Effects of Short-term Hyper- and Hypoprolactinaemia on Hormones of the Pituitary, Gonad and -Thyroid Axis and on Semen Quality in Male Beagles

Effects of a short-term hyper- and hypoprolactinaemia on serum concentrations of LH, testosterone and semen quality in six male Beagles were investigated. Blood samples were collected at 3-day intervals for 12 weeks. The time span was divided into five 3-week periods: pre-treatment, metoclopramide (MCP) treatment (0.2 mg/kg orally three times daily), cabergoline (CAB) treatment (5 mu g/kg orally once daily), post-treatment 1 and post-treatment 2. In the latter, only semen characteristics were evaluated. Semen parameters were analyzed once per week during the whole 15-week investigation time. At the end of each period, the effects of a single intravenous injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 10 mu g/kg) on the secretion of prolactin (PRL), LH, testosterone, thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine (T4) were investigated. Pre-treatment serum PRL concentration increased under MCP (p < 0.05), followed by a decrease under CAB administration (p < 0.05). Luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations were not affected. Except for straight-line sperm velocity, semen quality did not differ between collection periods. A single iv TRH injection induced a significant PRL increase at 20 min in all experimental periods except during CAB treatment. Luteinizing hormone and testosterone did not show clear TRH-related changes. Basic T4 levels were significantly reduced after CAB treatment ( p < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrate that MCP-induced short-term hyperprolactinaemia in male beagles does not seriously affect the hypothalamo-pituitary axis and semen quality.

Carbachol injection into the medial preoptic area induces natriuresis, kaliuresis and antidiuresis in rats

The microinjection of carbachol into the medial preoptic area (MPO) of the rat induced natriuresis, kaliuresis and anti-diuresis in a dose-related manner. Atropine blocked all responses to carbachol. Hexamethonium impaired the dose-response effect of carbachol on kaliuresis, but had no effect on natriuresis and enhanced the antidiuretic effect of carbachol. Nicotine alone had no effects, but pre-treatment with nicotine enhanced the responses to carbachol. These data show that activity of the muscarinic receptors of the MPO increases renal electrolyte and reduces water excretion. They also suggest that nicotinic receptors have an inhibitory effect on water excretion. Nicotine could act through mechanisms unrelated to nicotinic receptors to enhance the effect of the carbachol. © 1989.

Cell wall fractions from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis induce hypergammaglobulinemia

The antibody response against the antigen sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was investigated in mice pre-treated with formalin-killed Paracoccidioides brasiliensis or with cell wall fractions of the fungus. Pre-treatment with P. brasiliensis, as well as with the F1 fraction and beta-glucan significantly increased the anti-SRBC antibody response in the experimental groups as compared to the control group that received only SRBC. This immunomodulatory effect varied with the different doses employed and with pre-treatment time. We conclude that the cell wall fractions of P. brasiliensis might play an important role in the hypergammaglobulinemia associated with Paracoccidioidomycosis. © 1993 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Anti-genotoxic effect of aqueous extracts of sun mushroom (Agaricus blazei Murill lineage 99/26) in mammalian cells in vitro

The sun mushroom is the popular name for the Agaricus blazei Murill fungus, a mushroom native to south-eastern Brazil, which has been frequently used in popular medicine mainly in the form of tea to treat various ailments (stress, diabetes, etc.). In the present study, the genotoxic and/or anti-genotoxic effects ofA. blazei on mammalian cells in culture was assessed by checking the increase or reduction of micronucleus (MN) frequency and comets. The sun mushroom (lineage 99/26) was used as aqueous extracts prepared (2.5%) at three different temperatures (60, 25 and 4°C). The in vitro micronucleus (MN) test in binucleated cells and comet assay were used in V79 cells cultivated in HAM-F10+DMEM medium (1:1), supplemented with 10% of fetal bovine serum. The experiments were divided into four treatment types: 1. Negative control; 2. Positive control with MMS; 3. Treatments with the three forms of extracts (60, 25 and 4°C); and 4. Treatments with the extracts in different associations (simultaneous, pre-treatment, post-treatment and simultaneous after pre-incubation for 1 h) with MMS. None of the A. blazei extracts show genotoxic activity. In the comet assay no protecting effect was found. The results obtained in the MN test showed that the three forms of extracts used had protective activity, suggesting that the compound or active ingredients of A. blazei are always present in these extracts. The greater protective efficiency of the simultaneous treatment and simultaneous treatment with pre-incubation mixture with MMS suggests that the extracts have an antimutagenic action of the desmutagenic type. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Voltammetric behavior of nitrofurazone and its hydroxymethyl prodrug with potential anti-chagas activity

