Effects of Cigarette Smoke and Ethanol Intake on Mouse Oesophageal Mucosa Changes Induced by Dietary Zinc Deficiency and Deoxycholic Acid Supplementation

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

DNA damage in lymphocytes and buccal mucosa cells of children with malignant tumours undergoing chemotherapy

The aim of the present study was to evaluate DNA damage (micronucleus) in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes and exfoliated buccal mucosa cells from children with malignant tumours and under chemotherapy. Micronucleated cells (MNCs) were assessed from children before and during chemotherapy. A total of 21 healthy children (controls), matched for gender and age, were used as control. The results pointed out higher frequencies of micronucleated lymphocytes in children with malignant tumour before any therapy when compared to healthy probands. Furthermore an increase of micronucleated lymphocytes during chemotherapy was detected when compared to the data obtained before chemotherapy. No statistically significant increases of MNCs were noticed in buccal mucosa cells at any of the timepoints evaluated. Taken together, these data indicate that the presence of malignant tumours may increase the frequency of DNA damage in circulating lymphocytes, these cells being more sensitive for detecting chromosome aberrations caused by anti-cancer drugs.

Comparative Study Between Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa and Buccal Mucosa in a Partial Urethra Substitution in Rabbits

Purpose: Several urethral conditions may require tissue substitution. One collagen-base biomaterial that recently emerged as an option is small intestinal submucosa (SIS). The aim of this study was to compare the results of SIS and buccal mucosa for urethral substitution in rabbits.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six North Folk male rabbits were randomized into three groups. In all animals, a 10 x 5 mm urethral segment was excised, and the urethral defect was repaired using a one-layer SIS patch (group I [GI]); four-layer SIS (group II [GII]); or buccal mucosa (group III [GIII]). Urethrography was performed preoperatively and after 12 weeks. After sacrifice, graft retraction was objectively measured using Scion Image (R) computer analysis and by calculation of ellipse area. The grade of fibrosis, inflammatory reaction, vascular/epithelial regeneration, and collagen III/I ratio were analyzed by hematoxylin/eosin and Picrosirius red staining.Results: Urethrography confirmed a wide urethral caliber without any signs of strictures after surgery. Urethral fistulae was diagnosed in 8.3% of cases (1 animal each group). Average graft shrinkage was 55.2% in GI; 44.2% in GII; and 57.2% in GIII (p < 0.05). The intensity of chronic inflammation, fibrosis, epithelium regeneration, and neovascularization was similar in all groups (p > 0.05). Collagen III/I ratio was higher in GII (GI: 119.6; GII: 257.2 and GIII: 115.0); p < 0.01.Conclusions: The four-layer SIS is more advantageous than the one-layer SIS and buccal mucosa for urethral substitution in rabbits.

Lesions (ulcers and/or erosions) and desquamations location in the gastric mucosa from asymptomatic Quarter Horse foals: endoscopic survey

A úlcera gástrica figura como uma importante causa de desconforto abdominal em eqüinos jovens. de acordo com a localização das lesões na mucosa gástrica, a presença ou ausência de sinais clínicos e possíveis complicações resultantes de sua ocorrência, quatro síndromes clínicas são freqüentemente descritas em potros: 1) Úlceras assintomáticas ou silenciosas; 2) Úlceras sintomáticas ou ativas; 3) Úlceras perfuradas; e 4) Obstruções gástrica ou duodenal. Com o objetivo de se verificar a distribuição de lesões gástricas (úlceras e/ou erosões) e descamações do epitélio aglandular no estômago de eqüinos jovens assim como uma possível relação entre as alterações mencionadas (lesão/descamação) sessenta potros da raça Quarto de Milha não-portadores de sinais clínicos compatíveis com úlceras gástricas foram submetidos à gastroscopia. Os potros foram divididos em quatro faixas etárias de 15 animais cada uma, sendo: 1 a 30 dias, 31 a 60 dias, 61 a 90 dias e 91 a 120 dias de idade. As lesões ocorreram em ordem decrescente de freqüência nas regiões aglandular próximo ao margo plicatus ao longo da curvatura maior, aglandular próximo à cárdia ao longo da curvatura menor, fundo glandular e aglandular e antro. As descamações do epitélio aglandular ocorreram de forma similar nas regiões de fundo e margo plicatus. Não houve associação entre a ocorrência de lesões e descamações.

