Steatosis and hepatic markers before and shortly after bariatric surgery

Background We present new findings on liver steatosis detected in a group of 20 morbidly obese patients who were reassessed shortly after bariatric surgery (BS) by assaying hepatic markers in their serum.Methods We assayed aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), cholinesterase, cholesterol, total protein, and albumin, and measured the weight and the body mass index (BMI) of patients, before and one and three months after surgery.Results There were significant reductions in BMI following surgery and also falls in transaminases and gamma-GT activities three months after BS. No changes occurred in other parameters between periods, except that cholesterol was above reference values before BS and fell to normal levels three months after BS.Conclusions We suggest that before undergoing surgery, the patients suffered from slight steatosis, while after BS the reduction in AST and gamma-GT indicated that this condition was corrected within three months. Moreover, these enzymes may be useful markers for excess fat in the liver.

Effect of oral vanadyl sulfate treatment on serum enzymes and lipids of streptozotocin-diabetic young rats

In this work we investigate the possible toxicity of vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4), a compound capable of reducing hyperglycemia, on the following serum enzymes of diabetic young rats: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and creatine kinase (CK), as well as its effects on serum lipids. We find that at a concentration of 1 mg/mL VOSO4 has no toxic effect on the liver and muscles of diabetics young rats. These findings suggest that VOSO4 may be an alternative to insulin in the near future, due to its low cost, low toxicity and ready availability.

Atividade da 6-fosfogliconato desidrogenase em deficientes de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase

As enzimas G6PD e 6PGD são responsáveis pela geração do aporte de NADPH, necessário para a detoxificação dos agentes oxidantes produzidos pelo estresse oxidativo metabólico nos eritrócitos. Devido à alta prevalência de deficiência de G6PD na população mundial, principalmente de origem negróide africana, muitos estudos têm sido realizados na tentativa de conhecer melhor a atuação destas enzimas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade enzimática da 6PGD, nos deficientes de G6PD, para verificar a existência de aumento da atividade desta enzima, correlacionando com um possível aumento do número de reticulócitos ou presença de alterações da série vermelha. A pesquisa em 2.657 indivíduos do sexo masculino resultou em 97 deficientes de G6PD, determinando uma prevalência de 3,65% para a região de Bauru (SP), com atividade enzimática média de G6PD de 1,74 UI.g Hb-1. min-1 a 37ºC, 14,4% da atividade da G6PD normal. A atividade enzimática média da 6PGD foi de 9,5 UI.g Hb-1. min-1 a 37ºC, estando aumentada em 47,4% dos deficientes de G6PD. Os resultados não confirmaram que a hipótese do aumento da atividade enzimática da 6PGD, em deficientes de G6PD, seja decorrente da presença de um número aumentado de reticulócitos na corrente circulatória, faixa etária ou alterações eritrocitométricas que denotem anemia. O mais provável é que a hemólise autolimitada, imposta pelos processos oxidativos, preserve os eritrócitos mais jovens, que possuem atividade enzimática mais elevada, uma vez que naturalmente ocorre diminuição da atividade destas enzimas com o envelhecimento celular.

Icterícia neonatal e deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase

A deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase em neonatos pode ser a responsável pela icterícia neonatal. Este comentário científico é decorrente do relato sobre o tema publicado neste fascículo e que preocupa diversos autores de outros países em relação às complicações em neonatos de hiperbilirrubinemia, existindo inclusive proposições de alguns autores em incluir o teste para identificar a deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase nos recém-nascidos.

Efeito da temperatura de estocagem de leveduras de panificação sobre a atividade da glicerol-3-fosfato desidrogenase

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

Toxicity of dietary restriction of fat enriched diets on cardiac tissue

The present study examines the effects of caloric restriction in cardiac tissue evaluation markers of oxidative stress. High-fat dietary restrictions can have a long-term impact on cardiac health. Dietary restriction of control diet increased myocardial superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. Dietary restriction of fatty acid-enriched diets increased myocardial lipoperoxide concentrations, while SOD activity was decreased in cardiac tissue of rats with dietary restriction of fatty acid-enriched diets. Dietary restriction of unsaturated fatty acid-enriched diet induced the highest lipoperoxide concentration and the lowest myocardial SOD activity. Dietary restriction of unsaturated fatty acid decreased myocardial glycogen, and increased the lactate dehydrogenase/citrate synthase ratio. Dietary restriction of fatty acid-enriched diets were more deleterious to cardiac tissue than normal ad lib.-fed diet. In conclusion, the effects of caloric restriction on myocardial oxidative stress is dependent on which nutrient is restricted. Dietary restriction of fatty acid-enriched diets is deleterious relative to ad lib.-fed chow diet. (C) 2002 Elsevier, Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tamoxifen inhibits transforming growth factor-alpha gene expression in human breast carcinoma samples treated with triiodothyronine

