A novel cell line panel reveals non-genetic mediators of platinum resistance and phenotypic diversity in high grade serous ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

Resistance to cancer therapy is an enduring challenge and accurate and reliable preclinical models are lacking. We interrogated this unmet need using high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) as a disease model.

METHODS

We created five in vitro and two in vivo platinum-resistant HGSC models and characterised the entire cell panel via whole genome sequencing, RNASeq and creation of intraperitoneal models.

RESULTS

Mutational signature analysis indicated that platinum-resistant cell lines evolved from a pre-existing ancestral clone but a unifying mutational cause for drug resistance was not identified. However, cisplatin-resistant and carboplatin-resistant cells evolved recurrent changes in gene expression that significantly overlapped with independent samples obtained from multiple patients with relapsed HGSC. Gene Ontology Biological Pathways (GOBP) related to the tumour microenvironment, particularly the extracellular matrix, were repeatedly enriched in cisplatin-resistant cells, carboplatin-resistant cells and also in human resistant/refractory samples. The majority of significantly over-represented GOBP however, evolved uniquely in either cisplatin- or carboplatin-resistant cell lines resulting in diverse intraperitoneal behaviours that reflect different clinical manifestations of relapsed human HGSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our clinically relevant and usable models reveal a key role for non-genetic factors in the evolution of chemotherapy resistance. Biological pathways relevant to the extracellular matrix were repeatedly expressed by resistant cancer cells in multiple settings. This suggests that recurrent gene expression changes provide a fitness advantage during platinum therapy and also that cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms influence the tumour microenvironment during the evolution of drug resistance. Candidate genes and pathways identified here could reveal therapeutic opportunities in platinum-resistant HGSC.

Herbivory and leaf expansion of Cyathea phalerata Mart. (Cyatheaceae) in subtropical Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil

Herbivory is an interaction with great impact on plant communities since relationships between herbivores and plants are fundamental to the distribution and abundance of species over time and space. The aim of this study was to monitor the rate of leaf expansion in the tree fern Cyathea phalerata and evaluate the damage caused by herbivores to leaves of different ages and whether such damage is related to temperature and precipitation. The study was performed in a subtropical Atlantic Forest fragment located in the municipality of Caraá, in the northeast hillside of Rio Grande do Sul state, in southern Brazil. We monitored 24 mature individuals of C. phalerata with croziers in a population of approximately 50 plants. Leaf expansion rate, percentage of damaged leaves and leaf blade consumption rate by herbivory were calculated. Monthly means for temperature and accumulated rainfall were calculated from daily data. Croziers of C. phalerata were found to expand rapidly during the first and second months after emergence (3.98 cm day-1; 2.91 cm day-1, respectively). Damage caused by herbivory was observed in all of the monitored leaves, but none of the plants experienced complete defoliation. The highest percentage (57%) of damaged leaves was recorded at 60 days of monitoring, and also the highest monthly consumption rate of the blade (6.04%) occurred with young, newly-expanded leaves, while this rate remained between 1.50 and 2.21% for mature leaves. Rates of monthly leaf consumption and damaged leaves showed positive and strong relationship with each other and with temperature. The rapid leaf expansion observed for C. phalerata can be considered a phenological strategy to reduce damage to young leaves by shortening the developmental period and accelerating the increase of defenses in mature leaves.

Heterogeneity of fern communities in riparian forest remnants from the South Brazilian Campos (Pampa)

