Effects of the topical administration of copaiba oil ointment (Copaifera langsdorffii) in skin flaps viability of rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of copaiba oil ointment (Copaifera langsdorffii) on dorsal skin flaps in rats. METHODS: Adult male rats (n=30) were distributed into three groups of ten animals each, as follows: GC - control; GCA - absolute control and GT - treated with copaiba ointment. The rats were subjected to dorsal cutaneous skin flap surgery and the animals from the GC and GT received post-operative treatment for eight consecutive days. The animals from the GCA group did not receive treatment while the animals from the GC group received daily topical treatment of ointment without the active ingredient and the animals from the GT group were daily treated with 10% copaiba oil ointment. At the end of each experimental period the lesions were evaluated according to the percentage of necrotic area. Then, fragments from cranial, median and caudal parts were fixed in Boüin's solution and processed for paraffin embedding. The morphology of histological sections (5µm) was evaluated and the number of leucocytes, fibroblasts and blood vessels was also analyzed. The data obtained were submitted to ANOVA test complemented by Tukey-Kramer test (pGC and GT), while the morphology showed larger granulation tissue with bulky fibroblasts and collagen fibers more arranged in the GT group. The morphometry showed a significant higher number of blood vessels in the median and caudal parts (GT>GCA and GC), leucocytes in the cranial part (GT>GC>GCA), and also fibroblasts in the median (GT and GC> GCA) and caudal parts (GT>GC and GCA) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The copaiba oil ointment favors angiogenesis and accelerates the viability of random skin flaps in rats.Federal Rural University of Pernambuco Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology Postgraduate Program in Animal BioscienceUFRPE Department of Morphology and Physiology Histology DivisionFederal University of Pernambuco Department of Morphology Histology DivisionFederal University of São Paulo Department of Morphology and Genetic Postgraduate Program in MorphologyUNIFESP, Department of Morphology and Genetic Postgraduate Program in MorphologySciEL

ASPECTOS CITOPATOLÓGICOS DA MUCOSA VAGINAL DE CAMUNDONGAS TRATADAS COM PROGESTERONA

A regulação da atividade do ciclo estral dos mamí¬feros domésticos é um processo complexo e está, basica¬mente, sob o controle do eixo hipotálamo-adenohipófise-ovários, através de mecanismos endócrinos e neuroendócri¬nos. A progesterona constitui-se em importante regulador da atividade funcional e estrutural do sistema reprodutor das fêmeas domésticas. Considerando-se sua importância e sua freqüente utilização, realizou-se o presente trabalho, que teve por objetivo avaliar os aspectos citopatológicos da vagina de camundongas tratadas com progesterona. Foram utilizadas 36 camundongas da linhagem Swiss Webster di¬vididas em quatro grupos e submetidas aos seguintes pro¬cedimentos: Grupo S (controle – camundongas tratadas com o veículo e avaliadas durante quinze dias consecuti¬vos); Grupos E1, E2 e E3 (camundongas tratadas com 0,375 mg, 0,75 mg e 1,5 mg de acetato de medroxiprogesterona respectivamente e avaliadas durante quinze dias de experi¬mento). De acordo com os resultados obtidos pode-se con¬cluir que o acetato de medroxiprogesterona em dose única de 0,75 ou 1,5 mg predispõe a interrupção do cliclo estral e o aumento do número de leucócitos no colpocitológico de camundongas. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Bloqueio do ciclo estral, ciclo estral, colpocitologia, medroxiprogesterona

Morphological Analysis of the Enamel Organ in Rats Treated with Fluoxetine

PURPOSE: Previous studies have evaluated the presence of serotonin in the dental epithelia and mesenchyme during odontogenesis, suggesting its participation in tooth development.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we used fluoxetine, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, at a dose of 10 mg/kg, administered for 20 days during pregnancy in 12 Wistar rats to examine the influence of this drug on the development of the enamel organ of the upper first molars of rat fetuses at 17 days of intra-uterine life (i.u.l.), and at one, five and ten days postpartum. The pregnant rats were anesthetized with xylazine at 10 mg/kg and ketamine at 25 mg/kg. The fetuses were removed and beheaded; their jaws were removed, and the upper jaws were exposed. The tissues were fixed in Bouin's fixative, decalcified in 5% nitric acid for 4 - 12 h, conventionally processed for microscopy, and embedded in paraffin. Serial sections of approximately 5 mm were obtained and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as periodic acid-Schiff.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Morphological analysis showed no structural changes in the experimental group compared to the controls, suggesting that, at the dose used, fluoxetine does not interfere with serotonin-mediated development of the enamel organ or the process of amelogenesis

Fluoxetine effects on periodontogenesis: histomorphometrical and immunohistochemical analyses in rats

Reports have indicated that serotonin plays an important role in cell migration and differentiation during the organogenesis of several tissues, including the oral types. Administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs during pregnancy could affect the delivery of serotonin to embryonic tissues altering its development. Objective This study aimed to assess the effects of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on the formation of the periodontal ligament during pregnancy and lactation in rat pups. Material and Methods Twelve pregnant rats of Wistar lineage were divided into four study groups. In the control group, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was administered orally, throughout the entire period of the 21 days of pregnancy (CG group) and in the CGL group, it was administrated during pregnancy and lactation (from day 1 of pregnancy to the 21st day after birth). Fluoxetine was administered orally at the dose of 20 mg/kg in a group treated during pregnancy only (FG group), and during pregnancy and lactation (FGL group). Histometrical, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of the maxillary first molar periodontium region of the 24 rat pups was made under light microscopy, and periodontal ligament collagen was qualitatively evaluated under a polarizing light microscope. Results The quantity of fibroblasts (p=0.006), osteoblasts (p=0.027) and cementoblasts (p=0.001) was reduced in pups from the rats that received fluoxetine during pregnancy and lactation. No alterations were seen in the collagen fibers. Conclusion These findings suggest that periodontal tissue may be sensitive to fluoxetine, and its interference in reducing periodontal cells depends on exposure time during lactation

