Diuretic effects and urinary electrolyte excretion induced by Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. and the involvement of prostaglandins in such effects.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. is a medicinal herb known for its diuretic properties and used for the treatment of cardiovascular-related illnesses. Although our earlier study has shown that the ethanol extract of Aspidosperma subincanum (EEAS) induces hypotension and vasodilation, no scientific data have been recorded to evaluate the diuretic effects of this Brazilian medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of EEAS, and possible mechanism of action, using Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EEAS (60 and 120mg/kg), furosemide (20mg/kg) or saline (control) were orally administered to rats individually held in metabolic cages for urine collection 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24h after treatment. In order to evaluate the involvement of prostaglandins in the diuretic action of EEAS, the animals received piroxicam (5mg/kgi.p.), a nonselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, before treatment with EEAS at 120mg/kg. The control groups received only saline (NaCl, 0.9%), or saline and piroxicam. Urinary volume, electrolyte excretion and pH were measured. RESULTS: Oral administration of EEAS 60 and 120mg/kg significantly increased diuresis and electrolyte excretion of Na(+) and K(+) on a continuous basis throughout the study period. Both EEAS 60 and 120mg/kg caused a relative increase of around 77% and 142%, respectively, in cumulative diuresis compared with the control group. From 4th hour until the end of the experiment, the group treated with EEAS 120mg/kg provided a greater excretion of Na(+) than the furosemide group. The diuretic effects of EEAS were neutralized by piroxicam between 4 and 8h after treatment. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that EEAS could present compound(s) responsible for diuretic activities, and the mechanism could involve the prostaglandin system.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Patients from Goiás, Brazil, Using the BAROS Method - A Preliminary Study.

INTRODUCTION: As obesity is currently a major public health problem, bariatric surgery has been widely indicated due to the difficulties involved in the clinical management of obese adults. OBJECTIVES: Assess the quality-of-life (QOL) of patients who had undergone Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) in the State of Goiás, Brazil, where as yet no studies have been published on the QOL of patients who underwent bariatric surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study, using the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS), was carried out in Goiânia and Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil, with 50 over 18-year-old patients of both genders, who had undergone RYGB and had at least three months of postoperative time. RESULTS: Before RYGB, 48% of the individuals were classified as morbidly obese. Average weight and body mass index (BMI) of the 50 patients interviewed were 119.37 ± 18.44 kg and 43.54 ± 5.33 kg/m2, respectively. By contrast, after the RYGB these parameters decreased significantly to 78.01 ± 11.06 kg and 28.46 ± 3.61 kg/m2, respectively, mainly from the 3rd to 85th month of postoperative time (p < 0.0001). As well as that, 78% reported having presented preoperative comorbidities, especially hypertension (44%), rheumatism (34%), dyslipidemia (24%) and diabetes (20%). However, after surgery, the resolution rates were 77, 24, 100 and 100%, respectively, for these same clinical conditions. In terms of QOL, some patients reported feeling better (8%) or much better (92%) after RYGB. The outcome of the BAROS method for those patients was classified as fair (2%), good (8%), very good (24%) and excellent (66%). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicated that RYGB could be a successful surgical procedure to promote satisfactory and sustained reduction in the body measurements of morbidly obese patients from Goiás, Brazil. Furthermore, the final BAROS score showed improvements in associated comorbidity and also in the QOL of these patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: Como a obesidade é atualmente um grande problema de saúde pública, a cirurgia bariátrica tem sido amplamente indicada devido às dificuldades envolvidas no manejo clínico de adultos obesos. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QDV) de pacientes submetidos ao Desvio Gástrico em Y-de-Roux (DGYR) no Estado de Goiás, Brasil, onde ainda não há estudos sobre a QDV de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. MÉTODOS: Um estudo retrospectivo, utilizando o Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS), foi realizado em Goiânia e Rio Verde, Goiás, Brasil, com 50 pacientes com idade superior a 18 anos, de ambos os gêneros, que realizaram DGYR com tempo pós-operatório mínimo de três meses. RESULTADOS: Antes da DGYR, 48% dos indivíduos foram classificados como obesos mórbidos. A média de peso e índice de massa corporal (IMC) dos 50 pacientes entrevistados foram 119,37 ± 18,44Kg e 43,54 ± 5,33Kg/m2, respectivamente. Em contrapartida, após a DGYR, esses parâmetros diminuíram significativamente para 78,01 ± 11,06 kg e 28,46 ± 3,61 kg/m2, respectivamente, principalmente do 3° ao 85° mês de tempo pós-operatório (p < 0.0001). Além disso, 78% reportaram tendo apresentado comorbidades pré-operatórias, especialmente hipertensão (44%), reumatismo (34%), dislipidemia (24%) e diabetes (20%). Entretanto, após a cirurgia, as taxas de resolução foram de 77, 24, 100 e 100%, respectivamente, para essas mesmas condições clínicas. Em termos de QDV, alguns pacientes relataram se sentir melhor (8%) ou muito melhor (92%) após a DGYB. O resultado do método BAROS para esses pacientes foi classificado como insuficiente (2%), bom (8%), muito bom (24%) e excelente (66%). CONCLUSÕES: Resultados preliminares indicaram que a DGYB pode ser um procedimento cirúrgico para promover com sucesso a redução satisfatória e sustentada nas medidas corporais de pacientes com obesidade mórbida provenientes de Goiás, Brasil. Além disso, a pontuação final do BAROS mostrou melhorias das comorbidades associadas e também na QDV desses pacientes.

