Intravesical oxybutynin protects the vesical wall against functional and smooth muscle changes in rabbits with detrusor overactivity

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

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 expression in canine normal prostate and with proliferative disorders

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a expressão das metaloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) e 9 (MMP-9) em próstatas caninas normais e com desordens proliferativas, verificando o papel dessas enzimas na remodelação da matriz extracelular (MEC) e no processo de invasão tecidual. Um total de 355 amostras prostáticas foram obtidas, sendo 36 (10,1%) normais, 46 (13,0%) com hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB), 128 (36,1%) com atrofia inflamatória proliferativa (PIA), 74 (20,8%) com neoplasia intraepitelial prostática (PIN) e 71 (20,0%) com carcinoma prostático (CP). Houve diferença de imunomarcação citoplasmática para MMP-2 e MMP-9 entre o epitélio acinar e o estroma periacinar, quanto aos diferentes diagnósticos. Observou-se correlação entre a expressão de MMP-2 e MMP-9 em relação ao número de células marcadas no epitélio acinar e estroma periacinar, bem como para a intensidade de marcação das células estromais periacinares em próstatas caninas com PIA. Conclui-se que há variação na expressão de MMP-2 e MMP-9 em próstatas caninas de acordo com a lesão, com menor expressão em próstatas caninas normais e com HPB, e maior naquelas com PIA, PIN e CP. Ainda, o microambiente inflamatório na PIA influencia a atividade de ambas as enzimas.

Studies of gastric mucosa regeneration and safety promoted by Mouriri pusa treatment in acetic acid ulcer model

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mouriri pusa Gardn. (Melastomataceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used by people living in the Cerrado to treat gastrointestinal disturbances. This medicinal plant has shown intense gastroprotective action in rodent gastric lesion, but still there are no data about its healing effect on gastric mucosa.Aim of the Study: To evaluate the methanolic extract (MeOH) obtained from Mouriri pusa leaves for its effect on the cicatrisation process of gastric ulcer.Mterials and Methods: The healing effects on gastric ulcers inducted by subserosal injection of acetic acid were evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic measures, imunohistochemistry and cell counting in rats treated with MeOH extract of Mouriri pusa (250 mg/kg, p.o./daily) for 14 or 30 days. The toxicity of Mouriri pusa was also evaluated by body and organ weight measure and clinical biochemical parameters.Results: Mouriri pusa treatments lasting 14 and 30 days showed elevated mucus secretion (PAS) and thicker regenerative gastric mucosa, denoting increased cell proliferation, which was confirmed by PCNA immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, there was important cell recruitment (neutrophils and mast cells) to the site of the ulcer, which is an important factor in ulcer healing. No toxic effect was observed in all parameters evaluated. Phenolic compounds present in the MeOH extract like tannins, flavonoids and epicatechin are the probable agents involved in the healing effects of this medicinal plant.Conclusions: These findings showed a potential effect of Mouriri pusa in increasing regeneration of damaged gastric mucosa with safety for human use. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Viability of primordial follicles derived from cryopreserved ovine ovarian cortex tissue

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

Survey radiography and computerized tomography imaging of the thorax in female dogs with mammary tumors

Background: Accurate early diagnosis of lung metastases is important for establishing therapeutic measures. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare survey thoracic radiographs and computerized tomography (CT) scans to specifically identify lung metastases in female dogs with mammary tumors.Methods: Twenty-one female dogs, weighing 3 to 34 kg and aged from 5 years to 14 years and 10 months, with mammary tumors were studied. In all dogs before the imaging examinations, fine-needle aspiration cytology of the mammary tumors was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Three-view thoracic radiographs were accomplished: right lateral, left lateral and ventrodorsal views. Sequential transverse images of the thorax were acquired on a spiral Scanner, before and after intravenous bolus injection of nonionic iodine contrast. Soft-tissue and lung windows were applied. All the mammary tumors were surgically removed and examined histologically.Results: The correlation between the cytological and histological results regarding presence of malignancy was observed in only 17 cases. In radiographic examinations, no dog displayed signs of lung metastases or thorax chest lesions. CT detected lung metastasis in two cases, while small areas of lung atelectasis located peripherally were found in 28.57% of the dogs.Conclusion: In this study population, spiral CT showed higher sensitivity than chest radiographies to detect lung metastasis; this indicates that CT should be performed on all female dogs with malignant mammary tumors.

