Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy with a 915 Nm Wavelength Diode Laser on the Healing of Intraoral Mucosal Wound: An Animal Study and a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background and objectives: Diode laser has been the most popular low-level laser therapy (LLLT) technique in dentistry due to its good tissue penetration, lower financial costs, small size for portable application, and convenience to use. A series of recent studies with 940 nm or 980 nm lasers demonstrated that LLLT showed positive effects after third molar extraction or periodontal flap surgery. However, the effects of LLLT on intraoral mucosal wound healing after surgical incision have not yet been determined in human clinical study. Materials and Methods: The present study was performed to determine the efficacy and safety of 915 nm wavelength low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in mucosal wound healing. A total of 108 Sprague-Dawley rats were used. They were divided into three groups: Abrasive wound group, immediate LLLT once group, and daily LLLT group. As a clinical study, a total of 16 patients with split-mouth design subjected to bilateral mandibular third molar extraction were allocated into the LLLT group and placebo group. The process of LLLT was performed on postoperative days 0, 1, and 7, and parameters related to wound healing were analyzed on days 1, 7, and 14. Results: Repeated laser irradiation promoted mucosal wound healing of the rats. In the clinical study, although there were no significant statistical differences between the LLLT and placebo groups in all inflammatory parameters, the early stage mucosal healing tendency of wound dehiscence was higher in the LLLT group than in the placebo group clinically on postoperative day 1. Conclusions: The present results showed that 915 nm LLLT could be applied safely as an auxiliary therapy for mucosal wound healing.

PINK1/PRKN-dependent mitophagy in the burn injury model.

Burn injury leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy, also known as mitophagy. The alleviation of mitochondrial damage may be a potential method for the treatment of burn injury and complications. In this animal study, we analyzed the expression of mitochondrial damage- and mitophagy-related factors, specifically PINK1 and PRKN. The results showed mitochondria damage in the skin; compared with the normal control group, genes involved in the mitochondrial damage, such as Nrf-1, UQCRC2, CYC1, and NDUFA9, as well as in the mitophagy, including PINK1, PRKN, MFN1, and USP30, were differentially expressed. Furthermore, PINK1 interacted with PRKN and participated in mitophagy in the skin. In conclusion, our data reveal more about the mechanism underlying mitophagy in burns, providing a potential clinical treatment.

Nesting material enrichment reduces severity of overgrooming-related self-injury in individually housed rats.

Individual or singly-housing laboratory rats is common in many animal facilities, but has an adverse impact on the welfare of this social species. It has previously been shown that a small proportion of individually housed mice (∼5%) engage in pathological overgrooming behaviour, but this has not been assessed in rats. We performed an observational study to determine the prevalence of overgrooming-related self-injury and whether providing nesting material enrichment throughout an animal's life would affect the prevalence or severity of overgrooming-related self-injury. Due to protocol differences between projects in our behavioural neuroscience lab, unenriched rats received a nylabone and a shelter (n = 167), while baseline-enriched rats received a nylabone, shelter and shredded paper nesting material throughout experiments (n = 238). Unenriched rats received nesting material enrichment after the onset of overgrooming-related self-injury. Over 18 months, rats were monitored by their experimenters on a daily basis (5-7 days/week over 2-3 months/project) and any cases of overgrooming-related self-injury were recorded. Replicating the findings of previous studies in mice, we observed 20 cases of overgrooming-related self-injury (∼5%) with no difference in prevalence between rats on the basis of supplier, cage position, experimental procedure (behavioural only or involving surgical procedures), reinforcer (ethanol or sugar) or level of baseline-enrichment. While there was no difference in onset severity between rats that were unenriched at baseline and baseline-enriched rats, baseline-enriched rats had lower self-injury severity scores at one-, two- and four-week follow-ups. These results suggest that nesting material enrichment provided throughout an animal's life may reduce overgrooming-related self-injury.

