Linseed oil attenuates fatty liver disease in mice fed a high-carbohydrate diet.

The impact of linseed oil as a lipid source on liver disease induced by a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) was evaluated. Adult male Swiss mice received an HCD containing carbohydrates (72.1%), proteins (14.2%), and lipids (4.0%). The Control HCD group (HCD-C) received an HCD containing lard (3.6%) and soybean oil (0.4%) as lipid sources. The L10 and L100 groups received an HCD with 10 and 100% linseed oil as lipid sources, respectively. A group of mice were euthanized before receiving the diets (day 0) and the remaining groups after 56 days of receiving the diets (HCD-C, L10, and L-100 groups). Morphological and histopathological analyses, as well as collagen deposition were evaluated. Perivenous hepatocytes (PVH) of the HCD-C group were larger (P<0.05) than periportal hepatocytes (PPH) in the median lobe (ML) and left lobe (LL). There was a greater (P<0.05) deposition of type I collagen in PPH (vs PVH) and in the ML (vs LL). The ML exhibited a higher proportion of apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning. All these alterations (hepatocyte size, deposition of type I collagen, apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning) induced by HCD were prevented or attenuated in L10 and L100 groups. Another indicator of the beneficial effects of linseed oil was the lower (P<0.05) number of binucleated hepatocytes (HCD-C vs L10 or L100 group). In general, the L100 group had greater effects than the L10 group. In conclusion, linseed oil impedes or reduces the liver injury progression induced by an HCD.

Linseed oil attenuates fatty liver disease in mice fed a high-carbohydrate diet

The impact of linseed oil as a lipid source on liver disease induced by a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) was evaluated. Adult male Swiss mice received an HCD containing carbohydrates (72.1%), proteins (14.2%), and lipids (4.0%). The Control HCD group (HCD-C) received an HCD containing lard (3.6%) and soybean oil (0.4%) as lipid sources. The L10 and L100 groups received an HCD with 10 and 100% linseed oil as lipid sources, respectively. A group of mice were euthanized before receiving the diets (day 0) and the remaining groups after 56 days of receiving the diets (HCD-C, L10, and L-100 groups). Morphological and histopathological analyses, as well as collagen deposition were evaluated. Perivenous hepatocytes (PVH) of the HCD-C group were larger (P<0.05) than periportal hepatocytes (PPH) in the median lobe (ML) and left lobe (LL). There was a greater (P<0.05) deposition of type I collagen in PPH (vs PVH) and in the ML (vs LL). The ML exhibited a higher proportion of apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning. All these alterations (hepatocyte size, deposition of type I collagen, apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning) induced by HCD were prevented or attenuated in L10 and L100 groups. Another indicator of the beneficial effects of linseed oil was the lower (P<0.05) number of binucleated hepatocytes (HCD-C vs L10 or L100 group). In general, the L100 group had greater effects than the L10 group. In conclusion, linseed oil impedes or reduces the liver injury progression induced by an HCD.

Linseed oil attenuates fatty liver disease in mice fed a high-carbohydrate diet

The impact of linseed oil as a lipid source on liver disease induced by a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) was evaluated. Adult male Swiss mice received an HCD containing carbohydrates (72.1%), proteins (14.2%), and lipids (4.0%). The Control HCD group (HCD-C) received an HCD containing lard (3.6%) and soybean oil (0.4%) as lipid sources. The L10 and L100 groups received an HCD with 10 and 100% linseed oil as lipid sources, respectively. A group of mice were euthanized before receiving the diets (day 0) and the remaining groups after 56 days of receiving the diets (HCD-C, L10, and L-100 groups). Morphological and histopathological analyses, as well as collagen deposition were evaluated. Perivenous hepatocytes (PVH) of the HCD-C group were larger (P<0.05) than periportal hepatocytes (PPH) in the median lobe (ML) and left lobe (LL). There was a greater (P<0.05) deposition of type I collagen in PPH (vs PVH) and in the ML (vs LL). The ML exhibited a higher proportion of apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning. All these alterations (hepatocyte size, deposition of type I collagen, apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning) induced by HCD were prevented or attenuated in L10 and L100 groups. Another indicator of the beneficial effects of linseed oil was the lower (P<0.05) number of binucleated hepatocytes (HCD-C vs L10 or L100 group). In general, the L100 group had greater effects than the L10 group. In conclusion, linseed oil impedes or reduces the liver injury progression induced by an HCD.

Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats demonstrate altered interstitial cells of Cajal. Effects on ICC in the Walker 256 tumor model.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a significant problem in patients with cancer. The effect of cancer on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and neurons of the gastrointestinal tract have not been studied previously. Although supplementation with L-glutamine 2% may have beneficial effects in cancer-related cachexia, and be protective of ICC in models of oxidative stress such as diabetes, its effects on ICC in cancer have also not been studied. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), control supplemented with L-glutamine (CG), Walker 256 tumor (WT), and Walker 256 tumor supplemented with L-glutamine (WTG). Rats were implanted with tumor cells or injected with saline in the right flank. After 14 days, the jejunal tissues were collected and processed for immunohistochemical techniques including whole mounts and cryosections and Western blot analysis. KEY RESULTS: Tumor-bearing rats demonstrate reduced numbers of Myenteric ICC and deep muscular plexus ICC and yet increased Ano1 protein expression and enhanced ICC networks. In addition, there is more nNOS protein expressed in tumor-bearing rats compared to controls. L-glutamine treatment had a variety of effects on ICC that may be related to the disease state and the interaction of ICC and nNOS neurons. Regardless, L-glutamine reduced the size of tumors and also tumor-induced cachexia that was not due to altered food intake. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: There are significant effects on ICC in the Walker 256 tumor model. Although supplementation with L-glutamine has differential and complex effects of ICC, it reduces tumor size and tumor-associated cachexia, which supports its beneficial therapeutic role in cancer.

Creatine supplementation in trained rats causes changes in myenteric neurons and intestinal wall morphometry

Creatine is widely used by athletes as an ergogenic resource. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of creatine supplementation on the duodenum of rats submitted to physical training. The number and myenteric neuronal cell bodies as well mucosal and muscular tunic morphometry were evaluated. Control animals received a standard chow for 8 weeks, and the treated ones received the standard chow for 4 weeks and were later fed with the same chow but added with 2% creatine. Animals were divided in groups: sedentary, sedentary supplemented with creatine, trained and trained supplemented with creatine. The training consisted in treadmill running for 8 weeks. Duodenal samples were either processed for whole mount preparations or for paraffin embedding and hematoxylin-eosin staining for histological and morpho metric studies of the mucosa, the muscular tunic and myenteric neurons. It was observed that neither creatine nor physical training alone promoted alterations in muscular tunic thickness, villus height or crypts depth, however, a reduction in these parameters was observed when both were associated. The number of myenteric neurons was unchanged, but the neuronal cell body area was reduced in trained animals but not when training and creatine was associated, suggesting a neuroprotector role of this substance.(AU)

Creatine supplementation in trained rats causes changes in myenteric neurons and intestinal wall morphometry

Creatine is widely used by athletes as an ergogenic resource. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of creatine supplementation on the duodenum of rats submitted to physical training. The number and myenteric neuronal cell bodies as well mucosal and muscular tunic morphometry were evaluated. Control animals received a standard chow for 8 weeks, and the treated ones received the standard chow for 4 weeks and were later fed with the same chow but added with 2% creatine. Animals were divided in groups: sedentary, sedentary supplemented with creatine, trained and trained supplemented with creatine. The training consisted in treadmill running for 8 weeks. Duodenal samples were either processed for whole mount preparations or for paraffin embedding and hematoxylin-eosin staining for histological and morpho metric studies of the mucosa, the muscular tunic and myenteric neurons. It was observed that neither creatine nor physical training alone promoted alterations in muscular tunic thickness, villus height or crypts depth, however, a reduction in these parameters was observed when both were associated. The number of myenteric neurons was unchanged, but the neuronal cell body area was reduced in trained animals but not when training and creatine was associated, suggesting a neuroprotector role of this substance.

