Histological and biochemical effects of preventive and therapeutic vascular photobiomodulation on rat muscle injury.

The intravascular or transcutaneous application of photobiomodulation (PBM) over blood vessels (vascular photobiomodulation, VPBM) has been used for the treatment of inflammatory and chronic conditions with promising systemic results. This study evaluated the VPBM effects on a model of muscle regeneration after acute injury and compared the outcomes of preventive and therapeutic VPBM. Transcutaneous VPBM was administered over the rat's main tail vein. Serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate were evaluated and muscles were processed for macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Preventive and therapeutic VPBM led to decreased inflammatory infiltrate, edema, and myonecrosis but with an increase in immature muscle fibers. CK, AST, and lactate levels were lower in the groups treated with VPBM (lowest concentrations in preventive VPBM application). Preventive and therapeutic VPBM were capable of exerting a positive effect on acute muscle injury repair, with more accentuated results when preventive VPBM was administered.

Hypoglicemic and Hypolipedimic Effects of Ganoderma lucidum in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Background:Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. Ex. Fr) Karst is a basidiomycete mushroom that has been used for many years as a food supplement and medicine. In Brazil, National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) classified Ganoderma lucidum as a nutraceutical product. The objective of the present work was to observe the effects of an extract from Ganoderma lucidum in rats treated with streptozotocin, and an agent that induces diabetes. Method: Male Wistar rats were obtained from the animal lodging facilities of both University Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) and Lusiada Universitary Center (UNILUS) with approval from the Ethics Committee for Animal Research. Animals were separated into groups: (1) C: Normoglycemic control water; (2) CE: Normoglycemic control group that received hydroethanolic extract (GWA); (3) DM1 + GWA: Diabetic group that received extract GWA; and (4) DM1: Diabetic group that received water. The treatment was evaluated over a 30-day period. Food and water were weighted, and blood plasma biochemical analysis performed. Results: G. lucidum extract contained beta-glucan, proteins and phenols. Biochemical analysis indicated a decrease of plasma glycemic and lipid levels in DM rats induced with streptozotocin and treated with GWA extract. Histopathological analysis from pancreas of GWA-treated DM animals showed preservation of up to 50% of pancreatic islet total area when compared to the DM control group. In plasma, Kyn was present in diabetic rats, while in treated diabetic rats more Trp was detected. Conclusion: Evaluation from G. lucidum extract in STZ-hyperglycemic rats indicated that the extract possesses hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. Support: Proj. CNPq 474681/201.

Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) increases during renal fibrogenesis and its inhibition potentiates TGF-ß 1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immunomodulatory molecule that has been implicated in several biological processes. Although IDO has been linked with some renal diseases, its role in renal fibrosis is still unclear. Because IDO may be modulated by TGF-ß1, a potent fibrogenic molecule, we hypothesized that IDO could be involved in renal fibrosis, especially acting in the TGF-ß1-induced tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We analyzed the IDO expression and activity in a model of renal fibrogenesis, and the effect of the IDO inhibitor 1-methyl-tryptophan (MT) on TGF-ß1-induced EMT using tubular cell culture. METHODS: Male Wistar rats where submited to 7 days of UUO. Non-obstructed kidneys (CL) and kidneys from SHAM rats were used as controls. Masson's Tricrome and macrophages counting were used to chatacterize the tissue fibrosis. The EMT was analysed though immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Immunohistochemestry in tissue has used to show IDO expression. MDCK cells were incubated with TGF- ß1 to analyse IDO expression. Additionally, effects of TGF- ß1 and the inhibition of IDO over the EMT process was acessed by immunoessays and scrath wound essay. RESULTS: IDO was markedly expressed in cortical and medular tubules of the UUO kidneys. Similarly to the immunolocalizaton of TGF- ß1, accompanied by loss of e-cadherin expression and an increase of mesenchymal markers. Results in vitro with MDCK cells, showed that IDO was increased after stimulus with TGF-ß1, and treatment with MT potentiated its expression. MDCK stimulated with TGF-ß1 had higher migratory activity (scratch-wound assay), which was exacerbated by MT treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IDO is constitutively expressed in tubular cells and increases during renal fibrogenesis. Although IDO is induced by TGF-ß1 in tubular cells, its chemical inhibitor acts as a profibrotic agent.