Chagas' disease is a serious health problem for Latin America. The situation is worsened by the lack of efficient chemotherapy. The two available commercial drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, are more effective in the acute phase of the disease. Nitrofurazone is active against Trypanosoma cruzi, however its high toxicity precludes its current use in parasitosis. Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone is a prodrug of nitrofurazone. It is more active against Trypanosoma cruzi than nitrofurazone, besides being less toxic. This work shows the voltammetric behavior of nitrofurazone and a comparison with those of metronidazole and chloramphenicol using cyclic, linear sweep and differential pulse voltammetries. For these drugs also the prediction of the diffusion coefficients using Wilke-Chang equation was performed. The reduction of nitrofurazone is pH-dependent and in acidic medium the hydroxylamine derivative, involving four electrons, is the principal product formed. In aqueous-alkaline medium and with a glassy carbon electrode pre-treatment the reduction of nitrofurazone occurs in two steps, the first involving one electron to form the nitro-radical anion and the second corresponding to the hydroxylamine derivative formation. Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone presented the same voltammetric behavior and electroactivity, indicating that the molecular modification performed in nitrofurazone did not change its capacity to be reduced. A brief discussion regarding the differences in biological activity between the two compounds is also presented. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Influence of arginine vasopressin receptor and nitric oxide on the water, sodium intake and arterial blood pressure induce by angiotensin injected into third ventricle of the brain

As several structures of the central nervous system are involved in the control of hydromineral and cardiovascular balance we investigated whether the natriorhexigenic and pressor response induced by the injection of ANG II into the 3rd V could be mediated by vasopressinergic and nitrergic system. Male Holtzman rats weighing 200-250 g with cannulae implanted into the 3rd V were used. The drugs were injected in 0.5 μL over 30-60 sec. Controls were injected with a similar volume of 0.15 M NaCl. ANGII increased the water intake vs control. AVPA injected into 3rd V prior to ANGII decreased the dipsogenic effect of ANGII. L-arginine also decreased the water intake induced by ANGII. AVPA plus L-arginine inhibit the water intake induced by ANGII. 7NIT injected prior to ANGII potentiated the dipsogenic effect of ANGII. Pre-treatment with ANGII increased the sodium ingestion vs control. AVPA decreased the ANGII effect in sodium intake. L-arginine also decreased the natriorhexigenic effect of ANGII. The combination of L-arginine and AVPA inhibit the sodium intake induced by ANGII. 7NIT injected prior to ANGII potentiated the sodium intake induced by ANGII. ANGII induced an increase in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) vs control. AVPA and L-arginine induced a decreased in the pressor effect of ANGII. The combination of L-arginine and AVPA inhibit the pressor effect of ANGII. 7NIT injected prior to ANGII into 3rd V potentiated the pressor effect of ANGII. These data suggest that arginine vasopressin V 1 receptors and Nitric Oxide (NO) within the circumventricular structures may be involved in sodium intake and pressor response induced by the activation of ANGII receptors within the circumventricular neurons. These studies revealed the involvement of sodium appetite by utilizing the angiotensinergic, vasopressinergic and nitrergic system in the central regulation of blood pressure. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.