Clinical and histological evaluation of subepithelial connective tissue after collagen sponge implantation in the human palate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Successful root-coverage treatment depends on the thickness of the donor tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the thickness of donor tissue after augmentation of the connective tissue in the palatal area by implantation of lyophilized collagen sponge (Hemospon(®) ). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients with an indication for root coverage, whose palate was deficient in adequate connective tissue, were recruited. The procedure was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the palatal thickness in the donor site was measured at three standardized points (points 1, 2 and 3), from the distal of the canine to the distal of the first molar, and the lyophilized collagen sponge was inserted. In the second stage, the palatal thickness over the implant was measured (at points 1, 2 and 3), two biopsies of the palatal mucosa were collected - one over the implant (experimental sample) and the other on the contralateral side (control sample) - and then root-coverage treatment was performed. Analyses consisted of clinical assessment of the palatal measurements before and after sponge implantation, and histological assessment of the experimental and control biopsy samples. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Both analyses showed a significant increase in mean thickness, of 1.08 mm of neoformed tissue in the clinical analysis (the tissue at point 2 was the thickest of the three points) and of 0.53 mm in the histological analysis. CONCLUSION: The insertion of lyophilized collagen sponge induced a significant increase in the thickness of palatal connective tissue.

Age-related changes in myosin-V myenteric neurons, CGRP and VIP immunoreactivity in the ileum of rats supplemented with ascorbic acid.

We examined the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on myosin-V, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoractivities in the myenteric neurons in aging rats. Male rats were divided into groups: young 90-day-old rats (E90), 345-day-old control rats (E345), 428-day-old control rats (E428), 90- to 345-day-old rats treated with ascorbic acid (1 g/L) (EA345), and 90- to 428-day-old rats treated with ascorbic acid (1g/L) (EA428). The quantitative results showed that aging reduced the number of myosin-V-immunoreactive neurons compared with young animals (E90). Ascorbic acid supplementation in the EA345 and EA428 groups increased the average area of myosin-V neurons by 24.6% and 24.1% compared with the E345 and E428 groups, respectively. When all groups were compared, we observed significant differences for the CGRP- and VIP-immunoractive varicosities of nerve fibers from myenteric neurons. Ascorbic acid supplementation had a neurotrophic effect on all neurons studied, suggesting a neuroprotective role.

Cell proliferation of the ileum intestinal mucosa of diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the ascorbic acid supplementation on the cellular proliferation on the ileum mucosa of diabetic rats. Fifteen 90-days rats were divided in the groups: control, diabetic and diabetic supplemented with ascorbic acid (DA). Two hours prior the sacrifice, they were injected with Vincristin. Semi-seriate histological cuts stained with HE were accomplished. About 2500 crypt cells from the intestinal mucosa were counted in order to obtain the metaphasic indexes. The height and depth of 30 villi and 30 crypts were measured for each animal, respectively. The metaphasic indexes showed no significant changes when we compared the three groups: 20.2 +/- 0.7 (control), 18 +/- 1.9 (diabetic) and 17 +/- 1.4 (DA) (p > 0.05). The values obtained from the crypts measurement were 221.2 +/- 8.5 (control), 225.3 +/- 9.5 (diabetic) and 222 +/- 34 (DA). The villi of the control, diabetic and DA animals presented the following results: 301.7 +/- 25.33, 304.8 +/- 25.63 and 322.1 +/- 45.77 respectively. The morphometric data were not different statistically (p > 0.05). Summing up, the present work showed that there was no alteration in the cellular proliferation of the ileum of diabetic-induced rats supplemented with ascorbic acid.

