Nádia Rezende Barbosa Raposo

Altered neurotrophin, neuropeptide, cytokines and nitric oxide levels in autism.

INTRODUCTIONnModifications in neurotrophins, neuropeptides, cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) levels in autism may represent different biological aspects of the disease. In the present study we investigate simultaneously all these variables as an attempt to clarify their interrelationships in autism.nnnMETHODSnPlasma levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) were determined in children with DSM-IV autistic disorder (n = 24) and in age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 24). VIP, NT-3, IFN-γ and IL-1β levels were measured by ELISA, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4, IL-2 were evaluated by fl ow cytometry, and NO by Griess reaction.nnnRESULTSnPlasma levels of VIP, IFN-γ and NO were significantly higher and NT-3 plasma levels were significantly lower in children with autism, compared to the healthy subjects. In children with autism there was a positive correlation between plasma levels of NO and IFN-γ.nnnDISCUSSIONnOur results indicate the presence of altered levels of neurotrophin and neuropeptide in infantile autism and provide additional evidence that higher levels of IFN-γ may be associated with increased oxidative stress in autism.

Body mass index increase, serum leptin, adiponectin, neuropeptide Y and lipid levels during treatment with olanzapine and haloperidol.

INTRODUCTIONnBody mass index (BMI) increase is an undesired effect associated with antipsychotics, and crucial for patients global health and treatment compliance. We aimed to investigate the relation between BMI during olanzapine or haloperidol treatments and leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), adiponectin and lipid serum levels.nnnMETHODSnIn this 9-month, randomized and naturalist study, 34 male patients, 18 on olanzapine and 16 on haloperidol group were enrolled, all were under monotherapy. Patient outcome was evaluated with positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) at every 3-month period. In each visit, BMI, leptin, NPY, lipid, olanzapine or haloperidol levels were also monitored.nnnRESULTS AND DISCUSSIONnLeptin levels positively correlated with BMI in olanzapine (r=0.64, p<0.001) and haloperidol (r=0.73, p<0.001) groups; only in olanzapine patients, the former also correlated with PANSS score (r=0.54, p<0.05). NPY levels negatively correlated with olanzapine levels (r=− 0.65, p<0.01). Adiponectin levels had not significantly varied.nnnCONCLUSIONnAntipsychotics probably interfere on leptin and NPY signalling ways and disturb these hormones in eating behaviour control.

Increased PLA2 activity in the hippocampus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and psychosis

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of this work was to investigate whether increased activity of the enzyme phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) in the brain, as frequently reported in schizophrenia, is also related to psychosis in epilepsy. Our working hypothesis was based on the increased prevalence of schizophrenia-like psychosis in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) secondary to mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), as compared to patients with other forms of epilepsy.nnnMETHODSnWe determined PLA(2) activity in hippocampal tissue from 7 patients with TLE-MTS and psychosis, as compared to 9 TLE-MTS patients without psychosis. Hippocampal tissue was obtained from patients who underwent an anterior temporal lobectomy due to therapy-resistant epilepsy.nnnRESULTSnWe found that patients with TLE-MTS and psychosis had a significantly increased calcium-independent PLA(2) activity as compared to patients without psychosis (pxa0=xa00.016).nnnCONCLUSIONnOur finding suggest that an increment in brain PLA(2) activity is not specific for schizophrenia, but rather may be associated to the manifestation of schizophrenia-like psychotic symptoms in general.

Nanotubos de carbono aplicados às neurociências: perspectivas e desafios

INTRODUCAO: Os nanotubos de carbono (NTCs) sao os nanomateriais mais promissores para aplicacao terapeutica em doencas neurodegenerativas. Aplicacoes potenciais incluem sistemas de liberacao controlada de farmacos, interfaces eletricas e substratos para crescimento celular. OBJETIVO: Descrever o estado da arte e as perspectivas e desafios da aplicacao dos NTCs nas neurociencias. METODO: Procedeu-se a uma busca sistematica nos indexadores Medline, Lilacs e SciELO, utilizando os descritores carbon nanotubes, drug delivery, electrical interface, tissue regeneration, neuroscience, biocompatibility e nanotechnology, devidamente agrupados. RESULTADOS: A revisao da literatura evidenciou controversias nos estudos relativos a biocompatibilidade dos NTCs, embora tenha ratificado o seu potencial para a neuromedicina e neurociencias. CONCLUSAO: Os dados obtidos apontam a necessidade de estudos padronizados sobre as aplicacoes e interacoes dessas nanoestruturas com os sistemas biologicos.

