Effect of treatment with carvacrol and aerobic training on cardiovascular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Can two non-drug therapies, carvacrol and aerobic physical training, together have additive effects on the reduction of cardiovascular risks and control of arterial hypertension? What is the main finding and its importance? The oral use of carvacrol (20 mg/kg/day) can control sustained hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats, and when this use is associated with aerobic physical training, there is a more pronounced effect on the reduction of blood pressure values, making these therapies an adjunct option in the drug treatment of hypertension. ABSTRACT: Systemic arterial hypertension is considered the foremost cardiovascular risk factor, and it is important to examine different therapies that help prevent and treat it, especially when associated with other cardiovascular risk factors. In this context, it is known that both carvacrol and aerobic physical training benefit the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the effects of treatment with carvacrol combined with aerobic exercise on hypertensive rats with cardiovascular risk parameters. We used an experimental design with six groups: normotensive control (Wistar rats); hypertensive control (spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR); positive control rats treated with amlodipine (Aml-20 mg); rats treated with carvacrol (Carv-20 mg); rats trained with exercise (Exer); and rats treated with carvacrol and exercise (ExerCarv). The treatment lasted for 4 weeks, monitoring heart rate and systolic blood pressure (SBP). At the end of the treatment, vascular reactivity tests were performed in addition to biochemical measurements of urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic indexes, relative heart weight and histopathological analysis of cardiac perivascular tissue. Significant reductions in SBP were observed after the training period, with the ExerCarv group showing a greater magnitude of reduction (∆SBP = 88 ± 10.0 mmHg, 42%). This group also experienced reductions in atherogenic indices and improvement in all analysed lipid parameters, with no differences observed in the Exer group. The findings indicated that the interaction between aerobic exercise and carvacrol offers a greater BP reduction. Exercise is particularly effective for controlling biochemical parameters of cardiovascular risk, regardless of carvacrol use.

Essential oils as molluscicidal agents against schistosomiasis transmitting snails - a review.

This review aims to describe essential oils with bioactivity on adult snails of the genera Bulinus and Biomphalaria, which are intermediate hosts of schistosomes, and brings together information relating to the importance of molluscicides and the chemical composition and toxicity of such oils for other aquatic species. Analysis of the data of original articles revealed that 50 essential oils obtained from 46 plant species were evaluated for molluscicidal activity against the genera cited. More than 80% of the volatile oils studied were active, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (LC90 or LC100 ≤100 µg/mL or LC50 <40 µg/mL), and most of the oils came from plants belonging to the Rutaceae, Lamiaceae and Pinaceae. Around 37% of the surveyed plant species were obtained in Brazil and 88% of these plants were collected in the northeast of the country, a region with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni. The essential oils with the highest toxicity against host snails had high levels of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes, which may be responsible for the molluscicidal activity. Some volatile components were subjected to molluscicidal evaluation, and the monoterpene compounds exhibited a significant molluscicide effect. This review confirmed the importance of essential oils as a promising alternative for the development of natural molluscicide products. However, in order to be safe for use at sites where schistosome intermediate hosts are found, information on ecotoxicity is required and, to date, few oils have been tested against non-target aquatic species.

Hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC. ) Bureau present antispasmodic activity mediated through calcium influx blockage

Aim: Since other species of the Bignoniaceae Family presented of antispasmodic activity, it was decided, by chemotaxonomic criterion, to determine the antispasmodic activity of the leaves of Arrabidaea brachypoda. Methodology: the segments of the rat jejunum were suspended in glass vats containing specific saline solution, at an appropriate temperature, and after stabilization period, were stimulated by a contractile agent to observe the inhibitory or relaxing effect of EH-FAB. Results: EH-FAB showed the presence of 10 compounds, mainly rutin and it has an antispasmodic activity as it inhibits the phasic component and relaxes the tonic component of the contraction in isolated rat jejunum. To assess the mechanism of antispasmodic action, cumulative curves to the CCh were performed in which a non-competitive antagonism was observed, due to a displacement of the control curve to the right and reduction of the maximum contraction effect (Emax). Afterward, the participation of the calcium and/or potassium channels was evaluated by increasing the extracellular potassium, and it was observed that the EH-FAB relaxed the rat jejunum, suggesting the participation of the Ca2+ channels. To corroborate that hypothesis, the EH-FAB was tested against cumulative curves to Ca2+ in a free depolarizing solution of Ca2+, and it was observed that there was a shift of the curve to the right with a reduction in Emax. Conclusions: EH-FAB presents antispasmodic activity in isolated rat jejunum and it is suggested to block the influx of Ca2+ through voltage-gated calcium channels, signaling the therapeutic potential for the treatment of colic and/or diarrhea.(AU)

From Inflammation to Current and Alternative Therapies Involved in Wound Healing.

