Effect of homeopathy in the function and morphology of salivary parotid glands of irradiated rats / Efeito da homeopatia na função e morfologia das glândulas parótidas de ratos irradiados

Objective: To evaluate the radioprotective effect of a homeopathic solution in salivary function and parotid glands morphology of irradiated rats. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 150 rats randomly divided into 6 groups. The groups were named based on the substance administered: Control- saline solution; Irradiated Control- saline solution and 15 Gy of X radiation; Alcohol-hydroalcoholic solution dynamized at 15 CH; Irradiated Alcohol- hydroalcoholic solution dynamized at 15 CH and 15 Gy of X radiation; Homeopathy- 0.25 ml (1mL/kg) of the irradiated hydroalcoholic solution and dynamized at 15 CH; Irradiated homeopathy- homeopathic solution and 15 Gy of X radiation. Each group was subdivided into 5 different subgroups, based on the time point of euthanasia: 12 hours, 3, 10, 17, and 24 days. The medication was administered for 7 days before and 7 days after the radiation treatment. On the day of euthanasia, salivation was induced with pilocarpine and collected. The animals were then sacrificed and the parotid glands were removed. Results: Salivary function analysis showed that only group irradiated homeopathy euthanized on day 17 had a statistically significant difference when compared to other irradiated groups, presenting a higher salivation flow rate. The only group that showed a statistically significant difference in the number of acini over time was the irradiated alcohol group, which presented a tendency of reduction. Conclusion: The homeopathic solution presented a late radioprotective effect based on salivary function and morphological analysis of the parotid gland.

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito radioprotetor de uma solução homeopática na função salivar e na morfologia das glândulas parótidas de ratos irradiados. Materiais e Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 150 ratos divididos aleatoriamente em 6 grupos. Os grupos foram nomeados com base na substância administrada: solução salina controle; Solução salina controle irradiada e 15 Gy de radiação X; Solução álcool-hidroalcoólica dinamizada a 15 CH; Solução hidroalcoólica de álcool irradiado dinamizada a 15 CH e 15 Gy de radiação X; Homeopatia - 0,25 ml (1mL / kg) da solução hidroalcoólica irradiada e dinamizada a 15 CH; Homeopatia irradiada - solução homeopática e 15 Gy de radiação X. Cada grupo foi subdividido em 5 subgrupos diferentes, com base no tempo da eutanásia: 12 horas, 3, 10, 17 e 24 dias. O medicamento foi administrado por 7 dias antes e 7 dias após o tratamento com radiação. No dia da eutanásia, a salivação foi induzida com pilocarpina e coletada. Os animais foram então sacrificados e as glândulas parótidas foram removidas. Resultados: A análise da função salivar mostrou que apenas a homeopatia irradiada por grupo sacrificada no dia 17 apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante quando comparada a outros grupos irradiados, apresentando maior taxa de fluxo de salivação. O único grupo que apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante no número de ácinos ao longo do tempo foi o grupo álcool irradiado, o qual apontou uma tendência de redução. Conclusão: A solução homeopática apresentou efeito radioprotetor tardio baseado na função salivar e na análise morfológica da glândula parótida.

Antimicrobial Activity of Two Garlic Species (Allium Sativum and A. Tuberosum) Against Staphylococci Infection. In Vivo Study in Rats.

Purpose: This study observed the effect of garlic extracts and amoxicillin against an induced staphylococcal infection model. MIC and MBC were also obtained for aqueous extracts of Allium sativum (Asa) and Allium tuberosum (Atu) against Staphylococcus aureus penicillin-sensitive (PSSA - ATCC 25923) and MRSA (ATCC 33592). Methods: Granulation tissues were induced in the back of 205 rats. After 14 days, 0.5 mL of 108 CFU/mL of PSSA or MRSA were injected inside tissues. After 24h, animals were divided: G1 (Control) - 0.5 mL of NaCl 0.9%; G2 - Asa 100 mg/kg or 400mg/kg; G3 - Atu 100 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg; G4 - amoxicillin suspension 50 mg/kg, considering PSSA infection; and G5 (Control) - 0.5 mL of NaCl 0.9%; G6 - Asa 400mg/kg; G7 - amoxicillin 50 mg/kg; and G8 - Asa 400 mg/kg + amoxicillin 50 mg/kg for MRSA. All treatments were administered P.O. every 6h. Animals were killed at 0, 6, 12 and 24h. Samples were spread on salt-mannitol agar. Colonies were counted after 18 h at 37 °C. Atu was not able to inhibit or kill PSSA and MRSA. Considering Asa, MIC and MBC against PSSA were 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL, respectively; and 16 mg/mL and 64 mg/mL against MRSA. Results: No effect was observed in vivo for control, Asa 100 mg/kg and Atu 100 mg/kg, while amoxicillin, Atu 400 mg/kg and Asa 400 mg/kg decreased PSSA counts in all-time points. No effect of any group against MRSA was observed at any time. Conclusion: Thus, A. sativum and A. tuberosum were able to reduce PSSA infection, but not MRSA infection.

Effect of 7.5% hydrogen peroxide containing remineralizing agents on hardness, color change, roughness and micromorphology of human enamel.

