Atrophic Cardiac Remodeling Induced by Taurine Deficiency in Wistar Rats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Função pulmonar na evolução de 35 doentes com paracoccidioidomicose

Lesões pulmonares observadas na paracoccidioidomicose (pbmicose) pela radiologia foram designadas: leve, moderada e grave de acordo com critério estabelecido pelos autores. Lesões infiltrativas intersticiais bilaterais nddulo fibrolineares e cotonosas foram identificadas respectivamente em 34 e em 23 doentes. Formas leve, moderada e grave assinaladas respectivamente em 6 10 e 19 mostraram à análise radiológica evolutiva melhora em 2, piora em 15 e manutenção do padrão da lesão em 18 doentes. Testes de função pulmonar realizados nos doentes durante o retorno ambulatorial evidenciaram: 12 com padrão espirográfico normal, 20 obstrutivos e 3 mistos; 34 doentes estavam hiperventilando e todos apresentaram aumento da diferença alvéolo arterial. Os resultados obtidos permitiram supor que a fibrose residual descrita nos padrões radiológicos; manutenção e piora de 33 deles aliada à doença obstrutiva crônica verificada pelas provas de função pulmonar constituíram subsídios para o desenvolvimento do Cor pulmonale assinalado

Effects of lisinopril on experimental ischemia in rats. Influence of infarct size

OBJECTIVE - Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have gained importance in preventing or attenuating the process of ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. The significance of infarct size in regard to the response to ACEIs, however, is controversial. This study aimed to analyze the effects of lisinopril on mortality rate, cardiac function, degree of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in rats with different infarct sizes. METHODS - Lisinopril (20 mg/kg/day) dissolved in drinking water was administered to rats immediately after coronary artery occlusion. After being sacrificed, the infarcted animals were divided into two groups: one group of animals with small infarcts (< 40% of the left ventricle) and another group of animals with large infarcts (> 40% of the left ventricle). RESULTS - The mortality rate was 31.7% in treated rats and 47% in the untreated rats. There was no statistical difference between the groups with small and large infarcts in regard to myocardial concentration of hydroxyproline. In small infarcts, the treatment attenuated the heart dysfunction characterized by lower levels of blood pressure and lower values of the first derivative of pressure and of the negative derivative of pressure. The degree of hypertrophy was also attenuated in small infarcts. In regard to large infarcts, no differences between the groups were observed. CONCLUSION - Treatment with the ACEIs had no effect on mortality rate and on the amount of fibrosis. The protective effect of lisinopril on heart function and on the degree of hypertrophy could only be detected in small infarcts

Is gender crucial for cardiovascular adjustments induced by exercise training in female spontaneously hypertensive rats?

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Treatment of rat nephrotoxic nephritis. Use of 5-fluorouracil or methotrexate-5-fluorouracil association

To evaluate the effect of 5-fluorouracil (F) and methotrexate-5-fluorouracil association (MTX-F) on nephrotoxic nephritis, seven groups of 10 rats were inoculated with anti-rat glomerular basement membrane serum (AGBMS); five groups were treated with different doses of F, beginning on the 2nd or the 6th day, one group with MTX-F beginning on the 2nd day and one group (control) with distilled water. Twenty-four hour proteinuria was determined weekly until the 71st day. The kidneys were examined histologically and by immunofluorescence. The group treated with F (1.3 mg/100 g body weight) developed a severe glomerulonephritis similar to the control group; (b) the groups treated with F (2.0 mg/100 g body weight) or with MTX-F showed progressively lower proteinuria, less severe histological changes and less intense fluorescence due to autologous antibodies. The best results were observed in the MTX-F group and in the F group treated from the 6th day. These groups presented at the 71st day proteinuria of 84 and 91 mg as compared to 312 mg in the control group, and minimal histological lesions as compared to glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy in the control group. We concluded that either F or MTX-F produced significant improvement of nephrotoxic nephritis due to inhibition of autologous antibody production.

Cholesteryl ester storage disease. Report of a case.

Cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) is a rare disorder of familial incidence characterized by the accumulation of cholesteryl ester and triglycerides in the liver, intestine and bone marrow. Until now only 21 cases have been reported in the literature. We present a 9 months old girl presenting with increased abdominal girth. She had normal liver function tests and increased cholesterol and triglycerides serum levels. The liver biopsy showed many cholesterol cristals seen as needle shaped cristals under polarized light. This is the youngest patient being diagnosed clinically in the literature.

Paracoccidioidomicose: estudo radiológico e pulmonar de 58 casos

Spirometric and haemogasimetric tests were performed in 52 patients with unifocal and multifocal progressive Paracoccidioidomycosis pulmonary diseases, in 5 patients with juvenile and 1 female internal genital forms. The age ranged from 20 to 74 years old and the duration of disease from 3 to 25 years. Dyspnea, cough, tegumentary and lymphatic manifestations were the most predominant signs observed. Fourteen of them was developed Cor pulmonale. Impaired renal function was recorded in 19 patients, cardiac symptoms were described in 7 and hyporeactor adrenal activity was showed in 13 patients. Radiological studies demonstrated mild in 16, moderate in 24 and severe pulmonary lesions types in 18 patients. The pulmonary function revealed: normal spyrographic findings in 17, pure obstructive type in 32 and mixed form in 9 of them. Hyperventilation was described in 54 individuals and all of them showed an increasing of the alveolo-arterial difference. PaO2 less than 80 mm/Hg observed in 36 of them. Statistical analysis demonstrated significative association between clinical evolution and radiological interpretation. Similar data were obtained in radiology evaluations, clinical evolutive studies and pulmonary functions described in these patients. The granulomatous reaction due to Paracoccidioidomycosis, in heavy smokers patients, gave origin to the alterations in small airways predisposing the interalveolar dissemination an impaired alveolo-arterial diffusion.

Comparative mechanical study of isolated papillary muscle from Wistar-Kyoto and Wistar rats

Isolated papillary muscles have often been used in myocardial mechanical function studies. The objective of the present study was to compare the mechanical function of papillary muscle isolated from left ventricle between Wistar (W) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats of different ages (1, 3, 6 and 12 months), in order to examine whether there is a difference in intrinsic mechanical properties of muscle between the two rat strains. Muscles were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 28°C and studied isometrically and isotonically at a stimulation rate of 0.2 Hz. The W and WKY showed statistically significant differences during both isometric and isotonic contractions. During isometric contraction? (l) the peak developed tension (DT) and + dT/dt were lower in WKY rats in the 1 mo groups, (2) the resting tension (RT) was greater in WKY at 3, 6 and 12 mo. (3) time to peak tension (TPT) was greater in WKY at 3 and 12 mo, (4) time for tension to fall from peak to 50% of peak tension (RT 1/2) was greater in WKY at 3 mo and (5) - dT/dt was lower in WKY at 1 and 3 mo. During isotonic contraction, (1) the peak shortening (PS) and -dL/dt were lower in WKY at 12 mo, (2) the time to peak shortening (TPS) was greater in WKY at 3 and 12 mo; (3) + dL/dt was lower in WKY at 3, 6, and 12 mo and (4) the relative variation of length (Lmax-PS)/Lmax was greater in WKY at 6 and 12 mo. These data showed a difference in mechanical behaviour of the papillary muscle between Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto rats of different age.

INFLUENCIA DO ACRESCIMO DE MANITOL A SOLUCAO NUTRIENTE NO DESEMPENHO MECANICO E NO GRAU DE EDEMA MIOCARDICO DE CORACOES ISOLADOS DE RATOS

