Changes of Soluble CD40 Ligand in the Progression of Acute Myocardial Infarction Associate to Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphisms and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor But Not to Platelet CD62P Expression

Reported in vitro data implicated soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis. However, whether sCD40L could exert that influence in endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis after injury in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the association of sCD40L with markers of platelet activation, endothelial, and vascular function during a recovery period early after AMI. To achieve this goal, the time changes of soluble, platelet-bound, and microparticle-bound CD40L levels over 1 month were assessed in AMI patients and correlated with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations, and platelet expression of P-selectin (CD62P). The association of soluble form, platelet-bound, and microparticle-bound CD40L with CD62P expression on platelets, a marker of platelet activation, was also assessed to evaluate the role of CD40L in the thrombosis, whereas the association with eNOS and VEGF was to evaluate the role of CD40L in vascular dysfunction. This work shows for the first time that time changes of sCD40L over 1 month after myocardial infarct onset were associated with G894T eNOS polymorphism and with the VEGF concentrations, but not to the platelet CD62P expression. These results indicate that, in terms of AMI pathophysiology, the sCD40L cannot be consider just as being involved in thrombosis and inflammation but also as having a relevant role in vascular and endothelial dysfunction.

Influence of Splenectomy on the Biodistribution of Technetium-99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (99mTc-DMSA) in Rats

This study aimed to evaluate if the splenectomy alters the biodistribution of 99mTc-DMSA and renal function in Wistar rats. The animals were separated in the groups: splenectomy (n = 6) and control (n = 6). After splenectomy (15 days), the administration of 0.1ml of 99mTc-DMSA IV (0.48 MBq) was carried out. Thirty minutes later, kidney, heart, lung, thyroid, stomach, bladder and femur and samples of blood were isolated. The organs were weighed, counted and the percentage of radioactivity -g (%ATI-g) determined. Serum urea and creatinine, hematocrit, leukocytes and platelets were measured. Statistics by t test (p<0.05) was done. There was a significant reduction in %ATI-g in kidney and blood (p<0.05) of splenectomized animals, a significant increase (p<0.05) of urea (88.8 ± 18.6 mg-dL) and creatinine (0.56 ± 0.08 mg-dL), compared to the controls (51.5±1.6, 0.37±0.02mg-dL, respectively), as well as increase in platelets and leucocytes, and hematocrit reduction. The analysis of the results indicates that in rats, splenectomy seems to alter the renal function and the uptake of 99mTc-DMSA

A aplicação de plasma rico em plaquetas na regeneração dos tecidos periodontais

O periodonto é uma unidade biológica e funcional, constituída pela gengiva, pelo cemento, pelo ligamento periodontal e pelo osso alveolar. O seu processo de cicatrização envolve mecanismos fisiológicos complexos que requerem a ação dos fatores de crescimento, péptidos oriundos da desgranulação das plaquetas. Neste sentido surge o Plasma Rico em Plaquetas como um produto autólogo, obtido a partir da centrifugação do sangue do próprio paciente e que visa melhorar a cicatrização dos tecidos após procedimentos enquadrados na Medicina Dentária. Esta revisão bibliográfica baseou-se numa pesquisa realizada na base de dados MEDLINE, via pubmed. Foram utilizadas as palavras-chave “plasma rich in growth factors”, “platelet-rich plasma”, “oral surgery”, “dental implants”, “sinus lift”, “third molar surgery” e “bone regeneration”. Após leitura de 40 artigos, foram descartados 9 pela sua pouca relevância no contexto. O objetivo é avaliar a efetividade da aplicação de plasma rico em plaquetas na regeneração dos tecidos periodontais em situações clínicas como alvéolos pós-extracionais, cirurgias de implantes, cirurgias de elevação do seio maxilar e na regeneração óssea. A efetividade em tecidos moles parece ser consensual. A efetividade no tecido ósseo é alvo de contradição entre os diversos autores, concluindo-se que há necessidade de mais estudos randomizados e controlados para que se possa responder à questão com evidência científica suficiente.

