Histological Skin Assessment of Patients Submitted to Bariatric Surgery: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a stigmatizing disease that can cause dermatological aberrations, such as sagging after rapid weight loss. OBJECTIVE: This study is to evaluate the effects of obesity and massive weight loss following bariatric surgery on collagen and elastic fibers of the extracellular matrix of the skin. METHODS: Thirty-three skin biopsies were collected from patients prior to bariatric surgery and one year after surgery. Histological analyses were performed using hematoxylin-eosin and Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin staining for collagen and elastic and elaunin fibers, respectively. Differences between means were submitted to the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, with p < 0.05 significant. RESULTS: The study demonstrated an architectural alteration of the skin 1 year after bariatric surgery. In the histological analysis of the skin samples, a significant difference in the thickness of the epidermis was found 1 year after surgery in all age groups as well as in the 38-to-68-kg weight loss group (p < 0.0001). In addition to laxity, disorganization of collagen was found, with an apparent decrease in quantity and an increase in elastic fibers, although fragmented (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Obesity and massive weight loss following bariatric surgery cause the disorganization of collagen fibers and the fragmentation of elastic fibers of the extracellular matrix of the skin.

Leucomalácia periventricular e correlação com citocinas pro e antiinflamatórias / Periventricular leukomalacia and correlation with pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines

Introdução:Polimorfismos em genes de citocinas inflamatórias (TNF-α e IL-1ß) e antiinflamatórias (IL-10) intensificam a resposta inflamatória, após anóxia, aumentando as afecções decorrentes da síndrome hipóxico-isquêmica como a leucomalácia periventricular (LPV). Objetivos: Investigar a associação entre ambos os polimorfismos inflamatórios (-1031T/C no gene TNF-α e -511C/T no gene IL-1ß) e o antiinflamatório (-1082G/A no gene IL-10) e a etiopatogênese/risco da LPV em neonatos com esta afecção. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospectivo de casos-controle em 50 neonatos prematuros e a termo (Grupo Casos) e em 50 neonatos a termo (Grupo Controle), de ambos os sexos. DNA foi extraído de leucócitos de sangue periférico e a análise molecular realizada pela Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/Análise de Restrição Enzimática (PCR/RFLP). Resultados: A idade gestacional média entre casos e controles foi, respectivamente, de 31,0 semanas e 39,4 semanas (p<0,0001). O peso médio, em gramas, foi de 1561,1 para os casos e 3509,9 para controles (p<0,0001). Foi encontrada associação entre o genótipo TC (produtor intermediário de citocina inflamatória) (OR: 2.495; IC95%: 1,10-5,63; p=0,043) assim como entre os genótipos TC+CC (produtores inflamatórios intermediário+alto) (OR: 2,471; IC95%: 1,10-5,55; p=0,044) no gene TNF-α e o risco de LPV. Estatisticamente significante associação foi encontrada entre os genótipos (CT+TT) (produtores inflamatórios intermediário+alto) (OR: 23,120; IC95%: 1,31-409,4; p=0,003) no gene IL-1ß e o risco de LPV. No gene IL-10, foi encontrada reduçãosignificativa do risco de LPV para o genótipo GG (alto produtor antiinflamatório) (OR: 0,07407; IC95%: 0,02-0,34; p<0,0001)assim como para o alelo G (OR: 0,5098; IC95%: 0,29-0,91; p=0,030). Conclusão: há associação entre os polimorfismosinflamatórios (-1031T/C no gene TNF-α e -511C/T no gene IL-1ß) e o risco de desenvolvimento de LPV e associação entre opolimorfismo antiinflamatório (-1082G/A no gene IL-10) na proteção ao desenvolvimento da LPV, na população estudada.

Association of temporomandibular dysfunction with the 102T-C polymorphism in the serotonin receptor gene in Brazilian patients.

INTRODUCTION: Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It has been suggested that serotoninergic dysfunction mediates the pathophysiology of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Polymorphisms in the serotonin receptor gene (HTR2A) can alter its transcription, affecting the number of receptors in the serotoninergic system, altering nociceptive pain and hyperalgesia in TMD. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of the 102T-C polymorphism in the HTR2A gene in Brazilian patients with TMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined 100 patients, of both genders, with TMD as index cases and 100 healthy volunteers as controls, also of both genders. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, and the site that encompassed the polymorphism in the HTR2A gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Our results revealed that there were significantly more females among index cases compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The CC genotype of the 102T-C polymorphism was more frequent in patients with TMD vs. controls (OR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.13-4.46; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the view that the 102T-C polymorphism in the HTR2A gene is associated with TMD in this studied Brazilian population.