Lobe Variation Effects of Experimental Diabetes and Insulin Replacement on Rat Prostate

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

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on sucrose-rich diet-induced hyperglycaemia, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in rats

This study examined whether sucrose-rich diet (SRD)-induced hyperglycaemia, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress may be inhibited by N-acetylcysteine (C5H9-NO3S), an organosulfur from Allium plants. Male Wistar 40 rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): (C) given standard chow and water; (N) receiving standard chow and 2 mg/l N-acetylcysteine in its drinking water; (SRD) given standard chow and 30% sucrose in its drinking water; and (SRD-N) receiving standard chow, 30% sucrose and N-acetylcysteine in its drinking water. After 30 days of treatment, SRD rats had obesity with increased abdominal circumference, hyperglycaemia, by dyslipidemia and hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation. These adverse effects were associated with oxidative stress and depressed lipid degradation in hepatic tissue. The SRD adverse effects were not observed in SDR-N rats. N-Acetylcysteine reduced the oxidative stress, enhancing glutathione-peroxidase activity, and normalizing lipid hydroperoxyde, reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase in hepatic tissue of SRD-N rats. The beta-hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase and citrate-synthase activities were increased in SRD-N rats, indicating enhanced lipid degradation in hepatic tissue as compared to SRD. SRD-N rats had reduced serum oxidative stress and diminished glucose, triacylglycerol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (alpha-LDL) and cholesterol/highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) ratio in relation to SRD. In conclusion, NAC offers promising therapeutic values in prevention of dyslipidemic profile and alleviation of hyperglycaemia in high-sucrose intake condition by improving antioxidant defences. N-Acetylcysteine had also effects preventing metabolic shifting in hepatic tissue, thus enhancing fat degradation and reducing body weight gain in conditions of excess sucrose intake. The application of this agent in food system via exogenous addition may be feasible and beneficial for antioxidant protection. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

N-Acetylcysteine an Allium Plant Compound Improves High-Sucrose Diet-Induced Obesity and Related Effects

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genotoxic, mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of the commercial dye CI Disperse Blue 291 in the human hepatic cell line HepG2

Textile dyes are discarded into the aquatic ecosystem via industrial effluents and potentially expose humans and local biota to adverse effects. The commercial dye CI Disperse Blue 291 which contains the aminoazobenzene 2-[(2-bromo-4,6-dinitrophenyl)azo]-5(diethylamino)-4-methoxyacetanilide (CAS registry no. 56548-64-2), was tested for genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, using the comet assay, micronucleus (MN) test and a cell viability test. Five different concentrations of the test compound were examined: 200 mu g/ml, 400 mu g/ml, 600 mu g/ml, 800 mu g/ml and 1000 mu g/ml. An increase in comet tail length and in the frequency of MN was detected with exposure of cells to concentrations of the commercial dye from 400 pg/ml. Furthermore, the dye was found to decrease cell viability. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the dye CI Disperse Blue 291 in mammalian cells, thus stressing the need to develop non-mutagenic dyes and to invest in improving the treatment of effluents. These measures will help to prevent harmful effects that these compounds can have on humans and aquatic organisms that come in contact with them. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Do all tannins have similar nutritional effects? A comparison of three Brazilian fodder legumes