Low-Level Primary Blast Induces Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Mild blast traumatic brain injury is commonly prevalent in modern combat casualty care and has been associated with the development of neurodegenerative conditions. However, whether primary lower level blast overpressure (LBOP) causes neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation remains largely unknown. The aim of our present study was to determine whether LBOP can cause neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. METHODS: Anesthetized rats were randomly assigned to LBOP group (70 kPa, n = 5) or sham group (without blast, n = 5). Histopathological and cytokine changes in brain tissue at 5 days post-injury were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Bioplex assay, respectively. RESULTS: Histopathological assessment revealed neuronal degeneration and increased density of inflammatory cells in frontal and parietal cortex, hippocampus and thalamus in rats exposed to LBOP. LBOP exposure significantly elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (EPO, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-12, IL-18, and TNF-α) and chemokines (GRO and RANTES) as well as of an anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-13) in the frontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a role of neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration after mild blast traumatic brain injury. Therapies that target this process might in warfighters might function either by attenuating the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease, or by slowing their progression.

The Role of Topical Estrogen, Phenytoin, and Silver Sulfadiazine in Time to Wound Healing in Rats.

Many recent studies have focused on the potential role of topical agents in the wound healing process. To compare the time to healing of full-thickness wounds treated with topical estrogen, phenytoin, or silver sulfadiazine (SSD), an in vivo study was conducted using 32 male Wistar rats. Animals were housed individually in standard cages in similar environmental conditions, and a single, circular (4 mm in diameter), full-thickness skin wound was created on the dorsum of each rat. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each and treated with topical phenytoin, SSD, estrogen cream, or no treatment/control. Each wound was measured and examined daily until healing, defined as complete reepithelialization and closure of the wound. Group mean healing times were calculated, and Tukey's multiple comparison test was used to compare these data. Average times to healing were 11 days in estrogen group, 10 days in phenytoin group, 7.62 days in SSD group, and 11.87 days in control group. Wound healing was significantly faster in the SSD compared to control (P <.01) and the estrogen group (P <.01). No other differences were statistically significant. Further studies, especially randomized clinical trials on human beings with larger sample sizes, are recommended to elucidate if these topical agents affect wound outcomes.

Functional evaluation of peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat: walking track analysis.

The experimental model of choice for many peripheral nerve investigators is the rat. Walking track analysis is a useful tool in the evaluation of functional peripheral nerve recovery in the rat. This quantitative method of analyzing hind limbs performance by examining footprints, known as the sciatic function index (SFI), has been widely used to quantify functional recovery from sciatic nerve injury in a number of different injury models, although some limitations of the SFI has been questioned by several authors. This article is designed to offer the peripheral nerve investigator a noninvasive method to evaluate quantitatively the integrated motor recovery in experimental studies.

Benefícios da condroitinase abc associada a células-tronco mesenquimais na lesão espinhal aguda em ratos / Benefits of chondroitinase abc associated with mesenchymal stem cells in acute spinal cord injury in rats

Com o objetivo de estudar o efeito da condroitinase associada às células-tronco mesenquimais na lesão aguda da medula espinhal, utilizaram-se 50 ratos Lewis, distribuídos igualmente nos grupos: controle negativo (CN), tratamento com placebo (PLA), condroitinase (CDN), células-tronco mesenquimais (CTM) e condroitinase mais células-tronco mesenquimais (CDN+CTM). Todos os animais tiveram a medula espinhal exposta por laminectomia, e os grupos PLA, CDT, CTM e CDT+CTM sofreram também trauma medular compressivo. Após sete dias, procedeu-se à reexposição da medula espinhal, quando os grupos PLA e CTM receberam 4µL de líquido cefalorraquidiano artificial via intralesional, e os grupos CDT e CDT+CTM receberam o mesmo líquido contendo 2,2U de condroitinase. Após 14 dias da cirurgia inicial, todos os animais receberam 0,2mL de PBS via endovenosa, contudo, nos grupos CTM e CDT+CTM, esse líquido continha 1x106 CTM. Avaliou-se a capacidade motora até o 28o dia pós-trauma e, posteriormente, as medulas espinhais foram analisadas por RT-PCR, para quantificação da expressão gênica para BDNF, NT-3, VEGF, KDR e PECAM-1, e por imunoistoquímica, para detecção das células-tronco GFP injetadas (anti-GFP), quantificação dos neurônios (anti-NeuN) e da GFAP e vimentina, para avaliação da cicatriz glial. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas com o auxílio do Prism 5 for Windows, com o nível de significância de 5%. Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto à capacidade motora. O grupo CDT+CTM apresentou maior imunoexpressão de neurônios viáveis do que o placebo. No CTM, houve maior expressão dos fatores neurotróficos BDNF e VEGF. E no CDT, houve menor imunoexpressão de vimentina. Concluiu-se que a associação CDT+CTM favorece a viabilidade neuronal após o trauma, que o tratamento com CTM promove aumento na expressão dos fatores tróficos BDNF e VEGF e que o tratamento com condroitinase é efetivo na redução da cicatriz glial.(AU)

