Multiple biomarkers in pufferfish as a proxy of environmental health in brazilian marine protected areas.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designed to conserve biodiversity and vulnerable ecosystems. This study aimed to assess the environmental quality of three Brazilian MPAs, based on the integrated analysis of biomarkers in pufferfish. The MPAs are differentiated by the degree of anthropogenic influences. The Barra do Una Estuary sustainable reserve (JUR) is a reference area due to its low levels of contamination and species diversity. The Cananéia Estuarine System (CAN) has been recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, as well as a Ramsar wetland. This MPA was influenced by upstream mining activities, resulting in the introduction of metals in the estuarine waters and the discharge of untreated urban sewage. The São Vicente estuary (SSV) lacks proper sanitation infrastructure. All collections were conducted during winter season, and, after collection, the animals were euthanized, their soft tissues were removed, and multiple biomarkers were analyzed in the gills and liver, as biometric, genotoxic, biochemical, and morphological. A one-factor multivariate analysis was applied to evaluate the differences between the data sets, and the matrices were analyzed using PERMANOVA to evaluate the "estuary" factor. The results were integrated using PCA with a 0.4 cut value and an Enhanced Integrated Biomarker Response (EIBR) was calculated. PCA was correlated with biochemical, genotoxic, and morphological biomarkers. In general, SVV differed from CAN and JUR as shown by both univariate and multivariate analyses. SVV also showed the highest EIBR, followed by CAN. Organisms from SSV showed greater gill pathology, elevated AChE activity and lipoperoxidation (LPO), and micronuclei frequency. CAN present intermediate EIBR, with severe pathologies in the liver. CAN seems to present an intermediate environmental quality between SSV and JUR indicating the importance of the existence of MPAs for environmental conservation and the need to monitor such areas, to maintain their suitable environmental quality.

Evaluation of myenteric neurons in the colon of rats exposed to 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide.

The assessment of the enteric nervous system provides a better understanding of the effects that contaminants can have on the health and well-being of organisms. It has been reported that 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a highly persistent herbicide in the environment that is responsible for neurotoxic changes in different myenteric neuronal subpopulations. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2,4-D on myenteric neurons in the colon of Rattus norvegicus for the first time. A dose of 2,4-D (5 mg/kg/day) was administered to the experimental group (2,4-D) for 15 days. Then, the proximal colon was collected and submitted to Giemsa and NADPH-d histochemical techniques for the disclosure of total and nitrergic neurons. The 2,4-D group presented a higher density of total neurons (p = 0.05, t-test), which together with the maintenance of nitrergic neuronal density, may be related to the increase in the expression of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by colocalization, responsible for stimulating the intestinal smooth muscle and increasing the chances of the expulsion of the harmful content present in the lumen. Over 15 days, the neurotoxic effects of 2,4-D in the myenteric plexus influenced an increase in the general population of myenteric neurons in the colon.

Balanced Caloric Restriction Minimizes Changes Caused by Aging on the Colonic Myenteric Plexus.

Aging can promote significant morphofunctional changes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Regulation of GIT motility is mainly controlled by the myenteric neurons of the enteric nervous system. Actions that aim at decreasing the aging effects in the GIT include those related to diet, with caloric restriction (CR). The CR is achieved by controlling the amount of food or by manipulating the components of the diet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate different levels of CR on the plasticity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate- (NADPH-) reactive myenteric neurons in the colon of Wistar rats during the aging process using ultrastructural (transmission electron microscopy) and morphoquantitative analysis. Wistar male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were distributed into 4 groups (n = 10/group): C, 6-month-old animals; SR, 18-month-old animals fed a normal diet; CRI, 18-month-old animals fed a 12% CR diet; CRII, 18-month-old animals fed a 31% CR diet. At 6 months of age, animals were transferred to the laboratory animal facility, where they remained until 18 months of age. Animals of the CRI and CRII groups were submitted to CR for 6 months. In the ultrastructural analysis, a disorganization of the periganglionar matrix with the aging was observed, and this characteristic was not observed in the animals that received hypocaloric diet. It was observed that the restriction of 12.5% and 31% of calories in the diet minimized the increase in density and cell profile of the reactive NADPH neurons, increased with age. This type of diet may be adapted against gastrointestinal disturbances that commonly affect aging individuals.