Riparian forests present biotic and abiotic factors that influence environmental dissimilarity, which reflect specific fern distribution. The purpose of this this study was to evaluate the environmental heterogeneity associated to the terrestrial fern communities in riparian forest remnants in the grasslands southern half of Rio Grande do Sul state . We sampled ten 5×5 m plots in each site (AI, AII and AIII), totaling 30 plots. In each plot, fern species were inventoried and vegetative, microclimatic and edaphic parameters were collected. A total of 24 species were surveyed in the three riparian forest remnants, distributed in 19 genera and 10 families. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) showed that plots of AI had the highest temperature and aluminum values, while humidity was the lowest, which was reflected in the decrease of ferns richness. Soil moisture and air humidity were variables more related to the plots of AII and AII, indicating that these plants were favored in these environments. The floristic identity characteristic of each site suggests that many species are dependent to certain local environmental conditions. In this sense, even in very geographically close sites, riparian remnants deserve conservation attention, since they are capable of harboring high diversity in this grassland phytophysiognomy in southern Brazil. The results of this integrated study, with vegetation, climatic, and edaphic parameters, suggest, as expected, that ferns categorically respond to the heterogeneity shown by riparian environments, even when fragments are geographically very close to each other.

Phytosociological contrast of ferns and lycophytes from forest fragments with different surroundings matrices in southern Brazil

Forest edges typically exhibit higher luminosity and lower humidity than the forest interior, resulting in an abiotic gradient. However, the degree of abiotic difference can be affected from the type of the matrix, influencing the selection of species. We compared the floristic and phytosociological structure of understory communities of ferns and lycophytes of the edge and interior of three forest sites influenced by different types of surrounding matrices (natural field, Pinus plantation, and cultivation of crops). In the region of Araucaria Forest, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, twelve 10 × 10 m plots were selected at the edge and interior of each site, totaling 72 plots and to evaluate the phytosociological contrast, using as a parameter coverage and species richness per plot to evaluate this contrast. We recorded a total of 38 species in the studied areas, distributed in 15 families. The results show that the edge effect acts at different intensities in the analyzed sites. In the site with unnatural matrix, the composition was more homogeneous both in the edges and in the interiors and presented lower richness, showing a more pronounced and deep impact. Already in the site with natural matrix surroundings, although the border also presents low richness, the interior was about 3x richer. Based on our results, we concluded that fern conservation efforts should focus on fragments of Araucaria Forest inserted in the natural field, because the conversion of natural field into Pinus planting and cultivation of crops decreases ferns species both in the edges and forest interiors of the studied fragments, besides altering the phytosociological structure leading the communities to simplification.

Spatial distribution analysis of Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. in Araucaria forest fragments with different sizes

Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae) is target of extractive exploitation and is threatened with extinction. We analyzed the population structure, the spatial distribution pattern of D. sellowiana and its relationship with environmental parameters within three fragments of Araucaria Forest in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The fragments are of different sizes, namely, large (H1LF) with 246 ha, medium (H2MF) with 57 ha and small (H3SF) with 5.2 ha. Within each site, 1 ha was delimited, divided into 100 subplots (100 m2), of which 20 were selected with a draw. In each subplot, counting of the individuals, the registration of the caudice height and the coverage of leaves (SC) (m2), measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), canopy opening degree (CO), soil moisture (SM) and litter thickness (LT). The temperature (T) was measured inside each site. A total of 792 plants were sampled, of which 551 were concentrated in H1LF, 108 in H2MF and 133 in H3SF. An average of 1320 ha-1 individuals were estimated. Of the total including the three fragments, 96.9% of the individuals are in the first class of height (up to 0.8 m), indicating a great potential of population development. The spatial distribution pattern (AI) was aggregated in the three populations and the plants presented a heterogeneous total coverage, between 4.73 m2 (H2MF) and 2,223.47 m2 (H1LF). The highest values ​​of SC and SM were more related to the distribution of individuals in H1LF whereas the opposite was recorded in H2MF. The highest values ​​of PAR, LT and CO correlated with the distribution of D. sellowiana in H3SF. In addition to revealing that the H1LF population is among the most dense in southern Brazil, the results demonstrated a significant structural distinction between the interior populations of the fragments, in spite of them being located near to one another and being part of the same natural field matrix.

