Effects in vitro and in vivo of hesperidin administration in an experimental model of acute lung inflammation.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a tool used in critical patient care. However, it can trigger inflammatory and oxidative processes capable of causing or aggravating lung injuries, which is known as ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Hesperidin is a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in various diseases. The role of hesperidin in the process triggered by MV is poorly studied. Thus, we hypothesize hesperidin could protect the lung of mice submitted to mechanical ventilation. For that, we evaluated cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in macrophages using different hesperidin concentrations. We observed hesperidin did not reduce cell viability, however; it attenuated the production of intracellular ROS in cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We further evaluated the effects of hesperidin in vivo in animals submitted to MV. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, there were higher levels of macrophage, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in animals submitted to MV, indicating an inflammatory process. In the lung tissue, MV induced oxidative damage and increased myeloperoxidase activity, though the antioxidant enzyme activity decreased. MV also induced the production of the inflammatory mediators CCL-2, TNF-α and IL-12. Pretreatment with hesperidin resulted in less recruitment of inflammatory cells to the airways and less oxidative damage. Also, it reduced the formation of CCL-2 and IL-12. Our results show pretreatment with hesperidin can protect the lungs of mice submitted to mechanical ventilation by modulating the inflammatory response and redox imbalance and may act to prevent MV injury.

Lasting effects of ketamine and isoflurane administration on anxiety- and panic-like behavioral responses in Wistar rats.

In clinical and laboratory practice, the use of anesthetics is essential in order to perform surgeries. Anesthetics, besides causing sedation and muscle relaxation, promote several physiological outcomes, such as psychotomimetic alterations, increased heart rate, and blood pressure. However, studies depicting the behavioral effect induced by ketamine and isoflurane are conflicting. In the present study, we assessed the behavioral effects precipitated by ketamine and isoflurane administration. We have also evaluated the ketamine effect on cell cytotoxicity and viability in an amygdalar neuronal primary cell culture. Ketamine (80 mg/kg) caused an anxiogenic effect in rats exposed to the elevated T-maze test (ETM) 2 and 7 days after ketamine administration. Ketamine (40 and 80 mg/kg) administration also decreased panic-like behavior in the ETM. In the light/dark test, ketamine had an anxiogenic effect. Isoflurane did not change animal behavior on the ETM. Neither ketamine nor isoflurane changed the spontaneous locomotor activity in the open field test. However, isoflurane-treated animals explored less frequently the OF central area seven days after treatment. Neither anesthetic caused oxidative damage in the liver. Ketamine also reduced cellular metabolism and led to neuronal death in amygdalar primary cell cultures. Thus, our work provides evidence that ketamine and isoflurane induce pronounced long lasting anxiety-related behaviors in male rats.

Association of electroanalytical and spectrophotometric methods to evaluate the antioxidant activity of isobenzofuranone in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons.

The isobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones (phthalides) exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant activity on reactive oxygen species (ROS). An excess of ROS that cannot be naturally contained by cellular enzymatic systems is called redox imbalance, which damage cell membranes, proteins, and DNA, thereby possibly triggering neuronal death in several neurodegenerative diseases. Considering our ongoing efforts to find useful compounds to control redox imbalance, herein we evaluated the antioxidant activity of two phtalides (compounds 3 and 4), using primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. Spectrophotometric assays showed that compound 3 significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) ROS levels and lipid peroxidation compared to the control treatment, while compound 4 was unable at any of the tested concentrations. Despite their structural similarity, these compounds behave differently in the intracellular environment, which was reliably corroborated by the determination of oxidation potentials via cyclic voltammetry. It was demonstrated that compound 3 presents a lower oxidation potential. The combination of the mentioned methods allowed us to find a strong correlation between the chemical structure of compounds and their biological effects. Taking together, the results indicate that compound 3 presents desirable characteristics to act as a candidate pharmacological agent for use in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neuroprotective Effect of Isobenzofuranones on Hydrogen Peroxide-Mediated Redox Imbalance in Primary Cultures of Hippocampal Neurons

