by Ka-ming Leung. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 178-186). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Plantas que possuem efeito diurético são amplamente utilizadas pela população no tratamento de algumas doenças importantes como edema e hipertensão. Os efeitos de muitas delas ainda não foram confirmados, desse modo, se faz cada vez mais necessário o esclarecimento do uso terapêutico das plantas medicinais. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: (a) estudar os efeitos dos extratos aquosos (EA) de pitanga (P) e jambolão (J) sobre a pressão arterial (PA) e alguns parâmetros renais em ratos normotensos anestesiados e (b) verificar a existência de flavonóides nesses extratos, bem como realizar a identificação e o doseamento de tais compostos. Os EA foram preparados pelo método de decocção e administrados por via intragástrica (gavage) em diferentes concentrações: 10%, 15%, 20% e 25%. Tais concentrações corresponderam respectivamente às doses de 56, 94, 145, 172 mg de P/Kg e a 44, 73, 83, 95 mg de J/Kg. Os animais foram divididos em dez grupos de sete indivíduos (n=7): controle (C), controle de sódio e potássio (CNa/K), P-10%, P-15%, P-20%, P-25%, J-10%, J-15%, J-20% e J-25%. Ratos Wistar machos normotensos, pesando em torno de 180g, foram anestesiados (hypnol 3%) e submetidos a uma traqueotomia. A artéria carótida esquerda foi canulada para coletar o sangue e medir a PA com um manômetro de mercúrio, em intervalos de 15 minutos. A veia jugular direita foi canulada para injetar soluções e a bexiga urinária foi canulada para coletar a urina, em períodos de 30 minutos. O protocolo experimental foi dividido em basal (para avaliação dos parâmetros basais) e experimentais (posteriores à administração dos EA). Os resultados analisados através dos testes estatísticos de ANOVA e Tukey foram apresentados como média ± desvio padrão (p<0.05). Os animais apresentaram o mesmo padrão de resposta para ambas as plantas estudadas: nos animais que receberam os EA nas concentrações de 10% e 25% as reduções da PA foram mais potentes (±30%) e desencadearam respostas renais como reduções no fluxo plasmático renal, além da ausência do aumento da diurese e redução da natriurese e caliurese. Entretanto, nos animais que receberam os EA nas concentrações intermediárias (15% e 20%), onde o efeito hipotensivo foi mais discreto (±20%), o aumento do fluxo plasmático renal possibilitou evidenciar um potente efeito diurético, além de um aumento da natriurese e da caliurese. O balanço entre os efeitos hipotensivo e diurético apresentado pelos animais após a administração dos extratos das plantas estudadas demonstra a interdependência entre a hemodinâmica e a função renal. Cromatografias em Camada Delgada (CCD) e Reações Cromáticas de Identificação confirmaram a existência de flavonóides do grupo dos flavonóis (quercetina, quercitrina e miricetina) nos EA de P e J. Informações científicas mostram que os flavonóis presentes nas plantas estudadas têm atividade vasodilatadora e que a quercetina tem boa absorção e biodisponibilidade. Assim sugerimos que esse composto secundário pode ser o responsável pelos efeitos hipotensivo e diurético relatados neste trabalho. / Plants which have a diuretic effect are widely used by people in the treatment of some important diseases such as edema and hypertension. These effects are not entirely known and, this way, the elucidation of the effects of medicinal plants is still necessary. The objectives of this work were: (a) to study the effects of pitanga (P) and jambolão (J) aqueous extracts (AE) on the arterial pressure (AP) and some renal parameters in normotensive and anesthetized rats and (b) to verify the occurrence of flavonoids in these extracts, as well as to identify and to dose these compounds. The AE were prepared by the decoction method and administrated intragastrically in different concentrations: 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. These concentrations corresponded respectively to doses of 56, 94, 145,172 mg of P/Kg and 44, 73, 83, 95 mg of J/Kg. The animals were divided in ten groups of seven individuals (n=7): control (C), sodium and potassium control (CNa/K), P¬10%, P-15%, P-20%, P-25%, J-10%, J-15%, J-20% e J-25%. Male normotensive Wistar rats, weighing approximately 180g, were anesthetized (hypnol 3%) and submitted to tracheotomy. The