Atividade gastroprotetora do extrato etanólico de Pavonia alnifolia A. St. -Hil / Gastro protective activity of the Pavonia alnifolia A.St. -Hil. extract

RESUMO No Brasil, a família Malvaceae está representada por aproximadamente 200 espécies e algumas foram descritas como gastroproteroras. Pavonia alnifolia A.St.-Hil. (Malvaceae) foi selecionada após uma abordagem quimiossistemática, considerando-se sua potencial capacidade em prevenir lesões gástricas. Assim, a atividade gastroprotetora do extrato etanólico de caules de P. alnifolia foi avaliada utilizando o modelo de indução aguda da lesão gástrica por etanol acidificado em camundongos. Além disso, foram quantificados o teor de flavonóides, pelo método de cloreto de alumínio, e de polifenóis, pelo método Folin-Ciocalteu, uma vez que a relação desses componentes com a proteção gástrica foi evidenciada. Os ensaios apontaram redução acentuada das lesões gástricas em camundongos tratados com o extrato da planta em todas as doses ensaiadas (10, 100 e 300 mg/kg). Esse efeito pode estar relacionado com a presença de polifenóis, cujo teor encontrado foi 74,3 ± 7,5 µg equivalente de pirogalol/mg do material vegetal examinado e 82,7 ± 7,1 µg equivalente de pirogalol /mg da amostra no extrato preparado por percolação e teor de flavonoides totais, que por sua vez apresentou um resultado de 17,1 ± 1,4 µg/mg de extrato. O extrato apresentou proteção da mucosa gástrica e este efeito pode estar relacionado à presença dos polifenóis e flavonóides encontrados

ABSTRACT Gastro protective activity of the Pavonia alnifolia A.St.-Hil. extract. In Brazil, the Malvaceae family is represented by at about 200 species. Some of those species are known as gastro protective ones. The Pavonia alnifolia A.St.-Hil (Malvaceae) was selected after a chemosystematic approach. The gastro preventive activity of the ethanol extract of stems Pavonia alnifolia was evaluated through the use of the Ethanol:chlroridric acid model on mice. The quantification of the total flavonoids (aluminum chloride method) and total polyphenols (Folin-Ciocalteu method) was also performed since the relation of those components with gastric protection has been previously highlighted. The tests showed a significant reduction of the ulcer formation in the mice treated with the plant extract (10, 100 and 300 mg/kg). This effect may be related to the presence of polyphenols whose content was found to be 74.3 ± 7.5 µg/mg of vegetal material and 82.7 ± 7.1 µg/mg of crude extract and flavonoids, which in turn showed a content of 17.1 ± 1.4 µg/mg dry extract

The chronic blockade of angiotensin I-converting enzyme eliminates the sex differences of serum cytokine levels of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Sex hormones modulate the action of both cytokines and the renin-angiotensin system. However, the effects of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) on the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are unclear. We determined the relationship between ACE activity, cytokine levels and sex differences in SHR. Female (F) and male (M) SHR were divided into 4 experimental groups each (n = 7): sham + vehicle (SV), sham + enalapril (10 mg/kg body weight by gavage), castrated + vehicle, and castrated + enalapril. Treatment began 21 days after castration and continued for 30 days. Serum cytokine levels (ELISA) and ACE activity (fluorimetry) were measured. Male rats exhibited a higher serum ACE activity than female rats. Castration reduced serum ACE in males but did not affect it in females. Enalapril reduced serum ACE in all groups. IL-10 (FSV = 16.4 ± 1.1 pg/mL; MSV = 12.8 ± 1.2 pg/mL), TNF-α (FSV = 16.6 ± 1.2 pg/mL; MSV = 12.8 ± 1 pg/mL) and IL-6 (FSV = 10.3 ± 0.2 pg/mL; MSV = 7.2 ± 0.2 pg/mL) levels were higher in females than in males. Ovariectomy reduced all cytokine levels and orchiectomy reduced IL-6 but increased IL-10 concentrations in males. Castration eliminated the differences in all inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α) between males and females. Enalapril increased IL-10 in all groups and reduced IL-6 in SV rats. In conclusion, serum ACE inhibition by enalapril eliminated the sexual dimorphisms of cytokine levels in SV animals, which suggests that enalapril exerts systemic anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive effects.