Análise preliminar do tratamento de Diabetes mellitus com Polissacarídeo de Tremella fuciformis / Preliminary analysis of the treatment of Diabetes mellitus with Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide

Introdução: O Diabetes mellitus é uma desordem metabólica que ocorre no mundo inteiro, caracterizada por hiperglicemia associada a problemas com secreção ou ação da insulina ou, ainda por alterações no metabolismo intermediário de carboidratos, proteína e lipídeos. O cogumelo Tremella fuciformis (Basideomycota) foi isolado no Brasil e levado para a China onde tem sido produzido e utilizado como alimento por apresentar diversas atividades biológicas como anti-inflamatório, anti-mutagênico, reduz hipertensão, reduz diabetes entre outras propriedades relacionadas com imunidade. A Embrapa de Brasília tornou isolar o cogumelo e enviou a universidade para os testes preliminares. Objetivo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo induzir a diabetes em ratos e realizar tratamento com polissacarídeo (PS) extraído do cogumelo gelatinoso Tremella fuciformis, desenvolvido em frascos no laboratório. Método: Ratos, no total de 28 animais foram divididos em 4 grupos sendo: 1-Normal) grupo recebendo dieta normal e água; 2-Sacarose) grupo recebendo ração normal e uma solução de sacarose 20% por 65 dias; 3-Sacarose + PS) grupo recebendo ração normal + solução de sacarose (65dias) e por gavagem PS na concentração de 1mmol (nos últimos 20 dias sendo uma vez/semana) ; 4-idem ao grupo 3, entretanto PS com concentração de 2mmol. No período, os ratos (uma vez/semana) foram pesados e submetidos a teste de glicose (fita Accu Check) e, depois sacrificados com dose letal de analgésico e coleta do sangue para testes de glicose, colesterol, triglicérides, creatinina e HDL. Resultados: Os resultados parciais demonstraram que os animais submetidos à dieta com sacarose aumentaram o peso e glicemia. Já os animais submetidos a tratamento com o PS permaneceram com o peso praticamente constante e, redução da glicemia. A creatinina tem sido um parâmetro para diagnosticar problemas renais, mas os animais em todos os tratamentos, não apresentaram diferença estatística. Para colesterol os animais submetidos ao tratamento com o PS apresentaram valores abaixo dos encontrados no grupo com sacarose, entretanto, com triglicérides e HDL apresentaram diminuição, mas houve, aumento em relação aos animais do grupo normal, indicando controle nos lipídeos. Por conclusão os resultados preliminares demonstraram que o PS extraído do cogumelo Tremella fuciformis apresenta grande potencial como produto natural contra diabetes.

Efeito de cogumelos medicinais na reabilitação da inflamação químio-induzida / Effect of medicinal mushrooms on rehabilitation of chemotherapy induced inflammation

Introdução: A inflamação químio-induzida é uma complicação dose limitante comum no tratamento citorredutor do câncer. Caracteriza-se por inflamação e ulceração da mucosa oral cuja severidade pode levar a alteração ou até interrupção do tratamento oncológico. Objetivo: comparar, por meio de análises clínicas e histopatológicas, a ação do Cogumelo do Sol® no processo inflamatório e reparador da mucosite quimionduzida. Métodos: Foram utilizados 30 Golden hamsters que receberam injeção intraperitoneal de quimioterápico 5-FU nos dias 0 e 2 do experimento. Nos dias 3 e 4, a mucosa jugal direita foi arranhada com a ponta de uma agulha estéril. A partir do 5º dia, foi iniciada a terapêutica com o fitoterápico. Nos dia 0, 2, 5, 10 e 12 foi feita avaliação clínica e três animais foram sacrificados e a mucosa jugal removida para análise histopatológica. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística pelo teste ANOVA complementado por Tukey. Resultados: após o quinto dia, houve o desenvolvimento de inflamação com o 5-FU e a maior severidade foi observada no décimo dia. Não houve redução clínica e histopatológica significativa do grau de inflamação com o tratamento tópico empregado. Conclusão: o extrato de cogumelo utilizado não foi efetivo na reabilitação da inflamação químio-induzida em hamsters.

Introduction: the chemotherapy induced inflammation is considered a significant complication of cancer treatment. This condition is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa that can directly affect the clinical status of the patient and interfere with the patient oncological treatment. Objective: to compare the effect of medicinal mushrooms on the rehabilitation of chemoinduzed inflammation by clinical and histophatological evaluation. Methods: the inflammation was induced in 30 male Golden hamsters by two intraperitoneal administrations of 5-FU on the 0 and 2nd days of the experiment followed by mechanical trauma of the cheek pouch on the third and fourth day. Animals received the topical medicinal mushrooms daily since the 5th day until the end of the experiment on the 12th day. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were evaluated and graded. The data were compared by Anova (p < 0.05) with Tukey's post hoc test. Results: after the 5th day the inflammation was observed and the most severe aspect was note after 10 days. The topical treatment with medicinal mushrooms do not improved clinically or histopathologically the recovery from 5-fluorouracil-induced damage. Conclusion: the medicinal mushrooms extract was not effective on the rehabilitation of chemotherapy induced inflammation.