Cell proliferation of the ileum intestinal mucosa of diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the ascorbic acid supplementation on the cellular proliferation on the ileum mucosa of diabetic rats. Fifteen 90-days rats were divided in the groups: control, diabetic and diabetic supplemented with ascorbic acid (DA). Two hours prior the sacrifice, they were injected with Vincristin. Semi-seriate histological cuts stained with HE were accomplished. About 2500 crypt cells from the intestinal mucosa were counted in order to obtain the metaphasic indexes. The height and depth of 30 villi and 30 crypts were measured for each animal, respectively. The metaphasic indexes showed no significant changes when we compared the three groups: 20.2 +/- 0.7 (control), 18 +/- 1.9 (diabetic) and 17 +/- 1.4 (DA) (p > 0.05). The values obtained from the crypts measurement were 221.2 +/- 8.5 (control), 225.3 +/- 9.5 (diabetic) and 222 +/- 34 (DA). The villi of the control, diabetic and DA animals presented the following results: 301.7 +/- 25.33, 304.8 +/- 25.63 and 322.1 +/- 45.77 respectively. The morphometric data were not different statistically (p > 0.05). Summing up, the present work showed that there was no alteration in the cellular proliferation of the ileum of diabetic-induced rats supplemented with ascorbic acid.(AU)

Effects of the ascorbic acid supplementation on NADH-diaphorase myenteric neurons in the duodenum of diabetic rats

We assessed the ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on the myenteric neurons in the duodenum of rats. Fifteen rats with 90 days of age were divided into three groups: control (C), diabetics (D) and ascorbic acid treated diabetics (DA). After 120 days of daily treatment with AA, the duodenum was submitted to the NADH-diaphorase (NADH-d) histochemical technique, which allowed us to evaluate theneuronal density in an area of 8.96 mm2 for each duodenum, and also to measure the cellular profile area of 500 neurons per group. The supplementation promoted an increase on AA levels. The neuronal density (p < 0.05) was higher in the group DA when compared to group D. There were no significant differences in the neuronal areas, when we compared groups C (204 +/- 16.5) and D (146.3 +/- 35.84) to groups D and DA (184.5 +/- 5.6 ) (p > 0.05). The AA-supplementation avoided the density reduction of the NADHd myenteric neurons in the duodenum of diabetic rats.

Effects of the ascorbic acid supplementation on NADH-diaphorase myenteric neurons in the duodenum of diabetic rats

We assessed the ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on the myenteric neurons in the duodenum of rats. Fifteen rats with 90 days of age were divided into three groups: control (C), diabetics (D) and ascorbic acid treated diabetics (DA). After 120 days of daily treatment with AA, the duodenum was submitted to the NADH-diaphorase (NADH-d) histochemical technique, which allowed us to evaluate theneuronal density in an area of 8.96 mm2 for each duodenum, and also to measure the cellular profile area of 500 neurons per group. The supplementation promoted an increase on AA levels. The neuronal density (p < 0.05) was higher in the group DA when compared to group D. There were no significant differences in the neuronal areas, when we compared groups C (204 +/- 16.5) and D (146.3 +/- 35.84) to groups D and DA (184.5 +/- 5.6 ) (p > 0.05). The AA-supplementation avoided the density reduction of the NADHd myenteric neurons in the duodenum of diabetic rats.(AU)

Effects of supplementation with ascorbic acid for a period of 120 days on the myosin-V and NADPHd positive myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats.

We investigated the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on the NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd) and myosin-V myenteric neurons in the ileum of rats, after 4 months of treatment. Two groups were compared, i.e. controls rats (C) and AA-treated rats (CA). Myosin-V immunohistochemistry and NADPHd histochemistry were employed. We investigated the areas of 500 cell bodies of myosin-V neurons and of 500 NADPHd stained neurons from all groups. The quantitative analysis was performed using an area of 8.96 mm2 from each ileum. There was an increase of 21.9% in the myosin-V immunoreactive myenteric neurons (P > 0.05) and of 22.5% in the NADPHd in group CA when compared with C (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences when we compared the area of myosin-V stained neurons between groups C and CA. However, we verified an area reduction of 7.5% in NADPHd neurons when comparing group C to group CA (P < 0.05).

