Papel da regiao AV3V no choque septico experimental em ratos tratados com NaCl 7,5%

The effect of intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline (HS) on the recovery of mean arterial pressure (MAP) during septic shock was studied in sham-operated rats and in rats with electrolytic lesion in the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region. Our results show that intravenous HS infusion in rats treated with endotoxin (Etx) partially restores MAP, but when we have a severe shock produced by Etx, HS was not able to reverse the hypotension. We also show that the integrity of the AV3V region is essential for the protective action of HS in endotoxin shock. It is possible that NO production contributes to the deleterious effect of endotoxin. So, the unraveling of the release of NO by the vascular endothelium and their role as regulators of vascular tone is increasing our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system and will therefore enhance the possibilities of preventing and treating endotoxin shock.

Control of parasitic infections among school children in the peri-urban area of Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was investigated in a primary school located in Rubiao Junior, a peri-urban district of Botucatu, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, in order to assess the effect of treatment and practical measures of prophylaxis in the control of parasitic infections among 7-to-18-year-old school children of a low socio-economic status. The first series of parasitological examinations included 219 school children, of which 123 (56.1%) were found to be infected with one or more parasite species. Eighty-four children carrying pathogenic parasites were submitted to various anti-parasitic treatment schedules. We re-evaluated 75 (89%) students after 4 to 6 months postchemotherapy. The results indicate that the combination of treatment with prophylactic measures has been successful in the control of parasitic infections, since reinfection rates were generally low (≤5.3%), except for Giardia lamblia infections (18.6%), and a marked reduction on the prevalence rates was observed with a significant percentage of cure (≤73.1%) in children infected with most parasite species. The reasons for the apparent failure in the control of infections caused by Hymenolepsis nana and Strongyloides stercoralis are discussed.

Effects of intracerebroventricular injections of losartan or PD123319 on arterial pressure and heart rate of sodium replete and sodium deplete rats

Angiotensin II (Ang II) non-peptide antagonists were injected i.c.v. (6.25-200 nmol, n = 5-8 rats/group): In sodium replete rats, losartan (AT1 receptor antagonist) induced an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and in heart rate (HR) by 3rd ventricular (3rdV) injection, and a weaker pressor response and bradycardia by 4th ventricular (4thV) injection. PD123319 (AT2 receptor antagonist) induced an increase in MAP and in HR by 3rdV injection, and an increase in MAP and no alteration in HR by 4thV injection. In sodium deplete (furosemide plus removal of ambient sodium for 24 h) rats, losartan induced an increase in MAP and no alteration in HR by 3rdV injection, and no alteration in MAP and bradycardia by 4thV injection. PD123319 induced an increase in MAP and in HR by 3rdV injection, and an increase in MAP and bradycardia by 4thV injection. Thus, there was no fall in MAP by central injections of Ang II antagonists. Intravenous injection of losartan, but not of PD123319, induced a fall in MAP in both sodium replete and sodium deplete animals. Therefore, losartan and PD123319 can have similar effects on MAP and HR when injected intracerebroventricularly, although some differences are also present. The bradycardia is consistent with an withdrawal of Ang II inhibitory action on baroreflex.

Lipossomas: Estrategia biotecnologica para liberacao controlada e direcionamento intracelular de farmacos com efeito antimicobacteriano

This text highlights the state of research related with the application of liposomes in the control of drug delivery and drug target to intracellular bacterial diseases, such as the tuberculosis. Liposome have several pharmaceutical applications and this article is primarily focused on the potential of this agregate on drug encapsalation especially antimycobacterial compounds. Case studies in which liposomes have successfully been used to improve pharmacological drug effect are presented. Mechanisms involved in intracellular drug delivery, possibilities of application, research and development efforts to address these objectives are discussed.

The deep mycoses in HIV infection

The deep mycoses are uncommon infections, usually acquired from the inhalation or ingestion of fungal spores, sometimes from the soil in areas of endemicity, such as in the Americas and south-east Asia, or from decaying vegetable matter. They are also seen in immunocompromised persons and, increasingly, in HIV-infected persons. Respiratory involvement is frequent, with granuloma formation, and mucocutaneous involvement may be seen. Oral lesions of the deep mycoses are typically chronic but non-specific, though nodular or ulcerative appearances are common. Person-to-person transmission is rare. In HIV disease, the most common orofacial involvement of deep mycoses has been in histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, aspergillosis and zygomycosis. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by lesional biopsy although culture may also be valuable. Treatment is with amphotericin or an azole.