Changes in cardiovascular performance, biochemistry, gastric motility and muscle temperature induced by acute exercise on a treadmill in healthy military dogs

Changes in physiological parameters that are induced by acute exercise on a treadmill in healthy military dogs have not been thoroughly investigated, especially with regard to age. This study investigated the effects of acute exercise on a treadmill on cardiovascular function, biochemical parameters and gastric antral motility in military dogs. Thermography was used to assess variations in superficial hindlimb muscle temperature. Nine healthy dogs were distributed into three groups according to their age (Group I: 25 ± 7 months; Group II: 51 ± 12 months; Group III: 95 ± 10 months) and sequentially subjected to running exercise on a treadmill for 12 min (3.2 km/h at 0° incline for 4 min, 6.4 km/h at 0° incline for 4 min and 6.4 km/h at 10° incline for 4 min). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), gastric motility, haematocrit and biochemical analyses were performed at rest and after each session of treadmill exercise. Infrared thermographic images of muscles in the pelvic member were taken. Exercise decreased DAP in Group I, increased systolic arterial pressure in Groups II and III and increased mean arterial pressure in Group III (all p < 0.05). After the exercise protocol, plasma creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels increased only in Group I (p < 0.05). Exercise increased heart rate and decreased the gastric motility of a solid meal at 180 min in all groups (all p < 0.05). Exercise also elevated temperature in the femoral biceps muscles in Group I compared with the older dogs. The results indicate that acute exercise decreased gastric motility in dogs, regardless of age, and caused more pronounced cardiovascular changes in older dogs than in younger dogs. Acute exercise also altered biochemical parameters and superficial hindlimb muscle temperature in younger military dogs.

PARASITOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF CONTAMINATION AT SAND OF BEACHES AND MONITORING BY TRADITIONAL METHODS AND IMMUNOENZYMATIC ASSAY

Intestinal helminths are among the pathogens most often found in humans and can result in serious pathological, such as visceral larva migrans syndrome. Domestic animals serve as the natural hosts, but under certain conditions humans can acquire infection, developing an atypical cycle. Thus, the contamination for animal droppings in public spaces, such as beaches, poses risk factor in the transmission, increasing the incidence of these zoonoses. In this context, informations about environmental health is necessary because the monitoring would be the first step for treating unhealthy environments. Therefore, the study monitored the sand of beaches of two islands within Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro state, was carried out by traditional methods (Lutz and Baermann) and the ELISA immunological test, in order to determine the level and the influence of seasonality on this contamination. Among the genera detected, Ascaris sp. and Ancylostoma sp. occurred with greatest frequency, functioning as important biological markers of environmental contamination. The highest frequency of parasite structures occurred in the summer, meaning a greater risk of disease transmission. The results evidence the high level of environmental contamination and the seasonal variations of this contamination. Additionally, the data obtained from ELISA confirm the sensitivity of this technique to detect cysts and oocysts of protozoa in the sand samples analyzed.

Integrity of prokaryotic mRNA isolated from complex samples for in vivo bacterial transcriptome analysis

Even though several in vitro studies have focused on bacterial biology, the extent of such knowledge is not complete when considering an actual infection. As culture-independent microbiology methods such as high-throughput sequencing became available, important aspects of host-bacterium interactions will be elucidated. Based on microbiological relevance, we considered Bacteroides fragilis in a murine experimental infection as a model system to evaluate the in vivo bacterial transcriptome in host exudates. A disproportionate number of reads belonging to the host genome were retrieved in the first round of pyrosequencing, even after depletion of ribosomal RNA; the average number of reads related to the eukaryotic genome was 71.924-67.7%, whereas prokaryotic reads represented 34.338-32.3% in host exudates. Thus, different treatments were used to improve the prokaryotic RNA yield: i) centrifugation; ii) ultrasonic treatment; and iii) ultrasonic treatment followed by centrifugation. The latter treatment was found to be the most efficient in generating bacterial yields, as it resulted in a higher number of Bacteroides cells. However, the RNA extracted after this treatment was not of sufficient quality to be used in cDNA synthesis. Our results suggest that the methodology routinely used for RNA extraction in transcriptional analysis is not appropriate for in vivo studies in complex samples. Furthermore, the most efficient treatment for generating good bacterial cell yields was not suitable to retrieve high-quality RNA. Therefore, as an alternative methodological approach to enable in vivo studies on host-bacterium interactions, we advise increasing the sequencing depth despite the high costs.

