Silvana Ramos Farias Moreno

Bioavailability of the sodium pertechnetate and morphometry of organs isolated from rats: study of possible pharmacokinetic interactions of a ginkgo biloba extract

Many compounds affect the bioavailability of radiobiocomplexes as radiopharmaceuticals. Ginkgo Biloba extract (EGb) has several effects. The influence of an EGb on the bioavailability of the radiobiocomplex sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) and on the morphometry of the organs was evaluated. Rats were treated with EGb and Na99mTcO4 was injected. The animals were sacrificed; the radioactivity in the organs was counted. The results showed that EGb altered the Na99mTcO4 bioavailability in the kidneys, liver and duodenum. Morphometric analysis of the organs showed significant alterations (P<0.05), probably caused by metabolites generated by EGb and capable of altering the bioavailability of the Na99mTcO4.

Ginkgo biloba extract alters the binding of the sodium [123I] iodide (Na123I) on blood constituents

We evaluated the in vitro effect of an aqueous extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) on the distribution in blood cells (BC) and plasma (P) and on the binding of Na(123)I to the blood constituents using precipitation with trichloroacetic acid. The radioactivity percentages insoluble (SF) and insoluble fraction (IF) of blood constituents were determined. The EGb interfered (p<0.05) on the distribution of Na(123)I in the P (from 69.64 to 86.13) and BC (from 30.36 to 13.87) and altered the fixation of the Na(123)I in IF-P and in IF-BC.

Induction of an antigen specific gut inflammatory reaction in mice and rats: a model for human Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A alergia alimentar consiste em uma reacao adversa que ocorre em pessoas susceptiveis quando ingerem alimentos sensibilizantes, sendo uma das causas das Doencas Inflamatorias Intestinais (IBD). O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um protocolo experimental de inducao de um processo inflamatorio intestinal antigeno-especifico em camundongos e ratos. Foi escolhida para a inducao deste processo a semente de amendoim. Os animais foram imunizados com o extrato proteico previamente a exposicao com a semente in natura. Nossos resultados mostram que a imunizacao sistemica com extratos proteicos de amendoim ocasiona titulos significativamente maiores de anticorpos quando comparado ao grupo controle e que os animais imunizados submetidos ao desafio com a dieta contendo exclusivamente amendoim apresentam alteracoes intestinais tempo-dependente similares aquelas observadas na doenca celiaca. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que este modelo experimental constitui uma ferramenta conveniente para avaliar as alteracoes no processo inflamatorio intestinal cronico antigeno-especifico

Experimental models using radionuclides for assessment of the effects of natural drugs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the extracts of Nectandra membranacea (N. membranacea), Ginkgo biloba (EGb) and Passiflora (PEF) on the morphology of red blood cells (RBC), on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (99mTcO4Na), on the morphology of duodenum and on the labeling of blood constituents (BC, IF-P, IF-BC) with technetium-99m (Tc-99m). Morphometry studies also were performed. The results show that EGb promotes alteration of the labeling of BC, IF-P and IF-BC (p<0.05). The N. membranacea extract does not promote significant alteration of the radiolabeling, and PEF extract alters the IF-P labeling. N. membranacea, EGb and PEF extracts were able to alter the RBC morphology (P<0.05). N. membranacea extract and EGb modifies the biodistribution of the 99mTcO4Na, and EGb influences the morphometry of duodenum isolated from rats (P<0.05).

Therapeutic dose of Ginkgo biloba extract 761 may alter the urine excretion of Wistar rats

Wistar rats (n=20) were divided in two groups: G1 received 2 mg/kg of GBE (Ginkgo biloba extract 761), whereas G2 received the same volume of a sodium chloride solution (0.9%), both for 10 days. After a 7-day interval, the treatment was repeated for 8 days. Urine volume and food and water intake were measured daily during this protocol. Histological assessments were performed. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in food and water intake of animals during treatment with GBE. Animals who received GBE had a smaller urine volume and increase of weight with a significance difference (p<0.05) during the first and second exposure period. No histological alteration was observed in tissues, except for the kidney of the experimental group, which revealed a higher concentration of red cells in the glomerulus with a strong staining for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The introduction of GBE (therapeutic dose) in health rats may promote alterations in the physiology of the kidney, but no sufficient to modify the glomerulus architecture, including at ultra structural level (electron microscopy).