Oswaldo Alves Mora

Pinealectomy changes rat ovarian interstitial cell morphology and decreases progesterone receptor expression.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rat ovarian morphological and function changes after pinealectomy (px). Two months after px ,young female Wistar rats were sacrificed and the right ovaries were analysed morphologically and the left ovaries were used for steroid receptor binding experiments. Blood was collected and steroid hormone and melatonin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay kits. Results revealed that in the px group the rat ovaries had an increase in the number of atretic follicles and interstitial cells. These cells showed hyperactivity features on transmission electron microscopy and morphometric analysis (p < 0.05 compared with control and sham groups). Px-group serum showed an increase in estradiol (p < 0.05) and a decrease in progesterone levels (p < 0.05) compared with other groups. Moreover ,progesterone receptor expression was lower than control and sham groups (p < 0.05). We postulate that pinealectomy leads to many morphological alterations of rat ovaries that are associated with functional changes in steroidogenesis and a decrease in progesterone receptor expression.

Combined Therapy with Steroids and Antioxidants Prevents Ultrastructural Damage Surrounding Chronic Radiofrequency Lesions

We evaluated the effects of combined therapy with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant drugs on the healing of radiofrequency (RF) lesions (70°C, 60 s) produced in the right atrium and each ventricle of 21 adult dogs. Three groups were studied: acute (n= 7, sacrificed 1 hour after RF); control (n = 7, sacrificed 54 ± 29 days after RF); and dogs (n = 7, sacrificed 32 ± 5 days after RF) receiving combined therapy with allopurinol (400 mg po 24 and 2 hours before RF); verapamil (200 μg/kg IV 15 min before and after RF); hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg IV after RF) and prednisone (20 mg po for 29 days). Atrial (n = 37) and ventricular (n = 70) lesion dimensions were determined and 21 right ventricular apex lesions (1 per dog) were selected for light and electron microscopy analysis. Histological and ultrastructural (US) characteristics in three zones extending from the visible lesion border, A (0–3 mm); B (3–6 mm); and C (6–9 mm), were assessed. In chronic groups, atrial and ventricular lesion dimensions were similar, but delayed scar formation was noted in treated animals. Acutely and at follow‐up, significant US abnormalities occurred in zones A and B and chronic lesions exhibited type I collagen proliferation. In Zone A, the extent of US injury and collagen proliferation was significantly less in treated dogs. Further, Zone B was normal in 5/7 (71%) treated dogs and in 0/7 (0%) controls. Zone C was essentially normal in all groups. Combined therapy with steroids, verapamil, and allopurinol is effective in limiting US damage surrounding chronic RF lesions. (PACE 2004; 27:65–72)

Ultrastructural, immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in the mouse pubic symphysis during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, an interpubic ligament is formed in the mouse pubic symphysis. In late stages, this ligament undergoes “relaxation” to allow proper delivery, which is expected on the 19th day. Proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid play an important role in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix in these tissues. Glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans were studied by electron microscopic, immunohistochemical and biochemical methods in samples of mouse pubic symphysis from the 12th to 18th day of pregnancy.

Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analysis of proteoglycans in mouse pubic symphysis.

Proteoglycans were accurately localized in mouse pubic symphyseal tissues using the cuprolinic blue method. Specific glycosaminoglycans degradative enzymes, together with chondroitin sulfate and decorin antibodies, allowed the identification of glycosaminoglycans.

Effects of hexestrol on mouse ovarian morphology and ovulation

OBJECTIVE To analyze histological aspects of ovaries as well as the ovulation of adult mice treated with the anabolic agent hexestrol. METHODS Thirty adult mice were divided into three groups of 10 animals each: (GI) the animals received a dose of 3 mg/kg of hexestrol; (GII) the animals were given a dose of 6 mg/kg of hexestrol; (GIII) the animals were injected with distilled water (vehicle). Another 10-animal group (GIV) was included, and these mice were injected with propionate testosterone (1.25 mg) after 5 days from the day of birth. Hexestrol was administered intraperitoneally once a day and the treatment lasted 30 days. The mice were then sacrificed; their ovaries and oviducts were removed, submitted to histological routine and analyzed under light microscopy. RESULTS In mice treated with hexestrol (6 mg/kg) (Group II), ovaries were smaller than those from the controls but highly vascularized; similar results were obtained in GIV. A great number of follicles in several stages of development were found -- however, with no corpora lutea -- in six animals in GII. No corpora lutea were found in GIV. The number of luteal bodies and oocytes in GII was lower than that in GI or GIII. No oocytes were detected in GIV. Finally, the nuclear volume of interstitial cells in GII and GIV was the largest. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the anabolic agent hexestrol in a high dose may decrease ovulation in mice.

Biochemical and cytochemical characterization of extracellular proteoglycans in the inner circular smooth muscle layer of dog small intestine.

