Efeitos do alopurinol em rins isquemicos de caes anestesiados com pentobarbital sodico

Background and Objectives - Allopurinol is a drug which inhibits the formation of noxious renal free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protecting renal effects of allopurinol in ischemic kidneys of dogs. Methods - Sixteen dogs were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and submitted to extracellular volume expansion (1.4 ml.kg-1.min-1), to mechanic ventilation with air, to right nephrectomy and to left renal artery clamping. Changes which might occur in renal morphology and function after 30 min of total ischemia and posterior reperfusion were studied in Group 1 (G1), in addition to the action of allopurinol (50 mg.kg-1) on those kidneys, when administered 24 h before the experiment and 1 h before the ischemic procedure in Group 2 (G2). The following parameters: heart rate, inferior vena cava pressure, mean blood pressure, PAH clearance (PAH(c)), renal blood flow (RBF), renal vascular resistance (RVR), creatinine clearance (Cr(c)), filtration fraction, urine output, plasma and urine osmolality, osmolar clearance, free water, sodium and potassium clearance, urine and fractional sodium and potassium excretion, hematocrit, rectal temperature, and left kidney histology were evaluated in four moments: M1 control, and M2, M3, M4 obtained immediately, 15 and 30 min after unclamping of the left renal artery. In G2, M1, M2, M3 and M4 were obtained 45, 90, 105, and 120 min after the second allopurinol dose. Results - Both groups showed the highest values for PAH(c), RBF, and Cr(c), and the lowest values for RVR in M1. Animals were tachycardiac since the beginning of the experiment both in G1 and in G2. The other parameters were not changed. Left kidney histological evaluation showed alterations compatible with acute tubular necrosis in both experimental groups. Conclusions - Alterations found in renal hemodynamics were compatible with the release of vasoconstrictor substances due to renal ischemia. Allopurinol was not effective in preventing renal alterations caused by ischemia and reperfusion.

Tempo de latencia e duracao do efeito do brometo de rocuronio no paciente submetido ao transplante renal

Background and Objectives - Successful cadaver kidney transplantation relies on a fast procedure. Patients with chronic renal failure may present with a delayed gastric emptying making it critical a fast tracheal intubation and airway maintenance. Rocuronium a recently introduced nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker with a fast onset. The aim of this study was to evaluate onset time and duration of rocuronium effects in patients undergoing renal transplantation. Methods - Sixty patients were allocated into two groups of 30: Group R (GR) = patients undergoing renal transplantation and Group N (GN) = patients with normal renal function. All patients were premedicated with oral midazolam (15 mg) and anesthesia was induced with 30 μg.kg-1 alfentanil, 0.3 mg.kg-1 etomidate and 0.6 mg.kg-1 rocuronium injected through a central venous catheter. neuromuscular block was monitored by acceleromyography in the ulnar nerve pathway. The following parameters were evaluated: time between administration of rocuronium and first twitch reduction to 5% after supra-maximal stimulation (T1) (onset time = OT); time for first twitch to return to 25% (clinical duration = R25); time elapsed between 25% and 75% recovery of first twitch (relaxation recovery time = R25-75). Heart rate (HR) and mean blood pressure (MBP) were recorded in 6 moments. Results - Median OT was 31 sec. in GR and 47 sec. in GN. Median R25 was 51.5 min in GR and 33.5 min in GN. Median R25-75 was 28 min in GR and 20 min in GN. MBP and HR were higher in GR. Tracheal intubation conditions were excellent for most patients in both groups. Conclusions - These results open the possibility of 0.6 mg.kg-1 rocuronium being injected through a central venous catheter when a faster onset is needed. Due to wide differences in individual responses, monitoring of neuromuscular block is recommended.

Bupivacaína, Ropivacaína e Levobupivacaína em Analgesia e Anestesia de Parto. Repercussões Materno-Fetais

Background and Objectives - Bupivacaine has been a very useful local anesthetic in Obstetrics in spite of its potential cardiotoxicity. In obstetric analgesia, ropivacaine is preferred to bupivacaine, and levobupivacaine is less cardiotoxic than the racemic mixture. The aim of this study was to compare the maternal-fetal effects of bupivacaine, ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in obstetric analgesia and anesthesia. Methods - Participated in this study 33 term pregnant women, physical status ASA I and II submitted to epidural anesthesia who received 18.75 mg (in 15 ml completed with 9% saline) of: GI - bupivacaine, GII - ropivacaine, and GIII - levobupivacaine. Pain intensity, sensory block level, onset time, quality of analgesia, motor block intensity, analgesia duration and time for labor resolution were evaluated. For vaginal delivery, 40 mg (in 8 ml of saline) of the same local anesthetic were used; for cesarean delivery, the dose has been mg in 20 ml solution. Newborns of these mothers were evaluated through the Apgar score in minutes 1, 5 and 10, and through the Amiel-Tison method (neurologic and adaptative capacity score - NACS) at 30 min, 2 h, and 24 h. Results - There were no significant statistical differences among groups as to sensory block level, onset time, quality of analgesia, labor analgesia duration, time for labor resolution, and Apgar scores at minute 1. Ast to motor block, GIII > GII and GI was intermediary. In relation to pain intensity, there was a trend for GI > GIII. For Apgar scores in minute 5, GII > (GI = GIII), and in minute 10 (GI = GII) < GIII. NACS at 2 h showed, GII > GI > GIII, and at 24 h, GII > GIII > GI. Conclusions - Ropivacaine has relieved maternal pain with less motor block. Newborns of GII mothers (ropivacaine) showed the best Apgar and NACS scores.

