The Effect of Lemon Juice (Citrus limon L.) Treated with Melatonin on the Health Status and Treatment of K14HPV16 Mice.

Lemon is a fruit rich in antioxidant properties and has several health benefits, namely the reduction of skin edema and anticarcinogenic properties, which are due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Melatonin can improve and preserve the properties of lemon for longer and also has health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of lemon juice after melatonin treatment on murinometric parameters of wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic mice carrying human papillomavirus (HPV). Two trials were performed for oral administration of the lemon extract compound: in drinking water and in diet. First of all, lemons were treated by immersion with melatonin at 10 mM. Then, lemons were squeezed, and the juice obtained was freeze-dried and stored to be subsequently added to drinking water or diet, according to the assay. Thus, mice were divided into eight groups in the drink assay (each with n = 5): group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 1 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, WT, 1.5 mL lemon), group 4 (G4, WT, 2 mL lemon), group 5 (G5, HPV16, control), group 6 (G6, HPV16, 1 mL lemon) group 7 (G6, HPV16, 1.5 mL lemon) and group 8 (G6, HPV16, 2 mL lemon). The diet assay was divided into four groups: group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 4 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, HPV16, control) and group 4 (G4, HPV16, 4 mL lemon). In the drink assay, the highest concentration of melatonin (308 ng/100 mL) was for groups 4 and 8, while in the food assay, there was only one concentration of melatonin (9.96 ng/g) for groups 2 and 4. Both trials lasted 30 days. During this time, body weight, food and water were recorded. Afterward, they were sacrificed, and samples were collected for different analyses. At the concentrations used, the lemon juice with melatonin had no adverse effects on the animals' health and showed a positive outcome in modifying weight gain and enhancing antioxidant activity in mice. Moreover, a reduction in the incidence of histological lesions was observed in treated animals. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of lemon extract on health and treatment outcomes in this animal model.

Evaluation of the consumption of agricultural and urban waste by the diplopod Trigoniulus corallinus as a strategy for formulating new combinations for the millicomposting process.

This study aimed to measure the consumption of different types of plant waste by the diplopod species Trigoniulus corallinus, in order to determine which would be the most suitable for the millicomposting process. To this end, a waste consumption experiment was carried out in the laboratory, using a completely randomized experimental design with 15 replicates and 13 organic residues from different sources. After 10 days, the following parameters were evaluated: dry mass of the waste used to feed the diplopods, dry mass of the fecal pellets, and diplopod mortality. Significant differences were observed in the consumption rates of the diplopods in the different treatments, with the highest rates being observed for Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, with 44.49%, followed by Gliricidia sepium chips, with 38.24%. The highest values for pellet mass were obtained from the decomposition of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia litter (0.891 g). The treatment with Syngonium auritum shavings showed 93% mortality after consumption, followed by the treatment with Heliconia psittacorum shavings, which showed 53%. Both species are ornamental and widely found in gardens and backyards. The diplopods have a preference for Mimosa caesalpiniifolia litter and Gliricidia sepium shavings. There is limited consumption of ornamental plant waste, with reports of toxicity to other organisms. Based on these results, a mixture of waste will be tested for millicomposting in urban farming areas that excludes toxic plants.

Lifelong exercise training promotes the remodelling of the immune system and prostate signalome in a rat model of prostate carcinogenesis.

This work aimed to understand how lifelong exercise training promotes the remodelling of the immune system and prostate signalome in a rat model of PCa. Fifty-five male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control sedentary, control exercised, induced PCa sedentary and induced PCa exercised. Exercised animals were trained in a treadmill for 53 weeks. Pca induction consisted on the sequential administration of flutamide, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and testosterone propionate implants. Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) were not different among groups. Peripheral levels of γδ T cells were higher in Pca exercised group than in the PCa sedentary group (p < 0.05). Exercise training also induced Oestrogen Receptor (ESR1) upregulation and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase 13 (MAPK13) downregulation, changed the content of the phosphorylated (at Ser-104) form of this receptor (coded by the gene ESR1) and seemed to increase Erα phosphorylation and activity in exercised PCa rats when compared with sedentary PCa rats. Our data highlight the exercise-induced remodelling of peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphocyte infiltration in prostate tissue. Moreover, exercise training promotes the remodelling prostate signalome in this rat model of prostate carcinogenesis.

