Influence of exposure Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88, (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) on biological and physiological parameters of Pseudosuccinea columella (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae)

Many studies about fasciolosis control have been carried out, whether acting on the adult parasite or in Pseudosuccinea columella, compromising the development of the larval stages. The present study aimed to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the susceptibility of P. columella to Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88, during for 24 and 48 hours of exposure. The snails were evaluated for 21 days for accumulated mortality; number of eggs laid; hatchability rate; biochemical changes; and histopathological analysis. We found that exposure induced a reduction in glucose and glycogen levels, characterizing a negative energy balance, due to the depletion of energy reserves as a result of the direct competition established by the nematode/endosymbiont bacteria complex in such substrates. A mortality rate of 48.25% and 65.52% was observed in the group exposed for 24 h and 48 h, respectively, along with significant impairment of reproductive biology in both exposed groups in relation to the respective controls. The results presented here show that P. columella is susceptible to the nematode H. bacteriophora, with the potential to be used as an alternative bioagent in the control of this mollusk, especially in areas considered endemic for fascioliasis, in line with the position expressed by the World Health Organization Health.

Effects of the juçara fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius) pulp and lyophilized extract on NRF2, KEAP1, SOD1, and GPX2 expression in human colorectal cancer cell lines

We investigated the effects of the juçara fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius) pulp and lyophilized extract on the expression of cytoprotective genes nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (NRF2), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX2) in human colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2). Cells were cultured for 24 h in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium containing juçara fruit pulp (5, 10, or 50 mg/mL) or lyophilized extract (0.05, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/mL), and gene expression was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. All studied genes showed significant variation in gene expression among different concentrations of pulp or lyophilized extract. Overall, the expression of the selected genes decreased in both cell lines following exposure to the pulp or lyophilized extract in a dose-dependent manner for most of the concentrations studied. In summary, our study showed that the compounds in juçara fruit inhibited the expression of cytoprotective genes associated with the antioxidant response and that, although not cytotoxic at the concentrations studied, they could potentially block the activation of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway.

Rare case of Dioctophyme renale (Nematoda: Enoplida) and Dirofilaria sp. (Nematoda: Spirurida) in the subcutaneous tissue of a cat in Espírito Santo, Brazil

Dioctophyme renale is the largest parasitic nematode of animals. It is most often found in the right kidney, but can also occur in the urinary system, ears, free abdominal cavity, mammary gland, thoracic cavity, and more rarely in subcutaneous tissue. The genus Dirofilaria has specific parasitic characteristics according to its location, and may parasitize the respiratory tract or even the skin, varying according to species. This report describes a case of Dioctophyme renale and Dirofilaria sp. in the subcutaneous tissue of a cat in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. An adult male mongrel cat showed physical enlargement in the left inguinal region, diagnosed as a subcutaneous nodule. Surgical excision and histopathological evaluation of the nodule were performed, and Dioctophyme renale and Dirofilaria sp. were found inside. Dioctophymosis and heartworm disease are present in Brazil and most other countries, but this is the unprecedented case of the association of Dioctophyme renale and Dirofilaria sp. in the subcutaneous tissue of a cat.

Long bone fractures in Cerdocyon thous: macroscopic and microstructural evaluation

Abstract The aim of the present study was to perform the macroscopic and microstructural morphological classification of long bone fractures of Cerdocyon thous. Eighteen cadavers of the species were necropsied, and subjected to radiographic and microscopical evaluation when long bone fractures were detected. Among the 18 cadavers, eight (44%) had fractures equally distributed (33.33%) in the femur, humerus, or tibia. More frequently (61.54%), the fractures were simple and affected the diaphysis, and in smaller proportions (23.08%) reached the physeal line. In diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures, microscopical evaluation revealed cortical bone tissue, with longitudinal osteons that contained longitudinal and intermediate collagen fibres and lamellae with a delamination aspect. On the other hand, in epiphyseal fractures, trabecular bone tissue was more frequently observed, consisting of trabeculae with disorganised collagen fibres and absence of osteons. In both cases low activity, osteocytes, and low coverage of osteoblasts on the bone surface were noted. It was concluded that the frequency of fractures in the long bones of C. thous was 44%, with females being more predisposed. The findings support the hypothesis that fractures in such animals are caused by being run over by automobiles. The present study contributes significantly in alerting clinicians and surgeons to the types of fractures that C. thous is more predisposed to, its places of greatest occurrence, and its microstructure. Thus, there is a need for joint actions aimed at reducing the number of cases of wild animals being run over by automobiles.