Endocrine changes in cerebrospinal fluid, pituitary effluent, and peripheral plasma of anesthetized ponies

Objective - To investigate the effects of inhalation and total IV anesthesia on pituitary-adrenal activity in ponies. Animals - 9 healthy ponies: 5 geldings and 4 mares. Procedure - Catheters were placed in the cavernous sinus below the pituitary gland and in the subarachnoid space via the lumbosacral space. After 72 hours, administration of acepromazine was followed by induction of anesthesia with thiopentone and maintenance with halothane (halothane protocol), or for the IV protocol, anesthesia induction with detomidine and ketamine was followed by maintenance with IV infusion of a detomidine-ketamine-guaifenesin combination. Arterial blood pressure and gas tensions were measured throughout anesthesia. Peptide and catecholamine concentrations were measured in pituitary effluent, peripheral plasma, and CSF. Peripheral plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate concentrations also were measured. Results - Intravenous anesthesia caused less cardiorespiratory depression than did halothane. ACTH, metenkephalin, arginine vasopressin, and norepinephrine pituitary effluent and peripheral plasma concentrations were higher during halothane anesthesia, with little change during intravenous anesthesia. Pituitary effluent plasma β-endorphin and peripheral plasma cortisol concentrations increased during halothane anesthesia only. Dynorphin concentrations did not change in either group. Hyperglycemia developed during intravenous anesthesia only Minimal changes occurred in CSF hormonal concentrations during anesthesia. Conclusion - The pituitary gland has a major role in maintaining circulating peptides during anesthesia. Compared with halothane, IV anesthesia appeared to suppress pituitary secretion.

Peridural com ropivacaina a 1%: Experiencia com volume proporcional a estatura

Background and Objectives - Ropivacaine - a local amino amide anesthetic agent - is a plain S enantiomer which makes it a potent and low toxicity drug. The aim of our study was to evaluate 1% ropivacaine for epidural block in lower doses than those described in the literature. Methods - Thirty-eight patients, physical status ASA I and II, aged 15 to 70 years, weighing 50 to 100 kg were selected. Premedication consisted of 15 mg oral midazolam given 60 min before anesthesia induction. In the OR, after standard monitoring a catheter was inserted intravenously to administer 10 ml.kg-1 Ringers lactate solution. Epidural puncture was performed with the patient in the sitting position and 1% ropivacaine was administered in a volume corresponding to 10% of patient's height in centimeters. With the patient in the supine position, motor blockade intensity, temperature sensitivity and sensory block extension at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes after drug injection were evaluated. Blood pressure, heart rate and adverse side effects during the course of anesthesia and in the post-anesthetic period were also observed. In the recovery room patients were followed-up until motor blockade intensity temperature sensitivity and sensory block had returned to level L2. Results - Mean values were 41.4 years of age, 68.8 kg of body weight and 165 cm height. Upper thermal blockade level was T4 and upper sensory block level was T6. Most patients showed motor block level 1 (Bromage scale) after 30 minutes of observation. Motor block mean duration was 254 minutes and temperature sensitivity 426 minutes. Only three patients had complications: two cases of hypotension and one of bradycardia. Conclusions - In the volumes used in this study, ropivacaine produced adequate analgesia and a less intense lower limb motor block which, however, was sufficient to allow for surgical procedures with low incidence of side-effects.

Characterization of the antinociceptive and sedative effect of amitraz in horses

Amitraz, an acaricide used to control ectoparasites in animals has a complex pharmacological activity, including α2-adrenergic agonist action. The purpose of this research was to investigate the possible antinociceptive and/or sedative effect of amitraz in horses. The sedative effect of the intravenous (i.v.) injection of dimethylformamide (DMF, 5 mL, control) or amitraz (0.05, 0.10, 0.15 mg/kg), was investigated on the head ptosis test. The participation of α2-adrenergic receptors in the sedative effect provoked by amitraz was studied by dosing yohimbine (0.12 mg/kg, i.v.). To measure the antinociception, xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg, i.v., positive control) and the same doses of amitraz and DMF were used. A focused radiant light/heat directed onto the fetlock and withers of a horse were used as a noxious stimulus to measure the hoof withdrawal reflex latency (HWRL) and the skin twitch reflex latency (STRL). The three doses of amitraz used (0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 mg/kg) provoked a dose-dependent relaxation of the cervical muscles. The experiments with amitraz and xylazine on the HWRL showed that after i.v. administration of all doses of amitraz there was a significant increase of HWRL up to 150 min after the injections. Additionally, there was a significant difference between control (DMF) and positive control (xylazine) values up to 30 min after drug injection. On the other hand, the experiments on the STRL show that after administration of amitraz at the dose of 0.15 mg/kg, a significant increase in STRL was observed when compared with the control group. This effect lasted up to 120 min after injection. However, no significant antinociceptive effect was observed with the 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg doses of amitraz or at the 1.0 mg/kg dose of xylazine.

