Modificação superficial do tecido de malha de ácido polilatico (PLA) por tratamento plasma

Some fibrous materials, for having properties such as biocompatibility, strength and flexibility, are of great interest for medical and pharmaceutical applications. Among these materials, the fabric made from polylactic acid (PLA) has received special attention, and beside to present these features, is derived from biological source, antimicrobial and bioabsorbable. One of the limitations of PLA is its low wettability and capillarity. Due to this, it is necessary to perform surface modification of the knitted fabric, increasing its hydrophilicity. This work aims to realize the plasma treatment at low pressure in order to increase the surface energy of the polymer. The work was divided into three steps: i) Influence of the gas ratio (oxygen and nitrogen) in the surface modification of PLA fabric after the plasma treatment, ii) physical characterization and physicochemical surface tissue; iii) Evaluation of the effect from current and gas ratio in the capillary rise of tissues and iv) Study of capillarity in yarns and fabrics. The results showed that better gas ratios were the atmospheres: 100% oxygen; 100% nitrogen and 50% oxygen and 50% nitrogen. The surface characterization showed changes in topography and introduction of polar groups which increased the wettability of the fabric. In another part of this study, it was found that the atmosphere containing only nitrogen gas showed the most capillary rise to a current of 0.15 A. The results in capillary yarns and fabrics showed that the thread reached equilibrium in a time much less than the fabric to an atmosphere of 100% nitrogen and 0.15 A. Current Plasma technology was effective to increase the hydrophilicity of PLA fabric, providing surface characteristics favorable for future application in the biomedical field

Efeito do ácido lático sobre as características microbiológicas, físico-químicas e sensoriais na carne do sol

The dried beef is a food traditionally eaten by Northeastern and has an extensive trade in the city of Natal-RN. It is usually produced in an empirical manner, without any standardization in production. Characterized as partially dehydrated meat product, so that the activity of water present is not sufficient to prevent microbial growth, degradation or the production of microbial toxins. The guarantee that the market dried beef is to provide a quality product hygienic, microbiological, physicochemical and sensory stable and adequate for the safety and consumer satisfaction, which has been increasingly attracted to food with natural preservatives. Thus, the meat industries are replacing the current seasonings and natural preservatives for similar, with it without affecting the shelf life of products. Lactic acid has been used to meet these requirements. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of lactic acid on the physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory, besides knowing the consumer profile of dried meat of the City of Natal / RN. The results demonstrated that the use of lactic acid in concentrations of 1% and 2% during the processing of dried meat, had statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on the physico-chemical (pH and water activity) and consequently reduced the microbial count does not alter the taste of the new product developed. Regarding the results on the consumer profile, it was found that the majority of respondents (71.75%) did not observe the presence of the stamp of the Federal Inspection Service (SIF) to buy this meat food that 81.55% of consumers check the hygiene conditions of the site and handlers, however, a large proportion of respondents not concerned with the guarantee of origin of typical regional products featuring a hazard to food safety for consumers of the city of Natal-RN

Avaliação cinética e potencial do Nb2O5 obtido a partir de um complexo de nióbio para formação do oleato de metila através da reação de esterificação do ácido oleico

Among the heterogeneous catalysts materials made from niobium show up as an alternative to meet the demand of catalysts for biodiesel production. This study aims to evaluate the potential of a heterogeneous catalyst derived from a complex of niobium in the reaction of methyl esterification of oleic acid. The catalyst was synthesized after calcination at different temperatures of a niobium complex ((NH4)3[NbO(C2O4)3].H2O) generating a niobium oxide nanostructure with a different commercial niobium oxide used to synthesize the complex. The commercial niobium oxide, the complex niobium and niobium catalyst were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG and DTA), surface area analysis (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), showing the catalyst has researched morphological and crystallographic indicating a catalytic potential higher than that of commercial niobium oxide characteristics. Factorial with central composite design point, with three factors (calcination temperature, molar ratio of alcohol/oleic acid and mass percentage of catalyst) was performed. Noting that the optimal experimental point was given by the complex calcination temperature of 600°C, a molar ratio alcohol/oleic acid of 3.007/1 and the catalyst mass percentage of 7.998%, with a conversion of 22.44% oleic acid in methyl oleate to 60 min of reaction. We performed a composite linear and quadratic regression to determine an optimal statistical point of the reaction, the temperature of calcination of the complex at 450°C, the molar ratio of alcohol/oleic acid 3.3408/1 and mass percentage of catalyst of 7.6833% . Kinetic modeling to estimate parameters for heterogeneous catalysis it set well the experimental results with a final conversion of 85.01% with 42.38% of catalyst and without catalyst at 240 min reaction was performed. Allowing to evaluate the catalyst catalytic studied has the potential to be used in biodiesel production