Influence of antimicrobial subinhibitory concentrations on hemolytic activity and bacteriocin-like substances in oral: Fusobacterium nucleatum

Fusobacterium nucleatum is considered for its role in colonization of initial and late microorganisms in dental plaque and for its coaggregation with other bacterial species. It is known that action of different antimicrobial substances may interfere with either virulence factors or with host-bacteria interaction. The goal of this study was to examine the influence of subinhibitory concentrations of chlorhexidine, triclosan , penicillin G and metronidazole on hemolytic activity and bacteriocin-like substance production of oral F. nucleatum. A high resistance to penicillin G was observed and 63% of the isolates were β-lactamase positive. All the tested isolates were susceptible to metronidazole. F. nucleatum isolates grown with or without antimicrobials were alpha-hemolytics. Bacteriocin-like substance production was increased in isolates grown with penicillin G. Impaired production of hemolytic or antagonic substances can suggest a role in the regulation of oral microbiota.

Evaluation of cell culture cytotoxicity of five root canal sealers

The cytotoxicity of four calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers (Sealapex, CRCS, Apexit, and Sealer 26) and one zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealer (Fill Canal) was evaluated microscopically for morphological changes in rat peritoneal macrophages. The least cytotoxic sealer was Fill Canal, followed in increasing order of cytotoxicity by CRCS, Sealer 26, Apexit, and Sealapex. Copyright © 2000 by The American Association of Endodontists.

Effects of chronic experimental alcoholism on the epithelium of the uterine horn of rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus)

Sixty adult tats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) of the same age (3 months) and with a mean body weight of 228 g were divided into two experimental groups. The control group received solid diet (Purina rat chow) and tap water ad libitum. The other (alcoholic group), received the same solid diet and was allowed to drink only sugar cane brandy dissolved in 30° Gay Lussac (v/v). At the end of periods of 90, 180 and 270 days of treatment, the animals were anaesthetized with ethyl ether during estrus, weighed and sacrificed. The final mean body weights were similar in the control and alcoholic groups. The results showed intense atrophy on the lining epithelium of the endometrium of uterine horns in the alcoholic group. Important ultrastructural epithelial alterations were also observed in the female alcoholic group, such as: intense lipid droplet accumulation, increased rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and mitochondrial size and presence of intraepithelial neutrophils. The secretory activity of these rats was reduced. Therefore, we concluded that alcohol acts as a toxin on the epithelial layer of the rat endometrium.

Morphology of the ventral lobe of the prostate and seminal vesicles in an ethanol-drinking strain of rats (UChA and UChB)

Chronic alcoholism alters reproduction and therefore may be responsible for alterations of prostate and seminal vesicles, which are the subject of this analysis in UCh ethanol-drinking rats. The prostate and seminal vesicles of 20 animals were submitted to macroscopic, light microscopy, electron microscopy and morphometric analysis. The UCh rats showed atrophy of the epithelium and reduction of the weight of the prostate and seminal vesicle, liver hypertrophy and fat infiltration and alterations of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Ethanol induces changes in the weight and in the epithelium of prostate and seminal vesicles and hypothalamus-pituitary axis of UCh rats.

Reaction of rat connective tissue to implanted dentin tube filled with mineral trioxide aggregate, Portland cement or calcium hydroxide.

The subject of this study was to observe the rat subcutaneous connective tissue reaction to implanted dentin tubes filled with mineral trioxide aggregate, Portland cement or calcium hydroxide. The animals were sacrificed after 7 or 30 days and the undecalcified specimens were prepared for histological analysis with polarized light and Von Kossa technique for mineralized tissues. The results were similar for the studied materials. At the tube openings, there were Von Kossa-positive granules that were birefringent to polarized light. Next to these granulations, there was an irregular tissue like a bridge that was Von Kossa-positive. The dentin walls of the tubes exhibited in the tubules a structure highly birefringent to polarized light, usually like a layer and at different depths. The mechanism of action of the studied materials has some similarity.

