Melatonin regulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, VEGF and apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy in rats.

The present study analyzed whether melatonin could mediate the expression of VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the apoptotic index in rats with diabetic retinopathy. Fifty Wistar albino rats were divided into the following groups: GC: rats without induction of diabetes by streptozotocin; GD: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and treated with placebo; GDM: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and after confirmation treated with melatonin at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 20 days; GDMS: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and treated simultaneously with melatonin at a dosage of 10 mg/kg for 20 days; GDI: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and after confirmation treated with insulin for 20 days. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg), and insulin (5 U/day) was administered subcutaneously. For apoptosis TUNEL was used, while for the analysis of VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α. The results showed that the groups that were treated with melatonin decreased the expression of cytokines and VEGF, in addition to apoptosis. Thus, it is concluded that melatonin can regulate the expression of these factors by improving the condition of the retina in diabetic retinopathy.

Acute and chronic toxicity of the benzoylurea pesticide, lufenuron, in the fish, Colossoma macropomum.

Lufenuron is a benzoylurea insecticide that interfere in chitin synthesis in insects. Although lufenuron is widely used in agriculture and aquaculture, rare are studies described that relates to possible toxic effects in fish. This work aimed to evaluate acute and chronic toxic effects of benzoylurea pesticide (lufenuron) on biological parameters of Colossoma macropomum (Tambaqui). In the acute test, juveniles of Tambaqui were divided into control group and five experimental groups with exposure from 0.1 to 0.9 mg/L of lufenuron for 96 h. Animals were also submitted to chronic toxicity test for four months in concentrations of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/L of lufenuron, the concentration used in the treatment of ectoparasites in fish and 50% of LC50 96 h, respectively. The presence of hemorrhages was observed in eyes, fins and operculum of fish exposed to 0.7 and 0.9 mg/L of lufenuron. Histological analysis showed changes in the morphology of fish gills submitted to acute toxicity test, as lamellar aneurysm and blood congestion inside lamellae. Lufenuron promoted damage in fish retina as in ability to respond to stimuli in photoreceptors and in ON-bipolar cells in acute test. In chronic test, blood glucose analysis and morphometric parameters showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). In general, Tambaqui exhibited behaviors associated with stress when exposed to lufenuron. Thus, lufenuron showed several toxic effects in relation to biological parameters in Tambaqui. This concerns about the use and discard of lufenuron, and indicates the requirement of environmental actions to prevent potential contamination of aquatic biota.

Analysis of the Height of Lingual Vallates Papillae in Brazilian Individuals / Análisis de la Altura de las Papilas Valadas Linguales en Individuos Brasileños

The vallates papillae lingual are located in the surface of the tongue in a area denominated of V lingual and it presents cells gustatory gathered in gustatory buttons. This research evaluated the height papilar in relation to the surface of the tongue of 519 lingual vallates papillae. 45 human tongue samples were selected, of both sexes, inside of the 40-50 year-old age group, obtained from necropsias accomplished in the Service of Verification of Deaths (S.V.O.) of UFPE/Secretaria of Health of the state of Pernambuco, in the city of Recife. The samples were classified different height levels accordingly in relation to the surface of the tongue, not establishing the exact height, where there was the predominance of the height above the lingual surface.

Las papilas valadas linguales están localizadas en la superficie dorsal de la lengua, en un área denominada V lingual y presentan células gustativas acumuladas en botones gustativos. Se evaluó la altura papilar en relación con la superficie de la lengua de 519 papilas valadas linguales. Fueron seleccionadas 45 lenguas humanas, de individuos de ambos sexos, de 45 a 50 años de edad, obtenidas de autopsias del Servicio de Verificación de Óbitos de la Universidade Federal ed Pernambuco /Secretaría de Salud del Estado de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil. Las muestras fueron clasificadas de acuerdo a los niveles de altura en relación con la superficie de la lengua, no estableciéndose la altura exacta, donde hubo predominio de papilas ubicadas sobre la superficie lingual.