Caracterização comportamental e distribuição de neurônios inibitórios em um modelo animal de autismo induzido por ácido valpróico

Autism comprises a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affects the brain maturation and produces sensorial, motor, language and social interaction deficits in early childhood. Several studies have shown a major involvement of genetic factors leading to a predisposition to autism, which are possibly affected by environmental modulators during embryonic and post-natal life. Recent studies in animal models indicate that alterations in epigenetic control during development can generate neuronal maturation disturbances and produce a hyper-excitable circuit, resulting in typical symptoms of autism. In the animal model of autism induced by valproic acid (VPA) during rat pregnancy, behavioral, electrophysiological and cellular alterations have been reported which can also be observed in patients with autism. However, only a few studies have correlated behavioral alterations with the supposed neuronal hyper-excitability in this model. The aim of this project was to generate an animal model of autism by pre-natal exposure to VPA and evaluate the early post-natal development and pre-puberal (PND30) behavior in the offspring. Furthermore, we quantified the parvalbumin-positive neuronal distribution in the medial prefrontal cortex and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of VPA animals. Our results show that VPA treatment induced developmental alterations, which were observed in behavioral changes as compared to vehicle-treated controls. VPA animals showed clear behavioral abnormalities such as hyperlocomotion, prolonged stereotipies and reduced social interaction with an unfamiliar mate. Cellular quantification revealed a decrease in the number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the anterior cingulate cortex and in the prelimbic cortex of the mPFC, suggesting an excitatory/inhibitory unbalance in this animal model of autism. Moreover, we also observed that the neuronal reduction occurred mainly in the cortical layers II/III and V/VI. We did not detect any change in the density of Purkinje neurons in the Crus I region of the cerebellar cortex. Together, our results strengthens the face validity of the VPA model in rats and shed light on specific changes in the inhibitory circuitry of the prefrontal cortex in this autism model. Further studies should address the challenges to clarify particular electrophysiological correlates of the cellular alterations in order to better understand the behavioral dysfunctions

Inibição à corrosão do aço AISI 1020, em meios ácido e salino, por tensoativos e substâncias nitrogenadas microemulsionados

Corrosion inhibition efficiency of saponified coconut oil (SCO) and sodium dodecilbenzene sulfonate (DBS) surfactants in AISI 1020 carbon steel was evaluated by electrochemical methods. These surfactants were also evaluated as microemulsion systems (SCO-ME and DBS-ME), of O/W type (water-rich microemulsion), in a Winsor IV region. They were obtained according to the following composition: 15% SCO, 15% butanol (30% Co-surfactant/Surfactant C/T), 10% organic phase (FO, kerosene) and 60% aqueous phase (FA). These systems were also used to solubilize the following nitrogenated substances: Diphenylcarbazide (DC), 2,4-dinitro-phenyl-thiosemicarbazide (TSC) and the mesoionic type compound 1,3,4-triazolium-2-thiolate (MI), that were investigated with the purpose of evaluating their anticorrosive effects. Comparative studies of carbon steel corrosion inhibition efficiencies of free DBS and DBS-ME, in brine and acidic media (0.5%), showed that DBS presents better inhibition results in acidic media (free DBS, 89% and DBS-ME, 93%). However, the values obtained for DBS in salted solution (72% free DBS and 77% DBS-ME) were similar to the ones observed for the SCO surfactant in brine (63% free SCO and 74% SCO-ME). Analysis of corrosion inhibition of the nitrogenated substances that were solubilized in the SCO-ME microemulsion system by the linear polarization method in brine (0.5% NaCl) showed that such compounds are very efficient an corrosion inhibitors [DC-ME-SCO (92%), TSC-ME-SCO (93%) and MI-ME-SCO (94%)]

Partículas inteligentes de poli (nisopropilacrilamida), quitosana e poli (ácido acrílico): efeito da temperatura e do pH sobre suas propriedades em suspensões aquosas