Current literature concerning smooth muscle blood vessels has shown versican as the main proteoglycan (PG) component of the matrix. To show whether smooth muscle matrix has the same PG distribution when present in organs, other than the blood vessels, the inner circular smooth muscle layer of the small intestine was obtained by dissection as a highly purified tissue and analyzed by biochemical and cytochemical methods. The smooth muscle layer PGs were extracted from dog small intestine with 4 M guanidine‐HCl in the presence of proteinase inhibitors, purified by charge equilibrium, isolated by equilibrium CsCl density gradients, and analyzed in terms of anion exchange, size, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) distribution. Proteoheparan sulfate itself represented 91.5% of the PGs present in this tissue. The remainder was proteodermatan sulfate. Cytochemical analyses using the cationic dye cuprolinic blue associated with enzymatic treatments with chondroitinases ABC and heparitinase III showed the arrangement and identification of PGs in basal lamina and intramuscular connective tissues. The PGs in the basal lamina were proteoheparan sulfate, and those associated with collagen fibrils in the endomysium and perimysium were rich in dermatan sulfate. In contrast to the blood vessels, inner circular muscle smooth tissue in intestine has, as the main PG, perlecan.

Estudo ultraestrutural do colo uterino de ratas ooforectomizadas após aplicação de óleo de copaíba

In Amazonia there are a lot of plants used alternatively for diseases. The copaiba oil, extract from a tree called Copaifera, has shown great importance in this context. By vaginal route is apllied for therapeutic of cervicitis and leucohrrea. Because of the large empirically employment of this oil in gynecological treatment, the present study objective to study ultraestruturally the effect of this substance in the rats uterus colo. It was used 12 females rats, adults, distributed in four groups: copaiba oil, corn oil, water and control. All the animals were submitted to bilateral oophorectomy and after twenty days began the substances application. The animals were killed in pre-determined time periods (7, 14 and 21 days). The corn oil, water and control groups showed epithelium with two or three cells filers and copaiba group showed epithelium with eight or tem. It was concluded that copaiba oil promoted an increase in the number of epithelial cells with queratinization in the oophorectomized rats.

AVALIAÇÃO HISTOPATOLÓGICA E MORFOMÉTRICA INTESTINAL DOS EFEITOS DA ADMINISTRAÇÃO PROLONGADA DE CORTICOSTERÓIDE EM CÃES

Corticosteroids are largely used in the medical practice. However, they present side effects, that condition a risk factor for gastro-intestinal surgical procedures. The present study seeks to evaluate the histologycal changes of the mucosa and submucosa in colon of dogs submitted to the extended administration of corticosteroids. Fifteen male dogs with no defined pedigree, weighing 15 kg, randomized, being 6 dogs of the control group and 9 dogs of the experimental group, were submitted to the intramuscular application of hydrocortisone, 35 mg/kg/day for 30 days. The colonic distal segment was resected, fixed in Bouin and the courts were stained by the methods: PAS, alcian blue and HE. In the morphometric analysis, was accomplished the counting of: globet cells (GLO), absorptive cells (ABS), total cells (TOT= GLO+ABS), mitosis (MIT) and lymphocytes (LYMP) in each crypt; mast cells (MAST) in the submucosa. The histopathologycal evaluation revealed lymphocytic and plasma cells infiltrated, disorganization of the crypts, presence of pictotic cells, ulcerations in the mucosa; edema, vascular and lymphatic congestion in the submucosa. Analysis revealed: significant decrease of the number of GLO, ABS, TOT and LYMP, increase of MIT in the experimental group and non alteration of the number of MAST. It was concluded that the extended administration of corticosteroids in dogs induced significant histopathologycal and morphometric alterations in the colonic mucosa, that can be constituted important factors of surgical risk.

Action of diclofenac sodium on the reparation process of the surgically-perforated myometrium of pregnant albino rats: morphological and morphometrical evaluation.

1. The action of a non-hormonal anti-inflammatory agent on the reparation process of the surgically-perforated myometrium of pregnant albino rats was histologically evaluated. 2. On the 14th day after perforation, the muscular layers were still interrupted. 3. The morphological study was inconclusive. A morphometrical analysis, however, demonstrated that there was a meaningful diminution in the number of leucocytes and collagen fibers and an increase in the number of fibroblasts, probably with low synthetical power, in the group treated with diclofenac sodium. All these data indicate a delay in the reparation process of the uterine musculature.

Hepatic and Renal Effects of Propoxyphene Napsylate on Pregnant Rats

El uso del napsilato de propoxifeno (NP), farmaco analgesico opioide y depresor del SNC, involucra riesgo potencial de abuso y sus consecuencias, particularmente durante el embarazo. Como en la literatura hay datos indicando la posibilidad de serios efectos colaterales del NP sobre el higado, el objetivo de este trabajo fue examinar los efectos del NP en ratas prenadas y sus fetos. Ratas hembras fueron tratadas durante toda la prenez (desde el dia 0 hasta el dia 20) con 5, 15 o 45 mg/kg de NP, una vez al dia, por gavage. Grupos controles recibieron el liquido usado como vehiculo (aceite de acacia). Al termino, muestras de higado y rinon de las ratas prenadas y sus fetos fueron extraidos. Las muestras fueron procesadas para microscopias optica y electronica. No se detectaron alteraciones morfologicas en higados de ratas prenadas o fetos con ninguna dosis de NP empleada. Los rinones de estos animales mostraron signos de toxicidad, particularmente, con la dosis mas alta del farmaco y, especialmente, en las celulas de los tubulos contorneados proximales. Nuestros resultados sugieren que, en la rata, las alteraciones fisiologicas propias de la gravidez parecen cambiar el organo-blanco de la toxicidad del NP, es decir, los efectos se manifiestan en el rinon y no en el higado. Los mecanismos involucrados en este cambio no son aun conocidos.