In vitro inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion by Xylitol

This study evaluated, in vitro, the antimicrobial activity and the anti-adherent property of xylitol (0.5, 2.5 and 5.0%, w/v) on two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (ATCC 9027 and clinical). The assay of antimicrobial activity was performed to determine a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the adhesion test was performed, by which the parameters regarding, growth in the culture medium, number of colony forming units (CFUs) released and slide evaluation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were analyzed. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed for statistical analysis. Results showed that xylitol had no antimicrobial activity on these strains; however, the inhibition of bacterial adherence was observed in microphotographs obtained by SEM. These results indicated that xylitol could be a future alternative to combat bacterial colonization.

Lower phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3B levels in platelets of patients with schizophrenia: increment by olanzapine treatment

AbstractnGlycogen synthase kinase-3B (GSK-3B) is involved with important neuronal processes such as cell survival, gene regulation, mood and cognitive performance. This enzyme is inactivated by phosphorylation at the phospho-Ser9 site. We compared GSK-3B levels in patients with schizophrenia to a health control group. The levels of phosphorylated and total GSK-3B in platelets of ten drug-free patients, ten long-term olanzapine treated patients and 20 healthy controls were determined by means of an enzyme immunoassay kit. In drug-free patients, GSK-3B levels were accessed again after 8xa0weeks on treatment with olanzapine. At baseline, drug-free patients presented lower phosphorylated and total GSK-3B levels than healthy controls (pxa0<xa00.05). After 8xa0weeks on olanzapine treatment, phosphorylated and total GSK-3B levels were significantly increased (pxa0<xa00.01). Reduced phospho-Ser9-GSK-3B in schizophrenia may disrupt signal-transduction pathways and influence crucial cellular processes, such as transcription, apoptosis, stress response and cell proliferation. Further studies should clarify whether the increment of GSK-3B phosphorylation by olanzapine is related to its antipsychotic effects.n

In vitro inhibition of adhesion of Escherichia coli strains by Xylitol

The present study aimed to evaluate xylitols antimicrobial and anti-adherence activities on Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and on another clinical strain enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). In vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test and adhesion assays were performed using 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0% xylitol. It was found that xylitol did not have antimicrobial properties on these strains. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the slides treated with xylitol had a significant reduction in the number of bacilli and the inhibition of microbial adhesion was probably the xylitols mechanism of action. Xylitol could be a possible alternative on the control of E. coli infections.

Relative bioavailability of two oral formulations of risperidone 2 mg: A single-dose, randomized-sequence, open-label, two-period crossover comparison in healthy Brazilian volunteers

BACKGROUNDnRisperidone (RSP) is a benzisoxazole antipsychotic agent used to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses in adults and children (including those with autism). After oral administration, RSP is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and undergoes hydroxylation to yield 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RSP), an active metabolite that has a pharmacologic profile and potency similar to RSP.nnnOBJECTIVESnThe aims of this study were to compare the relative bioavailability of a pharmaceutical-equivalent (test) formulation with a reference formulation of oral RSP 2 mg, both available commercially on the Brazilian pharmaceutical market, and to generate data regarding the oral bioavailability of the tested drug in healthy Brazilian volunteers.nnnMETHODSnThis single-dose, randomized-sequence, open-label, 2-period crossover study was conducted in healthy Brazilian volunteers from August to December 2008. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive the test formulation followed by the reference formulation or vice versa, with a 30-day washout period between doses. Study drugs were administered after a 12-hour overnight fast. For pharmacokinetic analysis, blood samples were drawn at 0 (baseline), 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 5, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after administration. Plasma concentrations of RSP and 9-OH-RSP were determined using LC-MS/MS. The test and reference formulations were to be considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs for the geometric mean test/reference ratios were within a predetermined range of 80% to 125%, in accordance with the policies of the Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration. Tolerability was determined using clinical assessments, monitoring of vital signs, analysis of laboratory test results, and subject interviews regarding adverse events.nnnRESULTSnA total of 22 subjects were enrolled (11 men, 11 women; mean [SD] age, 32 [12] years [range, 1858 years]; weight, 70.4 [11.9] kg [range, 50-103 kg]; height, 1.67 [0.08] m [range, 1.56-1.80 m]; and body mass index, 25 [4] kg/m(2) [range, 18-29 kg/m(2)]). For RSP, mean (SD) C(max) values were 12.6 (2.7) and 16.0 (2.3) ng/mL for the test and reference formulations, respectively. For 9-OH-RSP, mean Cmax values were 17.8 (1.3) and 21.0 (1.7) ng/mL for the test and reference formulations. The 90% CIs for the mean test/ reference ratios for RSP C(max), AUC(0-120), and AUC(0-∞) were 74% to 82%, 75% to 85%, and 76% to 85%, respectively, and 83% to 87%, 75% to 79%, and 75% to 78% for 9-OH-RSP. The related adverse events (headache, low back pain, drowsiness, standing hypotension, local postvenipuncture ecchymoses, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting) were transient and mild.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis single-dose study found that the test and reference formulations of oral RSP 2 mg did not meet the Brazilian and US regulatory criteria for bioequivalence in these fasting, healthy volunteers. The study formulations appeared to be well tolerated.