The aim of this work was to study the effect of chondroitinase associated with mesenchymal stem cells in acute spinal cord injury. Therefore, 50 Lewis rats were distributed in the following groups: negative control (NC), treatment with placebo (PLA), chondroitinase (CDT), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and chondroitinase associated with mesenchymal stem cells (CDT + MSC). All animals had their spinal cord exposed by laminectomy, and the groups named PLA, CDT, MSC and CDT + MSC also suffered compressive spinal cord trauma. After seven days, the spinal cord was re-exposed, when the PLA and MSCs groups received 4uL of artificial cerebrospinal fluid through the lesion, and the CDT group and CDT + MSC received the same fluid containing 2,2U of chondroitinase. 14 days after the first surgery, all animals received 0.2ml of PBS intravenously; however, the MSC and CDT + MSC groups received the same liquid also containing 1x106 MSCs. The motor skills were evaluated up to 28 days post-injury and, subsequently, the spinal cords were analyzed by RT-PCR for BDNF, NT-3, VEGF, PECAM-1 and KDR gene expression quantification, immunohistochemistry to detect injected stem cells GFP (anti-GFP), to quantify neurons (anti-NeuN), GFAP and detect vimentin in order to evaluate the glial scar. Statistical analyzes were performed by Prism 5 for Windows using a 5% level of significance. There was no difference between groups with regarding motor capacity. The CDT + MSC group showed increased immunoreactivity of viable neurons than placebo. In MSC, there was a greater expression of neurotrophic factors BDNF and VEGF. Also, there was less vimentin immunostaining in group CDT. It was concluded that CDT + MSC association promotes neuronal viability after trauma, in which treatment with MSC promotes increased expression of BDNF and VEGF trophic factors, and also that treatment with chondroitinase is effective in reducing the glial scar.(AU)

Light damage as a model of retinal degeneration.

The induction of retinal degeneration by light exposure is widely used to study mechanisms of cell death. The advantage of such light-induced lesions over genetically determined degenerations is that light exposures can be manipulated according to the needs of the experimenter. Bright white light exposure can induce a synchronized burst of apoptosis in photoreceptors in a large retinal area which permits to study cellular and molecular events in a controlled fashion. Blue light of high energy induces a hot spot of high retinal irradiance within very short exposure durations (seconds to minutes) and may help to unravel the initial events after light absorption which may be similar for all damage regimens. These initial events may then induce various molecular signaling pathways and secondary effects such as lipid and protein oxidation, which may be varying in different light damage setups and different strains or species, respectively. Blue light lesions also allow to study cellular responses in a circumscribed retinal area (hot spot) in comparison with the surrounding tissue.Here we describe the methods for short-term exposures (within the hours range) to bright full-spectrum white light and for short exposures (seconds to minutes) to high-energy monochromatic blue or green light.

Accidental renal injury by an external heating device during surgery in rats.

Hypothermia can be caused by anaesthesia and/or surgery and represents a daily challenge in the operating room. Experimental animal surgery settings typically use heating pads or warming blankets to maintain the rodent's body temperature during long-lasting experiments. Warming is crucial in small animal experiments because these animals quickly lose temperature due to their large body surface to body weight ratio. While establishing a left ventricular infarction model in rats, we inserted a rectal temperature probe. The heating pad's set point was 37°C. Although a dual set point control circuit should prevent overheating, we observed a maximum heating pad's surface temperature of 43°C between the animal's back and the surface of the heating pad. At the end of the experiments, which lasted up to 8 h, the animals showed severe haematuria and segmental kidney damage. We hypothesized that overheating of the heating pad and uneven distribution of temperature led to kidney damage. Therefore, the maximal temperature of commonly used heating pads must be tightly controlled to avoid overheating, which may cause kidney or tissue injury, may falsify the experimental data and could influence the study results.

