Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, an American plant used as sweetener: Study of its effects on body mass control and glycemia reduction in Wistar male and female rats.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni water extracts have been used as a natural sweetener and customary medicine by the indigenous inhabitants of South America for several hundred years. This plant was sent to Europe in the 16th century and was described by Peter Jacob Esteve in Spain. Recently the food industry has started to employ S. rebaudiana as sweetener using its glycosides after purification. Advertisement claims that Stevia glycosides is good for controling body mass and reducing glycemia. This study's objective was to evaluate the effect of S. rebaudiana leaf extract on Wistar rats as animal model to prove its effectiveness on body mass control, glycemia reduction, and other biochemical parameters. Three groups were randomly formed with 24 males and 24 females: A blank group without any sweetener, a control group drinking water with 10% glucose, and the test group ingesting a 0.94% water extract of S. rebaudiana. Body mass measurements as well as food and drink consumption were daily performed. The experiment lasted 120 days after the specimens were weaned and got used to eating solid food. Euthanasia was done and blood serum was collected to evaluate the following biochemical parameters: Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin, glucagon, leptin, ghrelin, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, GIP. Results indicated that only female rats had statistical differences in body mass gain. No relevant effects either positive or negative were found in the biochemical parameters measured. The crude extracts of S. rebaudiana did not show any relevant changes in biochemical and hormonal profiles, changes nor body mass with respect to the blank and control groups of young and healthy rats in the age range of infancy to youth. According to the results obtained, the therapeutic properties that have been associated to S. rebaudiana consumption especially for body mass control and glycemia reduction, did not occur in young and healthy male and female rats in equivalent age to infants, young children, and youths.

Effects on weaned male Wistar rats after 104, 197, and 288 days of chronic consumption of nutritive and non-nutritive additives in water.

ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that the consumption of artificial sweeteners is related to greater body mass gain and diverse metabolic alterations. In this study, the effect of chronic consumption of nutritive sweeteners (fructose 7% and sucrose 10%) and non-nutritive or low-calorie sweeteners (acesulfame 0.015%, aspartame 0.3%, aspartame:acesulfame mixture 0.04%, saccharin 0.3%, and sucralose 0.19%), in drinking water, as well as a control group with no sweeteners, was evaluated. Body mass gain and glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels in blood were the parameters considered. For this purpose, 120 weaned male Wistar rats of the HsdHan:WIST line were used, 15 per group in first stage, then 10 and 5 per group for 2nd and 3rd stages, respectively. Body mass gain, food intake, and beverage consumption were daily quantified. After 104, 197, and 288 days of experimentation the concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and insulin were determined. Only in the first stage there were significant differences in the body mass gain. In the three stages there were significant differences in the patterns of beverage intake and food consumption. The trend was the same in all 3 stages: rats drank more in the groups of drinks sweetened with nutritive sweeteners and ate more in the groups that drank non-nutritive artificial sweeteners. Regarding the biochemical profile, no sweetener either nutritive or non-nutritive caused that the serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol were at pathological levels. It is concluded that the sweeteners by themselves can modify certain biochemical parameters but not at a pathological level. Furthermore, by themselves they are not capable of triggering excess of body mass or obesity in the early and medium stages of life when consumed together with a balanced diet.

Consumption of sweeteners at different stages of life: effects on body mass, food and drink intake in male and female Wistar rats.

The consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners has increased in the last decades. However, there are doubts about its consumption and its impact on body mass and metabolic alterations. For this reason, this study investigates the effects of the consumption of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners on body mass in different life stages of male and female Wistar rats: Childhood, adolescence, young adult, adulthood, and aged. For this purpose, 8 groups of male and female rats were used (10 per group/gender): sucrose 10%, glucose 14%, fructose 7%, acesulfame K 0.05%, aspartame:acesulfame mixture 1.55%, sucralose 0.017%, saccharin 0.033%, and a control group. Only in aged male rats (504 days) there were significant differences in body mass. In both genders, there were differences in food, drink, and energy intake along all life stage. It is concluded that non-nutritive sweeteners when consumed together with a balanced diet did not cause a greater body mass gain.

Ependymal damage in a Plasmodium yoelii yoelii lethal murine malaria model.

