Metabolismo (lipídios e proteínas) e histopatologia do cérebro de ratos recém nascidos, jovens e adultos, submetidos a desnutrição proteico calórica, tipo marasmo

Brains of Wistar male rats (newborns, youngs and adults) submitted to protein-calorie deprivation for different periods (27, 33 and 60 days) were studied histologically and biochemically (protein and lipids contents). Lower levels of lipid, particularly among young rats, were observed in all groups. The protein levels were also significantly lower in the newborns, only slightly diminished in the youngs and not altered in the adults. On the other hand the histological study made in all groups did not show any qualitative modifications. The authors concluded that the protein-calorie deprivation affects the brain composition markedly in the earlier periods of life when the developing rate is greater. This could result in irreversible brain damage.

Efeitos nutricionais da substituição parcial do farelo de soja por uréia, em dieta de ovinos. Comparação da digestibilidade aparente e balanço de nitrogênio com a cinética do metabolismo da 15N-glicina

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

Utilização do metabolismo protéico ( 15N-glicina) na detecção precoce de agravamento da atividade da doença em pacientes portadores de retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica

Disease activity was assessed in 10 (five males and five females) ulcerative colitis patients through the following parameters: clinical, laboratory, sigmoidoscopic and histological. Protein metabolism was also assessed with 15N-glycine and urinary ammonia as end product. Only one patient had exacerbation of the disease two months after the study started. This patient presented in the beginning of the study protein synthesis and breakdown of 4.51 and 3.47 g protein/kg/day, respectively, values higher than all other patients, showing an hypermetabolic state, suggesting an increase of the disease activity. However, this increase was not detected by others indicators and indexes utilised. These data allow to suggest the hypothesis that protein metabolism predicts precociously the exacerbation of disease activity in ulcerative colitis patients.

O sistema imune dos insetos e o controle de algumas doenças parasitárias humanas

Parasitic diseases in humans, transmitted by insects, affect about 500 million people living mainly in countries of low economic power. The control of these diseases is difficult to carry out, mianly due to social and political problems, enhanced by the capacity of these organisms to develop resistance to insecticides used to for their destruction. Some recent advances in the area of insect immunology have open the possibility for abetter epidemiological control of these diseases. The immune system of these insects, as well as that of other organisms, have the ability to recognize the infecting parasites and liberate a series of reactions which stop the infection. These reactions involve the circulating cells (hemocytes) against the parasite. These cells have the ability of phagocytize and liberate the production of various humoral factors, neutralizing the infection. Some promising results, obtained by the study of the immune system of malaria-transmitting insects, the sleeping disease, and dengue, are an example of this new sanitary strategy.

Metabolismo oxidativo de neutrófilos em ovelhas naturalmente infectadas por nematódeos gastrintestinais e correlação entre nível sérico de cortisol e carga parasitária

The relationships between neutrophils oxidative metabolism, cortisol serum levels and worm burden, estimated by fecal egg count (EPG), were studied in sheep naturally infected by gastrointestinal parasites at the end of pregnancy, during lactation, and after weaning. Twenty-two Suffolk sheep three to four year old, of same parity and season of parturition were used. Serum cortisol was determined by radioimmunoassay and the neutrophils oxidative metabolism by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test. The highest EPG values were observed on the fifth week of lactation while the highest rates of cortisol and reduction of NBT occurred on the fourth week after weaning. A positive correlation (r = 0.52; P<0.01) was observed between the neutrophils capacity to reduce the NBT and the serum cortisol concentration in the pre-parturition period. Otherwise, the neutrophils oxidative metabolism decreased near to the parturition. A negative correlation (r = -0.39; P<0.01) between EPG and NBT reduction test was observed after weaning, which was coincident with the increase in the neutrophils capacity to reduce NBT, indicating that animals showing better immune response after weaning have neutrophils with higher oxidative metabolism and lower worm burden.

