Cholesterol-lowering effect of whole lupin (Lupinus albus) seed and its protein isolate

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Light microscopy and ultrastructure of the liver of Astyanax altiparanae Garutti and Britski, 2000 (Teleostei, Characidae).

Livers of thirty specimens of Astyanax altiparanae obtained from a commercial fish farm were subjected to light and transmission electron microscopy, in order to describe the hepatic parenchyma and the intrahepatic exocrine pancreatic tissue. Anatomically, the liver showed only three hepatic lobes. Histological analysis demonstrated that the hepatocytes were spread out as anastomotic cords, arranged in two cellular layers and surrounded by sinusoids. The intrahepatic exocrine pancreatic tissue exhibited an acinar arrangement and was diffused in the hepatic parenchyma. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the hepatocytes had a rounded nucleus and a rough endoplasmatic reticulum, with a parallel disposition to the nuclear membrane. The exocrine pancreatic cells showed secretion granules at the apical portion, and the rough endosplasmatic reticulum was concentrically distributed.

Avaliação microscópica dos fragmentos ósseos obtidos por diferentes métodos de osteotomia e de irrigação em aloenxertos irradiados e congelados de coelho

Oral and facial bone defects can undertake appearance, psychosocial well-being and stomathognatic function of its patients. Over the yerars several strategies for bone defect regeneration have arised to treat these pathologies, among them the use of frozen and irradiated bone allograft. Manipulation of bone grafts it s not determined yet, and several osteotomy alternatives can be observed. The present work evaluated with a microscope the bone fragments obtained from different osteotomy methods and irrigation on rings and blocks allografts irradiated and frozen at 80° negative in a rabbit model. The study is experimental in vitro and it sample was an adult male New Zealand rabbit. The animal was sacrificed to obtain long bones, that were submitted to freezing at 80º negative and irradiated with Cobalt- 60. Then the long bones were sectioned into 24 bone pieces, divided into 4 groups: G1 (n=06) osteotomy was performed with bur No. 6 forming rings with 5 mm thickness with high-speed handpiece with manual irrigation; G2 (n=06) osteotomy was performed with bur No. 6 forming rings with 5 mm thick with surgical motor with a manual irrigation rotation 1500 rpm; GA (n=06), osteotomy with trephine using manual irrigation with saline; and GB (n=06), osteotomy with trephine using saline from peristaltic pumps of surgical motor. Five bone pieces of each group were prepared for analysis on light microscopy (LM) and one on electronic scan electronic microscopy (SEM). On the SEM analysis edges surface, presence of microcracks and Smear Layer were evaluated. Analyzing osteotomy technics on SEM was observed: increased presence of microcracks cutting with high speed; increased presence of areas covered by Smear Layer when cutting with motor implant. The irrigation analysis with SEM was observed: that the presence of microcracks does not depend on the type of irrigation; on manual irrigation, there was greater discrepancy between the cutting lines. The descriptive analysis of the osteotomy and irrigation process on LM showed: histological analysis showing the bony margins with clear tissue changed layer, composed of blackened tissue of charred appearance near to the cortical bone; on the edges of the bony part, bone fragments that were displaced during the bone cut and bone irregularities were observed. After analysis of results we can conclude: that there was greater regularity of the bone cut using high-speed handpiece than using motor implant; the cut with trephine using saline irrigated from peristaltic pumps of surgical motor showed greater homogeneity when compared with manual irrigation; charred tissue was found in all obtained bone samples, whit no significant statistically difference on the proportion of carbonization of the two analysed technics

Prevention of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats using acetylcysteine after anesthesia with isoflurane

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da N-acetilcisteína na proteção renal contra lesão de isquemia/reperfusão, quando administrada logo após a indução anestésica, em ratos anestesiados com isoflurano. MÉTODOS: Dezoito ratos Wistar machos pesando mais que 300g foram anestesiados com isoflurano. A jugular interna direita e a carótida esquerda foram dissecadas e canuladas. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em GAcetil, recebendo N-acetilcisteína por via intravenosa, 300mg/kg, e GIsot, solução salina. Foi realizada nefrectomia direita e clampeamento da artéria renal esquerda por 45 min. Os animais foram sacrificados após 48h, sendo colhidas amostras sanguíneas após a indução anestésica e ao sacrifício dos mesmos para avaliar a creatinina sérica. Realizou-se histologia renal. RESULTADOS: A variação da creatinina foi 2,33mg/dL ± 2,21 no GAcetil e 4,38mg/dL ± 2,13 no GIsot (p=0,074). Dois animais apresentaram necrose tubular intensa no GAcetil, comparados a cinco no GIsot. Apenas GAcetil apresentou animais livres de necrose tubular (dois) e degeneração tubular (um). CONCLUSÃO: Após isquemia/reperfusão renais, os ratos aos quais se administrou N-acetilcisteína apresentaram menor variação na creatinina sérica e lesões renais mais leves que o grupo controle.