Malaria continues to be a major global health problem, and over 40% of the world's population is at risk. Severe or complicated malaria is defined by clinical or laboratory evidence of vital organ dysfunction, including dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS). The pathogenesis of complicated malaria has not been completely elucidated; however, the development of the multiorgan affection seems to play an important role in the disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) that protects the CNS against chemical insults. Historically, the BBB has received more attention in the pathogenesis of malaria than have the cerebrospinal fluid-brain barrier (CSFBB) and ependymal cells. This perspective may be misguided because, in the context of disease or toxicity, the CSFBB is more vulnerable to many foreign invaders than are the capillaries. Given the lack on studies of the damage to the CSFBB and ependymal epithelium in experimental murine malaria, the present study evaluated morphological changes in the ependymal cells of CD-1 male mice infected with lethal Plasmodium yoelii yoelii (Pyy) via histopathology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Samples were taken two, four and six days post-infection (PI). No lesions were observed upon the initial infection. By the fourth day PI, fourth ventricle ependymal samples exhibited disruptions and roughened epithelia. More severe injuries were observed at six days PI and included thickened cilia and deep separations between the ependymal intercellular spaces. In some of the analyzed areas, the absence of microvilli and cell layer detachment were observed, and some areas exhibited blebbing surfaces. The ependymal cell lesions observed in the CD1 male mice infected with lethal Pyy seemed to facilitate the paracellular permeability of the CSFBB and consequently promote the access of inflammatory mediators and toxic molecules through the barrier, which resulted in damage to the brain tissue. Understanding the mechanism of ependymal disruption during lethal murine malaria could help to elucidate the local and systemic factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and may provide essential clues for the prevention and treatment of complicated human malaria.

Vulvovaginitis y balanopostitis pustular sugerente a herpesvirus caprino-1 en cabras (Querétaro, México) / Pustular vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis suggestive of caprine herpesvirus-1 infection in goats (Queretaro, Mexico)

Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis in goats is caused by caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1), from the Herpesviridae family Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, sometimes produces abortion, neonatal enteritis and respiratory disease in adult goats. In a herd of 244 dairy and meat goats, physical examinations were performed in does and bucks, presenting vulvar and preputial lesions. Necropsies were done in four discarded animals (one male and two females) and one stillborn; immunohistochemistry (IHC) with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) antibodies in prepuce and vulva samples was carried out. Penis and prepuce exfoliative cytology was carried out in six bucks. Prepuce biopsies were collected for electron microscopy and viral isolation. Macroscopically, moderate to severe coalescent multifocal pustular and ulcerative vulvovaginitis was observed; and severe coalescent multifocal pustular and ulcerative balanoposthitis. Microscopically, different degrees of inflammatory lesions with presence of eosinophilic and amphophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were present. In electron microscopy, the prepuce samples and MBDK cell culture showed several intranuclear viral particles of 150 to 230 nm size. There was slight epithelial cell positivity in IHC with BHV-1 antibodies in vulva and prepuce histological cuts made at necropsy. In the viral isolate was observed a cytopathic effect and the presence of viral particles by microscopy electronic suggesting herpes virus. This is the first documented report suggesting the presence of herpes virus outbreak in caprine herds in Mexico.

La vulvovaginitis y balanopostitis pustular infecciosa en cabras es producida por herpesvirus caprino 1 (CpHV-1), de la familia Herpesviridae subfamilia Alphaherpesvirinae, que ocasionalmente produce aborto, enteritis neonatal y enfermedad respiratoria en las cabras adultas. En un rebaño de 244 cabras de genotipo lechero y cárnico; se realizaron exámenes físicos de hembras y sementales en los que se observaron lesiones vulvares y prepuciales. Se realizó la necropsia de cuatro animales adultos de desecho (dos hembras y un macho) y un neonato muerto; se realizó inmunohistoquímica (IHQ) con anticuerpos de herpesvirus bovino 1 (BHV1) en muestras de prepucio y vulva. Se analizaron las citologías exfoliativas de pene y prepucio de 6 sementales. Se recolectaron y analizaron biopsias de prepucio para microscopía electrónica y aislamiento viral. Macroscópicamente, en las hembras se observó vulvovaginitis pustular y ulcerativa de moderada a grave multifocal coalescente, además de balanopostitis pustular y ulcerativa grave multifocal coalescente en los machos. Microscópicamente, se presentaron lesiones inflamatorias en diferentes grados, con presencia de cuerpos de inclusión intranucleares eosinofílicos y amfofílicos. En microscopía electrónica, las muestras de prepucio y cultivo celular de MBDK presentaron numerosas partículas virales intranucleares de un tamaño de 150 a 230 nm. En los cortes histológicos de prepucio y vulva de las necropsias se detectó una ligera positividad en las células epiteliales con anticuerpos BHV-1. En el aislamiento viral se observó efecto citopático, y la presencia de partículas virales mediante microscopía electrónica sugerentes a herpes virus. Este es el primer informe documentado que sugiere la presencia de herpes virus en rebaños caprinos de México.