Effects of radiofrequency on the healing of skin wounds in rats: analysis using digital planigraphy and histological evaluation / Efeitos da radiofrequência na cicatrização de feridas cutâneas em ratos: análise por planigrafia digital e avaliação histológica

Introduction: Given the extensive use of plastic surgery and the search for better aesthetic and functional results, it is necessary to research ways to improve healing and scarring. The objective is to evaluate the effects of three radiofrequency (RF) sessions in healing the skin of mice. Methods: Forty-eight rats were divided into four groups by day of sacrifice and treatment (RF group: RG; control group: CG). Dissection of the excisional wound of 2 cm x 2 cm (4 cm²) was performed and a 6-mm punch was used to hold two excisional wounds 0.6 cm in diameter. After 24 h, radiofrequency was performed using Spectra® directly on the wound in the dorsal region for 7 minutes at 38°C. This was repeated three times on alternate days. For the control group, the radiofrequency protocol was performed with the device switched off. Results: A larger area of the square wound was measured on postoperative day three in RG (RG7: 3.3 cm² ± 0.7 cm² vs. CG7: 2.4 cm² ± 0.4 cm²; p = 0.009). On day 14, the square wound in RG was greater than in CG (RG14: 1.9 cm² ± 0.5 cm² vs. CG14: 1.0 cm² ± 0.3 cm²; p = 0.001). There was a 90% closure of wounds in CG14. In RG14, 60% of the wounds were re-epithelized while 40% remained ulcerated. In CG7, 70% of the remaining wounds were ulcerated and 30% were re-epithelized. In RG7, 8% were re-epithelized and 92% remained ulcerated. Conclusion: Radiofrequency has a negative influence on the healing process, as indicated by mice that received radiofrequency having a persistent ulcerated wound.

Introdução: Tendo em vista o número de cirurgias plásticas e a busca por melhores resultados estético-funcionais fazem-se necessárias pesquisas para encontrar meios para melhorar a cicatrização e as cicatrizes. O objetivo é avaliar os efeitos de três sessões de radiofrequência na cicatrização da pele de ratos. Métodos: Quarenta e oito ratos machos foram divididos em quatro grupos conforme ao grupo que pertenciam e o dia do sacrifício (grupo radiofrequência - GR - e grupo controle - GC). Realizada a dissecação da ferida excisional de 2 cm x 2 cm (4 cm²) e utilizou-se um punch de 6 mm para a realização de duas feridas excisionais de 0,6 cm de diâmetro. Após 24 h, foi realizada a radiofrequência com o equipamento Spectra® na região dorsal, diretamente sobre as feridas por 7 minutos, com temperatura de 38ºC. Repetida por três vezes, em dias alternados. No grupo controle foi realizada com o aparelho desligado. Resultados: Foi encontrada área maior na ferida quadrada, no 3º dia pós-operatório do GR (GR7 3,3 cm² ± 0,7 cm² vs. GC7 2,4 cm² ± 0,4 cm², p = 0,009). No 14º dia a ferida quadrada do GR foi maior do que no GC (GR14 1,9 cm² ± 0,5 cm² vs. GC14 1,0 cm² ± 0,3 cm², p = 0,001). Houve fechamento de 90% das feridas no GC14. No GR14, 60% das feridas foram reepitelizadas enquanto 40% permaneceram ulceradas. No GC7, 70% das feridas de permaneceram ulceradas e 30% foram reepitelizadas. Já no GR7, 8%, foram reepitelizadas e 92% permaneceram ulceradas. Conclusão: A radiofrequência tem influência negativa no processo cicatricial, mostrando que, nos ratos que receberam a radiofrequência, o quadrado permaneceu ulcerado.