Three tropical legumes, namely Leucaena leucocephala, Sesbania sesban and Cajanus cajan, were subjected to chemical analysis plus in vitro, in situ and in vivo evaluations. Three different assays were used to determine total tannins: adsorption to polyvinyl pyrrolidine (PVPP-tannins), radial diffusion (RD-tannins) and protein precipitation capacity (BSA-tannins). Total phenols, total tannins and condensed tannins were highest for Sesbania. RD-tannins were correlated with total phenols (r(2) = 0.93), PVPP-tannins (r(2) = 0.92) and condensed tannins (r(2) = 0.99). The protein precipitation capacity of Sesbania, Leucaena and Cajanus were 25.9, 6.13 and 4.05 mu g BSA/g DM, respectively.Gas production at 24h was negatively correlated with total phenols (r(2) = 0.99), PVPP-tannins (r(2) = 0.99) and condensed tannins (r(2) = 0.91). The RD-, PVPP-tannins and the response to polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the gas production assay appeared to be useful as a first screen for tannins.In situ degradability did not reflect any adverse effects of tannins. However, in vivo experiments showed that the apparent DM digestibility of Sesbania and Leucaena was lower than the basal diet. The apparent protein digestibility was lower for all legumes compared to the basal diet. Most treatments caused a negative nitrogen balance. The problems associated with browse feeding were not only related to tannin contents, other factors such as inherently poor digestibility and low energy intake may also have lead to the poor animal performance on these diets. We propose, given the limitations of current tannin assays, that it is not possible to predict beneficial or harmful nutritional effects from total tannin concentrations per se. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of timing of thermal conditioning during incubation on embryo physiological parameters and its relationship to thermotolerance in adult broiler chickens

Previously, we reported that thermal conditioning at 39degreesC on days 13-17 of incubation of broiler eggs enabled thermotolerance during post-hatch growth (J. Therm. Biol. 28 (2003) 133). Tolerance to a temperature of 30degreesC was accompanied by changes in thyroid hormones and metabolic parameters. In the current study, we determined the mechanism of epigenetic heat adaptation during embryonic age by measuring blood physiological parameters that may be associated with the ultimate effects of thermal conditioning. Hatching eggs from Ross breeders were subjected to heat treatment of 39degreesC at days 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of incubation for 2 h per day. Control eggs were incubated at 37.6degreesC. Samples of eggs were withdrawn on each day of thermal conditioning and at internal pipping (IP) to obtain blood samples from embryos. The remaining eggs were weighed at day 18 and transferred to hatchers. The timing of IP, external pipping (EP) and hatching were monitored every 2 h. At hatch, chicks were weighed and hatchability was determined. Blood samples were obtained from samples of day-old chicks. T3, T4, corticosterone, pCO(2), pO(2) levels were determined in the blood. Blood pH was measured and T3/T4 ratios were calculated. Heat conditioning significantly increased corticosterone and pO(2) levels and blood pH but depressed pCO(2) at day 14. These were followed by a significant depression of T4 level on day 15. Remarkably, at day 16, all these parameters were back to normal as in the control embryos. Hatching was delayed by thermal conditioning probably as a result of the depressed corticosterone levels at IP. Hatchability was also lower in the heat-treated group but 1-day old chick weights were comparable to those of the controls. The result suggests that epigenetic thermal conditioning involves changes in these physiological parameters and probably serve as a method for epigenetic temperature adaptation since the same mechanisms are employed for coping with heat during post-embryonic growth. It also suggests that days 14-15 may be the optimal and most sensitive timing for evoking this mechanism during embryonic development. The adverse effects of heat treatment observed in this study may have been due to the continued exposure to heat until day 17. Fine-tuning thermal conditioning to days 14-15 only may improve these production parameters. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of age on combined effects of cyclosporin and nifedipine on rat alveolar bone

Background: There is some evidence showing that cyclosporin A (CsA) and nifedipine (NIF) affect bone metabolism. The purpose of this work was to study the effects of CsA and NIF, given alone or concurrently, on alveolar bone of rats of different ages. Methods: Rats 15, 30, 60, and 90 days old were treated daily with 10 mg/kg body weight of CsA subcutaneously injected and/or 50 mg/kg body weight of NIF/day given orally for 60 days. Alveolar bone of the first lower molars was morphologically and stereologically evaluated in serial 5 μm bucco-lingual paraffin sections, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured in all animals at the end of the experimental period. Results: Rats treated with CsA or NIF alone or CsA and NIF concurrently showed decreased alveolar bone density. CsA was more effective than NIF. A significant decrease in serum calcium was found only in animals treated with CsA or CsA/NIF. The results were similar regardless of age. Conclusions: These results indicate that the decrease in the alveolar bone volume in rats caused by CsA and NIF alone or concurrently is not age dependent. Furthermore, NIF (50 mg/kg) did not further increase the loss of alveolar bone volume induced by CsA (10 mg/kg).