Morphoquantitative aspects of nitrergic myoenteric neurons from the stomach of diabetic rats supplemented with acetyl-L-carnitine.

The NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) positive myoenteric neurons from the body of the stomach of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes with or without supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) were evaluated. At the age of 105 days the animals were divided into four groups: normoglycaemic (C), normoglycaemic supplemented with ALC (CC), diabetic (D) and diabetic supplemented with ALC (DC). The supplementation with ALC (200 mg/kg body weight/day) to groups CC and DC was made during 105 days. After this period the animals were killed and the stomach removed and subjected to the histochemical technique of NADPH-d for the staining of the neurons of the myoenteric plexus. The area of 500 neurons of each group was investigated, as well as the neuronal density in an area of 23.84 mm(2) in each stomach. ALC promoted reduction (P < 0.05) of fasting glycaemia, water ingestion and areas of the profiles of the cell bodies of the NADPH-d neurons in the diabetic animals. The density of these neurons was not statistically different in the groups studied. It is suggested, therefore, a moderate neuroprotective effect of ALC, because the diminishment of the areas of the neuronal profiles in the supplemented diabetic animals, although being statistically significant relative to the non-supplemented diabetics, was not sufficient to equal the values from the non-diabetic controls.

Evaluation of the population of NADPH-diaphorase-stained and myosin-V myenteric neurons in the ileum of chronically streptozotocin-diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid.

We investigated the effect of the ascorbic acid on the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d)-stained and myosin-V myenteric neurons in the ileum of chronically diabetic rats. The study was performed 4 months after inducing experimental diabetes with streptozotocin. Diabetic rats showed increased (p<0.05) glycaemia and glycated haemoglobin. Three groups were compared, i.e., nondiabetic rats, diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid. Myosin-V immunohistochemistry and NADPH-d histochemistry were employed. We investigated the areas of 500 cell bodies of myosin-V neurons and of 500 NADPH-d-stained neurons from all groups. The quantitative analysis was performed by using an area of 8.96 mm(2) from each ileum. The two groups of diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid showed reduction in the number and an increased area of the myosin-V-immunostained myenteric neurons. In addition, we observed increased relative proportion of NADPH-d-stained neurons in diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid. However, the area of these neurons in the diabetic rats group was larger than those evidenced in the nondiabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with ascorbic acid.

Quantitative study of the myenteric plexus of the stomach of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the morphological and quantitative alterations of the myenteric plexus neurons of the stomach of rats with streptozotocin-induced chronic diabetes and compare them to those of non-diabetic animals. Samples from the body of the stomach were used for whole-mount preparations stained with NADH-diaphorase and for histological sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin. It was observed that diabetes cause a significant decrease on the number of neurons.

Complement deposition on immune complexes reduces the frequencies of metabolic, proteolytic, and superoxide oscillations of migrating neutrophils.

Neutrophils exhibit intrinsic sinusoidal metabolite concentration oscillations of 3 min in resting cells and an additional approximately 10- or 20-s oscillation in migrating/adhering cells. To better understand immune complex (IC)-mediated leukocyte activation, we have studied neutrophil metabolic oscillations in the presence of ICs either with or without fixed complement. Using a microscope photometer we quantitated NAD(P)H autofluorescence oscillations. Cells exposed to ICs exhibited metabolic oscillation periods of approximately 12 s in the absence of complement and approximately 22 s in the presence of complement opsonization. To determine if the effects could be associated with C3 deposition, we used ICs opsonized with only C3 or only C1 and C4. Untreated ICs, heat-inactivated complement-treated ICs, and C1,C4-treated ICs trigger rapid metabolic oscillations, as do fMLP and yeast; in contrast, ICs treated with full complement or C3 alone did not affect NAD(P)H oscillations in comparison to controls. The induction of higher frequency (approximately 10 s) NAD(P)H oscillations by ICs could be blocked by addition of anti-FcgammaRII, but not FcgammaRIII mAb fragments, suggesting the participation of FcgammaRII in cellular metabolic responses to ICs. Parallel changes in the frequencies of oxidant release and pericellular proteolysis were found for all of these stimuli. Thus, immune complex composition affects both intracellular metabolic signals and extracellular functional oscillations. We suggest that complement attenuates the phlogistic potential of ICs by reducing the frequency of cytoplasmic NAD(P)H oscillations.

