Descrevemos modelo original de sinovite experimental em coelhos imunizados com colágeno V com escasso processo inflamatório, intenso remodelamento matricial e vasculite. Analise morfológica e bioquímica foi realizada em coelhas Nova Zelândia (N=20) imunizadas com colágeno do tipo V, comparadas com controles. Foi observado o aumento dos colágenos I, III e V, oclusão do lúmen vascular e escasso processo inflamatório. A análise bioquímica confirmou a fibrose com aumento da síntese de colágeno. Nós postulamos que as alterações sinoviais descritas neste modelo foram conseqüência das particularidades do colágeno V, que promove manifestações imunológicas e clínicas semelhantes à esclerodermia / We described an original model of experimental synovitis in rabbits immunized with collagen V with scant cellular infiltration, intense matrix remodeling and vasculitis. Morphological and biochemical analysis were realized in New Zealand female rabbits (N=20) immunization with type V collagen, compared with control rabbits. It was observed increase of collagen I, III and V, vascular lumen occlusion and scant inflammatory process. Biochemical analysis confirmed the fibrosis with increased synthesis of collagen. We postulate that synovial changes described in this model are consequence of collagen V particularities, which promotes immunologic and clinical manifestations similar to scleroderma

Retinol (vitamin A) and its active metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid, signal through nuclear retinoic acid and retinoid X receptor (RAR/RXR) heterodimers. These complexes regulate the expression of genes involved in developmental processes such as limb development. In excess, retinoids are potent teratogens and cause marked reductive effects on the developing limb. The goal of this thesis was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying retinoid-induced limb dysmorphogenesis. Specifically, using an in vitro limb culture system, I examined the involvement of one RAR isoform, RARgamma, in mediating retinoid insult. / My first objective was to examine how limbs deficient in RARgamma responded to exogenous retinoid exposure. I showed that RARgamma-null limbs (on an RARalpha1-null background) exhibited less severe limb defects following retinoid insult when compared to their wild-type counterparts. Additionally, the absence of RARgamma abolished the retinoid-induced misregulation of genes important for chondrogenesis (Sox9 and Col2a1 ) and limb outgrowth (Meis-1 and -2). / The next objective set out to determine how pharmacological activation of RARgamma affected limb development. The RARgamma-selective agonist (BMS-189961) caused limb dysmorphology (namely, effects on cartilage) that was comparable to pan-RAR activation with all-trans retinoic acid. A chondrogenesis-focused gene array analysis identified Mgp and Gdf10 as two RARgamma-responsive genes that may mediate retinoid-induced limb insult. / Subsequently, I assessed the functional involvement of Mgp in mediating retinoid teratogenicity. Limbs were treated with all- trans retinoic acid and warfarin (an inhibitor of MGP); warfarin co-treatment rescued limbs from retinoid-induced insult. / My final objective was to determine the importance of Gdf10 in mediating limb development. Recombinant human Gdf10-soaked beads were implanted into distal limb structures; ectopic overexpression of Gdf10 in the web (but not the digital ray) resulted in marked proximal limb malformations. / Collectively, these studies have illustrated the importance of RARgamma in retinoid teratology and have identified several potential mechanisms by which retinoids cause limb defects.