left carotid artery was catheterized to collect blood and measure the AP with a mercury manometer, in at intervals of 15 minutes. The right jugular vein was catheterized to inject solutions and the bladder was catheterized for urine collection, in periods of 30 minutes. The experimental protocol was divided in four periods of 30 minutes each: basal (to evaluate the basal parameters) and experimental (after the AE administration). The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (X±SD, p<0.05). The animals presented the same response pattern to both studied plants: the animals that received the AE in 10% and 25% presented strong AP reductions (±30%) what promoted renal responses as reduction in plasmatic renal flow, lack of increase in diurese and reduction of natriurese and caliurese. However, the animals that received intermediate AE concentrations (15% and 20%) presented discrete AP reductions (±20%) and the increase of plasmatic renal flow evidenced a strong diuretic effect besides higher natridiurese and caliurese. The balance between the hypotensive and diuretic effects observed in the animals after the administration of the plant extracts proved the interdependence between the hemodynamic and renal function. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Chromatic Reactions of Identification confirmed the presence of flavonoids from the group of the flavonols (quercetin, quercitrin and myricetin) in the AE of P and J. In the literature there are reports that flavonols present in the analyzed plants have vasodilator activity and the quercetin has good absorption and bioavailability. Thus, we suggest that this secondary compound could be responsible for the hypotensive and diuretic effects found in this work.

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill é uma planta comum no cerrado brasileiro e possui um alcalóide com configuração estereoespecífica para a síntese de hormônios esteróides. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para determinar os possíveis efeitos tóxicos da ingestão dos frutos de S. lycocarpum (3% adicionados à dieta) em ratos adultos machos (60 dias de administração), fêmeas (37 dias) e fêmeas prenhes (nos períodos de pré-implantação e organogênese). Poucas diferenças significantes no peso corpóreo e no consumo de água e ração foram observadas. Nenhuma diferença significante foi detectada no ganho de peso dos animais e no ciclo estral. Ratas tratadas apresentaram redução significante nos pesos do útero e do fígado. Porém, nenhuma diferença significante foi observada nos pesos de outros órgãos (adrenal, fígado, vesícula seminal, testículo e ovário) e na avaliação de enzimas e proteínas sangüíneas de ratos fêmeas e machos. Ao estudo anatomopatológico as fêmeas apresentaram maior incidência de hiperplasia do epitélio endometrial, cistos foliculares, proliferação de ductos biliares, congestão hepática e renal. A administração da planta no período de pré-implantação causou poucas alterações nos consumos de água e comida das fêmeas e sua prole apresentou aumento de hemorragia do bulbo olfatório. O consumo da planta durante a organogênese aumentou a média de filhotes fêmeas, reduziu o peso da placenta e aumentou o número de fetos com esternébrios assimétricos. Tomando estes dados em conjunto, pode-se sugerir que a administração da S. lycocarpum à 3% na ração causa efeitos tóxicos em ratas adultas e na prole, principalmente quando exposta durante o período de organogênese. / Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill is a common plant in Brazilian savanna. This plant has an alkaloid with stereospecific configuration to the synthesis of steroid hormones. Since the plant may be long-term consumed, the present study was undertaken to determine the possible toxic effects of S. lycocarpum fruit ingestion (3% added to the diet) on male (60 days of administration), female (37 days) adult rats and pregnant female (during preimplantation and organogenesis). Few significant differences in the body weight and consumption of food and water were observed. No significant differences were detected in the male and female weight gain and the estrous cycle. Female treated rats showed a significant reduction in the uterus and liver weights. However, no significant differences were observed in other organ (adrenal, liver, seminal vesicle, testicle and