Influência de dieta imunomoduladora na cicatrização cutânea em ratos / Influence of immunonutritional supplementation on skin wound healing in rats

INTRODUÇÃO: O processo de cicatrização é imediato e dinâmico, com o objetivo de restaurar a continuidade anatômica e funcional, e devem existir condições para esse processo, o que inclui um estado nutricional adequado. Dentre as fórmulas de suplementação existentes, as imunomoduladoras têm sido implicadas na melhora do processo cicatricial e das condições clínicas dos pacientes tratados. Foi avaliada a influência da dieta imunomoduladora (Impact®) sobre diferentes variáveis do processo de cicatrização cutânea. MÉTODO: Ratos adultos e nutridos foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos, a serem suplementados com a dieta em estudo e com a dieta controle. Dois grupos receberam as respectivas dietas apenas pré-operatoriamente e os outros dois grupos as receberam no perioperatório. Os ratos foram submetidos a três tipos de lesões cutâneas. Foram avaliados os seguintes aspectos: evolução dos pesos, evolução das áreas cruentas, tensiometria das feridas incisionais, taxas de reepitelização e parâmetros histológicos. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença na evolução dos pesos. Houve melhores índices de fechamento de feridas excisionais nos grupos suplementados com Impact®, a partir do quinto dia de pós-operatório (p=0,02). Os grupos suplementados com a dieta em estudo obtiveram melhores resultados em tensiometria (p = 0,03), taxas de reepitelização (0,04), contagem diferencial de células (p<0,001) e quantidade de colágeno total (p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: A dieta em estudo (Impact®) promove melhores taxas de fechamento de feridas cruentas, reepitelização mais rápida, cicatrizes com maior resistência tênsil e maiores quantidades de colágeno total nas feridas. Não houve diferença em nenhum dos parâmetros analisados em comparação dos grupos suplementados com Impact® pré e perioperatoriamente.

INTRODUCTION: The wound healing process is immediate and dynamic in order to restore anatomical and functional continuity, and there must be conditions for this process, which include a normal nutritional state. Among the existing supplemental formulas, immuno-enhancing diets have been proposed to improve the wound healing process and patients' clinical conditions. The influence of an immunomodulating diet (Impact®) on different variables of the skin healing process was evaluated. METHOD: Healthy adult rats were randomly divided into four groups of diet supplementation or control. Two groups received their diets only pre-operatively while the other two groups received theirs perioperatively. Rats were subjected to three types of skin lesions. We evaluated the following aspects: changes in weight, development of raw areas, tensiometry of incisional wounds, re-epithelialization rates, and histological parameters. RESULTS: There was no difference in weight changes. There was better closing rates of excisional wounds in groups supplemented with Impact® beginning on the fifth day after surgery (p = 0.02). The groups receiving the dietary supplements obtained the best results in tensiometry (p = 0.03), re-epithelialization rates (p = 0.04), differential cell counts (p < 0.001), and total amount of collagen (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study diet (Impact®) promoted better closure rates of raw wounds, faster re-epithelialization, scars with a greater tensile strength, and greater amounts of total collagen in wounds. There was no difference in any of the parameters analyzed compared with the groups supplemented with Impact® pre- and perioperatively.

4NQO carcinogenesis: a model of oral squamous cell carcinoma / Carcinogenesis inducida por 4NQO: un modelo de carcinoma oral de células escamosas

The experimental oral carcinogenesis induced by the chemical 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) is one of the most frequent in the study of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (CCEC). The clear advantage is that the model is very similar to the physiological process of malignancy. The model has clear benefits by and is suitable for applications in therapeutic research.

La carcinogénesis oral experimental inducida por el químico 4-nitroquinolina 1-óxido (4NQO) es uno de los métodos más frecuentes en el estudio del carcinoma de células escamosas de la cavidad oral (CCECO). La clara ventaja del modelo radica en el gran parecido al proceso fisiológico de la neoplasia maligna. El modelo tiene beneficios claros y es adecuado para las aplicaciones de la investigación terapéutica.

Efeito do lítio sobre a hiperatividade locomotora induzida pela lesão eletrolítica da região do núcleo mediano da rafe em ratos / Effect of lithium treatment on the locomotor hyperactivity induced by the lesion of the region of the median raphe nucleus in rats

