Paula Priscila Correia Costa

Natriuretic effect of bufalin in isolated rat kidneys involves activation of the Na+-K+-ATPase-Src kinase pathway.

Bufadienolides are structurally related to the clinically relevant cardenolides (e.g., digoxin) and are now considered as endogenous steroid hormones. Binding of ouabain to Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase has been associated, in kidney cells, to the activation of the Src kinase pathway and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase internalization. Nevertheless, whether the activation of this cascade also occurs with other cardiotonic steroids and leads to diuresis and natriuresis in the isolated intact kidney is still unknown. In the present work, we perfused rat kidneys for 120 min with bufalin (1, 3, or 10 μM) and measured its vascular and tubular effects. Thereafter, we probed the effect of 10 μM 3-(4-chlorophenyl)1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4amine (PP2), a Src family kinase inhibitor, and 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis[2-aminophenylthio] butadiene (UO126), a highly selective inhibitor of both MEK1 and MEK2, on bufalin-induced renal alterations. Bufalin at 3 and 10 μM profoundly increased several parameters of renal function in a time- and/or concentration-dependent fashion. At a concentration that produced similar inhibition of the rat kidney Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, ouabain had a much smaller diuretic and natriuretic effect. Although bufalin fully inhibited the rat kidney Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in vitro, its IC(50) (33 ± 1 μM) was threefold higher than the concentration used ex vivo and all its renal effects were blunted by PP2 and UO126. Furthermore, the phosphorylated (activated) ERK1/2 expression was increased after bufalin perfusion and this effect was totally prevented after PP2 pretreatment. The present study shows for the first time the direct diuretic, natriuretic, and kaliuretic effects of bufalin in isolated rat kidney and the relevance of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase-mediated signal transduction.

A new structurally atypical bradykinin-potentiating peptide isolated from Crotalus durissus cascavella venom (South American rattlesnake)

Venom glands of some snakes synthesize bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs) which increase bradykinin-induced hypotensive effect and decrease angiotensin I vasopressor effect by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. The present study shows a new BPP (BPP-Cdc) isolated from Crotalus durissus cascavella venom: Pro-Asn-Leu-Pro-Asn-Tyr-Leu-Gly-Ile-Pro-Pro. Although BPP-Cdc presents the classical sequence IPP in the C-terminus, it has a completely atypical N-terminal sequence, which shows very low homology with all other BPPs isolated to date. The pharmacological effects of BPP-Cdc were compared to BBP9a from Bothrops jararaca and captopril. BPP-Cdc (1 μM) significantly increased BK-induced contractions (BK; 1 μM) on the guinea pig ileum by 267.8% and decreased angiotensin I-induced contractions (AngI; 10 nM) by 62.4% and these effects were not significantly different from those of BPP9a (1 μM) or captopril (200 nM). Experiments with 4-week hypertensive 2K-1C rats show that the vasopressor effect of AngI (10 ng) was decreased by 50 μg BPP-Cdc (69.7%), and this result was similar to that obtained with 50 μg BPP9a (69.8%). However, the action duration of BPP-Cdc (60 min) was 2 times greater than that of BPP-9a (30 min). On the other hand, the hypotensive effect of BK (250 ng) was significantly increased by 176.6% after BPP-Cdc (50 μg) administration, value 2.5 times greater than that obtained with BPP9a administered at the same doses (71.4%). In addition, the duration of the action of BPP-Cdc (120 min) was also at least 4 times greater than that of BPP-9a (30 min). Taken together, these results suggest that BPP-Cdc presents more selective action on arterial blood system than BPP9a. Besides the inhibition of ACE, it may present other mechanisms of action yet to be elucidated.

