Impact of High-Fat Diet and Early Stress on Depressive-Like Behavior and Hippocampal Plasticity in Adult Male Rats.

During development, the brain goes through fundamental processes, including organization of neural networks and plasticity. Environmental interventions may change initial brain programming, leading to long-lasting effects and altering the susceptibility to psychopathologies, including depression disorder. It is known that depression is a psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence worldwide, including high rates among adolescents. In this study, we evaluated whether social isolation in the prepubertal period and chronic use of high-fat diet (HFD) may induce depressive-like behavior in male adult rats. We also investigated hippocampal plasticity markers and neurotransmitter systems. We found both social isolation and HFD induced a depressive-like behavior in the forced swimming task. Moreover, chronic HFD reduced synaptic markers in hippocampus, demonstrated by reductions in ßIII-tubulin (neuronal marker), PSD-95, SNAP-25, and neurotrophin-3. The HFD group also presented decreased glutamatergic and GABAergic receptors subunits. On the other hand, stress affected hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways, and increased expression of subunit of the NMDA receptor (NR2A). Both factors (stress and diet) decreased GR in the hippocampus without affecting plasma corticosterone at basal levels. Interactions between early stress and HFD access were observed only in the BNDF receptor (tropomyosin receptor kinase B; TrkB) and synaptophysin. In summary, these findings showed that a brief social isolation and chronic HFD, during a sensitive developmental period, cause depressive-like behavior in adulthood. The mechanisms underlying these behavioral effects may involve changes in the levels of synaptic proteins in hippocampus: HFD consumption appears to affect synaptic markers, while social isolation affected BDNF signaling more significantly.

Polymethylmethacrylate imbedded with antibiotics cranioplasty: An infection solution for moderate and large defects reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: In cases where autologous bone graft reconstruction is not possible (such as comminuted fractures, bone graft reabsorption, or infection) and the use of synthetic material is required, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) use is a safe and efficient solution. Studies comparing the incidence of postoperative complications between autologous and synthetic cranioplasty are heterogeneous, not allowing a conclusion of which is the best material for skull defects reconstruction. Current medical literature lacks prospective well-delineated studies with long-term follow-up that analyze the impact of antibiotic use in PMMA cranial reconstruction of moderate and large defects. METHODS: A prospective series of patients, who underwent cranioplasty reconstruction with PMMA impregnated with antibiotic, were followed for 2 years. Authors collected data regarding demographic status, clinical conditions, surgical information, and its complications. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients completed full follow-up with a mean group age of 40 years and a male predominance (77%). Major complications that required surgical management were identified in 5 patients, and 10 patients evolved with minor complications. Postoperative surgical site infection incidence was 3.2%. CONCLUSION: The infection rate in patients submitted to PMMA flap cranioplasty impregnated with antibiotic is significantly inferior comparing to the data described in medical literature. A lower infection incidence impacts secondary endpoints such as minimizing surgical morbidity, mortality, hospitalization period, and, consequently, costs.