MATOS, Mayara Patrícia Viana de. Aspectos bioquímicos e etnofarmacológicos do látex de Himatanthus drasticus Mart. (Plumel). 2013. xix, 89 f. : Dissertação (Mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica. Fortaleza-CE, 2013. / Submitted by Eric Santiago (erichhcl@gmail.com) on 2016-06-20T13:34:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_dis_mpvmatos.pdf: 2159476 bytes, checksum: ddbc07e064712e575447b91164349d1e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-07-26T20:01:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_dis_mpvmatos.pdf: 2159476 bytes, checksum: ddbc07e064712e575447b91164349d1e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-26T20:01:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_dis_mpvmatos.pdf: 2159476 bytes, checksum: ddbc07e064712e575447b91164349d1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Himatanthus drasticus (Apocynaceae) is traditionally used in folk medicine in Northeastern Brazil. The plant is wildly distribuited from Guianas until Southeast Brazil. Latex obtained by cutting its stem bark is mixed with water and extensively sold in public markets. People use Janaguba milk (“Leite de Janaguba”- LJ) to treat or prevent different inflammatory disorders such as gastritis, ulcers as well as cancer, among other uses. Despite, there is not enough scientific data confirming these pharmacological properties. In this work, Janaguba milk was preliminarily investigated in an attempt to validate its anti- inflammatory activity. Its major protein fraction (HdLP) was assessed for the presence of anti- inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and toxicological effects. LJ inhibited the inflammatory response induced by carrageenan in rats (98%, p < 0.05), whereas HdLP did it independent of the route of administration. HdLP significantly reduced the infiltration of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity (96%, p < 0.05) concomitant with increased nitric oxide synthesis in plasma and decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL- 1 and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid. This fraction also prevented vacuolization and Kupfer cell hyperplasia caused by carrageenan in liver. Further, the anti-inflammatory properties were shown to be associated with the protein fraction of LJ. HdLP exhibited anti-inflammation, even after heat-treatment (100 C, 30 min) or proteolysis. Moreover, a pro-inflammatory effect was observed after HdLP treatment. It also suppressed abdominal constrictions in acetic acid-treated mice and reduced paw licking induced by formalin, both in a dose-dependent manner. An acute toxicological evaluation demonstrated no toxic effects after 14 days from LJ and HdLP administration by oral route even when high doses were tested. A qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the absence of lupeol and presence of saponinas, tannins and free steroids in HdLP. However, pharmacological properties are probably not related to them. It is therefore concluded that the latex of Himatanthus drasticus exhibits both the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities claimed by its users. The protein fraction of the latex is an important contributor to the pharmacological properties of LJ. Resistance to heat and proteolytic treatment can explain the effectiveness of HdLP even when administered orally. The absence of toxic effects by oral route confirms the potential use of this plant as a phytotherapic agent. / Himatanthus drasticus (Apocynaceae) é uma espécie tradicionalmente utilizada na medicina popular da região nordeste deste país. Sua distribuição ocorre das Guianas ao sudeste do Brasil. O látex desta planta é obtido após uma injúria no caule e amplamente comercializado em mercados públicos. As pessoas ingerem o látex, conhecido como Leite de Janaguba (LJ), para o tratamento e/ou prevenção de diferentes doenças inflamatórias, gastrite, úlcera, câncer, entre outras. Apesar das diversas informações oriundas da medicina popular, não existem relatos científicos suficientes confirmando tais propriedades farmacológicas. Neste trabalho, LJ foi investigado com o propósito de validar sua tão popularmente relatada atividade anti-inflamatória. A fração proteica deste látex (HdLP) também foi investigada quanto à presença de atividades anti-inflamatória, antinociceptiva, além de seus efeitos toxicológicos. LJ inibiu a resposta inflamatória induzida por carragenina em ratos (98%, p < 0.05), assim como o fez a fração HdLP, independente da rota de administração. HdLP reduziu a infiltração de neutrófilos na cavidade peritoneal (96%, p < 0.05). Paralelamente a isto, ocorreu o aumento da síntese de óxido nítrico no plasma e a redução de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (IL-1 e TNF-α) no fluido peritonal. Esta fração também preveniu a vacuolização e hiperplasia das células de Kupfer, causadas pelo efeito da carragenina no fígado. Atividade anti-inflamatória está provavelmente associada com a fração proteica de LJ. HdLP exibiu um efeito anti-inflamatório mesmo após aquecimento (100 C, 30 minutos) ou proteólise. Além desta atividade, um efeito pró-inflamatório foi observado após o tratamento com HdLP. Esta também suprimiu contrações abdominais induzidas por ácido acético e reduziu a lambedura de pata induzida por formalina, ambos de maneira dose-dependente. A avaliação da toxicidade aguda demonstrou a ausência de efeitos tóxicos após tratamento com LJ e HdLP (v.o.) mesmo utilizando doses 5000 vezes maiores que as recomendadas. Uma dosagem qualitativa de fitoquímicos em HdLP mostrou a ausência de lupeol e presença de saponinas, taninos e esteróides livres. Entretanto, as propriedades farmacológicas provavelmente não estão relacionadas com estas moléculas. Desta forma, concluímos que o látex de H. drasticus exibe duas das atividades farmacológicas relatadas por seus usuários e a fração proteica deste látex é um importante contribuinte para tais propriedades medicinais. A resistência ao aquecimento e à proteólise pode explicar a efetividade de HdLP quando administrada oralmente. A ausência de efeitos tóxicos por via oral torna esta planta uma potencial candidata a fitoterápico.