Substrate-controlled allotropic phases and growth orientation of TiO2epitaxial thin films

TiO2thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on a wide variety of oxide single-crystal substrates and characterized in detail by four-circle X-ray diffraction. Films grown at 873 K on (100)-oriented SrTiO3and LaAlO3were (001)-oriented anatase, while on (100) MgO they were (100)-oriented. On (110) SrTiO3and MgO, (102) anatase was observed. OnM-plane andR-plane sapphire, (001)- and (101)-oriented rutile films were obtained, respectively. OnC-plane sapphire, the coexistence of (001) anatase, (112) anatase and (100) rutile was found; increasing the deposition temperature tended to increase the rutile proportion. Similarly, films grown at 973 K on (100) and (110) MgO showed the emergence, besides anatase, of (110) rutile. All these films were epitaxically grown, as shown by φ scans and/or pole figures, and the various observed orientations were explained on the basis of misfit considerations and interface arrangement.

Comportamento ingestivo de vacas alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar e diferentes níveis de concentrado

Foram estudados os efeitos de diferentes níveis de suplementação de vacas leiteiras alimentadas à base de cana-de-açúcar sobre o comportamento ingestivo destes animais. Os níveis de suplementação concentrada foram definidos pelo balanceamento das dietas para conter nutrientes suficientes para mantença e produção de 6, 9, 12 e 15 kg.dia-1 de leite. O experimento foi conduzido na fazenda Paulistinha, na cidade de Macarani-BA, no período de julho a setembro de 2006. Foram utilizadas 16 vacas mestiças Holandês x Zebu distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, onde estes animais foram observados por dois dias consecutivos e feito uma média dos resultados obtidos para cada animal, chegando a 32 observações e oito repetições por tratamento. Os tempos despendidos com alimentação, ruminação e ócio, o tempo de mastigação total, o número de bolos ruminais, o número de mastigações merícicas por dia e o tempo de ruminação por bolo não diferiram entre os tratamentos (p>0,05), enquanto que para o número de mastigações merícicas por bolo apresentou um comportamento quadrático e para as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação houve um acréscimo linear com o aumento do nível de concentrado.

Behavior of mesenchymal stem cells stained with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) in osteogenic and non osteogenic cultures

4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) is a DNA dye widely used to mark and trace stem cells in therapy. We here studied the effect of DAPI staining on the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells cultured in either a control, non-osteogenic medium or in an osteogenic differentiation medium. In the control medium, the number of stem cells/field, as well as the number of fluorescent cells/field increased up to the sixth day in both control and DAPI-treated cultures. Afterwards, both the number of fluorescent cells and their fluorescence intensity decreased. Control cells were fusiform and with some long extensions that apparently linked them to neighboring cells, while DAPI-treated cells were mostly round cells with fine and short extensions. The trypan-blue exclusion method showed 99% cell viability in both groups, however, both alkaline phosphatase activity and the thiazolyl blue formazan assay (indicative of mitochondrial metabolism) gave significantly lower values in DAPI-marked cells. The mitochondrial mass, as indicated by specific staining and flow cytometry, showed no differences between groups. Mesenchymal stem cells gave origin to mineralized nodules in the osteogenic differentiation medium and there were not DAPI-marked cells on the ninth day of culture. Alkaline phosphatase activity, viability assay and number of cells/field and of mineralized nodules/field were similar in both groups. So, DAPI treatment did not change cell viability and proliferation during osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, since these cells loose DAPI marking after 9 days in osteogenic cultures suggests that DAPI may not be an effective marker for mesenchymal stem cells implanted in bone tissue for long periods.

