Animal models of kidney iron overload and ferroptosis: a review of the literature.

In recent years, it has been identified that excess iron contributes to the development of various pathologies and their complications. Kidney diseases do not escape the toxic effects of iron, and ferroptosis is identified as a pathophysiological mechanism that could be a therapeutic target to avoid damage or progression of kidney disease. Ferroptosis is cell death associated with iron-dependent oxidative stress. To study the effects of iron overload (IOL) in the kidney, numerous animal models have been developed. The methodological differences between these models should reflect the IOL-generating mechanisms associated with human IOL diseases. A careful choice of animal model should be considered for translational purposes.

Insight into the Burden of Malignant Respiratory Tumors and their Relationship with Smoking Rates and Lead Contamination in Mexico.

We aimed to report the results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 related to respiratory malignant tumors (tracheal, bronchial, and lung) in Mexico. We also evaluated the relationship between the burden of these neoplasms and the proportion of daily smokers and total lead emissions in 2019. A cross-sectional analysis of ecological data was performed. The burden of these tumors was 152,189 disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and years of life lost (YLL) contributed to 99% of them. The highest DALYs rates (per 100,000) were observed in the states of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Nayarit. We documented a linear relationship between the DALYs rates and the prevalence of daily smokers (ß = 8.50, 95% CI 1.58-15.38) and the total lead emissions (tons/year: ß = 4.04, 95% CI 0.07-8.01). If later replicated, our study would provide insight into the major relevance of regulating tobacco use and the activities associated with the production of lead dust and other hazardous contaminants.

Capsaicin Decreases Kidney Iron Deposits and Increases Hepcidin Levels in Diabetic Rats with Iron Overload: A Preliminary Study.

Iron overload (IOL) increases the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). Capsaicin (CAP), an agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), reduces the effects of IOL. We evaluated the effects of chronic CAP administration on hepcidin expression, kidney iron deposits, and urinary biomarkers in a male Wistar rat model with IOL and DM (DM-IOL). IOL was induced with oral administration of iron for 12 weeks and DM was induced with streptozotocin. Four groups were studied: Healthy, DM, DM-IOL, and DM-IOL + CAP (1 mg·kg-1·day-1 for 12 weeks). Iron deposits were visualized with Perls tissue staining and a colorimetric assay. Serum hepcidin levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kidney biomarkers were assayed in 24 h urine samples. In the DM-IOL + CAP group, the total area of iron deposits and the total iron content in kidneys were smaller than those observed in both untreated DM groups. CAP administration significantly increased hepcidin levels in the DM-IOL group. Urinary levels of albumin, cystatin C, and beta-2-microglobulin were similar in all three experimental groups. In conclusion, we showed that in a DM-IOL animal model, CAP reduced renal iron deposits and increased the level of circulating hepcidin.

Dietary Iron Restriction Improves Muscle Function, Dyslipidemia, and Decreased Muscle Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Iron catalyzes free radical overproduction. High iron concentrations have previously been reported to promote an increase in oxidative stress; however, the effect of iron restriction in diabetes has not yet been explored, so we tested to see if iron restriction in diabetic rats reduces oxidative damage and improved muscle function. Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups: Control; Diabetic; Diabetic rats with a high iron diet, and Diabetic with dietary iron restriction. After 8 weeks the rats were sacrificed, the muscles were extracted to prepare homogenates, and serum was obtained for biochemical measurements. Low iron diabetic rats showed an increase in the development of muscle strength in both muscles. Dietary iron restriction decreased triglyceride concentrations compared to the untreated diabetic rats and the levels of extremely low-density lipoproteins. Aggravation of lipid peroxidation was observed in the diabetic group with a high iron diet, while these levels remained low with iron restriction. Iron restriction improved muscle strength development and reduced fatigue times; this was related to better lipid profile control and decreased oxidant stress markers.

Independent risk factors of COVID-19 pneumonia in vaccinated Mexican adults.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate host factors associated with the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in vaccinated adults. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted in Mexico, and data from 1607 adults with confirmed illness, with a positive history of COVID-19 vaccination, were analyzed. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed as a measure of the significance of the associations between putative risk factors and the prevalence of COVID-19 pneumonia in vaccinated subjects. RESULTS: The overall risk of pneumonia was 1.98 per 1000 person-days. In the multiple regression analysis, older subjects, those with a history of smoking (current), obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus were at increased risk of pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines may be reduced in a subset of adults who are older aged, smokers, obese, or have type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effects of dietary iron restriction on kidney mitochondria function and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia causing mitochondrial dysfunction and kidney iron overload has been observed during diabetes. We evaluated the effects of an iron-restricted diet (IRD) on mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial iron levels in the kidneys of Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. IRD ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic rats by restoring mitochondrial respiration and respiratory complex activity, improving oxidative stress and glutathione status in kidney mitochondria. We also observed mitochondrial iron overload. Our data suggest that elevated iron levels were attenuated by IRD, resulting in modulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in the kidney.

