Braylin induces a potent vasorelaxation, involving distinct mechanisms in superior mesenteric and iliac arteries of rats

Arterial hypertension is a risk factor for various cardiovascular and renal diseases, representing a major public health challenge. Although a wide range of treatment options are available for blood pressure control, many hypertensive individuals remain with uncontrolled hypertension. Thus, the search for new substances with antihypertensive potential becomes necessary. Coumarins, a group of polyphenolic compounds derived from plants, have attracted intense interest due to their diverse pharmacological properties, like potent antihypertensive activities. Braylin (6-methoxyseselin) is a coumarin identified in the Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba species, described as a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor. Although different coumarin compounds have been described as potent antihypertensive agents, the activity of braylin on the cardiovascular system has yet to be investigated. To investigate the vasorelaxation properties of braylin and its possible mechanisms of action, we performed in vitro studies using superior mesenteric arteries and the iliac arteries isolated from rats. In this study, we demonstrated, for the first time, that braylin induces potent vasorelaxation, involving distinct mechanisms from two different arteries, isolated from rats. A possible inhibition of phosphodiesterase, altering the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway, may be correlated with the biological action of braylin in the mesenteric vessel, while in the iliac artery, the biological action of braylin may be correlated with increase of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), followed by BKCa, Kir, and Kv channel activation. Together, these results provide evidence that braylin can represent a potential therapeutic use in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the VISA-A questionnaire for Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) patients with Achilles tendinopathy

Introduction Achilles tendinopathy is considered one of the most frequent injuries in individuals who practice regular physical activity, thus the existence of an instrument that allows the evaluation of the degree of severity of the lesion is important. The VISA-A was developed for English-speaking population to evaluate patients with this condition, and there is a need to adapt this tool to Portuguese (Portugal).

Objectives To cross-cultural adapt and validate the VISA-A questionnaire for Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) Achilles tendinopathy patients.

Methodology The VISA-A questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Portuguese (VISA-A-Por) according to specific guidelines, using six steps: Translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, pretesting (n = 10), and appraisal of the adaptation process. The resulting VISA-A-Por was then subjected to an analysis of the psychometric properties (construct validity, reproducibility [agreement and reliability], internal consistency and floor and ceiling effects) in 57 Achilles tendinopathy patients and 58 asymptomatic people. Participants completed the questionnaire at baseline and after a minimum interval of 48 hours.

Results The Visa-A-Por semantic and content validity was considered good by the expert committee and has construct validity shown by the differences between groups (p < 0,001). The questionnaire presented good internal consistency, with a Cronbach α of 0,88. Concerning reproducibility, agreement levels were considered optimal which can be verified in the Bland Altman graph, the standard error measurement (6,49) and the minimally important change (17,99 points), as well as the excellent ICC value (0,88). No ceiling-floor effect was found.

Conclusion The VISA-A-Por questionnaire has been shown to be equivalent to the original questionnaire, which indicates that it is a valid and reliable measure for the evaluation of the severity and functional impact of patellar tendinopathy in Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) patients.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the VISA-P questionnaire for Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) patients with patellar tendinopathy

Introduction Patellar tendinopathy is a condition frequently verified in individuals who practice regular physical activity, therefore functional evaluation is crucial to monitor symptoms. The VISA-P was developed for English-speaking population to evaluate patients with this condition, and there is a need to adapt this tool to Portuguese (Portugal).

Objectives To cross-cultural adapt and validate the VISA-P questionnaire for Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) patellar tendinopathy patients

Methodology The VISA-P questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Portuguese (VISA-P-Por) according to specific guidelines, using six steps: Translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, pretesting (n = 10), and appraisal of the adaptation process. The resulting VISA-P-Por was then subjected to an analysis of the psychometric properties (construct validity, reproducibility [agreement and reliability], internal consistency and floor and ceiling effects) in 73 patellar tendinopathy patients and 73 asymptomatic people. Participants completed the questionnaire at baseline and after a minimum interval of 48 hours.

Results The Visa-P-Por questionnaire revealed a high level of agreement, presenting semantic and content validity. Construct validity showed differences between both groups (p < 0,001) and the questionnaire exhibited very good internal consistency, with an excellent α Cronbach (0,91). Concerning reproducibility, agreement levels were considered optimal which can be proven by the Bland Altman graph, the standard error of measurement (5,74) and the minimally important change (15,91 points), as well as the excellent ICC value (0,92). There were no ceiling and floor effects detected.