Proinflammatory gene expression and renal lipogenesis are modulated by dietary protein content in obese Zucker fa/fa rats.

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease. It is not clear whether the adoption of a high-protein diet in obese patients affects renal lipid metabolism or kidney function. Thus the aims of this study were to assess in obese Zuckerfa/fa rats the effects of different types and amounts of dietary protein on the expression of lipogenic and inflammatory genes, as well as renal lipid concentration and biochemical parameters of kidney function. Rats were fed different concentrations of soy protein or casein (20, 30, 45%) for 2 mo. Independent of the type of protein ingested, higher dietary protein intake led to higher serum triglycerides (TG) than rats fed adequate concentrations of protein. Additionally, the soy protein diet significantly increased serum TG compared with the casein diet. However, rats fed soy protein had significantly decreased serum cholesterol concentrations compared with those fed a casein diet. No significant differences in renal TG and cholesterol concentrations were observed between rats fed with either protein diets. Renal expression of sterol-regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) and its target gene HMG-CoA reductase was significantly increased as the concentration of dietary protein increased. The highest protein diets were associated with greater expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the kidney, independent of the type of dietary protein. These results indicate that high soy or casein protein diets upregulate the expression of lipogenic and proinflammatory genes in the kidney.

Colelitiasis y coledocolitiasis obstructiva en un gato doméstico: Informe de un caso / Obstructive cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis in a domestic cat: A case report

The clinical characteristics and complementary methods that led to the cholelithiasis and obstructive choledocholithiasis diagnosis in a domestic cat, as well as the clinical-pathological changes are described. This condition is one of the causes of the extrahepatic bile duct obstruction syndrome (EBDO) with low incidence in dogs and cats.

Se describen las características clínicas y métodos complementarios que permitieron llegar al diagnóstico de colelitiasis y coledocolitiasis obstructiva en un gato doméstico, así como los cambios clínico-patológicos. Esta enfermedad forma parte del síndrome de obstrucción biliar ductal extrahepática con baja incidencia en perros y gatos.

Diagnóstico inmunohistoquímico de dermatosis inmunomediadas en perros domésticos / Immunohistochemical diagnosis of immune-mediated dermatoses in domestic dogs

A retrospective study of 28 dogs skin samples was carried out between 2001 and 2004. The fixed paraffin-embedded tissues showed microscopic lesions and suggestive diagnoses of pemphigus or lupus erythematosus (LE). The samples were re-evaluated by immunohistochemistry to identify intratissular deposits of canine IgG. Only 57.14% (16 cases) were positive. The location of IgG in the interstice space of the epidermis or in the basal membrane was helpful to differentiate between pemphigus and lupus erythematosus and among the different forms of pemphigus. From the positive cases 50% (eight cases) were consistent with pemphigus foliaceus, 31.25% (five cases) with pemphigus vulgaris, 12.5% (two cases) with pemphigus erythematosus, and 6.25% (one case) with lupus erythematosus. Immunohistochemistry is a valuable diagnostic tool for the definite diagnosis of immune mediated diseases such as pemphigus and lupus erythematosus. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the usefulness of a never used method in Mexico for the specific diagnosis of pemphigus and lupus erythematosus.

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 28 casos de perros, cuyas muestras de piel incluidas en parafina (de 2001 a 2004) presentaban lesiones microscópicas y diagnósticos sugerentes a pénfigo o lupus eritematoso (LE). Dichas muestras se reevaluaron mediante inmunohistoquímica, identificando un depósito intercelular de IgG canino. Se obtuvieron reacciones positivas en 57.14% (16 casos) de las muestras procesadas. La distribución de los depósitos intercelulares de IgG en el espacio de la epidermis, así como de la membrana basal, fue de ayuda para diferenciar entre pénfigo y lupus eritematoso y entre las diferentes presentaciones de pénfigo. De los casos positivos, 50% (ocho) fueron consistentes con pénfigo foliáceo, 31.25% (cinco) fueron diagnosticados como pénfigo vulgar, 12.5% (dos) fueron consistentes con pénfigo eritematoso y 6.25% (uno) correspondió a lupus eritematoso. La inmunohistoquímica es una herramienta diagnóstica de gran ayuda para el diagnóstico definitivo de enfermedades inmunomediadas como pénfigo y lupus eritematoso. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue demostrar la utilidad de un método no utilizado anteriormente en México para el diagnóstico específico de pénfigo y lupus eritematoso.