Differential cellular FGF-2 upregulation in the rat facial nucleus following axotomy, functional electrical stimulation and corticosterone: a possible therapeutic target to Bell's palsy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The etiology of Bell's palsy can vary but anterograde axonal degeneration may delay spontaneous functional recovery leading the necessity of therapeutic interventions. Corticotherapy and/or complementary rehabilitation interventions have been employed. Thus the natural history of the disease reports to a neurotrophic resistance of adult facial motoneurons leading a favorable evolution however the related molecular mechanisms that might be therapeutically addressed in the resistant cases are not known. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) pathway signaling is a potential candidate for therapeutic development because its role on wound repair and autocrine/paracrine trophic mechanisms in the lesioned nervous system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult rats received unilateral facial nerve crush, transection with amputation of nerve branches, or sham operation. Other group of unlesioned rats received a daily functional electrical stimulation in the levator labii superioris muscle (1 mA, 30 Hz, square wave) or systemic corticosterone (10 mgkg^-1). Animals were sacrificed seven days later.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Crush and transection lesions promoted no changes in the number of neurons but increased the neurofilament in the neuronal neuropil of axotomized facial nuclei. Axotomy also elevated the number of GFAP astrocytes (143% after crush; 277% after transection) and nuclear FGF-2 (57% after transection) in astrocytes (confirmed by two-color immunoperoxidase) in the ipsilateral facial nucleus. Image analysis reveled that a seven days functional electrical stimulation or corticosterone led to elevations of FGF-2 in the cytoplasm of neurons and in the nucleus of reactive astrocytes, respectively, without astrocytic reaction.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>FGF-2 may exert paracrine/autocrine trophic actions in the facial nucleus and may be relevant as a therapeutic target to Bell's palsy.</p

Quality of life as a prognostic marker in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background: Improvement in quality of life together with better survival are the ultimate goals in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. the objective of this study was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with the SF-36 generic questionnaire and to identify the prognostic implication of this assessment.Methods: Fifty-four consecutive newly diagnosed PAH patients (WHO classification group I) in a single PAH reference center were included. Patients were evaluated at baseline for clinical and hemodynamic parameters, and they subsequently received first-line therapy with either an endothelin receptor antagonist or a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor. After 16 weeks of specific PAH therapy, all patients were re-evaluated using a 6MWT and a SF 36 questionnaire, and then they were followed up for at least 36 months.Results: After treatment, the patients demonstrated an improved 6MWT (414 +/- 124 m vs. 440 +/- 113 m, p = 0.001). Specific PAH therapy also improved the HRQL scores.Patients with a baseline Physical Component Score (PCS) higher than 32 had a better survival rate than those who had a score under 32 (p = 0.04). Similarly, patients with a PCS of at least a 38 after the 16 week therapy period had a better survival rate when compared with those who did not achieve this value (p = 0.016). Unlike the absolute PCS values, the post-treatment PCS variability was unable to predict better survival rates (p = 0.58).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HRQL is associated with prognosis in PAH. Furthermore, achieving pre-determined PCS scores might represent a specific goal to be reached in treatment-to-target strategies.Univ São Paulo, Sch Med, Pulm Dept, Inst Heart, BR-05403000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Rheumatol Dept, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Rheumatol Dept, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Daily anticipatory rhythms of behavior and body temperature in response to glucose availability in rats

When food is available recurrently at a particular time of day, several species increase their locomotion in the hours that precede food delivery, a phenomenon called food anticipatory activity (FAA). In mammals, many studies have shown that FAA is driven by a food-entrained circadian oscillator (FEO) that is distinct from the light-entrained pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Few studies have investigated the effect of sugar ingestion on food anticipatory rhythms and the FEO. We aimed to extend the understanding of the role of glucose on the emergence of food anticipatory rhythms by investigating whether glucose ingestion is sufficient to produce daily food anticipation, reflected by motor activity and core body temperature rhythms. Under a 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle, chow-deprived rats had glucose solution available between Zeitgeber Time (ZT) 6 and ZT 9 for 10 days (glucose restriction group), whereas control animals had chow available within the same time window (chow restriction group). Animals in both groups exhibited anticipatory motor activity and body temperature around the fourth day of the scheduled food restriction. Glucose-fed rats ingested ~15 kcal on the days immediately before FAA emergence and reached an intake of ~20 kcal/day, whereas chow-fed rats ingested ~40 kcal/day. The glucose restriction group exhibited a pattern of food anticipation (activity and temperature) that was extremely similar to that observed in the chow restriction group. We conclude that glucose ingestion is a sufficient temporal cue to produce recurrent food anticipation, reflected by activity and temperature rhythms, in rats