PURPOSE: To determine the microhardness, color change, surface roughness, and micromorphology of tooth enamel submitted to bleaching treatment with 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP) with added calcium, amorphous calcium phosphate, sodium fluoride (NaF), and hydroxyapatite (HA). METHODS: 80 enamel slabs were used (n = 10). Three commercial agents [Pola Day 7.5%, Day White ACP 7.5% (DW-ACP), and White Class Calcium 7.5% (WC-Calcium)], three experimental (7.5% HP+NaF, 7.5% HP+HA, and 7.5% PH+NaF+HA), a positive control (with HP), and a negative control (without HP) groups were assessed. The commercial products were applied according to manufacturers' recommendations and the experimental ones were applied for 1.5 hours daily. During and after treatment, specimens were stored in artificial saliva. Tests were performed at baseline, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: DW-ACP presented lower microhardness and HP+HA presents the highest values (P < 0.05); only the experimental group presented color change similar to the commercial agents (P > 0.05). Overall, roughness increased with time (P < 0.05) and porosities, and deposition of crystalline structures in groups HP+HA and HP+NaF+HA were noted. The HP+HA agent was capable of reducing the loss of enamel microhardness due to bleaching and also present color change similar to the commercial products.

Liposomal lidocaine gel for topical use at the oral mucosa: characterization, in vitro assays and in vivo anesthetic efficacy in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize liposomal-lidocaine formulations for topical use on oral mucosa and to compare their in vitro permeation and in vivo anesthetic efficacy with commercially available lidocaine formulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Large unilamellar liposomes (400 nm) containing lidocaine were prepared using phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and α-tocoferol (4:3:0.07, w:w:w) and were characterized in terms of membrane/water partition coefficient, encapsulation efficiency, size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and in vitro release. In vitro permeation across pig palatal mucosa and in vivo topical anesthetic efficacy on the palatal mucosa in healthy volunteers (double-blinded cross-over, placebo controlled study) were performed. The following formulations were tested: liposome-encapsulated 5% lidocaine (Liposome-Lido5); liposome-encapsulated 2.5% lidocaine (Liposome-Lido2.5); 5% lidocaine ointment (Xylocaina®), and eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine 2.5% (EMLA®). RESULTS: The Liposome-Lido5 and EMLA showed the best in vitro permeation parameters (flux and permeability coefficient) in comparison with Xylocaina and placebo groups, as well as the best in vivo topical anesthetic efficacy. CONCLUSION: We successfully developed and characterized a liposome encapsulated 5% lidocaine gel. It could be considered an option to other topical anesthetic agents for oral mucosa.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis with positive serum antithyroid antibodies, IgM antibodies against mycoplasma pneumoniae and human herpesvirus 7 PCR in the CSF.

We report the case of a boy with an encephalopathy associated with extrapyramidal and psychiatric symptoms and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies. He had positive serum antithyroid antibodies, IgM antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae and human herpesvirus 7 polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid. He was successfully treated with rituximab, after steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange. The pathophysiology of this disorder may be post-infectious and autoimmune.

Concentrations of metronidazole in human plasma and saliva after tablet or gel administration.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of metronidazole (Mtz) tablet and to compare Mtz gel and tablet concentrations in both blood plasma and saliva. METHODS: In this randomized cross-over study with a 1-week washout period, 13 volunteers randomly received one (a single oral dose of 750 mg Mtz (Flagyl®--tablet) and 2) 3 g of 15% Mtz benzoate gel (applied by using a dental tray). The HPLC with ultraviolet detection was used to quantify plasma and saliva concentrations of Mtz. The pharmacokinetic parameters (PPs) areas under the curves from 0 to 48 h (AUC0-48) and from 0 to infinity (AUC0-∞), the maximum plasma concentration (C(max)), the time to C(max), volume of distribution and renal clearance were determined for Mtz tablet. KEY FINDINGS: Considering the Mtz tablet, plasma showed higher Mtz concentration from 6 to 24 h after drug administration and the highest values concerning AUC0-48 h and AUC0-∞ than those obtained in saliva (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between plasma and saliva concentrations for Mtz gel. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that some PPs were higher in plasma (P < 0.05) than in saliva concerning Mtz tablet. Gel formulation had similar Mtz bioavailability in plasma and saliva resulting in systemic absorption.

Pesquisa de coliformes totais e Escherichia coli em alfaces (Lactuca sativa) comercializadas na cidade de Limeira, São Paulo, Brasil / Research of total coliforms and Escherichia coli in lettuces (Lactuca sativa) marked in Limeira, State of São Paulo

Foram analisadas 42 amostras de alfaces (Lactuca sativa) coletadas de seis redes de comercialização da cidade de Limeira - São Paulo, Brasil. A partir de cada uma das amostras, foram realizadas análises para determinação do Número Mais Provável de coliformes totais e de Escherichia coli, utilizando-se o método do substrato cromogênico e fluorogênico (Simplate) para alimentos. Das 42 amostras analisadas, 41 apresentaram, segundo a metodologia utilizada, cavidades com resultados positivos para coliformes totais, que correspondem a 97,6 por cento das amostras analisadas e 17 amostras apresentaram o mesmo resultado para Escherichia coli, correspondendo a 40,5 por cento do total de amostras. Duas amostras apresentaram contagens para Escherichia coli fora dos padrões estabelecidos pela legislação vigente pare este tipo de alimento.