Expression pattern of glycoconjugates in the Bidderian and ovarian follicles of the Brazilian toad Bufo ictericus analyzed by lectin histochemistry

The Bidder's organ and ovary of the Brazilian toad Bufo ictericus were studied by light microscopy, using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining. The expression and distribution of carbohydrate moieties was analyzed by lectin histochemistry, using 8 lectins with different carbohydrate specificities: Ulex europaeus (UEA I), Lens culinaris (LCA), Erythrina cristagalli (ECA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Ricinus communis (RCA I), Aleuria aurantia (AAA), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), and Glycine maximum (SBA). The results showed that the Bidderian zona pellucida presented alpha-mannose, alpha-L-fucose, beta-D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues. The Bidderian follicular cells showed the presence of beta-D-galactose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. In the extracellular matrix, alpha-mannose and alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues were detected. The ovarian zona pellucida showed alpha-L-fucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues, and alpha-mannose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues were detected in the follicular cells. Thus, the zona pellucida in both organs contains N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and alpha/beta-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues. alpha-L-fucose residues were detected in the zona pellucida of both organs, using different lectins. Considering that beta-D-galactose residue was absent from ovary but present in the Bidder's organ, this sugar residue may play an important role in follicle development, blocking the Bidderian follicles and preventing further development of the Bidder's organ into a functional ovary

Morphological re-evaluation of the parotoid glands of Bufo ictericus (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae)

Multicellular glands in the amphibian integument represent a signifi cant evolutionary advance over those of fi shes. Bufonids have parotoid glands, symmetrically disposed in a post-orbital position. Their secretion may contribute to protection against predators and parasites. This study provides a re-evaluation of the morphology of the Bufo ictericus parotoid glands. The parotoid gland integument of the medial surface shows rounded depressions with small pores that connect with the duct openings of the larger granular glands. Under light microscopic evaluation the integument is constituted by typical epidermis, supported by dermis subdivided into a spongious dermis, a reticular dermis, and a compact dermis. The Eberth-Katschenko layer is identifi ed as a basophilic material scattered throughout the superfi cial spongious dermis. The parotoid gland is an integument region, in which three exocrine glandular types occur: mixed glands, smaller granular glands and larger granular glands. The mixed gland is formed by mucous and serous cells while the small granular glands contain a homogene acidophilic intake. The larger granular glands produce a basophilic and alcianophilic material, and are responsible for the macroscopic protuberances designed as parotoid glands. Thus, the end product released by the parotoid glands is a mix of secretions produced by the three glands

Evaluation of octyl p-methoxycinnamate included in liposomes and cyclodextrins in anti-solar preparations: preparations, characterizations and in vitro penetration studies

Mariana Sato de Souza de Bustamante Monteiro,1 Rafael Antonio Ozzetti,2 André Luiz Vergnanini,2 Lycia de Brito-Gitirana,3 Nadia Maria Volpato,4 Zaida Maria Faria de Freitas,1 Eduardo Ricci-Júnior,1 Elisabete Pereira dos Santos11Medicines Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 2University of Campinas, São Paulo, 3Laboratory of Animal and Comparative Histology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 4Department of Production and Medicine Control, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilPurpose: Awareness of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation has led to the increasing use of sunscreens, thus, the development of safe and effective antisolar preparations is important. The inclusion of sunscreen molecules in different release systems, like liposomes (lipo) and cyclodextrins (CD) is therefore required.Methods: The in vivo sun protection factor (SPF), water resistance, and in vitro transdermal penetration test of octyl p-methoxycinnamate (OMC) in different dispersions, such as OMC encapsulated in liposomes (lipo/OMC), OMC encapsulated in β-cyclodextrins (β-CD/OMC), OMC encapsulated in both release systems (lipo/OMC and β-CD/OMC), and an OMC-free formulation were determined.Results: Although the formulation containing only the lipo/OMC system revealed high value of in vivo SPF (11.0 ± 1.3) and water resistance (SPF = 10.3 ± 2.2), the formulation containing both release systems (lipo/OMC + β-cyclodextrin/OMC) showed the best result in the in vivo SPF test (11.6 ± 1.6). In the penetration test, the formulation containing the lipo/OMC system had better performance, since a high amount of OMC in the epidermis (18.04 ± 1.17 µg) and a low amount of OMC in the dermis (9.4 ± 2.36 µg) were observed. These results suggest that liposomes interact with the cells of the stratum corneum, promoting retention of OMC in this layer.Conclusion: According to our study, the lipo/OMC system is the most advantageous release system, due to its ability to both increase the amount of OMC in the epidermis and decrease the risk of percutaneous absorption.Keywords: octyl p-methoxycinnamate, sunscreen, liposomes, β-cyclodextrin, penetratio

Evaluation of octyl p-methoxycinnamate included in liposomes and cyclodextrins in anti-solar preparations: preparations, characterizations and in vitro penetration studies

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Purpose: Awareness of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation has led to the increasing use of sunscreens, thus, the development of safe and effective antisolar preparations is important. The inclusion of sunscreen molecules in different release systems, like liposomes (lipo) and cyclodextrins (CD) is therefore required. Methods: The in vivo sun protection factor (SPF), water resistance, and in vitro transdermal penetration test of octyl p-methoxycinnamate (OMC) in different dispersions, such as OMC encapsulated in liposomes (lipo/OMC), OMC encapsulated in beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CD/OMC), OMC encapsulated in both release systems (lipo/OMC and beta-CD/OMC), and an OMC-free formulation were determined. Results: Although the formulation containing only the lipo/OMC system revealed high value of in vivo SPF (11.0 +/- 1.3) and water resistance (SPF = 10.3 +/- 2.2), the formulation containing both release systems (lipo/OMC + beta-cyclodextrin/OMC) showed the best result in the in vivo SPF test (11.6 +/- 1.6). In the penetration test, the formulation containing the lipo/OMC system had better performance, since a high amount of OMC in the epidermis (18.04 +/- 1.17 mu g) and a low amount of OMC in the dermis (9.4 +/- 2.36 mu g) were observed. These results suggest that liposomes interact with the cells of the stratum corneum, promoting retention of OMC in this layer. Conclusion: According to our study, the lipo/OMC system is the most advantageous release system, due to its ability to both increase the amount of OMC in the epidermis and decrease the risk of percutaneous absorption.730453058Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Farmacia Universitaria/UFRJCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES