Functional characterization of mitochondria isolated from the ancient gymnosperm Araucaria angustifolia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Mitochondria were isolated from embryogenic cell cultures of Araucaria angustifolia, an ancient gymnosperm. The mitochondria obtained oxidized NADH and succinate as respiratory substrates and were able to sustain a high transmembrane electrical potential. They were able to take up Ca2+ supported by substrate oxidation, sensitive to ruthenium red and dependent on membrane potential. The influx of the ion was Pi dependent and at least one efflux pathway was demonstrated by ruthenium red addition. The mitochondria also oxidized externally added NADH, and presented oxygen consumption insensitive to cyanide and sensitive to salicyl hydroxamic acid (SHAM) suggesting the presence of external NADH dehydrogenase and alternative oxidase (AOX), respectively. Besides, mitochondria were uncoupled, in the absence of BSA, by the addition of oleic acid suggesting the presence of the plant uncoupling mitochondrial protein. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.1755701705Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

The Brazilian database on pregnancy in multiple sclerosis

Objectives: To report the results from the Brazilian database on multiple sclerosis (MS) and pregnancy. Methods: Retrospective data from MS patients who became pregnant at any time of their disease were sent to a Brazilian database, using a specific file for this purpose. Results: Data on 128 women (142 pregnancies) from 30 neurologists working in 21 cities in Brazil were collected. Patients' average age at pregnancy was 29.8 years (range 16-42). EDSS at start of pregnancy was 1.5 +/- 1.4; and the relapse rate in the year preceding pregnancy was 1.2 +/- 1.5. Exposure to medication at any time during pregnancy was high (69.7%): 48.6% to interferon beta; 14.1% to glatiramer acetate; and 7% to other immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs. There was a significant decrease in relapse rate during pregnancy. The prevalence of complications was relatively low, with 4.9% of obstetric and 1.4% neonatal unfavorable outcomes. Conclusions: Our patients had low degrees of disability, short histories of disease, high drug exposure, and relatively high relapse rate in the year previous to pregnancy. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were successful in over 90% of our patients. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.113427728