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a form of irritant-induced asthma (IIA) has been observed in humans following acute chlorine (Cl 2) gas exposure in occupational and domestic settings. Following Cl 2 injury, subepithelial fibrosis, mucous hyperplasia, and non-specific airway hyperresponsiveness have been reported. Based on the disease profile, we hypothesized that pulmonary damage may be oxidative in nature. / The aim of this work was to develop a murine model of irritant-induced asthma in order to investigate the pathogenic processes and potential oxidative mechanisms involved in response to Cl2 exposure, with a secondary aim of examining the role of iNOS in response to Cl2 inhalation. / A/J, C57BI/6J (wild type) and iNOS-1- mice exposed to various concentrations of Cl2 were mechanically ventilated for measurement of lung mechanics and responses to i.v. methacholine (MCh). Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to examine total protein, cell populations and nitrate/nitrates. Tissues were harvested for histology and immunocytochemistry for iNOS, 3NT and carbonyl residues. To examine the role of iNOS, a subset of animals were treated with a selective iNOS inhibitor (1400W) and non-selective NOS inhibitor LNAME. / Chlorine exposure caused airway hyperresponsiveness, which appeared to be mitigated by iNOS blockade with 1400W, however this was not the case in iNOS-1- mice. Cl2 exposure also caused increases in total BAL protein, total cells, NOx, neutrophils, iNOS, 3NT and carbonyl residues. / In conclusion, chlorine exposure causes lung injury, similar to reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, epithelial sloughing, inflammatory cell influx, oxidative injury and increases in both the activity and expression of iNOS. Chlorine-induced airway hyperresponsiveness is mitigated, in part, by selective blockade of iNOS with the use of pharmacological intervention.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of South Florida, 2007. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 80 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Introdução: Nefropatia induzida por contraste (NIC) está associada a piores desfechos intra-hospitalar e a longo prazo. Estudos recentes sugerem que hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio possa ser útil na sua prevenção; no entanto, essa medida de prevenção de NIC não foi, ainda, avaliada em pacientes diabéticos. Método: Subanálise de um estudo multicêntrico envolvendo 301 pacientes com creatinina sérica ≥ 1,2 mg/dl ou depuração de creatinina endógena (DCE) < 50 ml/min submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia ou angioplastia coronária, randomizados para receber hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio ou solução salina (soro fisiológico – SF) a 0,9%. Todos os procedimentos foram realizados com contraste iônico de baixa osmolaridade. Os desfechos avaliados foram incidência de NIC (definida como aumento de 0,5 mg/dl) e variação da creatinina e da DCE em 48 horas após o procedimento. Da totalidade de pacientes, 87 tinham diabetes melito e foram incluídos nesse subestudo. Resultados: Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação a características demográficas, volume de contraste e níveis basais de creatinina e DCE. Entre os pacientes avaliados, 8 desenvolveram NIC: 4 (9,8%) pacientes no grupo bicarbonato e 4 (8,9%) no grupo SF 0,9% (p = 0,9). A variação da creatinina sérica e da DCE foi similar entre os grupos. Conclusão: Hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio não demonstrou benefício em reduzir a incidência de NIC em pacientes diabéticos submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco ou angioplastia coronária em comparação à hidratação com SF 0,9%. / Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with worse clinical outcomes both at short and long-term follow-up. Recent evidence indicates that intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate may reduce the incidence of CIN. However, this strategy has not been reported in diabetic patients. Methods: Sub-analysis of a multicenter study involving 301 patients with serum creatinine ≥ 1,2 mg/dL or creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min submitted to coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention and randomized to intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate or normal saline. All patients received low-osmolar contrast media. We assessed the incidence of CIN (defined as creatinine increase ≥ 0,5 mg/dL), and the average change in creatinine and creatinine clearance 48 hours after the procedure. A total of 87 diabetic patients were analyzed. Results: There was no difference between groups regarding baseline characteristics, contrast volume used, baseline creatinine levels and creatinine clearance. Eight patients presented CIN: 4 (9.8%) in the bicarbonate group and 4 (8.9%) in the saline group (p = 0.9). The average change in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were similar between groups. Conclusion: Intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate did not reduce the incidence of CIN in diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention as compared to hydration with normal saline.