Use of skin graft punch graft type for the healing of leg ulcers in treated Hansen's disease patients

Hansen's disease is an infectious illness caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It affects preferentially the skin and the peripheral nervous system leading to incapacities, such as leg ulcers, which happens due to the direct action of the bacillus on the organs or its indirect action on the peripheral nervous system. Leg ulcers can occur by two physiopathologic processes. There are many treatments for general leg ulcers, which include the ones caused by Hansen's disease sequels. Among them, surgical treatment shows to be effective when using skin graft, which can be performed by several techniques. Considering the low number of techniques known for treating leg ulcers in Hansen's disease sequels, the aims of this work were to standardize alternative techniques, to detect the main bacteria found in ulcer secretion cultures, to analyze the patients profile and the ulcers, to describe the histophatologies found, and to correlate these data with those of literature from all over the world. Skin graft punch type was carried out and analyzed; males had a mean age of 59.4 years old and females, 54.2 years old. Patients were 73.6% male and 26.3% female. Lepromatous type was present in 89.4% patients and tuberculoid type was seen in 10.5% of them. Associated systemic diseases were observed in 26.3% patients. Mean time of ulcers evolution was 11.6 years in male and 12.8 years in women. The average diameter of ulcers in the pre-treatment period was 8.5 X 9.5 cm in male and 10.2 X 6.8 cm in women. After the graft, their average diameters were 3.2 X 2.7 cm in male and 5.1 X 5.6 cm in women. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between the ulcer diameter and its reduction or not in the post-surgery period (p=0.269732). The mean age of patients whose ulcers diameter did not change or reduced by only 20% was 63.5 years. Using the Spearman's coefficient, it was possible to observe that there was no significant correlation between the patients' age and the ulcers diameter reduction after the skin graft (p=0.222531). Evolution time of ulcers that did not present any satisfactory result in the post-surgery period was 12.1 years. The Spearman's coefficient showed that there was no significant correlation between the ulcers evolution time and the ulcers diameter reduction in the post-surgery period (p=0.191655). Cultures presented 50% of cases with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Statistical analysis showed there is no correlation between the bacterial types found and the ulcer evolution in the post-surgery period (p=0.697531). The average of the ulcers diameter reduction was 42.4%, and in 26.3% of the patients the lesions disappeared after the skin graft.

Atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana do alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) em filés de tilápia (Oreochromis ssp) salgados secos durante o armazenamento congelado

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a spice from Lamiaceae family known since ancient times because its medicinal effects and, currently, several studies have pointed its antioxidant and antimicrobian effects. Lipid oxidation is a problem in food production because proceed the lost of organoleptical and nutritional qualities so required in Market. Fish salting is an ancient conservation method that expect reduce water activity and, consequently, microorganism growth in food, except halophillic bacteria. In the meantime, the inconvenient of this procedure is that the salt accelerates tissue's lipid oxidation. The aim of this work was evaluate the antioxidative and antimicrobian effects by treatment and pre treatment with rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) aqueous extract in dry salted tilapia fillets, storaged in freezing temperatures. To follow the oxidative, dry salted tilapia fillets were treated or pre treated with rosemary natural extract and storage at -18°C for 240 days. Analisys of 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), soluble nitrogen in trichloroacetic acid (TCA), water activity and microbiology were done. The pre treatment (3.39±0,53) and the treatment with rosemary (3.31±0.79) had oxidative index twice lower than the control treatment (6.14±1.21) in the last time of the research. The microbiological rosemary analisys showed count levels of resistant microorganisms to salt (2.0×103CFU/g of sample), whom causes the initial fillets contamination. The microbiological counts remained invariable in all groups during storage periods.

Exploratory study on sequestration of some essential metals by indigo carmine food dye

Indigo carmine forms a stable complex with different ions, and the stability constant of the complexes were evaluated as log K equal to 5.75; 5.00; 4.89 and 3.89 for complexes with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) ions, respectively, in 0.1 mol L -1 carbonate buffer solution at pH 10. The interaction between Cu(II) ions and indigo carmine (IC) in alkaline medium resulted in the formation of the Cu 2(IC) complex, measured by the spectrophotometric method, with a stoichiometric ratio between indigo carmine and metal ions of 2:1 (metal-ligand). The reported method has also been successfully tested for determination of copper in pharmaceutical compounds based on copper-gluconate without pre-treatment.