Gestational Diabetes Triggers Oxidative Stress in Hippocampus and Cerebral Cortex and Cognitive Behavior Modifications in Rat Offspring: Age- and Sex-Dependent Effects.

Gestational diabetes (GD) has been linked with an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders and behavioral abnormalities in the offspring. Oxidative stress is strongly associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive disruption. In the offspring brains in a GD experimental rat model, increased oxidative stress in the prenatal and postnatal stages was reported. However, long-term alterations to offspring behavior and oxidative stress, caused by changes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of GD on young and adult male and female rat offspring in metabolic parameters, cognitive behavior, and oxidative stress. GD was induced using streptozotocin in dams. Next, the offspring were evaluated at two and six months of age. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated using the elevated plus maze and open field maze; spatial learning and short-term memory were evaluated using the Morris water maze and radial maze, respectively. We determined oxidative stress biomarkers (reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and glutathione status) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the brain of offspring. We observed that male GD offspring showed a reduced level of anxiety at both ages as they spent less time in the closed arms of the elevated plus maze at adult age ((P = 0.019, d = 1.083 ( size effect)) and spent more time in the open area of an open field (P = 0.0412, d = 0.743) when young and adult age (P = 0.018, d = 0.65). Adult female GD offspring showed a reduced level of anxiety (P = 0.036; d = 0.966), and young female GD offspring showed a deficiency in spatial learning (P = 0.0291 vs. control, d = 3.207). Adult male GD offspring showed a deficiency in short-term memory (P = 0.017, d = 1.795). We found an increase in ROS and lipid peroxidation, a disruption in the glutathione status, and decreased activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05 vs. control, d > 1.0), in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of male and female GD offspring. GD altered metabolism; male offspring of both ages and adult females showed a high level of triglycerides and a lower level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.05 vs. control, d > 1.0). Young and adult female offspring displayed higher insulin levels (P < 0.05, d > 1.0). These results suggest that gestational diabetes modifies oxidative stress and cognitive behavior in an age- and sex-dependent manner.

Effects of Chronic Administration of Capsaicin on Biomarkers of Kidney Injury in Male Wistar Rats with Experimental Diabetes.

Capsaicin is an agonist of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel, which has been related to the pathophysiology of kidney disease secondary to diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the chronic effect of capsaicin administration on biomarkers of kidney injury in an experimental rat model of diabetes. Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: (1) healthy controls without diabetes (CON), (2) healthy controls plus capsaicin at 1 mg/kg/day (CON + CAPS), (3) experimental diabetes without capsaicin (DM), and (4) experimental diabetes plus capsaicin at 1 mg/kg/day (DM + CAPS). For each group, 24-h urine samples were collected to determine diuresis, albumin, cystatin C, ß2 microglobulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), alpha (1)-acid glycoprotein, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NAG-L). Blood samples were drawn to measure fasting glucose. After 8 weeks, the CON + CAPS and DM + CAPS groups showed increased diuresis compared to the CON and DM groups, but the difference was significant only in the DM + CAPS group. The two-way ANOVA only showed a statistically significant effect of CAPS on the urinary EGF levels, as well as a tendency to have a significant effect in the urinary NAG-L levels. The EGF levels decreased in both CAPS-treated groups, but the change was only significant in the CON + CAPS group vs. CON group; and the NAG-L levels were lower in both CAPS-treated groups. These results show that capsaicin had a diuretic effect in healthy and diabetic rats; additionally, it increased the urinary EGF levels and tended to decrease the urinary NAG-L levels.

Associated factors with sarcopenia among Mexican elderly: 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey / Factores asociados a sarcopenia en adultos mayores mexicanos: Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2012

Background: Sarcopenia involves the loss of skeletal muscle mass and age-related functionality; it diminishes physical independence, health and quality of life. In 2016 it was added to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Information about the frequency of sarcopenia among Mexican older adults is scarce. The objective was to analyze associated factors with sarcopenia in Mexican older adults through the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey data. Methods: Cross-sectional study which included subjects of 60 years of age or more with simultaneous information on health and anthropometry questionnaires from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Sarcopenia was diagnosed through a gait speed test and calf circumference. It was assessed the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and variables related to health, tobacco use and alcohol consumption. The analysis was performed with SPSS v. 16. Results: We analyzed a sample of 5046 older adults who represented 7 439 686 older adults nationwide. Among subjects 53.9% (n = 2718) were women (mean age 69.92 ± 7.56 years) and 46.1% (n = 2328), men (mean age 70.43 ± 7.73 years). Prevalence of presarcopenia was 8.70% and sarcopenia, 13.30%. Conclusion: Sarcopenia was more prevalent in women and it increases with age. It has a significant relationship with falls, cognitive impairment, central obesity and high levels of marginalization.

