Pregabalin alters reproductive performance in male mice and causes congenital anomalies in offspring.

CONTEXT: Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug with analgesic activity for the treatment of neuropathic pain. AIMS: To valuate the toxicity of pregabalin in reproductive parameters, spermatogenesis, and teratogenicity in the offspring of mice. METHODS: Twenty male mice were randomly distributed into two groups: PGB group and group C (n =10 per group). The animals in the PGB group received, via gavage, 200mg/kg of pregabalin diluted in distilled water daily, for a period of 45days. Group C received distilled water under the same experimental design. KEY RESULTS: In the paternal parameters of the PGB group, there was a significant increase in the size of the testicles, morphological alterations in the spermatozoa, a decrease in the Johnsen score, an increase in the Leydig cells, and a decrease in the serum level of testosterone. In the intrauterine development parameters of females mated with males from the PGB group, a significant decrease in placental weight, weight and length of fetuses, and fetal viability rate was observed. There was a significant increase in the number of resorptions and post-implantation losses. The significant anomalies observed in the offspring were alteration in the size of the kidneys, absent metacarpals and phalanges, alteration in the sternum, and supernumerary thoracic vertebrae. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that pregabalin had toxic effects on the reproductive function of male mice and teratogenic potential. IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study may provide new hypotheses, taking into account the risk-benefit ratio for male reproduction and offspring health.

The Salivary Concentration of Chemical Elements in Response to Training Loads in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes / Concentração Salivar de Elementos Químicos em Resposta a Cargas de Treinamento em Atletas de Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

The saliva analysis by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) for monitoring training loads could be useful due to the ease of sample analysis and a large range of chemical elements can be detected. Twelve BJJ athletes were submitted to 7 weeks of training scheduled with high training loads (weeks 1 to 4) and tapering (weeks 5 to 7). Saliva samples were collected before (Pre), at week 4, and at week 8 (Post), to quantify chemical element concentrations by TXRF. The internal training load was monitored using the session rating of perceived exertion of session (RPE) method for physical and technical tactical training sessions. All the saliva samples presented Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), Chlorine (Cl), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Zinc (Zn), Bromine (Br), and Rubidium (Rb) at Pre, 4 weeks and Post time points. Salivary concentrations of Cl, K, Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Br, and Rb significantly decreased in 4 weeks (p<0.05); and K, Cu, and Rb concentration remained at low levels at Post (p<0.05). Medium to large Cohen´s effect sizes for decrements in element concentrations from Pre to 4 weeks was observed for all the elements except Zn. Reduced S concentration at 4 weeks was negatively correlated to high training load period (r=-0.56, p=0.05). The results suggest that BJJ training modulates salivary electrolyte composition and salivary P, S and Rb are correlated with training loads in BJJ athletes. (AU)

A análise de saliva por meio de Fluorescência de Raios-X de Reflexão Total (TXRF) para monitorar cargas de treinamento pode ser útil devido à facilidade de análise da amostra e a ampla variedade de elementos químicos detectados. Doze atletas de BJJ foram submetidos a 7 semanas de treinamento programado com altas cargas de treinamento (semanas 1 a 4) e polimento (semanas 5 a 7). Amostras de saliva foram coletadas antes (Pré), na semana 4 (Meio) e na semana 8 (Pós), para quantificar as concentrações dos elementos químicos por TXRF. A carga interna de treinamento foi monitorada por meio do método de percepção subjetiva de esforço da sessão (PSE) nas sessões de treinamento físico e técnico-tático. Todas as amostras de saliva apresentaram Fósforo (P), Enxofre (S), Cloro (Cl), Potássio (K), Cálcio (Ca), Zinco (Zn), Bromo (Br) e Rubídio (Rb) no momento Pré, 4 semanas e Pós. As concentrações salivares de Cl, K, Manganês (Mn), Cobre (Cu), Br e Rb diminuíram significativamente em 4 semanas (p <0,05); e a concentração de K, Cu e Rb permaneceram em níveis baixos no Pós (p <0,05). Os tamanhos de efeito de Cohen médio a grande para decréscimos nas concentrações de elementos, de Pré a 4 semanas, foram observados para todos os elementos, exceto para Zn. A redução da concentração de S em 4 semanas foi negativamente correlacionada com o período de alta carga de treinamento (r = -0,56, p = 0,05). Os resultados sugerem que o treinamento de BJJ modula a composição eletrolítica salivar e o P, S e Rb salivares estão correlacionados com as cargas de treinamento no BJJ. (AU)

Effects of Futsal Demands on Serum and Salivary Levels of Trace Elements and Minerals Detected by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence.

The aim of this study was to monitor the circulating and salivary ion concentrations by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) in futsal players submitted to the futsal-specific intermittent shuttle protocol (FISP). TXRF may allow identification of changes in ion concentrations induced by physical efforts. Saliva and blood samples of 13 male futsal players were collected before (Pre) and after (Post) the FISP. Salivary and plasma ion levels were detected by TXRF, and differences from Pre to Post (paired t test or Wilcoxon test) and correlations between both biological fluids were determined (P < 0.05). All saliva samples presented phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), bromine (Br), and rubidium (Rb). S, Cl, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, and Rb were detected in all blood samples. K, Cu, Br, and Rb presented reduced secretion rate from Pre to Post samples (P < 0.05). The salivary concentrations of K (r = - 0.53) and Zn (r = 0.54) were correlated with plasmatic concentrations. After FISP, salivary secretion of S (r = - 0.76), Cl (r = - 0.64), P (r = - 0.67), Mn (r = - 0.74), and Zn (r = 0.69) were correlated with plasma levels. We concluded that TXRF may be used to monitor salivary (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Br, and Rb) and circulating (S, Cl, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, and Rb) levels of several elements in futsal athletes. However, an acute bout of futsal-specific physical effort did not significantly imbalance ion concentrations in saliva or plasma.