Characterization of a Local Renin-Angiotensin System in Rat Gingival Tissue

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

Crown and crown-root fractures: an evaluation of the treatment plans for management proposed by 154 specialists in restorative dentistry

Traumatic tooth injuries involve function and aesthetics and cause damage that range from minimal enamel loss to complex fractures involving the pulp tissue and even loss of the tooth crown. Technical knowledge and clinical experience are essential to establish an accurate diagnosis and provide a rational treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of Restorative Dentistry specialists about the management of crown and crown-root fractures based on treatment plans proposed by these professionals for these cases. A descriptive questionnaire was mailed to 245 Restorative Dentistry specialists with questions referring to their professional profile and the treatment plans they would propose for the management of crown and crow-root fractures resulting from dental trauma. One hundred and fifty-four questionnaires were returned properly filled. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and the chi-square test was used to determine the frequency and the level of the significance among the variables. The analysis of data showed that in spite of having a specialist title, all interviewees had great difficulty in planning the treatments. As much as 42.8% of the participants were unable to treat all types of dental trauma. Complicated and uncomplicated crown-root fractures posed the greatest difficulties for the dentists to establish adequate treatment plans because these fractures require multidisciplinary knowledge and approach for a correct case planning and prognosis.

Recession Defects Associated With Scraped Roots Treated With Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft

The objective of the current study was to assess histo-morphometrically the healing process of recession defects associated with scraped roots treated with subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG). Six dogs were used. Bone dehiscence defects (6 x 8 mm) and root planing were carried out on maxillary canine teeth. Following a split-mouth model, according to the treatment, left canines (control) were covered with coronally positioned flap (CPF). Right canines were submitted to treatments with SCTG. After a 3-month postoperative period, the animals were killed, and the blocks processed for the histomorphometric assessment. Data assessment demonstrated that the CPF group showed parameters of a new connective tissue attachment, length of new cement (NC), length of new bone (mean +/- SD: 0.95 +/- 0.53, 2.44 +/- 1.97, and 1.96 +/- 2.29 mm, respectively), which were higher than those of SCTG group (mean +/- SD: 0.71 +/- 0.36, 2.21 +/- 1.28, and 1.52 +/- 1.31 mm, respectively), although not significantly (P > 0.05). The length of both epithelial tissue and connective tissue apposition in the SCTG group (mean +/- SD: 1.70 +/- 0.53 and 2.62 +/- 1.52 mm, respectively) were higher than those of the CPF group (mean +/- SD: 1.18 +/- 0.49 and 2.03 +/- 1.03 mm, respectively), although showing no significant differences (P > 0.05). Within the limits of the current study, it was possible to conclude that there were no significant differences between the groups according to the histologic parameters assessed.

Utilization of autogenous bone, bioactive glasses, and calcium phosphate cement in surgical mandibular bone defects in Cebus apella monkeys