β-Carotene supplementation results in adverse ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

Objective: We studied the effects of β-carotene (BC) on ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. Methods: Myocardial infarction was induced in Wistar rats that were then treated with a BC diet (500 mg/kg of diet per day; MI-BC; n = 27) or a regular diet (MI; n = 27). Hearts were analyzed in vivo and in vitro after 6 mo. Results: BC caused decreased left ventricular wall thickness (MI = 1.49 ± 0.3 mm, MI-BC = 1.23 ± 0.2 mm, P = 0.027) and increased diastolic (MI = 0.83 ± 0.15 cm2, MI-BC = 0.98 ± 0.14 cm2, P = 0.020) and systolic (MI = 0.56 ± 0.12 cm2, MI-BC = 0.75 ± 0.13 cm2, P = 0.002) left ventricular chamber areas. With respect to systolic function, the BC group presented less change in fractional area than did controls (MI = 32.35 ± 6.67, MI-BC = 23.77 ± 6.06, P = 0.004). There was no difference in transmitral diastolic flow velocities between groups. In vitro results showed decreased maximal isovolumetric systolic pressure (MI = 125.5 ± 24.1 mmHg, MI-BC = 95.2 ± 28.4 mmHg, P = 0.019) and increased interstitial myocardial collagen concentration (MI = 3.3 ± 1.2%, MI-BC = 5.8 ± 1.7%, P = 0.004) in BC-treated animals. Infarct sizes were similar between groups (MI = 45.0 ± 6.6%, MI-BC = 48.0 ± 5.8%, P = 0.246). Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that BC has adverse effects on ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perinatal exposure to parasiticide ivermectin: Long-term effects on reproductive parameters of adult male rats

Ivermectin is one of the most widely used antiparasitic drugs globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic effects of perinatal exposure to ivermectin on male reproductive parameters in rats. Pregnant rats were treated daily by oral gavage with 0.4 or 1.6 mg kg -1 of ivermectin or vehicle, from gestational day 6 until post-natal day 10. In the adulthood stage, there were significant reductions in the relative testicular weight of rats exposed to the low dose and in relative prostate weight of male rats exposed to the high dose of ivermectin. Furthermore, the animals exposed to the low dose also presented an increased seminal vesicle weight compared to controls. However, neither of the ivermectin doses interfered in daily sperm production, sperm number in testis, or sexual behavior of exposed males. In conclusion, perinatal exposure to ivermectin neither altered the male reproductive system development markedly, nor produced any adverse effects on the parameters evaluated. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Effects of constant rate infusion of anesthetic or analgesic drugs on general anesthesia with isoflurane: A retrospective study in 200 dogs

Constant rate infusion (CRI) shows several advantages in balanced anesthesia, such as reduction of requirement for inhaled anesthetics and control of pain. The most commonly used drugs in these protocols are local anesthetics, dissociative, and opioids, which may be administered alone or in combinations. We evaluated the records of 200 dogs that underwent various surgical procedures with anesthetic or analgesic CRI in the perioperative period during 2011 and 2012 at the Veterinary Hospital of Franca University (Unifran), and identified possible complications during the transoperative period. Records evaluated included clinical state, laboratory tests, drugs used in premedication and induction, and CRI protocol. Acepromazine and morphine were the main drugs used in premedication. Propofol was used to induce anesthesia alone or in combination with other agents. We evaluated records of the 25 different CRI protocols. Fentanyl was the main drug employed in CRI, either alone or in combination. There were 128 episodes of anesthetic complications during CRI;the most common were hypotension, hypertension, and tachycardia, which occurred in 43 (32%), 35 (26.3%), and 19 (14.2%) dogs, respectively. Cardiac arrhythmia was reported in only 4 dogs. Signs of respiratory depression were present in dogs treated with 6 different CRI protocols. The consumption of isoflurane (vol %) reduced between 15.7% and 21.05% after 30minutes of the CRI in the fentanyl and fentanyl-lidocaine-ketamine CRI groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, CRI is a valid component of balanced anesthesia in dogs, safe, and has a low incidence of adverse effects. However, future studies are warranted to describe the results of the clinical use of CRI to better characterize and refine this technique.