Bond strength of a composite resin to an adhesive luting cement

This study evaluated the influence of surface treatment on the shear bond strength of a composite resin (CR), previously submitted to the application of a temporary cement (TC), to an adhesive luting cement. Eight-four CR cylinders (5 mm diameter and 3 mm high) were fabricated and embedded in acrylic resin. The sets were divided into 6 groups (G1 to G6) (n=12). Groups 2 to 6 received a coat of TC. After 24 h, TC was removed and the CR surfaces received the following treatments: G2: ethanol; G3: rotary brush and pumice; G4: air-abrasion; G5: air-abrasion and adhesive system; G6: air-abrasion, acid etching and adhesive system. G1 (control) did not receive TC or any surface treatment. The sets were adapted to a matrix and received an increment of an adhesive luting cement. The specimens were subjected to the shear bond strength test. ANOVA and Tukey's tests showed that G3 (8.53 MPa) and G4 (8.63 MPa) differed significantly (p=0.001) from G1 (13.34 MPa). The highest mean shear bond strength values were found in G5 (14.78 MPa) and G6 (15.86 MPa). Air-abrasion of CR surface associated with an adhesive system provided an effective bond of the CR to the adhesive luting cement, regardless the pre-treatment with the phosphoric acid.

Evaluation of Agaricus blazei in vivo for antigenotoxic, anticarcinogenic, phagocytic and immunomodulatory activities

The development of various types of cancer results from the interaction among endogenous, environmental and hormonal factors, where the most notable of these factors is diet. The aim of the present study was to determine the antigenotoxic, anticarcinogenic, phagocytic and immunomodulatory activities of Agaricus blazei. The test antigenotoxicity (Comet Assay) and anticarcinogenic (Test of Aberrant Crypt Foci) assess changes in DNA and/or intestinal mucosa that correlate to cancer development. Tests of phagocytosis in the spleen and differential count in blood cells allow the inference of modulation of the immune system as well as to propose a way of eliminating cells with DNA damage. Supplementation with the mushroom was carried out under pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment, post-treatment and pre-treatment. +. continuous conditions. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the mushroom did not have genotoxic activity but showed antigenotoxic activity. Supplementation caused an increase in the number of monocytes and in phagocytic activity, suggesting that supplementation increases a proliferation of monocytes, consequently increasing phagocytic capacity especially in the groups pre-treatment, simultaneous and pre-treatment. +. continuous. The data suggest that A. blazei could act as a functional food capable of promoting immunomodulation which can account for the destruction of cells with DNA alterations that correlate with the development of cancer, since this mushroom was demonstrated to have a preventive effect against pre-neoplastic colorectal lesions evaluated by the aberrant crypt foci assay. According to these results and the literature, it is believed that supplementation with A. blazei can be an efficient method for the prevention of cancer as well as possibly being an important coadjuvant treatment in chemotherapy. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Effect of fluoride solutions on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of brackets after pre-treatment with different fluoride solutions. This study used 48 freshly extracted sound bovine incisors that were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups (n=12). CG: (control) without treatment; NF: 4 min application of neutral fluoride; APF: application of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) for 4 min; and SFV: application of 5% sodium fluoride varnish for 6 h. For each group, after surface treatment, prophylaxis of enamel and bracket bonding with Transbond XT composite resin (3M) were performed following the manufacturer's specifications. The shear bond strength was performed with a universal testing machine 24 h after fixing the brackets. The tooth surfaces were analyzed to verify the adhesive remnant index (ARI). Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). There was statistically significant difference among the groups (p<0.0001). CG and NF groups presented significantly higher bond strength than APF and SFV. There was no significant difference between CG and NF or between APF and SFV (p>0.05). The analysis of ARI scores revealed that most failures occurred at the enamel-resin interface. It may be concluded that the pre-treatment of enamel with 1.23% APF and 5% SFV prior to fixing orthodontic brackets reduces shear bond strength values.

Anticlastogenic effect of β-glucan, extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on cultured cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation

β-glucan is an important polysaccharide due to its medicinal properties of stimulating the immune system and preventing chronic diseases such as cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the anticlastogenic effect of β-glucan in cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV). Chromosome aberration assay was performed in drug-metabolizing cells (HTC) and non drug-metabolizing cells (CHO-K1 and repair-deficient CHO-xrs5), using different treatment protocols. Continuous treatment (UV + β-glucan) was not effective in reducing the DNA damage only in CHO-xrs5 cells. However, the pre-treatment protocol (β-glucan before UV exposition) was effective in reducing DNA damage only in CHO-K1 cells. In post-treatment (β-glucan after UV exposition) did not show significative anticlastogenic effects, although there was a tendency toward prevention. The data suggest that β-glucan has more than one action mechanism, being capable of exerting desmutagenic as well as bio-antimutagenic action. The findings also suggest that the presence of the xenobiotic metabolizing system can reduce the chemopreventive capacity of β-glucan. Therefore, these results indicate that β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be used in the prevention and/or reduction of DNA damage. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Ovarian response to porcine FSH in association with ablation-induced or spontaneous follicular wave development during the estrous cycle in crossbred and Brazilian Warmblood mares