Purpose: the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the histologic results of bone cavities that were surgically created in the mandibles of Cebus apella monkeys and filled with autogenous bone, PerioGlas, FillerBone, or Bone Source. Materials and Methods: Surgical cavities 5 mm in diameter were prepared through both mandibular cortices in the mandibular angle region. The cavities were randomly filled, and the animals were divided into groups according to the material employed: Group 1 cavities were filled with autogenous corticocancellous bone; group 2 cavities were filled with calcium phosphate cement (BoneSource); and group 3 and group 4 cavities were filled with bioactive glass (FillerBone and PerioGlas, respectively). After 180 days the animals were sacrificed, and specimens were prepared following routine laboratory procedures for hematoxylin/eosin staining and histologic evaluation. Results: the histologic analysis showed that autogenous bone allowed total repair of the bone defects; bioactive glasses (FillerBone and PerioGlas) allowed total repair of the defects with intimate contact of the remaining granules and newly formed bone; and the cavities filled with calcium phosphate cement (BoneSource) were generally filled by connective fibrous tissue, and the material was almost totally resorbed. Discussion: the autogenous bone, FillerBone, and PerioGlas provided results similar to those in the current literature, showing that autogenous bone is the best Choice for filling critical-size defects. Synthetic implanted materials demonstrated biocompatibility, but the bioglasses demonstrated osteoconductive activity that did not occur with calcium phosphate (BoneSource). Conclusion: According to the methodology used in this study, it can be concluded that the utilization of autogenous bone and bioactive glasses permitted the repair of surgically created critical-size defects by newly formed bone; the synthetic implanted materials demonstrated biocompatibility, and the bioactive glasses demonstrated osteoconductive activity. The PerioGlas was mostly resorbed and replaced by bone and the remaining granules were in close contact with bone; the FillerBone showed many granules in contact with the newly formed bone; BoneSource did not permit repair of the critical-size defects, and the defects were generally filled by connective fibrous tissue.

Bone regeneration after demineralized bone matrix and castor oil (Ricinus communis) polyurethane implantation

Innocuous biocompatible materials have been searched to repair or reconstruct bone defects. Their goal is to restore the function of live or dead tissues. This study compared connective tissue and bone reaction when exposed to demineralized bovine bone matrix and a polyurethane resin derived from castor bean (Ricinus communis). Forty-five rats were assigned to 3 groups of 15 animals (control, bovine bone and polyurethane). A cylindrical defect was created on mandible base and filled with bovine bone matrix and the polyurethane. Control group received no treatment. Analyses were performed after 15, 45 and 60 days (5 animals each). Histological analysis revealed connective tissue tolerance to bovine bone with local inflammatory response similar to that of the control group. After 15 days, all groups demonstrated similar outcomes, with mild inflammatory reaction, probably due to the surgical procedure rather than to the material. In the polymer group, after 60 days, scarce multinucleated cells could still be observed. In general, all groups showed good stability and osteogenic connective tissue with blood vessels into the surgical area. The results suggest biocompatibility of both materials, seen by their integration into rat mandible. Moreover, the polyurethane seems to be an alternative in bone reconstruction and it is an inexhaustible source of biomaterial.

Haplotypes in the Interleukin 8 Gene and Their Association with Chronic Periodontitis Susceptibility

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

Morphological evidences indicate that the interference of cimetidine on the peritubular components is responsible for detachment and apoptosis of Sertoli cells

Cimetidine, referred as antiandrogenic agent, has caused alterations in the seminiferous tubules, including alterations in the peritubular tissue and death of myoid cells by apoptosis. Regarding the structural and functional importance of the peritubular tissue for the maintenance of Sertoli cells (SC), we purpose to investigate the SC-basement membrane interface, focusing the morphological features of SC and their interaction with the basement membrane in the affected tubules by cimetidine. Ten animals were distributed into two groups, control (CG) and cimetidine (CmG) which received saline solution and 50 mg of cimetidine per kg of body weight, respectively, for 52 days. The testes were fixed, dehydrated and embedded for analyses under light and transmission electron microscopy. Paraffin sections were submitted to the TUNEL method; sections of testes embedded in glycol methacrylate were submitted to PAS method and stained by H&E for morphological and quantitative analyses of Sertoli Cells. In the CmG, the SC nuclei were positive to the TUNEL method and showed typical morphological alterations of cell death by apoptosis (from early to advanced stages). A significant reduction in the number of Sertoli Cells was probably due to death of these cells by apoptosis. A close relationship between SC nuclear alterations (including a high frequency of dislocated nuclei from the basal portion) and damage in the peritubular tissue was observed. The ultrastructural analysis showed a parallelism between the gradual advancement of apoptotic process in SC and detachment of the anchoring sites (hemidesmosomes) of SC plasma membrane from the lamina densa. The presence of portions of lamina densa underlying the detached hemidesmosomes indicates a continuous deposition of lamina densa, resulting in the thickening of the basal lamina. The results indicate a possible disarrangement of the SC cytoskeleton, including the focal adhesion structure. These alterations are related to SC apoptosis and probably result from disturbs induced by cimetidine on the peritubular tissue.

Use of bovine bone graft and bone membrane in defects surgically created in the cranial vault of rabbits. Histologic comparative analysis

Purpose: This study was proposed to analyze histologically the process of repairing bone defects created surgically in the cranial vaults of rabbits. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male rabbits (Oryctolagus cunilicus) received, under general anesthesia, bilateral parietal osteotomies by means of a 6mm-diameter trephine. The bony defects were divided into 4 groups. In group 1 the defect did not receive any treatment; in group 2 the defect was filled with lyophilized bovine bone (Biograft); in group 3 it was filled with bovine bone and covered with a bone matrix membrane (Bioplate); in group 4 it was covered with a bone matrix membrane. Animals were sacrificed in 3 equal groups at 15, 30, and 60 days. The specimens were subjected to routine laboratory procedures to evaluate the degree of bone repair. Results: After 60 days, new bone formation in group 2 was not satisfactory when compared to that of group 3. Large amounts of new bone formation in maturation were seen in group 3. In the defects covered with a membrane the results were similar to those of group 1 (ie, the cavity was filled with fibrous connective tissue). The implanted bone and membranes were totally resorbed. Discussion and Conclusions: the use of a membrane served as a barrier against the migration of cells from the adjacent tissue and the bone graft/membrane preserved the cavity space, resulting in an enhanced osteogenic effect.

Melatonin reduces LH, 17 beta-estradiol and induces differential regulation of sex steroid receptors in reproductive tissues during rat ovulation

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

Diet compounds, glycemic index and obesity-related cardiac effects

Background: Diet compounds may influence obesity-related cardiac oxidative stress and metabolic sifting. Carbohydrate-rich diet may be disadvantageous from fat-rich diet to cardiac tissue and glycemic index rather than lipid profile may predict the obesity-related cardiac effects.Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n=8/group): (C) receiving standard chow (3.0 kcal/g); (CRD) receiving carbohydrate-rich diet (4.0 kcal/g), and (FRD) receiving fat-rich diet (4.0 kcal/g). Rats were sacrificed after the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 60 days of dietary treatments. Lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters were determined in serum. Myocardial samples were used to determine oxidative stress, metabolic enzymes, glycogen and triacylglycerol.Results: FRD rats showed higher final body weight and body mass index than CRD and C. Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein were higher in FRD than in CRD, while triacylglycerol and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in CRD than in FRD. CRD rats had the highest myocardial lipid hydroperoxide and diminished superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Myocardial glycogen was lower and triacylglycerol was higher in CRD than in C and FRD rats. Although FRD rats had depressed myocardial-reducing power, no significant changes were observed in myocardial energy metabolism. Myocardial beta-hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase and citrate synthase, as well as the enhanced lactate debydrogenase/citrate synthase ratio indicated that fatty acid degradation was decreased in CRD rats. Glycemic index was positively correlated with obesity-related cardiac effects.Conclusions: Isoenergetic carbohydrate-rich and fat-rich diets induced different degree of obesity and differently affected lipid profile. Carbohydrate-rich diet was deleterious relative to fat-rich diet in the heart enhancing lipoperoxidation and shifting the metabolic pathway for energy production. Glycemic index rather than dyslipidemic profile may predict the obesity effects on cardiac tissue. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.