Hypokinetic Activity of Menthofuran on the Gastrointestinal Tract in Rodents

The acute toxicity and hypokinetic activity induced by menthofuran on the gastrointestinal tract of rodents were investigated in the present study. An absence of acute toxicity was observed. Menthofuran delayed gastric emptying at oral doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg in the experimental model of phenol red, as well as it reduced the intestinal transit at oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Interestingly, a scopolamine-similar hypokinetic effect was observed for menthofuran. In the experimental model of castor oil-induced intestinal hypermotility, menthofuran (50 and 100 mg/kg) reduced the number of loose stools as observed for the normal group. Additionally, menthofuran induced a marked concentration-dependent relaxation in rat ileum segments precontracted with KCl (EC50 = 0.059 ± 0.008 μg/mL) or carbachol (EC50 = 0.068 ± 0.007 μg/mL). These results suggest the possible decrease of calcium influx underlying the effects of menthofuran on the gastrointestinal tract, which opens the door for further study regarding this potential application for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, noting possible limitations of its use due to adverse effects in children.

Correction to: α-Phellandrene attenuates tissular damage, oxidative stress, and TNF-α levels on acute model ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mice

The published online version contains figure in poor quality.

α-Phellandrene attenuates tissular damage, oxidative stress, and TNF-α levels on acute model ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mice

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is the major dose-limiting adverse effect of the clinical use ifosfamide (IFOS). The incidence of this side effect can be as high as 75%. Mesna has been used to reduce the risk of HC, although 5% of patients who get IFOS treatment may still suffer from HC. In previous studies, our group demonstrated that α-phellandrene (α-PHE) possesses anti-inflammatory activity, which opens the door for its study in the attenuation of HC. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential uroprotective effect of the α-PHE in the mouse model of IFOS-induced HC. In order to analyze the reduction of the urothelial damage, the bladder wet weight, hemoglobin content, and the Evans blue dye extravasation from the bladder matrix were evaluated. To investigate the involvement of neutrophil migration and lipid peroxidation and involvement of enzymatic and endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants, the tissue markers myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde, nitrite/nitrate (NOx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were evaluated. TNF-α and IL-1β were measured by ELISA immunoassay technique. The results show that pretreatment with α-PHE significantly reduced urothelial damage that was accompanied by a decrease in the activity of MPO, MDA, and NOx levels and prevention of the depletion of SOD and GSH in bladder tissues. In the assessment of cytokines, α-PHE was able to significantly reduce TNF-α level. However, it does not affect the activities of IL-1β. These data confirm that α-PHE exerts potent anti-inflammatory properties and demonstrates that α-PHE represents a promising therapeutic option for this pathological condition.

Inhibition of neutrophil migration and reduction of oxidative stress by ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic inflammatory models

BACKGROUND

It is well known that medicinal plants and their products are relevant candidates for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Ethyl p-coumarate is a phenylpropanoid that has similar structure to others anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances. However, these activities have never been tested.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethyl p-coumarate on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters.

STUDY DESIGN

This is an experimental study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic models of inflammation.

METHODS

The anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl p-coumarate was evaluated in Swiss mice by carrageenan-induced paw edema model (1%, 50 μl), followed by histological analysis, and edema induced by compound 48/80 (12 µg/paw), histamine (100  µg/paw), serotonin (100 µg/paw) and prostaglandin E2 (3 nmol/paw) in comparison to indomethacin treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, peritonitis was induced by carrageenan (500 μg/cavity) to neutrophil and total leukocytes counting, myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), nitrite (NO₂^-), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) measurements. The arthritis model was induced with Freund's complete adjuvant (id. 0.1 ml) in female Wistar rats, with measurement of joint diameter and X-ray. Changes in gastric tissue of Swiss mice were analyzed in comparison to indomethacin (20  mg/kg, p.o.).

RESULTS

After treatment with ethyl p-coumarate, the animals had no apparent toxic effects, and significantly inhibited paw edema induced by edematogenic agents, neutrophil (p < 0.001) and total leukocyte (p < 0.001) migration, MPO (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05) and IL-8 (p < 0.5), MDA (p < 0.5), GSH (p < 0.5), NO₂^- (p < 0.001), joint thickness and bones changes. Furthermore, were not observed significant formation of gastric lesions.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest that ethyl p-coumarate exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of inflammatory mediators and leukocyte migration without causing gastric lesions.

Prevalência de lesões musculoesqueléticas em bailarinos contemporâneos do balé da cidade de Teresina

Objetivo: Verificar as lesões musculoesqueléticas mais prevalentes em bailarinos contemporâneos do balé da cidade de Teresina Métodos: será realizado um estudo transversal descritivo explicativo feito com 12 bailarinos de 18 á 35 anos de idade do balé da cidade de Teresina, onde será aplicado 3 questionários. Questionário bipolar- avaliação de fadiga, nórdico musculoesquelético e outro elaborado pela autora do trabalho. Resultados:  Foram obtidos através dos questionários que avaliam dores, fadiga no trabalho e tipos de lesões nos bailarinos. Conclusão: Pode concluir-se que dor, fadiga pode ocasionar vários tipos de lesões musculoesqueléticas em bailarinos contemporâneos.Palavras-chaves: Dança, Lesões musculoesqueléticas, Dor, Bailarinos. Abstract: Objective: To verify the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries in contemporary ballet dancers in the city of Teresina Methods: a descriptive cross - sectional study will be carried out with 12 ballet dancers from 20 to 40 years of age from the ballet of the city of Teresina, where 3 questionnaires will be applied. Bipolar questionnaire - evaluation of fatigue, musculoskeletal and other Nordic elaborated by the author of the work. Results: They were obtained through questionnaires that evaluated pain, fatigue at work and types of injuries in dancers. Conclusion: It can be concluded that pain, fatigue can cause several types of musculoskeletal injuries in contemporary dancers.Keywords: Dance, Musculoskeletal injuries, Pain, Dan.   