The chronic blockade of angiotensin I-converting enzyme eliminates the sex differences of serum cytokine levels of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Sex hormones modulate the action of both cytokines and the renin-angiotensin system. However, the effects of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) on the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are unclear. We determined the relationship between ACE activity, cytokine levels and sex differences in SHR. Female (F) and male (M) SHR were divided into 4 experimental groups each (n = 7): sham + vehicle (SV), sham + enalapril (10 mg/kg body weight by gavage), castrated + vehicle, and castrated + enalapril. Treatment began 21 days after castration and continued for 30 days. Serum cytokine levels (ELISA) and ACE activity (fluorimetry) were measured. Male rats exhibited a higher serum ACE activity than female rats. Castration reduced serum ACE in males but did not affect it in females. Enalapril reduced serum ACE in all groups. IL-10 (FSV = 16.4 ± 1.1 pg/mL; MSV = 12.8 ± 1.2 pg/mL), TNF-α (FSV = 16.6 ± 1.2 pg/mL; MSV = 12.8 ± 1 pg/mL) and IL-6 (FSV = 10.3 ± 0.2 pg/mL; MSV = 7.2 ± 0.2 pg/mL) levels were higher in females than in males. Ovariectomy reduced all cytokine levels and orchiectomy reduced IL-6 but increased IL-10 concentrations in males. Castration eliminated the differences in all inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α) between males and females. Enalapril increased IL-10 in all groups and reduced IL-6 in SV rats. In conclusion, serum ACE inhibition by enalapril eliminated the sexual dimorphisms of cytokine levels in SV animals, which suggests that enalapril exerts systemic anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive effects.

New hosts of Myrothecium spp. in Brazil and a preliminary in vitro assay of fungicides

Myrothecium roridum and M. verrucaria are two plant pathogenic species causing foliar spots in a large number of cultivated plants. This paper aims to study the causal agents of foliar spots in vegetable crops (sweet pepper, tomato and cucumber), ornamental plants (Spathiphyllum wallisii, Solidago canadensis, Anthurium andreanum, Dieffenbachia amoena) and a solanaceous weed plant (Nicandra physaloides). Most of the isolates were identified as M. roridum; only the isolate 'Myr-02' from S. canadensis was identified as M. verrucaria. All the isolates were pathogenic to their original plant hosts and also to some other plants. Some fungicides were tested in vitro against an isolate of M. roridum and the mycelial growth recorded after seven days. Fungicides with quartenary ammonium, tebuconazole and copper were highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of M. roridum. This paper confirms the first record of M. roridum causing leaf spots in sweet pepper, tomato, Spathiphyllum, Anthurium, Dieffenbachia and N. physaloides in Brazil. We also report M. roridum as causal agent of cucumber fruit rot and M. verrucaria as a pathogen of tango plants.

New hosts of Myrothecium SPP. In brazil and a preliminary In Vitro assay of fungicides.

Myrothecium roridum and M. verrucaria are two plant pathogenic species causing foliar spots in a large number of cultivated plants. This paper aims to study the causal agents of foliar spots in vegetable crops (sweet pepper, tomato, cucumber), ornamental plants (Spathiphyllum, Solidago canadensis, Anthurium, Dieffenbachia) and a solanaceous weed plant (Nicandra physalodes). Most of the isolates were identified as M. roridum; only the isolate 'Myr-02' from S. canadensis was identified as M. verrucaria. All the isolates were pathogenic to their original plant hosts and also to some other plants. Some fungicides were tested in vitro against an isolate of M. roridum and the mycelial growth recorded after seven days. Fungicides with quartenary ammonium, Tebuconzole and copper were highly effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of M. roridum. This paper confirms the first record of M. roridum causing leaf spots in sweet pepper, tomato, Spathiphyllum, Anthurium, Dieffenbachia and N. physalodes. We also report M. roridum as causal agent of cucumber fruit rot and also M. verrucaria in tango plants.

Influence of renal denervation on blood pressure, sodium and water excretion in acute total obstructive apnea in rats.