The extract of the jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata promotes neurotoxic effects

Phyllorhiza punctata (P. punctata) is a jellyfish native to the southwestern Pacific. Herewith we present the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of an extract of the tentacles of P. punctata. The tentacles were subjected to three freeze–thaw cycles, homogenized, ultrafiltered, precipitated, centrifuged and lyophilized to obtain a crude extract (PHY‐N). Paralytic shellfish poisoning compounds such as saxitoxin, gonyautoxin‐4, tetrodotoxin and brevetoxin‐2, as well as several secretory phospholipase A2 were identified. PHY‐N was tested on autonomic and somatic neuromuscular preparations. In mouse vas deferens, PHY‐N induced phasic contractions that reached a peak of 234 ± 34.7% of control twitch height, which were blocked with either 100 μ m of phentolamine or 1 m m of lidocaine. In mouse corpora cavernosa, PHY‐N evoked a relaxation response, which was blocked with either L‐NG‐Nitroarginine methyl ester (0.5 m m) or 1 m m of lidocaine. PHY‐N (1, 3 and 10 μg ml−1) induced an increase in tonus of the biventer–cervicis neuromuscular preparation that was blocked with pre‐treatment of galamine (10 μ m). Administration of 6 mg kg−1 PHY‐N intramuscularly produced death in broilers by spastic paralysis. In conclusion, PHY‐N induces nerve depolarization and nonspecifically increases neurotransmitter release. Copyright

Aspectos e estágios da catarata em cães – Revisão de literatura

Catarata e uma oftalmopatia caracterizada pela opacidade no cristalino, classificada de acordo com sua etiologia, idade da ocorrencia, localizacao, aspectos e estagio de desenvolvimento. Sua formacao esta associada a agregacao de proteinas lenticulares, aumento das proteinas insoluveis, estresse osmotico, disfuncoes no metabolismo nutricional, mudancas na concentracao de oxigenio, exposicao a toxinas ou medicamentos e/ou alteracoes das concentracoes ionicas. O tratamento da catarata e cirurgico. Os casos nao tratados e permanentes em olhos de caes e gatos podem trazer complicacoes como luxacoes anteriores e posteriores da lente, perfuracao ocular, uveite lente induzida, glaucoma, degeneracao de iris, descolamento de retina, sinequia posterior e atrofia do globo ocular (phthisis bulbi). O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisao de literatura sobre os aspectos e estagios da catarata em caes.

Peritonite infecciosa felina- Relato de caso

A peritonite infecciosa felina (PIF) e uma doenca viral polissistemica grave causada pelo virus da peritonite infecciosa felina (VPIF), uma mutacao do coronavirus enterico felino (CVEF). Gatos com idade entre 3 meses a 3 anos sao relatados como sendo mais frequentemente acometidos (70% dos animais com a doenca apresenta idade inferior a 1 ano). Contudo, a PIF pode acometer gatos de todas as idades, incluindo animais idosos. Machos e felinos das racas Persas, Bengals e Ragdols apresentam predisposicao maior. Trata-se de uma doenca imunomediada invariavelmente fatal causada pelo virus da peritonite infecciosa felina (VPIF). A transmissao do CVEF ocorre por via oro-fecal atraves do contato de um gato susceptivel com as fezes de um gato infectado, principalmente por us mutuo da liteira. Apesar de infrequente, pode ocorrer transmissao por lambedura e uso compartilhado de vasilhas e bebedouros. Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso de PIF umida em paciente felino, desde a sua anamnese ate o resultado de seu tratamento.

Feline infectious peritonitis - Case Report

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a serious polysystemic viral disease caused by feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), a mutation of feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). Cats aged 3 months to 3 years are reported to be more frequently affected (70% of the animals with the disease presents the age of 1 year). However, the PIF can affect cats of all ages, including older animals. Males and cats of the Persian breeds, Bengals and Ragdols are more prone. It is an invariably fatal immune disease caused by feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). The transmission occurs FECV by oro-faecal route through contact in such a cat with the feces of an infected cat, particularly by mutual us the litter. Although infrequent, can occur transmissão by licking and shared use of containers and drinking fountains. This study aims to report a case of wet FIP in feline patient, from its history to the outcome of your treatment.

