Inalação da fumaça do tabacco provoca alterações histopatológicas no nervo olfatório de ratos

Introdução:o tabagismo é uma das principais causas evitáveis de mortes no mundo representando um problema de saúde pública mundial. Objetivo:investigar a relação da exposição passiva à fumaça principal do cigarro e as possíveis alterações histomorfométricas das células gliais, arteríolas e da matriz extracelular do nervo olfatório de ratas. Metodologia:estudo experimental, analítico e quantitativo, vinte animais wistar fêmeas randomizados em dois grupos controle e tabaco, foram expostos a inalação da fumaça principal do cigarro por 60 dias utilizando dispositivo validado na literatura. Resultados:a exposição a inalação da fumaça principal do cigarro resultou em alterações significativas no grupo tabaco, tais como, elevação nos níveis de cotinina no plasma sanguíneo, aumento na espessura da parede dos vasos sanguíneos, aumento na porcentagem do colágeno total do tecido, diminuição no número total de astrócitos e aumento no número total de micróglias. Conclusão:a exposição a fumaça principal do cigarro resulta em alterações histomorfométricas que poderiam causar alterações funcionais no nervo olfatório como perda sensorial olfativa. Nossos achados são fortes o suficiente para servir como alerta a toda população e às autoridades de saúde, no que se refere as leis antifumo, principalmente em ambientes fechados

In Situ

Chagas' disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The immune system plays an important role in the reduction of parasite load, but may also contribute to the development of lesions observed during the chronic phase of the disease. We analyzed cytokines produced by inflammatory heart cells in 21 autopsy samples obtained from patients with Chagas' disease divided according to the presence or absence of heart failure (HF). Left ventricular sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against human IL-4, IFN-γ, TGF-β, TNF-α, and NOS2. In situ mRNA expression was quantified by a Low Density Array. The number of IFN-γ-positive cells was significantly higher than IL-4 positive cells. TNF-α, TGF-β and NOS2 were detected in 65%, 62% and 94% of samples respectively. There was an association between TNF-α-producing cells and the presence of HF. Subjects with HF presented higher levels of STAT4 mRNA, whereas FoxP3 and STAT6 levels were similar in the two groups. A Th1 cytokine pattern predominated in the cardiac inflammatory cell infiltrate of Chagas’ disease patients associated with HF. High degree of fibrosis was associated with low NOS2 expression. These results support the idea that Th1 immune responses are involved in heart lesions of Chagas' disease patients

Correlation of lifetime progress of atherosclerosis and morphologic markers of severity in humans: new tools for a more sensitive evaluation

OBJECTIVES: To describe the morphological features of atherosclerosis in the aortas of autopsied patients (ranging from young adults to the elderly), thus providing new tools for a more sensitive morphological evaluation. METHOD: We collected 141 aorta samples. We assessed the macroscopic degree of atherosclerosis, thickness of the intima and media, lipid and collagen depositions in the intima, and the infiltration of mast cells into the layers of the aorta. We correlated the findings with gender, age, race and cause of death. RESULTS: The degree of atherosclerosis was significantly higher in the elderly. The aorta was thicker in the elderly and in cases with a cardiovascular cause of death. The thickness of the intima was significantly greater in the elderly, in males and in cases with a cardiovascular cause of death. The lipid content in the intima of the aorta was significantly higher in Caucasians. Older people and men had a significantly higher number of mast cells. CONCLUSION: A macroscopic evaluation is a good indicator of the severity of atherosclerosis, but a more detailed analysis, namely evaluating the thickness of the layers of the aorta and the number of mast cells, may further elucidate the changes in the constituents of this vessel

Caracterização demográfica e morfométrica das síndromes hipertensivas da gestação