Erythropoietin Attenuates Apoptosis After Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Renal Injury in Transiently Hyperglycemic Wister Rats

Background. Hyperglycemia is associated with a decreased tolerance to ischemia and an increased severity of renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. It has been suggested that erythropoietin (EPO) attenuates this effect in normoglycemic animals. This study sought to examine the effects of EPO on treatment renal I/R injury (IRI) in transiently hyperglycemic rats.Material and Methods. Twenty-eight male Wister rats anesthetized with isoflurane received glucose (2.5 g.kg(-1) intraperitoneally) before right nephrectomy. They were randomly assigned to four groups: sham operation (S); IRI (ISO); IRI+EPO, (600 UI kg(-1) low-dose EPO [EL]); and IRI+EPO 5000 UI kg(-1) (high-dose EPO [EH]). IRI was induced by a 25-minute period of left renal ischemia followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. Serum Creatinine and glucose levels were measure at baseline (M1), immediately after the ischemic period (M2), and at 24 hours after reperfusion (M3). After sacrificing the animals, left kidney specimens were submitted for histological analysis including flow cytometry to estimate tubular necrosis and the percentages of apoptotic, dead or intact cells.Results. Scr in the ISO group was significantly higher at M3 than among the other groups. Percentages of early apoptotic cells in ISO group were significantly higher than the other groups. Percentages of late apoptotic cells in S and ISO groups were significantly greater than EL and EH groups. However, no significant intergroup differences were observed regarding the incidence of tubular necrosis.Conclusions. Our results suggested that, although not preventing the occurrence of tubular necrosis, EPO attenuated apoptosis and glomerular functional impairment among transiently hyperglycemic rats undergoing an ischemia/reperfusion insult.

Infecção por Helicobacter pylori e câncer gástrico: freqüência de cepas patogênicas cagA e vacA em pacientes com câncer gástrico

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar da alta freqüência de infecção por Helicobacter pylori na população, somente uma minoria de indivíduos desenvolve câncer gástrico. É provável que a colonização da mucosa por cepas patogênicas, levando a maior agressão e inflamação da mucosa seja um dos elos da cadeia de eventos da oncogênese gástrica. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a freqüência de cepas patogênicas cagA e vacA do H. pylori em pacientes com câncer gástrico. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados retrospectivamente 42 pacientes com câncer gástrico. A infecção por H. pylori foi avaliada por exame histológico e pelo PCR para identificação dos genótipos cagA e vacA em amostras de material fixado em formalina e incluído em parafina. RESULTADOS: A análise histológica permitiu a visualização direta do H. pylori em 85,7% dos casos, e o método de PCR para o gene urease C demonstrou a presença de DNA da bactéria em 95% dos casos. O gene cagA foi detectado em amostras de 23 pacientes (54,7%) com câncer gástrico. O alelo s1 do gene vacA foi identificado em amostras de 24 pacientes (57,1%) e o alelo m1, em amostras de 26 pacientes (61,9%). Os alelos s1 e m1 foram identificados simultaneamente em 24 pacientes (57,1%). O alelo s2 foi identificado em amostras de quatro pacientes (9,5%), e o alelo m2, em amostras de três pacientes (7,1%). A freqüência de infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori foi similar em ambos os tipos histológicos de câncer gástrico (intestinal e difuso). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados confirmam a relevância dos genótipos patogênicos cagA e vacA do H. pylori para lesões orgânicas significativas tais como o câncer gástrico, sugerindo a participação dessa bactéria na cadeia de eventos da oncogênese gástrica.