ovary) weights and in the evaluation of blood enzimes and proteins of the female and male rats. The anatomopathological study showed a higher incidence of endometrial epithely hiperplasy, pholicular cysts, biliary ducts proliferation, hepatic and renal congestion in female rats. Plant administration during preimplantation caused few alterations in food and water consumption in female and their offspring showed increase in olfactory bulb hemorragy. Plant consumption during organogenesis increased the media of female pups, reduced placental weight and increased the number of fetuses with assimetric sternebrae. These data suggest that the S. lycocarpum administration at 3% causes toxic effects in adult female rats and in the offspring, specially when exposed to the plant during organogenesis.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-06-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:07:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 franco_rg_me_botfm.pdf: 2218416 bytes, checksum: e0192057697a7c16907ca66d4f8f696a (MD5) / A neurorrafia término-lateral é técnica consagrada em casos onde não há coto proximal após lesão de nervo periférico. O coto distal pode ser suturado na lateral de qualquer nervo ou receber enxerto de nervo unindo a sua face lateral à face lateral de outro nervo, atuando como uma ponte. O número de enxertos em ponte poderia aumentar o resultado da reinervação muscular? Para responder esta pergunta realizou-se este trabalho. Foram operados 100 ratos Wistar divididos em cinco grupos experimentais com 20 animais cada. O GN (grupo controle de normalidade) não sofreu nenhum procedimento. No GD (grupo controle de desnervação) o nervo fibular foi seccionado e ambos os cotos foram suturados em músculos adjacentes e distantes entre si. O G1 recebeu um enxerto (ponte de nervo sural) tendo uma de suas extremidades suturadas na face lateral do nervo tibial (NT) e a outra na face lateral do segmento distal do nervo fibular (NF). No G2 e no G3 foram realizados os mesmos procedimentos que no G1. O G3 com 3 e o G2 com 2 enxertos. Em todos os casos foram utilizadas neurorrafias término-laterais (NTL) tipo “embracing” sem retirada de janela de epineuro. Os animais foram sacrificados após 120 dias. Foram realizados testes de marcha (“Walking-tracks”) e testes eletrofisiológicos além de aferição da massa dos animais e dos músculos tibiais craniais direitos (MTCD). Segmentos de nervo de interesse também foram coletados. Foram realizadas análises histomorfométricas das fibras musculares e nervosas. Após análise global dos atributos do MTCD como massa, IMM (índice de massa muscular), área, menor e maior diâmetro das fibras musculares, número de fibras por campo, análise funcional (IFC –índice funcional do ciático), análise eletrofisiológica e análise morfométrica dos segmentos nervosos mais importantes, concluímos que não houve benefício com o aumento do número de pontes / The end-to-side neurorrhaphy technique is enshrined in cases where there is no proximal stump after peripheral nerve injury. The distal end can be sutured to the side of any nerve. We also can use a nerve graft joining the lateral face of the distal end to the lateral face of another nerve, serving as a bridge. The number of bridges would increase the outcome of muscle reinnervation? To answer this question took place this work. Were operated on 100 rats divided into five groups with 20 animals each. GN (normal control group) received no further procedure. For GD (control group denervation) the peroneal nerve was transected and both stumps were sutured to adjacent muscles and far between. G1 received one graft (sural nerve bridge) having one end stitched on the side of the tibial nerve (NT) and the other on the side of the distal segment of the peroneal nerve (NF). In G2 and G3 were performed the same procedures as in G1. G3 with three and G2 with two grafts. In all cases were used end-to-side neurorraphies (NTL) performed as embracing without removing epineural window. The animals were sacrificed after 120 days. We performed tests of gait (Walking-tracks) and electrophysiological tests in addition to measuring the mass of animals and also the mass of cranial tibial muscles (MTCD). Nerve segments of interest were also collected. We performed histomorphometric analysis of muscle fibers and nerves. After comprehensive analysis of attributes such as mass MTCD, IMM (body mass index), area, smaller and larger diameter of muscle fibers, number of fibers per field, functional analysis (IFC, sciatic functional index), electrophysiological and morphometric analysis of the most important nerve segments, we conclude that there was no benefit to increasing the number of bridges