The primary objective of this study was to examine the follicular and ovulatory responses following treatment with pFSH in association with ablation-induced or spontaneous follicular wave emergence or follicle deviation during diestrus in crossbred (Mangalarga × Arabian) and Brazilian Warmblood mares with a propensity for spontaneous multiple ovulations; secondary considerations were given to the collection of embryos In Experiment 1, crossbred mares were administered (im) saline (control, n= 7) or pFSH (25 mg) when the largest follicle of the ablation-induced follicular wave reached ≥13 mm (n= 7) or ≥20 mm (n= 7) or, after pre-treatment ovulation (Day 0) on Day 6 (n= 7) In Experiment 2, crossbred mares were administered (im) saline (control, n= 10) or a larger dose of pFSH (50 mg, n= 7) when the largest follicle of the ablation-induced follicular wave reached ≥13 mm In Experiment 3, Brazilian Warmblood mares were administered (im) saline (control, n= 7), pFSH (25 mg, n= 7 or 50 mg, n= 5) or EPE (12.5 mg, n= 7) as a positive control on Day 6 Ultrasonic technology was used to ablate all follicles ≥8 mm and to monitor follicular development and detect ovulation Treatment with pFSH or EPE was done twice daily until the largest follicle reached ≥32 mm; thereafter, hCG (2500 IU) was administered (iv) when the largest follicle reached ≥35 mm Artificial insemination was done 12 h after hCG and embryo collections were done 8 d after post-treatment ovulations In Experiments 1 and 2, treatment of crossbred mares with pFSH post-ablation in association with the expected time of wave emergence or follicle deviation did not (P> 0.05) enhance the follicular or ovulatory responses or collection of embryos compared to controls In Experiment 3, although the enhanced ovulatory response of mares to EPE at the expected time of spontaneous wave emergence was not different (P> 0.05) from controls, it was greater (P< 0.05) than the response to pFSH In conclusion, the novelty of using follicle ablation prior to pFSH treatment at the time of wave emergence or follicle deviation did not enhance the follicular or ovulatory responses or collection of embryos to treatment in crossbred mares In addition, the hypothesis that Brazilian Warmblood mares with a greater propensity for spontaneous multiple ovulations are as responsive to pFSH compared to EPE was not supported Thus, the combined experimental results of the present study continue to support the general consensus that pFSH is relatively ineffective for follicular superstimulation/superovulation in mares © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Activation of central aα-adrenoceptors mediates salivary gland vasoconstriction

Objective: Peripheral treatment with the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine increases salivary gland blood flow and induces intense salivation that is reduced by the central injection of moxonidine (aα-adrenoceptors/ imidazoline agonist). In the present study, we investigated the effects of the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of pilocarpine alone or combined with moxonidine also injected i.c.v. On submandibular/sublingual gland (SSG) vascular resistance. In addition, the effects of these treatments on arterial pressure, heart rate and on mesenteric and hindlimb vascular resistance were also tested. Design: Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannula implanted into lateral ventricle and anaesthetized with urethane + α-chloralose were used. Results: Pilocarpine (500 nmol/1 μl) injected i.c.v. Reduced SSG vascular resistance and increased arterial pressure, heart rate and mesenteric vascular resistance. Contrary to pilocarpine alone, the combination of moxonidine (20 nmol/1 μl) and pilocarpine injected i.c.v. Increased SSG vascular resistance, an effect abolished by the pre-treatment with the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (320 nmol/2 μl). The increase in arterial pressure, heart rate and mesenteric resistance was not modified by the combination of moxonidine and pilocarpine i.c.v. Conclusion: These results suggest that the activation of central α2- adrenoceptors may oppose to the effects of central cholinergic receptor activation in the SSG vascular resistance. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.