Purpose - To analyse the influence of mannitol added to Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution on the myocardium edema and myocardial function. Methods - Isolated rat heart under isovolumetric contractions studied according to Langendorff's technique were perfused with KH solution at constant flow during 90 min. The coronary perfusion pressure, diastolic and systolic pressures were recorded at every 15 min. At the end of the experiment, myocardium water content was measured in hearts perfused with KH solution (group I, n = 9) and in hearts perfused with KH solution plus 8 mM mannitol (group II, n = 8). These results were compared to non-perfused control heart (n = 9). Results - Myocardial water content was statistically higher in group I (80.8 ± 1.3%) compared to group II (78.1 ± 0.7%) and control group (75.5 ± 0.5%). Systolic arterial pressure was statistically higher in group I (86.2 ± 11.5 mmHg) compared to group II (72.7 ± 21.1 mmHg). There was no difference in the diastolic pressure between the two groups. Coronary perfusion pressure (Pp) increased progressively during the experiment in both groups. However, Pp was lower in group II than in group I. Conclusion - Mannitol added to KH solution significantly attenuates the myocardium edema in the isolated perfused rat heart.

Assessment of vitamin A status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and healthy smokers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efficacy, safety and tolerability of terbinafine for Tinea capitis in children: Brazilian multicentric study with daily oral tablets for 1, 2 and 4 weeks

Background: Tinea capitis is a common skin disease seen predominantly in children. The standard therapies for this disease are griseofulvin and ketoconazole. Nevertheless, these drugs have drawbacks in that they are only fungistatic and require treatment for at least 6 weeks. Previous studies with oral terbinafine for the treatment of Tinea capitis have shown that this agent is effective when given for 4 weeks, comparable to an 8-week regimen with griseofulvin. To date there is no data on the use of oral terbinafine in Brazilian children. Objectives: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral terbinafine in short-term treatments (1-, 2- and 4-week treatment) of Tinea capitis in children. Patients and methods: One hundred and thirty-two children aged 1-14 years were enrolled in this study, but only 107 were considered for the final efficacy analysis. Diagnosis included clinical assessment and examination by Wood's light. Confirmation was obtained by direct microscopy and culture for fungus. Terbinafine dosage (125 or 250 mg/day) was adjusted according to patient weight. Efficacy was evaluated both by clinical and mycological assessment. Safety and tolerability variables included data on adverse reaction and clinical laboratory evaluations. Results: Mycological evaluation in the follow-up visit at week 12 showed negative direct microscopy and culture results in 48.6, 60.5 and 69.7% patients in groups 1-, 2- and 4-week, respectively (n.s.). At week 12, 84.8% patients in group 4-week achieved clinical cure with a significant difference compared to groups 1- and 2-week, 54.3 and 60.5%, respectively (P < 0.01). Adverse reactions were present in 4.8, 6.8 and 10.9% of patients in groups 1-, 2- and 4-week, respectively. Terbinafine was not associated with clinically relevant increases in liver function tests. Conclusions: Terbinafine is an effective, well tolerated and safe antifungal agent for the treatment of Tinea capitis m children. The shorter duration of treatment resulted in lower cure rates. However, it is important to note that depending on the severity of the disease, a 1-week-only treatment can also be effective in this indication.

Dietary restriction: Metabolic shifting for cardiac health

Purpose: To determine the effect of dietary restriction on metabolic pathways and the relationship of the metabolic shifting on antioxidant enzymes in cardiac tissue. Design: Randomized, controlled study. Male rats at 60 days old were randomly divided into four groups. Materials and Methods: The rats of control groups C30 and C60 were given free access to the diet over 30 and 60 days. The rats of the DR30 group were fed 60% of the chow consumed by the control groups over 30 days. The animals of the DR60 group ate 60% of the amount consumed by the C60 group over 60 days. Serum was used for total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Protein, glycogen, total lipids, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), LDH, AST and ALT were determined in cardiac tissue. Results: Dietary restriction induced diminished serum and cardiac LDH activities. AST activities were lower in the serum and cardiac muscle of the DR60 animals. Dietary restriction induced elevated total lipid concentrations in cardiac muscle. No significant differences were observed in total protein and glycogen content among the groups. Antioxidant enzyme determinations demonstrated increased cardiac GSH-Px activities in the DR60 animals and increased SOD activities in the cardiac tissue of both feed-restricted groups. Conclusions: Dietary restriction was protective against oxidative stress in the heart by improving cardiac endogenous antioxidant defences and shifting the metabolic pathway for energy production.