Quercus spp. extract as a promising preventive or therapeutic strategy for cancer: A systematic review.

Acorns have traditionally been used in the human diet and for the treatment of specific diseases. Therefore, the present study performed a systematic review of studies which investigated the effects of Quercus spp. extracts in cancer prevention and treatment. A systematic literature search was performed for original records which addressed the anticancer effects of Quercus spp. extract in in vitro and in vivo cancer models. Body composition, food consumption, tumor development and/or toxicity were evaluated in in vivo studies, while cytotoxicity was evaluated in in vitro studies. Few studies and low sample sizes presented a challenge in the drawing of solid conclusions. Overall, the results suggested a positive impact of Quercus spp. extract, by reducing cancer development. Therefore, more studies with different cancer cell lines and animal models to address the efficacy of the acorn extracts in several types of cancer are required. Furthermore, the effects of acorn flour, incorporated in the diet, in an animal model of mammary cancer should be evaluated.

Appraising Animal Models of Prostate Cancer for Translational Research: Future Directions.

The growing incidence of prostate cancer has prompted a great investment in basic biology and translational studies to develop new therapies. Multiple animal models have been established to study etiological factors, cancer-preventive strategies and the molecular determinants of aggressiveness and metastases. The rat model of prostate cancer induced by chemical carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and testosterone exposure has become an important tool to study prostatic carcinogenesis and chemopreventive approaches. Over prolonged treatment, this model develops prostatic lesions that closely mimic those observed in human patients. By modifying the experimental conditions, different research groups have been able to induce a vast spectrum of lesions, ranging from early prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to metastatic cancer. These carefully tuned experimental settings allowed researchers to test lifestyle interventions, and different pharmacological and chemopreventive strategies. However, this model's great flexibility requires careful planning to ensure that the experimental conditions are adequate to obtain the spectrum of lesions intended. The present review addresses such issues, highlighting the value of the rat prostate cancer model and the multiple challenges and opportunities it offers to researchers worldwide.

Beneficial Effects of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica) By-products in Diet-induced Obese Mice.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Obesity currently affects the whole world, with greater incidence in high-income countries, with vast economic and social costs. Broccoli harvest generates many by-products equally rich in bioactive compounds with potential anti-obesity effects. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of broccoli by-products flour (BF) in obese mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A commercial high-fat diet formulation (representing a Western diet) was used to induce obesity in mice. BF (0.67% or 1.34% weight/weight) was incorporated as a chemoprevention compound into a control and a hypercholesterolemic diet, at two different concentrations, and fed for 14 weeks to C57BL/6J mice. For a therapeutic approach, two groups were fed with the hypercholesterolemic diet for 10 weeks, and then fed with BF-supplemented diets in the last 4 weeks of the study. RESULTS: BF supplementation helped to maintain a lower body weight, reduced adipose tissue accumulation, and enhanced the basal activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase. Although BF supplementation tended to reduce the relative liver weight increased by the Western diet, the differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: BF appears to have a beneficial effect in preventing weight gain and fat accumulation induced by hypercholesterolemic diets.

An Integrative Approach to Characterize the Early Phases of Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colorectal Carcinogenesis in the Rat.

This study aimed to characterize an animal model of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the early stages of disease development. Twenty-nine male Wistar rats were divided into two control groups (CTRL1 and CTRL2), receiving EDTA-saline injections and two induced groups (CRC1 and CRC2), receiving 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injections for seven consecutive weeks. CRC1 and CTRL1 were euthanized at the 11th week, while CRC2 and CTRL2 were euthanized at the 17th week. DMH treatment decreased microhematocrit values and IL-6, ghrelin, and myostatin serum levels. Histopathological analysis of intestinal sections showed that DMH-treated rats were characterized by moderate to severe epithelial dysplasia. An adenoma was observed in one animal (CRC2 group), and the presence of inflammatory infiltrate at the intestinal level was primarily observed in DMH-treated animals. DMH also induced Ki-67 immunoexpression. The gut microbiota analysis showed a higher abundance of Firmicutes, Clostridia, Clostridiales, Peptostreptococcaceae, Blautia, Romboutsia, and Clostridium sensu stricto in CRC than CTRL rats, whereas Prevotellaceae, Prevotella, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus levels were more prevalent in CTRL animals. Our results suggest that this model could be helpful to investigate chemoprevention in the early stages of CRC.