P01-565 - Functional impairment prevalence in Brazilian frailty elderly

Introduction Health life expectation could be defined in many ways. The notion of health life can considered, for example, physical, mental or social well-being; disease consequences; functional impairment; successful aging. Functional independence in daily activities is a key aspect on frailty elderly quality of life. This independence is related with elderly social and leisure activities, which improves their physical and mental health and brings sense to their life. Objectives Data obtained in other countries could not represent the national population; the objective was to describe a Brazilian frailty elderly sample. Aims Determine functional impairment prevalence in Brazilian frailty elderly. Methods 8769 frailty elderly were examined. Social data, tobacco and alcohol consumption were verified and the functional activities questionnaire was applied from May, 2009 to August, 2010. Results Female elderly was predominant (68.1%). They were almost married (47.3%), followed by widow (37.9%), single (9%), divorced (5.9%). White people were predominant (69.9%); black (14.9%) and brown (15.2%) were presented at the same proportion. Only 13.1% were smokers and 4.3% drank alcohol. The majority (78.7%) were younger than 80 years-old. Functional impairment prevalence was 9.5% in the 60–69 years old group; 18.9% in 70–79 years old group; 36.8% in 80–89 years old group and 61.3% in 90–99 years old group. Conclusions The prevalence of functional impairment increased with aging and we presented data obtained in a Brazilian sample. These data can be used to compare functional impairment in different countries and to stimulate elderly independence during their aging.

P01-563 - Prevalence of cognitive impairment in Brazilian frailty elderly

Introduction Accelerate aging is a worldwide problem. In underdeveloped countries, it is occurring without adequate planning and is attributed due to falling mortality and fertility, which contributed to increase life expectancy. However, aging was not accompanied by improvement in living conditions and health assistance. Poor sanitation and diet, low incomes and education levels contributed to increasing the prevalence of chronic diseases in elderly. Objectives Data obtained in other countries could not represent the national population; objective was to describe a Brazilian frailty elderly sample. Aims Determine cognitive impairment prevalence in Brazilian frailty elderly. Methods 1952 frailty elderly were analyzed. Social data, tobacco and alcohol consumption were verified and mini-mental state examination was applied from February to August in 2010. Results Female elderly was predominant (68.8%). They were almost married (47.5%), followed by widow (37%), single (8.1%), divorced (7.4%). White people were predominant (69.2%); black (14.6%) and brown (16.2%) were presented at the same proportion. 823 frailty elderly (64.9%) studied until 4 years; 7.7% studied between 4–8 years; 1.9% went to college and 25.6% were illiterate. Only 10.6% were smokers and 2.8% drank alcohol. The majority (79.4%) were younger than 80 years-old. Cognitive impairment prevalence were 17.2% in illiterate; 15.2% in elderly who studied until 4 years and lower, 5.3%, in the group who studied between 4–8 years. Conclusions The prevalence of cognitive impairment was dependent on years of study and we presented data obtained in a Brazilian sample. These data can be used to compare cognitive impairment in different countries.