Wound healing is a complex event that develops in three overlapping phases: inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling. These phases are distinct in function and histological characteristics. However, they depend on the interaction of cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, and chemical mediators from cells to perform regulatory events. In this article, we will review the pathway in the skin healing cascade, relating the major chemical inflammatory mediators, cellular and molecular, as well as demonstrating the local and systemic factors that interfere in healing and disorders associated with tissue repair deficiency. Finally, we will discuss the current therapeutic interventions in the wounds treatment, and the alternative therapies used as promising results in the development of new products with healing potential.

Molecular studies with Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), mosquito transmitting the dengue virus.

Dengue is an infectious viral disease, which can present a wide clinical picture, ranging from oligo or asymptomatic forms, to bleeding and shock, and can progress to death. The disease problem has increased in recent years, especially in urban and suburban areas of tropical and subtropical regions. There are five dengue viruses, called serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, DEN-4, and DEN-5), which belong to the Flaviviridae family and are transmitted to humans through infected mosquito bites, with the main vector the Aedes aegypti mosquito (Linnaeus, 1762). Studies performed with Ae. aegypti, aimed at their identification and analysis of their population structure, are fundamental to improve understanding of the epidemiology of dengue, as well for the definition of strategic actions that reduce the transmission of this disease. Therefore, considering the importance of such research to the development of programs to combat dengue, the present review considers the techniques used for the molecular identification, and evaluation of the genetic variability of Ae. aegypti.

Antihypertensive Effect of Syzygium cumini in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

This study evaluated the in vivo potential antihypertensive effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Syzygium cumini leaves (HESC) in normotensive Wistar rats and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), as well as its in vitro effect on the vascular reactivity of resistance arteries. The hypotensive effect caused by intravenous infusion of HESC (0.01-4.0 mg/kg) in anesthetized Wistar rats was dose-dependent and was partially inhibited by pretreatment with atropine sulfate. SHR received HESC (0.5 g/kg/day), orally, for 8 weeks and mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and vascular reactivity were evaluated. Daily oral administration of HESC resulted in a time-dependent blood pressure reduction in SHR, with a maximum reduction of 62%. In the endothelium-deprived superior mesenteric arteries rings the treatment with HESC reduced by 40% the maximum effect (E max⁡) of contraction induced by NE. The contractile response to calcium and NE of endothelium-deprived mesenteric rings isolated from untreated SHR was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by HESC (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/mL). This study demonstrated that Syzygium cumini reduces the blood pressure and heart rate of SHR and that this antihypertensive effect is probably due to the inhibition of arterial tone and extracellular calcium influx.

Efeito da ropivacaína na recaptação neuronal de noradrenalina em músculo liso / Effect of ropivacaine on neuronal norepinephrine reuptake in smooth muscle

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Além da ação anestésica local, a ropivacaína apresenta efeito vasoconstritor, clinicamente significativo, que pode ser observado quando da anestesia infiltrativa, o que a torna um anestésico importante no bloqueio de campo. Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar o mecanismo de ação constritora da ropivacaína em músculo liso. MÉTODO: Em preparações isoladas de ducto deferente de ratos foram construídas curvas concentração-efeito de noradrenalina na ausência ou na presença da ropivacaína. Em outra série de experimentos os ratos foram tratados com reserpina (10 mg.kg-1, por via intraperitoneal) para avaliar a reatividade dos ductos deferentes à tiramina ou noradrenalina, na ausência ou presença da ropivacaína. RESULTADOS: A ropivacaína nas concentrações de 5 ou 10 æg.mL-1 potencializou o efeito máximo (Emax) da noradrenalina em 47 por cento e 35 por cento, respectivamente, enquanto que nas concentrações de 50 ou 100 æg.mL-1 inibiu o efeito máximo produzido por este agonista. Em ductos deferentes isolados de ratos reserpinizados, a ropivacaína (10 ou 20 æg.mL-1) potencializou (150 por cento e 25 por cento, respectivamente) as contrações induzidas pela noradrenalina, enquanto que as concentrações de 50 ou 100 æg.mL-1 não alteraram as respostas à noradrenalina. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que a ropivacaína bloqueia a recaptação neuronal de noradrenalina pelos terminais nervosos simpáticos.

