ABSTRACT
Several studies have investigated the antinociceptive, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of compounds found in the lavender essential oil (LEO), however to date, there is still lack of substantial data. The objective of this study was to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of lavender essential oil. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical decolorization assay was used for antioxidant activity evaluation. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using two models of acute inflammation: carrageenan-induced pleurisy and croton oil-induced ear edema. The antinociceptive activity was tested using the pain model induced by formalin. LEO has antioxidant activity, which is dose-dependent response. The inflammatory response evoked by carrageenan and by croton oil was reduced through the pre-treatment of animals with LEO. In the pleurisy model, the drug used as positive control, dexamethasone, was more efficacious. However, in the ear swelling, the antiedematogenic effect of the oil was similar to that observed for dexamethasone. In the formalin test, LEO consistently inhibited spontaneous nociception and presented a similar effect to that of tramadol. The results of this study reveal (in vivo) the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of LEO and demonstrates its important therapeutic potential.
Subject(s)
Analgesics/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Edema/drug therapy , Oils, Volatile/therapeutic use , Pain/drug therapy , Plant Oils/therapeutic use , Analgesics/isolation & purification , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification , Antioxidants/isolation & purification , Carrageenan , Croton Oil , Disease Models, Animal , Edema/chemically induced , Female , Lavandula , Pain/chemically induced , Pain Measurement , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: To determine the relevance of waist circumference (WC) measurement and monitoring in children and adolescents as an early indicator of overweight, metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular problems in young adults in comparison with visceral and subcutaneous adiposity. METHODS: A cohort study with 159 subjects (51.6% female) started in 1999 with an average age of 13.2 years. In 1999, 2006 and 2008 weight, height, and WC were evaluated. In 2006 blood samples for laboratory diagnosis of MS were added. In 2008 abdominal computed tomography (ACT) to quantify the fat deposits were also added. RESULTS: The WC measured in children and adolescents was strongly correlated with body mass index (BMI) measured simultaneously. A strong correlation was established between WC in 1999 with measures of WC and BMI as young adults. WC strongly correlated with fat deposits in ACT. The WC in 1999 expressed more subcutaneous fat (SAT), while the WC when young adults expressed strong correlation with both visceral fat (VAT) and SAT. The correlation of WC with fat deposits was stronger in females. WC and not BMI in 1999 was significantly higher in the group that evolved to MS. CONCLUSIONS: The WC in children and adolescents was useful in screening patients for MS. WC expressed the accumulation of abdominal fat; especially subcutaneous fat.
Subject(s)
Adipogenesis , Adiposity , Adolescent Development , Child Development , Metabolic Syndrome/diagnosis , Obesity/complications , Overweight/complications , Adolescent , Body Mass Index , Brazil , Child , Cohort Studies , Early Diagnosis , Female , Humans , Intra-Abdominal Fat/diagnostic imaging , Intra-Abdominal Fat/pathology , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Metabolic Syndrome/blood , Metabolic Syndrome/complications , Metabolic Syndrome/pathology , Obesity/diagnostic imaging , Overweight/diagnostic imaging , Sex Characteristics , Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging , Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Waist CircumferenceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of Hib meningitis before and after the implementation of a vaccination program in the state of Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil, in 1999. METHODS: This retrospective study summarizes all data concerning Hib meningitis recorded by the state of Rio Grande do Sul Department of Health/Acute Communicable Disease Surveillance Agency between 1995 and 2001. All data were analyzed using the chi-square test (statistical significance: p < 0.005). RESULTS: The decline in the number of cases of Hib meningitis was associated with the Hib vaccine coverage in children. From 1995 to 2001 the incidence of Hib meningitis decreased 89% (from 1.35 cases/100,000 people in 1995 to 0.15 cases/100,000 in 2001 (p < 0.01), especially in children younger than 1 year (p < 0.005). In the same period, Hib meningitis lethality decreased from 17.8 to 6.7 % (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of an Hib meningitis vaccination program has nearly eliminated Hib meningitis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. These findings underscore the need to maintain the vaccination in children, with a thorough investigation of suspected cases and reporting of confirmed cases.
Subject(s)
Haemophilus Vaccines/administration & dosage , Haemophilus influenzae type b/immunology , Immunization Programs , Meningitis, Haemophilus/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Brazil/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Meningitis, Haemophilus/prevention & control , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de meningite por Hib antes e após a introduçäo da vacinaçäo de rotina contra esse agente no Rio Grande do Sul em 1999. MÉTODOS: Este estudo retrospectivo representa todos os dados sobre meningites por Hib investigados pela Coordenaçäo do Controle de Doenças Transmissíveis Agudas (CCDTA - sistema de vigilância) da Secretaria da Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul entre 1995 e 2001. Todos os dados foram analisados usando o teste de qui-quadrado, com p < 0,05 sendo considerado estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: A diminuiçäo dos casos de meningites por Hib esteve associada com a realizaçäo da vacinaçäo em larga escala contra Hib na infância. De 1995 a 2001, a incidência das meningites por Hib diminuiu 89 por cento: de 1,35 casos/100.000 habitantes em 1995 para 0,15 casos/100.000 em 2001 (p < 0,01), especialmente em crianças menores de um ano (p < 0,005). No mesmo período, a letalidade das meningites por Hib diminuiu de 17,8 por cento para 6,7 por cento (p < 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: A introduçäo do programa de vacinaçäo contra Hib resultou na quase eliminaçäo das meningites por Hib no Rio Grande do Sul. Esses achados reforçam a necessidade de manter a vacinaçäo apropriada na infância, com a investigaçäo completa e a comunicaçäo dos casos meningites por Hib
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Haemophilus Vaccines/administration & dosage , Haemophilus influenzae type b/immunology , Immunization Programs , Meningitis, Haemophilus/epidemiology , Meningitis, Haemophilus/prevention & control , Age Distribution , Brazil/epidemiology , Incidence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Objetivo: Estudar fatores epidemiológicos e clínicos relacionados com asma aguda em crianças admitidas em UTIP. Tipo de estudo: Observacional, prospectivo, epidemiológico. Pacientes e métodos: Crianças hopitalizadas por asma grave na UTIP-HSL-PUCRS. Foi aplicado um questionário aos familiares destes pacientes, registrando-se história clínica e fatores precipitantes do broncoespasmo. Observou-se a evoluçäo clínica de cada paciente. Resultados: 31 crianças foram admitidas em 42 ocasiöes para o tratamento de asma grave (7,3 por cento das admissöes). A proporçäo masculino:feminino foi 1,2:1,0 e a idade média foi de 25 meses. As infecçöes de vias aéreas superiores foram os principais fatores relacionados ao desencadeamento das crises (74 por cento). A história familiar de asma , atopia ou tabagismo foi obsevada em 97 por cento dos casos. ...