Cataract aspects and stages in dogs- Literature Review

Cataract is a ophthalmopathy characterized by opacity in the lens, classified according to their etiology, occurrence age, location, aspect and stage of development. Its formation is associated with aggregation of lens proteins, increase in insoluble proteins, osmotic stress, dysfunction in nutritional metabolism, changes in oxygen concentration, exposure to toxins and drugs and / or changes in ionic concentrations. Treatment of cataracts is surgery. The untreated and permanents cases in the eyes of dogs and cats can cause complications such as anterior and posterior dislocation of the lens, ocular perforation, uveitis induced lens, glaucoma, iris degeneration, retinal detachment, posterior synechiae and atrophy of the eyeball (phthisis bulbi). The objective of this work was to perform a literature review on the aspects and stages of cataract in dogs.

Hipertrofia concêntrica secundária a hipertensão arterial em cadela – Relato de Caso

Foi atendido na rotina do UHV-UECE, no dia 03 de Julho de 2015 um paciente canino femea, da raca Poodle de 9 anos de idade, peso de 7,0 kg. O animal foi trazido pela proprietaria ao UHV com a intencao de marcar uma ovario-salpingo-histerectomia (OSH) eletiva. Foram solicitados os seguintes exames: ecodopllercardiograma, eletrocardiograma e afericao da pressao arterial. Atraves dos resulatdos obtidos nos exames constatou-se que a paciente era cardiopata. Por conseguinte, nos exames foi observada uma hipertrofia concentrica, dilatacao Atrial esquerda e direita discreta. Alem de espessamento de valva mitral e fluxo regurgitante em mitral, tricuspide e pulmonar de baixa intensidade. O animal foi tratado com Cloridrato de benazepril e apos um mes de tratamento a pressao arterial foi normalizada, tornando-se possivel a realizacao da OSH eletiva.

Catarata diabetogênica em cão jovem – Relato de Caso

A catarata e uma afeccao que atinge seres humanos e animais, ocorrendo quando o cristalino apresenta algum grau de opacidade. Suas causas podem estar ligadas a fatores hereditarios, inflamatorios, metabolicos, traumaticos, nutricionais e toxicos. A indicacao de cirurgia e cogitada quando a opacidade compromete significativamente a visao. No entanto, o procedimento cirurgico so deve ser instituido apos a avaliacao da funcao da retina atraves do eletrorretinograma, que compreende o registro de correntes eletricas geradas em resposta a um estimulo luminoso previamente estabelecido. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de relatar um caso de catarata em um cao. O paciente apresentava manchas oculares, sendo mais evidente a do olho esquerdo. Ao realizar-se o exame clinico oftalmologico, constatou-se catarata madura no olho esquerdo e catarata imatura no olho direito. O eletrorretinograma revelou que a retina estava integra em ambos os olhos. Foi realizada a Facoelmusificacao no olho esquerdo, obtendo-se pleno exito com o procedimento.

Hemometra / Pyometra in dog: clinical-surgical treatment, Case report

The pyometra and an inflammatory process make uterus, characterized by accumulation of pus in the resulting uterine fluid accumulation of light due to cystic endometrial hyperplasia (HEC) added to bacterial infection. It affects several species, being more common in female dogs adult Middle-aged, the animals of table may worsen quickly, being one of the conditions que more in bitches cause death, mainly due to endotoxemia and peritonitis. The diagnosis consists of clinical examination, laboratory and image. Ultrasound is a great diagnostic to close close diagnosis, especially in the case closed pyometra. The objective this work and report the case of a bitch with a closed pyometra. The animal worsened in the table in a few hours and underwent surgery to treat this condition during surgery was found peritonitis. The surgical treatment proved the most suitable , with a good post-surgical recovery. The animal returned to feed and no longer showed lethargic in the days after surgery.