The present study describes the stability and rheological behavior of suspensions of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-chitosan (PNIPAMCS), and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-chitosan-poly (acrylic acid) (PNIPAM-CS-PAA) crosslinked particles sensitive to pH and temperature. These dual-sensitive materials were simply obtained by one-pot method, via free-radical precipitation copolymerization with potassium persulfate, using N,N -methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinking agent. Incorporation of the precursor materials into the chemical networks was confirmed by elementary analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The influence of external stimuli such as pH and temperature, or both, on particle behavior was investigated through rheological measurements, visual stability tests and analytical centrifugation. The PNIPAM-CS particles showed higher stability in acid and neutral media, whereas PNIPAM-CS-PAA particles were more stable in neutral and alkaline media, both below and above the LCST of poly (Nisopropylacrylamide) (stability data). This is due to different interparticle interactions, as well as those between the particles and the medium (also evidenced by rheological data), which were also influenced by the pH and temperature of the medium. Based on the results obtained, we found that the introduction of pH-sensitive polymers to crosslinked poly (Nisopropylacrylamide) particles not only produced dual-sensitive materials, but allowed particle stability to be adjusted, making phase separation faster or slower, depending on the desired application. Thus, it is possible to adapt the material to different media

Aplicação da técnica eletroanalítica de pulso diferencial usando o eletrodo de carbono vítreo modificado com cisteína para monitorar a degradação eletroquímica de ácido oxálico

In this paper, the technique of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) has been studied for monitoring the concentration of oxalic acid (OA) during their electrochemical oxidation (EO) in acidic medium using platinum anode supported on titanium (Ti / Pt). The DPV was standardized and optimized using a glassy carbon electrode modified with cysteine. The modification with cysteine was developed electrochemically, forming a polymeric film on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode. The formation of the polymer film was confirmed by analysis of scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope, confirming the modification of the electrode. The electrochemical degradation was developed using different current densities 10, 20 30 and 40 mA cm -2 electrode with Ti / Pt observing the degradation of oxalic acid, and monitored using the method of KMnO4 titration. However, the analyzes with DPV showed the same behavior elimination of oxalic acid titration. Compared with the titration method classical observed and DPV could be a good fit, confidence limits of detection and confirming the applicability of the technique electroanalytical for monitoring the degradation of oxalic acid

Síntese e caracterização de compostos de coordenação homolépticos e heterolépticos com o ligante ácido kójico

The present work has as main objective to contribute to the coordination chemistry of the ligand kojic acid, with the synthesis and characterization of the homoleptic compounds [Al(kj)3], [Fe(kj)3], [Fe(kj)2], [Cu(kj)2] e [Ru(kj)3], and the new heteroleptic complexes, trans- K2[Fe(kj)2(CN)2] and trans-Na2[Ru(kj)2(CN)2]. The obtained compounds were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy in the infrared region (IV) and Electronic spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible region (Uv-Vis). The infrared results indicated the coordination of the bidentate ligand kojic acid, due to reductions in the values of the stretching frequencies of the carbonyl and double bonds, compared to the free ligand for all complexes obtained. The presence of new vibrational modes indicated the change of symmetry of the molecules in the new compounds synthesized. Additionally, the presence of vibrational modes assigned to metal-oxygen also contributed to confirm the ligand coordinating to the metal ions. Through this technique, was also possible to perform correlations of the numbers of vibrational modes, in the region 1400-900 cm-1 and the compounds geometry. The heteroleptic compounds exhibited υC≡N in 2065 and 2053 cm-1, respectively, for the trans-K2[Fe(kj)2(CN)2] and trans-Na2[Ru(kj)2(CN)2], indicating coordination of the cyano ligand to metal ions FeII e RuII. Comparing the obtained values with literature data was possible to identify the complex isomerism as trans. In relation to the results of electronic spectroscopy, studies of pH variation of kojic acid provided information on the distribution of electron density in the molecule, showing characteristic spectral profile of kojic ion and its protonated form (Hkj, kojic acid), with two bands at 215 and 269 nm, or deprotonated (kj-), with bands at 226 and 315 nm. The electronic spectra obtained for all complexes in aqueous medium, in the ultraviolet region, exhibited variations of the energies assigned to kojic acid intraligand transitions while in the visible region, only transitions assigned to charge transfer of iron and ruthenium complex have been identified