Introducción: la sarcopenia es la pérdida de masa muscular esquelética y de funcionalidad relativa a la edad; disminuye la independencia funcional, la salud y la calidad de vida. En 2016 se integró a la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades. La información epidemiológica de la sarcopenia entre adultos mayores mexicanos es escasa. El objetivo fue analizar los factores asociados a la presencia de sarcopenia en adultos mayores mexicanos, mediante datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2012. Métodos: estudio transversal en el que participaron sujetos de 60 años o más con información simultánea en cuestionarios de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2012. La sarcopenia se determinó por la velocidad de la marcha y la circunferencia de pantorrilla. Se evaluó la prevalencia de sarcopenia y su asociación con características sociodemográficas y de salud, tabaquismo y consumo de alcohol. El análisis se realizó con el programa de IBM SPSS, versión 16. Resultados: se analizó una muestra de 5046 adultos mayores, que representaban a 7 439 686 adultos mayores a nivel nacional. Entre los sujetos el 53.9% (n = 2718) fueron mujeres (edad promedio 69.92 ± 7.56 años) y 46.1% (n = 2328) fueron hombres (edad promedio 70.43 ± 7.73 años). La prevalencia de presarcopenia fue 8.70% y la de sarcopenia 13.30%. Conclusión: la sarcopenia es prevalente en mujeres e incrementa con la edad, tiene asociación con caídas, deterioro cognitivo, obesidad abdominal y marginación alta.

The Effects of Dietary Iron and Capsaicin on Hemoglobin, Blood Glucose, Insulin Tolerance, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides, in Healthy and Diabetic Wistar Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the effects of dietary iron, and the compound capsaicin, on hemoglobin as well as metabolic indicators including blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose tolerance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our animal model was the Wistar rat, fed a chow diet, with or without experimentally induced diabetes. Diabetic males were fed control, low, or high-iron diets, the latter, with or without capsaicin. Healthy rats were fed identical diets, but without the capsaicin supplement. We then measured the parameters listed above, using the Student t-test and ANOVA, to compare groups. RESULTS: Healthy rats fed a low-iron diet exhibited significantly reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, compared with rats fed a control diet. Significantly reduced blood lipid was also provoked by low dietary iron in diabetic rats, compared with those fed a control diet. Insulin, and glucose tolerance was only improved in healthy rats fed the low-iron diet. Significant increases in total cholesterol were found in diabetic rats fed a high-iron diet, compared with healthy rats fed the same diet, although no statistical differences were found for triglycerides. Hemoglobin levels, which were not statistically different in diabetic versus healthy rats fed the high-iron diet, fell when capsaicin was added. Capsaicin also provoked a fall in the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic animals, versus diabetics fed with the high iron diet alone. In conclusion, low levels of dietary iron reduced levels of serum triglycerides, hemoglobin, and cholesterol, and significantly improved insulin, and glucose tolerance in healthy rats. In contrast, a high-iron diet increased cholesterol significantly, with no significant changes to triglyceride concentrations. The addition of capsaicin to the high-iron diet (for diabetic rats) further reduced levels of hemoglobin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. These results suggest that capsaicin, may be suitable for the treatment of elevated hemoglobin, in patients.