Preparation of a Nanoemulsion with Carapa guianensis

Andiroba (Carapa guianensis) seeds are the source of an oil with a wide range of biological activities and ethnopharmacological uses. However, few studies have devoted attention to innovative formulations, including nanoemulsions. The present study aimed to obtain a colloidal system with the andiroba oil using a low-energy and organic-solvent-free method. Moreover, the preliminary residual larvicidal activity of the nanoemulsion against Aedes aegypti was evaluated. Oleic and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids, in addition to the phytosterol β-sitosterol and limonoids (tetranortriterpenoids). The required hydrophile-lipophile was around 11.0 and the optimal nanoemulsion was obtained using polysorbate 85. The particle size distribution suggested the presence of small droplets (mean diameter around 150 nm) and low polydispersity index (around 0.150). The effect of temperature on particle size distribution revealed that no major droplet size increase occurred. The preliminary residual larvicidal assay suggested that the mortality increased as a function of time. The present study allowed achievement of a potential bioactive oil in water nanoemulsion that may be a promising controlled release system. Moreover, the ecofriendly approach involved in the preparation associated with the great bioactive potential of C. guianensis makes this nanoemulsion very promising for valorization of this Amazon raw material

Biological activities of arrabidaea chica (Bonpl.) B. Verl. Leaves

Leaves of Arrabidaea chica (Bonpl.) B. Verl., Bignoniaceae, are commonly used in the Amazon region as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent and as a wound healing agent. In the Southeast Region of Brazil, this species is used for urinary infection treatment. Ethanol extract from leaves of Arrabidaea chica and its fractions were prepared and tested for antioxidant, cytotoxic, antibacterial and diuretic activities. All samples, with the exception of the hexane fraction, showed a potential antioxidant activity. Hexane, ethyl acetate fraction and luteolin, a flavone isolated from dichlorometane fraction, demonstrated diuretic activity. None of the samples assayed showed cytotoxicity or antimicrobial activity. Therefore, our results suggest that folk use to treat urinary tract infections may be modulated by the diuretic activity found, since increase of water diuresis serves to ‘flush out’ the urinary tract of infecting organisms. This could reduce bacterial multiplication in the bladder.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Chemical composition of essential oils and anticholinesterasic activity of Eugenia sulcata Spring ex Mart.

The chemical composition of the essential oils from leaves and stems of Eugenia sulcata Spring ex Mart., obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by GC-MS and quantified by CG-FID. In all, 37 components were identified and sesquiterpenes represented the largest fraction of both oils, in the leaves (58.2 %) and stems (85.3 %). The major constituent found in the essential oil from leaves and stems of E. sulcata was β-caryophyllene, corresponding to 24.6 % and 18.8 %, respectively. The substances α- cubebene (1.1 %), β-copaene (0.5 %), cis-muurola-3,5-diene (0.6 %), cis-muurola-4(14),5-diene (1.3 %), γ- himachalene (2.0 %), epizonarene (0.8 %), trans-calamenene (4.4 %) and trans-cadina-1,4-diene (3.4 %) were identified for the first time as chemical constituents of essential oil from leaves of E. sulcata. To our knowledge, this was the first phytochemical contribution to the essential oil from stems of E. sulcata. It was also performed the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory bioassay of the essential oil from leaves of E. sulcata, which was considered active and exhibited an IC50 value of 4.66 ± 0.48 μg.mL-1.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Anticholinesterasic activity of Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard triterpenes

Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard (Sapotaceae) is popularly known in Brazil as "guracica". The species from the genus Manilkara have been studied and several substances were found, including triterpenes. In the present study, we describe the anticholinesterasic activity of an extract of M. subsericea containg beta-amyrin acetate (76.3 %) and alpha-amyrin acetate (23.7 %) using a TLC bioassay.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Chemical and biological study of essential oils from <i>Eugenia pruniformis</i> Cambess., an endemic species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Eugenia pruniformis Cambess. is an endemic species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Essential oils from leaves and fruits from this species were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GCMS/CG-FID. In all, 25 compounds were identified, with predominance of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in both plant parts. The major compounds were β-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, germacrene D, δ- cadinene and α-copaene. Antioxidant activity was performed for essential oil from leaves using ORAC method, showing value of 0.30 ± 0.06 mmol TE/g. Anticholinesterasic evaluation was also performed for this oil, indicating that it inhibited acetylcholinesterase, showing an IC50 of 1798 μg/mL. These results indicate that this essential oil may be considered as a potential source of substances for Alzheimer’s disease Treatment. To our knowledge, these are the first contributions to biological and phytochemical characterization of E. pruniformis, an almost unexplored species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Comparative study and anticholinesterasic evaluation of essential oils from leaves, stems and flowers of myrciaria floribunda (H.West ex Willd.) O. Berg

Myrciaria floribunda (H.West ex Willd.) O.Berg, Myrtaceae, popularly known as “camboim amarelo”, was collected in Restinga de Jurubatiba (RJ, Brazil). Leaves, stems and flowers were individually submitted to hydrodistillation, affording the respective essential oils. Monoterpenes were the main group of essential oils from leaves (53.9 %) and flowers (55.4 %). Sesquiterpenes were more representative in stems (72.2 %). 1,8-cineole was the major constituent in the essential oil from leaves (38.4 %) and flowers (22.8 %). The major constituent from stems was (2E,6E)-farnesyl acetate (19.9 %). To our knowledge, these are the first contributions for essential oils from stems and flowers of M. floribunda. It was also performed the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory bioassay of the essential oil from stems, flowers and leaves of M. floribunda. Flowers and leaves oils had an IC50 of 1583 and 681 μg/mL, respectively, being both low to mild values.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire