There was a positive relationship between femoral neck BMD and gastric ghrelin cell density (P=0.007). However, these same patients presented a negative correlation between plasma ghrelin levels and total femoral BMD (P=0.03). The present results indicate that ghrelin may be involved in bone metabolism of patients with RA. However, the higher density of ghrelin-producing cells in the gastric mucosa of these patients does not seem to induce a corresponding elevation in the plasma levels of this peptide.

Coconut water solutions for the preservation of spleen, ovary, and skin autotransplants in rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of coconut water in the preservation of spleen, ovary, and skin autotransplantations in rats. METHODS: Fifty female Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups on the basis of the following tissue graft preservation solutions: group 1, lactated Ringer's; group 2, Belzer's solution; group 3, mature coconut water; group 4, green coconut water; and group 5, modified green coconut water. In group 5, the green coconut water solution was modified to obtain the same electrolyte composition as Belzer's solution. The spleen, ovaries, and a skin fragment were removed from each animal, stored for 6 hours in one of the solutions, and then re-implanted. The recoveries of tissue functions were assessed 90 days after surgery by means of spleen scintigraphy and blood tests. The implanted tissues were collected for histological analyses. RESULTS: Higher immunoglobulin G levels were observed in the animals of group 5 than in the animals of group 1. Differences in follicle-stimulating hormone levels were observed between groups 1 and 2 (P < .001), between groups 4 and 2 (P = .03), and between groups 5 and 2 (P = .01). The spleen scintigraphy results did not differ among the groups. The ovarian tissue was better preserved in the mature coconut water group (P < .007). CONCLUSIONS: Solutions containing coconut water allowed for the preservation of the spleen, ovaries, and skin for 6 hours, and the normal functions of these tissues were maintained in rats.

Conducted healing to treat large skin wounds.

BACKGROUND: Improvement of the healing process to provide better aesthetical and functional results continues to be a surgical challenge. This study compared the treatment of skin wounds by means of conducted healing (an original method of treatment by secondary healing) and by the use of autogenous skin grafts. METHOD: Two skin segments, one on each side of the dorsum,were removed from 17 rabbits. The side that served as a graft donor site was left open as to undergo conducted healing (A)and was submitted only to debridement and local care with dressings. The skin removed from the side mentioned above was implanted as a graft (B) to cover the wound on the other side. Thus, each animal received the two types of treatment on its dorsum (A and B). The rabbits were divided into two groups according to the size of the wounds: Group 1 - A and B (4 cm2)and Group 2 - A and B (25 cm2). The healing time was 19 days for Group 1 and 35 days for Group 2. The final macro- and microscopic aspects of the healing process were analysed comparatively among all subgroups. The presence of inflammatory cells, epidermal cysts and of giant cells was evaluated. RESULTS: No macro- or microscopic differences were observed while comparing the wounds that underwent conducted healing and those in which grafting was employed, although the wounds submitted to conducted healing healed more rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: Conducted wound healing was effective for the treatment of skin wounds.

Argyrophil cell density in the oxyntic mucosa is higher in female than in male morbidly obese patients.

Obesity is a multifactorial disorder often associated with many important diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and other metabolic syndrome conditions. Argyrophil cells represent almost the total population of endocrine cells of the human gastric mucosa and some reports have described changes of specific types of these cells in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The present study was designed to evaluate the global population of argyrophil cells of the gastric mucosa of morbidly obese and dyspeptic non-obese patients. Gastric biopsies of antropyloric and oxyntic mucosa were obtained from 50 morbidly obese patients (BMI >40) and 50 non-obese patients (17 dyspeptic overweight and 33 lean individuals) and processed for histology and Grimelius staining for argyrophil cell demonstration. Argyrophil cell density in the oxyntic mucosa of morbidly obese patients was higher in female (238.68 ± 83.71 cells/mm(2)) than in male patients (179.31 ± 85.96 cells/mm(2)) and also higher in female (214.20 ± 50.38 cells/mm(2)) than in male (141.90 ± 61.22 cells/mm(2)) morbidly obese patients with metabolic syndrome (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). In antropyloric mucosa, the main difference in argyrophil cell density was observed between female morbidly obese patients with (167.00 ± 69.30 cells/mm(2)) and without (234.00 ± 69.54 cells/mm(2)) metabolic syndrome (P = 0.001). In conclusion, the present results show that the number of gastric argyrophil cells could be under gender influence in patients with morbid obesity. In addition, gastric argyrophil cells seem to behave differently among female morbidly obese patients with and without metabolic syndrome.