Fitotoxicidade de novos álcoois e alquenos derivados do 2alfa,4alfa-dimetil-8-oxabiciclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ona

A reação de cicloadição [4+3] entre o furano e o cátion oxialílico, gerado in situ a partir da 2,4-dibromopentan-3-ona, forneceu o 2alfa,4alfa-dimetil-8-oxabiciclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ona (1). A oxidação catalítica do oxabiciclo 1 com tetróxido de ósmio em presença de peróxido de hidrogênio em excesso levou à formação do acetonídeo 10, a partir do qual foram obtidos os álcoois 2, 11-15, com rendimentos de 23-86%. O tratamento dos álcoois 11-13 com cloreto de tionila, em presença de piridina, resultou nos respectivos alquenos 17 (94%), 18 (89%) e 19 (80%). A atividade herbicida dos compostos foi avaliada sobre o desenvolvimento do sistema radicular de Sorghum bicolor L. e Cucumis sativus L., nas concentrações de 100 e 250 ppm.

Differential vulnerability of the rat retina, suprachiasmatic nucleus and intergeniculate leaflet to malnutrition induced during brain development

We investigated in young rats the effects of malnutrition on the main structures of the circadian timing system: retina, hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), thalamic intergeniculate leaflet, retinohypothalamic- and geniculohypothalamic tracts. Control rats were born from mothers fed a commercial diet since gestation, and malnourished rats from mothers fed a multideficient diet since gestation (GLA group) or lactation (LA group). After weaning, pups received the same diet as their mothers, and were analysed at postnatal days 27, 30-33 and 60-63. Brain sections were processed to visualise in the SCN neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity and terminal labeling after intraocular tracer injections. Nissl staining was used to assess cytoarchitectonic boundaries of the SCN and cell features in retinal whole mounts. Cell counts, morphometric and densitometric analysis were performed. Compared with controls, the total retinal surface was reduced and the topographical distribution of retinal ganglion cells was altered in malnourished rats, with changes in their density. Alterations were also detected in the SCN dimensions in the GLA and LA groups at one and two postnatal months, as well as in the SCN portion occupied by the retinal input in the GLA group at days 30-33, but not in the NPY-containing geniculohypothalamic tract. The present data point to subtle changes, with a low and differential vulnerability to early malnutrition, of structures involved in circadian timing regulation. Furthermore, the present findings suggest that the altered circadian rhythmicity previously documented in malnourished rats cannot be ascribed to impaired development of the retino- and geniculohypothalamic projections to the SCN.

Aerotolerance of human clinical isolates of Prevotella spp

AIMS

To determine the influence of oxygen exposure and growth stages on oxygen tolerance for clinical and reference specimens of the genus Prevotella.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Tolerance to oxygen exposure was evaluated along growth stages for a total of four Prevotella isolates constituted by two strains tested soon after isolation from periodontally compromised patients and two reference strains kept frozen (-86 degrees C) in our laboratory collection. Additionally, the recently recovered isolates were also assayed after 4 months exposed to oxygen during laboratory handling. On solid medium, recently recovered Prevotella specimens proved to be less tolerant to oxygen exposure soon after isolation than when exposed for 4 months to oxygen during laboratory handling. Oxygen resistance of reference strains maintained in the laboratory collection showed to be the highest when compared with the clinical isolates both before and after oxygen exposure. When oxygen tolerance was tested during growth, bacterial cells from the exponential phase were more tolerant. Differences were observed in protein patterns between clinical isolates soon after recovery and after laboratory handling as determined by SDS-PAGE of crude cell-free extracts. However, SOD activities were similar in all bacterial samples tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability to adaptively change oxygen tolerance was observed for pathogenic specimens of Prevotella. This property may be considered a virulence factor.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Adaptative aerotolerance of Prevotella as a factor for virulence and survival.

