Manifestações oculares na leishmaniose

The Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis is a chronic disease of endemic character, caused by Leishmania Chagasi in Americas. The inoculation of the promastigote form in the individual triggers a local and widespread immune reaction with formation of inflammatory infiltrates and deposition of immune complexes in tissues. Initial clinical symptoms of the disease are: weight reduction, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and, according to the disease chronicity, signs such as alopecia, erythema, onychogryphosis, arthropathies, renal diseases, pyoderma, seborrheic dermatitis, muscle atrophy and Ocular diseases. Ocular diseases are often reported and are result of the direct parasitism or immune-mediated mechanisms caused by the disease. The Leishmania spp have greater affinity for the anterior segment, so that anterior uveitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed injuries. Blepharitis diffuse and Keratoconjunctivitis also appear as important ocular changes. In histological section, inflammatory infiltrates and macrophages with amastigote form are observed in all ocular tissues, with the exception of the retina and optical nerve. In the clinical analysis and disease diagnosis, should be considered the differential diagnosis, such as Ehrlichiosis and systemic hypertension, because these may cause some ocular manifestations similar to those observed in leishmaniasis

Efeitos do hormônio do crescimento sobre vias de sinalização intracelular na miopatia associada à insuficiência cardíaca de ratos

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

Respostas metabólicas, morfologia do tecido muscular e expressão dos genes relacionados ao crescimento e à atrofia muscular durante o jejum e realimentação em juvenis de tilápia-do-Nilo

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Efeitos preventivos do exercício físico na expressão da miostatina em ratos tratados com Dexametasona

Muscle atrophy is always associated with Dexamethasone (Dexa) treatment, however the mechanisms are not completely understood. This study investigated the effects of Dexa on myostatin and p70S6K protein expression and if previous exercise training (T) can attenuate these effects. Eighty rats were distributed into 4 groups: sedentary control (SC), sedentary treated with Dexa (SD; 0,5 mg/kg per day, i.p., 10 days), trained control (TC) and trained treated with Dexa (TD) and underwent a training period where they were either submitted to a running protocol (60% of physical capacity, 5 days/week for 8 weeks) or kept sedentary. After T period, animals underwent Dexa treatment concomitant with training. Western Blot was performed to identify myostatin and p70S6k protein expression in the tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) muscle. Ten days of Dexa treatment increased fasting glucose (SD=+62%), however previous T attenuated this increase (TD=+20%, p<0.05). Dexa determined significant decrease in body weight in TD (-22%) and SD (-25%), followed by TA weight reduction in SD (-23%) and TD (-20%). Previous training could not avoid these decreases. Myostatin protein expression was not altered by dexa treatment or training in TA muscle but in SOL muscle it was significantly modified after T, regardless of treatment (TC=+%23 and TD=+25) compared with their respective controls. The protein p70S6K was not modified neither by dexa nor training in any of the analyzed muscle or condition. The results of this study allowed us to conclude that previous training attenuates the hyperglycemia induced by Dexa, however it did not prevent the body or muscle weight reductions. Even in the presence of muscle atrophy, the expression of myostatin and p70S6K do not justify the mechanisms of muscle loss induced by Dexa, which suggests that other catabolic or anabolic proteins could be involved in the process of muscle atrophy after 10 days of treatment with Dexa

A voz do idoso: características clínicas, endoscópicas, vocais e morfológicas

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Expressão de fatores miogênicos e de microRNAs no músculo esqueléticos de ratos submetidos a estímulo atrófico e recuperação por treinamento físico

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

A voz do idoso: características clínicas, endoscópicas, vocais e morfológicas

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB

Expressão de fatores miogênicos e de microRNAs no músculo esqueléticos de ratos submetidos a estímulo atrófico e recuperação por treinamento físico

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

The possible role of leucine in modulating glucose homeostasis under distinct catabolic conditions