Toxicity of synthetic piperonyl compounds to leaf-cutting ants and their symbiotic fungus

The development of Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the fungus cultured by the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens was inhibited in vitro by synthetic compounds containing the piperonyl group. In addition, worker ants that were fed daily on an artificial diet to which these compounds were added had a higher mortality rate than the controls. The inhibition of the fungal growth increased with the size of the carbon side chain ranging from C1 through C8 and decreasing thereafter. 1-(3,4-Methylenedioxybenzyloxy)octane (compound 5) was the most active compound and inhibited the fungal development by 80% at a concentration of 15 μg m1-1. With worker ants the toxic effects started with compound 5 and increased with the number of carbons in the side chain. Thus, for the same concentration (100 μg m1-1) the mortality rates observed after 8 days of diet ingestion were 82%, 66% and 42%, for 1-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyloxy)decane, 1-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyloxy)dodecane and compound 5, respectively, whereas with commercial piperonyl butoxide the mortality was 68%. The latter compound, which is known as a synergist insecticide, was as inhibitory to the symbiotic fungus as the synthetic compound 5. The possibility of controlling these insects in the future using compounds that can target simultaneously both organisms is discussed. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.

Treatment of traumatized permanent incisors with crown and root fractures: A case report

A case report of the treatment of permanent incisors with crown and root fractures is presented. A radiolucent lesion at the fracture lines was treated with calcium hydroxide in the coronal fragments for 18 months. Clinically, the teeth became firm and the radiographic results after 2 years showed healing of the lesion and hard tissue filling in the space at the fracture lines. © Munksgaard, 2001.

In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of a castor oil-based irrigant

The antimicrobial activity of irrigating solutions - Endoquil (castor oil detergent), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution, and 0.5% NaOCI solution - was evaluated against Gram-positive cocci (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus sobrinus), Gramnegative rods (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the yeast Candida albicans. Activity was evaluated using the two-layer agar diffusion technique. The base layer was obtained by pouring 10.0 ml of Muller Hinton Medium or 10.0 ml of Brain Heart Infusion agar in a Petri dish. After solidification a 5.0 ml seed layer of Muller Hinton Medium or Brain Heart Infusion agar with inoculum (106/ml) was added. Absorbent paper disks (6.0 mm in diameter) immersed in the solutions were placed at equidistant points. Plates were maintained at room temperature for 2 h for prediffusion of the solutions and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The candle jar system was used for the Brain Heart Infusion agar plates. All tests were performed in duplicate. After incubation the medium was optimized with 0.05 g% triphenyltetrazolium chlorate gel and inhibition halos were measured. All bacterial strains were inhibited by 2.0% chlorhexidine gluconate. Endoquil was effective against Grampositive microorganisms, and 0.5% NaOCI was effective only against S. aureus. Copyright © 2001 by The American Association of Endodontists.

Liberação de óxido nítrico e tnf-α em macrófagos peritoneais na presença de Melampodium divaricatum (Asteraceae)

The immune responses are mediated by a variety cells and molecules that cells secreted. Macrophages are the first cells that participate in the immune response, and, when are activated, release more than hundred compounds at the extracelular medium, such as cytokine (TNF-α) and the intermediate compounds of the nitrogen (NO). In this paper the release of nitric oxide (NO) and necrose tumoral factor (TNF-α) were determined in peritoneal macrophage cultures of mice in the presence of the 70% ethanolic extract obtained from the flowers of the Melampodium divaricatum (Asteraceae) in the concentrations of 20, 10 and 5 mg/mL. The 70% ethanolic extracts from flowers of the Melampodium divaricatum presented higher liberation of NO and TNF-α in the concentration of the 20 mg/mL when compared with LPS. We conclude that this extract is a potente stimulator of macrophage, could be immunomodulatory activity.

Reproductive changes in male rats treated perinatally with an aromatase inhibitor.

The effects of maternal exposure to aromatase inhibitor during the perinatal period of sexual brain differentiation were studied. The fertility was assessed in adult, male rat offspring of aromatase inhibitor-treated dams. The following results were obtained: (1) Sexual maturation, body weight, and wet weights of testis, pituitary, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate, and levatori ani muscle were unchanged at adult life. (2) Fifty percent of the animals were able to mate with normal females, which became pregnant but exhibited an increased number of preimplantation loss. (3) There was a decrease in the number of spermatozoa found in the testes and in the daily sperm production. (4) Of those, 25% of the male rats treated with aromatase inhibitor did not present male sexual behavior, showing female behavior when pretreated with estrogen. These results indicate that perinatal exposure to aromatase inhibitor during the critical period of male brain sexual differentiation has a long-term effect on the reproductive physiology and behavior of male rats.

Revisão de plantas Brasileiras com comprovado efeito hipoglicemiante no controle do diabetes mellitus

Plants have been used in the cure of diseases from the origins of the humanity. At present, in Brazil, the use is common because of the difficulty of access of part of the population to medical assistance. It is commonly believed that the medicinal plants of traditional use were already tested and ratified by the long-lasting use by the human species, being considered effective medicines, presenting no collateral effects, not needful, therefore, of evaluation. The miraculous self-medication with medicinal plants goes to the point of substituting therapies in serious diseases such as those of hypoglycemic or anti-diabetic effect. For the test of medicinal plants, it is necessary to consider the material quality to be tested, the plant component used, extraction method, dosage, and the experimental species used. Several plants have already had hypoglycemic effects proven experimentally. The objective of this paper was to accomplish a revision of Brazilian medicinal plants, used popularly, as hypoglycemics that had effects proven in animals and in humans.