Experimental model of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance

PURPOSE:To evaluate metabolic effects in experimental model of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance.METHODS:Twenty Wistar male rats were randomly divided into two groups, which were treated with intraperitoneally injected dexamethasone 1mg/Kg/day for ten days consecutively (Group D; n=10) and placebo (Group C; n=10). The variables analyzed were: from the first to the 10th day - body weight (before and after treatment); food and water daily consumption; on the 10th day - glycemia, insulinemia, HOMA-beta and HOMA-IR. The blood samples for laboratory analysis were obtained by intracardiac puncture. Also on the 10th day liver fragments were taken for analyzing glycogen and fattty.RESULTS:Group D animals compared to group C had: weight reduction (g), (D=226.5±24.7 vs C=295.0±25.4; p=0.001); increased glycemia (mmol/l) (D=19.5±2.1 vs C=14.2±3.1; p=0.0001); diminished insulinemia (mU/l) (D=0.2±0.1 vs C=2.0±0.4; p=0.0001); reduced HOMA-β (D=0.2±0.1 vs C=4.2±1.7; p=0.0002); diminished HOMA-IR (D=0.2±0.1 vs C=1.3±0.4; p=0.0002). Histological examination of the liver showed that 100% of group D and none of group C had moderate fatty. (p=0.2).CONCLUSION:Animals treated with glucocorticoid, in this experimental model, expressed hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinism and decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity.(AU)

Antimicrobial activity of Melaleuca sp. oil against clinical isolates of antibiotics resistant Staphylococcus aureus

PURPOSE: To extract the Melaleuca sp. oil and to assess its in vitro inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from lower limb wounds and resistant to several antibiotics. METHODS: A total of 14 test-tubes containing Mueller-Hinton broth were used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The following concentrations of the Melaleuca sp. oil were added to the first 11 tubes: 8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.2; 0.1; 0.05; 0.025; 0.0125 and 0.00625%. The 12th and 13th tubes, with and without oil, were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. The experimental study was carried out in triplicate at 37ºC for 18 hours. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), able of killing all the microorganisms, was also determined. Two S. aureus isolates were obtained from lower limb wounds of female patients and the identification of the microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus) and the test for susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents were carried out by automation using the apparatus MicroScan(r). After identification, the isolates were preserved in liquid Trypticase Soy medium, and inoculated for determination of the MIC and MBC. RESULTS: The MIC was 0.2% and the MBC was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: The Melaleuca sp. oil showed antimicrobial properties in vitro against strains isolated from lower limb wounds which were resistant to multiple antibiotics.(AU)

Antimicrobial activity of Melaleuca sp. oil against clinical isolates of antibiotics resistant Staphylococcus aureus

PURPOSE: To extract the Melaleuca sp. oil and to assess its in vitro inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from lower limb wounds and resistant to several antibiotics.METHODS:A total of 14 test-tubes containing Mueller-Hinton broth were used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The following concentrations of the Melaleuca sp. oil were added to the first 11 tubes: 8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.2; 0.1; 0.05; 0.025; 0,0125 and 0.00625%. The 12th and 13thtubes, with and without oil, were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. The experimental study was carried out in triplicate at 37ºC for 18 hours. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), able of killing all the microorganisms, was also determined. Two S. aureus isolates were obtained from lower limb wounds of female patients and the identification of the microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus) and the test for susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents were carried out by automation using the apparatus MicroScan(r). After identification, the isolates were preserved in liquid Trypticase Soy medium, and inoculated for determination of the MIC and MBC.RESULTS:The MIC was 0.2% and the MBC was 0.4%.CONCLUSION:The Melaleuca sp. oil showed antimicrobial properties in vitro against strains isolated from lower limb wounds which were resistant to multiple antibiotics.(AU)