Amphibian yolk platelet ultrastructure visualized by freeze-etching

Amphibian yolk platelets are composed of lipoprotein subunits arranged in an ordered crystalline structure. Freeze-etch electron microscopy of isolated Xenopus platelets provides a direct view of the structure of the crystal and aids the interpretation of fracture phenomena in lipoprotein systems. A study has been made both of fracture faces and of faces produced by fracturing and etching following partial dissolution of platelets in electrolyte solutions. In freeze-etch replicas, main body crystals appear to be composed of dimers. Rectangular and semihexagonal patterns are seen in fracture faces. Rectangular patterns are seen also in faces produced by partial dissolution and revealed by fracturing and etching. Dissolution faces with possible semihexagonal patterns are distinct but infrequent. Based on this evidence, a new closest-packing model of platelet structure is proposed using lipovitellin dimers as building blocks, with one molecule of the second major protein component, phosvitin, associated with each monomer of the lipovitellin dimer. © 1972 Academic Press, Inc.

Can this be considered a Fondaparinux-induced Thrombocytopenia?

We present a case of an old woman with previously documented heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), treated with fondaparinux, who presented with thrombocytopenia and venous thrombosis after exposure to a preventive dose of fondaparinux during orthopaedic surgery. Any accidental exposure to heparin was avoided. Other causes of thrombocytopenia were excluded and antigenic tests combined with clinical probability made a diagnosis of HIT likely. Can this be considered a possible case of fondaparinux-related HIT, despite the intense and early decrease in platelets, as usually happens in rapid-onset HIT, and the fact that previous exposure to fondaparinux had occurred 5 months previously?

Influence of Splenectomy on the Biodistribution of Technetium-99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (99mTc-DMSA) in Rats

This study aimed to evaluate if the splenectomy alters the biodistribution of 99mTc-DMSA and renal function in Wistar rats. The animals were separated in the groups: splenectomy (n = 6) and control (n = 6). After splenectomy (15 days), the administration of 0.1ml of 99mTc-DMSA IV (0.48 MBq) was carried out. Thirty minutes later, kidney, heart, lung, thyroid, stomach, bladder and femur and samples of blood were isolated. The organs were weighed, counted and the percentage of radioactivity -g (%ATI-g) determined. Serum urea and creatinine, hematocrit, leukocytes and platelets were measured. Statistics by t test (p<0.05) was done. There was a significant reduction in %ATI-g in kidney and blood (p<0.05) of splenectomized animals, a significant increase (p<0.05) of urea (88.8 ± 18.6 mg-dL) and creatinine (0.56 ± 0.08 mg-dL), compared to the controls (51.5±1.6, 0.37±0.02mg-dL, respectively), as well as increase in platelets and leucocytes, and hematocrit reduction. The analysis of the results indicates that in rats, splenectomy seems to alter the renal function and the uptake of 99mTc-DMSA

Estudo sobre a participação de roedores na cadeia de transmissão de Leishmania infantum (Protozoa: Trypanosomatidae) no Rio Grande do Norte

American visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonosis caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted by the bite of the sand flies Lutzomia longipalpis.The main domestic reservoir is the dog, while foxes and opposums are the known wild reservoirs. However, identification of natural infections with L. infantum in rodents appears for need of investigating the participation of these rodents how source of infection of the parasite. In the present work the Leishmania infantum infection was investigated in rodents captured in Rio Grande do Norte, aiming at to offer subsidies to the understanding of the epidemic chains of LVA in the State. Thirteen Galea spixii were distributed in four groups, being G1 the group control with four animals and the others, G2, G3 and G4, with three animals each. Those animals were intraperitoneally inoculated with 107 promastigotas of L. infantum and accompanied for, respectively, 30, 90 and 180 days. Weekly the animals were monitored as for the corporal weight and rectal temperature. At the end of each stipulated period the animals were killed. Blood were used for determination of the parameters biochemical and haematological, PCR, ELISA, microscopic examination and cultivation in NNN medium. Liver, spleen and lymph node were used in Giemsa-stained impression and cultivation in NNN medium. Liver and spleen fragments were still used in PCR and histopathological, respectively. At the same time 79 rodents of the species Rattus rattus, Bolomys lasiurus, Oligoryzomys nigripis, Oryzomys subflavus and Trichomys apereoides were captured in the Municipal districts of Brejinho, Campo Grande, Coronel Ezequiel, Passa e Fica and Vázea for identification of natural infection with L. infantum. Evidence of infection was checked by direct examination of Giemsa-stained impression of liver, spleen and blood and culture of these tissues in NNN medium. Antibodies were researched by ELISA. They were not found differences among the weigh corporal final, rectal temperature and biochemical and haematological parameters of the Galea spixii controls and infected. The rectal temperature of the animals varied from 36OC to 40OC. For the first time values of the haematocrit (33,6% to 42,8%), hemoglobin (10,2 to 14,5g/dl), erythrocyts number (4,67x106 to 6,90x106/mm3), total leukocytes (0,9x103 to 9,2x103/mm3), platelets (49x103 to 509x103/mm3) total proteins (1,56 to 6,06 g/dl), albumin (1,34 to 3,05 g/dl) and globulins (0,20 to 3,01 g/dl) of the Galea spixii were determined. The lymphocytes were the most abundant leucocytes. Infection for L. infantum was diagnosed in two animals euthanasied 180 days after the infection. In one of the animals was also identified antibodies anti-Leishmania. The parasite was not found in none of the five other species of rodents captured. Galea spixii are resistant to the infection for L. infantum and they are not good models for the study for visceral leishmaniose, although they can act as infection sources. More studies are necessary to determine the paper of the rodents in the epidemic chain of transmission of the visceral leishmaniose in the State of Rio Grande do Norte

Le Bisphénol A dans la prééclampsie

Résumé : La prééclampsie (PE) est un désordre de la grossesse caractérisée par une dysfonction endothéliale faisant en sorte que l’endothélium devient moins sensible aux signaux de vasodilatation. La réponse provoquée par la liaison de la sérotonine au sous-type de récepteur S[indice inférieur 2] entraîne la libération de molécules aux propriétés vasoconstrictrices, qui, par une boucle de rétroaction positive, entraîne la libération de davantage de sérotonine par les plaquettes. Cette boucle amplifie la réponse et contribue ainsi à l’hypertension présente chez les femmes ayant une PE. Précédemment, il a été démontré par notre laboratoire que le Bisphénol A (BPA) s’accumulait davantage dans le placenta des femmes avec PE en comparaison aux femmes normotensives. Cette accumulation pourrait découler d’une perturbation de sa métabolisation qui impliquerait notamment la β-glucuronidase (GUSB). Des études chez les animaux ont quant à elles démontré que le BPA pouvait inhiber l’activité de la monoamine oxydase (MAO) à forte dose. Nous avons étudié l’effet du BPA à faible concentration (10 ng/ml) sur la MAO-A des cellules placentaires et démontré que le BPA inhibait la MAO-A de façon significative sans affecter son expression protéique. Afin d’expliquer l’accumulation particulière du BPA chez les femmes PE, nous avons comparé l’activité spécifique et l’expression protéique de la β-glucuronidase (GUSB) placentaire en utilisant un devis cas-témoins. Une tendance non significative suggère que la GUSB pourrait partiellement contribuer à l’accumulation du BPA chez les femmes PE. Nous avons étudié la relation entre la concentration sérique maternelle de BPA et la concentration à laquelle le fœtus est exposé par régression linéaire et corrélation de Spearman. Un tel modèle ne pourrait être utilisé pour déterminer de façon quantitative l’exposition fœtale. En revanche, en vue de la forte corrélation entre ces deux variables, une haute concentration sérique maternelle de BPA devrait se refléter par une haute exposition fœtale. Cette corrélation implique aussi que le métabolisme placentaire ne joue pas un rôle significatif dans la protection du fœtus. Le BPA pourrait ainsi contribuer à l’hypertension chez les femmes PE présentant une dysfonction endothéliale en inhibant la MAO-A et ainsi, favorisant la hausse de sérotonine circulante. Cette étude suggère les bases d’un mécanisme par lequel le BPA s’accumulerait davantage chez les femmes PE et affecterait ainsi la MAO-A placentaire et potentiellement, la MAO-A fœtale vu ses propriétés physico-chimiques.