Efeito da atividade física moderada sobre neurônios mioentéricos nitrérgicos do íleo de ratos de meia idade / The effect of moderate physical activity on myoenteric nitrergic neurons in the ileum of middle-aged rats / Efecto de la actividad física moderada en neuronas mientéricas nitrérgicas del íleon de ratas de mediana edad

Poucos são os relatos a respeito do efeito da atividade física sobre o plexo mioentérico ao longo do envelhecimento. Portanto, analisaram-se os neurônios mioentéricos NADPH-diaforase positivos do íleo em ratos que envelheceram praticando atividade física a partir dos seis meses de vida. Dez ratos Wistar foram distribuídos em dois grupos (n = 5/grupo): S (ratos sedentários controles com 12 meses de idade) e T (ratos treinados com 12 meses de idade). Os animais do grupo T realizaram, dos seis aos 12 meses de idade, atividade física regulada conforme resultados obtidos em teste de esforço máximo. Ao final do período experimental, o íleo obtido de cada animal foi processado para a técnica de NADPH-diaforase para evidenciar neurônios mioentéricos em preparados de membrana e quantificar e mensurar a área do pericário desses neurônios. A área do pericário não diferiu (P> 0,05) entre o grupo S (218,49 µm2) e o grupo T (210,59 µm2). A média de neurônios presente em 60 campos microscópicos de preparados de membranas no grupo S (126 neurônios) foi superior (P<0,05) a média encontrada no grupo T (93 neurônios), sugerindo que a atividade física pode inibir ou diminuir a expressão dos neurônios nitrérgicos em ratos de 12 meses de idade que praticaram atividade física desde os seis meses de vida. Os resultados quantitativos sugerem que a falta de atividade física regular propicia aumento na atividade dos neurônios nitrérgicos, contribuindo para o surgimento dos distúrbios da motricidade gastrointestinal que podem ocorrer ao longo do envelhecimento.

There are only a few reports on the effect of physical activity in the myoenteric plexus throughout the aging process. For such, the positive myoenteric NADPH-diaphoresis neurons in the ileum of those rats that aged practicing physical activity from the sixth month were analyzed. Ten Wistar rats were distributed into two groups (n= 5/group): S (12 months-old control sedentary rats) and T (12 months-old trained rats). The animals from the T group practiced controlled physical activity from the age of 6 months to 12 months, according to the maximum effort test results. At the end of the experimental period, the ileum obtained from each animal was processed in the NADPH-diaphoresis technique to highlight myoenteric neurons in membrane preparations, and quantify and measure the perikaryon area from those neurons. The Perikaryon area did not differ (P>0.05) among the S group (218.49 µm2) and the T group (210.59 µm2). The average of neurons in 60 membrane preparations in the S group (126 neurons) was higher (P<0.05) than the average finding in the T group (93 neurons), indicating that the physical activity can inhibit or decrease the nitrergic expression in 12 month-old rats that have practiced physical activity from the age of 6 months. The quantitative results suggest that the lack of regular physical activity provides the elevation of nitrergic neurons, concurring to the emergence of gastrointestinal motility disorders that can occur during the aging process.

Hay pocos informes sobre el efecto de la actividad física sobre el plexo mientérico a lo largo del envejecimiento. Por lo tanto, se analizaron las neuronas mientéricas NADPH-diaforasa positivas del íleon en ratas que envejecieron practicando actividad física a partir de seis meses de vida. Diez ratas Wistar se dividieron en dos grupos (n = 5 / grupo): S (ratas sedentarias de control con 12 meses de edad) y T (ratas entrenadas con 12 meses de edad). Los animales del grupo T realizaron, de los seis a los doce meses de edad, actividad física regulada conforme resultados obtenidos en prueba de esfuerzo máximo. Al final del período experimental, el íleon obtenido de cada animal se procesó por la técnica de NADPH-diaforasa para mostrar las neuronas mientéricas en preparados de membrana, cuantificar y medir el área del pericario de esas neuronas. El área del pericario no difirió (P> 0.05) entre el grupo S (218.49 µm2) y el grupo T (210.59 µm2). El número medio de neuronas presentes en 60 campos microscópicos de preparados de membranas en el grupo S (126 neuronas) fue mayor (P <0,05), promedio encontrado en el grupo T (93 neuronas), lo que sugiere que la actividad física puede inhibir o disminuir la expresión de las neuronas nitrérgicas en ratas de 12 meses de edad que practicaron actividad física desde los seis meses de edad. Los resultados cuantitativos sugieren que la falta de actividad física regular promueve aumento en la actividad de las neuronas nitrérgicas, contribuyendo a la aparición de disturbios de la motricidad gastrointestinal que pueden ocurrir a lo largo del envejecimiento.

