Diógenes Luís da Mota

Renal function in juvenile rats subjected to prenatal malnutrition and chronic salt overload

Dietary sodium may contribute to hypertension and to cardiovascular and renal disease if a primary deficiency of the kidney to excrete sodium exists. In order to investigate whether chronic 1% NaCl in the drinking water changes blood pressure and renal haemodynamics in juvenile Wistar rats subjected to prenatal malnutrition, an evaluation of plasma volume, oxidative stress in the kidney, proteinuria and renal haemodynamics was carried out. Malnutrition was induced by a multideficient diet. Mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured using a blood pressure transducer, a flow probe and inulin clearance, respectively. Plasma volume and oxidative stress were measured by means of the Evans Blue method and by monitoring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the kidneys, respectively. Urinary protein was measured by precipitation with 3% sulphosalicylic acid. It was observed that prenatally malnourished rats presented higher values of plasma volume (26%, P < 0.05), kidney TBARS (43%, P < 0.01) and blood pressure (10%, P < 0.01) when compared with the control group. However, they showed no change in renal haemodynamics or proteinuria. Neither prenatally malnourished nor control rats treated with sodium overload presented plasma volume or blood pressure values different from their respective control groups, but both groups presented elevated proteinuria (P < 0.01). The prenatally malnourished group treated with sodium overload presented higher values of kidney TBARS, GFR and filtration fraction (58, 87 and 72% higher, respectively, P < 0.01) than its respective control group. In summary, sodium overload did not exacerbate the hypertension in juvenile prenatally malnourished rats, but induced renal haemodynamic adjustments compatible with the development of renal disease.

Toxicological assessment of beta-lapachone on organs from pregnant and non-pregnant rats

Naphthoquinones have been studied extensively due to their activity as topoisomerase inhibitors. These enzymes are critical to DNA replication in cells. β‐Lapachone (beta‐lap) is an o‐naphthoquinone chemically obtained from lapachol. This work results in a toxicological evaluation of beta‐lap in Wistar rats observing the following parameters: teratology, histology, hematology and serum biochemistry. The data demonstrate teratogenic action at the doses used, as well as hematological alterations in the total leukocytes, monocytes and segmented. The biochemical data demonstrated an increase in gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels. Histological study showed significant alterations in the spleen, however, the liver and kidney did not present significant alterations. Copyright

Topographic analysis of the ganglion cell layer in the retina of the four-eyed fish Anableps anableps.

Fish of the genus Anableps (Anablepidae, Cyprinodontiformes) have eyes that are adapted for simultaneous aerial and aquatic vision. In this study we investigate some of the corresponding retinal specializations of the adult Anableps anableps eye using retinal transverse sections and wholemounts. The linear dimensions of the retina were found to be asymmetric with a greater representation of the dorsal compared to the ventral visual field. The total number of neurons in the ganglion cell layer of the ventral hemiretina was on average 3.6 times greater than the values obtained in the dorsal hemiretina. Isodensity contour maps revealed a prominent horizontal visual streak in the ventral hemiretina with an average peak cell density of 18,286 cells/mm(2). A second less-well-developed horizontal visual streak was also observed in the dorsal hemiretina. A sub-population of large cells with soma areas between 74 and 188 microm(2) was identified and found to be distributed evenly across both hemiretinas. Together, these results show that the sampling gain of the ventral retina is significantly greater than the dorsal segment, that retinal specializations important for mediating acute vision are present in the parts of the visual field immediately above and below the surface of the water, and that visual functions related with the large ganglion cells require more even sampling across the visual field. The relevance of these retinal specializations to the feeding and other behavioral strategies adopted by Anableps is discussed.