Preparo e caracterização de membranas de quitosana modificadas com poli (ácido acrílico)

The aim of this study was to generate an asymmetric biocompactible and biodegradable chitosan membrane modified by the contact with a poly(acrylic acid) solution at one of its sides at room temperature and 60◦C. The pure chitosan membrane, as well as the ones treated with poly(acrylic acid) were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIRATR) at angles of 39◦, 45◦ and 60◦ , swelling capacity in water, thermal analysis (TG/DTG), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and permeation experiments using metronidazole at 0,1% and 0,2% as a model drug. The results confirmed the presence of ionic interaction between chitosan and poly(acrylic acid) by means of a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) formation. They also showed that such interactions were more effective at 60◦C since this temperature is above the chitosan glass transition temperature wich makes the diffusion of poly(acrylic acid) easier, and that the two treated membranes were asymmetrics, more thermically stable and less permeable in relation to metronidazole than the pure chitosan membrane

Aplicabilidade da voltametria de pulso diferencial na quantificação de ácido fólico e ácido oxálico: um método comparativo

The development of more selective and sensitive analytical methods is of great importance in different areas of knowledge, covering, for example, food, biotechnological, environmental and pharmaceutical sectors. The study aimed to employ the technique electroanalytical differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as an innovative and promising alternative for identification and quantification of organic compounds. The organic compounds were investigated in this study oxalic acid (OA) and folic acid (FA). The electrochemical oxidation of oxalic acid has been extensively studied as a model reaction in the boundary between the organic and inorganic electrochemistry. Since the AF, an essential vitamin for cell multiplication in all tissues, which is essential for DNA synthesis. The AF has been investigated using analytical techniques, liquid chromatography and molecular absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained during the experimental procedure indicated that the process of electrochemical oxidation of oxalic acid is strongly dependent on the nature of the anode material and the oxidation mechanism, which affects their detection. Efficient removal was observed in Ti/PbO2 anodes, graphite, BDD and Pt 90, 85, 80 and 78% respectively. It was also shown that the DPV employing glassy carbon electrode offers a fast, simple, reliable and economical way to determine the AO during the process of electrochemical oxidation. Furthermore, electroanalytical methods are more expensive than commonly used chromatographic analysis and other instrumental methods involving toxic reagents and higher cost. Compared with the classical method of titration and DPV could be a good fit, confidence intervals and detection limits confirming the applicability of electroanalytical technique for monitoring the degradation of oxalic acid. For the study of AF was investigated the electrocatalytic activity of the carbon paste electrode for identification and quantification in pharmaceutical formulations by applying the DPV. The results obtained during the experimental procedure showed an irreversible oxidation peak at 9.1 V characteristic of FA. The carbon paste sensor showed low detection limit of 5.683×10−8 mol L-1 reducing matrix effects. The spectrophotometric analysis showed lower concentrations of HF compared with those obtained by HPLC and DPV. The levels of AF were obtained according to the methodology proposed by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The electroanalytical method (DPV) proposed is cheaper than GC analysis commonly used by the pharmaceutical industry. The results demonstrated the potential of these electroanalytical techniques for future applications in environmental, chemical and biological sensors

Obtenção de dispersões de complexos polieletrolíticos à base de quitosana e poli(ácido metacrílico) e análise de adsorção de albumina bovina sérica

Dispersions composed of polyelectrolyte complexes based on chitosan and poly(methacrylic acid), PMAA, were obtained by the dropping method and template polymerization. The effect of molecular weight of PMAA and ionic strength on the formation of chitosan/poly(methacrylic acid), CS/PMAA, complexes was evaluated using the dropping method. The increase in molecular weight of PMAA inhibited the formation of insoluble complexes, while the increase in ionic strength first favored the formation of the complex followed by inhibiting it at higher concentrations. The polyelectrolyte complexation was strongly dependent on macromolecular dimensions, both in terms of molecular weight and of coil expansion/contraction driven by polyelectrolyte effect. The resultant particles from dropping method and template polymerization were characterized as having regions with different charge densities: chitosan predominating in the core and poly(methacrylic acid) at the surface, the particles being negatively charged, as a consequence. Albumin was adsorbed on templatepolymerized CS/PMAA complexes (after crosslinking with glutardialdehyde) and pH was controlled in order to obtain two conditions: (i) adsorption of positively charged albumin, and (ii) adsorption of albumin at its isoelectric point. Adsorption isotherms and zeta potential measurements showed that albumin adsorption was controlled by hydrogen bonding/van der Waals interactions and that brushlike structures may enhance adsorption of albumin on these particles

