RESUMO
Serum levels of several n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were compared in male Wistar muricidal (Mu) and non-Mu rats. The Mu behavior was either spontaneous or induced by long-term isolation, feeding with a starch-enriched polyunsaturated fatty acid diet (PUFA+S), water restriction, or adrenalectomy (ADX). Arachidonic acid (ARA) levels were lower in diet-induced (PUFA+S) Mu rats than in their non-Mu controls. Total n-6 fatty acid levels were also lower in spontaneously Mu rats than in spontaneously non-Mu rats. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and total n-3 fatty acids levels were lower in rats with isolation-induced Mu behavior. The n-3/n-6 ratio was higher in spontaneously Mu rats than in spontaneously non-Mu rats. The changes in ARA levels were greater than those in DHA levels, possibly due to the higher blood-brain barrier passage of arachidonic acid. The results were analyzed in the light of recent results showing a role of PUFAs in human and animal behavior.
Assuntos
Agressão/efeitos dos fármacos , Gorduras Insaturadas na Dieta/farmacologia , Ácidos Graxos Insaturados/sangue , Adrenalectomia/métodos , Agressão/fisiologia , Análise de Variância , Animais , Comportamento Animal , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Gorduras Insaturadas na Dieta/classificação , Ácidos Graxos Insaturados/classificação , Ácidos Graxos Insaturados/fisiologia , Masculino , Carência Psicossocial , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Privação de ÁguaRESUMO
A case of lipoid pneumonia following occupational exposure to oil spray is described. Biological fluids (broncho-alveolar lavage and pleural fluid) are analyzed to determine if the compounds found in the industrial oils are present. The samples are purified using high-performance thin-layer chromatography, and after extraction, the compounds were submitted to infrared spectroscopy. Direct hexane extraction of biological fluids is also performed, followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
Assuntos
Aerossóis/efeitos adversos , Óleos/toxicidade , Parafina/análise , Pneumonia Lipoide/induzido quimicamente , Biópsia , Líquido da Lavagem Broncoalveolar/patologia , Cromatografia em Camada Fina/métodos , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas/métodos , Humanos , Pulmão/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Exposição Ocupacional , Espectrofotometria Infravermelho/métodosRESUMO
Salivary cortisol was determined with four commercially available immunoassays: one enzyme-immunoassay (Cortisol Biotrol), two fluoro-immunoassays (TDX, Abbott; Stratus, Baxter) and one radioimmunoassay (Coat-A-Count, Behring). In order to improve the sensitivity of these immunoassays, it was necessary to increase sample volumes. Thus an extraction step had to be included in the procedure. It was performed with either methylene chloride or Bond Elut. However, the Coat-A-Count kit may be applied directly on salivary aliquots. The results obtained were compared to those yielded by the reference technique which includes a chromatographic step on Sephadex LH 20. According to the present data (n = 20) no kit appears to be adequate for salivary cortisol measurement at any level, at least in the conditions applied in this study. However, the introduction of a chromatographic step in the procedure improved greatly the specificity. Nevertheless, the best results were obtained with the Coat-A-Count kit. Indeed, they were generally similar to those of the reference technique, but some discrepancies were observed at low levels.
Assuntos
Hidrocortisona/análise , Imunoensaio/métodos , Kit de Reagentes para Diagnóstico , Saliva/química , HumanosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the interest of Chromogranin A (CgA) determination for diagnosis and follow-up in patients with gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumours (GEP-ET) and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1). PATIENTS AND METHODS: CgA levels were measured with an immunoradiometric assay in 124 sporadic GEP-ET, 34 MEN-1 and 127 controls. Serial determinations were performed in 56 patients (212 visits). Changes in CgA levels over 25% were considered as significant. RESULTS: Using a cut-off value of 130 micro g/l, established from a receiver-operating characteristic curve, the specificity of CgA was 98.4%, with a sensitivity of 62.9%, higher in secreting than in nonsecreting tumours (73%vs. 45%; P < 0.003) and related to the extent of metastatic spreading (P < 0.001). In nonsecreting tumours, the positive predictive value (PPV) of CgA for the presence of metastases was 100% but the negative predictive value (NPV) was only 50%. In MEN-1, high CgA levels indicated a pancreatic tumour with a 100% specificity but the sensitivity was 59%. During the follow-up, the concordance between CgA and tumour evolution was 80%, whatever the secretory status. In patients with carcinoid tumours, the concordance was higher for CgA than for serotonin (81%vs. 54%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Due to its high specificity, CgA determination may help to discriminate the endocrine character of a GEP tumour and to indicate a pancreatic tumour in MEN-1. However, its low NPV in nonsecreting tumours limits its interest for diagnosis and staging. By contrast, serial evaluation of CgA seems of particular interest for the follow-up of GEP-ET tumours.