2-octyl cyanoacrylate versus reintervention for closure of urethrocutaneous fistulae after urethroplasty for hypospadias: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Urethrocutaneous fistulae (UCFs) represent one of the most frequent causes of morbidity after urethroplasty. Hypospadias can be repaired using different surgical techniques, but-regardless of technique-the incidence of UCF ranges between 10% and 40%. Surgical repair of UCF remains the treatment of choice, even if some patients need further surgery because of recurrences. Cyanoacrylates have been used as skin suture substitutes, and some evidence suggests a beneficial effect when these adhesives are used as an adjuvant in the management of UCF. Here we describe the results of management of UCF using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (OCA) compared with surgical repair. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial conducted from January 2008 to December 2012 included 42 children with UCF complications after urethroplasty for hypospadias. Twenty-one children were assigned to receive OCA as ambulatory patients and 21 were treated surgically. The main outcome variable was closure of the UCF. The estimated costs of both treatments were also calculated, as were absolute risk reduction (ARR), relative risk reduction (RRR) and number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent a surgical intervention. RESULTS: The mean numbers of UCF were 1.3 in the OCA group (n = 28) and 1.1 in the surgical group (n = 25) with no statistically significant difference. The external orifices measured were 2.96 ± 1.0 mm and 3.8 ± 0.89 mm, respectively (NS). Sixty per cent of the UCFs treated with cyanoacrylate were completely closed and 68% of the surgical group healed completely (NS). More than one reoperation to improve complications was needed in the surgical group (3.5 ± 1.2). The clinical significance of the therapeutic usefulness of OCA was demonstrated by an ARR of 0.08, RRR of 0.25 and NNT of 12 to avoid further surgical treatment. The total costs of adhesive applications and reoperations were $US 14,809.00 and $US 158,538.50, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a similar success rate for both treatments. However, sealant use should be considered before surgical treatment because this is a simple outpatient procedure with a reasonable success rate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02115191. Date: April 13, 2014.

-383 A/C tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 polymorphism and ankylosing spondylitis in Mexicans: a preliminary study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in allele and genotype frequencies of -383 tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) polymorphism between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and controls. Mexican Mestizos with AS were matched by gender, age, and ethnicity with healthy controls and compared in allele and genotype frequencies of the -383 TNFR1 polymorphism. Polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. The AA genotype occurred at a higher frequency in the AS group (92%) compared with controls (79%, P = 0.03). A allele was increased in AS (96% vs. 88%, P = 0.015) and was associated with genetic susceptibility for AS (odds ratio = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.23-10.61). This preliminary study is the first assessing the association of the -383 A/C TNFR1 polymorphism with AS, although it has the limitation of a small sample size. These data are of interest for the genetic epidemiology of AS in the Mexican population, requiring further investigation in other countries.

Progesterone regulates corticosterone elevation and alterations in spatial memory and exploratory behavior induced by stress in Wistar rats / La progesterona regula la elevación de corticosterona y las alteraciones en memoria espacial y conducta exploratoria inducidas por estrés en ratas Wistar

El hipocampo es sensible a altos niveles de glucocorticoides.Durante la respuesta de estrés, esta estructura sufre cambios bioquímicos y celulares que afectan funciones tales como la memoria espacial y la conducta exploratoria, entre otras. En este estudio analizamos la influencia del neuroesteroide progesterona (PROG) sobre los cambios inducidos por estrés en corticosterona (CORT) urinaria, memoria espacial y conducta exploratoria. Se implantó PROG o vehículo (VEHI) a ratas macho adultas castradas y se les expuso a estrés crónico por hacinamiento o ruido ultrasónico durante 10 días. Se evaluaron niveles de PROG y CORT en orina usando cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). Los implantes de PROG inhibieron el incremento de CORT inducido por estrés, previnieron el detrimento de la memoria espacial en el laberinto acuático de Morris y eliminaron el incremento en la actividad exploratoria en la prueba del campo de agujeros. Estos resultados sugieren un efecto protector de la PROG, posiblemente mediado por los mecanismos ansiolíticos de la hormona, contra la elevación de corticoesteroides y el déficit conductual generado por las situaciones estresantes.

The hippocampus is sensitive to high levels of glucocorticoids during stress responses; it suffers biochemical and cellular changes that affect spatial memory and exploratory behavior, among others. We analyzed the influence of the neurosteroid progesterone (PROG) on stress-induced changes in urinary corticosterone (CORT) levels, spatial memory and exploratory behavior. Castrated adult male rats were implanted with PROG or vehicle (VEHI), and then exposed for ten days to chronic stress created by overcrowding or ultrasonic noise. PROG and CORT levels were assessed in urine using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Implanted PROG inhibited the rise of stress-induced CORT, prevented spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze, and eliminated increased exploratory behavior in the hole-board test. These results suggest a protective role of PROG, possibly mediated by its anxiolytic mechanisms, against corticosteroids elevation and the behavioral deficit generated by stressful situations.

Inhibition of oxygen consumption in skeletal muscle-derived mitochondria by pinacidil, diazoxide, and glibenclamide, but not by 5-hydroxydecanoate.