Comparação de diferentes métodos para medida do tamanho do infarto experimental crônico em Ratos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as diferenças entre três métodos para medida do infarto experimental em ratos, em relação ao método tradicional. MÉTODOS: A área infartada por histologia (AREA), o perímetro interno da cavidade infartada por histologia (PER) e o perímetro interno por ecocardiograma (ECO) foram comparados ao método tradicional (análise histológica das circunferências epicárdicas e endocárdicas da região infartada - CIR). Utilizaram-se ANOVA de medidas repetidas, complementada com o teste de comparações múltiplas de Dunn, o método de concordância de Bland & Altman e o teste de correlação de Spearman. A significância foi p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados dados de 122 animais, após 3 a 6 meses do infarto. Houve diferença na avaliação do tamanho do infarto entre CIR e os outros três métodos (p < 0,001): CIR = 42,4% (35,9-48,8), PER = 50,3% (39,1-57,0), AREA = 27,3% (20,2-34,3), ECO = 46,1% (39,9-52,6). Assim, a medida por área resultou em subestimação de 15% do tamanho do infarto, enquanto as medidas por ecocardiograma e pelo perímetro interno por meio de histologia resultaram em superestimação do tamanho do infarto de 4% e 5%, respectivamente. em relação ao ECO e PER, apesar de a diferença entre os métodos ser de apenas 1,27%, o intervalo de concordância variou de 24,1% a -26,7%, sugerindo baixa concordância entre os métodos. em relação às associações, houve correlações estatisticamente significativas entre: CIR e PER (r = 0,88 e p < 0,0001); CIR e AREA (r = 0,87 e p < 0,0001) e CIR e ECO (r = 0,42 e p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Na determinação do tamanho do infarto, apesar da alta correlação, houve baixa concordância entre os métodos.

No mutations found in exons of TP53, H-RAS and K-RAS genes in liver of male Wistar rats submitted to a medium-term chemical carcinogenesis assay

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

Effect of felodipine on myocardial and renal injury induced by aldosterone-high salt hypertension in uninephrectomized rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Borderline leprosy: in situ and cytokine profile in supernatant of mononuclear of cell culture

In order to contribute to a better understanding of cytokine participation in borderline leprosy, in the present study we determined - by in vitro and in situ examinations - the production of these cytokine mediation in non-treated borderline tuberculoid (BT) patients and borderline lepromatous (BL) patients. Seven non-treated BT patients, 12 non-treated BL patients, besides 19 healthy individuals (control group), were evaluated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated or not with specific-M. leprae stimulus (whole and sonicated M. leprae antigens) and a non-specific stimulus. After 48 hours, supernatant was collected for TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 cytokine determination by ELISA. Biopsies from cutaneous lesions were submitted to histological analysis and hematoxylin-eosin and Fite-Faraco stainings; the sections then underwent iNOS, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 in situ detection by immunohistochemistry. Cytokine quantification in PBMC supernatants from patients showed that BT patients produced higher levels of IFN-gamma. Compared to healthy individuals, both borderline patient groups produced lower levels of TGF-beta1 while BL patients generated lower IL-10 levels. The in situ iNOS expression was higher in BT patients compared to BL individuals. on the order hand, TGF-beta1 cytokine revealed a higher proportion of immunostained cells in BL patients. There was no significant difference in IL-10 level between BT and BL patients. Regarding cutaneous lesions, in BL patients there was a negative correlation between TGF-beta1 tissue expression and IL-10. Independently of the clinical form, we observed a positive correlation between TGF-beta1 and bacterial index as well as a negative correlation between the TGF-beta1 tissue expression and iNOS. The results even showed a positive correlation between iNOS tissue expression and production of IFN-gamma by PBMC stimulated with M. leprae antigens. Taken together, the histopathological and immunological observations reinforce the notion of immunological instability in borderline leprosy patients and indicating the participation of mixed cytokines profiles in these individuals, specifically a Th1 profile in BT patients and Th2 profile in BL patients, with a possible participation of T-regulatory lymphocytes.