Introdução: Nefropatia induzida por contraste (NIC) está associada a piores desfechos intra-hospitalar e a longo prazo. Estudos recentes sugerem que hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio possa ser útil na sua prevenção; no entanto, essa medida de prevenção de NIC não foi, ainda, avaliada em pacientes diabéticos. Método: Subanálise de um estudo multicêntrico envolvendo 301 pacientes com creatinina sérica ≥ 1,2 mg/dl ou depuração de creatinina endógena (DCE) < 50 ml/min submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia ou angioplastia coronária, randomizados para receber hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio ou solução salina (soro fisiológico – SF) a 0,9%. Todos os procedimentos foram realizados com contraste iônico de baixa osmolaridade. Os desfechos avaliados foram incidência de NIC (definida como aumento de 0,5 mg/dl) e variação da creatinina e da DCE em 48 horas após o procedimento. Da totalidade de pacientes, 87 tinham diabetes melito e foram incluídos nesse subestudo. Resultados: Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação a características demográficas, volume de contraste e níveis basais de creatinina e DCE. Entre os pacientes avaliados, 8 desenvolveram NIC: 4 (9,8%) pacientes no grupo bicarbonato e 4 (8,9%) no grupo SF 0,9% (p = 0,9). A variação da creatinina sérica e da DCE foi similar entre os grupos. Conclusão: Hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio não demonstrou benefício em reduzir a incidência de NIC em pacientes diabéticos submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco ou angioplastia coronária em comparação à hidratação com SF 0,9%. / Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with worse clinical outcomes both at short and long-term follow-up. Recent evidence indicates that intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate may reduce the incidence of CIN. However, this strategy has not been reported in diabetic patients. Methods: Sub-analysis of a multicenter study involving 301 patients with serum creatinine ≥ 1,2 mg/dL or creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min submitted to coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention and randomized to intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate or normal saline. All patients received low-osmolar contrast media. We assessed the incidence of CIN (defined as creatinine increase ≥ 0,5 mg/dL), and the average change in creatinine and creatinine clearance 48 hours after the procedure. A total of 87 diabetic patients were analyzed. Results: There was no difference between groups regarding baseline characteristics, contrast volume used, baseline creatinine levels and creatinine clearance. Eight patients presented CIN: 4 (9.8%) in the bicarbonate group and 4 (8.9%) in the saline group (p = 0.9). The average change in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were similar between groups. Conclusion: Intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate did not reduce the incidence of CIN in diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention as compared to hydration with normal saline.

Introdução: Nefropatia induzida por contraste (NIC) está associada a piores desfechos intra-hospitalar e a longo prazo. Estudos recentes sugerem que hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio possa ser útil na sua prevenção; no entanto, essa medida de prevenção de NIC não foi, ainda, avaliada em pacientes diabéticos. Método: Subanálise de um estudo multicêntrico envolvendo 301 pacientes com creatinina sérica ≥ 1,2 mg/dl ou depuração de creatinina endógena (DCE) < 50 ml/min submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia ou angioplastia coronária, randomizados para receber hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio ou solução salina (soro fisiológico – SF) a 0,9%. Todos os procedimentos foram realizados com contraste iônico de baixa osmolaridade. Os desfechos avaliados foram incidência de NIC (definida como aumento de 0,5 mg/dl) e variação da creatinina e da DCE em 48 horas após o procedimento. Da totalidade de pacientes, 87 tinham diabetes melito e foram incluídos nesse subestudo. Resultados: Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação a características demográficas, volume de contraste e níveis basais de creatinina e DCE. Entre os pacientes avaliados, 8 desenvolveram NIC: 4 (9,8%) pacientes no grupo bicarbonato e 4 (8,9%) no grupo SF 0,9% (p = 0,9). A variação da creatinina sérica e da DCE foi similar entre os grupos. Conclusão: Hidratação com bicarbonato de sódio não demonstrou benefício em reduzir a incidência de NIC em pacientes diabéticos submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco ou angioplastia coronária em comparação à hidratação com SF 0,9%. / Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with worse clinical outcomes both at short and long-term follow-up. Recent evidence indicates that intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate may reduce the incidence of CIN. However, this strategy has not been reported in diabetic patients. Methods: Sub-analysis of a multicenter study involving 301 patients with serum creatinine ≥ 1,2 mg/dL or creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min submitted to coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention and randomized to intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate or normal saline. All patients received low-osmolar contrast media. We assessed the incidence of CIN (defined as creatinine increase ≥ 0,5 mg/dL), and the average change in creatinine and creatinine clearance 48 hours after the procedure. A total of 87 diabetic patients were analyzed. Results: There was no difference between groups regarding baseline characteristics, contrast volume used, baseline creatinine levels and creatinine clearance. Eight patients presented CIN: 4 (9.8%) in the bicarbonate group and 4 (8.9%) in the saline group (p = 0.9). The average change in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were similar between groups. Conclusion: Intravenous hydration with sodium-bicarbonate did not reduce the incidence of CIN in diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention as compared to hydration with normal saline.