Association of terpinolene and diclofenac presents antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory synergistic effects in a model of chronic inflammation

Pharmacological treatment of inflammatory pain is usually done by administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs present high efficacy, although side effects are common, especially gastrointestinal lesions. One of the pharmacological strategies to minimize such effects is the combination of drugs and natural products with synergistic analgesic effect. The monoterpene terpinolene (TPL) is a chemical constituent of essential oils present in many plant species, which have pharmacological activities, such as analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The association of ineffective doses of TPL and diclofenac (DCF) (3.125 and 1.25 mg/kg po, respectively) presented antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in the acute (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h, after treatment) and chronic (10 days) inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) in the right hind paw of female Wistar rats (170-230 g, n=6-8). The mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed by the Randall Selitto paw pressure test, which determines the paw withdrawal thresholds. The development of edema was quantified by measuring the volume of the hind paw by plethismography. The TPL/DCF association reduced neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes in the histological analysis of the paw, following a standard staining protocol with hematoxylin and eosin and the counts were performed with the aid of optical microscopy after chronic oral administration of these drugs. Moreover, the TPL/DCF association did not induce macroscopic gastric lesions. A possible mechanism of action of the analgesic effect is the involvement of 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, because ketanserin completely reversed the antinociceptive effect of the TPL/DCF association. These results suggest that the TPL/DCF association had a synergistic anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect without causing apparent gastric injury, and that the serotonergic system may be involved in the antinociceptive effect of this association.

Hypoalbuminemia and oxidative stress in patients on renal hemodialysis program

INTRODUCTION

Albumin is considered an important extracellular antioxidant molecule. hypoalbuminemia is a strong and independent predictor of mortality in patients on hemodialysis. The present study evaluated the relation between hypoalbuminemia and oxidative stress by comparing superoxide dismutase activity, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant micronutrient consumption in chronic renal failure patients.

METHODS

A case-control study was carried out with 64 patients of both sexes aged 18 to 59 years. The patients with hypoalbuminemia (ALB < 3,5 g/dL) were defined as case (n = 26) and control (n = 38) those with ALB ≥ 3.5 g/dL.Determinations of activity superoxide dismutase (SOD)and nitric oxide production by the contraction of nitrite in erythrocytes, concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA)in plasma, lipid profile and micronutrient antioxidants intake were performed. For comparisons between groups,the Student t test was used. Possible associations between variables were tested using the chi-square test and Pearson correlation test.

RESULTS

Consumption of copper was significantly lower(p < 0.05) in the group with hypoalbuminemia. There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of albumin and intake copper (r = 0.280). Negative correlation was found between albumin and MDA concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Hypoalbuminemia is associated with increased lipid peroxidation, and can contribute to oxidative stress in chronic renal failure patients. Additionally, patients with chronic renal disease undergoing hemodialysis evaluated in this study had reduced consumption of cooper.

Efeito do exercício físico e da administração de testosterona na consolidação de fraturas de tíbia em ratos

INTRODUÇÃO: Vários estudos têm sido realizados visando identificar um medicamento que acelere a consolidação de fraturas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do exercício físico e da administração de testosterona no processo de consolidação de fratura de tíbia e fíbula de ratos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Rattus norvegicus (250 a 300 g) foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos de oito animais: Controle- fratura e imobilização; G1- fratura, imobilização e propionato de testosterona; G2- fratura, imobilização e treinamento físico de natação; G3- fratura, imobilização, treinamento físico de natação e propionato de testosterona. Os tratamentos foram iniciados imediatamente após a realização de fraturas fechadas no terço médio da tíbia direita. O programa de treinamento físico consistiu em 50 minutos de natação durante quatro semanas, cinco vezes por semana. O propionato de testosterona 3 mg/kg foi administrado por via subcutânea cinco vezes na semana durante quatro semanas. As variáveis analisadas incluíram evolução ponderal, tamanho do calo ósseo, níveis séricos de fósforo, cálcio, albumina, proteínas totais e atividade da fosfatase alcalina. RESULTADOS: O tamanho do calo ósseo foi maior no grupo submetido a tratamento combinando imobilização, exercício físico e testosterona. Os grupos tratados com testosterona combinada ou não a programa de natação apresentaram maiores níveis de fósforo e de fosfatase alcalina, além de menores níveis de proteínas totais e albumina. CONCLUSÃO: O grupo submetido ao programa de treinamento físico de natação combinado com a administração de testosterona obteve melhor consolidação óssea evidenciada pelo maior calo ósseo e atividade aumentada da fosfatase alcalina, sugerindo maior rapidez no processo de consolidação óssea.