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) (especially leucine) have been shown to activate protein synthesis pathways, decrease proteolysis and increase insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, it appears that leucine can be used as a nutritional therapy to avoid sarcopenia and skeletal muscle atrophy due to immobilization or glucocorticoid treatment. However, it is of note that all of these conditions are related to insulin resistance to varying degrees and affect different tissues, particularly skeletal muscle. Additionally, evidence from recent studies demonstrate that a combination of protein containing high levels of leucine with nutrients containing saturated fatty acids or an excess of leucine are capable of inducing insulin resistance. From this discussion, a few major questions arise. First, what is the role of a combination of macronutrients in inducing insulin resistance? Second, in insulin resistance, does leucine supplementation follow the same path observed under healthy conditions? Finally, what are the dose-dependent outcome and the latency of leucine effect under such conditions? The present article discusses these questions based on data from the literature and experiments performed by our group. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of a combined strengthening, stretching and functional training program versus usual-care on gait biomechanics and foot function for diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Polyneuropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus that has been very challenging for clinicians. It results in high public health costs and has a huge impact on patients' quality of life. Preventive interventions are still the most important approach to avoid plantar ulceration and amputation, which is the most devastating endpoint of the disease. Some therapeutic interventions improve gait quality, confidence, and quality of life; however, there is no evidence yet of an effective physical therapy treatment for recovering musculoskeletal function and foot rollover during gait that could potentially redistribute plantar pressure and reduce the risk of ulcer formation. Methods/Design: A randomised, controlled trial, with blind assessment, was designed to study the effect of a physiotherapy intervention on foot rollover during gait, range of motion, muscle strength and function of the foot and ankle, and balance confidence. The main outcome is plantar pressure during foot rollover, and the secondary outcomes are kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait, neuropathy signs and symptoms, foot and ankle range of motion and function, muscle strength, and balance confidence. The intervention is carried out for 12 weeks, twice a week, for 40-60 min each session. The follow-up period is 24 weeks from the baseline condition. Discussion: Herein, we present a more comprehensive and specific physiotherapy approach for foot and ankle function, by choosing simple tasks, focusing on recovering range of motion, strength, and functionality of the joints most impaired by diabetic polyneuropathy. In addition, this intervention aims to transfer these peripheral gains to the functional and more complex task of foot rollover during gait, in order to reduce risk of ulceration. If it shows any benefit, this protocol can be used in clinical practice and can be indicated as complementary treatment for this disease.

Dose and latency effects of leucine supplementation in modulating glucose homeostasis: opposite effects in healthy and glucocorticoid-induced insulin-resistance states

Dexamethasone (DEXA) is a potent immunosupressant and anti-inflammatory agent whose main side effects are muscle atrophy and insulin resistance in skeletal muscles. In this context, leucine supplementation may represent a way to limit the DEXA side effects. In this study, we have investigated the effects of a low and a high dose of leucine supplementation (via a bolus) on glucose homeostasis, muscle mass and muscle strength in energy-restricted and DEXA-treated rats. Since the leucine response may also be linked to the administration of this amino acid, we performed a second set of experiments with leucine given in bolus (via gavage) versus leucine given via drinking water. Leucine supplementation was found to produce positive effects (e. g., reduced insulin levels) only when administrated in low dosage, both via the bolus or via drinking water. However, under DEXA treatment, leucine administration was found to significantly influence this response, since leucine supplementation via drinking water clearly induced a diabetic state, whereas the same effect was not observed when supplied via the gavage.

Fat infiltration in the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscles in subjects with sway-back posture

Decreased activity of the lumbar stabilizer muscles has been identified in individuals with sway-back posture. Disuse can predispose these muscles to atrophy, which is characterized by a reduced cross-sectional area (CSA) and by fat infiltration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of fat infiltration in the lumbar multifidus and lumbar erector spinae muscles as a sign of the muscle atrophy in individuals with sway-back posture, with and without low back pain. Forty-five sedentary individuals between 16 and 40 years old participated in this study. The sample was divided into three groups: symptomatic sway-back (SSBG) (n = 15), asymptomatic sway-back (ASBG) (n = 15), and control (CG) (n = 15). The individuals were first subjected to photographic analysis to classify their postures and were then referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the lumbar spine. The total (TCSA) and functional (FCSA) cross-sectional areas of the lumbar erector spinae together with lumbar multifidus and isolated lumbar multifidus muscles were measured from L1 to S1. The amount of fat infiltration was estimated as the difference between the TCSA and the FCSA. Greater fat deposition was observed in the lumbar erector spinae and lumbar multifidus muscles of the individuals in the sway-back posture groups than in the control group. Pain may have contributed to the difference in the amount of fat observed in the groups with the same postural deviation. Similarly, sway-back posture may have contributed to the tissue substitution relative to the control group independently of low back pain. The results of this study indicate that individuals with sway-back posture may be susceptible to morphological changes in their lumbar erector spinae and lumbar multifidus muscles, both due to the presence of pain and as a consequence of their habitual posture.