Triiodothyronine Has No Enhancement Effect on the Osteogenic or Chondrogenic Differentiation of Equine Adipose Tissue Stem Cells

The effects of two concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3; 0.01 and 1,000 nM) on the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation abilities of equine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) were evaluated. The osteogenic study evaluated the effect of T3 using alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) assay; cell viability and density; and formation of mineralized nodules at Days 7, 14, and 21 in culture. The chondrogenic study tested the effect of T3 through ALP assay, mitochondrial metabolism, cell density, and periodic acid-Schiff-positive (PAS+) matrix percentage at Days 7 and 14. In both experiments, analysis of variance was used to compare averages through the Student-Newman-Keuls test. In the osteogenic study, no differences in any variable were detected between groups at Day 7. At Day 14, 0.01 nM T3 reduced cell density and the number of mineralized nodules despite the increase in ALP activity and mitochondrial metabolism (P < .05). ALP activity increased at 1,000 nM T3 concentration (P < .05). At Day 21, 0.01 nM T3 treatment increased ALP activity compared with control treatment (P < .05). At 1,000 nM concentration, T3 reduced mitochondrial metabolism and cell density (P < .05). In the chondrogenic study, the two T3 concentrations increased cell density compared with control treatment at Day 7. At Day 14, higher T3 concentration reduced mitochondrial metabolism, ALP activity, cell density, and PAS+ chondrogenic matrix percentage compared with control treatment (P < .05). Thus, T3 addition to equine AD-MSC cultures has no enhancement effect on osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation and may, in fact, negatively affect cell density and matrix synthesis depending on hormone concentration and culture time.

Molluscicidal potential of Heterorhabditis baujardi (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), strain LPP7, on Lymnaea columella (Gastropoda: Pulmonata): An alternative for biological control of fasciolosis

This study elucidated for the first time, under laboratory conditions, the susceptibility of Lymnaea columella to infective juveniles of Heterorhabditis baujardi LPP7. Exposure to the nematodes induced an average mortality rate of 66.66% in the population of L. columella, with the highest values attained from the second week after exposure onward. In addition, all the reproductive parameters analyzed (total number of eggs, number of egg masses, number of eggs laid/snail, embryo hatching rate and content of galactogen stored in the albumen gland) changed as a result of the infection. The results indicate the occurrence of the phenomenon of parasitic castration in L. columella infected by H. baujardi LPP7, probably through depletion of energy reserves such as galactogen, necessary to meet the intense metabolic demands of the nematode's larval stages. Finally, histopathological analysis demonstrated an intense process of cell disorganization, characterized by the occurrence of granulomatous inflammatory reactions in tissues of exposed snails, induced by the spoliative action of the bacteria/nematode. The results suggest the use of H. baujardi LPP7 as an alternative for biological control of the population of this intermediate host, and thus of the diseases in whose epidemiological chain it participates, especially fasciolosis, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

ISOLAMENTO E CULTIVO DE CÉLULAS TRONCO MESENQUIMAIS EXTRAÍDAS DO TECIDO ADIPOSO E DA MEDULA ÓSSEA DE CÃES

Resumo Objetivou-se estabelecer um protocolo para extração, cultivo e expansão de células tronco mesenquimais (CTM), utilizando-se 3,0 mL da medula óssea e 3,0 cm3 de tecido adiposo do subcutâneo de três cães machos com seis meses de idade. As amostras foram processadas e as células extraídas e cultivadas em DMEM. Para comprovação do isolamento de CTM, procedeu-se a caracterização fenotípica e a diferenciação osteogênica, adipogênica e condrogênica. As células isoladas apresentaram morfologia alongada e fusiforme e capacidade de se diferenciar em osteoblastos, adipócitos e condrócitos. A caracterização fenotípica revelou alta expressão de marcadores de CTM CD90 (80,04%) e CD29 (96%) nas células de origem medular e CD90 (60,94%) e CD29 (77,08%) nas de origem adiposa. A expressão de marcadores hematopoiéticos foi baixa tanto nas células de origem medular CD45 (1,45%) e CD34 (1,53%), quanto nas de origem adiposa CD45 (1,45%) e CD34 (1,53%). As modificações e adaptações realizadas nos protocolos clássicos simplificaram o processo e foram eficientes, permitindo o isolamento e cultivo de CTM da medula óssea e do tecido adiposo de cães.