Ultrastructural aspects of the tongue in Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus (Forster, 1781) / Aspectos ultraestruturais da língua de Pinguim-de-Magalhães Spheniscus magellanicus (Forster, 1781)

The tongue of birds presents diversified morphologic characteristics, related directly their feeding habits and may be adapted to food capture. Penguins of the Spheniscidae family are pelagic birds that are totally adapted to the marine environment. The objective of this study was to describe the morphology of the tongue in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). In order to investigate these characteristics, six tongues of juvenile S . magellanicus were collected and their morphology analyzed macroscopically and microscopically. The tongue of the Magellanic penguin has a fusiform shape with a round apex that is narrower than the root, following the shape of the beak. The epithelium of the tongue of the Magellanic penguin showed to be stratified and very keratinized, with the presence of lingual papillae that showed a caudally inclined apex. The neighboring connective tissue showed absence of mucous glands. The cartilaginous skeleton was observed in the medial region of the tongue, extending from the base to the apex. The structure of the tongue of the Magellanic penguin showed to be similar to that of other penguin species, but also showed peculiar characteristics that were not observed in other bird families.

A língua das aves apresenta características morfológicas diversificadas, relacionados diretamente com seus hábitos alimentares e pode ser adaptado para a captura de alimentos. Os pinguins da família Spheniscidae são aves pelágicas totalmente adaptadas ao ambiente marinho. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a morfologia da língua de pinguins de Magalhães (Spheniscus magellanicus). Para investigar tais características, seis línguas de S. magellanicus juvenis foram coletados e sua morfologia analisada macro e microscopicamente. A língua do pinguim de Magalhães tem formato fusiforme com ápice arredondado e mais estreito em relação à raiz, acompanhando o formato do bico. O epitélio da língua do pinguim-de-Magalhães mostrou-se estratificado e muito queratinizado, com a presença de papilas linguais, com ápices voltados caudalmente. O tecido conjuntivo adjacente mostrou ausência de glândulas mucosas. Um esqueleto cartilaginoso, formado por cartilagem hialina, foi observado na região mediana da língua se estendendo da base até ápice. A estrutura da língua do pinguim Magellanic mostrou ser semelhante ao de outras espécies de pinguins, mas também apresentou características peculiares que não foram observados em outras famílias de aves.

Investigação dos efeitos do ácido 2, 4 diclorofenoxiacético sobre diferentes populações de neurônios mioentéricos do duodeno de ratos / Investigation of 2, 4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid effects in different population of rat duodenum myenteric neurons / Investigación de los efectos del ácido 2, 4 diclorofenoxiacético sobre diferentes poblaciones de neuronas mioentéricas del duodeno de ratones

O herbicida mais usado, tanto em pequenas como em grandes propriedades, por isso mais amplamente estudado é o 2,4-D. Os estudos de toxicidade têm se concentrado sobre as alterações do sistema nervoso central, e por isto pouco se conhece sobre seus efeitos no sistema nervoso entérico. Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do 2,4-D sobre os neurônios mioentéricos do duodeno de ratos foi fornecido durante 60 dias doses de 2,4-D na concentração de 5mg/kg de peso de corpóreo para ratosWistarde dois grupos experimentais (n=5). Os animais dos grupos controle permaneceram o mesmo período sem receber 2,4-D. Ao final do período experimental os animais foram mortos, os duodenos foram coletados e processados por meio das técnicas histoquímicas de NADH-diaforase e NADPH-diaforase. Os neurônios foram quantificados e os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente. A densidade dos neurônios NADHd diferiu estatisticamente (P?0,05) entre os grupos experimental e controle, sendo maior no grupo controle. Já os neurônios NADPHd foram encontrados em maior quantidade no grupo experimental. Estes resultados sugerem que o 2,4-D possui ação neurotóxica sobre os neurônios do plexo mioentérico, interferindo na densidade neuronal mioentérica, quando se compara diferentes populações destes neurônios...