Efeito do nível de energia metabolizável da dieta no desempenho e metabolismo energético de frangos de corte

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Papel da eritropoetina recombinante humana sobre o metabolismo dos carboidratos, paratormônio, cálcio iônico, zinco, prolactina e níveis pressóricos em renais crônicos tratados com hemodiálise

Objective: To evaluate the influence of recombinant human erythropoietin (Epho) on carbohydrate metabolism, parathyroid hormone, calcium ionic, zinc, prolactin and blood pressure (BP) in chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis. Methods: Ten patients in hemodialysis were followed during 24 weeks in two phases: 12 weeks pre-Epho (BP was measured pre and post hemodialysis sessions) and 12 weeks post-Epho (BP was measured as above and also the blood levels of glucose, insulin, parathyroid hormone, calcium ionic, prolactin, and zinc). Results: Patients were 39.8±8.5 y, 50% males. Hematocrit and hemoglobin presented a significant increase four weeks after Epho (22.3±2.3 to 28.1±2.6% and 7.4±0.8 to 9.4±0.9 g/dL, p<0.05). BP (mmHg) and weight pre-Epho: 158±99 and 59±13 (before hemodialysis), 147±96 and 55±13 (after hemo) and post-Epho: 161±100 and 59±13 (before hemo) 155±101 and 56±12 (after hemo) were all not statistically different in any moment. There are also no difference pre and post-Epho in fast glucose (91.8±6.5 and 90.8±6.1 mg/dL, p>0.05), parathyroid hormone (341.4±249.3 and 515.7±310 pg/ mL), calcium ionic (3,66±0.63 and 3.76±0.45 mmol/L), prolactin (males: 327±144.1 and 298.1 ±145.2 μg/mL; females: 666.2±426.6 and 659±395.3 μg/mL) and zinc (median of 0.73 and 0.71 μg\L). Basal insulin was lower after Epho (median of 9.1 to 3.8 μg/mL, p<0.05). Conclusion: These data suggest that recombinant human erythropoietin was effective to improve the anemia and the carbohydrate metabolism in patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editors. Todos os direitos reservados.

Homeostase do cálcio e marcadores do metabolismo ósseo no hipertireoidismo felino - Revisão

Hyperthyroidism is the most frequent endocrine disease in old-aged cats. It is a illness provoked by the excess of circulating thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism causes alteration in bone metabolism with predominance of activity resorption. The evaluation of bone metabolism can be made by measuring serum and urinary markers of bone metabolism or bone mineral densitometry. Osteoblasts are responsible cells for bone formation while the osteoclasts are for resorption. In physiological situation osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities are in balance. Markers of bone formation express the osteoblastic activity and markers of the osseous resorption the osteoclástica activity. Markers of bone turnover are important in the diagnosis and prognostic of muscle-skeletal disease, as well as in the accompaniment of therapy. It is fundamental do carry on studies on the influence of feline hyperthyroidism on markers of bone formation and resorption in bone turnover to comprise pathophysiologic mechanism of bone alterations.

Espectro de agentes etiológicos associados a surtos de doenças transmitidas por alimentos em núcleos receptores turísticos de três regiões geográficas do Estado de São Paulo

Foodborne and waterborne diseases are spread by the consumption of food or water contaminated with bacteria and/or their toxins, viruses, parasites or chemicals. The aim of the research reported here was to establish the spectrum of etiologic agents of foodborne outbreaks at 15 tourist resorts in three geographic regions of the State of Sao Paulo (Brazil). The study was based on the cases reported to the Epidemic Surveillance Center (CVE) of the Public Health Authority of the State of São Paulo (SES), from 2002 to 2005. The tourist centers were chosen at random in three regions of the state (Capital, Interior and Coast) and offered the following attractions: events, agribusiness, cultural history, shopping, town center, gastronomy, health and leisure, sun and sea. Among the bacteria, the results showed that Salmonella spp. were most frequently associated with outbreaks, followed by Shigella spp., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and Campylobacter spp. Viruses (Rotavirus and Hepatitis A) played a part in many of the cases, while the frequency of parasites and worm infestations was low in the foodborne disease outbreaks at these resorts. The mixed foods (rice, beans, liver, potatoes, barbecue, juice), fish and poultry were the three commonest vehicles implicated in the outbreaks.

Fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em idosos com diabetes mellitus tipo 2

The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors related to the cardiovascular diseases (CVRF) in elderly type 2 diabetics. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 100 elderly patients attending the Rehabilitation Center of Araraquara (CRRA), São Paulo State, Brazil, from March to December, 2004. The majority were married, female, white, with a low income and low educational level. Regarding habits and style of life, the subjects had an adequate diet, were sedentary, non-smoking and non-drinking. In the population of 100, 42% were overweight, 42% obese, 71% had above-normal waist measurements and 84% high waist-to-hip ratios. Concerning the CVRF, it was observed that more than half had hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. 84% had high values of LDL-cholesterol and 59% HDL-cholesterol levels below the reference values, 78% high levels of fasting glycemia, 76% glycohemoglobin and 57% fibrinogen and thus subject to cardiovascular risk. The results showed a high frequency of cardiovascular risk factors, differing according to sex and the age.