ZONA ORGANIZADORA DE NUCLÉOLO E SUA RELAÇÃO COM A EPIDEMIOLOGIA DE CADELAS COM NEOPLASIA MAMÁRIA

As neoplasias mamárias são comumente encontradas em cadelas, sendo observada, geralmente, em animais senis, não castrados e sem predisposição racial. A técnica de AgNOR pode auxiliar no diagnóstico e prognóstico de tumores mamários. Objetivou-se relacionar o número de AgNOR aos dados epidemiológicos como idade de acometimento, raça do animal, status reprodutivo, status vivo ou morto, diagnóstico, recidiva e metástase. Fez-se um levantamento de dados de 49 cadelas com neoplasia mamária durante o período de 2011 a 2015 da rotina do HOVET-UFES e a técnica de AgNOR foi empregada em lâminas de tumores mamários de cadelas. Observou-se média de idade de 10 anos e contagem média de AgNOR correspondente a 4,42. As cadelas SRD foram as mais frequentes com média de AgNOR 4,22. O status vivo correspondeu a 63,64% das cadelas e a média de AgNOR foi 4,23, e as mortas, 36,36% com média de AgNOR de 4,75. Encontrou-se 90,90% de cadelas castradas, com média de AgNOR de 4,31 e não castradas 9,09%, com média de AgNOR 5,48. Neoplasias malignas foram observadas em 40 (81,63%) cadelas cuja média de AgNOR foi 4,46, e as benignas em nove (18,37%) com média de AgNOR de 4,24. Das cadelas, 42 (85,71%) não apresentaram recidiva tumoral, cuja média de AgNOR foi de 4,39, e em duas que apresentaram metástase tumoral, média de AgNOR de 5,04. Concluiu-se que o AgNOR varia em relação a idade e raça, e que também não houve dependência do status de sobrevida em relação ao número de AgNOR, bem como em relação ao status reprodutivo. Ainda, que o número de AgNOR variou conforme o diagnóstico e foi maior em tumores malignos e quando houve metástase.

Inhibition of the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the offspring of rats treated with caffeine during pregnancy and lactation

Caffeine is an alkaloid that is widely consumed due to its presence in drugs, coffee, tea, and chocolate. This compound passes to offspring through the placenta and milk; can cause teratogenic mutations; and reduces the formation, growth, and mass of bone. Because mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are responsible for generating the entire skeleton, we hypothesized that these cells are targets of caffeine. This study evaluated the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs derived from the offspring of rats treated with caffeine during pregnancy and lactation. Twenty-four adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, including one control group and three experimental groups treated with 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg of caffeine. At weaning, three 21-day-old pups from each dam in each group were euthanized for extraction of bone marrow cells for in vitro tests. Caffeine doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced the activity of alkaline phosphatase at 7, 14, and 21 days and the expression of collagen I at 21 days. However, the expression of gene transcripts for alkaline phosphatase, Runx-2, and bone sialoprotein, as well as the synthesis of mineralization nodules, decreased significantly in all groups treated with caffeine. The expression of osteocalcin was significantly reduced only in the group treated with 50 mg/kg caffeine. The caffeine that passes from the mother to the offspring during pregnancy and lactation reduces the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. We propose that this reduction in the osteogenic potential of MSCs may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteopenia resulting from caffeine consumption.