The 2,4-D herbicide is the most widely used, both in small and in large properties. Therefore, it is also the one that is most broadly studied. Toxicity studies have been focused on changes in the central nervous system, and for this reason, little is known about its effect in the enteric nervous system. With the objective of measuring the effects of 2,4-D on the myenteric neurons in the duodenum of rats, doses of 2,4-D were supplied for 60 days at a concentration of 5mg/kg of body weight to Wistar rats divided into two different experimental groups (n=5). The animals in the control groups remained without 2,4-D doses for the same period. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were euthanized and their duodenum were collected and processed through NADH-diaphorase and NADPH-diaphorase histochemical techniques. The neurons were quantified and the results were statistically analyzed. The density of NADHd neurons differed statistically (P< 0,05) between the experimental and control groups, being higher in the control group. However, NADPHd neurons were found in a greater quantity in the experimental group. These results suggest that the 2,4-D has a neurotoxic action in the neurons from the myenteric plexus, interfering in the myenteric neuronal density, when different population of these neurons are compared...

El herbicida más utilizado, tanto en pequeñas como en grandes propiedades es el 2,4-D, por eso lo más estudiado. Los estudios de toxicidad se han centrado sobre las alteraciones del sistema nervioso central, y por lo tanto, poco se sabe sobre sus efectos en el sistema nervioso entérico. Con el objetivo de evaluar los efectos del 2,4-D sobre las neuronas mioentéricas del duodeno de ratas se ha administrado durante 60 días dosis de 2,4-D en la concentración de 5mg/kg de peso corporal para ratones Wistarde, dos grupos experimentales (n = 5). Los animales de los grupos control permanecieron el mismo período sin recibir el 2,4-D. Al final del periodo experimental los animales fueron sacrificados, los duodenos fueron recogidos y procesados a través de las técnicas de histoquímicas de NADH-diaforasa y NADPH-diaforasa. Las neuronas fueron cuantificadas y los resultados analizados estadísticamente. La densidad de las neuronas NADHd difirió estadísticamente (P?0,05) entre los grupos experimental y control, siendo mayor en el grupo control. Ya las neuronas NADPHd se encontraron en mayor cantidad en el grupo experimental. Estos resultados sugieren que el 2,4-D tiene una acción neurotóxica sobre las neuronas del plexo mioentérico, lo que interfiere en la densidad neuronal mioentérica al comparar diferentes poblaciones de estas neuronas...

Influência do evelhecimento sobre a densidade e neurônios mioentéricos nadph--diafore positivo do duodeno de ratos / Influence of aginng on the density of myenteric neurons nadph- diafore positive

O século XX foi caracterizado pelo aumento na longevidade do ser humano, sendo que a expectativa de vida equivale a quase o dobro da idade alcançada no início do século. O envelhecimento é um processo progressivo e inevitável que ocorre com o avanço da idade, independentemente de doença, estilo de vida ou fatores ambientais. Está acompanhado de modificações morfofisiológicas que determinam à perda gradual da capacidade de adaptação do indíviduo ao meio ambiente. No trato gastrointestinal (TGI), o processo de envelhecimento pode provocar alterações morfofuncionais significativas nos plexos entéricos, ocasionando maior incidência de processos patológicos. A regulação da motilidade do TGI é controlada principalmente pelos neurônios mioentéricos e alterações na densidade destes neurônios podem resultar em modificações na freqüência e amplitude da contração intestinal. Dessa forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a densidade dos neurônios mioentéricos NADPH-diaforase positivos do duodeno de ratos Wistar durante o processo de envelhecimento. Para tanto, foram utilizados 15 ratos machos da linhagem Wistar, divididos em três grupos (n=5/grupo): C6 (animais com seis meses de idade); C12 (animais com doze meses de idade); C18 (animais de dezoito meses). Os animais dos grupos C12 e C18 aos seis meses de idade foram transferidos para o biotério setorial, onde permaneceram até aos 12 e 18 meses respectivamente, sob condições ambientais controladas de temperatura e de iluminação e água ad libitum. Após o período experimental todos os animais foram submetidos a eutanásia e os duodenos foram coletados e processados pela técnica histoquímica da NADPH-diaforase. Ao compararmos os grupos C6, C12 e C18 verificou-se uma diminuição na densidade neuronal (número de neurônios/mm²) com o envelhecimento, entretanto esta diferença só foi significativa (p<0,05) nos animais com 18 meses de idade. Essa redução na densidade de neurônio nitrérgicos também foi relatada na literatura no duodeno e em outros segmentos intestinais, em diferentes espécies animais com o avanço da idade. Tendo em vista tais alterações, se faz necessário o desenvolvimento de intervenções terapêuticas, que visem minimizar os efeitos do envelhecimento, melhorando desta forma a qualidade de vida da população idosa.