Polissacarídeos sulfatados de interesse farmacológico no camarão litopenaeus schimitti

Sulfated Polysaccharides with unique chemical structures and important biological activities has been found in a diversity of sea invertebrates. For that, to exist a huger interest on the biotechnology field in the research theses sulfated compounds isolated from sea organisms. Despite the privileged brazilian position for these compounds attainment, there are still a few scientific informations about the isolated substances and their biological activities. A head the displayed, the present work has for objectives, to evaluate the pharmacological properties of the glycosaminoglycans isolated from the sea shrimp Litopenaeus schimitti on homeostasis, blood coagulation, leukocytes migration and platelet/leukocyte adhesion. For this, yhe glycosaminoglycans were extracted from crustacean tissues by proteolysis, fractionation with acetone and later submitted to pharmacological assays. The crustacean tissues showed compounds heparin-like, with anticoagulant activity of 45 IU/mg and 90 IU/mg, respectively. These molecules showed low residual hemorrhagic effects in the tested concentration (100 µg/mL), when compared to unfractionated commercial heparin (UFH). Another dermatan sulfate-like compound, predominately constituted for disulfated disaccharides, was isolated from crustacean abdomen. This compound showed an efficient effect on leukocytes migration inhibition, in the concentration of 15 µg/mL, reducing the cellular infiltration in 65% when compared to the controlled animals. In this same concentration, the DS reduced in 60% the protein concentration of the peritoneal exudates. In the concentration, this compound of 0.5 mg/mL, it was capable to reduce in 40% platelet/leukocytes adhesion. Our data demonstrate that these sulfated polysaccharides isolated from the shrimp L. schimitti will can be used as bioactive compounds, appearing as active principles for pharmacological development, anticoagulants and inflammatory response regulators

Hematobiochemical changes of lead Poisoning and amelioration with Coconut ( Cocos nucifera L.) Water in wistar albino rats

To determine the ameliorative effect of coconut water on haematobiochemical changes due to lead poisoning in wistar albino rats for six weeks, sixty rats were assigned to four groups. 0.10g/l of lead and 75ml coconut ( cocus nucifera l.) water were given orally for six weeks. The mean values of red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width and platelets (8.10±0.63(×106μl), 52.7±0.87(μm3), 17.9±0.56(pg), 34.73±0.65(g/dl), 17.90±0.67(%) and 670.00±42.22(×103μl) respectively) reduced in lead treated rats when compared with control mean values (8.41 ± 0.90(×106μl), 56.60 ± 1.55(μm3), 19.33 ± 0.82(pg), 34.93 ± 0.90(g/dl), 18.27 ± 0.73(%) and 818.33± 123.68(×103μl) respectively ) and these values increased in75ml coconut water only group and the group of 0.10g/l lead + 75ml coconut water except mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell distribution width of the 75ml coconut water only. The mean values of white blood cells, lymphocytes, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol/high density lipoproteincholesterol and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased (12.23±0.57(×103μl), 79.83±3.87(%), 64.66±6.01(mg/dl), 89.00±7.94(mg/dl), 22.67±6.93(mg/dl), 21.00±4.58(mg/dl), 1.29±0.62 and 3.36±0.83 respectively ) in the lead group when compared with mean values of control group (5.83±0.74(×103μl), 69.07±10.57(%), 54.00±4.04(mg/dl), 97.33±11.34(mg/dl), 20.00±3.06(mg/dl), 17.00±6.51(mg/dl), 0.97±0.41 and 2.87±0.55 respectively) but the mean values decreased when compared with the mean values of group of 75ml coconut water only and group of 0.10g/l lead + 75ml coconut water, except the mean values of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. These results indicate that coconut water could ameliorate effects of lead toxicity