Estudos realizados na última década mostram que a substância P (SP) é um neuromediador importante de estados emocionais e afetivos. A SP tem ação pró-aversiva quando microinjetada na substância cinzenta periaquedutal dorsal (SCPd) através da ativação de receptores neurocininérgicos do tipo NK-1, uma vez que o comportamento defensivo é bloqueado por antagonistas desses receptores. A ativação de receptores NK-1 na SCPd também produz antinocicepção, a qual é considerada parte da reação de defesa. Na sequência desses estudos, este projeto visa investigar o envolvimento dos receptores neurocininérgicos no núcleo central (CeA) e basolateral (BLA) da amígdala na mediação dos estados aversivos gerados e elaborados nessa estrutura prosencefálica que, junto com a SCPd, faz parte do sistema encefálico aversivo. O presente estudo mostrou que a SP e o agonista NK-1 (Sar-Met-SP) promoveram efeitos pró-aversivos no labirinto em cruz elevado somente no CeA, mas não no BLA. Ao contrário da SCPd, não obtivemos qualquer alteração no limiar nociceptivo com a microinjeção de antagonista de receptores NK-1 (Spantide) em ambos os núcleos. O Spantide sozinho não alterou os indicadores de nocicepção e ansiedade. Nenhum tipo de vocalização (audível ou ultrassônica) foi detectado no presente trabalho após a microinjeção de SP ou Sar-Met-SP em ambos núcleos amigdalóides, apesar de relatos de vocalizações ultrassônicas (VUS) após o mesmo tipo de tratamento na SCPd. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo mostraram que o CeA, mas não o BLA, modula a expressão de comportamentos relacionados ao medo inato através de receptores neurocininérgicos do tipo NK-1. VUS e antinocicepção não parecem participar da reação de defesa elaborada no CeA. A ausência da emissão de VUS nesses núcleos pode indicar que somente estruturas mais antigas do neuroeixo (mesencéfalo e hipotálamo) são responsáveis pela produção de VUS. / A substantial body of evidence obtained in the last decade demonstrated that the Substance P (SP) is an important mediator of the affective and emotional behaviors. SP is a pro-aversive compound when microinjected within the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG). These effects are mediated by the type 1 neurokininergic receptors (NK-1), since the defensive behavior was inhibited by antagonists of these receptors. The activation of NK-1 receptors in the dPAG also produced antinociception and ultrasonic vocalizations (USV). In the sequence of these studies, this study investigated the involvement of neurokinin receptors of the central (CeA) and basolateral (BLA) nuclei of the amygdala in the mediation of the defense reaction. The amigdala together with the dPAG and the medial hypothalamus comprise the encephalic aversive system. The results showed that SP and the NK-1 agonist (Sar-Met-SP) promoted pro-aversive effects in the elevated plus maze test only when microinjected into the CeA, without effect in the BLA. Although SP and the activation of NK-1 receptors induce antinociception in the dPAG, we did not observe any alteration of the nociceptive threshold in the tail-flick test with the NK-1 antagonist (Spantide) injected into both nuclei and any changes of the anxiety parameters in the EPM. No vocalizations (audible or ultrasonic) were detected after treatment with SP or Sar-Met-SP in both amygdaloid nuclei. The lack of emissions of USVs after activation of these nuclei could indicate that only older structures (PAG and hypothalamus) of the neuroaxis are responsible for the production of USVs. The results obtained in the present study show that NK-1 receptors within CeA, but not BLA, modulate the expression of defensive behaviors related to the innate fear. Apparentely USVs and antinociception are not involved in the defensive reactions indiced by activation of NK-1 mechanisms in the CeA.