Effect of a Sub-Chronic Oral Exposure of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. Italica) By-Products Flour on the Physiological Parameters of FVB/N Mice: A Pilot Study.

Brassica by-products are a source of natural bioactive molecules such as glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, with potential applications in the nutraceutical and functional food industries. However, the effects of oral sub-chronic exposure to broccoli by-product flour (BF) have not yet been evaluated. The objective of this pilot study was to analyse the effects of BF intake in the physiological parameters of FVB/N mice fed a 6.7% BF-supplemented diet for 21 days. Glucosinolates and their derivatives were also quantified in plasma and urine. BF supplementation significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the accumulation of perirenal adipose tissue. Furthermore, mice supplemented with BF showed significantly lower (p < 0.01) microhematocrit values than control animals, but no impact on the general genotoxicological status nor relevant toxic effects on the liver and kidney were observed. Concerning hepatic and renal antioxidant response, BF supplementation induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels. In BF-supplemented mice, plasma analysis revealed the presence of the glucosinolates glucobrassicin and glucoerucin, and the isothiocyanates sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Overall, these results show that daily intake of a high dose of BF during three weeks is safe, and enables the bioavailability of beneficial glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. These results allow further testing of the benefits of this BF in animal models of disease, knowing that exposure of up to 6.7% BF does not present relevant toxicity.

Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time reference intervals in dogs, by gender and age group using the Start®4 (Stago) / Intervalos de referência para o tempo de protrombina e tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada no cão de acordo com a idade e o gênero utilizando o Start ® 4 (Stago)

Prothrombin time (PT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are useful tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of coagulation disorders in Veterinary Medicine. Our objectives were: to establish reference intervals (RI) for PT and a PTT for the dog using the Start®4 (Stago), to compare the obtained RI with literature; to evaluate the effects of gender and age on the coagulation profile. Plasma samples of 122 healthy dogs (57 males; 65 females) aged between 4 months and 18 years, divided into three age groups (0-2 years old; 3-10 years old; > 10 years old) and grouped in to males and females were analysed. The RI were estimated following the ASVCP guidelines with the Reference Value Advisor software. The RI were: PT 6.7'' to 10.8''; aPTT 9.0'' to 14.8''. PT was significantly higher in females than in males. Dogs aged 10 years or older have significantly higher mean aPTT times than younger dogs. RI comparison showed a considerable percentage of cases outside the reference RI of the literature (PT - 79.3%; aPTT - 77.1%), demonstrating the need of each laboratory to calculate its own RI. The RI established in this study are applicable for the coagulation profile assessment in dogs.

O tempo de protrombina (TP) e o tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada (TTPa) são ferramentas úteis para o diagnóstico e monitorização das alterações da coagulação em Medicina Veterinária. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: estabelecer intervalos de referência (IR) para TP e TTPa para o cão utilizando o Start®4 (Stago), de modo a comparar os IR obtidos com a literatura; avaliar os efeitos do sexo e da idade no perfil da coagulação. Foram usadas amostras de plasma de 122 cães saudáveis (57 machos; 65 fêmeas) com idades entre quatro meses e 18 anos, divididos em três grupos (0-2 anos; 3-10 anos; > 10 anos) e agrupados em machos e fêmeas. Os IR foram calculados seguindo as diretrizes da ASVCP com o software Reference Value Advisor. Os IR obtidos foram: PT 6,7 '' a 10,8 ''; TTPa 9,0 '' a 14,8 ''. O TP foi significativamente maior nas fêmeas do que nos machos. Os cães com 10 anos ou mais apresentaram tempos médios de TTPa significativamente maiores do que cães mais jovens. A comparação de IR mostrou uma percentagem considerável de casos fora do IR de referência da literatura (TP - 79,3%; TTPa - 77,1%), confirmando a necessidade de cada laboratório calcular seu próprio IR. Os IR estabelecidos neste estudo são aplicáveis na avaliação do perfil hemostático em cães.