Osteopetrosis in obese female rats is site-specifically inhibited by physical training

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Clinical studies suggest that obesity 'protects' against osteoporosis. However, these studies used only bone densitometry and assessed only one bone site, which is insufficient to enable conclusions to be drawn about the response of the whole skeleton. Furthermore, the effects of exercise on bone responses in obesity have not been explored previously. What is the main finding and what is its importance? We show that obesity causes osteopetrosis. Therefore, the classical perspective of 'protective effects of obesity' needs to be reviewed, and exercise is an important tool to avoid these alterations and to maintain the homeostasis of bone. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity induce systemic inflammatory responses. Although the effects of physical inactivity on osseous tissue have been well established, the effects of obesity on bone tissue remain controversial. Furthermore, the effects of physical training on bone tissue responses in the presence of diet-induced obesity are unknown. Our aim was to investigate the effects of obesity and physical training at multiple bone sites in rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: (i) control diet, non-trained (C-NT); (ii) high-refined carbohydrate-containing diet, non-trained (HC-NT); (iii) control diet, trained (C-T); and (iv) high-refined carbohydrate-containing diet, trained (HC-T). At 5 months of age, the rats were submitted to daily exercise for 30 min day(-1). After 13 weeks, blood samples, adipose and skeletal tissues were harvested. Two-way ANOVA was applied to detect differences (significance accepted when P ≤ 0.05). The HC-NT group exhibited increased body mass, adiposity, serum leptin, serum insulin, insulin resistance index and concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Obese rats (HC-NT) exhibited thickening of nasal bones, trabecular bones in the lumbar vertebrae and long bones in a site-dependent manner. The HC-T group exhibited similar adiposity and inflammatory results. Morphological analysis of the lumbar vertebrae in rats fed the HC diet revealed characteristics of osteopetrosis that were inhibited by exercise. In conclusion, the HC diet induced obesity and inflammatory/hormonal alterations and increased the trabecular bone in a site-dependent manner. However, obesity caused osteopetrosis in the lumbar vertebrae, which could be inhibited by physical training. Although exercise inhibited the development of bone alterations, physical training did not inhibit the HC diet-induced obesity responses.

Comparative study of osteogenic differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue of osteoporotic female rats

Osteoporosis causes reduction of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow and adipose tissue. This study was designed to compare the osteogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. MSC were harvested from bone marrow and inguinal fat pads of six OVX rats. The limitations of this report are that cells from different animals were pooled for the purpose of the experiments that were carried out in this study. At 7, 14 and 21 d of osteogenic differentiation, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) conversion, alkaline phosphatase activity and gene expression for collagen I, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin and bone morphogenetic protein-2 bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) were analyzed. At 21 d, percentage of cells per field and percentage of mineralized nodule were analyzed. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by Student-Newman-Keuls test. The cells, regardless of group, showed phenotypic characteristics consistent with stem cells. MTT conversion, alkaline phosphatase activity, percentage of mineralized nodule and expression of collagen I, osteocalcin and BMP-2 of ADSCs from OVX rats were higher when compared to BMMSCs from OVX rats in at least one of the evaluated periods (p<0.05). However, bone sialoprotein and osteopontin expression were smaller than those observed in BMMSCs for all evaluated periods (p<0.05). It was concluded that the ADSCs from OVX rats have higher osteogenic potential when compared to BMMSCs from OVX rats. This result suggests that the treatment of osteoporosis with autologous ADSCs may be more efficient.

Efeito in vitro da triiodotironina sob o potencial osteogênico reduzido de células-tronco mesenquimais do tecido adiposo de ratas ovariectomizadas e com osteoporose

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a triiodotironina (T3) aumenta a diferenciação osteogênica das células-tronco mesenquimais do tecido adiposo (CTM-TA) de ratas adultas ovariectomizadas e com osteoporose e compará-lo ao de ratas adultas e jovens sem osteoporose. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: CTM-TA foram cultivadas em meio osteogênico e distribuídas em sete grupos: 1) CTM-TA de ratas jovens sem osteoporose; 2) CTM-TA de ratas adultas sem osteoporose; 3) CTM-TA de ratas adultas com osteoporose e 4, 5, 6 e 7) CTM-TA de ratas adultas com osteoporose tratadas com T3 (0,01 nM, 1 nM, 100 nM e 1.000 nM). AVALIARAM-SE: atividade da fosfatase alcalina, conversão do dimetiltiazol (MTT), porcentagem de nódulos de mineralização, celularidade e quantificação de transcriptos gênicos para colágeno I, osteocalcina, osteopontina e Bmp-2. RESULTADOS: Independente da dose, T3 reduziu a conversão do MTT, a atividade da fosfatase, a porcentagem de células e a expressão de colágeno I em pelo menos uma das doses e dos períodos estudados (p < 0,05). Mas o tratamento com T3 não alterou o número de nódulos de mineralização e a expressão de osteopontina e Bmp-2 em culturas de CTM-TA de ratas adultas com osteoporose (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: T3 apresenta efeitos negativos sobre alguns fatores envolvidos na diferenciação osteogênica de CTM-TA, sem, no entanto, reduzir a formação de nódulos de mineralização e a expressão de proteínas ósseas.