Orientador: Luis Carlos Spolidorio / Banca: Helio Massaiochi Tanimoto / Banca: Rosemary Adriana Chierici Marcantonio / Resumo: O Curcumin apresenta potencial terapêutico no tratamento e prevenção de doenças crônicas, inclusive câncer. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o impacto do tratamento sistêmico do curcumin sobre os períodos iniciais da carcinogênese bucal induzida pelo 4-NQO em ratos. Quarenta ratos distribuídos em quatro grupos (n=10) foram tratados com solução de 50 ppm de 4-NQO dissolvido na água de beber ad libitum durante todo período experimental, que ocorreu em 8 e 12 semanas, sendo que dois desses grupos foram tratados com 30 ou 100 mg/kg de peso corporal de curcumin diariamente por gavagem oral, e um grupo tratado com veículo no volume correspondente à maior dose de curcumin. Os animais do grupo controle negativo (n=10) foram sacrificados no início do experimento. Os cortes histológicos, provenientes da língua dos animais, foram corados por H&E ou submetidos à reação de imunohistoquímica para detecção de PCNA, Bcl-2, SOCS1 e -3 , e STAT3. Parte das peças foi utilizada para a verificação da expressão de Vimentina, Cdh1, Cdh2 e TWIST1 por RT-qPCR. O tratamento com 100mg/kg de peso corporal de curcumin por 12 semanas, principalmente, diminuiu os valores do H-score de PCNA, Bcl-2, SOCS3, STAT3, enquanto aumentou SOCS1, além de reduzir as atipias celulares observadas na análise morfológica do epitélio lingual. A expressão dos genes avaliados por RT-qPCR também foi reduzida pelo tratamento com curcumin, independentemente da dose utilizada. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstram que o curcumin acaba por intervir e atenuar o desenvolvimento do processo carcinogênico. / Abstract: Curcumin has therapeutic potential in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases , including cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of systemic treatment of curcumin on the initial periods of oral carcinogenesis induced by 4 - NQO in rats. Forty rats were distributed into four groups (n = 10) and treated with 50 ppm of 4-NQO solution dissolved in the drinking water ad libitum throughout the experimental period, which occurred at 8 and 12 weeks , with two of these groups were treated with 30 or 100 mg / kg body weight daily by oral gavage curcumin, and a group treated with vehicle corresponding to larger dose of curcumin volume. The animals in the negative control group (n = 10 ) were sacrificed at the beginning of the experiment. Histological sections, from the language of animals, were stained with H&E or subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for detection of PCNA, Bcl-2, SOCS1 and -3, and STAT3. Part of the pieces was used to check the expression of vimentin, Cdh1, Cdh2 and TWIST by RT - qPCR . Treatment with 100mg/kg body weight of curcumin for 12 weeks, mainly, decreased the values of the H -score of PCNA, Bcl-2, SOCS3, STAT3 , while increased SOCS1 , and reduce cellular atypia observed in the morphological analysis of lingual epithelium. The gene expression assessed by RT- qPCR was also reduced by treatment with curcumin, regardless of the dose used. The results of this study demonstrate that curcumin eventually intervene and attenuate the development of the carcinogenic process. / Mestre

Orientador: Wilson Roberto Poi / Banca: Sônia Regina Panzarini Barioni / Banca: Aimée Maria Guiotti / Resumo: Introdução: O sangue de dragão é um látex extraído de árvores da porção ocidental da Amazônia. Apresenta propriedades cicatrizantes, anti-inflamatórias e antitumorais. No entanto, faltam dados sobre a sua biocompatibilidade. Proposição: Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a biocompatibilidade da seiva do Croton lechleri (sangue de dragão) em tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de ratos. Material e método: Foram utilizados 15 ratos, nos quais foram implantados tubos de polietileno em seu dorso, divididos em dois grupos: Grupo I (controle) luz do tubo selada com guta