Obstructive apnea (OA) can exert significant effects on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and hemodynamic parameters. The present study focuses on the modulatory actions of RSNA on OA-induced sodium and water retention. The experiments were performed in renal-denervated rats (D; N = 9), which were compared to sham (S; N = 9) rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed via an intrafemoral catheter. A catheter was inserted into the bladder for urinary measurements. OA episodes were induced via occlusion of the catheter inserted into the trachea. After an equilibration period, OA was induced for 20 s every 2 min and the changes in urine, MAP, HR and RSNA were recorded. Renal denervation did not alter resting MAP (S: 113 +/- 4 vs D: 115 +/- 4 mmHg) or HR (S: 340 +/- 12 vs D: 368 +/- 11 bpm). An OA episode resulted in decreased HR and MAP in both groups, but D rats showed exacerbated hypotension and attenuated bradycardia (S: -12 +/- 1 mmHg and -16 +/- 2 bpm vs D: -16 +/- 1 mmHg and 9 +/- 2 bpm; P < 0.01). The basal urinary parameters did not change during or after OA in S rats. However, D rats showed significant increases both during and after OA. Renal sympathetic nerve activity in S rats increased (34 +/- 9%) during apnea episodes. These results indicate that renal denervation induces elevations of sodium content and urine volume and alters bradycardia and hypotension patterns during total OA in unconscious rats.

Influence of renal denervation on blood pressure, sodium and water excretion in acute total obstructive apnea in rats

Obstructive apnea (OA) can exert significant effects on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and hemodynamic parameters. The present study focuses on the modulatory actions of RSNA on OA-induced sodium and water retention. The experiments were performed in renal-denervated rats (D; N = 9), which were compared to sham (S; N = 9) rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed via an intrafemoral catheter. A catheter was inserted into the bladder for urinary measurements. OA episodes were induced via occlusion of the catheter inserted into the trachea. After an equilibration period, OA was induced for 20 s every 2 min and the changes in urine, MAP, HR and RSNA were recorded. Renal denervation did not alter resting MAP (S: 113 ± 4 vs D: 115 ± 4 mmHg) or HR (S: 340 ± 12 vs D: 368 ± 11 bpm). An OA episode resulted in decreased HR and MAP in both groups, but D rats showed exacerbated hypotension and attenuated bradycardia (S: -12 ± 1 mmHg and -16 ± 2 bpm vs D: -16 ± 1 mmHg and 9 ± 2 bpm; P < 0.01). The basal urinary parameters did not change during or after OA in S rats. However, D rats showed significant increases both during and after OA. Renal sympathetic nerve activity in S rats increased (34 ± 9 percent) during apnea episodes. These results indicate that renal denervation induces elevations of sodium content and urine volume and alters bradycardia and hypotension patterns during total OA in unconscious rats.

Effect of enalapril treatment on the sensitivity of cardiopulmonary reflexes in rats with myocardial infarction.

1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with enalapril on the sensitivity of cardiopulmonary reflexes 30 days after myocardial infarction in Wistar rats. 2. Animals were divided into four groups: (i) sham operated, receiving vehicle (SHAM); (ii) infarcted, receiving vehicle (0.9% NaCl; INF); (iii) sham operated, receiving enalapril (SHAME); and (iv) infarcted, receiving enalapril (INFE). 3. Enalapril was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day. Serotonin (4-32 microg/kg, i.v.) was administered in order to activate the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, which was estimated as the percentage of reduction in heart rate. 4. The volume-sensitive cardiopulmonary reflex was induced by saline overload and evaluated as the percentage increase in sodium and volume renal excretion. At the end of the experiments, rats were killed and hearts excised to estimate the size of the infarction. The weight of the kidneys, lungs, liver and cardiac chambers as ratios of bodyweight was used to estimate the extent of hypertrophy. 5. The results showed an impairment in the sensitivity of the cardiopulmonary reflexes in the INF group compared with the SHAM and SHAME groups. We observed right ventricle and pulmonary hypertrophy, a reduction in mean and systolic arterial pressure and an increase in heart rate in INF animals. In the INFE group, nearly all the parameters were normal compared with the INF group, except for systolic arterial pressure, which was only partially improved. 6. The main finding of the present study was that treatment with enalapril normalized the sensitivity of the cardiopulmonary reflexes, which could be due, in part, to the reduction of cardiac hypertrophy. The present study provides information about the beneficial effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors by normalizing the cardiopulmonary reflexes involved with the regulation of volume and sodium, as well as control of arterial pressure and heart rate in infarcted animals.

Functional anatomy of the human inferior mesenteric vein.

The arrangement of muscle, collagenous and elastic fibers in the inferior mesenteric vein was studied in 36 necropsy specimens, using micro- and mesoscopic methods. The muscle fiber bundles are disposed in helicoidal trajectories. The collagenous and elastic fibers also form networks, the latter presenting longitudinal meshes and the former, different angles of intersection, in the vein wall. Functional considerations are made based on these results.