First in vivo evaluation of the mutagenic effect of Brazilian green propolis by comet assay and micronucleus test

Propolis is a hive product containing chiefly beeswax and plant-derived substances such as resin and volatile compounds. Propolis has been used in various parts of the world as an antiseptic and wound healer since ancient times, and interest in the product has recently increased. Considering the lack of data concerning the in vivo mutagenicity of green propolis, the capacity of this natural product to cause damage to the DNA was evaluated, using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and micronucleus test, in the peripheral blood cells of mice. The doses tested by gavage were 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg. Micronucleus and SCGE assays showed that green propolis caused an increase in the damage to DNA in the peripheral blood cells of mice. The polychromatic: normochromatic erythrocytes ratio was not statistically different from the negative control. Considering the doses and the results obtained in this study, the acute consumption of green propolis produced some mutagenic effects on the blood cells of mice. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C. in different cells of mice

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

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of Austroplenckia populnea (Reiss) Lundell chloroform fraction from barkwood extract in rodent cells in vivo

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

Evaluation of the in vivo mutagenic potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of the northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. Ericales, Ericaceae) on peripheral blood cells of Swiss mice (Mus musculus Rodentia, Muridae)

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

Evaluation of the adverse effects of oral firocoxib in healthy dogs

This study evaluated the adverse effects of oral firocoxib in dogs. Six dogs (20.2 +/- 6.3 kg) were studied. Values for complete blood count (CBC), serum urea, creatinine, alanine transaminase, alanine phosphatase, -glutamyl transferase, occult blood in feces, platelet aggregation, and buccal mucosal bleeding time were measured before and 7, 14, 21, and 29 days after SID treatment with firocoxib 5.3 +/- 0.34 mg/kg (FG) or lactose 1 mg/kg (LG) for 2 8 days, in a randomized crossover study. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy was performed before treatment began and at 29 days. Lesions were scored from grade 0 to 6. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and paired t-tests (P < 0.05). None of the dogs presented adverse clinical effects. There were no significant changes in CBC, biochemical profiles within groups, or differences between groups. Pretreatment mean SD bleeding time (LG, 70.7 +/- 32.1 sec; FG, 75.8 +/- 38.1 sec) and platelet aggregation (LG, 86.4 +/- 10.2%; FG, 85.6 +/- 9.2%) were not significantly different from readings at 29 days (LG, 95.2 +/- 25 sec; FG, 91.7 +/- 24 sec and LG, 73.2 +/- 15.1%; FG, 84 +/- 10.3%) nor the groups were different. None of the dogs had positive fecal occult blood tests, and endoscopic lesion scores were grade 0 both before treatment and at 29 days. Administration of firocoxib did not cause any adverse effects on GI, or hematological or serum biochemical variables and appears to have been well tolerated by dogs.

Alterations in the intestinal wall due to protein malnutrition in rats. Evaluation of the rupture strength and the tissue's collagen

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da desnutrição protéica na parede intestinal do rato através da medida de força de ruptura e dosagem do colágeno tecidual no íleo e cólon distal. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 120 ratos, pesando em média 100g, que receberam durante 07 dias uma dieta padrão, contendo 20% de caseína para adaptação dos animais as condições do biotério. Após esse período os animais foram divididos em dois grupos de 60, o controle denominado grupo um que recebeu a dieta padrão, e o grupo teste denominado grupo dois, que recebeu dieta hipoprotéica contendo 2% de caseína. Os dois grupos receberam suas respectivas dietas por um período de 21 dias. Após esse período iniciou-se o sacrifício seqüencial dos animais em ambos os grupos, em número de 12 animais em cada momento, correspondendo ao dia Zero (MO), 4º dia (M1), 7º dia (M2), 14º dia (M3), e 21º dia (M4) sendo mantida a mesma dieta até o final do sacrifício. em cada momento foram avaliados o peso corpóreo, albumina sanguínea, hidroxiprolina tecidual, relação hidroxiprolina/proteína tecidual e a força de ruptura no segmento ileal e cólico dos animais. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que a força de ruptura do segmento ileal e do cólon distal foi menor nos animais desnutridos (Grupo 2). A perda da resistência mecânica foi maior no segmento do cólon distal do que no segmento ileal, provavelmente pela menor concentração do colágeno tecidual no cólon distal. CONCLUSÃO: A desnutrição protéica induz a diminuição da resistência mecânica no íleo e no cólon distal associado a diminuição do colágeno tecidual na parede intestinal.