Comparacao da recuperacao de anestesia venosa com propofol e anestesia inalatoria com sevoflurano para laparoscopia ginecologica

Backgrounds and Objectives: Both continuous venous anesthesia with propofol and inhalational anesthesia with sevoflurane propitiate fast arousal with few side effects. The aim of this study was to compare the arousal and post anesthestic recovery times in patients submitted to these two agents. Methods: Forty three patient aged 18 to 50 years, physical status I or II, submitted to gynecological laparoscopy were distributed in two groups: G1 - propofol in continuous infusion of 115 μg.kg -1.min -1 and G2 sevoflurane. All the patients were pre-medicated with 7.5 mg midazolam, sufentanil 0.5 μg.kg -1, propofol 2 mg.kg -1, atracurium 0.5 mg.kg -1, N 2O in 50% of oxygen in a no-rebreathing system. The depth of the anesthesia and arousal time were assessed by the Bispectral index (BIS). The time between end of anesthesia and eye opening, time for command response and time for orientation were also evaluated. Results: The times recorded in minutes were: G1 - eye opening 8.2 ± 2.9, command response 8.6 ± 3.1, orientation 9.8 ± 3.4, recovery 31.6 ± 3.8; G2 - eye opening 4.5 ± 3, command response 4.9 ± 3.4, orientation 6.2 ± 3.4, recovery 66 ± 8. Except the recovery time, all the values were larger in G1. Conclusions: Both intravenous propofol or inhalational sevoflurane were considered excellent anesthetic techniques as to recovery time and recovery room discharge. Sevoflurane provided an earlier arousal with a longer recovery room stay as compared to propofol.

Effect of allopurinol in the course of adriamycin induced nephropathy

The role of superoxide in adriamycin-induced nephropathy (single dose; i.v. 3 mg/kg) has been studied by blocking superoxide synthesis through the administration of allopurinol (500 mg/L in drinking water). In Experiment I (EI), allopurinol administration was started 3 days prior to nephropathy induction and continued until day 14. In Experiment II (EII) allopurinol administration was started 2 weeks after nephropathy induction and was maintained until the end of the experiment (26 weeks). Affected glomeruli frequency and tubulointerstitial lesion index (TILI) were determined at Weeks 2 and 4 (EI) and Week 26 (EII). In EI, and 24 h mean proteinuria in the nephrotic control group (NCG-I) differed from that of the treated nephrotic group (TNG-I) at Week 1 (TNG = 33.3 ± 6.39 mg/24 h; NCG = 59.8 ± 6.3 mg/24 h; p < 0.05) and 2 (NCG-I = 80.0 ± 17.5 mg/24h; TNG-I = 49.1 ± 8.4 mg/24 h; p < 0.05). No glomerular alterations were observed and TILI medians were not different in both nephrotic groups at week 2 (NCG-I = 1+: TNG = 1+) and 4 (NCG = 4+; TNG = 4+). In EII, NCG-II and TNG-II presented different 24 h proteinuria values only at Week 6, (136.91 ± 22.23 mg/24 h ad 72.66 ± 10.72 mg/24 h, respectively; p < 0.05). Between nephrotic groups, there was no statistical difference in the median of affected glomeruli (CNG-II = 56%; TNG-II = 48% and TILI (NCG-II = 8+; TNG-II = 9+). Thus, allopurinol was associated with a transient reduction in proteinuria and it did not alter the progression of the nephropathy.

Effects of glucose infusion on the endocrine, metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses to halothane anaesthesia of ponies

Glucose was infused intravenously into six ponies during halothane anaesthesia, to evaluate its effect on their endocrine response to anaesthesia. The ponies were premedicated with acepromazine, and anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with halothane in oxygen for two hours. Glucose was infused to maintain the plasma glucose concentration above 20 mmol/litre. Anaesthesia was associated with hypothermia, a decrease in haematocrit, hypotension, hyperoxaemia, respiratory acidosis and an increase in the plasma concentrations of lactate and arginine vasopressin. The concentration of β-endorphin in plasma increased transiently after 20 minutes but there were no changes in concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, dynorphin, cortisol or catecholamines. These data suggest that the glucose infusion attenuated the normal adrenal response of ponies to halothane anaesthesia.