Antinociceptive and Behavioral Effects of Methadone Alone or in Combination with Detomidine in Conscious Horses

The antinociceptive and behavioral effects of methadone (MET) alone or combined with detomidine (DET) were studied in horses. Intravenous treatments were randomly administered in a two-phase crossover study. In phase 1, six horses were treated with saline (control) or 0.2 or 0.5 mg/kg methadone (MET0.2; MET0.5, respectively). In phase 2, six horses were treated with 0.01 mg/kg DET alone or with DET combined with 0.2 mg/kg MET (DET/MET0.2). Thermal nociceptive threshold (TNT) and electrical nociceptive thresholds (ENT) were recorded by using a heat projection lamp and electrodes placed in the coronary band of the thoracic limbs, respectively. Spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) was studied by movement sensors in the stall (phase 1). Chin-to-floor distance was assessed in phase 2. In phase 1, the TNT increased significantly for 30 minute after MET0.5 but not after saline or MET0.2. Hyperesthesia and ataxia were observed in 2 of 6 and 6 of 6 horses after MET0.2 and MET0.5, respectively. SLA increased significantly for 120 minutes after MET in a dose-dependent way, but not after placebo. In phase 2, DET and DET/MET0.2 significantly increased the TNT and ENT above baseline for 15 and 30 minutes, respectively; thresholds were significantly higher with DET/MET0.2 than with DET at the same times. Chin-to-floor distance decreased significantly from baseline for 30 minutes, and no excitatory behavior was observed in both treatments. Although the higher dose of MET induced short-acting antinociception, the associated adverse effects may contraindicate its clinical use. The lower dose of MET potentiated DET-induced antinociception without adverse effects, which might be useful under clinical circumstances. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aspectos semioquímicos e visuais no comportamento de ovipostura em Chrysomya Megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Perinatal Androgenic Exposure and Reproductive Health Effects Female Rat Offspring

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sedative and clinical effects of the pharmacopuncture with xylazine in dogs

PURPOSE: To investigate the sedative and clinical effects of the pharmacopuncture with xylazine, compared to the conventional dose of a intramuscular injection in dogs.METHODS: Twelve dogs were randomly distributed in two groups of six animals and treated as follows: control group (X-IM): 1mg kg(-1) of xylazine given intramuscularly (IM); pharmacopuncture group (X-Yintang): 0.1mg kg(-1) of xylazine diluted to 0.5 mL of saline injected into the Yin Tang acupoint. Heart rate, cardiac rhythm (ECG), systolic arterial blood pressure (SABP), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), blood glucose concentration, degree of sedation and adverse effects were evaluated.RESULTS: Sedative effect was observed in both groups. The degree of sedation was greater in X-IM only at 15 min when compared with X-Yintang group. Cardiovascular established was observed in X-Yintang group, while marked reduction in the HR and increased incidence of ECG abnormalities were detected in X-IM. In both treatment groups, minimal changes were observed in relation to SABP, RR, RT and blood glucose. High incidence (66%) of vomiting was observed in X-IM, while this adverse effect was absent in X-Yintang.CONCLUSION: Pharmacopuncture with xylazine induced clinically relevant sedative effects in dogs, with the advantage of reduction of undesirable side effects associated with alpha(2)-agonists, including bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, and emesis.

Effects of Soft Denture Liners on L929 Fibroblasts, HaCaT Keratinocytes, and RAW 264.7 Macrophages

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