FECTO DE LA RESTRICCIÓN ALIMENTICIA Y LA REALIMENTACIÓN SOBRE LA COMPOSICIÓN DEL MÚSCULO BLANCO DE Piaractus brachypomus / EFFECT OF FOOD DEPRIVATION AND RE-FEEDING ON MUSCLE WHITE COMPOSITION OF Piaractus brachypomus

Con el propósito de evaluar el efecto de la restricción alimenticia y la realimentación sobre la composición del músculo blanco de cachama blanca, se aplicaron dos protocolos de restricción alimenticia durante 84 días, cada uno dividido en un periodo de restricción alimenticia y un periodo de realimentación. En el primer protocolo, se aplicó una restricción alimenticia moderada (33,3%), y en el segundo, una restricción severa (50%); ambos grupos fueron comparados con un grupo control que recibió una ración alimenticia igual a la suministrada bajo condiciones de un cultivo comercial. Al finalizar el ensayo, ninguno de los tiempos de restricción alimenticia tuvo efectos significativos (p > 0,05) sobre el porcentaje de proteína del filete. Sin embargo, se observaron efectos significativos (p < 0,05) sobre los porcentajes de lípidos, cenizas y energía. Con respecto al porcentaje de cenizas musculares, se observó que la restricción alimenticia tendió a aumentar su valor, mientras que para el porcentaje de lípidos y los niveles de energía, se encontró el efecto contrario. No obstante, cuando los individuos finalizaron el periodo de realimentación, se observó un restablecimiento en los niveles de nutrientes comparados con los individuos no restringidos. En cuanto al perfil de ácidos grasos, el grupo control mostró con diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) mayor porcentaje de omega-3 (n-3). Estos resultados permiten concluir que los protocolos de alimentación aplicados estimularon, en Piaractus brachypomus, movilización de nutrientes musculares y su posterior restablecimiento, sin afectar la integridad del músculo blanco.

In order to evaluate the effect of food deprivation and re-feeding on the composition of cachama blanca white muscle, two restriction food protocols were used per 84 days, each one divided in a food restriction period and re-feeding period. In the first of them, it was used a moderate food restriction (33.3%) and in the second one, was a severe restriction (50%); both groups were compared with a control group receiving the samefood ration under commercial culture conditions. At the end of the trial, any of the times of food restriction had significant effects (p>0.05) on fillet protein percentage. However, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed on lipids, ash and energy percentages. In regards to muscle ash percentage, it was observed that food restriction tends to increase its value, and in contrast, was observed an opposite effect on lipids percentage and energy levels. However, when individuals completed the re-feeding period, a restoration in the levels of nutrients compared to non-restricted individuals was observed. As for the fatty acid profile, the control group showed with significant differences (p < 0,05) the highest percentage of omega-3 (n-3). These results suggest that restriction protocols applied in Piaractus brachypomus stimulated mobilization of nutrients muscle and its later restore without affecting the integrity of the white muscle.

Response to ODN-CpG by B Cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus correlates with disease activity.

Different immunological alterations may condition systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) activity. However, it is not known whether alterations in the phenotype of circulating antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and in the response to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN-CpG) correlate with disease activity. APC expression of HLA-DR, costimulatory molecules, and TLR9 expression was determined in patients with SLE, other autoimmune diseases, and healthy controls. Monocyte and B cell response to synthetic ODN-CpG sequences was also evaluated. Monocytes from patients with moderate SLE activity had higher expression of CD40 and CD86. Decreased numbers of CD19+CD80+ and BDCA-3+CD40+ cells were found in patients with severe SLE activity. In patients with moderate SLE activity, non-adherent and enriched B cell response to ODN-CpG was similar to healthy controls. Adherent and enriched B cells from patients with severe SLE activity did not increase costimulatory molecule expression or cytokine production after ODN-CpG stimulation. APCs from patients with SLE, regardless of disease activity, displayed higher percentage of TLR9+ cells, as well as increased expression of TLR9, compared to healthy controls. Results suggest that the B cell response to ODN-CpG correlates with the SLE activity, independently of TLR9 expression, indicating that alterations in B cell response in severe activity SLE may be caused by events down-stream to TLR9.

The use of an antifibrosis agent to improve muscle recovery after laceration.

Muscle injuries are challenging problems in traumatology and the most frequent injuries in sports medicine. Muscle injuries are capable of healing, although slowly and occasionally with incomplete functional recovery. We observed that lacerated muscle undergoes a rapid process of regeneration, which is hindered by the development of fibrosis. Biologic approaches to enhance muscle regeneration and prevent fibrosis are being investigated to improve muscle healing after injuries. We observed that growth factors can improve muscle regeneration but cannot prevent muscle fibrosis. We investigated the use of an antifibrosis substance, decorin, as an approach to prevent fibrosis and thereby improve muscle healing after injury in murine muscle. We observed that direct injection of human recombinant decorin can efficiently prevent fibrosis and enhance muscle regeneration in the lacerated muscle. More importantly, decorin can improve the recovery of strength in the injured muscle to a level similar to that observed in normal noninjured muscle. These results suggest that injection of decorin improves both the muscle structure and the function of the lacerated muscle to near complete recovery. This study will contribute significantly to the development of strategies to promote efficient muscle healing and complete functional recovery after muscle injuries.

Growth factor may decrease muscle atrophy secondary to denervation.

Despite modern microsurgical techniques, functional outcomes following brachial-plexus reconstruction and peripheral-nerve repair are usually unsatisfactory, because irreversible muscle atrophy develops before reinnervation occurs. Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has been shown to improve muscle regeneration after injury, and may have a role in muscle preservation following denervation. This study evaluated the histologic, immunohistochemical, and electrophysiologic differences between normal and denervated muscle over an 8-week time period, and also evaluated the effects of injecting IGF-1 into denervated muscle. Denervated mice gastrocnemius muscles demonstrated a decrease in muscle diameter, a decrease in muscle weight, early nuclear proliferation, and a decrease in fast twitch and maximum tetanic strength, compared to normal gastrocnemius muscle up to 8 weeks following denervation. Four weeks after denervated muscle was injected with IGF-1 at time zero, however, relative preservation of muscle diameter and weight, and maintenance of electrophysiologic contractile properties were observed. These preliminary data suggest that IGF-1 may prevent muscle atrophy secondary to denervation.

Recurrent compressive neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist: treatment with autogenous saphenous vein wrapping.

Recurrence of symptoms occurs in a significant number of patients after surgical decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome, and its management is both challenging and difficult. Fifteen patients with recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome were treated with a vein wrapping technique using the autologous saphenous vein. A total of 48 operations had been performed on these patients before wrapping the median nerve with a saphenous vein graft. At a mean follow-up of 43 months all patients reported significant pain relief and improvement in their sensory disturbances. Two-point discrimination and the findings of nerve conduction studies also improved.

Recalcitrant post-surgical neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow: treatment with autogenous saphenous vein wrapping.

Surgical decompression or transposition is generally efficacious for cubital tunnel syndrome. However, recurrence is not rare and its management is both challenging and difficult. Four patients with refractory cubital tunnel syndrome were operated on with the vein-wrapping technique, using the autologous saphenous vein. A total of 16 operative procedures were performed on these patients prior to wrapping the ulnar nerve with a saphenous vein graft. The mean patient age was 43 years (range: 30 to 54 years) and the mean follow-up was 34 months (range: 24 to 44 months). All patients reported significant pain relief and improvement in sensation. Two-point discrimination and EMG findings also improved. This is the first study reporting long-term results of the vein-wrapping technique for the treatment of recalcitrant cubital tunnel syndrome.