Alterations in pulmonary structure by elastase administration in a model of emphysema in mice is associated with functional disturbances

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Perioperative administration of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination does not interfere with platelet aggregation, bleeding time and biochemical variables in cats

A randomized double blind and placebo controlled design was used to investigate the hemostatic, biochemical, gastrointestinal and behavioral effects of pre- and postoperative administration of vedaprofen 0.5 mg/kg PO (V), tramadol 2 mg/kg SC (T), their association (VT) or placebo (P) in 40 adult female cats (3.0 +/- 0.32 kg; 1.8 +/- 0.7 years) distributed in groups of 10. Platelet aggregation and bleeding time were measured before and 52 11 after ovariohysterectomy. Serum urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase concentrations were measured before and 7 days postoperatively. The occurrence of vomiting, frequency and consistency of feces, and behavior were observed for 7 days postoperatively. Morphine (0.5 mg/kg, IM) was used as rescue analgesic. Laboratory variables did not change. Vomiting was observed only after morphine administration. Mild euphoria was observed in T and VT. The perioperative use of vedaprofen and/or tramadol did not modify the hemostatic, biochemical and gastrointestinal function in cats. (C) 2009 ESFM and AAFP. published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Behavioural alterations provoked by prolonged calcitonin administration in rats

Present work investigated the effect of prolonged administration of salmon calcitonin, a hormone secreted by parafollicular cells from thyroid, on behavioural parameters of rats. Animals received calcitonin sc, 100 mUI/100 g of body weight, three times a week, during 50 days. Behaviour was assessed utilizing an Open Field, Elevated Plus-Maze and Hole Board apparatus. Calcitonin treatment in rats seems to modify open field and elevated plus maze behaviour, suggesting emotionality and anxiety state alterations of the animals. These conditions can be provoked due to the direct calcitonin action on its receptors, even though we do not exclude an action mediated by tissue calcium level alterations.

Clonidina como medicação pré-anestésica em facectomias: Comparação entre as doses de 100 μg e 200 μg

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the degree of sedation, intraocular pressure, and hemodynamic changes with premedication with low doses of oral clonidine, 100 μg and 200 μg, in outpatient cataract surgeries. METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, clinical study undertaken at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo with 60 patients of both genders, physical status ASA 1 and 2, ages 18 to 80 years. Patients were separated into three groups: placebo, clonidine 100 μg, and clonidine 200 μg. Intraocular pressure, heart rate, and blood pressure besides assessment of sedation were measured before and 90 minutes after the administration of clonidine. Sedation levels were classified according to the Ramsay sedation scale. RESULTS: Patients who received placebo and 100 μg of clonidine did not show reduction in heart rate, while a reduction in heart rate was observed in patients who received 200 μg of clonidine, and this difference was statistically significant. Patients who received 200 μg of clonidine also had a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). One patient who received 200 μg of clonidine developed severe hypotension, with systolic pressure < 80 mmHg. Patients treated with clonidine had a reduction in intraocular pressure (p < 0.05). Ninety minutes after the oral administration of placebo and 100 μg and 200 μg of clonidine, 25%, 60%, and 80% of the patients respectively were classified as Ramsay 3 or 4. CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine 100 μg can be indicated as premedication for fasciectomies, being effective in sedation and reduction of intraocular pressure, without adverse effects on blood pressure and heart rate.

Recovery of pulmonary structure and exercise capacity by treatment with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in a mouse model of emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized abnormal dilatation of alveolar spaces, which impairs alveolar gas exchange, compromising the physical capacity of a patient due to airflow limitations. Here we tested the effects of G-CSF administration in pulmonary tissue and exercise capacity in emphysematous mice. C57Bl/6 female mice were treated with elastase intratracheally to induce emphysema. Their exercise capacities were evaluated in a treadmill. Lung histological sections were prepared to evaluate mean linear intercept measurement. Emphysematous mice were treated with G-CSF (3 cycles of 200 μg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days, with 7-day intervals) or saline and submitted to a third evaluation 8 weeks after treatment. Values of run distance and linear intercept measurement were expressed as mean ± SD and compared applying a paired t-test. Effects of treatment on these parameters were analyzed applying a Repeated Measures ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post hoc analysis. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Twenty eight days later, animals ran significantly less in a treadmill compared to normal mice (549.7 ± 181.2 m and 821.7 ± 131.3 m, respectively; p < 0.01). Treatment with G-CSF significantly increased the exercise capacity of emphysematous mice (719.6 ± 200.5 m), whereas saline treatment had no effect on distance run (595.8 ± 178.5 m). The PCR cytokines genes analysis did not detect difference between experimental groups. Morphometric analyses in the lung showed that saline-treated mice had a mean linear intercept significantly higher (p < 0.01) when compared to mice treated with G-CSF, which did not significantly differ from that of normal mice. Treatment with G-CSF promoted the recovery of exercise capacity and regeneration of alveolar structural alterations in emphysematous mice. © 2013.

