Dibutyl phthalate disrupts energy metabolism and morphology in the gills and induces hepatotoxicity in zebrafish.

This study investigated the acute effects of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) exposure on energy metabolism and gill histology in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The in vitro incubation of gill tissue with 10 µM DBP for 60 min altered tissue energy supply, as shown by decreased lactate content and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Higher concentrations of DBP (100 µM and 1 mM) increased lactate content and LDH activity; however, they blocked glucose uptake, depleted the glycogen content in cellular stores, and induced injury to the gills, as measured by LDH release to the extracellular medium. In addition, in vivo exposure of fish to 1 pM DBP for 12 h induced liver damage by increasing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities. Gill histology indicated hyperemia, lamellar fusion, lamellar telangiectasis, and necrosis. Data indicate that acute exposure of zebrafish gills to the higher DBP concentrations studied induces anaerobic cellular activity and high lactate production, causing gill damage, diminishing cell viability, and incurring liver dysfunction.

Dibutyl phthalate rapidly alters calcium homeostasis in the gills of Danio rerio.

This study investigates the impacts of exposure to an environment Ca2+ challenge and the mechanism of action of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on Ca2+ influx in the gills of Danio rerio. In vitro profile of 45Ca2+ influx in gills was verified through the basal time-course. Fish were exposed to low, normal and high Ca2+ concentrations (0.02, 0.7 and 2 mM) for 12 h. So, gills were morphologically analysed and ex vivo45Ca2+ influx at 30 and 60 min was determined. For the in vitro studies, gills were treated for 60 min with DBP (1 pM, 1 nM and 1 µM) with/without blockers/activators of ionic channels, Ca2+ chelator, inhibitors of ATPases, ionic exchangers and protein kinase C to study the mechanism of DBP-induced 45Ca2+ influx. Exposure to high environmental Ca2+ augmented 45Ca2+ influx when compared to fish exposed to normal and low Ca2+ concentrations. Additionally, histopathological changes were observed in the gills of fish maintained for 12 h in low and high Ca2+. In vitro exposure of gills to DBP (1 pM) disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis. DBP stimulated 45Ca2+ influx in gills through the transitory receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), and reverse-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activation, protein kinase C and K+ channels and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA). These data suggest that in vivo short-term exposure of gills to low and high Ca2+ leads to 45Ca2+ influx and histopathological changes. Additionally, the DBP-induced rapid 45Ca2+ influx is mediated by TRPV1, NCX activation with the involvement of PKC, K+-channels and SERCA, thereby altering Ca2+ homeostasis.

Acute exposure to bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate disrupts calcium homeostasis, energy metabolism and induces oxidative stress in the testis of Danio rerio.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (BEHP) negatively affects testicular functions in different animal species, disturbing reproductive physiology and male fertility. The present study investigated the in vitro acute effect of BEHP on the mechanism of action of ionic calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis and energy metabolism. In addition, the effect of BEHP on oxidative stress was studied in vitro and in vivo in the testis of Danio rerio (D. rerio). Testes were treated in vitro for 30 min with 1 µM BEHP for 45Ca2+ influx measurements. Testes were also incubated with 1 µM BEHP for 1 h (in vitro) or 12 h (in vivo) for the measurements of lactate content, 14C-deoxy-d-glucose uptake, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity, total reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation. In addition, the effect of BEHP (1 µM) on GGT, glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transferase (GPT) activity in the liver was evaluated after in vivo treatment for 12 h. BEHP disturbs the Ca2+ balance in the testis when given acutely in vitro. BEHP stimulated Ca2+ influx occurs through L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L-VDCC), transitory receptor potential vaniloid (TRPV1) channels, reverse-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activation and inhibition of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA). BEHP affected energy metabolism in the testis by decreasing the lactate content and LDH activity. In vitro and in vivo acute effects of BEHP promoted oxidative stress by increasing ROS production, lipid peroxidation and GGT activity in the testis. Additionally, BEHP caused liver damage by increasing GPT activity.

Cardiovascular effects of angiotensin A: a novel peptide of the renin-angiotensin system.

INTRODUCTION: Angiotensin (Ang) A was first identified in human plasma and it differs from Ang II in Ala(1) instead of Asp(1). Here, we hypothesized that the actions of this peptide might explain, at least partially, the limited effects of AT1R antagonists in certain cardiovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of Ang A and Ang II on blood pressure (BP) and heart function were compared. Importantly, participation of AT1R in these effects was evaluated. Furthermore, the effects of these two peptides on ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias and involvement of calcium in these effects were investigated. RESULTS: Administration of increasing doses of these peptides caused elevations in BP at comparable magnitude. AT1R blockade completely abolished these effects. The actions of these peptides in cardiac function were quite similar although the effects of Ang A were only partially blocked by losartan. Interestingly, Ang II elicited an increase in the duration of ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias while Ang A had no effect on cardiac rhythm during reperfusion. In accordance, differently to Ang II, Ang A did not induce any significant effect on calcium transient during baseline and ischemic stress conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the existence of alternative peptides of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) might contribute to the limited effects of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in certain pathophysiological circumstances.

Complicações gastrintestinais em usuários de cocaína/crack: revisão da literatura / Gastrointestinal complications among users of cocaine / crack-a literature review

O consumo de cocaína/crack atinge todos os extratos sociais e grande parcela da população, principalmente os jovens. Esse abuso leva à ampla gama de complicações sistêmicas. No trato gastrintestinal, pode se expressar por manifestações como perfuração gastroduodenal aguda, colite isquêmica, infarto, isquemia intestinal e, raramente, hemorragia maciça. Seu mecanismo fisiopatológico parece ser o vasoespasmo ou vasoconstrição, que pode levar à isquemia, inclusive com necrose transmural. É importante a atenção e vigilância para o abuso de cocaína/crack ao deparar com paciente com dor abdominal inexplicável. (AU)

Cocaine/crack have being consumed by a large portion of the population especially by youth and reaching all social levels. This abuse leads to a wide range of systemic complications. In the gastrointestinal tract, the drug can lead to manifestations such as acute gastroduodenal perforation, ischemic colitis, infarction, intestinal ischemia and, rarely, massive hemorrhage. The most accepted pathophysiological mechanism is vasospasm or vasoconstriction which can lead to ischemia, including transmural necrosis. It is important that physicians to be aware and search recent history of abuse of crack / cocaine when faced with a patient with unexplained abdominal pain. (AU)