Potential of Macrostomum lignano to recover from gamma-ray irradiation.

Stem cells are the only proliferating cells in flatworms and can be eliminated by irradiation with no damage to differentiated cells. We investigated the effect of fractionated irradiation schemes on Macrostomum lignano, namely, on survival, gene expression, morphology and regeneration. Proliferating cells were almost undetectable during the first week post-treatment. Cell proliferation and gene expression were restored within 1 month in a dose-dependent manner following exposure to up to 150 Gy irradiation. During recovery, stem cells did not cross the midline but were restricted within lateral compartments. An accumulated dose of 210 Gy resulted in a lethal phenotype. Our findings demonstrate that M. lignano represents a suitable model system for elucidating the effect of irradiation on the stem cell system in flatworms and for improving our understanding of the recovery potential of severely damaged stem-cell systems.

A study of low power laser on the regenerative process of Girardia tigrina (Girard,1850) (Turbellaria; Tricladida; Dugesiidae).

The mechanism of regeneration does not start to restore the wound until its corresponding epimorphic phase. A bioestimulation of tissues and cells by laser radiation depends on the wavelength, on the dose, and on the intensity of the light. The goal of this work was to verify the effect of the low power laser at 660 nm on the regenerative process of Girardia tigrina. The specimens were maintained in the laboratory under a temperature ranging from 19 degrees up to 24 degrees C for 21 days. The planarians were anesthetized by placing them on ice and then cut them with a scalpel. The three treatments were as following: animals individually irradiated with 14 sessions with 1 minute duration (treatment 1), 14 sessions with 3 minutes duration (treatment 2), and without irradiation (control). The planarians were amputated and divided in three study treatments: a control group (without radiation), and two other treatments: irradiated for 1 minute, and irradiated for 3 minutes. The animals were irradiated with diode laser (660 nm) with 3.3 +/- 0.3 mW of power, using 0.94 mW.mm-2 power density for each irradiation procedure. During the experiment, 14 irradiation sessions were undertaken. The specimens were fixed in Bouin, and stained with hematoxyline and eosin. From observation and histological analysis, it was possible to assess the effects of interaction between laser and tissue. The head fragment after 1 minute of irradiation presented a better organized tissue scheme, when compared with the other treatments. Aspects of the body fragments submitted to 3 minutes of light treatment were very similar to fragments that had not been injured. It can be concluded that there are changes in the quality of regeneration when treated with low power laser under the conditions mentioned above.

A study of low power laser on the regenerative process of Girardia tigrina (Girard, 1850) (Turbellaria; Tricladida; Dugesiidae) / Um estudo de laser de baixa potência no processo regenerativo de Girardia tigrina (Girard, 1850) (Turbellaria; Tricladida; Dugesiidae)

The mechanism of regeneration does not start to restore the wound until its corresponding epimorphic phase. A bioestimulation of tissues and cells by laser radiation depends on the wavelength, on the dose, and on the intensity of the light. The goal of this work was to verify the effect of the low power laser at 660 nm on the regenerative process of Girardia tigrina. The specimens were maintained in the laboratory under a temperature ranging from 19° up to 24 °C for 21 days. The planarians were anesthetized by placing them on ice and then cut them with a scalpel. The three treatments were as following: animals individually irradiated with 14 sessions with 1 minute duration (treatment 1), 14 sessions with 3 minutes duration (treatment 2), and without irradiation (control). The planarians were amputated and divided in three study treatments: a control group (without radiation), and two other treatments: irradiated for 1 minute, and irradiated for 3 minutes. The animals were irradiated with diode laser (660 nm) with 3.3 ± 0.3 mW of power, using 0.94 mW.mm-2 power density for each irradiation procedure. During the experiment, 14 irradiation sessions were undertaken. The specimens were fixed in Bouin, and stained with hematoxyline and eosin. From observation and histological analysis, it was possible to assess the effects of interaction between laser and tissue. The head fragment after 1 minute of irradiation presented a better organized tissue scheme, when compared with the other treatments. Aspects of the body fragments submitted to 3 minutes of light treatment were very similar to fragments that had not been injured. It can be concluded that there are changes in the quality of regeneration when treated with low power laser under the conditions mentioned above.

O mecanismo de regeneração não restaura a ferida até sua fase epimórfica correspondente. A bioestimulação de tecidos e células por radiação laser depende do comprimento de onda, da dose e intensidade de luz. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito do laser de baixa potência (660 nm) no processo regenerativo de Girardia tigrina. Estes vermes têm uma elevada capacidade de regeneração. Os espécimes foram mantidos em laboratório sob uma temperatura de 19° a 24 °C por 21 dias. As planárias foram anestesiadas com gelo e amputadas com bisturi. Os 3 tratamentos foram compostos de: animais individualmente irradiados com 14 sessões de 1 minuto de duração (tratamento 1), com 14 sessões de três minutos de duração (tratamento 2) e não irradiados (controle). Elas foram irradiadas com laser diodo (660 nm) 3,3 ± 0,3 mW potência, usando 0.94 mW.mm-2 de densidade de potência para cada irradiação. Durante o experimento foram realizadas 14 sessões. Os espécimes foram fixados em Bouin e corados com hematoxilina e eosina. Com base nas observações e análise histológica, foi possível avaliar os efeitos da interação entre laser e tecido. O fragmento cabeça após 1 minuto de irradiação mostrou um tecido melhor organizado quando comparado com outros tratamentos. Os aspectos dos fragmentos corpo após 3 minutos de irradiação foram muito similares para os fragmentos que não sofreram injúria. Existem mudanças na qualidade de regeneração quando tratadas com laser nas condições acima mencionadas.

Photosensitization and the nervous system in the planarian Dugesia gonocephala. A histochemical, ultrastructural and behavioral investigation.

Photosensitization phenomena may be induced in planarias by eosin and hematoporphyrin, and as a result, dopamine agonistic behavior ("screw-like hyperkinesia") is set up in the animal. Histochemical, ultrastructural and pharmacological investigations have shown that this hyperkinesia is of post-synaptic origin in eosin photosensitization, and of pre-synaptic origin in hematoporphyrin photosensitization. The authors suggest an hypothesis to explain the different activity of the two photosensitizers, and discuss the validity of the experiment with regard to human porphyria.