Morphological and quantitative analysis of the neurons of the myenteric plexus of the cecum of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this work was to study the neurons of the myenteric plexus of the cecum of rats with chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetes. We used four experimental groups of animals. In groups D2 and D8 animals were killed two and eight months, respectively, after diabetes induction and groups C2 and C8 were used as controls. We carried out whole-mount preparations stained with Giemsa and NADH-diaphorase. We verified that the diabetes did not alter the shape and disposition of the myenteric ganglia; it provoked decrease on the neuronal density and increase on the incidence of weakly basophilic neurons. The effects of streptozotocin caused dilatation of the cecum still evidenced two months after induction, but no more observed on the eight months after induction. The smaller incidence of neurons in group D8 relative to group C8 was due to the early loss related to the drug toxicity and later to the aging in diabetic condition.

Direct acridine orange fluorescence examination of blood slides compared to current techniques for malaria diagnosis.

The renewed interest in the use of fluorochromes for malaria diagnosis prompted us to evaluate the acridine orange fluorescence technique on blood slides, and to compare it with established techniques using thick and thin blood films and the QBC malaria test, using the Giemsa-stained thick film technique as our standard method for comparison. We compared 123 positively diagnosed cases and 120 negative cases. For primary samples (day 0), the sensitivity of the thin blood film fluorescence acridine orange technique (AO) was 96.4%, and its specificity was 95.1%. In cases of imported malaria, with a prevalence rate of 16.2%, the positive predictive value was 79.2% and the negative predictive value 99.3%. Sensitivity of AO was significantly higher than that of Giemsa-stained thin blood films for parasitaemias < 5000/microL. The potential of AO for species diagnosis of Plasmodium was 85.2%, using Giemsa-stained thin films as the reference technique. Where QBC imposes a cost limitation, especially in developing countries, despite its high performance, the AO diagnostic technique is a valuable alternative, because of its simplicity, almost negligible cost, and its diagnostic reliability. The method may also have potential value in the diagnosis of other microbiological diseases.

[Evaluation of the QBC system for the diagnosis of malaria]. / Evaluation du système QBC pour le diagnostic du paludisme.

There are currently two methods for the direct diagnosis of malaria: the thin blood smear and the thick blood smear. A third cytological method, called the QBC malaria test (QBC), has been developed. The first studies comparing the three methods report conflicting results. Thus, there is a need for a study of the three methods in parallel and to evaluate the logistic factors which have not been previously assessed. In an analysis of imported malaria, one worker performed the three tests, blind, in parallel with each of 813 samples. The following values were determined: intrinsic validity; predictive values, species diagnostic power; and logistic factors. QBC had the following characteristics: sensitivity = 93.8%; specificity = 99.8%; positive predictive value = 99.3%; negative predictive value = 98.3%; correct species diagnosis = 91.3%; time required for test = 3.7 +/- 0.1 min; storage of tubes at +4 degrees C in the dark = 50 days; cost per test = 27.3 FF (as compared to 24 FF for thin smear and 17.3 FF for thick smear). Although unsuitable for use in countries where malaria is endemic, other than for some specialised situations, QBC is valuable for the diagnosis of imported malaria. In view of our findings, we suggest the following approach to diagnosis: use of the QBC and thin smear tests in parallel first reading the QBC result, as positivity contributes to reading the thin smear result for confirmation of species diagnosis and assessment of parasitaemia.