percha; Grupo II (sangue de dragão) luz do mesmo tubo preenchida com sangue de dragão. Passados 7, 15 e 30 dias do procedimento, os animais foram sacrificados e as peças obtidas, processadas em laboratório para análise microscópica. Os cortes histológicos foram realizados com a espessura de 5 micrometros. Foram observados a presença de inflamação e o tipo de células predominantes em cada implante. Resultados: Na análise histológica, alguns animais do Grupo II apresentaram tecido conjuntivo diferenciado, bem vascularizado e com pequeno número de células inflamatórias aos 15 dias, resultado este superior ao grupo I (controle). Aos 30 dias, o Grupo II mostrou tecido conjuntivo bem desenvolvido rico em fibras colágenas, pequeno número de vasos sanguíneos e alguns linfócitos. Conclusão: Em razão da semelhança da resposta inflamatória com o grupo controle, o sangue de dragão mostrou-se biocompatível em tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de ratos e abre a perspectiva para a realização de outros estudos. / Abstract: Introduction: The blood of dragon is a latex extracted from trees in the western portion of the Amazon. It has healing properties, anti-inflammatory and antitumor. However, there are just a few data on its biocompatibility. Proposition: This study aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility of Croton lechleri sap (dragon blood) in subcutaneous tissue of rats. Material and method: We used 15 rats, in which polyethylene tubes were implanted in his back, divided into two groups: Group I (control) light tube sealed with gutta percha, Group II (blood the dragon) light of the same tube filled with blood of dragon. After 7, 15 and 30 days of the procedure, the animals were sacrificed and the pieces collected, were processed in the laboratory for microscopic analysis, the histological sections were performed with a thickness of 5 micrometers. We observed the presence of inflammation and the predominant cell type in each implant. Results: In histological analysis, some animals from Group II had differentiated tissue and vascularized with small numbers of inflammatory cells at 15 days, a result higher than group I (control). At 30 days, Group II showed well-developed connective tissue rich in collagen fibers, a small number of blood vessels and some lymphocytes. Conclusion: Because of the similarity of the inflammatory response to the control group, the blood of dragon proved to be biocompatible in subcutaneous tissue of rats and opens the prospect for the realization of other studies. / Mestre

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / A Atresia de esÃfago (AE) à uma anomalia estrutural que acontece em fetos quando nÃo ocorre a septaÃÃo completa do septo esofagotraqueal. Estudou-se a repercussÃo da AE induzida por Doxorrubicina (Doxo) na contratilidade in vitro do esÃfago distal e fundo de estÃmago. 26 Ratas wistar (267 g), com acasalamento controlado, nos dias 8 e 9 de gestaÃÃo receberam 2,2 mg/Kg de Doxo intraperitonealmente, enquanto 13 ratas controle receberam o mesmo volume de NaCl 0,9%. No dia 21,5 as ratas foram submetidas a cesariana, anÃlise dos fetos para confirmaÃÃo da AE e divisÃo em 3 grupos: controle, cujas mÃes receberam apenas NaCl 0,9%; Doxo sem AE, cujas mÃes receberam Doxo, mas nÃo desenvolveram AE; e Doxo com AE, os que desenvolveram AE. Foram montados em sistema para banho de ÃrgÃo isolado os anÃis de fundo de estÃmago dos fetos e em sistema miÃgrafo de agulha os segmentos de esÃfago distal, ambos contendo soluÃÃo fisiolÃgica Tyrode a 37 ÂC, pH 7,4 e oxigenaÃÃo constante, tensÃo basal de 1 g para estÃmago e 8 mN para esÃfago. Realizou-se curva concentraÃÃo-efeito ao agonista colinÃrgico Carbacol (CCh) (0,01 â 300 &#956;M) em ambos os tecidos nos 3 grupos. Em seguida, agora apenas nos segmentos de esÃfago isolado, foi construÃda uma curva concentraÃÃo-efeito ao KCl (10 â 100 mM), em que a contraÃÃo se deve prioritariamente à entrada de cÃlcio do meio extracelular por meio de canais operados por voltagem (VOC). A anÃlise estatÃstica foi determinada utilizando two-way anÃlise de variÃncia (ANOVA) e a significÃncia foi testada pelo Student-Newman-Keuls test. No fundo de estÃmago nÃo houve diferenÃa estatÃstica entre os grupos na resposta contrÃtil ao CCh (p>0,05, ANOVA), os valores da CE50 dos animais controle foram 2,17 [1,03 â 4,58] &#956;M e Emax 0,084  