Circadian rhythms in blood pressure in free-ranging three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus)

Blood pressure (BP) profiles were monitored in nine free-ranging sloths (Bradypus variegatus) by coupling one common carotid artery to a BP telemetry transmitter. Animals moved freely in an isolated and temperature-controlled room (24 degrees C) with 12/12-h artificial light-dark cycles and behaviors were observed during resting, eating and moving. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were sampled for 1 min every 15 min for 24 h. BP rhythm over 24 h was analyzed by the cosinor method and the mesor, amplitude, acrophase and percent rhythm were calculated. A total of 764 measurements were made in the light cycle and 721 in the dark cycle. Twenty-four-hour values (mean +/- SD) were obtained for SBP (121 +/- 22 mmHg), DBP (86 +/- 17 mmHg), mean BP (MBP, 98 +/- 18 mmHg) and heart rate (73 +/- 16 bpm). The SBP, DBP and MBP were significantly higher (unpaired Student t-test) during the light period (125 +/- 21, 88 +/- 15 and 100 +/- 17 mmHg, respectively) than during the dark period (120 +/- 21, 85 +/- 17 and 97 +/- 17 mmHg, respectively) and the acrophase occurred between 16:00 and 17:45 h. This circadian variation is similar to that observed in cats, dogs and marmosets. The BP decreased during "behavioral sleep" (MBP down from 110 +/- 19 to 90 +/- 19 mmHg at 21:00 to 8:00 h). Both feeding and moving induced an increase in MBP (96 +/- 17 to 119 +/- 17 mmHg at 17:00 h and 97 +/- 19 to 105 +/- 12 mmHg at 15:00 h, respectively). The results show that conscious sloths present biphasic circadian fluctuations in BP levels, which are higher during the light period and are mainly synchronized with feeding.

Effect of luminal calcium on proximal tubule bicarbonate reabsorption in the rat

In previous investigations, it was found that rats depleted in parathyroid hormone (TPTX rats) had reduced rates of proximal bicarbonate reabsorption independent on blood calcium levels. In the present work, the role of calcium (Ca2+) in rat proximal tubule bicarbonate reabsorption was studied by in vivo stationary microperfusion. Tubules were perfused at different lumen Ca2+ concentrations in the presence and absence of the calcium ionophore A23187. Bicarbonate reabsorption was not affected by Ca2+ in the range of 0 to 1 mM, but was significantly reduced when 0.5 mM EGTA was added to the 0 Ca2+ perfusates, indicating that only at very low luminal Ca2+ levels, bicarbonate reabsorption ( = H+ secretion) was impaired. These observations indicate that Ca2+ in the tubule lumen is important for the maintenance of normal proximal bicarbonate transport, but the low Ca2+ level necessary to impair this transport mechanism is achieved only in the presence of EGTA, a condition that simulates the absence of parathyroid hormone.

Effects of parathyroid hormone and calcium and their interrelationship on urinary acidification in the rat

1. The influence of thyroparathyroidectomy on renal function and specifically on acid excretion was studied in rats with or without oral supplementation of calcium. 2. Thyroparathyroidectomy caused a significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate, in the urinary/plasma inulin ratio and in overall acid excretion. These changes were not corrected by calcium supplementation. 3. Rates of proximal tubular acidification were studied by means of double-barrelled resin/reference microelectrodes. Acidification half-time was significantly increased in both thyroparathyroidectomized and calcium-supplemented thyroparathyroidectomized rats (8.38 s and 7.40 s, respectively) compared with control rats (5.44 s). 4. When 10(-6) mol/l A23187, a calcium ionophore, was added to the luminal bicarbonate solution, the acidification half-time returned to 3.97 s in the thyroparathyroidectomized rats, whereas no significant changes were detected in the properties of acidification in the control rats. 5. These data show that parathyroid hormone and cellular calcium are important factors involved in proximal tubular H+ secretion, which appears to be largely dependent on a well-defined concentration range of these agents.

