Dermatan sulfate reduces monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and TGF-β production, as well as macrophage recruitment and myofibroblast accumulation in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction

Selectins play an essential role in most inflammatory reactions, mediating the initial leukocyte-rolling event on activated endothelium. Heparin and dermatan sulfate (DS) bind and block P- and L-selectin function in vitro. Recently, we reported that subcutaneous administration of DS inhibits colon inflammation in rats by reducing macrophage and T-cell recruitment and macrophage activation. In the present study, we examined the effect of porcine intestinal mucosa DS on renal inflammation and fibrosis in mice after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Twenty-four adult male Swiss mice weighing 20-25 g were divided into 4 groups: group C (N = 6) was not subjected to any surgical manipulation; group SH (N = 6) was subjected to surgical manipulation but without ureter ligation; group UUO (N = 6) was subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction and received no treatment; group UUO plus DS (N = 6) was subjected to UUO and received DS (4 mg/kg) subcutaneously daily for 14 days. An immunoblot study was also performed for TGF-β. Collagen (stained area ~3700 µm²), MCP-1 (stained area ~1700 µm²), TGF-β (stained area ~13% of total area), macrophage (number of cells ~40), and myofibroblast (stained area ~1900 µm²) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the UUO group compared to control. DS treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the content of collagen (stained area ~700 µm²), MCP-1 (stained area ~160 µm²) and TGF-β (stained area ~5% of total area), in addition to myofibroblast (stained area ~190 µm²) and macrophage (number of cells ~32) accumulation in the obstructed kidney. Overall, these results indicate that DS attenuates kidney inflammation by reducing macrophage recruitment, myofibroblast population and fibrosis in mice submitted to UUO

Efeitos da poluição por petróleo na estrutura da folha de Podocarpus lambertii Klotzsch ex Endl., Podocarpaceae Effects of oil pollution on leaf structure of Podocarpus lambertii Klotzsch ex Endl., Podocarpaceae

Podocarpus lambertii, popularmente conhecida como pinheiro-bravo é uma Podocarpaceae típica da região Sul do Brasil, família que se distingue de outras coníferas por possuir uma estrutura de suporte para o óvulo denominada "epimatium". O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar, por meio de parâmetros morfológicos e anatômicos, os efeitos da poluição por petróleo na estrutura das folhas de Podocarpus lambertii Klotzsch ex Endl. (Podocarpaceae), popularmente conhecida por pinheiro-bravo. As folhas foram coletadas no município de Araucária, Paraná, Brasil, na Refinaria de petróleo Presidente Getúlio Vargas (REPAR) um ano após exposição à poluição provocada pelo derramamento de petróleo. Esta espécie foi selecionada, porque além de ser nativa, apresentou um comportamento diferenciado dentre as demais diante da poluição. Folhas de nove indivíduos (seis expostos ao petróleo e três controle) foram coletadas. Foram avaliadas em microscopia fotônica as dimensões foliares (comprimento, largura e área foliar), a espessura dos tecidos e a densidade estomática. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente. Nos indivíduos expostos à poluição, a superfície foliar foi menor, a densidade estomática e espessura dos tecidos foliares foram maiores quando comparados aos indivíduos controle. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que P. lambertti reagiu quando de sua exposição à poluição por petróleo.<br>Podocarpus lambertii, locally known as "pinheiro-bravo", is a typical Podocarpaceae from Southern Brazil. This family is the most diverse of conifers; it has a distinguishing characteristic, namely the presence of an ovule support structure, called an epimatium. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oil pollution on the leaf structure of P. lambertii through morphology and anatomy. Leaves were collected in Araucária Municipality, Paraná, Brazil, at the Presidente Getúlio Vargas Petroleum Refinery one year after they had been exposed to pollution by an oil spill. This species was studied because besides being a native species, it behaved differently from the other species when faced with pollution. Nine individuals were selected (six exposed to pollution and three controls). We analyzed the leaf surface (length, width and leaf area), tissue thickness and stomatal density using light microscopy. The data were statistically analyzed. Leaf anatomy was rather variable. The individuals that were exposed to pollution had smaller leaf surfaces, while stomatal density and thickness of leaf tissues were greater when compared to the control