0,016 g/mg de tecido (n=7); Doxo sem AE 1,47 [0,83 â 2,61] &#956;M e 0,068  0,006 g/mg de tecido (n=12); Doxo com AE 3,26 [1,90 â 5,60] &#956;M e 0,070  0,022 g/mg de tecido (n=6). No esÃfago, animais controle com Emax 5,97  0,58 mN (n=11) foram estatisticamente diferentes (p<0,05, ANOVA) dos grupos Doxo sem AE 4,48  0,34 mN (n=11) e Doxo com AE 4,42  0,68 mN (n=8), enquanto a CE50 nÃo apresentou diferenÃa estatÃstica significativa entre os grupos (p>0,05, ANOVA) controle 190 [96 â 379] nM, Doxo sem AE 228 [125 â 418] nM e Doxo com AE 439 [206 â 936] nM, quanto a resposta contrÃtil ao CCh. Na resposta ao KCl houve incremento de tensÃo inferior ao observado com CCh sem diferenÃa entre os trÃs grupos (p>0,05, ANOVA), 8 valores de Emax foram no controle 1,31  0,14 mN (n=5), Doxo sem AE 1,27  0,42 mN (n=7) e Doxo com AE 1,21  0,20 mN (n=7). Concluiu-se que o tratamento de ratas com Doxo durante o perÃodo gestacional leva a uma diminuiÃÃo da contratilidade de esÃfago isolado de seus fetos, independente do desenvolvimento de AE. Aparentemente, essa diminuiÃÃo nÃo se deve a uma menor funcionalidade dos canais VOC. O fundo de estÃmago isolado nÃo apresentou alteraÃÃes da resposta contrÃtil. / Esophageal atresia (EA) is a structural anomaly that results from an incomplete esophago-traqueal septation in the fetus during intrauterine development. The in vitro contractility of the distal esophagus and gastric fundus of fetuses with esophageal atresia induced by Doxorubicin (Doxo) was studied. 26 Female Wistar rats (267 g), were subjected to date-controlled mating, subsequently receiving 2.2 mg/kg Doxo intraperitoneally on days 8 and 9 of pregnancy, while a controlled group of 13 rats received the same volume of 0.9% NaCl. On day 21.5 the pregnant rats were submitted to a cesarean surgery, with the fetuses analysed to confirm EA and thereafter divided into 3 groups: control, whose mothers received only 0.9% NaCl; Doxo without EA, whose mothers received Doxo but not developed EA; Doxo with EA, who developed EA. After being sacrificed, ring-strips of the gastric fundus were obtained from the fetuses and mounted in isolated organ bath, while the distal esophageal strips were mounted in wire myograph system; both strips contained a standard Tyrode solution maintained at 37 ÂC, pH 7.4, in addition to constant oxygenation and a basal tension of 1 g for the fundic strips and 8 mN for the esophagus. For each set up, we carried out a cholinergic-agonist concentration- effect curve with Carbachol (CCh) (0.01 â 300 &#956;M) in both tissue in the three groups. The participation of voltage-operated channels (VOCs) was studied; a KCl- concentration-effect curve (10 â 100 mM) was conducted on isolated esophageal strips. Collected data was subjected to two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the significance was tested using Student-Newman-Keuls test. There was not significant statistical difference in fundic stripsâ contractility in response to CCh (p>0.05, ANOVA), the EC50 values of the control animals were 2.17 [1.03 â 4.58] &#956;M and Emax 0.084  0.016 g/mg tissue (n=7); Doxo without EA 1.47 [0.83 â 2.61] &#956;M and 0.068  0.006 g/mg tissue (n=12); Doxo with EA 3.26 [1.90 â 5.60] &#956;M and 0.070  0.022 g/mg tissue (n=6). However, significant statistical difference was noted (p<0.05, ANOVA), in esophageal stripsâ contractility in response to CCh in the Emax value of control 5.97  0.58 mN (n=11), vs Doxo without EA 4.48  0.34 mN (n=11) and Doxo with EA 4.42  0.68 mN (n=8), while there was not significant statistical difference (p>0.05, ANOVA) in the EC50 value of control 190 [96 â 379] nM, Doxo without EA 228 [125 â 418] nM and Doxo with EA 439 [206 â 936] nM. Tensional response to KCl were present in all groups, though lower than that seen in response &#65532;to CCh, however not statistically different when comparing all the three groups (p>0.05, ANOVA), Emax of control was 1.31  0.14 mN (n=5), Doxo without EA 1.27  0.42 mN (n=7) and Doxo with EA 1.21  0.20 mN (n=7). It is possible to conclude that the treatment of rats with Doxo during pregnancy leads to decrease contractility of isolated esophagus of their fetuses, independent of the development of EA. Apparently, such a decrease is not due to a lower functionality of VOC channels. The isolated gastric fundus strips showed no change in contractile response.

