RESUMO
Overweight/obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and inadequate eating habits directly contribute to the development of this condition. Studies indicate that rapid weight gain at critical development stages, such as the lactation period, is associated with the development of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes in the long term. In addition to metabolic changes during adulthood, overweight/obesity may influence reproductive function of the population. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate postnatal overfeeding effects on male and female Wistar rat reproductive parameters. Postnatal overfeeding was induced by applying the litter reduction method for both sexes. Forty animals were used, divided into four groups: two with normal litters (NLâ and NLâ) and two with small litters (SLâ and SLâ). The males were euthanized at 90 days of age, on the same date the females were mated. Females were also euthanized after the 20-day gestation. Metabolic and reproductive variables were analyzed. Regarding males, SL animals showed increased body weight, adiposity, and decreased relative weight of the seminal vesicle, prostate, and epididymis as well as changes in the ITT and OGTT glycemic tests. Concerning females, SL animals presented increased body weight, relative perigonadal fat weight, glucose intolerance as well as modify the vaginal opening and increased weight of female pup. The litter reduction method was efficient in leading to metabolic and reproductive alterations in male and female Wistar rat.
Assuntos
Peso Corporal , Obesidade/etiologia , Ovário/fisiologia , Hipernutrição/fisiopatologia , Reprodução , Testículo/fisiologia , Aumento de Peso , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Feminino , Teste de Tolerância a Glucose , Insulina/metabolismo , Lactação , Masculino , Ovário/citologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Testículo/citologiaRESUMO
The aim of this study was to characterize Carioca High-conditioned Freezing rats (CHF) regarding their endocrine and metabolic backgrounds. We found an increase in serum corticosterone (CTRL: 96.7 ± 21.65 vs CHF: 292.0 ± 4 0.71 ng/ml) and leptin (CTRL: 9.5 ± 1.51 vs CHF: 19.2 ± 4.32 ng/ml). Serum testosterone (CTRL: 3.3 ± 0.29 vs CHF: 2.0 ± 0.28 ng/ml) and T3 (CTRL: 52.4 ± 2.74 vs CHF: 42.7 ± 2.94 ng/dl) were decreased in the CHF group, but serum TSH and T4 were unaffected. Body weight and food intake were unchanged, nevertheless retroperitoneal fat (CTRL: 2.2 ± 0.24 vs CHF: 4.8 ± 0.64 g) and epididymal fat (CTRL: 2.6 ± 0.20 vs CHF: 4.8 ± 0.37 g) depot weights were around 2-fold higher in CHF animals. BAT weight was similar in both groups. Serum triglycerides (CTRL: 41.4 ± 6.03 vs CHF: 83.2 ± 17.09 mg/dl) and total cholesterol (CTRL: 181.6 ± 5.61 vs CHF: 226.4 ± 13.04 mg/dl) were higher in the CHF group. Fasting glycemia (CTRL: 68.7 ± 3.04 vs CHF: 82.3 ± 2.99 mg/dl) was also higher in the CHF group, however glucose tolerance test response and serum insulin levels were similar between the groups. Oxygen consumption (CTRL: 10.5 ± 0.40 vs CHF: 7.9 ± 0.58 VO2ml/min/kg(0.75)) and BAT D2 activity (CTRL: 0.7 ± 0.17 vs CHF: 0.3 ± 0.04 fmolT4/min/mg ptn) were lower in the CHF group. Our data show that anxiety could impair endocrine and metabolic functions and may contribute to the development of metabolic diseases.
Assuntos
Transtornos de Ansiedade/metabolismo , Tecido Adiposo Marrom/metabolismo , Animais , Transtornos de Ansiedade/patologia , Peso Corporal , Complexo CD3/sangue , Antígenos CD4/sangue , Colesterol/sangue , Corticosterona/sangue , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Jejum/metabolismo , Insulina/sangue , Gordura Intra-Abdominal/patologia , Leptina/sangue , Masculino , Consumo de Oxigênio/fisiologia , Ratos Wistar , Especificidade da Espécie , Testosterona/sangue , Tireotropina/sangue , Triglicerídeos/sangueRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Studies on the immunology of leprosy are fundamental to the understanding of the various forms of clinical manifestation of the disease. In some diseases, lymphocytes TH17 and one of its key cytokines, interleukin-17 has been shown to be essential in developing an effective immune response. In leprosy, involvement of lymphocyte TH17 and interleukin-17 remains understudied. OBJECTIVES: This study is the first investigation to examine the association between TH17 cells, interleukin-17 and interferon- γ in patients and households contacts of leprosy. METHODS: To document the participation of TH17 cells and interleukin-17 in the immunology of leprosy, to observe the behavior of interferon-γ in relation to interleukin-17 and to verify the differences found between individuals paucibacillary, multibacillary and household contacts, we analyzed samples peripheral blood to identify TH-17 cells, interleukin-17 and IFN-γ; establishing relationships between all the groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the results found in the comparison between the paucibacillary and multibacillary groups of patients (P < 0.001), as well with the household contacts (P < 0.005). The polychemotherapeutic treatment modified the profile of immune response in multibacillary patients compared to what was observed before the start of treatment. CONCLUSION: The principal finding was that TH17 lymphocytes and interleukin-17 actively participating in the immune response of Hansen's disease as well these cells can stimulate the cellular immunity.
Assuntos
Imunidade Celular , Interferon gama/imunologia , Interleucina-17/imunologia , Hansenostáticos/uso terapêutico , Hanseníase Multibacilar/imunologia , Hanseníase Paucibacilar/imunologia , Células Th17/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Interferon gama/metabolismo , Interleucina-17/metabolismo , Hanseníase Multibacilar/tratamento farmacológico , Hanseníase Multibacilar/transmissão , Hanseníase Paucibacilar/tratamento farmacológico , Hanseníase Paucibacilar/transmissão , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Platynosomum fastosum is a feline biliary tract trematode that generally causes asymptomatic infections. In the early 1980s in Brazil, P. fastosum was associated with cholangiocarcinomas, but this finding was not confirmed in the various publications on the parasite during the last 30 years. This study aims to report three cases of cholangiocarcinomas in cats associated with the presence of P. fastosum. From 2000 to 2011, in the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Campina Grande in northeast Brazil, 348 cats were necropsied, 11 of which (3.16%) were parasitized by P. fastosum. Three cases that resulted in death were associated with cholangiocarcinomas that were found to be associated with P. fastosum. Histologically, the tumors consisted of acini composed of cells with pleomorphic nuclei, loose chromatin, evident nucleoli and lightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. Metastases were observed in two cases. The first case involved metastases to the lungs, kidneys, ovary and peritoneum, and in the second case, the lymph nodes, kidneys, heart and encephalon were involved. The other 8 cats died from other causes, and the parasite was an incidental finding. In those cases, the histologic lesions were nonsuppurative cholangiohepatitis and periductal fibrosis with P. fastosum present. Six animals also showed pre-neoplastic changes (hyperplasia and dysplasia) of the biliary duct epithelium. The study concluded that, as observed in other human biliary tract trematodes, P. fastosum causes cholangiocarcinomas in the liver of cats.
Assuntos
Neoplasias dos Ductos Biliares/veterinária , Ductos Biliares Intra-Hepáticos/parasitologia , Doenças do Gato/parasitologia , Colangiocarcinoma/veterinária , Hepatopatias Parasitárias/veterinária , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterinária , Animais , Neoplasias dos Ductos Biliares/parasitologia , Neoplasias dos Ductos Biliares/patologia , Ductos Biliares Intra-Hepáticos/patologia , Brasil , Doenças do Gato/patologia , Gatos , Colangiocarcinoma/parasitologia , Colangiocarcinoma/patologia , Evolução Fatal , Feminino , Fígado/parasitologia , Fígado/patologia , Hepatopatias Parasitárias/complicações , Hepatopatias Parasitárias/patologia , Metástase Linfática , Masculino , Metástase Neoplásica , Trematódeos/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Trematódeos/complicações , Infecções por Trematódeos/patologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Clonal kidney cells (Vero cells) are extensively utilized in the manufacture of biological preparations for disease diagnostics and therapeutics and also in preparation of vaccines. In all cells, regulation of volume is an essential function coupled to a variety of physiological processes and is a topic of interest. The objective here was to investigate involvement of ion channels in the process of volume regulation of Vero cells. METHODS: Involvement of ion channels in cell volume regulation was studied using video-microscopy and flow cytometry. Pharmacologically unaltered cells of different sizes, which are presumably at different phases of the cell cycle, were used. RESULTS: Ion transport inhibitors altered all phases of regulatory volume decrease (RVD) of Vero cells, rate of initial cell swelling, V(max) and volume recovery. Effects were dependent on type of inhibitor and on cell size (cell cycle phase). Participation of aquaporins in RVD was suggested. Inhibitors decelerated growth, arresting Vero cells at the G(0) /G(1) phase boundary. Electrophysiological study confirmed presence of volume-activated Cl(-) channels and K(+) channels in plasmatic membranes of the cells. CONCLUSION: Vero cells of all sizes maintained the ability to recover from osmotic swelling. Activity of ion channels was one of the key factors that controlled volume regulation and proliferation of the cells.