Mucous Membrane of the Rumen of Ovines, Fed With Spineless, Forrage Cactus or Palm (Barbary Fig) (Opuntia ficus indica Mil): Hystochemical Study by Means of Light Microscopy

La mucosa del rumen actua en la absorcion, transporte, metabolismo y proteccion, debido a la presencia de microorganismos en este compartimiento del tracto digestivo, los cuales son responsables de la digestion de aproximadamente el 60% de material organico aparentemente digerido. Se analizo la estructura histologica y el perfil histoquimico de las estructuras de glicoconjugados de la mucosa del estomago de las ovejas que fueron alimentadas con forraje de cactus o palmeras (Giant Palm - Opuntia ficus indica Mil)1. Fueron utilizadas 12 ovejas, con aproximadamente 14 meses de edad, las cuales fueron distribuidas de manera impar en cuatro dietas: D1- 60.0% forraje de palmera + 40.0% racion concentrada; D2- 47.5% forraje de palmera + 12.5% hierba alta africana + 40.0% racion concentrada, y D3 - 34,8% forraje de palmera + 25.2% hierba alta africana + 40.0% racion concentrada y D4 - 60.0%hierba alta africana + 40.0% racion concentrada. La experiencia duro 90 dias y al final, los animales fueron sacrificados y fragmentos de diferentes compartimientos de sus estomagos fueron directamente recogidos. Los animales que habian consumido dietas D1, D2 y D3 presentaron papilas mas desarrolladas, mientras que los alimentados con dieta D4 presentaron papilas menos desarrolladas. El estrato corneo del epitelio del rumen de los animales de la dieta D1 presentaron pequena erosion, cuando fueron comparados con los animales sometidos a las dietas D2, D3 y D4

Lectin from Crataeva tapia Bark Improves Tissue Damages and Plasma Hyperglycemia in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Crataeva tapia is a plant popularly used for diabetes treatment, in Brazil. Progressive decline in renal and hepatic functions has been described in patients with diabetes mellitus, and mortality rate is increased in patients with chronic liver and renal disease. This study aimed to evaluate whether Crataeva tapia bark lectin (CrataBL) improves hyperglycemia and renal and hepatic damage in diabetic mice. CrataBL was purified by ion exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose, and intraperitoneal administration of CrataBL to alloxan-induced diabetic mice at dose of 10 mg/Kg/day and 20 mg/Kg/day for 10 days significantly reduced serum glucose levels by 14.9% and 55.9%, respectively. Serum urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were also significantly reduced after treatment with both doses of CrataBL. Furthermore, histological analysis of liver, kidney, and pancreas revealed an improvement in the tissue morphology upon treatment with CrataBL. The results suggest that CrataBL has a beneficial hypoglycemic activity and improves the renal and hepatic complications of diabetes. Therefore, this lectin may be a promising agent for the treatment of diabetes, and this might be the basis for its use in the folk medicine as an alternative treatment to manage diabetes-related complications such as hyperglycemia and tissue damage.

Histochemistry and Morphometric Analysis of Muscle Fibers from Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las fibras musculares mediante histoquimica y metodos morfometricos en pacientes con distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD). Se tomaron biopsias musculares del musculo vasto lateral de cinco ninos entre 13 y 15 anos de edad, con diagnostico clinico de DMD. La histoquimica se realizo mediante ATPasa miofibrilar (9.6, 4.6 y 4.3). Para el analisis morfometrico se utilizo un sistema semiautomatico computarizado y software de imagen de laboratorio. La tincion de ATPasa mostro una atrofia de las fibras musculares. La fibrosis y deposito adiposo se observo en grado variable dependiendo del compromiso muscular. El analisis morfometrico mostro un aumento de tamano (porcentaje) de fibras tipo I en todos los pacientes. Ademas, la fibra tipo I tuvo un area de seccion transversal y diametro medio mayor que las fibras tipos IIa y IIb. Tanto la histoquimica y el analisis morfometrico pueden ser herramientas importantes para el diagnostico cualitativo y cuantitativo de las fibras musculares comprometidas en este tipo de enfermedad.