As Síndromes Hipertensivas da Gestação (SHG) possuem intensidade variável de acordo com seu tipo. Com este estudo objetivou-se descrever as características demográficas materno- fetais e as alterações morfométricas placentárias nos diferentes tipos de SHG, pela análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de pacientes hipertensas, com placentas avaliadas morfologicamente, processadas para imunohistoquímica utilizando anticorpo monoclonal anti-human CD31 e analisadas morfometricamente. Os resultados demonstraram que, entre as SHG, os grupos com Hipertensão Crônica (HC) e Pré-eclâmpsia sobreposta à Hipertensão Crônica (PSHC) apresentaram idade materna superior (p=0,017). A freqüência das SHG foi superior entre as multíparas. Menor idade gestacional, menores índices de Apgar e pesos placentários inferiores ao esperado para a população (p<0,05) foram observados nos casos com Pré-eclâmpsia (PE) e PSHC. Não houve diferença no número de vasos das vilosidades tronco placentárias. Nas demais, houve aumento nos casos com PE e Hipertensão Gestacional (HGE) e redução nos casos com PSHC. A importância do estudo consiste na descrição demográfica e morfológica nas SHG, visando melhorar o atendimento obstétrico e a compreensão dos diferentes tipos de SHG. A gravidade do quadro clínico das SHG tem relação com maiores intercorrências materno-fetais e com alterações no padrão vascular placentário

New immunological aspects of peri-implantitis

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to compare the levels of HIF1-α, VEGF, TNF-α, and IL-10 in the peri-implant crevicular fluid of patients with and without peri-implantitis. Methods: Forty patients, comprising 16 with and 24 without peri-implantitis were selected. Results: Patients with peri-implantitis exhibited significantly higher HIF-1α levels than those without peri-implantitis (p=0.0005). TNF-α revealed significant positive correlations with IL-10 (p=0.0008) and VEGF (p=0.0246), whereas HIF-1α and IL-10 levels (p=0.0041) demonstrated a negative and significative correlation in the peri-implantitis group. Conclusion: This study, for the first time demonstrates the balance of HIF-1α, TNFα, IL-10, and VEGF in peri-implantitis. It shows an elevated HIF-1α levels in patients with peri-implantitis, which could have stemmed from persistent inflammation- triggered hypoxia. Furthermore, the positive correlation between TNF-α and VEGF suggests intensified proinflammatory activity in peri-implantitis. Nevertheless, further studies are essential to understand these immune dynamics in peri-implantitis

Activation of peripheral κ/δ opioid receptors mediates 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 induced-antinociception in rat temporomandibular joint

This study assessed the effect of the agonist 15d- PGJ2 administered into the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on nociceptive behavioral and the anti-inflammatory potential of this prostaglandin on TMJ. It was observed that 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) significantly reduced formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in a dose dependent manner, however injection of 15d-PGJ2 into the contralateral TMJ failed to reduce such effects. This antinociceptive effect is dependent on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ (PPAR-γ) since pre-treatment with GW9662 (PPAR-γ receptor antagonist) blocked the antinociceptive effect of 15d-PGJ2 in the TMJ. In addition, the antinociceptive effect of 15d-PGJ2 was also blocked by naloxone suggesting the involvement of peripheral opioids in the process. Confirming this hypothesis pre-treatment with κ, δ, but not μ receptor antagonists significantly reduced the antinociceptive effect of 15d-PGJ2 in the TMJ. Similarly to opioid agonists, the 15d-PGJ2 antinociceptive action depends on the nitric oxide (NO)/guanilate cyclase (cGMP)/ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker(K+ATP) channel pathway since it was prevented by the pre-treatment with the inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS; aminoguanidine), cGMP (ODQ), or the K+ATP (glibenclamide). In addition, 15d-PGJ2 (100 ng/TMJ) inhibits 5-HT-induced TMJ hypernociception. Besides, TMJ treated with 15d-PGJ2 showed lower vascular permeability, assessed by Evan's Blue extravasation, and also lower neutrophil migration induced by carrageenan administration. Taken together, these results demonstrate that 15d-PGJ2 has a potential peripheral antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect in the TMJ via PPAR-γ activation. The results also suggest that 15d-PGJ2 induced-peripheral antinociceptive response in the TMJ is mediated by κ/δ opioid receptors by the activation of the intracellular L-arginine/NO/cGMP/K+ATP channel pathway. The pharmacological properties of the peripheral administration of 15d-PGJ2 highlight the potential use of this PPAR-γ agonist on TMJ inflammatory pain conditions. © 2009 IBRO