Efeito da ivermectina sobre a ciclicidade, gestação e desenvolvimento neonatal em ratos

This work evaluates the estrous cycle, gestation and lactation of rats treated with ivermectin. Control (GI) rats received distilled water; and the remaining were treated during 45 days with ivermectin (GII=0.5; GIII=1.0; GIV=2.0; GV=4.0; GVI=8.0 and GVII=10.0 mg/kg) by the oral route, the drug being administered every three day, in a total of 15 administrations. Colpocytological examinations were then performed during 15 consecutive days. Four animals from each group were euthanized, and samples of ovaries and uteri were taken for histological evaluations. The remaining animals were mated and treated throughout the gestation period and further until the 15th postpartum day. Colpocytologic examinations revealed that the animals of groups II, III, IV, V, VI and VII presented a higher incidence of the estrus phase, in comparison with the control group (group I). Histopathologic studies showed that the groups treated with ivermectin presented an increased concentration of hyperplasic endometrial glands, whereas the morphology of the ovary was not altered. The treatment did not affect the gestation lenght, the number of newborns nor did it caused congenital mortality or newborns malformations. During lactation, there was a significant slowering of the body weight gain of the litter. It is concluded that the treatment of female rats with ivermectin increases the incidence of the estrus phase. In addition, a definite deleterious effect is exerted on nursing animals as revealed by the reduced body weight gain of the litter.O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o ciclo estral, gestação e lactação de ratas tratadas com ivermectina. 82 ratas albinas foram divididas em sete grupos. Os animais receberam água destilada (GI) ou diferentes doses de ivermectina, por via oral (GII=0,5; GIII=1,0; GIV=2,0; GV=4,0; GVI=8,0 e GVII=10,0 mg/kg). Os animais foram tratados por 45 dias, com ivermectina a cada três dias, totalizando 15 aplicações. Após esse período foi realizado exame colpocitológico durante 15 dias consecutivos. Ao final, quatro animais de cada grupo foram sacrificados e ovários e úteros retirados e processados para avaliação histológica. Os animais restantes foram acasalados e tratados com ivermectina, nas doses correspondentes a cada grupo, no 1º, 4º, 7º, 10º, 13º e 16º dias de gestação. Ao nascimento, os neonatos foram contados, analisados quanto à existência de defeitos congênitos, mortalidade e pesados até o 15º dia de lactação. Durante a lactação, as matrizes receberam novamente ivermectina no 1º, 4º, 7º, 10º e 13º dias. Nossos resultados mostraram que os animais dos grupos II, III, IV, V, VI e VII apresentaram maior incidência de estro em relação a GI. Quanto à histopatologia, os grupos tratados com a ivermectina apresentaram maior concentração de glândulas endometriais hiperplásicas. O tratamento não afetou tempo de gestação, número de neonatos, mortalidade ou defeitos congênitos. Na lactação observamos perda de peso na prole das matrizes tratadas com ivermectina. Pode-se concluir que a ivermectina, aumenta a incidência de estro e não deve ser indicada para uso em animais lactantes

Effect of a Semisolid Formulation of Linum usitatissimum L. (Linseed) Oil on the Repair of Skin Wounds

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a semisolid formulation of linseed oil, SSFLO (1%, 5%, or 10%) or in natura linseed oil on skin wounds of rats. We used wound models, incisional and excisional, to evaluate, respectively, the contraction/reepithelialization of the wound and resistance to mechanical traction. The groups (n = 6) treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%) began the process of reepithelialization, to a significant extent (P < .05), on the sixth day, when compared to the petroleum jelly control group. On 14th day for the groups treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%), 100% reepithelialization was found, while in the petroleum jelly control group, this was only 33.33%. Our study showed that topical administration of SSFLO (1% or 5%) in excisional wounds allowed reepithelialization in 100% of treated animals. Therefore, a therapeutic potential of linseed oil, when used at low concentrations in the solid pharmaceutical formulations, is suggested for the process of dermal repair

Natural and Experimental Poisoning of Cattle by Enterolobium contortisiliquum Pods (Fabaceae Mimosoideae) in Central-Western Brazil

Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods are commonly identified as being the cause of abortions and photosensitivity in cattle. This paper describes the clinical and pathological aspects of a natural outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitization by the pods of E. contortisiliquum in Brazil and the results of experimental poisoning in three bovines. The history of natural poisoning was obtained at the site of the outbreak. Clinical examinations were carried out and hepatic enzymes were analyzed. A post-mortem examination was carried out at the outbreak location on a cow that had died. Several samples were collected from the animal's internal organs to carry out histopathological examinations. E. contortisiliquum pods were given to cows in order to reproduce the disease. The natural poisonings were characterized by photosensitization and aborted young. Enterolobium photosensitization was not experimentally reproduced, but the animals fell sick and recovered after 52 days