A lesão do núcleo mediano da rafe (NMR) produz sintomas que sugerem validade de face ao episódio maníaco. Esta pesquisa avaliou o efeito do lítio sobre a hiperatividade locomotora induzida por esta lesão. Vinte e um ratos Wistar machos foram submetidos à lesão eletrolítica da região do NMR (LR) e 17 foram submetidos à lesão fictícia (LF). Após recuperação, a atividade locomotora foi avaliada na caixa de atividade (Med Associates/ENV-515). Parte dos animais destes grupos recebeu tratamentos com lítio (47,5 mg/kg/2x dia i.p.) por 10 dias, enquanto o restante foi tratado com salina no mesmo esquema. A reavaliação ao final dos tratamentos demonstrou que o lítio reduziu significantemente a atividade locomotora em relação à avaliação inicial no grupo LR (ANOVA/Bonferroni p < 0,05), tornando-a equivalente aos baixos níveis dos grupos LF. Estes dados sustentam a hipótese de que as manifestações induzidas pela lesão do NMR podem constituir um modelo animal de mania.(AU)

The lesion of the Median Raphe Nucleus (MRN) produces symptoms that suggest face validity for manic episodes. This research evaluated the effect of lithium treatment on the locomotor hyperactivity induced by this lesion. Twenty-one Wistar male rats were submitted to the lesion of the region of the MRN (LR) and 17 were sham lesioned (LF). After recovery, the locomotor activity was evaluated in an activity chamber (Med Associates/ENV-515). A subgroup received lithium (47.5 mg/kg/twice a day i.p.) for 10 days, while the other animals received saline in the same schedule. The reevaluation at the end of the treatments showed that only lithium significantly reduced the activity of LR group compared to baseline levels (ANOVA/Bonferroni p < 0.05), making it equivalent to low levels of LF groups. These data support the hypothesis that the behavioral manifestations induced by the lesion of the MRN may constitute an animal model of mania.(AU)

Efeito do lítio sobre a hiperatividade locomotora induzida pela lesão eletrolítica da região do núcleo mediano da rafe em ratos / Effect of lithium treatment on the locomotor hyperactivity induced by the lesion of the region of the median raphe nucleus in rats

A lesão do núcleo mediano da rafe (NMR) produz sintomas que sugerem validade de face ao episódio maníaco. Esta pesquisa avaliou o efeito do lítio sobre a hiperatividade locomotora induzida por esta lesão. Vinte e um ratos Wistar machos foram submetidos à lesão eletrolítica da região do NMR (LR) e 17 foram submetidos à lesão fictícia (LF). Após recuperação, a atividade locomotora foi avaliada na caixa de atividade (Med Associates/ENV-515). Parte dos animais destes grupos recebeu tratamentos com lítio (47,5 mg/kg/2x dia i.p.) por 10 dias, enquanto o restante foi tratado com salina no mesmo esquema. A reavaliação ao final dos tratamentos demonstrou que o lítio reduziu significantemente a atividade locomotora em relação à avaliação inicial no grupo LR (ANOVA/Bonferroni p < 0,05), tornando-a equivalente aos baixos níveis dos grupos LF. Estes dados sustentam a hipótese de que as manifestações induzidas pela lesão do NMR podem constituir um modelo animal de mania.

The lesion of the Median Raphe Nucleus (MRN) produces symptoms that suggest face validity for manic episodes. This research evaluated the effect of lithium treatment on the locomotor hyperactivity induced by this lesion. Twenty-one Wistar male rats were submitted to the lesion of the region of the MRN (LR) and 17 were sham lesioned (LF). After recovery, the locomotor activity was evaluated in an activity chamber (Med Associates/ENV-515). A subgroup received lithium (47.5 mg/kg/twice a day i.p.) for 10 days, while the other animals received saline in the same schedule. The reevaluation at the end of the treatments showed that only lithium significantly reduced the activity of LR group compared to baseline levels (ANOVA/Bonferroni p < 0.05), making it equivalent to low levels of LF groups. These data support the hypothesis that the behavioral manifestations induced by the lesion of the MRN may constitute an animal model of mania.

