Effect of Tripanosomicide Benznidazole (Rochagan®) on the Biodistribution of Sodium Pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in Wistar Rats

Benznidazole, a drug with specific anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity, is used in the treatment of Chagas’ disease. The radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) is used to obtain diagnostic images of the stomach, thyroid, parathyroids, salivary glands, brain and in the study of esophageal reflux and blood flow. This study aimed at evaluating in vivo the influence of benznidazole treatment on the sodium pertechnetate biodistribution in Wistar rats. The percentage of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) of various organs (brain, heart, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, liver, muscle and blood) was determined. Comparing the treated rats with the controls, we observed that sodium pertechnetate biodistribution did not change when administered to rats treated for thirty days with benznidazole

Resposta imune à saliva de flebotomíneos (diptera: psychodidae) em indivíduos residentes em áreas urbana e periurbana no nordeste do brasil

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has a wide geographical distribution in tropical and subtropical areas of the planet, which is a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. This pathogen is transmitted to the host through the sandflies bite, with its saliva, the immune response that leads to both. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, 85% of the sand flies captured is Lutzomyia longipalpis, but the second most abundant, Lutzomyia evandroi, it deserves emphasis because its wide distribution and eclectic behavior. The exposure of people living in endemic areas for the insect vector VL greatly increases the chances of infection. This study aimed to evaluate aspects of the epidemiological profile of VL in endemic areas of human and nonendemic in the metropolitan area of Natal, as well as verify the abundance and seasonal fluctuations of sandflies species in two counties endemic for VL. Were collected in the municipalities of Nísia Floresta, Parnamirim, São Gonçalo do Amarante and Macaíba, of which groups of females were separated for further dissection of the salivary glands and identification of species. The blood samples used were from individuals of two Natal s districts where it has never been reported cases of VL and neighborhoods of Parnamirim applicants who present cases of VL. In the municipality of Nísia Floresta, the most abundant species was L. evandroi with 38.39%, followed by L. longipalpis with 36.22%, L. walkeri 19.67% L. lenti 3.81%, L. wellcomei 1.39% and L. whitmani 0.52%. Already in Parnamirim the proportions were L. walkeri with 73.15%, L. evandroi with 10.55%, L. wellcomei 7.63%, L. longipalpis 6.37%, L. whitmani 1.46%, L. sordellii 0.52%, L. intermedia 0.21 and L. shanonni 0.1%. In both municipalities was observed higher abundance of species distributed in the initial months of the year, as February and March. The study showed that no difference in exposure to the vector of VL among individuals from endemic and non endemic area for this disease. But there are differences in exposure between individuals of L. longipalpis and L. evandroi, confirming the great powers of the first vector. It was also characterized as predominant phenotype in the population of endemic areas who had negative serologic responses to antigens of Leishmania and result in negative Montenegro skin test (DTH), indicating that much of the population hasn t been bitten by infected insects

Expressão imuno-histoquímica da calponina em glândula parótida de rato após obstrução do ducto excretor principal

Glandular atrophy is one of several alterations which can aflict the salivary glands, caused generally by obstructive lesions such as sialo1ithiasis, infections or compression by neoplastic processes arnong others. In this work, a morphological and immunohistochemical study was carried out in rat parotid glands, which were submitted to obstruction of the main excretory duct suffering atrophy at varied time intervals, with the aim of appraising the behavior of myoepithelial cells during the process of glandular atrophy. It was analized the immunohistochemical expression of calponin which detects myoepithelial cells in the parotids of 28 animaIs, which were divided into 7 groups, each one made up of 4 rats, afier the ductal ligature procedure, in the following time intervals: zero hour (control), 24 hours, 7, 15, 21, 30 and 60 days. Analysis of the immunohistochemicaI profile was carried through in which the calponin expression was veritied through its distribution pattem and numericaI index. All specimens exhibited positivity for calponin in myoepithelial cells which were distributed around the acini and the ductaI structures, a small number of positiveIy marked cells being detected in the controI group and in the 24-hour group when compared to subsequent ones, where it was perceived a Iarge increase in the number of positiveIy marked cens, mainly surrounding the ductiform structures which originated during the obstruction time. Upon application of statistical tests it was verified that the rise in the number the myoepithelial positive cells for calponin, when the control groups (zero hour) was compared to the 7, 15,21, 30 and 60-day groups afier obstruction, was statistica1ly significant. It was concluded then that the detected rise probably carne about due to an elevation in the rate of proliferation of the myoepitheliaI cells subsequent to the ductal obstruction, associated with a growing resistance of these cells to glandular atrophy.