Triiodotironina não aumenta a diferenciação osteogênica reduzida pela idade de células-tronco mesenquimais da medula óssea de ratas

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a adição de T3 aumenta o potencial osteogênico das células-tronco mesenquimais da medula óssea (CTM-MO) de ratas adultas normais comparado ao de ratas jovens. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: CTM-MO foram cultivadas em meio osteogênico e separadas em seis grupos: 1) CTM-MO de ratas jovens; 2) CTM-MO de ratas adultas; 3, 4, 5 e 6) CTM-MO de ratas adultas com T3 nas concentrações de 0,01; 1; 100 e 1000 nM, respectivamente. Foram avaliados: atividade da fosfatase alcalina, conversão do dimetiltiazol (MTT) e síntese de colágeno aos sete, 14 e 21 dias e celularidade e número de nódulos de mineralização aos 21 dias de diferenciação. RESULTADOS: T3 reduziu significativamente a conversão do MTT, a atividade da fosfatase alcalina, a síntese de colágeno e a formação dos nódulos de mineralização em pelo menos uma das doses e dos períodos estudados (p < 0,05). Os valores foram menores quando comparados aos das CTM-MO de ratas jovens e adultas sem T3 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: T3 apresenta efeitos negativos sobre os fatores envolvidos na diferenciação osteogênica das CTM-MO de ratas adultas.

Bilateral fusion of a supernumerary kidney in a cat

A rare case of bilateral fusion of a supernumerary kidney was found during the necropsy of a female, 8-year-old, mixed breed cat that died as a result of azotemia and chronic enteritis. Apart from enteritis, necropsy revealed four kidneys, two in the sublumbar left region and two in the sublumbar right region, with cortical and medullary regions well individualized and independent; however, the pelvis was partially fused, giving rise to a single ureter. The kidneys were small, whitish and firm, with irregular surfaces. Microscopically, all kidneys displayed normal renal glomeruli and tubules among the immature renal glomeruli and tubules with characteristics of hypoplasia. Foci of glomerulosclerosis, nephrocalcinosis and interstitial fibrosis were also observed.

Protective effect of rPb40 as an adjuvant for chemotherapy in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis

The conventional treatment for the most prevalent mycosis in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), involves long periods of therapy that results in side effects and a high frequency of relapses. The search for a new, alternative treatment is necessary. Pb40 is an antigenic protein from P. brasiliensis fraction F0. This fraction has already been shown to have significant protective activity when used as a PCM vaccine in experimental models. The complete cDNA sequence corresponding to Pb40 was cloned into a pET-21a plasmid, expressed in E. coli with a his-tag and purified by affinity chromatography. The predicted protein sequence exhibited nearly 100% homology to a fragment of the hypothetical EF-hand domain containing protein of P. brasiliensis. Immunization with this recombinant protein was used together with chemotherapy in an attempt to improve PCM treatment. The combined drug/rPb40 treatment exhibited long-lasting control of PCM in the liver and spleen and largely preserved the tissue structures of these organs. Despite the lack of a reduction in CFUs in the group that received the combined treatment, there was a significant reduction in the size of the lesions in the lungs after 70 days of infection. At the same time, the IL-10 levels were higher in the treated mice than in the infected-only mice. Moreover, significant levels of rPb40-specific IgG antibodies were detected in the sera of immunized mice. Thus, the treatment protocol consisting of rPb40 immunization in addition to fluconazole chemotherapy showed an additive protective effect after intratracheal challenge, preventing fungal dissemination to other sites of infection and preventing relapses. These results provide new prospects for PCM immunotherapy.