The qualitative effects of resveratrol and coenzyme Q10 administration on the gluteus complex muscle morphology of SJL/J mice with dysferlinopathy / Efectos cualitativos de la administración de resveratrol y coenzima Q10 en la morfología del complejo muscular glúteo de ratones SJL/J con disferlinopatía

Dysferlinopathy is a form of muscular dystrophy affecting muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdles, resulting from inheritance of a mutated dysferlin gene. The encoded dysferlin protein is proposed to be involved in sarcolemmal vesicle fusion with a disrupted plasma membrane; however, with defective protein function these vesicles accumulate beneath the disruption site but are unable to fuse with it and reseal the membrane, thus rendering the membrane repair mechanism defective. The SJL/J mouse model presents with characteristics much like the commonest human condition. Immune modulators have long been under study in the maintenance of muscle health in muscular dystrophies. Such supplementary treatment would ideally suppress inflammation, preventing the immune response toward degenerating muscle from causing additional muscle fiber death, and thus provide a mechanism by which to prolong the life of muscle fibers with inherently defective healing apparatus. For this purpose the anti-inflammatory supplement resveratrol and the membrane-protective supplement coenzyme Q10 were administered separately and in combination to experimental animals to determine their effectiveness in possible therapy of dysferlinopathy. The findings of this study report that low doses of resveratrol and coenzyme Q10 supplementation in exclusivity were unable to afford much protection to muscle fibers at the tissue level. High doses of coenzyme Q10 proved more effective in reducing attenuating inflammation; and combination treatment with resveratrol and coenzyme Q10 provided not only the membrane-protective effects of coenzyme Q10, but also the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol which failed to materialize at sufficient levels in exclusive administration.

Disferlinopatía es una forma de distrofia muscular que afecta a los músculos de los hombros y cintura pélvica, resultado de la herencia y mutación del gen de la distrofina. Sugerimos que la proteína codificada distrofina que integra la estructura sarcolemal con una membrana plasmática interrumpida, que al presentar una proteína defectuosa, las estructuras se acumulan debajo del sitio de alteración sin lograr fundirse con éste y cerrar la membrana afectando el mecanismo de reparación. El modelo de ratón SJL / J se presenta con características muy similares a una condición humana común. Los inmunomoduladores han sido objeto de estudio en el mantenimiento de la salud muscular en las distrofias musculares. Este tipo de tratamiento suplementario puede ser ideal para suprimir la inflamación, en la prevención de la respuesta inmune en la degeneración muscular causando la muerte adicional de fibra muscular, y al mismo tiempo proporcionar, un mecanismo con el cual prolongar la vida útil de aquellas fibras musculares con el aparato de sanación comprometido. Para ello, el Resveratrol suplemento anti-inflamatorio y el suplemento protector de membrana coenzima Q10 se administró por separado y en combinación en los animales de laboratorio para determinar su efectividad en el tratamiento de posible disferlinopatía. Los resultados de este estudio indican que el Resveratrol en menor dosis y la coenzima Q 10 administrados como suplementos de manera exclusiva, no demostraron efectos de protección de las fibras musculares a nivel del tejido. Una alta dosis de coenzima Q10 demostró ser más efectiva en la reducción de la inflamación; adicionalmente, el tratamiento combinado de Resveratrol y coenzima Q10 proporcionó efectos protectores de membrana, además de los efectos anti-inflamatorios del Resveratrol cuyo nivel no alcanzó la efectividad suficiente al ser administrado en forma exclusiva.

[Study on the association between hantavirus infection and Rattus norvegicus].

OBJECTIVE: To further understand the association of hantavirus (HV) harbored and transmitted in wild brown rats. METHODS: Rattus norvegicus (n = 570) were trapped in 10 sites in Beijing. RT-PCR was used to test rodent lung samples for hantavirus infection. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, with PCR positive as the dependent variable and the characteristics of Rattus norvegicus population as independent variables. RESULTS: The overall HV prevalence in Rattus norvegicus was 9.1% (52/570). Significant association between HV infection in Rattus norvegicus and some biological characteristics of host population was observed. Adult Rattus norvegicus had a higher HV prevalence than juveniles. Males in the reproduction periods and rats with wounds were more likely to be infected with HV than others. CONCLUSION: It was further confirmed that there existed parallel transmission of HV in Rattus norvegicus hosts. Aggression might be the primary mode of HV transmission among male Rattus norvegicus.