Vocal Cysts: Clinical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Aspects

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

Chemically induced immunotoxicity in a medium-term multiorgan bioassay for carcinogenesis with Wistar rats

A variety of chemicals can adversely affect the immune system and influence tumor development. The modifying potential of chemical carcinogens on the lymphoid organs and cytokine production of rats submitted to a medium-term initiation-promotion bioassay for carcinogenesis was investigated. Male Wistar rats were sequentially initiated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), N-butyl-N-(4hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN), dihydroxy-di-n-propylnitrosamine (DHPN), and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) during 4 weeks. Two initiated groups received phenobarbital (PB) or 2-acetyl amino fluorene (2-AAF) for 25 weeks and two noninitiated groups received only PB or 2-AAF. A nontreated group was used as control. Lymphohematopoietic organs, liver, kidneys, lung, intestines, and Zymbal's gland were removed for histological analysis. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-10, and transforming growth factor betal (TGF-beta1) levels were determined by ELISA in spleen cell culture supernatants. At the fourth week, exposure to the initiating carcinogens resulted in cell depletion of the thymus, spleen and bone marrow, and impairment of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-gamma production. However, at the 30th week, no important alterations were observed both in lymphoid organs and cytokine production in the different groups. The results indicate that the initiating carcinogens used in the present protocol exert toxic effects on the lymphoid organs and affect the production of cytokines at the initiation step of carcinogenesis. This early and reversible depression of the immune surveillance may contribute to the survival of initiated cells facilitating the development of future neoplasia. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sewage sludge does not induce genotoxicity and carcinogenesis

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

Chronic ethanol intake promotes double gluthatione S-transferase transforming growth factor-alpha-positive hepatocellular lesions in male Wistar rats

The chronic ethanol intake influence on the gluthatione S-transferase (GST-P) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) expression in remodeling/persistent preneoplastic lesions (PNLs) was evaluated in the resistant hepatocyte model. Male Wistar rats were allocated into five groups: G1, non-treated, fed water and chow ad libitum; G2, non-treated and pair-fed chow (restricted to match that of G3 group) and a maltodextrin (MD) solution in tap water (matched ethanol-derived calories); G3, fed 5% ethanol in drinking water and chow ad libitum; G4, diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg, body weight) plus 200 parts per million of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for 3 weeks and pair-fed chow (restricted to match that of G5 group) and an MD solution in tap water (matched ethanol-derived calories); G5, DEN/2-AAF treatment, fed ethanol 5% and chow ad libitum. All animals were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy at week 3 and sacrificed at weeks 12 or 22, respectively. Liver samples were collected for histological analysis or immunohistochemical expression of GST-P, TGF-alpha and proliferating cell nuclear antigen or zymography for matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9. At the end of ethanol treatment, there was a significant increase in the percentage of liver area occupied by persistent GST-P-positive PNLs, the number of TGF-alpha-positive PNLs and the development of liver tumors in ethanol-fed and DEN/2-AAF-treated groups (G5 versus G4, P < 0.001). In addition, ethanol feeding led to a significant increase in cell proliferation mainly in remodeling and persistent PNLs with immunoreactivity for TGF-alpha at week 22 (P < 0.001). Gelatinase activities were not altered by ethanol treatment. The results demonstrated that ethanol enhances the selective growth of PNL with double expression of TGF-alpha and GST-P markers.

Clinical presentation of tuberculoid leprosy in an epidermodysplasia verruciformis patient

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is triggered by a variety of mechanisms that at least partly include genetic background. We present a Brazilian man with a 30-year history of flat, wart-like lesions with clinical, histopathological, and evolutive aspects consistent with papillomavirus (HPV)-associated EV. Histological analysis of the wart lesions showed epidermis with hyperkeratosis, regular acanthosis, hypergranulosis, and cells with abundant basophilic cytoplasm. Moreover, a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate was found in the superficial dermis, consistent with a viral wart. Type-2-HPV DNA was detected in various fragments of skin-wart lesions using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two years after the EV diagnosis, the patient presented with an anesthetic well-demarcated, erythematous and mildly scaly plaque on his right forearm. A histopathological analysis of this lesion demonstrated the presence of a compact tuberculoid granuloma. Ziehl-Neelsen staining demonstrated the presence of rare acid-fast bacilli and confirmed the tuberculoid leprosy diagnosis. The patient's Mitsuda Intradermal Reaction was positive. To elucidate the possible mechanism involved in this case of EV, we genotyped the HLA genes of this patient. DQB genotyping showed the polymorphic HLA alleles DQB1*0301 and 0501. The patient was treated with a paucibacillary multidrug therapy scheme, and the disease was cured in six months. This report describes an EV patient with an M. leprae infection, confirming that tuberculoid leprosy patients possess a relatively specific and efficient cell-mediated immunity against the bacillus and, therefore, localized forms of the disease. Moreover, we show the possible involvement of the polymorphic HLA alleles DQB1*0301 and 0501 in EV induction mechanisms.