Effect of gender on training-induced vascular remodeling in SHR

There is accumulating evidence that physical inactivity, associated with the modern sedentary lifestyle, is a major determinant of hypertension. It represents the most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for both men and women. In addition to involving sympathetic overactivity that alters hemodynamic parameters, hypertension is accompanied by several abnormalities in the skeletal muscle circulation including vessel rarefaction and increased arteriole wall-to-lumen ratio, which contribute to increased total peripheral resistance. Low-intensity aerobic training is a promising tool for the prevention, treatment and control of high blood pressure, but its efficacy may differ between men and women and between male and female animals. This review focuses on peripheral training-induced adaptations that contribute to a blood pressure-lowering effect, with special attention to differential responses in male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Heart, diaphragm and skeletal muscle arterioles (but not kidney arterioles) undergo eutrophic outward remodeling in trained male SHR, which contributed to a reduction of peripheral resistance and to a pressure fall. In contrast, trained female SHR showed no change in arteriole wall-to-lumen ratio and no pressure fall. on the other hand, training-induced adaptive changes in capillaries and venules (increased density) were similar in male and female SHR, supporting a similar hyperemic response to exercise.

Low-level laser therapy (670 nm) on viability of random skin flap in rats

This study investigated the effects of 670 nm laser, at different fluences, on the viability of skin flap in rats. One hundred male animals were used. The animals were divided into control group; group treated with 3 J/cm(2); group treated with 6 J/cm(2); group treated with 12 J/cm(2) and group treated with 24 J/cm(2). The skin flap was made on the backs of all animals studied, with a plastic sheet interposed between the flap and the donor site. Laser irradiation was done immediately after the surgery and on days 1, 2, 3 and 4 after surgery. The percentage of necrosis of the flap was calculated at the 7th postoperative day. Additionally, a sample of each flap was collected to enable us to count the blood vessels. Treated animals showed a statistically significant smaller area of necrosis than did the control group. The necrosis in the treated groups was 41.82% (group 2), 36.51% (group 3), 29.45% (group 4) and 20.37% (group 5). We also demonstrated that laser irradiation at 670 nm, at all doses used, had a stimulatory effect on angiogenesis. Our study showed that the 670 nm laser was efficient to increase the viability of the skin flap, at all fluences used, with a tendency of reaching better results at higher doses.

Effect of annexin-A1 peptide treatment during lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide

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

Functional and Ultrastructural Analysis of Annexin A1 and Its Receptor in Extravasating Neutrophils during Acute Inflammation

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

Effect of α-tocopherol, taurine and selenium on the attenuation of ischemia/reperfusion injury of splanchnic organs

Background: Splanchnic artery occlusion shock is caused by increased capillary permeability and cellular injury precipitated by oxygen derived free radicals following ischemia and reperfusion of splanchnic organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of several well-known oxygen- derived free radical scavengers in ameliorating or preventing this syndrome. Study design: Anesthetized rats were subjected to periods of occlusion of the visceral arteries and reperfusion. Tocopherol, taurine, selenium or a 'cocktail' of these three agents was injected subcutaneously for 4 consecutive days prior to operation. Mean arterial blood pressure was measured throughout the experimental period. Fluorometry and technetium-99m pyrophosphate counting of the visceral organs were performed as well as a histologic grading system for intestinal viability. Results: Final mean arterial blood pressure associated with the 'cocktail' and selenium groups was 79.1 ± 27.4 mmHg and 83.6 ± 17.8 mmHg, respectively. These values were significantly higher than the control group, 40.8 ± 11.4 mmHg (P < 0.05). Similar patterns of the benefit of selenium in contrast with the other groups were obtained with fluorescein perfusion, radioisotopic activity and histologic analysis. Conclusion: Pretreatment with selenium of splanchnic ischemia and reperfusion in the rat improves mean arterial blood pressure and microcirculatory visceral perfusion. Further analysis of the precise protective mechanism of selenium for reperfusion injury will enable visceral organs to withstand the consequences of increased capillary leakage and oxidant injury.