Argyrophil cell density in the oxyntic mucosa is higher in female than in male morbidly obese patients

Obesity is a multifactorial disorder often associated with many important diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and other metabolic syndrome conditions. Argyrophil cells represent almost the total population of endocrine cells of the human gastric mucosa and some reports have described changes of specific types of these cells in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The present study was designed to evaluate the global population of argyrophil cells of the gastric mucosa of morbidly obese and dyspeptic non-obese patients. Gastric biopsies of antropyloric and oxyntic mucosa were obtained from 50 morbidly obese patients (BMI >40) and 50 non-obese patients (17 dyspeptic overweight and 33 lean individuals) and processed for histology and Grimelius staining for argyrophil cell demonstration. Argyrophil cell density in the oxyntic mucosa of morbidly obese patients was higher in female (238.68 ± 83.71 cells/mm2) than in male patients (179.31 ± 85.96 cells/mm2) and also higher in female (214.20 ± 50.38 cells/mm2) than in male (141.90 ± 61.22 cells/mm2) morbidly obese patients with metabolic syndrome (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). In antropyloric mucosa, the main difference in argyrophil cell density was observed between female morbidly obese patients with (167.00 ± 69.30 cells/mm2) and without (234.00 ± 69.54 cells/mm2) metabolic syndrome (P = 0.001). In conclusion, the present results show that the number of gastric argyrophil cells could be under gender influence in patients with morbid obesity. In addition, gastric argyrophil cells seem to behave differently among female morbidly obese patients with and without metabolic syndrome.

Gastrinaemia, tissue gastrin concentration and G cell density in the antral mucosa of swine with and without gastric ulcer of the pars oesophagea.

Gastric ulcer of the pars oesophagea (GUPO) of the stomach, which occurs spontaneously in swine, is of unknown aetiology. Because gastrin is a potent secretagogue linked to acid secretion, this study was designed to investigate, in pigs with or without GUPO, (1) basal and food-stimulated serum gastrin concentrations, (2) the concentration of tissue gastrin, and (3) gastrin-producing (G) cell density in the antral mucosa. Sixty-four pigs (32 with, and 32 without ulceration) were studied. Antral mucosa was obtained immediately after slaughter for assessment of G-cell number and tissue gastrin concentration. The presence or absence of GUPO was not significantly associated with either of the parameters measured.

Topical application of benzalkonium chloride to the stomach serosa increases gastric emptying time, acid secretion, serum gastrin and size of the mucosa.

AIM: In the present study we evaluated the effects of gastric myenteric denervation using benzalkonium chloride (BAC) on the time for gastric emptying, as well as gastric secretion, and mucosal epithelial cell size and population in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wistar rats were treated with topical serosal application of BAC to the stomach. Control animals received saline. Ninety days after surgery, gastric emptying time, gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin levels were studied. Next, the animals were sacrificed and the stomachs were removed, fixed in formalin and histologically processed for histomorphometry of the height, area and volume of the glandular portion, and volume and population of mucous, chief, parietal, G- and labelled cells. BAC animals showed a significant delay in gastric emptying and an increase in gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin levels. These animals also presented a significant reduction of myenteric neuron number, hypertrophy of parietal and chief cells, hyperplasia of G cells and an increase in the gastric mucosa area. CONCLUSION: The absence of the myenteric plexus seems to protect the stomach from the hyperplastic effects of hypergastrinemia. Gastric food stasis may act as a factor triggering morphological and functional alterations of the gastric epithelium. Although gastric food stasis is a common finding in medical practice, its physiopathological consequences are poorly understood and have not been frequently discussed in the literature.

Influence of acute renal failure on the mononuclear phagocytic system

Several studies show the ability of macrophages to remove particles injected into the bloodstream. This function seems to be increased in the presence of acute renal failure. The objective of the present study was to assess the phagocytic function of the main organs (spleen, liver and lung) of the mononuclear phagocytic system in renal and postrenal failures. Fifteen rats (250-350 g) were divided into three groups (N = 5): group I - control; group II - ligature of both ureters, and group III - bilateral nephrectomy. On the third postoperative day, all animals received an iv injection of 1 ml/kg 99mTc sulfur colloid. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of plasma urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium concentrations and arterial gasometry. Samples of liver, spleen, lung and blood clots were obtained and radioactivity was measured. Samples of liver, spleen, lung and kidney were prepared for routine histopathological analysis. Plasma urea, creatinine and potassium concentrations in groups II and III were higher than in group I (P<0.05). Plasma sodium concentrations in groups II and III were lower than in group I (P<0.05). Compensated metabolic acidosis was observed in the presence of postrenal failure. Group II animals showed a lower level of radioactivity in the spleen (0.98) and lung (2.63), and a higher level in the liver (105.51) than control. Group III animals showed a lower level of radioactivity in the spleen (11.94) and a higher level in the liver (61.80), lung (11.30) and blood clot (5.13) than control. In groups II and III liver steatosis and bronchopneumonia were observed. Renal and postrenal failures seem to interfere with blood clearance by the mononuclear phagocytic system