Effects of controlled and pressure support mechanical ventilation on rat diaphragm muscle

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Pressure Controlled Ventilation mode (PCV-C) and PSV mode in diaphragm muscle of rats. METHODS Wistar rats (n=18) were randomly assigned to the control group or to receive 6 hours of PCV and PSV. After this period, animals were euthanized and their diaphragms were excised, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored in at -80º C for further histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS Results showed a 15% decrease in cross-sectional area of muscle fibers on the PCV-C group when compared to the control group (p<0.001) and by 10% when compared to the PSV group (p<0.05). Minor diameter was decreased in PCV-C group by 9% when compared with the control group (p<0.001) and by 6% when compared to the PSV group (p<0.05). When myonuclear area was analyzed, a 16% decrease was observed in the PCV-C group when compared to the PSV group (p<0.05). No significant difference between the groups was observed in myonuclear perimeter (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Short-term controlled mechanical ventilation seems to lead to muscular atrophy in diaphragm fibers. The PSV mode may attenuate the effects of VIDD.

Morphoquantitative analysis of the intraepithelial neoplasic uterine cells by computer image system

La investigacion tuvo como objetivo detectar las posibles variaciones del DNA en el nucleo de las celulas marcadas por la reaccion histoquimica de Feulgen en individuos con diagnostico de neoplasias intraepiteliales de grados I y II del cuello uterino. La microcitometria fue realizada en laminas provenientes de hospitales universitarios y estatales, sometidas a reaccion de Feulgen y analizadas en el sistema de imagen (Image Lab) para cuantificacion. Los resultados encontrados entre las celulas neoplasicas de grado I (NIC I) y del grado II (NIC II) demostraron que el metodo es sensible y eficiente en la cuantificacion entre las diferentes clasificaciones, ayudando asi en los diagnosticos de las lesiones del cuello uterino en su fase inicial

Application of the laser radiation in patients of pressure ulcers: clinical and histomorphometric analysis of the derm

In this work, we analyze the clinical alterations and histological modifications in patients with not infect ulcers of pressure, submitted to the Laser irradiation GaAs (wavelength 904 nm, doses 3 J/cm2, during 1 minute and prompt application) during 5 days consecutive and as a group radiated during 15 days alternating. In the clinical evaluation after the laser irradiation observed presence of exudation, granulation tissue and points of bleed after the third day of irradiation. The computerized morph quantitative analysis demonstrated that submitted to the laser irradiation during the 15 days busy area for the 4115,922 vases was of µm2, and in the radiated ones during 5 4348,253 days of µm2, both in a 0,25 area of cm2 of derma. The gotten results suggest that this therapeutically one was efficient as to assist in the processes of tissue regeneration in the patients treated in the research.

Terapia alternativa para microvarizes e telangiectasias com uso de agulha

BACKGROUND: The development of an alternative to the conventional therapy for microvarices and telangiectasias without using chemical products aims at reducing side effects, using a needle for mechanical lysis of vessels. It uses Lohmann Brown hens as the experimental model. OBJECTIVE: To develop a new technique, creating an alternative treatment without using chemical products, aiming at the reduction of side effects. METHODS: Thirty Lohmann Brown hens were used, 15 submitted to the conventional method of treating microvarices and telangiectasias (control group) and 15 receiving the proposed experimental treatment (experimental group). The experimental group was treated using a needle for vascular lysis, passing through the whole extension of chosen vessels in staggered punctures until the whole vessel was reached. The control group was treated with ethanolamine oleate and 50% glucose, puncturing the vessel with a 13 x 3 mm needle and injecting on average 0.3 mL of the solution in each vessel. RESULTS: Of the 50 vessels treated in the experimental group, two presented total recurrence, five partial recurrence and 43 satisfactory destruction (lysis), whereas of the 51 vessels treated in the control group, four presented total recurrence, 12 partial recurrence, 22 satisfactory destruction and 13 presented conduit vessel stiffness. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the experimental method using a needle for vascular lysis is more efficient for the treatment of microvarices when compared with the conventional method, due to reduction in recurrence rates and absence of hyperchromatism of conduit vessel stiffness.