Sprague-Dawley rats were administered daily, subcutaneous injections of methylmercuric chloride at a dose of 5 mg/Hg/kg beginning on postnatal day 5. By their fourth postnatal week, animals exhibited a constellation of neurological signs of motor impairment which resembled the cerebral palsy syndrome of humans perinatally exposed to methylmercury. Routine histological examination of the brain revealed no gross differences between methylmercury-treated (MeHg), normal control (NC) or weight-matched littermates. The histochemical localization of the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome oxidase (CO) was utilized in Experiment I to examine possible alterations in the metabolic activity of motor nuclei which might contribute to the observed movement and postural disorders. A population of intensely-staining cytochrome oxidase neurons (ICONs) in the magnocellular portion of the red nucleus (RMC) and interrubral mesencephalon (IRM) were conspicuously present in all MeHg animals at the onset of motor impairment. These morphologically, histochemically, and anatomically distinct neurons did not exhibit intense CO staining in control animals. Conversely, a significant decrease was demonstrated in the oxidative metabolic activity of many neurons in the substantia nigra, zona reticulata of MeHg animals. In Experiment II, the postnatal appearance of ICONs was morphometrically quantified in MeHg animals sacrificed at PND 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, or 25. The histochemically-defined onset of increased metabolic activity in ICONs was first observed on PND 16, at least one week before the onset of clinical signs of neurological impairment. This was the earliest manifestation of methylmercury neurotoxicity yet described in this animal model. A subsequent four-fold increase in the total number of ICONs at PND 18 was followed by a gradual decrease in number to PND 25. Significantly more of the ICONs were found in the IRM than in the RMC at PND 18 & 20. The possibility that the increased activity of ICONs may result from disinhibition of specific afferents to the red nucleus was addressed by introducing either hemidecortication or hemicerebellectomy on PND 10 and then morphometrically determining the deviation from symmetry in the bilateral distribution of the total number of ICONs in the RMC and IRM at PND 22. The distribution of ICONs was symmetrical and not different in either hemidecorticate or unoperated controls. A significant (36%) decrease in the total number of ICONs was observed in both the RMC and IRM contralateral to hemicerebellectomy. The identical ipsilateral regions did not differ from control or hemidecorticate MeHg animals. In Experiment III, the anatomical distribution of major histocompatability complex antigens (MHC) in the brain of MeHg animals was examined using immunohistochemical methods. MHC immunoreactivity was widely distributed throughout the brain of MeHg animals. Areas with low immunoreactivity, or lack of it, stand out and include all of the hippocampus, thalamus, pyriform and entorhinal cortex, and lateral cerebellar hemispheres. Moderate staining intensity was observed in neocortical areas, basal forebrain, caudate-putamen and cerebellar vermis. Strong immunoreactivity was found in red nucleus, substantia nigra, cingulate cortex, retrosplenial cortex, presubiculum, parasubiculum and vestibular nuclei. It was suggested that the increased activity of ICONs likely contributes to the movement and postural disorders resulting from methylmercury intoxication. The increased activity in ICONs was determined to be, at least partially, dependent upon cerebellar input. The results are discussed with reference to the toxic effects of methylmercury and specifically to the susceptibility of GABAergic interneurons in perinatal trauma. Possible analogies are drawn between the mechanisms of methylmercury-induced cerebral palsy syndrome and those of other developmental movement and postural disorders. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate

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