Amifostine reduces inflammation and protects against 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis and hyposalivation

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and dose-limiting side effect of cancer treatment, including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and radiotherapy. The efficacy of the therapeutic measures to prevent OM is limited and disease prevention is not fully observable. Amifostine is a cytoprotective agent with a described anti-inflammatory potential. It is clinically used to reduce radiotherapy and chemotherapy-associated xerostomia. This study investigated the protective effect of amifostine on an experimental model of OM. Hamsters were divided into six groups: saline control group (5 mL/kg), mechanical trauma (scratches) of the right cheek pouch; 5-FU (60 and 40 mg/kg, ip, respectively, administered on days 1 and 2); amifostine (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg) + 5-FU + scratches. Salivation rate was assessed and the animals were euthanized on day 10 for the analysis of macroscopic and microscopic injury by scores. Tissue samples were harvested for the measurement of neutrophil infiltration and detection of inflammatory markers by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. 5-FU induced pronounced hyposalivation, which was prevented by amifostine (P<0.05). In addition, 5-FU injection caused pronounced tissue injury accompanied by increased neutrophil accumulation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) tissue levels, and positive immunostaining for TNF-α, IL-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Interestingly, amifostine prevented the inflammatory reaction and consequently improved macroscopic and microscopic damage (P<0.05 vs 5-FU group). Amifostine reduced inflammation and protected against 5-FU-associated oral mucositis and hyposalivation

Vídeo-artroscopia da articulação fêmoro-tíbio-patelar em cães após secção do ligamento cruzado cranial guiada por artroscopia Videoarthroscopy of the stifle joint in dogs after cranial cruciate ligament rupture guided by arthroscopy

Avaliaram-se e classificaram-se por meio da vídeo-artroscopia as alterações da articulação fêmoro-tíbio-patelar (FTP), 21 dias após secção experimental do ligamento cruzado cranial (LCCr) em cães, tendo como referência os parâmetros encontrados no exame artroscópico imediatamente anterior à secção. Ao exame artroscópico, foi possível visibilizar os cotos remanescentes do LCCr e as alterações articulares, como aumento da vascularização, aumento das vilosidades na membrana sinovial, bem como fibrilação e osteófitos, principalmente nas bordas trocleares do fêmur. Os resultados sugerem que a artroscopia é um método preciso de avaliação macroscópica dos tecidos articulares moles e duros.<br>By the use of videoarthroscopy, the changes of the stifle joint after experimental rupture of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs were evaluated and classified, based on the parameters found at the arthroscopic examination right before the rupture. By the arthroscopic examination, it was possible to visualize the remainings of the CCL and joint changes such as increase of the vascularity and synovial proliferation increase in the synovial membranes, as well as fibrillation and irregularities on the joint surfaces and osteophyte formation, mainly on the trochlear ridges. The results suggest that arthroscopy is a precise method for macroscopic evaluation of the smooth and bone joint tissue