Nasal administration of liquid crystal precursor mucoadhesive vehicle as an alternative antiretroviral therapy

The purpose of this study was to develop a mucoadhesive stimuli-sensitive drug delivery system for nasal administration of zidovudine (AZT). The system was prepared by formulating a low viscosity precursor of a liquid crystal phase, taking advantage of its lyotropic phase behavior. Flow rheology measurements showed that the formulation composed of PPG-5-CETETH-20, oleic acid and water (55, 30, 15% w/w), denominated P, has Newtonian flow behavior. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) revealed that formulation P is isotropic, whereas its 1:1 (w/w) dilution with artificial nasal mucus (ANM) changed the system to an anisotropic lamellar phase (PD). Oscillatory frequency sweep analysis showed that PD has a high storage modulus (G′) at nasal temperatures. Measurement of the mucoadhesive force against excised porcine nasal mucosa or a mucin disk proved that the transition to the lamellar phase tripled the work of mucoadhesion. Ex vivo permeation studies across porcine nasal mucosa exhibited an 18-fold rise in the permeability of AZT from the formulation. The Weibull mathematical model suggested that the AZT is released by Fickian diffusion mechanisms. Hence, the physicochemical characterization, combined with ex vivo studies, revealed that the PPG-5-CETETH-20, oleic acid, and water formulation could form a mucoadhesive matrix in contact with nasal mucus that promoted nasal absorption of the AZT. For an in vivo assessment, the plasma concentrations of AZT in rats were determined by HPLC method following intravenous and intranasal administration of AZT-loaded P formulation (PA) and AZT solution, respectively, at a dose of 8 mg/kg. The intranasal administration of PA resulted in a fast absorption process (Tmax = 6.7 min). Therefore, a liquid crystal precursor formulation administered by the nasal route might represent a promising novel tool for the systemic delivery of AZT and other antiretroviral drugs. In the present study, the uptake of AZT absorption in the nasal mucosa was demonstrated, providing new foundations for clinical trials in patients with AIDS. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects caused by the spinal administration of ketamine S (+) 5% with no preservatives, using a single puncture, and located on the spinal cord and meninges in rabbits

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of ketamine S (+) 5% with no preservatives and administered as a subarachnoid single puncture on the spinal cord and meninges of rabbits.METHODS: Twenty young adult female rabbits, each weighing 3500-5000 g and having a spine length between 34 and 38 cm, were divided by lot into two groups (G): 0.9% saline in G1 and ketamine S (+) 5% in G2, by volume of 5 μg per cm column (0.18 mL). After intravenous anaesthesia with ketamine and xylazine, the subarachnoid space was punctured at S1-S2 under ultrasound guidance, and a random solution was injected. The animals remained in captivity for 21 days under medical observation and were sacrificed by decapitation. The lumbosacral spinal cord portion was removed for immunohistochemistry to assess the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and histology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain.RESULTS:No histological lesions were found in the nervous tissue (roots and cord) or meninges in either group.CONCLUSION: The ketamine S (+) 5% unpreserved triggered no neurological or histological lesions in the spinal cord or meninges of rabbits.

Increased salivary immunoglobulin A and reduced alpha-amylase activity in whole saliva from spastic cerebral palsy individuals

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

Effects of flunixin meglumine administration on physiological and performance responses of transported feeder cattle

The objective was to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine administration on physiological and performance responses of transported cattle during feedlot receiving. Forty-five Angus x Hereford steers were ranked by BW on d 0 and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments:1) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; FM), 2) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; TRANS), or 3) no transport and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) concurrently with loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1) of FM and TRANS cohorts (CON). Upon arrival and processing for treatment administration on d 1, steers within each treatment were ranked by BW and assigned to 15 feedlot pens (5 pens/treatment, 3 steers/pen). Full BW was recorded before (d -1 and 0) treatment application and at the end of experiment (d 28 and 29) for ADG calculation. Total DMI was evaluated daily from d 1 to 28. Blood samples were collected on d 0 (before treatment administration), 1 (after unloading but before treatment administration), 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Body weight shrink from d 0 to 1 was less (P < 0.01) in CON vs. FM and TRANS but similar (P = 0.94) between TRANS and FM. Mean ADG was greater (P <= 0.04) in CON vs. FM and TRANS but similar (P = 0.69) between TRANS and FM. No treatment effects were detected on DMI, but CON had greater G:F vs. TRANS (P = 0.08) and FM (P = 0.02), whereas G:F was similar (P = 0.68) between TRANS and FM. Mean plasma cortisol concentrations tended (P <= 0.09) to be greater in TRANS vs. FM and CON but was similar (P = 0.87) between CON and FM. Plasma NEFA concentrations were greater (P <= 0.02) for TRANS and FM vs. CON on d 1 and greater (P <= 0.04) for FM vs. TRANS and CON on d 4. Plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations were greater (P <= 0.03) for TRANS vs. CON on d 1, 4, and 7, greater (P <= 0.05) for TRANS vs. FM on d 4 and 7, and greater (P <= 0.04) for FM vs. CON on d 1 and 4. Plasma haptoglobin concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for TRANS vs. CON and FM on d 1 and 4 and greater (P <= 0.05) for FM vs. CON on d 1 and 4. In conclusion, flunixin meglumine reduced the cortisol and acute-phase protein responses elicited by road transport but did not improve receiving performance of feeder cattle.

Effects of meloxicam administration on physiological and performance responses of transported feeder cattle

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