Comparative study of multiple dosage of quercetin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat kidneys

Quercetin, a typical bioflavonoid ubiquitously present in fruits and vegetables, is considered to be helpful for human health. Cisplatin (cDDP) is one of the most active cytotoxic agents in the treatment of a wide range of solid tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect of quercetin, a bioflavonoid with antioxidant potential, on cisplatin-induced nophrotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in rats. Gavage administrations of water, propylene glycol and quercetin (50 mg/kg) were made 24 and 1 h before saline or cDDP (5 mg/kg) ip injections and were repeated daily for 2, 5 or 20 subsequent days. Rats were killed 2, 5 and 20 days after ip injections, and blood and urine samples were collected to determine plasma creatinine, urine volume and osmolality. The kidneys were removed to determine the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and for histological studies. Cisplatin increased lipid peroxidation, urine volume and plasma creatinine levels and decreased urine osmolality. Treatment with quercetin attenuated these alterations. These results demonstrate the role of oxidative stress and suggest a protective effect of quercetin on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Copyright © 2006 by Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences.

Hypertrophied myocardium is more dependent on extracellular calcium than the normal cardiac muscle

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze stable hypertrophied myocardial function and its response to inotropic maneuvers in rats submitted to renovascular hypertension for a 10-week period (RHT group, n=10). Material/Methods: Myocardial performance was studied in isolated left ventricle papillary muscles in isometric contraction under the following conditions: at postrest contraction of 30 seconds (PRC), at extracellular calcium (ECa 2+) chloride concentration of 1.25 and 5.20 mM, and after beta-adrenergic stimulation with 10 -6 M isoproterenol (ISOP). Results: The results were compared with normotensive Wistar controls rats (C group, n=10). In basal condition, resting tension, and contraction time (TPT) were greater, while relaxation time (RT 50) tended to be longer in RHT than C group. PRC and ISOP promoted a similar change in muscle function response intensity (Δ) in both groups. ECa 2+ shift did not change TPT in the C group and decreased TPT in the RHT animals; Δ was different between these groups. RT 50 increased in C and decreased in RHT, both without statistical significance; however, Δ was different. Conclusions: These results suggest that hypertrophied myocardial dysfunction may be attibuted to changes in intracellular calcium cycling. © Med Sci Monit, 2010.

Efeitos da prática da natação adaptada sobre o perfil bioquímico e o estado de condicionamento físico de indivíduos com lesão medular

Introduction: The lack of physical exercises generated by immobilization of the lower limbs leads to changes in body composition that are generally associated with the imbalance of metabolic rate coupled with a sedentary status, which can result in obesity, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the improvement of physical fitness can contribute to promoting health and quality of life for these patients. As there is a very small number of research in this direction, our purpose was to investigate the effects of an adapted swimming program in protocol interval, for people with spinal cord injury, aiming to verify the improvement of your fitness and, consequently, some biochemical variables important for health. Methodology: The study included 17 subjects with spinal cord injury, sedentary, divided into two groups: 11 participants in the training group (TG) and 6 in control group (CG). TG was applied by a protocol of interval training in swimming for eight consecutive weeks, three times a week. The protocol employed a stroke of breaststroke in work periods of moderate to severe, and stroke in the backstroke, in periods of active recovery. The CG has not participated in any physical activity. Both groups were collecting blood for biochemical analysis, before (evaluation) and after (revaluation) the swimming program. Results and Discussion: The concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed no significant changes in assessment for reassessment in both groups. However the TG, the level of HDL-cholesterol were significant differences (p=0,0110), showing an improvement in posttraining, which did not occur in the CG. With respect to the state of fitness, the results revealed a significant difference in relation to time and distance covered in water when compared with the pre-training (p<0,001), showing a great improvement in the ability to shift with the stroke of breaststroke and a significant improvement in cardiorespiratory function. Conclusion: The swimming program interval used, with moderate to severe intensity, can even in a short period of time, promote positive changes in HDLcholesterol in individuals with spinal cord injury studied, and substantially improve your fitness.