Cell intermediary metabolism and energy production succeeds by means of mitochondria, whose activity is in relation to transmembrane potential and/or free radical production. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent potassium channels (K(ATP)) in several cell types have shown to couple cell metabolism to membrane potential and ATP production. In this study, we explore whether oxygen consumption in isolated skeletal-muscle mitochondria differs in the presence of distinct respiration substrates and whether these changes are affected by K(ATP)-channel inhibitors such as glibenclamide, 5-Hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), and K(ATP) channel activators (pinacidil and diazoxide). Results demonstrate a concentration-dependent diminution of respiration rate by glibenclamide (0.5-20 microM), pinacidil (1-50 microM), and diazoxide (50-200 microM), but no significant differences were found when the selective mitochondrial K(ATP)-channel inhibitor (5-HD, 10-500 microM) was used. These results suggest that these K(ATP)-channel agonists and antagonists exert an effect on mitochondrial respiration and that they could be acting on mito-K(ATP) or other respiratory-chain components.

[Prevalence and cervical human papilloma virus associated factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Prevalencia y factores asociados con infección por virus del papiloma humano cervical en pacientes con artritis reumatoide.

BACKGROUND: Nevertheless its association with cervicouterine cancer, there is no information about cervical human papillomavirus infection prevalence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate human papillomavirus infection prevalence through molecular biology tests, and to analyze this infection related factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Analytic, transversal study to 250 patients: 61 women with rheumatoid arthritis selected from a rheumatologic external consult of a second level hospital, and 189 healthy women, with cervical cytology, of a first level hospital. They were polled to find infection risk factors. They were exfoliated to get cervix cells to extract its DNA and detect human papillomavirus (chain reaction of polymerase with specific consensus markers), and identification of restriction enzyme in high and low risks viruses. Prevalence was calculated, and adjusted factors analysis was performed through logistic regression with odds ratio and confidence intervals of 95%. RESULTS: Prevalence of papillomavirus infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was 30%, and in control group was 24%, with an odds ratio of 0.8 (CI 95% 0.42-1.6, p = 0.5). Ninety-four percent of the most frequent viral types in women with rheumatoid arthritis were high risk (mainly types 16, 58, and 18). Factors associated with higher human papillomavirus adjusted to rheumatoid arthritis were: more than one sexual partner (OR = 5.8 CI 95% 1.1-31.1, p = 0.04), more than one sexual intercourse weekly (OR = 6.7, CI 95% 0.9-51.6, p = 0.06), circumcised sexual partner (OR = 9.0, CI 95% 1.2-64.4, p = 0.02). Patients and controls had same values of marital status. Seventy-four percent of controls worked, compared to 44% of women with rheumatoid arthritis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: One out of three women with rheumatoid arthritis has human papillomavirus infection and 94% has the high-risk viral type. Infection associated factors mainly includes sexual partner ones; due to high risk of cervical dysplasia, it is necessary the early detection of the infection and surveillance.

Comparación de la efectividad entre la aplicación de aceponato de metilprednisolona 0.1% y dipropionato de betametasona 0.05% en niños con prepucio no retráctil / Comparative effectiveness of 0.1% metilprednisolone aceponate and 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate among children with nonretractable prepuce

Objetivo: Comparar el porcentaje de mejoría clínica entre aceponato de metilprednisolona versus dipropionato de betametasona tópicos, en niños con prepucio no retráctil. Material y métodos: De agosto del 2001 a noviembre de 2002 se realizó un estudio clínico, doble ciego y controlado en 34 niños con diagnóstico de prepucio no retráctil. Los niños fueron asignados al azar en los siguientes grupos de tratamiento tópico: grupo A; aceponato de metilprednisolona 0.1% y grupo B; dipropionato de betametasona a 0.05%. Resultados: De los 34 pacientes analizados se obtuvo mejoría en 88.2% (n = 15) del grupo A y 76.4% (n = 13) del grupo B, sin embargo, no hubo diferencia significativa en la comparación de porcentajes entre los dos grupos estudiados (χ2 = 0.2; p = 0.6). Conclusiones: El porcentaje de mejoría clínica entre los dos tratamientos de esteroides tópicos fue semejante.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical improvement between treatment with metilprednisolone aceponate vs. betamethasone dipropionate among children with nonretractable prepuce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 2001 and November 2002, we carried out a double blind and controlled clinical trial in 34 children with a diagnosis of nonretracable prepuce. Children were randomly assigned to one of the following groups and topical treatment was administered: Group A; metilprednisolone aceponate 0. I 1% and Group B; betamethasone dipropionate 0.05%. RESULTS: Improvement was noted in 88.2% of our sample studied; (n= 15) children from group A and 76.4% (n= 13) childrenfrom group B; however, we did not observe a significant difference when comparing percentages between the two groups (chi2 = 0.2; p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of clinical improvement was similar between the two groups of topical steroid treatment administered.