Effect of aluminium on urinary acidification in the rat: influence of parathyroid hormone

1. The influence of thyroparathyroidectomy and/or acidosis on renal function and specifically on acid excretion was studied in rats treated with a cumulative dose of 2 mg of aluminium. 2. Aluminium-treated and non-treated thyroparathyroidectomized rats showed a significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate and in the urinary/plasma inulin ratio without alteration in net acid excretion. 3. Non-treated thyroparathyroidectomized acidotic rats showed a significant fall in the amount of ammonium excreted and in overall acid excretion, suggesting that parathyroid hormone participates in an important way in the defence against metabolic acidosis. 4. The effects of acidosis, thyroparathyroidectomy and aluminium treatment on renal function parameters were not additive, suggesting a common final mechanism. In normal or acidotic aluminium-treated rats, thyroparathyroidectomy had no effect on renal acid excretion, suggesting that aluminium even in low doses inhibited the action of PTH on the renal tubule. 5. After exposure to aluminium, the relative inhibition of PTH on the renal tubule may become an additional factor that could contribute to the worsening of clinical conditions in which an inappropriate retention of acid loads can occur.

Aminoglycoside and nephrotoxicity

The effect of three aminoglycosides--gentamicin, netilmicin and amikacin--on renal acid excretion was studied in male rats treated with doses equivalent to those clinically used. The amikacin and netilmicin groups showed no important changes in the values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and U/P inulin ratio during normal and acidotic conditions. The gentamicin group, however, showed a clear tendency to decreases in these functional parameters even in normal conditions, a finding that reinforces the concept that gentamicin is more nephrotoxic than other aminoglycosides. During normal conditions net acid excretion (BH) did not change with any of the three tested drugs. However, after an acute acid load BH markedly fell regardless of the antibiotic used. The capacity to elevate the urine-blood pCO2 was preserved after an alcaline overload, suggesting that the distal tubule was not significantly affected by aminoglycoside treatment. These data suggest that the clinical use of aminoglycosides during metabolic acidosis deserves close attention due to the possible deleterious effect that can emerge as the result of an inappropriate retention of acid loads.

Effect of gentamicin on urinary acidification in the rat

The effect of gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, on renal function and especially on acid excretion was studied in normal and acidotic rats. The doses used were 1 (G4) and 10 (G40) times the suggested human therapeutic dose on a weight basis. After 10 days of each treatment, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was unchanged in G4 but fell significantly (p less than 0.05) in G40. In the acidotic groups (AG4 and AG40) there was an accentuated reduction in GFR, renal plasma flow and urine/plasma insulin ratio. Normal rats showed a normal acid excretion even with the high-dose treatment but, in the acidotic group, there was a significant decrease in ammonia excretion. The amount of bicarbonate excretion was significantly elevated in those groups, leading to a greater urinary pH. These results indicate that acute metabolic acidosis enhanced the nephrotoxic effects of gentamicin and impaired the excretion of an acid overload.

Experimental guinea pig ocular infection by Salmonella typhimurium

The clinical, microbiologic, and cytologic features of the guinea pig model of keratoconjunctivitis with enterobacteria, Salmonella typhimurium were elucidated. Guinea pig eyes were instilled with S. typhimurium and the eyes were studied by biomicroscopy, culture, cytology, pathology, and electron microscopy. All animals developed moderate to severe conjunctivitis that was present in 18% of the animals on day 1. It became more intense, appearing in all of the eyes on day 10 and disappeared before day 30. The cultures for S. typhimurium were almost all positive on days 1 and 2, declined steadily to 10% on day 10, and were negative after that. A coarse, epithelial punctate keratitis was present in more than 90% of the infected eyes at some time during the experiment. The keratitis had a biphasic clinical course. The first peak correlated with the maximum culture results, but during the second peak only 10% of the cultures were positive. Electron microscopy of the cornea showed the S. typhimurium at the epithelial surface within surface epithelial cells during the early phases of infection. The later phase keratitis, with negative culture results, resembles the keratitis of Reiter's syndrome.