Sudden bilateral deafness from hyperleukocytosis in chronic myeloid leukemia

Sudden-onset bilateral deafness as a clinical manifestation of hyperleukocytosis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a rare occurrence. We found only 27 clinical descriptions in 16 published papers. In this work, the authors present a review on deafness in CML and describe a new case with prominent hyperleukocytosis, where the neurological findings suggest slowing of the circulation through small blood vessels in the brainstem as the cause of deafness. The evolution was good after treatment. To our knowledge, this is the second case documented with electrical auditory brainstem-evoked potentials and the first with magnetic resonance imaging. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background: Previous experiments have shown that a decoction of Bauhinia forficata leaves reduces the changes in carbohydrate and protein metabolism that occur in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. In the present investigation, the serum activities of enzymes known to be reliable toxicity markers were monitored in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats to discover whether the use of B. forficata decoction has toxic effects on liver, muscle or pancreas tissue or on renal microcirculation. Methods: An experimental group of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats received an aqueous decoction of fresh B. forficata leaves (150 g/L) by mouth for 33 days while a control group of normal and diabetic rats received water for the same length of time. The serum activity of the toxicity markers lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, amylase, angiotensin-converting enzyme and bilirubin were assayed before receiving B. forficata decoction and on day 19 and 33 of treatment. Results: The toxicity markers in normal and diabetic rats were not altered by the diabetes itself nor by treatment with decoction. Whether or not they received B. forficata decoction the normal rats showed a significant increase in serum amylase activity during the experimental period while there was a tendency for the diabetic rats, both treated and untreated with decoction, to have lower serum amylase activities than the normal rats. Conclusions: Administration of an aqueous decoction of B. forficata is a potential treatment for diabetes and does not produce toxic effects measurable with the enzyme markers used in our study. © 2004 Pepato et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Estresse oxidativo em doentes falciformes: influência dos haplótipos e udo de medicação específica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito da revascularização renal sobre a evolução da disfunção renal na nefropatia isquêmica aterosclerótica

Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia em Clínica Médica - FMB

Influência do laser em baixa intensidade no processo de reparo de de enxerto ósseo autógeno implantado em bloco na mandíbula de ratos modificados sistemicamente com nicotina: estudo histo- morfométrico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Determinação dos mecanismos de ação envolvidos no efeito antiulcerogênico, antidiarreico e anti-inflamatório da Insulina Vegetal (Cissus sicyoides Linneu) em modelos animais

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Farmacologia) - IBB

Long-wave infrared radiation reflected by compression stockings in the treatment of cellulite: a clinical double-blind, randomized and controlled study

SynopsisBackgroundCellulite refers to changes in skin relief on the thighs and buttocks of women, with a prevalence of 80-90%, causing dissatisfaction and search for treatment. Etiopathogenesis is multifactorial, as follows: herniation of the hypodermis towards the dermis, facilitated by perpendicular fibrous septa, changes in the dermal extracellular matrix, decreased adiponectin, genetic polymorphism, microcirculation alterations and inflammatory process. There are numerous therapeutic approaches, with little evidence of effectiveness. The long-wave infrared (LWIR) radiation interacts with water, improves microcirculation and stimulates metabolic processes. To date, the use of tissues with potential reflection of LWIR radiation has not been systematically investigated as adjuvant treatment for cellulite.ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of the treatment of cellulite through the use of compression stockings made with thread reflecting LWIR radiation.Patients and methodsClinical study of therapeutic intervention, controlled and double-blind, including 30 women, aging from 25 to 40years, with cellulite of grades II and III on the thighs and buttocks who used compression stockings, pantyhose model, made with reflector thread of LWIR radiation, on only one randomized side. Women under other treatments for cellulite and with venous and/or blood insufficiencies were excluded. Evaluation of efficacy by clinical parameters, photographs, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), cutometry and high frequency ultrasonography and security by observation of adverse events and venous EcoDoppler recordings.ResultsDLQI scores showed significant reduction; the two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasonography showed an insignificant increase in dermal echogenicity as well as other efficacy parameters demonstrated no or slight improvement, with no differences between the sides exposed or not to LWIR; and there were no severe adverse events.ConclusionCompression stockings, with or without thread reflector of LWIR, showed slight effects in the appearance of cellulite, but the treatment determined a positive impact on women quality of life.

Triplex Doppler Ultrassonography in Prenatal of Pregnant Bitches

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

Efeito da revascularização renal sobre a evolução da disfunção renal na nefropatia isquêmica aterosclerótica

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

Pharmacokinetics of Photogem Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Murine Colorectal Carcinoma

This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of a hematoporphyrin derivative in colonic tumors induced by dimethylhydrazine and adjacent normal colon in Wistar rats using an in vivo fluorescence spectroscopy technique. In conventional clinical application of photodynamic therapy, the interval between photosensitizer (PS) administration and lesion illumination is often standardized without taking into account variations due to the type or localization of the tumor and intrinsic differences in the microcirculation and vascular permeability of each target organ. The analysis of the fluorescence spectra was based on the intensity of porphyrin emission band centered at around 620nm in normal colon and colon tumors. The photosensitizer fluorescence intensity rapidly grew for carcinoma and normal colon, reaching the maximum values 1 and 3 hours after PS injection, respectively. Data presented here allow us to verify that the best compromise between selectivity and drug concentration for colon carcinoma in rats took place in the interval between 1 to 4 h after PS injection.