Combined bone and soft-tissue augmentation surgery in temporo-orbital contour reconstruction

Temporal hollowing due to temporal muscle atrophy after standard skull base surgery is common. Various techniques have been previously described to correct the disfiguring defect. Most often reconstruction is performed using freehand molded polymethylmethacrylate cement. This method and material are insufficient in terms of aesthetic results and implant characteristics. We herein propose reconstruction of such defects with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-based patient-specific implant (PSI) including soft-tissue augmentation to preserve normal facial topography. We describe a patient who presented with a large temporo-orbital hemangioma that had been repaired with polymethylmethacrylate 25 years earlier. Because of a toxic skin atrophy fistula, followed by infection and meningitis, this initial implant had to be removed. The large, disfiguring temporo-orbital defect was reconstructed with a PEEK-based PSI. The lateral orbital wall and the temporal muscle atrophy were augmented with computer-aided design and surface modeling techniques. The operative procedure to implant and adopt the reconstructed PEEK-based PSI was simple, and an excellent cosmetic outcome was achieved. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful over a 5-year follow-up period. Polyetheretherketone-based combined bony and soft contour remodeling is a feasible and effective method for cranioplasty including combined bone and soft-tissue reconstruction of temporo-orbital defects. Manual reconstruction of this cosmetically delicate area carries an exceptional risk of disfiguring results. Augmentation surgery in this anatomic location needs accurate PSIs to achieve satisfactory cosmetic results. The cosmetic outcome achieved in this case is superior compared with previously reported techniques.

The discovery of new 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors by common feature pharmacophore modeling and virtual screening

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) enzymes catalyze the conversion of biologically inactive 11-ketosteroids into their active 11beta-hydroxy derivatives and vice versa. Inhibition of 11beta-HSD1 has considerable therapeutic potential for glucocorticoid-associated diseases including obesity, diabetes, wound healing, and muscle atrophy. Because inhibition of related enzymes such as 11beta-HSD2 and 17beta-HSDs causes sodium retention and hypertension or interferes with sex steroid hormone metabolism, respectively, highly selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors are required for successful therapy. Here, we employed the software package Catalyst to develop ligand-based multifeature pharmacophore models for 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors. Virtual screening experiments and subsequent in vitro evaluation of promising hits revealed several selective inhibitors. Efficient inhibition of recombinant human 11beta-HSD1 in intact transfected cells as well as endogenous enzyme in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes and C2C12 myotubes was demonstrated for compound 27, which was able to block subsequent cortisol-dependent activation of glucocorticoid receptors with only minor direct effects on the receptor itself. Our results suggest that inhibitor-based pharmacophore models for 11beta-HSD1 in combination with suitable cell-based activity assays, including such for related enzymes, can be used for the identification of selective and potent inhibitors.

Lumbar spinal 'juxtaarticular' cyst in a Gordon setter

An 11-year-old Gordon setter bitch was presented with a history of progressive weakness in the right hind limb associated with pain in the lumbar spine. Neurological deficits consisted of ataxia, monoparesis, muscle atrophy and spontaneous over-knuckling of the affected limb. A large 'juxtaarticular' cyst located in a right dorsolateral position of the intervertebral foramen at L3-L4 was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The cyst was removed through a modified laminectomy. The dog recovered quickly and returned to the owners 4 days after surgery with slight neurological symptoms. During the follow-up examination 2 and 6 months later, the Setter showed normal gait and neurological examination.