Evaluation of the adverse effects of subcutaneous carprofen over six days in healthy cats

This study evaluated the adverse effects of carprofen in seven healthy cats. Values for CBC, biochemical profiles and platelet aggregation were measured before and at seven days after SID treatment with subcutaneous carprofen: 4 mg/kg (day 1), 2 mg/kg (day 2 and 3) and 1 mg/kg (day 4 and 6) (CG) or 0.35 ml of saline (SG) for six days in a randomized, blinded, cross-over study with a four-week washout period. No treatment was given on day 5. Endoscopy of the GI tract was performed pre-treatment and on day 7 post-treatment. There were no significant changes in hematological profiles, biochemical profiles and endoscopy grading scores within nor between groups, except for lower albumin values at baseline than on day 7 (CG), and globulin and ALP values were higher at baseline than on day 7 in CG and SG. SC administration of carprofen over six days did not cause any adverse effects on gastrointestinal, hematological, or serum biochemical variables. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Group B streptococci colonization in pregnant women: risk factors and evaluation of the vaginal flora

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

Immunological evaluation of the intestinal mucosa of broiler chicks treated with Lactobacillus Spp. and challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis

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

A critical evaluation of the expression of parasitemia in experimental Chagas' disease

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the conceptus from days 10 to 60 of pregnancy in jennies

Daily ultrasound examinations were conducted from Days 10 to 60 (ovulation = Day 0) of pregnancy to monitor the conceptus in jennies (n = 12). The embryonic vesicle was first detected on Day 11.5 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- SD; range 10 to 13d) and was mobile until movement ceased (fixation) on Day 15.5 +/- 1.4 (range, 13 to 18d). The vesicle was spherical from Days 10 to 18 (mean growth rate, 3.2 mm/d), non spherical (irregular) with a reduced growth rate (0.5 mm/d) from Days 19 to 29, and then grew at a moderate rate (1.6 mm/d) up to Day 46. on average, detection of the embryo proper (consistently located on the ventral aspect of the yolk sac) and embryonic heartbeat were Days 20.7 +/- 1.2 and 23.5 +/- 1.3, respectively. Formation of the allantoic sac was first detected on Day 24.4 +/- 1.7 and was complete on Day 36.8 +/- 1.6. Descent of the fetus (and formation of the umbilical cord) began on Day 37.9 +/- 1.7 and was complete on Day 44.1 +/- 2.1. Crown-ramp length averaged 3.7, 15.4, 22.7, 37.5 and 59.6 mm on Days 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60, respectively. In general, morphologic features and dates of occurrence were similar to those reported previously in the mare. (C) 1998 by Elsevier B.V.

Hemodynamic evaluation of the right portal vein in healthy dogs of different body weights

Background: Doppler ultrasonography is an important tool for evaluating hepatic portal hemodynamics. However, no study in dogs of different body weights, in the range encountered in routine clinical veterinary practice, has been reported. It can be difficult to obtain an ideal insonation angle when evaluating the main portal vein, so evaluation of the right portal vein branch has been described in humans as an alternative. The aim of this study was to analyze, through Doppler ultrasonography, the hemodynamics in the right portal vein branch in dogs of different body weights.Methods: Thirty normal dogs were divided in three groups by weight, in order to establish normal values for mean velocity, flow volume and portal congestion index of the right portal vein branch by means of Doppler ultrasonography.Results: In all dogs ideal insonation angles were obtained for the right portal vein branch. The average velocity was similar in the three groups, but the portal congestion index and the flow volume differed, showing that the weight of the dog can influence these values.Conclusion: Doppler ultrasonography for the evaluation of flow in the right branch of the portal vein could be a viable alternative, or complement, to examining the main vessel segment. This is especially so in those animals in which an ideal insonation angle for examination of the main portal vein is hard to obtain. In addition, the weight of the dog must be considered for the correct evaluation of the portal system hemodynamics, particularly for portal blood flow and the congestion index.