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

Influence of rutin treatment on biochemical alterations in experimental diabetes

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

Africanized honeybee stings: how to treat them

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

In Vivo Effects of Bothrops jararaca Venom on Metabolic Profile and on Muscle Protein Metabolism in Rats

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

Morphologic changes in the urethral epithelium in an ethanol-drinking rat strain (UChA and UChB)

The extreme use of ethanol causes metabolic and pathologic changes in testes and urogenital system in different animal species. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyses the conversion of ethanol into carcinogenic metabolite acetaldehyde which is partly excreted into the urine. However, papers relating the chronic ethanol consumption to the urethral morphology are unknown. This work evaluates the toxic effect of the chronic ethanol ingestion on the urethral epithelium of UChA and UChB rats. Conventional techniques of histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural analysis were used. The analysis showed the presence of lipid drops and intercellular spaces in the epithelial cells in the urethra of UChA and UChB rats compared to control rats. Urethral neuroendocrine cell were observed and characterized for presenting vesicles containing electron-dense granules associated with nervous fibers. We conclude that the chronic consumption of ethanol induces the presence lipid drops in the epithelial cells of the urethra of UChA and UChB rats. The NE cells of the urethra of UChA and UChB rats did not show alterations under chronic effect of the ethanol. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus A Multinational Multicenter Study of Thirty-Eight Patients

Objective. To describe the clinical and laboratory features of macrophage activation syndrome as a complication of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods. Cases of juvenile SLE-associated macrophage activation syndrome were provided by investigators belonging to 3 pediatric rheumatology networks or were found in the literature. Patients who had evidence of macrophage hemophagocytosis on bone marrow aspiration were considered to have definite macrophage activation syndrome, and those who did not have such evidence were considered to have probable macrophage activation syndrome. Clinical and laboratory findings in patients with macrophage activation syndrome were contrasted with those of 2 control groups composed of patients with active juvenile SLE without macrophage activation syndrome. The ability of each feature to discriminate macrophage activation syndrome from active disease was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results. The study included 38 patients (20 with definite macrophage activation syndrome and 18 with probable macrophage activation syndrome). Patients with definite and probable macrophage activation syndrome were comparable with regard to all clinical and laboratory features of the syndrome, except for a greater frequency of lymphadenopathy, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia in patients with definite macrophage activation syndrome. Overall, clinical features had better specificity than sensitivity, except for fever, which was highly sensitive but had low specificity. Among laboratory features, the best sensitivity and specificity was achieved using hyperferritinemia, followed by increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypofibrinogenemia. Based on the results of statistical analysis, preliminary diagnostic guidelines for macrophage activation syndrome in juvenile SLE were developed.Conclusion. Our findings indicate that the occurrence of unexplained fever and cytopenia, when associated with hyperferritinemia, in a patient with juvenile SLE should raise the suspicion of macrophage activation syndrome. We propose preliminary guidelines for this syndrome in juvenile SLE to facilitate timely diagnosis and correct classification of patients.

Molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis in dogs from Brazil

The intestinal protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (syn. Giardia intestinalis and Giardia lamblia) is a widespread enteric pathogen in human and domestic animals. This organism is one of the most common parasites in domestic dogs in Brazil. In this study, we determined the occurrence and genetic characterization of G. duodenalis isolated from dogs from south-central São Paulo state, Brazil. A total of 300 fecal samples were collected. Fecal specimens were screened for the presence of G. duodenalis using microscopy (zinc sulfate solution flotation technique) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the small subunit ribosomal (SSU-rDNA) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) genes. Genetic characterization was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and sequencing analysis of the GDH gene. In addition, selected samples were further characterized by RFLP and sequencing of the beta-giardin gene. The overall occurrence of G. duodenalis was 17.3% (52/300). The occurrence was higher in stray dogs (28%) than in household dogs (6.25%). of the 36 PCR-positive samples that were selected for genotyping, only dog-specific genotype C (20 isolates), D (11 isolates) and mixed C+D (five isolates) isolates were detected in the study. This study provides current information on the infection rates of G. duodenalis genotypes in canine populations and describes for the first time the presence of mixed infections within host-specific C and D genotypes in dogs in Brazil. These genotypes were widespread and commonly found in domestic dogs living in urban and suburban environments of the studied area and confirmed the endemic status of Giardia in this region.

Genetic characterisation of Giardia duodenalis in dairy cattle in Brazil

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

Relative expression of insulin like growth factor I (IGFI) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in follicles and ovarian tissue from Bos primigenius indicus (Nelore)

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