Gout is one form of inflammatory arthritis, which is caused by the precipitation of crystals of monosodium urate (MSU) in the joints. Acute gout is associated with sudden and painful inflammatory episodes characterized by high neutrophil infiltration. In spite of years of study gout treatment remains a challenge due to its relative ineficcacy. Thus, search for new and efficient therapies is necessary. The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of glibenclamide in a model of acute gout in rats induced by MSU. MSU crystals produced nociception and edema when injected into the ankle joint of rats. Treatment with glibenclamide (3 mg/kg, s.c.) or dexamethasone (8 mg/kg, s.c., used as a positive control) decreased spontaneous nociception (67% ± 11 and 70 ± 7% inhibition, respectively) and edema (28 ± 7% and 77 ± 7% inhibition, respectively) induced 6 hours after MSU injection. The number of leukocyte infiltrates in the synovial fluid as well as the release of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) significantly increased at 6 hours after injection of MSU joint, but these effects were not reversed by treatment with glibenclamide (3 mg/kg, s.c.). In contrast, dexamethasone reduced the leukocyte infiltration and release of IL-1β and PGE2. To confirm if the dose of glibenclamide was able to block the KATP channels, we determined the levels of glucose in the blood of animals. Glibenclamide decreased (23 ± 2%) and dexamethasone increased the blood glucose of the rats compared to vehicle-treated animals / MSU. Therefoe, the effects of glibenclamide on nociception and edema induced MSU, suggests that this sulfonylurea may be an interesting option as an adjunct therapy in pain observed in acute attacks of gout. / A gota é uma forma de artrite inflamatória, causada pela precipitação de cristais de urato monossódico (MSU) nas articulações. A forma aguda de gota está associada a episódios inflamatórios súbitos e dolorosos caracterizados por uma grande infiltração de neutrófilos. Apesar dos anos de estudo sobre a gota, o seu tratamento ainda é um desafio pela relativa ineficácia dos fármacos disponíveis no mercado. Assim, a busca por novos agentes terapêuticos mais efetivos e seguros se faz necessário. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o possível potencial farmacológico da glibenclamida em um modelo de gota aguda induzida por MSU em ratos. Os cristais de MSU produziram nocicepção e edema quando injetados na articulação do tornozelo de ratos. O tratamento com glibenclamida (3 mg/kg, s.c.) ou dexametasona (8 mg/kg, s.c., usada como controle positivo) reduziu a nocicepção espontânea (67 ± 11% e 70 ± 7% de inibição, respectivamente) e o edema (28 ± 7% e 77 ± 7% de inibição, respectivamente) induzidos pelo MSU, 6 horas após a injeção do cristal. O número de leucócitos infiltrados no líquido sinovial, assim como a liberação de interleucina 1β (IL-1β) e de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) foram consideravelmente aumentados, 6 horas após a injeção de MSU na articulação, porém esses efeitos não foram revertidos pelo tratamento com glibenclamida (3 mg/kg, s.c.). Em contrapartida, dexametasona reduziu a infiltração de leucócitos e a liberação de IL-1β e de PGE2. Para confirmar se a dose utilizada de glibenclamida foi capaz de bloquear os canais de KATP, foi avaliado os níveis de glicose no sangue dos animais. A glibenclamida reduziu (23 ± 2%) e a dexametasona aumentou a glicemia dos ratos quando comparado aos animais tratados com veículo /MSU. Assim, frente aos efeitos desempenhados pela glibenclamida sobre a nocicepção e edema induzidos pelo MSU, sugere-se que esta sulfonilureia possa ser uma opção interessante como um tratamento adjuvante na dor observada em ataques agudos de gota.

Human body detects potentially damaging stimuli by specialized sensory nerve endings in the skin, the nociceptors. Their membranes are equipped with ion channels, molecular sensors, coding the outside stimuli into the trains of action potentials and conducting them to the higher brain centers. The most prominent group of transduction ion channels is the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family followed by ion channels responsible for generation and conduction of action potentials from the periphery to the brain, the voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). Understanding the mechanisms how particular stimulus is encoded and processed is of particular importance to find therapeutics for various types of pain conditions. We characterized the properties of VGSC subtypes NaV1.9 and NaV1.8 at high temperatures. We showed that NaV1.9 undergo large increase in current with increasing temperatures and significantly contribute to the action potential generation in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are sodium channels activator toxins causing ciguatera fish poisoning, a disease manifested by sensory and neurological disturbances. We elucidated the mechanism of CTX- induced cold allodynia, a pathological phenomenon where normally innocuous cool temperatures are perceived as pain. We...