Role of ticlopidine on adriamycin-induced nephropathy

The effect of ticlopidine on rats with adriamycin nephropathy was observed during 26 weeks. In the ticlopidine-treated nephrotic animals (TNG), proteinuria was less than in the untreated nephrotic animals (NG), but this difference was significant only at week 6 (TNG = 47.27 ± 16.52 versus NG = 100.08 ± 13.83 mg/24h, p < 0.01) and week 26 (TNG = 157.00 ± 28.73 versus NG = 217.00 ± 21.73 mg/24h, p< 0.01) after ADR injection. NG presented severe tubulointerstitial abnormalities with a tubulointerstitial lesion index of 3+. No difference in glomerular lesions was observed among the groups (NG median = 6%, TNG median = 4% and TCG median = 2%). The tubulointerstitial lesion index of TNG was less intense (median = 2+) but not different from those of the control groups (CG median = 1+; TCG median = 0+) nor NG (median = 3+). We concluded that the treatment with ticlopidine produced some partially beneficial effects but did not prevent the development of adriamycin-induced nephropathy.

Investigation into the use of the Laryngeal Mask Airway in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs

Objective - To investigate the use of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in dogs. Study Design - Prospective experimental study. Animals - Eight healthy adult mixed breed dogs weighing from 15 to 20 kg. Methods - The dogs were anesthetized with intravenous pentobarbital. An LMA was introduced after the induction of anesthesia and 1 L/min O2 plus 1 L/min air was delivered using a circle anesthetic system. Respiratory rate, tidal volume, arterial O2 saturation (pulse oximetry), end tidal CO2, inspired fraction of O2, pulse rate, and mean arterial blood pressure were measured after the insertion of the LMA and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes afterwards. Results - There were no changes in respiratory rate, tidal volume, arterial O2 saturation, and pulse rate during anesthesia. End tidal CO2 decreased significantly by the end of anesthesia and ventilation appeared satisfactory. Conclusions - An LMA appeared to be an alternative option to maintain the patency of the airway in dogs. Clinical Relevance - This device may allow safe maintenance of an airway in dogs when intubation is difficult or when it interferes with the procedure (eg, cervical myelography). ©Copyright 1999 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Increased natural killer activity does not prevent progression of experimental kala-azar

Kala-azar is the visceral form of leishmaniasis and it is caused by intracellular parasites from the complex Leishmania donovani. Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with Leishmania donovani develop a disease very similar to human Kala-azar. There is conspicuous hipergammaglobulinaemia and their T cells do not respond to stimulation with parasite antigens. We used this experimental model to evaluate the natural killer (NK) activity during the initial phase of the disease. Outbred hamsters infected by intravenous route with 5.106 amastigotes of L. donovani 1S showed a concurrent increase in the spleen weight and in the spleen cell number. Using the single cell assay we detected a significant increase in the percentage of NK effector cells on the 4th day of infection. Imprints from spleen and liver showed at days 14 and 28 a significant increase in the parasite burden. These results show that the increased NK activity in the beginning of the infection was not able to restrain the progression of the disease in this experimental model.

Análise das vantagens de duas técnicas anestésicas - Venosa e inalatória - Para colecistectomia por videolaparoscopia

Background and Objectives - It is essential to reduce health care costs without impairing the quality of care. Propofol is associated to faster recovery and it is known that post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) costs are high. The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages of two anesthesia regimens - propofol continuous infusion or isoflurane - taking into account the cost of both techniques on PACU stay. Methods - Forty seven patients, physical status ASA I, II and III, undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were divided into 2 groups according to the anesthetic agent: G1, conventional propofol continuous infusion (100-150 μg.kg-1.min-1) and G2, isoflurane. All patients were induced with sufentanil (1 μg.kg-1) and propofol (2 mg.kg-1) and were kept in a re-inhalation circuit (2 L.min-1 of fresh gas flow) with 50% N2O in O2, sufentanil (0.01 μg.kg-1.min-1) and atracurium (0.5 mg.kg-1), or pancuronium (0.1 mg.kg-1) for asthma patients. All patients received atropine and neostigmine at the end of the surgery. Prophylactic ondansetron, dipyrone and tenoxican were administered and, when necessary, tramadol and N-butylscopolamine. Costs of anesthetic drugs (COST), total PACU stay (t-PACU), and PACU stay after extubation (t-EXT) were computed for both groups. Results - Costs were significantly lower in the isoflurane group but t-PACU was 26 minutes longer and t-EXT G1