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill é uma planta comum no cerrado brasileiro e possui um alcalóide com configuração estereoespecífica para a síntese de hormônios esteróides. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para determinar os possíveis efeitos tóxicos da ingestão dos frutos de S. lycocarpum (3% adicionados à dieta) em ratos adultos machos (60 dias de administração), fêmeas (37 dias) e fêmeas prenhes (nos períodos de pré-implantação e organogênese). Poucas diferenças significantes no peso corpóreo e no consumo de água e ração foram observadas. Nenhuma diferença significante foi detectada no ganho de peso dos animais e no ciclo estral. Ratas tratadas apresentaram redução significante nos pesos do útero e do fígado. Porém, nenhuma diferença significante foi observada nos pesos de outros órgãos (adrenal, fígado, vesícula seminal, testículo e ovário) e na avaliação de enzimas e proteínas sangüíneas de ratos fêmeas e machos. Ao estudo anatomopatológico as fêmeas apresentaram maior incidência de hiperplasia do epitélio endometrial, cistos foliculares, proliferação de ductos biliares, congestão hepática e renal. A administração da planta no período de pré-implantação causou poucas alterações nos consumos de água e comida das fêmeas e sua prole apresentou aumento de hemorragia do bulbo olfatório. O consumo da planta durante a organogênese aumentou a média de filhotes fêmeas, reduziu o peso da placenta e aumentou o número de fetos com esternébrios assimétricos. Tomando estes dados em conjunto, pode-se sugerir que a administração da S. lycocarpum à 3% na ração causa efeitos tóxicos em ratas adultas e na prole, principalmente quando exposta durante o período de organogênese. / Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill is a common plant in Brazilian savanna. This plant has an alkaloid with stereospecific configuration to the synthesis of steroid hormones. Since the plant may be long-term consumed, the present study was undertaken to determine the possible toxic effects of S. lycocarpum fruit ingestion (3% added to the diet) on male (60 days of administration), female (37 days) adult rats and pregnant female (during preimplantation and organogenesis). Few significant differences in the body weight and consumption of food and water were observed. No significant differences were detected in the male and female weight gain and the estrous cycle. Female treated rats showed a significant reduction in the uterus and liver weights. However, no significant differences were observed in other organ (adrenal, liver, seminal vesicle, testicle and ovary) weights and in the evaluation of blood enzimes and proteins of the female and male rats. The anatomopathological study showed a higher incidence of endometrial epithely hiperplasy, pholicular cysts, biliary ducts proliferation, hepatic and renal congestion in female rats. Plant administration during preimplantation caused few alterations in food and water consumption in female and their offspring showed increase in olfactory bulb hemorragy. Plant consumption during organogenesis increased the media of female pups, reduced placental weight and increased the number of fetuses with assimetric sternebrae. These data suggest that the S. lycocarpum administration at 3% causes toxic effects in adult female rats and in the offspring, specially when exposed to the plant during organogenesis.