The thesis deals with the evaluation of the influence of foam rolling on selected parameters of somatosensory perception (pressure-algic threshold, vibrotactile sensation). The theoretical part discusses fascial tissue, summarizes the current knowledge of foam rolling and focuses on the mechanisms of pain and vibrotactile sensation. The research part consists of a randomized blind study on a group of 15 healthy probands (11 women, 4 men), which evaluates the effect of foam rolling. The effect is objectivized by pressure algometry and vibrametry on the m. rectus femoris and m. biceps femoris of both lower limbs (measured before and after therapy). The value of the pressure pain threshold (PPT) increased after foam rolling. Vibrotactile threshold (VT) was lower after foam rolling than before its use, which means that vibrotactile sensitivity was increased. The results show that these changes do not occur only in the interventioned m. rectus femoris, but some changes in parameters can be found in other muscles as well. Keywords fascial tissues, foam rolling, pressure algometry, pressure pain treshold, PPT, vibrametry, somatosensory system, nociception, diffuse noxious inhibitory control, DNIC

<p><p><em>Transforming the Brute</em> addresses the ethical acceptability of creating painless animals for usage in biomedical experimentation.  In recent decades the possibility of creating genetically decerebrate animals or AMLs for human ends has been discussed in scientific, academic, and corporate communities.  While the ability to create animals that cannot feel, experience, and are more plant than animal remains science fiction, biomedicine may now be able to eliminate or significantly reduce the capacity to feel pain and nociception through genetic engineering.  With this new technology comes the opportunity to vastly increase the welfare of animals used in biomedical experimentation, yet this possibility has largely been ignored by the scientific and academic community.  This work seeks to reveal the moral necessity of creating painless animals for usage in biomedical experimentation for animal welfare ends.  Intrinsic objections relating to animal integrity, rights, companionship, the alteration of telos, humility and virtue are considered.  The benefit of eliminating nociceptive pain in experimental animals is addressed, and differences are examined between biomedical experimentation and other usage of animals for human ends which makes the proposed creation of painless animals ethically unique.  Finally, an argument is presented for the moral necessity of replacing normal animals with painless animals in biomedical experimentation with consideration given to genetically decerebrate animals.</p></p>

Transforming the Brute addresses the ethical acceptability of creating painless animals for usage in biomedical experimentation.  In recent decades the possibility of creating genetically decerebrate animals or AMLs for human ends has been discussed in scientific, academic, and corporate communities.  While the ability to create animals that cannot feel, experience, and are more plant than animal remains science fiction, biomedicine may now be able to eliminate or significantly reduce the capacity to feel pain and nociception through genetic engineering.  With this new technology comes the opportunity to vastly increase the welfare of animals used in biomedical experimentation, yet this possibility has largely been ignored by the scientific and academic community.  This work seeks to reveal the moral necessity of creating painless animals for usage in biomedical experimentation for animal welfare ends.  Intrinsic objections relating to animal integrity, rights, companionship, the alteration of telos, humility and virtue are considered.  The benefit of eliminating nociceptive pain in experimental animals is addressed, and differences are examined between biomedical experimentation and other usage of animals for human ends which makes the proposed creation of painless animals ethically unique.  Finally, an argument is presented for the moral necessity of replacing normal animals with painless animals in biomedical experimentation with consideration given to genetically decerebrate animals.

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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the current standard of care for the treatment of hormone receptor positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Nearly one-half of patients receiving AI therapy develop musculoskeletal toxicity that is characterized by joint and/or muscle pain and approximately one-fourth of patients discontinue their therapy as a result of musculoskeletal pain. Since there are no effective strategies for prevention or treatment, insight into the mechanisms of AI-induced pain is critical to improve treatment. However, there are few studies of AI effects in animal models of nociception. To determine whether AIs produce hypersensitivity in animal models of pain, I examined the effects of AI administration on mechanical, thermal, and chemical sensitivity in rats. The results demonstrate that (1) repeated injection of 5 mg/kg letrozole in male rats produces mechanical, but not thermal, hypersensitivity that extinguishes when drug dosing is stopped; (2) administering a single dose of 1 or 5 mg/kg letrozole in ovariectomized (OVX) rats also induces mechanical hypersensitivity, without altering thermal sensitivity and (3) a single dose of 5 mg/kg letrozole or daily dosing of letrozole or exemestane in male rats augments flinching behavior induced by intraplantar ATP injection. To determine whether the effects of AIs on nociceptive behaviors are mediated by activation or sensitization of peptidergic sensory neurons, I determined whether letrozole exposure alters release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from isolated rat sensory neurons and from sensory nerve endings in rat spinal cord slices. No changes in basal, capsaicin-evoked or high extracellular potassium-evoked CGRP release were observed in sensory neuronal cultures acutely or chronically exposed to letrozole. Furthermore, letrozole exposure did not alter the ability of ATP to augment CGRP release from sensory neurons in culture. Finally, chronic letrozole treatment did not augment neuropeptide release from spinal cord slices. Taken together, these results do not support altered release of this neuropeptide into the spinal cord as mediator of letrozole-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and suggest the involvement of other mechanisms. Results from this dissertation provide a new experimental model for AI-induced hypersensitivity that could be beneficial in delineating mechanisms mediating pain during AI therapy.