Assuntos
Tamanho Celular , Canais Iônicos/metabolismo , Rim/citologia , Rim/metabolismo , Ácido 4,4'-Di-Isotiocianoestilbeno-2,2'-Dissulfônico/farmacologia , Animais , Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Tamanho Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Chlorocebus aethiops , Citometria de Fluxo , Glibureto/farmacologia , Canais Iônicos/antagonistas & inibidores , Microscopia , Nitrobenzoatos/farmacologia , Tetraetilamônio/farmacologia , Células VeroRESUMO
The clinical manifestations of human Chagas disease are associated with distinct and complex host-parasite interactions that directly involve the host's immune system. In this study, we analysed the relationship between the production of intracytoplasmic cytokines after in vitro stimulation with the recombinant antigens CRA (cytoplasmatic repetitive antigen) or FRA (flagellar repetitive antigen) from Trypanosoma cruzi and the chronic cardiac or indeterminate clinical forms of Chagas disease. The chagasic patient groups consisted of 39 individuals, selected at the Chagas Disease Unit of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital, whom presented either a cardiac form without cardiac dilatation (CARD 1), cardiac form with cardiac dilatation (CARD 2) or indeterminate form (IND). Blood samples were obtained from these patients and cultured in the presence of CRA or FRA. The cytokines produced by lymphocytes and monocytes after antigen stimulation were analysed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the IFN-γ and TNF-α, produced by CD8+ T lymphocytes after in vitro stimulation with CRA, differed among chagasic patients with CARD 1, CARD 2 or IND. We propose that these cytokines could be utilized as immunological markers for clinical cardiac forms of Chagas disease. In a prospective study of patients presenting IND and CARD 1, the assay performed in this paper could serve as a tool to monitor therapeutic interventions, thus improving the patient's quality of life.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/imunologia , Citocinas/biossíntese , Trypanosoma cruzi/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/diagnóstico , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Flagelos/imunologia , Humanos , Linfócitos/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Monócitos/imunologia , Proteínas Recombinantes/imunologiaRESUMO
The milk of experimentally infected rats was investigated for the presence and possible transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. Wistar (Rattus norvegicus) female rats were divided into three groups and orally inoculated with bradyzoites. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the parasite in the milk. Transmission to the offspring was verified by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), modified agglutination test (MAT), bioassay tests and PCR. Rat milk samples were PCR-positive, pups were serum-reactive to T. gondii and tissue samples also presented positive DNA results through PCR.
Assuntos
Animais , Feminino , Ratos , Bioensaio , Leite , Ratos Wistar , Toxoplasma , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodosRESUMO
The milk of experimentally infected rats was investigated for the presence and possible transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. Wistar (Rattus norvegicus) female rats were divided into three groups and orally inoculated with bradyzoites. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the parasite in the milk. Transmission to the offspring was verified by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), modified agglutination test (MAT), bioassay tests and PCR. Rat milk samples were PCR-positive, pups were serum-reactive to T. gondii and tissue samples also presented positive DNA results through PCR.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Toxoplasmose/diagnóstico , Toxoplasmose/transmissão , DNA Polimerase Dirigida por DNA/biossíntese , Técnica Direta de Fluorescência para Anticorpo/métodos , Técnica Direta de Fluorescência para Anticorpo/veterinária , Coleta de Tecidos e Órgãos , BioensaioRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The potential adverse effects of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy are discrepant and few studies, mostly from Europe, have provided information about pregnancy outcomes of those already on treatment at conception. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of antiretrovirals (ARVs) on pregnancy outcome according to the timing of treatment initiation in a cohort of pregnant women from Brazil infected with HIV. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 696 pregnant women followed up in one single centre between 1996 and 2006 was studied. Patients who had ARV treatment before pregnancy were compared with those treated after the first trimester. The outcomes evaluated were preterm delivery (PTD) (<37 weeks), severe PTD (<34 weeks), low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g) and very LBW (<1500 g). RESULTS: Patients who were using ARVs pre-conception had higher rates of LBW (33.3% vs 16.5%; p<0.001) and a similar trend for PTD (26.3% vs 17.7%; p = 0.09). Stratification by type of therapy (dual vs highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)) according to timing of initiation of ARVs showed that patients who use HAART pre-conception have a higher rate of PTD (20.2% vs 10.2%; p = 0.03) and LBW (24.2% vs 10.2%; p = 0.002). After adjusting for several factors, HAART used pre-conception was associated with an increased risk for PTD (AOR 5.0; 95% CI 1.5 to 17.0; p = 0.009) and LBW (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.7 to 7.7; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We identified an increased risk for LBW and PTD in patients who had HAART prior to pregnancy.
Assuntos
Fármacos Anti-HIV/efeitos adversos , Terapia Antirretroviral de Alta Atividade/efeitos adversos , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , HIV-1 , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Brasil , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Humanos , Recém-Nascido de Baixo Peso , Recém-Nascido , Recém-Nascido Prematuro , Recém-Nascido de muito Baixo Peso , Gravidez , Resultado da Gravidez , Nascimento Prematuro/induzido quimicamente , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The abnormal accumulation or deficiency of trace elements may theoretically impair the formation of bone and contribute to osteoporosis. In this context, the knowledge of major and trace elements is very important in order to clarify many issues regarding diseases of the bone, such as osteoporosis, that remain unresolved. Several kinds of imaging techniques can be useful to access morphology and the minerals present in osteoporotic bones. In this work, synchrotron radiation X-ray microfluorescence was used as an X-ray imaging technique to investigate bone structures. Therefore, this research aims to improve the knowledge about some aspects of bone quality. The measurements were carried out at the Brazilian Synchrotron Laboratory Light Laboratory, in Brazil. A white beam with an energy range of 4-23 keV, a 45 degrees /45 degrees geometry and a capillary optics were used. It was demonstrated that bone quality can and must be evaluated not only by considering the architecture of bones but also by taking into account the concentration and the distribution of minerals. Our results showed that the elemental distributions in bone zones on a micron scale were very helpful to understand functions in those structures.