Dietary Supplementation with Chestnut (Castanea sativa) Reduces Abdominal Adiposity in FVB/n Mice: A Preliminary Study.

The production of chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) is mostly concentrated in Europe. Chestnut is recognized by its high content of antioxidants and phytosterols. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary chestnut consumption over physiological variables of FVB/n mice. Eighteen FVB/n male 7-month-old mice were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 6): 1 (control group) fed a standard diet; 2 fed a diet supplemented with 0.55% (w/w) chestnut; and 3 supplemented with 1.1% (w/w) chestnut. Body weight, water, and food intake were recorded weekly. Following 35 days of supplementation, the mice were sacrificed for the collection of biological samples. Chestnut supplementation at 1.1% reduced abdominal adipose tissue. Lower serum cholesterol was also observed in animals supplemented with chestnut. There were no significant differences concerning the incidence of histological lesions nor in biochemical markers of hepatic damage and oxidative stress. These results suggest that chestnut supplementation may contribute to regulate adipose tissue deposition.

The Cyclooxigenase-2 Inhibitor Parecoxib Prevents Epidermal Dysplasia in HPV16-Transgenic Mice: Efficacy and Safety Observations.

Carcinogenesis induced by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) involves inflammatory phenomena, partially mediated by cyclooxigenase-2. In pre-clinical models of HPV-induced cancer, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have shown significant efficacy, but also considerable toxicity. This study addresses the chemopreventive effect and hepatic toxicity of a specific cyclooxigensase-2 inhibitor, parecoxib, in HPV16-transgenic mice. Forty-three 20 weeks-old female mice were divided into four groups: I (HPV16-/-, n = 10, parecoxib-treated); II (HPV16-/- n = 11, untreated); III (HPV16+/-, n = 11, parecoxib-treated) and IV (HPV16+/-, n = 11, untreated). Parecoxib (5.0 mg/kg once daily) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally for 22 consecutive days. Skin lesions were classified histologically. Toxicological endpoints included genotoxic parameters, hepatic oxidative stress, transaminases and histology. Parecoxib completely prevented the onset of epidermal dysplasia in HPV16+/- treated animals (0% versus 64% in HPV16+/- untreated, p = 0.027). Parecoxib decreases lipid peroxidation (LPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increases the GSH:GSSG ratio in HPV16+/- treated animals meaning that oxidative stress is lower. Parecoxib increased genotoxic stress parameters in wild-type and HPV16-transgenic mice, but didn't modify histological or biochemical hepatic parameters. These results indicate that parecoxib has chemopreventive effects against HPV16-induced lesions while maintaining an acceptable toxicological profile in this model.

Assessment of the exposure to heavy metals and arsenic in captive and free-living black kites (Milvus migrans) nesting in Portugal.

Due to their high trophic level, raptor species may serve as important indicators of environmental contamination by heavy metals. This study was conducted to determine if the habitat of the black kite (Milvus migrans) is contaminated by heavy metals and arsenic and to assess the degree and type of exposure that may be present. For this purpose, this study was conducted on a group of captive birds (n = 12) and on a group of free-living birds admitted to two wildlife rehabilitation centers (n = 31). Blood samples were taken for analysis of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Captive birds had the lowest blood concentrations for all toxic elements examined, but significant differences from the concentrations found in free-living birds were only observed for Hg and Pb (p < 0.01). Arsenic concentrations were almost three times higher in free-living birds (4.521 ±â€¯5.695 µg/dl) then in captive birds (1.566 ±â€¯0.753 µg/dl). In all the samples of captive birds' mercury was not detected, while in free-living birds we observed a concentration of 7.493 ±â€¯8.464 µg/dl (p < 0.01). Regarding lead, we observed a concentration almost four-fold higher in free-living birds (19.430 ±â€¯29.294 µg/dl) then in captive birds (4.449 ±â€¯1.987 µg/dl) (p < 0.01). Therefore, available sources of Pb and Hg seem to be present in the habitat of the black kite.

