Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded on the Natural Membrane to Neurospheres for Cholinergic-like Neurons

This study aimed to differentiate human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from the human umbilical cord in cholinergic-like neurons using a natural membrane. The isolation of hMSCs from Wharton’s jelly (WJ) was carried out using “explant” and mononuclear cells by the density gradient from umbilical blood and characterized by flow cytometry. hMSCs were seeded in a natural functional biopolymer membrane to produce neurospheres. RT-PCR was performed on hMSCs and neurospheres derived from the umbilical cord. Neural precursor cells were subjected to a standard cholinergic-like neuron differentiation protocol. Dissociated neurospheres, neural precursor cells, and cholinergic-like neurons were characterized by immunocytochemistry. hMSCs were CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD34- and CD45- and demonstrated the trilineage differentiation. Neurospheres and their isolated cells were nestin-positive and expressed NESTIN, MAP2, ßIII-TUBULIN, GFAP genes. Neural precursor cells that were differentiated in cholinergic-like neurons expressed ßIII-TUBULIN protein and choline acetyltransferase enzyme. hMSCs seeded on the natural membrane can differentiate into neurospheres, obtaining neural precursor cells without growth factors or gene transfection before cholinergic phenotype differentiation

Effect of tripanosomicide benznidazole (Rochagan®) on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in Wistar rats

Benznidazole, a drug with specific anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity, is used in the treatment of Chagas' disease. The radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) is used to obtain diagnostic images of the stomach, thyroid, parathyroids, salivary glands, brain and in the study of esophageal reflux and blood flow. This study aimed at evaluating in vivo the influence of benznidazole treatment on the sodium pertechnetate biodistribution in Wistar rats. The percentage of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) of various organs (brain, heart, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, liver, muscle and blood) was determined. Comparing the treated rats with the controls, we observed that sodium pertechnetate biodistribution did not change when administered to rats treated for thirty days with benznidazole.<br>O benzonidazol é um quimioterápico com atividade específica anti-T. cruzi utilizado por milhares de pessoas para tratamento da doença de Chagas. O radiofármaco pertecnetato de sódio (Na99mTcO4) é utilizado na obtenção de imagens diagnósticas do estômago, tireóide, paratireóides, glândulas salivares, plexo coróide, cérebro e de estudos de refluxo esofágico e de fluxo sanguíneo. Esse trabalho objetivou avaliar in vivo a influência do tratamento crônico com o benzonidazol na biodistribuição do radiofármaco pertecnetato de sódio em ratos Wistar. O percentual de radioatividade por grama (%ATI/g) de vários órgãos (cérebro, coração, esôfago, estômago, intestino delgado, intestino grosso, baço, fígado, músculo e sangue) foi determinado. Comparando-se o grupo controle e o tratado observou-se que o pertecnetato de sódio não possui sua biodistribuição alterada quando administrado em ratos tratados por trinta dias com a droga benzonidazol, mostrando não prejudicar a interpretação de diagnósticos por imagem

Effect of paclitaxel (Taxol®) on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in female Wistar rats

The evidence that natural or synthetic drugs can affect the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals (radiobiocomplexes) in setting of nuclear medicine clinic is already known. We studied the effect of Paclitaxel, an anti-neoplastic agent for the treatment of solid tumors, on the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 in female rats. Paclitaxel (1mg/mL/week) was administered into animals in single dose during 3 weeks, with interval of 1 week among them. The control group received NaCl 0.9% solutions by the same via. One hour after the last dose, it was injected Na99mTcO4 in the animals. The percentage of activity per gram (%ATI/g) and biochemical and hematological determinations were performed. A significant increase were found in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose and in the %ATI/g of some organs (ovaries, uterus, vagina, breasts, large intestine and liver).These results can be associated, probably, to the capacity of paclitaxel to alter the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 and the metabolism of glucose and hepatic enzymes.<br>Já está bem estabelecido na literatura científica que produtos naturais ou sintéticos podem alterar a biodistribuição de radiofármacos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência do paclitaxel, um agente antineoplásico para tratamento de tumores sólidos na biodistribuição do pertecnetato de sódio em ratas Wistar e na determinação de componentes bioquímicos e hematológicos. Paclitaxel, comercialmente conhecido por Taxol® (1mg/mL/semana), foi administrado, intraperitoneamente, nos animais do grupo tratado, em dose única, por 3 semanas, mas com intervalo de uma semana entre elas. O grupo controle recebeu solução de NaCl 0,9%. Uma hora após a última dose de paclitaxel, os animais receberam 0,1 mL de Na99mTcO4 (3,7MBq) via plexo orbital. O percentual de radioatividade por grama (%ATI/g) e parâmetros laboratoriais foram determinados. Ocorreu um aumento significativo (p<0,05) do %ATI/g nos ovários, útero, vagina, mamas, intestino grosso e fígado. Os níveis de glicose sangüínea e das enzimas hepáticas (ALT e AST) também aumentaram significantemente (p<0,01). Esses resultados podem estar associados, provavelmente, à capacidade do paclitaxel em alterar a biodistribuição do Na99mTcO4 e o metabolismo da glicose e de enzimas hepáticas