Conclusion The VISA-P-Por questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool, with psychometric properties comparable with the original version. Thus, it can be recommended as a robust tool for measuring clinical severity and functional impact of patellar tendinopathy in Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) patients.

Effects of maternal diabetes on male offspring: high cell proliferation and increased activity of MMP-2 in the ventral prostate

This study presents a comprehensive view of the histological and functional status of the prostate of adult rat offspring of mothers subjected to gestational diabetes induced by alloxan. The ventral prostate of male adult offspring of diabetic (DP) or normal (CP) mothers was evaluated for collagen fibres, cell death, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, cell proliferation, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), androgen receptors (AR), transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ-1), catalase and total antioxidant activity. The prostates of DP animals were lower in weight than those of the CP group. The DP group also exhibited hyperglycaemia and hypotestosteronemia, higher cell proliferation and AR expression, a reduction in α-actin (possibly interfering with the reproductive function of the prostate), and enhanced activity of MMP-2, although the absolute content of MMP-2 was lower in this group. These findings were associated with increased TGFβ-1 and decreased collagen distribution. The prostates of DP rats additionally exhibited reductions in catalase and total antioxidant activity. Thus, rats developing in a diabetic intrauterine environment have glycaemic and hormonal changes that impact on the structure and physiology of the prostate in adulthood. The increased AR expression possibly leads to elevated cell proliferation. Stromal remodelling was characterized by enhanced activity of MMP-2 and collagen degradation, even with increased TGFβ-1 activation. These changes associated with increased oxidative stress might interfere with tissue architecture and glandular homeostasis.

Atorvastatin inhibits inflammatory angiogenesis in mice through down regulation of VEGF, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1

While compelling evidence indicates beneficial effects of statins on inflammatory processes, besides their cholesterol-lowering activities, the actions on angiogenesis are less clear-cut. Our aim was to investigate the effects of atorvastatin on key components of inflammatory angiogenesis in the murine sponge model. Polyester-polyurethane sponges, used as a framework for fibrovascular tissue growth, were implanted in Swiss mice. Atorvastatin (0.6, 3 mg/kg/day) was given orally for 8 days in drinking water. The implants collected at day 9 postimplantation were processed for the assessment of hemoglobin, myeloperoxidase (MPO), N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) and collagen. Relevant inflammatory, angiogenic and fibrogenic cytokines were also determined. Atorvastatin treatment resulted in significant decrease in sponge vascularization (Hb content) and in VEGF levels at both doses. Neutrophil influx (MPO activity) was not affected by the compound whereas macrophage recruitment (NAG activity) was inhibited, suggesting a degree of selectivity by atorvastatin for this cell population. The level of CCL2 (MCP1-JE) was decreased only with 0.6 mg/kg. Atorvastatin was also able to reduce collagen deposition and the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF-beta1) intraimplant, dose-dependently. The inhibitory function of atorvastatin on multiple parameters of main components of inflammatory angiogenesis revealed in this study is clearly associated with the modulatory effects of HMG-CoA reductase on VEGF, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 production.

Angiogenesis and inflammation in skeletal muscle in response to ascites tumor in mice

This study addresses the interaction between Ehrlich ascites tumor and skeletal abdominal muscle, presenting quantitative analysis of ascites-induced angiogenesis and inflammation in this tissue of mice bearing-tumor. Time-dependent changes in the muscle (cellular activity, angiogenesis, inflammation and cytokines production) were assessed by morphometric, functional, and biochemical parameters at days 1, 4 and 8 after i.p. inoculation of Ehrlich tumor cells (2.5 x 10(7)). The number of cells stained with AgNOR technique (argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region) in the muscle, together with MTS assay used as markers of cellular activity increased progressively in parallel with the out flow rate of sodium fluorescein (blood flow index), hemoglobin content (vascular index) and VEGF production. Likewise, the inflammatory process in the muscle, as assessed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) and n-acethylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities and the levels of the chemokines, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (CXC1-3/KC) and macrophage-chemoattractant protein (CCL2/MCP-1) increased with tumor development. The combination of techniques used to describe angiogenesis and inflammation in a muscle model system has proved to be suited for quantitative measurements of microvascular changes and cellular infiltration occurring in the abdominal muscle wall of ascites-bearing mice. This study holds potential for investigating events and mechanisms associated with skeletal muscle response to neoplasic stimulus.