Exercise training protects against cancer-induced cardiac remodeling in an animal model of urothelial carcinoma.

Limiting cancer-induced cardiac damage has become an increasingly important issue to improve survival rates and quality of life. Exercise training has been shown to reduce cardiovascular complications in several diseases; however, its therapeutic role against cardiovascular consequences of cancer is in its infancy. In order to add new insights on the potential therapeutic effect of exercise training on cancer-related cardiac dysfunction, we used an animal model of urothelial carcinoma submitted to 13 weeks of treadmill exercise after 20 weeks of exposure to the carcinogenic N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN). Data showed that 13 weeks of treadmill exercise reverted cancer-induced cardiomyocytes atrophy and fibrosis, improved cardiac oxidative capacity given by citrate synthase activity and MnSOD content, and increased the levels of the mitochondrial biogenesis markers PGC-1α and mtTFA. Moreover, exercise training reverted cancer-induced decrease of cardiac c-kit levels suggesting enhanced regenerative ability of heart. These cardiac adaptations to exercise were related to a lower incidence of malignant urothelial lesions and less signs of inflammation. Taken together, data from the present study support the beneficial effect of exercise training when started after cancer diagnosis, envisioning the improvement of the cardiovascular function.

O cuidado fundamental e a recuperação da pessoa em situação crítica: intervenção de enfermagem especializada / Fundamental care and recovery of people in critical situations: specialized nursing intervention

O Cuidado Fundamental engloba todos os cuidados que visam a satisfação das Necessidades Humanas Fundamentais exclusivas de cada pessoa. É o cuidado necessário a cada pessoa, independentemente da sua condição clínica ou ambiente de saúde, desenvolvido com o objetivo de proporcionar segurança, saúde, bem-estar físico e psicossocial. Em contexto de situação crítica o Cuidado Fundamental fica comprometido, cabendo aos enfermeiros intervir para proporcionar a satisfação das Necessidades Humanas Fundamentais. Assegurar o Cuidado Fundamental contribui, em muito, para reduzir as complicações durante o internamento dos doentes. Esta temática serviu de fio condutor ao percurso de desenvolvimento de competências tendo por base as competências estipuladas para o Curso de Mestrado em Enfermagem na área de Especialização de Pessoa em Situação Crítica, pressupostos dos descritores de Dublin ­ 2º ciclo de estudos e competências definidas pela Ordem dos Enfermeiros. Neste sentido, este relatório pretende descrever e analisar, criticamente, o referido percurso de estágio, bem como a aquisição e desenvolvimento de competências especializadas de enfermagem. Com o intuito de desenvolver competências especializadas de enfermagem no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica adulta/idosa, o estágio decorreu em contexto de serviço de urgência e unidade de cuidados intensivos, tendo existido uma incursão estratégica numa Unidade de Cuidados Paliativos. Para a concretização deste relatório socorri-me das minhas experiências em contexto de estágio e da reflexão que fiz sobre as mesmas, à luz das competências inerentes ao enfermeiro especialista. Das competências desenvolvidas, saliento as competências no domínio ético, legal e de responsabilidade, assim como na gestão da qualidade dos cuidados prestados à pessoa em situação crítica/família. Consolidei competências na prevenção e controlo da infeção e ao nível da gestão de equipas. Cuidar da pessoa a vivenciar processos complexos de doença crítica, permitiu uma tomada de decisão refletida, mobilizar conhecimentos para a prática clínica e prestar cuidados baseados na evidência científica. Atuei no sentido da sensibilização da equipa para uma área específica da enfermagem, o Cuidado Fundamental, demonstrando um nível aprofundado de conhecimentos numa área específica da enfermagem e competências de reflexão e autoaprendizagem.