Evaluation of the protective effects of kolaviron on Kolanut-induced oxidative stress in developing rat brain

The brain is exposed throughout life to oxidative stress, and certain diseases of the brain and nervous system are thought to involve free radical processes and oxidative damage. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of kolaviron on kolanut-induced oxidative stress in developing rat brain. Twenty-five adult pregnant Wistar rats weighing between 160 and 180g were used for the experiment. They were randomly divided into five groups of five animals each. The animals were fed with standard diets of mice cubes and water provided ad libitum. The control rats received water and cornoil, while the experimental animals received 200 mg/kg body weight of kolanut (kn), 200 mg/kg of kolaviron (kv), and 200 mg/kg body weight of vitamin E which served as a standard antioxidant with cornoil as vehicle orally in pre- and post-natal life. After birth, gross morphometry and behavioural changes of the pups of days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 postpartum were evaluated. Blood samples were collected from pups of day 21 for hematological, liver and renal function analyses, while the brains of pups of day 21 postpartum were preserved in phosphate buffer at a temperature of 4oC and pH 7.4 for biochemical analysis. There were significant alterations in the gross morphometry and behavioural parameters studied in the treated animals compared with the control at p< 0.05. There were elevated levels of RBC, WBC and platelets in the treated group compared with the control at p< 0.05. However, no significant change was observed in the PCV, Hb, liver and renal function parameters studied at p>0.05. A non-significant increase in levels of malondialdehyde, MDA, a bye-product of lipid peroxidation in the kolanut group was observed. However, administration of kolaviron and vitamin E non-significantly (p>0.05) reversed these changes. In conclusion, maternal consumption of kolanut induced mild oxidative stress and the administration of kolaviron and vitamin E decreased the rate at which kolanut induced oxidative stress in developing rat brain.

A pilot study to determine the normal haematological indices for young Malawian adults in Blantyre, Malawi

Aim To determine the distribution of haematological parameters in healthy individuals residing in Blantyre, Malawi. We also examined the effect of sociodemographic and nutritional factors on the haematological variables. Methods We conducted a proof-of-concept cross-sectional study, involving 105 healthy blood donors at Malawi Blood Transfusion Service in Blantyre. Eligible participants were HIV-negative males and females, aged 19 to 35 years, who did not have any evidence of acute or chronic illness, or bloodborne infection. We performed the haematological tests at the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust laboratory in Blantyre, and the screening tests at Malawi Blood Transfusion Service laboratories. Results Out of 170 consenting healthy volunteers, haematological results were available for 105 participants. The proportions of results which were below the lower limit of the manufacturer’s reference ranges were 35.2% (37/105) for haemoglobin, 15.2% (16/105) for neutrophils, 23.8% (25/105) for eosinophils, and 88.6 % (93/105) for basophils. The proportions of results that were above the upper limit of the manufacturer’s reference ranges were 9.5% (10/105) for platelets and 12.4% (13/105) for monocytes. We also observed that the mean leucocyte and basophil counts were significantly higher in males than females (p = 0.042 and p = 0.015, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in haematological results observed among different ethnic, age, and body mass index groups. Conclusions Over half of otherwise healthy study participants had at least one abnormal haematological result, using previously established foreign standards. More detailed studies are needed to establish locally relevant normal ranges for different age groups and other demographic characteristics of the Malawian population. This will lead to accurate interpretation of laboratory results.

Ocorrência da infecção por Ehrlichia spp e Anaplasma platys em canídeos e felídeos selvagens mantidos em cativeiro no Distrito Federal e Goiás

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Animal, 2015.