Desenvolvimento de bionanocompósitos: nano e microcristais de celulose com poli (álcool vinílico) e poli (ácido lático)

This work has the main objective to obtain nano and microcrystals of cellulose, extracted from the pineapple leaf fibres (PALF), as reinforcement for the manufacture of biocomposite films with polymeric matrices of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The polymer matrices and the nano and microcrystals of cellulose were characterised by means of TGA, FTIR and DSC. The analysis was performed on the pineapple leaves to identify the macro and micronutrients. The fibers of the leaves of the pineapple were extracted in a desfibradeira mechanical. The PALF extracted were washed to remove washable impurities and subsequently treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in the removal of impurities, such as fat, grease, pectates, pectin and lignin. The processed PALF fibers were hydrolysed in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) at a concentration of 13.5 %, to obtain nano and microcrystals of cellulose. In the manufacture of biocomposite films, concentrations of cellulose, 0 %, 1 %, 3 %, 6 %, 9% and 12% were used as reinforcement to the matrices of PVA and PLA. The PVA was dissolved in distilled water at 80 ± 5 oC and the PLA was dissolved in dichloromethane at room temperature. The manufacture of biocompósitos in the form of films was carried out by "casting". Tests were carried out to study the water absorption by the films and mechanical test of resistance to traction according to ASTM D638-10 with a velocity of 50 mm/min.. Chi-square statistical test was used to check for the existence of significant differences in the level of 0.05: the lengths of the PALF, lengths of the nano and microcrystals of cellulose and the procedures used for the filtration using filter syringe of 0.2 μm or filtration and centrifugation. The hydrophilicity of biocompósitos was analysed by measuring the contact angle and the thickness of biocompósitos were compared as well as the results of tests of traction. Statistical T test - Student was also applied with the significance level (0.05). In biodegradation, Sturm test of standard D5209 was used. Nano and microcrystals of cellulose with lengths ranging from 7.33 nm to 186.17 nm were found. The PVA films showed average thicknesses of 0.153 μm and PLA 0.210 μm. There is a strong linear correlation directly proportional between the traction of the films of PVA and the concentration of cellulose in the films (composite) (0,7336), while the thickness of the film was correlated in 0.1404. Nano and microcrystals of cellulose and thickness together, correlated to 0.8740. While the correlation between the cellulose content and tensile strength was weak and inversely proportional (- 0,0057) and thickness in -0.2602, totaling -0,2659 in PLA films. This can be attributed to the nano and microcrystals of cellulose not fully adsorbed to the PLA matrix. In the comparison of the results of the traction of the two polymer matrices, the nano and microcrystals have helped in reducing the traction of the films (composite) of PLA. There was still the degradation of the film of PVA, within a period of 20 days, which was not seen in the PLA film, on the other hand, the observations made in the literature, the average time to start the degradation is above 60 days. What can be said that the films are biodegradable composites, with hydrophilicity and the nano and microcrystals of cellulose, contribute positively in the improvement of the results of polymer matrices used.

Quintosana e seus derivados conjugados com ácido gálico: avaliação de seu potencial antioxidante e de interferência na formação de cristais de oxalato de cálcio

Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature and its derivative chitosan has been widely studied due to its unique chemical and pharmacological properties. However, studies show that when this molecule is used as food, drug, etc. it tends to accumulate in renal tissue and promotes an increase in calcium excretion. Nevertheless, the effect of chitosan on the formation of calcium oxalate (OxCa) crystals has never been evaluated. The formation of kidney stones (urolithiasis) is the disease that most often affects the kidneys and the urinary system. In addition, this is a disease with high prevalence and recurrence. Many molecules with antioxidant activity have been shown to decrease the potential for in vitro OxCa crystals formation. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low molecular weight chitosan and its derivatives conjugated to gallic acid (AG) as antioxidant and inhibitor of OxCa crystals formation. The physico-chemical analysis confirmed the identity of chitosan. This molecule was subjected to five antioxidant tests and showed an excellent copper chelating activity. However, chitosan did not show other significant antioxidant activity. When chitosan was subjected to in vitro crystal formation tests, it increased the number of OxCa monohydrate crystals, modified the morphology of the crystals, modified the proportions between populations of crystals in solution and increased the zeta potential of these crystals formed. Four molecules of chitosan conjugated with GA were obtained. The physico-chemical analysis confirmed that chitosan and AG were covalently bonded. However, the amount of GA liked to chitosan did not increase even when 10 times more GA was used in experiment. When these derivatives were subjected to antioxidant tests, all chitosan conjugates showed higher antioxidant potential than their precursors. However, they showed different activity between them, which indicating that the position where AG is conjugated is an important factor for chitosan-GA activity. When conjugated chitosans were submitted to in vitro crystal formation tests, a reduction in the crystals number was observed when compared with those formed in the presence of unconjugated chitosan. Chitosan has a strong capacity for inducing OxCa monohydrate crystal formation, as well as modify their morphology and zeta potential. Over all, the process of conjugating AG to chitosan led to an increase in antioxidant potential of this molecule and was also able to decrease its capacity of inducing in vitro crystal formation

Síntese e caracterização de compostos de coordenação do Ácido 4-cloro-2-(2- furilmetilamino)-5- sulfamoil-benzóico com os íons níquel, cobalto e zinco

This work aimed to promote the synthesis, characterization and propose a plausible molecular structure for coordination compounds involving furosemide (4-Chloro-2-(2- furylmethylamino)-5-sulfamoyl-benzoic acid) with the metal ions Ni+2, Zn+2 and Co+2. The compounds were obtained in methanoic medium by evaporation of the solvent after the synthesis procedure. For characterization of coordination compounds determining the levels of metals by EDTA complexometry, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solubility of compounds in various solvents, thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal analysis were made (DTA), determination of the carbon , hydrogen and nitrogen (CHN). The results of infrared spectroscopy in the region suggest that the organic ligand is coordinated in a bidentate fashion to the metal ions, the metal center interactions to occur by the coordination of the nitrogen atom of the amino group and the oxygen atom of the carboxylic acid of the structure of furosemide. With the results of the levels of metal, elemental analysis (CHN) and thermal analysis has been possible to propose the structure of the ligand. The values of the molar conductivity of the complex in acetonitrile behavior suggest the non acetonitrile electrolyte solution. With the solubility tests it was found that the compounds have high solubility in methanol and acetonitrile, as are partially insoluble in water. From the results of thermal analysis (TG, DSC, DTA), it was possible to obtain the thermal behavior of the compounds as stages of dehydration, thermal stability, decomposition and the energies involved.

Efeito do ácido ascórbico sobre a espermatogênese de camundongos com distrofia muscular de Duchenne

The objective was to evaluate spermatogenesis alterations caused by DMD and the effect of the treatment using ascorbic acid in preventing those injuries. Twenty four mice were used, 12 from the C57BL/10 lineage (non-dystrophic) and 12 from the C57BL/10Mdx (dystrophic). The sample was divided in six groups containing 4 animals each, as: C30 = 30 days control; D30 = Dystrophic with 30 days; C60 = 60 days control; D60 = Distrophic with 60 days; CS60 = 60 days control supplemented with ascorbic acid and DS60 = Dystrophic with 60 days supplemented with ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid supplementation was given in the water, 0,005 mg/day. After euthanasia, the testicles (right and left) were collected, weighted and cross sectioned. The material was fixed in the Karnovsky solution for 24 hours, included in resin for histological studies (morphological and morphometric analyzes) submitted to ultrastructural analysis and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. There was a significant increase in the tunica propria percentage in D30 compared to C30 and D60. The ultrastructural analysis showed mitochondrial apoptosis evidence of Sertoli cells that can reduce sperm efficiency in CS60 and DS60. A higher volume density of apoptotic cells postivas to Caspase-3 in C30 and D30 versus DS60 compared to CS60. There was severe hypertrophy of the Leydig cells between D30 and D60. However, with supplementation was observed reversal of this change in DS60. The ultrastructure of Leydig cells to early presence of lipid vesicles was observed in the group pre-pubertal dystrophic (D30). Thus, the DMD affect the organization of the seminiferous tubules and intertubule, however, the ascorbic acid supplementation used for the treatment of DMD has been just enough to reduce the hypertrophy of the Leydig cells.