Effect of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and methylprednisolone on the healing of jejunal anastomoses in rats

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) has been effective in reducing adhesion formation and corticosteroids reduce the inflammatory process. The objective of this study was to define the intraperitoneal (ip) effects of SCMC combined with intramuscular (im) methylprednisolone on peritoneal adhesion formation and on jejunal anastomosis healing in rats. Twenty Wistar rats (200-350 g) were divided into four groups (N = 5): groups I and III (controls) 5 and 21 days of treatment before sacrifice, respectively; groups II and IV (experimental groups) 5 and 21 days of treatment, respectively. SCMC (1 percent) was infused into the abdominal cavity and methylprednisolone (10 mg kg-1 day-1) was injected im daily from the day before surgery for animals of groups II and IV. All rats were submitted to a jejunal anastomosis. Sections of the anastomosis were prepared for routine histopathological analysis. The abdominal adhesion of group IV was less intense when compared with group III (P<0.0008). Anastomotic resistance was higher in groups II and IV when compared with groups I and III, respectively (P<0.05). There was no histological difference between groups I and II (exuberant granulation tissue on the serosal surface). Group III presented little peritoneal fibrinous tissue, with numerous thick collagen fibers. Group IV presented extensive although immature young fibrous tissue with rare thick collagen fibers. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose combined with corticosteroids seemed to diminish peritoneal adhesion but did not reduce anastomotic resistance

Lower density of antral somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in the digestive form of chronic Chagas' disease

Patients with the digestive form of chronic Chagas' disease exhibit abnormally increased gastrin release, possibly caused by antral gastrin cell (G cell) hyperfunction. In order to identify the mechanisms underlying this abnormality, we used an immunohistochemical method to assess the population of antral somatostatin-producing cells (D cells) in chagasic patients, since somatostatin is known to be the main inhibitory factor of gastrin secretion. Samples (N = 11) of endoscopic antral biopsies taken from 16 Chagas' disease patients and 13 control subjects were studied. Antral D and G cell populations were determined by an immunohistochemical technique using highly specific antibodies against somatostatin and gastrin. There was no significant difference between Chagas' disease and control groups regarding G cell population (number of cells/mm reported as median (range): 70.0 (23.7-247.0) vs 98.1 (52.7-169.4), P>0.10). In contrast, the number of antral D cells in Chagas' disease patients was significantly lower than in controls (l6.4 (6.9-54.4) vs 59.3 (29.6-113.8), P<0.05). Chronic superficial gastritis and infection with Helicobacter pylori were more frequent in chagasic patients than in controls, but there was no demonstrable association between these factors and the reduction of the number of antral D cells. These data suggest that reduction in the number of antral somatostatin-producing cells, which should lead to reduced inhibition of gastrin cell activity, may play a role in the increased gastrin secretion observed in Chagas' disease patients.

Jejunal absorption of trypsin in rat and guinea pig

Gut absorption is one of the first requirements for the study of the mechanism of a possible anti-inflammatory action of proteases, such as orally administered trypsin. Porcine trypsin absorption was studied in isolated jejunal loops of rats (female Holtzman and male Wistar) and guinea pig (males) by open-loop perfusion. Trypsin was dissolved in Tyrode solution and the solution perfused at a rate of 0.5 ml/min, at 37§C. Trypsin activity, total protein, and sodium and potassium concentrations were assayed in the jejunal effluent; the values were unchanged throughout the experiments, which lasted 45 to 120 min. Using a high sensitivity ELISA (i.e. pg/ml), trypsin absorption could be demonstrated by determination of the enzyme in the mesenteric venous blood (samples of 0.5 ml); the enzyme concentration increased with time of perfusion. The linear range-specificity for intact trypsin varied from 1 to 500 ng/well. In this assay polyclonal antibodies prepared against trypsin-TLCK were utilized. Whereas trypsin concentration in the perfused lumen was practically constant at 0.12 mg/ml, the concentration of absorbed trypsin in mesenteric vein blood increased from about 100 ng/ml at time zero to 1.8 µg/ml, after 45 min of perfusion. Histological and ultrastructural examination of the jejunal mucosa before and after perfusion revealed that the brush-border, basal membrane, and junctional complexes were fully preserved, thus eliminating the possibility that trypsin might have destroyed the structures, thereby reaching the blood circulation. The present data indicate that µg quantities of trypsin were absorbed by the isolated jejunal loop of the rat

Chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori in digestive form of Chagas' disease

Patients with the digestive form of Chagas' disease frequently present chronic gastritis. As the microorganism Helicobacter pylori is now accepted as the most common cause of human chronic gastritis, the present work was undertaken to verify a possible relationship between the presence of this bacterium and inflammatory changes of antral mucosa in chagasic patients. Seventeen chagasics, with megaesophagus and or megacolon were studied. Fragments from two different regions of antral mucosa were obtained by endoscopy, fixed in 4 neutral formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. The sections were stained by haematoxylin and eosin for histology analysis, and by carbolfuchsin for H. pylori identification. H. pylori was found in 16 (94.1) chagasic patients, all of them presenting chronic gastritis. Superficial gastritis was seen in 9 (52.9) while atrophic gastritis was present in 8 (47.1) patients. H. pylori was present on gastric mucosa of 8 (100) patients with atrophic gastritis and of 8 (88.8) patients with superficial gastritis. We concluded that the microorganism H. pylori should be considered a possible factor connected with the etiopathogenesis of chronic superficial and atrophic gastritis frequently observed in patients with the digestive form of Chagas' disease.

Determination of the optimum points of resection in devascularized intestinal loops by intravenous injection of patent V blue

E estudado o comportamento da injecao intravenosa de um corante (azul patente V) na determinacao dos pontos otimos de resseccao de alcas intestinais desvascularizadas. Cinco caes foram submetidos a desvascularizacao de dois segmentos de intestino delgado com comprimento em torno de 15cm. Entre estes preservou-se a irrigacao de um outro de ñ30cm de extensao que funcionava com alca controle. Os pontos otimos de resseccao (POR) das alcas desvascularizadas eram determinados apos a injecao endovenosa periferica do corante. A existencia de destruicao tissular nivel dos POR e respectivamente a 1,2 e 3cm dos referidos pontos (tanto para o lado da alca normal, como para o lado da alca desvascularizada) foi determinada atraves de estudo histopatologico de fragmentos da parede intestinal correspondentes aos mesmos...

Immunocytochemical identification of Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes in situ with homologous and heterologous polyclonal antibodies

O método da peroxidase-antiperoxidase foi utilizado para estudar as propriedades imunocitoquímicas de Leishmanias e de amastigotas do Trypanosoma cruzi, in situ, após os tecidos terem sido submetidos a diferentes tipos de fixaçäo. Anti-soros foram obtidos de coelhos cronicamente infectados com três cepas de T. cruzi ou imunizados com L. mexicana amazonensis e L. braziliensis guyanensis e aplicados nos cortes histológicos de 5*m de espessura. Os antígenos de T. cruzi foram coroados muito bem pelos três soros anti-T. cruzi e pelos dois soros anti-Leishmania com diluiçöes entre 1:1.000 e 1:2. Diferentemente, os antígenos de Leishmania foram revelados pelos soros anti-Leishmania somente em baixas diluiçöes, ou seja, entre 1:60 e 1:160 enquanto que os soros anti-T. cruzi, mesmo nestas diluiçöes baixas quando usados para revelar Leishmania. Embora näo haja explicaçäo clara para esta reaçäo imunocitoquímicacruzada "reversa-monodirecional" entre Leishmania e amastigotas de T. cruzi os resultados do presente trabalho mostram que anticorpos policlonais contra diferentes espécies de Leishmania, quando usados para detecçäo imunocitoquímica de Leishmania e T. cruzi in situ, reagem mais fortemente com amastigotas de T. cruzi do que com espécies homólogas

Effect of scorpion toxin on the enterochromaffin-like cells in normal and trypanosoma cruzi-infected rats: a morphological study

A injeçäo intravenosa de toxina escorpiônica ( Tityus serrulatus) en ratos normais e infectados pelo Trypanosoma cruzi näo causou alteraçöes morfológicas ultra-estruturais das células enterocromafins-like (ECL) do estômago, embora tenha induzido a aumento significativo da secreçäo do suco gástrico