Estudo imuno-histoquímico da expressão da glut-1 e mensuração do índice angiogênico (CD34) em adenomas pleomórficos, carcinomas adenóides císticos e carcinomas mucoepidermóides de glândulas salivares

The expression of glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT-1), as well the angiogenesis has been associated to clinical behavior and aggressiveness in tumors of various origin. It is believed that the expression of this protein denotes metabolic demand of the tumor cells and, thus its influence upon the formation of new blood vessels. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and the adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) represent, respectively, the most commom benign and malignant tumors of salivary glands. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the immunohistochemical expression of GLUT-1 and its correlation with angiogenesis in cases of PAs, ACCs and MECs considering their histological grades. The sample consisted of 20 PAs, 20 ACCs and 10 MECs. The cases were analyzed and classified according to their histological grades. The expression of GLUT-1 was evaluated in the parenchyma lesions, establishing the percentage of immunopositive cells, according to the following scores: 0 (no cell immunomarked), 1 (up to 25% of tumor cells immunostained), 2 (25 - 50% of tumor cells immunostained) and 3 (more than 50% of tumor cells immunostained). The angiogenic index was analyzed by counting the microvessels immunostained by anti-CD34 antibody, in 5 fields (200X). The analysis of the expression of GLUT-1 in tumor parenchyma showed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant groups (p = 0.022). The average number of microvessels in PAs was 40.4, 21.2 in ACCs and 66.5 in MECs, with significant differences between groups (p <0.001). When compared to the expression of GLUT-1 and angiogenic index as a whole, there was no significant correlation between the number of microvessels and the expression of GLUT-1 (r = 0.211, p = 0.141). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest not only that differences in biological behavior between PAs, ACCs and MECs may be associated to the expression of GLUT-1, but also that benign and malignant salivary gland present differences in the average number of microvessels, with higher levels considered more aggressive tumors. Furthermore, the number of newly formed microvessels can be independent of the metabolic demand of the tumor cells

Estudo da expressão imuno-histoquímica das MMPs -2, -7, -9 e -26 e TIMPs -1 e -2 em adenomas pleomórficos e carcinomas adenóides císticos de glândulas salivares menores

The balance between the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) has been related to various physiological and pathological processes, including salivary gland morphogenesis and tumor invasion and metastasis processes. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) respectively represent benign and malignant neoplasias of salivary glands. Although they share the same cell origin, they present distinct biological behavior. The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical expression of MMPs -2, -7, -9 and -26, and of TIMPs -1 and -2, in cases of PA and ACC of minor salivary glands. Twenty cases of PA and twenty cases of ACC were assessed according to the presence, intensity and location of MMPs and TIMPs in the tumor parenchyma. Most of the PAs and ACCs presented a high expression of MMP -2, -7, -9 and -26 and of TIMP -1 and -2, predominantly located in tumor cells. There was no significant difference in the expression of MMPs -2 (p=0.359), -7 (p=0.081) and -26 (p=0.553), as well as of TIMPs -1 (p=0.657) and -2 (p=0.248), between the parenchyma of PAs and ACCs. However, MMP-9 showed a significant difference of expression between the two tumors, with the ACC showing more intense marking for this gelatinase (p=0.041). The strong expression of MMP-9 observed in the parenchyma suggests that this gelatinase may play an important role in the biological behavior of these tumors. On the other hand, although there was no significant difference between the marking of MMP -2, 7 and 26 in the studied tumors, the data, when analyzed as a whole, suggest that these proteases may take part in the process of tissue remodeling in both tumors, but do not present a direct relation with the pattern of aggressiveness of ACC. Nonetheless, matrilisins may indirectly influence the behavior of this tumor due to their capacity of activating MMP-9, strongly expressed in the parenchyma of ACC

Expressão imuno-histoquímica das integrinas a2ß1, a3ß1 e a5ß1 em adenoma pleomórfico de glândula salivar menor e maior e carcinoma adenóide cístico

Pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) consist benign and malignant neoplasm from salivary gland, respectively. These neoplasms share some characteristics, such as cellular origin and considerable production of extracellular matrix, however, with distinct biological behavior. The aim of the present study was to compare the expression of D2E1, D3E1 e D5E1 integrins in pleomorphic adenoma from minor and major salivary glands and ACCs. Furthermore, it was investigated possible differences in the expression of these integrins according to histological subtypes of ACC. Fourteen cases of pleomorphic adenoma from major salivary gland, fourteen cases from minor salivary gland and ten cases of ACC were selected. It was taken into consideration the presence or absence, localization and intensity of integrin immunoexpression. The cases of pleomorphic adenoma were grouped in order to compare the expression between the distinct neoplasms. It was observed a highly significant difference (p<0,0001) in relation to D2E1 integrin between the neoplasms since pleomorphic adenoma showed a pronounced immunostaining. It was not possible to perform statistical tests considering the D2E1 integrin expression; nevertheless, it could be observed a tendency of higher staining in pleomorphic adenoma. For comparative reasons the cases ACCs were divided in two groups: solid and tubular/cribriform. It was not detected significant differences in regard to D2E1 integrin; and statistical analysis could not be realized in relation to D3E1 and D5E integrin expression. However, it was also verified a tendency of absence or reduced expression in the solid subtype. It can be concluded that the reduced D2E1 integrin expression observed in CACs may be related to a lesser degree of cell differentiation in this neoplasm and the reduced D5E1 integrin expression can be associated with aggressive biological behavior. Moreover, the absence and/or reduced expression of the studied integrins in solid ACC suggests a role in pathogenesis and more aggressive biological behavior of this histological subtype

Lack of Epstein-Barr virus infection in cervical carcinomas

Context.-The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous microorganism strongly associated with lymphoproliferative disorders and a large number of human neoplasms, mainly undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt lymphoma. The viral DNA has been detected in other tumors, such as carcinomas from tonsil, salivary glands, and thymus, and malignancies of the female genital tract. Some authors have proposed that EBV could play a role in the carcinogenesis of cervical tumors; however, other studies do not support this hypothesis.Objective.-To assess whether EBV is associated with female genital tract neoplasms.Design.-Sixty-five biopsy specimens (5 in situ carcinomas, 24 invasive squamous cell carcinomas, 6 lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas, and 30 endocervical adenocarcinomas) were used to perform EBV detection through RNA in situ hybridization.Results.-None of the cervical carcinoma cases studied was positive for EBV infection.Conclusions.-The results suggest that it is still premature to incriminate EBV in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinoma.

Rabies virus distribution in tissues and molecular characterization of strains from naturally infected non-hematophagous bats

Bats are main reservoirs for Lyssavirus worldwide, which is an important public health issue because it constitutes one of the big challenges in rabies control. Yet, little is known about how the virus is maintained among bats, and the epidemiological relationships remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of the rabies virus (RABV) in bat tissues and organs and to genetically characterize virus isolates from naturally infected non-hematophagous bats. The heminested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (hnRT-PCR) and sequencing using primers to the nucleoprotein coding gene were performed. The results showed a dissemination of the RABV in different tissues and organs, particularly in the salivary glands, tongue, lungs, kidneys, bladder, intestine and feces, suggesting other possible forms of RABV elimination and the possibility of transmission among these animals. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that different variants of RABV are maintained by non-hematophagous bats in nature and have similar tissue distribution irrespective of bat species and phylogenetic characterization. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oral Rehabilitation After Surgical Removal of Pleomorphic Adenoma

Although tumors of minor salivary glands are rare, the pleomorphic adenoma is the most common pathology among the benign neoplasm and can be found with high prevalence in the junction between hard palate and soft palate. The treatment of choice for most of maxillary tumors is surgical through either a total or partial maxillectomy. However, surgical defects caused by such type of treatment lead to both clinical and psychologic disorders for the patient. The immediate oral rehabilitation using interim palate obturator after maxillectomy provides optimization on the healing process, recovers the stomatognathic functions after surgery, and avoids psychosocial sequelae for the patients. This clinical report aimed to present the rehabilitation with immediate palate obturator of a patient who underwent a partial maxillectomy due to a hard palate pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary glands. We report the clinical importance of the prosthetic rehabilitation and the improvements on both quality of life and stomatognathic functions of this patient. It can be concluded that the immediate rehabilitation of the patient after partial maxillectomy by using an interim palate obturator was a great option and provided clinical benefits in the immediate postoperative period, improving the patient's quality of life, allowing the patient's reinsertion into society, and reducing the surgical treatment sequelae.