The twentieth century was characterized by increasing in human longevity, being life expectancy equivalent to practically twice of the age reached at the beginning of the century. The aging is a progressive and inevitable process that occurs with age and does not depend of diseases, lifestyle or environmental factors; it is accompanied by morph physiological changes that determine the progressive loss of individual´s ability to adapt to the environment. In the Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT), the aging process can provoke significant morpho functional changes in the enteric plexuses causing higher incidence of pathological processes. The GIT motility is primarily controlled by myenteric neurons, thus, changes in the density of these neurons may result in changes in the frequency and amplitude of intestinal contraction. Therefore, the aim of this work to evaluate the density of myenteric neurons NADPH-diaforase positive in the duodenum of Wistar rats during aging process. Fifteen male wistar rats were used in the experiment. The animals were divided in three groups of five animals (n=5) as following: C6 (animals aged six months); C12 (animals aged twelve months); C18 (animals aged eighteen months). The animals from the groups C12 and C18 were previously transferred to vivarium, under environmental conditions of controlled temperature and light and water ad libitum, since have reached six months to twelve and eighteen months respectively. After experimental period, all animals were euthanized and the duodenum were collected and processed for standard histochemical NADPH-diaforase technique. As a result, a decrease in the neuronal density (mm²) at the time with aging was observed in the three groups, C6, C12 and C18, however, this difference was remarkable (p>0,05) from twelve months old. This reduction in the density of nitrergic neurons was previously reported in the duodenum and other intestinal segments of different animals under aging process. Based in such alterations, were believed that there is a need of the development of therapies that minimize the effects of aging, thus, improving the quality of elderly life.

Light and scanning electron microscopic study of the tongue in the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis van Bénéden, 1864).

The importance of the tongue during feeding, and the limited information on the tongue of most aquatic mammals led us to investigate its morphological aspects in sexually immature and mature Sotalia guianensis. Six tongues were measured and photo-documented after their removal from the oral cavity. The samples were divided into rostral, middle, and caudal regions, and examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.). Sotalia guianensis tongue presented lateral grooves from the apex to the middle portion, while the anterolateral region presented marginal papillae. Histological characteristics revealed the presence of a keratinized stratified epithelium, salivary glands in the middle and caudal portions of the tongue, and filiform papillae in the caudal region. S.E.M. images revealed the presence of filiform papillae and ducts of salivary glands in the middle and caudal portions of the tongue. We can conclude that the characteristics found in this study may reflect an adaptation to changes in diet after weaning.

Fine structure of the dorsal surface of ostrich's (Struthio camelus) tongue.

The tongue of birds fills the oral cavity and has a beak-like shape. Morphological studies of birds reveal a correlation between the structure of the tongue and the mechanism of food intake and the type of food. However, several studies have shown morphological differences among the tongues of bird species. The aim of this study was to analyze ostrich tongue morphology and ultrastructural features using scanning electron microscopy. Tongues from 12 adult ostriches were examined. Six tongues were sectioned sagittally into lateral and middle portions, fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution, and examined under light microscopy. The other six samples were sectioned longitudinally, and the dorsal and ventral surfaces were separated, immersion-fixed in modified Karnovsky solution, and examined under scanning electron microscopy. The tongue surface of the ostrich was smooth, without lingual papillae, and covered by stratified non-keratinized epithelium. In the submucosal layer, mucous salivary glands were surrounded by connective-tissue capsules, with septa dividing the glands into lobes. Numerous salivary gland ducts of different sizes and connective-tissue laminae dividing each opening could be clearly seen in scanning electron microscope images. The ventral surface had fewer openings than the dorsal surface. In samples treated with NaOH, connective-tissue papillae from the dorsal region were oriented posteriorly.

