Prostaglandin E1 prevents histopathological changes improving renal function in experimental nephropathy induced by renal microembolism.

This study investigated the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE-1) treatment on the biochemical and histopathological changes in a model of nephropathy that was induced using renal microembolism in rats. Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: a control group (C, normal), a renal microembolism (RM) group, and a renal microembolism treated with PGE-1 (RM + PGE-1) group. The renal microembolism was induced by an arterial injection of polymethylmethacrylate microbeads into the remaining kidney of nephrectomized rats. Intramuscular treatment with PGE-1 was initiated on the day of the induction of the renal microembolism and continued once weekly for up to 60 days. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were taken to assess the serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and 24-h urine samples were collected to determine the total protein levels. The rats' kidneys were removed and processed for histopathological analysis using the hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory-Azan, and Picro-Sirius techniques. An immunohistochemical assay with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (anti-VEGFR-2) was also performed. The results showed that the PGE-1 treatment prevented vascular, glomerular, tubular, and interstitial alterations and reduced the biochemical changes, thus improving the renal function in rats that were subjected to renal microembolism. These effects could be partially attributable to an increase in the PGE-1-induced angiogenesis, because we observed an increase in the tissue expression of VEGFR-2, a specific marker of angiogenesis.

Nephropathy induced by renal microembolism: a characterization of biochemical and histopathological changes in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate some biochemical parameters of renal function and the vascular, glomerular, tubular, and interstitial manifestations in the progression of nephropathy induced by renal microembolism. Renal microembolism was induced by the arterial injection of polymethacrylate microspheres in the remnant kidney of nephrectomized rats. Animals 110-120 days old were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (C; normal), the nephrectomized group (S; nephrectomized that did not undergo renal microembolism), and the model group (M, nephrectomized animals that underwent renal arterial microembolism). The animals were evaluated 30, 60, and 90 days after the induction of a renal microembolism. Blood and urine samples were collected to determine serum creatinine (Cr) and urea (Ur) concentrations and urine total protein (Pt) concentrations. The kidneys were weighed and processed for histopathological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Mallory-Azan, and Picro-Sirius staining. The samples were also subjected to immunohistochemistry with a proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). The data demonstrated evidence of the occurrence of vascular, glomerular, tubular, and interstitial abnormalities in the renal tissue, and changes in the biochemical parameters of renal function (serum Cr and Ur and of 24-h urine Pt) in this experimental model of nephropathy induced by renal microembolism, which may indicate the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Additionally, the findings indicate that this is a good reproducibility model that may be useful for studying the pathogenesis of CKD that is caused by atheroembolism and possible treatment alternatives.

Reação em cadeia da polimerase como determinante para o diagnóstico de tuberculose cutânea / Polymerase chain reaction as a cutaneous tuberculosis diagnostic determinant

Relatamos um caso de tuberculose cutânea do tipo eritema indurado de Bazin em paciente do sexo feminino, 26 anos de idade, com presença de úlceras e nódulos infiltrados, eritêmato- ferruginosos, com áreas de supuração e de aspecto endurecido em região de membro inferior esquerdo. O diagnóstico foi feito por meio da detecção de DNA micobacteriano nas lesões cutâneas por meio do método de reação em cadeia da polimerase. Realizou-se tratamento com pirazinamida, rifampicina, isoniazida e etambutol, obtendo-se melhora clínica e resolução das lesões cutâneas da paciente.(AU)

We report a clinical case of Erythema Induratum of Bazin cutaneous tuberculosis on a 26-year-old female patient that presented with ulcers and erythematous-ferruginous infiltrated nodules, with hardened suppuration areas on left lower limb. Diagnosis was made through mycobacterian DNA detection on cutaneous lesions using the chain polymerase reaction method. The treatment was carried out with Pyrazinamide, Rifampicin, Isoniazid and ethambutol, which provided clinical improvement and resolution of the patient's cutaneous lesions.(AU)

Behçet's Disease: Pulmonary Aneurysm Resolution with Oral Therapy and HLA B72 Allele Association.

We report the case of a woman who was diagnosed with a pulmonary artery aneurysm that was caused by Behçet's disease. The patient was initially diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and then pulmonary thromboembolism and aneurysm of the right pulmonary artery segmental branch was confirmed. The initial treatment consisted of anticoagulant drugs. After analysis of the family history and a positive pathergy test, the patient was diagnosed with Behçet's disease. Oral pharmacological treatment began with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and anticoagulant suspension. The HLA B72 allele was identified in the patient and her two sisters, demonstrating the familial characteristic of the disease and the presence of this allele in a female patient with Behçet's disease. After 12 months of treatment, the clinical condition completely resolved.

Involvement of cytokines in the modulation and progression of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in C57BL/6 mice: effects of thalidomide and dexamethasone.

This study investigated the kinetics of cytokines that are involved in the development of interstitial fibrosis in mice that were subjected to UUO, the interstitial type I and III collagen deposition, and the effects of Thalido and Dexa treatment on these parameters. Inbred C57BL/6 mice were divided into the groups: Normal (not submitted surgery), Sham (sham surgery), Control (UUO treated with 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose), Thalido (UUO treated with 5 mg/kg thalidomide), and Dexa (UUO treated with 1 mg/kg dexamethasone). The treatments began the day before surgery and were administered once daily by gavage for 1, 7, or 14 days. At the end of each treatment period, blood samples were collected for the determination of creatinine, urea, cytokines. The Control group exhibited a increase in creatinine concentration compared with the Normal and Sham groups within the first 24 h after UUO, which remained high until days 7 and 14. The urea concentration was higher on days 7 and 14 in the Control group compared with the Sham group. In the Thalido and Dexa groups, a reduction of serum creatinine concentration was seen on day 14. Treatment with Dexa reduced the serum concentration of urea on day 7. The serum concentrations of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17) and chemokines (KC, MIG, bFGF) increased in UUO mice at all of the sampling times. The Dexa and Thalido groups exhibited alterations in the concentrations of these cytokines, suggesting the involvement of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms that may have modified the fibrosis framework.

Effect of Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão) bark on animal models of nociception

The antinociceptive activity of the crude extract and fractions of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Martius) Coville (barbatimão) was evaluated. Three experimental models of pain induction were used: abdominal writhing, formalin, and hot plate. The results demonstrated an antinociceptive effect of barbatimão in the experimental models of writhing induced by acetic acid and pain induced by formalin. However, the extracts did not significantly alter latency time on the hot plate in mice. These results suggest that barbatimão extract has a peripheral antinociceptive effect.

A atividade antinociceptiva do extrato bruto e frações do Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (barbatimão) foi avaliada. Foram usados três modelos experimentais para avaliação da dor: teste de contorção abdominal induzida pelo ácido acético, teste da formalina e teste da placa quente. Os resultados mostraram um efeito antinociceptivo evidente do barbatimão nos modelos experimentais de contorção induzida por ácido acético e dor induzida pela formalina. Por outro lado, o barbatimão não modificou significativamente o tempo de latência dos animais no teste da placa quente. Estes resultados sugerem que o extrato de barbatimão apresenta efeito antinociceptivo por mecanismos periféricos.