Estudo do desenvolvimento pós-natal da próstata de ratos sob efeito de altas concentrações de glicose

The effects of diabetes in the adult prostate are well known in the literature, but its impact on the prostate of diabetic mothers’ offspring is still poorly studied. Because the prostate has an important post-natal development and diabetic mothers’ offspring tend to have higher glycemia than individuals born to normoglycemic mothers, the objective was to evaluate the influence of high glucose concentrations on prostate development. Prostates of 45 male Wistar rats were used, with cultures performed for 1, 2 and 3 days and divided into three groups: Control - treated with basal medium; Moderate glucose - treated with basal medium plus 126 mg/dL of glucose and High Glucose - treated with 450 mg/dL of glucose. After the cultures, the prostates were included in paraffin or frozen. Histological sections determined the number of prostatic buds and mitotic figures and immunohistochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin. The content of p-ERK and MMP-2 was measured by Western blotting. High glucose concentrations discouraged the occurrence of mitoses, thus reducing the number of prostatic buds. Phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 protein was lower after treatment with glucose. Similarly, in the stroma, environments with glucose reduced the content of smooth muscle cells and MMP-2. With these data, we conclude that high concentration glucose reduces an important cell proliferation pathway, ERK1/2, which may be related to reduced bud formation. Furthermore, glucose has an impact on the stromal environment, interfering with muscle cell formation and tissue remodeling, essential for development with the reduction of MMP2. Thus, it is of fundamental importance that the postnatal prostate development occurs in a suitable environment, so that it develops properly and enables the typical performance of the physiological and sexual functions of man.CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoTrabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Graduação)Os efeitos do diabetes na próstata de adultos já são bem conhecidos na literatura, entretanto, o seu impacto na próstata da prole de mães diabéticas ainda é pouco estudado. Devido ao fato da próstata ter um importante desenvolvimento pós-natal e a prole de mães diabéticas tender a ter glicemia mais elevada do que indivíduos nascidos de mães normoglicêmicas, objetivou-se avaliar a influência de altas concentrações de glicose no desenvolvimento prostático. Foram utilizadas próstatas de 45 ratos Wistar machos recém-nascidos, com culturas realizadas durante 1, 2 e 3 dias e divididas em 3 grupos: Controle – tratadas com meio basal; Glicose moderada - tratadas com o meio basal acrescido de 126 mg/dL de glicose e Alta glicose - tratadas com 450 mg/dL de glicose. Após as culturas as próstatas foram incluídas em parafinas ou congeladas. Nos cortes histológicos foram determinou-se o número de brotos prostáticos e figuras mitóticas e imunohistoquímica para a alfa-actina de músculo liso. O conteúdo de ERK fosforilada e metaloproteinase de matriz 2 foi aferido por Western Blotting. Altas concentrações de glicose desestimularam a ocorrência de mitoses, diminuindo assim o número de brotos prostáticos. A fosforilação da proteína ERK 1/2 foi menor após o tratamento com glicose. No estroma, os ambientes com glicose, reduziram o conteúdo de células musculares lisas e de MMP-2. Concluímos que glicose em alta concentração reduz uma importante via de proliferação celular, ERK1/2, podendo ter relação com a reduzida formação de brotos. Ainda, a glicose tem impacto no ambiente estromal interferindo na formação de células musculares e na remodelação tecidual com a redução de MMP2. Assim, é de fundamental importância que o desenvolvimento pós-natal da próstata ocorra em um ambiente adequado, a fim de que ela se desenvolva apropriadamente e possibilite o desempenho normal das funções fisiológicas e sexuais do homem

Illuminating the Brain With X-Rays: Contributions and Future Perspectives of High-Resolution Microtomography to Neuroscience

The assessment of three-dimensional (3D) brain cytoarchitecture at a cellular resolution remains a great challenge in the field of neuroscience and constant development of imaging techniques has become crucial, particularly when it comes to offering direct and clear obtention of data from macro to nano scales. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electron or optical microscopy, although valuable, still face some issues such as the lack of contrast and extensive sample preparation protocols. In this context, x-ray microtomography (μCT) has become a promising non-destructive tool for imaging a broad range of samples, from dense materials to soft biological specimens. It is a new supplemental method to be explored for deciphering the cytoarchitecture and connectivity of the brain. This review aims to bring together published works using x-ray μCT in neurobiology in order to discuss the achievements made so far and the future of this technique for neuroscience