Protective efficacy of Psidium cattleianum and Myracrodruon urundeuva aqueous extracts against caries development in rats

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

Sympathetic mediation of salivation induced by intracerebroventricular pilocarpine in rats

Central cholinergic activation by pilocarpine induces salivation dependent on the integrity of forebrain areas. The present work investigates the autonomic mediation of this salivation. Pilocarpine (500 nmol/rat) was injected into the lateral ventricle (LV) of tribromoethanol-anesthetized adult male rats. Preweighed cotton balls were inserted into the oral cavity and weighed again 7 min later. ol-adrenoceptor antagonists (3-50 mu mol/kg) prazosin (alpha(1)), yohimbine (alpha(2)) or propranolol (beta) injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) produced, 80%, 20% and 0% inhibition respectively of the LV pilocarpine-induced salivation. Intracerebroventricular injections (160 nmol) of the antagonists did not alter the effects of pilocarpine injected into the LV. Bilateral section of chorda tympani nerve or bilateral sympathetic cervical ganglionectomy produced 0% and 40% inhibition of pilocarpine-induced salivation, respectively. Ganglionectomy did not alter salivation induced by i.p, injection of pilocarpine (4 mu mol/kg). The results indicate that there is a large sympathetic contribution to the salivation induced by central cholinergic activation. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Lesions of the lateral hypothalamus impair pilocarpine-induced salivation in rats

In the present study we investigated the effects of electrolytic lesions of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) in the salivation induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine. Rats with sham or LH lesions and stainless steel cannulas implanted into the lateral ventricle (LV) were used. In rats anesthetized with urethane (1.25 mg/kg of body weight) saliva was collected using pre-weighed cotton balls inserted in the animal mouth during a period of 7 min following i.c.v. or i.p. injection of pilocarpine. Injection of pilocarpine (1 mg/kg of body weight) i.p. in sham-operated rats (6 h, 2, 7, and 15 days after the surgery) induced salivation (497+/-24, 452+/-26, 476+/-30, and 560+/-75 mg/7 min, respectively). The effects of i.p. pilocarpine was reduced 6 h, 2 and 7 days after LH lesions (162+/-37, 190+/-32, and 229+/-27mg/7 min, respectively), not 15 days after LH lesions (416+/-89mg/7 min). Injection of pilocarpine (120 mug/mul) i.c.v., in sham-operated rats (6 h, 2, 7, and 15 days after the surgery) also produced salivation (473 20, 382 16, 396 14, and 427 47 mg/7 min, respectively). The salivation induced by i.c.v. pilocarpine was also reduced 6 h, 2 and 7 days after LH lesions (243+/-19, 278+/-24, and 295+/-27 mg/7 min, respectively), not 15 days after LH lesions (385 48 mg/7 min). The present results show the participation of the LH in the salivation induced by central or peripheral injection of pilocarpine in rats, reinforcing the involvement of central mechanisms on pilocarpine-induced salivation. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Central muscarinic receptors signal pilocarpine-induced salivation

Although cholinergic agonists such as pilocarpine injected peripherally can act directly on salivary glands to induce salivation, it is possible that their action in the brain may contribute to salivation. To investigate if the action in the brain is important to salivation, we injected pilocarpine intraperitoneally after blockade of central cholinergic receptors with atropine methyl bromide (atropine-mb). In male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted into the lateral ventricle and anesthetized with ketamine, atropine-mb (8 and 16 nmol) intracerebroventricularly reduced the salivation induced by pilocarpine (4 mumol/kg) intraperitoneally (133 +/- 42 and 108 +/- 22 mg/7 min, respectively, vs. saline, 463 +/- 26 mg/7 min), but did not modify peripheral cardiovascular responses to intravenous acetylcholine. Similar doses of atropine-mb intraperitoneally also reduced pilocarpine-induced salivation. Therefore, systemically injected pilocarpine also enters the brain and acts on central muscarinic receptors, activating autonomic efferent fibers to induce salivation.

Central muscarinic receptor subtypes involved in pilocarpine-induced salivation, hypertension and water intake

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

The distribution of agglutinins and lytic activity against Trypanosoma rangeli and erythrocytes in Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans tissue extracts and haemolymph

Haemolymph, heads, salivary glands, crops, midguts, hindguts, and Malpighian tubules from Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans were extracted in phosphate or Tris buffer saline with calcium, and tested for agglutination and lytic activities by microtitration against both vertebrateerythrocytes and cultured epimatigote forms of Trypanosoma rangeli. Haemagglutination activity against rabbit erythrocytes was found in the crop, midgut and hindgut extracts of T. infestans but only in the haemolymph of R. prolixus. Higher titres of parasite agglutinins were found in R. prolixus haemolymph than T. infestans, whilst the converse occurred for the tissue extracts. In addition, the extracts of T. infestans salivary glands, but not those of R. prolixus, showed a trypanolytic activity that was heat-inactivated and was not abolished by pre-incubation with any of the sugars or glycoproteins tested. T. infestans, which is refractory to infection by T. rangeli, thus appears to contain a much wider distribution of agglutinating and trypanolytic factors in its tissues than the more susceptible species, R. prolixus