Social defeat is an ethologically relevant stressor that utilizes the natural establishment of social rank in male rodents and has been shown to be relevant to major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the present study, we wished to establish a social defeat stress model in combination with the chronic unpredictable stress model, which is considered a mild stressor to the rodent. In this way, we create a “double hit” model that may more accurately mimic severe stress that is common in both MDD and PTSD. In the present study, residents established dominance over the intruder for 10 consecutive days. In addition, social defeat stress was followed by another stressor given at random times during each day, i.e. chronic unpredictable stress. These unpredictable stressors included 30 min restraint, 1 h shaking/crowding, a cold water swim, a warm water swim or a tipped cage for 24 h. In one cohort of animals, brain tissue was taken 24 h after the last stressor for DNA. In a second cohort, animals were tested on a sucrose preference test in which two bottles containing 0.8% sucrose was placed on their cages for 3 consecutive days (days 8-10 of social defeat stress), and the total amount of sucrose was calculated relative to total volume consumed. Brain tissue analyses revealed significantly elevated DNA oxidation in white matter comparing stressed animals to non-stressed controls, consistent with what has been found in post-mortem white matter from MDD subjects. Further, animals given the social defeat + chronic unpredictable stress demonstrated a deficit in sucrose preference, a natural reward, revealing that these animals were anhedonic as compared to controls. Stressed animals also demonstrated fear of the intruder in a social interaction test performed one day after the social defeat/chronic unpredictable stress was complete. Therefore, it appears that social defeat plus chronic unpredictable stress produces a phenotype relevant to clinical data in humans.

A total of 176 kangaroo rats (151 Dipodontys ordii and 25 Q• microps) were captured in northwestern utah and examined for coccidia. Of these 176 rats, four Q• ordii (2.6%) and four Q• microps (16.0%) were infected with ~ utahensis, a new species of coccidia. Little seasonal difference was found in the infection rate of either species. The characteristics of the sporulated oocysts of this species were described. A sporocyst plug was reported for the first time in an eimerian oocyst. Artificially excysted sporozoites were studied by various methods. Thirty living sporozoites averaged 22.5 p in length by 4.5 f in width at the anterior refractile body and 4.6 p in width at the posterior refractile body. The refractile body was ellipsoidal and occupied almost half of the sporozoite. The refractile bodies were protein in nature. Living sporozoites exhibited gliding, flexing, pivoting, and probing movements. Subpellicular fibrils, anterior median rod-shaped organelles, and transverse striations of unknown significance were seen in living and stained sporozoites. In the vesicular nucleus the DNA was concentrated at the periphery and three to five chromatin clumps were present. Little, or no, glycogen was present. The test for lipids was inconclusive. The mean prepatent period in experimentally infected D• ordii was 9.8 days. The discharge of oocysts continued for prolonged periods, evidently as a result of reinfection, although concerted efforts were made to prevent this. The asexual endogenous stages were located in epithelial cells in the distal half of the villi of the small intestine. Four generations of schizonts were present. Mature first-generation schizonts were found 2 1/2 days after inoculation of the animals and contained 12 to 16 merozoites. Mature second-generation schizonts were found on the fourth post-inoculation day and also contained 12 to 16 merozoites. Mature t hirdgeneration schizonts were present on the fourth, fifth and sixth postinoculation days and contained 4 to 8 merozoites. The third-generation schizonts gave rise to early sexual stages or to fourth-generation schizonts. Mature fourth-generation schizonts were found on the sixth and seventh post-inoculation days and contained 16 to 24 merozoites. Young gametocytes were first observed on the fifth post-inoculation day. Shortly after the gametocytes entered the infected epithelial cells the cells became displaced into the lamina propria and the mature gametocytes were usually found in the latter location. The nuclei of infected host cells became considerably enlarged and modified in shape and position. In many host cells there appeared to be two or more nuclei in the parasitized cell; this was interpreted as an artifact of sectioning. However, in a few instances young gametocytes were observed in cells in which the host cell nuclei were undergoing division, indicating that some infected host cells might have been multinucleate. Microgametocyte nuclei were randomly arranged in the microgametocyte during the early stages of development. As the microgametocytes approached maturity the nuclei became arranged in whorls at the surface of compartments. At maturity the microgametes lost their whorl arrangement and became randomly arranged around a central mass of residual material. The mature microgametocytes averaged 63 .9 by 48.3 p• The plastic granules of the macrogametes were slightly eosinophilic with hematoxylin and eosin stain, but did not stain with iron hematoxylin. The macrogametes measured 32 .5 by 27 .0 p at the stage in which the plastic granules were at the periphery of the parasite but had not yet coalesced. Eimeria utahensis caused no outward signs of coccidiosis in experimentally infected D• ordii, nor were any marked pathological changes observed in the tissue sections .