Administration of thyroxine affects the morphometric parameters and VEGF expression in the uterus and placenta and the uterine vascularization but does not affect reproductive parameters in gilts during early gestation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyroxine administration on morphometric parameters, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascularization in the uterus and placenta and reproductive parameters in gilts at 70 days of gestation. At 150 days of age, i.e., before first heat, 20 gilts were randomly divided into two experimental groups: treated (n=10) and control (n=10). The treated group received a daily dose of 400 μg of L-thyroxine (T(4)) in their diet until slaughter and the control group received only typical meals. Before artificial insemination, blood was collected to determine plasma total T(4). The gilts were inseminated in the second oestrus and slaughtered at 70 days of gestation. The foetal thyroid follicular epithelium height, number, size and weight of foetuses; foetal myogenesis, corpora lutea number, embryonic mortality rate, uterine weight, placental weight and placental fluid volume were measured. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of uterus and placenta were determined. The averages of all variables were compared by the Student's t-test. The gilts treated with thyroxine showed significant increase of plasma total T(4). At 70 days of gestation, the heights of the trophoblastic epithelium, endometrial epithelium and endometrial gland epithelium were significantly higher in the group treated with T(4). The expression of cytoplasmatic and nuclear VEGF in trophoblastic cells and the number of blood vessels per field in endometrial stroma were significantly higher in the gilts treated with T(4). No other significant differences between groups were obtained with respect to other parameters (p>0.05). We conclude that oral administration of T(4) up to 70 days of pregnancy in gilts affects the morphometric parameters, the expression of placental VEGF and the uterine vascularization but does not affect reproductive parameters in gilts during early gestation.

Intra-bone marrow injection of mesenchymal stem cells improves the femur bone mass of osteoporotic female rats

The effect of intra-bone injection of differentiated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) into the femur of osteoporotic female rats was studied. Osteoporosis was induced in Wistar female rats by bilateral ovariectomy. Then, 0.75 million BMMSCs isolated from healthy rats were injected into the femurs of osteoporotic rats. Histomorphometric analysis and histology clearly revealed improvements in the treated group as compared to untreated group. In 2 months, the femurs of treated rats, unlike untreated rats, showed trabecular bone percentage almost similar to the femurs from control healthy rats. To confirm the origin of newly formed bone, the experiment was repeated with BMMSCs isolated from green fluorescent protein transgenic rats. Confocal microscopy demonstrated green fluorescent protein-positive cells at the surface of trabecular bone of the treated rats. We investigated in vitro osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs isolated from osteoporotic rats by studying alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and the ability to form mineralized nodules. Osteoporotic BMMSCs showed less differentiation capabilities as compared to those isolated from healthy rats. The results clearly demonstrated the importance of BMMSCs in osteoporosis and that the disease can be treated by injection of BMMSCs.

Efeitos sítio-ósseo dependentes no fêmur e vértebra de ratas com disfunções tireoidianas

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as diferenças sítio-ósseo dependentes no efeito das disfunções tireoidianas no fêmur e vértebras lombares de ratas. MÉTODOS: 33 ratas Wistar com dois meses de idade foram distribuídas em três grupos: eutireoideas (controle), hipotireoideas e hipertireoideas. Após 90 dias de tratamento para indução do hipo e hipertireoidismo, as ratas foram eutanasiadas, o sangue foi colhido para dosagem de T4 livre e os fêmures e as vértebras lombares (L1-L3) foram descalcificados e processados para análise da porcentagem de tecido ósseo trabecular. RESULTADOS: O grupo hipertireoideo apresentou porcentagem de tecido ósseo trabecular significativamente mais elevada na metáfise femoral, em comparação ao controle. Mas o hipertireoidismo não alterou a porcentagem de tecido ósseo trabecular na vértebra. O hipotireoidismo reduziu significativamente a porcentagem de tecido ósseo trabecular em comparação aos demais grupos nos segmentos 1-3 das vértebras lombares, mas não alterou a porcentagem de tecido ósseo trabecular no fêmur. CONCLUSÃO: O efeito do hipotireoidismo e do hipertireoidismo sobre a histomorfometria óssea é diferente e dependente do sítio ósseo.