Constituents and antiulcer effect of Alchornea glandulosa: Activation of cell proliferation in gastric mucosa during the healing process

Alchornea glandulosa (Euphorbiaceae) is a plant used in folk medicine as an antiulcer agent. Rats pretreated with methanolic extract obtained from the leaves of A. glandulosa (AG) showed a dose-dependent effect and significant reduction of gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol at the doses of 500 (57%) and 1000 mg/kg (35%) in relation to the control group. Pretreatment of mice with AG (500, 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) showed dose-dependent activity and significantly decreased the severity of lesions caused by HCl/ethanol and by non steroidal anti inflammatory drug-induced gastric lesions. Pretreatment with AG also induced antisecretory action via local and systemic routes and a significant decrease in the total gastric acid content. The gastroprotective effects of AG involved the participation of nitric oxide and increased levels of endogenous sulfhydryl compounds, which are defensive mechanisms of the gastrointestinal mucosa against aggressive factors. The ability of AG to heal gastric ulcers was evaluated after 14 consecutive days of treatment. The results showed that single oral administrations of AG (250 mg/kg/once daily) potently stimulates gastric epithelial cell proliferation that contributes to the accelerated healing of gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid. In addition, no subacute toxicity (body weight gain, vital organs, and serum biochemical parameters) was observed during treatment with AG. Phytochemical investigation of AG led to the isolation of myricetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, quercetin, amentoflavone, methyl gallate, gallic acid, and pterogynidine. We also established the phytochemical profile of AG with the quantification of total phenolic compounds. These compounds may contribute to the observed antiulcerogenic effects of AG.

Immunological evaluation of the intestinal mucosa of broiler chicks treated with Lactobacillus Spp. and challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis

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

Studies of gastric mucosa regeneration and safety promoted by Mouriri pusa treatment in acetic acid ulcer model

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mouriri pusa Gardn. (Melastomataceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used by people living in the Cerrado to treat gastrointestinal disturbances. This medicinal plant has shown intense gastroprotective action in rodent gastric lesion, but still there are no data about its healing effect on gastric mucosa.Aim of the Study: To evaluate the methanolic extract (MeOH) obtained from Mouriri pusa leaves for its effect on the cicatrisation process of gastric ulcer.Mterials and Methods: The healing effects on gastric ulcers inducted by subserosal injection of acetic acid were evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic measures, imunohistochemistry and cell counting in rats treated with MeOH extract of Mouriri pusa (250 mg/kg, p.o./daily) for 14 or 30 days. The toxicity of Mouriri pusa was also evaluated by body and organ weight measure and clinical biochemical parameters.Results: Mouriri pusa treatments lasting 14 and 30 days showed elevated mucus secretion (PAS) and thicker regenerative gastric mucosa, denoting increased cell proliferation, which was confirmed by PCNA immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, there was important cell recruitment (neutrophils and mast cells) to the site of the ulcer, which is an important factor in ulcer healing. No toxic effect was observed in all parameters evaluated. Phenolic compounds present in the MeOH extract like tannins, flavonoids and epicatechin are the probable agents involved in the healing effects of this medicinal plant.Conclusions: These findings showed a potential effect of Mouriri pusa in increasing regeneration of damaged gastric mucosa with safety for human use. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morphological changes of the intestinal mucosa of broilers and layers as affected by fasting before sample collection

The present study aimed at evaluating the histo-morphological changes resulting from different fasting periods before the collection of tissue samples in different segments of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) of 7-d-old male chicks of a broiler and a layer strain. A completely randomized experimental design in in a 2x7 factorial arrangement, being two strains with different growth rates (Ross 308 and HyLine® W36) and seven fasting periods (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours ), with six replicates, totaling 84 birds. The comparison of the morphometrics of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of broiler and layer chicks demonstrated faster digestive tract development in broilers relative to layers. The fasting period caused morphological changes in the liver and small and large intestines in both strains. Therefore, it must be highlighted that in studies involving organ weights and intestinal morphometrics, birds must not be submitted to fasting before tissue collection.