Abstract In live organisms, there is a balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their neutralization. The increased level of these species leads to a condition called redox imbalance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective action of isobenzofuranones in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons subjected to redox imbalance. To accomplish this, MTT and LIVE/DEAD assays were initially performed. In the cultures pretreated with isobenzofuranones 1 and 2, there was a higher number of live cells when compared to that in the untreated ones. Regarding redox imbalance, there was a significant increase in the intracellular levels of ROS. The cultures pretreated with isobenzofuranones showed a reduction in ROS levels. Lipid peroxidation caused by oxidative damage was significantly reduced in the cultures pretreated with isobenzofuranones 1 and 2. Taken together, these data show the ability of isobenzofuranones 1 and 2 to significantly minimize cytotoxicity, cell death, intracellular levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation induced by redox imbalance. These results suggest that isobenzofuranones 1 and 2 represent a possible alternative therapy for the neurodegenerative disturbances that are triggered by ROS production increases.

Análise das principais complicações durante a terapia hemodialítica em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica / Analysis of major complications during hemodialysis therapy in patients with chronic renal failure

Este estudo objetivou analisar as principais complicações durante a terapia hemodialítica em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica. Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo-exploratório, retrospectivo, documental, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado em um hospital do norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A amostra deste estudo foi composta por 309 prontuários de pacientes em terapia renal substitutiva durante o período de julho a dezembro de 2011. Foram identificadas como complicações mais frequentes: hipertensão (n=38; 12,7%), hipotensão (n=13; 4,2%), câimbras (n=9; 2,9%) e cefaleia (n=8; 2,5%), com predominância em pacientes do sexo masculino (n=194; 62,7%) na faixa etária de 50 a 74 anos (n=143; 46,2%). Como observado, a ocorrência de complicações apresentadas pelos pacientes renais durante as sessões de hemodiálise é frequente. Portanto, a constante avaliação dessas complicações deve estar inserida nos programas de controle de qualidade do tratamento, de forma a contribuir com a intervenção eficaz da equipe de enfermagem.

This study aimed to analyze the main complications during hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure. This is a descriptive, exploratory, retrospective documentary study with a quantitative approach carried out in a hospital in northern Minas Gerais (MG). The study sample consisted of 309 records of patients on renal replacement therapy during the period July-December 2011. The results showed the following diagnosed complications: hypertension (n=38, 12.7%), hypotension (n=13, 4.2%), cramps (n=9, 2.9%) and headache (n=8, 2.5%), with a predominance of male patients (n=194, 62.7%) aged 50-74 years (n=143, 46.2%). As noted, the occurrence of renal complications presented by patients during hemodialysis is frequent. Therefore, the constant evaluation of these complications should be inserted in the quality control of treatment programs to contribute with the effective intervention of the nursing staff.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las principales complicaciones durante la hemodiálisis en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, retrospectivo documental con un enfoque cuantitativo llevado a cabo en un hospital en el norte de Minas Gerais (MG). La muestra del estudio consistió en 309 historias clínicas de pacientes en tratamiento sustitutivo renal en el período de julio a diciembre de 2011. Los resultados mostraron como las más frecuentes complicaciones: hipertensión arterial (n=38, 12,7%), hipotensión (n=13, 4,2%), calambres (n=9, 2,9%) y cefalea (n=8, 2,5%), con un predominio de pacientes del sexo masculino (n=194, 62,7%) de edad 50 a 74 años (n=143, 46,2%). Como se ha señalado, la aparición de complicaciones renales presentadas por los pacientes durante la hemodiálisis es frecuente. Por lo tanto, la evaluación constante de estas complicaciones se debe insertar en el control de calidad de los programas de tratamiento de forma a contribuir en la intervención efectiva del equipo de enfermería.