[Effect of ropivacaine on neuronal norepinephrine reuptake in smooth muscle.]. / Efeito da ropivacaína na recaptação neuronal de noradrenalina em músculo liso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In addition to local anesthetic action, ropivacaine has clinically significant vasoconstrictor effects, which may be observed at infiltrative anesthesia, making it an important anesthetic for field blockade. This study aimed at characterizing the constrictor mechanism of ropivacaine on smooth muscles. METHODS: Norepinephrine concentration-effect curves in the absence or presence of ropivacaine were plotted on isolated preparations of vas deferens of rats. In another series of experiments rats were treated with reserpine (10 mg.kg-1, i.p.) to evaluate vas deferens reactivity to tyramine or norepinephrine, in the absence or presence of ropivacaine. RESULTS: Ropivacaine 5 or 10 microg.mL-1 potentiated maximum norepinephrine effect (Emax) in 47% and 35%, respectively, while higher concentrations (50 or 100 microg.mL-1) inhibited its maximum effect. In isolated vas deferens of rats treated with reserpine, ropivacaine (10 or 20 microg.mL-1) potentiated (150% and 25%, respectively) norepinephrine-induced contractions, while higher concentrations (50 or 100 microg.mL-1) have not changed responses to norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: Ropivacaine blocks neuronal norepinephrine reuptake by sympathetic nerve terminals.

Efeitos da administraçäo de colecalciferol sobre as respostas vasculares de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos / Effect of colecalciferol administration on vascular responses from spontaneously hypertensive rats

O mecanismo responsável pela redução da pressão arterial em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR), após o tratamento crônico com colecalciferol foi estudado. Após 2 semanas de tratamento dos SHR com O,125 mg de colecalciferol por kg de peso por via oral observou-se significante redução da pressão arterial sistólica e da pressão basal de perfusão do leito vascular mesentérico sob fluxo constante. Este tratamento também reduziu o efeito máximo da resposta induzida pela adrenalina, provavelmente devido à recuperação de canais de K+ dependentes de Ca 2+ acoplados aos adrenoceptores a2.Este tratamento também normalizou o potencial de membrana das células de músculo liso das artérias mesentéricas sem endotélio, bem como as respostas hiperpolarizantes induzidas por agonistas (a2, as quais estão inibidas em SHR não tratados. Em anéis mesentéricos com endotéiio os agonistas de adrenoceptores a2 causam respostas hiperpolarizantes similares em SHR, em ratos normotensos Wistar (NWR) e nos ratos Wistar Kyoto (WKY). Antes do tratamento de SHR com colecalciferol, o mediador da resposta hiperpolarizante foi o óxido nítrico (NO), enquanto que nos normotensos foi o fator hiperpolarizante endotelial (EDHF). Após o tratamento a resposta hiperpoiarizante induzida pelos agonistas a2 foi mediada pelo EDHF em ambas as cepas. Nossos resultados indicam que o efeito hipotensor do colecalciferol em SHR é provavelmente devido à normalização do funcionamento dos canais de K+ dependentes de Ca 2+ e/ou ATP localizados na membrana das células de músculo liso vascular, que estavam inoperantes. O efeito deste tratamento foi também estudado sobre as respostas relaxantes e hiperpolarizantes dependentes do endotélio à acetilcolina (ACh) e à bradicinina (BK) em anéis e leito vascular mesentéricos, as quais se encontram reduzidas em SHR quando comparadas aos seus controles normotensos. Após o tratamento com colecalciferol estas respostas foram normalizadas. As respostas à ACh foram inibidas pelo L-NNA em SHR e pela apamina nos WKY. Após o tratamento, as respostas hiperpolarizantes à ACh em SHR mostraram o mesmo padrão de inibição dos ratos normotensos. Isso indica que as respostas à ACh nas preparações vasculares mesentéricas de SHR são mediadas pelo EDRF e após o tratamento passaram a ser mediadas pelo EDHF, como ocorre nos ratos normotensos