Morpho-quantitative study of NADH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats of Holtzman lineage (Rattus norvegicus) / Estudo morfoquantitativo dos neurônios mioentéricos NADH-diaforase positivos do íleo de ratos (Rattus norvegicus) da linhagem Holtzman

The myenteric plexus has a regular characteristic morphological pattern for each segment of the digestive tube and for each species of animal. Considering the lack of data pertaining to the mentioned plexus in rats of Holtzman lineage, the objective of this investigation was to carry out a morpho-quantitative study of the myenteric neurons in the ileum, by means of histological sections and whole-mount muscular preparations treated by the NADH-diaphorase method. The profiles of the cell bodies (CB) of the neurons in the mesenteric and antimesenteric regions were counted and measured. The neurons were classified according to the dimensions of the CBs. NADH-dp myenteric neurons were observed grouped together into ganglia in the muscular tunica. The mean neuronal density was 985.8 ± 195.4 neurons/8.96 mm2 in the antimesenteric region and 1267.8 ± 259.92 neurons/8.96 mm2 in the mesenteric region. The incidences of small, medium and large neurons were 14.4, 82 and 3.6% in the antimesenteric region and 14.6, 70.8 and 14.4% in the mesenteric region, respectively. It was concluded that ganglionated arrangements and medium-sized NADH-dp neurons predominated in the myenteric plexus of adult Holtzman rats. The results observed indicated that the NADH-dp myenteric neurons of the ileum of Holtzman rats are similar to those of rats of Wistar lineage with respect to their localization, ganglionated arrangement and the predominance of neurons with medium-sized CBs.

O plexo mioentérico possui um padrão morfológico regular característico para cada segmento do tubo digestório e para cada espécie animal. Considerando a escassez de dados pertinentes ao referido plexo em ratos da linhagem Holtzman, o presente estudo como objetivo o estudo morfoquantitativo dos neurônios mioentéricos do íleo, por meio de cortes histológicos e preparados de membrana, tratados pelo método da NADH-diaforase. Foram contados e mensurados os perfis do corpo celular (PC) de neurônios nas regiões mesentérica e antimesentérica. Os neurônios foram classificados segundo as dimensões do PC. Foram observados os neurônios mioentéricos NADH-dp, reunidos em gânglios na túnica muscular. A densidade neuronal média foi de 985,8 ± 195,4 neurônios/8,96 mm2 na região antimesentérica e 1267,8 ± 258,92 neurônios/8,96 mm2 na região mesentérica. As incidências de neurônios pequenos, médios e grandes foram 14,4, 82 e 3,6% na região antimesentérica, e 14,6, 70,8 e 14,4% na região mesentérica, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que, em ratos Holtzman adultos, predominam o arranjo ganglionado no plexo mioentérico e neurônios NADH-dp de tamanho médio. Os resultados encontrados indicam que os neurônios mioentéricos NADH-dp do íleo de ratos Holtzman são similares aos dos ratos da linhagem Wistar no que diz respeito à localização, arranjo ganglionado e predominância de neurônios com PC de tamanho médio.

Avaliação quantitativa e mofométrica dos neurônios mioentéricos da região agrandular do estômago de ratos com Diabetes Mellitus induzido por estreptozootocina e suplementados com ácido ascórbico / Quantitative and morphometric evaluation of myenteric neurons of the forestomach of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats supplemented with ascorbic acid

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos investigar possíveis alterações no número e a área do corpo celular dos neurônios mioentéricos NADH-diaforase reativos (NADH-dr) da região aglandular do estômago de ratos diabéticos e o efeito da suplementação com AA (1g/L de água) nos referidos parâmetros. Para tanto, 15 ratos (Rattus norvegicus) foram separados em três grupos (n = 5): controle (C); diabético (D); e diabético suplementado com AA (DS). O DM foi induzido por estreptozootocina (35 mg/kg de peso corporal). Após 120 dias de experimento, os animais foram anestesiados para obtenção do estômago. Os neurônios mioentéricos foram evidenciados pelo método da NADH-diaforase. Por meio de microscópio de luz foram contados os neurônios NADH-dr e, pelo programa computadorizado para análise de imagens, foi mensurado o perfil do corpo celular (PCC) desses neurônios. O número de neurônios NADH-dr não variou significativamente entre os três grupos estutados (P>0,05). A média dos PCCs foi maior (P<0,05) para os neurônios dos grupos D e DS do que para o grupo C. Ocorreu aumento na incidência de neurônios com PCC superior a 200 µm2 no grupo D quando comparada aos grupos DS e C. Os resultados sugerem que a suplementação com AA teve efeito neuroprotetor sobre os neurônios mioentéricos NADH-dr representado pela diminuição da freqüência de neurônios grandes na região aglandular A e B do grupo DS