Variables associated to fetal microchimerism in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

In the present study, we sought to identify the factors during the pregnancy of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients that could be linked to the presence and proliferation of male fetal cells (MFC) and the possible relation between these factors and development of lupus nephritis (LN). We evaluated 18 healthy women (control group) and 28 women affected by SLE. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and quantified using the technique of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for specific Y chromosome sequences. The amount of MFC was significantly higher in the SLE group compared with the controls (SLE 252 ± 654 vs control 2.13 ± 3.7; P = 0.029). A higher amount of MFC was detected among multiparous SLE patients when compared with the control group (SLE 382 ± 924 vs control 0.073 ± 0.045; P = 0.019). LN was associated with reduced amount of MFC (LN 95.5 ± 338 vs control 388 ± 827; P = 0.019) especially when they have delivered their child before age 18 (LN 0.23 ± 0.22 vs control 355 ± 623; P = 0.028). SLE patients present a higher amount of MFC, which may increase with the time since birth of the first male child. LN patients showed an inverse correlation with MFC, suggesting that the role of the cells may be ambiguous during the various stages of development of the disease.

Comparative effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in distinct stages of chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic potential of adult stem cells in the treatment of chronic diseases is becoming increasingly evident. In the present study, we sought to assess whether treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) efficiently retards progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) when administered to experimental models of less severe CRF. METHODS: We used two renal mass reduction models to simulate different stages of CRF (5/6 or 2/3 mass renal reduction). Renal functional parameters measured were serum creatinine (SCr), creatinine clearance (CCr), rate of decline in CCr (RCCr), and 24-h proteinuria (PT24h). We also evaluated renal morphology by histology and immunohistochemistry. MSCs were obtained from bone marrow aspirates and injected into the renal parenchyma of the remnant kidneys of both groups of rats with CRF (MSC5/6 or MSC2/3). RESULTS: Animals from groups MSC5/6 and CRF2/3 seemed to benefit from MSC therapy because they showed significantly reduction in SCr and PT24h, increase in CCr and slowed the RCCr after 90 days. Treatment reduced glomerulosclerosis but significant improvement did occur in the tubulointerstitial compartment with much less fibrosis and atrophy. MSC therapy reduced inflammation by decreasing macrophage accumulation proliferative activity (PCNA-positive cells) and fibrosis (α-SM-actin). Comparisons of renal functional and morphological parameters responses between the two groups showed that rats MSC2/3 were more responsive to MSC therapy than MSC5/6. CONCLUSION: This study showed that MSC therapy is efficient to retard CRF progression and might be more effective when administered during less severe stages of CRF.

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and experimental tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: Calcineurin inhibitors are effective immunosuppressive agents, but associated adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity may limit efficacy. Dietary fish oil may minimize nephrotoxicity caused by long-term use of calcineurin inhibitors. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity in rats that had normal kidney function or chronic kidney failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats that had normal kidney function or chronic renal failure that was induced by mass reduction surgery were treated with tacrolimus without or with fish oil, fish oil alone, or olive oil. Kidney function and histology were evaluated after 14 days. RESULTS: Mean body weight loss, serum creatinine, change in serum creatinine, and rate of decrease in creatinine clearance were greater in normal rats that received than did not receive tacrolimus. Tacrolimus nephrotoxicity was greater in rats that had chronic renal failure than normal kidney function, but the mean change in serum creatinine was significantly lower in rats with chronic renal failure that were treated with tacrolimus and fish oil than tacrolimus alone. Fish oil supplementation was associated with fewer abnormal histopathologic lesions in the kidneys of tacrolimustreated rats that had normal kidney function or chronic renal failure (not signifant). CONCLUSIONS: Fish oil may be protective against the development of kidney dysfunction and histopathologic changes in rats treated with tacrolimus.

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the treatment of experimental chronic renal failure.

PURPOSE: A diet with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation has been reported to reduce renal and cardiac diseases. This study sought to elucidate whether PUFAs derived from plant or marine oils could have beneficial effects on the progression of experimental chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS: Experimental CRF was achieved by a 5/6 nephrectomy model. Male Wistar rats were divided into groups and given daily supplements of fish oil (group FO), flaxseed oil (group FXO), or soybean oil (control-group SO) for 30 days. Serum creatinine (sCr), 24-h proteinuria, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine clearance (CLcr) were measured at day 0 and 30 days after surgery when the rats were euthanized for histological analysis of the remnant kidney. RESULTS: After 30 days, we observed lower levels of sCr in the groups supplemented with PUFA when compared with the control group (FO: 0.92 ± 0.13; FXO: 1.06 ± 0.28; SO: 1.32 ± 0.47 mg/dL) and significantly slower variations of sCr (ΔsCr) in the groups treated with PUFAs (FO = 0.35 ± 0.16; FXO = 0.47 ± 0.31; OS = 0.72 ± 0.43; mg/dL, P = 0.041). Similarly, the CLcr of both of the groups that received PUFAs was significantly slower than the rats in the control group (FO: 0.45 ± 0.15; FXO: 0.60 ± 0.09; SO: 0.28 ± 0.06 mL/min/day; P = 0.01). The rats that received PUFA supplements also presented significantly less histological lesions compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a beneficial effect of dietary supplementation with flaxseed or fish oil in rats with CRF.

Levantamento de 302 tentativas de suicídio do Centro de Assistência Toxicológica do Hospital de Base de 01/92 a 02/93 / Surveys of 302 attempt of suicide in \"Centro de Assistência Toxicológica do Hospital de Base\" from 01/92 to 02/93

Os autores relatam a alta incidência de tentativas de suicídio relacionada com o perfil do potencial suicida e o questionado método escolhido, obtendo-se ou näo o êxito esperado.

Intoxicaçöes por drogas psicoativas: levantamento e análise crítica de 757 episódios / Psychotropic drugs intoxications: surveys and critical analysis of 757 cases

Os autores analisam 757 episódios de intoxicaçao por drogas psicoativas, atendidos no Centro de Assistência Toxicológica -Ceatox-78, no período de três anos. Devido ao fato de esse tipo de intoxicaçao ser importante e freqüente problema de saúde pública, foram levantados dados relativos a episódios de intoxicaçao por drogas psicoativas mais utilizadas, causas, incidência em relaçao ao sexo, idade e procedência.

Metanol: aspectos clínicos e toxicológicos / Methanol: clinical and toxicologic aspects

Os autores revisam a literatura sobre farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica do alcool metílico, enfatizando a toxicologia, onde se observam a dose tóxica mínima para o homem (100mg/Kg) e a dose letal (340mg/Kg). Porém, os efeitos tóxicos dependem nao só da concentraçao sangüínea, como também da suscetibilidade individual. Segundo Frederich et al., que estudaram a atividade da enzima 10 formil-H4 folato, a concentraçao dessa enzima no fígado humano é 26 por cento da encontrada no fígado de rato, o que justifica a ausência de efeitos adversos após administraçao de metanol neste último. A sintomatologia da intoxicaçao advém da depressao do SNC, da toxicidade específica dos produtos de oxidaçao do metanol para células da retina, e, principalmente, devido à acidose decorrente da produçao de ácido fórmico.