Hypotensive effect of Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. in rats and its mechanism of vasorelaxation in isolated arteries.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aspidosperma subincanum is a medicinal herb that is known to be useful for the treatment of cardiovascular-related illnesses. However, its effects and pharmacological mechanisms of action have not been studied. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an ethanol extract of Aspidosperma subincanum (EEAS) on blood pressure (in vivo) and vascular tension (in vitro) in the rat thoracic aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Catheters were inserted into the right femoral vein and artery of anesthetized rats for EEAS infusion and the measurement of blood pressure, heart rate and aortic blood flow (flow probes were placed around the aorta). Moreover, the vasodilator effect of EEAS in isolated pre-contracted rat aortas was examined. RESULTS: Intravenous infusion of EEAS resulted in significant and dose-dependent hypotension, bradycardia and increased aortic blood flow. In isolated arteries, EEAS (0-27 µg/mL) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of pre-contracted aortic rings; endothelial denudation potentiated this effect. Pre-treatment of the aortic rings with ODQ, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC); MDL-12,330A, an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase (AC); or CPA, a SERCA inhibitor, reduced EEAS-induced vasorelaxation. Treatment with an EEAS impaired contractions induced by phenylephrine (an adrenergic agonist) and Bay K 8644 (an L-type Ca(2+) channel activator). The blockade of K(+) channels with tetraethylammonium, clotrimazole, glibenclamide or 4-aminopyridine reduced the relaxation stimulated by EEAS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that EEAS induces hypotension associated with bradycardia. EEAS induces endothelium-independent vascular relaxation. The sGC/cGMP and AC/cAMP pathways, SERCA activation and Ca(2+) and K(+) flux across the sarcolemma, are likely involved in this relaxation.

Aspectos técnicos e legais do gerenciamento de resíduos químico-farmacêuticos / Technical and legal aspects on management of chemical and pharmaceutical residues

O risco ambiental decorrentes da geração de resíduos tem aumentado com o progresso tecnológico, bem como com o aumento populacional. Destacam-se, neste contexto, os riscos potenciais decorrentes da rotina de indústrias químico-farmacêuticas, bem como de laboratórios de ensino e pesquisa associados. Por esta razão, vários projetos visando à otimização do tratamento de resíduos industriais e/ou laboratoriais vêm sendo propostos. A presente revisão apresenta uma síntese das estratégias implantadas no sentido de minimizar ou solucionar problemas relacionados ao manejo dos resíduos, provenientes de indústrias, instituições de pesquisa e ensino, entre outros potenciais geradores de resíduos. Apresentam-se as diretrizes legais mais gritantes e alguns aspectos técnicos relacionados à segregação, acondicionamento, tratamento e descarte final destes resíduos.

The environmental risks from waste production has arisen with the technological progress, as well as with the world population increase. The risks from the industrial or academic routines in pharmaceutical or fine chemical plants and projects are remarkable. For this reason, many projects focusing on the optimization of waste treatment in these places have been proposed. This paper, reviews some of the main strategies introduced, in order to solve or decrease the problems, in the management of pharmaceutical-chemical wastes in industry, universities, among other potential kind of waste generators. The main regulatory and technical aspects, associated to segregation, packaging, treatment and final disposal of these wastes are presented.