The Fundamental Care includes all the care that seeks to satisfy the Fundamental Human Needs of each person. It is the necessary to care for each person, regardless of their clinical condition or health environment, developed with the objective of providing safety, health, physical and psychosocial well-being. In a critical situation, Fundamental Care is compromised, and nurses must intervene to provide the satisfaction of the Fundamental Human Needs. Ensuring Fundamental Care contributes greatly to reducing complications during hospitalization. This theme served as a guide to the development of competences based on the skills stipulated for the Master's Degree in Nursing in the area of Specialization of Person in Critical Situation, presuppositions of the Dublin descriptors - 2nd cycle of studies and competences defined by the Order of Nurses. In this sense, this report intends to describe and analyze, critically, the said course of internship, as well as the acquisition and development of specialized nursing competences. In order to develop specialized nursing skills in the care of the critically ill adult / elderly person, the internship took place in the context of an emergency service and intensive care unit, and there was a strategic incursion into a Palliative Care Unit. In order to achieve this report, I have benefited from my experiences in the context of the internship and the reflection I have given on them, in the light of the skills inherent to the specialist nurse. From the competences developed, I emphasize the competences in the ethical, legal and responsibility domain, as well as in the management of the quality of the care provided to the person in critical situation / family. I have strengthened the skills in prevention and control of infection and in the management of teams / team management. Taking care of the person to experience the complex processes of critical illness, allowed a reflected decision, mobilizing knowledge for clinical practice and providing care based on scientific evidence. I worked towards the awareness of the team for a specific area of nursing, Fundamental Care, demonstrating an in-depth level of knowledge in a specific area of nursing, reflection and self-learning skills.

Long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A reduces glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

The high prevalence of end-stage renal disease emphasizes the failure to provide therapies to effectively prevent and/or reverse renal fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A (CAA), which selectively blocks Ha-Ras farnesylation, on renal mass reduction-induced renal fibrosis. Male Wistar rats were sham-operated (SO) or subjected to 5/6 renal mass reduction (RMR). One week after surgery, rats were placed in four experimental groups: SO:SO rats without treatment (n=13); SO+CAA: SO rats treated with CAA (n=13); RMR:RMR rats without treatment (n=14); and RMR+CAA:RMR rats treated with CAA (n=13). CAA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23µg/kg three times a week for six months. Renal fibrosis was evaluated by two-dimensional ultrasonography and histopathological analysis. The kidneys of the RMR animals treated with CAA showed a significantly decrease in the medullary echogenicity (p<0.05) compared with the RMR rats that received no treatment. Glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis scores were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the RMR+CAA group when compared with the RMR group. There were no significant differences in interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and tubular dilatation scores between the RMR+CAA and RMR groups. These data suggest that CAA can be a potential future drug to attenuate the progression of chronic kidney disease.

The Effects of Long-Term Chaetomellic Acid A Administration on Renal Function and Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Renal Mass Reduction.

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic treatment with chaetomellic acid A (CAA) on oxidative stress and renal function in a model of renal mass reduction. Methods. Male Wistar rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy (RMR) or sham-operated (SO). One week after surgery, rats have been divided into four experimental groups: RMR: RMR rats without treatment (n = 14); RMR + CAA: RMR rats treated with CAA (n = 13); SO: SO rats without treatment (n = 13); and SO + CAA: SO rats treated with CAA (n = 13). CAA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23 µg/Kg three times a week for six months. Results. RMR was accompanied by a significant reduction in catalase and glutathione reductase (GR) activity (p < 0.05) and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio. CAA administration significantly increased catalase and GR activity (p < 0.05) and increased GSH/GSSG ratio, but no significant difference between the treated and nontreated groups was found in this ratio. No significant differences were found between the RMR groups in any of the parameters of renal function. However, CAA administration slightly improves some parameters of renal function. Conclusions. These data suggest that CAA could attenuate 5/6 RMR-induced oxidative stress.

Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Renal Fibrosis: A Review of Animal Models and Therapeutic Strategies.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition in which the kidneys do not work correctly. It has a high prevalence and represents a serious hazard to human health and estimated to affects hundreds of millions of people. Diabetes and hypertension are the two principal causes of CKD. The progression of CKD is characterized by the loss of renal cells and their replacement by extracellular matrix (ECM), independently of the associated disease. Thus, one of the consequences of CKD is glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis caused by an imbalance between excessive synthesis and reduced breakdown of the ECM. There are many molecules and cells that are associated with progression of renal fibrosis e.g. angiotensin II (Ang II). Therefore, in order to understand the biopathology of renal fibrosis and for the evaluation of new treatments, the use of animal models is crucial such as: surgical, chemical and physical models, spontaneous models, genetic models and in vitro models. However, there are currently no effective treatments for preventing the progression of renal fibrosis. Therefore it is essential to improve our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the progress of renal fibrosis in order to achieve a reversion/elimination of renal fibrosis.

HPV16 induces a wasting syndrome in transgenic mice: Amelioration by dietary polyphenols via NF-κB inhibition.

Cancer patients often show a wasting syndrome for which there are little therapeutic options. Dietary polyphenols have been proposed for treating this syndrome, but their usefulness in cases associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cancers is unknown. We characterized HPV16-transgenic mice as a model of cancer cachexia and tested the efficacy of long-term oral supplementation with polyphenols curcumin and rutin. Both compounds were orally administered to six weeks-old HPV16-transgenic mice showing characteristic multi-step skin carcinogenesis, for 24weeks. Skin lesions and blood, liver and spleen inflammatory changes were characterized histologically and hematologically. Hepatic oxidative stress, skeletal muscle mass and the levels of muscle pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB were also assessed. Skin carcinogenesis was associated with progressive, severe, systemic inflammation (leukocytosis, hepatitis, splenitis), significant mortality and cachexia. Curcumin and rutin totally suppressed mortality while reducing white blood cells and the incidence of splenitis and hepatitis. Rutin prevented muscle wasting more effectively than curcumin. Preservation of muscle mass and reduced hepatic inflammation were associated with down-regulation of the NF-κB canonical pathway and with reduced oxidative stress, respectively. These results point out HPV16-transgenic mice as a useful model for studying the wasting syndrome associated with HPV-induced cancers. Dietary NF-κB inhibitors may be useful resources for treating this syndrome.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Kidney in 5/6 Nephrectomized Rats: Correlation with Biochemical and Histopathological Findings.

AIM: To characterize the kidney alterations associated with renal mass reduction by two-dimensional ultrasound and assess the correlation of the ultrasonographic parameters with the histological and biochemical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into two groups: sham-operated animals (n=13), and animals which underwent renal mass reduction (RMR) through 5/6 nephrectomy (n=14). Renal length, renal thickness, cortical thickness, medullary length and echogenicity of the kidneys were evaluated by ultrasonography at 3 and 6 months after the RMR. RESULTS: Except for the renal length, the renal dimensions at 3 and 6 months were significantly higher in the RMR group when compared to the sham-operated group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the cortical and medullary echogenicity was significantly higher in the RMR group when compared to the sham-operated group (p<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between the plasma creatinine level and the renal length 3 months after RMR (r=-0.612, p=0.045). CONCLUSION: These data support future application of ultrasonography for monitoring the progression of renal damage in chronic studies with the 5/6 nephrectomy model.

Prognostic Factors in an Exercised Model of Chemically-induced Mammary Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and Ki-67 are strong prognostic and predictive markers in woman breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the immunoexpression of prognostic factor markers ERα, Ki-67 proliferation index (Ki-67 PI) and the mitotic activity index (MAI) in mammary tumors induced by 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU) in female Sprague-Dawley rats submitted to lifelong exercise training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female rats were injected with MNU and randomly divided into two groups: sedentary and exercised. RESULTS: All neoplasms from both groups were ERα-positive with an H-score ≥20. Statistically significant differences were not found in the ERα H-score, Ki-67 PI and MAI between groups. The absolute value of ERα H-score was higher in the exercised group, while the Ki-67 PI and MAI were higher in the sedentary group. CONCLUSION: Tumors from the exercised group were less proliferative and more differentiated, suggesting that long-term exercise training had positive effects on mammary carcinogenesis.