Nucleotídeos na dieta de frangos de corte e seus efeitos sobre taxa de turnover da mucosa intestinal antes e após lesões causadas por coccidiose

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

Glutamina e turnover do carbono da mucosa intestinal de leitões desmamados

Um experimento foi conduzido para verificar a influência da glutamina no turnover do carbono na mucosa intestinal de leitões desmamados. Nove matrizes receberam dietas compostas basicamente de plantas do ciclo fotossintético C4 durante toda a gestação (d‰13C = 17,12) e lactação (d‰13C = -19,26). Os leitões foram desmamados aos 21 dias de idade e 68 deles foram alimentados com ração composta de plantas do ciclo fotossintético C3 (d‰13C = -25,12). Os leitões foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em duas dietas: uma sem suplementação de glutamina; e outra suplementada com 1% de glutamina. Aos 0; 1; 1,5; 2; 2,5; 3; 3,5; 4; 4,5; 5; 5,5; 8; 11; 15, 20; 29 e 46 dias pós-desmame, dois leitões de cada dieta foram abatidos para coleta de amostras da mucosa intestinal, que foram analisadas quanto à composição isotópica de d‰13C e mensurada a velocidade de substituição do carbono no tempo. Os valores da meia-vida do carbono para a mucosa intestinal foram de 6,0 e 3,5 dias para as dietas controle e com glutamina, respectivamente. A glutamina acelerou a velocidade de substituição do carbono na mucosa intestinal, evidenciando sua ação benéfica na recuperação da estrutura do intestino após o desmame.

Comparison between complete denture and implant-retained overdenture: effect of different mucosa thickness and resiliency on stress distribution

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

Effect of different mucosa thickness and resiliency on stress distribution of implant-retained overdentures-2D FEA

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

Analysis of Masticatory Cycle Efficiency in Complete Denture Wearers

Purpose: This study assessed masticatory efficiency and duration of the masticatory cycle in 14 asymptomatic patients with severe bone resorption. All patients had worn complete dentures for over 10 years. Recall visits were scheduled at 5 months and 1 year after receiving new dentures.Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients were evaluated in this study. The Research Diagnostic Criteria questionnaire and tests of the efficiency and duration of the masticatory cycle were performed with artificial food before, 5 months after, and 1 year after new dentures were delivered. Masticatory efficiency was assessed using a sieve system; artificial food was ground for 35 masticatory cycles and monitored by the operator.Results: Masticatory efficiency at 5 months was significantly improved for the 0.42-mm mesh. An improvement in masticatory efficiency and a reduction in mastication time were observed with the new dentures after 1 year.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that 5 months did not allow enough time to demonstrate improved muscular capacity and ability after receiving new dentures. After 1 year, the duration of the masticatory cycle was reduced, and masticatory efficiency was significantly improved.

Effect of occlusal splint thickness on electrical masticatory muscle activity during rest and clenching

The extent of separation between the maxillary and mandibular teeth in the fabrication of interocclusal splints designed to achieve efficiency and muscle relaxation is controversial and undefined in the literature. Based on this premise, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interocclusal splint thicknesses of 3 and 6 millimeters on the electrical activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles during rest and dental clenching. Twenty asymptomatic individuals (10 males and 10 females) were selected using the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). Electromyography (EMG) was performed both with and without the 3- and 6-mm splints using the Bio EMG software package, which recorded values given in microvolts (mu V). The results, which were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to a 5% significance level (p < 0.05), showed increased electrical activity of the masticatory muscles during dental clenching compared with at rest, with greater activity in the masseter muscle. The electrical activity did not differ according to the thickness of the splints or between males and females. We can conclude that both splint thicknesses are effective in treating muscle hyperactivity given their similar clinical behavior for asymptomatic individuals.

Electromyographic activity of the mandible muscles at the beginning and end of masticatory cycles in patients with complete dentures

The aim of this study was to assess the electrical activity of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles in subjects with severe bone resorption at two different times: ( a) the initial period, with the complete dentures they had worn for over 10 years, and (b) the final period, 5 months after having new dentures put into place. Twelve asymptomatic subjects were asked to respond to the questionnaire, according to the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders, before denture rehabilitation and 5 months after the new dentures were put in place. The electrical activity of the muscles was recorded during mastication in the initial and final period, using artificial food (Optocal). The operator monitored the 35 chewing cycles that were repeated to grind the artificial food. After wearing the new dentures for 5 months, the right anterior temporal muscle showed a statistical difference before and after denture rehabilitation at the beginning and end of mastication. Muscular capacity and ability reduced the electrical activity in the masseter muscles after rehabilitation. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.