Early stages ofAscaris suuminduce airway inflammation andhyperreactivity in a mouse model

The inflammatory and functional changes that occur in murinelung after infection with 2500 infectiveAscaris suumeggswere studied in this work. A sequential influx of neutrophils,mononuclear cells and eosinophils occurred into airwaysconcomitantly with migration of larvae from liver to thelungs. Histological analysis of the lung showed a severe intraalveolarhaemorrhage at the peak of larval migration (day 8)and the most intense inflammatory cell infiltrate on day 14.AscarisL3 were found in alveolar spaces and inside bronchioleson day 8. The number of eosinophils was elevated inthe blood on days 8 and 14. The peak of eosinophil influx intothe lung was at day 14, as indicated by the high levels of eosinophilperoxidase activity, followed by their migration into theairways. The antibody response against egg and larval antigensconsisted mainly of IgG1 and IgM, and also of IgE andanaphylactic IgG1, that cross-reacted with adult worm antigens.Total IgE levels were substantially elevated during theinfection. Measurement of lung mechanical parametersshowed airway hyperreactivity in infected mice. In conclusion,the murine model ofA. suuminfection mimics the Th2-induced parameters observed in pigs and humans and can beused to analyse the immunoregulatory properties of thishelminth.

Evaluation of wound healing activity of Allamanda cathartica. L. and Laurus nobilis. L. extracts on rats

BACKGROUND: Allamanda cathartica. L. is a perennial shrub used in traditional medicine for treating malaria and jaundice. Laurus nobilis. L. is a tree and has been used for its astringent, healing and diuretic properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the aqueous extracts of Allamanda and Laurus nobilis to evaluate their wound healing activity in rats.METHODS: Excision and incision wound models were used to evaluate the wound healing activity of both the extracts on Sprague Dawley rats. In each model, animals were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. In both the model, group 1 served as control and group 2 as reference standard. In an excision wound model, group 3 animals were treated with Allamanda (150 mg kg-1 day-1) and group 4 animals were treated with Laurus nobilis (200mg kg-1 b.w day-1) for 14 days respectively. In the case of incision wound model, group 3 and 4 animals were treated with the extracts of Allamanda and Laurus respectively for 10 days. The effects of vehicles on the rate of wound healing were assessed by the rate of wound closure, period of epithelialisation, tensile strength, weights of the granulation tissue, hydroxyproline content and histopathology of the granulation tissue.RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Allamanda promoted wound healing activity significantly in both the wound models studied. High rate of wound contraction (P < .001), decrease in the period of epithelialisation (10.2 ñ0.13), high skin breaking strength (440.0 ñ 4.53), significant increase in the weight of the granulation tissue (P <.001) and hydroxyproline (P < .001) content were observed in animals treated with the aqueous extract of Allamanda. Histological studies of the granulation tissue from the Allamanda treated group showed the presenceof a lesser number of inflammatory cells, and increased collagen formation than the control.

In Laurus nobilis treated animals, the rate of wound contraction, weight of the granulation tissue and hydroxyproline content were moderately high (P < .05). The histological study of the granulation tissue of the Laurus nobilis treated animals showed larger number of inflammatory cells, and lesser collagen when compared with the Allamanda treated group of animals. However, it was better than the control group of animals.CONCLUSION: The data of this study indicated that the leaf extract of Allamanda possesses better wound healing activity than the Laurus nobilis and it can be used to treat different types of wounds in human beings too.

Infección experimental de larvas libres y enquistadas de Anisakis tipo I en ratas Wistar / Experimental infection of encapsulated and free larvae of Anisakis larvae type I in Wistar rats

En este trabajo se realiza un estudio sobre el papel patógeno de las larvas de Anisakis encapsuladas enlas vísceras del pez y las que se encuentran libres en la cavidad corporal del mismo, mediante laestimación de las lesiones causadas en el tracto digestivo de ratas Wistar. Los resultados muestran queel porcentaje de lesiones fue mayor (92,9%) en las ratas infectadas con larvas libres que en aquellas alas cuales se les administraron las larvas encapsuladas (35,7%), además, ninguna de ellas se encontróen la cavidad corporal del animal(AU)

In this study we performed a research on the pathogenic role of encapsulated Anisakis larvae in theviscera of the fish and free larvae in the body cavity of the fish, through the evaluation of the lesionsinduced in the digestive tract of Wistar rats. The results show that the percentage of lesions was higher(92.9%) in rats infected with free larvae than in those receiving encapsulated larvae (35.7%), besides,none of the larvae was found in the body cavity of the animals(AU)